bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Amniotic miracle: Investigating the unique development and applications of amniotic membrane in wound healing
Authors: Guo Xinya , Zhang Wei , Lu Jianyu , Zhu Yushu , Sun Hanlin , Xu Dayuan , Xian Shuyuan , Yao Yuntao , Qian Weijin , Lu Bingnan , Shi Jiaying , Ding Xiaoyi , Li Yixu , Tong Xirui , Xiao Shichu , Huang Runzhi , Ji Shizhao
Published: July 2024

Background

The perfect repair of damaged skin has always been a constant goal for scientists; however, the repair and reconstruction of skin is still a major problem and challenge in injury and burns medicine. Human amniotic membrane (hAM), with its good mechanical properties and anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits, containing growth factors that promote wound healing, has evolved over the last few decades from simple skin sheets to high‐tech dressings, such as being made into nanocomposites, hydrogels, powders, and electrostatically spun scaffolds. This paper aims to explore the historical development, applications, trends, and research hotspots of hAM in wound healing.

Methods

We examined 2660 publications indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) from January 1, 1975 to July 12, 2023. Utilizing bibliometric methods, we employed VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and R‐bibliometrix to characterize general information, identify development trends, and highlight research hotspots. Subsequently, we identified a collection of high‐quality English articles focusing on the roles of human amniotic epithelial stem cells (hAESCs), human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs), and amniotic membrane (AM) scaffolds in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.

Results

Bibliometric analysis identified Udice–French Research Universities as the most productive affiliation and Tseng S.C.G. as the most prolific author. Keyword analysis, historical direct quotations network, and thematic analysis helped us review the historical and major themes in this field. Our examination included the knowledge structure, global status, trends, and research hotspots regarding the application of hAM in wound healing. Our findings indicate that contemporary research emphasizes the preparation and application of products derived from hAM. Notably, both hAM and the cells isolated from it – hADSCs and hAESCs are prominent and promising areas of research in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.

Conclusion

This research delivers a comprehensive understanding of the knowledge frameworks, global dynamics, emerging patterns, and primary research foci in the realm of hAM applications for wound healing. The field is rapidly evolving, and our findings offer valuable insights for researchers. Future research outcomes are anticipated to be applied in clinical practice, enhancing methods for disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Identification of the novel HLA‐DRB3*02:209 allele by next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Lee Jong Kwon , Lee Sookyeon , Park Jun Woo , Lim Sori , Kang Eun‐Suk
Published: July 2024

HLA‐DRB3*02:209 is identical to HLA‐DRB3*02:02:01:01 except for a single nucleotide substitution in exon 4.
PbGBF3 enhances salt response in pear by upregulating PbAPL2 and PbSDH1 and reducing ABA‐mediated salt sensitivity
Authors: Dong Huizhen , Chen Qiming , Fu Yifei , Xie Haoyang , Li Tinghan , Li Dingli , Yang Yingjie , Xie Zhihua , Qi Kaijie , Zhang Shaoling , Huang Xiaosan
Published: July 2024

Pear is a widely cultivated fruit crop, but its distribution and sustainable production are significantly limited by salt stress. This study used RNA‐Seq time‐course analysis, WGCNA, and functional enrichment analysis to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying salt stress tolerance in Pyrus ussuriensis. We identified an ABA‐related regulatory module, PbGBF3‐PbAPL2‐PbSDH1, as crucial in this response. PbGBF3, a bZIP transcription factor, enhances salt tolerance by upregulating PbAPL2 and PbSDH1. Overexpression of PbGBF3 improved salt tolerance in Pyrus communis calli and Arabidopsis, while silencing it reduced tolerance in Pyrus betulifolia. Functional assays showed that PbGBF3 binds to the promoters of PbAPL2 and PbSDH1, increasing their expression. PbAPL2 and PbSDH1, key enzymes in starch synthesis and the sorbitol pathway, respectively, enhance salt tolerance by increasing AGPase activity, soluble sugar content, and SDH activity, improving ROS scavenging and ion balance. Our findings suggest that the PbGBF3‐PbAPL2 and PbGBF3‐PbSDH1 modules positively regulate salt tolerance by enhancing ABA signaling and reducing ABA‐mediated growth inhibition. These insights provide a foundation for developing salt‐tolerant pear cultivars.
The ‘Coloured’ connection of Namibian English
Authors: Stell Gerald
Published: July 2024

Among the earliest Afrikaans‐English bilinguals in Namibia, South African Coloureds formed an essential part of an ethnically fluid intermediate social class during the country's colonial period. Using phonetic and perceptual data from a young multi‐ethnic urban sample, this study investigates the contribution of Coloured English to Namibian English. The study finds that, in terms of vowel realization patterns, Coloured Namibian English varieties sit in between White and Black Namibian English varieties, forming part of a continuum in which one extremity tends towards White South African English. The less ‘Afrikaans‐accented’ Coloured English varieties—associated with women—are developing middle‐class indexicalities and are targeted by young Black women. Quantitative and qualitative perceptual data show that these varieties enjoy high status across Namibia's ethnolinguistic spectrum. The study concludes that Namibian English is norm‐developing, as befits any Outer Circle variety, and that Nambian Coloureds exert a prominent normative influence on it.
The Development of 2D Android Learning Application on the Topic of Light Properties for Elementary School Science Subject
Authors: Hamzah Norhasyimah , Hamedon Syahirah Nadiah , Ariffin Arihasnida , Rubani Siti Nur Kamariah , Zakaria Normah
Published: July 2024

The nature of light is one of the core topics in the science subject of the fourth year (Grade 4) curriculum in schools. However, it is acknowledged that some students find it difficult to grasp the content of this topic, not because it is inherently challenging, but because each student has their own unique learning style. Conventional teaching methods typically involve instructing a group of students simultaneously, which leads to a few students struggling to understand the concept of light and consequently becoming less motivated to learn. To address this issue, researchers have developed an Android application for the topic of light properties in the fourth-year science curriculum, as an alternative approach to help students enhance their comprehension through the integration of multimedia elements within the application. The development of this Android application is guided by constructivist and cognitive learning theories. The researchers also utilize the ADDIE model as a framework for the overall development of the Android application. Once the Android application is developed, its functionality is assessed using a questionnaire distributed to three expert evaluators. These experts evaluate three instructional designs implemented within the application, namely content design, interface design, and interaction design. The findings of the study are analyzed, and positive feedback is obtained from the experts, indicating that the use of this Android application for the topic of light properties can enhance students' understanding and overall achieve the objectives of application development.
Integration of Computational Thinking in Learning Computer Programming with Gamification Elements to Foster Student Programming Skill and Student Performance
Authors: Azmi Intan Nazira , Atan Noor Azean , Tahir Lokman , Paslan Nur Azmina , Inda Abdulmumini
Published: July 2024

The integration of computational thinking with gamification elements has emerged as a promising approach to enhancing students' programming skills in computer programming education. However, the current state of learning computer programming with computational thinking remains unclear and confusing, leading to a lack of understanding and a decrease in performance among students. Therefore, this study aims to address this issue by investigating the integration of computational thinking in learning computer programming with gamification elements to foster students' programming skills. This research assesses the effects of these learning activities on students' programming skills and performance. Using a quasiexperimental design, the study focuses on designing computer programming learning activities based on computational thinking strategies with gamification elements. The research methodology includes expert validation, pre-activity and postactivity assessments, as well as pre-tests and post-tests. The expert validation process yielded positive feedback, indicating a good understanding of the learning activities. The pre-activity and post-activity assessments demonstrated a significant improvement in students' programming skills, with post-activity scores being higher than pre-activity scores, as confirmed by paired sample t-test analysis. Furthermore, the pre-test and post-test results showed a significant difference, indicating that the learning activities had a significant impact on students' performance. This research study provides valuable insights into the integration of computational thinking and gamification in learning computer programming. The findings support the effectiveness of this approach in fostering students' programming skills and improving the performance of the learning experience.
Effect of Agarose on Viability and Proliferation of BRIN-BD11 Cell Lines
Authors: Hassan Mozan , Bohari Siti Pauliena
Published: July 2024

Nowadays, there is an increasing effort to shift from using two-dimensional culture (2D) to three-dimensional culture (3D). This shift is led by the tissue engineering research study that needs to use the 3D culture system to form tissue graft. Agarose hydrogel has been widely used to provide a solid 3D environment for the cells due to its ability to support the cells and to mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM). In this study, 3D culture system was used to evaluate the agarose biodegradability and cell viability of BRIN-BD11 insulin-producing cells in culture. Results revealed the degradation rate of agarose was relatively slow for all concentrations. This could be due to the mechanical stiffness of agarose crosslinkers which gives support for the cells to grow and proliferate. MTT assay showed that cells viability decreased at higher agarose concentration (3%) and low seeding density (5×10⁴ cell/mL), could be due to the smaller pore size which limits the space for the cells to grow. Meanwhile, 1% agarose concentration enhanced cell viability the best (≈50%). Higher seeding densities, 1×10⁶ cell/mL was found to be more suitable for seeding on agarose at low concentration, could be due to the large pore size which allows movement of nutrients and accommodates large number of metabolizing cells. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that agarose hydrogel is a suitable and compatible material for 3D culture of D11 cells. Precisely, by altering the agarose concentration and the seeding density, cell proliferation in agarose can be controlled.
Avalanche burial pathophysiology – a unique combination of hypoxia, hypercapnia and hypothermia
Authors: Strapazzon Giacomo , Taboni Anna , Dietrichs Erik Sveberg , Luks Andrew M. , Brugger Hermann
Published: July 2024

For often unclear reasons, the survival times of critically buried avalanche victims vary widely from minutes to hours. Individuals can survive and sustain organ function if they can breathe under the snow and maintain sufficient delivery of oxygen and efflux of carbon dioxide. We review the physiological responses of humans to critical avalanche burial, a model which shares similarities and differences with apnoea and accidental hypothermia. Within a few minutes of burial, an avalanche victim is exposed to hypoxaemia and hypercapnia, which have important effects on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems and pose a major threat to the central nervous system. As burial time increases, an avalanche victim also develops hypothermia. Despite progressively reduced metabolism, reduced oxygen and increased carbon dioxide tensions may exacerbate the pathophysiological consequences of hypothermia. Hypercapnia seems to be the main cause of cardiovascular instability, which, in turn, is the major reason for reduced cerebral oxygenation despite reductions in cerebral metabolic activity caused by hypothermia. ‘Triple H syndrome’ refers to the interaction of hypoxia, hypercapnia and hypothermia in a buried avalanche victim. Future studies should investigate how the respiratory gases entrapped in the porous snow structure influence the physiological responses of buried individuals and how haemoconcentration, blood viscosity and cell deformability affect blood flow and oxygen delivery. Attention should also be devoted to identifying strategies to prolong avalanche survival by either mitigating hypoxia and hypercapnia or reducing core temperature so that neuroprotection occurs before the onset of cerebral hypoxia.

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A Geometric Derivation of the Governing Equations of Motion of Nonholonomic Dynamic Systems
Authors: Liu Xiaobo
Published: July 2024

In this paper, we present a Riemannian geometric derivation of the governing equations of motion of nonholonomic dynamic systems. A geometric form of the work-energy principle is first derived. The geometric form can be realized in appropriate generalized quantities, and the independent equations of motion can be obtained if the subspace of generalized speeds allowable by nonholonomic constraints can be determined. We provide a geometric perspective of the governing equations of motion and demonstrate its effectiveness in studying dynamic systems subjected to nonholonomic constraints.
An ultrasound-based nomogram for predicting central lymph node metastasis in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma
Authors: Zhang Xiaochen , Zhu Jianing , Ai Xin , Dang Meizheng , Huang Pintong
Published: July 2024

Aims: Performing prophylactic central lymph node dissection for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) patients with clinically negative lymph node metastasis remains controversial - not all patients with PTMC are suitable for active surveillance. Therefore, we aimed to establish a nomogram based on ultrasound features for predicting CLNM in PTMC.Material and methods: This retrospective study included 636 patients with PTMC, in which the CLNM status was pathologically confirmed. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to screen for risk factors associated with CLNM. Then, a CLNM prediction model was established, receiver operating characteristic, calibration, and decision curve analyses were used to assess the model’s performance.Results: Five variables, including age, sex, combined CLNM status, tumor size, and capsule invasion, were included in the nomogram. The values of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve in the training and validation datasets were 0.720 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.649–0.791) and 0.704 (95% CI, 0.622–0.786), respectively.Conclusions: An ultrasound-based nomogram was successfully established, of which the predictive model shows excellent predictive performance and can be used to evaluate the status of CLNM in PTMC. Thus, patients with high nomogram scores should be considered for prophylactic central neck dissection.
Preparation and study of high entropy alloy layer with double glow plasma NiCrMoWTi gradient
Authors: Tan Zhujiang , Wang Chenglei , Lu Jinxu , Chen Junfeng , Liu Chong , Li Xin , Zhu Yatao , Chen Hu , Huang Mei , Zhang Jingya
Published: July 2024

In this study, NiCrMoWTi HEA layer was prepared on the surface of the TC4 titanium alloy under vacuum conditions by using the double-flare surface plasma carburizing technique, which has the gradient structure of deposited layer + diffusion layer and metallurgical bonding with the substrate. The effects of different voltage differences on the micromorphology, structure, and properties of the HEA layer were also investigated. The results show that the physical phases of the HEA layer are basically the same and are composed of fcc and bcc phases. The high entropy alloy layer has a high bonding strength to the substrate, with a bonding force of 55.2 N. The high entropy alloy layer has a high bonding strength to the substrate. The surface hardness of the HEA layer is high, reaching 715 HV, nearly twice that of the substrate. The high entropy alloy layer has good wear resistance.
Nanomultilayer gradation strategy to improve mechanical properties of TiSiN/AlCrN hard coatings
Authors: Li Qizhong , Liu Fazhen , Yang Mai , Gao Tenghua , Ji Baifeng , Zhang Song , Tu Rong , Zhang Lianmeng
Published: July 2024

The structure design and optimization of multilayer coatings, which are utilized to surmount the trade-off between hardness and toughness, has been a current hot topic in the field of hard ceramic coatings. Herein, multi-layered TiSiN/AlCrN coatings with a constant and gradient sublayer thickness (Λ, modulation periods) ranging from 20 to 3.8 nm were prepared by the cathodic arc ion plating. The microstructure, mechanical properties, residual stress, and fracture toughness of four gradient structures were investigated systematically. All coatings exhibit a typical FCC crystal structure. In the coating with a monotonous decrease of modulation period (single gradient periodic decreasing structure, G2), the interface between the TiSiN layer and the AlCrN layer transformed from a partially semi-coherent interface at the bottom layers of Λ = 20 nm, to a fully coherent interface at the top layers of Λ = 3.8 nm. The coating with dual-gradient structures (modulation period increases first and then decreases, V2) demonstrated the highest hardness (37.6 ± 1.0 GPa), H/E* and H3/E*2 ratios (0.087 and 0.28 GPa), and bonding strength (75.3 N), as well as lowest friction coefficient (0.34) and wear rate (6.7 × 10−6 mm3/N m). The remarkable resistance to damage and toughness displayed by the V2 structure could be ascribed to its intrinsic capacity for effectively alleviating stress concentration and accommodating incompatibilities during the plastic deformation process. This work offers insights into employing gradient architecture design to enhance the strength and toughness of coatings.
A customizable and defined medium supporting culturing of
Candida albicans
,
Staphylococcus aureus
, and human oral epithelial cells
Authors: Pasman Raymond , Zhang Jianbo , Zaat Sebastian A. J. , Brul Stanley , Krom Bastiaan P.
Published: July 2024

Candida albicans,
an opportunistic oral pathogen, synergizes with
Staphylococcus aureus
, allowing bacteria to co-invade and systemically disseminate within the host. Studying human–microbe interactions creates the need for a universal culture medium that supports fungal, bacterial, and human cell culturing, while allowing sensitive analytical approaches such as OMICs and chromatography techniques. In this study, we established a fully defined, customizable adaptation of Dulbecco’s modified Eagle medium (DMEM), allowing multi-kingdom culturing of
S. aureus
,
C. albicans
, and human oral cell lines, whereas minimal version of DMEM (mDMEM) did not support growth of
S. aureus
, and neither did supplementation with dextrose, MEM non-essential amino acids, pyruvate, and Glutamax. This new medium composition, designated as “mDMEM-DMP,” promoted growth of all tested
S. aureus
strains. Addition of 25 mM 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)−1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) further improved growth, while higher concentrations did not improve growth any further. Higher concentrations of HEPES did result in prolonged stabilization of medium pH. mDMEM-DMP promoted (hyphal)
C. albicans
monoculturing and co-culturing on both solid and semi-solid surfaces. In contrast to
S. aureus
, addition of HEPES reduced
C. albicans
maximum culture optical density (OD). Finally, only buffered mDMEM-DMP (100 mM HEPES) was successful in maintaining the metabolic activity of human oral Ca9-22 and HO1N1 cell lines for 24 hours. Altogether, our findings show that mDMEM-DMP is a versatile and potent culture medium for both microbial and human cell culturing, providing a customizable platform to study human as well as microbial molecular physiology and putative interactions.

IMPORTANCE

Interaction between microbes and the host are in the center of interest both in disease and in health. In order to study the interactions between microbes of different kingdoms and the host, alternative media are required. Synthetic media are useful as they allow addition of specific components. In addition, well-defined media are required if high-resolution analyses such as metabolomics and proteomics are desired. We describe the development of a synthetic medium to study the interactions between
C. albicans, S. aureus,
and human oral epithelial cells. Our findings show that mDMEM-DMP is a versatile and potent culture medium for both microbial and human cell culturing, providing a customizable platform to study human as well as microbial molecular physiology and putative interactions.
A single-layer spot assay for easy, fast, and high-throughput quantitation of phages against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens
Authors: Paranos Paschalis , Pournaras Spyros , Meletiadis Joseph
Published: July 2024

Double-layer agar (DLA) overlay plaque assay is the gold standard for phage enumeration. However, it is cumbersome and time-consuming. Given the great interest in phage therapy, we explored alternative assays for phage quantitation. A total of 16 different phages belonging to Myoviridae, Siphoviridae, and Podoviridae families were quantitated with five
K
.
pneumoniae,
eight
P
.
aeruginosa,
and three
A
.
baumannii
host isolates. Phages were quantitated with the standard DLA assay (10 mL of LB soft agar 0.7% on LB hard agar 1.5%) and the new single-layer agar (SLA) assay (10 mL of LB soft agar 0.7%) with phages spread (spread) into or spotted (spot) onto soft agar. Phage concentrations with each assay were correlated with the standard assay, and the relative and absolute differences between each assay and the standard double-layer agar spread were calculated. Phage concentrations 1 × 10
4
–8.3 x10
12
PFU/mL with the standard DLA assay were quantitated with SLA-spread, SLA-spot, and DLA-spot assays, and the median (range) relative and absolute differences were <10% and <0.98 log
10
PFU/mL, respectively, for all phage/bacterial species (ANOVA
P
= 0.1–0.43), and they were highly correlated (r > 0.77,
P
< 0.01). Moreover, plaques could be quantified at 37°C after 4-h incubation for
K. pneumoniae
phages and 6-h incubation for
P. aeruginosa
and
A. baumannii
phages, and estimated concentrations remained the same over 24 hours. Compared to DLA assay, the SLA-spot assay required less media, it was 10 times faster, and generated same-day results. The SLA-spot assay was cheaper, faster, easier to perform, and generated similar phage concentrations as the standard DLA-spread assay.
Assessing the American public’s preferences for reforms to teen driving licensure systems: a discrete choice experiment
Authors: Drabo Emmanuel Fulgence , Michael Jeffrey Paul , Ehsani Johnathon Pouya
Published: July 2024

Objectives

To analyse factors influencing the American public’s preferences for changes to teenage driver licensing requirements.

Methods

We employed a discrete choice experiment (DCE) with 808 participants from National Opinion Research Center’s AmeriSpeak panel to assess preferences for two existing elements (on-road testing and intermediate licensure period) and a new feature (driver monitoring with telematics during the intermediate licensure period) of licensing system. Multinomial and mixed logit models were used to estimate preference weights, marginal rates of substitution and the relative importance of each attribute.

Results

Among 730 respondents who completed all DCE choice tasks, we found robust support for changes to teenage driver licensing requirements, with preferences varying by individual characteristics. Respondents expressed a high baseline support for changes to teen driving licensure policies. They favoured testing, prioritising easy tests and opposed prolonged driver monitoring and extended intermediate licensure periods. Baseline preference weights exhibited substantial heterogeneity, emphasising the diversity of public preferences. The marginal rates of substitution revealed a preference for extended driver monitoring over an extended intermediate licensure period. An easy test was valued at 2.85 times more than a hard one. The most influential attributes were the length of intermediate licence period and testing requirements, with the former twice as important.

Conclusions

Our study found robust support for reforms to teenage driver licensing requirements, favouring easier on-road driving tests over an extended period of intermediate licensure and driver monitoring. Public preferences for licensing systems need to be balanced with the broader policy objectives including optimising mobility and maximising safety.
AI and XAI second opinion: the danger of false confirmation in human–AI collaboration
Authors: Rosenbacke Rikard , Melhus Åsa , McKee Martin , Stuckler David
Published: July 2024

Can AI substitute a human physician’s second opinion? Recently theJournal of Medical Ethicspublished two contrasting views: Kempt and Nagel advocate for using artificial intelligence (AI) for a second opinion except when its conclusions significantly diverge from the initial physician’s while Jongsma and Sand argue for a second human opinion irrespective of AI’s concurrence or dissent. The crux of this debate hinges on the prevalence and impact of ‘false confirmation’—a scenario where AI erroneously validates an incorrect human decision. These errors seem exceedingly difficult to detect, reminiscent of heuristics akin to confirmation bias. However, this debate has yet to engage with the emergence of explainable AI (XAI), which elaborates on why the AI tool reaches its diagnosis. To progress this debate, we outline a framework for conceptualising decision-making errors in physician–AI collaborations. We then review emerging evidence on the magnitude of false confirmation errors. Our simulations show that they are likely to be pervasive in clinical practice, decreasing diagnostic accuracy to between 5% and 30%. We conclude with a pragmatic approach to employing AI as a second opinion, emphasising the need for physicians to make clinical decisions before consulting AI; employing nudges to increase awareness of false confirmations and critically engaging with XAI explanations. This approach underscores the necessity for a cautious, evidence-based methodology when integrating AI into clinical decision-making.
Reflection coefficient of a natural sodium bentonite in aqueous mixed electrolyte solutions: positive and negative anomalous osmosis
Authors: Guarena Nicolò , Dominijanni Andrea , Manassero Mario
Published: July 2024

A natural sodium bentonite was tested in the laboratory to measure its reflection coefficient, ω, in equilibrium with mixed aqueous solutions of sodium chloride (NaCl) and potassium chloride (KCl), with the aim of assessing the relative contribution of chemico-osmosis and diffusion induced electro-osmosis to the non-hydraulic component of the liquid flux in the presence of two cationic species, which diffuse at different rates in the pore solution. The former chemico-osmotic contribution is only related to the ionic partition effect in the bentonite pores, and causes ω to vary in the 0 to 1 range, whereas the latter electro-osmotic contribution is controlled by the diffusion potential, which spontaneously builds up across the bentonite layer in response to the different aqueous-phase diffusion coefficients of the ionic species. The theoretical interpretation of the obtained test results demonstrated that chemico-osmosis was the major contribution to ω when the testing solutions only comprised KCl. However, significant deviations in the values of ω from those expected for pure chemico-osmosis were observed for mixtures of NaCl and KCl, with both negative ( ω = −1.234) and positive ( ω = 1.040) anomalous values of the reflection coefficient, resulting from the enhanced influence of diffusion induced electro-osmosis.
A model of pentaquarks
Authors: Germani D. , Niliani F. , Polosa A. D.
Published: July 2024

We describe pentaquarks as ‘baryo-charmonia’ with a color octet $$c{\bar{c}}$$

c

c

¯

core bonded to a color octet three-quark system. Fermi statistics of the light quark cloud allows to describe two pentaquark triplets: a lower one, well supported by experiment, and a higher one with strangeness. For the time being, the lowest line of the strange triplet has been experimentally identified in a $$3\sigma $$

3
σ

peak. Data also suggest two different production mechanisms for pentaquarks. We show how this can be described in the proposed scheme.
Preface — Special Issue: Operational Research Models for E-Commerce Platforms: Business Model Innovation
Authors: Shen Bin , Dong Ciwei , Chan Hau-Ling
Published: July 2024

E-commerce platforms are digital marketplaces for selling goods and services online. Operational research (OR) models support business model innovation in e-commerce platforms. This issue covers eight papers that utilize OR models to examine business model innovation in e-commerce platforms. They all introduce new research problems and concepts, develop novel and rigorous OR methodologies to tackle them, and present innovative OR applications according to the real problems in e-commerce platforms. Based on the eight papers’ discussions, we propose future research directions.
Novel optical soliton solutions to nonlinear paraxial wave model
Authors: Wang Kang-Le , Wei Chun-Fu
Published: July 2024

In this paper, we primarily focus on the nonlinear paraxial wave equation in Kerr media, a generalization of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation utilized to characterize the dynamics of optical beam propagation. By using three potent analytical methods, namely, the Sine-Gordon expansion method, the functional variable method, and the Bernoulli ([Formula: see text])-expansion method, numerous novel soliton solutions are derived. These solutions, comprising hyperbolic, trigonometric and exponential functions, represent significant additions to the field of optics. Furthermore, we elucidate the physical characteristics of these novel optical soliton solutions by presenting a series of three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) graphs with appropriate parameter values.
Extracting lamina parameters from response of laminates for inverse design of deployable structures
Authors: Guo Ruiwen , An Ning , Yue Xiaowei , Ma Xiaofei , Jia Qilong , Zhou Jinxiong
Published: July 2024

Composite Tape-Spring Hinge (CTSH) is one of the basic components of space deployable structures achieving large-scale deployable mechanisms for various space missions. It is crucial to obtain the lamina parameters of the composite at the design stage to ensure that the CTSH possesses the required structural response. This work presents a strategy for extracting lamina parameters from structural response of CTSH based on optimization method. An efficient Artificial Neural Network (ANN)-based surrogate model is integrated into the optimization loop to replace the time-costing finite element simulation and establish the relationship between lamina parameters and bending response of CTSH. The inverse characterization process is achieved by minimizing the objective function defined as the error between the predefined target and output results from ANN model. The efficiency of the proposed strategy was validated by using a predefined bending moment-angle curve of CTSH with known lamina parameters, and an arbitrary bending moment-angle curve was inversely constructed to further demonstrate the capability in inverse design. It is shown that the proposed method can be applied not only to extract lamina parameters from structural response, but also to guide the selection of composite lamina based on the expected structural response of deployable structures.
Inhibition of mitochondrial citrate shuttle alleviates metabolic syndromes induced by high-fat diet
Authors: Wang Jun-Xian , Zhang Yan-Yu , Qian Yu-Cheng , Qian Yi-Fan , Jin An-Hui , Wang Mai , Luo Yuan , Qiao Fang , Zhang Mei-Ling , Chen Li-Qiao , Du Zhen-Yu
Published: July 2024

The mitochondrial citrate shuttle is a crucial physiological process for maintaining metabolic homeostasis. In the present study, we found that inhibition of mitochondrial citrate shuttle (Slc25a1) could alleviate metabolic syndromes induced by high-fat diet (HFD) through remodeling hepatic protein acetylation modification. Briefly, Slc25a1 inhibition reduces hepatic triglyceride deposition by deacetylating Cpt1a and reduces glucose oxidative catabolism by acetylating Pdhe1α. Our study provides new insights into the treatment of diet-induced metabolic syndromes.
Alpha-ketoglutarate is required for chronic hypoxia-induced cardiac remodeling
Authors: Tang Daishi , Gu Yong , Chen Shasha , Niu Tong , Zhu Jin’ao , Liu Panpan , Ding Mingge , Guo Yanjie
Published: July 2024

We reported that alpha-ketoglutarate (α-KG) is indispensable for chronic hypoxia (CH)-induced cardiac remodeling, which builds the bridge between metabolic intermediates and cardiac remodeling.
The utility of the rodent synergist ablation model in identifying molecular and cellular mechanisms of skeletal muscle hypertrophy
Authors: Burke Benjamin I. , Ismaeel Ahmed , McCarthy John J.
Published: July 2024

Skeletal muscle exhibits remarkable plasticity to adapt to stimuli such as mechanical loading. The mechanisms that regulate skeletal muscle hypertrophy due to mechanical overload have been thoroughly studied. Remarkably, our understanding of many of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate hypertrophic growth were first identified using the rodent synergist ablation (SA) model and subsequently corroborated in human resistance exercise training studies. To demonstrate the utility of the SA model, we briefly summarize the hypertrophic mechanisms identified using the model and the following translation of these mechanism to human skeletal muscle hypertrophy induced by resistance exercise training.
Skeletal muscle hypertrophy: cell growth is cell growth
Authors: Burke Benjamin I. , Ismaeel Ahmed , von Walden Ferdinand , Murach Kevin A. , McCarthy John J.
Published: July 2024

Roberts et al. have provided an insightful counterpoint to our review article on the utility of the synergist ablation model. The purpose of this review is to provide some further dialogue regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the synergist ablation model. Specifically, we highlight that the robustness of the model overshadows surgical limitations. We also compare the transcriptomic responses to synergist ablation in mice and resistance exercise in humans to identify common pathways. We conclude that “cell growth is cell growth” and that the mechanisms available to cells to accumulate biomass and increase in size are similar across cell types and independent of the rate of growth.
Prevalence of Avian Influenza Virus in Atypical Wild Birds Host Groups during an Outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Strain EA/AM H5N1
Authors: Ringenberg Jourdan M. , Weir Kelsey , Humberg Lee , Voglewede Carl , Oswald Mitch , Root J. Jeffrey , Dilione Krista , Casey Evan , Milleson Michael , Linder Timothy , Lenoch Julianna
Published: July 2024

The global outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 Eurasian lineage goose/Guangdong clade 2.3.4.4b virus that was detected in North America in 2021 is the largest in history and has significantly impacted wild bird populations and domestic poultry across the continent. Synanthropic birds may play an important role in transmitting the virus laterally to other wild bird species and domestic poultry. Understanding the dynamics of HPAI in atypical, or nonreservoir, wild bird hosts may help inform management decisions and potential risk factors to both wild and domestic bird populations. Following the confirmation of infections of HPAI H5N1 in domestic poultry at two commercial premises in Indiana, United States, we sampled and tested 266 Columbiformes and Passeriformes birds and found no detections of the virus at either location. We further queried laboratories within the National Animal Health Laboratory Network for avian influenza (AI) virus diagnostic test results for wild birds submitted from morbidity/mortality events, for a total of 9,368 birds tested across eight orders and 1,543 avian influenza virus detections between February 2022 and March 2023. Query results were assessed for viral prevalence by taxonomic group and suggested that the virus most often was observed in predatory and scavenging birds. The highest prevalence was observed in raptors (0.2514), with prevalence rates in exclusively scavenging Cathartidae reaching up to 0.5333. There is evidence that the consumption of infected tissues is a key pathway for transmission of AI viruses in predatory and scavenging birds. Although detections were found in nonpredatory synanthropic birds, including orders Columbiformes and Passeriformes, the risk of transmission from and between these groups appears comparatively low. Understanding the dynamics of AI viruses in synanthropic bird orders during the global HPAI H5N1 outbreak in wild bird populations can provide pertinent information on viral transmission, disease ecology, and risk to humans and agriculture.
Applying Educational Programming Language‐Based Learning to Enhance the Programming Skills of Non‐ICT Engineering College Students
Authors: Rodas-Silva Jorge , Parraga-Alava Jorge , Vinueza-Morales Mariuxi , Chacón Luna Ana Eva , Cárdenas-Cobo Jesennia
Published: July 2024

The need for knowledgeable programmers has increased, highlighting the importance of strong programming foundations in engineering education. Limited access to high‐quality learning materials and educational opportunities presents challenges unrelated to information and communication technology (ICT) field (non‐ICT‐related) students in acquiring programming skills. Educational programming languages (EPLs) such as App Lab have gained popularity as they offer an accessible platform for students to learn programming fundamentals in a visual and interactive manner. This paper examines the impact of the EPL called App Lab on the development of fundamental programming skills among non‐ICT‐related field engineering college students. We conducted a quasiexperimental research study using a single‐blinded, nonequivalent control group pretest–posttest design. The study included 56 participants, all of whom were enrolled in the Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology program at the State University of Milagro (UNEMI), Ecuador. The experimental group consisted of 26 students, while the control group comprised 30 students. The assessment process involved the administration of a battery of 200 questions before and after the intervention. The intervention involved the use of App Lab as an EPL and lasted for a duration of 3 weeks exclusively for the experimental group, while the control group followed their usual tutoring program. The study results showed that students who received EPL‐mediated learning with App Lab had significant increase in their programming skills. App Lab demonstrated a positive impact, particularly among male students who reported Internet usage, as well as in advanced programming topics including loops, lists, and functions, when compared to their female counterparts.
A State‐of‐Health Estimation Method for Lithium Batteries Based on Incremental Energy Analysis and Bayesian Transformer
Authors: Li Yanmei , Tu Liang , Zhang Chaolong
Published: July 2024

Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) have wide‐ranging applications in areas such as electric vehicles and mobile devices. Accurate estimation of the state of health (SOH) of batteries is an important aspect of battery state estimation. Battery capacity cannot be precisely measured due to negative factors such as aging effects. To address this issue, this paper proposes a LIB’s SOH estimation method based on incremental energy analysis (IEA) and transformer. First, data collected during the constant‐current (CC) charging phase of the battery are used to create and analyze the IEA curve. Then, the peaks and areas of the curve are proposed as health characteristics of the LIB. Cosine similarity analysis (CSA) is employed to determine the correlation between each health characteristic and SOH, as well as the correlations between different health characteristics. Finally, an accurate estimation model of battery health was developed using the Bayesian‐transformer model by plotting the relationship between health characteristics and battery health. To validate the reliability of the model, comparisons with regression evaluation metrics of other models such as support vector regression (SVR) and recurrent neural network (RNN) are conducted under different charging rates. The conclusion is drawn that this model exhibits an R2 greater than 98%, MAE less than 0.22%, RMSE less than 0.26%, and MAPE less than 0.0026%. Its accuracy is significantly improved compared to the same type of methods, and it can be used for high accuracy estimation of SOH in LIBs. The multistep prediction of a single step adopted by the model can effectively overcome the capacity regeneration problem in the field of SOH estimation, which will inspire future experts and scholars to improve the accuracy of SOH estimation.
Evolution and Influence of Multivortex Structure on the Head of Canard‐Controlled Missile at High Angle of Attack
Authors: Wei Kai , Chen Shaosong , Tang Dongdong , Xu Yihang , Lyu Xujian , Chen Qing
Published: July 2024

The issue of uncertain roll angle and large angle of attack during the initial stage of launch has a significant impact on the initial attitude and control of canard‐controlled missiles. In this study, canard‐controlled missiles are employed to study the influence of multivortex structure present in the head under different roll angles at high angles of attack. The turbulence model was verified and used for simulation. The evolution of the multivortex structures behind the canard and their impact on the flow field and lateral force was investigated. The results show that the multivortex structure at the head forms a flow field structure dominated by two main vortices through vortices merging. When the geometry is symmetric, the symmetric vortices maintain a long symmetry region on the flow field, and the “X” shape shows higher flow field stability than the “+” shape. The asymmetric geometric structure produces two asymmetric main vortices, causing alternating steady separation and shedding of downstream vortices. This leads to alternating pressure fluctuations on the surface of the body, which are reflected in the lateral force through the integration of the pressure along the lateral direction. In contrast to the alternating shedding of separation vortices observed in a wingless configuration due to natural asymmetry, the asymmetrical main vortices induced by the asymmetry of canard cause alternant vortex shedding to occur earlier. With the increase of the angle of attack, the pressure difference of the head gradually dominated the lateral force, resulting in a drastic decrease in the lateral force coefficient.
Optimization and Field Trial of an Aeromonas hydrophila Vaccine Candidate for Motile Aeromonads Septicemia in Farmed Nile Tilapia in Tanzania
Authors: Sombe Judith A. , Mzula Alexanda , Mwega Elisa , Shirima Gabriel M. , Wambura Philemon N.
Published: July 2024

Vaccination is an approved novel approach for controlling aeromonads disease caused by Aeromonas hydrophila. This study aimed to optimize the A. hydrophila vaccine candidate with a protective efficacy of 71.4% through immersion. A total of 600 tilapia fingerlings weighing 10–15 g were collected and distributed in tanks at Magadu farm. The fingerlings acclimatized for 2 weeks. Vaccination was done by immersion at a dose of 1.6 × 108 cfu/mL mixed as 1 part of a vaccine in 20 parts of tank water. A total of 150 fingerlings were exposed to a vaccine for 30 min and distributed in three replica tanks, each having 50 fingerlings. The same procedure was applied to fingerlings exposed to the vaccine at 45 and 75 min, while the remaining 150 fingerlings served as control. Fish were bled at day 0 and days 7, 14, 21, and 28 postvaccinations for immunogenicity studies. A challenge trial with a virulent A. hydrophila followed. Observation for mortalities and clinical signs was made for 28 days postchallenge. No clinical signs and death were observed during the entire period of 28 days postvaccination. The serology findings showed higher antibody titer of 45 min vaccination time of exposure (GMT log 2 = 5.0 at day 28). The findings revealed that the protective efficacy had increased to 90% relative percent of survival at 45 min duration of vaccine exposure. The vaccine demonstrated acceptable safety and protection levels on the field.
Influence of Blanching Time on the Phytochemical and Nutritive Value of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) Leafy Vegetable
Authors: Maila M. Y. , Tseke P. E.
Published: July 2024

Seasonal production limits the effective utilization of cowpea, which is regarded as food and a cash income crop in most African rural communities. To reduce the bacterial content and inactivate the naturally occurring enzymes that could induce undesirable changes during storage of the vegetable, blanching is applied. However, loss in flavor and nutritional value is experienced. Therefore, a study was conducted to investigate the effects of different blanching times on cowpea at a constant temperature, on its nutritive value. A 2 kg sample of fresh leaves was divided into four portions and blanched at 95°C for 0 (control), 2.5, 5, and 10 min. The study was arranged in a completely randomized design in triplicate. Collected data included moisture, total phenolic, antioxidant activity, and minerals [calcium (Ca), potassium (K), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), and silicon (Si)]. Compared to the control, total phenolic increased at 2.5 min to 9.83 mg GAE/g but then decreased by 4.99 and 4.60 mg GAE/g at 5 and 10 min of blanching time, respectively. Similarly, antioxidant activity increased at 2.5 min to 1025 μg AAE/g of WM, but reduced by 751.71 and 641.80 μg AAE/g of WM at 5 and 10 min, respectively. Ca increased at 2.5, 5, and 10 min by 69.10, 62.47, and 74.53 mg/L, respectively. Similarly, K increased at 2.5, 5, and 10 min by 31.57, 49.13, and 46.03 mg/L, respectively. Contrarily, Co decreased by 7.65, 7.37, and 9.29 mg/L at 2.5, 5, and 10 min of blanching, respectively. Similarly, Cr also decreased at 2.5, 5, and 10 min, by 0.23, 0.35, and 0.56 mg/L, respectively. Si increased at 2.5 and 10 min by 4.15 and 3.31 mg/L and reduced at 5 min by 1.61 mg/L. Therefore, blanching time of 2.5 min at a constant temperature of 95°C increased the tested nutritive elements, except for moisture, Co, and Cr.