bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vertical Patterns in Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) Larval Drift within Two Rivers Directly Connected to Green Bay, Lake Michigan
Authors: Forsythe Patrick S. , Lawrence Dave A. , Ragavendran Ashok , McClellan Kari , Ortiz Miguel A. , Dittmar Tanna M. , Elliott Robert F. , Donofrio Michael C.
Published: October 2023

Fish larvae in riverine environments often disperse (e.g., drift) from areas of egg deposition at the time of hatch. Several components of drift can be important in terms of survival including timing, distribution in the water column, and body size. The longitudinal and cross-sectional aspects of larval lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) drift from upstream spawning sites have received considerable study. However, the vertical distribution of larval lake sturgeon in the water column has not been comprehensively evaluated with respect to river size, water depth, the size of larvae in drift over the entire drift period, and the effectiveness of traditional sampling gear (D-frame nets) designed to collect larvae along the river bottom. In 2013, we sampled larval lake sturgeon drifting from upstream spawning sites in the Menominee and Oconto Rivers (Wisconsin, USA) using traditional D-frame nets and custom fabricated sampling nets that vertically partitioned the water column. Drifting larval lake sturgeon were observed from the river bottom to the top of the water column in both systems. Vertical net section was a significant predictor of total larval catch with the highest catch occurring in nets towards the center of the water column but was dependent on net location within the rivers’ cross section and downstream distance from spawning locations. 42% of larvae captured across both rivers were outside of the sampling capability of the traditional D-frame nets (i.e., fish would have drifted over the top). Studies seeking to describe larval production for lake sturgeon, as well as other fish species that exhibit drift in larval dispersal, need to consider a balance between net design and sampling the vertical/cross sectional profiles of rivers. Size-based vertical drift may also have consequences for studies seeking to estimate genetic parameters (e.g., diversity and parentage).
Advancing Small Modular Reactor Technology Assessment in the Czech Republic, Egypt, and Poland
Authors: Saleh Waad , Kojecky Dalibor , Macieja Edyta Agata , Kim Juyoul
Published: October 2023

This paper introduces the utilization of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s toolkit for reactor technology assessment (RTA) application to deploy small modular reactors (SMRs) in the Czech Republic, Egypt, and Poland. The increasing demand for clean energy has led to the prominence of small modular reactors (SMRs) in addressing global energy challenges. The successful integration of SMRs into national energy systems necessitates comprehensive evaluations that take into account each country’s specific characteristics and energy requirements. RTA application represents significant progress towards innovative nuclear solutions, advancing a cleaner and more resilient energy future plan. The aim of this study is assessing the feasibility and advantages of SMR implementation in these countries, focusing on energy security, emission reduction, and long-term sustainability. Various SMR technologies, including NuScale, SMART, HTR-PM, BWRX-300, SMR-160, and RITM-200, are comparatively analyzed based on safety, scalability, efficiency, and economic viability. The findings reveal that BWRX-300 suits the needs of the Czech Republic and Poland, while RITM-200 is the optimal choice for Egypt. Moreover, NuScale also stands as a strong alternative for all three countries. This article emphasizes the importance of informed discussions and evidence-based decisions, promoting sustainable energy development and global advancements in nuclear technology. By utilizing SMRs, the Czech Republic, Egypt, and Poland can enhance energy security, reduce emissions, and meet rising energy needs sustainably.
Anti-Glycation, Anti-β-Amyloid Aggregation, and Antioxidant Effect of Cassia Seed-Derived Secondary Metabolites
Authors: Paudel Pradeep , Prajapati Ritu , Lim Hyun Jung , Shrestha Srijan , Seong Su Hui , Jung Hyun Ah , Choi Jae Sue
Published: October 2023

Aggregation and non-enzymatic glycation of amyloidogenic peptides, amyloid-beta (Aβ), and insulin are key features of neuropathology. In this study, we evaluate the anti-glycation effect of Cassia seed-derived secondary metabolites on human insulin and bovine serum albumin, as well as their anti-Aβ aggregation and antioxidant effects using in vitro spectrofluorometric method, thioflavin T fluorescence, and peroxynitrite (ONOO‒) scavenging assay. Furthermore, molecular docking simulation was performed to investigate the binding characteristics of test compounds and Aβ42 peptide. Among 38 compounds, anthraquinones 9–12 and 14–18; naphthopyrones 24, 25, 27, and 33–36; and 38 from the naphthalenes and naphthalenic lactone groups showed moderate-to-good inhibition of AGE formation with IC50 values ranging from 7.52 ± 1.19 to 155.86 ± 0.79 µM. Likewise, compounds 5, 24, 15, 16, 27, and 20 showed good inhibition of D-ribose-mediated glycation of human insulin, with an IC50 value range of 46.37 ± 4.06 to 97.69 ± 7.88 µM. In the thioflavin-T assay, compounds 8 and 12 showed promising inhibition of Aβ aggregation, comparable to that of the reference compound morin. Molecular docking simulations confirmed that these active compounds have strong potential to interact with Aβ42 peptides and interrupt their self-assembly and conformational transformation, thereby inhibiting Aβ42 aggregation. In addition, compounds 5, 8, 10, 14, and 35 scavenged ONOO− at low concentrations. Overall, Cassia compounds’ anti-glycation, anti-Aβ aggregation, and antioxidant effects warrant further in vivo studies to evaluate their potential neuroprotective effects against comorbid AD and diabetes.
An Efficient Anycast Mechanism for 802.15.4‐TSCH to Improve QoS in IIoT
Authors: Amiri Sahand , Nassiri Mohammad , Mohammadi Reza , Theoleyre Fabrice
Published: October 2023

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) has emerged as a technology that automates industrial processes. In IIoT networks, data are collected from various nodes and sent to a base station for managerial purposes. However, in the industrial environment, network reliability and delay are significant challenges due to the high likelihood of packet loss in radio networks. Anycast is a link layer mechanism that increases reliability and reduces delay by allowing multiple receivers to be connected to a sender, and a single packet is simultaneously sent to all receivers. The receivers decode the packet based on their priorities, and transmission succeeds if at least one receiver can decode the packet. Moreover, mechanisms exist to limit the number of duplicates. This paper proposes a novel centralized anycast aware scheduling algorithm (AASA), which implements anycast based on the 802.15.4e‐time‐slotted channel hopping (TSCH) standard and in the stack of the 6TiSCH protocol. The goal of AASA is to improve IIoT networks more reliable and reduce end‐to‐end delay. To do this, upon a link failure, AASA chooses an alternative link and the packet is sent without any delay via that link through the same time slot. We implemented AASA in 6TiSCH simulator and carried out different scenarios to investigate its efficiency under various conditions. Results from simulations show that AASA effectively increases reliability by reducing repetitive packet transmissions and, thus, decreasing the delay in packet delivery.
Insight into manta ray behaviour using animal-borne Crittercams
Authors: Pelletier Nicole A. , Knochel Anna M. , Stewart Joshua D. , Froman Niv , Smith Taylor R. , Marshall Greg , Abernathy Kyler , Hawkins Julie , Stevens Guy M.W.
Published: October 2023

Animal-borne video cameras equipped with depth and temperature sensors were deployed on 16 reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi) in Raa Atoll, Maldives and 12 oceanic manta rays (Mobula birostris) in the Revillagigedo Archipelago, Mexico. These deployments provided descriptive behavioural data that give vital context to existing biotelemetry data and enabled a comparison of the social dynamics between the two manta ray species. Overall, cruising was the most dominant daytime behaviour recorded for both species. For M. alfredi, cleaning was the second most common behaviour, followed by courtship and feeding. No courtship behaviour was recorded for M. birostris. Across M. alfredi and M. birostris deployments, individuals spent an average of 43 and 8% of recorded time interacting with conspecifics, respectively. Sociability was higher in M. alfredi than M. birostris, however the findings should be interpreted with caution beyond the two deployment populations and times. Crittercams captured multiple courtship events of M. alfredi at depths greater than recreational scuba diving limits and captured previously undocumented interspecific interactions with M. mobular. Crittercam deployments also recorded M. alfredi travelling in groups and hugging the contours of the ocean floor, possibly as a tactic to reduce predation risk and/or improve swimming efficiency, enforcing the importance of this novel technology as a valuable tool to gain new insight into the ecological drivers of habitat use by these species. Lastly, these quantitative and descriptive results provide context for future hypothesis-driven research questions using animal-borne video cameras for mobulid rays.
An ethogram method for the analysis of human distress-related behaviours in the aftermath of public conflicts
Authors: Pallante Virginia , Ejbye-Ernst Peter , Rosenkrantz Lindegaard Marie
Published: October 2023

Research on other than human animals has widely documented the behavioural expression of distress in a conflict context. In humans, however, this remains largely unknown due to the lack of direct access to real-life conflict events. Here, we took the aftermath of 76 video recorded street conflicts and applied the ethological method to explore the distress-related behavioural cues of previous antagonists. Drawing on observations on nonhuman behaviour and inductively identified behaviours, we developed and inter-coder reliability tested an ethogram for the behavioural repertoire of distress. We further quantitively analysed the behaviours with a correlation matrix and PCA, that revealed that the behaviours we observed were not displayed in combination with each other, showing a variability in how people express distress. Since both human and nonhuman primates react to conflict situations with similar expressions of distress, we suggest a comparative approach to understand the evolutionary roots of human behaviour.
Non-Intervention Thresholds in Cyberspace – In the Shadow of the Sovereignty Debate?
Authors: Hüsch Pia
Published: October 2023

State practice and international legal scholarship have paid detailed attention to the question of how international law can be applied to cyberspace. More specifically, it is the regulation of low-intensity cyber operations under the principle of state sovereignty and in particular the principle vs. rule debate that have been addressed in depth. In contrast, discussions around the principle of non-intervention have not received the same amount of attention from states, and scholarly debates on reinterpreting applicable thresholds have not been mirrored in state statements. This article examines how the discussion on each principle’s application to cyberspace is approached in scholarship and state statements. It compares and contrasts the two approaches and sets out the implications that follow from such approaches, emphasising why Nordic countries should have a particular interest in advancing the discussions on non-intervention thresholds further and how they can bring them out of the shadow of the sovereignty debate.
Attacking Data: Moving beyond the Interpretative Quagmire of the ‘Data as an Object’ Debate
Authors: Schack Marc , Lund-Hansen Katrine
Published: October 2023

A key contemporary challenge for international lawyers is to determine how international humanitarian law (ihl) applies to cyber operations. This involves determining how ihl language – devised for the physical world – can be translated into usable concepts for the digital age. Often, this is done largely by balancing the ‘ordinary meaning’ of specific ihl concepts against the ‘object and purpose’ of ihl treaties. This, at least, has been the case in the debate on whether the concept of ‘objects’ include or exclude (digital) data. Contributors to this debate often emphasise this balancing act, but also seem guided by what they consider acceptable outcomes. Specifically, they argue that what is legal in the analogue, physical world should not be rendered illegal through digitisation and vice versa. This article argues that this approach is unhelpful as it leads to conflicting results. Instead, we argue that the addition of a contextual analysis could help move the debate forward.
A probiotic amylase blend reduces gastrointestinal symptoms in a randomised clinical study
Authors: La Monica M.B. , Raub B. , Lopez H.L. , Ziegenfuss T.N.
Published: October 2023

A randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel clinical study was performed to examine the effects of a probiotic- amylase (PRO) blend on gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Sixty men and women (44.4 ± 8.9 yr; 82.0 ± 18.4 kg; 170.3 ± 11.5 cm; 28.1 ± 4.6 kg/m2) were randomised into PRO (n = 29) or placebo (PLA: n = 31) groups. Participants exhibited mild to moderate GI symptoms and severity [via Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS)] to be eligible for participation. Participants were tested before (Baseline) and after (POST) 6 weeks of supplementation on various gastrointestinal indices, the GSRS (to assess GI symptoms, frequency, and severity), an anxiety questionnaire (GAD-7), and an overall well-being questionnaire (SF-36). Two (PRO vs PLA) × 2 (Baseline vs POST) mixed factorial ANOVAs were completed to assess group, time, and (group × time) interaction effects. Fifty-two subjects who completed the entire study were analysed (PRO: n = 25, PLA: n = 27). There were statistically significant () interactions for bloating, GSRS score, and abdominal discomfort but time effects for flatulence, constipation, stool regularity, and GAD-7 total score. PRO significantly reduced GSRS score (∼60 vs 25%, d = 0.72), bloating (∼49% vs 25%, d = −0.63) and abdominal discomfort (59% vs 32%, d = −0.66) to a greater degree than PLA. PRO significantly reduced subjective feelings of irritability, pain, and overall health interference. Oral supplementation of the probiotic-amylase blend was very well tolerated. Our study showed that the probiotic-amylase blend reduced the GSRS score and other GI symptoms to a greater degree than PLA.

Clinical trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov #NCT05614726
“Mimic Men” versus Conscientious Women in Amitav Ghosh’s The Glass Palace
Authors: Mondal Sukanya
Published: October 2023

The paper attempts to read the narrative of colonial modernity which runs throughout Amitav Ghosh’s novel, The Glass Palace and then also examines how that modernity is gendered. I have shown how the novel unfolds the various layers of this modernity which exposes the abrasive opposition between the ideas of colonialism. This opposition is not limited to the ideological realm only but spills and then creates an uncomfortable silence between the native men and women, particularly in the bhadralok section (Western educated urban middle or upper middle class Bengali people). I have approached the text through the theories of Homi Bhabha, Partha Chatterjee, Michel Foucault principally.
Animals, Affect and Annihilation: Campaigns against Canids in Postwar Canada
Authors: Rutherford Stephanie , Shea Victoria , Pearson Chris
Published: October 2023

This essay suggests that culling campaigns against canids in postwar Canada have striking affective dimensions. Drawing on examples of canid management in the 1950s and 60s from Nunavik, Alberta, and Ontario, we contend that the killing of supposedly rabid dogs and wild canids was predominantly about affective excess and emotional management. The wildness of these animals was perceived to lead to excessive nonhuman affectivity, which was seemingly exacerbated by rabies. Human encounters with these animals were characterised by excessive affective responses, a result of long-standing fears of rabies, anxieties about northernness and assertions of ‘civilisation’ in the context of settler colonialism. This fear was then channelled into round ups and killings of canids. The killing was what Monique Scheer calls an ‘emotional practice’ designed to soothe anxieties, to cleanse and to civilise. Drawing on archival and other documentary sources, we aim to show the value in exploring more fully the intersections between affect and animal histories.
The Emotional Work of a Would-Be Polar Explorer: Gustave Lambert’s Lecture Tour in the 1860s
Authors: Simon-Ekeland Alexandre
Published: October 2023

This essay draws both on the history of emotions and on celebrity studies to analyse the more than two hundred lectures given by Gustave Lambert, a would-be polar explorer, between 1866 and 1870. These lectures are examined through the press coverage they provoked in various French periodicals and, secondarily, through correspondence. The article argues that Arlie Hochschild’s concept of emotional work is relevant to the analysis of Lambert’s lecturing and its effects both on his audiences and on himself.
Comparative anatomy vs mechanistic understanding: how to interpret the diameter-vulnerability link
Authors: Lens Frederic , Gleason Sean M. , Bortolami Giovanni , Brodersen Craig , Delzon Sylvain , Jansen Steven
Published: October 2023

Results from comparative and ecological wood anatomy combined with a number of experimental studies on plant hydraulics have led to a pervasive and longstanding assumption that wider-diameter vessels are more vulnerable to drought-induced embolism than narrower vessels. Although we agree that wider vessels tend to be more vulnerable than narrower vessels within stems and within roots across most species, our current understanding of the diameter-vulnerability link does not offer a mechanistic explanation for why increased vessel diameter should consistently lead to greater vulnerability or vice versa. Causes of drought-induced embolism formation and spread likely operate at the nano-level, especially at gas-liquid-surfactant interfaces inside intervessel pit membranes. We evaluate here new perspectives on drought-induced embolism and its key anatomical and physico-chemical drivers, of which vessel diameter is one of the parameters involved, although its linkage to embolism vulnerability is likely indirect. As such, the diameter-vulnerability link does not imply that species with on average wider vessels are consistently more susceptible to drought-induced embolism compared to species with narrower vessels. Scientific priorities for future progress should focus on more accurate predictions of how water transport in plants is affected by drought, which requires a better mechanistic understanding of xylem network topology and biophysical processes at the nano-scale level in individual vessels that determine embolism formation and spread.
The Offering of Begging Bowls by the Four Lokapālas: Its Literary and Visual Representations in South Asia
Authors: Sirisawad Natchapol
Published: October 2023

This research paper aims to analyze a selection of visual representations regarding the offering of begging bowls to the Buddha by the four Lokapālas and their relationship to literary sources in South Asian art and discuss the significance of the story. This article reveals that these representations have always been popular in Gandhāra. The important components of this story relevant to the depictions include (1) the tree where the Buddha sat, (2) offering of the four bowls, (3) merging of the bowls, (4) presence of the two merchants, and (5) presence of other deities. However, a close one-to-one text-image relationship cannot be established due to multiple variants. The story is significant in emphasizing certain important Buddhist concepts, such as, the “transcendental virtue” of the Buddha as a supreme deity and a universal monarch (cakravartin); donative practice; usage of the bowl according to the Vinaya (Discipline), and the veneration of bowls.
A Critical Discourse Analysis of News Reports on Covid-19 from The New York Times and China Daily
Authors: Mai Yulin , Jocuns Andrew
Published: October 2023

A multimodal critical discourse analysis of The New York Times and China Daily’s news reports of Covid-19 was conducted to identify the ideologies in Covid-19 news reports. The Covid-19 pandemic was divided into three phases: China’s anti-pandemic phase, first global outbreak, and second global outbreak. The nyt and cd’s Covid-19 news reports not only conveyed facts but also served different ideologies which shifted over each phase. Both the nyt and cd news media employed lexical devices, images, and metaphors to convey different ideologies, shaping people’s perceptions of the pandemic and government measures to control it. The nyt’s Covid-19 reporting implied that China’s pandemic measures were irrational and extreme, and that the Trump administration’s policies during the outbreak were ineffective, while feminism and racism also appeared. cd’s news reports of the pandemic portrayed efficiency by the Chinese government’s in controlling Covid-19 and a positive attitude toward government officials.
Locke’s Distinction Between Primary and Secondary Qualities as Partly Correlated with Kant’s Account of The Thing in Itself
Authors: Oungkanungveth Puttipong
Published: October 2023

In this research, I propose intertwined arguments regarding John Locke’s distinction between primary and secondary qualities in the Essay Concerning Human Understanding. Firstly, I will show how Locke’s distinction between primary and secondary qualities causes several problems of perception. Secondly, I demonstrate how such problems affect how we might see this distinction in a way that partially supports Kant’s concept of the thing in itself. To begin, I provide a brief history of the topic before delving into Locke’s description of empiricism and interpreting his writing on primary and secondary qualities. Next, I discuss the problem of primary qualities, considering the interpretation of solidity and Locke’s resemblance thesis. The analysis in the last section demonstrates how inconsistency with the respect to ideas of power and sensation lead us to believe that Locke’s account generates Kant’s account of the thing in itself.
The Brigands’ Song among the Ngạn People in Northern Vietnam
Authors: Holm David
Published: October 2023

The Ngạn people are a small local population of Tai-language speakers now living in the eastern districts of Cao Bằng province in northern Vietnam. They are said to be descendants of mercenary soldiers hired by the Mạc royal court during the 17th century. It is the aim of this article to investigate where they came from, using Vietnamese and Chinese ethnological studies, on-site fieldwork and analysis of song texts, supplemented by information from a ritual text and a family register. My conclusion is that the original homeland of the Ngạn was in the Youjiang River valley in west-central Guangxi. Numerous strands of evidence point to a strong connection with the native chieftaincy of Tianzhou and the neighbouring chieftaincy of Si’en.
Effect of Ropivacaine Hydrochloride Nanoliposomes on Delayed Cerebral Vasospasm After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Rabbits
Authors: Bai Liping , Zhang Zifa
Published: October 2023

This research was aimed to investigate the effect of ropivacaine hydrochloride (RP-HCl) nanoliposome (NLP) on delayed cerebral vasospasm (DCVS) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in rabbits. RP-HCl liposomes were prepared with RP-HCl, chloroform-ether, soybean phospholipid, dipalmitoyl
phosphatidyl glycerol, and L-lysine 5% glucose solution by secondary emulsification, and blank NLP (without RP-HCl) was constructed at the same time. Additionally, an SAH model was also established by secondary blood injection into the large occipital pool. Forty New Zealand rabbits were randomly
assigned into sham operation group (the injected liquid was 0.9% sodium chloride injection), control (Ctrl) group (the injected liquid was autologous blood and sodium chloride injection in sequence), no-load group (the injected liquid was autologous blood and blank liposomes in sequence),
drug-loaded group (the injected liquid was autologous blood and RP-HCl NLP in sequence), and conventional group (the injected liquid was sodium chloride injection and ropivacaine in sequence), with eight rabbits in each group. The effects of RP-HCl NLP were analyzed through the changes in
mean blood flow velocity (Vm), peak systolic blood flow velocity (Vp), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), S100B, diameter and apoptosis of the basilar artery (BA), vascular endothelial cell (EC) (VEC) endothelin-1 (ET-1), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Results: the average particle
size of RP-HCl NLP was 17.73±3.22 μm, and the average encapsulation efficiency was 86.40%. Relative to those before modeling, the Vm, Vp, NSE, and S100B levels in the BA of the five groups were increased on the 1st, 5th, and 10th days after modeling (P <0.05). In
contrast to sham group, Vm, Vp, NSE, S100B, ET-1, and the apoptosis index were increased on the 1st, 5th, and 10th days after modeling in the other four groups, while the caliber and eNOS were decreased (P <0.05). The Vm, Vp, NSE, S100B, ET-1, and apoptosis index on the 1st, 5th,
and 10th days after modeling in Ctrl and no-load groups were increased versus drug-loaded group, while the pipe diameter and eNOS were decreased (P <0.05). In conclusions, RP-HCl NLP can regulate the balance between ET-1 and eNOS, enhance neurological function, alleviate EC apoptosis,
and reduce cerebral blood flow velocity to relieve DCVS after SAH.
Analysis of Targeted Therapy of Parkinson’s Disease with Coloaded Nanoparticles
Authors: He Yan , Long Wei
Published: October 2023

The key to the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is delivering an effective amount of drugs into the brain to work, and supplementing the missing dopamine (Dop) in the brain is still the most effective treatment currently. In this research, borneol (Bor) was utilized to promote
the drug to enter the brain through the nasal cavity, and lactoferrin (Lf) was utilized as the targeting molecule to modify the nanoparticles (NPs) so that they entered the brain and focused on the lesion site of PD to achieve targeting. They were then evaluated in vivo and in vitro,
thus providing the basis for the development of the Lac-Bor/Dop NPs in PD therapy. In the experiment, the particle size of Lac-Bor/Dop NPs prepared by the optimal prescription process was 163.7±15.6 nm, the Dop drug loading was (7.86±1.68) %, and the Zeta potential was (−21.36±3.34)
mV. The in vitro release confirmed that the Lac-Bor/Dop NPs had good sustained release characteristics in PBS medium. The cytotoxicity and uptake experiments confirmed that the cytotoxicity of Dop encapsulated in NPs was markedly inferior to that of free Dop (P <0.05). For
SH-SY5Y cells and 16HBE cells, Bor and Lf co-modified NPs can promote cell uptake. In vivo animal imaging counts confirmed that the coloaded NPs were capable of synergistic nasal drug delivery to the brain for better brain targeting. Furthermore, a PD model induced by dopaminergic neuron injury
induced by unilateral striatal injection of 6-OHDA was constructed in rats and assigned into various groups to demonstrate the therapeutic effect of NPs on PD rats. The results revealed that relative to other groups, the contralateral rotations of rats in the Lac-Bor/Dop NP group were decreased
drastically after 20 days of administration (P <0.01), and the levels of Dop and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in the injured striatum were increased markedly (P <0.01), demonstrating that the delivery system could achieve excellent PD therapy effects after nasal administration.
Microstructure-Based Two-Scale Simulation of Deformation and Fracture of SiCp/2009Al Composite
Authors: Zhang Zhiyi , Han Xiaohui , Ma Yin , Kan Ying , Jiang Yunlu , Chen Huaining
Published: October 2023

Accurately predicting the formability of composites is quite important for designing the materials and optimizing the processing parameters of such components. This paper presents a microstructure-based two-scale model to analyze the deformation behavior of the SiCp/2009Al
composite during upsetting. The microstructure-based micro-scale model with a displacement boundary condition that was obtained from a macro-scale model can predict particle cracking, interface failure and matrix fracture by introducing the normal stress criterion, the maximum stress ratio
criterion and the shear fracture model. The simulation results show that, during unidirectional upsetting, the crack initiates in the matrix, and then propagates in the matrix, the interface and the particle. Comparing with the unidirectional upsetting, the bidirectional upsetting results
in a more uniform stain distribution and a smaller maximum strain, which prevent the initiation of the crack in the matrix. The simulation results compare well with the deformation and fracture patterns observed in experiment, indicating an effective way to optimise the plastic working and
designing of composites.
FDPS-Influenced Transcriptome Alternations in MC3T3-E1 Cells are Associated with the Pathogenesis of Osteoporosis
Authors: Zheng Wei , Luo Qian , Shi Dong , Zhang Bin , Zhang Xinju , Chen Chen , Wang Lei , Si Chunming , Qian Jun , Aibai Ali
Published: October 2023

Regulatory factors function by modulating a variety of cascade mechanisims in cells. FDPS is a potential RNA-Binding Protein involved in various biological functions such as transcription, post-transcriptional processing, translation and post-translational modification. FDPS promote
post-translational modification of GTPase for the treatment of diseases associated with bone resorption. However, it is not clear whether FDPS plays an information-regulating role through the action of splicing factors. In this study, the cell biology, gene expression profile and alternative
splicing pattern of FDPS-overexpressed MC3T3-E1 cells (FDPS-OE) were compared with the control. The results showed that FDPS-OE promoted cell proliferation and inhibited cell apoptosis, and identified the potential target genes and potential functions of FDPS. In addition, FDPS-OE extensively
regulated the transcriptional levels of cellular immune response and glycometabolism-related genes, thus affecting the immune function of bone formation and glycometabolism of bone cells. Finally, FDPS extensively regulates the selective splicing of hundreds of genes, and has functions of
regulating cell cycle, cell division and positive transcription. The splicing of these genes regulated by FDPS plays an important role in cell proliferation and apoptosis and gene transcription regulation. In conclusion, FDPS can mediate the formation and apoptosis of abnormal osteoblasts
through splicing regulation, thus causing the occurrence and development of osteoporosis.
Construction of Gene-Targeted Polymeric Microvesicles and Their In Vitro Targeted Binding Ability to Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (+) Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Han Wenbin , Wang Ke , Feng Wenjing
Published: October 2023

The objective of this research was to construct the gene-targeted polymeric microvesicles (PMVs) and investigate their In Vitro ability to bind specifically to human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) (+) breast cancer (BC) cells. PMVs were formed using a block copolymer,
methoxy polyethylene glycol-poly(L-lactide) (mPEG-PLLA), as the shell and encapsulating liquid perfluoropentane. Plasmid DNA and biotinylated HER-2 monoclonal antibody were conjugated to form the gene-loaded HER-2-targeted PMVs for BC cells. The characterization, physicochemical properties,
and antibody coupling efficiency of the PMVs were evaluated. The PMVs were then co-cultured with HER-2 (+) BT474 cells, and their ability to target and bind to HER-2 (+) BC cells was observed under a microscope. Results revealed that the average particle size (APS) of the gene-targeted PMVs
was (3.92±1.01) μm, with a uniform particle size distribution (PSD), smooth and transparent surfaces, and superior stability. The fluorescence intensity (FI) of PMVs in Group A was higher (16 vs. 9) to that in Group B, indicating a high binding rate (BR) (97.01%) between the
PMVs and HER-2 monoclonal antibody. BT474 cells exhibited green fluorescence on their surface, which was stronger than that observed in SK-BR-3 cells, while no obvious green fluorescence was visualized in MDA-MB-231 cells or Hs578Bst cells. PMVs in Group A presented extensive binding to BT474
cells, mainly distributed on the cell membrane and surrounding areas. Only a few PMVs in Groups B and C were observed to bind to BT474 cells. In conclusion, the gene-loaded HER-2-targeted PMVs exhibited excellent stability and high specificity for binding to HER-2 (+) BC cells In Vitro,
suggesting their potential application value.
Preparation and Performance of Building Fire Protection and Insulation Materials
Authors: Qin Jian , Zeng Jie , Ning Yuetong , Wen Shenglin , Zeng Wen
Published: October 2023

In this paper, a series of calcium silicate thermal insulation materials were prepared by hydrothermal method, and their structure, mechanical properties and thermal insulation properties were systematically studied by adjusting their preparation process, aiming to develop a new type
of calcium silicate thermal insulation material with excellent performance. We found that the product gradually changed from a dense flocculent substance on the surface to a loose needle rod substance, and the grain grew, and the crystallinity increased with the increase of synthesis temperature.
As the initial calcium silicon ratio increases, the surface pores of the product increase, and the surface gradually becomes loose from dense, resulting in the appearance of tobermorite and xonotlite phases.
Thermal Aged Parameters Characteristics of Cables Crosslinked Polyethylene and Accessories Silicone Rubber Materials
Authors: Hu Ran , Guo Hongliang , Li Bing , Xu Zhifeng , Zhang Weichao
Published: October 2023

The cable is subjected to a variety of influences such as electricity and heat, which may cause damage to the dielectric strength and cause irreversible effects. In this paper, the thermal aging performance of 135 °C and 175 °C was studied by studying the cross-linked polyethylene,
carbon black shield, conductive silicone rubber and insulating silicone rubber in the cable body and joint, and the brittle section of the material was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Infrared spectroscopy was used to analyze the absorption peak of the observation material; The crystallization
properties of materials were observed by differential scanning calorimetry. Alternating Current breakdown test, broadband dielectric spectrum test and volume resistivity test were used to observe the electrical properties of the material; Tensile experiments were used to observe the mechanical
physics of materials.
Wide Facets ZnCo2O4 Nanosheets for High Electrochemical Supercapacitor Performances
Authors: Yuan Yuan , Fang Lei , Gu Mingqing , Lv Zhaoxu , Lv Changrong , Ullah Nabi , Umar Ahmad , Hussain Shahid
Published: October 2023

ZnCo2O4 nanosheets show excellent supercapacitive performance due to their well-developed and uniform architecture. The unique nanosheets with wide facets deliver outstanding electrochemical supercapacitor performance. As a result, the catalyst exhibits a specific
capacitance of 700 F/g at a current density of 1 A/g. Interestingly, the material also shows outstanding cycling stability and loses only 2.75% even after 5000 cycles. The study confirms that ZnCo2O4 based materials can be applied in high-energy as well as high-power
density applications (energy storage, electric vehicles, and flexible electronic devices) due to their excellent morphology, wide facets, outstanding stability, and capacitance.
Progress of Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor in Municipal Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Shen Yongrong , Sun Pingping , Ye Liang , Xu Dong
Published: October 2023

Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (AnMBR), as a new technology to achieve efficient energy recovery from municipal wastewater, has received widespread attention, but it still faces huge technical and economic challenges. The technical characteristics of AnMBR for municipal sewage treatment
and the long-term control method of membrane fouling need further research, and the efficient operation at low temperature needs to be further solved. This review aims to discuss the research progress and bottleneck of AnMBR for municipal wastewater treatment through process characteristics,
membrane fouling formation mechanism, low temperature regulation method and action mechanism. This paper discusses the main challenges and solutions in the process application process, and on this basis, looks forward to the development direction of AnMBR in municipal wastewater treatment.
It aims to provide a reference for promoting AnMBR to treat low-concentration municipal sewage and realize the reuse of resources and energy in sewage.
Mechanism of hsa-miR-222-3p Targeting Integrin Subunit Beta 3 to Regulate Malignant Behavior of Colorectal Cancer HT29 Cells
Authors: Li Meng , Ni Qianyang , Yu Suyang
Published: October 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent malignancy worldwide, and microRNAs (miRNAs) have been recognized for their significant role in CRC progression and potential as therapeutic targets. This study aimed to investigate the impact of miR-222-3p on CRC cell proliferation, migration,
and invasion, along with its target genes. HT29 cells were transfected with mimic-negative control (mimic-NC) or mimic-miR-222-3p, while the control group remained untreated. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were assessed using CCK-8 and Transwell assays. qRT-PCR and Western blotting
were employed to measure gene mRNA and protein expression, respectively. A luciferase reporter assay verified the binding between miR-222-3p and its downstream target gene ITGB3. The results revealed that enhanced miR-222-3p expression significantly increased HT29 cell proliferation, migration,
and invasion. qRT-PCR and Western blotting indicated reduced expression of ITGB3 and E-cadherin, and upregulation of Vimentin and α-SMA by miR-222-3p. The luciferase reporter assay confirmed ITGB3 as a direct target of miR-222-3p. In conclusion, miR-222-3p promotes CRC progression
by regulating ITGB3 expression, suggesting its potential as a crucial biomarker and therapeutic target for colorectal cancer.
Feasibility Analysis of Brain Perfusion Using Polyaspartic Acid Surface-Modified Superparamagnetic Contrast Agent
Authors: Liu Jian , Zheng Bobo , Zhang Ping , Wang Liangjie
Published: October 2023

This research was aimed to construct polyaspartic acid (PASP) surface-modified magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent nanoparticles (NPs) and preliminarily demonstrate the feasibility of using the NPs for MRI cerebral perfusion. Ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO)
NPs were fabricated by a one-step chemical coprecipitation methodology, and surface modification of USPIO NPs was performed using PASP as the surface modifier to prepare PASP-USPIO NPs. The physicochemical properties of the NPs were detected, and their specific structural ability with HUVECs
was visualized by Prussian blue staining. With the contrast agent gadolinium-diethylene triamine pentaacetate (Gd-DTPA) as the control group, the intravenous bolus of USPIO and PASP-USPIO was analyzed and a brain MRI scan of New Zealand white rabbits was performed. The relative cerebral blood
volume (rCBV) and maximum signal reduction ratio (SRRmax) values of cerebral gray matter and white matter were calculated based on the plotted time-signal intensity. The results showed that the USPIO and PASP-USPIO NPs were successfully prepared. The average particle sizes were
40.1±5.5 nm and 42.7±6.9 nm, respectively, and the specific saturation magnetization was 86.9 A m2 ·kg−1 and 51.3 A m2 ·kg−1, respectively. Relative to USPIO, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)
stained with Prussian blue positively in vitro in the PASP-USPIO group were notably increased, while the rate of change in the signal-to-noise ratio of imaging in vivo was substantially decreased. The time-signal intensity curves were plotted, and it was found that the rCBV of
gray matter, rCBV of white matter, SRRmax of gray matter, and SRRmax of white matter in the USPIO group and PASP-USPIO group were greatly increased relative to control group (P < 0.05), while the SRRmax ratio of gray matter to white matter was decreased
(P < 0.05). Additionally, the rCBV in the gray matter and rCBV in the white matter of the PASP-USPIO group were drastically increased in contrast to the USPIO group (P < 0.05). In short, the constructed PASP surface-modified USPIO NPs can become a novel MRI contrast agent
for monitoring hemodynamic changes in brain tissue.
Biomass Activated Carbon: The Electrode Material to Promote the Large-Scale Production of Supercapacitors
Authors: Xie Bin , He Jun-Jie , Zhao Lei , Sun Yu-Chen , Li Sen-Lin , Li Jing
Published: October 2023

Supercapacitors have emerged as one of the devices most likely to facilitate major breakthroughs in energy storage technology. With the advantages of wide source of raw materials, good electrical conductivity and easy preparation, biomass activated carbon has become the most promising
materials to promote for application of supercapacitors. Biomass activated carbon still has problems such as low energy density and unenvironmentally preparation process. This work summarizes the relevant research about the manufacture of biomass activated carbon for supercapacitors in recent
years, including the consistency between theoretical performance and experimental data, and the correlation between preparation technology and basic characteristics. Furthermore, the specific range of basic characteristics for high-performance biomass activated carbon was pointed out, which
were pore size distribution, conductivity, specific surface area and surface heteroatom doping. The most suitable manufacturing process for high performance biomass activated carbon was demonstrated. This significance was important for promoting the large-scale production of biomass activated
carbon for Supercapacitors.
Preparation and Properties of Negative Thermal Expansion Snow Melting and Ice Suppression Materials
Authors: Wang Xiaodong , Yu Chunyan , Ni Wei , Su Haolong , Tan Jiahao
Published: October 2023

To investigate the potential utilization of materials exhibiting negative thermal expansion in snow melting and ice suppression applications, an orthogonal test was conducted to ascertain the optimal ratio of effective constituents in said materials. The thermal expansion coefficient
of the porous carrier for negative thermal expansion materials was examined, and modifications were made to the material used for snow melting and ice suppression. In conclusion, the researchers successfully developed snow melting and ice suppression materials with low thermal expansion that
met the desired performance criteria. Furthermore, they conducted an analysis of the precipitation rate, as well as the snow melting and ice suppression effectiveness of these materials across various temperature ranges. According to the results, the thermal expansion coefficient of the carrier
Z1 is positive and varies slightly in the temperature range of −30 °C~−10 °C. In the temperature range of −10 °C~0 °C, the thermal expansion coefficient is negative, and it has negative thermal expansion characteristics. At 0 °C~60 °C, its thermal
expansion coefficient first increases and then decreases. In the low temperature stage, the amount of salt precipitation decreases with the decrease of temperature. In the conductivity test, the conductivity at 0 °C is greater than that at −5 °C, and much greater than that at
10 °C, the presence of a negative thermal expansion coefficient has been observed to exert a specific influence on the precipitation of materials used for snow melting and ice suppression. In addition, with the increase of temperature, the amount of salt precipitation increases. Whereas,
when the temperature is higher than 35 °C, due to the thermal expansion characteristics of the carrier, the expansion of the volume of snow melting and ice suppression materials is comparatively limited, which results in a not greatly increased precipitation rate of the snow melting and
ice suppression components compared with that at 35 °C.
Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes of Gunshot Wounds in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review of Case Reports
Authors: Shipchandler Fatema T. , Huntley Erin S. , Holder Travis F. , Ali Talha , Behnia Faranak , Chauhan Suneet P. , Huntley Benjamin J. F.
Published: October 2023

A systematic review was performed to compare adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes among pregnant patients with gunshot wounds (GSW) to the abdominopelvic vs other region(s) at > 20 weeks gestation. A search of Medline Ovid, Elsevier Embase, EBSCO CINAHL, and Cochrane Library in July 2022 and reference searches resulted in 1742 studies, which were screened. The 41 included studies reported outcomes for 59 pregnant patients with GSW, of which 31 (52.5%) had an isolated abdominopelvic GSW and 28 (47.5%) had an extremity, thorax, head/neck, back/spine, poly-site, or other/unknown GSW. Stillbirth occurred in 26.7% of abdominopelvic GSW and 26% of non-abdominopelvic GSW. Maternal death occurred in 3.7% of abdominopelvic GSW and 10.7% of non-abdominopelvic GSW. Neonatal death occurred in 9.1% of abdominopelvic GSW and 5.3% of non-abdominopelvic GSW. Further research is needed to standardize the approach for the evaluation and management of patients with GSW in pregnancy.
Machine Learning Models for Predicting Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Outcome: A Systematic Review
Authors: Aghakhani Amirhossein , Yousefi Milad , Yekaninejad Mir Saeed
Published: October 2023

Background:

Machine Learning models have been applied in various healthcare fields, including Audiology, to predict disease outcomes. The prognosis of sudden sensorineural hearing loss is difficult to predict due to the variable course of the disease. Hence, researchers have attempted to utilize ML models to predict the outcome of patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss. The objectives of this study were to review the performance of these machine learning models and assess their applicability in real-world settings.

Methods:

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus. Only studies that built machine learning prediction models were included, and studies that used algorithms such as logistic regression only for the purpose of adjusting for confounding variables were excluded. The risk of bias was assessed using the Prediction model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST).

Results:

After screening, a total of 7 papers were eligible for synthesis. In total, these studies built 48 ML models. The most common utilized algorithms were Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machine (SVM) and boosting. The area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curve ranged between 0.59 and 0.915. All of the included studies had a high risk of bias; hence there are concerns regarding their applicability.

Conclusion:

Although these models showed great performance and promising results, future studies are still needed before these models can be applied in a real-world setting. Future studies should employ multiple cohorts, different feature selection methods, and external validation to further validate the models’ applicability.