bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Freedom Choices: How Black Mothers Living in Jim Crow Protected Their Children from Anti-Black Racism and Prepared Them for Success
Authors: Pittman LaShawnDa , Lim Alana , Mohamed Ayan , Schuman Mia , Vulk Rachel , Yan Rina
Published: November 2024

In this article, we examine how Black mothers devised strategies of resistance to prepare and protect their children during the Jim Crow era. Grounded in Black feminist standpoint theory, we rely on Black women’s own perspectives to understand how interlocking systems of oppression shaped their mothering experiences and practices. We use Dedoose cloud-based software to conduct a content analysis of 210 oral histories from two oral history repositories. Our grounded theory approach to data analysis entailed a multistage coding process, revealing that Black mothers strategized to provide their children choices in the present that would give them more freedom and opportunities in the future. We refer to this mothering practice as the cultivation of “freedom choices”. Freedom choices seek to minimize the hindrances and restraints that shape the choices available to Black children and to expand their available options. Black mothers fostered freedom choices by relying on both informal and formal education. They used informal education to teach their children restraint, resistance, and when to deploy which, and how to negotiate space. Black mothers facilitated their children’s educational pursuits in the face of structural barriers by (1) leveraging their own sweat equity, (2) tapping into their mutual aid networks, (3) challenging landowners, and (4) insisting on prioritizing their children’s education even when their partners did not.
Improvement of the 2007–2015 Earthquake Catalog Along the 300 km Long Postglacial Merasjärvi–Stuoragurra Fault Complex in Northern Fennoscandia Using Automatic Event Detection
Authors: Calle-Gardella Daniela , Pavez-Orrego Claudia , Comte Diana , Halpaap Felix , Olesen Odleiv , Espinoza Alina , Roecker Steven
Published: November 2024

We present an updated and validated seismic catalog for the northern Fennoscandian region, focusing on postglacial faults from the Merasjärvi fault system in the southwest to the Iešjávri fault system in the northeast. This work involved a comprehensive review of continuous waveforms derived from open datasets from 2007 to 2015 and processed using the Regressive ESTimator algorithm. The primary objective was to refine the delineation of seismicity along the above-mentioned postglacial faults and highlight their seismic potential. Our analysis revealed distinct waveform patterns originating primarily from two main sources: approximately 15% were associated with areas mapped as postglacial faults, and the remainder of the events outside these areas, 89%, were concentrated in areas with active mines. Compared to previously reported events in the Fennoscandian Earthquake Catalogue (FENCAT), we observed a 22% increase in seismic activity within postglacial fault zones. These results demonstrate that the Regressive ESTimator algorithm not only improves the detection of tectonic seismicity but also effectively identifies seismic signals resulting from mining activities in the study area. The Merasjärvi, Lainio–Suijavaara, Palojärvi, and Maze and Iešjávri fault systems appear to form a continuous deformation complex of approximately 300 km long, which we propose naming the Merasjärvi–Stuoragurra fault complex.
Resilient Coping Levels and Psychometric Properties of the Brief Resilient Coping Scale Among Nursing Professionals in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Albougami Abdulrhman
Published: November 2024

Objectives: This cross-sectional survey assessed resilient coping levels and their relationship with the sociodemographic characteristics of nursing professionals in Saudi Arabia. Methods: Adult (≥18 years) registered nurses who had been practicing for ≥1 year were included in the study. Resilient coping levels (as assessed via a 4-item Brief Resilience Coping Scale; BRCS) and the data of sociodemographic and other characteristics were collected. Descriptive analysis and ordinal logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Furthermore, the psychometric properties of the BRCS are also reported. Results: Overall, 216 nursing professionals were included. The mean BRCS score was 14.6 (standard deviation = 3.6), with most nursing professionals (62.5%) reporting medium-to-high resilience coping levels. The ordinal logistic regression model demonstrated that nurses with increasing age (p = 0.002), best overall health (p = 0.001), and in the outpatient department (p = 0.049) and intensive care unit (p = 0.032) had significantly high resilient coping levels. The internal consistency of the BRCS was good (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.80). The results of the exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis clearly indicate a unidimensional solution with one factor. Conclusions: In summary, most nursing professionals in Saudi Arabia showed medium-to-high resilience coping levels. Moreover, this study suggests that the BRCS was found to be a psychometrically reliable and adequate tool for assessing resilience coping levels and provides valuable insights into the relationship between resilient coping levels and the sociodemographic characteristics of nursing professionals in Saudi Arabia.
Multidimensional Benefits of a Tailored Exercise Program in Preventing Frailty: A Community-Based Approach
Authors: Kakuda Akihiro , Sawada Yuko , Okumura Rika , Kinoshita Hiroshi , Anme Tokie
Published: November 2024

Background/Objective: Frailty is a significant health concern in the aging population, particularly in Japan’s super-aging society. Community-based interventions show promise in frailty prevention; however, their effectiveness requires further investigation. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a continuous municipal rehabilitation program on frailty status and physical function in older adults living in suburban Japan. Methods: This prospective observational study included 52 participants aged ≥ 65 years (13 males and 39 females) who underwent assessments at baseline and after six months. Participants were divided into Pre-old (65–74 years) and Older (≥75 years) groups. Frailty was assessed using the Kihon checklist (KCL), and physical function was evaluated using the New Physical Fitness Test. Changes in frailty status, physical function, and KCL subcategories were analyzed. Results: Frailty prevalence decreased significantly from baseline to 6 months (21.2% to 7.7%, p = 0.018). In the Pre-old group, significant improvements were observed in the sit-up (p = 0.035) and six-minute walking (p = 0.017) scores. The Older group showed significant improvements in KCL lifestyle (p = 0.023) and physical function (p = 0.018). Seven of ten initially frailty participants transitioned to a non-frailty status after 6 months. Conclusions: The Co-Creative Well-being System was associated with a reduction in frailty prevalence and improvements in physical function, with age-specific benefits observed. This community-based approach presents a promising strategy for addressing frailty in aging populations.
Xanthogranulomatous Cholecystitis: A Retrospective Review of Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment from a Single Center
Authors: Torun Mehmet , Akyüz Cebrail , Kol Deniz , Özbay Mehmet Ali
Published: November 2024

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the histopathological, clinical, and treatment characteristics of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) in patients undergoing cholecystectomy at a single center. Aim: We aim to enhance the understanding of its presentation and improve its differential diagnosis from other gallbladder pathologies. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 6783 cholecystectomy cases performed between January 2015 and January 2023 at the General Surgery Clinic of Haydarpaşa Numune Training and Research Hospital, and a diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis was histopathologically established in 131 patients. In this retrospective study, we examined the clinicopathological characteristics, preoperative imaging methods and findings, histopathological images, surgical procedure methods, and postoperative complications of 131 patients. Results: The study included 131 patients, with ages ranging from 18 to 88 years, of which 74 (56.5%) were female and 57 (43.5%) were male. Ultrasound imaging was performed on 128 patients. Ultrasound imaging revealed wall thickening in 72.7% of cases, hypoechoic nodules in 13.3%, biliary tract pathologies in 10.9%, and adenomyomatosis in 3.1%. A total of 59 cases had MRI. On MRI, wall thickening was observed in 50.8% of cases, biliary tract pathologies in 33.9%, adenomyomatosis in 10.2%, hypoechoic nodules in 3.4%, and hypoechoic nodules + wall thickening (HN + WT) in 1.7%. Histopathological diagnosis was diffuse in 79.4% of cases and focal in 20.6%. In addition to cholecystectomy, non-surgical interventions were not required in 77.1% of the cases, while 11.5% underwent ERCP, 9.2% underwent percutaneous procedures, 1.5% underwent both ERCP and percutaneous procedures, and 0.8% underwent other non-surgical interventions. Of the surgeries, 93.1% were elective and 6.9% were emergency. Postoperative complications were not observed in 84% of the patients; 5.3% experienced surgical complications, 5.3% had surgical site infection, and 5.3% had other complications (pneumonia and urinary infection). The length of hospital stay ranged from 0 to 26 days, with a mean of 5.27 ± 4.59 days and a median of 4 days. Conclusions: Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis is a rare disease of the gallbladder with no characteristic radiological or clinical findings and can often be confused with gallbladder cancer. Further studies involving larger populations are needed to improve the preoperative diagnosis.
Adaptation of the Taiwan Version of the Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool (SPICT-TW) and Its Association with Six-Month Mortality: A Multi-Center Validation Study in Older People
Authors: Liao Jung-Yu , Chang Hsiao-Ting , Peng Jen-Kuei , Murray Scott , Wu Chien-Yi , Chang Hsien-Cheng , Li Chia-Ming , Cheng Shao-Yi , Tseng Wei-Zhe , Hsiung Chao , Chiou Hung-Yi , Yu Sang-Ju , Boyd Kirsty , Chen Ping-Jen
Published: November 2024

Background: The Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool (SPICT) was developed for identifying, in a timely manner, patients who may benefit from supportive and palliative care for better treatment review, care-plan discussion, and end-of-life care. Although the SPICT has been validated in different languages and for patients living in different settings, it has not been validated for patients receiving home-based medical care (HBMC), or in the context of using traditional Chinese characters. Objectives: The present study aimed to validate the Taiwanese version of the SPICT (SPICT-TW) and to measure its ability to predict six-month mortality in patients who received HBMC in Taiwan. Methods: Seven HBMC agents (five clinics and two hospitals) participated in this validation study. We recruited 129 patients aged ≥ 50 years who had been consistently receiving HBMC for >two months. Results: The results revealed that the SPICT-TW demonstrated similar reliability and validity compared to other language versions of the SPICT. It may be an appropriate tool for healthcare professionals to detect, in a timely manner, the needs for palliative care in older people who receive home healthcare. Furthermore, we found that a combination of four general indicators and one clinical indicator in the SPCIT-TW has the best prediction ability at predicting six-month mortality in these HBMC recipients. This multi-center study validated the SPICT-TW among HBMC recipients in Taiwan. Conclusions: The SPICT-TW demonstrated high reliability and validity through the Kuder–Richardson 20, an intraclass correlation coefficient, Cohen’s kappa, and receiver operating characteristic analysis, supporting its potential as a practical tool for identifying older adults at risk of dying within six months who have not yet received palliative care but may benefit from it.
Research on Pomegranate Germplasm, Breeding, Genetics and Multiomics
Authors: Yuan Zhaohe , Qin Gaihua , Bartual Julián
Published: November 2024

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L [...]
Optimization of Cannabinoid Production in Hemp Through Methyl Jasmonate Application in a Vertical Farming System
Authors: Hahm Seungyong , Lee Yongjae , Lee Kwangya , Park Jongseok
Published: November 2024

Cannabis sativa, a versatile plant containing over 150 cannabinoids, is increasingly valued for its medicinal properties. It is classified into hemp and marijuana based on its Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) content. The objective of this study was to optimize cannabinoid production in hemp within a vertical farming system by investigating the effects of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on plant growth and specific cannabinoid contents. After propagating hemp plants, they were treated with various concentrations of MeJA (0, 100, 200, and 400 μM). Plant growth parameters, glandular trichome (GT) density, and the contents of specific cannabinoids—cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), and Δ9-THC—were analyzed. The results showed that MeJA treatment decreased plant height and leaf area while increasing GT density and the synthesis of CBDA and THCA at lower concentrations. Specifically, treatment with 100 μM MeJA provided optimal conditions for enhancing cannabinoid production while controlling plant height, which is advantageous for vertical farming. These findings suggest that precise application of MeJA in controlled environments can increase yields of valuable cannabinoids with efficient use of space, thereby enhancing the commercial and medicinal value of hemp.
Research on Land Use and Land Cover Information Extraction Methods for Remote Sensing Images Based on Improved Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Ding Xue , Wang Zhaoqian , Peng Shuangyun , Shao Xin , Deng Ruifang
Published: October 2024

To address the challenges that convolutional neural networks (CNNs) face in extracting small objects and handling class imbalance in remote sensing imagery, this paper proposes a novel spatial contextual information and multiscale feature fusion encoding–decoding network, SCIMF-Net. Firstly, SCIMF-Net employs an improved ResNeXt-101 deep backbone network, significantly enhancing the extraction capability of small object features. Next, a novel PMFF module is designed to effectively promote the fusion of features at different scales, deepening the model’s understanding of global and local spatial contextual information. Finally, introducing a weighted joint loss function improves the SCIMF-Net model’s performance in extracting LULC information under class imbalance conditions. Experimental results show that compared to other CNNs such as Res-FCN, U-Net, SE-U-Net, and U-Net++, SCIMF-Net improves PA by 0.68%, 0.54%, 1.61%, and 3.39%, respectively; MPA by 2.96%, 4.51%, 2.37%, and 3.45%, respectively; and MIOU by 3.27%, 4.89%, 4.2%, and 5.68%, respectively. Detailed comparisons of locally visualized LULC information extraction results indicate that SCIMF-Net can accurately extract information from imbalanced classes and small objects.
High-Fructose Diet and Chronic Unpredictable Stress Modify Each Other’s Neurobehavioral Effects in Female Rats
Authors: Kovačević Sanja , Pavković Željko , Brkljačić Jelena , Elaković Ivana , Vojnović Milutinović Danijela , Djordjevic Ana , Pešić Vesna
Published: November 2024

A pervasive exposure to stressors and the consumption of fructose-containing beverages usually go hand-in-hand in everyday life. In contrast to their metabolic outcomes, their impact on the brain and behavior is still understudied. We examined the behavioral response to a novelty (open field test), the expression of biochemical indicators of neuronal activity (Egr1 and FosB/ΔFosB), the synaptic potentiation (CaMKIIα and pCaMKIIThr286), the synaptic plasticity (synaptophysin, PSD95, gephyrin, and drebrin), and the GABAergic system (parvalbumin and GAD67), along with the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and AMPK, in the medial prefrontal cortex of female Wistar rats subjected to liquid fructose supplementation (F), chronic unpredictable stress (S), or both (SF) over 9 weeks. The only hallmark of the F group was an increased expression of pCaMKIIThr286, which was also observed in the S group, but not in the SF group. The SF group did not show hyperactivity, a decreased expression of FosB, or an increased expression of parvalbumin, as the S group did. The SF group, as with the S group, showed a decreased expression of the GR, although the basal level of corticosterone was unchanged. The SF group showed, as de novo marks, thigmotactic behavior, increased drebrin, and decreased gephyrin expression. These findings suggest that the long-term consumption of fructose, which itself has subtle neurobehavioral consequences, in combination with stress prevents some of its effects, but also contributes to novel outcomes not seen in single treatments.
Various Strategies of Tendon Stem/Progenitor Cell Reprogramming for Tendon Regeneration
Authors: Ahn Sung Yong
Published: November 2024

Rotator cuff tears (RCT) are the most common cause of shoulder pain among adults. “Rotator cuff” refers to the four muscles that cover the shoulder joint: supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and teres minor. These muscles help maintain the rotational movement and stability of the shoulder joint. RCT is a condition in which one or more of these four muscles become ruptured or damaged, causing pain in the arms and shoulders. RCT results from degenerative changes caused by chronic inflammation of the tendons and consequent tendon tissue defects. This phenomenon occurs because of the exhaustion of endogenous tendon stem cells. Tendon regeneration requires rejuvenation of these endogenous tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSPCs) prior to their growth phase. TSPCs exhibit clonogenicity, multipotency, and self-renewal properties; they express classical stem cell markers and genes associated with the tendon lineage. However, specific markers for TSPC are yet to be identified. In this review, we introduce novel TSPC markers and discuss various strategies for TSPC reprogramming. With further research, TSPC reprogramming technology could be adapted to treat age-related degenerative diseases, providing a new strategy for regenerative medicine.
Recent Insights into Endogenous Mammalian Cardiac Regeneration Post-Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Fiorino Erika , Rossin Daniela , Vanni Roberto , Aubry Matteo , Giachino Claudia , Rastaldo Raffaella
Published: November 2024

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a critical global health issue and a leading cause of heart failure. Indeed, while neonatal mammals can regenerate cardiac tissue mainly through cardiomyocyte proliferation, this ability is lost shortly after birth, resulting in the adult heart’s inability to regenerate after injury effectively. In adult mammals, the adverse cardiac remodelling, which compensates for the loss of cardiac cells, impairs cardiac function due to the non-contractile nature of fibrotic tissue. Moreover, the neovascularisation after MI is inadequate to restore blood flow to the infarcted myocardium. This review aims to synthesise the most recent insights into the molecular and cellular players involved in endogenous myocardial and vascular regeneration, facilitating the identification of mechanisms that could be targeted to trigger cardiac regeneration, reduce fibrosis, and improve functional recovery post-MI. Reprogramming adult cardiomyocytes to regain their proliferative potential, along with the modulation of target cells responsible for neovascularisation, represents promising therapeutic strategies. An updated overview of endogenous mechanisms that regulate both myocardial and coronary vasculature regeneration—including stem and progenitor cells, growth factors, cell cycle regulators, and key signalling pathways—could help identify new critical intervention points for therapeutic applications.
Proteomic Analysis of Follicular Fluid in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Insights into Protein Composition and Metabolic Pathway Alterations
Authors: Przewocki Janusz , Łukaszuk Adam , Jakiel Grzegorz , Wocławek-Potocka Izabela , Kłosińska Karolina , Olszewska Jolanta , Łukaszuk Krzysztof
Published: November 2024

This study explores the proteomic composition of follicular fluid (FF) from women undergoing oocyte retrieval for in vitro fertilisation (IVF), with a focus on the effects of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). FF samples were collected from 74 patients, including 34 with PCOS and 40 oocyte donors. Proteomic profiling using machine learning identified significant differences in protein abundance between the PCOS and control groups. Of the 484 quantified proteins, 20 showed significantly altered levels in the PCOS group. Functional annotation and pathway enrichment analysis pointed to the involvement of protease inhibitors and immune-related proteins in the pathophysiology of PCOS, suggesting that inflammation and immune dysregulation may play a key role. Additionally, HDL assembly was identified as a significant pathway, with apolipoprotein-AI (APOA1) and alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M) as the major proteins involved. Notably, myosin light polypeptide 6 was the most downregulated protein, showing the highest absolute fold change, and may serve as a novel independent biomarker for PCOS.
In Vitro Modeling of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Lung-on-a-Chip Systems and Other 3D Cultures
Authors: Corona Christopher , Man Kun , Newton Chad A. , Nguyen Kytai T. , Yang Yong
Published: November 2024

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a lethal disorder characterized by relentless progression of lung fibrosis that causes respiratory failure and early death. Currently, no curative treatments are available, and existing therapies include a limited selection of antifibrotic agents that only slow disease progression. The development of novel therapeutics has been hindered by a limited understanding of the disease’s etiology and pathogenesis. A significant challenge in developing new treatments and understanding IPF is the lack of in vitro models that accurately replicate crucial microenvironments. In response, three-dimensional (3D) in vitro models have emerged as powerful tools for replicating organ-level microenvironments seen in vivo. This review summarizes the state of the art in advanced 3D lung models that mimic many physiological and pathological processes observed in IPF. We begin with a brief overview of conventional models, such as 2D cell cultures and animal models, and then explore more advanced 3D models, focusing on lung-on-a-chip systems. We discuss the current challenges and future research opportunities in this field, aiming to advance the understanding of the disease and the development of novel devices to assess the effectiveness of new IPF treatments.
RIPK2 Is Crucial for the Microglial Inflammatory Response to Bacterial Muramyl Dipeptide but Not to Lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Yang Changjun , da Silva Maria Carolina Machado , Howell John Aaron , Larochelle Jonathan , Liu Lei , Gunraj Rachel E. , de Oliveira Antônio Carlos Pinheiro , Candelario-Jalil Eduardo
Published: November 2024

Receptor-interacting serine/threonine protein kinase 2 (RIPK2) is a kinase that is essential in modulating innate and adaptive immune responses. As a downstream signaling molecule for nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 1 (NOD1), NOD2, and Toll-like receptors (TLRs), it is implicated in the signaling triggered by recognition of microbe-associated molecular patterns by NOD1/2 and TLRs. Upon activation of these innate immune receptors, RIPK2 mediates the release of pro-inflammatory factors by activating mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). However, whether RIPK2 is essential for downstream inflammatory signaling following the activation of NOD1/2, TLRs, or both remains controversial. In this study, we examined the role of RIPK2 in NOD2- and TLR4-dependent signaling cascades following stimulation of microglial cells with bacterial muramyl dipeptide (MDP), a NOD2 agonist, or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a TLR4 agonist. We utilized a highly specific proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) molecule, GSK3728857A, and found dramatic degradation of RIPK2 in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Importantly, the PROTAC completely abolished MDP-induced increases in iNOS and COX-2 protein levels and pro-inflammatory gene transcription of Nos2, Ptgs2, Il-1β, Tnfα, Il6, Ccl2, and Mmp9. However, increases in iNOS and COX-2 proteins and pro-inflammatory gene transcription induced by the TLR4 agonist, LPS, were only slightly attenuated with the GSK3728857A pretreatment. Further findings revealed that the RIPK2 PROTAC completely blocked the phosphorylation and activation of p65 NF-κB and p38 MAPK induced by MDP, but it had no effects on the phosphorylation of these two mediators triggered by LPS. Collectively, our findings strongly suggest that RIPK2 plays an essential role in the inflammatory responses of microglia to bacterial MDP but not to LPS.
Special Issue “Drug Discovery and Application of New Technologies”
Authors: Hu Sha , Li Yaxin , Hu Liming
Published: November 2024

Historically, drug discovery and development have proven to be time-consuming and costly, with the process averaging around 15 years and costing approximately USD 2 billion to bring a new small-molecule drug to market [...]
Role of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor α-Dependent Mitochondrial Metabolism in Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Lee Seo Yul , Shin Min Joo , Choi Seong Min , Kim Dae Kyoung , Choi Mee Gyeon , Kim Jun Se , Suh Dong Soo , Kim Jae Ho , Kim Seong Jang
Published: November 2024

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), including PPAR-α, PPAR-β/δ, and PPAR-γ, are involved in various cellular responses, including metabolism and cell proliferation. Increasing evidence suggests that PPARs are closely associated with tumorigenesis and metastasis. However, the exact role of PPARs in energy metabolism and cancer stem cell (CSC) proliferation remains unclear. This study investigated the role of PPARs in energy metabolism and tumorigenesis in ovarian CSCs. The expression of PPARs and fatty acid consumption as an energy source increased in spheroids derived from A2780 ovarian cancer cells (A2780-SP) compared with their parental cells. GW6471, a PPARα inhibitor, induced apoptosis in A2780-SP. PPARα silencing mediated by small hairpin RNA reduced A2780-SP cell proliferation. Treatment with GW6471 significantly inhibited the respiratory oxygen consumption of A2780-SP cells, with reduced dependency on fatty acids, glucose, and glutamine. In a xenograft tumor transplantation mouse model, intraperitoneal injection of GW6471 inhibited in vivo tumor growth of A2780-SP cells. These results suggest that PPARα plays a vital role in regulating the proliferation and energy metabolism of CSCs by altering mitochondrial activity and that it offers a promising therapeutic target to eradicate CSCs.
Magnesium Bicarbonate–Walnut Shell Dual-Template Synthesis of Multifunctional Layered Porous Carbon for Enhanced Adsorption of Aqueous Chlorinated Organic Compounds
Authors: Kang Juanxue , Bai Xiaoli , Leng Junyang , Lou Yaxuan , Chen Daomei , Jiang Liang , Wang Jiaqiang
Published: November 2024

Chloride ions readily react with organic matter and other ions, resulting in the formation of disinfection by-products (DBPs) that exhibit heightened levels of toxicity, carcinogenicity, and mutagenicity. This study creatively employed waste walnut shells as self-templates and low-cost magnesium bicarbonate as a rigid template to successfully synthesize multifunctional porous carbon derived from walnut shells. Employing a series of characterization techniques, it was ascertained that the porous carbon material (WSC/Mg) synthesized via the dual-template method exhibited a distinct layered microscopic surface structure, with a predominance of C and O elements on the surface. The material displayed a high degree of graphitization, significant specific surface area, and abundant oxygen-containing surface functional groups. The incorporation of magnesium bicarbonate as a hard template improved the structure of the walnut shell porous carbon, resulting in a significant enhancement in mass transfer efficiency for the target product on the adsorbent and a substantial improvement in removal efficiency. In comparison with walnut shell-derived carbon using only self-templating, WSC/Mg exhibited a 17.26-fold increase in adsorption capacity for 2,4-dichlorophenol. Furthermore, even after four adsorption–desorption cycles, WSC/Mg-12 maintained an adsorption efficiency above 90%. It is remarkable that WSC/Mg-12 demonstrated exceptional resistance to interference from natural organic matter and pH variations. Moreover, the adsorbed saturated WSC/Mg-12 effectively treated real coke wastewater, resulting in an 80% color removal rate, 20% COD removal rate, and 15% ammonia nitrogen removal rate. In conclusion, this study presents an innovative approach for cost-effective and versatile porous carbon materials with extensive applications in water environment purification and biomass utilization.
Magnetic MgFeO@BC Derived from Rice Husk as Peroxymonosulfate Activator for Sulfamethoxazole Degradation: Performance and Reaction Mechanism
Authors: Liu Tong , Li Chen-Xuan , Chen Xing , Chen Yihan , Cui Kangping , Wei Qiang
Published: November 2024

Heterogeneous Mg-Fe oxide/biochar (MgFeO@BC) nanocomposites were synthesized by a co-precipitation method and used as biochar-based catalysts to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for sulfamethoxazole (SMX) removal. The optimal conditions for SMX degradation were examined as follows: pH 7.0, MgFeO@BC of 0.4 g/L, PMS concentration of 0.6 mM and SMX concentration of 10.0 mg/L at 25 ℃. In the MgFeO@BC/PMS system, the removal efficiency of SMX was 99.0% in water within 40 min under optimal conditions. In the MgFeO@BC/PMS system, the removal efficiencies of tetracycline (TC), cephalexin (CEX), ciprofloxacin (CIP), 4-chloro-3-methyl phenol (CMP) and SMX within 40 min are 95.3%, 98.4%, 98.2%, 97.5% and 99.0%, respectively. The radical quenching experiments and electron spin resonance (ESR) analysis suggested that both non-radical pathway and radical pathway advanced SMX degradation. SMX was oxidized by sulfate radicals (SO4•−), hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and singlet oxygen (1O2), and SO4•− acted as the main active species. MgFeO@BC exhibits a higher current density, and therefore, a higher electron migration rate and redox capacity. Due to the large number of available binding sites on the surface of MgFeO@BC and the low amount of ion leaching during the catalytic reaction, the system has good anti-interference ability and stability. Finally, the intermediates of SMX were detected.
Insufficient Acetyl-CoA Pool Restricts the Phototrophic Production of Organic Acids in Model Cyanobacteria
Authors: You Dawei , Rasul Faiz , Wang Tao , Daroch Maurycy
Published: November 2024

Cyanobacteria are promising biological chassis to produce biochemicals such as carboxylic acids and their derivatives from CO2. In this manuscript, we reflected on cyanobacterial acetyl-CoA pool and TCA cycle as an important source of precursor molecules for the biosynthesis of carboxylic acids such as 3-hydroxypropionate, 3-hydroxybutyrate, succinate, malate, fumarate and free fatty acids, each of which is an important platform chemical for bioeconomy. We further highlighted specific features of the cyanobacterial TCA cycle, how it differs in structure and function from widely described TCA cycles of heterotrophic model organisms, and methods to make it more suitable for the production of carboxylic acids from CO2. Currently, the yields of these compounds are significantly lower than those in heterotrophic organisms and it was concluded that the primary cause of this can be attributed to the limited flux toward acetyl-CoA. Strategies like overexpressing pyruvate dehydrogenase complex or introducing synthetic bypasses are being explored to overcome these limitations. While significant progress has been made, further research is needed to enhance the metabolic efficiency of cyanobacteria, making them viable for the large-scale, sustainable production of carboxylic acids and their derivatives.
Trans, Trans-Farnesol Enhances the Anti-Bacterial and Anti-Biofilm Effect of Arachidonic Acid on the Cariogenic Bacteria Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus
Authors: Haj-Yahya Farah , Steinberg Doron , Sionov Ronit Vogt
Published: November 2024

Background: Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus are Gram-positive bacteria involved in the development of dental caries, as they are able to form biofilms on tooth enamel, ferment sugars into acids, and survive under acidic conditions. This ultimately leads to a local lowering of the pH value on the tooth surface, which causes enamel cavities. Hypothesis: One measure to reduce caries is to limit the growth of cariogenic bacteria by using two anti-bacterial agents with different mechanisms of action. The hypothesis of this study was that the anti-bacterial activity of ω-6 polyunsaturated arachidonic acid (AA) against S. mutans and S. sobrinus can be enhanced by the sesquiterpene alcohol trans, trans-farnesol (t,t-farnesol). Methods: The anti-bacterial activity of single and combined treatment was determined by the checkerboard assay. Bacterial viability was assessed by live/dead SYTO 9/propidium iodide (PI) staining on flow cytometry. Anti-biofilm activity was determined by MTT metabolic assay, crystal violet staining of biofilm biomass, SYTO 9/PI staining by spinning disk confocal microscopy (SDCM) and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM). Results: t,t-Farnesol lowered the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) of AA at sub-MICs. AA reduced the metabolic activity of preformed mature biofilms, while t,t-farnesol had no significant effect. The enhanced anti-bacterial effect of the combined t,t-farnesol/AA treatment was further evidenced by increased PI uptake, indicating membrane perforation. The enhanced anti-biofilm effect was further verified by SDCM and HR-SEM. Gene expression studies showed reduced expression of some biofilm-related genes. Conclusions: Altogether, our study suggests a potential use of the two naturally occurring compounds arachidonic acid and t,t-farnesol for preventing biofilm formation by the cariogenic bacteria S. mutans and S. sobrinus. These findings have implications for caries prevention.
New Toolset of Reporters Reveals That Glycogen Granules Are Neutral Substrates of Bulk Autophagy in Komagataella phaffii
Authors: Wijewantha Nimna V. , Battu Praneetha , Chen Kuangcai , Kumar Ravinder , Nazarko Taras Y.
Published: November 2024

Glycogen, a branched polysaccharide organized into glycogen granules (GGs), is delivered from the cytoplasm to the lysosomes of hepatocytes by STBD1-driven selective autophagy (glycophagy). Recently, we developed Komagataella phaffii yeast as a simple model of GG autophagy and found that it proceeds non-selectively under nitrogen starvation conditions. However, another group, using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model, found that glycogen is a non-preferred cargo of nitrogen starvation-induced bulk autophagy. To clarify cargo characteristics of K. phaffii GGs, we used the same glycogen synthase-based reporter (Gsy1-GFP) of GG autophagy in K. phaffii as was used in S. cerevisiae. The K. phaffii Gsy1-GFP marked the GGs and reported on their autophagic degradation during nitrogen starvation, as expected. However, unlike in S. cerevisiae, glycogen synthase-marked GGs were delivered to the vacuole and degraded there with the same efficiency as a cytosolic glycogen synthase in glycogen-deficient cells, suggesting that glycogen is a neutral cargo of bulk autophagy in K. phaffii. We verified our findings with a new set of reporters based on the glycogen-binding CBM20 domain of human STBD1. The GFP-CBM20 and mCherry-CBM20 fusion proteins tagged GGs, reported about the autophagy of GGs, and confirmed that GGs in K. phaffii are neither preferred nor non-preferred substrates of bulk autophagy. They are its neutral substrates.
Identifying Learners’ Confusion in a MOOC Forum Across Domains Using Explainable Deep Transfer Learning
Authors: Alsuhaimi Rahaf , Almatrafi Omaima
Published: November 2024

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) offer highly specialized online courses and have attracted nearly 10 million learners worldwide to participate in various educational programs. These platforms provide discussion forums that allow learners to engage with both their peers and instructors, facilitating idea exchange and seeking assistance, respectively. However, due to the substantial participant-to-instructor ratio, certain posts may go unanswered. Addressing learners’ confusion is crucial. This emotional state, often experienced during the learning journey, necessitates prompt support to prevent potential dropouts. This paper proposes the application of a deep transfer learning method to automate the classification of online discussion posts based on indicators of confusion utilizing the Stanford MOOCPost dataset. The approach involves creating an explainable and adaptable deep learning model through network-based transfer learning across multiple educational domains. This model outperforms baseline methods, achieving an average accuracy of 91%. Additionally, employing data augmentation techniques enhances the model’s generalizability, resulting in an 11% improvement in the F1 score. To mitigate the inherent opacity of the implemented models, Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanation and Shapley Additive Explanation techniques are integrated. These explanations assess the reliability of features and provide supplementary insights into the confusion detection. By pinpointing confused posts, this work assists instructors in delivering timely responses, resolving learner confusion, providing accurate visualization of key contributing words, and reducing the dropout rate. This proactive approach ensures a smoother continuation of the learning process, consequently enhancing learner satisfaction with the educational experience.
Geopolitical Ramifications of Cybersecurity Threats: State Responses and International Cooperations in the Digital Warfare Era
Authors: Adeyeri Aisha , Abroshan Hossein
Published: November 2024

As the digital environment progresses, the complexities of cyber threats also advance, encompassing both hostile cyberattacks and sophisticated cyber espionage. In the face of these difficulties, cooperative endeavours between state and non-state actors have attracted considerable interest as crucial elements in improving global cyber resilience. This study examines cybersecurity governance’s evolving dynamics, specifically exploring non-state actors’ roles and their effects on global security. This highlights the increasing dangers presented by supply chain attacks, advanced persistent threats, ransomware, and vulnerabilities on the Internet of Things. Furthermore, it explores how non-state actors, such as terrorist organisations and armed groups, increasingly utilise cyberspace for strategic objectives. This issue can pose a challenge to conventional state-focused approaches to security management. Moreover, the research examines the crucial influence of informal governance processes on forming international cybersecurity regulations. The study emphasises the need for increased cooperation between governmental and non-governmental entities to create robust and flexible cybersecurity measures. This statement urges policymakers, security experts, and researchers to thoroughly examine the complex relationship between geopolitics, informal governance systems, and growing cyber threats to strengthen global digital resilience.
Improving Search Query Accuracy for Specialized Websites Through Intelligent Text Correction and Reconstruction Models
Authors: Simian Dana , Șerban Marin-Eusebiu
Published: November 2024

In the digital era, the need for precise and efficient search operations is paramount as users increasingly rely on online resources to access specific information. However, search accuracy is often hindered by errors in user queries, such as incomplete or degraded input. Errors in search queries can reduce both the precision and speed of search results, making error correction a key factor in enhancing the user experience. This paper addresses the challenge of improving search performance through query error correction. We propose a novel methodology and architecture aimed at optimizing search results across thematic websites, such as those for universities, hospitals, or tourism agencies. The proposed solution leverages an intelligent model based on Gated Recurrent Units (GRUs) and Bahdanau Attention mechanisms to reconstruct erroneous or incomplete text in search queries. To validate our approach, we embedded the model in a prototype website consolidating data from multiple universities, demonstrating significant improvements in search accuracy and efficiency.
Elegante: A Machine Learning-Based Threads Configuration Tool for SpMV Computations on Shared Memory Architecture
Authors: Ahmad Muhammad , Sardar Usman , Batyrshin Ildar , Hasnain Muhammad , Sajid Khan , Sidorov Grigori
Published: November 2024

The sparse matrix–vector product (SpMV) is a fundamental computational kernel utilized in a diverse range of scientific and engineering applications. It is commonly used to solve linear and partial differential equations. The parallel computation of the SpMV product is a challenging task. Existing solutions often employ a fixed number of threads assignment to rows based on empirical formulas, leading to sub-optimal configurations and significant performance losses. Elegante, our proposed machine learning-powered tool, utilizes a data-driven approach to identify the optimal thread configuration for SpMV computations within a shared memory architecture. It accomplishes this by predicting the best thread configuration based on the unique sparsity pattern of each sparse matrix. Our approach involves training and testing using various base and ensemble machine learning algorithms such as decision tree, random forest, gradient boosting, logistic regression, and support vector machine. We rigorously experimented with a dataset of nearly 1000+ real-world matrices. These matrices originated from 46 distinct application domains, spanning fields like robotics, power networks, 2D/3D meshing, and computational fluid dynamics. Our proposed methodology achieved 62% of the highest achievable performance and is 7.33 times faster, demonstrating a significant disparity from the default OpenMP configuration policy and traditional practice methods of manually or randomly selecting the number of threads. This work is the first attempt where the structure of the matrix is used to predict the optimal thread configuration for the optimization of parallel SpMV computation in a shared memory environment.
Geospatial Analysis of the Association Between Medicaid Expansion, Minimum Wage Policies, and Alzheimer’s Disease Dementia Prevalence in the United States
Authors: Mollalo Abolfazl , Knox Sara , Meng Jessica , Benitez Andreana , Lenert Leslie A. , Alekseyenko Alexander V.
Published: November 2024

Previous studies indicate that increased healthcare access through Medicaid expansion and alleviation of socioeconomic stressors via higher minimum wages improved health outcomes. This study investigates the spatial relationships between the Medicaid expansion, minimum wage policy, and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) dementia prevalence across the US. We used county-level AD dementia prevalence adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and education. Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) data, Medicaid expansion status, and state minimum wage law status were incorporated from CDC, Kaiser Family Foundation, and US Department of Labor sources, respectively. We employed the Getis-Ord Gi* statistic to identify hotspots and cold spots of AD dementia prevalence at the county level. We compared these locations with the overall SVI scores using univariate analyses. We also assessed the proportion of hot and cold spots at the state level based on Medicaid expansion and minimum wage status using the logistic regression model. The most vulnerable SVI quartile (Q4) had the highest number of hotspots (n = 311, 64.8%), while the least vulnerable quartile (Q1) had the fewest hotspots (n = 22, 4.6%) (χ2 = 307.41, p < 0.01). States that adopted Medicaid expansion had a significantly lower proportion of hotspots compared to non-adopting states (p < 0.05), and the non-adopting states had significantly higher odds of having hotspots than adopting states (OR = 2.58, 95% CI: 2.04–3.26, p < 0.001). Conversely, the non-adopting states had significantly lower odds of having cold spots compared to the adopting states (OR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.19–0.32, p < 0.01). States with minimum wage levels at or below the federal level showed significantly higher odds of having hotspots than states with a minimum wage above the federal level (OR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.51–2.49, p < 0.01). Our findings suggest significant disparities in AD dementia prevalence related to socioeconomic and policy factors and lay the groundwork for future causal analyses.
Enhancing Visible Light Communication Channel Estimation in Complex 3D Environments: An Open-Source Ray Tracing Simulation Framework
Authors: Georlette Véronique , Vallois Nicolas , Moeyaert Véronique , Quoitin Bruno
Published: November 2024

Estimating the optical power distribution in a room in order to assess the performance of a visible light communication (VLC) system is nothing new. It can be estimated using a Monte Carlo optical ray tracing algorithm that sums the contribution of each ray on the reception plane. For now, research has focused on rectangular parallelepipedic rooms with single-textured walls, when studying indoor applications. This article presents a new open-source simulator that answers the case of more complex rooms by analysing them using a 3D STL (stereolithography) model. This paper describes this new tool in detail, with the material used, the software architecture, the ray tracing algorithm, and validates it against the literature and presents new use cases. To the best of our knowledge, this simulator is the only free and open-source ray tracing analysis for complex 3D rooms for VLC research. In particular, this simulator is capable of studying any room shape, such as an octagon or an L-shape. The user has the opportunity to control the number of emitters, their orientation, and especially the number of rays emitted and reflected. The final results are detailed heat maps, enabling the visualization of the optical power distribution across any 3D room. This tool is innovative both visually (using 3D models) and mathematically (estimating the coverage of a VLC system).