bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diversity and Recruitment Strategies of Rhizosphere Microbial Communities by Camellia fascicularis, a Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations in China: Plant Recruits Special Microorganisms to Get Benefit out of Them
Authors: Mu Dejin , Chen Lin , Hua Guoli , Pu Lei , Tian Zineng , Liu Yun , Zhang Guiliang , Tang Junrong
Published: November 2023

Camellia fascicularis belongs to the family Theaceae and is a plant species with extremely small populations. It is also a second-class national protected plant in China. In recent years, the anti-inflammation, antioxidation, and antitumor effects of C. fascicularis polyphenols and flavonoids have been reported. However, changes in the soil chemistry and microbes after artificial cultivation of C. fascicularis have not been well studied. Therefore, three healthy plants from each different artificial planting year’s plot (Age_3, Age_5, and Age_7) were selected, and the chemical properties of the rhizosphere soil and root endophytic microbial communities for different cultivation years of C. fascicularis were studied in Hekou County, China. The accumulation of pathogenic and beneficial microbes in the rhizosphere of C. fascicularis was also discussed. The results show that (1) the alpha diversity in rhizosphere soil was significantly higher than that in roots, and roots recruited more Actinobacteria, which might produce beneficial secondary metabolites for the plant; (2) the total nitrogen in the rhizosphere soil of C. fascicularis cultivated for 7 years was significantly higher than that in the soil cultivated for 3 years; (3) there was no significant difference in the alpha and beta diversity in the rhizosphere soil and root endophytes of C. fascicularis in different cultivation years; (4) there was no difference in the abundance of plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in either the rhizosphere soil or roots, but the number of PGPR in roots was higher than that in rhizosphere soil; and (5) the changes in pathogenic fungi and biocontrol fungi in rhizosphere soil were greater than those of endophytic fungi in roots. The results show that there are no significant differences in microbial communities among 3, 5, and 7 years, but the influence of the outside environment on the soil and fungi was greater than that of the roots and bacteria. These results can help us to understand the soil chemical and microbial community changes during the artificial cultivation of C. fascicularis and play an important role in its artificial conservation and breeding, as it is a plant species with extremely small populations.
Plasma Dephosphorylated-Uncarboxylated Matrix Gla-Protein in Systemic Sclerosis Patients: Biomarker Potential for Vascular Calcification and Inflammation
Authors: Potjewijd Judith , Tobal Rachid , Boomars Karin A. , van Empel Vanessa V. P. M. , de Vries Femke , Damoiseaux Jan G. M. C. , Schurgers Leon J. , van Paassen Pieter
Published: November 2023

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients face an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), even when classic cardiovascular risk factors are considered. Plasma dephosphorylated-uncarboxylated Matrix Gla-protein (dp-ucMGP), an inactive form of MGP, is associated with increased CVD risk. Smooth muscle cells, implicated in SSc’s development, are the primary dp-ucMGP producers. This study assessed dp-ucMGP levels and initial CVD events in early-diagnosed SSc patients, investigating its potential as a CVD and all-cause mortality predictor over time. Methods: In a cohort of 87 SSc patients (excluding those with pre-existing CVD or on dialysis), baseline dp-ucMGP levels were measured, along with cardiovascular risk factors. Validation involved assessing dp-ucMGP in a subset of treatment-naive SSc patients. Results: A significantly elevated median dp-ucMGP level of 634 pmol/L (IQR 301) compared with healthy controls (dp-ucMGP < 393 pmol/L; p < 0.001) was observed. Validation in a treatment-naive SSc patient subset yielded similar results (median 589 pmol/L; IQR 370). During a median 10.5-year follow-up among 78 SSc patients, 33.3% experienced their first CVD event, independent of traditional risk factors. Elevated dp-ucMGP levels (>634 pmol/L) correlated with a higher risk of CVD and/or death (log-rank test: p < 0.01). Conclusions: In summary, dp-ucMGP emerges as a novel biomarker in SSc patients, with elevated levels indicating an increased risk of CVD and/or mortality in this population.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Liver and Spleen Stiffness in Magnetic Resonance Elastography for the Detection of Gastroesophageal Varices: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zheng You , Huang Kaifeng , He Xiaojing , Chen Tianwu , Jiang Wei , Zhou Jun , Liu Yangyang , Guo Dajing
Published: November 2023

Background: The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the performance of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) in detecting gastroesophageal varices (GEV) in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). Methods: A literature search in English and Chinese databases such as PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure was conducted. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and area under the curve (AUC) of the summary receiver-operating characteristic (SROC) curve with a 95% CI were calculated. A quality analysis of the included study was conducted using the QUADAS-2 tool, and a meta-analysis was performed using Stata16. The clinical practical value of MRE in detecting GEV was evaluated using the Fagan plot. Heterogeneity across studies was explored through meta-regression and subgroup analyses. Results: A total of nine relevant articles that compared liver stiffness (LS) or spleen stiffness (SS) using MRE with esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) to detect the existence of GEV were identified. The pooled summary sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, and DOR of LS or SS for the detection of GEV were 81% (95% CI: 74%, 87%), 72% (95% CI: 62%, 80%), 2.89 (95% CI: 2.12, 3.94), 0.26 (95% CI: 0.19, 0.36), and 10.91 (95% CI: 6.53, 18.24), respectively. The year of publication, study design, and MR equipment are the sources of heterogeneity. There was no significant difference in the publication bias (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Based on these findings, MRE demonstrates good diagnostic accuracy for detecting GEV in patients with CLD.
Multi-Channel Representation Learning Enhanced Unfolding Multi-Scale Compressed Sensing Network for High Quality Image Reconstruction
Authors: Zeng Chunyan , Xia Shiyan , Wang Zhifeng , Wan Xiangkui
Published: November 2023

Deep Unfolding Networks (DUNs) serve as a predominant approach for Compressed Sensing (CS) reconstruction algorithms by harnessing optimization. However, a notable constraint within the DUN framework is the restriction to single-channel inputs and outputs at each stage during gradient descent computations. This constraint compels the feature maps of the proximal mapping module to undergo multi-channel to single-channel dimensionality reduction, resulting in limited feature characterization capabilities. Furthermore, most prevalent reconstruction networks rely on single-scale structures, neglecting the extraction of features from different scales, thereby impeding the overall reconstruction network’s performance. To address these limitations, this paper introduces a novel CS reconstruction network termed the Multi-channel and Multi-scale Unfolding Network (MMU-Net). MMU-Net embraces a multi-channel approach, featuring the incorporation of Adap-SKConv with an attention mechanism to facilitate the exchange of information between gradient terms and enhance the feature map’s characterization capacity. Moreover, a Multi-scale Block is introduced to extract multi-scale features, bolstering the network’s ability to characterize and reconstruct the images. Our study extensively evaluates MMU-Net’s performance across multiple benchmark datasets, including Urban100, Set11, BSD68, and the UC Merced Land Use Dataset, encompassing both natural and remote sensing images. The results of our study underscore the superior performance of MMU-Net in comparison to existing state-of-the-art CS methods.
Information from Noise: Measuring Dyslexia Risk Using Rasch-like Matrix Factorization with a Procedure for Equating Instruments
Authors: Moulton Mark H. , Eide Brock L.
Published: November 2023

This study examines the psychometric properties of a screening protocol for dyslexia and demonstrates a special form of matrix factorization called Nous based on the Alternating Least Squares algorithm. Dyslexia presents an intrinsically multidimensional complex of cognitive loads. By building and enforcing a common 6-dimensional space, Nous extracts a multidimensional signal for each person and item from test data that increases the Shannon entropy of the dataset while at the same time being constrained to meet the special objectivity requirements of the Rasch model. The resulting Dyslexia Risk Scale (DRS) yields linear equal-interval measures that are comparable regardless of the subset of items taken by the examinee. Each measure and cell estimate is accompanied by an efficiently calculated standard error. By incorporating examinee age into the calibration process, the DRS can be generalized to all age groups to allow the tracking of individual dyslexia risk over time. The methodology was implemented using a 2019 calibration sample of 828 persons aged 7 to 82 with varying degrees of dyslexia risk. The analysis yielded high reliability (0.95) and excellent receiver operating characteristics (AUC = 0.96). The analysis is accompanied by a discussion of the information-theoretic properties of matrix factorization.
A Routing Strategy Based Genetic Algorithm Assisted by Ground Access Optimization for LEO Satellite Constellations
Authors: Zhang Peiying , Lv Chong , Xu Guanjun , Wang Haoyu , Tan Lizhuang , Igorevich Kostromitin
Published: November 2023

Large-scale low Earth orbit satellite networks (LSNs) have been attracting increasing attention in recent years. These systems offer advantages such as low latency, high bandwidth communication, and all terrain coverage. However, the main challenges faced by LSNs is the calculation and maintenance of routing strategies. This is primarily due to the large scale and dynamic network topology of LSN constellations. As the number of satellites in constellations continues to rise, the feasibility of the centralized routing strategy, which calculates all shortest routes between every satellite, becomes increasingly limited by space and time constraints. This approach is also not suitable for the Walker Delta formation, which is becoming more popular for giant constellations. In order to find an effective routing strategy, this paper defines the satellite routing problem as a mixed linear integer programming problem (MILP), proposes a routing strategy based on a genetic algorithm (GA), and comprehensively considers the efficiency of source or destination ground stations to access satellite constellations. The routing strategy integrates ground station ingress and exit policies and inter-satellite packet forwarding policies and reduces the cost of routing decisions. The experimental results show that, compared with the traditional satellite routing algorithm, the proposed routing strategy has better link capacity utilization, a lower round trip communication time, and an improved traffic reception rate.
Grounding and Isolation Requirements in DC Microgrids: Overview and Critical Analysis
Authors: Azizi Mohammadreza , Husev Oleksandr , Veligorskyi Oleksandr , Rahimpour Saeed , Roncero-Clemente Carlos
Published: November 2023

DC microgrids, along with existing AC grids, are a future trend in energy distribution systems. At the same time, many related issues are still undefined and unsolved. In particular, uncertainty prevails in isolation requirements between AC grids and novel microgrids as well as in the grounding approaches. This paper presents a critical technical analysis and an overview of possible grounding approaches in DC systems and the feasibility of avoiding isolation between AC and DC grids.
Analysis of the Deposition of Pollutants on the Surface of Photovoltaic Modules
Authors: Teneta Janusz , Janowski Mirosław , Bender Karolina
Published: November 2023

This article presents the results of an experiment to measure the mass of contaminants naturally deposited on the surface of photovoltaic modules. Six types of PV modules included in the installation located on the roof of the C3 building (AGH campus, Krakow, Poland) were tested. More than 120 contamination samples were collected during the experiment, which lasted from 23 March to 15 June 2022. Detailed analysis showed a clear relationship between the tilt angle of the photovoltaic modules and the amount of contamination accumulating on them. The impact of the backsheet color and the way the module was mounted (vertical or horizontal) on the amount of dirt deposited on a given module was also recorded. Because the experiment lasted for many weeks, it was possible to investigate the intensity of the contamination build-up over the following weeks (in the absence of module cleaning) and the effect of precipitation on the module self-cleaning. During one measurement, a layer of contamination with a normalized mass of 181 mg/m2 was found to reduce PV module peak power by almost 4%.
Modified Genetic Algorithm for the Profit-Based Unit Commitment Problem in Competitive Electricity Market
Authors: Nepomuceno Lucas Santiago , de Oliveira Layon Mescolin , da Silva Junior Ivo Chaves , de Oliveira Edimar José , de Paula Arthur Neves
Published: November 2023

This article proposes a solution to the Profit-Based Unit Commitment (PBUC) problem to maximize the profit of a power generation company that owns thermal units and compressed air energy storage (CAES) systems, considering the Day-Ahead market. The proposed methodology is more realistic as it considers a mixed-integer nonlinear formulation of the PBUC. The problem is solved through two stages, with Stage 1 dedicated to obtaining the operational state of the generating units (On or Off) and the operation mode of the storage system (energy exchange: charging, discharging, idle). Stage 2 determines the dispatch of power from the thermoelectric units and the energy exchange in the storage system. The analysis of the system consisting of 20 thermoelectric units and three storage systems shows the efficiency of the proposed method in making decisions for the power generation company and is therefore promising for real-world applications.
Trends and Evolution of the GIS-Based Photovoltaic Potential Calculation
Authors: Anselmo Sebastiano , Ferrara Maria
Published: November 2023

In the current framework of energy transition, renewable energy production has gained a renewed relevance. A set of 75 papers was selected from the existing literature and critically analyzed to understand the main inputs and tools used to calculate solar energy and derive theoretical photovoltaic production based on geographic information systems (GISs). A heterogeneous scenario for solar energy estimation emerged from the analysis, with a prevalence of 2.5D tools—mainly ArcGIS and QGIS—whose calculation is refined chiefly by inputting weather data from databases. On the other hand, despite some minor changes, the formula for calculating the photovoltaic potential is widely acknowledged and includes solar energy, exploitable surface, performance ratio, and panel efficiency. While sectorial studies—targeting a specific component of the calculation—are sound, the comprehensive ones are generally problematic due to excessive simplification of some parts. Moreover, validation is often lacking or, when present, only partial. The research on the topic is in constant evolution, increasingly moving towards purely 3D models and refining the estimation to include the time component—both in terms of life cycle and variations between days and seasons.
MCDM-Based Wildfire Risk Assessment: A Case Study on the State of Arizona
Authors: Pishahang Mohammad , Jovcic Stefan , Hashemkhani Zolfani Sarfaraz , Simic Vladimir , Görçün Ömer Faruk
Published: November 2023

The increasing frequency of wildfires has posed significant challenges to communities worldwide. The effectiveness of all aspects of disaster management depends on a credible estimation of the prevailing risk. Risk, the product of a hazard’s likelihood and its potential consequences, encompasses the probability of hazard occurrence, the exposure of assets to these hazards, existing vulnerabilities that amplify the consequences, and the capacity to manage, mitigate, and recover from their consequences. This paper employs the multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework, which produces reliable results and allows for the customization of the relative importance of factors based on expert opinions. Utilizing the AROMAN algorithm, the study ranks counties in the state of Arizona according to their wildfire risk, drawing upon 25 factors categorized into expected annual loss, community resilience, and social vulnerability. A sensitivity analysis demonstrates the stability of the results when model parameters are altered, reinforcing the robustness of this approach in disaster risk assessment. While the paper primarily focuses on enhancing the safety of human communities in the context of wildfires, it highlights the versatility of the methodology, which can be applied to other natural hazards and accommodate more subjective risk and safety assessments.
High-Pressure Inactivation of Bacillus cereus in Human Breast Milk
Authors: Jandová Miroslava , Fišerová Michaela , Paterová Pavla , Cacková Lucie , Měřička Pavel , Malý Jan , Kacerovský Marian , Kovaříková Eliška , Strohalm Jan , Demnerová Kateřina , Kadavá Jana , Sýkorová Hana , Hyšpler Radomír , Čížková Dana , Bezrouk Aleš , Houška Milan
Published: November 2023

Although Holder pasteurization is the recommended method for processing breast milk, it does affect some of its nutritional and biological properties and is ineffective at inactivating spores. The aim of this study was to find and validate an alternative methodology for processing breast milk to increase its availability for newborn babies and reduce the financial loss associated with discarding milk that has become microbiologically positive. We prepared two series of breast milk samples inoculated with the Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) strain to verify the effectiveness of two high-pressure treatments: (1) 350 MPa/5 min/38 °C in four cycles and (2) cumulative pressure of 350 MPa/20 min/38 °C. We found that the use of pressure in cycles was statistically more effective than cumulative pressure. It reduced the number of spores by three to four orders of magnitude. We verified that the method was reproducible. The routine use of this method could lead to an increased availability of milk for newborn babies, and at the same time, reduce the amount of wasted milk. In addition, high-pressure treatment preserves the nutritional quality of milk.
The Development of Novel Functional Corn Flakes Produced from Different Types of Maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Košutić Milenko , Djalović Ivica , Filipović Jelena , Jakšić Snežana , Filipović Vladimir , Nićetin Milica , Lončar Biljana
Published: November 2023

Cereal products, such as flakes and snack items, are frequently consumed as part of everyday diets, encompassing ready-to-eat breakfast cereals, flakes, and snacks. The utilization of extrusion technology is crucial in the manufacturing process of cereal-based flakes or snack products. When it comes to cereal-based flakes or snacks, different types of corn, such as white corn, yellow corn, red corn, and black corn, have garnered attention from scientists, consumers, and experts in the food industry. This paper investigates the simultaneous effects of different types of corn (white corn, yellow corn, red corn, and black corn) addition and different screw speeds (350, 500, 650 rpm) on the physical, technological, and functional properties of flake products. An increasing screw speed had a positive influence on the physical and technological characteristics of corn flakes, while different types of corn had a positive influence on the mineral composition and antioxidant properties. Black corn flour and a screw speed of 350 rpm positively influenced the physical and technological characteristics, mineral composition, and antioxidant properties of flake products, with a best total Z-score analysis of 0.59. Overall, the combination of Tukey’s HSD test and PCA enabled a comprehensive analysis of the observed corn products and allowed us to identify satiating and significant differences between attributes and create a classification of the samples based on those differences. Corn flakes from black corn flour on a screw speed of 350 rpm is a new product with good physical–technological and functional properties due to a higher level of antioxidant activity. The last three samples have a significantly higher percentage of free radical inhibition compared with the other samples according to TPC and TFC. This product has the potential to be found on the market as a new product with functional properties.
Application of Immobilized Enzymes in Juice Clarification
Authors: Wang Feng , Xu Hui , Wang Miaomiao , Yu Xiaolei , Cui Yi , Xu Ling , Ma Anzhou , Ding Zhongyang , Huo Shuhao , Zou Bin , Qian Jingya
Published: November 2023

Immobilized enzymes are currently being rapidly developed and are widely used in juice clarification. Immobilized enzymes have many advantages, and they show great advantages in juice clarification. The commonly used methods for immobilizing enzymes include adsorption, entrapment, covalent bonding, and cross-linking. Different immobilization methods are adopted for different enzymes to accommodate their different characteristics. This article systematically reviews the methods of enzyme immobilization and the use of immobilized supports in juice clarification. In addition, the mechanisms and effects of clarification with immobilized pectinase, immobilized laccase, and immobilized xylanase in fruit juice are elaborated upon. Furthermore, suggestions and prospects are provided for future studies in this area.
Dual-Channel Fluorescent/Colorimetric-Based OPD-Pd/Pt NFs Sensor for High-Sensitivity Detection of Silver Ions
Authors: Fang Yuan , Ding Shusen , Li Weiran , Zhang Jingjing , Sun Hui , Lin Xiaodong
Published: November 2023

Silver ions (Ag+) exist widely in various areas of human life, and the food contamination caused by them poses a serious threat to human health. Among the numerous methods used for the detection of Ag+, fluorescence and colorimetric analysis have attracted much attention due to their inherent advantages, such as high sensitivity, simple operation, short time, low cost and visualized detection. In this work, Pd/Pt nanoflowers (NFs) specifically responsive to Ag+ were synthesized in a simple way to oxidize o-phenylenediamine (OPD) into 2,3-diaminophenazine (DAP). The interaction of Ag+ with the surface of Pd/Pt NFs inhibits the catalytic activity of Pd/Pt NFs towards the substrate OPD. A novel dual-channel nanosensor was constructed for the detection of Ag+, using the fluorescence intensity and UV-vis absorption intensity of DAP as output signals. This dual-mode analysis combines their respective advantages to significantly improve the sensitivity and accuracy of Ag+ detection. The results showed that the limit of detection was 5.8 nM for the fluorescence channel and 46.9 nM for the colorimetric channel, respectively. Moreover, the developed platform has been successfully used for the detection of Ag+ in real samples with satisfactory recoveries, which is promising for the application in the point-of-care testing of Ag+ in the field of food safety.
Exploring Integral ϝ-Contractions with Applications to Integral Equations and Fractional BVPs
Authors: Nisar Zubair , Mehmood Nayyar , Azam Akbar , Ali Faryad , Al-Kadhi Mohammed A.
Published: November 2023

In this article, two types of contractive conditions are introduced, namely extended integral Ϝ-contraction and (ϰ,Ω-Ϝ)-contraction. For the case of two mappings and their coincidence point theorems, a variant of (ϰ,Ω-Ϝ)-contraction has been introduced, which is called (ϰ,Γ1,2,Ω-Ϝ)-contraction. In the end, the applications of an extended integral Ϝ-contraction and (ϰ,Ω-Ϝ)-contraction are given by providing an existence result in the solution of a fractional order multi-point boundary value problem involving the Riemann–Liouville fractional derivative. An interesting existence result for the solution of the nonlinear Fredholm integral equation of the second kind using the (ϰ,Γ1,2,Ω-Ϝ)-contraction has been proven. Herein, an example is established that explains how the Picard–Jungck sequence converges to the solution of the nonlinear integral equation. Examples are given for almost all the main results and some graphs are plotted where required.
Adaptive Backstepping Boundary Control for a Class of Modified Burgers’ Equation
Authors: Jurado Francisco , Murillo-García Oscar F.
Published: November 2023

Burgers’ equation is used to describe wave phenomena in hydrodynamics and acoustics. It was derived originally as a prototype to provide analytic insight into the nature of turbulence and its modeling, and has found applications in the study of shock waves and wave transmission. Burgers’ equation is not globally controllable, and under certain conditions it can be neutrally stable. In this study, we explore the adaptive backstepping boundary control (BBC) methodology on a modified Burgers’ equation with unknown parameters, but constant, for the reactive and convective (nonlinear) terms, with Robin and Neumann boundary conditions (BCs), where this latter BC is actuated by the control signal. The nominal controller is designed from a linear partial differential equation (PDE), and under the assumption that this nominal controller also achieves stabilization for the modified Burgers’ equation, then its adaptive version is proposed for the control of such nonlinear PDE systems. Simulation results show convergence near the ideal values for the parametric estimates while the estimation error converges to zero.
The Effect of Gelatin Source on the Synthesis of Gelatin-Methacryloyl and the Production of Hydrogel Microparticles
Authors: Grijalva Garces David , Appoldt Luise Josephine , Egner Jasmin , Leister Nico , Hubbuch Jürgen
Published: November 2023

Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) is widely used for the formulation of hydrogels in diverse biotechnological applications. After the derivatization of raw gelatin, the degree of functionalization (DoF) is an attribute of particular interest as the functional residues are necessary for crosslinking. Despite progress in the optimization of the process found in the literature, a comparison of the effect of raw gelatin on the functionalization is challenging as various approaches are employed. In this work, the modification of gelatin was performed at room temperature (RT), and eight different gelatin products were employed. The DoF proved to be affected by the bloom strength and by the species of gelatin at an equal reactant ratio. Furthermore, batch-to-batch variability of the same gelatin source had an effect on the produced GelMA. Moreover, the elasticity of GelMA hydrogels depended on the DoF of the protein as well as on bloom strength and source of the raw material. Additionally, GelMA solutions were used for the microfluidic production of droplets and subsequent crosslinking to hydrogel. This process was developed as a single pipeline at RT using protein concentrations up to 20% (w/v). Droplet size was controlled by the ratio of the continuous to dispersed phase. The swelling behavior of hydrogel particles depended on the GelMA concentration.
Genome-Wide Association Study of Blood Mercury in European Pregnant Women and Children
Authors: Dack Kyle , Bustamante Mariona , Taylor Caroline M. , Llop Sabrina , Lozano Manuel , Yousefi Paul , Gražulevičienė Regina , Gutzkow Kristine Bjerve , Brantsæter Anne Lise , Mason Dan , Escaramís Georgia , Lewis Sarah J.
Published: November 2023

Mercury has high industrial utility and is present in many products, and environmental contamination and occupational exposure are widespread. There are numerous biological systems involved in the absorption, metabolism, and excretion of Hg, and it is possible that some systems may be impacted by genetic variation. If so, genotype may affect tissue concentrations of Hg and subsequent toxic effects. Genome-wide association testing was performed on blood Hg samples from pregnant women of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (n = 2893) and children of the Human Early Life Exposome (n = 1042). Directly-genotyped single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were imputed to the Haplotype Reference Consortium r1.1 panel of whole genotypes and modelled againstlog-transformed Hg. Heritability was estimated using linkage disequilibrium score regression. The heritability of Hg was estimated as 24.0% (95% CI: 16.9% to 46.4%) in pregnant women, but could not be determined in children. There were 16 SNPs associated with Hg in pregnant women above a suggestive p-value threshold (p < 1 × 10−5), and 21 for children. However, no SNP passed this threshold in both studies, and none were genome-wide significant (p < 5 × 10−8). SNP-Hg associations were highly discordant between women and children, and this may reflect differences in metabolism, a gene–age interaction, or dose–response effects. Several suggestive variants had plausible links to Hg metabolism, such as rs146099921 in metal transporter SLC39A14, and two variants (rs28618224, rs7154700) in potassium voltage-gated channel genes. The findings would benefit from external validation, as suggestive results may contain both true associations and false positives.
Causes of Chronic Kidney Disease of Non-Traditional Origin in Central America: An Approach Based on Medical Geology
Authors: Valdés-Rodríguez Benedicto , Montero-Campos Virginia , Siebecker Matthew G.
Published: November 2023

Chronic kidney disease of non-traditional origin (CKDnt) in Central America, also known as Mesoamerican Nephropathy (MeN), is of particular concern in agricultural populations. The member states of the Central American Integration System (SICA) determined in 2013 that there was an imperative need to address the situation in a comprehensive manner and defined policies for the intervention of the disease. A situation that currently worries health authorities is that cases are on the rise—without distinguishing or implementing effective actions to achieve a decrease in disease prevalence. The incidence of heat and strenuous activities on renal health is undeniable; however, labeling these variables as the only responsible causes for MeN has not catalyzed the implementation of health measures to lead to a preventive approach to solve the epidemic or to achieve a decrease in the number of new cases. This review addresses the role nephrotoxic metals present in the environment, mainly in soils and water, may have as part of a scenario of exposure to environmental toxins in which environmental, occupational, geographic and population variables interact. An integral approach was used to encompass the multicausality that is attributed to MeN and based on the multidisciplinary concept of the re-emerging discipline called medical geology.
Arabic Translation and Psychometric Validation of PROMIS General Life Satisfaction Short Form in the General Population
Authors: Bakhsh Hadeel R. , Aldajani Nouf S. , Sheeha Bodor Bin , Aldhahi Monira I. , Alsomali Atheer A. , Alhamrani Ghada K. , Alamri Rahaf Z. , Alhasani Rehab
Published: November 2023

This study aimed to translate the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) General Life Satisfaction Short Form (GLS SF5a) into the Arabic language and psychometrically validate the scale in the general population of Saudi Arabia. The translation processes followed the international recommendations of the FACIT Measurement System. The study was a multicentre cross-sectional study conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 657 individuals who were above 18 years of age and able to write and comprehend Arabic completed the GLS SF5a. Rasch analysis was used to evaluate item fit, reliability indices, item difficulty, principal component analysis and local item dependency. WINSTEPS (v. 5.6.0) was used for the analysis. The translation process and cognitive defibring were completed with no issues. The rating scale categories had a disordered threshold. All items, except one, demonstrated a satisfactory fit to the Rasch model. The reliability of the person separation was 0.86. The scale was unidimensional, and no items showed local dependency. Overall, this study confirms the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the PROMIS GLS SF5a, which can be used as an instrument for measuring general life satisfaction in the general population. Further research is required to explore responsiveness, interpretability and feasibility in the clinical setting.
Heritage Tourism, Retail Revival and City Center Revitalization: A Case Study of Koper, Slovenia
Authors: Faganel Armand , Reisman Beti , Tomažič Tina
Published: November 2023

The focus of this paper is the revitalization of a heritage city center and the significance of retail trade and cruise ship tourism within this context. Fundamental concepts are presented in the literature review and the factors contributing to the decline of old city centers explored. The empirical section of the paper comprises a case study that highlights a specific municipality’s efforts to revive its heritage city center. The main attraction in Koper is its well-preserved medieval city center with five-centuries-old Venetian architecture. An analysis of the municipality’s initiatives is performed and a qualitative study that investigates the perceptions and experiences of stakeholders regarding the situation and the municipality’s actions to preserve commercial activity in the city center. The results of the semi-structured interviews conducted with three distinct stakeholder groups are analyzed using the qualitative content analysis method. The findings reveal that the chosen municipality has achieved relative success in revitalizing its heritage city center. Concurrently, stakeholders’ perspectives are utilized to identify potential drawbacks and explore opportunities for mitigating them. This paper concludes by presenting its theoretical and methodological contributions to the field of heritage city center revitalization, not only in the selected municipality but also beyond. These insights can inform the appropriate sustainable policy development and marketing strategy.
Identification and Analysis of Reference and Tissue-Specific Genes in Bitter Gourd Based on Transcriptome Data
Authors: Zheng Yangyi , Ma Yao , Luo Jianning , Li Junxing , Zheng Xiaoming , Gong Hao , Deng Liting , Zhao Gangjun , Luo Caixia , Liu Xiaoxi , Wu Haibin
Published: November 2023

Accurate and standardized quantification of reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) results relies on the use of a dependable reference gene. The precise control of transgene expression in terms of both spatial and temporal aspects necessitates the utilization of tissue-specific gene promoters. However, the identification of stable reference genes across various tissues, particularly in fruits at different ripening stages, as well as tissue-specific genes in bitter gourds, remains largely unexplored. In this study, we employed RNA-Seq-based transcriptome datasets obtained from nine tissues to comprehensively screen for new reference genes (NRGs) and tissue-specific genes. Through the utilization of five algorithms in conjunction with qRT-PCR analysis, we successfully identified two highly stable reference genes, namely HMG1/2 and PHOS32, from a pool of 11 NRGs and five traditional reference genes (TRGs). To validate their reliability, we performed expression pattern analysis of two genes associated with fruit ripening (McACO1 and McACO2) using HMG1/2 and PHOS32, as well as an unstable reference gene, HSCP2. Furthermore, we conducted qRT-PCR validation of 12 tissue-specific genes using HMG1/2 as the reference gene. This study not only contributes to the precise normalization of target genes in bitter gourd but also provides a solid foundation for regulating transgenes through the utilization of suitable tissue-specific promoters.
Comprehensive Evaluation of Nutritional Qualities of Chinese Cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis) Varieties Based on Multivariate Statistical Analysis
Authors: Song Chao , Ye Xinyu , Liu Guangyang , Zhang Shifan , Li Guoliang , Zhang Hui , Li Fei , Sun Rifei , Wang Chenggang , Xu Donghui , Zhang Shujiang
Published: November 2023

In order to make the identification and utilization of nutritional quality components in Chinese cabbage more predictive, to obtain ideal raw materials, and to help screen functional Chinese cabbage varieties that have high nutritional value, we conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the nutritional quality of different Chinese cabbage varieties. In this study, 17 nutritional quality indexes of 35 Chinese cabbage varieties, including crude fiber (CF), crude protein (CP), vitamin C (VC), glucose (Glc), fructose (Fru), malic acid (MA), citric acid (CA), oxalic acid (OA), total amino acid (TAA) and CA, K, Mg, P, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn, were analyzed using diversity analysis, correlation analysis, principal component analysis, membership function analysis and cluster analysis. The results showed that there were different degrees of variation in the 17 nutritional quality indexes, and the coefficients of variation ranged from 11.45% to 91.47%. The correlation analysis found that there were significant or extremely significant correlations between different nutrient elements of Chinese cabbage, which indicated that principal component analysis could be carried out, and the comprehensive score (D value) of different materials could be obtained using principal component analysis and the membership function method. The nutritional quality of Chinese cabbage was classified into five grades by cluster analysis. Finally, a mathematical model for evaluating the nutritional quality of Chinese cabbage was established using the D value and multiple stepwise regression methods, and 10 key indexes were selected from the 17 indexes, which could be used for the rapid identification of the nutritional quality of Chinese cabbage. This study provided a theoretical basis for the nutritional quality evaluation and variety breeding of Chinese cabbage.
Growth, Phenotypic Plasticity and Fruit Quality in Tomato: A Study under High Temperature and Elevated CO2
Authors: Oliva-Ruiz Miguel , Pacheco Neith , Cuevas-Bernardino Juan Carlos , Tezara Wilmer , De-la-Peña Clelia , Andueza-Noh Rubén H. , Pierre Jacques Fils , Garruña René
Published: November 2023

We assessed the emergence, growth, phenotypic plasticity and quality of both landrace and commercial tomato fruits under conditions of elevated temperature and increased CO2 concentrations [CO2]. Four growth chambers were used in which temperature and [CO2] differed: LTLC (30 °C, 400 µmol CO2 mol−1), LTHC (30 °C, 1200 µmol CO2 mol−1), HTLC (40 °C, 400 µmol CO2 mol−1) and HTHC (40 °C, 1200 µmol CO2 mol−1). The acronyms indicate the following: LT, low temperature; HT, high temperature; LC, low [CO2]; and HC, high [CO2]. Elevated temperatures significantly affected emergence in both genotypes, with the rate decreasing below 35% at HT compared to over 95% at LT. At HT, seedlings died before producing true leaves. This increase in temperature negatively affected plant growth, though HC produced some compensatory growth promotion. Regarding HT and CO2 interactions, HC failed to counteract the negative impacts of HT. The commercial variety showed a higher relative distance plasticity index (RDPI) under HT, whereas the landrace showed greater plasticity in plant height under HC. The largest fruit sizes were observed at LT, whereas no fruits were found at HTLC. Elevated temperature at HC resulted in enhanced total phenol content and increased antioxidant activity in the fruits.
Investigating the Coupling Relationship between Soil Moisture and Evaporative Fraction over China’s Transitional Climate Zone
Authors: Zhang Liang , Sha Sha , Zhang Qiang , Zhao Funian , Zhao Jianhua , Li Hongyu , Wang Sheng , Wang Jianshun , Hu Yanbin , Han Hui
Published: November 2023

The interaction between soil moisture (SM) and evaporative fraction (EF), which reflects the degree of exchange of water and energy between the land and the atmosphere, is an important component of the theory of land–atmosphere coupling. Exploring the relationship between SM and EF in the transitional climate zone of China can help deepen our understanding of the characteristics of water and energy exchange in this region of strong land–atmosphere coupling. Data on observations in fluxes in the transitional climate zone revealed that fluxes in the energy on the surface of the land in this region exhibited significant inter-annual variations. The sensible heat flux (SH) exhibited the largest fluctuations in July and August, while the latent heat flux (LE) varied the most from June to August. The EF was found to exhibit weak correlations with indicators of vegetation growth such as the leaf area index, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, and gross primary productivity in the transitional zone of the East Asian summer monsoon. By contrast, the relationship of land–atmosphere coupling between EF and SM in the transitional climate zone was stronger. Based on an analysis of the consistency of the relationship of SM-EF coupling, when the SMP reached 35%, there was a significant transition in the linear relationship between the SMP and EF that was consistent between the shallower and deeper layers of soil (0–40 and 40–80 cm). However, neither level had SM that reached saturation during the six-year observational period (2007–2012), and the mean values of its probability density function showed that the deep soil was drier than the shallow soil. This characteristic shows that SM plays a dominant role in variations in the EF in the transitional climate zone, which in turn indicates that constraints on the moisture govern the SM–EF relationship. The results of this study provide a better understanding of the mechanisms of land–atmosphere coupling in the transitional climate zone of China.
Mixture of Peanut Skin Extract, Geniposide, and Isoquercitrin Improves the Hepatic Lipid Accumulation of Mice via Modification of Gut Microbiota Homeostasis and the TLR4 and AMPK Signaling Pathways
Authors: Yi Meijuan , Fasina Opeyemi B. , Li Yajing , Xiang Lan , Qi Jianhua
Published: November 2023

Metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD, formerly known as NAFLD) is a global chronic liver disease, and no licensed drugs are currently available for its treatment. The incidence of MASLD is increasing, which could lead to a huge clinical and economic burden. As a multifactorial disease, MASLD involves a complex set of metabolic changes, and many monotherapies for it are not clinically effective. Therefore, combination therapies using multiple drugs are emerging, with the advantages of improving drug efficacy and reducing side effects. Peanut skin extract (PSE), geniposide (GEN), and isoquercitrin (IQ) are three natural antiaging components or compounds. In this study, the preventive effects of individual PSE, GEN, and IQ in comparison with the effects of their mixture (MPGI) were examined in a mouse model of high-fat-feed-induced MASLD. The results showed that MPGI could significantly reduce the body and liver weights of mice and improve hepatic steatosis and liver function indicators. Further mechanistic studies showed that PSE, GEN, and IQ worked together by reducing inflammation, modulating the intestinal flora, and regulating the TLR4/NF-κB, AMPK/ACC/CPT1, and AMPK/UKL1/LC3B signaling pathways. It is a promising therapeutic method for preventing MASLD.
Impacts of Natural Selection on Evolution of Core and Symbiotically Specialized (sym) Genes in the Polytypic Species Neorhizobium galegae
Authors: Karasev Evgeny S. , Hosid Sergey L. , Aksenova Tatiana S. , Onishchuk Olga P. , Kurchak Oksana N. , Dzyubenko Nikolay I. , Andronov Evgeny E. , Provorov Nikolay A.
Published: November 2023

Nodule bacteria (rhizobia) represent a suitable model to address a range of fundamental genetic problems, including the impacts of natural selection on the evolution of symbiotic microorganisms. Rhizobia possess multipartite genomes in which symbiotically specialized (sym) genes differ from core genes in their natural histories. Diversification of sym genes is responsible for rhizobia microevolution, which depends on host-induced natural selection. By contrast, diversification of core genes is responsible for rhizobia speciation, which occurs under the impacts of still unknown selective factors. In this paper, we demonstrate that in goat’s rue rhizobia (Neorhizobium galegae) populations collected at North Caucasus, representing two host-specific biovars orientalis and officianalis (N2-fixing symbionts of Galega orientalis and G. officinalis), the evolutionary mechanisms are different for core and sym genes. In both N. galegae biovars, core genes are more polymorphic than sym genes. In bv. orientalis, the evolution of core genes occurs under the impacts of driving selection (dN/dS > 1), while the evolution of sym genes is close to neutral (dN/dS ≈ 1). In bv. officinalis, the evolution of core genes is neutral, while for sym genes, it is dependent on purifying selection (dN/dS < 1). A marked phylogenetic congruence of core and sym genes revealed using ANI analysis may be due to a low intensity of gene transfer within and between N. galegae biovars. Polymorphism in both gene groups and the impacts of driving selection on core gene evolution are more pronounced in bv. orientalis than in bv. officianalis, reflecting the diversities of their respective host plant species. In bv. orientalis, a highly significant (P0 < 0.001) positive correlation is revealed between the p-distance and dN/dS values for core genes, while in bv. officinalis, this correlation is of low significance (0.05 < P0 < 0.10). For sym genes, the correlation between p-distance and dN/dS values is negative in bv. officinalis but is not revealed in bv. orientalis. These data, along with the functional annotation of core genes implemented using Gene Ontology tools, suggest that the evolution of bv. officinalis is based mostly on adaptation for in planta niches while in bv. orientalis, evolution presumably depends on adaptation for soil niches. New insights into the tradeoff between natural selection and genetic diversity are presented, suggesting that gene nucleotide polymorphism may be extended by driving selection only in ecologically versatile organisms capable of supporting a broad spectrum of gene alleles in their gene pools.