bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ICT Penetration and Insurance Sector Development: Evidence from the 10 New EU Member States
Authors: Bayar Yilmaz , Danuletiu Dan Constantin , Danuletiu Adina Elena , Gavriletea Marius Dan
Published: February 2023

The insurance sector provides protection to individuals and businesses against many types of risks and also promotes economic growth, being an important source of long-term capital. Analyzing factors that facilitate insurance sector development is important for both individuals and the entire economy. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between information and communication technologies (ICT) represented by mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 people and individuals using the Internet (% of population) and insurance sector development represented by insurance company assets to GDP (%). Using data from 10 new member states of the European Union for the period 2000–2020, this study reveals a mutual interaction between ICT penetration indicators and insurance sector development. Furthermore, a regression analysis reveals that Internet penetration has a significant positive influence on insurance sector growth. Specifically, at the country level, the results indicate the existence of bidirectional causality between mobile cellular subscriptions and the insurance sector in Latvia, Poland, and Slovakia, and unidirectional causality between insurance and mobile cellular subscriptions in Estonia and Hungary.
DOA Estimation Using Deep Neural Network with Angular Sliding Window
Authors: Li Yang , Huang Zanhu , Liang Can , Zhang Liang , Wang Yanhua , Wang Junfu , Zhang Yi , Lv Hongfen
Published: February 2023

Deep neural network (DNN) has shown great potential in direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation. In high dynamic signal-to-noise (SNR) scenarios, the estimation accuracy of the weaker sources may degrade significantly due to insufficient training samples. This paper proposes a deep neural network framework with sliding window operation. The whole field-of-view (FOV) is divided into a series of sub-regions via sliding windows. Each sub-region is assumed to contain one source at most. Thus, the single-source data can be used to train all the networks, alleviating the need for the training samples and the prior information on the number of sources. A detector network and an estimator network are followed for each sub-region, enabling high estimation accuracy and the number of sources. Simulation and real data experiment results show that the proposed method can achieve excellent DOA and source number estimation performance. Specifically, in the real data experiment, the results show that the RMSE of the proposed method reaches 0.071, which is at least 0.03 lower than FFT, MUSIC, ESPRIT, and a deep learning method namely deep convolutional network (DCN), cannot estimate the lower SNR source in high dynamic SNR scenarios.
Machine Design Automation Model for Metal Production Defect Recognition with Deep Graph Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Balcıoğlu Yavuz Selim , Sezen Bülent , Çerasi Ceren Cubukcu , Huang Shao Ho
Published: February 2023

Error detection has a vital function in the production stages. Computer-aided error detection applications bring significant technological innovation to the production process to control the quality of products. As a result, the control of product quality has reached an essential point because of computer-aided image processing technologies. Artificial intelligence methods, such as Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), can detect and classify product errors. However, detecting acceptable and small defects on base parts cannot be done with a high rate of accuracy. At this point, it is possible to detect such minor errors with the help of the graph convolutional network, which has emerged as a new method. In this study, the defect elements on the surfaces of metal nut parts are determined through the graph convolutional network, and quality control is ensured. First, the surface images of the metal nut parts are captured. For this, a python-based Raspberry pi card and a modified camera system were installed. Adapters with three different zoom options are used on the camera system, depending on the part to be captured. The images obtained in the second step are sent to the other computer, which is used for image processing via the local server. In the third stage, image transformations are obtained by graphically separating the obtained images in white and black color tones on the second computer, and histogram maps of these images are drawn. Value ranges of these maps are determined and classified according to the value ranges obtained from the images of the defective parts. As a result, nine different models were analyzed. According to the analysis results, the graph convolutional neural network method gives 2.9554% better results than conventional methods.
Energy and Exergy Analysis of a Geothermal Sourced Multigeneration System for Sustainable City
Authors: Haider Sheikh Muhammad Ali , Ratlamwala Tahir Abdul Hussain , Kamal Khurram , Alqahtani Fahad , Alkahtani Mohammed , Mohammad Emad , Alatefi Moath
Published: February 2023

The issue of depleting fossil fuels has emphasized the use of renewable energy. Multigeneration systems fueled by renewables such as geothermal, biomass, solar, etc., have proven to be cutting-edge technologies for the production of different valuable by-products. This study proposes a multigeneration system using a geothermal source of energy. The main outputs include power, space heating, cooling, fresh and hot water, dry air, and hydrogen. The system includes a regenerative Rankine cycle, a double effect absorption cycle and a double flash desalination cycle. A significant amount of electrical power, hydrogen and fresh water is generated, which can be used for commercial or domestic purposes. The power output is 103 MW. The thermal efficiency is 24.42%, while energetic and exergetic efficiencies are 54.22% and 38.96%, respectively. The COPen is found to be 1.836, and the COPex is found to be 1.678. The hydrogen and fresh water are produced at a rate of 0.1266 kg/s and 37.6 kg/s, respectively.
Practical Evaluation of Lithium-Ion Battery State-of-Charge Estimation Using Time-Series Machine Learning for Electric Vehicles
Authors: Sadykov Marat , Haines Sam , Broadmeadow Mark , Walker Geoff , Holmes David William
Published: February 2023

This paper presents a practical usability investigation of recurrent neural networks (RNNs) to determine the best-suited machine learning method for estimating electric vehicle (EV) batteries’ state of charge. Using models from multiple published sources and cross-validation testing with several driving scenarios to determine the state of charge of lithium-ion batteries, we assessed their accuracy and drawbacks. Five models were selected from various published state-of-charge estimation models, based on cell types with GRU or LSTM, and optimisers such as stochastic gradient descent, Adam, Nadam, AdaMax, and Robust Adam, with extensions via momentum calculus or an attention layer. Each method was examined by applying training techniques such as a learning rate scheduler or rollback recovery to speed up the fitting, highlighting the implementation specifics. All this was carried out using the TensorFlow framework, and the implementation was performed as closely to the published sources as possible on openly available battery data. The results highlighted an average percentage accuracy of 96.56% for the correct SoC estimation and several drawbacks of the overall implementation, and we propose potential solutions for further improvement. Every implemented model had a similar drawback, which was the poor capturing of the middle area of charge, applying a higher weight to the voltage than the current. The combination of these techniques into a single custom model could result in a better-suited model, further improving the accuracy.
Kinetic Modelling for Hydrothermal Conversion of Food Wastes
Authors: Haarlemmer Geert , Roubaud Anne , Briand Morgane
Published: February 2023

A kinetic model was developed for the prediction of HTL product yields based on a chemical mechanism. The model was developed after experimental studies on food wastes and food processing wastes. The model parameters were determined by training the model on experimental data on HTL of food wastes. Two other models from the literature were also tested. The calculated yields were compared with a large range of experimental data from the literature. Yields of bio-oil and char can be predicted from the process conditions, temperature, holding time, dry matter content, and the biochemical composition of the resource. Differences in the experimental recovery procedure and polarity of the extraction solvent are taken into account. This study shows that a kinetic model based on compositions allows a more detailed representation of the hydrothermal reactions than models purely based on resources and products. The precision of any model remains, however, largely dependent on the quality of the input data.
Analysis of Uncertainty in the Depth Profile of Soil Organic Carbon
Authors: Robinson Nathan , Benke Kurt
Published: February 2023

The soil organic carbon (SOC) depth profile provides information for many applications, including monitoring climate change, carbon sequestration, reforestation, and land erosion. Models of the SOC profile support data interpolation, trend analysis, and carbon mapping, and can be used in larger pedometric models in support of carbon farming. Model errors may be due to statistical variability in discrete data and the limited sample size available for model calibration. Uncertainties in the model can arise from a process of iterative parameter adjustment and can be estimated by gradient-based methods or probabilistic methods. A comparison between Frequentist and Bayesian approaches to the construction of regression-based models revealed that the results were very similar when used for calibrating a model for the SOC profile. The model was applied to four representative regional sites in Victoria.
Spatial Habitat Structure Assembles Willow-Dependent Communities across the Primary Successional Watersheds of Mount St. Helens, USA
Authors: Minsavage-Davis Charli , Garthwaite Iris , Fisher Marisa , Leigh Addison , Ramstack Hobbs Joy , Claeson Shannon , Wimp Gina , LeRoy Carri
Published: February 2023

The eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 resulted in a cataclysmic restructuring of its surrounding landscapes. The Pumice Plain is one of these landscapes, where tree species such as Sitka willow (Salix sitchensis) and their dependent communities have been established along newly-formed streams. Thus, the study of these dependent communities provides a unique and rare opportunity to investigate factors influencing metacommunity assembly during true primary succession. We analyzed the influence of landscape connectivity on metacommunity assembly through a novel application of circuit theory, alongside the effects of other factors such as stream locations, willow leaf chemistry, and leaf area. We found that landscape connectivity structures community composition on willows across the Pumice Plain, where the least connected willows favored active flyers such as the western tent caterpillar (Malacosoma fragilis) or the Pacific willow leaf beetle (Pyrrhalta decora carbo). We also found that multiple levels of spatial habitat structure linked via landscape connectivity can predict the presence of organisms lacking high rates of dispersal, such as the invasive stem-boring poplar weevil (Cryptorhynchus lapathi). This is critical for management as we show that the maintenance of a heterogeneous mixture of landscape connectivity and resource locations can facilitate metacommunity dynamics to promote ecosystem function and mitigate the influences of invasive species.
Tropical Forest Microclimatic Changes: Hurricane, Drought, and 15–20 Year Climate Trend Effects on Elevational Gradient Temperature and Moisture
Authors: Van Beusekom Ashley E. , González Grizelle , Rivera María M.
Published: February 2023

The effects of hurricanes Irma and Maria and a severe drought on the temperature, precipitation, and soil moisture (under canopy and in the open) were calculated at 22 sites from 0–1045 m in northeastern Puerto Rico from 2001–2021, against the background short-term trend. Median and minimum air temperatures increased uniformly across the elevational gradient, 1.6 times as fast in the air under the canopy (+0.08 °C/yr) and 2.2 times as fast in the soil under the canopy (+0.11 °C/yr) as for air temperature in the open. There were no substantial moisture trends (average decrease <0.01 mm/yr). The peak effect of the hurricanes on under-canopy air temperature was the same as under-canopy soil temperature at 1000 m (+3, 0.7, 0.4 °C for maximum, median, minimum) but air maximum and minimum temperature peak effects were twice as high at 0 m (and soil temperatures stayed constant). Soil temperature hurricane recovery took longer at higher elevations. The peak effect of the hurricanes and the drought on the soil moisture was the same (but in opposite directions, ±0%), except for the wettest months where drought peak effect was larger and increasing with elevation. Differing patterns with elevation indicate different ecosystem stresses.
Linking Soil Bacterial Communities to Soil Aggregates after Afforestation in a Karst Rocky Desertification Region
Authors: Lan Jiacheng , Huang Mingzhi , Wang Junxian , Wang Shasha , Long Qixia , Qi Xue , Yue Kunqian , Liu Lei
Published: February 2023

Afforestation influences soil aggregates and the soil microenvironment, and it also affects soil bacterial communities. However, the interactions between soil aggregation, soil properties, and the bacterial community that occur following afforestation are still unclear and are rarely studied in karst ecosystems. Soil samples were collected from cropland, for reference, and from natural secondary forests and managed forests in a karst rocky desertification region of Southwest China. Soil aggregates were isolated using the wet-sieving method, and the soil bacterial community composition was determined using high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing. Afforestation promoted significant macro-aggregation (p < 0.05) and increased the soil organic carbon (38%), nitrogen (35.4%), exchangeable Ca (78.6%), and soil water contents (4.1%) but decreased the pH and bulk density. The changes in these soil aggregates and soil properties had marked effects on the abundance and composition of the bacterial community. Variation-partitioning analysis showed that, together, the soil aggregates and soil characteristics explained 23.4% of the variation in the bacterial community, and their interaction formed the largest contribution (14.6%). Overall, our findings suggest that both natural and managed afforestation may shift soil bacterial communities by promoting significant macro-aggregation and altering soil properties.
A Novel Electrochemiluminescence Immunosensor Based on Resonance Energy Transfer between g-CN and NU-1000(Zr) for Ultrasensitive Detection of Ochratoxin A in Coffee
Authors: Li Linzhi , Wang Xiaofeng , Chen Jian , Huang Tianzeng , Cao Hongmei , Liu Xing
Published: February 2023

In this study, an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor based on nanobody heptamer and resonance energy transfer (RET) between g-C3N4 (g-CN) and NU-1000(Zr) was proposed for ultrasensitive ochratoxin A (OTA) detection. First, OTA heptamer fusion protein was prepared by fusing OTA-specific nanometric (Nb28) with a c-terminal fragment of C4 binding protein (C4bpα) (Nb28-C4bpα). Then, Nb28-C4bpα heptamer with the high affinity used as a molecular recognition probe, of which plenty of binding sites were provided for OTA-Apt-NU-1000(Zr) nanocomposites, thereby improving the immunosensors’ sensitivity. In addition, the quantitative analysis of OTA can be achieved by using the signal quenching effect of NU-1000(Zr) on g-CN. As the concentration of OTA increases, the amount of OTA-Apt-NU-1000(Zr) fixed on the electrode surface decreases. RET between g-CN and NU-1000(Zr) is weakened leading to the increase of ECL signal. Thus, OTA content is indirectly proportional to ECL intensity. Based on the above principle, an ultra-sensitive and specific ECL immunosensor for OTA detection was constructed by using heptamer technology and RET between two nanomaterials, with a range from 0.1 pg/mL to 500 ng/mL, and the detection limit of only 33 fg/mL. The prepared ECL-RET immunosensor showed good performance and can be successfully used for the determination of OTA content in real coffee samples, suggesting that the nanobody polymerization strategy and the RET effect between NU-1000(Zr) and g-CN can provide an alternative for improving the sensitivity of important mycotoxin detection.
The Influence of the Galactic Bar on the Dynamics of Globular Clusters
Authors: Tkachenko Roman , Korchagin Vladimir , Jmailova Anna , Carraro Giovanni , Jmailov Boris
Published: February 2023

We make use of recent estimates for the parameters of the Milky Way’s halo globular clusters and study the influence of the galactic bar on the dynamics of these clusters by computing their orbits. We use both an axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric galactic potentials, which include the rotating elongated bar/bulge structure. We account for observational errors both in the positions and in the velocities of the globular clusters and explore the influence of the bar on clusters’ evolution. This is contained in the angular momentum–total energy plane, (Lz,E), which is widely exploited as an indicator of the groups of globular clusters that originated from the same accretion event. Particular attention is devoted to the Gaia-Sausage/Enceladus and Pontus structures identified recently as two independent accretion events. Our study shows that it is not possible to identify GSE and Pontus as different merger events.
Enacted Stigma in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: An Italian Phenomenological Study
Authors: Simeone Silvio , Mercuri Caterina , Cosco Cristina , Bosco Vincenzo , Pagliuso Caterina , Doldo Patrizia
Published: February 2023

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease of the gastrointestinal tract that has a profound impact on the quality of life of those afflicted with it. The scientific literature shows how the quality of life of people with IBD influences and is influenced by the clinical manifestations of the disease. Strongly connected with excretory functions, which have always been taboo in society, these clinical manifestations can lead to stigmatizing behaviours. The purpose of this study was to understand the lived experiences of the enacted stigma of people with IBD through Cohen’s phenomenological method. Two main themes (stigma in the workplace and stigma in social life) and one subtheme (stigma in love life) emerged from the data analysis. The data analysis revealed that stigma is associated with a multitude of negative health outcomes for the people targeted by it and can add to the already complex physical, psychological and social burdens endured by people with IBD. Having a better understanding of the stigma attached to IBD will facilitate the development of care and training interventions that can improve the quality of life of people suffering from IBD.
A Comparative Study of Inhibition Function between High-Intensity Interval Training and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training in Healthy People: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wu Qianqian , Niu Xiaodan , Zhang Yan , Song Jing , Chi Aiping
Published: February 2023

Meta-analysis was used to compare the effects of two interventions, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), on inhibition in executive function in healthy people, providing some theoretical basis for exercise practice and health interventions. We searched the PubMed, Science Direct, Web Of science, Cochrane, and CNKI databases for relevant articles on the inhibition function effects of HIIT and MICT in healthy populations for the period of library construction to 15 September 2022. The basic information of the screened literature was organized and summarized using Excel. Statistical analysis of the correct rate and response time indicators of the inhibition function in the HIIT and MICT groups was performed using Review Manager 5.3 analysis software. A total of 285 subjects from 8 studies were included in this study, the number of HIIT subjects was 142, the number of MICT subjects was 143, including teenagers, young adults, and the elderly. Eight studies included response time, and four included correct rate and response time. The standardized mean difference (SMD) for correct rate inhibition function in the HIIT and MICT groups was 0.14, 95% CI (−0.18, 0.47), SMD at response time was 0.03, 95% CI (−0.20, 0.27). In addition, no significant differences were found between the two exercise modalities in either the intervention period or the population receiving the intervention. Both HIIT and MICT could improve inhibition function in healthy people, but there was no significant difference in the improvement effect between them. It is hoped that this study can provide some references for people’s choice of health intervention methods and clinical practice.
An Evaluation of Policies Promoting Physical Activity among Filipino Youth
Authors: Palad Yves Y. , Guisihan Roselle M. , Aguila Maria Eliza R. , Ramos Ralph Andrew A. , Cagas Jonathan Y.
Published: February 2023

Government is key to promoting physical activity at the population level through policy. The government was one of the physical activity indicators graded for the 2022 Philippine Physical Activity Report Card based on ten physical activity-related policies. This study aimed to evaluate the scope of the policies and to update these policies. Philippine government databases were searched for policies using physical activity-related key terms. Policies found were evaluated using the Wales Active Healthy Kids scoring rubric. The overall grade was converted to a letter grade based on the Global Matrix 4.0 grading system. The authors analyzed the policies’ scope and implications to practice and policy. Seven additional policies were found. Considering all 17 policies, the government indicator grade is now A- from the preliminary grade of B. The scope covers promoting physical activity mainly through sports participation and active transport among students, student-athletes, persons with disabilities, and the general population in school and community settings. The gap between government and overall physical activity (F) scores suggests the need for a comprehensive physical activity plan promoting various forms of physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior among all Filipino youth and across various settings. Crucial to achieving change is a well-coordinated, whole-of-systems approach to promoting active healthy lifestyles.
Which Aspects of Work Safety Satisfaction Are Important to Mental Health of Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland?
Authors: Gustavsson Katarzyna , Goetz-Kundera Zuzanna , Flaga-Łuczkiewicz Magdalena , Wichniak Adam
Published: February 2023

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic increased the occupational burden experienced by healthcare workers. The aim of this study was to investigate a change in work satisfaction during the pandemic and specific factors contributing to mental health among healthcare providers. We obtained data from 367 healthcare professionals. Respondents were asked about their satisfaction with selected aspects of work (clarity of procedures, access to personal protective equipment, the flow of information, financial stability and general security) during the epidemic and retrospectively how satisfied they were before the outbreak. They also completed measures assessing mental health: the World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale and the Insomnia Severity Index. The results showed that satisfaction with all safety-related work aspects decreased during the pandemic. The flow of information and financial stability were significant predictors of WHO-5, PHQ-9 and ISI scores. GAD-7 scores were predicted by satisfaction with the clarity of procedures, the flow of information and financial stability. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly changed the lives of everyone. However, due to conditions of employment in Polish healthcare, the COVID-19 pandemic put a great financial strain in addition to pandemic stressors specific to medical staff.
Latent Trajectories of Haematological, Hepatic, and Renal Profiles after Oil Spill Exposure: A Longitudinal Analysis
Authors: Owusu Benjamin Atta , Lim Apiradee , Pongsiri Nitinun , Intawong Chanthip , Rheanpumikankit Sunthorn , Suksri Saijit , Ingviya Thammasin
Published: February 2023

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in crude oil has carcinogenic effects on various organ systems. This longitudinal cohort study examined the effects of oil spill exposure on the haematological, hepatic, and renal profiles of Rayong oil spill clean-up workers. The sample included 869 clean-up workers from the Rayong oil spill. Latent class mixture models were used to investigate and classify the longitudinal trajectories and trends of the haematological, hepatic, and renal indices. Subgroup analysis was used to evaluate the association between the urinary metabolites of PAHs and VOCs and haematological, hepatic, and renal parameters. Most clean-up workers (97.6%) had increasing levels of white blood cells (WBCs) (0.03 × 103 cells/µL), 94.90% of the workers had a significantly increasing trend of blood urea nitrogen (0.31 mg/dL per year), and 87.20% had a significantly increasing trend of serum creatinine (0.01 mg/dL per year). A high–decreasing trend of WBCs was seen in 2.42% (−0.73 × 103 per year). Post-exposure changes in haematological, renal, and hepatic profiles are present in workers exposed to the Rayong oil spill. This indicates possible long-term health complications and worsening renal function after exposure to PAHs and VOCs in crude oil.
Features Linked to Treatment Outcomes in Behavioral Addictions and Related Disorders
Authors: Mestre-Bach Gemma , Potenza Marc N.
Published: February 2023

Behavioral addictions are incompletely understood with respect to their underlying etiologies. This incomplete understanding may contribute to the frequent relapse and dropout rate often observed with behavioral addictions. The present state-of-the-art review aimed to review the literature that explored sociodemographic and clinical factors that link to poor treatment responses. Despite multiple studies, the definitions and evaluations of relapse and dropout are heterogeneous, complicating comparisons across studies. A scientific consensus on the conceptualization of both terms would help to better understand psychological features linked to treatment outcomes in behavioral addictions.
Freshwater Water-Quality Criteria for Chloride and Guidance for the Revision of the Water-Quality Standard in China
Authors: Hong Yajun , Zhu Ziwei , Liao Wei , Yan Zhenfei , Feng Chenglian , Xu Dayong
Published: February 2023

The chloride in water frequently exceeds the standard; directly quoting foreign water-quality criteria (WQC) or standards will inevitably reduce the scientific value of the water-quality standard (WQS) in China. Additionally, this may lead to the under- or overprotection of water bodies. This study summarized the sources, distribution, pollution status, and hazards of chloride in China’s water bodies. Additionally, we compared and analyzed the basis for setting WQS limits for chloride in China; we systematically analyzed the basis for setting the WQC for chloride in foreign countries, especially the United States. Finally, we collected and screened data on the toxicity of chloride to aquatic organisms; we also used the species sensitivity distribution (SSD) method to derive the WQC value for chloride, which is 187.5 mg·L−1. We put forward a recommended value for freshwater WQS for chloride in China: less than 200 mg·L−1. The study of a freshwater WQC for chloride is not only a key point of environmental research, but also an urgent demand to ensure water ecological protection in China. The results of this study are of great significance for the environmental management of chloride, protection of aquatic organisms, and risk assessment, especially for the revision of WQSs.
Associations between Alcohol-Free Sources of Reinforcement and the Frequency of Alcohol and Cannabis Co-Use among College Freshmen
Authors: Jun Daiil , Fazzino Tera L.
Published: February 2023

Co-use of alcohol and cannabis is common among young adults in the United States. A behavioral economics framework indicates that greater engagement in substance-free sources of reinforcement may be protective against co-use frequency. The current study tested the association between proportionate alcohol-free reinforcement and the frequency of co-use among college freshmen. Participants (N = 86) were freshmen who enrolled in a freshman orientation course and completed surveys at the beginning of the semester. Past month alcohol use, cannabis use, and reinforcement from alcohol-free and alcohol-involved activities were assessed. A zero-inflated Poisson regression was used to test the association between proportionate alcohol-free reinforcement and days of co-use. The results indicated that proportionate alcohol-free reinforcement was negatively associated with co-use days in the count model when controlling for alcohol use days and gender as covariates (β: −3.28, p = 0.016). Proportionate alcohol-free reinforcement did not significantly differentiate individuals who did not engage in co-use in the zero-inflated model (β: −1.68, p = 0.497). The study suggested that greater proportionate alcohol-free reinforcement may be associated with lower engagement in the co-use of alcohol and cannabis among young adults. Increasing engagement in alcohol-free sources of reinforcement may be considered a target for co-use prevention or harm reduction efforts.
Behavior of Banks’ Stock Market Prices during Long-Term Crises
Authors: Ruzgar Nursel Selver , Chua-Chow Clare
Published: February 2023

Countries are drastically impacted by financial and fiscal crises. Financial crises have the worst impact on not only society, but also the economy. The Canadian economy underwent financial crises and recessions several times during the last century. In this paper, daily closing stock prices of five large Canadian banks were studied during the last five crisis periods. It is aimed to determine the most effective or dominant index prices on the daily closing stock price of the banks during the crisis periods. The five periods were selected from secondary data from January 1975 to December 2020 by using the graphs and the crises in the literature. Multiple linear regression was performed to analyze the impact of price indexes during crisis periods. Findings show that “price index—financials” had a positive impact on the daily closing price of banks during the last five economic crises in Canada. Since the banks have different investment tools in their portfolio, the impacts of price indexes on the daily closing prices depend on these portfolios, which ultimately could have led to the economic crises.
Investigating the Resistance Mechanism of Wheat Varieties to Fusarium Head Blight Using Comparative Metabolomics
Authors: Dong Yifan , Xia Xiaobo , Ahmad Dawood , Wang Yuhua , Zhang Xu , Wu Lei , Jiang Peng , Zhang Peng , Yang Xiujuan , Li Gang , He Yi
Published: February 2023

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is primarily caused by Fusarium graminearum and severely reduces wheat yield, causing mycotoxin contamination in grains and derived products. F. graminearum-secreted chemical toxins stably accumulate in plant cells, disturbing host metabolic homeostasis. We determined the potential mechanisms underlying FHB resistance and susceptibility in wheat. Three representative wheat varieties (Sumai 3, Yangmai 158, and Annong 8455) were inoculated with F. graminearum and their metabolite changes were assessed and compared. In total, 365 differentiated metabolites were successfully identified. Amino acids and derivatives, carbohydrates, flavonoids, hydroxycinnamate derivatives, lipids, and nucleotides constituted the major changes in response to fungal infection. Changes in defense-associated metabolites, such as flavonoids and hydroxycinnamate derivatives, were dynamic and differed among the varieties. Nucleotide and amino acid metabolism and the tricarboxylic acid cycle were more active in the highly and moderately resistant varieties than in the highly susceptible variety. We demonstrated that two plant-derived metabolites, phenylalanine and malate, significantly suppressed F. graminearum growth. The genes encoding the biosynthetic enzymes for these two metabolites were upregulated in wheat spike during F. graminearum infection. Thus, our findings uncovered the metabolic basis of resistance and susceptibility of wheat to F. graminearum and provided insights into engineering metabolic pathways to enhance FHB resistance in wheat.
Trained Immunity, BCG and SARS-CoV-2 General Outline and Possible Management in COVID-19
Authors: Zapolnik Paweł , Kmiecik Wojciech , Mazur Artur , Czajka Hanna
Published: February 2023

The Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine has been in use for over 100 years. It protects against severe, blood-borne forms of tuberculosis. Observations indicate that it also increases immunity against other diseases. The mechanism responsible for this is trained immunity, an increased response of non-specific immune cells in repeated contact with a pathogen, not necessarily of the same species. In the following review, we present the current state of knowledge on the molecular mechanisms responsible for this process. We also seek to identify the challenges facing science in this area and consider the application of this phenomenon in managing the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic.
Vitamin D Status in Patients before Thyroidectomy
Authors: Maciejewska-Markiewicz Dominika , Kochman Joanna , Jakubczyk Karolina , Bargiel Piotr , Szlosser Zbigniew , Stachowska Ewa , Markowska Marta , Bucka Anna , Czapla Norbert , Petriczko Jan , Surówka Anna , Hertman Sonia , Puchalski Piotr , Prowans Piotr
Published: February 2023

Thyroid neoplasms (tumors) are the most common pathology of the endocrine system that requires surgery, and in most cases changes are benign. The surgical treatment of thyroid neoplasms consists in total, subtotal, or one lobe excision. Our study aimed to assess the concentration of vitamin D and its metabolites in patients before thyroidectomy. The study included 167 patients with thyroid pathology. Before the thyroidectomy procedure calcidiol (25-OHD), calcitriol (1,25-(OH)2D), and vitamin D binding protein (VDBP), as well as basic biochemical parameters, were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Data analysis showed that the cohort of patients has a significant 25-OHD deficiency and proper concentration of 1,25-(OH)2D. Before the surgery, more than 80% of patients have extreme vitamin D deficiency (<10 ng/mL), and only 4% of the study group has proper 25-OHD concentration. Patients undergoing thyroidectomy are exposed to many complications, including calcium reduction. Our research has shown that patients prior to surgery have a marked vitamin D deficiency, an indicator that may affect their subsequent convalescence and prognosis. The results suggest that determination of vitamin D levels prior to thyroidectomy may be useful for potential consideration of supplementation when vitamin D deficiency is marked and needs to be incorporated into the good clinical management of these patients.
Microfluidic Organ-on-A-chip: A Guide to Biomaterial Choice and Fabrication
Authors: Cao Uyen M. N. , Zhang Yuli , Chen Julie , Sayson Darren , Pillai Sangeeth , Tran Simon D.
Published: February 2023

Organ-on-A-chip (OoAC) devices are miniaturized, functional, in vitro constructs that aim to recapitulate the in vivo physiology of an organ using different cell types and extracellular matrix, while maintaining the chemical and mechanical properties of the surrounding microenvironments. From an end-point perspective, the success of a microfluidic OoAC relies mainly on the type of biomaterial and the fabrication strategy employed. Certain biomaterials, such as PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane), are preferred over others due to their ease of fabrication and proven success in modelling complex organ systems. However, the inherent nature of human microtissues to respond differently to surrounding stimulations has led to the combination of biomaterials ranging from simple PDMS chips to 3D-printed polymers coated with natural and synthetic materials, including hydrogels. In addition, recent advances in 3D printing and bioprinting techniques have led to the powerful combination of utilizing these materials to develop microfluidic OoAC devices. In this narrative review, we evaluate the different materials used to fabricate microfluidic OoAC devices while outlining their pros and cons in different organ systems. A note on combining the advances made in additive manufacturing (AM) techniques for the microfabrication of these complex systems is also discussed.
Staphylococcus aureus Genomic Analysis and Outcomes in Patients with Bone and Joint Infections: A Systematic Review
Authors: Bouiller Kevin , David Michael Z.
Published: February 2023

Many studies have been published assessing the association between the presence of S. aureus genes and outcomes in patients with bone and joint infections (BJI), but it is not known if they have had similar findings. A systematic literature review was performed. All available data on studies in Pubmed between January 2000 to October 2022 reporting the genetic characteristics of S. aureus and the outcomes of BJIs were analyzed. BJI included prosthetic joint infection (PJI), osteomyelitis (OM), diabetic foot infection (DFI), and septic arthritis. Because of the heterogeneity of studies and outcomes, no meta-analysis was performed. With the search strategy, 34 articles were included: 15 articles on children and 19 articles on adults. In children, most BJI studied were OM (n = 13) and septic arthritis (n = 9). Panton Valentine leucocidin (PVL) genes were associated with higher biological inflammatory markers at presentation (n = 4 studies), more febrile days (n = 3), and more complicated/severe infection (n = 4). Other genes were reported anecdotally associated with poor outcomes. In adults, six studies reported outcomes in patients with PJI, 2 with DFI, 3 with OM, and 3 with various BJI. Several genes were associated with a variety of poor outcomes in adults, but studies found contradictory results. Whereas PVL genes were associated with poor outcomes in children, no specific genes were reported similarly in adults. Additional studies with homogenous BJI and larger sample sizes are needed.
Genome-Wide Identification Analysis of the R2R3-MYB Transcription Factor Family in Cymbidium sinense for Insights into Drought Stress Responses
Authors: Zhu Mengjia , Wang Qianqian , Tu Song , Ke Shijie , Bi Yuanyang , Ahmad Sagheer , Zhang Diyang , Liu Dingkun , Lan Siren
Published: February 2023

Cymbidium sinense represents a distinctive Orchidaceae plant that is more tolerant than other terrestrial orchids. Studies have shown that many members of the MYB transcription factor (TF) family, especially the R2R3-MYB subfamily, are responsive to drought stress. This study identified 103 CsMYBs; phylogenetic analysis classified these genes into 22 subgroups with Arabidopsis thaliana. Structural analysis showed that most CsMYB genes contained the same motifs, three exons and two introns, and showed a helix-turn-helix 3D structure in each R repeat. However, the members of subgroup 22 contained only one exon and no intron. Collinear analysis revealed that C. sinense had more orthologous R2R3-MYB genes with wheat than A. thaliana and rice. Ka/Ks ratios indicated that most CsMYB genes were under purifying negative selection pressure. Cis-acting elements analysis revealed that drought-related elements were mainly focused on subgroups 4, 8, 18, 20, 21, and 22, and Mol015419 (S20) contained the most. The transcriptome analysis results showed that expression patterns of most CsMYB genes were upregulated in leaves in response to slight drought stress and downregulated in roots. Among them, members in S8 and S20 significantly responded to drought stress in C. sinense. In addition, S14 and S17 also participated in these responses, and nine genes were selected for the real-time reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) experiment. The results were roughly consistent with the transcriptome. Our results, thus, provide an important contribution to understanding the role of CsMYBs in stress-related metabolic processes.
Identification of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease (Mpro) Cleavage Sites Using Two-Dimensional Electrophoresis and In Silico Cleavage Site Prediction
Authors: Miltner Noémi , Kalló Gergő , Csősz Éva , Miczi Márió , Nagy Tibor , Mahdi Mohamed , Mótyán János András , Tőzsér József
Published: February 2023

The main protease (Mpro) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) plays a crucial role in its life cycle. The Mpro-mediated limited proteolysis of the viral polyproteins is necessary for the replication of the virus, and cleavage of the host proteins of the infected cells may also contribute to viral pathogenesis, such as evading the immune responses or triggering cell toxicity. Therefore, the identification of host substrates of the viral protease is of special interest. To identify cleavage sites in cellular substrates of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro, we determined changes in the HEK293T cellular proteome upon expression of the Mpro using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The candidate cellular substrates of Mpro were identified by mass spectrometry, and then potential cleavage sites were predicted in silico using NetCorona 1.0 and 3CLP web servers. The existence of the predicted cleavage sites was investigated by in vitro cleavage reactions using recombinant protein substrates containing the candidate target sequences, followed by the determination of cleavage positions using mass spectrometry. Unknown and previously described SARS-CoV-2 Mpro cleavage sites and cellular substrates were also identified. Identification of target sequences is important to understand the specificity of the enzyme, as well as aiding the improvement and development of computational methods for cleavage site prediction.
The Role of Mitotic Slippage in Creating a “Female Pregnancy-like System” in a Single Polyploid Giant Cancer Cell
Authors: Salmina Kristine , Vainshelbaum Ninel Miriam , Kreishmane Madara , Inashkina Inna , Cragg Mark Steven , Pjanova Dace , Erenpreisa Jekaterina
Published: February 2023

In our recent work, we observed that triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells respond to doxorubicin (DOX) via “mitotic slippage” (MS), discarding cytosolic damaged DNA during the process that provides their resistance to this genotoxic treatment. We also noted two populations of polyploid giant cells: those budding surviving offspring, versus those reaching huge ploidy by repeated MS and persisting for several weeks. Their separate roles in the recovery from treatment remained unclear. The current study was devoted to characterising the origin and relationship of these two sub-populations in the context of MS. MS was hallmarked by the emergence of nuclear YAP1/OCT4A/MOS/EMI2-positivity featuring a soma-germ transition to the meiotic-metaphase-arrested “maternal germ cell”. In silico, the link between modules identified in the inflammatory innate immune response to cytosolic DNA and the reproductive module of female pregnancy (upregulating placenta developmental genes) was observed in polyploid giant cells. Asymmetry of the two subnuclei types, one repairing DNA and releasing buds enriched by CDC42/ACTIN/TUBULIN and the other persisting and degrading DNA in a polyploid giant cell, was revealed. We propose that when arrested in MS, a “maternal cancer germ cell” may be parthenogenetically stimulated by the placental proto-oncogene parathyroid-hormone-like-hormone, increasing calcium, thus creating a ”female pregnancy-like” system within a single polyploid giant cancer cell.
Coculture with Neural Stem Cells May Shift the Transcription Profile of Glioblastoma Multiforme towards Cancer-Specific Stemness
Authors: Vaidya Manjusha , Sreerama Sandeep , Gonzalez-Vega Maxine , Smith Jonhoi , Field Melvin , Sugaya Kiminobu
Published: February 2023

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) possesses a small but significant population of cancer stem cells (CSCs) thought to play a role in its invasiveness, recurrence, and metastasis. The CSCs display transcriptional profiles for multipotency, self-renewal, tumorigenesis, and therapy resistance. There are two possible theories regarding the origin of CSCs in the context of neural stem cells (NSCs); i.e., NSCs modify cancer cells by conferring them with cancer-specific stemness, or NSCs themselves are transformed into CSCs due to the tumor environment created by cancer cells. To test the theories and to investigate the transcriptional regulation of the genes involved in CSC formation, we cocultured NSC and GBM cell lines together. Where genes related to cancer stemness, drug efflux, and DNA modification were upregulated in GBM, they were downregulated in NSCs upon coculture. These results indicate that cancer cells shift the transcriptional profile towards stemness and drug resistance in the presence of NSCs. Concurrently, GBM triggers NSCs differentiation. Because the cell lines were separated by a membrane (0.4 µm pore size) to prevent direct contact between GBM and NSCs, cell-secreted signaling molecules and extracellular vesicles (EVs) are likely involved in reciprocal communication between NSCs and GBM, causing transcription modification. Understanding the mechanism of CSC creation will aid in the identification of precise molecular targets within the CSCs to exterminate them, which, in turn, will increase the efficacy of chemo-radiation treatment.
Regulation of Inflammasome by microRNAs in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: New Opportunities for Therapy
Authors: (Stămat) Liliana-Roxana Balahura , Dinescu Sorina , Costache Marieta
Published: February 2023

During the past decade, researchers have investigated the molecular mechanisms of breast cancer initiation and progression, especially triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), in order to identify specific biomarkers that could serve as feasible targets for innovative therapeutic strategies development. TNBC is characterized by a dynamic and aggressive nature, due to the absence of estrogen, progesterone and human epidermal growth factor 2 receptors. TNBC progression is associated with the dysregulation of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, followed by the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and caspase-1 dependent cell death, termed pyroptosis. The heterogeneity of the breast tumor microenvironment triggers the interest of non-coding RNAs’ involvement in NLRP3 inflammasome assembly, TNBC progression and metastasis. Non-coding RNAs are paramount regulators of carcinogenesis and inflammasome pathways, which could help in the development of efficient treatments. This review aims to highlight the contribution of non-coding RNAs that support inflammasome activation and TNBC progression, pointing up their potential for clinical applications as biomarkers for diagnosis and therapy.