bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Organic and Mineral Soil Additives on Asparagus Growth and Productivity in Replant Soils
Authors: Djalali Farahani-Kofoet Roxana , Häfner Franziska , Feller Carmen
Published: May 2023

The repeated cultivation of asparagus in the same field can severely reduce yield. A complex of predominantly microbial causes is suspected. Limited plant development, establishment problems, and yield loss may occur, particularly in light sandy soils. In order to address this replant problem and evaluate alternative cultivation conditions, two asparagus fields were treated with different supplements and were cultivated for 5 years to investigate their impact on yield. The results from the pot trials using soils from these fields are presented, along with the field trial findings. The trials included the incorporation of mushroom substrate (champost), Fimonit (clay mineral), mustard meal (biofumigation), and Micosat F Uno (including arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Trichoderma viride, and rhizosphere bacteria species). In the pot trials, the sterilised soil exhibited a growth benefit over the original soil. However, the tested additives had no significant effects in the short period of 8 weeks. At one of the tested field sites, the marketable asparagus yields following champost, Fimonit, biofumigation, and Micosat treatments were 14, 6, 16 and 12% higher than that of the control soil, respectively, but no significant differences in treatment effect were observed in the second test field. Biofumigation using mustard meal and champost was most successful in reducing the impact of replanting on yields.
Late Pleistocene Altitudinal Segregation and Demography Define Future Climate Change Distribution of the Peromyscus mexicanus Species Group: Conservation Implications
Authors: Pérez-Consuegra Sergio G. , Sánchez-Tovar Laura , Rodríguez-Tapia Gerardo , Castañeda-Rico Susette , Vázquez-Domínguez Ella
Published: May 2023

Mountains harbor a significant number of the World’s biodiversity, both on tropical and temperate regions. Notably, one crucial gap in conservation is the consideration of historical and contemporary patterns influencing differential distribution in small mammal mountain species and how climate change will affect their distribution and survival. The mice Peromyscus mexicanus species group is distributed across mountains in Guatemala-Chiapas and Central America, which experienced significant effects of glacial and interglacial cycles. We determined phylogeographic and demographic patterns of lowlands and highlands mountain lineages, revealing that the radiation of modern P. mexicanus lineages occurred during the Pleistocene (ca. 2.6 mya) along Nuclear Central America. In concert with climatic cycles and the distribution of habitats, lowland and highland lineages showed recent population size increase and decrease, respectively. We also estimated the current and future distribution ranges for six lineages, finding marked area size increase for two lineages for which vegetation type and distribution would facilitate migrating towards higher elevations. Contrastingly, three lineages showed range size decrease; their ecological requirements make them highly susceptible to future habitat loss. Our findings are clear evidence of the negative impacts of future climate change, while our ability to manage and conserve these vulnerable ecosystems and mountain species is contingent on our understanding of the implications of climate change on the distribution, ecology, and genetics of wildlife populations.
Developmental Hurdles That Can Compromise Pregnancy during the First Month of Gestation in Cattle
Authors: Speckhart Savannah L. , Oliver Mary A. , Ealy Alan D.
Published: May 2023

Several key developmental events are associated with early embryonic pregnancy losses in beef and dairy cows. These developmental problems are observed at a greater frequency in pregnancies generated from in-vitro-produced bovine embryos. This review describes critical problems that arise during oocyte maturation, fertilization, early embryonic development, compaction and blastulation, embryonic cell lineage specification, elongation, gastrulation, and placentation. Additionally, discussed are potential remediation strategies, but unfortunately, corrective actions are not available for several of the problems being discussed. Further research is needed to produce bovine embryos that have a greater likelihood of surviving to term.
F18:A-:B1 Plasmids Carrying blaCTX-M-55 Are Prevalent among Escherichia coli Isolated from Duck–Fish Polyculture Farms
Authors: Zhang Li-Juan , Yang Jin-Tao , Chen Hai-Xin , Liu Wen-Zi , Ding Yi-Li , Chen Rui-Ai , Zhang Rong-Min , Jiang Hong-Xia
Published: May 2023

We determined the prevalence and molecular characteristics of blaCTX-M-55-positive Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolated from duck–fish polyculture farms in Guangzhou, China. A total of 914 E. coli strains were isolated from 2008 duck and environmental samples (water, soil and plants) collected from four duck fish polyculture farms between 2017 and 2019. Among them, 196 strains were CTX-M-1G-positive strains by PCR, and 177 (90%) blaCTX-M-1G-producing strains were blaCTX-M-55-positive. MIC results showed that the 177 blaCTX-M-55-positive strains were highly resistant to ciprofloxacin, ceftiofur and florfenicol, with antibiotic resistance rates above 95%. Among the 177 strains, 37 strains carrying the F18:A-:B1 plasmid and 10 strains carrying the F33:A-:B- plasmid were selected for further study. Pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) combined with S1-PFGE, Southern hybridization and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis showed that both horizontal transfer and clonal spread contributed to dissemination of the blaCTX-M-55 gene among the E. coli. blaCTX-M-55 was located on different F18:A-:B1 plasmids with sizes between ~76 and ~173 kb. In addition, the presence of blaCTX-M-55 with other resistance genes (e.g., tetA, floR, fosA3, blaTEM, aadA5 CmlA and InuF) on the same F18:A-:B1 plasmid may result in co-selection of resistance determinants and accelerate the dissemination of blaCTX-M-55 in E. coli. In summary, the F18:A-:B1 plasmid may play an important role in the transmission of blaCTX-M-55 in E. coli, and the continuous monitoring of the prevalence and transmission mechanism of blaCTX-M-55 in duck–fish polyculture farms remains important.
Synthetic and Semisynthetic Compounds as Antibacterials Targeting Virulence Traits in Resistant Strains: A Narrative Updated Review
Authors: Stojković Dejan , Petrović Jovana , Carević Tamara , Soković Marina , Liaras Konstantinos
Published: May 2023

This narrative review paper provides an up-to-date overview of the potential of novel synthetic and semisynthetic compounds as antibacterials that target virulence traits in resistant strains. The review focused on research conducted in the last five years and investigated a range of compounds including azoles, indoles, thiophenes, glycopeptides, pleuromutilin derivatives, lactone derivatives, and chalcones. The emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains is a growing public health concern, and new approaches are urgently needed to combat this threat. One promising approach is to target virulence factors, which are essential for bacterial survival and pathogenesis, but not for bacterial growth. By targeting virulence factors, it may be possible to reduce the severity of bacterial infections without promoting the development of resistance. We discuss the mechanisms of action of the various compounds investigated and their potential as antibacterials. The review highlights the potential of targeting virulence factors as a promising strategy to combat antibiotic resistance and suggests that further research is needed to identify new compounds and optimize their efficacy. The findings of this review suggest that novel synthetic and semisynthetic compounds that target virulence factors have great potential as antibacterials in the fight against antibiotic resistance.
Measuring Resilience in Smart Infrastructures: A Comprehensive Review of Metrics and Methods
Authors: Almaleh Abdulaziz
Published: May 2023

In today’s world, the safety, economic prosperity, and social well-being of nations depend heavily on highly interconnected critical infrastructures. These infrastructures encompass power networks, natural gas systems, communication networks, water treatment facilities, and transportation systems. Gaining insight into the behavior of these infrastructures, particularly during stress or attacks, has become crucial for both the private and public sectors. Ensuring an adequate level of functionality during emergencies, such as disasters, is also a priority, which can be attained by enhancing infrastructure resilience. Resilience metrics and models play a significant role in understanding the complex interplay between the behaviors and operational characteristics of interdependent critical infrastructures. Additionally, these models and metrics must demonstrate the interdependencies among infrastructures to provide a more comprehensive representation of infrastructure resilience. This paper reviews, categorizes, and presents resilience metrics and models for Smart Interdependent Critical Infrastructures (Smart ICIs). This paper provides a comprehensive evaluation of various resilience models and measurements tailored specifically for interdependent critical smart infrastructures. It includes the essential terminology and definitions related to the resilience of Smart ICIs, investigates the universally recognized phases and capabilities of resilience, and examines the various types of failures that could potentially affect Smart ICIs.
FCP2Vec: Deep Learning-Based Approach to Software Change Prediction by Learning Co-Changing Patterns from Changelogs
Authors: Ahmed Hamdi Abdurhman , Lee Jihwan
Published: May 2023

As software systems evolve, they become more complex and larger, creating challenges in predicting change propagation while maintaining system stability and functionality. Existing studies have explored extracting co-change patterns from changelog data using data-driven methods such as dependency networks; however, these approaches suffer from scalability issues and limited focus on high-level abstraction (package level). This article addresses these research gaps by proposing a file-level change propagation to vector (FCP2Vec) approach. FCP2Vec is a recommendation system designed to aid developers by suggesting files that may undergo change propagation subsequently, based on the file being presently worked on. We carried out a case study utilizing three publicly available datasets: Vuze, Spring Framework, and Elasticsearch. These datasets, which consist of open-source Java-based software development changelogs, were extracted from version control systems. Our technique learns the historical development sequence of transactional software changelog data using a skip-gram method with negative sampling and unsupervised nearest neighbors. We validate our approach by analyzing historical data from the software development changelog for more than ten years. Using multiple metrics, such as the normalized discounted cumulative gain at K (NDCG@K) and the hit ratio at K (HR@K), we achieved an average HR@K of 0.34 at the file level and an average HR@K of 0.49 at the package level across the three datasets. These results confirm the effectiveness of the FCP2Vec method in predicting the next change propagation from historical changelog data, addressing the identified research gap, and show a 21% better accuracy than in the previous study at the package level.
Grasp Analysis for the Robot-Based Manipulation of Pre-Assembled Cables with Electrical Connectors
Authors: Gebauer Daniel , Dirr Jonas , Martin Luca , Daub Rüdiger
Published: May 2023

The mounting of pre-assembled cables with electrical connectors is mainly carried out manually in industry today. An exemplary application is the interconnection of battery modules. Automation of such assembly tasks offers the potential for increasing efficiency but requires the design of suitable gripper systems. This is challenging as the cable induces state-dependent forces and torques on the gripper system, which must be transmitted via the complex surface geometries of the plugs. Currently, the required grasp force cannot be determined in advance but only after prototypes have been manufactured and with elaborate physical experiments. To overcome these drawbacks, we present a methodology for the grasp analysis of pre-assembled cables with electrical connectors. The novelty of this approach is to combine a physics simulation for deformable linear objects with a contact model for non-planar grasping surfaces. The results indicate that the cable deformation significantly affects the required grasp force. In addition, each combination of contact surface and dynamic cable deformation results in an individual grasp force course. The methodology enables comparison of different electrical connectors and their grasping surfaces, as well as cables and their manipulation paths, efficiently and with little expert knowledge.
Biogas Production in AnMBRs via Treatment of Municipal and Domestic Wastewater: Opportunities and Fouling Mitigation Strategies
Authors: Tomczak Wirginia , Gryta Marek , Grubecki Ireneusz , Miłek Justyna
Published: May 2023

In recent years, significant progress has been achieved in developing the potential of anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs). The present paper presents a comprehensive review of studies focused on biogas production via the treatment of municipal and domestic wastewater with the use of such technology. The main aim of the current work was to evaluate the impact of operating parameters on the biogas production yield. Moreover, the possibilities of applying various fouling mitigation strategies have been discussed in detail. Analyses have been performed and reported in the literature, which were conducted with the use of submerged and external AnMBRs equipped with both polymeric and ceramic membranes. It has been shown that, so far, the impact of the hydraulic retention time (HRT) on biogas yield is ambiguous. This finding indicates that future studies on this issue are required. In addition, it was demonstrated that temperature has a positive impact on process performance. However, as presented in the literature, investigations have been carried out mainly under psychrophilic and mesophilic conditions. Hence, performing further experimental studies at temperatures above 40 °C is highly recommended. Moreover, it has been shown that in order to restore the initial permeate flux, a combination of several membrane cleaning methods is often required. The findings presented in the current study may be particularly important for the determination of operating conditions and suitable fouling mitigation strategies for laboratory-scale and pilot-scale AnMBRs used for biogas production via the treatment of municipal and domestic conditions.
An Investigation into the Mechanism of Alkaline Extraction-Isoelectric Point Precipitation (AE-IEP) of High-Thiol Plant Proteins
Authors: Yao Shunyu , Li Wu , Martin Gregory J. O. , Ashokkumar Muthupandian
Published: May 2023

Hempseed protein isolate (HPI) has drawn significant attention as a promising source of plant-based protein due to its high nutritional value. The poor functionality (e.g., solubility and emulsifying properties) of HPI has impeded its food application for years. This study provides important new information on hempseed protein extraction, which may provide further insights into the extraction of other high-thiol-based plant proteins to make valuable plant-based products with improved functional properties. In this study, HPI was produced from hempseed meals using the AE-IEP method. The underlying mechanisms and extraction kinetics were investigated under different experimental conditions (pH 9.0–12.0, temperature 24–70 °C, and time 0–120 min). The results suggested that disulphide bond formation is an inevitable side reaction during hempseed protein extraction and that the protein yield and the free -SH content can be influenced by different extraction conditions. A high solution pH and temperature, and long extraction time result in increased protein yield but incur the formation of more intermolecular disulphide bonds, which might be the reason for the poor functionality of the HPI. For instance, it was particularly observable that the protein solubility of HPI products reduced when the extraction pH was increased. The emulsifying properties and surface tension data demonstrated that the functionality of the extracted hempseed protein was significantly reduced at longer extraction times. A response surface methodology (RSM) optimization model was used to determine the conditions that could maximise HPI functionality. However, a three-fold reduction in protein yield must be sacrificed to obtain the protein with this high functionality.
Review of Image Augmentation Used in Deep Learning-Based Material Microscopic Image Segmentation
Authors: Ma Jingchao , Hu Chenfei , Zhou Peng , Jin Fangfang , Wang Xu , Huang Haiyou
Published: May 2023

The deep learning-based image segmentation approach has evolved into the mainstream of target detection and shape characterization in microscopic image analysis. However, the accuracy and generalizability of deep learning approaches are still hindered by the insufficient data problem that results from the high expense of human and material resources for microscopic image acquisition and annotation. Generally, image augmentation can increase the amount of data in a short time by means of mathematical simulation, and has become a necessary module for deep learning-based material microscopic image analysis. In this work, we first review the commonly used image augmentation methods and divide more than 60 basic image augmentation methods into eleven categories based on different implementation strategies. Secondly, we conduct experiments to verify the effectiveness of various basic image augmentation methods for the image segmentation task of two classical material microscopic images using evaluation metrics with different applicabilities. The U-Net model was selected as a representative benchmark model for image segmentation tasks, as it is the classic and most widely used model in this field. We utilize this model to verify the improvement of segmentation performance by various augmentation methods. Then, we discuss the advantages and applicability of various image augmentation methods in the material microscopic image segmentation task. The evaluation experiments and conclusions in this work can serve as a guide for the creation of intelligent modeling frameworks in the materials industry.
Multi-Site MRI Data Harmonization with an Adversarial Learning Approach: Implementation to the Study of Brain Connectivity in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Campo Federico , Retico Alessandra , Calderoni Sara , Oliva Piernicola
Published: May 2023

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) nowadays plays an important role in the identification of brain underpinnings in a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Characterizing the hallmarks in these pathologies is not a straightforward task and machine learning (ML) is certainly one of the most promising tools for addressing complex and non-linear problems. ML algorithms and, in particular, deep neural networks (DNNs), need large datasets in order to be properly trained and thus ensure generalization capabilities on new data. Large datasets can be obtained by collecting images from different centers, thus bringing unavoidable biases in the analysis due to differences in hardware and scanning protocols between different centers. In this work, we dealt with the issue of multicenter MRI data harmonization by comparing two different approaches: the analytical ComBat-GAM procedure, whose effectiveness is already documented in the literature, and an originally developed site-adversarial deep neural network (ad-DNN). The latter aims to perform a classification task while simultaneously searching for site-relevant patterns in order to make predictions free from site-related biases. As a case study, we implemented DNN and ad-DNN classifiers to distinguish subjects with ASD with respect to typical developing controls based on functional connectivity measures derived from data of the multicenter ABIDE collection. The classification performance of the proposed ad-DNN, measured in terms of the area under the ROC curve (AUC), achieved the value of AUC = 0.70±0.03, which is comparable to that obtained by a DNN on data harmonized according to the analytical procedure (AUC = 0.71±0.01). The relevant functional connectivity alterations identified by both procedures showed an agreement between each other and with the patterns of neuroanatomical alterations previously detected in the same cohort of subjects.
Spatiotemporal Changes in Water Yield Function and Its Influencing Factors in the Tibetan Plateau in the Past 20 Years
Authors: Lv Lingfeng , Han Longbin , Wen Xin , Shao Huaiyong , Liu Shuhan
Published: May 2023

The Tibetan Plateau, known as the “Water Tower of Asia”, has made important contributions to global climate regulation and water conservation. With global climate change and water shortages, the yield and reserves of water on the Tibetan Plateau have undergone obvious changes, and its water yield function and water conservation function have gradually attracted widespread attention. The results show that the total water yield in the past 20 years is 128,403.06 billion m3, spatially reduced from southeast to northwest, and the interannual variation is large but increases slowly overall. The water yield capacity is higher in the areas of less than 3000 m and 3500~4500 m, and it is stronger with the increase in slope. The water yield capacity is extremely strong in the middle and north subtropical zone. Ecological zones with high water yield capacity are mostly covered with woodland and alpine meadows. The precipitation (P) is the dominant factor in the water yield function before actual evapotranspiration (AET) = 500 mm, and then the negative force of AET is enhanced. High altitude inhibits the positive effect of the normalized vegetation index (NDVI), and the water yield at altitudes of less than 3000 m shows an almost linear relationship with the leaf area index (LAI). When LAI > 0.2, the slower the slope, the higher the water yield and the lower the growth rate. The spatial distribution of P change and water yield change is consistent and significantly positively correlated; P and NDVI changes positively affected changes in water yield, while AET and LAI changes had the opposite effect. In summary, combined with topographic factors, this study emphasizes the influence of climate and vegetation changes on the spatiotemporal changes in water yield on the Tibetan Plateau, which can provide a theoretical basis for the assessment and prediction of water yield capacity and water conservation capacity in this area.
Response of Runoff Change to Extreme Climate Evolution in a Typical Watershed of Karst Trough Valley, SW China
Authors: Wu Luhua , Chen Dan , Yang Dongni , Luo Guangjie , Wang Jinfeng , Chen Fei
Published: May 2023

Identifying the response of runoff changes to extreme climate evolution was of great scientific significance for the rational regulation of watershed water resources and the prevention of hydrological disasters. However, the time–frequency response relationships were not clear. The Yinjiang River watershed, a typical watershed with karst trough valley areas, was chosen to identify the impact of different climatic driving factors on runoff changes from 1984 to 2015. Continuous wavelet transform (CWT), cross-wavelet transform (XWT), and wavelet coherence transform (WTC) were performed to study the response relationship and time–frequency effect between runoff changes and extreme climate change at different time scales. The main results showed that: (1) Twelve extreme climate indices (ECIs) were detected to have a significant impact on runoff changes, mainly on a 6-year time scale; (2) The R10 and Rx1day in extreme precipitation index and SU34.4 and TNx in the extreme temperature index were the main driving factors of runoff changes, which had relatively large impacts on runoff changes in high and low energy vibration regions. However, the remaining eight ECIs that passed the 0.05 confidence level showed relatively large impacts on runoff changes only in low energy vibration regions; (3) The transition of the interaction between ECIs and runoff changes in high and low time–frequency scales was related to the abrupt change characteristics of the ECIs. The correlation of abrupt change was an important reason for the emergence of highly correlated regions that trigger high and low energy vibrations; (4) As a whole, the extreme precipitation events were ahead of runoff changes at the high time–frequency scale and exhibited small lag effects at the low time–frequency scale, while extreme temperature events were mainly ahead of runoff changes. This study has effectively revealed the impact of climate factors at different scales on runoff changes, and provides a theoretical understanding for regulating and managing water resources in karst basins.
Modelling of Wildfire Susceptibility in Different Climate Zones in Montenegro Using GIS-MCDA
Authors: Nikolić Gojko , Vujović Filip , Golijanin Jelena , Šiljeg Ante , Valjarević Aleksandar
Published: May 2023

Montenegro has different influences on the weather and climate; in general, according to Köppen’s classification, there are two climate zones: warm temperate (C) and cold temperate (D). The aim of this study is to determine the susceptibility to wildfires in the Montenegrin coastal municipality of Budva and the northern municipality of Rožaje, which are located in different climatic conditions, using multicriteria GIS decision analysis (GIS-MCDA). Nine natural and anthropogenic criteria were used for the analysis. Open geospatial data were used as input data for all criteria. The assignment of weighting coefficients for the criteria in relation to wildfire susceptibility importance was based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (F-AHP) procedures. The results for the AHP and F-AHP models were obtained using the Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) method. According to the AHP model, the very high and high category covers 80.93% of the total area in Budva and 80.65% in Rožaje. According to the F-AHP model, the very high and high category occupies 80.71% of the total area in Budva and 82.30% in Rožaje. The validation shows that the models of GIS-MCDA perform fair in both climatic zones. The proposed models, especially in the absence of geospatial data, can be a strategic and operational advantage in the development of plans and strategies for protection against wildfires.
Remarks on “Perov Fixed-Point Results on F-Contraction Mappings Equipped with Binary Relation”
Authors: Mitrović Slobodanka , Fabiano Nicola , Radojević Slobodan , Radenović Stojan
Published: May 2023

Since 1964, when I.A. Perov introduced the so-called generalized metric space where d(x,y) is an element of the vector space Rm, many researchers have considered various contractive conditions in this type of space. In this paper, we generalize, extend and unify some of those established results. We are primarily concerned with examining the existence of a fixed point of some mapping from X to itself, but if (x,y) belongs to some relation R on the set X, then the binary relation R and some F contraction defined on the space cone Rm are combined. We start our consideration with the recently announced results and give them strict, critical remarks. In addition, we improve several announced results by weakening some of the given conditions.
Characteristic Function of Maxmax Defensive-Equilibrium Representation for TU-Games with Strategies
Authors: Liu Chenwei , Xiang Shuwen , Yang Yanlong
Published: May 2023

In this paper, we propose a characteristic function of the maxmax defensive-equilibrium representation that maps every TU-game with strategies to a TU-game. This characteristic function is given by a two-step procedure in which each of any two complementary coalitions successively selects the equilibrium in a way that maximizes its utility. We then investigate the properties of this characteristic function and present the relations of the cores under three characteristic functions. Finally, as applications of our findings, we provide a firm production advertising game, a supply chain network game, a cost game with strategies, and a Cournot game.
Properties of Fermented Beverages from Food Wastes/By-Products
Authors: Alexandre Elisabete M. C. , Aguiar Nuno F. B. , Voss Glenise B. , Pintado Manuela E.
Published: May 2023

Current global research aims to explore the key role of diet and understand the benefits of a balanced diet. Furthermore, many authors have pointed to the added value of by-products as a solution to make food production chains more environmentally and economically sustainable. By-products emerge as an alternative matrix to fermentation, and the fermentation process has the potential to transform by-products into value-added products through an efficient and sustainable process. During fermentation, besides the consumption of molecules to grow, microbial enzymes act on several phytochemical compounds, creating new derivative compounds that affect the flavour and function of fermented beverages. As an alternative for consumers with lactose intolerance or vegan or vegetarian diets, new beverages produced from plant by-products and probiotic bacteria hold great promise for the global functional food market. Several challenges were overcome in developing these new products from by-products, namely the availability and quality/standardization of raw materials, adapted microbial starter cultures for fermentation, and optimization of production processes to maximize consumer acceptance and product yield. This review provides an overview of recent research/developments in the field of new fermented beverages from by-products, and aspects related to their functionality, beyond the challenges of these new beverages.
Sex-Biased Survival, Behavior Response, and Recovery Performance of Pomacea canaliculata Snails to Drought Stress and Rewatering Condition
Authors: Zhang Chunxia , Shi Zhaoji , Chen Yingtong , Guo Jing , Zhang Jiaen , Qin Zhong
Published: May 2023

As the frequency of droughts increases with climate change, the tolerance of aquatic organisms to abiotic stressors will become critical determinants of survival. Pomacea canaliculata has become a widely distributed agricultural and environmental pest in southern China. To evaluate their tolerance and adaptation under the drought condition, the survival, feeding, behavior, and antioxidant system changes in female and male P. canaliculata were investigated during drought stress and rewatering process through an indoor simulation experiment. The results showed that female snails laid eggs before burrowing into the soil to ensure offspring reproduction. Female P. canaliculata had higher survival rates than males under drought stress, and their recovery ability of activity after rewatering was also superior to those of males. The antioxidant system of P. canaliculata showed obvious activation with gender differences after rewatering. Overall, the survival rate of female P. canaliculata was higher after drought stress, and the resilience ability of female snails after rewatering was stronger, including in their behavior, feeding, and antioxidant system recovery. The P. canaliculata tolerance to drought and the ability to recover quickly after drought may contribute to their long-term survival and facilitate continuous invasion.
Genome Study of α-, β-, and γ-Carbonic Anhydrases from the Thermophilic Microbiome of Marine Hydrothermal Vent Ecosystems
Authors: Gheibzadeh Mohammad Sadegh , Manyumwa Colleen Varaidzo , Tastan Bishop Özlem , Shahbani Zahiri Hossein , Parkkila Seppo , Zolfaghari Emameh Reza
Published: May 2023

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are metalloenzymes that can help organisms survive in hydrothermal vents by hydrating carbon dioxide (CO2). In this study, we focus on alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ) CAs, which are present in the thermophilic microbiome of marine hydrothermal vents. The coding genes of these enzymes can be transferred between hydrothermal-vent organisms via horizontal gene transfer (HGT), which is an important tool in natural biodiversity. We performed big data mining and bioinformatics studies on α-, β-, and γ-CA coding genes from the thermophilic microbiome of marine hydrothermal vents. The results showed a reasonable association between thermostable α-, β-, and γ-CAs in the microbial population of the hydrothermal vents. This relationship could be due to HGT. We found evidence of HGT of α- and β-CAs between Cycloclasticus sp., a symbiont of Bathymodiolus heckerae, and an endosymbiont of Riftia pachyptila via Integrons. Conversely, HGT of β-CA genes from the endosymbiont Tevnia jerichonana to the endosymbiont Riftia pachyptila was detected. In addition, Hydrogenovibrio crunogenus SP-41 contains a β-CA gene on genomic islands (GIs). This gene can be transferred by HGT to Hydrogenovibrio sp. MA2-6, a methanotrophic endosymbiont of Bathymodiolus azoricus, and a methanotrophic endosymbiont of Bathymodiolus puteoserpentis. The endosymbiont of R. pachyptila has a γ-CA gene in the genome. If α- and β-CA coding genes have been derived from other microorganisms, such as endosymbionts of T. jerichonana and Cycloclasticus sp. as the endosymbiont of B. heckerae, through HGT, the theory of the necessity of thermostable CA enzymes for survival in the extreme ecosystem of hydrothermal vents is suggested and helps the conservation of microbiome natural diversity in hydrothermal vents. These harsh ecosystems, with their integral players, such as HGT and endosymbionts, significantly impact the enrichment of life on Earth and the carbon cycle in the ocean.
Pannexin-1 Modulates Inhibitory Transmission and Hippocampal Synaptic Plasticity
Authors: García-Rojas Francisca , Flores-Muñoz Carolina , Santander Odra , Solis Pamela , Martínez Agustín D. , Ardiles Álvaro O. , Fuenzalida Marco
Published: May 2023

Pannexin-1 (Panx1) hemichannel is a non-selective transmembrane channel that may play important roles in intercellular signaling by allowing the permeation of ions and metabolites, such as ATP. Although recent evidence shows that the Panx1 hemichannel is involved in controlling excitatory synaptic transmission, the role of Panx1 in inhibitory transmission remains unknown. Here, we studied the contribution of Panx1 to the GABAergic synaptic efficacy onto CA1 pyramidal neurons (PyNs) by using patch–clamp recordings and pharmacological approaches in wild-type and Panx1 knock-out (Panx1-KO) mice. We reported that blockage of the Panx1 hemichannel with the mimetic peptide 10Panx1 increases the synaptic level of endocannabinoids (eCB) and the activation of cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CB1Rs), which results in a decrease in hippocampal GABAergic efficacy, shifting excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance toward excitation and facilitating the induction of long-term potentiation. Our finding provides important insight unveiling that Panx1 can strongly influence the overall neuronal excitability and play a key role in shaping synaptic changes affecting the amplitude and direction of plasticity, as well as learning and memory processes.
Conservative Treatment of Dental Non-Carious Cervical Lesions: A Scoping Review
Authors: Patano Assunta , Malcangi Giuseppina , De Santis Matteo , Morolla Roberta , Settanni Vito , Piras Fabio , Inchingolo Alessio Danilo , Mancini Antonio , Inchingolo Francesco , Dipalma Gianna , Inchingolo Angelo Michele
Published: May 2023

This scoping review aims to evaluate methods of conservative reconstruction of dental enamel lesions resulting from abrasions and evaluate the effect of diode laser in reducing the symptoms of tooth sensitivity. The cementoenamel junction is more prone to substance loss because the enamel thickness is substantially decreased, resulting in a much weaker enamel–dentin bond. Methods: Dental abrasion was examined in the mechanical cause alone. Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science were used to discover publications that matched our topic from 1 January 2018 to 20 March 2023. A comparison of various non-carious cervical lesion (NCCL) restoration treatments was generated mostly by mechanical considerations. Results: A final number of 11 clinical trials and randomized controlled trials were included in the review for qualitative analysis. Composite resins performed well in clinical trials for the restoration of NCCLs. Conclusions: Composite, in its different forms of filling and consistency, preceded by the use of adhesives, is an efficient and effective material for the treatment of NCCLs. Diode laser use prior to NCCL restoration of teeth does not diminish restoration retention rate, may lessen hypersensitivity, and may affect restoration success.
Phenytoin Decreases Pain-like Behaviors and Improves Opioid Analgesia in a Rat Model of Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Kocot-Kępska Magdalena , Pawlik Katarzyna , Ciapała Katarzyna , Makuch Wioletta , Zajączkowska Renata , Dobrogowski Jan , Przeklasa-Muszyńska Anna , Mika Joanna
Published: May 2023

Neuropathic pain remains a clinical challenge due to its complex and not yet fully understood pathomechanism, which result in limited analgesic effectiveness of the management offered, particularly for patients with acute, refractory neuropathic pain states. In addition to the introduction of several modern therapeutic approaches, such as neuromodulation or novel anti-neuropathic drugs, significant efforts have been made in the repurposing of well-known substances such as phenytoin. Although its main mechanism of action occurs at sodium channels in excitable and non-excitable cells and is well documented, how the drug affects the disturbed neuropathic interactions at the spinal cord level and how it influences morphine-induced analgesia have not been clarified, both being crucial from a clinical perspective. We demonstrated that single and repeated systemic administrations of phenytoin decreased tactile and thermal hypersensitivity in an animal model of neuropathic pain. Importantly, we observed an increase in the antinociceptive effect on thermal stimuli with repeated administrations of phenytoin. This is the first study to report that phenytoin improves morphine-induced antinociceptive effects and influences microglia/macrophage activity at the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion levels in a neuropathic pain model. Our findings support the hypothesis that phenytoin may represent an effective strategy for neuropathic pain management in clinical practice, particularly when combination with opioids is needed.
Effective Elastic Modulus of Wavy Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Dong Chensong
Published: May 2023

A simple method for determining the effective elastic modulus of wavy single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is presented in this paper. The effective modulus of curved SWCNTs is derived using Castigliano’s theorem. The effect of curvature on the effective modulus is studied. This method is verified by finite element analysis (FEA). The distributions of effective moduli are studied by Monte Carlo simulation. The effective modulus of a general wavy SWCNT is derived by considering the SWCNT as a number of curved SWCNT sections.
Triboelectrification Catalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutants in Water Environment
Authors: Zhang Haocheng , Xu Xuefeng
Published: May 2023

With the rapid development of industrialization, more and more organic pollutants are entering the water environment, rendering the treatment of organic pollutants a key issue in protecting it. Therefore, finding a convenient and effective method for degrading organic pollutants in water is of great importance. Triboelectrification is known as the process of charge transfer during the friction process. It is always accompanied by the energy level transition of electrons or holes, making it a potential method for catalytic degradation, which we refer to as triboelectrification catalysis. In this study, a set of experimental equipment was developed. The device is composed of a mechanical system, a control system, and a measurement system that can realize the quantitative measurement of the triboelectrification catalysis under different friction pairs, different loads, and different contact frequencies. Using the developed device, we observed stable triboelectrification catalytic degradation. This study performed triboelectrification catalytic experiments on various organic compounds including methyl orange, rhodamine, and tetracycline. The results revealed that these three organic compounds were degraded by 39%, 15%, and 20%, respectively, within three hours of being under the influence of triboelectrification catalysis. Subsequently, this study conducted triboelectrification catalytic experiments using materials with different triboelectric capacities. This study found that the triboelectric capacity significantly impacted the triboelectrification catalytic degradation rate, providing further evidence for the mechanism of triboelectrification catalysis. Additionally, this study found that SiO2 and Al2O3, which also utilize electrons as the primary carrier for triboelectrification, are capable of catalyzing the degradation of a methyl orange solution. Therefore, this study suggests that the triboelectrification catalysis is a versatile and widely applicable method for treating organic pollutants in water. With a broad range of catalyst sources and the ability to effectively degrade various organic pollutants, it shows promise as a solution for the problem of water pollution.
XPF–ERCC1 Blocker Improves the Therapeutic Efficacy of 5-FU- and Oxaliplatin-Based Chemoradiotherapy in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Huang Ming-Yii , Huang Yi-Jung , Cheng Tian-Lu , Jhang Wun-Ya , Ke Chien-Chih , Chen Yi-Ting , Kuo Shih-Hsun , Lin I-Ling , Huang Yu-Hsiang , Chuang Chih-Hung
Published: May 2023

5-FU-based chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and oxaliplatin-based CRT are commonly used therapies for advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). However, patients with a high expression of ERCC1 have a worse prognosis than those with a low expression. In this study, we investigated the effect of XPF–ERCC1 blockers on chemotherapy and 5-FU-based CRT and oxaliplatin (OXA)-based CRT in colorectal cancer cell lines. We investigated the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 5-FU, OXA, XPF–ERCC1 blocker, and XPF–ERCC1 blocker, and 5-FU or OXA combined and analyzed the effect of XPF–ERCC1 blocker on 5-FU-based CRT and oxaliplatin-based CRT. Furthermore, the expression of XPF and γ-H2AX in colorectal cells was analyzed. In animal models, we combined the XPF–ERCC1 blocker with 5-FU and OXA to investigate the effects of RC and finally combined the XPF–ERCC1 blocker with 5-FU- and oxaliplatin-based CRT. In the IC50 analysis of each compound, the cytotoxicity of the XPF–ERCC1 blocker was lower than that of 5-FU and OXA. In addition, the XPF–ERCC1 blocker combined with 5-FU or OXA enhanced the cytotoxicity of the chemotherapy drugs in colorectal cells. Furthermore, the XPF–ERCC1 blocker also increased the cytotoxicity of 5-FU-based CRT and OXA -based CRT by inhibiting the XPF product DNA locus. In vivo, the XPF–ERCC1 blocker was confirmed to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of 5-FU, OXA, 5-FU-based CRT, and OXA CRT. These findings show that XPF–ERCC1 blockers not only increase the toxicity of chemotherapy drugs but also increase the efficacy of combined chemoradiotherapy. In the future, the XPF–ERCC1 blocker may be used to improve the efficacy of 5-FU- and oxaliplatin-based CRT.
IPSC-Derived Sensory Neurons Directing Fate Commitment of Human BMSC-Derived Schwann Cells: Applications in Traumatic Neural Injuries
Authors: Tam Kin-Wai , Wong Cheuk-Yin , Wu Kenneth Lap-Kei , Lam Guy , Liang Xiaotong , Wong Wai-Ting , Li Maximilian Tak-Sui , Liu Wing-Yui , Cai Sa , Shea Graham Ka-Hon , Shum Daisy Kwok-Yan , Chan Ying-Shing
Published: May 2023

The in vitro derivation of Schwann cells from human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSCs) opens avenues for autologous transplantation to achieve remyelination therapy for post-traumatic neural regeneration. Towards this end, we exploited human induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived sensory neurons to direct Schwann-cell-like cells derived from among the hBMSC-neurosphere cells into lineage-committed Schwann cells (hBMSC-dSCs). These cells were seeded into synthetic conduits for bridging critical gaps in a rat model of sciatic nerve injury. With improvement in gait by 12-week post-bridging, evoked signals were also detectable across the bridged nerve. Confocal microscopy revealed axially aligned axons in association with MBP-positive myelin layers across the bridge in contrast to null in non-seeded controls. Myelinating hBMSC-dSCs within the conduit were positive for both MBP and human nucleus marker HuN. We then implanted hBMSC-dSCs into the contused thoracic cord of rats. By 12-week post-implantation, significant improvement in hindlimb motor function was detectable if chondroitinase ABC was co-delivered to the injured site; such cord segments showed axons myelinated by hBMSC-dSCs. Results support translation into a protocol by which lineage-committed hBMSC-dSCs become available for motor function recovery after traumatic injury to both peripheral and central nervous systems.
Transparent and High-Performance Extended Gate Ion-Sensitive Field-Effect Transistors Using Electrospun Indium Tin Oxide Nanofibers
Authors: Kim Yeong-Ung , Cho Won-Ju
Published: May 2023

Herein, we propose a transparent high-performance extended-gate ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (EG-ISFET) using an electrospun indium-tin-oxide (ITO) nanofiber sensing membrane with a high specific surface area. Electrospinning is a simple and effective technique for forming nanofibers. Nevertheless, one-step calcination, such as conventional thermal annealing or microwave annealing, cannot sufficiently eliminate the inherent defects of nanofibers. In this study, we efficiently removed residual polymers and internal impurities from nanofibers via a two-step calcination process involving combustion and microwave annealing. Moreover, Ar plasma treatment was performed to improve the electrical characteristics of ITO nanofibers. Conformally coated thin-film sensing membranes were prepared as a comparative group and subjected to the same calcination conditions to verify the effect of the nanofiber sensing membrane. The characteristics of the ITO nanofiber and ITO thin-film sensing membranes were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), optical transmittance, and conductivity. Moreover, the sensor operation of the EG-ISFETs is evaluated in terms of sensitivity and non-ideal behaviors. The optimized process improves the sensor characteristics and sensing membrane quality. Therefore, the ITO nanofiber sensing membrane improves the sensitivity and stability of the EG-ISFET, suggesting its applicability as a high-performance biochemical sensor.