bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Notch3 signaling promotes colorectal tumor growth by enhancing immunosuppressive cells infiltration in the microenvironment
Authors: Huang Kai , Luo Wenwu , Fang Jinmei , Yu Changjun , Liu Guangjie , Yuan Xiaodong , Liu Yun , Wu Wenyong
Published: September 2022

Background: Macrophage infiltration in the tumor microenvironment participates in the regulation of tumor progression. Previous studies have found that Notch signaling pathway is involved in regulating the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC), however, the specific mechanism is still unclear. Methods: The correlation between Notch signaling pathway and macrophage infiltration was investigated in TCGA database and verified in clinical samples of patients with CRC using immunohistochemistry. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis was used to find out genes related to Notch3 expression. Colony formation assay, and flow cytometry were utilized to test tumor growth and immune cell infiltration in vitro and in vivo.Results: Using bioinformatics analysis and clinical sample validation, we found that Notch3 was highly expressed in colon tumor tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues, and it participated in regulating the recruitment of macrophages to the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, we found that the Notch3 expression was positively correlated with the expression of macrophage recruitment-related cytokines in colon tumor tissues. Finally, we demonstrated that depletion of Notch3 had no significant effect on the growth of colon tumor cells in vitro, while, attenuated the growth of colon cancer tumors in vivo. Simultaneous, immunosuppressive cells, macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) infiltration were dramatically reduced in the tumor microenvironment. Conclusion: Our study illustrated that Notch3 could facilitate the progression of CRC by increasing the infiltration of macrophages and MDSCs to promote the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Targeting Notch3 specifically is a potentially effective treatment for CRC.
Unexpected high NOX emissions from lakes on Tibetan Plateau under rapid warming
Authors: Kong Hao , Lin Jintai , Zhang Yuhang , Li Chunjin , Xu Chenghao , Shen Lu , Liu Xuejun , Yang Kun , Su Hang , Xu Wanyun
Published: September 2022

Nitrogen oxides affect health and climate. Their emissions from inland waters such as lakes are generally considered negligible and are absent in air quality and climate models. Here we find unexpected high emissions from remote lakes on the Tibetan Plateau based on satellite observations and emission inversion. The total emissions from 135 lakes larger than 50 km2 reach 1.9 Ton N h− 1, comparable to individual megacities worldwide. The emissions per unit area exceed those from crop fields. This is the first report of strong natural emissions from inland waters. The emissions are likely from anammox-dominated microbial processes under low-oxygen, low-organic, alkaline and saline conditions. They are associated with substantial warming and glacial and permafrost melting on the plateau, constituting a previously unknown feedback between climate, lake ecology and nitrogen emissions.
Hs-CRP and TNF-α effects on postnatal umbilical coiling: impact assessment of the gestational diabetes mellitus in a prospective cohort study
Authors: Akbari Hamideh , Monemi Fateme , Notej Atefe , Khajavi Alireza , Ghadikolaei Omolbanin Asadi , Abdolmaleki Fereshte , Najafi Laily
Published: September 2022

BackgroundHence, no study has been conducted to demonstrate specifically the relationship between gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) status, inflammatory factors, and postnatal umbilical coiling index (pUCI), as understanding this relation could help to select the best appropriate interventions to save the fetus.MethodTo assess the impact of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and Tumor necrosis factor-Alpha (TNF-α) (in maternal venous and umbilical cord (UC) blood) on pUCI, comparing GDM and non-GDM groups.This prospective observational study contained 40 parturients in each of GDM and non-GDM groups, matched for maternal age, ethnicity, and parity. GDM diagnosis was confirmed by 24–28 weeks of gestation (WOG) and two-step strategy. The covariates of interest were maternal hs-CRP and TNF-α, measured at 37-41th WOG, and their UC analogous, measured during delivery. The gross morphologies were assessed immediately after delivery. The UC coiling was quantitatively assessed by the postnatal umbilical coiling index (pUCI)..ResultsNo significant difference of hs-CRP and TNF-α, in maternal venous blood or UC blood, was found between GDM/non-GDM groups. The mean (SD) of pUCI in GDM and non-GDM groups were 0.28 (0.15) and 0.24 (0.21) (p-value = 0.441), respectively. In GDM group, none of the four covariates of interest had significant effects on pUCI. Among the non-GDM patients, merely the UC hs-CRP had a direct association with pUCI, a Pearson correlation of r = 0.54 (p-value < .01).ConclusionsIn GDM group, no apparent relationship was observed between inflammatory factors and pUCI, although a direct association was detected between UC hs-CRP and pUCI in the non-GDM.Tweetable abstractThe umbilical cord high sensitivity C-reactive protein is directly correlated with postnatal umbilical coiling.
Optimal Plan for Delivery in Women with Obesity: A Large Population-based Retrospective Cohort Study Using the Better Outcomes Registry and Network (BORN) Database
Authors: Horwood Genevieve , Erwin Erica , Guo Yanfang , Gaudet Laura
Published: September 2022

Objective: To discern the optimal plan for delivery in nulliparous women with obesity at term gestation. Subjects/Methods: This was a large population-based retrospective cohort study. It included nulliparous women with obesity (BMI>30) giving birth at a maternity hospital in Ontario, Canada with live, singleton, uncomplicated term gestations (37+0 to 41+6 weeks) between April 1st, 2012 and March 31st, 2019. A total of 27 472 deliveries were included.Interventions/Methods: Women were divided by plan for delivery (expectant management, induction of labour and no-labour caesarean section). The primary outcome was the Adverse Outcome Index (AOI), a binary composite of 10 maternal and neonatal adverse events. The Weighted Adverse Outcome Score (WAOS) was the secondary outcome. It provides a weighted score of each adverse event included in the AOI. Analyses were conducted using multivariable regression models. Analyses were stratified by each week of gestational age and by obesity class. Results No-labour caesarean section reduced the risk of adverse delivery outcome by 41% (aRR 0.59, 95%CI [0.50, 0.70]) compared to expectant management at term gestation. There was no statistically significant difference in adverse birth outcomes when comparing induction of labour to expectant management (aRR 1.03, 95% CI [0.96, 1.10]). The greatest benefit to no-labour caesarean section was observed in the reduction of adverse neonatal events (aRR 0.70, 95% CI [0.57, 0.87]) after 39 weeks of gestation. Conclusion In women with obesity, no-labour caesarean section reduces adverse birth outcomes.
Zero-Shot Transfer Learned Generic AI models for prediction of ideally ripe climacteric fruits
Authors: Dutta Jayita , Patwardhan Manasi , Deshpande Parijat , Karande Shirish , Rai Beena
Published: September 2022

Ideally, ripe fruits offer appropriate nutritional content and best quality in terms of taste and flavour. Prediction of ideally ripe climacteric fruits acts as the main marketing indicator for quality from the consumer perspective and thus renders it a genuine industrial concern for all the stakeholders of the fruit supply chain. However, the building of fruit-specific individual model for the prediction of ripeness level remains an existing challenge due to the scarcity of sufficient labeled experimental data for each fruit. This paper describes the development of generic AI models based on the similarity in physico-chemical degradation phenomena of climacteric fruits for prediction of ‘unripe’ and ‘ideally ripe’ levels using ‘zero-shot’ transfer learning techniques. Experiments were performed on a variety of climacteric and non-climacteric fruits and it was observed that transfer learning works better for fruits within a cluster (climacteric fruits) as compared to across clusters (climacteric to non-climacteric fruits). The main contributions of this work are two-fold (i) Using domain knowledge of food chemistry to label the data in terms of age of the fruit (ii) We hypothesize and prove that the zero-shot transfer learning works better within a set of fruits, sharing similar degradation chemistry depicted by their visual properties like black spot formations, wrinkles, discoloration, etc. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the same.
Impact of Climate Change Induced Natural Disasters on Nutrition Outcomes: A Case of Cyclone Idai, Zimbabwe
Authors: Dembedza Vimbainashe Prisca , Chopera Prosper , Mapara Jacob , Mpofu-Hamadziripi Nomalanga , Kembo George , Macheka Lesley
Published: September 2022

Background
The increased frequency of climate induced natural disasters has exacerbated the risks of malnutrition in the already vulnerable regions. This study was aimed at exploring the effects of Cyclone Idai on nutrition outcomes of women of child-bearing age and children under five years.
Method
The household-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Eastern Zimbabwe. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews to determine food consumption score (FCS) and household dietary diversity (HDDS), minimum dietary diversity for women (MDD-W) and minimum dietary diversity for children (MDD-C). Severity of Cyclone Idai was grouped into five categories based on the extent of damage to infrastructure and loss of human lives. Association between continuous and categorical variables was tested using Pearson correlation test and Chi square test, respectively. Linear and binary logistic regression was performed to investigate determinants of food security.
Results
A total of 535 households were interviewed. There was a significant correlation between severity of Cyclone Idai and MDD-W (p = 0.011), HDDS (p = 0.018) and FCS (p = 0.001). However, severity Cyclone Idai was not a determinant of any nutrition outcome, but gender of household head was a negative predictor of HDDS (β=-0.734, p = 0.040), and marital status of household head was a positive predictor (β = 0.093, p = 0.016) of FCS.
Conclusion
The findings provide a good baseline to inform future programming of food aid activities during disasters. More so, our findings call for evidence-based policies regarding composition of a food aid basket and targeting of beneficiaries. The main strength of this study is that it is the first to investigate the effects of cyclones on food and nutrition security indicators and is based on a large sample size thus making our results generalisable.
Prey availability and its influence on habitat selection during the non- breeding period in a sedentary bird of prey
Authors: Bühler Roman , Schalcher Kim , Séchaud Robin , Michler Stephanie , Apolloni Nadine , Roulin Alexandre , Almasi Bettina
Published: September 2022

Background: For sedentary birds of prey in the temperate zone, the cold non-breeding season can have strong impacts on fitness traits with implications for population dynamics. The non-breeding season should thus receive the same attention as other parts of the annual life cycle. Birds of prey in intensively managed agricultural areas are repeatedly confronted with unpredictable, rapid changes to their habitat due to farming practices like mowing, harvesting, and ploughing. Such a dynamic landscape is likely to influence prey distribution and availability and might even result in changes in habitat selection of the predator over the annual cycle. Methods: In the present study, we 1) quantified barn owl prey availability in different habitats throughout the annual cycle, 2) quantified the size and location of barn owl breeding and non-breeding home ranges using GPS-data, 3) assessed habitat selection in relation to prey availability during the non-breeding period, and 4) discussed the changes in habitat selection between the breeding and non-breeding period.Results: The patchier prey distribution during the non-breeding period compared to the breeding period led to habitat selection towards grassland during the non-breeding period. Barn owl breeding and non-breeding home-range size were similar, but there was a small shift in the location of home-ranges which was more pronounced in females than males. The changes in prey availability led to a mainly grassland-oriented habitat selection during the non-breeding period. Further, our results showed the importance of biodiversity promotion areas and undisturbed field margins within the intensively managed agricultural landscape. Conclusions: We showed that differences in prey availability among habitat types between the breeding and the non-breeding period can lead to changes in habitat preference. Given these results we demonstrate the importance to maintain and enhance the structural diversity within the intensive agricultural landscape, to effectively conserve birds of prey specialised on small mammals.
A Comprehensive Molecular Survey of Viral Pathogens Associated with Canine Gastroenteritis
Authors: Dema Anusha , Tallapally Mounika Reddy , Ganji Vishweshwar Kumar , Buddala Bhagyalakshmi , Kodi Haritha , Ramidi Ashwini , Yella Narasimha Reddy , Putty Kalyani
Published: September 2022

Viral pathogens account for the major aetiology of canine gastroenteritis. However, structured comprehensive studies on viral aetiology of canine gastroenteritis are sparse. To this end, 475 rectal swabs collected over a period of three years (2018–2021) from clinical canine gastroenteritis cases were screened for the presence of six majorly known enteric viruses (CPV-2, CDV, CAdV-2, CCoV, CaAstV, CRV), by real-time PCR. The overall incidence rate for each virus was found highest at 64.8% for CPV-2/2a/2b/2c (2a: 21.1%, 2b: 77.4%, 2c: 1.5%), followed by 8% for CDV, 7.2% for CaAstV, 5.9% for CCoV and 4.6% for CAdV-2 with 16.8% incidence for coinfections ranging from two to four viruses in different combinations; no incidence of CRV was reported. The whole-genome sequences of CDV, CCoV and CaAstV Indian isolates were reported for the first time and phylogenetic analysis was performed. This study highlights the need for relevant and routine vaccine prophylactic measures. It is alarming to note that 70.3% of animals vaccinated with DHPPIL were found positive for at least one virus. Hence, regular molecular analysis of the prevalent viruses is crucial to address vaccination failures.
Quantification of microfibre release from textiles during domestic laundering
Authors: Hazlehurst Alice , Tiffin Lucy , Sumner Mark , Taylor Mark
Published: September 2022

This study explores three major factors that influence the quantification of microfibres released from domestic laundering of textiles; test methodologies, laundering variables, and fabric variables. A review of different test methods is presented, highlighting the variation in quantification created by using different methodologies. A reliable and reproducible method for quantifying microfibre release from domestic laundering is used to explore the impact of laundering and fabric variables experimentally. Our results show that the increasing wash liquor ratio and wash agitation results in a greater mass of microfibres released, but we found that fabric variables can have a greater influence on microfibre release than the laundering variables tested in this study. However, no single fabric variable appeared to have a dominant influence. Using the data obtained and assumptions for washing load size and frequency, an estimate of the annual microfibre release from untreated domestic laundering in the UK is presented. Depending on different laundering and fabric variables, estimates range from 6,490 tonnes to 87,165 tonnes of microfibre discharged in the UK each year.
Dynamic changes in cytokine profiles and their impact on tumour recurrence following thermal ablation in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Guo Dandan , Qin Ling , Sun Jianping , Li Kang , Zang Chaoran , Wang Qi , Qiao Wenying , Liu Biyu , Zhao Yan , Zhang Yonghong
Published: September 2022

Background
Thermal ablation is widely accepted as a radical HCC therapy. However, the 5-year recurrence rate is high, and whether this local treatment induces a systemic immune response remains unclear. Herein, we investigated the effects of thermal ablation on HCC patients’ immune cytokine profiles and explored predictive biomarkers of tumour recurrence.
Methods
Twenty-two HCC patients were enrolled. We collected peripheral blood before ablation (baseline) and 5–7 days (week 1) and 28–30 days (week 4) after ablation and measured 27 cytokine/chemokine levels at the three time points. Dynamic changes in cytokine profiles and impacts on tumour recurrence were observed.
Results
We found that most cytokines/chemokines (12/27) in HCC patients at baseline were significantly decreased, while MCP-1 was elevated compared to that in healthy controls. IL-6 was significantly elevated at week 1 and decreased at week 4 after ablation, and there were positive correlations between IL-6 levels and ALT and WBC at week 1. IL-10 was slightly decreased at week 1 and dramatically decreased at week 4. The MCP-1, MIP-1β and TNF-α dynamics were similar (decreasing at week 1, increasing at week 4). IL-17, PDGF-BB and RANTES were significantly elevated at week 4 compared with baseline and week 1. We also found that patients with high levels of IL-10 at baseline and low levels of TNF-α, PDGF-BB and RANTES at week 4 were at risk of tumour recurrence.
Conclusion
Our results suggest that thermal ablation relieves tumour immune suppression and activates systemic immune responses by circulating cytokines linked to tumour recurrence.
Bumblebees sense rootstock-mediated nutrition and fertilization regime in tomato
Authors: Martínez-Andújar Cristina , Benyoussef Rim , Prudencio Ángela Sánchez , Ormazabal Maialen , Martín-Rodriguez José Ángel , Albacete Alfonso , Martínez-Melgarejo Purificación Andrea , Pérez-Alfocea Francisco
Published: September 2022

AimsSince producing more with less is required for increasing agricultural sustainability and reducing its environmental impact, breeding varieties with increased yield stability under reduced fertilizer application is an important goal, particularly in high valued horticultural crops such as tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) because of the difficulties to conciliate yield and fertilizer use efficiency. However, the graft-compatible genetic biodiversity existing in horticultural species offers the possibility to directly approach this objective in high-yielding elite varieties through improving nutrient capture and promoting ecosystem services such as insect pollination. MethodsFifteen experimental rootstocks from different genetic background were grafted to a scion tomato variety and cultivated under optimal and reduced (25% of optimal) P and NPK fertilization in the presence of managed bumblebee pollinators (Bombus terrestris). ResultsRootstocks generated up to 2-fold yield variability that was associated with leaf nutrition and photosynthesis, influenced by the fertilization regime. Interestingly, fertilization regime and the rootstock genotype influenced the pollinator foraging decisions since bumblebees showed feeding preference for plants cultivated under low P, and for the most yielding and nutritious graft combinations under reduced but not under optimal fertilization. Bumblebees can sense the optimized source-sink relations, as supported by the consistent relationship between leaf carbon concentration and pollinator preferences, and influenced by nitrogen, potassium and zinc nutritional status. ConclusionsThis study opens new perspectives for using pollinators as natural “phenotypers” to select the most resilient plants under suboptimal conditions and/or genotypes that synergistically increase crop productivity by promoting the ecosystem service provided by the insects.
Effect of Cryogenic and Electrolytic passivation treatment on Wear Resistance of M2 High-Speed Steel
Authors: Chen Zhi , Zhang Yangwei , Yan Xianguo , Li Jiale , Li Fan
Published: September 2022

Through cryogenic treatment and electrolytic passivation treatment of M2 high-speed steel(HSS), the effect of electrolytic passivation process parameters on the life of M2 HSS taps and the combined effect of cryogenic treatment and electrolytic passivation treatment on the wear resistance of the M2 HSS were investigated by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The results show that the life of M2 HSS tap after electrolytic passivation treatment increases most significantly under the theoretical edge radius, the functional relationship between the charge consumption (y) and the tap edge radius (x) is as follows: y = 8.135x-48.842. The wear resistance of the sample after cryogenic and electrolytic passivation treatment is the highest, which is 1.52 times higher than those of the traditional heat treatment sample. This is due to the increase of the number of carbides on the surface of the specimens after cryogenic treatment, the distribution and size of carbides are relatively uniform, the average size of carbides is reduced by 60.4%. There is a carbon layer on the surface of the sample after passivation, which can effectively improve the wear condition. The size and number of carbides in the surface layer of the sample remain unchanged after passivation treatment, indicating that cryogenic treatment plays a key role in the performance of the material.
Enantioselective Transition-Metal Catalysis via an Anion-Binding Approach
Authors: Jacobsen Eric , Ovian John , Vojáčková Petra
Published: September 2022

Asymmetric transition-metal catalysis represents a powerful strategy for accessing enantiomerically enriched molecules. Here, we report a new approach for inducing enantioselectivity in transition-metal-catalyzed reactions that relies on neutral hydrogen-bond donors (HBDs) that bind anions of transition-metal complexes to achieve enantiocontrol and rate enhancement through ion pairing in concert with other noncovalent interactions. A cooperative anion-binding effect of a chiral bis-thiourea HBD is demonstrated to lead to high enantioselectivity (up to 99% enantiomeric excess) in intramolecular ruthenium-catalyzed propargylic substitution reactions. Experimental and computational mechanistic studies reveal the attractive interactions between electron-deficient arene components of the HBD and the metal complex that underlie enantioinduction and the acceleration effect.
Machine learning to predict ceftriaxone resistance using single nucleotide polymorphisms within a global database of Neisseria gonorrhoeae genomes
Authors: Ha Sung Min , Lin Eric , Klaunser Jeffrey , Adamson Paul
Published: September 2022

Antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an urgent global health issue 1. Resistance to ceftriaxone, the mainstay of gonorrhea treatment, is increasing2,3. Many genotypic mutations are associated with decreased susceptibility to ceftriaxone 4,5. In this study, N. gonorrhoeae genomes from the PathogenWatch database were downloaded and used to train and test different machine learning (ML) models to predict ceftriaxone susceptibility/decreased susceptibility (S/DS). We evaluated seven different ML algorithms with 97 SNPs that are known to be associated with ceftriaxone resistance. After identifying the ML algorithm with the highest performance metrics, the impact score of individual SNPs were calculated. The algorithm was then retrained using various combinations of top scoring SNPs to measure performance. The study identified 5 SNPs that performed well to predict decreased susceptibility and might be promising targets for molecular assays to predict S/DS to ceftriaxone. The ML methods reported here might have applications for predicting AMR within other pathogens.
Learning styles of medical students from a university in China
Authors: Liu Hai-ping , Liu Yue-hui
Published: September 2022

Background: Investigating students’ learning styles can generate useful information that can improve the curriculum design. This study adopts diverse measures to identify the learning styles of the students, though, there is limited literature related to clinical medical students in China. Hence, we utilized Felder’s Index of Learning Styles to examine the learning style characteristics of clinical medical students at Inner Mongolia Minzu University.Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated clinical medicine students for their learning style preference and the difference across genders. This study also analyzed data collected from other published studies. A total of 411 students from medical school at Inner Mongolia Minzu University furnished the Index of Learning Styles Questionnaire. The proposed questionnaire assesses the learning styles of students from four dimensions; namely visual-verbal learning; sequential-global learning; active-reflective leaning; and sensing-intuitive learning.Results: Analysis result shows that clinical medicine students choose to receive visual information (chose by 73.97% of the sample student) instead of verbal information. These students prioritize sensory information (67.15%) rather than intuitive information, and process reflective information (51.82%) rather than active information. They prefer to process information sequentially (59.85%) instead of globally. Our results also show that male students present a higher preference for an active learning style over a reflective learning style, while females seem to present a higher preference for a reflective learning style over an active learning style. These preferences varied between cohorts (gender), but the difference was not statistically significant. Compared to data collected from other published studies, sensing and visual are the most popular styles of learning adopted by medical science students; however, preferences in other dimensions vary by group.Conclusions: In general, the study findings conclude that Inner Mongolia Minzu University clinical medicine students prefer visual, sensing, and sequential learning styles. Gender has no significant effect on medical students' learning styles. Compared to data collected from other published studies, research consistently shows that sensing and visual are the most famous learning styles among medical students.
A low-cost smartphone fluorescence microscope for research, life science education, and STEM outreach
Authors: Schaefer Madison A , Nelson Heather N , Butrum John L , Gronseth James R , Hines Jacob H
Published: September 2022

Much of our understanding of cell and tissue development, structure, and function stems from fluorescence microscopy. The acquisition of colorful and glowing images engages and excites users ranging from seasoned microscopists to STEM students. Fluorescence microscopes range in cost from several thousand to several hundred thousand US dollars. Therefore, the use of fluorescence microscopy is typically limited to well-funded institutions and biotechnology companies, research core facilities, and medical laboratories, but is financially impractical at many universities and colleges, primary and secondary schools (K-12), and in science outreach settings. In this study, we developed and characterized components that when used in combination with a smartphone or tablet, perform fluorescence microscopy at a cost of less than $50 US dollars per unit. We re-purposed recreational LED flashlights and theater stage lighting filters to enable viewing of green and red fluorophores including EGFP, DsRed, mRFP, and mCherry on a simple-to-build frame made of wood and plexiglass. These devices, which we refer to as glowscopes, were capable of 10 µm resolution, imaging fluorescence in live specimens, and were compatible with all smartphone and tablet models we tested. In comparison to scientific-grade fluorescence microscopes, glowscopes may have limitations to sensitivity needed to detect dim fluorescence and the inability to resolve subcellular structures. We demonstrate capability of viewing fluorescence within zebrafish embryos, including heart rate, rhythmicity, and regional anatomy of the central nervous system. Due to the low cost of individual glowscope units, we anticipate this device can help to equip K-12, undergraduate, and science outreach classrooms with fleets of fluorescence microscopes that can engage students with hands-on learning activities.
APOE Genotype and Biological Sex Regulate Astroglial Interactions with Amyloid Plaques in Alzheimer’s Disease Mice
Authors: Stephen Terri , Breningstall Bayla , Suresh Sharanya , McGill Cassandra , Pike Christian
Published: September 2022

The most significant genetic risk factor for developing late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the ε4 allele of apolipoprotein E (APOE4). APOE genotype and biological sex are key modulators of microglial and astroglial function, which exert multiple effects on AD pathogenesis. Here we show astroglial interactions with amyloid plaques in the EFAD transgenic mouse model of AD. Using confocal microscopy, we observed significantly lower levels of astrocytic plaque coverage and plaque compaction (beneficial effects of glial barrier formation) with APOE4 genotype and female sex. Conversely, neurite damage and astrocyte activation in the plaque environment were significantly higher in APOE4 carriers and female mice. Astrocyte coverage of plaques was highest in APOE3 males and poorest in APOE4 females. Collectively, our findings provide new insights into the roles of astroglia and highlight the importance of addressing independent and interactive effects of APOE genotype and biological sex in understanding processes contributing to AD pathogenesis.
Effect of eugenol on lipid profile, oxidative stress, sex hormone, liver injury, ovarian failure, and expression of COX-2 and PPAR-α genes in a rat model of diabetes
Authors: Kokabiyan Zahra , Yaghmaei Parichehreh , Jameie Seyed Behnamedin , Hajebrahimi Zahra
Published: September 2022

Background: Diabetes is among the leading causes of reproductive system failure and infertility in both women and men. Inflammation and oxidative stress have a main role in the development of diabetes. Eugenol or clove oil is a phenolic monoterpenoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Here, the effects of eugenol on diabetes features and ovarian function were investigated. Methods and Results: Streptozotocin-induced diabetes rats were treated with 12 and 24 mg/kg of eugenol for 4 weeks. The biochemical and histological assay was done to evaluate the effects of eugenol on ovary and pancreas function, liver injury, oxidative status, sex hormones, lipid profile, and mRNA levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α) genes. Streptozotocin increased levels of serum glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), malondialdehyde (MDA), pancreas necrosis and inflammation, COX-2 expression, ovarian cystic, and anovulation. It decreased the levels of insulin, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and PPAR-α expression. Eugenol administration ameliorated diabetes features through the improvement of lipid profile, oxidative status, insulin and glucose levels, sex hormone levels, liver markers, COX-2 and PPAR-α expression, and pancreas histology. It had no effect on ovarian cystic and follicular development. Conclusions Therefore, eugenol may be useful for ameliorating some adverse features of diabetes and used as an adjunct treatment or protective agent accompany by other chemicals in diabetes patients.
A New Method for Identification of Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitutions Based on Data of Tongue features with Machine Learning
Authors: Zhao Mei , Duan Mengyao , Han Dongran , Dong Yihang , Wang Jing , Mao Boyan , Hu Zhixi , Zhang Xiaoqing
Published: September 2022

Background: Different Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitution types have different disease susceptibility and tendency, and TCM constitution identification is of great significance in TCM clinical practice. The TCM constitution identification method based on observation and consultation is subjective, and the objective identification technique opens up a new way to modernize TCM treatment. Our study aimed to build a TCM constitution identification model based on tongue feature data and machine learning algorithms, which provides a new fast and accurate method for TCM constitution identification.Methods: We use TFDA-1 tongue diagnostic instrument to collect standardized tongue images of people with Yang deficiency constitution, Yin deficiency constitution and balanced constitution. and use tongue image analysis software (TDAS) to quantitatively analyze tongue color, tongue texture and tongue coating area. Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between tongue characteristics and TCM constitution. Four machine learning algorithms, including SVM, decision tree, random forest, and XGboost were used to build a TCM constitution identification model based on tongue features and evaluate the model's effectiveness.Results: The results show that XGboost has the highest accuracy rate among the four machine learning algorithms and the best performance in model evaluation. Pearson correlation analysis found a specific correlation between TCM constitution and tongue features. Significant correlations existed between the Yang deficiency constitution, Yin deficiency constitution, and the balanced constitution with 16 tongue features. In addition, the model's accuracy for the group 2 containing 16 tongue features was higher than that of the whole feature group (Group 1). XGboost was the most effective in this study for identifying TCM constitution, and the tongue features filtered by correlation analysis led to higher accuracy of TCM constitution identification.Conclusions: Tongue feature information can be an essential reference for TCM constitution identification. Machine learning provides a method for rapid identification of TCM constitution types. The XGboost TCM constitution identification model with good performance gives a new way for clinical " Identifying TCM Constitution by Tongue Image" implementation offers a reference and contributes to the performance of " Preventive Treatment of Disease" of TCM and individualized diagnosis and treatment and health preservation. In addition, Objective identification technology has opened up a new way to modernize TCM diagnosis and treatment.
Fungicide dissipation kinetics and dietary exposure risk assessment in squash fruit and leaf
Authors: An Dai , Ko Rakdo , Kim Jinchan , Lee Kwanghun , Lee Jiho
Published: September 2022

Dissipation behavior and dietary exposure risk assessment of four pesticides (dimethomorph, mandipropamid, myclobutanil, and metalaxyl) were studied in fruits and leaves of squash grown under greenhouse conditions. Squash fruit and leaf samples were collected randomly at 0, 3, 5, 7, and 14 days after the last pesticide application. The analytical method was set up using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method (QuEChERS) was performed for sample preparation. Recovery rates at two spiked levels (0.01 and 0.1 mg/kg) were in the range of 76.4–101.9% for the analyzed pesticides and their relative standard deviations were ≤ 4%.Pesticide half-lives were 2.1 and 4.9 days for dimethomorph, 4.6 and 8.1 days for mandipropamid, 4.7 and 8.2 days for myclobutanil, and 2.7 and 5 days for metalaxyl in squash fruit and leaf, respectively. Regarding total surveyors, hazard quotient values for squash fruit and leaf were ≤ 1.03 × 10− 3and ≤ 2.39 × 10− 3, respectively. These values in the case of true consumers were ≤ 3.14 × 10− 3and ≤ 3.91 × 10− 1, respectively.
Structural Finite Element Model Updating Considering Soil- Structure Interaction Using Ls-dyna in Loop
Authors: Park Gun , Jung Jongwon , Yoon Hyungchul
Published: September 2022

In this study, a finite element model updating method which can consider soil-structure interaction was developed to analyze the effect of soil properties on the structural response while considering interaction between the soil and the structure. Additionally, LS-DYNA, a commercial finite element program, was included in the loop of the proposed technique using MATLAB to conveniently utilize the complex structures updated by the model. To validate the performance of the proposed method, a large-scale shake table test was conducted. The objective of the validation test was to seek how accurately the proposed model updating method can detect the change in the stiffness. To compare the result of the proposed method with the conventional method, the model updating procedure was conducted with and without considering soil-structure interaction. The proposed finite element model updating method which considers the soil-structure interaction estimated the stiffness of the structure with maximum accuracy of 91%, while the conventional finite element model updating without considering the soil-structure interaction showed maximum accuracy of 88%. By comparing the proposed method with the conventional method without considering the soil-structure interaction, it was confirmed that the proposed method had an 3% higher accuracy on average.
High-order Compact Gas-kinetic Schemes for Three-dimensional Flow Simulation on Tetrahedral Mesh
Authors: Zhao Fengxiang , Ji Xing , Shyy Wei , Xu Kun
Published: September 2022

A general framework for the development of high-order compact schemes has been proposed recently. The core steps of the schemes are composed of the following. 1). Based on a kinetic model equation, from a generalized initial distribution of flow variables construct a timeaccurate evolution solution of gas distribution function at a cell interface ; 2). Introduce the WENO-type weighting functions into the timederivative of the cell interface flux function in the multistage multiderivative time stepping scheme to cope with the possible impingement of a shock wave on a cell interface within a time step; 3). Take moments of interface gas distribution function to obtain the time-accurate flow variables and the corresponding fluxes at the cell interface, and update the cell-averaged flow variables and their gradients inside each control volume; 4). Within the physical domain of dependence of the reconstructed cell, based on the cell-averaged flow variables and their gradients develop compact initial data reconstruction to get initial flow distributions at the beginning of next time step. A compact gas-kinetic scheme (GKS) up to sixth-order accuracy in space and fourth-order in time has been constructed on 2D unstructured mesh before. In this paper, the compact GKS up to fourth-order accuracy on 3D tetrahedral mesh will be further constructed with the focus on the WENO-type initial data reconstruction. Nonlinear weights are designed to achieve high-order accuracy for the smooth Navier-Stokes solution and keep super robustness in 3D computation with strong shock interactions. The fourth-order compact GKS can use a large time step with CFL number 0.6 in the simulations from subsonic to hypersonic flow. A series of test cases are used to validate the scheme. The high-order compact GKS is ready for 3D applications with complex geometry.
Spatiotemporal Changes in Hourly Wet Bulb Globe Temperature in Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Houmsi Mohamad Rajab , Ismail Zulhilmi , Othman Khairanis , Ishak Daeng Siti Maimunah , Hamed Mohammed Magdy , Iqbal Zafar , Syamsunur Deprizon , Shahid Shamsuddin
Published: September 2022

Global warming causes a temperature rise and alteration of other meteorological variables that directly or indirectly affect human comfort. The wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) incorporates the effects of multiple meteorological variables to provide a reliable measure of human thermal stress. This study assessed the characteristics and changes in hourly, daily, monthly, seasonal and annual outdoor WBGT over peninsular Malaysia (PM) for the period 1959–2021 using the Liljegren method. The WBGT values were classified into five categories to assess the human thermal stress levels. The mean daily WBGT in PM varies from 21.5°C in the central south elevated region to 30.5°C in the western coastal region. It always reaches a heat-related illness risk level (31.20°C) in the afternoon during monsoon and extreme stress conditions during inter-monsoonal periods. The trend analysis revealed an increase in WBGT for all the time scales. The higher increase in the mean and maximum WBGT was estimated in the coastal and south regions, nearly by 0.10 to 0.25°C/decade. The increase in mean nighttime WBGT was 0.24°C/decade, while in mean daytime WBGT was 0.11°C/decade. The increase in WBGT caused a gradual expansion of areas experiencing daily WBGT exceeding a high-risk level for 5 hours (11 am to 3 pm). The information and maps generated in this study can be used for mitigation planning of heat-related stress risk in PM, where temperature extremes have grown rapidly in recent years.
COVID-19 and layoffs in US start-ups
Authors: Ollo Joseph Stévy Mba , Assoumou-Ella Giscard , Impawe Augustin
Published: September 2022

The double negative shock on supply and demand following the COVID-19 health crisis has strongly impacted the labor market with an unequal distribution. Unlike earlier empirical works that explain the unequal exposure to layoffs following the crisis by socioeconomic and geographic factors, while distinguishing between core and non-core industries, we focus our analysis on layoffs in Start-ups in the United States of America (USA) by branch of activity. We compute the probability of a start-up worker being laid off according to the branch of activity in which he or she works, using a binary logistic regression. The result shows that the health shock did not impact all the branch of activities in the same way and with the same extent. The “Media” activity is by far the most affected by the layoffs. The “Infrastructure”, “Construction”, “Transportation”, “Product”, “Support”, “Education”, “Finance”, “Travel” and “Marketing” activities were also affected, while the “Food” activity was spared due to the fact that it was maintained during the crisis.
Potential supplies of fuel-grade canola oil for low-carbon fuel production in Alberta, Canada: GIS analysis using an improved service-area approach
Authors: Zhang Wenbei , Qiu Feng , Luckert MK (Marty) , Anderson Jay , McPhee Alexander
Published: September 2022

Our study investigates prospects for a fuel-grade canola oil supply chain that prioritizes the use of non-No. 1 Canola as a biofuel feedstock. Using low-grade canola oil to produce biofuels can reduce feedstock costs and offers the opportunity to utilize existing petroleum infrastructure to transport and store canola oil, thereby reducing capital costs for biorefinery investments. We conduct a township-level GIS analysis to assess the availability of canola seed in Alberta and identify potential fuel-grade crushing sites based on the amount of annually accessible non-No. 1 Canola. Using an improved service-area approach, we identify three potential sites for fuel-grade crushers, all of which had sufficient seed to produce, on average, over 65 thousand tonnes of oil per year (from 2016–2019). Northwestern Alberta appears to be especially suitable for a fuel-grade canola crushing plant, since it has the highest average amounts of non-No. 1 seed, and there are no existing food-grade crushers to compete with. Results further show that spatial and temporal variation in canola harvests impacts how much non-No.1 seed is available, and could therefore influence investment decisions on where to locate fuel-grade canola crushing plants. New fuel-grade crushing plants could also stimulate regional development and boost incomes for local canola producers. Our analysis is relevant to policy and business decisions related to fuel-grade canola oil supply chain investments.
Stimuli-responsive Hydrogels: Smart State of-the-art Platforms for Cardiac Tissue Engineering
Authors: El-Husseiny Hussein M. , Mady Eman A. , El-Dakroury Walaa A. , Doghish Ahmed S. , Tanaka Ryou
Published: September 2022

Biomedicine and tissue regeneration have made significant advancements recently, positively affecting the whole healthcare spectrum. This opened the way for them to develop their applications for revitalizing damaged tissues. Thus, their functionality will be restored. cardiac tissue engineering (CTE) using curative procedures that combine biomolecules, biomimetic scaffolds, and cells plays a critical part in this path. Stimuli-responsive hydrogels (SRHs) are excellent three-dimensional (3D) biomaterials for tissue engineering (TE) and various biomedical applications. They can mimic the intrinsic tissues' physicochemical, mechanical, and biological characteristics in a variety of ways. They also provide for 3D setup, adequate aqueous conditions, and the mechanical consistency required for cell development. Furthermore, they function as competent delivery platforms for various biomolecules. Many natural and synthetic polymers were used to fabricate these intelligent platforms with innovative enhanced features and specialized capabilities that are appropriate for CTE applications. In the present review, different strategies employed for CTE were outlined. The light was shed on the limitations of the use of conventional hydrogels in CTE. Moreover, diverse types of SRHs, their characteristics, assembly and exploitation for CTE were discussed. To summarize, recent development in the construction of SRHs increases their potential to operate as intelligent, sophisticated systems in the reconstruction of degenerated cardiac tissues.
Enhanced Security using Multiple paths routine scheme in Cloud-MANETs
Authors: Hai Tao , Zhou Jincheng , Lu Ye , Jawawi Dayang , Wang Dan , Onyema Edeh Michael , Biamba Cresantus
Published: September 2022

Cloud Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (Cloud-MANETs) is a framework that can access and deliver cloud services to MANET users through their smart devices. MANETs is a pool of self-organized mobile gadgets that can communicate with each other with no support from a central authority or infrastructure. The main advantage of MANETs is its ability to manage mobility while data communication between different users in the system occurs. In MANETs, clustering is an active technique used to manage mobile nodes. The security of MANETs is a key aspect for the fundamental functionality of the network. Addressing the security-related problems ensures that the confidentiality and integrity of the data transmission is secure. MANETs are highly prone to attacks because of their properties. In clustering schemes, the network is broken down to sub-networks called clusters. These clusters can have overlapping nodes or be disjointed. An enhanced node referred to as the Cluster Head (CH) is chosen from each set to oversee tasks related to routing. It decreases the member nodes’ overhead and improves the performance of the system. The relationship between the nodes and CH may vary randomly, leading to re-associations and re-clustering in a MANET that is clustered. An efficient and effective routing protocol is required to allow networking and to find the most suitable paths between the nodes. The networking must be spontaneous, infrastructure-less, and provide end-to-end interactions. The aim of routing is the provision of maximum network load distribution and robust networks. This study focused on the creation of a maximal route between a pair of nodes, and to ensure the appropriate and accurate delivery of the packet. The proposed solution ensured that routing can be carried out with the lowest bandwidth consumption, least packet loss, and control overhead, thereby enhancing the output of the network. Our result shows that multipath routing enables the network to identify alternate paths connecting the destination and source. Routing is required to conserve energy and for optimum bandwidth utilization.