bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Real-time monitoring by interferometric light microscopy of phage suspensions for personalised phage therapy
Authors: Lapras Benjamine , Merienne Camille , Eynaud Emma , Usseglio Léa , Marchand Chloé , Médina Mathieu , Kolenda Camille , Briot Thomas , Laurent Frédéric , Pirot Fabrice ,   PHAGEinLYON, Lapras Benjamine , Merienne Camille , Eynaud Emma , Usseglio Léa , Marchand Chloé , Médina Mathieu , Kolenda Camille , Briot Thomas , Laurent Frédéric , Pirot Fabrice
Published: December 2024

Phage therapy uses viruses (phages) against antibiotic resistance. Tailoring treatments to specific patient strains requires stocks of various highly concentrated purified phages. It, therefore, faces challenges: titration duration and specificity to a phage/bacteria couple; purification affecting stability; and highly concentrated suspensions tending to aggregate. To address these challenges, interferometric light microscopy (ILM), characterising particles (size, concentration, and visual homogeneity) within minutes, was applied herein to anti-Staphylococcus aureus myovirus phage suspensions. Particle concentration was linearly correlated with phage infectious titre (R2 > 0.97, slope: 3 particles/plaque forming units (PFU)) at various degrees of purification, allowing to approximate the infectious titre for suspensions ≥ 3 × 108 PFU/mL, thereby encompassing most therapeutic doses. Purification narrowed and homogenised particle distribution while maintaining therapeutic concentrations. When compared to dynamic light scattering, electrophoretic mobility, and UV/Visible-spectroscopy, ILM best detected aggregates according to our homemade scoring. Although ILM has certain limitations, such as the inability to detect podoviruses (hydrodynamic diameter < 80 nm), or to measure particles in low-concentrated suspensions (< 108 particles/mL), the present proof-of-concept positions this technique as a valuable quality control tool, as a complement to titration rather than a replacement for this technique, for phage suspensions, paving the way for further investigations.
Microplastic hotspots mapped across the Southern Ocean reveal areas of potential ecological impact
Authors: Hunter Aidan , Thorpe Sally E. , McCarthy Arlie H. , Manno Clara
Published: December 2024

Marine microplastic is pervasive, polluting the remotest ecosystems including the Southern Ocean. Since this region is already undergoing climatic changes, the additional stress of microplastic pollution on the ecosystem should not be considered in isolation. We identify potential hotspot areas of ecological impact from a spatial overlap analysis of multiple data sets to understand where marine biota are likely to interact with local microplastic emissions (from ship traffic and human populations associated with scientific research and tourism). Then we account for cumulative effects by identifying which areas with potential elevated microplastic-biota interaction are already subject to climate change related stresses (ocean warming and acidification). Our analysis indicates that biologically productive coastal areas in proximity to populated facilities are where microplastics pose most risk to the ecosystem, and that the northern Antarctic Peninsula is likely to be the main risk hotspot. This study is the first to map the threat of microplastics to the Southern Ocean ecosystem in a multi-stressor context, locating where microplastic monitoring programmes and mitigation measures may be considered a matter of urgency.
Modulating the human gut microbiome and health markers through kombucha consumption: a controlled clinical study
Authors: Ecklu-Mensah Gertrude , Miller Rachel , Maseng Maria Gjerstad , Hawes Vienna , Hinz Denise , Kim Cheryl , Gilbert Jack A.
Published: December 2024

Fermented foods are becoming more popular due to their purported links to metabolic health and the gut microbiome. However, direct clinical evidence for the health claims is lacking. Here, we describe an eight-week clinical trial that explored the effects of a four-week kombucha supplement in healthy individuals consuming a Western diet, randomized into the kombucha (n = 16) or control (n = 8) group. We collected longitudinal stool and blood samples to profile the human microbiome and inflammation markers. We did not observe significant changes in either biochemical parameters or levels of circulating markers of inflammation across the entire cohort. However, paired analysis between baseline and end of intervention time points within kombucha or control groups revealed increases in fasting insulin and in HOMA-IR in the kombucha group whereas reductions in HDL cholesterol were associated with the control group. Shotgun metagenomic analysis revealed the relative abundance of Weizmannia, a kombucha-enriched probiotic and several SCFA producing taxa to be overrepresented in consumers at the end of the intervention. Collectively, in our healthy cohort consuming a Western diet, a short-term kombucha intervention induced modest impacts on human gut microbiome composition and biochemical parameters, which may be attributed to relatively small number of participants and the extensive inter-participant variability.
Revealing connectivity patterns of deep brain stimulation efficacy in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Výtvarová Eva , Lamoš Martin , Hlinka Jaroslav , Goldemundová Sabina , Rektor Ivan , Bočková Martina
Published: December 2024

The aim of this work was to study the effect of deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) on the subnetwork of subcortical and cortical motor regions and on the whole brain connectivity using the functional connectivity analysis in Parkinson’s disease (PD). The high-density source space EEG was acquired and analyzed in 43 PD subjects in DBS on and DBS off stimulation states (off medication) during a cognitive-motor task. Increased high gamma band (50–100 Hz) connectivity within subcortical regions and between subcortical and cortical motor regions was significantly associated with the Movement Disorders Society – Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) III improvement after DBS. Whole brain neural correlates of cognitive performance were also detected in the high gamma (50–100 Hz) band. A whole brain multifrequency connectivity profile was found to classify optimal and suboptimal responders to DBS with a positive predictive value of 0.77, negative predictive value of 0.55, specificity of 0.73, and sensitivity of 0.60. Specific connectivity patterns related to PD, motor symptoms improvement after DBS, and therapy responsiveness predictive connectivity profiles were uncovered.
Rheological comparison of sputum and reconstituted airway epithelium mucus
Authors: Esteban Enjuto Lydia , Taty Poaty Vassylia , Bouveret Mendy , Song Huang , Constant Samuel , Patarin Jérémy
Published: December 2024

Pulmonary mucus serves as a crucial protective barrier in the respiratory tract, defending against pathogens and contributing to effective clearance mechanisms. In Muco Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (MOPD), abnormal rheological properties lead to highly viscous mucus, fostering chronic infections and exacerbations. While prior research has linked mucus viscoelasticity to its mucin content, the variability in MOPD patients implies the involvement of other factors. To isolate these effects, mucus produced by epithelia reconstituted in vitro serves as a powerful versatile model for mucin research. This study characterises the rheology of mucus collected from Air-Liquid Interface (ALI) cultures and compares it to sputum samples from MOPD patients, demonstrating that macrorheology with cone-plate geometries is a reproducible method for analysing small mucus quantities from ALI cultures. While sputum samples exhibit similarities in rigidity with ALI mucus, they also display structural differences and variations in their response to substantial deformations. The study highlights the importance of understanding mucus behaviour under large deformations, emphasising the role of ALI cultures as a controlled environment for conducting detailed studies.
Ventilation and features of the lung environment dynamically alter modeled intrapulmonary aerosol exposure from inhaled electronic cigarettes
Authors: Li Liqiao , Chen Haoxuan , Zhu Yifang , Harui Airi , Roth Michael D.
Published: December 2024

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) fundamentally differ from tobacco cigarettes in their generation of liquid-based aerosols. Investigating how e-cig aerosols behave when inhaled into the dynamic environment of the lung is important for understanding vaping-related exposure and toxicity. A ventilated artificial lung model was developed to replicate the ventilatory and environmental features of the human lung and study their impact on the characteristics of inhaled e-cig aerosols from simulated vaping scenarios. Compared to static conditions, normal breathing decreased peak particle number concentrations (PNCs) and area under the curve (AUC) by 40% and 70%, respectively, and increased particle decay rates fourfold. However, even with ventilation, intrapulmonary PNC levels exceeded 2 × 106 particles/mL in a 4-puff vaping session. Both respiratory rate and tidal volume modulated e-cig aerosol exposure in a manner inversely proportional to minute ventilation. The modeled lung environment (37 °C, 88% relative humidity) also significantly altered particle size distributions by facilitating aerosol transformations such as hygroscopic growth, which further impacted e-cig aerosol exposure and particle removal. This work highlights the dynamic nature of intrapulmonary exposures and underscores the need to account for lung physiology and environmental factors when assessing inhaled e-cig aerosols.
A stacked CNN and random forest ensemble architecture for complex nursing activity recognition and nurse identification
Authors: Rahman Arafat , Nahid Nazmun , Schuller Björn , Ahad Md Atiqur Rahman
Published: December 2024

Nursing activity recognition has immense importance in the development of smart healthcare management and is an extremely challenging area of research in human activity recognition. The main reasons are an extreme class-imbalance problem and intra-class variability depending on both the subject and the recipient. In this paper, we apply a unique two-step feature extraction, coupled with an intermediate feature ‘Angle’ and a new feature called mean min max sum to render the features robust against intra-class variation. After intermediate and final feature extraction, we use an ensemble of a random forest classifier and a stacked convolutional neural network (S-CNN) model to detect activities and users. Unlike traditional CNN, the S-CNN takes the input feature channels in separate pathways with equal importance, which makes it robust to intra-class variation and produces accurate results. We apply this method to two benchmark open-source nurse care activity data sets. Our algorithm is robust enough to recognize both activity and user (Nurse) simultaneously. During the recognition process, this algorithm automatically finds the important features in the data set. Using this algorithm, the highest testing accuracies were achieved for activity recognition on the two (publicly available in IEEE DataPort) benchmark data sets: The CARECOM Nurse Care Activity (70.6% accuracy) and the Heiseikai Nurse Care Activity data set (85.7% accuracy). Moreover, the highest accuracy achieved for user identification on Data Set 1 and Data Set 2 is 78.2% and 92.7%, respectively.
Design and implementation of the fractional-order controllers for a real-time nonlinear process using the AGTM optimization technique
Authors: Jayaram Sabavath , Venkatesan Nithya
Published: December 2024

Spherical tanks have been predominantly used in process industries due to their large storage capability. The fundamental challenges in process industries require a very efficient controller to control the various process parameters owing to their nonlinear behavior. The current research work in this paper aims to propose the Approximate Generalized Time Moments (AGTM) optimization technique for designing Fractional-Order PI (FOPI) and Fractional-Order PID (FOPID) controllers for the nonlinear Single Spherical Tank Liquid Level System (SSTLLS). This system features a large dead time, and its real-time modeling generally represents a Single Input Single Output (SISO) model. However, in practice, the derived SISO model is often a First Order Plus Dead Time (FOPDT) model, necessitating an effective controller to maintain the tank’s steady-state level. In this research, the proposed AGTM method, based on the conventional Proportional Integral (PI) and Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controllers, is compared with the FOPI and FOPID controllers for the nonlinear SSTLLS. The performance of these controllers is contrasted using metrics such as Integral Squared Error (ISE) and Integral Absolute Error (IAE), as well as time-domain characteristics containing Rise time, Peak time, Settling time, Peak overshoot, and Steady-state error. The implementation of the aforementioned controllers is done in simulation and real-time employing the MATLAB software environment and the Data Acquisition (DAQ) device National Instrument NI-DAQmx 6211. The simulation and experimental results demonstrate the exceptional performance of the designed Fractional-Order controllers based on the proposed method which offers an increased degree of freedom despite the more complex design process.
Night flight facilitates late breeding catch-up in a long-distance migratory seabird
Authors: Siddiqi-Davies Katrina , Wynn Joe , Padget Oliver , Bond Sarah , Danielsen Jóhannis , Fayet Annette L. , Fisher-Reeves Lewis , Freeman Robin , Gillies Natasha , Kirk Holly , Maurice Lou , Morgan Greg , Syposz Martyna , Shoji Akiko , Guilford Tim
Published: December 2024

Long-distance migrants must optimise their timing of breeding to capitalise on resources at both breeding and over-wintering sites. In species with protracted breeding seasons, departing earlier on migration might be advantageous, but is constrained by the ongoing breeding attempt. Here we investigated how breeding timing affects migratory strategies in the Manx shearwater (Puffinus puffinus), a trans-hemispheric migratory seabird with large temporal variation in the onset of breeding. Using a geolocator tracking dataset, we found that that later-laying shearwaters had shorter overall breeding periods, yet still departed later for autumn migration. Earlier laying birds had increased migratory duration, stopped with greater frequency and at sites of higher chlorophyll concentration. Meanwhile, later departing birds flew more at night during migratory stints, and night flight generally increased with moon illumination, which could reflect moonlight providing the light conditions required for visually guided flight. Accordingly, birds that experienced higher levels of moon illumination whilst migrating had shorter migration durations. Here we provide an example of migratory behaviour being adjustable with breeding timing, allowing birds to both complete breeding and capitalise on resource availability at the wintering site.
Challenges in adjusting scoring matrices when comparing functional motifs with non-standard compositions
Authors: Jarnot Patryk
Published: December 2024

Methods for scoring matrix adjustment decrease the significance of biased residues to better detect homology between protein sequences. This is because non-homologous proteins often contain fragments with non-standard compositions that are strikingly similar to each other. However, these fragments are also functionally important in proteins and are receiving an increasing attention from the scientific community. In this study, we described why the gold standard method for scoring matrix adjustment is unable to emphasise frequent amino acids. Further, we used BLAST to align collagen-like domains with and without the scoring matrix adjustment and compared the results. We found that the scoring matrices were adjusted in the opposite direction to the optimal state. Therefore, turning off the adjustment improved alignment quality of collagen-like domains, but scoring matrices still need refinement. This study provides a detailed analysis of why the gold standard method fails, and opens doors for new methods to adjust scoring matrices for functional motifs with non-standard compositions.
A novel MAC protocol for power line communication with integrated NFC for smart home applications
Authors: Haridoss G. , Arun Pandian J. , Sivaranjani K. , Thanga Mariappan L.
Published: December 2024

Our day-to-day lives have become comfortable and sophisticated with many recent technologies. Likewise, today’s world has been enhanced by new innovative technologies. Everyone is moving towards smart cities and smart homes. Power-Line Communication (PLC) is a breakthrough communication technology that supports cost-effectiveness with maximum speed and reliable communication performance, producing no interference complications for wireless signal transmission. It operates over existing power line cables, avoiding other transmission mediums by using low-cost PLC chipsets. Transmission between two cities is performed using power grid technology. However, with a PLC chipset, data transmission is managed locally within towns and inside homes. To avoid inconveniences such as noise, significant signal reduction, and time period fluctuations, a novel Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol is proposed to improve the stability of the PLC network and data transmission efficiency. Using a Modified Intra-cluster MAC algorithm based on time allocation to enhance the reliability of access nodes in the PLC network is a novel attempt. Moreover, this work ensures enhancements in data transmission speed and security. Finally, the security-enhanced PLC network is integrated with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology for intelligent home applications.
Imaging pathology in archived cornea with Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy including tissue reprocessing for volume electron microscopy
Authors: Maeno Sayo , Lewis Philip N. , Young Robert D. , Oie Yoshinori , Nishida Kohji , Quantock Andrew J.
Published: December 2024

Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a common sight-threatening condition characterised by pathological changes in the posterior cornea. Here we report observations by light, transmission and volume scanning electron microscopy on changes in the endothelium and matrix associated with the characteristic deformations of Descemet’s membrane, termed guttae. Specimens were archived full-thickness human corneal tissue, removed during graft surgery, that had been fixed, stained and embedded by conventional processing methods for examination by transmission electron microscopy more than 40-years previously. Intact archived samples can be extremely valuable where, as with FECD, new cell-based methods of therapy now avoid excision of the full cornea thickness and any tissue excised is inferior for study. Volume electron microscopy, in particular serial block face scanning electron microscopy (SBF SEM), employing backscatter electron detection from resin-embedded specimens, has become an invaluable technique for 3D imaging of biological samples. However, archived specimens are normally considered unsuitable for imaging as conventional processing methods generate low backscatter electron yield. To overcome this for SBF SEM, we subjected epoxy resin-embedded specimens to de-plastination, then applied additional contrasting agents, uranyl acetate and lead acetate, prior to re-embedding. Selected regions of interest in the new resin blocks were examined in a scanning electron microscope equipped for SBF SEM and serial image datasets acquired. Enhanced contrast enabled 3D reconstruction of endothelium and guttae in Descemet’s membrane over large tissue volumes.
A new band selection framework for hyperspectral remote sensing image classification
Authors: Phaneendra Kumar B. L. N. , Vaddi Radhesyam , Manoharan Prabukumar , Agilandeeswari L. , Sangeetha V.
Published: December 2024

Dimensionality Reduction (DR) is an indispensable step to enhance classifier accuracy with data redundancy in hyperspectral images (HSI). This paper proposes a framework for DR that combines band selection (BS) and effective spatial features. The conventional clustering methods for BS typically face hard encounters when we have a less data items matched to the dimensionality of the accompanying feature space. So, to fully mine the effective information, BS is established using dual partitioning and ranking. The bands from the dual partitioning have undergone informative band selection via ranking. The reduced band subset is then given to a hemispherical reflectance-based spatial filter. Then, finally, a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) is used for effective classification by incorporating three-dimensional convolutions. On a set of three hyperspectral datasets - Indian Pines, Salinas, and KSC, the proposed method was tested with different state-of-the-art techniques. The classification results are compared using quantitative and qualitative measures. The reported overall accuracy is 99.92% on Indian Pines, 99.94% on Salinas, and 97.23% on the KSC dataset. Also, the Mean Spectral Divergence values are 42.4, 63.75, and 41.2 on the three datasets respectively, which signifies the effectiveness of band selection. The results have clearly shown the impact of the band selection proposed and can be utilized for a wide variety of applications.
Research on truck-drone collaborative route planning for rural logistics delivery services
Authors: Wang Yong , Yang Suo , Wang Xi Vincent , Wang Lihui
Published: December 2024

This study investigates the implementation of collaborative route planning between trucks and drones within rural logistics to improve distribution efficiency and service quality. The paper commences with an analysis of the unique characteristics and challenges inherent in rural logistics, emphasizing the limitations of traditional methods while highlighting the advantages of integrating truck and drone technologies. It proceeds to review the current state of development for these two technologies and presents case studies that illustrate their application in rural logistics. Building on this analysis, a collaborative path planning method is proposed, establishing a path optimization model and designing an enhanced simulated annealing algorithm. The effectiveness of this approach is validated through simulation experiments, which reveal that the collaborative delivery system for trucks and drones can significantly boost efficiency, lower costs, and improve service quality. In conclusion, the research findings and potential future research directions are discussed to offer theoretical insights and practical guidance for further innovations in rural logistics technology.
Roughness integration across fingers within compared with across the hands
Authors: Roberts Roberta D.
Published: December 2024

Feeling a texture typically involves sliding the fingers of a hand across that surface or rubbing the surface between the thumb and another digit. Texture signals appear to be integrated across the digits of a hand with perceived roughness at one finger swayed in the direction of texture touched by another finger of the same hand. To date, one study has reported similar integrative effects when the pairs of digits belong to different hands. This contrasts with observations from studies of tactile detection and tactile attention where the patterns of interactions between the digits depend on whether the digits belong to the same hand or not. The present experiments revisit the question of hand identity on multidigit roughness perception using two interval forced choice (2IFC) discrimination and single interval absolute magnitude estimation (AME). Pairs of tactile gratings were actively touched using the thumb and index fingers from the same or different hands. Attention was directed towards roughness at the thumb and index finger sensations were to be ignored. For both discrimination and ratings tasks, roughness perceived at the thumb varied with the textures touched by the index finger suggesting integration of roughness cues from the two digits. This integration occurred despite differences in the two tasks such as working memory requirements. Notably, roughness signals were integrated when originating in pairs of digits on the same hand but not when from different hands. These findings add to a body of evidence based on experiments using different stimuli and tasks, suggesting that hand identity affects interactions across the digits.
Engagement in moderate-intensity physical activity supports overnight memory retention in older adults
Authors: Chappel-Farley Miranda G. , Berisha Destiny E. , Dave Abhishek , Sanders Rachel M. , Kline Christopher E. , Janecek John T. , Sattari Negin , Lui Kitty K. , Chen Ivy Y. , Neikrug Ariel B. , Benca Ruth M. , Yassa Michael A. , Mander Bryce A.
Published: December 2024

Preserving the ability to vividly recall emotionally rich experiences contributes to quality of life in older adulthood. While prior works suggest that moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA) may bolster memory, it is unclear whether this extends to emotionally salient memories consolidated during sleep. In the current study, older adults (mean age = 72.3 ± 5.8) completed an overnight polysomnography assessment with emotional memory tested before and after sleep and a self-report questionnaire assessing habitual PA. Results show that better negative emotional memory consolidation was associated with the frequency and duration of MPA. Statistically replacing 30 min of lower-intensity activity with MPA was associated with better negative emotional memory consolidation. MPA may enhance sleep-dependent consolidation of negative memories in older adults, with modest increases in MPA yielding significant consolidation benefits. Findings may guide interventions and inform public health recommendations by demonstrating that substituting even short durations of low-intensity activity for MPA could produce significant cognitive gains in older adulthood.
The wrapped Rama distribution
Authors: Bell William , Nadarajah Saralees
Published: December 2024

A new one-parameter distribution is proposed for circular data based on wrapping. Most distributions constructed via wrapping do not yield elementary expressions for their mathematical properties. Yet the new distribution yields elementary expressions for all of its mathematical properties. Better fits of the new distribution over the three-parameter distribution due to Jones and Pewsey10 and six other wrapped distributions including four that have two parameters each are shown for at least two data sets. Better fits were assessed in terms of probability plots, density plots, values of Akaike information criterion and values of Bayesian information criterion.
Maximum power point tracking in fuel cells an AI controller based on metaheuristic optimisation
Authors: Preethiraj P.M. , J. Belwin Edward
Published: December 2024

The increasing concern about global warming and the depletion of fossil fuel reserves has led to a growing interest in alternative energy sources, particularly fuel cells (FCs). These green energy sources convert chemical energy into electrical energy, offering advantages such as quick initiation, high power density, and efficient operation at low temperatures. However, the performance of FCs is influenced by changes in operating temperature, and optimal efficiency is achieved by operating them at their maximum power point (MPP). This study uses Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) to charge electric vehicles (EVs), amplifying the voltage generated by the FC using the Interleaved Boost-Cuk (IBC) converter. The optimal tracking of the maximum power output is achieved using the Improved Mayfly optimized (IMO) Cascaded Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (Cascaded ANFIS). The study uses MATLAB to simulate the task in various settings and analyze the relevant performances, demonstrating enhanced efficiency and power tracking outputs. The proposed converter efficiency has improved to 94% with a minimal part count of 2 switched configurations. configuration. The applied control logic, in my opinion, Cascaded ANFIS is capable of operating the BLDC with an operational efficiency of 98.92%, including better output voltage generations of 350 V.
Promotora intervention for metabolic and mental health to reduce type 2 diabetes risk: a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Vargas Maria C. , Katz Joshua B. , Lopez Azucena , Carrillo Arturo , Gregory Dyanna L. , O’Brien Matthew J.
Published: December 2024

The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a novel behavioral intervention (PRIME2) that integrates evidence-based approaches for reducing diabetes risk and perceived stress. We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial of the 16-session PRIME2 intervention vs. usual care among 40 Spanish-speaking Latinx adults with prediabetes and body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2. The 3-month change in weight and perceived stress were co-primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes were 3-month changes in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood pressure, and depressive symptoms. Study participants were women (95%) with mean age 49.9 (± 9.3) years, moderate levels of perceived stress, and risk factors for diabetes, including mean BMI 33.3 (± 5.4) kg/m2 and elevated HbA1c [mean 6.0% (± 0.2)]. PRIME2 participants demonstrated significantly greater 3-month weight loss relative to usual care (− 3.7lbs, p = 0.02). Reductions in perceived stress in both study arms were similar. There were no significant differences in secondary outcomes among PRIME2 participants vs. usual care. This pilot trial demonstrates the feasibility and preliminary weight loss effectiveness of the novel PRIME2 intervention, without observing a significant difference in perceived stress between study arms. Future research should include larger randomized samples that enable a definitive evaluation of intervention effects on both metabolic and mental health endpoints.
In vitro and in silico insights into antimicrobial and anticancer activities of novel imidazo[2,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazoles
Authors: Dwarakanath Deepika , Nayak Yogeesha N. , Kulal Ananda , Pandey Samyak , Pai K Sreedhara Ranganath , Gaonkar Santosh L.
Published: December 2024

This study explores the design, synthesis, and evaluation of a novel series of isobenzofuran-based imidazo[2,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole derivatives, targeting their antimicrobial and anticancer properties. These compounds integrate the pharmacologically significant 1,3,4-thiadiazole and imidazole moieties, which are known for their potential in drug development, although imidazo[2,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole-based drugs are not yet available on the market. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop novel derivatives that could serve as promising candidates for future therapeutic applications. The derivatives were synthesized in two steps and thoroughly characterized using IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectrometry. All the derivatives had shown fairly good antimicrobial activity against four microorganisms (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium smegmatis and Candida albicans) with minimum inhibition concentration’s ranging from 0.14 to 0.59 mM. The anticancer activity of the compounds against MCF-7 cell lines showed promising activity, where three derivatives, 3a, 3c and 3d exhibited better inhibition than the standard, cisplatin. The highest anticancer activity was shown by the derivative 3c with an IC50 value of 35.81 μM. Molecular docking was studied to determine the docking poses and binding interaction of the derivatives with the protein bearing PDB: 5BNS and 3ZNR; ADME properties of the derivatives are also inferred which gives insights into the bioavailability. The molecular dynamics simulation of the derivative 3c with HDAC7 protien (PDB: 3ZNR) was evalauted to determine the stability of the interaction between the protein and the ligand.
Kisspeptin is elevated in the brain after intracerebral haemorrhagic stroke
Authors: Maheshwari Saumya , Um In Hwa , Donachie Struan , Asghar Nafeesa , McDade Karina , Millar Tracey , Harrison David J. , Tello Javier A.
Published: December 2024

Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) is the most severe subtype of stroke, with a 2-year mortality of nearly 50% and the greatest rate of disability amongst stroke survivors. Whilst treatment options for ICH remain limited, the condition requires prompt identification and rapid intervention to reduce permanent brain damage, with diagnosis traditionally confirmed by CT imaging. Although imaging is excellent at determining the presence of an intracranial bleed, biomarkers may help to identify the type of stroke or when the stroke began. Kisspeptin is a neuropeptide best known for its functions in reproductive biology, but recent preclinical studies have demonstrated that kisspeptins are upregulated in rodent models of haemorrhagic stroke. Here we report for the first time that kisspeptin immunoreactivity is significantly higher in post-mortem human brain tissue after both ICH and ICH associated with cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Machine learning and artificial intelligence-enabled image analysis of multiplexed immunolabeled brain tissues demonstrated that kisspeptin immunoreactivity was higher in cells of the microvasculature (CD105+), but not in neurons or astrocytes when compared to controls. Further spatial analysis indicated that kisspeptin immunoreactivity was concentrated to the region of haemorrhage. These results indicate that following ICH, kisspeptin is significantly higher in the human brain, suggesting expression from local vasculature or recruitment to the haematoma. Further work is required to determine the biological mechanisms underlying kisspeptin elevation within the ICH microenvironment and its potential utility as a novel biomarker or therapeutic target for ICH.
Burning of municipal waste in household furnaces and the health of their owners
Authors: Kicińska Alicja , Caba Grzegorz , Barria-Parra Fernando
Published: December 2024

The aim of the study was to determine the scale of emission and airborne dispersion of selected pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, TVOC, HCHO) associated with the combustion of various types of municipal waste (MW), its mixed stream and separate fractions, in a household furnace, as compared to conventional (CF) and alternative (AF) fuels. We demonstrated that each type of fuel (AF, CF, AFw) combusted in a household furnace is a significant source of air pollutants, especially fine PM2.5 particles, whose concentrations exceeded the limit values (3.1–17.2 times for PM2.5 and 0.5–7.4 times for PM10). The combustion of MW in household furnaces generated higher levels of PM2.5 (up to 345 µg/m3) and PM10 (up to 369 µg/m3) than AF or CF, at the same time being a significant source of TVOC (up to 0.3 mg/m3) and HCHO (0.4 mg/m3). The analysis showed that according to the Polish and European classification, air quality (AQI) during the combustion of all the materials analyzed is very poor (n = 12) or extremely poor (n = 19). The combustion of such materials as polystyrene, rubber and upholstery foam in household furnaces generates drastically high health risk to local inhabitants. We found that the combustion of polystyrene generated the highest Cancer Risk (CR) values of 1.04E-01 (children) and 2.60E-02 (adults), exceeding the acceptable level multiple times (CR > 10–6). Inhalation exposure to very poor air quality can lead to health problems, such as disorders of the respiratory, cardiovascular and immune systems. Additional risk is posed by solid fuel combustion in rural areas, which may be a significant factor deteriorating the chemical condition of soils, especially those used for agricultural purposes.
Experimental assessment of Acanthopagrus schlegelii biomass based on environmental DNA technology
Authors: Liu Yan , Zhang Mengyi , Wang Liangming , Yang Changping , Yang Yukai , Xie Qijian , Liu Manting , Chen Cheng , Jia Chunbin , Shan Binbin
Published: December 2024

The Environmental DNA (eDNA) technology has attracted significant attention due to its convenience and high sensitivity. However, the variations of eDNA across diverse environments and biological species remain complex. Therefore, a detailed exploration of the release patterns of eDNA for specific species under different environments is crucial for the scientific utilization of eDNA detection techniques. This study conducted an experiment involving the aquaculture of Acanthopagrus schlegelii to explore the release and degradation mechanisms of eDNA. It also analyzed the influence of salinity and biomass on the concentration of eDNA in water. Through model simulations, the variation patterns of A. schlegelii eDNA were revealed. The study achieved three key findings: (1) The research on the release and degradation mechanisms of A. schlegelii eDNA indicated that the Generalized Additive Model (GAM) effectively fits the variation patterns of eDNA concentration. The peak concentration of eDNA released by A. schlegelii was observed at 42 h, and the degradation process exhibited two stages: rapid and slow degradation, with a negative correlation between eDNA concentration and time. (2) By investigating the relationship between the concentration of A. schlegelii eDNA and biomass, it was demonstrated that Linear Models (LM) effectively captured this relationship, indicating a correlation between eDNA concentration and biomass. (3) The detection of A. schlegelii eDNA concentration under different salinity conditions revealed that the GAM model better reflected the relationship between eDNA and salinity, exhibiting a negative correlation. As salinity increased, the concentration of eDNA decreased. This study lays a foundation for future assessments of the A. schlegelii biomass in natural waters using eDNA quantitative detection techniques, and provides relevant references for quantitative eDNA detection techniques in other marine fish species.
Explosion pressure of industrial titanium powder and its suppression characteristics by explosion suppressants SiO2, K2CO3, and NaHCO3
Authors: Liu Tianqi , Liu Kenan
Published: December 2024

The ignition and explosion risks of industrial metal powder are significantly different from other types of powder, and its explosion suppression deserve attention. In this article, industrial titanium powder explosion is taken as the test object, and its explosion pressure and explosion suppression process are analyzed. The research results show that the mass concentration of powder clouds and ignition delay time have a great impact on the explosion pressure of titanium powder. The optimal concentration of powder cloud mass is 350 g m−3, under this condition, the rate of energy release per unit time is the highest, the maximum pressure of titanium powder explosion is 0.48 MPa. The optimal ignition delay time is 50 ms, changing the ignition delay time actually changes the state of the powder cloud at the ignition moment. The suppression effect can be ranked, and the best suppression agent is NaHCO3, followed by K2CO3, and finally SiO2. Under the effects of isolation, dilution, and cooling, NaHCO3 has the greatest effect on the explosion pressure of titanium powder.
Participatory management and sustainable ecosystem management indicators
Authors: Maghsoodi Saeed , Mahdavi Seyedeh Khadijeh , Shahraki Mohammadreza , Sharafatmandrad Mohsen
Published: December 2024

The United Nations has implemented projects focusing on the participation of local communities in economic, social and ecological criteria in different countries. The present study aimed to assess the effects of such projects on sustainable ecosystem management indicators in the Tilabad watershed, Golestan province, Iran. The statistical population includes 99 pastoralists from 3 pastoral units, of which 80 pastoralists were selected as the sample size and sampled by stratified random sampling technique. The measurement tool was a researcher-made questionnaire. The results showed that 41.3% of the respondents (the highest frequency) evaluated the effectiveness of project as good. The implementation of the participatory project has had a positive and significant effect on the sustainable ecosystem management (β = 0.703 and t = 12.756). The greatest effectiveness is related to the social (β = 0.671 and t = 12.146) and economic (β = 0.644 and t = 8.615) criteria. Age, experience of animal husbandry (P ≤ 0.05), the number of animals, and the amount of income from animal husbandry (P ≤ 0.01) had a positive and significant relationship with the project effectiveness on sustainable ecosystem management in the area. It can be concluded that participatory approaches can lead to sustainable ecosystem management.
Biophysics and electrophysiology of pulsed field ablation in normal and infarcted porcine cardiac ventricular tissue
Authors: Miklavčič Damijan , Verma Atul , Krahn Philippa R. P. , Štublar Jernej , Kos Bor , Escartin Terenz , Lombergar Peter , Coulombe Nicolas , Terricabras Maria , Jarm Tomaž , Kranjc Matej , Barry Jennifer , Mattison Lars , Kirchhof Nicole , Sigg Daniel C. , Stewart Mark , Wright Graham
Published: December 2024

Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) is a new ablation method being rapidly adopted for treatment of atrial fibrillation, which shows advantages in safety and efficiency over radiofrequency and cryo-ablation. In this study, we used an in vivo swine model (10 healthy and 5 with chronic myocardial infarct) for ventricular PFA, collecting intracardiac electrograms, electro-anatomical maps, native T1-weighted and late gadolinium enhancement MRI, gross pathology, and histology. We used 1000–1500 V pulses, with 1–16 pulse trains to vary PFA dose. Lesions were assessed at 24 h, 7 days, and 6 weeks in healthy and at 48 h in infarcted ventricles. Comparisons of lesion sizes using a numerical model enabled us to determine lethal electric field thresholds for cardiac tissue and its dependence on the number of pulse trains. Similar thresholds were found in normal and infarcted hearts. Numerical modeling and temperature-sensitive MRI confirmed the nonthermal nature of PFA, with less than 2% of a lesion’s volume at the highest dose used being attributed to thermal damage. Longitudinal cardiac MRI and histology provide a comprehensive description of lesion maturation. Lesions shrink between 24 h and 7 days post-ablation and then remain stable out to 6 weeks post-ablation. Periprocedural electrograms analysis yields good correlation with lesion durability and size.
Smart control and management for a renewable energy based stand-alone hybrid system
Authors: KECHIDA Abdelhak , GOZIM Djamal , TOUAL Belgacem , ALHARTHI Mosleh M. , AGAJIE Takele Ferede , GHONEIM S. M.Sherif , GHALY Ramy N. R.
Published: December 2024

This paper addresses the smart management and control of an independent hybrid system based on renewable energies. The suggested system comprises a photovoltaic system (PVS), a wind energy conversion system (WECS), a battery storage system (BSS), and electronic power devices that are controlled to enhance the efficiency of the generated energy. Regarding the load side, the system comprises AC loads, DC loads, and a water pump. An Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS)-based MPPT technique is suggested to enhance the efficiency of the PVS and WECS. This technology provided good performance compared with the Perturb and Observe (P&O) algorithm and MPPT-based fuzzy logic controller (FLC). The use of the ANFIS-PI proposed to control the bidirectional converter accomplished voltage stabilization for the DC bus. This work also came with a fuzzy logic-based algorithm to manage the load side that depends on battery charge ratio, solar radiation, and wind speed. According to results obtained in the MATLAB/Simulink environment, the proposed technologies were found to have performed well. The goal we were also pursuing was achieved through the full use of the energy generated by the proposed algorithm. The proposed study holds great potential for remote regions.
Inhibition of AKT enhances chemotherapy efficacy and synergistically interacts with targeting of the Inhibitor of apoptosis proteins in oesophageal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Stevenson Leanne , Cairns Lauren , Li Xiaodun , Jammula Sriganesh , Taylor Harriet , Douglas Rosalie , McCabe Niamh , Gavory Gerald , Jacq Xavier , Fitzgerald Rebecca C. , Kennedy Richard D. , Harrison Timothy , Turkington Richard C.
Published: December 2024

The incidence of oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) has risen six-fold in western countries over the last forty years but survival rates have only marginally improved. Hyperactivation of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway is a common occurrence in OAC, driving cell survival, proliferation and resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. Inhibition of AKT has been explored as a treatment strategy with limited success and current inhibitors have failed to progress through clinical trials. Our study, describes a novel allosteric AKT inhibitor, ALM301, and demonstrates an enhancement of the efficacy of conventional chemotherapy when combined with ALM301 in OAC. Reduced sensitivity to ALM301 is associated with high expression of the Inhibitor of Apoptosis (IAP) family of proteins, particularly XIAP. Combined AKT and IAP inhibition synergistically enhanced OAC cell death and successfully re-sensitized ALM301 and chemotherapy resistant cell lines. A high degree of synergism was also observed in patient-derived OAC organoids indicating the potential clinical relevance of the combination. This study demonstrates the role for dual AKT/IAP inhibition in OAC and provides a strong rationale for the further investigation of this highly efficacious combination strategy.
The efficacy of an embryonic stem cell-based vaccine for lung cancer prevention depends on the undifferentiated state of the stem cells
Authors: Meng Shuhan , Whitt Aaron G. , Eaton John W. , Yaddanapudi Kavitha , Li Chi
Published: December 2024

Based on the antigenic similarity between tumor cells and embryonic stem cells (ESCs), several recent studies report the use of intact murine ESCs or exosomes from murine ESCs as cancer vaccines. Since the capacity for self-renewal is one of the most specialized properties shared between ESCs and a subset of tumor cells, cancer stem cells (CSCs), we investigated whether the undifferentiated state of murine ESCs is essential for the prophylactic effectiveness of an ESC-based vaccine. The undifferentiated state of ES-D3, a murine ESC line, was essential for their anchorage-independent growth potential. Importantly, differentiation of ES-D3 cells decreased their efficacy in preventing the outgrowth of implanted lung tumors. Furthermore, the long-term cancer-preventive potential of this vaccine was also inhibited by the differentiation of these cells. To examine the antigenicity of the ESC-derived vaccine, we performed combined affinity chromatography shotgun immunoproteomic experiments to identify antigens specific to the whole-cell ES vaccine as well as to the ESC-derived exosome vaccine. Our data demonstrate that antibodies against several lung cancer-associated keratin members were enriched in the serum of vaccinated mice. In summary, these data suggest that the tumor-preventing efficacy of ESC-based vaccine is reliant on the differentiation properties of these stem cells.
Graphene quantum dot-modified Co3O4/NiCo2O4 yolk–shell polyhedrons as a polysulfide-adsorptive sulfur host for lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Xu Jing , Tao Kehao , Zhu Yajun , Zhou Ting , Huang Xiaofei , Li Jinjin , Liu Jinyun
Published: December 2024

A novel graphene quantum dot (GQD)-modified Co3O4/NiCo2O4 polyhedron is reported as a sulfur host for lithium–sulfur batteries displaying good performances.
Nanobioparticle-prepared biochar enhanced Fenton oxidation for treatment of saline organic wastewater
Authors: Lan Shanhong , Geng Shiwen , Jin Yuqi , Zhang Hui , Liu Xun , Ma Chenbo , Li Chuankun , Dong Xuejie , Cao Qiliang , Li Ke
Published: December 2024

This research enhances Fenton oxidation for saline organic wastewater by incorporating FeS nano-biological particles, which optimizes redox potential and the use of H2O2 to enhance COD removal.