bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In-vitro Cell Culture: A Promising Technology in the Advancement of Science and Research as a Solution to Human and Animal Health Issues
Authors: Pampori Zahoor A. , Sheikh Aasif A. , Shah Fozia
Published: November 2024

From ancient Romans till late nineties, conceptualized first by Aristotle, it was believed that life evolved from non-living matter, the spontaneous generation theory. With the invention of microscopy, invisible life was for the first time visible as “animalcules”, that were later described as cells and the cell theory and theory of tissue formation came into limelight. In late nineties cell culture methods were discussed and in-vivo as well as in-vitro cell culture was achieved. In-vitro cell culture techniques were defined, improved, augmented and refined with the advancement in biological sciences. The applications of cell culture technology spanned through various fields, in pathology, microbiology, reproduction, physiology and production of biologicals, monoclonal antibodies, vaccines. In-vitro fertilization, embryo splitting and transgene delivery for augmenting fertility in human and animals, production of animal products, key biomolecules, proteins are some of the endowed applications of in-vitro cell culture technique. Cell culture technology has taken leaps and has become a key modelling system for large class of biotechnological interventions, clinical and industrial applications. Production of important hormones, growth factors, biomolecules and therapeutic agents are all blessings of in-vitro cell culture technology. In-vitro cell culture technology has entered into new era of development of organoids, organ chips, RNA/ DNA / recombinant vaccines, transgenic animals, tissue reconstructs etc. in pursuit of achieving better health care and food security. In-vitro cell culture technology has been playing a significant role in the global economy with huge market size in stem cell therapy, human infertility and production of therapeutic biomolecules. The in-vitro cell culture technology is promising, fast evolving, robust and matured technology with huge potential to revolutionize the fields of medicine, biological sciences and biomedical-engineering.
Metodología para el estudio comparativo de propuestas tecnológicas-constructivas orientada al mejoramiento de la eficiencia energética de la envolvente edilicia
Authors: Barbero Dante Andrés , Urteneche Emilia , Martini Irene
Published: November 2024

Los edificios hospitalarios suelen ser considerados los edificios públicos más ineficientes energéticamente en la mayoría de los países desarrollados. Al ser los que presentan el mayor consumo de energía por unidad de superficie, se convierten en excelentes objetivos para el ahorro de costos y para la incorporación de estrategias de eficiencia energética. Este trabajo presenta una metodología basada en un enfoque multicriterio orientada a evaluar estrategias de reciclado edilicio a partir de propuestas tecnológicas que consideren cualidades técnicas y económicas en el marco (de las pautas) del diseño pasivo. Este abordaje requiere de un diagnóstico previo de la situación tecnológico-constructiva de base de la edilicia construida, y de la identificación de variables de diseño con mayor incidencia en el ahorro energético y la mejora de la habitabilidad tanto en el total del establecimiento, así como en sus áreas específicas. Una vez evaluados los aspectos técnicos y económicos vinculados con la eficiencia energética de la envolvente, se comparan las diferentes propuestas tecnológicas-constructivas para su mejoramiento usando el concepto de dominancia de Pareto. En caso de obtener como resultado más de una propuesta de mejoramiento óptima, es posible incorporar la opinión de diferentes actores para decidir finalmente la más conveniente. La metodología presentada es luego aplicada a modo de soporte a la toma de decisiones para la mejora de la eficiencia energética de la envolvente de un edificio del sector salud, pero podría aplicarse también en la edilicia de otros sectores (ej.: residencial, comercial, etc.). Los resultados obtenidos muestran que el reciclaje sistematizado de la edilicia existente, a partir de propuestas tecnológicas, avaladas por una metodología de selección multicriterio que permita evaluar sus cualidades técnicas y económicas, representa una alternativa viable para intervenir en la envolvente de los edificios y sus sistemas constructivos.
The Utilization of a Mixture of Palm Oil and Shellfish Industrial Waste in Producing Paving Block
Authors: Aisyah Siti Aisyah , Imelda Donna , Busrizal  , Hakim Muhamad Abdul
Published: November 2024

Population growth in Indonesia will lead to an increased demand in the development sector. This growth must be balanced by environmentally friendly development practices. Therefore, there is a need for alternative uses of industrial waste for other finished materials. Concrete bricks (Paving blocks) are building construction materials that cover or pave the ground. Boiler ash is one of the solid wastes of the palm oil industry which comes from the remains of burning shells and fibers in boiler machines. Palm oil shells are also one of the solid wastes of the palm oil industry, which comes from the separation between fiber and shells, which occurs in the Light Tenera Dust Separator machine (LTDS). Seashells can be considered solid waste. According to the research findings, paving blocks treated with S1 and S2 exhibit water absorption capacities that comply with the SNI 03-0691-1996 standards, which stipulate a maximum of 8% for C grade, suitable for pedestrian use. Paving blocks treated with S3 also met the SNI 03-0691-1996 standards, with a maximum absorption of 10% for the D grade, which is ideal for covering plants and home gardens. Lower water absorption rates indicate higher quality paving blocks. Variance analysis revealed that the water absorption capacity significantly impacts the quality of the paving blocks. The compressive strength test showed that the paving blocks with S2 treatment had the highest strength, averaging 2,10 MPa. The lowest compressive strength, averaging 1,01 MPa, was observed in the paving blocks treated with S3.
A Critical Analysis of the Quantum Nonlocality Problem: On the Polemic Assessment of What Bell Did
Authors: Lambare Justo Pastor
Published: November 2024

Despite their Nobel prize-winning empirical falsification, the interpretation of the Bell inequality remains controversial. An objective analysis of Bell's work on nonlocality shows that Bell's rationale calls for reconsidering a widespread argument on quantum nonlocality yielding a clearer formulation free from the usual obscurities that lead to misleading controversies. By dismissing unnecessary metaphysical tenets, it is possible to probe the core of the problem and determine under what rational assumptions locality or nonlocality become feasible alternatives. The approach renders a more balanced perspective on a long-standing polarized interpretative debate.
Exploring Technical Insights into the Mechanical Adaptation Behavior of the Intuity Elite Aortic Bioprosthesis
Authors: Aljalloud Ali , Lotfi Shahram , Jansen Sebastian V. , Moza Ajay , Menne Matthias , Spetsotaki Konstantina
Published: November 2024

Objectives: Rapid-deployment aortic valve replacement (RDAVR) represents an alternative to conventional valves due to the faster and easier implantation. One challenging aspect of these prostheses is their behavior in an oval human annulus. We evaluated the Intuity aortic bioprosthesis by investigating its radial forces in vitro and using computed tomography to evaluate its stent shape after implantation. Methods: N=19 patients received a RDAVR with the Intuity bioprosthesis at our institution between 2018 and 2020. We measured the radial forces of the prosthesis using an RX Machine. Additionally, we measured the degree of deformation after 3D reconstruction of the implanted prostheses. Results: In all three-dimensional reconstructions, the Intuity stent showed no degree of deformation with an ovality of almost 0%, approximating a perfect circle. Intuity's RF was significantly higher than other transcatheter aortic devices and the Perceval prosthesis. Conclusions: The Intuity Elite bioprosthesis demonstrates remarkably high RFs and perfect circularity even in the oval human annulus, which are related to a satisfactory hemodynamic pattern in the aortic root postoperatively. Its high RFs at the annulus may explain the resistance to deformation, ensuring harmonious, natural-like cusp mobility. This may reduce the risk of turbulence-induced fibrosis and increased transvalvular pressure gradients, and may clinically translate into less hemolysis. To validate the possible clinical impact of our findings, additional research with a larger sample size and extended follow-up is essential.
Code Revival: Fluid Motion in a Curved Pipe
Authors: Basse Nils Tångefjord
Published: November 2024

This paper presents a revival of FORTRAN 66 code which calculates flow through curved pipes. Results from the code were originally presented in [Greenspan, D. Secondary flow in a curved tube. J. Fluid Mech. 1973, 57, 167-176]. We demonstrate a step-by-step code revival process and compare original (coarse) results to updated (fine) solutions. The purpose of our paper is to make the code available as modern Fortran for the scientific community. The code runs quickly on modern hardware architectures and enables fast understanding of the physical effects included.
Automatic Gender Identification from Text
Authors: Litvak Marina , Rabaev Irina , Iounkin Vladimir
Published: November 2024

Gender identification of authors in literary texts is a compelling area of research within computational linguistics and natural language processing. Analyzing the gender of authors can uncover biases and socio-cultural dynamics of the past, deepening our understanding of historical texts. Inspired by the historical context where women often used male pseudonyms to navigate the literary world, this study seeks to determine an author's gender, relying on their written works using various classifiers, including language models. Our contributions include compiling a large-scale dataset of literary texts and conducting extensive experiments with different classification models. Our results show that the best-performing model, GPT2, achieved an impressive accuracy of 0.925.
The Impact of Donor Liver Fibrosis on the Outcomes of Patients Who Undergo Liver Transplant: A Cohort Study from Unos Database
Authors: Bian Congwen , Huang Hanfei , Zeng Zhong
Published: November 2024

AbstractBackground: The increasing prevalence of fibrosis in donor livers raises concerns about its impact on post-transplantation outcomes, though this relationship remains unclear. This study aims to assess the effect of donor liver fibrosis on patient and graft survival following liver transplantation.Methods: Data from the UNOS-STAR registry (1987–2024) were analyzed, focusing on patients who received liver transplants with biopsy-proven fibrosis. The cohort was stratified based on fibrosis grade, and outcomes were compared using Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Competing risk models were applied to assess specific mortality causes, and subgroup analyses explored the sensitivity of fibrosis on transplant outcomes.Results: Of the 22,897 patients, 17,926 received non-fibrotic grafts, and 4,971 had grafts with varying fibrosis grades. Donor fibrosis was associated with donor age, steatosis, and portal infiltrate, generally affecting those in better overall condition. Significant differences were observed in patient survival (p=0.001) and graft survival (p=0.002) between the fibrosis and non-fibrosis groups. Further analysis revealed that fibrosis increased the risk of malignancy (p=0.028), cardiovascular disease (p=0.017), and respiratory failure (p=0.033), but showed lower rejection rates at six months and one year. Sensitivity analyses confirmed fibrosis as an independent risk factor, with varying effects in subgroups.Conclusion: Donor liver fibrosis significantly impacts post-transplant outcomes, notably increasing the risk of all-cause mortality and graft failure. Specific causes of death, such as malignancy and cardiovascular disease, were more prevalent in recipients of fibrotic grafts, highlighting the need for further research to refine donor selection criteria.
Evidence for Proximity Effect in Superconductor-Organic Semiconductor-Superconductor Stacked DevicesEvidence for Proximity Effect in Superconductor-Organic Semiconductor-Superconductor Stacked Devices
Authors: Kremen Anna , Aviv Hagit , Tischler Yaakov Raphael , Sharoni Amos
Published: November 2024

Coupling superconducting (SC) contacts to light-emitting layers can lead to remarkable effects, as seen in inorganic quantum-well LEDs with superconducting contacts, where an enhancement in radiative recombination was observed. Additional dramatic effects were theorized if both electrodes are SC, such as correlated emission and 2-photon entanglement. Motivated by this and by the question if proximity induced SC is possible in organic light emitting materials, we studied the electronic properties of stacked SC-organic-SC devices. Our structures consisted of Nb (bottom) and NbN (top) SC electrodes and a spin-coated light emitting semiconductor polymer, MEH-PPV. Sputtering the SC directly on the polymer causes pinhole, which we prevent by ultra-slow deposition of a 5 nm aluminum film, before depositing the top SC in-situ. The Al protects the organic film from damage and pinhole formation, while preserving SC in the top electrodes due to proximity effect between Al and NbN. Electrical transport measurements of the completed junctions indicate that indeed, the top and bottom contacts are superconducting and the protected MEH-PPV layer is pinhole-free, as supported by HR-TEM and EDS. Most important, we find that as the temperature is decreased below the critical temperature of the SCs, the device shows evidence for proximity effect in the MEH-PPV and for a Josephson effect in the device.
A Comprehensive Review of Geothermal Heat Pump Systems
Authors: Salhein Khaled , Salheen Sabriya Alghennai , Annekaa Ahmed M , Hawsawi Mansour , Alhawsawi Edrees Yahya , Kobus C.J. , Zohdy Mohamed
Published: November 2024

This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of geothermal heat pump systems (GHPS), focusing on their advantages, disadvantages, key components, types, and ground heat exchangers (GHEs). It presents a detailed review of closed-loop GHE configurations, emphasizing their impact on heat transfer performance and installation costs. The findings show that helical GHEs offer superior thermal performance with reduced drilling depths and costs, while coaxial GHEs, particularly with steel tubes, enhance heat transfer efficiency and reduce borehole depth. Cost-effective solutions, such as W-type GHEs, deliver comparable thermal performance to more expensive configurations. Triple U-tube and spiral GHEs demonstrate high efficiency, balancing performance with economic considerations. The most commonly used borehole geometries are single or double U-tube configurations, while coaxial designs provide additional benefits in specific applications. These insights guide the optimization of vertical ground heat exchangers, improving performance, cost-effectiveness, and long-term sustainability in GHPS installations.
AGFI-GAN: An Attention-Guided and Feature-Integrated Watermarking Model based on GAN Framework for Secure and Auditable Medical Imaging Application
Authors: Liu Xinyun , Xu Ronghua , Zhao Chen
Published: November 2024

With the rapid digitization of healthcare, the secure transmission of medical images has become a critical concern, especially given the increasing prevalence of cyber threats and data privacy breaches. Medical images are frequently transmitted via the Internet and cloud platforms, making them susceptible to unauthorized access, tampering, and theft. While traditional cryptographic techniques play a vital role, they are often insufficient to fully ensure the integrity and confidentiality of these sensitive images. In this paper, we present AGFI-GAN, a robust and secure framework for medical image watermarking that leverages attention-guided and feature integration mechanisms within a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN). Specifically, a Feature Integration Module (FIM) is proposed to effectively capture and combine both shallow and deep image features to facilitate multi-layer fusion with the watermark. The dense connections within the module facilitate feature reuse, boosting the system’s robustness. To mitigate distortion from watermark embedding, an Attention Module (AM) is utilized, generating an attention mask by extracting global image features. This attention mask prioritizes features in less prominent and textured regions, allowing for stronger watermark embedding, while other features are downplayed to enhance the overall effectiveness of the watermarking process. The framework is evaluated based on its versatility, embedding capacity, robustness, and imperceptibility, and the results confirm its effectiveness. The study shows a marked improvement over the baseline, thus highlighting the framework’s superiority.
Aqueous Media Arsenic (V) Removal by Using Iron Oxide-Coated Ignimbrite
Authors: Velarde-Apaza Leslie , Chávez-Collantes Azucena , Solorzano-Acosta Richard , Gómez-Valdez Badhin , Villanueva-Salas José A.
Published: November 2024

Arsenate As (V) is a toxic aquifer/underground water element with a high potential to harm humans. Adequate treatment of arsenic-contaminated water is vital to ensure public health. The present investigation describes As (V) removal by iron oxide-coated in batch experiments at dif-ferent levels of adsorbent amount, contaminated solution initial concentration, contact time, and system temperature. Different As (V) initial concentrations showed that adsorption in the Langmuir isotherm model has a higher correlation coefficient (R2 = 0.99) than the Freundlich model (R2 = 0.73). According to the Langmuir model, the maximum adsorption capacity was 4.84 mg∙g-1 of As (V) after 2 h exposure with 0.15 g/50 mL iron oxide coated ignimbrite adsorbent concentration. Likewise, a pseudo-first-order model kinetic study was more adequate in de-scribing the adsorption process at As (V) concentration of 15 mg∙g-1 by using 0.15 g / 50 mL ad-sorbent concentration at 283 K, 293 K, and 303 K. Observed results in the batch experiments in-dicate that iron oxide-coated ignimbrite is a potential adsorbent for reducing high concentrations of As (V) in contaminated water.
Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Mpox in Jakarta
Authors: Nilasari Hanny , Miranda Eliza , Marissa Melani , Ruspitawati Ani , Handayani Dwi O.T.L. , Salama Ngabila , Setiawan Budi , Supriadi Supriadi , Aisyah Tiranti Vindhagita , Inggariwati Inggariwati , Haq Arif Syaiful , Zuhroh Siti , Safitri Eka Yuli , Pramono Rahmat Aji , Wisnuwardani Inggrita , Nelwan Erni Juwita , Sinto Robert , Susilo Adityo , Saharman Yulia Rosa , Ratnoglik Suratno Lulut , Pitawati Ni Luh Putu , Fauzan Muhamad , Hasanah Sekar Saras Ayu , Sharasti Megandhita , Yunihastuti Evy
Published: November 2024

Background/Objective: This study is to identify the epidemiology and clinical features of Mpox in Jakarta that just reemerged in Indonesia. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional study design to describe the epidemiological data, clinical features, and mortality of Mpox patients from August 2022 to December 2023. In addition, this study also aims to identify the differences in both epidemiology and the clinical features of Mpox in HIV (PLHIV) and non-HIV patients (non-PLHIV). Results: Our study shows that as of the end of December 2023, 59 Mpox cases were treated in Jakarta. Mpox in Indonesia were mainly diagnosed in male, MSM, and HIV patients. Most patients would manifest with fever, rash, and skin lesions. Syphilis was found as a concomitant infection in this group. Severe manifestations were found among PLHIV without ART. Conclusions: Mpox in Jakarta were found mainly in MSM, especially in PLHIV. There are various manifestations of Mpox, however, the clinical features were more severe in PLHIV without ART. Therefore, a strong surveillance system and spreading awareness regarding vaccination programme is needed to prevent the spread of Mpox. A cautious management was needed especially on PLHIV.
Conventional and Tropism-Modified High-Capacity Adenoviral Vectors Exhibit Similar Transduction Profiles in Human iPSC-Derived Retinal Organoids
Authors: McDonald Andrew , Gallego Carmen , Andriessen Charlotte A. , Orlová Michaela , Gonçalves Manuel A.F.V. , Wijnholds Jan
Published: November 2024

Viral vector delivery of gene therapy represents a promising approach for the treatment of numerous retinal diseases. Adeno-associated viral vectors (AAV) constitute the primary gene delivery platform; however, their limited cargo capacity restricts the delivery of several clinically relevant retinal genes. In this study, we explore the feasibility of employing high-capacity adenoviral vectors (HC-AdVs) as alternative delivery vehicles, which, with a capacity of up to 36 kb, can potentially accommodate all known retinal gene coding sequences. We utilised HC-AdVs based on the classical adenoviral type 5 (AdV5) and on a fibre-modified AdV5 version, both engineered to deliver a 29.6 kb vector genome encoding a fluorescent reporter construct. The tropism of these HC-AdVs was evaluated in an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived human retinal organoid model. Both vector types demonstrated robust transduction efficiency, with sustained transgene expression observed for up to 110 days post-transduction. Moreover, we found efficient transduction of photoreceptors and Müller glial cells, without evidence of reactive gliosis or loss of photoreceptor cell nuclei. However, an increase in the thickness of the photoreceptor outer nuclear layer was observed at 110 days post-transduction, suggesting potential unfavourable effects on Müller glial or photoreceptor cells associated with HC-AdV transduction and/or long-term reporter overexpression. These findings suggest that while HC-AdVs show promise for large retinal gene delivery, further investigations are required to assess their long-term safety and efficacy.
The Effects of the Hip Adduction and Abduction Forward Lunge on Muscle Activity and Center of Pressure in Healthy Subjects: A Pilot Study
Authors: Zhou Xing-Han , Yan Xin , Tian Qiu-Shuo , Kim Tae-Ho
Published: November 2024

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) ranks among the most prevalent factors causing anterior knee pain. Quadriceps exercises such as forward lunges are important to treat PFPS. Aim: We in-vestigated whether there is a muscle activity difference between the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles and the center of pressure (CoP) among three hip posi-tions: hip adduction forward lunge (HADF), hip neutral forward lunge (HNEF), and hip abduc-tion forward lunge (HABF) in healthy subjects. Method: This was a randomized controlled pilot study that included twenty healthy volunteers. CoP was measured using a “Wii Balance Board” from Nintendo and VMO and VL muscle activity were measured via wireless surface electro-myography. Results: CoP outcomes showed significant differences among the three positions in position, sum distance, range, and max distance. VMO and VL muscle activity and the ratio of VMO/VL significantly differed among the three positions. Conclusions: Although VMO and VL muscle activity increased in HADF and HABF, excessive change in CoP occurred in the two posi-tions. The change in the CoP during HADF and HABF may result in valgus, varus, and loading of the knee joint, which may worsen PFPS. The HNEF is recommended for quadriceps strengthening in healthy subjects and PFPS patients.
Semi-Supervised Few-Shot Incremental Learning with k-Probabilistic PCAs
Authors: Han Ke , Barbu Adrian
Published: November 2024

This paper introduces a novel method for Semi-Supervised Few-Shot Class Incremental Learning (SSFSCIL) that exhibits virtually no catastrophic forgetting. The method uses a generic feature extractor that was pretrained without supervision on a large image dataset, and a classifier based on a Probabilistic PCA (PPCA) model for each class instead of the standard fully connected layer usually employed as the projection head. The PPCA models are localized around the class means and the models for existing classes are not retrained when new classes are added. The learning algorithm is a modified k-Means that freezes the models on the existing classes and only updates models for the new classes. This makes the approach both computationally efficient and accurate. Extensive experiments on CUB200, CIFAR100, and miniImageNet show the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Additionally, experiments on the ImageNet-1k dataset, which previous methods have avoided due to its size, demonstrate its applicability to large-scale datasets.
CFD-Based Investigation of Static and Dynamic Pressure Effect in Aerostatic Bearings with Annular Grooved at High-Speed
Authors: Song Wentao , Li Minggui , Cheng Peng , Wang Decheng , Shao Chenxi , Zhou Junying
Published: November 2024

Based on gas lubrication theory and the SST k-ω turbulence model, this study investigates the gas film flow fields of annular groove and non-groove small-hole throttling aerostatic bearings (AGSTABs&STABs). It examines the formation mechanisms of static and dynamic pressure effects in both flow fields under high-speed conditions and evaluates how parameters such as eccentricity, groove width ratio, and depth ratio influence the average load capacity, static and dynamic pressure effects.The findings show that compared to STABs, AGSTABs significantly optimize the mixed load-bearing mechanism of static and dynamic pressure effects, effectively reduce vortex and backflow intensity in the gas film flow field under high-speed conditions Increasing the eccentricity enhances the average load capacity and dynamic pressure effects in both types of bearings but weakens the static pressure effects of small-hole throttling. A larger groove width ratio decreases the throttling efficiency of the annular groove and lowers the peak of the dynamic pressure effect. In contrast, the depth ratio of the annular groove has only a minor impact on the static and dynamic pressure effects.
Beyond the Usual Suspects: Characterization of Rare Serogroups of Neisseria meningitidis
Authors: Taha Samy , Fantoni Giulia , Hong Eva , Terrade Aude , Doucoure Oumar , Deghmane Ala-Eddine , Taha Muhamed-Kheir
Published: November 2024

Most of the invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in Europe are caused by isolates of Neisseria meningitidis serogroups B, C, W and Y. We aimed to explore cases caused by other, unusual serogroups. We retrospectively screened IMD cases in the databases of the National Reference Center for Meningococci and Haemophilus influnezae in France between 2014-2023. Age, sex, serogroups, and genetic lineages distributions were analyzed. We also measured complement deposition on the bacterial surface and tested coverage by vaccines against serogroup B. Cases due to isolates of serogroups other than B, C, W, and Y represented 1.6% of all 3610 IMD cases during the study period, with 59 cases and a median age of 21.5 years of age. The corresponding isolates were non-groupable (26 cases), serogroup X (21 cases) serogroup E (11 cases) and one isolate belonged to serogroup Z. Only a low proportion (7.4%) belonged to the hyperinvasive genetic lineages. Isolates of serogroup E bound a significantly higher amount of complement on their surface and were mainly detected in patients with terminal complement pathway deficiencies. Isolates of these unusual serogroups were shown to be covered by vaccines licensed against meningococci B. Surveillance of these isolates needs to be enhanced.
Evaluating the Efficacy of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Using Machine Learning Models for the classification of Parasitized Goats
Authors: Siddique Aftab , Batchu Phaneendra , Shaik Arshad , Gurrapu Priyanka , Erukulla Tharun Tej , Ellington Cornileus , Rubio Villa Andrea L. , Brown Davia , Mahapatra Ajit , Panda Sudhanshu , Morgan Eric R , Wyk Jan Van , Shapiro-Ilan David , Kannan Govind , Terrill Thomas H
Published: November 2024

Rapid identification and assessment of animal health are critical for livestock productivity, especially for small ruminants like goats, which are highly susceptible to blood-feeding gastrointestinal nematodes, such as Haemonchus contortus. This study aimed to establish proof of concept for using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) as a non-invasive diagnostic tool to distinguish parasite-infected goats from healthy ones. A cohort of 94 intact male Spanish goats (58 healthy; 36 parasitized; naturally infected with Haemonchus contortus) was selected to evaluate the efficacy of BIA through the measurement of resistance (Rs) and electrical reactance (Xc). Data were collected from live goats using the CQR 3.0 device over multiple time points. The study employed several machines learning models, including Support Vector Machines (SVM), Backpropagation Neural Networks (BPNN), k-Nearest Neighbors (K-NN), XGBoost, and Keras deep learning models to classify goats based on their bioelectrical properties. Among the classification models, SVM demonstrated the highest accuracy (95%) and F1-score (96%), while K-NN showed the lowest accuracy (90%). For regression tasks, BPNN outperformed other models with a nearly perfect R² value of 99.9% and a minimal mean squared error (MSE) of 1.25e-04, followed by SVR with an R² of 96.9%. The BIA data revealed significant differences in Rs and Xc between healthy and parasitized goats, with parasitized goats exhibiting elevated resistance values, likely due to dehydration and tissue changes caused by parasitic infection. These findings highlight the potential of BIA combined with machine learning to develop a scalable, rapid, and non-invasive diagnostic tool for monitoring small ruminant health, particularly in detecting parasitic infections like Haemonchus contortus. This approach could improve herd management, reduce productivity losses, and enhance animal welfare.
The Prevalence of Primary and Secondary Lactase Deficiency in Patients with Celiac Disease
Authors: Kowalski Marek , Domżał-Magrowska Danuta , Malecka-Wojciesko Ewa
Published: November 2024

Background: Celiac disease (CD) is defined as a systemic autoimmune disorder induced by gluten and other prolamins, which leads to gradual histopathological damage of the duodenum mucosa, intestinal villous atrophy, in particular. The brush border of enterocytes produces disaccharidases, including lactase. Lactase deficiency may be primary - genetically determined or secondary- due to damage to the intestinal villi. To exclude the primary cause of lactase deficiency, LCT gene polymorphism is necessary to evaluate. Objective: In patients diagnosed with CD, the intestinal villi should recover after strict adherence to the gluten-free diet, and therefore no lactase enzyme deficiency secondary to the underlying disease should be observed. Methods: The study group consisted of 38 patients, 30 women and 8 men (Group 1), who presented symptoms suggesting CD at the time of diagnosis, histology of duodenal mucosa samples revealed Marsh grade 3 and had confirmed the presence of HLA-DQ2 or DQ8 genes and had the gluten-free diet recommended. The control group consisted of 31 healthy volunteers, 18 women and 13 men. A hydrogen breath test (HBT) was performed in all groups with 50 g of lactose dissolved in 250 ml of water. Among patients with a positive HBT in all groups, a blood sample was collected to determine the C/T (-13910) and G/A (-22018) polymorphism in the promoter of the LCT gene responsible for the synthesis of the lactase enzyme. Among patients with lactase deficiency confirmed in HBT, LCT gene analysis was performed by assessing the C/T (-13910) and G/A (-22018) polymorphisms.Results: A significantly higher incidence of lactase enzyme deficiency was found in Group 1 (n=27, 71.1%) compared to the control group (n=10, 32.3%) (p<0.01). Severe lactase deficiency was observed more frequently in the group 1 than in the control group (n=19 (50%) vs. n=5 (16.1%); p<0.01), while mild and moderate lactase enzyme deficiency was observed with similar prevalence. Severe deficiency of the lactase enzyme was found significantly more frequently in the group of patient who did not strictly follow the diet than in the group declaring a strict adherence to a gluten-free diet (n=13 (65%) vs. n=6 (33%); p<0.05). No significant difference was found in the frequency of the C/T (-13910) and G/A (-22018) polymorphism in the promoter of the LCT between the analyzed groups with previously positive HBT test. Only in group 1, in 5 (18.5%) patients presence of LCT gene variants responsible for lactase enzyme deficiency was not detected. Conclusions: Among patients with CD, lactase deficiency was confirmed in the majority of the study participants, of whom only about half had primary lactase deficiency. In the study group, a correlation was demonstrated between severe deficiency of the lactase enzyme and non-adherence to gluten- free diet.
Economic Aspects of Sustainable Development: Eco-Branding in Manufacturing Enterprises from KazakhstanEconomic Aspects of Sustainable Development: Eco-Branding in Manufacturing Enterprises from Kazakhstan
Authors: Davidenko Lyudmila , Titkov Alexey , Sherimova Nurzhanat , Beisembina Ansagan
Published: November 2024

Economic science provides a rich methodological toolkit for sustainable development combined with the principles of circular economy and green marketing. The practical adaptation of a set of assessment tools helped the realisation of this study in the form of the systematisation of interaction factors between the economic growth and environmental branding of industrial companies in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Descriptive models were used to assess the economic and technological state of enterprises and to analyse the effectiveness of capital investments for the implementation of green technology projects and social environmental investments. In the course of research of the population's requests to manufacturers of industrial products, it was found out that the requirements to the environmental characteristics of finished products have increased, and the price of ecological products is of concern. Producers and end consumers can be brought closer together through eco-branding, creation of special platforms for green integration participants. To unlock the reserves of economic growth, it is proposed that green investment flows with the participation of industrial capital should be intensified in order to increase investments in the eco-cultural transformation of eco-consumers of the new generation.
Lignin Chelated Calcium Improves Tomato Fruit Quality by Promoting Ca2+ Uptake and Transport
Authors: Zhang Jiucheng , Du Minghui , Liu Genzhong , Ma Fangfang , Bao Zhilong
Published: November 2024

Calcium (Ca) is an essential nutrient for plant growth and development, playing a key role in cell wall stabilization and various physiological processes. Ca fertilizers are widely used in agriculture to meet crop demands and improve yield and quality. However, traditional Ca fertilizers often suffer from low solubility, poor absorption, and mobility issues. Chelated Ca fertilizers offer enhanced efficiency and uptake. In this study, we compared the effects of lignosulfonate-chelated Ca (LS-Ca), EDTA-chelated Ca (EDTA-Ca), Ca(NO3)2, and alcohol sugar-chelated Ca (AS-Ca) on tomato growth. The results showed that LS-Ca increased chlorophyll a and b contents by 26% and 46%, respectively. The application of Ca fertilizers significantly enhanced Ca2+ uptake and transport, with LS-Ca achieving the highest efficiency. Without altering fruit weight, LS-Ca treatment increased the firmness of mature tomato fruits by 29%. Furthermore, LS-Ca improved fruit sweetness by 33%, with total sugar content increasing by 45%, sucrose by 80%, reducing sugars by 64%, and titratable acidity by 18%. This study aims to compare the effects of different chelated Ca fertilizers on tomato cultivation and to explore optimal Ca supplementation strategies, thereby contributing to the improvement of tomato cultivation practices and fruit quality.
Emerging Strategies to Overcome Chemoresistance: Structural Insights and Therapeutic Targeting of Multidrug Resistant-Linked ABC Transporters
Authors: Nagampalli Raghavendra Sashi Krishna , Vadla Gangadhar P , Nadendla Eswar Kumar
Published: November 2024

The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily, one of the largest membrane protein families, plays a crucial role in multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer by mediating the efflux of various chemotherapeutic agents, thereby lowering their intracellular concentrations and diminishing therapeutic effectiveness. Beyond drug efflux, these transporters are also involved in vital biological processes, such as signal transduction in cancer. Over the past few decades, extensive structural and functional research has provided valuable insights into the broad substrate specificity and transport mechanisms of ABC transporters, leading to promising strategies for overcoming MDR. This review will provide a structural understanding of the interactions between ABC transporters and inhibitors to develop novel cancer therapeutics. Additionally, we focus on methods such as irradiation-based immune therapies, thermal therapies, nanomedicine, CRISPR-CAS, and natural therapies that can genetically modify ABC transporters to reduce their expression or reverse the drug efflux ability. Knowledge gained from these approaches can then be translated into the development of new cancer therapeutics that can combat chemotherapy resistance.
Examining the Mediating Role of Social Capital in the Relationship Between Brand Community and Customer Loyalty in the Sports Industry
Authors: Ghorbani Asiabar Mojtaba , Ghasemi Hamid
Published: November 2024

This study examines the mediating role of social capital in the relationship between brand community and customer loyalty in the Iranian sports industry.This descriptive-correlational research was conducted as a field study. The statistical population included fans of sports teams in Iran's Premier Football League. Sampling was performed using multi-stage cluster random sampling, and 384 individuals were selected as the sample. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire, which was validated for reliability and validity (Cronbach's alpha 0.89). Structural equation modeling with AMOS software was used for data analysis.Results showed that brand community has a positive and significant effect on social capital (β=0.72, p<0.01) and customer loyalty (β=0.65, p<0.01). Additionally, social capital plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between brand community and customer loyalty (β=0.58, p<0.01). Model fit indices (CFI=0.96, RMSEA=0.05) indicated a good fit for the model.The findings of this study emphasize the importance of focusing on brand community and social capital in increasing customer loyalty in the sports industry. Marketing managers of sports clubs can enhance fan loyalty by strengthening brand community and social capital.
Automatic Handling of C0-G0 Continuous Rational Bézier Elements Produced from T-Splines Through Bézier Extraction
Authors: Provatidis Christopher , Dimitriou Ioannis
Published: November 2024

This paper shows that the accuracy in T-spline based isogeometric analysis may be substantially improved by increasing the multiplicity of the inner knots up to the polynomial degree. This task can be performed considering the Bézier extraction operator matrix elementwise, and thus easily receiving an increased number of updated control points in the geometrical and computational model. Nevertheless, after the determination of the unique control points, sometimes the Bézier elements near the T-junctions may not be well-shaped, and thus minor automatic interventions are required to ensure full (i.e., C0 and G0) compatibility. The improved IGA solution may be also used as a reference to determine the a-posteriori error estimations in the T-spline elements of the domain. The methodology is shown in BVPs dominated by Laplace-Poisson equations in rectangular and curvilinear domains, while eigenvalues were extracted in a rectangular acoustic cavity.
Technical and Biological Biases in Bulk Transcriptomic Data Mining for Cancer Research
Authors: Liu Hengrui
Published: November 2024

Cancer research has been significantly advanced by the integration of transcriptomic data through high-throughput sequencing technologies like RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). This paper reviews the transformative impact of transcriptomics on understanding cancer biology, focusing on the use of extensive datasets such as The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx). While transcriptomic data provides crucial insights into gene expression patterns and disease mechanisms, the analysis is fraught with technical and biological biases. Technical biases include issues related to microarray, RNA-seq, and nanopore sequencing methods, while biological biases arise from factors like tumor heterogeneity and sample purity. Additionally, misinterpretations often occur when correlational data is erroneously assumed to imply causality or when bulk data is misattributed to specific cell types. This review emphasizes the need for researchers to understand and mitigate these biases to ensure accurate data interpretation and reliable clinical outcomes. By addressing these challenges, the paper aims to enhance the robustness of cancer research and improve the application of transcriptomic data in developing effective therapies and diagnostic tools.
Meta-Study on Sulphur Supply and Fertilisation of Crop Species in Organic Farming of Central Europe – Part 1: Effects of Soil S Supply on DM and N Yields, Legume N2 Fixation, and Methods for Determining S Fertilizer Requirements
Authors: Kolbe Hartmut
Published: November 2024

Sulphur is an essential nutrient that fulfils various important functions in plants, including the formation of amino acids, proteins, chlorophyll and the support of nitrogen uptake, e.g. in legumes. A lack of sulphur not only impairs plant growth, but also quality and resistance to disease. In addition, the S supply is strongly influenced by soil and hydrological factors. The sulphur content of the atmosphere due to industrial combustion has fallen sharply in recent decades, which has ultimately led to a drop in S levels in the soil and also in certain plant species, initially in conventional farming and later particularly in organic farming. As a result, there has been a great increase in research into the causes and ways and means of improving yield and quality deficiencies on farms.
In this summarised study, data from 98 sites in Central Europe (Germany, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Italy, Poland, Great Britain) were recorded from 1998 to 2023. The sulphur fertiliser trials were conducted on farms and experimental stations under organic farming conditions. 1169 treatment variants and 598 standard variants without or with reduced S-fertilisation were analysed. Fertilisation was carried out with various sources of sulphur, including kieserite, gypsum, elemental sulphur, epsom salt and other types, in different quantities and forms, usually directly before or during crop cultivation. Soil analyses were done according to VDLUFA specifications in Germany or comparable standards in Central Europe. The amounts of plant-available S in the soil were determined at depths of 0–30 cm, 30–60 cm and 60–90 cm. Site characteristics such as Smin, Nmin, soil type, pH value, precipitation and the extent of livestock farming were recorded.
A sufficient amount of data was available for each experimental aspect to quantitatively describe the influence of increasing S supply to the soil or plant species groups (permanent grassland, lucerne-clover-grass, grain legumes, cereals) from severe deficiency to oversupply. The analyses therefore focused on establishing relationships between yield responses, correlations with the nitrogen uptake of crop species and N2 fixation in legumes and the nutrient supply with plant-available sulphur. The aim of these investigations was to develop assessment methods for the soil supply with available sulphur to achieve optimum DM yields. The results were also used to develop practical methods for determining fertiliser requirements for different crop species in organic farming.
Real-World Experience with CDK4/6 Inhibitors in the First-Line Palliative Setting for HR+/HER2- Advanced Breast Cancer
Authors: Patel Ram , Mathews John , Hamm Caroline , Kulkarni Swati , Gupta Rasna , Opperman Tarquin , Chiong John Dean , Nasser Abdullah
Published: November 2024

Introduction: CDK4/6 inhibitors in combination with aromatase inhibitors (AI) are the standard first-line treatment for hormone receptor-positive (HR+), HER2-negative (HER2-) metastatic breast cancer. Landmark trials have demonstrated comparable progression-free survival (PFS) across CDK4/6 inhibitors, but overall survival (OS) outcomes have varied. This study aimed to evaluate real-world PFS and OS for palbociclib and ribociclib when combined with AI in patients with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of adult patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer treated at a single academic center between January 1, 2015, and December 1, 2022. Baseline demographics, clinical characteristics, and treatment details were extracted. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate PFS and OS, and differences between treatment groups were assessed using the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards models were constructed to adjust for confounding factors. Results: Seventy-five patients were included in the final analysis. The cohort was predominantly female (98.7%) and postmenopausal (77.3%), with 52.0% having de novo stage IV disease. Palbociclib was prescribed to 74.7% of patients, and ribociclib to 25.3%. Patients receiving ribociclib were significantly younger (57.6 vs. 67.5 years, p= 0.013) and more likely to be premenopausal (42.1% vs. 5.4%, p< 0.001). The real-world median PFS and OS for palbociclib were 20.3 months (95% CI: 14.8–46) and 37.2 months (95% CI: 20.3–not reached [NR]), respectively. For ribociclib, the median PFS and OS were not reached. Cox proportional hazards models adjusting for age and menopausal status found no significant differences between ribociclib and palbociclib for PFS (HR = 0.92 , p= 0.86) or OS (HR= 0.95 , p= 0.92). Conclusion: In this real-world analysis, palbociclib demonstrated a median progression-free survival consistent with results from landmark trials, although the observed overall survival was shorter. Ribociclib-treated patients had numerically longer PFS and OS compared with those treated with palbociclib, but the differences were not statistically significant. Discontinuation rates were similar between the two groups.