bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Resistance Training on Equilibrium Abilities and Quality of Life in Older Adults after SARS-cov-2 Surviving
Authors: Bobowik Patrycja , Gajewski Jan , Wiszomirska Ida , Maciejewska-Skrendo Agnieszka , Leźnicka Katarzyna , Kaczmarczyk Katarzyna
Published: April 2024

Background: Scientific literature on COVID-19 is still limited about long-term impacts on the all-body systems and they treatments. The aim of the study was to create a safe protocol-based in-tervention to improve functional and equilibrium abilities in older adults impacted by COVID-19. Methods: The study completed 46 people (intervention group: n=26; control group: n=20). Re-sistance training (RT) was held twice a week, 60 min per session for 8 weeks. The postural stability and quality of life questionnaire (WHQOOL) were conducted during pre- and post-testing. Results: Results indicated significant differences in overall stability index (OSI) with eyes open (EO), ante-rior-posterior stability index (APSI) EO, fall risk index 6-2 (FRI6-2) values in males (p
Assessing the In Vitro Individual and Combined Effect of Arthrobotrys Oligospora and A. musiformis (Orbiliales) Liquid Culture Filtrates against Infective Larvae of the Sheep Blood-Feeding Nematode Haemonchus contortus (Trichostrongylidae)
Authors: Colinas-Picazo Antonio , Mendoza-de Gives Pedro , Pérez-Anzúrez Gustavo , Gutiérrez-Medina Enrique , Bautista-García Génesis Andrea , Delgado-Núñez Edgar Jesús , Olmedo-Juárez Agustín
Published: April 2024

The individual and combined effects of extracellular products (ECP) from Arthrobotrys oligospora (Ao) and A. musiformis (Am) growth in liquid media against Haemonchus contortus L3 (HcL3) were assessed. The following methodological steps were established: isolation, morphological (MI) and molecular identification (Mol-I), assessment of nematocidal activity (NA) of fungal liq-uid culture filtrates (LCF) produced in two liquid media alone and in combination and finally, the myco-compound profile identification (MCP). The MI of both isolates suggested that the fungi corresponded to the species Ao and Am. This result was confirmed by PCR analysis followed by sequencing, alignment and obtaining coverage and similarity with respect to isolates reported in the NCBI database. Likewise, the highest Hc mortalities were 91.4% with individual LCF of Am and 86.2% with those of Ao at the highest concentration (100 mg/mL) in Czapek-Dox Broth. The combination of both LCF resulted in a similarly high larval mortality with no statistical differ-ences in relation to individual activity (P>0.05). The MCP showed the presence of alkaloids in both fungi. Coumarins, triterpenes and saponins were found only in Ao. Both fungi produced ECP with a high NA that could be identified and assessed in future studies as potential natural an-thelmintic compounds.
Swelling, Rupture and Endosomal Escape of Biological Nanoparticles per se and Those Fused with Liposomes in Acidic Environment
Authors: Ponomareva Natalia , Brezgin Sergey , Karandashov Ivan , Kostyusheva Anastasiya , Demina Polina , Slatinskaya Olga , Bayurova Ekaterina , Silachev Denis , Pokrovskyy Vadim , Gegechkori Vladimir , Khaydukov Evgeny , Maksimov Georgy , Frolova Anastasia , Gordeychuk Ilya , Zamyatnin Andrey A. , Chulanov Vladimir , Parodi Alessandro , Kostyushev Dmitry
Published: April 2024

Biological nanoparticles (NPs), such as extracellular vesicles (EVs), exosome-mimetic nanovesicles (EMNVs) and nanoghosts (NGs), are perspective non-viral delivery vehicles for all types of therapeutic cargo. Biological NPs are renowned for their exceptional biocompatibility and safety, alongside their ease of functionalization, but a significant challenge arises when attempting to load therapeutic payloads, such as nucleic acids (NAs). One effective strategy involves fusing biological NPs with liposomes loaded with NAs, resulting in hybrid carriers that offer the benefits of both biological NPs and the capacity for high cargo loads. Despite their unique parameters, one of the major issues of virtually any nanoformulation is the ability to escape degradation in the compartment of endosomes and lysosomes which determines the overall efficiency of nanotherapeutics. In this study, we fabricated all major types of biological and hybrid NPs and studied their response to acidic environment observed in endolysosomal compartment. In this study, we show that EMNVs display increased protonation and swelling relative to EVs and NGs in an acidic environment. Furthermore, the hybrid NPs exhibit an even greater response compared to EMNVs. Short-term incubation of EMNVs in acidic pH corresponding to late endosomes and lysosomes again induces protonation and swelling, whereas hybrid NPs are ruptured, resulting in the decline of their quantities. Our findings demonstrate that in an acidic environment, there is enhanced rupture and release of vesicular cargo observed in hybrid EMNVs that are fused with liposomes compared to EMNVs alone. This was confirmed through PAGE electrophoresis analysis of mCherry protein loaded into nanoparticles. In vitro analysis of NPs colocalization with lysosomes in HepG2 cells demonstrated that EMNVs mostly avoid endolysosomal compartment whereas hybrid NPs escape it over time. To conclude, (1) hybrid biological NPs fused with liposomes appear more efficient in the endolysosomal escape via the mechanism of proton sponge associated with scavenging of protons by NPs, influx of counterions and water, and rupture of endo/lysosomes, but (2) EMNVs are much more efficient than hybrid NPs in actually avoiding endolysosomal compartment in human cells. These results reveal biochemical differences across four major types of biological and hybrid NPs, and indicate that EMNVs are more efficient in escaping or avoiding endolysosomal compartment.
The Effects of Novel miRNAs Found in Exosome Vesicles Derived from Cord Blood Stem Cells (CBSCs-EVs) on CHL1 Melanoma Cells Compared to Healthy Control
Authors: Najafzadeh Mojgan , Jafarinejad Shohreh , Falsafi Zadeh Sajad , Baumgartner Adi , Isreb Mohammad , Akhbari Pouria , Ghaderi Nader , Sefat Farshid , Keshel Saeed Heidari , Ghaderi Rojan , Anderson Diana , Wright Andrew
Published: April 2024

This study aimed to investigate the potential of Cord Blood Stem Cell-derived exosome vesicles (CBSC-EVs) in regulating cancer growth and preventing cellular damage. The study aimed to examine the effects of CBSC-EVs on CHL1 cancer cells and healthy fibroblasts. The study results reveal that CBSC-EVs have an anti-cancer/antioxidant effect on CHL1 cancer cells without inducing any toxic effects on healthy lymphocytes. Further analysis of CBSC-EVs revealed the presence of seven miRNAs (noncoding RNA molecules), including three from the Let 7 family, two from the Let 5 family, and two novel miRNAs. The function of the novel miRNAs was the main focus of the study. To assess the efficacy of CBSC-EVs, CHL1 cells (a type of malignant melanoma cell line) and human fibroblasts were grouped into different treatments. One group of those cell lines were treated with CBSC-EVs, and in the second group, the cells were transfected with either miRNA inhibitor Novel 1 (miRNA IN1) plus CBSC-EVs or miRNA inhibitor Novel 2 (miRNA IN2) and CBSC-EVs to knock down those novel miRNAs in the CBSC-EVs. Therefore, by comparing these groups, the function of novel miRNAs is more understandable. In this study, the Comet assay was employed to evaluate cancer cells' DNA damage and CCK8 to measure cell viability. The findings revealed that CBSC-EVs caused an increase in DNA damage in CHL1 cells compared to cells without treatment (p
Center and Hopf Bifurcation of High-order Singularity in a Class of Three-dimensional Systems
Authors: Lu Jingping , Huang Wentao , Wang Qinlong
Published: April 2024

This research focuses on the Hopf bifurcation occurring at a singular point with high-order degeneracy in a class of three-dimensional systems. Based on center manifold theorem, by expanding the technique for determining singular point values of degenerate singularities in two-dimensional systems, the formal series method to determine the singular point values at the high-order degenerate critical point is discussed. Furthermore, a class of specific three-dimensional differential systems with high-order degenerate singularities is explored. By computing the singular point values and determining center conditions, we proved that a minimum of 5 small-amplitude limit cycles in the vicinity of the origin. This research provides new perspectives on the center problem and limit cycle bifurcation in high-dimensional systems with high-order degenerate singular points.
Fracture Resistance Analysis of 3D-Printed and Prefabricated Artificial Teeth for Removable Dentures
Authors: Dimitrova Mariya , Kazakova Rada , Vlahova Angelina
Published: April 2024

The integration of three-dimensional (3D) printed resin denture teeth represents a significant ad-vancement in digital dentistry. This study aimed to assess their ability to withstand chipping and indirect tensile fractures, comparing them with conventionally manufactured resin denture teeth. Four groups, each comprising 30 specimens, were examined: Group 1 featured 3D printed denture teeth (NextDent, 3D Systems, Soesterberg, The Netherlands), while the others included commer-cially obtained Ivostar Shade, SpofaDent Plus, and Major Super Lux teeth. Stereolithography 3D printing was utilized to produce methacrylate-based photopolymerized resin teeth models for Group 1, while the remaining groups were commercially sourced. Chipping and indirect tensile fracture tests were performed at a speed of 1 mm/min until fracture occurred. Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey's honestly significant difference multiple comparisons test (p < 0.05). Results indicated that 3D-printed teeth exhibited higher indirect tensile fracture resistance than Major Super Lux and Ivostar Shade but lower than SpofaDent Plus. Additionally, in the chipping test, buccal chipping occurred in 3D-printed resin teeth without distortion. In the indirect tensile test, the fracture line emerged near the loading point, extending cervically from the inner incline of both cusps. Overall, denture teeth produced via 3D printing with printable resin materials demonstrated sufficient fracture resistance, making them suitable for prosthetic applications.
Useful Quantities and Diagram Types for Diagnosis and Monitoring of Electrochemical Energy Converters Using Impedance Spectroscopy: State-of-the-Art, Review and Outlook
Authors: Kurzweil Peter , Scheuerpflig Wolfgang , Schell Christian , Schottenbauer Josef
Published: April 2024

The current state-of-the-art does not provide a universal and rapid method of determining the state of health (SOH) of a battery or a supercapacitor without carefully examining the degradation of hundreds of full charge/discharge cycles. Lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries and supercapacitors of different cell chemistries were studied by impedance spectroscopy during lifetime tests. Faradaic and capacitive charge storage are distinguished by the relationships between stored electric charge and capacitance. For batteries, impedance spectroscopy is best applicable in the flat region of the voltage-charge curve. An approximately linear correlation between pseudocapacitance and Ah capacity is observed as long as overcharge and deep discharge are avoided. The correct calculation of quantities related to complex impedance and differential capacitance is outlined – which may also be useful as an introductory text and tutorial for newcomers to the field. Novel diagram types are proposed for the purpose of instant performance and failure diagnosis of batteries and supercapacitors.
Stability and Composting Behaviour of Pla-Starch Laminates Containing Active Extracts and Cellulose Fibres from Rice Straw
Authors: Freitas Pedro A. V. , González-Martínez Chelo , Chiralt Amparo
Published: April 2024

The stability and composting behaviour of monolayers and laminates of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and starch with and without active extracts and cellulose fibres from rice straw (RS) were evaluated. The retrogradation of the starch throughout storage (1, 5, and 10 weeks) gave rise to stiffer and less extensible monolayers, with lower water vapour barrier capacity. In contrast, the PLA monolayers, with or without extract, did not show marked changes with storage. However, these changes were more attenuated in the bilayers that gained water vapour and oxygen barrier capacity during storage, maintaining the values of the different properties close to the initial range. The bioactivity of the active films exhibited a slight decrease during the storage, the antioxidant capacity being better preserved in the bilayers. All monolayer and bilayer films were fully composted within 90 days, but with different behaviour. The bilayer assembly enhanced the biodegradation of PLA whose monolayer exhibited a lag period of about 35 days. The active extract reduced biodegradation rate of both mono and bilayers but does not limit the material biodegradation within the time stablished in the Standard. Therefore, PLA-starch laminates, with or without the valorised fractions from RS, can be considered as biodegradable and stable materials for food packaging applications.
Discovery of Novel Potential Prognostic Marker and Targeted Therapy to Overcome Chemotherapy Resistance in an Advanced Stage Wilms’ Tumor
Authors: Choochuen Pongsakorn , Nokchan Natakorn , Khongcharoen Natthapon , Laochareonsuk Wison , Surachat Komwit , Chotsampancharoen Thirachit , Sila Thanit , Sangkhathat Surasak
Published: April 2024

Wilms tumor (WT), the most prevalent type of renal cancer in children, exhibits overall survival rates exceeding 90%. However, chemotherapy resistance, which occurs in approximately 10% of WT cases, is a major challenge for the treatment of WT, particularly for advanced-stage patients. In this study, we aimed to discover potential mutation markers and drug targets associated with chemotherapy resistance in advanced stage WT. We performed exome sequencing to detect somatic mutations and molecular targets in 43 WT samples, comprising 26 advanced stage WTs, of which 7 cases are chemotherapy-resistant. Our analysis revealed four genes (ALPK2, C16orf96, PRKDC, and SVIL) that correlated with chemotherapy resistance and reduced disease-free survival in ad-vanced-stage WT. Additionally, we identified driver mutations in 55 genes within the chemo-therapy-resistant group, including 14 druggable cancer driver genes. Based on the mutation profile of the resistant WT samples, we propose potential therapeutic strategies involving platinum-based agents, PARP inhibitors, and antibiotic/antineoplastic agents. Our findings provide insights into the genetic landscape of WT and offer potential avenues for targeted treatment, particularly for patients with chemotherapy resistance.
Effects of Salmonella Typhimurium Infection on Intestinal Flora and Arachidonic Acid Metabolism in Wenchang Chickens
Authors: Chen Shenghong , Xie Yaochen , Guo Dingqian , Li Tiansen , Tan Zhen , Ran Xuhua , Wen Xiaobo
Published: April 2024

Salmonella infections can lead to intestinal inflammation and metabolic disorders in birds. However, whether ARA metabolism is involved in Salmonella-induced intestinal inflammation remains unclear. This experiment investigated the changes in cecal flora and arachidonic acid (ARA) metabolism in Hainan Wenchang chickens infected with S. Typhimurium using 16s rDNA sequencing and targeted metabolomics. The results showed that the levels of ARA metabolites were increased in the cecum tissue of Wenchang chickens after infection with S. Typhimurium, including prostaglandin E2, prostaglandin F2α, lipoxin A4, ±8(9)-EET, ±11(12)-EET, and ±8,9-DiHETrE. The content of key enzymes for ARA production and metabolism (PLA2 and COX-2) in chicken cecum tissues was increased after S. Typhimurium infection. The relative mRNA levels of inflammatory factors were also increased after infection, including IFN-γ, TGF-β1, IL-4, and IL-6. In HD11 cells, the use of a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor reduced the increased levels of COX-2 and PGF2α induced by S. Typhimurium infection and effectively reduced the inflammatory response. In addition, the number of beneficial genera (e.g., Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Odorobacterium) in the cecum of Wenchang chickens was significantly reduced after infection with S. Typhimurium. In this study, we revealed the structure of the cecal flora of Wenchang chickens infected with S. Typhimurium and demonstrated that S. Typhimurium can mediate the onset and development of intestinal inflammation through the activation of the metabolic pathway of ARA cyclooxygenase in Wenchang chickens. The results can provide data support and theoretical support for the prevention and control of avian salmonellosis.
The Expansion of Sirtuin Gene Family in Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus aurata). Phylogenetic, Syntenic, and Functional Insights Across the Vertebrate/Fish Lineage
Authors: Simó-Mirabet Paula , Naya-Català Fernando , Calduch-Giner Josep Alvar , Pérez-Sánchez Jaume
Published: April 2024

Sirtuins (SIRTs) are a family of evolutionarily conserved enzymes, and the aim of this study was to disclose/re-annotate uncertain paralogs in gilthead sea bream, expanding from seven to ten the repertoire of Sirts in this Perciform fish. Such gene expansion revealed up to three copies of sirt3 (sirt3.1a/sirt3.1b/sirt3.2) and two of sirt5 (sirt5a/sirt5b). Phylogenetic and synteny attempts disclosed the duplication of SIRT3/Sirt3 branch as a process shaped by the 2R whole genome duplication (WGD) at the early vertebrate evolution, with still vestiges in all living fish, and some Sarcopterygii. In gilthead sea bream and other Percomorphaceae, this duplication was accompanied by short segmental duplications of sirt3.1 (clustered to the mammalian SIRT3 ortholog), making a conserved tandem-duplicated synteny block (psmd13-sirt3.1a/b-drd4-cdhr5-ctsd). Conversely, the expansion of the Sirt5 branch was shaped by the 3R WGD as a specific event of the teleost fish lineage. Intriguingly, gene expression profiling across tissues and developmental stages highlighted a conserved high expression of sirt3.1 and sirt5a in skeletal muscle, while the duplicated sirt3.2 and sirt5b displayed an overall muscle suppression of transcriptional activity, and an enhanced expression on immune-relevant tissues and gills, respectively. Altogether offers new insights about the function, regulation, and timing of Sirt expansion.
Navigate Change and Innovation: Strategically Integrating Emerging Technologies in Release Management
Authors: Satapathy Bishnu Shankar , Sharma Ashish , Dash Madhusmita , Singh S. Ibotombi , Satapathy Siddhartha Sankar , Chakraborty Joya
Published: April 2024

The enterprise software sector is experiencing a significant transformation driven by rapid technological progress and evolving business needs. An effective release management process is crucial for the solution providers and customers, as they incorporate the principles of Industry 4.0 and 5.0. With the growing dependence on software solutions and services, ensuring their quality, reliability, and security is highly necessary. The release management process incorporates strategic planning, regression testing, accurate deployment, and continuous monitoring of software updates. However, the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) create a unique challenge to the release management process. The existing research needs to address the necessary adaptations for Industry 5.0, mainly in product-based software organizations, to the release management process without a change management system. After working with several software solution stakeholders, based on the responses from SaaS project stakeholders, we have presented a revised software release readiness workflow by incorporating a change management module. The preliminary result based on data over a limited period of time indicates that the revised workflow has the potential to improve the management of slippage, particularly by more effectively addressing NFR-related issues, thereby resulting in more predictable and reliable release cycles.
Genetic Characteristics of Anelloviruses Detected in Individual Viromes of Children with Acute Respiratory Infection Using the Metagenomic Approach
Authors: Nokhova Alina R. , Dubovitskiy Nikita A. , Derko Anastasiya A. , Khozyainova Anna A. , Kurskaya Olga G. , Shestopalov Alexander M. , Sharshov Kirill A.
Published: April 2024

More than 20 years after the discovery of the first anelloviruses (AVs), they still remain a mysterious group of viruses. To date, there is no clear understanding of their impact on the host organism, although information is emerging about their participation in various pathologies. However, it is well known that AVs are an important component of the human virome. In the current study we assessed the abundance of AVs in viromes from four nasal and pharyngeal samples from children with respiratory symptoms using a metagenomic approach. It is worth noting that three patients had known respiratory viruses and one did not have any. Regarding AVs, they were detected in all samples, namely Torque teno mini virus (TTMV). The greatest abundance and diversity of AVs (Torque teno virus (TTV), TTMV and Torque teno midi virus (TTMDV)) were shown in a diseased patient with an absence of respiratory viruses, which may indicate the potential involvement of AVs in the maintenance of respiratory symptoms. An activated immune system to combat the main pathogens, against the background of which the number of AVs decreases, is discussed as a possible reason for the reduced diversity of anellome in other patients. We also compared the results of the metagenomic approach and qPCR for major respiratory viruses, which were in agreement. In addition, metagenomic sequencing made it possible to obtain additional data on viral genomes in order to establish their taxonomic identification and characterize individual viral profiles in patients from the Siberian part of Russia.
A Comprehensive Analysis of Research Motivation in Second Language Learning in The Past Ten Years
Authors: Wenjing Chen
Published: April 2024

In the past ten years, academic research on second language motivation has been very fruitful, and the number of published studies in this field far exceeds the characteristics of other language learners. It is worth noting that compared with the prosperity of second language motivation research in foreign journals, the number of domestic literature published in the field of Chinese as a second language acquisition has been significantly reduced. This study selects foreign second language acquisition academic circles and domestic Chinese from January 2010 to August 2021 as the main journals of second language acquisition research, artificially screens research articles with the theme of "second language motivation", and conducts characteristics Coding and statistical analysis, according to the displayed theoretical framework and research method trends, inspect the current research status of this field, analyze the differences between domestic and foreign research, and predict the future research progress.
Gelijkgesteld: The Change of Chinese Legal Status Under Indonesian Colonial Structure
Authors: Juwono Harto
Published: April 2024

This research attemps to reveal a phenomenon of legal history that has occurred so far, namely the process of achieving equal rights or internal naturalisation of the Chinese ethnic in Indonesia. The time period chosen is the colonial era with the consideration that at the time this ethnicity was directly involved in the legal system. By researching it, it is hoped that it can be known where the actual aim of granting the status of subject and citizen to the Chinese people in the colonial legal system and will continue in the national legal system. Considering that the chosen period is the Dutch East-Indies era, this paper uses historical research method with an emphasis on contemporary archival sources, which are traced, critiqued, analysed, and finally reconstructed. Based on the chosen theme of legal status, the archives that are used mostly take legal history data such as colonial era regulations and testimonies of their applications or public responses in contemporaneous newspapers. As a conclusion, it can be stated that Chinese ethnic were the object of policy and were not negatively responsive but accepted it with the hope of achieving the most benefit from the policy that was applied to them.
How Can Man Become Virtuous from The Confucian Perspective
Authors: Nasyanti Pratiwi
Published: April 2024

Human values have always been a fundamental element in supporting a harmonious life in society. Humanistic philosophy, as taught by Confucius, stresses moral virtues and an ethical way of life that promotes. Though there are many things in the world that are in contradiction with human values, despite advancements in science and technology cannot ensure that human virtue values remain the primary focus over profits. After all, prioritizing one's own interests over the welfare of society will inevitably cause significant harm and social disintegration. For thousands of years, Confucian thought has been considered capable of shaping the balance of life, justice, filial piety, and ethical behavior in accordance with Confucius' rules to maintain social harmony in China, including when confronted with the country's social-economic problems. Then, from a Confucian standpoint, how can man become virtuous, and what lessons can we learn? Another question is, what, according to this philosophy, distinguishes humans? Confucius laid great emphasis on moral education to cultivate an individual as a person. His moral education aimed to improve character and behavior, training people to become completely virtuous and 君子 (jūnzǐ). According to Confucius, a man will be able to become virtuous by cultivating the teachings of virtue along with his own self-development, and the environment is a significant influence on a person's behavior. Both now and in the next decades, a leader who is conscious of virtue values and is concerned with the subject's well-being and national unity, in addition to self-development and self-cultivation efforts in carrying out the five virtues, is also highly needed.
Comparative Analysis of The Development of Chinese Language Teaching in Indonesia and Malaysia——Focusing on Bereday's Four Step Method of Comparative Education Research
Authors: Vincensius David
Published: April 2024

At present, Chinese teaching as a second language is becoming more and more famous, especially in countries along the One Belt One Road. As part of the One Belt One Road, Indonesia and Malaysia are no exception. Indonesia and Malaysia are neighboring countries in Southeast Asia. The purpose of this study is to compare educational research, using Bereday's "Four Step Approach to Comparative Education Research" methodology, and using various literature to conduct literature research as support for the research. Research has shown that the development of Chinese language teaching in Indonesia is slightly slower than that in Malaysia, which is influenced by these three factors, learning content, government policies, and history.
Learners’ Perceptions Towards the Effectiveness of MOOC in Learning Mandarin
Authors: Ling TING Hie , Jun Ye
Published: April 2024

The Massive Online Open Course or MOOC was officially launched in Malaysia in 2012. Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), as one of Malaysia's higher education institutions, also involved actively in the promotion of MOOC. Therefore, MOOC UiTM were officially established in 2019. MOOC on Foundation Mandarin (Level II) or MOOC TMC151 is one of the MOOC courses which could be found on the MOOC UiTM. MOOC TMC151 has become as the primary platform neither for the implementation of Online Distance Learning (ODL), nor blended learning during the pandemic. Hence, it is important to explore the effect of the application of MOOC TMC151 in Mandarin learning. To that reason, this study included 36 students who enrolled "Foundation Mandarin (II)" at Universiti Teknologi MARA as respondents to evaluate the effect of the application of MOOC TMC151 in blended learning based on the "Four-level" evaluation of Kirkpatrick Model. Five points Likert scale was utilized to answer the “Four-level” evaluation of Kirkpatrick Model which included “Reaction”, “Behavior” and “Result” level whereas “Learning” level utilized students’ self-evaluate towards their learning in MOOC TMC151. Findings from this study revealed that:(1) For “Reaction” level, students showed their satisfaction with the MOOC TMC151; (2) For “Learning” level, students are more active, which in turn improves their knowledge of Mandarin; (3) There have also been some changes in student behaviour, students found to be test taking, competitive and communicative after the use of MOOC TMC151; (4) At the “Result” level, it was found that students’ performance in Mandarin learning has improved. As a result, students further expressed their desire of using MOOC TMC151 and recommend MOOC TMC151 to friends.
Prevalence of Rotational Malalignment After Infrapatellar Versus Suprapatellar Intramedullary Nailing of Tibial Shaft Fractures
Authors: Alderlieste Dagmar S. , Cain Megan E. , van der Gaast Nynke , Verbakel Joy , Edwards Britt , Jaarsma Emily H. , Hendrickx Laurent A.M. , IJpma F.F.A. , Hermans Erik , Edwards Michael J.R. , Doornberg Job N. , Jaarsma Ruurd L.
Published: April 2024

Background:

Up to 30% of patients with a tibial shaft fracture sustain iatrogenic rotational malalignment (RM) after infrapatellar (IP) nailing. Although IP nailing remains the management of choice for most patients, suprapatellar (SP) nailing has been gaining popularity. It is currently unknown whether SP nailing can provide superior outcomes with regard to tibial RM. The aim of this study was to compare the differences in the prevalence of RM following IP versus SP nailing.

Methods:

This retrospective study included 253 patients with a unilateral, closed tibial shaft fracture treated with either an IP or SP approach between January 2009 and April 2023 in a Level-I trauma center. All patients underwent a postoperative, protocolized, bilateral computed tomography (CT) scan for RM assessment.

Results:

RM was observed in 30% and 33% of patients treated with IP and SP nailing, respectively. These results indicate no significant difference (p = 0.639) in the prevalence of RM between approaches. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the distribution (p = 0.553) and direction of RM (p = 0.771) between the 2 approaches. With the IP and SP approaches, nailing of left-sided tibial shaft fractures resulted in predominantly internal RM (85% and 73%, respectively), while nailing of right-sided tibial shaft fractures resulted in predominantly external RM (90% and 80%, respectively). The intraobserver reliability for the CT measurements was 0.95.

Conclusions:

The prevalence of RM was not influenced by the entry point of tibial nailing (i.e., IP versus SP). Hence, the choice of surgical approach should rely on factors other than the risk of RM.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Contamination Alert: Microbial and Heavy Metal Levels in Green Vegetables
Authors: Ali Naqaa K.
Published: April 2024

This study investigated microbial and heavy metal contamination in leeks, a staple green vegetable, focusing on seasonal variations and contamination sources. One hundred leek samples were analyzed for Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, and heavy metals such as zinc, copper, and lead. Findings indicated contamination was higher in district areas compared to city centers, with the highest concentrations of zinc reaching 28.41 ppm during the summer. Results highlight the urgent need for improved contamination prevention measures and increased health awareness to ensure vegetable safety.

Highlights:

Higher District Contamination: Microbial levels were notably higher in district areas compared to city centers.

Seasonal Metal Peaks: Zinc concentration spiked during the summer, reflecting seasonal impacts on heavy metal levels.

Urgent Safety Measures: The results call for urgent improvements in contamination prevention and public health education.

Keywords: Vegetable Safety, Microbial Contamination, Heavy Metals, Seasonal Variation, Public Health Awareness
Neural Ordinary Differential Equations for rotorcraft aerodynamics
Authors: Rivera-Casillas Peter , Dettwiller Ian
Published: April 2024

High-fidelity computational simulations of aerodynamics and structural dynamics on rotorcraft are essential for helicopter design, testing, and evaluation. These simulations usually entail a high computational cost even with modern high-performance computing resources. Reduced order models can significantly reduce the computational cost of simulating rotor revolutions. However, reduced order models are less accurate than traditional numerical modeling approaches, making them unsuitable for research and design purposes. This study explores the use of a new modified Neural Ordinary Differential Equation (NODE) approach as a machine learning alternative to reduced order models in rotorcraft applications—specifically to predict the pitching moment on a rotor blade section from an initial condition, mach number, chord velocity and normal velocity. The results indicate that NODEs cannot outperform traditional reduced order models, but in some cases they can outperform simple multilayer perceptron networks. Additionally, the mathematical structure provided by NODEs seems to favor time-dependent predictions. We demonstrate how this mathematical structure can be easily modified to tackle more complex problems. The work presented in this report is intended to establish an initial evaluation of the usability of the modified NODE approach for time-dependent modeling of complex dynamics over seen and unseen domains.
Standardized NEON Organismal Data for Biodiversity Research
Authors: Li Daijiang , Record Sydne , Sokol Eric , Bitters Matthew , Chen Melissa , Chung Y. , Helmus Matthew , Jaimes Ruvi , Jansen Lara , Jarzyna Marta , Just Michael , LaMontagne Jalene , Melbourne Brett , Moss Wynne , Norman Kari , Parker Stephanie , Robinson Natalie , Seyednasrollah Bijan , Smith Colin , Spaulding Sarah , Surasinghe Thilina , Thomsen Sarah , Zarnetske Phoebe
Published: April 2024

Understanding patterns and drivers of species distribution and abundance, and thus biodiversity, is a core goal of ecology. Despite advances in recent decades, research into these patterns and processes is limited by a lack of standardized, high-quality, empirical data spanning large spatial scales and long time periods. The NEON fills this gap by providing freely available observational data generated during robust and consistent organismal sampling of several sentinel taxonomic groups within 81 sites distributed across the US and will be collected for at least 30 years. The breadth and scope of these data provide a unique resource for advancing biodiversity research. To maximize the potential of this opportunity, however, it is critical that NEON data be accessible and easily integrated into investigators’ workflows and analyses. To facilitate its use for biodiversity research and synthesis, we created a workflow to process and format NEON organismal data into the ecocomDP (ecological community data design pattern) format available through the ecocomDP R package; provided the standardized data as an R data package (neonDivData). We briefly summarize sampling designs and data wrangling decisions for the major taxonomic groups included. Our workflows are open-source so the biodiversity community may: add additional taxonomic groups; modify the workflow to produce datasets appropriate for their own analytical needs; and regularly update the data packages as more observations become available. Finally, we provide two simple examples of how the standardized data may be used for biodiversity research. By providing a standardized data package, we hope to enhance the utility of NEON organismal data in advancing biodiversity research and encourage the use of the harmonized ecocomDP data design pattern for community ecology data from other ecological observatory networks.
Micropaleontological Evidence of A Submarine Fan in the Lower Coaledo Formation, Southwestern Oregon, USA
Authors: McDougall Kristin
Published: April 2024

The middle Eocene lower Coaledo Formation was interpreted as ten shoaling upward delta-margin cycles based on sediments and macrofauna. The strata, however, contains deep-water foraminifers. Explanations to resolve this anomaly included reworking, bathymetric range extension, or upward migration of water masses. Paleoecology analysis of foraminifers indicates that the few shelf species are poorly preserved whereas the well-preserved lower bathyal species dominate, and planktic organisms are present. Evidence for reworking, bathymetric range extension, or upward migration of water masses was not found in any of the cycles. The paleoecologic utility of hummocky cross-bedded sandstones is questioned as these features are controversial. In addition, there is no evidence of sea-level changes or tectonic activity to accommodate the bathymetric changes needed. Deposition of the lower Coaledo Formation on a submarine fan at lower bathyal depths eliminates the need to explain bathymetric anomalies or lack of tectonic movement.
Environmental Signatures Preserved in Extremely Shallow-Water Benthic
Foraminiferal Assemblages From Oman, Arabian Sea
Authors: Trubin Yaroslav S. , Kamoun Mohamed , Langer Martin R.
Published: April 2024

The composition and preservation state of testate foraminiferal assemblages
is of highest importance for paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic reconstructions.
Nearshore coastal areas, however, are often subject to harsh conditions, being
shaped by continuous wave action and exposed to turbulence, erosion, and dynamic
processes of sediment reworking. Situated at the interface between land and water,
the environmental signatures preserved in assemblages of benthic foraminifera from
coastal environments are therefore prone to taphonomic alterations, which
potentially bias the fossil record and compromise accurate reconstructions. In
this study, we have analysed the composition and preservation of benthic
foraminifera from a suite of extremely shallow-water habitats along the Dhofar
coastline (Oman) to document the structure of assemblages and illustrate their
species richness. Our analyses show that extremely shallow foraminiferal
assemblages from the southern coast of Oman retain the environmental signatures of
their habitats despite intense environmental processes, making them useful for
paleoenvironmental studies. Features of these signatures are recorded in the
structural composition, species richness, dominance, and diversity indices of
foraminiferal communities, in addition to numerical abundances of shell
preservation groups.
New Early Rupelian Endemic Porcellaneous Larger Foraminifera from the Prebetic Range, Westernmost Tethys. Discussion on Praerhapydionina
Authors: Ferràndez-Cañadell Carles
Published: April 2024

Peneroplis peramplus n. sp. and Spirolinella emmae n. gen., n. sp. are described from the early Rupelian of the Ibi section in the Prebetic Range (southeastern Iberia). The former is a Peneroplis species of evolute annular growth with a large bilocular megalospheric embryo. Spirolinella n. gen. is similar to Spirolina, from which it differs by a complex aperture. Spirolinella is also similar to Praerhapydionina, but it completely lacks radial partitions. It also differs in the wall texture, homogeneous in Spirolinella and with a pseudokeriotheca-like texture in Praerhapydionina. This newly observed character in Praerhapydionina will help to identify the genus and verify its presumed cosmopolitan distribution. The two new species show the same stratigraphical range, corresponding to the Shallow Benthic Zone SBZ 21, early Rupelian, and are considered endemic to the carbonate platform that developed during the Paleogene in the southeastern margin of the Iberian plate, at the westernmost Tethys.
Foraminiferal Assemblages As Bioindicators In The Western Caribbean: Albuquerque Cay (Colombia)
Authors: Patarroyo German D. , Torres Gustavo A. , Gómez Diego F.
Published: April 2024

The San Andrés Archipelago (Colombia) constitutes a biological hotspot for the Western Caribbean. However, expanding human populations and unrestrained exploitation of the natural resources jeopardize the sustainability of key ecosystems in most of the islands. We surveyed the benthic foraminiferal assemblages of Albuquerque Cay, a relatively isolated location in the archipelago, during an ecosystem monitoring expedition in 2018.

Assemblages recorded from the lagoon and shoreface settings were characteristics of a typical Caribbean reef lagoon. Porcelaneous forms and genera that host algal symbionts, including Archaias, Amphistegina, Heterostegina, Laevipeneroplis, and Sorites, were common, as were smaller taxa, especially Quinqueloculina, Rotorbinella, and Cymbaloporetta were also found in variable proportions, while stress-tolerant and agglutinated taxa were scarce (Elphidium, Clavulina). Results suggest differences in the composition of the assemblages from both sandy cays and the reef lagoon settings, likely conditioned by hydrodynamic fluctuations and nutrient availability. Moreover, a preliminary survey of the FoRAM Index (FI) suggests moderate to good conditions for the environments of Albuquerque Cay, contrasting with estimations of the FI in other insular bodies of the area. Therefore, future studies in the archipelago could reinforce the great potential that foraminiferal assemblages have as bioindicators in this part of the Caribbean.
Changes in the Microbial Community Associated with the Large Benthic Foraminifera Cycloclypeus Carpenteri, Along a Depth Gradient
Authors: Versteegen Elien , Macher Jan N. , Rowley Sonia J. , Renema Willem
Published: April 2024

Cycloclypeus carpenteri is one of the deepest living large benthic foraminifera. It has an obligatory relationship with diatom photosymbionts, and, in addition, houses a diverse prokaryotic community. Variations in the eukaryotic and prokaryotic endobiotic community composition might be key in allowing Cycloclypeus to occur in low light environments. We assessed the variability of the prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities associated with Cycloclypeus along a depth gradient from 50 to 130 m at two locations in the Federated States of Micronesia (Northwest Pacific) by metabarcoding of the 18S V9 rRNA region for eukaryotes and the 16S V3-V4 rRNA region for prokaryotes. We observed a single foraminiferal operational taxonomic unit (OTU), as well as a single dominant diatom OTU that was abundant in all sequenced specimens. Both the prokaryotic and the eukaryotic endobiotic communities (excluding the dominant diatom) changed with water depth and associated irradiance levels. We observed a distinct change in the prokaryotic community composition around 90–100 m water depth at Pohnpei, equivalent to ∼1% surface radiation. This change in microbial communities in the Cycloclypeus holobiont suggests a potential role of the associated microbial communities in accommodating differences in (micro)habitat, although we cannot exclude that the prokaryote community is to a large extent driven by their community composition in the ambient environment.
A co-rotational finite element with embedded plastic discontinuities consistently accounting for distributed loads
Authors: Cordeiro Sergio , Tasinaffo Rafael Isidoro , Monteiro Fra Correia
Published: April 2024

A co-rotational model with distributed loads is employed to analyze planar frames considering plasticity effects lumped by means of embedded discontinuities. The model consistently accounts for the influence of distributed loads into the tangent stiffness matrix, which appears in the co-rotational description of motion. The element is locally formulated as the traditional linear Euler-Bernoulli element. The plastic embedded discontinuities are introduced into the generalized strains fields by Dirac deltas centered at the element ends, naturally resulting in the lumped plasticity local element formulation. The global nonlinear equilibrium equations are solved by either force- or displacement-control Newton based procedure, depending on the observed snaping phenomena. On the other hand, the plastic constrained nonlinear system of equations related to the local problems is solved with a Newton-Raphson approach, running through all feasible plastic possibilities. Both the stiffness and local problem tangent matrix are explicitly presented. Four examples are presented to demonstrate the robustness of the formulation to deal with elastoplastic nonlinear analysis of frames.
One-step Radiosynthesis and Preclinical Evaluation of Molecular Probe [18F]FEtO-CHC Targeting Monocarboxylate Transporters for PET Imaging in Tumor-bearing Mice
Authors: Shi Dongmei , Liu Ling , Qin Kaixin , Zheng Yuzhou , Hu Wenhao , You Jiarui , Wu Ping , Hao Xinzhong , Liu Haiyan , Gao Jie , Li Jianguo , Wu Zhifang , Li Sijin , Wang Hongliang
Published: April 2024

Purpose
The visualization and quantitative analysis of monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) hold significant application value in comprehending the metabolic symbiosis, acid resistance, and invasion mechanisms of tumors. Thus, we designed and synthesized a novel MCTs-targeting radiotracer [18F]FEtO-CHC and gave a comprehensive evaluation in vitro and in vivo experiments for it.
Procedures
The preparations for the precursor and reference of [18F]FEtO-CHC were encompassed. In vitro evaluation included compound identification, purity, stability, liposolubility, and assays in BxPC3 and 4T1 tumor cell lines. Dynamic Micro-PET imaging was performed in tumor-bearing mice to determine its in vivo characteristics.
Results
The synthesis of [18F]FEtO-CHC, a derivative of α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHC), was achieved using a one-step method with the MCTs inhibitor (E)-ethyl 2-cyano-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acrylate as the lead compound. The yield obtained was 52.08 ± 6.74% (n = 7, decay corrected). The cell uptake characteristics and targeting ability towards MCTs were confirmed through cell uptake and competitive inhibition experiments conducted on BxPC3 pancreatic cancer cell line and 4T1 breast cancer cell line. The biodistribution and Micro-PET/CT imaging of tumor-bearing mice revealed the hepatic and renal metabolism-mediated excretion characteristics of [18F]FEtO-CHC, with radioactive uptake in tumors being consistent with MCTs expression levels.
Conclusions
Through the aforementioned studies, a one-step method was employed to successfully synthesize [18F]FEtO-CHC, which has been validated as a small molecule PET probe specifically targeting MCTs.