bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcriptome Responses to Different Salinity Conditions in Litoditis marina, Revealed by Long-Read Sequencing
Authors: Zhang Pengchi , Xue Beining , Yang Hanwen , Zhang Liusuo
Published: February 2024

The marine nematode Litoditis marina is widely distributed in intertidal zones around the globe, yet the mechanisms underlying its broad adaptation to salinity remain elusive. In this study, we applied ONT long-read sequencing technology to unravel the transcriptome responses to different salinity conditions in L. marina. Through ONT sequencing under 3‰, 30‰ and 60‰ salinity environments, we obtained 131.78 G clean data and 26,647 non-redundant long-read transcripts, including 6464 novel transcripts. The DEGs obtained from the current ONT lrRNA-seq were highly correlated with those identified in our previously reported Illumina short-read RNA sequencing data. When we compared the 30‰ to the 3‰ salinity condition, we found that GO terms such as oxidoreductase activity, cation transmembrane transport and ion transmembrane transport were shared between the ONT lrRNA-seq and Illumina data. Similarly, GO terms including extracellular space, structural constituents of cuticle, substrate-specific channel activity, ion transport and substrate-specific transmembrane transporter activity were shared between the ONT and Illumina data under 60‰ compared to 30‰ salinity. In addition, we found that 79 genes significantly increased, while 119 genes significantly decreased, as the salinity increased. Furthermore, through the GO enrichment analysis of 214 genes containing DAS, in 30‰ compared to 3‰ salinity, we found that GO terms such as cellular component assembly and coenzyme biosynthetic process were enriched. Additionally, we observed that GO terms such as cellular component assembly and coenzyme biosynthetic process were also enriched in 60‰ compared to 30‰ salinity. Moreover, we found that 86, 125, and 81 genes that contained DAS were also DEGs, in comparisons between 30‰ and 3‰, 60‰ and 30‰, and 60‰ and 3‰ salinity, respectively. In addition, we demonstrated the landscape of alternative polyadenylation in marine nematode under different salinity conditions This report provides several novel insights for the further study of the mechanisms by which euryhalinity formed and evolved, and it might also contribute to the investigation of salinity dynamics induced by global climate change.
Black Soils in the Eastern Mediterranean: Genesis and Properties
Authors: Hag Husein Hussam , Bäumler Rupert , Lucke Bernhard , Sahwan Wahib
Published: February 2024

This study investigates the distribution, morphology, and properties of these soils, focusing on areas such as littoral plains, high hilly areas, and rift depression valleys. Black soils occur in the eastern Mediterranean with a limited distribution, and some of them meet the requirements for black soils according to the INBS (International Network of Black Soils), while others do not. Black soils can be categorized into three types based on their genesis and evolution: calcareous black soils (mainly raw rocky rendzina), hydromorphic black soils, and black soil on basalt. While black soils were found in various bioclimatic stages and parent materials, their presence was notably limited in certain areas, contrary to prior indications. A soil morphology analysis revealed distinct color variations and depths, influenced by the accumulation of organic matter for hydromorphic and calcareous black soils and basaltic parent material for black soils on basalt. A particle size analysis indicated texture variations from clay to loam, with no clear indication of illuviation. A chemical analysis showed alkaline pH levels, except in basalt-derived soils, which exhibited a slight acidity. Hydromorphic black soil is the most important in terms of expansion and agricultural use and is only found in limestone marl deposits and lakes in depressions emerging from Dead Sea rifts under conditions of saturation or poor drainage. These soils have a thick, dark moly horizon and a high organic matter content.
A Blended Vitamin Supplement Improves Spatial Cognitive and Short-Term Memory in Aged Mice
Authors: Fukui Koji , You Fukka , Kato Yugo , Yuzawa Shuya , Kishimoto Ayuta , Hara Takuma , Kanome Yuki , Harakawa Yoshiaki , Yoshikawa Toshikazu
Published: February 2024

Although many types of antioxidant supplements are available, the effect is greater if multiple types are taken simultaneously rather than one type. However, it is difficult to know which type and how much to take, as it is possible to take too many of some vitamins. As it is difficult for general consumers to make this choice, it is important to provide information based on scientific evidence. This study investigated the various effects of continuous administration of a blended supplement to aging mice. In 18-month-old C57BL/6 mice given a blended supplement ad libitum for 1 month, spatial cognition and short-term memory in the Morris water maze and Y-maze improved compared with the normal aged mice (spontaneous alternative ratio, normal aged mice, 49.5%, supplement-treated mice, 68.67%, p < 0.01). No significant differences in brain levels of secreted neurotrophic factors, such as nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, were observed between these two groups. In treadmill durability tests before and after administration, the rate of increase in running distance after administration was significantly higher than that of the untreated group (increase rate, normal aged mice, 91.17%, supplement-treated aged mice, 111.4%, p < 0.04). However, training had no reinforcing effect, and post-mortem serum tests showed a significant decrease in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and total cholesterol values. These results suggest continuous intake of a blended supplement may improve cognitive function and suppress age-related muscle decline.
A Novel Method for the Determination of Squalene, Cholesterol and Their Oxidation Products in Food of Animal Origin by GC-TOF/MS
Authors: Czerwonka Małgorzata , Białek Agnieszka , Bobrowska-Korczak Barbara
Published: February 2024

Cholesterol present in food of animal origin is a precursor of oxysterols (COPs), whose high intake through diet can be associated with health implications. Evaluation of the content of these contaminants in food is associated with many analytical problems. This work presents a GC-TOF/MS method for the simultaneous determination of squalene, cholesterol and seven COPs (7-ketocholesterol, 7α-hydroxycholesterol, 7β-hydroxycholesterol, 25-hydroxycholesterol, 5,6α-epoxycholesterol, 5,6β-epoxycholesterol, cholestanetriol). The sample preparation procedure includes such steps as saponification, extraction and silylation. The method is characterized by high sensitivity (limit of quantification, 0.02–0.25 ng mL−1 for instrument, 30–375 μg kg of sample), repeatability (RSD 2.3–6.2%) and a wide linearity range for each tested compound. The method has been tested on eight different animal-origin products. The COP to cholesterol content ratio in most products is about 1%, but the profile of cholesterol derivatives differs widely (α = 0.01). In all the samples, 7-ketocholesterol is the dominant oxysterol, accounting for 31–67% of the total COPs level. The levels of the other COPs range between 0% and 21%. In none of the examined products are cholestanetriol and 25-hydroxycholesterol present. The amount of squalene, which potentially may inhibit the formation of COPs in food, ranges from 2 to 57 mg kg−1.
Deep Learning-Based Multiple Droplet Contamination Detector for Vision Systems Using a You Only Look Once Algorithm
Authors: Kim Youngkwang , Kim Woochan , Yoon Jungwoo , Chung Sangkug , Kim Daegeun
Published: February 2024

This paper presents a practical contamination detection system for camera lenses using image analysis with deep learning. The proposed system can detect contamination in camera digital images through contamination learning utilizing deep learning, and it aims to prevent performance degradation of intelligent vision systems due to lens contamination in cameras. This system is based on the object detection algorithm YOLO (v5n, v5s, v5m, v5l, and v5x), which is trained with 4000 images captured under different lighting and background conditions. The trained models showed that the average precision improves as the algorithm size increases, especially for YOLOv5x, which showed excellent efficiency in detecting droplet contamination within 23 ms. They also achieved an average precision (mAP@0.5) of 87.46%, recall (mAP@0.5:0.95) of 51.90%, precision of 90.28%, recall of 81.47%, and F1 score of 85.64%. As a proof of concept, we demonstrated the identification and removal of contamination on camera lenses by integrating a contamination detection system and a transparent heater-based cleaning system. The proposed system is anticipated to be applied to autonomous driving systems, public safety surveillance cameras, environmental monitoring drones, etc., to increase operational safety and reliability.
Advances in Facial Expression Recognition: A Survey of Methods, Benchmarks, Models, and Datasets
Authors: Kopalidis Thomas , Solachidis Vassilios , Vretos Nicholas , Daras Petros
Published: February 2024

Recent technological developments have enabled computers to identify and categorize facial expressions to determine a person’s emotional state in an image or a video. This process, called “Facial Expression Recognition (FER)”, has become one of the most popular research areas in computer vision. In recent times, deep FER systems have primarily concentrated on addressing two significant challenges: the problem of overfitting due to limited training data availability, and the presence of expression-unrelated variations, including illumination, head pose, image resolution, and identity bias. In this paper, a comprehensive survey is provided on deep FER, encompassing algorithms and datasets that offer insights into these intrinsic problems. Initially, this paper presents a detailed timeline showcasing the evolution of methods and datasets in deep facial expression recognition (FER). This timeline illustrates the progression and development of the techniques and data resources used in FER. Then, a comprehensive review of FER methods is introduced, including the basic principles of FER (components such as preprocessing, feature extraction and classification, and methods, etc.) from the pro-deep learning era (traditional methods using handcrafted features, i.e., SVM and HOG, etc.) to the deep learning era. Moreover, a brief introduction is provided related to the benchmark datasets (there are two categories: controlled environments (lab) and uncontrolled environments (in the wild)) used to evaluate different FER methods and a comparison of different FER models. Existing deep neural networks and related training strategies designed for FER, based on static images and dynamic image sequences, are discussed. The remaining challenges and corresponding opportunities in FER and the future directions for designing robust deep FER systems are also pinpointed.
In Situ Synthesis of Hexadentate Cyclometalated Ir(III) Complexes as Photocatalysts for the Oxidation of Sulfides into Sulfoxides in Water
Authors: Fan Jing-Yan , Yao Su-Yang , Ye Bao-Hui
Published: February 2024

The aerobic photooxidation of sulfides into sulfoxides in eco-friendly solvents, notably water, at room temperature, represents a significant interest in the domain of synthetic chemistry. This study introduces four highly stable hexadentate Ir(III) complexes: [Ir(fpqen)](PF6) (1), [Ir(btqen)](PF6) (2), [Ir(bmpqen)](PF6) (3), and [Ir(bnqen](PF6) (4) (where bfpqen is N,N′-bis(2-(4-fluorophenyl)quinolin-8-yl)ethane-1,2-diamine, btqen is N,N′-bis(2-(4-tolyl)quinolin-8-yl)ethane-1,2-diamine, bmpqen is N,N′-bis(2-(4-methoxyphenyl)quinolin-8-yl)ethane-1,2-diamine, and bnqen is N,N′-bis(2-naphthylquinolin-8-yl)ethane-1,2-diamine). These complexes were synthesized utilizing an in situ inter-ligand C-N cross-coupling photoreaction of the precursors [Ir(L)2(en)](PF6) (L is 2-(4-fluorophenyl)quinoline, (2-(4-tolyl)quinoline, 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)quinoline or 2-naphthylquinoline, and en is 1,2-diamine) under benign conditions. This methodology furnishes a valuable and complementary approach for the in situ generation of multidentate complexes through a post-coordination inter-ligand-coupling strategy under mild conditions. Moreover, these hexadentate Ir(III) complexes exhibit pronounced catalytic activity and chemo-selectivity toward the aerobic photooxidations of sulfides into sulfoxides in aqueous media at room temperature, offering a new avenue for the sustainable synthesis of sulfoxides.
Antennal Sensitivity of Spotted Lanternflies, Lycorma delicatula: Differential Electrophysiological Responses of Males and Females to Compounds Derived from Host Plants and Conspecifics
Authors: Faal Hajar , Cooperband Miriam F.
Published: February 2024

In herbivorous insects, antennae play a crucial role in chemical communication and orientation when locating host plants and mates. To evaluate antennal sensitivity in response to odor stimuli, electroantennography (EAG) has been a practical technique. In the current study of the invasive spotted lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae), we evaluated and compared their antennal sensitivity to a series of volatile chemicals collected from their bodies, honeydew, and host plants. To do this, we exposed the antennae of SLF fourth-instar and adult males and females to individual chemicals at a fixed dose of 50 ng. Further, a series of dose–response tests were carried out within a range of 0.5 to 100 ng. Although the amplitude of antennal responses varied among stages and sexes, adult males generated the strongest antennal responses in both experiments. In dose–response experiments, increased doses of chemicals up to 50 ng revealed the saturation points except in adult females which required a higher dose (100 ng) to reveal the saturation point. Although EAG does not provide any information on behavioral responses, our results are consistent with the olfactory bioassays in previous publications in which adult males, not females, were attracted to natural volatiles of their conspecifics. EAG indicated a higher sensitivity of adult male antennae to odor stimuli, particularly conspecific volatiles, than female antennae and highlighted sexual differences in the perception of chemical cues in SLF.
Fatty Acid Profile and Escherichia coli and Salmonella sp. Load of Wild-Caught Seaweed Fly Fucellia maritima (Haliday, 1838) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae)
Authors: Lourenço Felipe , Calado Ricardo , Pinho Marisa , Domingues Maria Rosário , Medina Isabel , Ameixa Olga M. C. C.
Published: February 2024

World aquaculture is expected to continue to grow over the next few decades, which amplifies the need for a higher production of sustainable feed ingredients for aquatic animals. Insects are considered good candidates for aquafeed ingredients because of their ability to convert food waste into highly nutritional biomass. However, commercially available terrestrial insect species lack n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs), which are essential biomolecules for marine cultured species. Nevertheless, several coastal insect species feature LC-PUFAs in their natural fatty acid (FA) profile. Here, we analysed the lipidic profile of wild-caught seaweed fly Fucellia maritima, with a focus on their FA profile, to evaluate its potential to be used as an aquafeed ingredient, as well as to screen for the presence of pathogenic bacteria. Results showed that the flies had a total lipid content of 13.2% of their total dry weight. The main classes of phospholipids (PLs) recorded were phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs) (60.8%), followed by phosphatidylcholine (PC) (17.1%). The most abundant FA was palmitoleic acid (C16:0) with 34.9% ± 4.3 of total FAs, followed by oleic acid (C18:1) with 30.4% ± 2.3. The FA composition of the flies included essential fatty acids (EFAs) for both freshwater fish, namely linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6) with 3.4% ± 1.3 and alpha-linoleic acid (C18:3 n-3) with 3.4% ± 1.9, and marine fish, namely arachidonic acid (C20:4 n-6) with 1.1% ± 0.3 and eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5 n-3) with 6.1% ± 1.2. The microbiological analysis found 9.1 colony-forming units per gram (CFU/g) of Enterobacteriaceae and no presence of Salmonella sp. was detected in a sample of 25 g of fresh weight. These findings indicate that Fucellia maritima biomass holds the potential to be used as an additional aquafeed ingredient due to its FA profile and the low count of pathogenic bacteria, which can contribute to the optimal growth of fish and shrimp with a low risk of pathogen transfer during the feed production chain.
Review of the Genus Sycanus Amyot & Serville, 1843 (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae), from China Based on DNA Barcoding and Morphological Evidence
Authors: Zhao Ping , Chen Suyi , Liu Yingqi , Wang Jianyun , Chen Zhuo , Li Hu , Cai Wanzhi
Published: February 2024

Due to the variability of body coloration and morphological similarity among closely related species, unresolved issues and debates still persist in the taxonomic study of the genus Sycanus from China. In this study, we conducted phylogenetic analyses and species delimitation for Sycanus in China based on a COI DNA barcoding dataset comprising 81 samples. The results revealed that all the samples could be classified into 12 species by integrating molecular analyses with morphological comparison. This paper provides a comprehensive systematic review of the Sycanus species found in China, including descriptions of three new species: S. taiwanensis Zhao & Cai sp. nov., S. flavicorius Li & Cai sp. nov., and S. hainanensis Wang & Cai sp. nov. Furthermore, it is proposed that S. croceovittatus Dohrn, 1859, S. leucomesus Walker, 1873, and S. villicus Stål, 1863, are three synonyms of S. bifidus (Fabricius, 1787); S. bicolor Hsiao, 1979, is a synonym of S. versicolor Dohrn, 1859; and S. hsiaoi Maldonado-Capriles, 1990, is a synonym of S. marginellus Putshkov, 1987. Additionally, brief biological information is provided for two species, S. falleni Stål, 1863, and S. croceus Hsiao, 1979.
Infective Endocarditis in Belgium: Prospective Data in Adults from the ESC EORP European Endocarditis Registry
Authors: Roosens Bram , Cosyns Bernard , Lancellotti Patrizio , Laroche Cécile , Selton-Suty Christine , Pasquet Agnès , De Sutter Johan , Unger Philippe , Paelinck Bernard , Vermeersch Paul , Motoc Andreea , Galloo Xavier , Iung Bernard , Habib Gilbert ,   on behalf of the EURO-ENDO Investigators Group
Published: February 2024

(1) Background: infective endocarditis (IE) is a significant health concern associated with important morbidity and mortality. Only limited, often monocentric, retrospective data on IE in Belgium are available. This prospective study sought to assess the clinical characteristics and outcomes of Belgian IE patients in the ESC EORP European endocarditis (EURO-ENDO) registry; (2) Methods: 132 IE patients were identified based on the ESC 2015 criteria and included in six tertiary hospitals in Belgium; (3) Results: The average Belgian IE patient was male and 62.8 ± 14.9 years old. The native valve was most affected (56.8%), but prosthetic/repaired valves (34.1%) and intracardiac device-related (5.3%) IE are increasing. The most frequently identified microorganisms were S. aureus (37.2%), enterococci (15.5%), and S. viridans (15.5%). The most frequent complications were acute renal failure (36.2%) and embolic events (23.6%). Cardiac surgery was effectively performed when indicated in 71.7% of the cases. In-hospital mortality occurred in 15.7% of patients. Predictors of mortality in the multivariate analysis were S. aureus (HR = 2.99 [1.07–8.33], p = 0.036) and unperformed cardiac surgery when indicated (HR = 19.54 [1.91–200.17], p = 0.012). (4) Conclusion: This prospective EURO-ENDO ancillary analysis provides valuable contemporary insights into the profile, treatment, and clinical outcomes of IE patients in Belgium.
Genome Sequencing of Multiple Primary Lung Cancers Harbouring Mixed Histology and Spontaneously Regressing Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Thomas Valentina , Rashed Ahmed , Faul Clare , Nicholson Siobhan , Young Vincent , Hanson John , Hennessy Bryan T. , Toomey Sinead , Furney Simon J.
Published: February 2024

Up to 15% of lung cancer patients present two or more anatomically separate primary lung lesions, known as multiple primary lung cancers (MPLCs). While surgical resection or stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is the standard of care for most early-stage lung cancer cases, this may not be an option for patients with widespread tumours, highlighting the need for the improved targeted management of MPLC patients, which remains challenging. Moreover, the spontaneous regression (SR) of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is rare, with only four cases accounted for between 1988 and 2018. We report a rare MPLC case harbouring the mixed histology of non-small-cell lung cancer adenocarcinoma (NSCLCa) and SCLC and the SR of SCLC without treatment. The patient was diagnosed in 2015 with MPLCs, identified as NSCLCa and SCLC. In 2016, a restaging PET/CT scan prior to the start of treatment showed SCLC SR. In 2018, a further tumour was detected in the patient’s mandible, and a re-biopsy of the SCLC revealed histology consistent with NSCLCa. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis identified a high expression of programmed death ligand-1 (PDL-1) in the NSCLCa, which was treated with pembrolizumab. WGS revealed distinct genomic profiles and mutational mechanisms in MPLCs, suggesting the need for distinct targeted therapies to improve the management of MPLC patients and highlighting the importance of precision evaluation.
Use of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis to Explore the Effectiveness of Stellate Ganglion Block in Patients with Post-Stroke Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A Retrospective Pilot Study
Authors: Ryu Jin-Whan , Hwang In-Su , Lim Seung-Kyu
Published: February 2024

Post-stroke complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) poses challenges in pain assessment for survivors. Stellate ganglion block (SGB) is a treatment, but evaluating its effectiveness is difficult for patients with communication limitations. Edema, a prominent symptom, can serve as an evaluation marker. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), assessing body composition and fluid status, is used independently of patient cooperation. This retrospective, observational pilot study aims to explore BIA’s utility as an assessment tool post-SGB, revealing the effects and time courses of a single SGB on the bodily composition of post-stroke CRPS patients. Seven patients received ultrasound-guided SGB with a 5 mL solution containing 4 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine hydrochloride and 40 mg of triamcinolone into the prevertebral muscle space. BIA compared measures between affected and unaffected arms. The affected arm had higher segmental body water (SBW) and extracellular water ratios before SGB (p = 0.028 and p = 0.018, respectively). The SBW of the affected side, the SBW ratio, and the 1 and 5 kHz SFBIA ratios improved over time (p = 0.025, 0.008, 0.001, and 0.005, respectively). Rapid improvement occurred around 3 days post-injection, with maximum effects within approximately 1 week, persisting up to 3 weeks. SGB successfully reduced edema in post-stroke CRPS patients, with BIA serving as a useful tool for follow-up, facilitating the development of efficient treatment plans.
Assessing the Accuracy and Consistency of Cropland Products in the Middle Yangtze Plain
Authors: Xu Haixia , Jiang Luguang , Liu Ye
Published: February 2024

With the evolution of remote sensing, more data products concerning cropland distribution are becoming available. However, the accuracy and consistency across all datasets in crucial regions are inherently uncertain. We delved into the Middle Yangtze Plain, a complex and vital agricultural area with relatively high cultivation intensities in China. We used confusion matrices and consistency analysis to compare the accuracy and consistency of four multi-year cropland distribution data products. These include Global Land Analysis & Discovery Cropland Data (GLAD), Annual Global Land Cover (AGLC), the China Land Cover Dataset (CLCD), and China’s Annual Cropland Dataset (CACD). Key findings include the following: GLAD has the highest precision at 96.09%, the CLCD has the highest recall at 98.41%, and AGLC and CACD perform well in achieving a balance between precision and recall, with F1 scores of 90.30% and 90.74%, respectively. In terms of consistency, GLAD and the CLCD show inconsistency at 69.58%. When all four products unanimously classify a pixel as cropland, the identified cropland area closely corresponds to the statistical data reported in the yearbook. The Jianghan Plain holds the majority of cropland in the Middle Yangtze Plain, constituting 50.88%. From 2003 to 2019, the cropland area experienced fluctuating and ascending trends. Shangrao City witnessed the most notable rise in cropland area, with an increase of 323.0 km2, whereas Wuhan City underwent the most substantial decline, amounting to 185.8 km². These findings contribute valuable insights into the precision and consistency of existing cropland distribution products, offering a foundation for further research.
The Effect of Die Material on the Crown Fracture Strength of Zirconia Crowns
Authors: Sayed Ahmed Akram , Lawson Nathaniel C. , Fu Chin-Chuan , Bora Pranit V. , Kee Edwin , Nejat Amir H.
Published: February 2024

Background: Determination of the eligibility of several tooth analog materials for use in crown fracture testing. Methods: A standardized premolar crown preparation was replicated into three types of resin dies (C&B, low modulus 3D printed resin; OnX, high modulus 3D printed resin composite; and highest modulus milled resin composite). 0.8 mm zirconia crowns were bonded to the dies and the maximum fracture load of the crowns was tested. Twelve extracted human premolars were prepared to a standardized crown preparation, and duplicate dies of the prepared teeth were 3D printed out of C&B. Zirconia crowns were bonded to both the dies and natural teeth, and their fracture load was tested. Results: There was no statistical difference between the fracture load of zirconia crowns bonded to standardized dies of C&B (1084.5 ± 134.2 N), OnX (1112.7 ± 109.8 N) or Lava Ultimate (1137.5 ± 88.7 N) (p = 0.580). There was no statistical difference between the fracture load of crowns bonded to dentin dies (1313 ± 240 N) and a 3D-printed resin die (C&B, 1156 ± 163 N) (p = 0.618). Conclusions: There was no difference in the static fracture load of zirconia crowns bonded to standardized resin dies with different moduli or between a low modulus resin die and natural dentin die.
The Variation Patterns of the Martensitic Hierarchical Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of 35Si2MnCr2Ni3MoV Steel at Different Austenitizing Temperatures
Authors: Wu Zhipeng , Yang Chao , Chen Guangyao , Li Yang , Cao Xin , Cao Pengmin , Dong Han , Hu Chundong
Published: February 2024

This study investigates the influence of varying austenitizing temperatures on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 35Si2MnCr2Ni3MoV steel, utilizing Charpy impact testing and microscopic analysis techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The findings reveal that optimal combination of strength and toughness is achieved at an austenitizing temperature of 980 °C, resulting in an impact toughness of 67.2 J and a tensile strength of 2032 MPa. The prior austenite grain size initially decreases slightly with increasing temperature, then enlarges significantly beyond 1100 °C. The martensite blocks’ and packets’ structures exhibit a similar trend. The proportion of high–angle grain boundaries, determined by the density of the packets, peaks at 980 °C, providing maximal resistance to crack propagation. The amount of retained austenite increases noticeably after 980 °C; beyond 1200 °C, the coarsening of packets and a decrease in density reduce the likelihood of trapping retained austenite. Across different austenitizing temperatures, the steel demonstrates superior crack initiation resistance compared to crack propagation resistance, with the fracture mode transitioning from ductile dimple fracture to quasi–cleavage fracture as the austenitizing temperature increases.
Silver Nanoparticles-Chitosan Nanocomposites: A Comparative Study Regarding Different Chemical Syntheses Procedures and Their Antibacterial Effect
Authors: Chicea Dan , Nicolae-Maranciuc Alexandra , Chicea Liana-Maria
Published: February 2024

Nanocomposites based on silver nanoparticles and chitosan present important advantages for medical applications, showing over time their role in antibacterial evaluation. This work presents the comparative study of two chemical synthesis procedures of nanocomposites, based on trisodium citrate dihydrate and sodium hydroxide, using various chitosan concentrations for a complex investigation. The nanocomposites were characterized by AFM and DLS regarding their dimensions, while FT-IR and UV–VIS spectrometry were used for the optical properties and to reveal the binding of silver nanoparticles with chitosan. Their antibacterial effect was determined using a disk diffusion method on two bacteria strains, E. coli and S. aureus. The results indicate that, when using both methods, the nanocomposites obtained were below 100 nm, yet the antibacterial effect proved to be stronger for the nanocomposites obtained using sodium hydroxide. Furthermore, the antibacterial effect can be related to the nanocomposites’ sizes, since the smallest dimension nanocomposites exhibited the best bacterial growth inhibition on both bacteria strains we tested and for both types of silver nanocomposites.
Auxcoformer: Auxiliary and Contrastive Transformer for Robust Crack Detection in Adverse Weather Conditions
Authors: Yoon Jae Hyun , Jung Jong Won , Yoo Seok Bong
Published: February 2024

Crack detection is integral in civil infrastructure maintenance, with automated robots for detailed inspections and repairs becoming increasingly common. Ensuring fast and accurate crack detection for autonomous vehicles is crucial for safe road navigation. In these fields, existing detection models demonstrate impressive performance. However, they are primarily optimized for clear weather and struggle with occlusions and brightness variations in adverse weather conditions. These problems affect automated robots and autonomous vehicle navigation that must operate reliably in diverse environmental conditions. To address this problem, we propose Auxcoformer, designed for robust crack detection in adverse weather conditions. Considering the image degradation caused by adverse weather conditions, Auxcoformer incorporates an auxiliary restoration network. This network efficiently restores damaged crack details, ensuring the primary detection network obtains better quality features. The proposed approach uses a non-local patch-based 3D transform technique, emphasizing the characteristics of cracks and making them more distinguishable. Considering the connectivity of cracks, we also introduce contrastive patch loss for precise localization. Then, we demonstrate the performance of Auxcoformer, comparing it with other detection models through experiments.
Research on the Correlation between the Exchange Rate of Offshore RMB and the Stock Index Futures
Authors: Yang Zhi , Fei Zhao , Wang Jing
Published: February 2024

The offshore RMB exchange rate is affected by the supply and demand relationship in the international market, investor sentiment, market liquidity, and other factors, while the onshore RMB exchange rate is mainly affected by government regulation and intervention. Therefore, the offshore RMB exchange rate may be a better reflection of the market’s macroeconomic expectations and risk appetite for China. Stock index futures are mainly affected by macroeconomic factors, so studying the correlation between the offshore RMB exchange rate and stock index futures is helpful for risk management, hedging, and price discovery. In this study, we selected the offshore RMB exchange rate, the volume of stock index futures, and the absolute rate of return as variables of investor sentiment. Through the Granger causality test, impulse response function, and variance decomposition, we studied the correlation between the rate of return of stock index futures and the rate of return of the offshore RMB exchange rate. Furthermore, we constructed a GARCH conditional volatility model. It was concluded that the trading volume and the absolute rate of return of stock index futures could explain the price fluctuations of stock index futures very well. A change in the offshore RMB exchange rate yield causes a change in the yield of stock index futures. Policymakers need to pay close attention to changes in the offshore RMB exchange rate in order to better grasp market trends and manage risks accordingly.
Approximation of the Objective Function of Single-Machine Scheduling Problem
Authors: Lazarev Alexander , Pravdivets Nikolay , Barashov Egor
Published: February 2024

The problem of the approximation of the coefficients of the objective function of a scheduling problem for a single machine is considered. It is necessary to minimize the total weighted completion times of jobs with unknown weight coefficients when a set of problem instances with known optimal schedules is given. It is shown that the approximation problem can be reduced to finding a solution to a system of linear inequalities for weight coefficients. For the case of simultaneous job release times, a method for solving the corresponding system of inequalities has been developed. Based on it, a polynomial algorithm for finding values of weight coefficients that satisfy the given optimal schedules was constructed. The complexity of the algorithm is O(n2(N+n)) operations, where n is the number of jobs and N is the number of given instances with known optimal schedules. The accuracy of the algorithm is estimated by experimentally measuring the function ε(N,n)=1n∑j=1n∣wj−wj0∣wj0, which is an indicator of the average modulus of the relative deviation of the found values wj from the true values wj0. An analysis of the results shows a high correlation between the dependence ε(N,n) and a function of the form α(n)/N, where α(n) is a decreasing function of n.
Chemodiversity of Dissolved Soil Organic Matter from Amazon Rainforest as Influenced by Deforestation
Authors: Souza Tancredo , Araujo Damiana Justino , Cassimiro Carlos Alberto Lins , Batista Diego Silva
Published: February 2024

Many biogeochemical processes are modulated by dissolved organic matter (DOM), but the drivers influencing the chemodiversity of DOM compounds in Amazonian soils are poorly understood. It has also been theorized whether deforestation controls the decline of DOM. In this study, we collected soil samples from thirty sites across different regions of Brazil’s Legal Amazon, and we investigated the trade-offs among soil physical–chemical properties and DOM chemodiversity. We employed optical spectroscopy, Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance, and multivariate analysis. Our results indicated that, despite variations in land use and soil physical–chemical properties, factors such as the deforested site, geometric mean diameter, weighted average diameter, and soil organic carbon were the main influencers of DOM chemodiversity variation. These findings highlight the importance of considering DOM chemodiversity as closely related to land use and its potential use in developing deforestation models for predicting soil quality decline in Brazil’s Legal Amazon.
Study on Laser Polishing of Ti6Al4V Fabricated by Selective Laser Melting
Authors: Huang Shuo , Zeng Junyong , Wang Wenqi , Zhao Zhenyu
Published: February 2024

Laser-based additive manufacturing has garnered significant attention in recent years as a promising 3D-printing method for fabricating metallic components. However, the surface roughness of additive manufactured components has been considered a challenge to achieving high performance. At present, the average surface roughness (Sa) of AM parts can reach high levels, greater than 50 μm, and a maximum distance between the high peaks and the low valleys of more than 300 μm, which requires post machining. Therefore, laser polishing is increasingly being utilized as a method of surface treatment for metal alloys, wherein the rapid remelting and resolidification during the process significantly alter both the surface quality and subsurface material properties. In this paper, the surface roughness, microstructures, microhardness, and wear resistance of the as-received, continuous wave laser polishing (CWLP), and pulsed laser polishing (PLP) processed samples were investigated systematically. The results revealed that the surface roughness (Sa) of the as-received sample was 6.29 μm, which was reduced to 0.94 μm and 0.84 μm by CWLP and PLP processing, respectively. It was also found that a hardened layer, about 200 μm, was produced on the Ti6Al4V alloy surface after laser polishing, which can improve the mechanical properties of the component. The microhardness of the laser-polished samples was increased to about 482 HV with an improvement of about 25.2% compared with the as-received Ti6Al4V alloy. Moreover, the coefficient of friction (COF) was slightly reduced by both CWLP and LPL processing, and the wear rate of the surface layer was improved to 0.790 mm3/(N∙m) and 0.714 mm3/(N∙m), respectively, under dry fraction conditions.
Study of Bitespiramycin Distribution in Rats and Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients by a Sensitive LC-MS/MS Method with Rapid Sample Preparation
Authors: Zhang Yujie , Cao Jingjie , Su Jiahan , He Tingting , Wang Qianru , Wei Feng , Guo Xin , Mei Qibing , Zeng Jing
Published: February 2024

Bitespiramycin, has been shown to have a therapeutic effect against respiratory tract inflammation, including a potential effect against COVID-19. A current clinical trial in China showed that bitespiramycin was an effective treatment for severe pneumonia and intracranial infection. However, there is lack of an analytical method to elucidate the distribution of bitespiramycin. In this study, a highly sensitive, rapid and reliable UPLC–MS/MS method was developed to comprehensively characterize the bitespiramycin distribution in various bio-samples, which is significantly improved upon the published work. A rapid sample preparation method was developed by using n-butanol as the solvent to extract bitespiramycin from different bio-samples. The extract was then directly analyzed by UPLC–MS/MS coupled with an alkaline-resistant column after centrifugation which avoids the time-consuming concentration process under nitrogen and redissolution. The method was employed to accurately quantify bitespiramycin and its metabolites in rat plasma, tissues, and human cerebrospinal fluid. Notably, the presence of bitespiramycin and its metabolites was identified for the first time in various rat organs including brain, testis, bladder and prostate as well as in human cerebrospinal fluid. This newly developed approach shows great promise for drug distribution assays including other antibiotics and can help elucidate the ADME of bitespiramycin.
Isolation, Purification, Fractionation, and Hepatoprotective Activity of Polygonatum Polysaccharides
Authors: Wang Yutong , Niu Hongmei , Ma Yue , Yuan Guangxin
Published: February 2024

In this study, three homogeneous fractions, PSP-N-b-1, PSP-N-b-2, and PSP-N-c-1, were obtained from an aqueous extract of Polygonatum using DEAE cellulose column chromatography, CL-6B agarose gel chromatography, and Sephadex G100 chromatography. Their monosaccharide compositions and molecular weights were analyzed. The results revealed that PSP-N-b-1, PSP-N-b-2, and PSP-N-c-1 are primarily composed of six monosaccharides: Man (mannose), GlcA (glucuronic acid), Rha (rhamnose), GalA (galacturonic acid), Glc (glucose), and Ara (arabinose), with molecular weights of 6.3 KDa, 5.78 KDa, and 3.45 KDa, respectively. Furthermore, we observed that Polygonatum polysaccharides exhibited protective effects against CCL4-induced liver damage in HepG2 cells in vitro, operating through both anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Our research findings suggest that Polygonatum polysaccharides may emerge as a promising option in the development of hepatoprotective drugs or functional foods with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
UCST-Type Soluble Immobilized Cellulase: A New Strategy for the Efficient Degradation and Improved Recycling Performance of Wastepaper Cellulose
Authors: Chen Zhaohui , Wu Jiacong , Han Juan , Wang Yun , Ni Liang
Published: February 2024

This paper reports an innovative study that aims to address key issues in the efficient recycling of wastepaper cellulose. The research team utilized the temperature-responsive upper critical solution temperature (UCST) polymer P(NAGA-b-DMA) in combination with the LytA label’s affinity for choline analogs. This innovative approach enabled them to successfully develop a novel soluble immobilized enzyme, P(NAGA-b-DMA)-cellulase. This new enzyme has proven highly effective, significantly enhancing the degradation of wastepaper cellulose while demonstrating exceptional stability. Compared with the traditional insoluble immobilized cellulase, the enzyme showed a significant improvement in the pH, temperature stability, recycling ability, and storage stability. A kinetic parameter calculation showed that the enzymatic effectiveness of the soluble immobilized enzyme was much better than that of the traditional insoluble immobilized cellulase. After the immobilization reaction, the Michaelis constant of the immobilized enzyme was only increased by 11.5%. In the actual wastepaper degradation experiment, the immobilized enzyme was effectively used, and it was found that the degradation efficiency of wastepaper cellulose reached 80% of that observed in laboratory conditions. This novel, thermosensitive soluble immobilized cellulase can efficiently catalyze the conversion of wastepaper cellulose into glucose under suitable conditions, so as to further ferment into environmentally friendly biofuel ethanol, which provides a solution to solve the shortage of raw materials and environmental protection problems in the paper products industry.
Synthesis of Taxifolin-Loaded Polydopamine for Chemo-Photothermal-Synergistic Therapy of Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Lu Yang , Liu Xinglong , Zhao Ting , Ding Chuanbo , Ding Qiteng , Wang Ning , Ma Shuang , Ma Lina , Liu Wencong
Published: February 2024

Chemotherapy is a well-established method for treating cancer, but it has limited effectiveness due to its high dosage and harmful side effects. To address this issue, researchers have explored the use of photothermal agent nanoparticles as carriers for precise drug release in vivo. In this study, three different sizes of polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA–1, PDA–2, and PDA–3) were synthesized and evaluated. PDA–2 was selected for its optimal size, encapsulation rate, and drug loading rate. The release of the drug from PDA–2@TAX was tested at different pH and NIR laser irradiation levels. The results showed that PDA–2@TAX released more readily in an acidic environment and exhibited a high photothermal conversion efficiency when exposed to an 808 nm laser. In vitro experiments on ovarian cancer cells demonstrated that PDA–2@TAX effectively inhibited cell proliferation, highlighting its potential for synergistic chemotherapy-photothermal treatment.
Regulator of Ribosome Synthesis 1 (RRS1) Stabilizes GRP78 and Promotes Breast Cancer Progression
Authors: Sun Wenjing , Song Junying , Wu Qinglan , Deng Lin , Zhang Tenglong , Zhang Li , Hua Yanan , Cao Yi , Hou Lin
Published: February 2024

Regulator of ribosome synthesis 1 (RRS1), a crucial regulatory factor in ribosome biogenesis, exerts a remarkable impact on the progression of breast cancer (BC). However, the exact mechanisms and pathways have not yet been fully elucidated. To investigate the impact of RRS1 on BC growth and metastasis, along with its underlying mechanisms. We discovered that RRS1 is overexpressed in BC tissues and cell lines. This study aims to regulate the level of RRS1 through lentiviral transfection technology to explore its potential function in BC cells. Knockdown of RRS1 resulted in the inhibition of cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, whereas overexpression had the opposite effects. We firstly identified the interaction between RRS1 and Glucose-Regulated Protein 78 (GRP78) using Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) combined with mass spectrometry analysis, providing evidences of co-localization and positive regulation between RRS1 and GRP78. We observed that RRS1 inhibited the degradation of GRP78 through the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway, resulting in the stabilization of GRP78. In addition, our findings suggested that RRS1 promoted BC progression by activating the GRP78-mediated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway. In conclusion, this newly discovered RRS1/GRP78 signaling axis provides a molecular and theoretical basis for further exploring the mechanisms of breast cancer invasion and metastasis.
Awareness of Child Abuse and Neglect: A Prospective Interventional Study among Schoolteachers from Andhra Pradesh
Authors: Singaraju Anuja , Rudravaram Venkata Ratna Kumar , Nuvvula Sivakumar , Mallineni Sreekanth Kumar
Published: February 2024

Aim: To assess the awareness of schoolteachers from Andhra Pradesh towards child abuse and neglect (CAN) through pre- and post-educational intervention (audiovisual aid) questionnaires. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 300 schoolteachers using a 12-item questionnaire that was created using the standard focus group discussion method. Baseline awareness of CAN was assessed using the questionnaire. Subsequently, all the schoolteachers were educated regarding the various types of CAN and the process of reporting CAN using an audiovisual aid. The same questionnaire was re-administered to all the teachers immediately after the intervention and after three months. The data were statistically analyzed using Fisher’s exact test to compare the frequency and distribution of responses among the study participants at various intervals. Results: A statistically significant difference (p value < 0.05) was observed in the awareness of the schoolteachers regarding CAN compared to the baseline and immediately after the intervention. However, there was no statistically significant difference (p value > 0.05) between immediately after the intervention and three months. Conclusion: There is a need to have awareness among schoolteachers concerning CAN. However, after education through audiovisual aids, teachers’ awareness of CAN has been improved.
Structure–Activity Relationship of PAD4 Inhibitors and Their Role in Tumor Immunotherapy
Authors: Jia Yijiang , Jia Renbo , Taledaohan Ayijiang , Wang Yanming , Wang Yuji
Published: February 2024

Protein arginine deiminase 4 (PAD4) plays an important role in cancer progression by participating in gene regulation, protein modification, and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation. Many reversible and irreversible PAD4 inhibitors have been reported recently. In this review, we summarize the structure–activity relationships of newly investigated PAD4 inhibitors to bring researchers up to speed by guiding and describing new scaffolds as optimization and development leads for new effective, safe, and selective cancer treatments. In addition, some recent reports have shown evidence that PAD4 inhibitors are expected to trigger antitumor immune responses, regulate immune cells and related immune factors, enhance the effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors, and enhance their antitumor efficacy. Therefore, PAD4 inhibitors may potentially change tumor immunotherapy and provide an excellent direction for the development and clinical application of immunotherapy strategies for related diseases.