bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Minecraft as a Hybrid Boundary Object: Exploring Nature in Squares
Authors: Cederqvist Anne-Marie , Impedovo Maria
Published: September 2023

In this exploratory case study, we investigated children’s ways of experiencing virtual worlds, such as Minecraft, and how this may affect their understanding of nature, scientific phenomena, and sustainable development; that is to say, Minecraft was explored as a boundary object in children’s making activities with Minecraft. The research questions that guided the study are: In what ways may Minecraft act as a boundary object between children’s formal and informal learning about science and sustainable development? In what ways may Minecraft act as a boundary object when children build relationships with nature? Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six children. A thematic analysis approach was used to analyze the interviews. This study shows that in the Minecraft context, the children gained a breadth of everyday experiences related to scientific phenomena and sustainability. Further, the findings indicate that children merged their experiences in the virtual world with experiences in the physical world. In this sense, Minecraft involves science and sustainability content that crosses the boundary between the virtual world and reality. Thus, we suggest that Minecraft bridged children’s physical and virtual relationships with nature; that is to say, Minecraft became a boundary object that allowed children to experience nature and encounter knowledge that they would not otherwise have been able to experience.
Impact of Universal Primary Education Policy on the Schooling of Girls and Children with Disabilities in Uganda
Authors: Lamichhane Kamal , Tsujimoto Takahiro
Published: September 2023

Utilizing the nationally representative Demographic and Health Survey dataset from 2016 and using the difference-in-difference technique, we compare the effect of the Universal Primary Education (UPE) policy on the educational attainment between girls and children with disabilities in Uganda. Although UPE is effective in bridging gender gaps, we observed no significant gaps between children with and without disabilities in poor households, indicating the difficulty parents with financial constraints face in investing in education regardless of disability. Additionally, for disabled samples, we observed a positive effect of UPE on years of schooling for full and female samples but not for poor households, indicating that simply waiving tuition fees as part of the UPE policy is not sufficient to increase access to education.
AI Course Design Planning Framework: Developing Domain-Specific AI Education Courses
Authors: Schleiss Johannes , Laupichler Matthias Carl , Raupach Tobias , Stober Sebastian
Published: September 2023

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly important in various domains, making education about AI a necessity. The interdisciplinary nature of AI and the relevance of AI in various fields require that university instructors and course developers integrate AI topics into the classroom and create so-called domain-specific AI courses. In this paper, we introduce the “AI Course Design Planning Framework” as a course planning framework to structure the development of domain-specific AI courses at the university level. The tool evolves non-specific course planning frameworks to address the context of domain-specific AI education. Following a design-based research approach, we evaluated a first prototype of the tool with instructors in the field of AI education who are developing domain-specific courses in this area. The results of our evaluation indicate that the tool allows instructors to create domain-specific AI courses in an efficient and comprehensible way. In general, instructors rated the tool as useful and user-friendly and made recommendations to improve its usability. Future research will focus on testing the application of the tool for domain-specific AI course developments in different domain contexts and examine the influence of using the tool on AI course quality and learning outcomes.
A Knowledge-Graph-Driven Method for Intelligent Decision Making on Power Communication Equipment Faults
Authors: Qu Huiying , Zhang Yiying , Liang Kun , Li Siwei , Huo Xianxu
Published: September 2023

The grid terminal deploys numerous types of communication equipment for the digital construction of the smart grid. Once communication equipment failure occurs, it might jeopardize the safety of the power grid. The massive amount of communication equipment leads to a dramatic increase in fault research and judgment data, making it difficult to locate fault information in equipment maintenance. Therefore, this paper designs a knowledge-graph-driven method for intelligent decision making on power communication equipment faults. The method consists of two parts: power knowledge extraction and user intent multi-feature learning recommendation. The power knowledge extraction model utilizes a multi-layer bidirectional encoder to capture the global features of the sentence and then characterizes the deep local semantics of the sentence through a convolutional pooling layer, which achieves the joint extraction and visual display of the fault entity relations. The user intent multi-feature learning recommendation model uses a graph convolutional neural network to aggregate the higher-order neighborhood information of faulty entities and then the cross-compression matrix to solve the feature interaction degree of the user and graph, which achieves accurate prediction of fault retrieval. The experimental results show that the method is optimal in knowledge extraction compared to classical models such as BERT-CRF, in which the F1 value reaches 81.7%, which can effectively extract fault knowledge. User intent multi-feature learning recommendation works best, with an F1 value of 87%. Compared with the classical models such as CKAN and KGCN, it is improved by 5%~11%, which can effectively solve the problem of insufficient mining of user retrieval intent. This method realizes accurate retrieval and personalized recommendation of fault information of electric power communication equipment.
A Dataflow-Oriented Approach for Machine-Learning-Powered Internet of Things Applications
Authors: Baldoni Gabriele , Teixeira Rafael , Guimarães Carlos , Antunes Mário , Gomes Diogo , Corsaro Angelo
Published: September 2023

The rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) has led to an exponential increase in data generated by connected devices. Machine Learning (ML) has emerged as a powerful tool to analyze these data and enable intelligent IoT applications. However, developing and managing ML applications in the decentralized Cloud-to-Things continuum is extremely complex. This paper proposes Zenoh-Flow, a dataflow programming framework that supports the implementation of End-to-End (E2E) ML pipelines in a fully decentralized manner and abstracted from communication aspects. Thus, it simplifies the development and upgrade process of the next-generation ML-powered applications in the IoT domain. The proposed framework was demonstrated using a real-world use case, and the results showcased a significant improvement in overall performance and network usage compared to the original implementation. Additionally, other of its inherent benefits are a significant step towards developing efficient and scalable ML applications in the decentralized IoT ecosystem.
A Switchable Frequency Selective Rasorber with a Broad Transmission Window at the X-Band
Authors: Shi Shengnan , Chai Zizhao , Zhang Shan , Shi Yanpeng , Zhang Yifei
Published: September 2023

This paper proposes a switchable polarization-insensitive frequency selective rasorber (FSR) within the X-band. The FSR comprises a lossy layer, a lossless layer, and an intermediate air layer. The lossy layer consists of metal patches, folded wires, and lumped resistors, while the lossless layer is formed with square and cross patches loaded with PIN diodes. An equivalent circuit model (ECM) has been developed to analyze and verify the working principle of the system. By altering the state of the PIN diodes, it is feasible to switch between absorbing and transmitting modes. In the rasorber mode, the switchable FSR attains a transmission window ranging from 10.13 to 12.27 GHz with a minimum insertion loss below 2 dB and a broad absorption band covering 5.79–15.37 GHz. When switched to absorber mode, the passband is negated, and the FSR exhibits a low transmission band from 10.68 to 18.00 GHz. This innovation can improve the omni-directional stealth capability and battlefield survivability of radar systems, possessing substantial research importance and practical applications.
Three-Dimensional Defect Characterization of Ultrasonic Detection Based on GCNet Improved Contrast Learning Optimization
Authors: Wang Xinghao , Wang Qiang , Zhang Lei , Yu Jiayang , Liu Qiuhan
Published: September 2023

In order to automate defect detection with few samples using unsupervised learning, this paper, considering materials commonly used in aircraft, proposes a phased array ultrasonic detection defect identification method using non-defect samples for training, and three-dimensional characterization is completed on this basis. A phased array ultrasonic device was used to detect two typical structures: a carbon fiber composite cylinder structure and a metal L-shaped structure. No damage label image was required, and the non-damaged sample was used as the the network training input. Based on contrast learning and the cross-registration loss of common features, a feature-matching network was constructed to extract the common features of undamaged detection data, and the performance was optimized by combining STN and GCNet modules. When the detection data of the sample were input to the aforementioned network, the defect distribution representing the location and rough shape of the defect was obtained through Mahalanobis distance calculation. The length was estimated using the S-scan image sequence sampling method. Additionally, the depth of the hole was estimated by combining the B-scan data with line recognition. According to the original model of the sample, the 3D characterization of defects was completed by pyautocad. In the experimental stage, three ablation experiments were carried out to verify the necessity of each module, and performance comparisons were mainly evaluated by F1 score and visualization using four existing well-known anomaly detection methods.
Evolution of a Summer Peak Intelligent Controller (SPIC) for Residential Distribution Networks
Authors: Parangusam Kanakaraj , Lekshmana Ramesh , Gono Tomas , Gono Radomir
Published: September 2023

Electricity demand has increased tremendously in recent years, due to the fact that all sectors require energy for their operation. Due to the increased amount of modern home appliances on the market, residential areas consume a significant amount of energy. This article focuses on the residential community to reduce peak load on residential distribution networks. Mostly, the residential consumer’s power demand increases more during the summer season due to many air conditioners (AC) operating in residential homes. This paper proposes a novel summer peak intelligent controller (SPIC) algorithm to reduce summer peak load in residential distribution transformers (RDT). This proposed SPIC algorithm is implemented in a multi-home energy management system (MHEMS) with a four-home hardware prototype and a real-time TNEB system. This hardware prototype is divided into two different cases, one with and one without taking user comfort into account. When considering consumer comfort, all residential homes reduce their peak load almost equally. The maximum and minimum contribution percentages in Case 2 are 29.82% and 19.30%, respectively. Additionally, the real-time TNEB system is addressed in two different cases: with and without incentive-based programs. In the real-time TNEB system during peak hours, the novel SPIC algorithm reduces peak demand in Case 1 by 113.70 kW, and Case 2 further reduces it to 118.80 kW. The peak load decrease in Case 2 during peak hours is 4.5% greater than in Case 1. In addition, we conducted a residential consumer opinion survey to validate the acceptance rate of the proposed design and algorithm.
Sustainable Energy Policies in Developing Countries: A Review of Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Falcone Pasquale Marcello
Published: September 2023

This contribution offers a thorough analysis of challenges and opportunities related to the adoption of sustainable energy policies in specific developing countries (i.e., Albania, Brazil, India, Kenya). The use of renewable energy sources must be increased if the world is to meet its climate goals and alleviate the negative effects of fossil fuel consumption. However, due to fiscal restrictions, institutional barriers, and technology limitations, developing countries face particular challenges in adopting such policies. In order to help these countries move towards a sustainable energy future, this study analyses these issues and suggests viable solutions for policymakers.
Technology and Applications of Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Materials: Current State and Future Trends
Authors: Chaudhary Omar Sarwar , Denaï Mouloud , Refaat Shady S. , Pissanidis Georgios
Published: September 2023

Silicon (Si)-based semiconductor devices have long dominated the power electronics industry and are used in almost every application involving power conversion. Examples of these include metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), gate turn-off (GTO), thyristors, and bipolar junction transistor (BJTs). However, for many applications, power device requirements such as higher blocking voltage capability, higher switching frequencies, lower switching losses, higher temperature withstand, higher power density in power converters, and enhanced efficiency and reliability have reached a stage where the present Si-based power devices cannot cope with the growing demand and would usually require large, costly cooling systems and output filters to meet the requirements of the application. Wide bandgap (WBG) power semiconductor materials such as silicon carbide (SiC), gallium nitride (GaN), and diamond (Dia) have recently emerged in the commercial market, with superior material properties that promise substantial performance improvements and are expected to gradually replace the traditional Si-based devices in various power electronics applications. WBG power devices can significantly improve the efficiency of power electronic converters by reducing losses and making power conversion devices smaller in size and weight. The aim of this paper is to highlight the technical and market potential of WBG semiconductors. A detailed short-term and long-term analysis is presented in terms of cost, energy impact, size, and efficiency improvement in various applications, including motor drives, automotive, data centers, aerospace, power systems, distributed energy systems, and consumer electronics. In addition, the paper highlights the benefits of WBG semiconductors in power conversion applications by considering the current and future market trends.
The Impact of the Micro-Structure within Passivated Layers on the Performance of the a-Si:H/c-Si Heterojunction Solar Cells
Authors: Lee Sunhwa , Park Jinjoo , Pham Duy Phong , Kim Sangho , Kim Youngkuk , Trinh Thanh Thuy , Dao Vinh Ai , Yi Junsin
Published: September 2023

This study investigated the correlation between the degree of disorder of the post-hydrogen plasma treatment (HPT) of the intrinsic hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H(i)) and the device characteristics of the a-Si:H/c-Si heterojunction (HJ) solar cells. The reduction in the degree of disorder helps to improve interface defects and to enhance the effective carrier lifetime of the a-Si:H/c-Si heterojunction. The highest effective minority carrier lifetime of 2.08 ms was observed in the film with the lowest degree of disorder of 2.03. The devices constructed with HPT a-Si:H(i) having a lower degree of disorder demonstrated higher device performance in terms of open-circuit voltage (Voc), fill factor (FF), and subsequent conversion efficiency. An a-Si:H(i) with a lower degree of disorder (2.03) resulted in a higher Voc of 728 mV and FF of 72.33% and achieved a conversion efficiency of up to 20.84% for the a-Si:H/c-Si HJ silicon solar cell.
Identifying Themes in Energy Poverty Research: Energy Justice Implications for Policy, Programs, and the Clean Energy Transition
Authors: Jones Erick C. , Reyes Ariadna
Published: September 2023

Energy poverty affects numerous households across the globe and has several key implications and concerns for public health and social equity. Energy poverty is defined as “the lack of access to modern and affordable energy services”. Individuals or communities in energy poverty face limitations in accessing reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy. This review paper examines a focused subset of recent research on energy poverty highlighted by the “NSF 2026: Priorities and Research Needs for an Equitable Energy Transition” workshop and the United States Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Justice Policy and Analysis to help frame energy poverty’s impacts on policy, poverty alleviation, environmental impact, and social inequity. This review paper uses five themes to organize previous energy poverty work: (1) Energy Poverty and Justice Definitions and Metrics; (2) Behavioral Aspects of Energy Poverty; (3) Efficacy of Energy Assistance Programs; (4) Efficiency of Energy Efficiency Policy; (5) The Energy Transition and Environmental and Energy Justice. We found that the literature examined how comprehensive assessment of energy poverty requires going beyond standard statistics and metrics and must include an understanding of how underserved households interact with energy. We found strong optimism for the clean energy transition’s ability to significantly alleviate energy poverty, but only if policymakers include equity. Finally, we found that while there is plenty of work highlighting deficiencies there is a dearth of work examining successful implementations and how to replicate them which will be needed if the clean energy transition is to match its potential.
A Review of Barriers and Enables in Demand Response Performance Chain
Authors: Bogdanova Olga , Viskuba Karīna , Zemīte Laila
Published: September 2023

The role of demand response increases considerably with a higher share of renewable energy sources in the energy mix, characterized with more frequent energy market price fluctuations due to mismatch between uncontrollable weather-dependent production and currently relatively inflexible energy consumption. Reallocation of energy consumption from high-price hours to lower price hours helps to avoid extra costs to the entire economy and ensures the possibility to minimize fossil-based energy generation, therefore contributing to the achievement of zero-emission goals. The research aims to analyze involvement stimulating factors of demand-side management and demand response from the angles of various energy sector participants, identifying barriers and enabling a successful implementation and wider development of this important energy transition facilitator. The qualitative methods are as follows: utilizing the conducted literature review; and scrutinizing scientific publications, reports and legal acts. As a result, the authors point out the five main aspects: pricing mechanisms, incentives, technology, government regulation and customer awareness. Demand response requires spectacular human and technological resources and administrative, financial and educational efforts. However, the demand response addresses many challenges, such as cost savings, innovation, integration of renewable energy sources, effective, stable and safe power grid performance, reduced need for costly infrastructure modifications, and greenhouse gas emission reduction. The abovementioned benefits influence what the demand-response brings, and are crucial for modern society and a successful energy transition.
Force-Based Self-Organizing MANET/FANET with a UAV Swarm
Authors: Saffre Fabrice , Hildmann Hanno , Anttonen Antti
Published: September 2023

This paper introduces a novel distributed algorithm designed to optimize the deployment of access points within Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) for better service quality in infrastructure-less environments. The algorithm operates based on local, independent execution by each network node, thus ensuring a high degree of scalability and adaptability to changing network conditions. The primary focus is to match the spatial distribution of access points with the distribution of client devices while maintaining strong connectivity to the network root. Using autonomous decision-making and choreographed path-planning, this algorithm bridges the gap between demand-responsive network service provision and the maintenance of crucial network connectivity links. The assessment of the performance of this approach is motivated by using numerical results generated by simulations.
Balancing the Growth Performance and Nutritional Value of Edible Farm-Raised Sago Palm Weevil (Rhynchophorus ferregineus) Larvae by Feeding Various Plant Supplemented-Sago Palm Trunk Diets
Authors: Promwee Athakorn , Chinarak Khanittha , Panpipat Worawan , Panya Atikorn , Phonsatta Natthaporn , Harcet Matija , Chaijan Manat
Published: September 2023

Herein, the effect of supplementing ground sago palm trunk (GSPT) with varying concentrations of plant-based ingredients (PIs), including rice bran (RB), soybean meal (SM), and perilla seed (PS), on the nutritional profile of sago palm weevil larvae (SPWL) was investigated. Increased PS intake induced an increase in α-linolenic acid level and a reduction in the n-6/n-3 ratio in SPWL (p < 0.05). The presence of fatty acids in SPWL was determined predominantly by the fatty acid profile in the feed. The activities of Δ5 + Δ6 desaturases and thioesterase were not different among SPWL fed different diets (p < 0.05); however, PI intake resulted in low suppression of fads2 gene expression. RB, SM, and PS at the appropriate concentrations of 17.5%, 8.8%, and 7.0% in GSPT (F3 diet), respectively, boosted both protein quantity and quality of SPWL, as indicated by higher levels of essential amino acids, particularly lysine, than the FAO protein reference. Therefore, incorporating PIs into a regular diet is a viable method for enhancing the nutritional value and sustainability of farm-raised SPWL as a potential alternative source of high-quality lipid and protein.
Nonlinear Filter-Based Adaptive Output-Feedback Control for Uncertain Fractional-Order Nonlinear Systems with Unknown External Disturbance
Authors: Ma Zhiyao , Sun Ke
Published: September 2023

This study is devoted to a nonlinear filter-based adaptive fuzzy output-feedback control scheme for uncertain fractional-order (FO) nonlinear systems with unknown external disturbance. Fuzzy logic systems (FLSs) are applied to estimate unknown nonlinear dynamics, and a new FO fuzzy state observer based on a nonlinear disturbance observer is established for simultaneously estimating the unmeasurable states and mixed disturbance. Then, with the aid of auxiliary functions, a novel FO nonlinear filter is given to approximately replace the virtual control functions, together with the corresponding fractional derivative, which not only erases the inherent complexity explosion problem under the framework of backstepping, but also completely compensates for the effects of the boundary errors induced by the constructed filters compared to the previous FO linear filter method. Under certain assumptions, and in line with the FO stability criterion, the stability of the controlled system is ensured. An FO Chua–Hartley simulation study is presented to verify the validity of the proposed method.
Dynamic Compressive Mechanical Property Characteristics and Fractal Dimension Applications of Coal-Bearing Mudstone at Real-Time Temperatures
Authors: Guo Shiru , Zhang Lianying , Pu Hai , Zheng Yadong , Li Bing , Wu Peng , Qiu Peitao , Ma Chao , Feng Yiying
Published: September 2023

Coal-bearing rocks are inevitably exposed to high temperatures and impacts (rapid dynamic load action) during deep-earth resource extraction, necessitating the study of their mechanical properties under such conditions. This paper reports on dynamic compression tests conducted on coal-bearing mudstone specimens at real-time temperatures (the temperature of the rock remains constant throughout the impact process) ranging from 25 °C to 400 °C using a temperature Hopkinson (T-SHPB) test apparatus developed in-house. The objective is to analyze the relationship between mechanical properties and the fractal dimension of fractured fragments and to explore the mechanical response of coal-bearing mudstone specimens to the combined effects of temperature and impact using macroscopic fracture characteristics. The study found that the peak stress and dynamic elastic modulus initially increased and then decreased with increasing temperature, increasing in the 25–150 °C range and monotonically decreasing in the 150–400 °C range. Based on the distribution coefficients and fractal dimensions of the fractured fragments, it was found that the degree of damage of coal-bearing mudstone shows a trend of an initial decrease and then an increase with increasing temperature. In the temperature range of 25–150 °C, the expansion of clay minerals within the mudstone filled the voids between the skeletal particles, resulting in densification and decreased damage. In the temperature range of 150–400 °C, thermal stresses increased the internal fractures and reduced the overall strength of the mudstone, resulting in increased damage. Negative correlations between fractal dimensions, the modulus of elasticity, and peak stress could be used to predict rock properties in engineering.
Biocompatible Anisole-Nonlinear PEG Core–Shell Nanogels for High Loading Capacity, Excellent Stability, and Controlled Release of Curcumin
Authors: Shen Jing , Zhang Jiangtao , Wu Weitai , Banerjee Probal , Zhou Shuiqin
Published: September 2023

Curcumin, a nontoxic and cheap natural medicine, has high therapeutic efficacy for many diseases, including diabetes and cancers. Unfortunately, its exceedingly low water-solubility and rapid degradation in the body severely limit its bioavailability. In this work, we prepare a series of biocompatible poly(vinyl anisole)@nonlinear poly(ethylene glycol) (PVAS@PEG) core–shell nanogels with different PEG gel shell thickness to provide high water solubility, good stability, and controllable sustained release of curcumin. The PVAS nanogel core is designed to attract and store curcumin molecules for high drug loading capacity and the hydrophilic nonlinear PEG gel shell is designed to offer water dispersibility and thermo-responsive drug release. The nanogels prepared are monodispersed in a spherical shape with clear core–shell morphology. The size and shell thickness of the nanogels can be easily controlled by changing the core–shell precursor feeding ratios. The optimized PVAS@PEG nanogels display a high curcumin loading capacity of 38.0 wt%. The nanogels can stabilize curcumin from degradation at pH = 7.4 and release it in response to heat within the physiological temperature range. The nanogels can enter cells effectively and exhibit negligible cytotoxicity to both the B16F10 and HL-7702 cells at a concentration up to 2.3 mg/mL. Such designed PVAS@PEG nanogels have great potential to be used for efficient drug delivery.
“Me Has Visto el Alma en los Ojos”: Hidden Passions in Spanish Golden Age Tragedy
Authors: Álvarez Sellers María Rosa
Published: September 2023

The Spanish Golden Age tragedy is assembled around the conflict of passions, which does not find an adequate channel of expression in words because there are feelings that cannot be confessed if one wants to preserve life. However, such intense emotions cannot be hidden for a long time, either. The characters discover that the eyes speak in silence and cannot lie, so they appeal to their sincerity at crucial moments. Such examples can be found in the declarations of love addressed to inaccessible or forbidden women or in the narratives of women who report sexual assault or husbands who believe they have been dishonored. In this article, we will analyze all these circumstances to demonstrate that, if they contradict the lips, the eyes are the windows of the soul, and they speak a language that is as expressive as it is eloquent.
“You Can Really Make the Story Your Own”: Taking Back Candyman
Authors: Petrelli Marco
Published: September 2023

This essay offers a comparative analysis of Bernard Rose’s 1992 Candyman and its 2021 sequel directed by Nia DaCosta. Through an intertextual approach informed by gothic studies, narratology, and critical race theory, the essay shows how DaCosta’s film establishes a transformative relationship with its predecessor. In the 2021 film, Candyman rewrites the story of the original, disrupts its stereotypical representation of Blackness, and appropriates the horror genre to give voice to the peculiar anxieties of contemporary African American life. In so doing, DaCosta’s film also challenges classic gothic tropes of horrific Blackness while at the same time pushing back against dominant narratives on race to reclaim space for a discussion on racial relations in America filtered through a Black lens.
Coastal Erosion Caused by River Mouth Migration on a Cuspate Delta: An Example from Thanh Hoa, Vietnam
Authors: Duy Dinh Van , Ty Tran Van , Than Cao Tan Ngoc , Thang Cu Ngoc , Hong Huynh Thi Cam , Viet Nguyen Trung , Tanaka Hitoshi
Published: September 2023

Coastal erosion poses a significant threat to the infrastructure of the coastal community at the mouth of the Ma River in Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam. In response, emergency solutions such as hard, protective structures are often implemented. However, this approach exacerbates the problem as the underlying mechanisms of coastal erosion are not adequately investigated and understood. In this study, the long-term configuration of the mouth of the Ma River in Thanh Hoa Province, Central Vietnam, is investigated using Landsat imagery spanning from 1987 to 2023. An analytical solution of a one-line model for shoreline change was also used to examine the sand discharge from the Ma River and the diffusion coefficient for the sand transported along the shore by breaking waves. The results showed an asymmetric configuration of the mouth of the Ma River over the past 37 years. The supply of sand from the Ma River is around 350,000 m3/year. The majority of sand (ranging from 55% to 75%) is mainly transported to the northern beach of the Ma River delta. This uneven distribution of sand from the Ma River has led to the asymmetrical morphology of the delta apex in which the northern part of the Ma River delta is experiencing northward movement while the southern part of the Ma River Delta is moving southward and landward. The asymmetrical morphology of the delta at the mouth of the Ma River has recently been identified as the cause of severe coastal erosion. The diffusion coefficient value determined for the transportation of longshore sand along the deltaic lobes of the Ma River delta corresponds to 90 m2/day. This study offers a practical method for investigating morphological changes in cuspate deltas, especially when measured field data are limited.
Synergistic Pulmonoprotective Effect of Natural Prolyl Oligopeptidase Inhibitors in In Vitro and In Vivo Models of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: Zerikiotis Stelios , Efentakis Panagiotis , Dapola Danai , Agapaki Anna , Seiradakis Georgios , Kostomitsopoulos Nikolaos , Skaltsounis Alexios-Leandros , Tseti Ioulia , Triposkiadis Filippos , Andreadou Ioanna
Published: September 2023

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a highly morbid inflammatory lung disease with limited pharmacological interventions. The present study aims to evaluate and compare the potential pulmonoprotective effects of natural prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) inhibitors namely rosmarinic acid (RA), chicoric acid (CA), epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and gallic acid (GA), against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ARDS. Cell viability and expression of pro-inflammatory mediators were measured in RAW264.7 cells and in primary murine lung epithelial and bone marrow cells. Nitric oxide (NO) production was also assessed in unstimulated and LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. For subsequent in vivo experiments, the two natural products (NPs) with the most favorable effects, RA and GA, were selected. Protein, cell content and lipid peroxidation levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), as well as histopathological changes and respiratory parameters were evaluated in LPS-challenged mice. Expression of key mediators involved in ARDS pathophysiology was detected by Western blotting. RA and GA favorably reduced gene expression of pro-inflammatory mediators in vitro, while GA decreased NO production in macrophages. In LPS-challenged mice, RA and GA co-administration improved respiratory parameters, reduced cell and protein content and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in BALF, decreased vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression, activated anti-apoptotic mechanisms and down-regulated POP in the lung. Conclusively, these synergistic pulmonoprotective effects of RA and GA co-administration could render them a promising prophylactic/therapeutic pharmacological intervention against ARDS.
A Distinct Microglial Cell Population Expressing Both CD86 and CD206 Constitutes a Dominant Type and Executes Phagocytosis in Two Mouse Models of Retinal Degeneration
Authors: Zhang Yan , Park Yong Soo , Kim In-Beom
Published: September 2023

Microglial cells are the key regulators of inflammation during retinal degeneration (RD) and are conventionally classified as M1 or M2. However, whether the M1/M2 classification exactly reflects the functional classification of microglial cells in the retina remains debatable. We examined the spatiotemporal changes of microglial cells in the blue-LED and NaIO3-induced RD mice models using M1/M2 markers and functional genes. TUNEL assay was performed to detect photoreceptor cell death, and microglial cells were labeled with anti-IBA1, P2RY12, CD86, and CD206 antibodies. FACS was used to isolate microglial cells with anti-CD206 and CD86 antibodies, and qRT-PCR was performed to evaluate Il-10, Il-6, Trem-2, Apoe, and Lyz2 expression. TUNEL-positive cells were detected in the outer nuclear layer (ONL) from 24 h to 72 h post-RD induction. At 24 h, P2RY12 was decreased and CD86 was increased, and CD86/CD206 double-labeled cells occupied the dominant population at 72 h. And CD86/CD206 double-labeled cells showed a significant increase in Apoe, Trem2, and Lyz2 levels but not in those of Il-6 and Il-10. Our results demonstrate that microglial cells in active RD cannot be classified as M1 or M2, and the majority of microglia express both CD86 and CD206, which are involved in phagocytosis rather than inflammation.
Neferine Targets the Oncogenic Characteristics of Androgen-Dependent Prostate Cancer Cells via Inducing Reactive Oxygen Species
Authors: Dasari Subramanyam , Pathak Nishtha , Thomas Amy , Bitla Shreeja , Kumar Raj , Munirathinam Gnanasekar
Published: September 2023

Castration resistance poses a significant challenge in the management of advanced prostate cancer (PCa), with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) or chemotherapy being the primary treatment options. However, these approaches often lead to significant side effects and the development of therapeutic resistance. Therefore, it is crucial to explore novel treatment options that can efficiently target PCa, improve patient survival, and enhance their quality of life. Neferine (Nef), a bioactive compound derived from plants, has emerged as a promising candidate for cancer treatment due to its ability to induce apoptosis, autophagy, and cell cycle arrest. In this study, we investigated the potential anticancer effects of Nef in androgen receptor (AR)-positive LNCaP and VCaP cells, representative models of androgen-dependent PCa. Our findings demonstrate that Nef effectively inhibits cell growth, proliferation, and the tumorigenic potential of androgen-dependent PCa cells. Furthermore, Nef treatment resulted in the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to the activation of key markers of autophagy and apoptosis. These results suggest that Nef has the potential to target the oncogenic characteristics of androgen-dependent PCa cells by exploiting the potency of ROS and inducing autophagy and apoptosis in AR-positive PCa cells. These findings shed light on the therapeutic potential of Nef as a novel treatment option with reduced side effects for androgen-dependent prostate cancer. Further investigations are warranted to assess its efficacy and safety in preclinical and clinical settings.
Metallomic Signatures of Lung Cancer and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Callejón-Leblic Belén , Sánchez Espirilla Saida , Gotera-Rivera Carolina , Santana Rafael , Díaz-Olivares Isabel , Marín José M. , Macario Ciro Casanova , Cosio Borja García , Fuster Antonia , García Ingrid Solanes , de-Torres Juan P. , Feu Collado Nuria , Cabrera Lopez Carlos , Amado Diago Carlos , Romero Plaza Amparo , Fraysse Luis Alejandro Padrón , Márquez Martín Eduardo , Marín Royo Margarita , Balcells Vilarnau Eva , Llunell Casanovas Antonia , Martínez González Cristina , Galdíz Iturri Juan Bautista , Lacárcel Bautista Celia , Gómez-Ariza José Luis , Pereira-Vega Antonio , Seijo Luis , López-Campos José Luis , Peces-Barba Germán , García-Barrera Tamara
Published: September 2023

Lung cancer (LC) is the leading cause of cancer deaths, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can increase LC risk. Metallomics may provide insights into both of these tobacco-related diseases and their shared etiology. We conducted an observational study of 191 human serum samples, including those of healthy controls, LC patients, COPD patients, and patients with both COPD and LC. We found 18 elements (V, Al, As, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Cd, Se, W, Mo, Sb, Pb, Tl, Cr, Mg, Ni, and U) in these samples. In addition, we evaluated the elemental profiles of COPD cases of varying severity. The ratios and associations between the elements were also studied as possible signatures of the diseases. COPD severity and LC have a significant impact on the elemental composition of human serum. The severity of COPD was found to reduce the serum concentrations of As, Cd, and Tl and increased the serum concentrations of Mn and Sb compared with healthy control samples, while LC was found to increase Al, As, Mn, and Pb concentrations. This study provides new insights into the effects of LC and COPD on the human serum elemental profile that will pave the way for the potential use of elements as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis. It also sheds light on the potential link between the two diseases, i.e., the evolution of COPD to LC.
Lipid-Based Nanocarriers for Delivery of Neuroprotective Kynurenic Acid: Preparation, Characterization, and BBB Transport
Authors: Juhász Ádám , Ungor Ditta , Varga Norbert , Katona Gábor , Balogh György T. , Csapó Edit
Published: September 2023

Encapsulation possibilities of an extensively investigated neuroprotective drug (kynurenic acid, KYNA) are studied via lipid-based nanocarriers to increase the blood–brain barrier (BBB) specific permeability. The outcomes of various preparation conditions such as stirring and sonication time, concentration of the lipid carriers and the drug, and the drug-to-lipid ratio are examined. Considering the experimentally determined encapsulation efficiency, hydrodynamic diameter, and ζ-potential values, the initial lipid and drug concentration as well as the stirring and sonication time of the preparation were optimized. The average hydrodynamic diameter of the prepared asolectin-(LIP) and water-soluble lipopolymer (WSLP)-based liposomes was found to be ca. 25 and 60 nm under physiological conditions. The physicochemical characterization of the colloidal carriers proves that the preparation of the drug-loaded liposomes was a successful process, and secondary interactions were indicated between the drug molecule and the polymer residues around the WSLP membrane. Dissolution profiles of the active molecule under physiological conditions were registered, and the release of the unformulated and encapsulated drug is very similar. In addition to this outcome, the in vitro polar brain lipid extract (porcine)-based permeability test proved the achievement of two- or fourfold higher BBB specific penetration and lipid membrane retention for KYNA in the liposomal carriers relative to the unformatted drug.
Thermodynamic and Dynamic Transitions and Interaction Aspects in Reorientation Dynamics of Molecular Probe in Organic Compounds: A Series of 1-alkanols with TEMPO
Authors: Bartoš Josef , Švajdlenková Helena
Published: September 2023

The spectral and dynamic properties of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) in a series of 1-alkanols ranging from methanol to 1-decanol over a temperature range 100–300 K were investigated by electron spin resonance (ESR). The main characteristic ESR temperatures connected with slow to fast motion regime transition; T50G ‘s and TX1fast ‘s are situated above the corresponding glass temperatures, Tg, and for the shorter members, the T50G ‘s lie above or close to melting point, Tm, while the longer ones the T50G < Tm relationship indicates that the TEMPO molecules are in the local disordered regions of the crystalline media. The T50G ‘s and especially TX1fast ‘s are compared with the dynamic crossover temperatures, TXVISC = 8.72M0.66, as obtained by fitting the viscosity data in the liquid n-alkanols with the empirical power law. In particular, for NC > 6, the TX1fast ‘s lie rather close to the TXVISC resembling apolar n-alkanes [PCCP 2018,20,11145-11151], while for NC < 6, they are situated in the vicinity of Tm. The absence of a coincidence for lower1-alkanols indicates that the T50G is significantly influenced by the mutual interaction between the polar TEMPO and the protic polar medium due to the increased polarity and proticity destroyed by the larger-scale melting transition.
Uremic Toxin-Induced Exosome-like Extracellular Vesicles Contain Enhanced Levels of Sulfated Glycosaminoglycans which Facilitate the Interaction with Very Small Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Particles
Authors: Freise Christian , Zappe Andreas , Löwa Norbert , Schnorr Jörg , Pagel Kevin , Wiekhorst Frank , Taupitz Matthias
Published: September 2023

Uremic toxins exert pathophysiological effects on cells and tissues, such as the generation of a pro-calcifying subtype of exosome-like extracellular vesicles (EVs) in vascular cells. Little is known about the effects of the toxins on the surface structure of EVs. Thus, we studied the effects of uremic toxins on the abundance of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in EVs, and the implications for binding of ligands such as very small superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (VSOPs) which could be of relevance for radiological EV-imaging. Vascular cells were treated with the uremic toxins NaH2PO4 and a mixture of urea and indoxyl sulfate. Uremia in rats was induced by adenine feeding. EVs were isolated from culture supernatants and plasma of rats. By proton T1-relaxometry, magnetic particle spectroscopy, and analysis of genes, proteins, and GAG-contents, we analyzed the roles of GAGs in the ligand binding of EVs. By influencing GAG-associated genes in host cells, uremic toxins induced higher GAG contents in EVs, particularly of sulfated chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate chains. EVs with high GAG content interacted stronger with VSOPs compared to control ones. This was confirmed by experiments with GAG-depleted EVs from genetically modified CHO cells and with uremic rat-derived EVs. Mechanistically, uremic toxin-induced PI3K/AKT-signaling and expression of the sulfate transporter SLC26A2 in host cells contributed to high GAG contents in EVs. In conclusion, uremic conditions induce enhanced GAG contents in EVs, which entails a stronger interaction with VSOPs. VSOPs might be suitable for radiological imaging of EVs rich in GAGs.
Thymoquinone, a Novel Multi-Strike Inhibitor of Pro-Tumorigenic Breast Cancer (BC) Markers: CALR, NLRP3 Pathway and sPD-L1 in PBMCs of HR+ and TNBC Patients
Authors: Elgohary Sawsan , Eissa Reda A. , El Tayebi Hend M.
Published: September 2023

Breast cancer (BC) is not only a mass of malignant cells but also a systemic inflammatory disease. BC pro-tumorigenic inflammation has been shown to promote immune evasion and provoke BC progression. The NOD-like receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is activated when pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) sense danger signals such as calreticulin (CALR) from damaged/dying cells, leading to the secretion of interleukin-1β (IL-1β). CALR is a novel BC biological marker, and its high levels are associated with advanced tumors. NLRP3 expression is strongly correlated with an elevated proliferative index Ki67, BC progression, metastasis, and recurrence in patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) and triple-negative BC (TNBC). Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) secrete high levels of IL-1β promoting endocrine resistance in HR+ BC. Recently, an immunosuppressive soluble form of programmed death ligand 1 (sPD-L1) has been identified as a novel prognostic biomarker in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. Interestingly, IL-1β induces sPD-L1 release. BC Patients with elevated IL-1β and sPD-L1 levels show significantly short progression-free survival. For the first time, this study aims to investigate the inhibitory impact of thymoquinone (TQ) on CALR, the NLRP3 pathway and sPD-L1 in HR+ and TNBC. Blood samples were collected from 45 patients with BC. The effect of differing TQ concentrations for different durations on the expression of CALR, NLRP3 complex components and IL-1β as well as the protein levels of sPD-L1 and IL-1β were investigated in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and TAMs of TNBC and HR+ BC patients, respectively. The findings showed that TQ significantly downregulated the expression of CALR, NLRP3 components and IL-1β together with the protein levels of secreted IL-1β and sPD-L1. The current findings demonstrated novel immunomodulatory effects of TQ, highlighting its potential role not only as an excellent adjuvant but also as a possible immunotherapeutic agent in HR+ and TNBC patients.
Natural, Designed and Engineered Metalloenzymes: Structure, Catalytic Mechanisms and Applications
Authors: Leone Linda , Nastri Flavia , Lombardi Angela
Published: September 2023

Bioinorganic chemists have become engaged in the challenge of elucidating the molecular mechanisms that govern how protein scaffolds modulate the properties of metal cofactors [...]