bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RNA-Seq Bulked Segregant Analysis of an Exotic B. napus ssp. napobrassica (Rutabaga) F2 Population Reveals Novel QTLs for Breeding Clubroot-Resistant Canola
Authors: Yu Zhiyu , Fredua-Agyeman Rudolph , Strelkov Stephen E. , Hwang Sheau-Fang
Published: April 2024

In this study, a rutabaga (Brassica napus ssp. napobrassica) donor parent FGRA106, which exhibited broad-spectrum resistance to 17 isolates representing 16 pathotypes of Plasmodiophora brassicae, was used in genetic crosses with the susceptible spring-type canola (B. napus ssp. napus) accession FG769. The F2 plants derived from a clubroot-resistant F1 plant were screened against three P. brassicae isolates representing pathotypes 3A, 3D, and 3H. Chi-square (χ2) goodness-of-fit tests indicated that the F2 plants inherited two major clubroot resistance genes from the CR donor FGRA106. The total RNA from plants resistant (R) and susceptible (S) to each pathotype were pooled and subjected to bulked segregant RNA-sequencing (BSR-Seq). The analysis of gene expression profiles identified 431, 67, and 98 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the R and S bulks. The variant calling method indicated a total of 12 (7 major + 5 minor) QTLs across seven chromosomes. The seven major QTLs included: BnaA5P3A.CRX1.1, BnaC1P3H.CRX1.2, and BnaC7P3A.CRX1.1 on chromosomes A05, C01, and C07, respectively; and BnaA8P3D.CRX1.1, BnaA8P3D.RCr91.2/BnaA8P3H.RCr91.2, BnaA8P3H.Crr11.3/BnaA8P3D.Crr11.3, and BnaA8P3D.qBrCR381.4 on chromosome A08. A total of 16 of the DEGs were located in the major QTL regions, 13 of which were on chromosome C07. The molecular data suggested that clubroot resistance in FGRA106 may be controlled by major and minor genes on both the A and C genomes, which are deployed in different combinations to confer resistance to the different isolates. This study provides valuable germplasm for the breeding of clubroot-resistant B. napus cultivars in Western Canada.
Microcephaly Gene Mcph1 Deficiency Induces p19ARF-Dependent Cell Cycle Arrest and Senescence
Authors: Jiang Yi-Nan , Gao Yizhen , Lai Xianxin , Li Xinjie , Liu Gen , Ding Mingmei , Wang Zhiyi , Guo Zixiang , Qin Yinying , Li Xin , Sun Litao , Wang Zhao-Qi , Zhou Zhong-Wei
Published: April 2024

MCPH1 has been identified as the causal gene for primary microcephaly type 1, a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by reduced brain size and delayed growth. As a multifunction protein, MCPH1 has been reported to repress the expression of TERT and interact with transcriptional regulator E2F1. However, it remains unclear whether MCPH1 regulates brain development through its transcriptional regulation function. This study showed that the knockout of Mcph1 in mice leads to delayed growth as early as the embryo stage E11.5. Transcriptome analysis (RNA-seq) revealed that the deletion of Mcph1 resulted in changes in the expression levels of a limited number of genes. Although the expression of some of E2F1 targets, such as Satb2 and Cdkn1c, was affected, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were not significantly enriched as E2F1 target genes. Further investigations showed that primary and immortalized Mcph1 knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) exhibited cell cycle arrest and cellular senescence phenotype. Interestingly, the upregulation of p19ARF was detected in Mcph1 knockout MEFs, and silencing p19Arf restored the cell cycle and growth arrest to wild-type levels. Our findings suggested it is unlikely that MCPH1 regulates neurodevelopment through E2F1-mediated transcriptional regulation, and p19ARF-dependent cell cycle arrest and cellular senescence may contribute to the developmental abnormalities observed in primary microcephaly.
Genetic Landscape and Clinical Features of Hyperphenylalaninemia in North Ossetia-Alania: High Frequency of P281L and P211T Genetic Variants in the PAH Gene
Authors: Tebieva Inna S. , Mishakova Polina V. , Gabisova Yulia V. , Khokhova Alana V. , Kaloeva Tamara G. , Marakhonov Andrey V. , Shchagina Olga A. , Polyakov Alexander V. , Ginter Evgeny K. , Kutsev Sergey I. , Zinchenko Rena A.
Published: April 2024

This study, conducted in the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania (RNOA), aimed to explore the genetic landscape of hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) and phenylketonuria (PKU) in the Ossetian population using data from newborn screening (NBS). Through comprehensive molecular genetic analysis of 29 patients with HPA from diverse ethnic backgrounds, two major genetic variants in the PAH gene, P281L and P211T, were identified, constituting 50% of all detected pathogenic alleles in Ossetian patients. Remarkably, these variants exhibited an exceptionally high frequency in the Ossetian population, surpassing global prevalence rates. This study unveiled a notable prevalence of mild forms of HPA (78%), underscoring the importance of genetic counseling for carriers of pathogenic variants in the PAH gene. Moreover, the findings emphasized the necessity for ongoing monitoring of patients with mild forms, as they may lack significant symptoms for diagnosis, potentially impacting offspring. Overall, this research offers valuable insights into the genetic landscape of HPA and PKU in the Ossetian population.
The Impact of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor on Antenatal Chemical Exposure-Induced Cardiovascular–Kidney–Metabolic Programming
Authors: Tain You-Lin , Hsu Chien-Ning
Published: April 2024

Early life exposure lays the groundwork for the risk of developing cardiovascular–kidney–metabolic (CKM) syndrome in adulthood. Various environmental chemicals to which pregnant mothers are commonly exposed can disrupt fetal programming, leading to a wide range of CKM phenotypes. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) has a key role as a ligand-activated transcription factor in sensing these environmental chemicals. Activating AHR through exposure to environmental chemicals has been documented for its adverse impacts on cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, kidney disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, as evidenced by both epidemiological and animal studies. In this review, we compile current human evidence and findings from animal models that support the connection between antenatal chemical exposures and CKM programming, focusing particularly on AHR signaling. Additionally, we explore potential AHR modulators aimed at preventing CKM syndrome. As the pioneering review to present evidence advocating for the avoidance of toxic chemical exposure during pregnancy and deepening our understanding of AHR signaling, this has the potential to mitigate the global burden of CKM syndrome in the future.
Digenic Inheritance in Rare Disorders and Mitochondrial Disease—Crossing the Frontier to a More Comprehensive Understanding of Etiology
Authors: Neuhofer Christiane M. , Prokisch Holger
Published: April 2024

Our understanding of rare disease genetics has been shaped by a monogenic disease model. While the traditional monogenic disease model has been successful in identifying numerous disease-associated genes and significantly enlarged our knowledge in the field of human genetics, it has limitations in explaining phenomena like phenotypic variability and reduced penetrance. Widening the perspective beyond Mendelian inheritance has the potential to enable a better understanding of disease complexity in rare disorders. Digenic inheritance is the simplest instance of a non-Mendelian disorder, characterized by the functional interplay of variants in two disease-contributing genes. Known digenic disease causes show a range of pathomechanisms underlying digenic interplay, including direct and indirect gene product interactions as well as epigenetic modifications. This review aims to systematically explore the background of digenic inheritance in rare disorders, the approaches and challenges when investigating digenic inheritance, and the current evidence for digenic inheritance in mitochondrial disorders.
HLA-DR Expression in Natural Killer Cells Marks Distinct Functional States, Depending on Cell Differentiation Stage
Authors: Kust Sofya A. , Ustiuzhanina Maria O. , Streltsova Maria A. , Shelyakin Pavel V. , Kryukov Maxim A. , Lutsenko Gennady V. , Sudarikova Anna V. , Merzlyak Ekaterina M. , Britanova Olga V. , Sapozhnikov Alexandr M. , Kovalenko Elena I.
Published: April 2024

HLA-DR-positive NK cells, found in both healthy individuals and patients with different inflammatory diseases, are characterized as activated cells. However, data on their capacity for IFNγ production or cytotoxic response vary between studies. Thus, more precise investigation is needed of the mechanisms related to the induction of HLA-DR expression in NK cells, their associations with NK cell differentiation stage, and functional or metabolic state. In this work, HLA-DR-expressing NK cell subsets were investigated using transcriptomic analysis, metabolic activity assays, and analysis of intercellular signaling cascades. We demonstrated that HLA-DR+CD56bright NK cells were characterized by a proliferative phenotype, while HLA-DR+CD56dim NK cells exhibited features of adaptive cells and loss of inhibitory receptors with increased expression of MHC class II trans-activator CIITA. The activated state of HLA-DR-expressing NK cells was confirmed by higher levels of ATP and mitochondrial mass observed in this subset compared to HLA-DR− cells, both ex vivo and after stimulation in culture. We showed that HLA-DR expression in NK cells in vitro can be induced both through stimulation by exogenous IL-2 and IL-21, as well as through auto-stimulation by NK-cell-produced IFNγ. At the intracellular level, HLA-DR expression depended on the activation of STAT3- and ERK1/2-mediated pathways, with subsequent activation of isoform 3 of the transcription factor CIITA. The obtained results broaden the knowledge about HLA-DR-positive NK cell appearance, diversity, and functions, which might be useful in terms of understanding the role of this subset in innate immunity and assessing their possible implications in NK cell-based therapy.
Loss of SAV1 in Kidney Proximal Tubule Induces Maladaptive Repair after Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Moon Daeun , Padanilam Babu J. , Park Kwon Moo , Kim Jinu
Published: April 2024

Kidney ischemia and reperfusion injury (IRI) is a significant contributor to acute kidney injury (AKI), characterized by tubular injury and kidney dysfunction. Salvador family WW domain containing protein 1 (SAV1) is a key component of the Hippo pathway and plays a crucial role in the regulation of organ size and tissue regeneration. However, whether SAV1 plays a role in kidney IRI is not investigated. In this study, we investigated the role of SAV1 in kidney injury and regeneration following IRI. A proximal tubule-specific knockout of SAV1 in kidneys (SAV1ptKO) was generated, and wild-type and SAV1ptKO mice underwent kidney IRI or sham operation. Plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were measured to assess kidney function. Histological studies, including periodic acid-Schiff staining and immunohistochemistry, were conducted to assess tubular injury, SAV1 expression, and cell proliferation. Western blot analysis was employed to assess the Hippo pathway-related and proliferation-related proteins. SAV1 exhibited faint expression in the proximal tubules and was predominantly expressed in the connecting tubule to the collecting duct. At 48 h after IRI, SAV1ptKO mice continued to exhibit severe kidney dysfunction, compared to attenuated kidney dysfunction in wild-type mice. Consistent with the functional data, severe tubular damage induced by kidney IRI in the cortex was significantly decreased in wild-type mice at 48 h after IRI but not in SAV1ptKO mice. Furthermore, 48 h after IRI, the number of Ki67-positive cells in the cortex was significantly higher in wild-type mice than SAV1ptKO mice. After IRI, activation and expression of Hippo pathway-related proteins were enhanced, with no significant differences observed between wild-type and SAV1ptKO mice. Notably, at 48 h after IRI, protein kinase B activation (AKT) was significantly enhanced in SAV1ptKO mice compared to wild-type mice. This study demonstrates that SAV1 deficiency in the kidney proximal tubule worsens the injury and delays kidney regeneration after IRI, potentially through the overactivation of AKT.
Cytotoxic Potential of the Monoterpene Isoespintanol against Human Tumor Cell Lines
Authors: Contreras-Martínez Orfa Inés , Angulo-Ortíz Alberto , Santafé Patiño Gilmar , Rocha Fillipe Vieira , Zanotti Karine , Fortaleza Dario Batista , Teixeira Tamara , Sierra Martinez Jesus
Published: April 2024

Cancer is a disease that encompasses multiple and different malignant conditions and is among the leading causes of death in the world. Therefore, the search for new pharmacotherapeutic options and potential candidates that can be used as treatments or adjuvants to control this disease is urgent. Natural products, especially those obtained from plants, have played an important role as a source of specialized metabolites with recognized pharmacological properties against cancer, therefore, they are an excellent alternative to be used. The objective of this research was to evaluate the action of the monoterpene isoespintanol (ISO) against the human tumor cell lines MDA-MB-231, A549, DU145, A2780, A2780-cis and the non-tumor line MRC-5. Experiments with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and fluorescence with propidium iodide (PI), 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dilactate (DAPI) and green plasma revealed the cytotoxicity of ISO against these cells; furthermore, morphological and chromogenic studies revealed the action of ISO on cell morphology and the inhibitory capacity on reproductive viability to form colonies in MDA-MB-231 cells. Likewise, 3D experiments validated the damage in these cells caused by this monoterpene. These results serve as a basis for progress in studies of the mechanisms of action of these compounds and the development of derivatives or synthetic analogues with a better antitumor profile.
Development of a New Model System to Study Long-Distance Interactions Supported by Architectural Proteins
Authors: Melnikova Larisa , Molodina Varvara , Georgiev Pavel , Golovnin Anton
Published: April 2024

Chromatin architecture is critical for the temporal and tissue-specific activation of genes that determine eukaryotic development. The functional interaction between enhancers and promoters is controlled by insulators and tethering elements that support specific long-distance interactions. However, the mechanisms of the formation and maintenance of long-range interactions between genome regulatory elements remain poorly understood, primarily due to the lack of convenient model systems. Drosophila became the first model organism in which architectural proteins that determine the activity of insulators were described. In Drosophila, one of the best-studied DNA-binding architectural proteins, Su(Hw), forms a complex with Mod(mdg4)-67.2 and CP190 proteins. Using a combination of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and attP-dependent integration technologies, we created a model system in which the promoters and enhancers of two reporter genes are separated by 28 kb. In this case, enhancers effectively stimulate reporter gene promoters in cis and trans only in the presence of artificial Su(Hw) binding sites (SBS), in both constructs. The expression of the mutant Su(Hw) protein, which cannot interact with CP190, and the mutation inactivating Mod(mdg4)-67.2, lead to the complete loss or significant weakening of enhancer–promoter interactions, respectively. The results indicate that the new model system effectively identifies the role of individual subunits of architectural protein complexes in forming and maintaining specific long-distance interactions in the D. melanogaster model.
Systems Biology for Drug Target Discovery in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Novikova Svetlana , Tolstova Tatiana , Kurbatov Leonid , Farafonova Tatiana , Tikhonova Olga , Soloveva Natalia , Rusanov Alexander , Zgoda Victor
Published: April 2024

Combining new therapeutics with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) could improve the efficiency of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treatment. Modeling the process of ATRA-induced differentiation based on the transcriptomic profile of leukemic cells resulted in the identification of key targets that can be used to increase the therapeutic effect of ATRA. The genome-scale transcriptome analysis revealed the early molecular response to the ATRA treatment of HL-60 cells. In this study, we performed the transcriptomic profiling of HL-60, NB4, and K562 cells exposed to ATRA for 3–72 h. After treatment with ATRA for 3, 12, 24, and 72 h, we found 222, 391, 359, and 1032 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in HL-60 cells, as well as 641, 1037, 1011, and 1499 DEGs in NB4 cells. We also found 538 and 119 DEGs in K562 cells treated with ATRA for 24 h and 72 h, respectively. Based on experimental transcriptomic data, we performed hierarchical modeling and determined cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and transcriptional repressor CUX1 as the key regulators of the molecular response to the ATRA treatment in HL-60, NB4, and K562 cell lines, respectively. Mapping the data of TMT-based mass-spectrometric profiling on the modeling schemes, we determined CDK6 expression at the proteome level and its down-regulation at the transcriptome and proteome levels in cells treated with ATRA for 72 h. The combination of therapy with a CDK6 inhibitor (palbociclib) and ATRA (tretinoin) could be an alternative approach for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
An Overview on the Advancements of Support Vector Machine Models in Healthcare Applications: A Review
Authors: Guido Rosita , Ferrisi Stefania , Lofaro Danilo , Conforti Domenico
Published: April 2024

Support vector machines (SVMs) are well-known machine learning algorithms for classification and regression applications. In the healthcare domain, they have been used for a variety of tasks including diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of disease outcomes. This review is an extensive survey on the current state-of-the-art of SVMs developed and applied in the medical field over the years. Many variants of SVM-based approaches have been developed to enhance their generalisation capabilities. We illustrate the most interesting SVM-based models that have been developed and applied in healthcare to improve performance metrics on benchmark datasets, including hybrid classification methods that combine, for instance, optimization algorithms with SVMs. We even report interesting results found in medical applications related to real-world data. Several issues around SVMs, such as selection of hyperparameters and learning from data of questionable quality, are discussed as well. The several variants developed and introduced over the years could be useful in designing new methods to improve performance in critical fields such as healthcare, where accuracy, specificity, and other metrics are crucial. Finally, current research trends and future directions are underlined.
Digital Transformation in Omani Higher Education: Assessing Student Adoption of Video Communication during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Amer jid Almahri Fatima , Salem Islam Elbayoumi , Elbaz Ahmed Mohamed , Aideed Hassan , Gulzar Zameer
Published: April 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced many fields, such as communication, commerce, and education, and pushed business entities to adopt innovative technologies to continue their business operations. Students need to do the same, so it is essential to understand their acceptance of these technologies to make them more usable for students. This paper employs the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) to identify the factors that influenced students’ acceptance and use of different online communication services as the primary tool for learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Six factors of UTAUT2 were used to measure the acceptance and use of video communication services at the Business College of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences. Two hundred students completed our online survey. The results demonstrated that social influence, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation, and habit affect behavioral intention positively, while performance expectancy and effort expectancy have no effect on behavioral intention.
Laboratory Evaluation of Indigenous and Commercial Entomopathogenic Nematodes against Red Palm Weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Authors: Husain Mureed , Rasool Khawaja G. , Sutanto Koko D. , Omer Abdalsalam O. , Tufail Muhammad , Aldawood Abdulrahman S.
Published: April 2024

The red palm weevil (RPW) is a significant threat to date palms. Conventional pest control has been ineffective. This study aims to evaluate entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) indigenous to Saudi Arabia and commercial against RPW. We used 33 soil samples collected from four areas of Saudi Arabia. The indigenous EPNs were isolated and cultured using an insect baiting method to obtain infective juveniles. Pathogenicity bioassays were conducted against different stages of RPW, including eggs, larvae, and adults. The bioassay was performed using all the isolates at 1 × 106 IJ/mL. Distilled water was used as a control. The results revealed that only 9.09% of soil samples contained positive EPNs. Through DNA sequencing analysis, the positive samples were identified as indigenous isolates belonging to Heterorhabditis indica and Steinernema carpocapsae EPN species. In pathogenicity tests, 90% mortality of RPW eggs was observed after five days. Similar mortality trends were seen in RPW larvae and adults, with 90% mortality recorded after ten days for all the EPN treatments. Mortality increased with the duration of post-EPN inoculation exposure. The 1 × 106 IJ/mL concentrations of EPN effectively killed various stages of RPW in the laboratory. More research is needed to test EPNs against RPW in the field.
The Expression and Function of Notch Involved in Ovarian Development and Fecundity in Basilepta melanopus
Authors: Xie Yifei , Tan Yifan , Wen Xuanye , Deng Wan , Yu Jinxiu , Li Mi , Meng Fanhui , Wang Xiudan , Zhu Daohong
Published: April 2024

Basilepta melanopus is a pest that severely affects oil tea plants, and the Notch signaling pathway plays a significant role in the early development of insect ovaries. In this study, we explored the function of the notch gene within the Notch signaling pathway in the reproductive system of B. melanopus. The functional domains and expression patterns of Bmnotch were analyzed. Bmnotch contains 45 epidermal growth factor-like (EGF-like) domains, one negative regulatory region, one NODP domain and one repeat-containing domain superfamily. The qPCR reveals heightened expression in early developmental stages and specific tissues like the head and ovaries. The RNA interference (RNAi)-based suppression of notch decreased its expression by 52.1%, exhibiting heightened sensitivity to dsNotch at lower concentrations. Phenotypic and mating experiments have demonstrated that dsNotch significantly impairs ovarian development, leading to reduced mating frequencies and egg production. This decline underscores the Notch pathway’s crucial role in fecundity. The findings advocate for RNAi-based, Notch-targeted pest control as an effective and sustainable strategy for managing B. melanopus populations, signifying a significant advancement in forest pest control endeavors.
Novel Medical Treatments and Devices for the Management of Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction
Authors: Alfieri Michele , Bruscoli Filippo , Di Vito Luca , Di Giusto Federico , Scalone Giancarla , Marchese Procolo , Delfino Domenico , Silenzi Simona , Martoni Milena , Guerra Federico , Grossi Pierfrancesco
Published: April 2024

Heart failure (HF) is a growing issue in developed countries; it is often the result of underlying processes such as ischemia, hypertension, infiltrative diseases or even genetic abnormalities. The great majority of the affected patients present a reduced ejection fraction (≤40%), thereby falling under the name of “heart failure with reduced ejection fraction” (HFrEF). This condition represents a major threat for patients: it significantly affects life quality and carries an enormous burden on the whole healthcare system due to its high management costs. In the last decade, new medical treatments and devices have been developed in order to reduce HF hospitalizations and improve prognosis while reducing the overall mortality rate. Pharmacological therapy has significantly changed our perspective of this disease thanks to its ability of restoring ventricular function and reducing symptom severity, even in some dramatic contexts with an extensively diseased myocardium. Notably, medical therapy can sometimes be ineffective, and a tailored integration with device technologies is of pivotal importance. Not by chance, in recent years, cardiac implantable devices witnessed a significant improvement, thereby providing an irreplaceable resource for the management of HF. Some devices have the ability of assessing (CardioMEMS) or treating (ultrafiltration) fluid retention, while others recognize and treat life-threatening arrhythmias, even for a limited time frame (wearable cardioverter defibrillator). The present review article gives a comprehensive overview of the most recent and important findings that need to be considered in patients affected by HFrEF. Both novel medical treatments and devices are presented and discussed.
Simulation of the Dynamic Responses of Layered Polymer Composites under Plate Impact Using the DSGZ Model
Authors: Zhang Huadian , Rajendran Arunachalam M. , Shukla Manoj K. , Nouranian Sasan , Al-Ostaz Ahmed , Larson Steven , Jiang Shan
Published: April 2024

This paper presents a numerical study on the dynamic response and impact mitigation capabilities of layered ceramic–polymer–metal (CPM) composites under plate impact loading, focusing on the layer sequence effect. The layered structure, comprising a ceramic for hardness and thermal resistance, a polymer for energy absorption, and a metal for strength and ductility, is analyzed to evaluate its effectiveness in mitigating the impact loading. The simulations employed the VUMAT subroutine of DSGZ material models within Abaqus/Explicit to accurately represent the mechanical behavior of the polymeric materials in the composites. The VUMAT implementation incorporates the explicit time integration scheme and the implicit radial return mapping algorithm. A safe-version Newton–Raphson method is applied for numerically solving the differential equations of the J2 plastic flow theory. Analysis of the simulation results reveals that specific layer configurations significantly influence wave propagation, leading to variations in energy absorption and stress distribution within the material. Notably, certain layer sequences, such as P-C-M and C-P-M, exhibit enhanced impact mitigation with a superior ability to dissipate and redirect the impact energy. This phenomenon is tied to the interactions between the material properties of the ceramic, polymer, and metal, emphasizing the necessity of precise material characterization and enhanced understanding of the layer sequencing effect for optimizing composite designs for impact mitigation. The integration of empirical data with simulation methods provides a comprehensive framework for optimizing composite designs in high-impact scenarios. In the general fields of materials science and impact engineering, the current research offers some guidance for practical applications, underscoring the need for detailed simulations to capture the high-strain-rate dynamic responses of multilayered composites.
Testing and Ranking of Asset Pricing Models Using the GRS Statistic
Authors: Kamstra Mark J. , Shi Ruoyao
Published: April 2024

We clear up an ambiguity in the statement of the GRS statistic by providing the correct formula of the GRS statistic and the first proof of its F-distribution in the general multiple-factor case. Casual generalization of the Sharpe-ratio-based interpretation of the single-factor GRS statistic to the multiple-portfolio case makes experts in asset pricing studies susceptible to an incorrect formula. We illustrate the consequences of using the incorrect formulas that the ambiguity in GRS leads to—over-rejecting and misranking asset pricing models. In addition, we suggest a new approach to ranking models using the GRS statistic p-value.
Insights from 30 Years of Land Use/Land Cover Transitions in Jakarta, Indonesia, via Intensity Analysis
Authors: Rachman Faizal , Huang Jinliang , Xue Xiongzhi , Marfai Muh Aris
Published: April 2024

Here, we assess land use/land cover (LULC) transitions over the last 30 years in Jakarta, Indonesia. Land cover maps were prepared for 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020 using seven categories of Landsat satellite image: bare land, built-up, cropland, green area, mangrove, water body, and pond. LULC changes were assessed through intensity analyses at the interval and transition levels. LULC changes were initially rapid (1990–1995) and then more gradual (1995–2000, 2000–2005, and 2005–2010). Unlike in previous intervals, annual changes were uniformly distributed over time in 2010–2015 and 2015–2020. Driven by high population and economic growth, built-up land was identified as an active gainer in all intervals except 2010–2015. Alongside built-up areas, cropland was the main supplier of other categories, including bare land, pond, built-up, and green areas. The largest transition area occurred in pond and green areas during 2005–2010 and in built-up land during 2015–2020. High demand for built-up land was observed in land changes driven by high population growth triggered by economic necessity. Economic and population growth exhibited a positive correlation (R2 = 0.78, t = 9.996). This study elucidates spatiotemporal LULC transition patterns over 30 years in a rapidly growing city.
Spatiotemporal Analysis of Soil Quality Degradation and Emissions in the State of Iowa (USA)
Authors: Mikhailova Elena , Zurqani Hamdi , Lin Lili , Hao Zhenbang , Post Christopher , Schlautman Mark , Post Gregory
Published: April 2024

The concept of soil quality (SQ) is defined as the soil's capacity to function, which is commonly assessed at the field scale. Soil quality is composed of inherent (soil suitability) and dynamic (soil health, SH) SQ, which can also be analyzed using geospatial tools as a SQ continuum (SQC). This study proposes an innovative spatiotemporal analysis of SQ degradation and emissions from land developments using the state of Iowa (IA) in the United States of America (USA) as a case study. The SQ degradation was linked to anthropogenic soil (SD) and land degradation (LD) in the state. More than 88% of land in IA experienced anthropogenic LD primarily due to agriculture (93%). All six soil orders were subject to various degrees of anthropogenic LD: Entisols (75%), Inceptisols (94%), Histosols (59%), Alfisols (79%), Mollisols (93%), and Vertisols (98%). Soil and LD have primarily increased between 2001 and 2016. In addition to agricultural LD, there was also SD/LD caused by an increase in developments often through urbanization. All land developments in IA can be linked to damages to SQ, with 8385.9 km2 of developed area, causing midpoint total soil carbon (TSC) losses of 1.7 × 1011 kg of C and an associated midpoint of social cost of carbon dioxide emissions (SC-CO2) of $28.8B (where B = billion = 109, USD). More recently developed land area (398.5 km2) between 2001 and 2016 likely caused the midpoint loss of 8.0 × 109 kg of C and a corresponding midpoint of $1.3B in SC-CO2. New developments are often located near urban areas, for example, near the capital city of Des Moines, and other cities (Sioux City, Dubuque). Results of this study reveal several different kinds of SQ damage from developments: loss of potential for future C sequestration in soils, soil C loss, and “realized” soil C social costs (SC-CO2). The state of IA has very limited potential land (2.0% of the total state area) for nature-based solutions (NBS) to compensate for SD and LD. The results of this study can be used to support pending soil health-related legislation in IA and monitoring towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) developed by the United Nations (UN) by providing a landscape-level perspective on LD to focus field-level initiatives to reduce soil loss and improve SQ. Future technological innovations will provide higher spatial and temporal remote sensing data that can be fused with field-level direct sensing to track SH and SQ changes.
A Mini-Review: Fabrication of Polysaccharide Composite Materials Based on Self-Assembled Chitin Nanofibers
Authors: Kadokawa Jun-ichi
Published: April 2024

This mini-review presents the fabrication methods for polysaccharide composite materials that employ self-assembled chitin nanofibers (ChNFs) as functional components. Chitin is one of the most abundant polysaccharides in nature. However, it is mostly not utilized because of its poor feasibility and processability. Self-assembled ChNFs are efficiently obtained by a regenerative bottom-up process from chitin ion gels using an ionic liquid, 1-allyl-3-methylimodazolium bromide. This is accomplished by immersing the gels in methanol. The resulting dispersion is subjected to filtration to isolate the regenerated materials, producing ChNF films with a morphology defined by highly entangled nanofibers. The bundles are disintegrated by electrostatic repulsion among the amino groups on the ChNFs in aqueous acetic acid to produce thinner fibers known as scaled-down ChNFs. The self-assembled and scaled-down ChNFs are combined with other chitin components to fabricate chitin-based composite materials. ChNF-based composite materials are fabricated through combination with other polysaccharides.
The Influence of Electroluminescent Inhomogeneous Phase Addition on Enhancing MgB2 Superconducting Performance and Magnetic Flux Pinning
Authors: Qi Yao , Chen Duo , Sun Chao , Hai Qingyu , Zhao Xiaopeng
Published: April 2024

As a highly regarded superconducting material with a concise layered structure, MgB2 has attracted significant scientific attention and holds vast potential for applications. However, its limited current-carrying capacity under high magnetic fields has greatly hindered its practical use. To address this issue, we have enhanced the superconducting performance of MgB2 by incorporating inhomogeneous phase nanostructures of p-n junctions with electroluminescent properties. Through temperature-dependent measurements of magnetization, electronic specific heat, and Hall coefficient under various magnetic fields, we have confirmed the crucial role of inhomogeneous phase electroluminescent nanostructures in improving the properties of MgB2. Experimental results demonstrate that the introduction of electroluminescent inhomogeneous phases effectively enhances the superconducting performance of MgB2. Moreover, by controlling the size of the electroluminescent inhomogeneous phases and optimizing grain connectivity, density, and microstructural uniformity, we can further improve the critical temperature (TC) and flux-pinning capability of MgB2 superconducting materials. Comprehensive studies on the physical properties of MgB2 superconducting structures added with p-n junction electroluminescent inhomogeneous phases also confirm the general effectiveness of electroluminescent inhomogeneous phases in enhancing the performance of superconducting materials.
Silver Nanoparticles: Multifunctional Tool in Environmental Water Remediation
Authors: Silva-Holguín Pamela Nair , Garibay-Alvarado Jesús Alberto , Reyes-López Simón Yobanny
Published: April 2024

Water pollution is a worldwide environmental and health problem that requires the development of sustainable, efficient, and accessible technologies. Nanotechnology is a very attractive alternative in environmental remediation processes due to the multiple properties that are conferred on a material when it is at the nanometric scale. This present review focuses on the understanding of the structure–physicochemical properties–performance relationships of silver nanoparticles, with the objective of guiding the selection of physicochemical properties that promote greater performance and are key factors in their use as antibacterial agents, surface modifiers, colorimetric sensors, signal amplifiers, and plasmonic photocatalysts. Silver nanoparticles with a size of less than 10 nm, morphology with a high percentage of reactive facets {111}, and positive surface charge improve the interaction of the nanoparticles with bacterial cells and induce a greater antibacterial effect. Adsorbent materials functionalized with an optimal concentration of silver nanoparticles increase their contact area and enhance adsorbent capacity. The use of stabilizing agents in silver nanoparticles promotes selective adsorption of contaminants by modifying the surface charge and type of active sites in an adsorbent material, in addition to inducing selective complexation and providing stability in their use as colorimetric sensors. Silver nanoparticles with complex morphologies allow the formation of hot spots or chemical or electromagnetic bonds between substrate and analyte, promoting a greater amplification factor. Controlled doping with nanoparticles in photocatalytic materials produces improvements in their electronic structural properties, promotes changes in charge transfer and bandgap, and improves and expands their photocatalytic properties. Silver nanoparticles have potential use as a tool in water remediation, where by selecting appropriate physicochemical properties for each application, their performance and efficiency are improved.
Stability and Failure of Thin-Walled Composite Plate Elements with Asymmetric Configurations
Authors: Falkowicz Katarzyna
Published: April 2024

In the present study, the stability and failure phenomena of thin-walled constructions subjected to axial compression, featuring a central cut-out, and constructed from composite materials were explored. These constructions were fabricated from a carbon–epoxy composite using the autoclave method. The research encompassed experimental assessments on actual specimens alongside numerical analyses employing the finite element approach within the ABAQUS® software. The investigation spanned the entire load spectrum up to the point of structural failure, incorporating both practical trials and simulation analysis. During the practical assessments, the study monitored the post-buckling response and captured acoustic emissions to thoroughly evaluate the composite’s failure mechanisms. Additionally, the ARAMIS system’s non-invasive three-dimensional scanning was employed to assess deformations. Theoretical simulations utilized a step-by-step failure analysis, initiating with failure onset as per Hashin’s theory and proceeding to failure progression based on an energy criterion. The simulation outcomes, particularly concerning the critical and post-critical phases, were juxtaposed with empirical data to identify the composite’s vulnerability zones. The comparison underscored a significant concordance between the simulation predictions and the empirical findings.
Potential for Recycling Metakaolin/Slag-Based Geopolymer Concrete of Various Strength Levels in Freeze–Thaw Conditions
Authors: Liu Mengtong , Liu Hui , Hua Minqi , Chen Chunhong , Wang Xinjie , Guo Xiang , Ma Tianyu
Published: April 2024

Geopolymer concrete (GPC) represents an innovative green and low-carbon construction material, offering a viable alternative to ordinary Portland cement concrete (OPC) in building applications. However, existing studies tend to overlook the recyclability aspect of GPC for future use. Various structural applications necessitate the use of concrete with distinct strength characteristics. The recyclability of the parent concrete is influenced by these varying strengths. This study examined the recycling potential of GPC across a spectrum of strength grades (40, 60, 80, and 100 MPa, marked as C40, C60, C80, and C100) when subjected to freeze–thaw conditions. Recycling 5–16 mm recycled geopolymer coarse aggregate (RGAs) from GPC prepared from 5 to 16 mm natural coarse aggregates (NAs). The cementitious material comprised 60% metakaolin and 40% slag, with natural gravel serving as the NAs, and the alkali activator consisting of sodium hydroxide solution and sodium silicate solution. The strength of the GPC was modulated by altering the Na/Al ratio. After 350 freeze–thaw cycles, the GPC specimens underwent crushing, washing, and sieving to produce RGAs. Subsequently, their physical properties (apparent density, water absorption, crushing index, and attached mortar content and microstructure (microhardness, SEM, and XRD) were thoroughly examined. The findings indicated that GPC with strength grades of C100, C80, and C60 were capable of enduring 350 freeze–thaw cycles, in contrast to C40, which did not withstand these conditions. RGAs derived from GPC of strength grades C100 and C80 complied with the criteria for Class II recycled aggregates, whereas RGAs produced from GPC of strength grade C60 aligned with the Class III level. A higher-strength grade in the parent concrete correlated with enhanced performance characteristics in the resulting recycled aggregates.
Experimental Investigation of the Impact of Blended Fibers on the Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Aeolian Sand Concrete
Authors: Zhou Yi , Li Hao , Yu Shuyu , Guo Haolong
Published: April 2024

To investigate the effect of hybrid fibers on the compressive strength of aeolian sand concrete, compressive strength tests were conducted on aeolian sand concrete with single polypropylene fibers and aeolian sand concrete with mixed polypropylene fibers and calcium carbonate whisker, and their variation rules were studied. Using scanning electron microscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance, the microstructure and pore structure of specimens were analyzed, and a mathematical model of the relationship between compressive strength and pore structure was established with gray entropy analysis. The results show that the compressive strength of hybrid fiber aeolian sand concrete first increases and then decreases with an increase in whisker content. When the replacement rate of wind-accumulated sand is 80% and the fiber content is 0.1%, the optimal volume content of whisker is 0.4%, and the 28 d compressive strength of whisker is 24.8% higher than that of aeolian sand concrete. The average relative errors of compressive strength at 7 d and 28 d are 8.16% and 7.48%, respectively, using the GM (1,3) model. This study can provide effective theoretical support for the application of calcium carbonate whisker and polypropylene fibers in aeolian sand concrete.
Attainability for Markov and Semi-Markov Chains
Authors: Verbeken Brecht , Guerry Marie-Anne
Published: April 2024

When studying Markov chain models and semi-Markov chain models, it is useful to know which state vectors n, where each component ni represents the number of entities in the state Si, can be maintained or attained. This question leads to the definitions of maintainability and attainability for (time-homogeneous) Markov chain models. Recently, the definition of maintainability was extended to the concept of state reunion maintainability (SR-maintainability) for semi-Markov chains. Within the framework of semi-Markov chains, the states are subdivided further into seniority-based states. State reunion maintainability assesses the maintainability of the distribution across states. Following this idea, we introduce the concept of state reunion attainability, which encompasses the potential of a system to attain a specific distribution across the states after uniting the seniority-based states into the underlying states. In this paper, we start by extending the concept of attainability for constant-sized Markov chain models to systems that are subject to growth or contraction. Afterwards, we introduce the concepts of attainability and state reunion attainability for semi-Markov chain models, using SR-maintainability as a starting point. The attainable region, as well as the state reunion attainable region, are described as the convex hull of their respective vertices, and properties of these regions are investigated.
Rigidity of Holomorphically Projective Mappings of Kähler Spaces with Finite Complete Geodesics
Authors: Vítková Lenka , Hinterleitner Irena , Mikeš Josef
Published: April 2024

In this work, we consider holomorphically projective mappings of (pseudo-) Kähler spaces. We determine the conditions for finite complete geodesics that must be satisfied for the mappings to be trivial; i.e., these spaces are rigid.
Spatial Decay Estimates and Continuous Dependence for the Oldroyd Fluid
Authors: Li Yuanfei
Published: April 2024

This article investigates the Oldroyd fluid, which is widely used in industrial and engineering environments. When the Oldroyd fluid passes through a three-dimensional semi-infinite cylinder, the asymptotic properties of the solutions are established. On this basis, we also studied the continuous dependence of the viscosity coefficient.
Bridging the p-Special Functions between the Generalized Hyperbolic and Trigonometric Families
Authors: Alibrahim Ali Hamzah , Das Saptarshi
Published: April 2024

Here, we study the extension of p-trigonometric functions sinp and cosp family in complex domains and p-hyperbolic functions sinhp and the coshp family in hyperbolic complex domains. These functions satisfy analogous relations as their classical counterparts with some unknown properties. We show the relationship of these two classes of special functions viz. p-trigonometric and p-hyperbolic functions with imaginary arguments. We also show many properties and identities related to the analogy between these two groups of functions. Further, we extend the research bridging the concepts of hyperbolic and elliptical complex numbers to show the properties of logarithmic functions with complex arguments.
Novel Bioactive Natural Products from Marine-Derived Penicillium Fungi: A Review (2021–2023)
Authors: Lv Fang , Zeng Yanbo
Published: April 2024

Marine-derived Penicillium fungi are productive sources of structurally unique and diverse bioactive secondary metabolites, representing a hot topic in natural product research. This review describes structural diversity, bioactivities and statistical research of 452 new natural products from marine-derived Penicillium fungi covering 2021 to 2023. Sediments are the main sources of marine-derived Penicillium fungi for producing nearly 56% new natural products. Polyketides, alkaloids, and terpenoids displayed diverse biological activities and are the major contributors to antibacterial activity, cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory and enzyme inhibitory capacities. Polyketides had higher proportions of new bioactive compounds in new compounds than other chemical classes. The characteristics of studies in recent years are presented.