bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictive Modelling of Sea Debris around Maltese Coastal Waters
Authors: Dingli Mark , Guillaumier Kristian , Gauci Adam
Published: July 2024

The accumulation of sea surface debris around the coastal waters of Malta poses significant ecological and environmental challenges, negatively affecting marine ecosystems and human activities. This issue is exacerbated by the lack of an effective system tailored to predict surface debris movement specifically for the Islands of Malta. To address this gap, a pipeline that combines a machine learning (ML) based prediction system with a physics-based model is proposed. This pipeline uses historical sea surface currents (SSC) velocities data to forecast future conditions and visualise debris movement. Central to this system are LSTM and GRU models, trained to predict SSC velocities for the next 24 hours for a specific area. These predictions are then utilised by a Lagrangian model to simulate and visualise the debris movement, providing insights into future dispersion patterns. A comparative evaluation of the models showed that the LSTM model outperformed the GRU model, with lower error metrics such as mean absolute error (MAE), mean squared error (MSE), and root mean squared error (RMSE), alongside narrower interquartile ranges (IQR). This method offers a tailored approach to addressing sea surface debris around Malta by accurately predicting SSC velocities and visualising debris movement, improving cleanup operations, and marine conservation strategies.
Title Application of Different Echocardiographic Parameters in Sepsis-induced Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Xiong Fang , Pan Hongyan , Pan Pengfei
Published: July 2024

Sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy (SICM) may be defined as a non-ischemic cardiac dysfunction associated with sepsis. SICM is characterized by a decrease in left ventricular contractility, ultimately associated with left ventricular dilation, with or without right ventricular dysfunction. Echocardiography stands as the current gold standard in diagnosis of SICM. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is the most frequently utilized parameter for evaluating left ventricular systolic function, but some traditional parameters, including LVEF, are dependent on cardiac preload and afterload, limiting their clinical application. Advanced echocardiography techniques, such as speckle-tracking analysis, have the potential to diagnose and evaluate myocardial dysfunction even in the early phases of sepsis, facilitating risk stratification for proactive personalized treatment of patients. This article reviews the progress in the application of various echocardiographic parameters in SICM.
Microglia-Associated Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Shah Siddharth , Jain Hritvik
Published: July 2024

Background: Neuroinflammation has long been implicated in the progression of amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation and the decline of cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Currently, many transcription factors, downstream signaling pathways, and molecular mechanisms that regulate the polarization of microglia have been explored. Furthermore, microglia may also exert a complex role in AD through the transformation of Aβ plaques or debris clearance, reflected in Aβ phagocytosis. One of the mediators of neuroinflammation in AD is the activated microglia. Therefore, the regulation of microglial function may be the key to successfully treating AD.
Methods: This is a review article. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and research meeting abstracts were searched up to 2024 for studies of microglia and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's Disease. Systematic information retrieval was performed and appropriate studies were isolated based on important information available in the studies. The information from each of the articles was un-derstood and extracted to form a database.
Results: The similar neuropathological results between several animals and AD cases show the possibility to implement microglia-related changes as an earlier diagnostic marker for AD in humans. The gene sets identified in various transcriptomic studies further foster this avenue of research by offering potential targets for therapeutic development. Multiple studies suggest that microglia-associated neuroinflammation at a special stage could also be protective, and there-fore, intervention should be delicate so that a beneficial response is retained.
Conclusion: The phenotype balance between A1 (toxic) and A2 (safe) microglial phenotypes to toxic illness in AD has become a hot research topic at present. Substantial evidence, both in vitro and in vivo, has suggested that the loss of the normal A2 phenotype and the activation of toxic A1 microglia contribute to neurodegeneration in AD. Promoting or restoring the polarization of mi-croglia towards the A2 phenotype may thus represent an effective therapeutic strategy for ame-liorating neuroinflammation and progressive neurocognitive impairments.
New Trends in Customer Satisfaction: Evidence from the Value Relevance of Customer Satisfaction during COVID-19
Authors: Park Ha-Yeon , Park Cheong-Kyu
Published: July 2024

This study examines the change in customer satisfaction and the value relevance of customer satisfaction during COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented experience and has caused difficulties for all areas of businesses. Customer relations are one of the biggest paradigm shifts of this period. Companies have placed great importance on customer relations, and customer relations are a critical factor in corporate sustainability. It is very important for firms to retain their customers in the market, create a potential demand, and, thus, increase the firm value. However, prior studies have provided mixed results on whether companies financially benefit from customer relations. Employing the value relevance model, we find that the customer satisfaction score has increased during the pandemic but that the value relevance of customer satisfaction has declined during the pandemic. Together, we interpret the results as indicating new customer satisfaction trends, especially reduction trends. The results are robust even after controlling endogeneity and outliers. This study has several implications for practitioners and academia regarding the new trends in the value relevance of customer satisfaction.
The Social Implications of Circular Clothing Economies in the Global North
Authors: Millward-Hopkins Joel
Published: July 2024

The clothing industry is a hotbed for exploitative working conditions and environmental damages, of which affluent global North countries remain a substantial driver. The circular economy is a potential solution to these issues, but its social implications remain unclear. Using the UK as a case study, this article analyses the global social impacts of a transition to circular clothing economies in the global North, finding these to be (almost) entirely dependent upon the intentions and design of the associated politics. Some aspects of a transition will be unambiguously good for some people; others will only be beneficial with careful governance. Moreover, entrenched global economic inequalities leave trade-offs borne largely by the global South, highlighting the need for circular economy research – its drive for localisation notwithstanding – to look globally to consider how a fair transition can be achieved.
Cellular And Molecular Genetic Mechanisms Of Lung Fibrosis Development And The Role Of Vitamin D: Review
Authors: Enzel Darya , Kriventsov Maxim , Sataieva Tatiana , Malygina Veronika
Published: July 2024

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis remains a relevant problem in the field of healthcare with an unfavorable prognosis for patients due to progressive fibrous remodeling of the pulmonary parenchyma. Starting with the reactions damaging the epithelial lining of alveoli, pulmonary fibrosis is implemented through a cascade of complex mechanisms, the crucial of which is the TGF-β/SMAD mediated pathway, involving various cell populations. Considering that a number of the available drugs (pirfenidone and Nintedanib) have only limited effectiveness in slowing the progression of fibrosis, the search and justification of application of other approaches aimed at regulating the immune response, cellular aging processes, programmed cell death and transdifferentiation of cell populations remains relevant. This literature review presents the key modern concepts concerning molecular genetics and cellular mechanisms of lung fibrosis development, based mainly on in vitro and in vivo studies in experimental models of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, as well as the latest data on metabolic features, potential application points and effects of vitamin D and its metabolites.
Evaluation of Medium-Deep Geothermal Resources Based on Seismic Imaging Technology: A Case Study of the Midu Basin in Yunnan Province
Authors: Li Jie , Zhang Xuebin , Xu Chao , Li Chuan , Tan Hui , Yu Ziye , Zhang Yunpeng
Published: July 2024

The effective utilization of medium-high temperature geothermal energy is pivotal in reducing carbon emissions and plays a crucial role in developing clean energy technologies. The MiDu ge-othermal field, situated in the southeastern region of Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province, lies within the Mediterranean-Himalayan high-temperature geothermal belt and is characterized by abundant geothermal resources. However, due to its considerable depth, exploration poses significant risks, resulting in a total utilization rate of less than 0.5% of the total reserves. This study employs natural seismic data to perform a tomographic analysis of the geothermal system in the Midu basin. By examining the P-wave velocity (Vp) and velocity ratio of P-wave and S-wave (Vp/Vs) at various depths, the findings reveal that the basin comprises two distinct structural layers: the thrust basement of the Mesozoic and Paleozoic eras and the strike-slip extensional sedimentary layer of the Cenozoic era. A low-velocity anomaly in the central basin corresponds to the loose Cenozoic sedimentary layer. In contrast, high-velocity anomalies at the basin edges correlate with boundary faults and the Mesozoic-Paleozoic strata. Below a depth of 4 km, the Red River Fault and MiDu Fault continue to dominate the basin's structure, whereas the influence of the Malipo Fault dimin-ishes. The MiDu Fault exhibits higher thermal conductivity than the Yinjie Fault. It interfaces with multiple carbonate and basalt formations characterized by well-developed pores and fractures, making it a crucial conduit for water and a control point for geothermal storage. Consequently, the existence of high temperature geothermal resources for power generation should be concentrated around the Midu fault on the western side of the basin, while the Yinjie fault area is more favorable for advancements in heating and wellness.
A Simple Expression for the Screening of Excitonic Couplings between Chlorophylls as Inferred for Photosystem I Trimers
Authors: Eder Matthias , Renger Thomas
Published: July 2024

The Coulomb coupling between transition densities of the pigments in photosynthetic pigment-protein complexes, termed excitonic coupling, is a key factor for the description of optical spectra and energy transfer. A challenging question is the quantification of the screening of the excitonic coupling by the optical polarizability of the environment. We use the equivalence between the sophisticated quantum chemical polarizable continuum (PCM) model and the simple electrostatic Poisson-TrEsp approach to analyze the distance and orientation dependence of the dielectric screening between chlorophylls in photosystem I trimers. On the basis of these calculations we find that the vacuum couplings Vmn(0) and the couplings in the dielectric medium Vmn=fmnVmn(0) are related by the empirical screening factor fmn=0.60+39.6θ(|κmn|−1.17)exp(−0.56Rmn/Å), where κmn is the usual orientational factor of the dipole-dipole coupling between the pigments, Rmn is the center-to-center distance, and the Heaviside-function θ(|κmn|−1.17) ensures that the exponential distance dependence only contributes for in-line type dipole geometries. We are confident that the present expression can be applied also to other pigment-protein complexes with chlorophyll or related pigments of similar shape. The variance between the Poisson-TrEsp and the approximate coupling values is found to decrease by a factor of 8 and 3-4 using the present expression, instead of an exponential distance dependent or constant screening factor, respectively, assumed previously in the literature.
CAR-T Cells in the Treatment of Nervous System Tumors
Authors: Testa Ugo , Castelli Germana , Pelosi Elvira
Published: July 2024

Chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-Ts) have shown a remarkable efficacy in hematological malignancies, but limited responses in solid tumors. Among solid tumors, CAR-T cell therapy was particularly explored in brain tumors. CAR-T cells have shown a limited clinical efficacy in various types of brain tumors due to several factors that have hampered their activity, including tumor antigen heterogeneity (not all tumor cells express the target antigen), the limited access of CAR-T cells to brain tumor cells, limited CAR-T cell trafficking and in vivo persistence and the presence of a highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Despite these considerations, some recent studies have shown promising anti-tumor activity of GD2-CAR-T cells on diffuse midline gliomas and neuroblastomas and of CARv3-TEAM-E cells in glioblastomas. However, strategies are required to improve the effect of CAR-T cells in brain tumors, including advanced CAR-T cell design with multiple antigenic targeting and incorporation of combination therapies.
Confirming the Possible Occurrence of Cold Nuclear Fusion with Improved Strong and Electroweak Nuclear Binding Energy Formula
Authors: U.V.S Seshavatharam , S Lakshminarayana
Published: July 2024

Abstract: In our recent publications pertaining to 4G model of final unification and based on strong and electroweak interactions, we have developed a completely new formula for estimating nuclear binding energy. With reference to currently believed Semi Empirical Mass Formula (SEMF), we call our formula as ‘Strong and Electroweak Mass Formula’ (SEWMF). Our formula constitutes 4 simple terms and only one energy coefficient of magnitude 10.1 MeV. First term is a volume term, second term seems to be a representation of free nucleons associated with electroweak interaction, third term is a radial term and fourth one is an asymmetry term about the mean stable mass number. Considering this kind of approach, nuclear structure can be understood in terms of strong and weak interactions and cold nuclear fusion like complicated concepts can be understood in a theoretical approach positively. In this paper, by considering the accountability of we are making an attempt to improve the applicability and effectiveness of SEWMF. Number 0.00125 being a workable electroweak coefficient for Z=6 to 132 and A=2Z to 3.5Z, number of free nucleons assumed to be associated with electroweak interaction can be expressed as Improved asymmetry term can be expressed as, where represents the light house like stable mass number. With reference to old version, our improved binding energy formula can be expressed as, We are working on its possible modification for mass numbers less than the stable mass numbers. Following this approach, it is possible to show that nuclear binding energy scheme is associated with strong and weak interactions and is practically independent of Coulombic repulsions. Proceeding further, currently believed cold nuclear fusion assumed be associated with hydrated metals can be understood and can be confirmed with strong and weak interactions independent of coulombic repulsions. We are very confident to say that our approach will certainly motivate modern science community in this new direction.
Enhancing Reliability and Efficiency: An ASHRAE Level 2 Energy Audit of a Regional Hospital
Authors: Sharma Vibhu , Unune Deepak
Published: July 2024

This study investigates the energy profile of a regional hospital in North America using an ASHRAE Level 2 Energy Audit. The audit aimed to assess the efficiency of existing systems, identify areas for improvement, and recommend cost-effective measures to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact. The analysis revealed a well-maintained heating system with efficient boilers. However, a critical concern emerged regarding operational risks due to the lack of redundancy in the cooling system. To address this vulnerability, the study recommends installing an air-cooled chiller for increased operational resilience. The economic feasibility of proposed improvements was evaluated, highlighting the balance between initial investment and long-term savings in energy costs and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The findings contribute to the discourse on sustainable healthcare practices, emphasizing the importance of energy audits, strategic planning, and redundancy measures for optimized performance and environmental responsibility in hospitals.
Modified POM Analysis of Substituted 8-Hydroxyquinolines as Perspective Antibacterial Agents In Silico and Their In Vitro Antibacterial Activity Screening
Authors: Gašparová Renata , Maliar Tibor , Maliarová Mária , Koreň Ján , Polák Jaroslav
Published: July 2024

The collection of forty-nine 8-hydroxyquinoline derivatives, substituted at C5, C6 or C7, was designed and studied by computational methods of modified POM analysis, using SwissADME, Osiris and Molinspiration tool. POM analysis (Petra/Osiris/Molinspiration) and its modified version using SwissADME instead of Petra software are indisputably tools of modern chemoinformatics, often published in the professional literature as well as in the field of research of new antibacterial active compounds, developed to replace existing antibiotics that fail due to increased resistance of bacteria. NitroxolineTM and the group of 8-hydroxyquinoline derivatives with their broad antibacterial effect and the possibility of extensive derivatization of the skeleton, represent a promising direction in the research of new antibacterial active substances. Twenty 8-hydroxyquinoline derivatives were also evaluated on their antibacterial activity against eight selected G+ and G- bacterial strains with a defined resistance mechanism. All structures were in accordance with Lipinski's criteria, twenty-one structures were interesting from the point of view of individual or average value of the bioactivity prediction score and fourteen structures showed one or more mechanisms of toxicity prediction. Furthermore, eleven structures showed a low rate of GI absorption or the inability to cross the BBB barrier, fourteen substances showed a BRENK or PAIN warning, eleven substances are an undesirable substrate of P-glycoprotein and all structures predicted the same level of bioavailability and a relatively low rate of metabolism in the liver. Five structures were selected by the intersection of the POM criteria. The virtual structures 17, 25, 35 and 43 can be favored for the continuity of next study. The resulting scores of bioactivity can indicate the potential of studied structures to be used for the design and development of new active antibacterial agents.
Comparison of Lupus and Lymphoma B-Cells Using Novel Immune Imbalance Transcriptomics Algorithm Reveals Potential Therapeutic Targets
Authors: Rapier-Sharman Naomi , Kim Sehi , Mudrow Maddie , Told Michael T. , Fischer Lane , Fawson Liesl , Parry Joseph , Poole Brian D. , O’Neill Kim L. , Piccolo Stephen R. , Pickett Brett E.
Published: July 2024

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (lupus) and B-cell lymphoma (lymphoma) are serious diseases. Lupus and lymphoma co-occur at higher-than-expected rates and primarily depend on B-cells for their pathology, implicating shared inflammation-related B-cell molecular mechanisms as a potential cause of co-occurrence. We consequently implemented a novel Immune Imbalance Transcriptomics (IIT) algorithm and applied IIT to lupus, lymphoma, and healthy B-cell RNA-seq data to find shared- and contrasting mechanisms potentially targetable for treatment. We observed 8,562 genes significantly dysregulated in both lupus and lymphoma. Of those genes, we found 5,335 to have a significant immune imbalance, defined as significant dysregulation by both diseases, as determined by IIT. Gene Ontology (GO) term and pathway enrichment of IIT genes yielded immune-related “Neutrophil Degranulation” and “Adaptive Immune System”, validating that the IIT algorithm isolates biologically relevant genes in immunity and inflammation. We found that 389 IIT gene products are drug-targetable with established or repurposed drugs. Among our results, we found 40 known and 349 novel lupus targets, along with 151 known and 238 novel lymphoma targets. Known disease drug targets in our IIT results further validate that IIT isolates genes with disease-relevant mechanisms. We anticipate the IIT algorithm and shared and contrasting gene mechanisms uncovered here will contribute to the development of immune-related therapeutic options for lupus and lymphoma patients.
Distributed Embedded System for Multiparametric Assessment of Infrastructure Durability Using Electrochemical Techniques
Authors: Ramón José Enrique , Gandía-Romero José Manuel , Monreal-Trigo Javier , Bataller Román , Alcañiz Miguel , Soto Juan
Published: July 2024

We present an autonomous system that remotely monitors the state of reinforced concrete structures. This system performs the real-time follow-up of the corrosion rate of rebars (iCORR), along with other relevant parameters, such as temperature, corrosion potential (ECORR) and electrical resistance of concrete (RE), at many of structures’ control points by using embedded sensors. Its corrosion sensor is stressed, to which a novel electrochemical polarization technique is applied. The custom electronic system manages the sensor network, consisting of a measurement board per control point connected to a central single-board computer in charge of processing measurement data and uploading results to a server via 4G connection. In this work, we report the results obtained after implementing the sensor system into a reinforced concrete wall, where two well-differentiated representative areas were monitored. The obtained corrosion parameters showed consistent values. Similar conclusions are obtained with ECORR recorded in rebars. With the iCORR follow-up the corrosion penetration damage diagram is built. This diagram is particularly useful for identifying critical events during the corrosion propagation period and to be able to estimate structures’ service life. Hence the system is presented as a useful tool for the structural maintenance and service life predictions of new structures.
Physiological and Molecular Mechanisms of Rice Tolerance to Salt and Drought Stress: Advances and Future Directions
Authors: Li Qingyang , Zhu Peiwen , Yu Xinqiao , Liu Guolan , Xu Junying
Published: July 2024

Rice, a globally important food crop, faces significant challenges due to salt and drought stress. These abiotic stresses severely impact rice growth and yield, manifesting as reduced plant height, decreased tillering, reduced biomass, and poor leaf development. Recent advances in molecular biology and genomics have uncovered key physiological and molecular mechanisms that rice employs to cope with these stresses, including osmotic regulation, ion balance, antioxidant re-sponses, signal transduction, and gene expression regulation. Transcription factors such as DREB, NAC, and bZIP, as well as plant hormones like ABA and GA, have been identified as crucial reg-ulators. Utilizing CRISPR/Cas9 technology for gene editing holds promise for significantly en-hancing rice stress tolerance. Future research should integrate multi-omics approaches and smart agriculture technologies to develop rice varieties with enhanced stress resistance, ensuring food security and sustainable agriculture in the face of global environmental changes.
A Regularized Tree Forest for Classification in the Presence of Extreme Class Imbalance
Authors: Safi Samir K. , Gul Sheema
Published: July 2024

Machine-learning methods used for classification are challenged by the class imbalance problem, where a certain class is underrepresented. Over/under-sampling the majority/minority class observations or model selection for ensemble methods alone might not be effective if the class imbalance ratio is very high. To address this concern, a novel method is presented for generating synthetic data for minority class observations in conjunction with an optimal tree ensemble classifier (OTEC). This novel synthetic method first generates minority class instances to balance the training data. Then it applies OTEC, where models are selected based on their performance using out-of-bag observations and training subsamples. A total of 20 benchmark problems on binary classification with moderate to extreme class imbalance are used to assess the efficacy of the proposed method against other well-known methods, including optimal tree ensemble, smote random forest, under-sampling random forest, oversampling random forest, k-nearest-neighbor, support vector machine, tree, and artificial neural network, using classification error rate, sensitivity, specificity, precision, recall and F1-score as performance metrics to assess the efficacy of the proposed method. The analyses presented in this study revealed that the proposed method based on data balancing and model selection yielded better results than other methods.
The Prognostic and Predictive Utility of CDX2 in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Chan Wei Yen , Chua Wei , Wilkinson Kate , Epitakaduwa Chandika , Mandaliya Hiren , Descallar Joseph , Roberts Tara L , Becker Therese M , Ng Weng , Lee Cheok Soon , Lim Stephanie Hui
Published: July 2024

Caudal type homeobox transcription factor 2 (CDX2) is a gastrointestinal cancer biomarker that regulates epithelial development and differentiation. Absence or low levels of CDX2 have been associated with poor prognosis and proposed as a chemotherapy response predictor. Tumour tissue of 668 patients with stage I-IV colorectal cancer were stained for CDX2 and stratified into two subgroups according to expression levels. Statistical tests evaluated CDX2 relationship with survival and chemotherapy response. Of 646 samples successfully stained, 51 (7.9%) had low and 595 (92.1%) had high CDX2 levels. Low CDX2 staining was associated with poor differentiation, presence of lymphovascular or perineural invasion, and more common in colon and right sided tumours. Overall survival (p<0.001) and disease-free survival (p=0.009) was lower in low CDX2 expressing patients. Multivariable analysis validated CDX2 as an independent poor prognostic factor after excluding confounding variables. There was no statistically significant improvement in survival with adjuvant chemotherapy in stage II colon cancer (p=0.11). In the rectal cohort, there was no relationship between CDX2 levels and therapy response. While confirming the prognostic utility of CDX2 in colorectal cancer, our study highlights larger studies are required to confirm utility as a predictive chemotherapy biomarker, especially in left sided and rectal cancers.
Functional Morphology of Spinosaurus aegyptiacus' Sail: Thermoregulation, Display or Hydrodynamic?
Authors: Hu Tyler
Published: July 2024

This literature review aims to gain a deeper understanding of Spinosaurus aegyptiacus’s dorsal sail regarding its function as thermoregulation, display, or hydrodynamic. The function of S. aegyptiacus’s dorsal sail has been widely debated for many years. The three most popular hypotheses are that it was used as a biological mechanism of thermoregulation, display, or hydrodynamic. The display hypothesis includes attracting mates, intimidating rivals, and social communication with other members. This literature review delves into each of the three hypotheses using past studies and excavation sites to analyze their validity. For the hydrodynamic aspect, the lifestyle of S. aegyptiacus must first be established. Based on existing research, we cannot conclude that there is a definitive primary function of Spinosaurus aegyptiacus’s dorsal sail. However, it is likely that its sail served the crucial function of display, since it would have a large surface area and could thus be a distinguishable characteristic of S. aegyptiacus that could determine mating success. Additionally, it is probable that the sail had supplementary roles in thermoregulation and hydrodynamics.
Exploring Context Allows Us to Better Understand Physical Activity in People with and without Parkinson’s Who Have Fallen: A Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Baker Katherine , Das Julia , Rochester Lynn , Del-Din Silvia , Naisby Jenni
Published: July 2024

Falls are a frequent and serious problem for older adults and especially those living with Parkinson’s. The relationship between falls and physical activity is complex and people often restrict activity following a fall. Exercise is an important aspect of re-ducing further risk of a fall and a key component of the management of Parkinson’s. The aim of this study was to understand the types of activity that are engaged in, the environments in which they take place and the experience of people with and without Parkinson’s who have fallen. 17 people with Parkinson’s and 13 older adults, who had experienced at least one fall in the previous year, were recruited to this mixed methods study. Activity levels were captured over one week using accelerometers and body worn cameras, allowing the type and location of activity to be recorded and analysed. This information informed an interview. Findings showed that although both groups often achieved up to 10,000 steps per day, this was in very short bouts of activity. Sedentary activity such as watching television dominated the findings. Participants were aware of the benefits of being active but described many barriers to achieving the level of activity they would like to.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Tools Used for Mapping Some Immunogenic Epitopes within the Major Structural Proteins of the Bovine Coronavirus (BCoV) and for the In Silico Design of the Multiepitope Based Vaccines
Authors: Duraisamy Nithyadevi , Khan Mohd Yasir , Shah Abid Ullah , Nacif Reda , Cherkaoui Mohammed , Hemida Maged Gomaa
Published: July 2024

This study aimed (1) to map the immunogenic epitopes (B and T cells) within the major BCoV structural proteins. These epitopes are believed to induce a robust im-mune response through the interaction with major histocompatibility complex (MHC class II) molecules (2) to design some novel BCoV multi-epitope-based vac-cines. To achieve these goals, we applied several integrated In-silico prediction computational tools to map these epitopes within the major BCoV structural pro-teins. The predicted epitopes were linked to some immunostimulants such as Toll-like receptors-2 (TLR2) and TLR-4. The tertiary structure of each epitope was modeled through the Alpha fold-2 colab machine learning tools. The stability and purity of each epitope were assessed using the Ramachandran plot and the Z Score values. Each multiepitope-based vaccine candidate conjugated with the Chlorotox-in B toxin as an adjuvant. We designed the vaccine constructs using various expres-sion vectors. We also predicted the affinity binding of these vaccines with the target protein using molecular docking. Our designed multiepitope vaccine candidates per each BCoV structural protein showed high antigenicity, immunogenicity, non-allergic, non-toxic, and high water solubility. Further studies are highly en-couraged to validate the efficacy of these novel BCoV vaccines in the natural host.
Advancing Physiatric Care: A Comprehensive Case Study on Laser Therapy and Hydrotherapy Integration Post-Femoral Head and Neck Resection
Authors: Caramico Miriam , Dominicis Stefania De
Published: July 2024

Hip dysplasia is a prevalent hereditary condition affecting dogs and cats, characterized by inadequate development of the hip joint. This condition leads to pain due to capsular distension, microfractures, and joint incongruity in young animals, ultimately progressing to osteoarthritis in adult and elderly animals. The pursuit of pain relief and improved quality of life for individuals with osteoarthritis has been a focal point in several studies. In this context, veterinary physiotherapy has gained prominence in small animal practice, serving as both palliative care and a supportive modality in the clinical or post-surgical management of degenerative joint diseases. Laser therapy and hydrotherapy, recognized for their analgesic effects and capacity to promote muscle mass gain, have garnered attention for their potential efficacy in treating joint diseases. This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic effects of super pulsed laser therapy and controlled low-impact exercises (water treadmill) on a patient recovering from surgery involving bilateral femoral head and forehead resection. We observed positive outcomes, including pain resolution, improved muscle mass, and enhanced range of motion, contributing to the patient's overall recovery.
The Association between Specimen Neuromuscular Characteristics and Urinary Incontinence after Robotic-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Bashi Tomer , Margalioth Jonathan , Savin Ziv , Marom Ron , Dekalo Snir , Fahoum Ibrahim , Naamneh Rabab , Mano Roy , Yossepowitch Ofer
Published: July 2024

Urinary incontinence after Radical prostatectomy (RALRP) has been associated with older age, longer operative time, higher BMI, short membranous urethral length and preoperative erectile function. We sought to assess the association between the neuromuscular characteristics and postoperative urinary incontinence. Methods: RALRP specimens from 29 men who underwent bilateral nerve sparing were reanalyzed. Urinary incontinence was evaluated using the International Consultation on Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) at 6 weeks post surgery and last follow-up. Linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to assess neuromuscular characteristics and incontinence. Results: At a median follow-up of 11 months (IQR 9-12), 11 patients (38%) reported on severe incontinence (>12 ICIQ-SF score). Median number of peripheral nerves observed at the base and apex of the specimens were 52 (IQR 13-139) and 59 (IQR: 28-129), respectively. Ganglia were present in 19 patients (65%) at the base and 12 patients (41%) at the apex. Additionally, the median proportional area of detrusor smooth muscle fibers at the base was 0.54 (IQR 0.31-1), while the median proportional area of striated muscle fibers at the apex was 0.13 (IQR 0.08-0.24). No statistical significant associations were found. Conclusion: Histologic neuromuscular characteristics were not associated with postoperative urinary incontinence. Enhanced intraoperative evaluation and larger scale studies may prove useful for prediction of post prostatectomy incontinence.
Permanent Stress Adaptation and Unexpected High Light Tolerance in the Shade-Adapted Chlamydomonas Priscuii
Authors: Popson Devon , D'Silva Susanna , Wheeless Kaylie , Morgan-Kiss Rachael
Published: July 2024

The Antarctic photopsychrophile, Chlamydomonas priscuii UWO241 is adapted to extreme environmental conditions, including permanent low temperatures, high salt and shade. During long-term exposure to this extreme habitat, UWO241 appears to have lost several short-term mechanisms in favor of constitutive protection against environmental stress. This study investigated physiological and growth responses of UWO241 to high light conditions, evaluating the impacts of long-term acclimation to high light, low temperature, and high salinity on its ability to manage short-term photoinhibition. We found that UWO241 significantly increased its growth rate and photosynthetic activity at growth irradiances far exceeding native light conditions. Furthermore, UWO241 exhibited robust protection against short-term photoinhibition, particularly in photosystem I. Last, pre-acclimation to high light or low temperatures, but not high salinity, enhanced photoinhibition tolerance. These findings extend our understanding for stress tolerance in extremophilic algae. In the past 2 decades climate change-related increasing glacial stream flow has perturbed long-term stable conditions: in the form of has been associated with lake level rise, thinning of ice covers, and expansion of ice-free perimeters. Our findings have implications on phytoplankton survival and response to change scenarios in the light-limited environment of Antarctic ice-covered lakes.
The TLK1>Nek1 Axis Promotes Nuclear Retention and Activation of YAP with Implications for CRPC
Authors: Olatunde Damilola , De Benedetti Arrigo
Published: July 2024

Despite some advances in controlling progression of Prostate Cancer (PCa) that is refractory to the use of ADT/ARSI, most patients eventually succumb to the disease, and there is a pressing need to understand the mechanisms that lead to the development of CRPC. A common mechanism is the ability to integrate AR signals from vanishing levels of testosterone, with the frequent participation of YAP as a coactivator, and pointing to deregulation of the Hippo pathway as a major determinant. We have recently shown that YAP is post-transcriptionally activated via the TLK1>NEK1 axis by a stabilizing phosphorylation at Y407. We are now solidifying this work by showing that: 1) The phosphorylation of Y407 is critical for YAP retention/partition in the nuclei, and that J54 (TLK1i) reverses this along with YAP407 dephosphorylation. 2) That the enhanced degradation of (cytoplasmic) YAP is increased by J54 counteracting its Enzalutamide-induced accumulation. 3) That the basis for all these effects, including YAP nuclear retention, can be explained by the stronger association of pYAP-Y407 with its transcriptional co-activators, AR and TEAD1. 4) We demonstrate that ChIP for GFP-YAP-wt, but hardly for the GFP-YAP-Y407F mutant, at promoters of typical ARE- and TEAD1-driven genes is readily detected but becomes displaced after treatment with J54. 5) While xenografts of LNCaP cells show rapid regression following treatment with ARSI+J54, in the VCaP model, driven by the TMPRSS2-ERG oncogenic translocation, tumors initially respond well to the combination but subsequently recur, despite the continuous suppression of pNek1-T141 and pYAP-Y407. This suggests an alternative parallel pathway for CRPC progression for VCaP tumors long-term, that may be separate from the observed ENZ-driven YAP deregulation, although clearly some YAP gene targets like PD-L1, that are found accumulate following prolonged ENZ treatment, are still suppressed by concomitant addition of J54.
Oligonucleotide Therapies for Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy: Current Preclinical Landscape
Authors: Beck Samuel L , Yokota Toshifumi
Published: July 2024

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is an inherited myopathy, characterized by progressive and asymmetric muscle atrophy, primarily affecting muscles of the face, shoulder girdle, and upper arms before affecting muscles of the lower extremities with age and greater disease severity. FSHD is a disabling condition, and patients may also present with various extramuscular symptoms. FSHD is caused by the aberrant expression of double homeobox 4 (DUX4) in adult skeletal muscle, arising from compromised epigenetic repression of the D4Z4 array. DUX4 encodes the DUX4 protein, a transcription factor that activates myotoxic gene programs to produce the FSHD pathology. Therefore, sequence-specific oligonucleotides aimed at reducing DUX4 levels in patients is a compelling therapeutic approach, and one that has received considerable research interest over the last decade. This review aims to describe the current preclinical landscape of oligonucleotide therapies for FSHD. This includes outlining the mechanism of action of each therapy and summarizing the preclinical results obtained regarding their efficacy in cellular and/or murine disease models. The scope of this review is limited to oligonucleotide-based therapies that inhibit the DUX4 gene, mRNA, or protein in a way that does not involve gene editing.
Theoretical Model Based on the Influence of Turbulence Intensity on the Wake of Vertical Axis Turbine
Authors: Wu He , Wang Ziyao , Hou Erhu
Published: July 2024

In this study, Fluent software 2020R2 is used to simulate vertical axis turbine in two dimensions, aiming to analyze the influence of turbulence intensity on wake characteristics. The detailed flow field data are obtained by simulating the operation of turbine under different turbulence intensities. On this basis, the influence factor of turbulence intensity are creatively introduced into the wake mathematical formula of vertical axis turbine established by Lam, and some parameter calculations of the formula are supplemented and perfected. The results show that the theoretical model can well reflect the influence of turbulence intensity on the wake distribution of vertical axis turbines. The formula can provide a theoretical basis for the design and optimization of vertical axis turbines and the array arrangement, and can be used to predict the wake characteristics under different turbulence intensity operating conditions.
Examining the Elements That Influence a Company’s Capital Structure and Tax Decisions
Authors: Azizi Jafar , Amirizadeh Taranom
Published: July 2024

This study focuses on examining the determinants of capital structure and the influence of taxes within Iran Khodro Company in the automobile industry from 2016 to 2023. The research analyzes the relationship between debt, taxes, and various company-specific factors. Findings indicate a direct relationship between taxes and debt, with financial leverage being the most significant element related to taxes. The study aims to provide valuable insights for managers and decision-makers in enhancing financial decision-making and shareholder wealth. Various studies have also been conducted on the impact of taxes and different factors on the capital structure of companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange, highlighting the importance of tax implications in financial decisions.
The Relationship between Maternal Smoking and Infant Birth Weight: Improving Accuracy through Urine Cotinine Analysis and Effective Medical Record Strategies
Authors: Vojisavljevic Danica , Rudd Donna , Smith Roger , Kandasamy Yogavijayan
Published: July 2024

We conducted a study to determine if antenatally collected maternal urine cotinine (a me- 13 tabolite of nicotine) measurements can be used to assess the neonatal impact of nicotine exposure 14 during pregnancy. This was a prospective longitudinal cohort of mother-infant dyads. Only term 15 singleton pregnancies were included. The primary outcome measure was the correlation between 16 maternal urine cotinine and infant birth weight. We analysed data from 238 mother-neonates' dy- 17 ads. Urine cotinine was detected in 50.4 % (120/238) women from the whole cohort, but only 16% 18 (38/238) self-reported as smokers (chi-square 39.7, p<0.0001), and these women had significantly 19 smaller babies (p=0.010). There was a significant negative correlation between maternal urine co- 20 tinine and birth weight (Spearman's coefficient = -0.0226, p=0.013). Female babies born to women 21 with nicotine in the urine were significantly smaller (p= 0.001). The number of women exposed to 22 nicotine during late pregnancy (measured in urine) was markedly higher than self-reported and 23 National smoking percentages, suggesting an urgent need for improvement of medical record re- 24 porting on smoking habits to better assess neonatal outcomes.
Synergistic Enhancement in the Mulberry Juice’s Antioxidant Activity by Using Lactic Acid Bacteria Co-culture Fermentation
Authors: Yaqoob Sanabil , Gouda Mostafa M. , Mubeen Bismillah , Imtiaz Aysha , Murtaza Mian Shamas , Awan Kanza Aziz , Rehman Abdur , Alsulami Tawfiq , Khalifa Ibrahim , Ma Yongkun
Published: July 2024

Studying the multi-function bacterial implications on the natural phytochemicals could be among the best solutions for producing clean-label functional juices. This study aimed to develop a high-quality mulberry juice with enhanced antioxidant capacity through fermentation. The juice was fermented using mono- and co-cultures of Lactobacillus casei (LC), L. plantarum (LP), L. paracasei (LPC), L. acidophilus (LA), and L. helveticus (LH) at different time intervals (24, 48, 72, and 96 h). The total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), flavonols, anthocyanins, and proan-thocyanidins were determined, along with the antioxidant activity assays and FTIR analysis. The results revealed significant changes in molecular interactions and functional group presence post-fermentation, indicating microbial incorporation's effect on the juice's functional profile. These changes were attributed to the formation of new compounds during fermentation, such as organic acids, alcohols, glycerol, and phenols, as evidenced by the FTIR spectra. Besides, LC-LA and LC-LPC co-culture treatments yield the most substantial stability in TPC, TFC, and TF after 48 h compared to 24 h and 72 h. After 48 h, the co-cultures of LPC-LH (1265.5 GAE/L) and LPC-LA (1145 GAE/L) were increased the TPC after 48 h than the single cultures. Conclusively, LC-LPC and LP-LPC co-culture fermentation was recommended as a cost-effective method to enhance the an-tioxidant potential and the overall phytochemical capacity of mulberry products. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the potential of fermented mulberry juice as a functional food with improved health benefits.
Machine Learning Algorithm for Predicting Distant Metastasis of T1 and T2 Gallbladder Cancer Based on Seer Database
Authors: Guo Zhentian , Zhang Zongming , Liu Limin , Zhao Yue , Liu Zhuo , Zhang Chong , Qi Hui , Feng Jinqiu , Yao Peijie , Yuan Haiming
Published: July 2024

(1) Background: We aim to construct a machine learning (ML) algorithm to predict the risk of distant metastasis (DM) of T1 and T2gallbladder cancer (GBC); (2) Demographic and clinical pathological data of T1 and T2 GBC patients were extracted from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between 2004 and 2015 to develop seven ML algorithm models. Models were evaluated based on accuracy, precision, recall rate, F1- score, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC); (3) Results:A total of 4371 patients were included in the study, of whom 764 (17.4%) developed DM. Multivariate logistic regression showed that age, histology, tumor size, T and N stages were independent factors in GBC with DM. A novel nomogram was established to predict distant metastasis in early T stage GBC patients. Evaluation indicators of the best model Random Forest (RF) were as follows: accuracy (0.828), recall rate (0.862), precision (0.811), F1- score (0.836), and AUC value (0.913); (4) Con-clusions: The RF model constructed in this study could accurately predict distant metastasis in GBC patients, which may provide clinicians with more personalized clinical decision-making recom-mendations.