bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cerebral and Peripheral Immune Cell Changes following Rodent Juvenile Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Smith Allie M. , Taylor Erin B. , Brooks Ruth J. , Dos Santos e Santos Christiano , Grayson Bernadette E.
Published: April 2024

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of death and disability. TBI is associated with neuroinflammation, but temporal changes in immune and inflammatory signaling following TBI have not been fully elucidated. Furthermore, there have been no previous studies on changes in immune cell populations following TBI via the Closed Head Injury Model of Engineered Rotational Acceleration (CHIMERA). The current study aimed to determine the time course changes to inflammatory marker mRNA expression in the acute period following TBI in juvenile rats and to determine acute changes to brain and circulating immune cell populations. For this study, post-natal day (PND)-30 male Long Evans rats sustained a TBI or Sham TBI and were euthanized at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, or 96 h post-injury. Prefrontal cortex and hippocampus samples were used to determine mRNA expression changes of inflammatory factors. The mRNA expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α was significantly elevated at 6 h post-injury in both regions evaluated. To evaluate immune cell populations, male Long Evans rats were euthanized at 48 h post-injury, and brain and blood samples were used for cell sorting by marker-specific antibodies. In the peripheral blood, there was an elevation in CD3+ total T cells, CD45R+ total B cells, and CD3+CD4+ helper T cells in the TBI subjects. However, there were no changes to natural killer cells or CD3+CD8+ cytotoxic T cell populations. In the brain, there was a reduction in CD11b/c+ monocytes/macrophages, but no changes in other immune cell populations. At 48 h post-injury, the TBI subjects also demonstrated expansion of the thymic medulla. These changes in the cerebral and blood immune cell populations and thymic medulla expansion may implicate the subacute recovery timeframe as a vulnerable window for the immune system in the pediatric population.
Glioma Stem Cells—Features for New Therapy Design
Authors: Pećina-Šlaus Nives , Hrašćan Reno
Published: April 2024

On a molecular level, glioma is very diverse and presents a whole spectrum of specific genetic and epigenetic alterations. The tumors are unfortunately resistant to available therapies and the survival rate is low. The explanation of significant intra- and inter-tumor heterogeneity and the infiltrative capability of gliomas, as well as its resistance to therapy, recurrence and aggressive behavior, lies in a small subset of tumor-initiating cells that behave like stem cells and are known as glioma cancer stem cells (GCSCs). They are responsible for tumor plasticity and are influenced by genetic drivers. Additionally, GCSCs also display greater migratory abilities. A great effort is under way in order to find ways to eliminate or neutralize GCSCs. Many different treatment strategies are currently being explored, including modulation of the tumor microenvironment, posttranscriptional regulation, epigenetic modulation and immunotherapy.
Pressurised Intraperitoneal Aerosolised Chemotherapy—Results from the First Hundred Consecutive Procedures
Authors: Hoskovec David , Krška Zdeněk , Vočka Michal , Argalácsová Soňa , Dytrych Petr
Published: April 2024

PIPAC is a new and promising technique for the intraperitoneal administration of chemotherapy. It can be used in patients with various peritoneal cancer metastases. It is mainly a palliative treatment, but there is some neoadjuvant treatment potential. We have operated on 41 patients with various intra-abdominal cancers. PIPAC was performed every 6 weeks. The indication was extension of peritoneal carcinomatosis beyond the criteria for cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC. The effect was evaluated according to the peritoneal cancer index, the peritoneal regression grading score and the amount of ascites. Complications were classified according to the Clavien-Dindo system. We have performed 100 PIPAC procedures. There were two major complications, classified as Clavien Dindo III (2%). The number of procedures varied from 1 to 6. Five patients switched to cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC, and one was indicated for the watch and wait strategy due to total regression according to PRGS. Three patients are still continuing treatment. The others stopped treatment mainly because of progression of the disease and loss of metastases. We observed a reduction in ascites production soon after PIPAC application. PIPAC is a safe and well-tolerated treatment modality. It is mainly a palliative treatment that can improve the quality of life by reducing the production of ascites, but in about 10% of cases, it can reduce the extent of the disease and allow for further radical treatment.
A Perspective Review: Analyzing Collagen Alterations in Ovarian Cancer by High-Resolution Optical Microscopy
Authors: Gant Kristal L. , Patankar Manish S. , Campagnola Paul J.
Published: April 2024

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the predominant subtype of ovarian cancer (OC), occurring in more than 80% of patients diagnosed with this malignancy. Histological and genetic analysis have confirmed the secretory epithelial of the fallopian tube (FT) as a major site of origin of HGSOC. Although there have been significant strides in our understanding of this disease, early stage detection and diagnosis are still rare. Current clinical imaging modalities lack the ability to detect early stage pathogenesis in the fallopian tubes and the ovaries. However, there are several microscopic imaging techniques used to analyze the structural modifications in the extracellular matrix (ECM) protein collagen in ex vivo FT and ovarian tissues that potentially can be modified to fit the clinical setting. In this perspective, we evaluate and compare the myriad of optical tools available to visualize these alterations and the invaluable insights these data provide on HGSOC initiation. We also discuss the clinical implications of these findings and how these data may help novel tools for early diagnosis of HGSOC.
NGS-Guided Precision Oncology in Breast Cancer and Gynecological Tumors—A Retrospective Molecular Tumor Board Analysis
Authors: Gremke Niklas , Rodepeter Fiona R. , Teply-Szymanski Julia , Griewing Sebastian , Boekhoff Jelena , Stroh Alina , Tarawneh Thomas S. , Riera-Knorrenschild Jorge , Balser Christina , Hattesohl Akira , Middeke Martin , Ross Petra , Litmeyer Anne-Sophie , Romey Marcel , Stiewe Thorsten , Wündisch Thomas , Neubauer Andreas , Denkert Carsten , Wagner Uwe , Mack Elisabeth K. M.
Published: April 2024

Background: Precision oncology treatments are being applied more commonly in breast and gynecological oncology through the implementation of Molecular Tumor Boards (MTBs), but real-world clinical outcome data remain limited. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted in patients with breast cancer (BC) and gynecological malignancies referred to our center’s MTB from 2018 to 2023. The analysis covered patient characteristics, next-generation sequencing (NGS) results, MTB recommendations, therapy received, and clinical outcomes. Results: Sixty-three patients (77.8%) had metastatic disease, and forty-four patients (54.3%) had previously undergone three or more lines of systemic treatment. Personalized treatment recommendations were provided to 50 patients (63.3%), while 29 (36.7%) had no actionable target. Ultimately, 23 patients (29.1%) underwent molecular-matched treatment (MMT). Commonly altered genes in patients with pan-gyn tumors (BC and gynecological malignancies) included TP53 (n = 42/81, 51.9%), PIK3CA (n = 18/81, 22.2%), BRCA1/2 (n = 10/81, 12.3%), and ARID1A (n = 9/81, 11.1%). Patients treated with MMT showed significantly prolonged progression-free survival (median PFS 5.5 vs. 3.5 months, p = 0.0014). Of all patients who underwent molecular profiling, 13.6% experienced a major clinical benefit (PFSr ≥ 1.3 and PR/SD ≥ 6 months) through precision oncology. Conclusions: NGS-guided precision oncology demonstrated improved clinical outcomes in a subgroup of patients with gynecological and breast cancers.
Safety and Outcomes of Inferior Vena Cava Filter Placement in Oncology Patients: A Single-Centre Experience
Authors: Kurzyna Paweł , Banaszkiewicz Marta , Florczyk Michał , Kępski Jarosław , Piłka Michał , Kędzierski Piotr , Mańczak Rafał , Szwed Piotr , Kasperowicz Krzysztof , Wrona Katarzyna , Doroszewski Grzegorz , Torbicki Adam , Kurzyna Marcin , Szmit Sebastian , Darocha Szymon
Published: April 2024

The risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the oncology population is significantly higher than in non-cancer patients. Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters may, therefore, be an important part of VTE treatment. In this study, we address the outcomes of placing IVC filters in the oncology population. This single-centre, observational, retrospective study included 62 patients with active malignancy and acute VTE who underwent an IVC filter implantation due to contraindications to anticoagulation during the period 2012–2023. The control group consisted of 117 trauma patients. In both groups, an urgent surgical procedure requiring temporary cessation of anticoagulation was the most noted reason for IVC filter placement—76% in the oncology group vs. 100% in the non-oncology group (p < 0.001). No complications were reported during the IVC filter implantation procedures. There was no recurrence of pulmonary embolism or deep venous thrombosis in the oncology group after filter implantation. The rate of successful filter explantation, median time to retrieval, and abnormal findings during retrieval were not significantly different between both subgroups (64.3% vs. 76.5%, p = 0.334; 77 days vs. 84 days, p = 0.764; 61.5% vs. 54.2%, p = 0.672; respectively). The study showed that IVC filter placement is a safe and effective method of preventing PE in cancer patients with contraindications to anticoagulation. The complication rate following IVC filter implantation in cancer patients is low and similar to that in non-oncology patients.
Enhancements in Radiological Detection of Metastatic Lymph Nodes Utilizing AI-Assisted Ultrasound Imaging Data and the Lymph Node Reporting and Data System Scale
Authors: Chudobiński Cezary , Świderski Bartosz , Antoniuk Izabella , Kurek Jarosław
Published: April 2024

The paper presents a novel approach for the automatic detection of neoplastic lesions in lymph nodes (LNs). It leverages the latest advances in machine learning (ML) with the LN Reporting and Data System (LN-RADS) scale. By integrating diverse datasets and network structures, the research investigates the effectiveness of ML algorithms in improving diagnostic accuracy and automation potential. Both Multinominal Logistic Regression (MLR)-integrated and fully connected neuron layers are included in the analysis. The methods were trained using three variants of combinations of histopathological data and LN-RADS scale labels to assess their utility. The findings demonstrate that the LN-RADS scale improves prediction accuracy. MLR integration is shown to achieve higher accuracy, while the fully connected neuron approach excels in AUC performance. All of the above suggests a possibility for significant improvement in the early detection and prognosis of cancer using AI techniques. The study underlines the importance of further exploration into combined datasets and network architectures, which could potentially lead to even greater improvements in the diagnostic process.
DNA Damage Responses in Tumors Are Not Proliferative Stimuli, but Rather They Are DNA Repair Actions Requiring Supportive Medical Care
Authors: Suba Zsuzsanna
Published: April 2024

Background: In tumors, somatic mutagenesis presumably drives the DNA damage response (DDR) via altered regulatory pathways, increasing genomic instability and proliferative activity. These considerations led to the standard therapeutic strategy against cancer: the disruption of mutation-activated DNA repair pathways of tumors.Purpose: Justifying that cancer cells are not enemies to be killed, but rather that they are ill human cells which have the remnants of physiologic regulatory pathways. Results: 1. Genomic instability and cancer development may be originated from a flaw in estrogen signaling rather than excessive estrogen signaling; 2. Healthy cells with genomic instability exhibit somatic mutations, helping DNA restitution; 3. Somatic mutations in tumor cells aim for the restoration of DNA damage, rather than further genomic derangement; 4. In tumors, estrogen signaling drives the pathways of DNA stabilization, leading to apoptotic death; 5. In peritumoral cellular infiltration, the genomic damage of the tumor induces inflammatory cytokine secretion and increased estrogen synthesis. In the inflammatory cells, an increased growth factor receptor (GFR) signaling confers the unliganded activation of estrogen receptors (ERs); 6. In breast cancer cells responsive to genotoxic therapy, constitutive mutations help the upregulation of estrogen signaling and consequential apoptosis. In breast tumors non-responsive to genotoxic therapy, the possibilities for ER activation via either liganded or unliganded pathways are exhausted, leading to farther genomic instability and unrestrained proliferation. Conclusions: Understanding the real character and behavior of human tumors at the molecular level suggests that we should learn the genome repairing methods of tumors and follow them by supportive therapy, rather than provoking additional genomic damages.
Multi-Omics Integration for Liver Cancer Using Regression Analysis
Authors: Raj Aditya , Petreaca Ruben C. , Mirzaei Golrokh
Published: April 2024

Genetic biomarkers have played a pivotal role in the classification, prognostication, and guidance of clinical cancer therapies. Large-scale and multi-dimensional analyses of entire cancer genomes, as exemplified by projects like The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), have yielded an extensive repository of data that holds the potential to unveil the underlying biology of these malignancies. Mutations stand out as the principal catalysts of cellular transformation. Nonetheless, other global genomic processes, such as alterations in gene expression and chromosomal re-arrangements, also play crucial roles in conferring cellular immortality. The incorporation of multi-omics data specific to cancer has demonstrated the capacity to enhance our comprehension of the molecular mechanisms underpinning carcinogenesis. This report elucidates how the integration of comprehensive data on methylation, gene expression, and copy number variations can effectively facilitate the unsupervised clustering of cancer samples. We have identified regressors that can effectively classify tumor and normal samples with an optimal integration of RNA sequencing, DNA methylation, and copy number variation while also achieving significant p-values. Further, these regressors were trained using linear and logistic regression with k-means clustering. For comparison, we employed autoencoder- and stacking-based omics integration and computed silhouette scores to evaluate the clusters. The proof of concept is illustrated using liver cancer data. Our analysis serves to underscore the feasibility of unsupervised cancer classification by considering genetic markers beyond mutations, thereby emphasizing the clinical relevance of additional global cellular parameters that contribute to the transformative process in cells. This work is clinically relevant because changes in gene expression and genomic re-arrangements have been shown to be signatures of cellular transformation across cancers, as well as in liver cancers.
Correlation between the RNA Expression and the DNA Methylation of Estrogen Receptor Genes in Normal and Malignant Human Tissues
Authors: Rong Ju , Xie Xiaojun , Niu Yongdong , Su Zhongjing
Published: April 2024

Estrogen plays a multifaceted function in humans via interacting with the estrogen receptors ERα, ERβ, and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1). Previous research has predominantly concentrated on elucidating the signaling route of estrogen. However, the comprehensive understanding of the expression profile and control of these estrogen receptors in various human tissues is not well known. In the present study, the RNA levels of estrogen receptors in various normal and malignant human tissues were retrieved from the human protein atlas, the cancer genome atlas (TCGA), and the genotype-tissue expression (GTEx) databases for analyzing the expression profile of estrogen receptors through gene expression profiling interactive analysis (GEPIA). The status of DNA methylation of estrogen receptor genes from TCGA were analyzed through the software Wanderer and cBioPortal. The MethSurv tool was utilized to estimate the relevance between specific cytosine–guanine (CG) methylation and tumor survival. The expression profile analysis revealed that ERα, ERβ, and GPER1 have unique expression patterns in diverse tissues and malignancies. The interesting results were the higher expression of ERβ RNA in the male testis than in females and the positive association between the RNA level of ERα and the androgen receptor in different human normal tissues. Especially, the significant changes in GPER1 expression in multiple malignancies showed a consistent decrease with no exception, which indicates the role of GPER1 in common tumor inhibition. The finding on the expression profile provides clues for exploring novel potential physiological and pathophysiological functions of estrogen. The DNA methylation analysis manifested that the expression of GPER1 and ERα showed a substantial correlation with the methylation of specific CG sites in the cis-regulating region of the gene. However, no such association was observed for ERβ. When comparing tumor tissues to normal tissues, the DNA methylation of certain CG sites of estrogen receptors showed a correlation with tumor survival but did not always correlate with the expression of that gene or with the expression of DNA methyltransferases. We proposed that the variation in DNA methylation at different CG sites in estrogen receptor genes had other functions beyond its regulatory role in its gene expression, and this might be associated with the progression and therapy efficiency of the tumor based on the modulation of the chromatin configuration.
Plasma Bombardment-Induced Amorphization of (TiNbZrCr)Nx High-Entropy Alloy Nitride Films
Authors: Li Yantao , Ma Donglin , Liang Jun , Huang Deming , Wang Libo , Ren Diqi , Jiang Xin , Leng Yongxiang
Published: April 2024

The (TiNbZrCr)Nx high-entropy nitride films (HENFs) were prepared by high-power pulsed magnetron sputtering (HPPMS). The effect of the N2 flow rate (FN) on the HPPMS plasma discharge, film composition, microstructure, residual stress, tribological properties, and corrosion resistance was investigated. Results show that, with the increase in FN, plasma discharge is enhanced. Firstly, the introduced N atoms react with Ti, Nb, Cr, and Zr to form an FCC nitride phase structure. Then, with the increase in plasma bombardment on the deposited film, the HENFs undergo amorphization to form an FCC+ amorphous structure, accompanied by a decrease in grain size and a change in the preferred orientation from (1 1 1) to (2 0 0). The HENFs deposited at FN = 8 sccm show the highest hardness of 27.8 GPa. The HENFs deposited at FN = 12 sccm present the best tribological properties, with a low wear rate of 4.0 × 10−6 mm3N−1m−1. The corrosion resistance of the (TiNbZrCr)Nx HENFs shows a strong correlation with the amorphous phase. The corrosion resistance of the FCC nitride film is the worst, and the corrosion resistance gradually increases with the amorphous transformation of the film. Based on the above results, nanocomposite high-entropy films can be prepared using HPPMS technology and exhibit excellent, comprehensive performance.
Coating Red Phosphor on Green Luminescent Material for Multi-Mode Luminescence and Advanced Anti-Counterfeit Applications
Authors: Liu Jiale , Chen Bo , Zhu Qi
Published: April 2024

Traditional fluorescent anti-counterfeiting materials usually exhibit fixed-wavelength excitation patterns and monochromatic luminescence, which are extremely easy to be counterfeited and have low security. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop multi-mode fluorescent materials with enhanced security to address this issue. Here, SrAl2O4:1%Eu,2%Dy@Y2O3:Eu3+ core-shell structured phosphors were prepared via a sol-gel method. Coating SrAl2O4:Eu,Dy with Y2O3:Eu3+ red phosphor did not significantly change the crystal structure of SrAl2O4. Under UV excitation at 254 nm, SrAl2O4:1%Eu,2%Dy@Y2O3:Eu3+ exhibited red emission at 613 nm (5D0→7F2 transition of Eu3+), and a strong green afterglow was observed after removing the UV irradiation. However, blue-green emission at 496 nm was observed under UV excitation at 365 nm, followed by green afterglow upon removal of the light source. Varying the content of the Y2O3:Eu3+ shell yielded different emissions and afterglows. The prepared samples are sensitive to the excitation wavelength and duration and have multimodal luminescence properties, which can be used for anti-counterfeiting patterns. The outcomes in this work indicate that the phosphor is a promising fluorescent material for anti-counterfeiting.
Adsorption of Ni(II) from Aqueous Media on Biodegradable Natural Polymers—Sarkanda Grass Lignin
Authors: Ungureanu Elena , Samuil Costel , Țopa Denis , Ungureanu Ovidiu , Tofanica Bogdan-Marian , Fortună Maria , Brezuleanu Carmen
Published: April 2024

Heavy metals are pollutants that pose a risk to living systems due to their high toxicity and ability to accumulate and contaminate. This study proposes an alternative approach to the static adsorption of Ni(II) from aqueous media using Sarkanda grass lignin crystals, the non-cellulosic aromatic component of biomass, as an adsorbent substrate. To determine the best experimental conditions, we conducted tests on several parameters, including the initial and adsorbent solution pH, the concentration of Ni(II) in the aqueous solution, the amount of adsorbent used, and the contact time at the interface. The lignin’s adsorption capacity was evaluated using the Freundlich and Langmuir models to establish equilibrium conditions. The Lagergren I and Ho–McKay II kinetic models were used to determine the adsorption mechanism based on surface analyses and biological parameters such as the number of germinated seeds, energy, and germination capacity in wheat caryopses (variety Glosa) incorporated in the contaminated lignin and in the filtrates resulting from phase separation. The results suggest that Sarkanda grass lignin is effective in adsorbing Ni(II) from aqueous media, particularly in terms of adsorbent/adsorbate dosage and interfacial contact time.
Ruby from Longido, Tanzania: Mining, Color, Inclusion, and Chemical Features
Authors: Gao Yujie , He Mingyue , Lucas Andrew Christopher , Sun Xueying , Zhou Dan , Huang Tiantian , Li Kai , Fortaleché Darwin , Lin Moqing , Zhu Yuan , Jin Xiaoting
Published: April 2024

This article reports on the recent mining and production status of ruby in Longido, Tanzania. Faceted-grade rubies and their matrix from Longido Area, Tanzania, were investigated by standard gemological testing, including FTIR, UV-VIS, Raman spectra, and LA-ICP-MS. Microscopic observations revealed dense needle-like and triangular inclusions, distinct growth lines, and color banding as typical inclusions. In agreement with the Raman results, the transmission FTIR spectrum confirmed the presence of aluminum hydroxide. The Raman spectra identified associated minerals and inclusions, including zoisite, parasites, feldspar within the matrix, rutile, and diaspore in the ruby host. The chemistry analysis revealed a high amount of Cr and relatively low iron as a good indicator of geographic origin.
Characteristics of Low-Temperature Gasification Products from Wheat Straw in a Fluidized Bed Based on Cement Production Process
Authors: Dai Chen , He Tengfei , Jin Baosheng , Gu Qixin , Cheng Shuchao , Chen Yi , Cai Yu
Published: April 2024

This study aimed to improve the safety and economy of cement production and to investigate the gasification performance and tar properties of wheat straw in a small electrically heated bubbling fluidized bed by varying three factors, namely, gasification reaction conditions, fuel quality and type, and the natural environment, so as to promote the application of the low-temperature gasification of biomass in the cement industry. The gasification experiment was carried out at temperatures of 550–700 °C, air equivalence ratios of 0.1–0.2, moisture contents of 5.25–24%, blended rubber ratios of 0–100%, and furnace vacuums of 0–0.03 within the parameter ranges, and the component analyses of the produced gases and tars were carried out by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The experimental findings revealed that the optimal operating conditions for gasification were attained at a temperature of 650 °C, an equivalence ratio of 0.15, a moisture content of 5.25%, a rubber blending ratio of 0, and a vacuum degree of 0. Under these conditions, the concentrations of combustible components (H2, CH4, and CO) in the produced gas were 4.01%, 4.60%, and 21.05%, respectively. The carbon conversion rate was 62.40%, with the cold gas efficiency of 39.37%. The lower heating value of the produced gas was 5.915 MJ/Nm3, accompanied by a tar yield of 118.15 g/Nm3 and lower heating value of 3.385 MJ/Nm3.
Deep-Water Traction Current in Upper Carboniferous Stratigraphic Succession of Moscow Stage, Southeastern Pre-Caspian Basin
Authors: Zhang Yajun , Dai Hansong , Zhang Huizhen , Guo Ling
Published: April 2024

Deep-water currents are geographically widespread and represent important tight-oil and -gas reservoirs. However, identifying deep-water traction current deposits is challenging work. The main objectives of this research were to identify a new type of reservoir deposited in deep-water traction currents. Based on high-quality 3D seismic data and drilling data (logging data and lithology), the sedimentary characteristics of the MKT Formation of the upper Carboniferous Moscow Stage, southeastern Pre-Caspian Basin, were determined. The MKT Formation of the upper Carboniferous Moscow Stage is mainly composed of mudstone and some thin-bedded siltstone. This formation contains a series of “reversal foresets” dipping west (early paleo–high provenance during the depositional stage). Based on the seismic data and drilling logging data, lithology, paleo-geographic position, seismic facies, and form and scale, deep-water traction current deposits were identified in the M block. The discovery of deep-water traction current deposits in the M block not only provides a precious example for research on Paleozoic deep-water traction current deposits, and enriches our knowledge of basin sedimentary types, but also proves that the M block had complex fluid features and unveils a new domain for petroleum exploration in the basin.
A Parameter Optimization Design Method for Single-Phase Dual Active Bridge AC-DC Converter
Authors: Yu Chengyang , Luo Quanming
Published: April 2024

The single-stage dual active bridge (DAB) AC-DC converter has the advantages of high power density, low cost, and simple control; it has a broad potential for application in the field of onboard chargers (OBC). However, the lack of fast and accurate quantitative parameter optimization design methods in single-stage DAB AC-DC converters limits the overall efficiency of the converter. Based on the above problem, in order to improve the overall operating efficiency of the converter by optimizing the parameter transformer ratio and power inductance, this paper proposes a parameter design method considering a multi-timescale strategy by combining the steady-state analysis model of the converter in the line cycle and switching cycle and step-by-step reducing its design space through the constraints on the parameters. The first step is to obtain a safe design space for the parameters under the converter’s transmitted power and current stress constraints. The second step obtains the optimization design space of the parameters under the optimization of conduction loss and switching loss of the converter. Finally, the optimal parameters are determined by the loss analysis model. The proposed parameter optimization method entirely takes into account the steady-state characteristics of the DAB AC-DC converter during the line cycle, and the step-by-step constraints greatly accelerate the parameter design process. In addition, the proposed parameter optimization design method applies to all types of single-stage DAB AC-DC converters, which can be well applied to engineering practice.
Innovative Approach of Concentrated Solar Sphere to Generate Electrical Power
Authors: Abdulmouti Hassan
Published: April 2024

Energy sources are crucial for the development and growth of economies and civilizations. Solar energy is an alternative energy to generate electrical power. The challenges of solar photovoltaic panels (PV) are the low output power and efficiency and the huge installation area beside PVs need a tracking system for better efficiency. The motivation of this paper is to design an innovative solar sphere system, which is a new concentrated photovoltaic technology that has better performance (efficiency and output power) than the normal conventional solar panel (PV) with a smaller installation area and without any tracking system. This design consists of an acrylic solar sphere entirely filled with cooking oil (sunflower or corn oil) that captures solar radiation and concentrates it on a focal point. The focal point is adjusted over a multi-junction cell that acts as a collector device (concentrator solar cell). This focused solar energy can generate a massive amount of power, which is used to produce more electricity than normal photovoltaic panels. The experiments were carried out in order to discover the best acrylic models or shape designs, which is the sphere, the best materials or media in the sphere, that is oil, the best sphere’s size and volume, and that is larger, the best sphere thickness, which at first is lower, the best fluid oil type, which is cooking oil, and finally the best fluid amount or volume inside the sphere, and this is the entire volume. Then, these factors mentioned above are compared with normal photovoltaics (PV) that have the same section area as these shapes. The results revealed that these factors have significant effects on the output power value and efficiency. It has been demonstrated that our innovative concentrated solar sphere system can produce nearly four times the output power or electricity greater than that of a conventional solar panel PV with the same cross-sectional area. This specific sort of compression is crucial because it shows that less space is required to establish this system than it would to install conventional solar panels. The performance of the system per unit of the square area it occupies was compared to the latest generation of flat panel PV available at the market performance; hence, the installation space will be decreased by 40% to 60%. Our system has about twice as much efficiency as solar PV and does not require a tracking system and maintenance. Our technology also has the benefit of not being impacted by extreme temperatures, clouds, dust, and humidity.
Temperature and Precipitation Significantly Affect Resource Allocation in Dioecious Plants: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhao Mingjie , Zhang Xinna , Xu Chengyang , Li Pin , Latortezza Raffaele
Published: April 2024

Dioecious plants are often used in landscaping because of sex differences in individual appearance, resistance and ornamental value. Although a large number of studies have investigated the overall differences in resource allocation between different sexes in dioecious plants, the effects of environmental factors such as temperature and precipitation on resource allocation in sex-dimorphic plants are not fully understood. In order to explore the influencing factors, 39 works of literature on dioecious plant resource allocation published in English databases from 1992 to 2023 were selected, and the biomass data of dioecious plant stems, leaves, flowers and fruits from these pieces of literature were extracted. A total of 545 independent experimental groups were obtained, which were divided into four groups for analysis, and the data were analyzed using METAWIN 2.1 software. Four sets of data were used to quantitatively study the effects of different temperatures, precipitations and life forms on the resource allocation of dioecious plants of different sexes in large-scale space. The results showed that female plants invested more resources in reproductive growth and less resources in vegetative growth. In terms of total biomass, the average biomass of female plants was 3.09% higher than that of male plants, indicating that female plants reduced nutrient investment to compensate for reproductive investment in the process of resource allocation. Temperature and precipitation significantly affect the adaptability of male and female plants to environmental changes and the cooperative relationships among the stressed components. The vegetative biomass investment of female plants showed a positive correlation with the increase in temperature, while the reproductive biomass showed a negative correlation with the decrease. The average annual precipitation had little effect on the vegetative biomass of dioecious plants, but had a significant effect on reproductive biomass. The study of this trade-off relationship is helpful in revealing the relationship between vegetative growth and reproductive growth of plants, exploring the countermeasures of plant life history, and providing a scientific basis for urban landscaping and urban forest management.
Determination of Density of Starch Hydrogel Microspheres from Sedimentation Experiments Using Non-Stokes Drag Coefficient
Authors: Cretella Margherita , Fazilati Mina , Krcic Nedim , Argatov Ivan , Kocherbitov Vitaly
Published: April 2024

Sedimentation is an important property of colloidal systems that should be considered when designing pharmaceutical formulations. In pharmaceutical applications, sedimentation is normally described using Stokes’ law, which assumes laminar flow of fluid. In this work we studied swelling and hydration of spherical cross-linked amorphous starch microspheres in pure water, solutions of sodium chloride, and in pH-adjusted aqueous solutions. We demonstrated that Reynolds numbers obtained in these experiments correspond to the transition regime between the laminar flow and the turbulent flow and, hence, expressions based on the non-Stokes drag coefficient should be used for calculations of sedimentation velocity from known density or for assessment of density from observed sedimentation velocity. The density of starch microparticles hydrated in water was about 1050 kg/m3, while densities obtained from experiment with other liquids were dependent on the liquids’ densities. The data indicate that the swelling of the cross-linked starch microparticles as characterized by their densities is not sensitive to pH and salt concentration in the studied range of these parameters.
Effect of the Intensity and Spectral Quality of LED Light on Growth and Quality of Spinach Indoors
Authors: Martínez-Moreno Alejandro , Frutos-Tortosa Antonio , Diaz-Mula Huertas , Mestre Teresa Carmen , Martínez Vicente
Published: April 2024

In recent years, much effort has been devoted to understanding the response of plants to different light properties, largely due to advances in the light-emitting diode (LED) industry. This work studied the effect of different light intensities and qualities on yield or quality of indoor hydroponic spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). Two trials were carried out at two different times. The intensity assay was carried out with the same type of light (AP673L, Valoya Ltd., Helsinki, Finland) at different luminous intensities (150, 290, and 430 µmol m−2 s−1). In the second trial, four different luminance spectra (Valoya Ltd., Helsinki, Finland) were used (NS12, AP67, AP673L, G2). Then, the fresh and dry weight, nutritional status, and concentration of primary metabolites were determined. Both lights parameters induced changes in vegetative performance and other physiological traits, as well as their quality and nutritional composition (minerals, organic acids, sugars, and amino acids). The increase in light intensity increased Fv’/Fv’, fresh weight, leaf area, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and potassium concentration. The light intensity effectively controlled nitrate accumulation in an inverse relationship. The effect of the light spectrum on spinach characteristics was not clearly observed when multivariate statistics were applied to the data. No linear relationship was found between the different R/B ratios. This is perhaps due to commercial lights having a complex combination of wavelengths, in addition to the main R/B proportion. Within the overall results, 6 R/B presented the best results for the indoor cultivation of spinach. More studies are needed, since breeding for controlled environments shifts the focus of the desired crop attributes towards rapid growth and harvest quality instead of stress adaptability.
Transcriptomic Analysis of Flower Color Changes in Impatiens uliginosa in Response to Copper Stress
Authors: Tan Yi , Zhang Xiaoli , Li Qinmei , Li Xinyi , Luo Liang , He Haihao , Liang Guangrong , Huang Haiquan , Huang Meijuan
Published: April 2024

Impatiens uliginosa is a native and potential water body-restoring ornamental plant. In this study, RNA-Seq technology was used to analyze the transcriptome of its floral organs. Candidate genes related to flower color changes under copper stress were investigated through transcriptome screening, and the intrinsic mechanism of the effects of different concentrations of copper on I. uliginosa was revealed at the molecular level. The main findings were as follows: (1) Transcriptome sequencing analysis was performed on the flower organs of I. uliginosa treated with different concentrations of copper (0 mg·L−1, 10 mg·L−1, and 20 mg·L−1). A total of 70,319 transcripts and 39,949 unigenes were obtained. An analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed structural genes including GT, ANS, CHI, and PAL; transcription factors including MYB and WD40; and transport factors including GST and ABC. (2) The gene expression levels of flower color changed in the flowering period of I. uliginosa at different copper concentrations. The expression levels of IuGT and IuGST genes in I. uliginosa were significantly different under different concentrations of copper treatments. Their expression levels were the highest at a copper concentration of 0 mg·L−1 and the lowest at 20 mg·L−1. In summary, the low expression of IuGT and IuGST genes was more conducive to the formation of white flowers of I. uliginosa.
The Effect of Postharvest Storage Temperatures on Fruit Flavor Constituents in ‘Wushancuili’ Plum
Authors: Feng Qinyu , Wang Zhichao , Xiong Wei , Kong Wenbin , Huang Ming , Xi Wanpeng , Zhou Kun
Published: April 2024

Chinese plum (Prunus salicina) cv. Wushancuili has a green coloration, high fruit quality, and is economically important in eliminating poverty and protecting ecology in the Yangtze River Three Gorges Reservoir. However, large-scale production and synchronous ripening times present a huge postharvest storage challenge. This study investigated the effect of different postharvest storage temperatures on the ‘Wushancuili’ plum fruit flavor. The dynamics of soluble sugars, organic acids, and aroma substances were investigated at four temperatures mimicking large-scale commercial storage applications: 0–2 °C, 4–6 °C, 8–10 °C, and 20 °C, for 0, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, and 20 days. Storage under the 0–2 °C regime was the best at preserving fruit flavor and reducing decay compared to the other settings. At 0–2 °C, fruit maintained a stable level of soluble sugars and organic acids during storage. Moreover, this storage temperature facilitated the formation of aroma compounds such as alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and acids, which contributed to the distinct fruit aromatic characteristics. Taken together, our findings indicate that 0–2 °C is the most favorable temperature for commercial storage and maintenance of the ‘Wushancuili’ plum flavor.
Influence of Floodplain Forest Structure on Overbank Sediment and Phosphorus Deposition in an Agriculturally Dominated Watershed in Iowa, USA
Authors: Geer Sierra , Beck William , Zimmerman Emily , Schultz Richard
Published: April 2024

This study sought to estimate the potential impact of floodplain forest vegetation on sediment and phosphorus loading along the Iowa River in Iowa, USA. Thirty monitoring plots were established in forested conservation easements and similar public land along the Iowa River within the spatial extent of the two-, five-, and ten-year-flood return intervals. Within these plots, we examined the structure and cover of ground and overstory vegetation, as well as related metrics. Historic sediment and phosphorus fluxes were determined using a combination of sediment core extraction and tree ring analysis. The results show that deposition rates weakly correlate with tall grass and tall, medium, and short forb categories in the springtime but correlate with only short and medium grass and forb categories in late summer. Soil phosphorus concentration correlated weakly with overstory forest characteristics and springtime grass cover. Distance from the channel was negatively correlated with deposition. Overall, 4 to 50% (median = 15.5%) of the annual sediment load is represented by the deposition in adjacent floodplain forests. This study demonstrates the potential importance of floodplain easement forest vegetation in contributing to sediment and phosphorus attenuation during flood events.
Intersectional Mentorship in Academic Medicine: A Conceptual Review
Authors: Sevelius Jae M. , Harris Orlando O. , Bowleg Lisa
Published: April 2024

Academic medical institutions seek to recruit and retain a diverse workforce to foster equitable, supportive environments in which early-stage investigators, especially those who are underrepresented in medicine, can thrive. Intersectionality is a critical theoretical framework rooted in Black feminist activism and scholarship that elucidates how power and privilege are differentially structured for groups at different intersectional sociodemographic positions. As a dynamic method of analyzing multiple axes of power and inequality, intersectionality has the potential to offer a critical lens through which to view the mentor–mentee relationship. In this article, we seek to elaborate upon and extend the concept of intersectional mentoring, elucidate its essential components, and explore its application in the context of mentoring early-stage investigators in academic medicine. We propose that intersectional mentorship requires an orientation toward deep cultural humility, lifetime learning about the impact of systemic oppressions on present-day opportunities and experiences of mentees, and changing systems that perpetuate inequities by centering praxis—the application of principles of intersectionality through action to transform power dynamics in academic culture and institutions. Intersectional mentorship can help build a more equitable and representative workforce to advance intersectionally relevant and innovative approaches to achieving health equity.
Research Progress on Anti-Inflammatory Effects and Related Mechanisms of Astragalin
Authors: Ruan Jingya , Shi Zhongwei , Cao Xiaoyan , Dang Zhunan , Zhang Qianqian , Zhang Wei , Wu Lijie , Zhang Yi , Wang Tao
Published: April 2024

Chronic inflammation is a significant contributor to the development of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, autoimmune disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and other illnesses. In the academic field, there is a constant demand for effective methods to alleviate inflammation. Astragalin (AST), a type of flavonoid glycoside that is the primary component in several widely used traditional Chinese anti-inflammatory medications in clinical practice, has garnered attention from numerous experts and scholars. This article focuses on the anti-inflammatory effects of AST and conducts research on relevant literature from 2003 to 2023. The findings indicate that AST demonstrates promising anti-inflammatory potential in various models of inflammatory diseases. Specifically, AST is believed to possess inhibitory effects on inflammation-related factors and protein levels in various in vitro cell models, such as macrophages, microglia, and epithelial cells. In vivo studies have shown that AST effectively alleviates neuroinflammation and brain damage while also exhibiting potential for treating moderate diseases such as depression and stroke; it also demonstrates significant anti-inflammatory effects on both large and small intestinal epithelial cells. Animal experiments have further demonstrated that AST exerts therapeutic effects on colitis mice. Molecular biology studies have revealed that AST regulates complex signaling networks, including NF-κB, MAPK, JAK/STAT pathways, etc. In conclusion, this review will provide insights and references for the development of AST as an anti-inflammatory agent as well as for related drug development.
Single-Cell Informatics for Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy
Authors: Tian Jiabao , Bai Xinyu , Quek Camelia
Published: April 2024

Cancer comprises malignant cells surrounded by the tumor microenvironment (TME), a dynamic ecosystem composed of heterogeneous cell populations that exert unique influences on tumor development. The immune community within the TME plays a substantial role in tumorigenesis and tumor evolution. The innate and adaptive immune cells “talk” to the tumor through ligand–receptor interactions and signaling molecules, forming a complex communication network to influence the cellular and molecular basis of cancer. Such intricate intratumoral immune composition and interactions foster the application of immunotherapies, which empower the immune system against cancer to elicit durable long-term responses in cancer patients. Single-cell technologies have allowed for the dissection and characterization of the TME to an unprecedented level, while recent advancements in bioinformatics tools have expanded the horizon and depth of high-dimensional single-cell data analysis. This review will unravel the intertwined networks between malignancy and immunity, explore the utilization of computational tools for a deeper understanding of tumor–immune communications, and discuss the application of these approaches to aid in diagnosis or treatment decision making in the clinical setting, as well as the current challenges faced by the researchers with their potential future improvements.