bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advancements in the clinical application of gene methylation for early cancer detection
Authors: Xu Xin , Guo Yanru , Liu Mulin , Hu Yunxiang , Li Shijun
Published: July 2024

This review provides an overview of common assays used to screen for gene methylation and early biomarkers of methylation in various cancers. DNA methylation, one of the most well-studied epigenetic modifications, plays a crucial role in normal cell and tissue development. It is increasingly utilized as a biomarker for early cancer and precancerous lesion detection. In this review, we describe common methods associated with gene methylation, including bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP), pyrosequencing technology (PYR), methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR/MSP), methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting (MS-HRM), methylation sensitive single nucleotide primer extension (MS-SnuPE), Epityper, Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme (MSRE) analysis, COBRA and PacBio SMRT sequencing. Additionally, we summarize methylation markers and their sample types for early cancer screening, focusing on colorectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, esophageal cancer (digestive system), lung cancer (respiratory system), breast cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer (female reproductive system), bladder cancer, and prostate cancer (urinary system). Furthermore, we discuss the recent detection of methylation biomarkers in clinical samples such as blood, urine, sputum, feces, and tissues. The aim of this review is to summarize early methylation biomarkers that are expected or have already been clinically applied. For future large-scale studies or the integration of available methylome level data, the discovery of sufficiently sensitive clinical biomarkers is essential.
To what degree does a high-energy aurora destroy F-region irregularities?
Authors: Ivarsen Magnus F. , St-Maurice Jean-Pierre , Jin Yaqi , Park Jaeheung , Buschmann Lisa M. , Clausen Lasse B. N.
Published: July 2024

Using two separate databases of in situ ionospheric observations, we present case studies and perform a statistical investigation of the link between energetic precipitating particles during the polar night and high-latitude F-region steepening density spectra. Our study covers approximately 3 years of data obtained near the peak of the 24th solar cycle from four Defense Meteorological Satellite Program satellites and from the European Space Agency’s Swarm satellites. Focusing on the midnight sector of the auroral oval, we found that there is a near-perfect co-location between high-energy precipitating particles and occurrence of dissipating F-region plasma density spectra. This is because the precipitating energy flux strongly enhances the E-region Pedersen conductivity, allowing fast and efficient dissipation of kilometer-scale F-region irregularities. Spectra that are possibly non-dissipating are in turn co-located with the distribution of soft electron precipitation. Together, dissipating and non-dissipating density spectra constitute two distinct irregularity regimes. Surprisingly, we also found that efficient dissipation notwithstanding, high-energy precipitating particles cause a net increase in the F-region irregularity power, suggesting that growth and dissipation are interlinked and that some of the observed F-region irregularities may conceivably be generated in the E region. This work is expected to be beneficial for the classification of F-region in situ density spectra and suggests that such density spectra can be used to infer the presence of high-energy or low-energy precipitations based on spectral properties.
New Data-Driven Models of Mass Flow Rate and Isentropic Efficiency of Dynamic Compressors
Authors: Fang Xiande , Fang Yuxiang , Yang Yang , He Zhiqiang , Yang Bei
Published: July 2024

Dynamic compressors are widely used in many industrial sectors, such as air, land, and marine vehicle engines, aircraft environmental control systems (ECS), air-conditioning and refrigeration, gas turbines, gas compression and injection, etc. The data-driven formulas of mass flow rate and isentropic efficiency of dynamic compressors are required for the design, energy analysis, performance simulation, and control- and/or diagnosis-oriented dynamic simulation of such compressors and the related systems. This work develops data-driven models for predicting the performance of dynamic compressors, including empirical models for mass flow rate and isentropic efficiency, which have high prediction accuracy and broad application range. The performance maps of two multi-stage axial compressors of an aero engine and a centrifugal compressor of an aircraft ECS were chosen for evaluation of the existing empirical formulas and testing of the new models. There are 16 empirical models of mass flow rate and 14 empirical models of isentropic efficiency evaluated, and the results show that it is necessary to develop highly accurate empirical formulas both for mass flow rate and isentropic efficiency. With the data-driven method, two empirical models for mass flow rate and one for isentropic efficiency are developed. They are in general form, with some terms removable to make them simple while enhancing their applicability and prediction accuracy. The new models have much higher prediction accuracy than the best existing counterparts. The new mass flow rate models predict for the three compressors a mean absolute relative deviation (MAD) not greater than 1.3%, while the best existing models all have MAD > 2.0%. The new efficiency model predicts for the three compressors an MAD of 1.0%, 0.4%, and 1.9%, respectively, while the best existing model predicts for the three compressors an MAD of 1.8%, 0.8%, and 3.2%, respectively.
Biocontrol Potential and Mitigation of Abiotic Stress Effects of Meyerozyma guilliermondii on Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)
Authors: Gomez-Garay Arancha , Bonaventura Roca-Campos Darío , Irles Sánchez Sofía , Pintos López Beatriz
Published: July 2024

This study aims to evaluate the biocontrol potential of Meyerozyma guilliermondii (CECT13190), an endophytic yeast, and its role in mitigating the adverse effects of abiotic and biotic stress in cucumber plants. The relevance of this study lies in addressing the threat of Fusarium wilt, a major fungal disease that impacts cucumber crop productivity, as well as the exacerbation of food scarcity caused by climate change-induced abiotic stress factors such as high temperatures and drought. The study was conducted in a greenhouse environment where Cucumis sativus seedlings were exposed to biotic (F. oxysporum inoculation) and abiotic stress conditions (heat and water deficit). The impact of M. guilliermondii on treated plants’ physiology, growth, development, and flowering was assessed. The study confirmed the biocontrol activity of M. guilliermondii against F. oxysporum and highlighted its positive effects as a plant growth promoter. It enhanced overall plant health, activated natural defense mechanisms against F. oxysporum, and alleviated the detrimental impacts of abiotic stress. Notably, M. guilliermondii also induced early flowering in cucumber plants. This research underscores the potential of M. guilliermondii as a biocontrol agent for managing Fusarium wilt, enhancing stress tolerance, promoting early flowering, and offering promising prospects for sustainable crop production amidst fungal diseases and climate change-induced stressors. The findings emphasize the importance of utilizing M. guilliermondii to improve cucumber crop productivity and address food scarcity challenges.
SAW-YOLO: A Multi-Scale YOLO for Small Target Citrus Pests Detection
Authors: Wu Xiaojiang , Liang Jinzhe , Yang Yiyu , Li Zhenghao , Jia Xinyu , Pu Haibo , Zhu Peng
Published: July 2024

Citrus pests pose a major threat to both citrus yield and fruit quality. The early prevention of pests is essential for sustainable citrus cultivation, cost savings, and the reduction of environmental pollution. Despite the increasing application of deep learning techniques in agriculture, the performance of existing models for small target detection of citrus pests is limited, mainly in terms of information bottlenecks that occur during the transfer of information. This hinders its effectiveness in fully automating the detection of citrus pests. In this study, a new approach was introduced to overcome these limitations. Firstly, a comprehensive large-scale dataset named IP-CitrusPests13 was developed, encompassing 13 distinct citrus pest categories. This dataset was amalgamated from IP102 and web crawlers, serving as a fundamental resource for precision-oriented pest detection tasks in citrus farming. Web crawlers can supplement information on various forms of pests and changes in pest size. Using this comprehensive dataset, we employed the SPD Module in the backbone network to preserve fine-grained information and prevent the model from losing important information as the depth increased. In addition, we introduced the AFFD Head detection module into the YOLOv8 architecture, which has two important functions that effectively integrate shallow and deep information to improve the learning ability of the model. Optimizing the bounding box loss function to WIoU v3 (Wise-IoU v3), which focuses on medium-quality anchor frames, sped up the convergence of the network. Experimental evaluation on a test set showed that the proposed SAW-YOLO (SPD Module, AFFD, WIoU v3) model achieved an average accuracy of 90.3%, which is 3.3% higher than the benchmark YOLOv8n model. Without any significant enlargement in the model size, state-of-the-art (SOTA) performance can be achieved in small target detection. To validate the robustness of the model against pests of various sizes, the SAW-YOLO model showed improved detection performance on all three scales of pests, significantly reducing the rate of missed detections. Our experimental results show that the SAW-YOLO model performs well in the detection of multiple pest classes in citrus orchards, helping to advance smart planting practices in the citrus industry.
Current Status of Yam Diseases and Advances of Their Control Strategies
Authors: Tariq Hamza , Xiao Chun , Wang Lanning , Ge Hongjun , Wang Gang , Shen Danyu , Dou Daolong
Published: July 2024

Yam (Dioscorea spp.) is an important tuber crop consumed globally. However, stable yam production faces challenges from a variety of diseases caused by fungi, nematodes, viruses, and bacteria. Prominent diseases such as anthracnose, leaf spot, yam wilt, dry rot, and crazy root syndrome, currently pose serious threats to yam yields. These diseases not only result in quality degradation but also cause great economic losses. This review summarizes the damages, symptoms, causal agents, and epidemic factors of major yam diseases. It also outlines a comprehensive disease control strategy that includes the use of resistant varieties, proper crop rotation, sanitation measures, and the application of agrochemicals and biocontrol agents. Additionally, this review addresses future perspectives on risk factors and knowledge gaps, aiming to serve as a reference for in-depth research into advanced disease monitoring and control technologies for yams.
Poly-γ-Glutamic Acid-Induced Assemblage of Root Endophytic Microbiota Enhances Disease Resistance in Chrysanthemum Plants
Authors: Cui Feng , Zhu Lin , Zhou Cheng
Published: July 2024

Plant microbiota composition changes with the environment and host state, suggesting potential for engineering. However, engineering plant microbiomes is promising but currently undeveloped. This study investigated the role of root-associated bacterial microbiomes in poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA)-induced plant disease resistance. γ-PGA treatment significantly reduced wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. chrysanthemi (Foc). Quantitative PCR analysis revealed a 73.2% reduction in Foc abundance in the roots following γ-PGA exposure. However, the disease suppression effect of γ-PGA was notably weakened in sterilized soils or soils treated with bactericide, indicating the essential role of root-associated microbiomes in this process. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing showed that γ-PGA treatments increased the abundance of Proteobacteria, particularly the family Burkholderiaceae, in the roots. Metabolite analysis further indicated that γ-PGA treatment significantly elevated salicylic acid (SA) levels, suggesting that SA played a critical role in the assembly of the root microbiome under γ-PGA treatment. Further experiments confirmed the antagonistic activity and induced systemic resistance (ISR) of Burkholderia sp. against Fusarium wilt. Burkholderia sp. CM72 was found to enhance plant disease resistance through antibiosis and activation of jasmonic acid (JA)-related pathways. In summary, γ-PGA significantly improved plant disease resistance by modulating the SA pathway and promoted the colonization of beneficial microbiota, particularly with Burkholderia sp.
Rice Growth and Leaf Physiology in Response to Four Levels of Continuous Drought Stress in Southern China
Authors: Zhang Wenlong , Shi Hong , Cai Shuo , Guo Qiaoling , Dai Yulong , Wang Haiyuan , Wan Shaoyuan , Yuan Yizhe
Published: July 2024

Exploring the growth and physiological response mechanisms of rice under continuous drought stress circumstances can provide a significant scientific foundation and technological assistance for meeting drought difficulties, improving drought resistance and rice (Oryza sativa L.) output, and ensuring food security. In this study, a rice field experiment was conducted under a rain shelter with five different treatments set up: P1 (drought stress from tillering stage), P2 (drought stress from jointing–booting stage), P3 (drought stress from heading–flowering stage), P4 (drought stress from grain filling stage), and CK (adequate water management throughout the growth stage). Continuous drought stress from different growth stages with four levels (mild, medium, moderate, and severe). The results showed that the effects of different drought stress treatments on rice growth varied significantly. Compared with the CK treatment, plant height was reduced by 12.10%, 8.14%, 3.83%, and 1.06% in the P1, P2, P3, and P4 treatments, respectively, and the number of tillers was reduced by 23.83%, 18.91%, 13.47%, and 8.68%, respectively. With the increase in drought stress levels, SPAD values and Rubisco activity of rice leaf continued to decrease; SOD activity showed a decreasing trend, but the decreasing trend of POD and CAT activities was not significant, while MDA content showed an increasing trend. For yield components, continuous drought stress significantly reduced spike length of rice by an average of 3.5%, effective number of spikes by 18.9%, thousand grain weight by 3.7%, grain number per spike by 11.6%, and fruiting rate by 1.8%, respectively, compared to CK treatments during the growth period. In general, continuous drought stress during the early growth period affected the effective spike number and the grain number per spike. Continuous drought stress after the grain filling stage had the least effect on yield (17.62% of yield reduction), and water use efficiency (1.76 kg m−3) was much higher than other treatments. These researchers’ findings provide insight into how rice physiology and growth react to continuous drought stress, which is significant for agricultural operations.
Longitudinal Trends in In-Patient Antibiotic Consumption According to the WHO Access, Watch, Reserve (AWaRe) Antibiotic Groups and Cost: An Analysis of Data at a National Antimicrobial Consumption Network (NAC-NET) Site in North India over 7 Years (2017–2023)
Authors: Mittal Niti , Tayal Ashish , Kumar Suneel , Dhawan Reevanshi , Goel Nidhi , Mittal Rakesh
Published: July 2024

(1) Background: Antibiotic surveillance data are crucial to map out strategies to promote their optimal use at hospital and community levels. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of longitudinal trends in antibiotic consumption over 7 years at a core “National Antimicrobial Consumption Network” site in North India. (2) Methods: In-patient antibiotic consumption data (2017–2023) were obtained from the hospital’s central drug store and organised as follows: defined daily dose per 100 bed-days; antibiotic consumption as per the WHO access, watch and reserve classification; trends in overall and different antibiotic classes’ consumption; paediatric formulations of antibiotics; and hospital’s annual expenditure on antibiotics. (3) Results: During the 7-year study period, no significant trend could be observed in the overall antibiotic consumption (average annual percent change, AAPC: 9.22; 95% CI: −16.46, 34.9) and cost (AAPC: 13.55; −13.2, 40.3). There was a higher proportion of the consumption of antibiotics in the “reserve” group from 2021 onwards compared to previous years, but the overall trend over 7 years was not significant (AAPC: 319.75; −137.6, 777.1). Antibiotic combinations, classified under the WHO “not recommended” category, comprised a significant proportion of antibiotics consumed. A remarkably increased consumption of azithromycin and doxycycline was recorded during 2020 and 2021, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. (4) Conclusions: Some recommendations to optimise antibiotic use are promoting the use of narrow spectrum “access” group agents; linking antimicrobial resistance and consumption data to formulate effective therapeutic and prophylactic antibiotic use guidelines; and the adoption of restrictive antibiotic policy.
Citrus Pomace as a Source of Plant Complexes to Be Used in the Nutraceutical Field of Intestinal Inflammation
Authors: Ingegneri Mariarosaria , Braghini Maria Rita , Piccione Michela , De Stefanis Cristiano , Mandrone Manuela , Chiocchio Ilaria , Poli Ferruccio , Imbesi Martina , Alisi Anna , Smeriglio Antonella , Trombetta Domenico
Published: July 2024

This study aims to recover the main by-product of Citrus fruits processing, the raw pomace, known also as pastazzo, to produce plant complexes to be used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Food-grade extracts from orange (OE) and lemon (LE) pomace were obtained by ultrasound-assisted maceration. After a preliminary phytochemical and biological screening by in vitro assays, primary and secondary metabolites were characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) and liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-DAD-ESI-MS) analyses. The intestinal bioaccessibility and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties were investigated by in vitro simulated gastro-intestinal digestion followed by treatments on a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (Caco-2). The tight junctions-associated structural proteins (ZO-1, Claudin-1, and Occludin), transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), reactive oxygen species (ROS)-levels, expression of some key antioxidant (CAT, NRF2 and SOD2) and inflammatory (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-8) genes, and pNFkB p65 nuclear translocation, were evaluated. The OE and LE digesta, which did not show any significant difference in terms of phytochemical profile, showed significant effects in protecting against the LPS-induced intestinal barrier damage, oxidative stress and inflammatory response. In conclusion, both OE and LE emerged as potential candidates for further preclinical studies on in vivo IBD models.
The Impact of Weight Loss on Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Mitochondrial Function in Subjects with Obesity
Authors: Bosch-Sierra Neus , Grau-del Valle Carmen , Hermenejildo Jonathan , Hermo-Argibay Alberto , Salazar Juan Diego , Garrido Marta , Navajas-Porras Beatriz , Sáez Guillermo , Morillas Carlos , Bañuls Celia
Published: July 2024

Inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial function are implicated in the development of obesity and its comorbidities. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of weight loss through calorie restriction on the metabolic profile, inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters, and mitochondrial respiration in an obese population. A total of 109 subjects underwent two cycles of a very low-calorie diet alternated with a low-calorie diet (24 weeks). We analyzed biochemical and inflammatory parameters in serum, as well as oxidative stress markers, mRNA antioxidant gene expression, and mitochondrial respiration in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). After the intervention, there was an improvement in both insulin resistance and lipid profiles, including cholesterol subfractions. Weight loss produced a significant reduction in mitochondrial ROSs content and an increase in glutathione levels, coupled with an enhancement in the mRNA expression of antioxidant systems (SOD1, GSR, and CAT). In addition, a significant improvement in basal oxygen consumption, maximal respiration, and ATP production was observed. These findings demonstrate that moderate weight loss can improve insulin resistance, lipid profiles and subfractions, inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters, and mitochondrial respiration. Therefore, we can affirm that dietary intervention can simultaneously achieve significant weight loss and improve metabolic profile and mitochondrial function in obesity.
Adaptive Mask-Based Interpretable Convolutional Neural Network (AMI-CNN) for Modulation Format Identification
Authors: Zhu Xiyue , Cheng Yu , He Jiafeng , Guo Juan
Published: July 2024

Recently, various deep learning methods have been applied to Modulation Format Identification (MFI). The interpretability of deep learning models is important. However, this interpretability is challenged due to the black-box nature of deep learning. To deal with this difficulty, we propose an Adaptive Mask-Based Interpretable Convolutional Neural Network (AMI-CNN) that utilizes a mask structure for feature selection during neural network training and feeds the selected features into the classifier for decision making. During training, the masks are updated dynamically with parameters to optimize feature selection. The extracted mask serves as interpretable weights, with each weight corresponding to a feature, reflecting the contribution of each feature to the model’s decision. We validate the model on two datasets—Power Spectral Density (PSD) and constellation phase histogram—and compare it with three classical interpretable methods: Gradient-Weighted Class Activation Mapping (Grad-CAM), Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanations (LIME), and Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP). The MSE values are as follows: AMI-CNN achieves the lowest MSE of 0.0246, followed by SHAP with 0.0547, LIME with 0.0775, and Grad-CAM with 0.1995. Additionally, AMI-CNN achieves the highest PG-Acc of 1, whether on PSD or on constellation phase histogram. Experimental results demonstrate that the AMI-CNN model outperforms compared methods in both qualitative and quantitative analyses.
Characterization of the Prepared CaO-Based Sorbents for Hydrogen Production through Ethanol Steam Reforming
Authors: Elfaki Hind , Khzouz Martin , Gkanas Evangelos I. , Walker Gavin
Published: July 2024

Sorbents for CO2 capture based on CaO have been synthesized and tested for sorption-enhanced steam reforming (SESR) via the co-precipitation method. Various stoichiometries of MgO and CeO2 have been utilized along with Cao and an optimum stoichiometry was identified providing the highest capacity and stability over cycling. The as-synthesized sorbents were structurally characterized by means of XRD and SEM. The thermal characterization was obtained via TGA. The porosity of the synthesized samples was measured by the N2 adsorption and mercury porosimetry. Based on the outcomes of the current work, the sorbents with the highest capacities presented a highly porous structure with a porosity level higher than 65%. The sorbents were tested at high temperatures over repeated cycling (carbonation/decarbonation) to identify the stability of the synthesized sorbents over cycling. The results showed that the stoichiometry of 6:2:1 (CaO, MgO, CeO2) could retain a capacity up to 25 wt% even after 45 cycles.
Enhancing Emerging Pollutant Removal in Industrial Wastewater: Validation of a Photocatalysis Technology in Agri-Food Industry Effluents
Authors: Fabregat Víctor
Published: July 2024

Emerging pollutants in wastewater pose significant risks to human health and wildlife, particularly due to their persistence in treated effluents from WWTPs. Very recent research has focused on developing new techniques based on advanced oxidation processes using inorganic and organic photocatalysts for treating polluted effluents under visible light. This study investigates a pesticide-removal system utilizing heterogeneous photoactive polymeric materials P2, P3, and P4. These materials, engineered as hydrophilic polymeric microparticles and functionalized with Rose Bengal, have demonstrated efficient singlet oxygen generation and first-order kinetics in the degradation of AHMPD, a pyrimidine fungicide. Given that most studies in the literature have concentrated on urban WWTPs, with less emphasis on industrial wastewater treatment, this research focused on real water samples from the effluent of an industrial WWTP in the agri-food sector, which processes large volumes of citrus and where high concentrations of AHMPD and other pesticides were detected at certain times of the year. The degradation potential of photoactive materials P3 and P4 was evaluated, achieving removal rates of AHMPD up to 85% under conditions of pH = 11 with 48 h of exposure to visible light.
An Improved Detail-Enhancement CycleGAN Using AdaLIN for Facial Style Transfer
Authors: Liu Jingyun , Liu Han , He Yuxin , Tong Shuo
Published: July 2024

The rise of comics and games has led to increased artistic processing of portrait photos. With growing commercial demand and advancements in deep learning, neural networks for rapid facial style transfer have become a key research area in computer vision. This involves converting face photos into different styles while preserving content. Face images are more complex than regular images, requiring extensive modification. However, current methods often face issues such as unnatural color transitions, loss of detail in highlighted areas, and noticeable artifacts along edges, resulting in low-quality stylized images. In this study, an enhanced generative adversarial network (GAN) is proposed, which is based on Adaptive Layer Instance Normalization (AdaLIN) + Laplacian. This approach incorporates the AdaLIN normalization method, allowing for the dynamic adjustment of Instance Normalization (IN) and Layer Normalization (LN) parameters’ weights during training. By combining the strengths of both normalization techniques, the model selectively preserves and alters content information to some extent, aiming to strike a balance between style and content. This helps address problems such as unnatural color transitions and loss of details in highlights that lead to color inconsistencies. Furthermore, the introduction of a Laplacian regularization term aids in denoising the image, preventing noise features from interfering with the color transfer process. This regularization also helps reduce color artifacts along the face’s edges caused by noise while maintaining the image’s contour information. These enhancements significantly enhance the quality of the generated face images. To compare our method with traditional CycleGAN and recent algorithms such as XGAN and CariGAN, both subjective and objective evaluations were conducted. Subjectively, our method demonstrates more natural color transitions and superior artifact elimination, achieving higher scores in Mean Opinion Score (MOS) evaluations. Objectively, experiments using our method yielded better scores across three metrics: FID, SSIM, and MS-SSIM. The effectiveness of the proposed methods is validated through both objective and subjective evaluations.
Study on the Flow Velocity of Safe and Energy-Saving Transportation of Light-Particle Slurry
Authors: Wang Xiaochun , Wang Yue , Hao Dayun , Zhao Haiqian , Hu Zhipei
Published: July 2024

In order to determine the recommended flow velocity for the safe and energy-saving transport of ice-slurry-type light particle slurries, it is necessary to study the flow characteristics of light particle slurries, especially the critical flow velocity. Therefore, in this paper, a numerical simulation method based on the mixed turbulence model with the RANS (Reynolds averaged Navier Stokes) equation is used, and a new concentration distribution method is proposed for the first time to derive the critical flow velocity, as follows: the flow velocity of the light particle slurry when the ratio of the solid volume fraction vf at the position of 0.08D above the bottom of the pipeline to that at the center of the pipeline, vf/vf(y) = 0.75, is taken as the critical flow velocity. The flow changes in the slurry (polyethylene particles with a density of 922 kg/m3 and water) under 0.1–1.0 m/s (at intervals of 0.1 m/s) were investigated experimentally, and the pressure drop data obtained from the experiments were used to determine the recommended flow rate for safe and energy-saving transportation of the light particle slurry. The pipe diameter used for the experiments and simulations was 28 mm, and the solid-phase particle sizes were 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, and 0.5 mm, with solid-phase contents of 5 vol%, 10 vol%, 15 vol%, and 20 vol%. In addition, the experimental and numerical simulation results show that an increase in solid-phase content and particle size leads to an increase in critical flow velocity.
Early Detection and Stability Assessment of Hazardous Rock Masses in Steep Slopes
Authors: Bai Mingzhou , Cui Zhuangzhuang , Mou Kai
Published: July 2024

The assessment of slope stability plays a critical role in the prevention and management of slope disasters. Evaluating the condition and stability of hazardous rock masses is essential for predicting potential collapses and assessing treatment effectiveness. However, conventional measurement techniques are inadequate in high slope areas, which lack sufficient spatial data to support subsequent calculations and analyses. Therefore, this paper presents a method for the early identification and evaluation of unstable rock masses in high slopes using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) digital photogrammetry and geographic information technology. By considering nine evaluation indices including geology, topography, and induced conditions within the study area, weights for each index are determined through an analytic hierarchy process. A semi-automatic approach is then utilized to extract and analyze rock mass stability. The reliability of this early identification method is confirmed by applying the limit equilibrium principle. The findings reveal that 17.6% of dangerous rock masses in the study area fall into the unstable category (W4, W6, W10). This method effectively assesses slope rock mass stability while providing technical support for disaster monitoring systems, warning mechanisms, and railway infrastructure safety defense capability to ensure safe mountain railway operations.
Investigation of Degradation and Biocompatibility of Indirect 3D-Printed Bile Duct Stents
Authors: Lee Ming-Chan , Pan Cheng-Tang , Huang Ruo-Jiun , Ou Hsin-You , Yu Chun-Yen , Shiue Yow-Ling
Published: July 2024

This study proposes a bile duct stent based on indirect 3D printing technology. Four ratio materials were synthesized from lactic acid (LA) and glycolide (GA) monomers by melt polymerization: PLA, PLGA (70:30), PLGA (50:50), and PLGA (30:70). The four kinds of material powders were preliminarily degraded, and the appearance was observed with an optical microscope (OM) and a camera. The weight and appearance of the four materials changed significantly after four weeks of degradation, which met the conditions for materials to be degraded within 4–6 weeks. Among them, PLGA (50:50) lost the most—the weight dropped to 13.4%. A stent with an outer diameter of 10 mm and an inner diameter of 8 mm was successfully manufactured by indirect 3D printing technology, demonstrating the potential of our research. Then, the degradation experiment was carried out on a cylindrical stent with a diameter of 6 mm and a height of 3 mm. The weight loss of the sample was less than that of the powder degradation, and the weight loss of PLGA (50:50) was the largest—the weight dropped to 79.6%. The nano-indenter system measured the mechanical properties of materials. Finally, human liver cancer cells Hep-3B were used to conduct in vitro cytotoxicity tests on the scaffolds to test the biocompatibility of the materials. A bile duct stent meeting commercial size requirements has been developed, instilling confidence in the potential of our research for future medical applications.
Effects of Prenatal Dexamethasone Treatment and Post-Weaning Moderate Fructose Intake on Synaptic Plasticity and Behavior in Adult Male Wistar Rat Offspring
Authors: Ignjatović Đurđica , Nestorović Nataša , Tomić Mirko , Ristić Nataša , Veličković Nataša , Perović Milka , Manojlović-Stojanoski Milica
Published: July 2024

Early-life glucocorticoid overexposure induces diverse neurodevelopmental outcomes regarding stress reactivity and cognition. Increased fructose consumption has also been associated with alterations in cognitive capacity and behavior. The present study investigated the effects of prenatal dexamethasone exposure on synaptic plasticity, locomotion, anxiety, and recognition memory in adult male Wistar rat offspring, and whether these effects are potentiated by postnatal fructose consumption. Pregnant female rats were treated with dexamethasone during late gestation and male offspring were supplemented with a moderate dose of fructose. Recognition memory, locomotion, and anxiety-like behavior were assessed using a novel object recognition test, open-field test, and elevated plus maze, respectively. Hippocampal synaptic plasticity was estimated by the levels of growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43), synaptophysin, postsynaptic density protein 95, calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase IIα, and their activating phosphorylations. Additionally, protein levels of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and its transcriptionally active phosphorylated form were evaluated. Prenatal dexamethasone treatment induced an anxiolytic-like effect, stimulation of exploratory behavior, and novelty preference associated with an increase in GR and GAP-43 protein levels in the hippocampus. Fructose overconsumption after weaning did not modify the effects of prenatal glucocorticoid exposure. Applied prenatal dexamethasone treatment may induce changes in reactions to novel situations in male Wistar rats.
Zinc Deficiency and Zinc Supplementation in Allergic Diseases
Authors: Maywald Martina , Rink Lothar
Published: July 2024

In recent decades, it has become clear that allergic diseases are on the rise in both Western and developing countries. The exact reason for the increase in prevalence has not been conclusively clarified yet. Multidimensional approaches are suspected in which diet and nutrition seem to play a particularly important role. Allergic diseases are characterized by a hyper-reactive immune system to usually harmless allergens, leading to chronic inflammatory diseases comprising respiratory diseases like asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR), allergic skin diseases like atopic dermatitis (AD), and food allergies. There is evidence that diet can have a positive or negative influence on both the development and severity of allergic diseases. In particular, the intake of the essential trace element zinc plays a very important role in modulating the immune response, which was first demonstrated around 60 years ago. The most prevalent type I allergies are mainly based on altered immunoglobulin (Ig)E and T helper (Th)2 cytokine production, leading to type 2 inflammation. This immune status can also be observed during zinc deficiency and can be positively influenced by zinc supplementation. The underlying immunological mechanisms are very complex and multidimensional. Since zinc supplements vary in dose and bioavailability, and clinical trials often differ in design and structure, different results can be observed. Therefore, different results are not surprising. However, the current literature suggests a link between zinc deficiency and the development of allergies, and shows positive effects of zinc supplementation on modulating the immune system and reducing allergic symptoms, which are discussed in more detail in this review.
Therapeutic Applications of Rosmarinic Acid in Cancer-Chemotherapy-Associated Resistance and Toxicity
Authors: Villegas Cecilia , Cortez Nicole , Ogundele Ayorinde Victor , Burgos Viviana , Pardi Paulo Celso , Cabrera-Pardo Jaime R. , Paz Cristian
Published: July 2024

Chemotherapeutic drugs and radiotherapy are fundamental treatments to combat cancer, but, often, the doses in these treatments are restricted by their non-selective toxicities, which affect healthy tissues surrounding tumors. On the other hand, drug resistance is recognized as the main cause of chemotherapeutic treatment failure. Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a polyphenol of the phenylpropanoid family that is widely distributed in plants and vegetables, including medicinal aromatic herbs, consumption of which has demonstrated beneficial activities as antioxidants and anti-inflammatories and reduced the risks of cancers. Recently, several studies have shown that RA is able to reverse cancer resistance to first-line chemotherapeutics, as well as play a protective role against toxicity induced by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, mainly due to its scavenger capacity. This review compiles information from 56 articles from Google Scholar, PubMed, and ClinicalTrials.gov aimed at addressing the role of RA as a complementary therapy in cancer treatment.
Molybdenum’s Role as an Essential Element in Enzymes Catabolizing Redox Reactions: A Review
Authors: Adamus Jakub Piotr , Ruszczyńska Anna , Wyczałkowska-Tomasik Aleksandra
Published: July 2024

Molybdenum (Mo) is an essential element for human life, acting as a cofactor in various enzymes crucial for metabolic homeostasis. This review provides a comprehensive insight into the latest advances in research on molybdenum-containing enzymes and their clinical significance. One of these enzymes is xanthine oxidase (XO), which plays a pivotal role in purine catabolism, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) capable of inducing oxidative stress and subsequent organ dysfunction. Elevated XO activity is associated with liver pathologies such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Aldehyde oxidases (AOs) are also molybdenum-containing enzymes that, similar to XO, participate in drug metabolism, with notable roles in the oxidation of various substrates. However, beneath its apparent efficacy, AOs’ inhibition may impact drug effectiveness and contribute to liver damage induced by hepatotoxins. Another notable molybdenum-enzyme is sulfite oxidase (SOX), which catalyzes the conversion of sulfite to sulfate, crucial for the degradation of sulfur-containing amino acids. Recent research highlights SOX’s potential as a diagnostic marker for HCC, offering promising sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing cancerous lesions. The newest member of molybdenum-containing enzymes is mitochondrial amidoxime-reducing component (mARC), involved in drug metabolism and detoxification reactions. Emerging evidence suggests its involvement in liver pathologies such as HCC and NAFLD, indicating its potential as a therapeutic target. Overall, understanding the roles of molybdenum-containing enzymes in human physiology and disease pathology is essential for advancing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for various health conditions, particularly those related to liver dysfunction. Further research into the molecular mechanisms underlying these enzymes’ functions could lead to novel treatments and improved patient outcomes.
Flow Cytometry as a New Accessible Method to Evaluate Diagnostic Osmotic Changes in Patients with Red Blood Cell Membrane Defects
Authors: Beltrán Asunción , Sánchez-Villalobos María , Salido Eduardo , Algueró Carmen , Campos Eulalia , Pérez-Oliva Ana Belén , Blanquer Miguel , Moraleda José M.
Published: July 2024

Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is a membranopathy that impacts the vertical junctions between the cytoskeleton and the plasma membrane of erythrocytes. The gold standard method for diagnosing it is osmotic gradient ektacytometry (OGE). However, access to this technique is scarce. We have devised a straightforward approach utilizing flow cytometry to quantify variations in an osmotic gradient, relying on FSC-H/SSC-H patterns. We studied 14 patients (9 pediatric, 5 adults) and 54 healthy controls (16 pediatric, 38 adults). After assessing the behavior of the samples in several osmolar gradients we selected for the study the 176, 308, and 458 mOsm/kg levels as hypo-osmolar, iso-osmolar, and hyper-osmolar references. We then selected the iso-osmolar point for assessment to determine its efficacy in discriminating between patient and control groups using a receiver operating characteristic curve. In the pediatric group, the area under the curve (AUC) was 1.0, indicating 100% sensitivity and 93.3% specificity. Conversely, in the adult group, the AUC was 0.98, with 80% sensitivity and 90.9% specificity. We introduce a method that is easily replicable and demonstrates high sensitivity and specificity. This technique could prove valuable in the diagnosis of spherocytosis.
The Effects of Cathepsin B Inhibition in the Face of Diffuse Traumatic Brain Injury and Secondary Intracranial Pressure Elevation
Authors: Hernandez Martina , Regan Sean , Ansari Rana , Logan-Wesley Amanda , Lilova Radina , Levi Chelsea , Gorse Karen , Lafrenaye Audrey
Published: July 2024

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects millions of people each year. Previous studies using the central fluid percussion injury (CFPI) model in adult male rats indicated that elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) was associated with long-term effects, including neuronal cell loss and increased sensory sensitivity post-injury and secondary ICP elevation, which were not seen following injury alone. Investigations also indicated that cathepsin B (Cath B), a lysosomal cysteine protease, may play a role in the pathological progression of neuronal membrane disruption; however, the specific impact of Cath B inhibition following CFPI remained unknown. Thus, the focus of this study was to evaluate the effects of Cath B inhibition via the intracerebroventricular infusion of the Cath B inhibitor to the CA-074 methyl ester (CA-074Me) 2w following injury with or without secondary ICP elevation. This was accomplished using adult male rats continuously infused with CA-074Me or 10% DMSO as a vehicle control for 2w following either sham injury, CFPI only, or CFPI with subsequent ICP elevation to 20 mmHg. We assessed Cath B activity and evaluated the protein levels of Cath B and Cath B-binding partners AIF, Bcl-XL, and Bak. We also conducted histological analyses of the total cell counts to assess for cell loss, membrane disruption, and Cath B localization. Finally, we investigated somatosensory changes with the whisker nuisance task. Overall, this study demonstrated that Cath B is not a direct driver of membrane disruption; however, the administration of CA-074Me alters Cath B localization and reduces hypersensitivity, emphasizing Cath B as an important component in late secondary pathologies.
The Behavioral Intention to Use Virtual Reality in Schools: A Technology Acceptance Model
Authors: Puiu Silvia , Udriștioiu Mihaela Tinca
Published: July 2024

This paper presents the impact of using virtual reality (VR) in education and focuses on the main factors that affect the behavioral intention of using this new technology for the benefit of both professors and students. As part of our research methodology, we conducted a survey based on the Technology Acceptance Model and used partial least squares structural equation modelling. The results show that the intention to use VR technology in education is influenced by both usage satisfaction and the task–technology fit. The system quality of the VR technology proved to be important in influencing both the task–technology fit and perceived usefulness. The findings are useful for professors considering the adoption of new technologies that might improve the efficiency of learning for their students. Additionally, managers of educational institutions can use these insights to direct investments towards this type of innovation, which appeals to newer generations.
Simulation and Experimental Study on Bridge–Vehicle Impact Coupling Effect under Pavement Local Deterioration
Authors: Zhong Jiwei , Wang Jiyuan , Jiang Yuyin , Li Ruichang , Zhang Xiedong , Liu Yingqi
Published: July 2024

With the rapid development of China’s transportation network, the demand for bridge construction is increasing, the traffic volume is increasing yearly, and the average vehicle speed and the frequency of overloaded vehicles crossing bridges are soaring. When a vehicle passes over a highway bridge, it can easily form a coupling vibration between the vehicle and bridge due to the excitation of the expansion joint, the unevenness of the bridge deck, and the existing coating-hole. The impact effect is significant, which seriously affects the operation safety of both the vehicle and bridge, seriously damaging the service life of the bridge. Due to the influence of construction technology, it is common for the vibration to meet transverse and longitudinal expansion joints of a prefabricated girder bridge, where an aging bridge deck frequently results in bulges and potholes in asphalt pavement. The bridge vibration amplification effect under the dynamic load of heavy, high-speed vehicles is significant, and research about the large impact coefficient of bridges with local pavement deterioration is urgently needed. This study used SIMULINK simulation software and involved conducting several bridge model tests. Dynamic simulation analyses and running vehicle tests on scaled and real bridge models were carried out to study the coupling vibration response of bridge decks in the presence of different pothole sizes. The results show that the impact effect of low-speed vehicles passing through a larger-sized pothole is relatively significant, and the impact coefficient can be amplified to 214% of the original value under good road surfaces in extreme cases. The vehicle–bridge coupling impact effect of potholes is similar to bulges. This relevant work could provide suggestions for the operational performance evaluation and maintenance of bridges with local pavement deterioration.