bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a Comprehensive Gene Signature Linking Hypoxia, Glycolysis, Lactylation, and Metabolomic Insights in Gastric Cancer through the Integration of Bulk and Single-Cell RNA-Seq Data
Authors: Zhang Xiangqian , Li Yun , Chen Yongheng
Published: November 2023

Background: Hypoxia and anaerobic glycolysis are cancer hallmarks and sources of the metabolite lactate. Intriguingly, lactate-induced protein lactylation is considered a novel epigenetic mechanism that predisposes cells toward a malignant state. However, the significance of comprehensive hypoxia–glycolysis–lactylation-related genes (HGLRGs) in cancer is unclear. We aimed to construct a model centered around HGLRGs for predicting survival, metabolic features, drug responsiveness, and immune response in gastric cancer. Methods: The integration of bulk and single-cell RNA-Seq data was achieved using data obtained from the TCGA and GEO databases to analyze HGLRG expression patterns. A HGLRG risk-score model was developed based on univariate Cox regression and a LASSO-Cox regression model and subsequently validated. Additionally, the relationships between the identified HGLRG signature and multiple metabolites, drug sensitivity and various cell clusters were explored. Results: Thirteen genes were identified as constituting the HGLRG signature. Using this signature, we established predictive models, including HGLRG risk scores and nomogram and Cox regression models. The stratification of patients into high- and low-risk groups based on HGLRG risk scores showed a better prognosis in the latter. The high-risk group displayed increased sensitivity to cytotoxic drugs and targeted inhibitors. The expression of the HGLRG BGN displayed a strong correlation with amino acids and lipid metabolites. Notably, a significant difference in immune infiltration, such as that of M1 macrophages and CD8 T cells, was correlated with the HGLRG signature. The abundant DUSP1 within the mesenchymal components was highlighted by single-cell transcriptomics. Conclusion: The innovative HGLRG signature demonstrates efficacy in predicting survival and providing a practical clinical model for gastric cancer. The HGLRG signature reflects the internal metabolism, drug responsiveness, and immune microenvironment components of gastric cancer and is expected to boost patients’ response to targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
The Effects of Age on Prostatic Responses to Oxytocin and the Effects of Antagonists
Authors: Badshah Masroor , Ibrahim Jibriil , Su Nguok , Whiley Penny , Whittaker Michael , Exintaris Betty
Published: November 2023

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an age-related enlargement of the prostate with urethral obstruction that predominantly affects the middle-aged and older male population, resulting in disruptive lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), thus creating a profound impact on an individual’s quality of life. The development of LUTS may be linked to overexpression of oxytocin receptors (OXTR), resulting in increased baseline myogenic tone within the prostate. Thus, it is hypothesised that targeting OXTR using oxytocin receptor antagonists (atosiban, cligosiban, and β-Mercapto-β,β-cyclopentamethylenepropionyl1, O-Me-Tyr2, Orn8]-Oxytocin (ßMßßC)), may attenuate myogenic tone within the prostate. Organ bath and immunohistochemistry techniques were conducted on prostate tissue from young and older rats. Our contractility studies demonstrated that atosiban significantly decreased the frequency of spontaneous contractions within the prostate of young rats (**** p < 0.0001), and cligosiban (* p < 0.05), and ßMßßC (**** p < 0.0001) in older rats. Additionally, immunohistochemistry findings revealed that nuclear-specific OXTR was predominantly expressed within the epithelium of the prostate of both young (*** p < 0.001) and older rats (**** p < 0.0001). In conclusion, our findings indicate that oxytocin is a key modulator of prostate contractility, and targeting OXTR is a promising avenue in the development of novel BPH drugs.
Exogenous Volatile Organic Compound (EVOC®) Breath Testing Maximizes Classification Performance for Subjects with Cirrhosis and Reveals Signs of Portal Hypertension
Authors: Ferrandino Giuseppe , Ricciardi Federico , Murgia Antonio , Banda Iris , Manhota Menisha , Ahmed Yusuf , Sweeney Kelly , Nicholson-Scott Louise , McConville Lucinda , Gandelman Olga , Allsworth Max , Boyle Billy , Smolinska Agnieszka , Ginesta Frings Carmen A. , Contreras Jorge , Asenjo-Lobos Claudia , Barrientos Viviana , Clavo Nataly , Novoa Angela , Riviotta Amy , Jerez Melissa , Méndez Luis
Published: November 2023

Background: Cirrhosis detection in primary care relies on low-performing biomarkers. Consequently, up to 75% of subjects with cirrhosis receive their first diagnosis with decompensation when causal treatments are less effective at preserving liver function. We investigated an unprecedented approach to cirrhosis detection based on dynamic breath testing. Methods: We enrolled 29 subjects with cirrhosis (Child–Pugh A and B), and 29 controls. All subjects fasted overnight. Breath samples were taken using Breath Biopsy® before and at different time points after the administration of 100 mg limonene. Absolute limonene breath levels were measured using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Results: All subjects showed a >100-fold limonene spike in breath after administration compared to baseline. Limonene breath kinetics showed first-order decay in >90% of the participants, with higher bioavailability in the cirrhosis group. At the Youden index, baseline limonene levels showed classification performance with an area under the roc curve (AUROC) of 0.83 ± 0.012, sensitivity of 0.66 ± 0.09, and specificity of 0.83 ± 0.07. The best performing timepoint post-administration was 60 min, with an AUROC of 0.91, sensitivity of 0.83 ± 0.07, and specificity of 0.9 ± 0.06. In the cirrhosis group, limonene bioavailability showed a correlation with MELD and fibrosis indicators, and was associated with signs of portal hypertension. Conclusions: Dynamic limonene breath testing enhances diagnostic performance for cirrhosis compared to static testing. The correlation with disease severity suggests potential for monitoring therapeutic interventions. Given the non-invasive nature of breath collection, a dynamic limonene breath test could be implemented in primary care.
Cell Line-Based Human Bladder Organoids with Bladder-like Self-Organization—A New Standardized Approach in Bladder Cancer Research
Authors: Berndt-Paetz Mandy , Han Shanfu , Weimann Annett , Reinhold Annabell , Nürnberger Sandra , Neuhaus Jochen
Published: November 2023

Three-dimensional tumor models have gained significant importance in bladder cancer (BCa) research. Organoids consisting of different cell types better mimic solid tumors in terms of 3D architecture, proliferation, cell–cell interaction and drug responses. We developed four organoids from human BCa cell lines with fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells of the bladder, aiming to find models for BCa research. The organoids were characterized in terms of cytokeratins, vimentin, α-actin and KI67 by immunoreactivity. Further, we studied ligand-dependent activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and investigated the responses to anti-tumor therapies. The organoids mimicked the structure of an inverse bladder wall, with outside urothelial cells and a core of supportive cells. The cytokeratin staining patterns and proliferation rate were in conjunction with the origins of the BCa cells. RT-112 even showed stratification of the epithelium. Treatment with Wnt10B led to increased β-catenin (active) levels in high-grade organoids, but not in low-grade BCa cells. Doxorubicin treatment resulted in clearly reduced viability (10–30% vs. untreated). In contrast, the effectivity of radiotherapy depended on the proliferation status of BCa cells. In conclusion, cell-line-based organoids can form bladder-like structures and reproduce in vivo features such as urothelial differentiation and stratification. Thus, they can be useful tools for functional studies in BCa and anti-cancer drug development.
Advancements in Composite Materials and Their Expanding Role in Biomedical Applications
Authors: Jeyachandran Sivakamavalli , Chellapandian Hethesh , Ali Nemat
Published: November 2023

The synthesis of a Ni-doped ZnO nanocomposite incorporating chitosan (CS/Ni-doped ZnO) was achieved via a precipitation method, followed by annealing at 250 °C. This study comprehensively examined the nanocomposite’s structural, functional, morphological, and porosity properties using various analytical techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis. The presence of chitosan (CS) and nickel (Ni) within the nanocomposite, along with their influence on reducing the band gap of ZnO particles and enhancing the generation of electron-hole pairs, was confirmed using UV-visible near-infrared spectroscopy (UV-vis-NIR). The electrochemical properties of the CS/Ni-doped ZnO nanocomposite were investigated via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) by utilizing a phosphate buffer solution with a pH of 6, which closely resembled the typical pH of bacterial cell walls. Finally, the prepared CS/Ni-doped ZnO nanocomposite was evaluated for its antibacterial and anticancer activities. The results demonstrated the highest inhibition of bacterial growth in P. vulgaris, whereas the lowest inhibition was found in S. aureus across various concentrations, thus highlighting its potential in antimicrobial applications. The cytotoxicity of CS/Ni-doped ZnO nanocomposites demonstrated remarkable effects with a half-maximum inhibitory concentration of approximately 80 ± 0.23 µg mL−1 against MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines, following a dose-dependent manner.
Seasonal Variation in the Responsiveness of the Melanopsin System to Evening Light: Why We Should Report Season When Collecting Data in Human Sleep and Circadian Studies
Authors: Schöllhorn Isabel , Stefani Oliver , Blume Christine , Cajochen Christian
Published: November 2023

It is well known that variations in light exposure during the day affect light sensitivity in the evening. More daylight reduces sensitivity, and less daylight increases it. On average days, we spend less time outdoors in winter and receive far less light than in summer. Therefore, it could be relevant when collecting research data on the non-image forming (NIF) effects of light on circadian rhythms and sleep. In fact, studies conducted only in winter may result in more pronounced NIF effects than in summer. Here, we systematically collected information on the extent to which studies on the NIF effects of evening light include information on season and/or light history. We found that more studies were conducted in winter than in summer and that reporting when a study was conducted or measuring individual light history is not currently a standard in sleep and circadian research. In addition, we sought to evaluate seasonal variations in a previously published dataset of 72 participants investigating circadian and sleep effects of evening light exposure in a laboratory protocol where daytime light history was not controlled. In this study, we selectively modulated melanopic irradiance at four different light levels (<90 lx). Here, we aimed to retrospectively evaluate seasonal variations in the responsiveness of the melanopsin system by combining all data sets in an exploratory manner. Our analyses suggest that light sensitivity is indeed reduced in summer compared to winter. Thus, to increase the reproducibility of NIF effects on sleep and circadian measures, we recommend an assessment of the light history and encourage standardization of reporting guidelines on the seasonal distribution of measurements.
Evaluating the Performance of Multiple Sequence Alignment Programs with Application to Genotyping SARS-CoV-2 in the Saudi Population
Authors: Alqahtani Aminah , Almutairy Meznah
Published: November 2023

This study explores the accuracy and efficiency of multiple sequence alignment (MSA) programs, focusing on ClustalΩ, MAFFT, and MUSCLE in the context of genotyping SARS-CoV-2 for the Saudi population. Our results indicate that MAFFT outperforms the others, making it an ideal choice for large-scale genomic analyses. The comparative performance of MSAs assembled using MergeAlign demonstrates that MAFFT and MUSCLE consistently exhibit higher accuracy than ClustalΩ in both reference-based and consensus-based approaches. The evaluation of genotyping effectiveness reveals that the addition of a reference sequence, such as the SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan-Hu-1 isolate, does not significantly affect the alignment process, suggesting that using consensus sequences derived from individual MSA alignments may yield comparable genotyping outcomes. Investigating single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and mutations highlights distinctive features of MSA programs. ClustalΩ and MAFFT show similar counts, while MUSCLE displays the highest SNP count. High-frequency SNP analysis identifies MAFFT as the most accurate MSA program, emphasizing its reliability. Comparisons between Saudi and global SARS-CoV-2 populations underscore regional genetic variations. Saudis exhibit consistently higher frequencies of high-frequency SNPs, attributed to genetic similarity within the population. Transmission dynamics analysis reveals a higher frequency of co-mutations in the Saudi dataset, suggesting shared evolutionary patterns. These findings emphasize the importance of considering regional diversity in genetic analyses.
Automated Measurement of Vascular Calcification in Femoral Endarterectomy Patients Using Deep Learning
Authors: Bagheri Rajeoni Alireza , Pederson Breanna , Clair Daniel G. , Lessner Susan M. , Valafar Homayoun
Published: November 2023

Atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the large arteries, presents a global health risk. Accurate analysis of diagnostic images, like computed tomographic angiograms (CTAs), is essential for staging and monitoring the progression of atherosclerosis-related conditions, including peripheral arterial disease (PAD). However, manual analysis of CTA images is time-consuming and tedious. To address this limitation, we employed a deep learning model to segment the vascular system in CTA images of PAD patients undergoing femoral endarterectomy surgery and to measure vascular calcification from the left renal artery to the patella. Utilizing proprietary CTA images of 27 patients undergoing femoral endarterectomy surgery provided by Prisma Health Midlands, we developed a Deep Neural Network (DNN) model to first segment the arterial system, starting from the descending aorta to the patella, and second, to provide a metric of arterial calcification. Our designed DNN achieved 83.4% average Dice accuracy in segmenting arteries from aorta to patella, advancing the state-of-the-art by 0.8%. Furthermore, our work is the first to present a robust statistical analysis of automated calcification measurement in the lower extremities using deep learning, attaining a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 9.5% and a correlation coefficient of 0.978 between automated and manual calcification scores. These findings underscore the potential of deep learning techniques as a rapid and accurate tool for medical professionals to assess calcification in the abdominal aorta and its branches above the patella.
The Impact of COVID-19 and Climate Change on Food Security in Pamijahan District, Bogor Regency
Authors: Apdita Frema , Iskandar Johan , Rochima Emma
Published: November 2023

Food security is a requirement for meeting household food demands and is expressed in the availability of enough food that is sufficient both in quantity and quality, safe, equitable, and inexpensive. Academics and practitioners have attempted to revise food security models that may depict disaster-prone places, particularly Pamijahan District; however, these varied models each have their setbacks when compared to the world’s various global conditions. This study aims to examine how food security is affected by the availability, accessibility, and consumption of food under the influence of climate change and the COVID-19 outbreak in the period 2017–2022. The methods used in this study were mixed-methods (quantitative and qualitative). In this study, participants underwent SMART PLS 3.0 analysis, followed by quantitative analytic techniques. Study results showed that the total food security condition of Cibunian Village in Pamijahan District in the period 2017–2022 can be categorized as vulnerable. Based on the FSVA analysis, it revealed that Cibunian Village was in the category of being vulnerable to food insecurity in general for the 2017–2022 period, while based on the SKPG analysis from the perspective of food access, there has been a 33.3% increase in food insecurity. The COVID-19 outbreak, climate change, and food consumption are the causes, and they all significantly and positively affect food security. This work advances our knowledge of food security in the COVID-19 outbreak age and the issues posed by global climate change. Everywhere, even in disaster-prone areas, complete food security should be attained.
The 5Cs of Positive Youth Development and Risk Behaviors in a Sample of Spanish Emerging Adults: A Partial Mediation Analysis of Gender Differences
Authors: Gomez-Baya Diego , Martin-Barrado Antonio David , Muñoz-Parralo Maria , Roh Myunghoon , Garcia-Moro Francisco Jose , Mendoza-Berjano Ramon
Published: November 2023

Positive Youth Development (PYD) emerged as a holistic and strength-based perspective that focuses on the fact that young people may have the internal and external resources for healthy and successful development through five dimensions (5Cs) that empower them: Perceived Competence, Confidence, Character, Connection, and Caring. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the overall PYD factor, the 5Cs, and risk behaviors, in addition to analyzing gender differences. This study showed the results of a cross-sectional study of 1044 emerging adults from 11 Spanish universities in 2021. Data collection was performed by applying an online self-report measure. The results showed that the Character was protective against substance abuse, mainly in women, while the connection was related to the participation of betting money and online betting in men. Caring was protective against money bets in the men’s sample. However, controversial results were found regarding Perceived competence, which had a positive association with substance abuse, money bets, and drunk driving. It seems that high levels of Perceived competence, rather than objective competence, were associated with engagement in various risk behaviors. Concerning gender differences, men showed more risky behaviors than women. A partial mediation model pointed out that lower character and higher perceived competence in men partly explained the higher presence of risky behavior compared to women. These results underline the need to promote PYD within the university context to prevent risky behaviors by addressing gender differences and the separate role of the 5Cs.
RIS-Assisted Robust Beamforming for UAV Anti-Jamming and Eavesdropping Communications: A Deep Reinforcement Learning Approach
Authors: Zou Chao , Li Cheng , Li Yong , Yan Xiaojuan
Published: November 2023

The reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) has been widely recognized as a rising paradigm for physical layer security due to its potential to substantially adjust the electromagnetic propagation environment. In this regard, this paper adopted the RIS deployed on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to enhance information transmission while defending against both jamming and eavesdropping attacks. Furthermore, an innovative deep reinforcement learning (DRL) approach is proposed with the purpose of optimizing the power allocation of the base station (BS) and the discrete phase shifts of the RIS. Specifically, considering the imperfect illegitimate node’s channel state information (CSI), we first reformulated the non-convex and non-conventional original problem into a Markov decision process (MDP) framework. Subsequently, a noisy dueling double-deep Q-network with prioritized experience replay (Noisy-D3QN-PER) algorithm was developed with the objective of maximizing the achievable sum rate while ensuring the fulfillment of the security requirements. Finally, the numerical simulations showed that our proposed algorithm outperformed the baselines on the system rate and at transmission protection level.
Low-Profile and Low-Visual Impact Smart Electromagnetic Curved Passive Skins for Enhancing Connectivity in Urban Scenarios
Authors: Freni Angelo , Beccaria Michele , Mazzinghi Agnese , Massaccesi Andrea , Pirinoli Paola
Published: November 2023

This paper explores the possibility of integrating a smart electromagnetic skin into a street light or traffic light pole to enhance the coverage of a 5G base station operating in the millimeter-waves frequency band with the consequent improvement of the wireless network performance. Specifically, the electromagnetic characteristics of a curved smart electromagnetic skin, which can be easily integrated into a cylindrical radome enclosing the pole, have been analyzed and compared with those of a planar solution. Additionally, the coverage provided by a curved smart electromagnetic skin in a real urban scenario has been considered. The obtained results confirm that using a curved smart electromagnetic skin is both feasible and convenient from several points of view: it guarantees better performance than a planar configuration occupying the same volume, it is simpler to mount and it has a lower visual impact.
Magnets to Adversaries—An Analysis of the Attacks on Public Cloud Servers
Authors: Lanka Phani , Varol Cihan , Burns Kirk , Shashidhar Narasimha
Published: November 2023

Security adversaries are always constantly looking for targets to exploit. The mechanism of exploitation used by security adversaries varies significantly. Many focus on easy compromises as mere pivots to extend their attacks from these exploited systems to continue accomplishing their original goals. The cloud environment is a highly susceptible target for adversaries and provides a solid mechanism for observing adversary behavior. The sheer volume of attacks on the cloud provides insights into the attacker’s objectives and attack patterns, which can be leveraged for protecting infrastructure. This work deep dives into the practices used by adversaries on the commonly exposed protocols in the Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure (Azure), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) platforms. A robust honeypot model is documented that compares attacker behavior across various ports and protocols running in multiple cloud environments. This work illustrates that adversary activity is highly versatile in the public cloud environment, with an average of 700 new and unique IP addresses found attacking honeypot infrastructure daily. Further, this article illustrates the security safeguards a typical organization can leverage to mitigate the threats from these adversaries constantly probing insecure targets on the cloud platform.
Varied-Frequency CC–CV Inductive Wireless Power Transfer with Efficiency-Regulated EV Charging for an Electric Golf Cart
Authors: Thongpron Jutturit , Kamnarn Uthen , Namin Anon , Sriprom Thanet , Chaidee Ekkachai , Janjornmanit Suchart , Yachiangkam Samart , Karnjanapiboon Chanyut , Thounthong Phatiphat , Takorabet Noureddine
Published: November 2023

Wireless electric vehicle (EV) charging is an important operation for valuable EV options in modern life. Inductive wireless EV charging needs constant current and voltage (CC–CV) charge controllers. This paper presents 750 W variable frequency CC–CV inductive wireless charging for an e-golf cart 50 Ah 72 V Li-ion battery. Due to this system’s low power, the system’s efficiency may be weak; the secondary-side (SS) maximum efficiency-controlled (MEC) converter was validated. The golf cart’s battery characteristics were evaluated to design and experiment with inductive wireless power transfer (IPT) coils and an integration system for a 42 kHz resonant frequency. The CC–CV charged control is an infrastructural part of the H-bridge inverter at varied frequencies from 50 kHz to 56 kHz when the DC input voltage is 310 V, and in the range of 44 kHz to 46 kHz at the 155 V input. The results found the charging of 9 A CC, 82 V CV and 730 W. The 310 V input voltage system without the SS MEC converter’s efficiencies was 62% to 72% and it was improved to 65% to 81% using the SS MEC converter. Finally, the best cases were validated at the 155 V DC input voltage and the system with the SS MEC converter had 76% to 86% efficiency.
Improving the Estimation of Partial Discharge Direction Using a Four-Terminal Surface Current Sensor
Authors: Otake Yasutomo , Murase Hiroshi
Published: November 2023

To improve the insulation diagnosis of a medium-voltage (MV) switchgear, we have developed a four-terminal surface current sensor and a method to estimate the direction of partial discharge occurrence. In this method, the accuracy of the direction estimation is improved by referring only to the direct wave, and the error due to noise can be suppressed by calculating the outputs of the four terminals. The experimental results demonstrate that the detection characteristics of the sensor concur well with the theoretical characteristics derived from the detection principle. Additionally, we conducted an experiment using the developed sensor and the new method to detect the surface current generated due to partial discharge occurring in a rectangular enclosure. The results demonstrate that the occurrence direction could be estimated even for a rectangular enclosure. Furthermore, the propagation attenuation of the surface current at the corners of the enclosure was large, exhibiting an attenuation 0.25 times for the worst case. Finally, it was confirmed that noise removal using a wavelet transform could reduce the direction estimation error of the discharge occurrence by approximately half.
Deepwater PDC Jetting Bit-Drilling Technology Based on Well Structure Slimming
Authors: Zhang Weiguo , Gao Deli , Zeng Yijin , Yan De
Published: November 2023

Growing global energy demand and limited reserves of traditional energy resources are causing a growing energy shortage. In order to meet future energy needs, new energy resources must be continuously explored. Deepwater drilling research has emerged as one of the key ways to address this issue, and well structure slimming is an effective way to increase drilling speed and reduce costs. The hole size of the second section of deepwater wells decreases from a conventional 660.4 mm to 444.5 mm and increases from 500–800 m to 800–1200 m, creating problems where the conventional 660.4 mm cone bit cannot be used, the rate of penetration (ROP) of the cone bit is low, and the service life is short. To solve these problems, a 444.5 mm artificial polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) was designed for the first time for use at home or abroad, and according to the characteristics and operation requirements of the 914.4 mm conductor jetting process, a unique anti-collision gauge protector was designed, an innovative bypass nozzle was configured, and a hydraulic design to prevent bit balling in shallow soft mudstone was formulated. PDC jetting bit-drilling technology based on well structure slimming was successfully applied to eight deepwater wells in the eastern South China Sea, which successfully jetted a 914 mm conductor and greatly improved the ROP of their second-section holes. When the below-mudline depth of the second-section hole increased by 37.01%, the average ROP increased by 227.84%. These technical achievements have successfully realized deep drilling with seawater, increased speed and efficiency, achieved good application results, and accumulated valuable experiences that can be used for reducing the cost and increasing the efficiency of offshore drilling operations.
Maximum Principle for Variable-Order Fractional Conformable Differential Equation with a Generalized Tempered Fractional Laplace Operator
Authors: Guan Tingting , Zhang Lihong
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we investigate properties of solutions to a space-time fractional variable-order conformable nonlinear differential equation with a generalized tempered fractional Laplace operatorby using the maximum principle. We first establish some new important fractional various-order conformable inequalities. With these inequalities, we prove a new maximum principle with space-time fractional variable-order conformable derivatives and a generalized tempered fractional Laplace operator. Moreover, we discuss some results about comparison principles and properties of solutions for a family of space-time fractional variable-order conformable nonlinear differential equations with a generalized tempered fractional Laplace operator by maximum principle.
The Release of Grape Pomace Phenolics from Alginate-Based Microbeads during Simulated Digestion In Vitro: The Influence of Coatings and Drying Method
Authors: Martinović Josipa , Lukinac Jasmina , Jukić Marko , Ambrus Rita , Planinić Mirela , Šelo Gordana , Perković Gabriela , Bucić-Kojić Ana
Published: November 2023

Grape pomace is a byproduct of wineries and a sustainable source of bioactive phenolic compounds. Encapsulation of phenolics with a well-chosen coating may be a promising means of delivering them to the intestine, where they can then be absorbed and exert their health-promoting properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, cardioprotective, and antimicrobial effects. Ionic gelation of grape pomace extract with natural coatings (sodium alginate and its combination with maltodextrins, gelatin, chitosan, gums Tragacanth and Arabic) was performed, and the resulting hydrogel microbeads were then air-, vacuum-, and freeze-dried to prevent spoilage. Freeze-drying showed advantages in preserving the geometrical parameters and morphology of the microbeads compared to other drying techniques. A good relationship was found between the physicochemical properties of the dried microbeads and the in vitro release of phenolics. Freeze-dried microbeads showed the highest cumulative release of phenols in the intestinal phase (23.65–43.27 mgGAE/gMB), while the most suitable release dynamics in vitro were observed for alginate-based microbeads in combination with gelatin, gum Arabic, and 1.5% (w/v) chitosan. The results highlight the importance of developing encapsulated formulations containing a natural source of bioactive compounds that can be used in various functional foods and pharmaceutical products.
Application of an Integrated 3D–2D Modeling Approach for Pillar Support Design in a Western US Underground Coal Mine
Authors: Sinha Sankhaneel , Walton Gabriel
Published: November 2023

Discontinuum Bonded Block Modeling (BBM) represents a potential tool for support design, as these models can reproduce both the rock fracturing process and the influence of reinforcement on unsupported ground. Despite their strengths, discontinuum models are seldom used for mining design due to their computationally intensive nature. This study is an application of an integrated 3D continuum–2D discontinuum approach, in which the mine-wide stress distribution process is modeled using a continuum software, and the local deformation behavior in response to a strain path from the continuum model is simulated with a 2D discontinuum software. In June 2017, two multi-point borehole extensometers were installed in a longwall chain pillar to record ground displacements as a function of the longwall face position. The data from one of the extensometers were employed to calibrate a panel-scale FLAC3D model. The boundary conditions along the pillar slice containing the extensometer were extracted from the FLAC3D model and applied to a 2D BBM, and the input parameters were modified to match the extensometer data. The calibrated BBM was able to reproduce the unsupported rib deformation and depth of the fracturing well. Subsequently, a few support schemes were tested to demonstrate how the incorporation of support might affect rib deformation.
Public Mixed Funding for Residential Aged Care Facilities Residents’ Needs in the Asia–Pacific Region: A Scoping Review
Authors: Lim David , Grady Ashley , Liu Karen P. Y.
Published: November 2023

Due to population aging and sociodemographic change, there is an increasing reliance on residential aged care facilities in the Asia–Pacific region. Most countries have adopted taxation as the primary means to levy capital for funding universal health services and means-testing of benefits may be further incorporated as a policy balance between horizontal equity and fiscal sustainability. It was hypothesized that residential care needs are evaluated by assessments relating to funding; this scoping review seeks to synthesize how such assessments relate to the care needs of residents. Searches were conducted in concordance with a priori protocol for English-language literature published since 2008 in Embase, CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, JBI, TROVE, and four peak international organizations for studies and reports that describe the assessment of residents’ needs in Asia–Pacific countries that used a mixture of taxation and means-testing to publicly fund residential aged care. One paper and 47 reports were included. Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore utilize a taxation and means-tested user charge approach to fund residential aged care needs. The common care needs assessed include health conditions, daily activities, cognition, psychiatric, and behavioral needs. While essential care needs are publicly funded, other holistic care needs, such as spirituality and autonomy-based needs, still need to be covered for meaningful occupation by the residents.
The Role of RFRP Neurons in the Allostatic Control of Reproductive Function
Authors: Evans Maggie C. , Anderson Greg M.
Published: November 2023

Reproductive function is critical for species survival; however, it is energetically costly and physically demanding. Reproductive suppression is therefore a physiologically appropriate adaptation to certain ecological, environmental, and/or temporal conditions. This ‘allostatic’ suppression of fertility enables individuals to accommodate unfavorable reproductive circumstances and safeguard survival. The mechanisms underpinning this reproductive suppression are complex, yet culminate with the reduced secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus, which in turn suppresses gonadotropin release from the pituitary, thereby impairing gonadal function. The focus of this review will be on the role of RFamide-related peptide (RFRP) neurons in different examples of allostatic reproductive suppression. RFRP neurons release the RFRP-3 peptide, which negatively regulates GnRH neurons and thus appears to act as a ‘brake’ on the neuroendocrine reproductive axis. In a multitude of predictable (e.g., pre-puberty, reproductive senescence, and seasonal or lactational reproductive quiescence) and unpredictable (e.g., metabolic, immune and/or psychosocial stress) situations in which GnRH secretion is suppressed, the RFRP neurons have been suggested to act as modulators. This review examines evidence for and against these roles.
Lithium Treatment Induces Cardiac Dysfunction in Mice
Authors: L’Abbate Serena , Nicolini Giuseppina , Marchetti Sabrina , Forte Gianpiero , Lepore Elisa , Unfer Virginia , Kusmic Claudia
Published: November 2023

Lithium (Li) salts are commonly used as medications for bipolar disorders. In addition to its therapeutic value, Li is also being increasingly used as a battery component in modern electronic devices. Concerns about its toxicity and negative impact on the heart have recently been raised. We investigated the effects of long-term Li treatment on the heart, liver, and kidney in mice. Sixteen C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to receive oral administration of Li carbonate (n = 8) or act as a control group (n = 8) for 12 weeks. We evaluated the cardiac electrical activity, morphology and function, and pathways contributing to remodelling. We assessed the multi-organ toxicity using histopathology techniques in the heart, liver, and kidney. Our findings suggest that mice receiving Li had impaired systolic function and ventricular repolarisation and were more susceptible to arrhythmias under adrenergic stimulation. The Li treatment caused an increase in the cardiomyocytes’ size, the modulation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, along with some minor tissue damage. Our findings revealed a cardiotoxic effect of Li at therapeutic dosage, along with some histopathological alterations in the liver and kidney. In addition, our study suggests that our model could be used to test potential treatments for Li-induced cardiotoxicity.
Changes in the Level of DNA Methylation in Candida albicans under the Influence of Physical and Chemical Factors
Authors: Gryzinska Magdalena , Kot Barbara , Dudzinska Ewa , Biernasiuk Anna , Jakubczak Andrzej , Malm Anna , Andraszek Katarzyna
Published: November 2023

The effects of physical factors such as radiation (electromagnetic, microwave, infrared, laser, UVC, and X-ray) and high temperature, as well as chemical factors (controlled atmosphere) on the level of global DNA cytosine methylation in C. albicans ATCC 10231 cells were investigated. Prolonged exposure to each type of radiation significantly increased the DNA methylation level. In addition, the global methylation level in C. albicans cells increased with the incubation temperature. An increase in the percentage of methylated DNA was also noted in C. albicans cells cultured in an atmosphere with reduced O2. In contrast, in an atmosphere containing more than 3% CO2 and in anaerobic conditions, the DNA methylation level decreased relative to the control. This study showed that prolonged exposure to various types of radiation and high temperature as well as reduced O2 in the atmosphere caused a significant increase in the global DNA methylation level. This is most likely a response protecting DNA against damage, which at the same time can lead to epigenetic disorders, and in consequence can adversely affect the functioning of the organism.
Genetic Predisposition to Elevated Levels of Circulating ADAM17 Is Associated with the Risk of Severe COVID-19
Authors: Pan Mengyu , Goncalves Isabel , Edsfeldt Andreas , Sun Jiangming , Swärd Per
Published: November 2023

High levels of ADAM17 activity have emerged as an important mediator in severe COVID-19. This study aims to characterize eventual causal relationships between ADAM17 and COVID-19. Using Mendelian randomization analyses, we examined the causal effects of circulating ADAM17 on COVID-19 outcomes using summary statistics from large, genome-wide association studies of ADAM17 (up to 35,559 individuals) from the Icelandic Cancer Project and deCODE genetics, as well as critically ill COVID-19 patients (cases: 13,769; controls: 1,072,442), hospitalized COVID-19 patients (cases: 32,519; controls: 2,062,805) and reported SARS-CoV-2 infections (cases: 122,616; controls: 2,475,240) from the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative. The Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses demonstrated that a 1 standard deviation increase in genetically determined circulating ADAM17 (extracellular domain) was associated with an increased risk of developing critical ill COVID-19 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.03–1.55). The multivariable MR analysis suggested a direct causal role of circulating ADAM17 (extracellular domain) in the risk of developing critical COVID-19 (OR = 1.09; 95% CI:1.01–1.17) when accounting for body mass index. No causal effect for the cytoplasmic domain of ADAM17 on COVID-19 was observed. Our results suggest that an increased genetic susceptibility to elevated levels of circulating ADAM17 (extracellular domain) is associated with a higher risk of suffering from severe COVID-19, strengthening the idea that the timely selective inhibition of ADAM17 could be a potential therapeutic target worthy of investigation.
Classifying Crowdsourced Citizen Complaints through Data Mining: Accuracy Testing of k-Nearest Neighbors, Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, and AdaBoost
Authors: Madyatmadja Evaristus D. , Sianipar Corinthias P. M. , Wijaya Cristofer , Sembiring David J. M.
Published: November 2023

Crowdsourcing has gradually become an effective e-government process to gather citizen complaints over the implementation of various public services. In practice, the collected complaints form a massive dataset, making it difficult for government officers to analyze the big data effectively. It is consequently vital to use data mining algorithms to classify the citizen complaint data for efficient follow-up actions. However, different classification algorithms produce varied classification accuracies. Thus, this study aimed to compare the accuracy of several classification algorithms on crowdsourced citizen complaint data. Taking the case of the LAKSA app in Tangerang City, Indonesia, this study included k-Nearest Neighbors, Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, and AdaBoost for the accuracy assessment. The data were taken from crowdsourced citizen complaints submitted to the LAKSA app, including those aggregated from official social media channels, from May 2021 to April 2022. The results showed SVM with a linear kernel as the most accurate among the assessed algorithms (89.2%). In contrast, AdaBoost (base learner: Decision Trees) produced the lowest accuracy. Still, the accuracy levels of all algorithms varied in parallel to the amount of training data available for the actual classification categories. Overall, the assessments on all algorithms indicated that their accuracies were insignificantly different, with an overall variation of 4.3%. The AdaBoost-based classification, in particular, showed its large dependence on the choice of base learners. Looking at the method and results, this study contributes to e-government, data mining, and big data discourses. This research recommends that governments continuously conduct supervised training of classification algorithms over their crowdsourced citizen complaints to seek the highest accuracy possible, paving the way for smart and sustainable governance.
Elimination of Arsenic Using Sorbents Derived from Chitosan and Iron Oxides, Applying Factorial Designs
Authors: Batistelli Marianela , Bultri Julián , Hernandez Trespalacios Mayra , Mangiameli María Florencia , Gribaudo Lina , Bellú Sebastián , Frascaroli María Inés , González Juan Carlos
Published: November 2023

Arsenic is highly toxic, affecting millions of people in many regions of the world. That is why developing economic and efficient technologies is imperative to eliminate it. Sorption techniques are attractive as efficient and inexpensive sorbents can be used. Chitosan is an abundant, naturally occurring, biodegradable, low-cost biopolymer that can be combined with metal oxide to enhance its removability. This work aimed to synthesize a new chitosan–magnetite-based sorbent for arsenic removal. The synthesized sorbent does not present pores, and when using FT-IR, functional groups of the chitosan and the presence of As(V) in the sorbent treated with arsenic were identified. The synthesized magnetite was characterized using XRD spectroscopy. Application of the central composite design model showed that 0.22 g of the sorbent at pH 6.0 could remove 27.6% of As(V). Kinetic data, fitted with the pseudo-first and -second order models, indicated an ion exchange sorption and activation energy of 28.1–31.4 kJ mol−1. The isotherms were fitted with the Langmuir model, indicating favorable monolayer adsorption with high affinity. The sorption energy calculated using Dubinin Radushkevich, 9.60–8.80 kJ mol−1, confirms a sorption mechanism mediated by ion exchange. The thermodynamic parameters of the process were ΔG° (−21.7/−19.7 kJ mol−1), ΔH°(16.7 kJ mol−1) and ΔS°(123.3 J mol−1 K−1).
Pulmonary Evaluation in Children with Post-COVID-19 Condition Respiratory Symptoms: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Shmueli Einat , Bar-On Ophir , Amir Ben , Mei-Zahav Meir , Stafler Patrick , Levine Hagit , Steuer Guy , Rothschild Benjamin , Tsviban Lior , Amitai Nofar , Dotan Miri , Chodick Gabriel , Prais Dario , Ashkenazi-Hoffnung Liat
Published: November 2023

Background: Studies on post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) in adults have shown deterioration in pulmonary function tests (PFTs), mainly a diffusion limitation. Among the pediatric population, data are scarce. Aim: To characterize PFTs in children with PCC, including changes over time. Methods: A prospective longitudinal study of children with defined PCC and respiratory complaints who were referred to a designated multidisciplinary clinic from 11/2020 to 12/2022. Results: Altogether, 184 children with a mean age of 12.4 years (SD 4.06) were included. A mild obstructive pattern was demonstrated in 19/170 (11%) at presentation, as indicated by spirometry and/or positive exercise challenge test and/or reversibility post bronchodilators, only three had a previous diagnosis of asthma. Lung volumes and diffusion were normal in all but one patient (1/134, 0.7%). Exhaled nitric oxide levels were elevated in 32/144 (22%). A total of 33 children who had repeated PFTs had normal or near-normal PFTs on follow-up testing, including seven (21.2%) who had mild obstructive PFTs at presentation. Multivariate analysis identified older age [OR 1.36 (95% CI:1.07–1.75)], specific imaging findings (prominent bronchovascular markings (OR 43.28 (95% CI: 4.50–416.49)), and hyperinflation (OR 28.42, 95% CI: 2.18–370.84)] as significant predictors of an obstructive pattern on PFTs. Conclusions: In children with PCC and respiratory symptoms, the most common impairment was a mild obstructive pattern; most were without a history of asthma. Improvement was witnessed in long-term follow-up. In contrast to the adult population, no diffusion limitation was found. Empirical periodic inhaler therapy may be considered in children with factors associated with PFT abnormalities.
Multivariate Sea Surface Prediction in the Bohai Sea Using a Data-Driven Model
Authors: Hu Song , Shao Qi , Li Wei , Han Guijun , Zheng Qingyu , Wang Ru , Liu Hanyu
Published: November 2023

Data-driven predictions of marine environmental variables are typically focused on single variables. However, in real marine environments, there are correlations among different oceanic variables. Additionally, sea–air interactions play a significant role in influencing the evolution of the marine environment. Both internal dynamics and external drivers contribute to these changes. In this study, a data-driven model is proposed using sea surface height anomaly (SSHA), sea surface temperature (SST), and sea surface wind (SSW) in the Bohai Sea. This model combines multivariate empirical orthogonal functions (MEOFs) with long and short-term memory (LSTM). MEOF analysis is used on the multivariate dataset of SSHA and SST, considering the correlation among sea surface variables. SSW is introduced as a predictor to enhance the predictability of the multivariate sea surface model. In the case of the Bohai Sea, the comparative tests of the model without wind field effect, the fully coupled model, and the proposed prediction model were carried out. MEOF analysis is employed in comparative experiments for oceanic variables, atmospheric variables, and combined atmospheric and oceanic variables. The results demonstrate that using wind field as a predictor can improve the forecast accuracy of SSHA and SST in the Bohai Sea. The root mean square errors (RMSE) for SSHA and SST in a 7-day forecast are 0.016 m and 0.3200 °C, respectively.