bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elemental Analysis of Five Medicinal Plants Species Growing in North Ossetia Using Neutron Activation Analysis
Authors: Lavrinenko Yulia , Plieva Anna , Chaligava Omari , Grozdov Dmitrii , Frontasyeva Marina , Tkachenko Kirill , Zinicovscaia Inga
Published: June 2024

One important category of traditional remedies is medicinal plants, which are widely consumed by the population and often subjected to contamination. For the first time, the elemental composition of five wild medicinal plants traditionally consumed in the Republic North Ossetia—brook-mint (Mentha longifolia), oregano (Origanum vulgare), St. John’s wort (Hypеricum perforаtum), thyme (Thymus daghestanicus), and fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium)—and corresponding soil samples was determined. This investigation aimed to assess the degree of toxic element accumulation in plants and the possible toxic effect of the analyzed plants on human health. The analysis encompassed the quantification of 36 major and minor elements in soil samples, alongside the detection of 23 elements in plant samples using instrumental neutron activation analysis. According to contamination and enrichment factors, which were calculated in order to assess the level of soil pollution, elements such as As, Sb, Zn, and U in soil may originate from both geogenic and anthropogenic sources. In all plant samples, the most abundant major elements were K and Ca and their content ranged from 9870 to 49,500 mg·kg−1 and 5400 to 20,000 mg·kg−1, respectively, while among the microelements, Fe (54–2080 mg·kg−1) and Mn (27.8–190 mg·kg−1) can be highlighted as the most abundant. The transfer factor was calculated to estimate metal uptake from soil in plants. The highest values of the transfer factor were obtained for Mo, K, Ca, and Zn. The daily intake of metals and the health risk index were calculated to assess the safety of the collected plants. The health risk index was below the threshold for all plants suggesting a probable non-carcinogenic effect. Principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis were used as classification techniques. The principal component analysis allowed us to define the main groups of elements and associate them with their sources of origin, while discriminant analysis enabled us to discriminate plant samples by species.
The Evolving Challenge of Appropriate Antibiotics Use in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Granata Guido , Cicalini Stefania
Published: June 2024

The issue of bacterial infections in COVID-19 patients has received increasing attention. Scant data are available on the impact of bacterial superinfection and antibiotic administration on the outcome of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. We conducted a literature review from 1 January 2022 to 31 March 2024 to assess the current burden of bacterial infection and the evidence for antibiotic use in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Published articles providing data on antibiotic use in COVID-19 patients were identified through computerized literature searches with the search terms [(antibiotic) AND (COVID-19)] or [(antibiotic treatment) AND (COVID-19)]. PubMed and SCOPUS databases were searched from 1 January 2022 to 31 March 2024. No attempt was made to obtain information about unpublished studies. English language restriction was applied. The quality of the included studies was evaluated by the tool recommended by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Both quantitative and qualitative information were summarized by means of textual descriptions. Five hundred fifty-one studies were identified, and twenty-nine studies were included in this systematic review. Of the 29 included studies, 18 studies were on the prevalence of bacterial infection and antibiotic use in hospitalized COVID-19 patients; 4 studies reported on the efficacy of early antibiotic use in COVID-19; 4 studies were on the use of sepsis biomarkers to improve antibiotic use; 3 studies were on the efficacy of antimicrobial stewardship programs and predictive models among COVID-19-hospitalized patients. The quality of included studies was high in 35% and medium in 62%. High rates of hospital-acquired infections were reported among COVID-19 patients, ranging between 7.5 and 37.7%. A high antibiotic resistance rate was reported among COVID-19 patients developing hospital-acquired infections, with a high in-hospital mortality rate. The studies evaluating multi-faceted antimicrobial stewardship interventions reported efficacy in decreasing antibiotic consumption and lower in-hospital mortality.
Immersive Technology and Building Information Modeling (BIM) for Sustainable Smart Cities
Authors: Liu Zhen , He Yunrui , Demian Peter , Osmani Mohamed
Published: June 2024

Research currently focuses on immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). However, there is limited exploration of their application in sustainable smart cities with Building Information Modeling (BIM), and there remains a lack of interdisciplinary integration within this domain aimed at fostering sustainable smart city development. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the development status of immersive technology and BIM in sustainable smart cities, identifying trends and research hotspots by employing a triangulation research method mixed with a quantitative method via bibliometric analysis and a qualitative method via content analysis to investigate the relationship between immersive technologies and BIM in sustainable smart cities. The results reveal a fragmented nature in the research on immersive technology and BIM in sustainable smart cities, with rapidly changing hotspots and new technologies following a cyclical pattern every 3 to 5 years. Two distinct cycles of growth were observed in the field over the last 10 years (2014–2023). The first cycle, from 2014 to 2017, represented modest growth, while the second cycle, from 2018 to 2022, showed rapid expansion, with the keywords AR, VR, MR, BIM, smart city, and smart city concept indicating the research hotspots. Immersive technologies and BIM, developed since 2017, have contributed to sustainable smart city construction. The emerging keywords AR, MR, and 360-degree VR have become research hotspots since 2021, particularly in collaborative construction. Future research trends include artificial intelligence, digitalization, AR, and MR, while building sustainability and intelligent construction have emerged as real-world applications. Additionally, this paper employs software tools to generate multidimensional knowledge maps to form a knowledge universe map at a “macro-knowledge” level followed by a “micro-knowledge” level comprising a standard knowledge system, such as lifecycle analysis, enhancing the objectivity and organization of the results and providing innovative references for future research.
Research on the Reconstruction Method of Old Houses in Mindong, Republic of China, Based on a Wearable Mobile Scanning System
Authors: Yu Jiayong , Jiang Xuejing , Xu Fei , Chen Honggen , Wu Wei , Qiu Ronghai , Ma Wei , Liu Yuanjie , Wu Guoqiang
Published: June 2024

To address the complex structures of historical buildings in Mindong, lack of historical reference materials, and heavy workload of traditional surveying and mapping methods in the field, a 3D reconstruction method of historical building based on a wearable mobile scanning system for data acquisition was studied. First, a wearable mobile scanning system is used to scan historical buildings in three dimensions. The data are fused to obtain high-precision three-dimensional point cloud data of historical buildings. Second, based on the processed point cloud, a 2D map of historical buildings is accurately drawn using point cloud slicing. Finally, three-dimensional reconstruction of historical buildings is realized using a 2D atlas of historical buildings and modern modeling technology. The accuracy of the three-dimensional reconstruction model was analyzed using a fitting algorithm and structural geometric relationship to verify the effectiveness and accuracy of the method. An old house in Mindong, Republic of China, was taken as the research object. Experimental analysis revealed that (1) a wearable mobile scanning system is suitable for high-quality point cloud data acquisition of buildings with complex geometric features, solving the problems of low efficiency and poor coverage of traditional surveying and mapping results; and (2) the method realizes 2D results rendering and 3D reconstruction of historical buildings based on the wearable mobile scanning system data with good accuracy, providing a reference for the protection and repair of historical buildings and health assessment.
Comparative Study on the Seismic Vulnerability of Continuous Bridges with Steel–Concrete Composite Girder and Reinforced Concrete Girder
Authors: Xu Baishun , Sun Chuanzhi , Song Shuai , Zhang Xuening , Zhao Bin , Zhang Wenhao
Published: June 2024

For medium- and small-span bridges, the weight of the superstructure in steel–concrete composite girder bridges is lighter than that of a reinforced concrete girder bridge. However, it is still uncertain whether steel–concrete composite girder bridges exhibit superior seismic performance compared to reinforced concrete girder bridges. This study quantitatively compared the seismic performance of the two types of bridges. Using the theory of probabilistic seismic demand analysis, the seismic vulnerability curves of bridges were derived. To conduct seismic demand analysis for probabilistic analysis on the OpenSEES platform, bridge samples were generated using the Latin hypercube stratified sampling method, which considers the uncertainties associated with the two types of bridges. The vulnerability curves of the piers, bearings, abutments, and the system of the two bridges were established using probabilistic analysis of the time history analyses. The results showed that the seismic vulnerabilities of components and the overall system of the steel–concrete composite girder bridge were both lower than those of the reinforced concrete girder bridge. When the peak ground acceleration (PGA) of the ground motion was 0.3 g, the moderate and serious damage probabilities of the piers in the steel–concrete composite bridge were only 54.61% and 60.89%, respectively, of those of the reinforced concrete bridge. Consequently, replacing the upper reinforced concrete girders with steel–concrete composite girders can significantly improve the seismic performance of a large number of existing bridges.
Long-Term Behavior of Timber–Concrete Composite Structures: A Literature Review on Experimental and Numerical Investigations
Authors: Shi Benkai , Zhou Xuesong , Tao Haotian , Yang Huifeng , Wen Bo
Published: June 2024

Timber–concrete composite structure is a type of efficient combination form composed of concrete floors and timber beams or floors through shear connectors, and shows good application potential in the floor system of timber buildings. The long-term performance of the timber–concrete composite structures is complex and is affected by the creep of timber and concrete, as well as the long-term slip of the shear connectors. This article presents a comprehensive overview of the research status on the long-term behavior of timber–concrete composite members and different shear connectors. For the shear connectors, the effects of loading levels, environments, and component materials on their creep coefficients are summarized. As to the timber–concrete composite members, both the experimental and numerical investigations are gathered into discussions: the connection types, component materials, loading conditions, and durations in the long-term tests are also discussed; various models for describing long-term behavior of timber, concrete, and connection systems are provided, and then a comprehensive description of the progress of numerical investigations over the last decades is made. In addition, the suggestions for future research are proposed to reach a clearer understanding of the bending mechanisms and mechanical characteristics of timber–concrete composite structures.
Study on the Impact of Deep Foundation Excavation of Reclaimed Land on the Deformation of Adjacent Subway Tunnels
Authors: Ma Fenghai , Li Senlin , Wang Qiongyi
Published: June 2024

The objective of this research is to investigate the characteristics of the deformation response in adjacent subway tunnels caused by deep foundation excavation of reclaimed land. Focusing on a deep foundation excavation project situated in proximity to Line 11 of the subway in Shenzhen, this study employs theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, and on-site measurements to thoroughly investigate the deformation issues induced by the unloading of the excavation. The research results are as follows: using the energy method to calculate the uneven deformation of adjacent subway tunnels caused by the excavation can overcome the limitations of traditional algorithms, which treat the subway tunnel as a uniformly elastic foundation beam, resulting in more reasonable calculation results. Increasing the self-stiffness (EI)eq of the tunnel can effectively reduce the maximum displacement (wmax) of the tunnel, and as (EI)eq increases, its “weakening effect” on wmax gradually diminishes. Underground continuous walls can effectively control tunnel deformation, with tunnel displacement decreasing as the thickness and concrete strength of the continuous walls increase. “Long excavation” deep foundation excavations can impact the displacement and uplift range of the tunnel, with the maximum tunnel displacement showing a nonlinear decrease with increasing excavation depth. Tunnel displacement decreases as geotechnical parameters (elastic modulus E, internal friction angle φ, and cohesion C) increase, with the elastic modulus being the most sensitive parameter. The research findings can be applied to tunnel construction, maintenance, and safety evaluations, providing valuable references for similar engineering projects in the future.
Efficacy of the Sausage Technique in Rebuilding the Crestal Buccal Bone Thickness: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Pieroni Stefano , Miceli Benedetta , Giboli Luca , Romano Leonardo , Azzi Lorenzo , Farronato Davide
Published: June 2024

The goal was to evaluate the efficacy of the sausage technique in reconstructing the crestal buccal bone thickness, focusing on the distribution shape of the regenerated volume. Ten implants were placed in five patients with Cawood–Howell class IV defects. A cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was executed at T0 (before surgery). Guided bone regeneration (GBR) with the sausage technique utilized a resorbable collagen membrane, made of a 50% autologous bone and a 50% anorganic bovine bone matrix (ABBM) mixture. After 6 months, a CBCT (T1) was performed before implant placement. Using CBCT software, a plane parallel to the implant axis intersected perpendicular planes every 1.5 mm from the crest level. T0 and T1 CBCT sections were analyzed, yielding 140 measurements. Statistical analysis via SPSS revealed a significant increase in thickness (average 2.82 ± 1.79 mm). Maximum gains occurred at 4.5 mm from the coronal crest line (3.8 ± 1.51 mm). The GBR sausage technique was effective with minimal post-operative complications, yielding the biggest gain at the mid-ridge sagittal area. Within the analysis limitations, it can be assumed that the sausage technique is effective for horizontal GBR in the maxilla, but a lesser volume might be achieved at the crestal level because it seems to follow a bowed regeneration shape.
Characterizing Complex Spatiotemporal Patterns from Entropy Measures
Authors: Barauna Luan Orion , Sautter Rubens Andreas , Rosa Reinaldo Roberto , Rempel Erico Luiz , Frery Alejandro C.
Published: June 2024

In addition to their importance in statistical thermodynamics, probabilistic entropy measurements are crucial for understanding and analyzing complex systems, with diverse applications in time series and one-dimensional profiles. However, extending these methods to two- and three-dimensional data still requires further development. In this study, we present a new method for classifying spatiotemporal processes based on entropy measurements. To test and validate the method, we selected five classes of similar processes related to the evolution of random patterns: (i) white noise; (ii) red noise; (iii) weak turbulence from reaction to diffusion; (iv) hydrodynamic fully developed turbulence; and (v) plasma turbulence from MHD. Considering seven possible ways to measure entropy from a matrix, we present the method as a parameter space composed of the two best separating measures of the five selected classes. The results highlight better combined performance of Shannon permutation entropy (SHp) and a new approach based on Tsallis Spectral Permutation Entropy (Sqs). Notably, our observations reveal the segregation of reaction terms in this SHp×Sqs space, a result that identifies specific sectors for each class of dynamic process, and it can be used to train machine learning models for the automatic classification of complex spatiotemporal patterns.
The Possible Impact of Department Teaching Culture on Teaching Styles of New Teachers: A Case Study of a Swedish University Department Focused on Engineering Education
Authors: Mohammadi Younes , Vinnervik Peter , Khodadad Davood
Published: June 2024

Understanding the influence of teaching culture (tradition) within academic departments is crucial for new teachers navigating the complex landscape of higher education. This paper investigates the possible impact of the department’s teaching culture on the pedagogical approaches of new teachers, forming their teaching style, concentrating on insights gathered from interviews with experienced colleagues in a Swedish university department with a focus on engineering education. By exploring the department’s teaching traditions and identifying potential challenges faced by new teachers, this study offers valuable insights into enhancing teaching styles and fostering student engagement. Drawing upon both experiential knowledge and insights from pedagogic literature and courses, the authors provide practical strategies to overcome obstacles and promote operative teaching practices. Ultimately, the outcomes of this study aim to empower new teachers to create enriching learning environments that promote student motivation, engagement, and overall academic success, aligning with the findings of existing literature on pedagogy and student learning outcomes.
Optimization Design of PSS and SVC Coordination Controller Based on the Neighborhood Rough Set and Improved Whale Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Wang Xihuai , Zhou Ying
Published: June 2024

Aimed at reducing the redundancy of parameters for the power system stabilizer (PSS) and static var compensator (SVC), this paper proposes a method for coordinated control and optimization based on the neighborhood rough set and improved whale optimization algorithm (NRS-IWOA). The neighborhood rough set (NRS) is first utilized to simplify the redundant parameters of the controller to improve efficiency. Then, the methods of the Sobol sequence initialization population, nonlinear convergence factor, adaptive weight strategy, and random differential mutation strategy are introduced to improve the traditional whale optimization algorithm (WOA) algorithm. Finally, the improved whale optimization algorithm (IWOA) is utilized to optimize the remaining controller parameters. The simulation results show that the optimization parameters were reduced from 12 and 18 to 3 and 4 in the single-machine infinity bus system and dual-machine power system, and the optimization time was reduced by 74.5% and 42.8%, respectively. In addition, the proposed NRS-IWOA method exhibits more significant advantages in optimizing parameters and improving stability than other algorithms.
Destination Restaurants’ Practices and the Production of Locality: The Case of Michelin Restaurants in China
Authors: Huang Yuying , Hall C. Michael , Chen Ning (Chris)
Published: June 2024

Dining plays a pivotal role in the travel experience, with numerous studies identifying the significant impacts of restaurant attributes on tourists’ destination experiences and their sense of place. The identified attributes include the origin of food produce, menu design, the physical and social servicescape, and restaurant reputation, all of which have the potential to enhance customers’ sense of place. Therefore, based on theories of the production of locality, this study explores how destination restaurants “put place on the plate” and identifies how destination restaurants promote place. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the representatives of seventeen Michelin (one star, two stars, three stars, and Bib Gourmand)-awarded restaurants across Mainland China. The results reveal three primary strategies employed by destination restaurants in promoting place: forging partnerships with the local community to produce, present, and reproduce localities; leveraging local knowledge embedded in the local produce, recipes, cooking techniques, and local culture; and practicing translocality to introduce a regional cuisine to diverse and cosmopolitan consumers. This research provides a comprehensive understanding of the way in which notions of locality and place are used by destination restaurants and the way in which this may promote not only restaurants but also regional culinary cultures and destination attractiveness.
The Safety Climate and Patient Safety Activities in Mental Health Nurses: The Mediating Effect of Safety Control
Authors: No Jiyeong , Lee Kyoungsook
Published: June 2024

This study aimed to investigate the mediating effect of safety control on the relationship between safety climate and patient safety management activities for mental health nurses. A survey was conducted on 177 nurses working at mental hospitals in G-do from 28 July 2023 to 15 August 2023. Data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 27.0 and Sobel test. Significant relationships were found between safety climate and safety control (r = 0.40, p < 0.001), safety climate and patient safety management activities(r = 0.40, p < 0.001), and safety control and patient safety management activities (r = 0.43, p < 0.001). Additionally, safety control partially mediated the safety climate and the patient safety management activities (Z = 3.63, p < 0.001). Therefore, programs that increase safety control and create a safety climate need to be developed to promote patient safety activities of mental health nurses.
Oral Biofilms: Development, Control, and Analysis
Authors: Berger Daniela , Rakhamimova Aviva , Pollack Andrew , Loewy Zvi
Published: June 2024

The oral cavity harbors hundreds of microbial species that are present either as planktonic cells or incorporated into biofilms. The majority of the oral microbes are commensal organisms. Those that are pathogenic microbes can result in oral infections, and at times can initiate systemic diseases. Biofilms that contain pathogens are challenging to control. Many conventional antimicrobials have proven to be ineffective. Recent advances in science and technology are providing new approaches for pathogen control and containment and methods to characterize biofilms. This perspective provides (1) a general understanding of biofilm development; (2) a description of emerging chemical and biological methods to control oral biofilms; and (3) an overview of high-throughput analytical approaches to analyze biofilms.
The Influence of Kindergarten Environment on the Development of Preschool Children’s Physical Fitness
Authors: Haav Alice , Oja Leila , Piksööt Jaanika
Published: June 2024

The aim of this research is to find out to what extent the special qualifications of physical education teachers and the physical environment of kindergartens influence the physical development of preschoolers. Forty-four kindergartens across Estonia participated in the study, half of which had a physical education teacher (PEt), whereas the remaining 22 kindergartens were taught by non-qualified kindergarten teachers (NoPEt). Six Eurofit fitness tests were used to assess the physical development of children (n = 704; aged 6–7 years old, with an average age of 6.55 ± 0.5 years). An analysis of variance was used to compare the mean values of the fitness test results of the two groups. Linear regression analysis was applied to clarify the influence of individual and environmental factors on children’s fitness scores. In kindergartens where the position of a PEt had been created, the results of children’s physical fitness were statistically significantly better, more specifically in handgrip strength (m = 12.0, 95% CI = 11.8–12.3 vs. m = 11.5, 95% CI = 11.2–11.7) and in speed tests (m = 23.0, 95% CI = 22.8–23.2 vs. m = 23.6, 95% CI = 23.3–23.8). According to the teacher interviews, these kindergartens also had more rooms and areas specially created for physical exercises. The study revealed that the physical development of children is, when controlling for other individual and environmental factors, influenced by the professional qualification of the PE teacher (95% CI = 0.06–0.56) as well as children’s participation in sports training (95% CI = 0.29–0.83). These findings are important for preschool institutions and municipalities in designing the optimal physical environment for facilitating children’s physical fitness.
Immunohistochemical Expression of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 and Ki67 in Apocrine Gland Anal Sac Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Paiva Felipe , Santos Júlio , Carra Gabriel , Sueiro Felipe , Jark Paulo , Nardi Andrigo
Published: June 2024

Apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma is an aggressive neoplasm, and surgery remains the treatment of choice, although it is controversial in advanced cases. The prognostic factors are not well established. Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) is a membrane protein related to tumorigenesis, whereas Ki67 is a nuclear protein related to cell proliferation. Both are potential prognostic markers and therapeutic targets. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of HER2 and Ki67 markers in canine apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma. The tumor samples were divided into four groups: largest tumor diameter less than 2.5 cm, largest tumor diameter greater than 2.5 cm, metastatic lymph nodes, and control group of non-neoplastic anal sacs. Each contained 10 samples. Immunohistochemistry was performed to verify the expression of HER2 and Ki67 markers. Positive HER2 staining was observed in 45% of the neoplastic cases and negative HER2 staining in 100% of the control group. The Ki67 expression had a median of 25% in all groups, except for the control group, which had a median of 8%. The HER2 and Ki67 expression was present in apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma, making them potential therapeutic targets. However, it was not possible to determine the clinical value of either marker.
Combined Strategies for Improving Aflatoxin B1 Degradation Ability and Yield of a Bacillus licheniformis CotA-Laccase
Authors: Liu Yanrong , Liu Limeng , Huang Zhenqian , Guo Yongpeng , Tang Yu , Wang Yanan , Ma Qiugang , Zhao Lihong
Published: June 2024

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination is a serious threat to nutritional safety and public health. The CotA-laccase from Bacillus licheniformis ANSB821 previously reported by our laboratory showed great potential to degrade AFB1 without redox mediators. However, the use of this CotA-laccase to remove AFB1 in animal feed is limited because of its low catalytic efficiency and low expression level. In order to make better use of this excellent enzyme to effectively degrade AFB1, twelve mutants of CotA-laccase were constructed by site-directed mutagenesis. Among these mutants, E186A and E186R showed the best degradation ability of AFB1, with degradation ratios of 82.2% and 91.8% within 12 h, which were 1.6- and 1.8-times higher than those of the wild-type CotA-laccase, respectively. The catalytic efficiencies (kcat/Km) of E186A and E186R were found to be 1.8- and 3.2-times higher, respectively, than those of the wild-type CotA-laccase. Then the expression vectors pPICZαA-N-E186A and pPICZαA-N-E186R with an optimized signal peptide were constructed and transformed into Pichia pastoris GS115. The optimized signal peptide improved the secretory expressions of E186A and E186R in P. pastoris GS115. Collectively, the current study provided ideal candidate CotA-laccase mutants for AFB1 detoxification in food and animal feed and a feasible protocol, which was desperately needed for the industrial production of CotA-laccases.
Spermidine Synthase Localization in Retinal Layers: Early Age Changes
Authors: Zayas-Santiago Astrid , Malpica-Nieves Christian J. , Ríos David S. , Díaz-García Amanda , Vázquez Paola N. , Santiago José M. , Rivera-Aponte David E. , Veh Rüdiger W. , Méndez-González Miguel , Eaton Misty , Skatchkov Serguei N.
Published: June 2024

Polyamine (PA) spermidine (SPD) plays a crucial role in aging. Since SPD accumulates in glial cells, particularly in Müller retinal cells (MCs), the expression of the SPD-synthesizing enzyme spermidine synthase (SpdS) in Müller glia and age-dependent SpdS activity are not known. We used immunocytochemistry, Western blot (WB), and image analysis on rat retinae at postnatal days 3, 21, and 120. The anti-glutamine synthetase (GS) antibody was used to identify glial cells. In the neonatal retina (postnatal day 3 (P3)), SpdS was expressed in almost all progenitor cells in the neuroblast. However, by day 21 (P21), the SpdS label was pronouncedly expressed in multiple neurons, while GS labels were observed only in radial Müller glial cells. During early cell adulthood, at postnatal day 120 (P120), SpdS was observed solely in ganglion cells and a few other neurons. Western blot and semi-quantitative analyses of SpdS labeling showed a dramatic decrease in SpdS at P21 and P120 compared to P3. In conclusion, the redistribution of SpdS with aging indicates that SPD is first synthesized in all progenitor cells and then later in neurons, but not in glia. However, MCs take up and accumulate SPD, regardless of the age-associated decrease in SPD synthesis in neurons.
REDD1 Deletion Suppresses NF-κB Signaling in Cardiomyocytes and Prevents Deficits in Cardiac Function in Diabetic Mice
Authors: Stevens Shaunaci A. , Sunilkumar Siddharth , Subrahmanian Sandeep M. , Toro Allyson L. , Cavus Omer , Omorogbe Efosa V. , Bradley Elisa A. , Dennis Michael D.
Published: June 2024

Activation of the transcription factor NF-κB in cardiomyocytes has been implicated in the development of cardiac function deficits caused by diabetes. NF-κB controls the expression of an array of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. We recently discovered that the stress response protein regulated in development and DNA damage response 1 (REDD1) was required for increased pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in the hearts of diabetic mice. The studies herein were designed to extend the prior report by investigating the role of REDD1 in NF-κB signaling in cardiomyocytes. REDD1 genetic deletion suppressed NF-κB signaling and nuclear localization of the transcription factor in human AC16 cardiomyocyte cultures exposed to TNFα or hyperglycemic conditions. A similar suppressive effect on NF-κB activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression was also seen in cardiomyocytes by knocking down the expression of GSK3β. NF-κB activity was restored in REDD1-deficient cardiomyocytes exposed to hyperglycemic conditions by expression of a constitutively active GSK3β variant. In the hearts of diabetic mice, REDD1 was required for reduced inhibitory phosphorylation of GSK3β at S9 and upregulation of IL-1β and CCL2. Diabetic REDD1+/+ mice developed systolic functional deficits evidenced by reduced ejection fraction. By contrast, REDD1−/− mice did not exhibit a diabetes-induced deficit in ejection fraction and left ventricular chamber dilatation was reduced in diabetic REDD1−/− mice, as compared to diabetic REDD1+/+ mice. Overall, the results support a role for REDD1 in promoting GSK3β-dependent NF-κB signaling in cardiomyocytes and in the development of cardiac function deficits in diabetic mice.
Pathogenesis-Related 1 (PR1) Protein Family Genes Involved in Sugarcane Responses to Ustilago scitaminea Stress
Authors: Javed Talha , Wang Wenzhi , Sun Tingting , Shen Linbo , Feng Xiaoyan , Huang Jiayan , Zhang Shuzhen
Published: June 2024

Plant resistance against biotic stressors is significantly influenced by pathogenesis-related 1 (PR1) proteins. This study examines the systematic identification and characterization of PR1 family genes in sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum Np-X) and the transcript expression of selected genes in two sugarcane cultivars (ROC22 and Zhongtang3) in response to Ustilago scitaminea pathogen infection. A total of 18 SsnpPR1 genes were identified at the whole-genome level and further categorized into four groups. Notably, tandem and segmental duplication occurrences were detected in one and five SsnpPR1 gene pairs, respectively. The SsnpPR1 genes exhibited diverse physio-chemical attributes and variations in introns/exons and conserved motifs. Notably, four SsnpPR1 (SsnpPR1.02/05/09/19) proteins displayed a strong protein–protein interaction network. The transcript expression of three SsnpPR1 (SsnpPR1.04/06/09) genes was upregulated by 1.2–2.6 folds in the resistant cultivar (Zhongtang3) but downregulated in the susceptible cultivar (ROC22) across different time points as compared to the control in response to pathogen infection. Additionally, SsnpPR1.11 was specifically upregulated by 1.2–3.5 folds at 24–72 h post inoculation (hpi) in ROC22, suggesting that this gene may play an important negative regulatory role in defense responses to pathogen infection. The genetic improvement of sugarcane can be facilitated by our results, which also establish the basis for additional functional characterization of SsnpPR1 genes in response to pathogenic stress.
Dynamic Changes in Ion Channels during Myocardial Infarction and Therapeutic Challenges
Authors: Song Tongtong , Hui Wenting , Huang Min , Guo Yan , Yu Meiyi , Yang Xiaoyu , Liu Yanqing , Chen Xia
Published: June 2024

In different areas of the heart, action potential waveforms differ due to differences in the expressions of sodium, calcium, and potassium channels. One of the characteristics of myocardial infarction (MI) is an imbalance in oxygen supply and demand, leading to ion imbalance. After MI, the regulation and expression levels of K+, Ca2+, and Na+ ion channels in cardiomyocytes are altered, which affects the regularity of cardiac rhythm and leads to myocardial injury. Myocardial fibroblasts are the main effector cells in the process of MI repair. The ion channels of myocardial fibroblasts play an important role in the process of MI. At the same time, a large number of ion channels are expressed in immune cells, which play an important role by regulating the in- and outflow of ions to complete intracellular signal transduction. Ion channels are widely distributed in a variety of cells and are attractive targets for drug development. This article reviews the changes in different ion channels after MI and the therapeutic drugs for these channels. We analyze the complex molecular mechanisms behind myocardial ion channel regulation and the challenges in ion channel drug therapy.
Investigating the Free Volumes as Nanospaces in Human Stratum Corneum Lipid Bilayers Using Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (PALS)
Authors: Mojsiewicz-Pieńkowska Krystyna , Bazar Dagmara , Filipecki Jacek , Chamerski Kordian
Published: June 2024

This work is the first one that provides not only evidence for the existence of free volumes in the human stratum corneum but also focuses on comparing these experimental data, obtained through the unique positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) method, with theoretical values published in earlier works. The mean free volume of 0.269 nm was slightly lower than the theoretical value of 0.4 nm. The lifetime τ3 (1.83 ns with a coefficient of variation CV of 3.21%) is dependent on the size of open sites in the skin. This information was used to calculate the free volume radius R (0.269 nm with CV 2.14%), free volume size Vf (0.081 nm3 with CV 4.69%), and the intensity I3 (9.01% with CV 10.94%) to estimate the relative fractional free volume fv (1.32 a.u. with CV 13.68%) in human skin ex vivo. The relation between the lifetime of o-Ps (τ3) and the radius of free volume (R) was formulated using the Tao–Eldrup model, which assumes spherical voids and applies to sites with radii smaller than 1 nm. The results indicate that PALS is a powerful tool for confirming the existence of free volumes and determining their size. The studies also focused on describing the probable locations of these nanospaces in SC lipid bilayers. According to the theory, these play an essential role in dynamic processes in biological systems, including the diffusion of low-molecular-weight hydrophobic and moderately hydrophilic molecules. The mechanism of their formation has been determined by the molecular dynamics of the lipid chains.
Four-DOF Maneuvering Motion of a Container Ship in Shallow Water Based on CFD Approach
Authors: Nguyen Tien Thua , Phan Thanh Long , Le Tat-Hien , Mai Thi Loan , Yoon Hyeon Kyu
Published: June 2024

With the continuous increase in ship size combined with the generally slower increase in the sizes of waterways, the need for the prediction of ship maneuvering in shallow waterways continues to attract attention from the international scientific community. Ship behavior in shallow water is relevant in seabed effects that result in changing the hydrodynamic forces acting on a ship. In this study, the maneuvering characteristics of a container ship with four degrees of freedom in shallow water are analyzed. The Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes approach in Ansys Fluent code is used to produce the maneuvering coefficients through the simulations of forward running, static drift, static heel, circular motion, the combined motions, and the pure roll motion of the KRISO container ship. The maneuvering characteristics of the ship are estimated for evaluating the ship behaviors in shallow-water conditions. The obtained results show that the roll has a significant decrease and the ship’s turning diameter has a significant increase when the ship operates in a shallow waterway. The predicted maneuvering characteristics of the ship are in good agreement with those of free-running model tests, indicating that the numerical simulation based on the Computational Fluid Dynamics method has good capability to predict the maneuvering derivatives and the four-DOF ship maneuvering motion in shallow water as well.
Errors of Tropical Cyclone-Induced Ocean Waves in Reanalysis Using Buoy Data
Authors: Zhang Yalan , Zhong Wei , Feng Zhihao , Wang Ruilin , Sun Yuan , Bai Zongbao
Published: June 2024

Due to limited in-situ ocean observations, reanalysis data are often considered as an important source for studying tropical cyclone (TC)-induced ocean waves. Here, we introduced a method to quantitatively evaluate the errors of TC-induced ocean waves in reanalysis datasets. The TC data are from the IBTrACS dataset. We compared TC-induced ocean waves in two reanalysis datasets (i.e., ERA5 and WAVERYS) with those in buoy data when TCs are near the buoy stations. We showed that the errors of TC-induced ocean waves in WAVERYS and ERA5 are similar, because the surface winds in these two datasets are the same. We noticed that the errors in the North Pacific are remarkably smaller than those in the North Atlantic due to more realistic probability density of TC-induced ocean waves in the North Pacific compared with those in the North Atlantic. Moreover, the errors are strongly related to significant wave height (SWH) and the distance from TC center. The larger the SWH and the shorter the distance, the larger the error. Furthermore, the errors in TC-induced ocean waves decreased significantly over the past decades.
Bioprocess of Gibberellic Acid by Fusarium fujikuroi: The Challenge of Regulation, Raw Materials, and Product Yields
Authors: Hernández Rodríguez Aranza , Díaz Pacheco Adrián , Martínez Tolibia Shirlley Elizabeth , Melendez Xicohtencatl Yazmin , Granados Balbuena Sulem Yali , López y López Víctor Eric
Published: June 2024

Gibberellic acid (GA3) is a tetracyclic diterpenoid carboxylic acid synthesized by the secondary metabolism of Fusarium fujikuroi. This phytohormone is widely studied due to the advantages it offers as a plant growth regulator, such as growth stimulation, senescence delay, flowering induction, increased fruit size, and defense against abiotic or biotic stress, which improve the quality and yield of crops. Therefore, GA3 has been considered as an innovative strategy to improve agricultural production. However, the yields obtained at large scale are insufficient for the current market demand. This low productivity is attributed to the lack of adequate parameters to optimize the fermentation process, as well as the complexity of its regulation. Therefore, this article describes the latest advances for potentializing the GA3 production process, including an analysis of its origins from crops, the benefits of its application, the related biosynthetic metabolism, the maximum yields achieved from production processes, and their association with genetic engineering techniques for GA3 producers. This work provides a new perspective on the critical points of the production process, in order to overcome the limits surrounding this modern line of bioengineering.
Effect of Inconel 718 Filler on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Inconel 690 Joint by Ultrasonic Frequency Pulse Assisted TIG Welding
Authors: Han Ke , Hu Xin , Zhang Xinyue , Chen Hao , Liu Jinping , Zhang Xiaodong , Chen Peng , Li Hongliang , Lei Yucheng , Xi Jinhui
Published: June 2024

Ultrasonic frequency pulse assisted TIG welding (UFP-TIG) experiments were conducted to join Inconel 690 alloy (IN690) by adding Inconel 718 alloy (IN718) as the filler. The effect of the filler on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and ductility dip cracking (DDC) susceptibility of IN690 joints were investigated. The results show that a variety of precipitates, including MC-type carbide and Laves phases, are formed in the weld zone (WZ), which are uniformly dispersed in the interdendritic region and grain boundaries (GBs). The increase in the thickness of the IN718 filler facilitates the precipitation and growth of Laves phases and MC carbides. However, the formation of Laves phases in the WZ exhibits a lower bonding force with the matrix and deteriorates the tensile strength of IN690 joints. Due to the moderate content of Laves phases in the WZ, the IN690 joint with 1.0 mm filler reaches the maximum tensile strength (627 MPa), which is about 96.5% of that of the base metal (BM). The joint with 1.0 mm filler also achieves the highest elongation (35.4%). In addition, the strain-to-fracture tests indicate that the total length of cracks in the joint with the IN718 filler decreases by 66.49% under a 3.8% strain. As a result, the addition of the IN718 filler significantly improves the mechanical properties and DDC resistance of IN690 joints.
The Recent Applications of Magnetic Nanoparticles in Biomedical Fields
Authors: Hong Jiaqi , Wang Linhao , Zheng Qikai , Cai Changyu , Yang Xiaohua , Liao Zhenlin
Published: June 2024

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have found extensive application in the biomedical domain due to their enhanced biocompatibility, minimal toxicity, and strong magnetic responsiveness. MNPs exhibit great potential as nanomaterials in various biomedical applications, including disease detection and cancer therapy. Typically, MNPs consist of a magnetic core surrounded by surface modification coatings, such as inorganic materials, organic molecules, and polymers, forming a nucleoshell structure that mitigates nanoparticle agglomeration and enhances targeting capabilities. Consequently, MNPs exhibit magnetic responsiveness in vivo for transportation and therapeutic effects, such as enhancing medical imaging resolution and localized heating at the site of injury. MNPs are utilized for specimen purification through targeted binding and magnetic separation in vitro, thereby optimizing efficiency and expediting the process. This review delves into the distinctive functional characteristics of MNPs as well as the diverse bioactive molecules employed in their surface coatings and their corresponding functionalities. Additionally, the advancement of MNPs in various applications is outlined. Additionally, we discuss the advancements of magnetic nanoparticles in medical imaging, disease treatment, and in vitro assays, and we anticipate the future development prospects and obstacles in this field. The objective is to furnish readers with a thorough comprehension of the recent practical utilization of MNPs in biomedical disciplines.
Approximations of the Euler–Maruyama Method of Stochastic Differential Equations with Regime Switching
Authors: Zhen Yuhang
Published: June 2024

This work focuses on a class of regime-switching diffusion processes with both continuous components and discrete components. Under suitable conditions, we adopt the Euler–Maruyama method to deal with the convergence of numerical solutions of the corresponding stochastic differential equations. More precisely, we first show the convergence rates in the Lp-norm of the stochastic differential equations with regime switching under Lipschitz conditions. Then, we also discuss L1 and L2 convergence under non-Lipschitz conditions.
Geary’s c for Multivariate Spatial Data
Authors: Yamada Hiroshi
Published: June 2024

Geary’s c is a prominent measure of spatial autocorrelation in univariate spatial data. It uses a weighted sum of squared differences. This paper develops Geary’s c for multivariate spatial data. It can describe the similarity/discrepancy between vectors of observations at different vertices/spatial units by a weighted sum of the squared Euclidean norm of the vector differences. It is thus a natural extension of the univariate Geary’s c. This paper also develops a local version of it. We then establish their properties.
Group Decision-Making Method with Incomplete Intuitionistic Fuzzy Soft Information for Medical Diagnosis Model
Authors: Chen Huiping , Liu Yan
Published: June 2024

The medical diagnosis of many critical diseases is difficult as it usually requires the combined effort of several doctors. At this time, the process of medical diagnosis is actually a group decision-making (GDM) problem. In group medical diagnosis, considering doctors’ weight information and fusing the interaction relation of symptoms remain open issues. To address this problem, a group decision-making method for intuitionistic fuzzy soft environments is proposed for medical diagnosis because the intuitionistic fuzzy soft set (IFSS) integrates the advantages of the soft set and intuitionistic fuzzy set (IFS). Intuitionistic fuzzy soft weighted Muirhead mean operators are constructed by combining Einstein operations with the Muirhead mean (MM) operator, and some properties and results are revealed. A group medical diagnosis model with unknown doctor weight information and incomplete intuitionistic fuzzy soft information is proposed. Similarity measures of the intuitionistic fuzzy soft matrix (IFSM) given by the doctors are used to estimate the incomplete information. To take into account the advantages of objective weight and subjective weight, the combined weights of doctors are calculated based on the IFSMs’ similarity measure and doctors’ grades. The developed operators are then used to combine the evaluation information and handle the correlation of input arguments in the group medical diagnosis process. Finally, a numerical problem is selected to illustrate the superiority of the proposed approach compared to related methods. The combined weights are determined to overcome the shortcomings of the single-weight method to some extent. Meanwhile, the proposed method is more comprehensive, and can provide more flexible and reasonable choices for group medical diagnosis problems.