bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards Integration of Ni-Slag Cleaning Process and Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling for an Efficient Recovery of Valuable Metals
Authors: Klemettinen Anna , Klemettinen Lassi , Rinne Tommi , O’Brien Hugh , Jokilaakso Ari , Serna-Guerrero Rodrigo
Published: June 2024

Spent lithium-ion batteries (SBs) are important sources of valuable and critical raw materials. An integration of battery recycling with well-established primary processes for metals production has many advantages. In this work, the recycling of two battery scrap fractions obtained from mechanical pretreatment was integrated with a Ni-slag cleaning process at laboratory scale. Graphite from SBs acted as the main reductant, and the reduction behavior of major and trace elements was investigated as a function of time at 1350 °C. Major CO and CO2 concentrations, as well as minor amounts of SO2, NO2, CH4, and C2H4, were detected in the off-gas line. The evolution of gases took place within the first minutes of the experiments, which indicated that metal oxide reduction reactions as well as decomposition of the organic binders both happened very rapidly. This result is in line with the analytical results obtained for the slag phase, where the most significant metal oxide reduction was observed to take place within the first 5 to 10 minutes of the experiments. The distribution coefficient values for Co and Ni between metal alloy and slag as well as between matte and slag showed no significant differences when battery scrap fractions with different compositions were used. The addition of Ni-concentrate in the starting mixture resulted in increasing recoveries of Ni and Co, as well as improved settling of the matte phase.
On the application of some fixed-point techniques to Fredholm integral equations of the second kind
Authors: Ezquerro J. A. , Hernández-Verón M. A.
Published: June 2024

It is known that the global convergence of the method of successive approximations is obtained by means of the Banach contraction principle. In this paper, we study the global convergence of the method by means of a technique that uses auxiliary points and, as a consequence of this study, we obtain fixed-point type results on closed balls. We apply the study to nonlinear Fredholm integral equations of the second kind.
Artificial Intelligence and Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Amin Moein , Martínez-Heras Eloy , Ontaneda Daniel , Prados Carrasco Ferran
Published: June 2024

In this paper, we analyse the different advances in artificial intelligence (AI) approaches in multiple sclerosis (MS). AI applications in MS range across investigation of disease pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. A subset of AI, Machine learning (ML) models analyse various data sources, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), genetic, and clinical data, to distinguish MS from other conditions, predict disease progression, and personalize treatment strategies. Additionally, AI models have been extensively applied to lesion segmentation, identification of biomarkers, and prediction of outcomes, disease monitoring, and management. Despite the big promises of AI solutions, model interpretability and transparency remain critical for gaining clinician and patient trust in these methods. The future of AI in MS holds potential for open data initiatives that could feed ML models and increasing generalizability, the implementation of federated learning solutions for training the models addressing data sharing issues, and generative AI approaches to address challenges in model interpretability, and transparency. In conclusion, AI presents an opportunity to advance our understanding and management of MS. AI promises to aid clinicians in MS diagnosis and prognosis improving patient outcomes and quality of life, however ensuring the interpretability and transparency of AI-generated results is going to be key for facilitating the integration of AI into clinical practice.
Fresh Fruit Bunch Ripeness Classification Methods: A Review
Authors: Goh Jin Yu , Md Yunos Yusri , Mohamed Ali Mohamed Sultan
Published: June 2024

The escalating demand for palm oil necessitates enhanced production strategies. As the trend shifts towards automated harvesting to meet the demand, precise ripeness classification has become pivotal. Manual methods are inefficient and error-prone because of workforce constraints. The present review scrutinizes the following non-destructive ripeness classification methods: spectroscopy, inductive sensing, thermal imaging, light detection and ranging, laser-light backscattering imaging, and computer vision. The review focuses on identifying reliable techniques capable of real-time and accurate classification in dynamic and unstructured environments. All aforementioned techniques are discussed in intricate detail, accompanied by thorough critiques. This review then presents a performance comparison and benchmarking process, providing comprehensive insights into the strengths and weaknesses of each technique. A compelling solution emerges in the fusion of light detection and ranging and computer vision techniques. This synergy capitalizes on their strengths to offset individual limitations, offering a potent approach. Furthermore, this fusion yields added value in terms of localization and mapping, rendering it exceptionally suitable for real-time classification in complex environments. This review provides insights into bridging the gap between automated harvesting needs and ripeness assessment precision, thereby fostering advancements in the palm oil industry.
Clinicopathological Factors as Predictors for Establishment of Patient Derived Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Organoids
Authors: de Kort W. W. B. , Millen R. , Driehuis E. , Devriese L. A. , van Es R. J. J. , Willems S. M.
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Patient derived organoids (PDOs) are 3D in vitro models and have shown to better reflect patient and tumor heterogeneity than conventional 2D cell lines. To utilize PDOs in clinical settings and trials for biomarker discovery or drug response evaluation, it is valuable to determine the best way to optimize sample selection for maximum PDO establishment. In this study, we assess patient, tumor and tissue sampling factors and correlate them with successful PDO establishment in a well-documented cohort of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods

Tumor and non-tumorous adjacent tissue samples were obtained from HNSCC patients during routine biopsy or resection procedures at the University Medical Center Utrecht. The tissue was subsequently processed to establish PDOs. The sample purity was determined as the presence of epithelial cells in the culture on the day of organoid isolation as visualized microscopically by the researcher. PDO establishment was recorded for all samples. Clinical data was obtained from the medical records and was correlated to PDO establishment and presence of epithelial cells.

Results

Organoids could be established in 133/250 (53.2%) primary tumor site tissues. HNSCC organoid establishment tended to be more successful if patients were younger than the median age of 68 years (74/123 (60.2%) vs. 59/127 (46.5%), p = 0.03). For a subset of samples, the presence of epithelial cells in the organoid culture on the day of organoid isolation was recorded in 112/149 (75.2%) of these samples. When cultures were selected for presence of epithelial cells, organoid establishment increased to 76.8% (86/112 samples).

Conclusion

This study found a trend between age and successful organoid outgrowth in patients with HNSCC younger than 68 years and emphasizes the value of efficient sampling regarding PDO establishment.
Beyond Dependent Development? The Unlikely Emergence of an Upgrading Alliance in the Case of InoBat in Slovakia
Authors: Toplišek Alen
Published: June 2024

Semi-peripheral economies are reliant on foreign capital for innovation and upgrading into higher-value-added economic activities. This characteristic of dependent development is coupled with unreliable government support for domestic businesses, resulting in fragmented state-business ties. How then did a local electrical vehicle (EV) battery startup InoBat manage to build an upgrading alliance in Slovakia and capitalise on the accelerating automotive shift to electromobility despite these barriers being present in the semi-peripheral economy of Slovakia? By developing a network-based analytical approach and using the unlikely case study of InoBat, this paper argues that developmental entrepreneurship, the mobilisation of private sector resources by venture capital or a large domestic firm, and support by private-public institutions were key determinants for the emergence of the InoBat upgrading alliance. The findings underline that local firms can also be the drivers of upgrading efforts even in the absence of consistent government support and the heavy presence of large transnational corporations.
Executive function and drivers’ ability to self-regulate behaviour when engaging with devices
Authors: Young Kristie L. , Stephens Amanda N. , McDonald Hayley
Published: June 2024

Distracted driving is a leading cause of road trauma. While there is an understanding of some psychological mechanisms underlying distracted driving, there is limited knowledge on the role of executive function in the willingness to engage in non-driving tasks and even less is known about its potential role in drivers’ self-regulatory behaviour when distracted. This study investigated the relationship between executive function and driver engagement with technology. It specifically focussed on whether difficulties in everyday executive functioning impacts drivers’ ability to self-regulate behaviour when engaging with devices at the planning, decision and control levels. Twenty-five licenced drivers aged 20 to 65 years were recruited from the general driving public. Participants first completed the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function – Adult Version (BRIEF-A) and then filled in a series of trip diaries soon after driving over a four-week period. The diaries detailed their interactions with a range of on-board and portable devices during each trip. Generalised Estimated Equations were used to examine associations between executive function and drivers’ behavioural regulation when interacting with devices. Results revealed that difficulties with the behavioural regulation and metacognition aspects of executive function were associated with higher engagement with devices while driving. Executive function also had important links to drivers’ self-regulatory behaviours, particularly at the planning and decision levels. The relationship between executive function and self-regulation at the control level was less clear. These findings enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying distracted driving behaviour and suggest possible interventions to reduce engagement with devices and facilitate and enhance positive self-regulatory behaviours.
Comparative evaluation of spatiotemporal variations of surface water quality using water quality indices and GIS
Authors: Uslu Aysenur , Dugan Secil Tuzun , El Hmaidi Abdellah , Muhammetoglu Ayse
Published: June 2024

There is a need for a comprehensive comparative analysis of spatiotemporal variations in surface water quality, particularly in regions facing multiple pollution sources. While previous research has explored the use of individual water quality indices (WQIs), there is limited understanding of how different WQIs perform in assessing water quality dynamics in complex environmental settings. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of three WQIs (Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME), National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and System for Evaluation of the Quality of rivers (SEQ-Eau) and a national water quality regulation in assessing water quality dynamics. The pilot study area is the Acısu Creek in Antalya City of Turkey, where agricultural practices and discharge of treated wastewater effluents impair the water quality. A year-long intensive monitoring study was conducted includig on-site measurements, analysis of numerous physicochemical and bacteriological parameters. The CCME and SEQ-Eau indices classified water quality as excellent/good at the upstream, gradually deteriorating to very poor downstream, showing a strong correlation. However, the NSF index displayed less accuracy in evaluating water quality for certain monitoring stations/sessions due to eclipsing and rigidity problems. The regulatory approach, which categorized water quality as either moderate or good for different sampling sessions/stations, was also found less accurate. The novelty of this study lies in its holistic approach to identify methodological considerations that influence the performance of WQIs. Incorporating statistical analysis, artificial intelligence or multi-criteria decision-making methods into WQIs is recommended for enhanced surface water quality assessment and management strategies.
Solving nonlinear vectorial problems with a stable class of Jacobian-free iterative processes
Authors: Cordero Alicia , Jordán Cristina , Sanabria-Codesal Esther , Torregrosa Juan R.
Published: June 2024

In this manuscript, a general class of Jacobian-free iterative schemes for solving systems of nonlinear equations is presented. Once its fourth-order convergence is proven, the most efficient sub-family is selected in order to make a qualitative study. It is proven that the most of elements of this family are very stable, and this is checked by means on numerical tests on several problems of different sizes. Their performance is compared with other known Jacobian-free iterative procedure, being better in the most of results.
Quartic Rigid Systems in the Plane and in the Poincaré Sphere
Authors: Álvarez M. J. , Bravo J. L. , Calderón L. A.
Published: June 2024

We consider the planar family of rigid systems of the form $$x'=-y+xP(x,y), y'=x+yP(x,y)$$

x
′

=
-
y
+
x
P

(
x
,
y
)

,

y
′

=
x
+
y
P

(
x
,
y
)

, where P is any polynomial with monomials of degree one and three. This is the simplest non-trivial family of rigid systems with no rotatory parameters. The family can be compactified to the Poincaré sphere such that the vector field along the equator is not identically null . We study the centers, singular points and limit cycles of that family on the plane and on the sphere.
Intuitive and Interactive Robotic Avatar System for Tele-Existence: TEAM SNU in the ANA Avatar XPRIZE Finals
Authors: Park Beomyeong , Kim Donghyeon , Lim Daegyu , Park Suhan , Ahn Junewhee , Kim Seungyeon , Shin Jaeyong , Sung Eunho , Sim Jaehoon , Kim Junhyung , Kim Myeong-Ju , Cha Junhyeok , Park Gyeongjae , Lee Hokyun , You Seungbin , Jang Keunwoo , Kim Seung-Hun , Schwartz Mathew , Park Jaeheung
Published: June 2024

Avatar robots enable the teleoperation and telepresence of an operator with a rich and meaningful sense of existence in another location. Robotic avatar systems rely on intuitive interactions to afford operators comfortable and accurate robot control to perform various tasks. The ability of operators to feel immersed within a robot has drawn interest in multiple research fields to explore the future capabilities of such systems. This paper presents a robotic avatar system based on a custom humanoid robot, TOCABI, with a mobile base. Its teleoperation system was developed in response to the ANA Avatar XPRIZE. Combining the life-size humanoid robot and the mobile base allows for improved mobility and dexterous manipulation. The robotic avatar system comprises the robot/base and an operator station that incorporates haptic feedback devices, trackers, a head-mounted display, gloves, and pedals. These devices connect the robot-environment interaction and operator-avatar robot experience through visual, auditory, tactile, haptic, and kinesthetic feedback. Combining the untethered battery-operated and Wi-Fi-enabled robot with these sensory experiences enables intuitive control through the operator’s body movement. The performance of the robotic avatar system was evaluated through user studies and demonstrated in the ANA Avatar XPRIZE Finals, represented by Team SNU, where it completed 8 of the 10 missions, placing the team eighth among the 17 finalists.
Younger children and mothers’ labour supply in rural India: Evidence from fertility stopping behaviour
Authors: Gupta Isha
Published: June 2024

This paper estimates the causal effect of having young children aged 0–5 years on mothers’ labour force participation in rural India. To address the potential endogeneity in the fertility decision, I exploit Indian families’ preference for having sons. I leverage exogenous variation in the gender of older children aged 6 + years as an instrumental variable for having younger children aged 0–5 years in the family. IV estimates show that the mothers’ participation is significantly reduced by 9.9% due to the presence of young children aged 0–5 years in the household, with the negative effect mostly driven by mothers belonging to the highest income quartile; mothers with high education; and mothers residing in nuclear families. The findings highlight the need for investment in high-skilled jobs and formal childcare facilities to encourage mothers’ labour supply. Using the testable implications for the generalizability of LATE discussed in Angrist (The Economic Journal, 114: C52 C83, 2004), I show that the estimated causal effect is homogenous across compliers, always takers, and never takers and thus, generalizable to the whole population of interest.
Identification of placenta-specific protein 1 (PLAC-1) expression on human PC-3 cell line-derived prostate cancer stem cells compared to the tumor parental cells
Authors: Farhangnia Pooya , Ghods Roya , Falak Reza , Zarnani Amir-Hassan , Delbandi Ali-Akbar
Published: June 2024

Placenta-specific protein 1 (PLAC-1) is a gene primarily expressed in the placenta and the testis. Interestingly, it is also found to be expressed in many solid tumors, and it is involved in malignant cell features. However, no evidence has been reported regarding the relationship between PLAC-1 and cancer stem cells (CSCs). In the current research, we explored the expression of the PLAC-1 molecule in prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs) derived from the human PC-3 cell line. The enrichment of PCSCs was achieved using a three-dimensional cell culture technique known as the sphere-formation assay. To confirm the identity of PCSCs, we examined the expression of genes associated with stemness and pluripotency, such as SOX2, OCT4, Nanog, C-Myc, and KLF-4, as well as stem cell differentiation molecules like CD44 and CD133. These evaluations were conducted in both the PCSCs and the original tumor cells (parental cells) using real-time PCR and flow cytometry. Subsequently, we assessed the expression of the PLAC-1 molecule in both enriched cells and parental tumor cells at the gene and protein levels using the same techniques. The tumor cells from the PC-3 cell line formed spheroids with CSC characteristics in a non-adherent medium. The expression of SOX2, OCT4, Nanog, and C-Myc genes (p < 0.01), and the molecules CD44 and CD133 (p < 0.05) were significantly elevated in PCSCs compared to the parental cells. The expression of the PLAC-1 molecule in PCSCs showed a significant increase compared to the parental cells at both gene (p < 0.01) and protein (p < 0.001) levels. In conclusion, it was indicated for the first time that PLAC-1 is up-regulated in PCSCs derived from human PC-3 cell line. This study may propose PLAC-1 as a potential target in targeted therapies, which should be confirmed through further studies.
Sustainability and the domestic credit market: worldwide evidence
Authors: Sol Murta Fátima , Gama Paulo Miguel
Published: June 2024

This paper aims to uncover the cross-sectional relationship between country-level sustainability performance and the domestic lending activity of commercial banks. Considering a worldwide sample of countries, it uses publicly available sustainability scores from SolAlability Sustainable Intelligence, macroeconomic data, and banking sector data from the World Bank. The results show that the country’s sustainability performance is positively related to the amount of domestic credit granted by banks to the private sector and negatively related to the importance of nonperforming loans. Moreover, looking at the pillars that constitute the sustainability scores, this work finds evidence that social cohesion, intellectual capital, and governance are the pillars of sustainability that affect domestic lending activity. Results survive several robustness tests concerning samples, variables’ definitions, and estimation procedures. Our results suggest that policies aiming at improving a country’s sustainability contribute to domestic banking sector stability and financial development. Specifically, measures that contribute to social cohesion and solidarity, innovation and value-added industries, and the country’s governance performance, contribute to the smooth functioning of credit markets.
An Integrated Hydrometallurgical Treatment and Combustion Process for Sustainable Production of Sm2O3 Nanoparticles from Waste SmCo Magnets
Authors: Emil-Kaya Elif
Published: June 2024

Samarium (Sm), as one of the rare earth elements (REEs), has gained significant attention in the production of SmCo magnets due to their high corrosion and oxidation resistance, as well as their high-temperature stability. SmCo magnets find applications in various industries, including but not limited to national defense, aerospace, military, and medical equipment. Sm and Co have been classified as a critical metal due to its economic importance and supply risk. Recovering Sm from SmCo magnets is an effective method to ensure a stable supply. The present study investigates an integrated hydrometallurgical treatment and combustion process for the preparation of rare earth oxide (Sm2O3) powders from SmCo. Initially, SmCo powders is exposed to nitric acid, and the resulting slurry is selectively oxidized at 250 °C to obtain Sm(NO3)3, Co2O3, and Fe2O3. Subsequently, the selectively oxidized powders are leached with water to extract Sm. Sm2O3 powders are produced from the obtained leaching solution using an energy- and time-efficient solution combustion process. In this process, once the ignition point of the leaching solution-citric acid complex is reached, combustion occurs and concludes within a short time. The combusted powders are then calcined at different temperatures to produce crystalline Sm2O3 powders. Finally, the optimal conditions for the production of Sm2O3 are identified, and the produced powder is characterized through XRD and FESEM analysis.
Quantum circuits for discrete graphical models
Authors: Piatkowski Nico , Zoufal Christa
Published: June 2024

Graphical models are useful tools for describing structured high-dimensional probability distributions. The development of efficient algorithms for generating samples thereof remains an active research topic. In this work, we provide a quantum algorithm that enables the generation of unbiased and independent samples from general discrete graphical models. To this end, we identify a coherent embedding of the graphical model based on a repeat-until-success sampling scheme which clearly identifies whether a drawn sample represents the underlying distribution. Furthermore, we show that the success probability for finding a valid sample can be lower bounded with a quantity that depends on the number of maximal cliques and the model parameter norm. Moreover, we rigorously proof that the quantum embedding conserves the key property of graphical models, i.e., factorization over the cliques of the underlying conditional independence structure. The quantum sampling algorithm also allows for maximum likelihood learning as well as maximum a posteriori state approximation for the graphical model. Finally, the proposed quantum method shows potential to realize interesting problems on near-term quantum processors. In fact, illustrative experiments demonstrate that our method can carry out sampling and parameter learning not only with idealized simulations of quantum computers but also on actual quantum hardware solely supported by simple readout error mitigation.
Incorporation of Recycled Concrete Aggregates as Road Pavement Material in South Africa
Authors: Pitso Reatile I. , Mostafa Mohamed M.H. , Elsaigh Walied A.
Published: June 2024

Construction and Demolition Waste (C&DW) management has become a burden locally and globally. Thinking towards consumption of large C&DW quantities, particularly Recycled Concrete Aggregates (RCA), in road construction is the main derive of this study. Natural aggregates, used as a control material and designated G5 (i.e. South African road pavement material class), is compared to RCA. A series of physical and chemical tests were conducted to classify the RCA and assess the material’s appropriateness for pavement structure as unbound base or/and subbase layers. Additional tests were carried out by adding varying amounts of cement (i.e. 2%, 2.5% and 3%) to evaluate the pertinence of RCA to cement-treated materials often prescribed for pavement layers. The result indicates great potential concerning the beneficial reuse of RCA in the pavement structure.
Heading in the direction of bifurcated networks: Hong Kong's evolution amidst the global submarine cable system
Authors: Zhang Jun
Published: June 2024

The full understanding of the importance of submarine cables as part of the global network infrastructure in the digital economy era, along with decades of knowledge accumulation in this field, has not prevented Hong Kong from facing increasing difficulties in gaining more access to submarine cable systems since 2017. Given that geopolitical differences between China and the U.S. are dividing the international network infrastructure, the business interests of Hong Kong enterprises and the urban development prospects of the Hong Kong government have been forced to defer to Beijing’s security concerns. Meanwhile, in recent years China has been acquiring data power by modelling the “data collection – data sharing – data space governance” path that the United States and its allies set previously. During this process, the power shaped by China’s unique technological, social and institutional characteristics offers an alternative to American dominance, although it exacerbates the global divergence of internet infrastructure. Many projects along the Belt and Road Initiative and the Digital Silk Road are the examples of China’s data power projection, and will bring opportunities for Hong Kong’s own submarine cables sector and for the city’s role as a super connector in the coming years.
Smartphone usage and its associated behaviours among undergraduate medical students in Pakistan
Authors: Naeem Noor-i-Kiran , Naeem Zil-e-Fatima , Anwar Asfand Yar
Published: June 2024

This study aimed to determine the trends of smartphone usage and behaviours associated with its use among undergraduate medical students at ABWA Medical College, Pakistan. Conducted from July to December 2023, this cross-sectional survey involved 270 undergraduate medical students, with 264 participants responding, resulting in a 97.7% response rate. The validated Smartphone Addiction Survey (SAS) was administered via an online Google form after obtaining informed consent. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. The study identified that smartphone usage among medical students includes information storage, communication, education, and entertainment, with no statistically significant gender-based differences (p > 0.05). Behaviours associated with smartphone usage included daily life disturbance, overuse, withdrawal, cyberspace-oriented relations, and tolerance. The ANOVA test revealed significant differences in cyberspace-oriented relations (p = 0.012), while no significant differences were found among different MBBS classes for daily life disturbance, overuse, withdrawal, and tolerance. These findings provide valuable insights into smartphone usage patterns and behaviours among medical students, highlighting significant variations in online interaction habits. The results can inform targeted interventions to promote healthy smartphone use and improve educational experiences for medical students in the digital age.
Enhanced Hydrologic Connectivity and Solute Dynamics Following Wildfire and Drought in a Contaminated Temperate Peatland Catchment
Authors: Marcotte Abbey L. , Limpens Juul , Nunes João Pedro , Howard Ben C. , Hurley Alexander G. , Khamis Kieran , Krause Stefan , Croghan Danny , Kourmouli Angeliki , Leader Samantha , Singh Tanu , Stoof Cathelijne R. , Ullah Sami , Kettridge Nicholas
Published: June 2024

Intact peatlands provide hydrological ecosystem services, such as regulating water regimes and immobilizing pollutants within catchments. Climate change impacts including drought and wildfire may impair their functioning, potentially impacting ecosystem service delivery. Here we investigate stream water quality changes following the combined impacts of a summer drought and wildfire in a peat‐dominated catchment in the UK during 2018. The study catchment stores legacy pollutants (i.e., metals) due to past industrial activity, thus making it particularly susceptible to pollutant release during wildfires. We quantified changes in water chemistry during five storm events over a 9‐month period following the wildfire. Concentration‐discharge (C‐Q) relationships for nine solutes were analyzed to explore changes in activation and connectivity of solute source zones. Hysteresis and flushing indices of C‐Q responses further described solute dynamics during storm events. We found that most nutrient and base cation concentrations in the stream discharge were highest in the immediate post‐fire storm events and decreased during subsequent autumn and spring storms. Metal concentrations increased during autumn and spring storms, indicating delayed mobilization from within‐peat or distal headwater sources. Our findings suggest that seasonal re‐wetting and hydrologic connectivity following disturbance influenced solute source zone activation and transport in the study catchment. Water quality responses associated with wildfire and drought were primarily observed in the months following the wildfire, suggesting mobilization of pollutants peaks shortly after fire. Our results contribute to a critical understanding of the future of water quality risks in temperate peatland catchments subject to disturbances exacerbated by climate change.
Transcriptome profiling of fast/glycolytic and slow/oxidative muscle fibers in aging and obesity
Authors: Zhang Feng-Min , Wu Hao-Fan , Wang Ke-Fan , Yu Ding-Ye , Zhang Xian-Zhong , Ren Qi , Chen Wei-Zhe , Lin Feng , Yu Zhen , Zhuang Cheng-Le
Published: June 2024

Aging and obesity pose significant threats to public health and are major contributors to muscle atrophy. The trends in muscle fiber types under these conditions and the transcriptional differences between different muscle fiber types remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate distinct responses of fast/glycolytic fibers and slow/oxidative fibers to aging and obesity. We found that in muscles dominated by oxidative fibers, the proportion of oxidative fibers remains unchanged during aging and obesity. However, in muscles dominated by glycolytic fibers, despite the low content of oxidative fibers, a significant decrease in proportion of oxidative fibers was observed. Consistently, our study uncovered that during aging and obesity, fast/glycolytic fibers specifically increased the expression of genes associated with muscle atrophy and inflammation, including Dkk3, Ccl8, Cxcl10, Cxcl13, Fbxo32, Depp1, and Chac1, while slow/oxidative fibers exhibit elevated expression of antioxidant protein Nqo-1 and downregulation of Tfrc. Additionally, we noted substantial differences in the expression of calcium-related signaling pathways between fast/glycolytic fibers and slow/oxidative fibers in response to aging and obesity. Treatment with a calcium channel inhibitor thapsigargin significantly increased the abundance of oxidative fibers. Our study provides additional evidence to support the transcriptomic differences in muscle fiber types under pathophysiological conditions, thereby establishing a theoretical basis for modulating muscle fiber types in disease treatment.
PIKfyve, expressed by CD11c-positive cells, controls tumor immunity
Authors: Choi Jae Eun , Qiao Yuanyuan , Kryczek Ilona , Yu Jiali , Gurkan Jonathan , Bao Yi , Gondal Mahnoor , Tien Jean Ching-Yi , Maj Tomasz , Yazdani Sahr , Parolia Abhijit , Xia Houjun , Zhou JiaJia , Wei Shuang , Grove Sara , Vatan Linda , Lin Heng , Li Gaopeng , Zheng Yang , Zhang Yuping , Cao Xuhong , Su Fengyun , Wang Rui , He Tongchen , Cieslik Marcin , Green Michael D. , Zou Weiping , Chinnaiyan Arul M.
Published: June 2024

Cancer treatment continues to shift from utilizing traditional therapies to targeted ones, such as protein kinase inhibitors and immunotherapy. Mobilizing dendritic cells (DC) and other myeloid cells with antigen presenting and cancer cell killing capacities is an attractive but not fully exploited approach. Here, we show that PIKFYVE is a shared gene target of clinically relevant protein kinase inhibitors and high expression of this gene in DCs is associated with poor patient response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. Genetic and pharmacological studies demonstrate that PIKfyve ablation enhances the function of CD11c+ cells (predominantly dendritic cells) via selectively altering the non-canonical NF-κB pathway. Both loss of Pikfyve in CD11c+ cells and treatment with apilimod, a potent and specific PIKfyve inhibitor, restrained tumor growth, enhanced DC-dependent T cell immunity, and potentiated ICB efficacy in tumor-bearing mouse models. Furthermore, the combination of a vaccine adjuvant and apilimod reduced tumor progression in vivo. Thus, PIKfyve negatively regulates the function of CD11c+ cells, and PIKfyve inhibition has promise for cancer immunotherapy and vaccine treatment strategies.
Solar-driven highly selective conversion of glycerol to dihydroxyacetone using surface atom engineered BiVO4 photoanodes
Authors: Lu Yuan , Lee Byoung Guan , Lin Cheng , Liu Tae-Kyung , Wang Zhipeng , Miao Jiaming , Oh Sang Ho , Kim Ki Chul , Zhang Kan , Park Jong Hyeok
Published: June 2024

Dihydroxyacetone is the most desired product in glycerol oxidation reaction because of its highest added value and large market demand among all possible oxidation products. However, selectively oxidative secondary hydroxyl groups of glycerol for highly efficient dihydroxyacetone production still poses a challenge. In this study, we engineer the surface of BiVO4 by introducing bismuth-rich domains and oxygen vacancies (Bi-rich BiVO4-x) to systematically modulate the surface adsorption of secondary hydroxyl groups and enhance photo-induced charge separation for photoelectrochemical glycerol oxidation into dihydroxyacetone conversion. As a result, the Bi-rich BiVO4-x increases the glycerol oxidation photocurrent density of BiVO4 from 1.42 to 4.26 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode under AM 1.5 G illumination, as well as the dihydroxyacetone selectivity from 54.0% to 80.3%, finally achieving a dihydroxyacetone production rate of 361.9 mmol m−2 h−1 that outperforms all reported values. The surface atom customization opens a way to regulate the solar-driven organic transformation pathway toward a carbon chain-balanced product.
Synergistic olfactory processing for social plasticity in desert locusts
Authors: Petelski Inga , Günzel Yannick , Sayin Sercan , Kraus Susanne , Couzin-Fuchs Einat
Published: June 2024

Desert locust plagues threaten the food security of millions. Central to their formation is crowding-induced plasticity, with social phenotypes changing from cryptic (solitarious) to swarming (gregarious). Here, we elucidate the implications of this transition on foraging decisions and corresponding neural circuits. We use behavioral experiments and Bayesian modeling to decompose the multi-modal facets of foraging, revealing olfactory social cues as critical. To this end, we investigate how corresponding odors are encoded in the locust olfactory system using in-vivo calcium imaging. We discover crowding-dependent synergistic interactions between food-related and social odors distributed across stable combinatorial response maps. The observed synergy was specific to the gregarious phase and manifested in distinct odor response motifs. Our results suggest a crowding-induced modulation of the locust olfactory system that enhances food detection in swarms. Overall, we demonstrate how linking sensory adaptations to behaviorally relevant tasks can improve our understanding of social modulation in non-model organisms.
Myocarditis associated with COVID-19 vaccination
Authors: Buoninfante Alessandra , Andeweg Arno , Genov Georgy , Cavaleri Marco
Published: June 2024

Following the start of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, the adverse events of myocarditis and pericarditis were linked mainly to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines by the regulatory authorities worldwide. COVID-19 vaccines have been administered to several million people and the risk of myocarditis post COVID-19 vaccination has been characterised in great detail. At the present time the research data available are scarce and there is still no clear understanding of the biological mechanism/s responsible for this disease. This manuscript provides a concise overview of the epidemiology of myocarditis and the most prominent mechanistic insights in the pathophysiology of the disease. Most importantly it underscores the needed next steps in the research agenda required to characterize the pathophysiology of this disease post-COVID-19 vaccination. Finally, it shares our perspectives and considerations for public health.
Time-course transcriptome data of silk glands in day 0–7 last-instar larvae of Bombyx mori (w1 pnd strain)
Authors: Masuoka Yudai , Jouraku Akiya , Tsubota Takuya , Ono Hiromasa , Chiba Hirokazu , Sezutsu Hideki , Bono Hidemasa , Yokoi Kakeru
Published: June 2024

Time-course transcriptome expression data were constructed for four parts of the silk gland (anterior, middle, and posterior parts of the middle silk gland, along with the posterior silk gland) in the domestic silkworm, Bombyx mori, from days 0 to 7 of the last-instar larvae. For sample preparation, silk glands were extracted from one female and one male larva every 24 hours accurately after the fourth ecdysis. The reliability of these transcriptome data was confirmed by comparing the transcripts per million (TPM) values of the silk gene and quantitative reverse transcription PCR results. Hierarchical cluster analysis results supported the reliability of transcriptome data. These data are likely to contribute to the progress in molecular biology and genetic research using B. mori, such as elucidating the mechanism underlying the massive production of silk proteins, conducting entomological research using a meta-analysis as a model for lepidopteran insect species, and exploring medical research using B. mori as a model for disease species by utilising transcriptome data.
Anthropogenic events and responses to environmental stress are shaping the genomes of Ethiopian indigenous goats
Authors: Belay Shumuye , Belay Gurja , Nigussie Helen , Ahbara Abulgasim M. , Tijjani Abdulfatai , Dessie Tadelle , Tarekegn Getinet M. , Jian-Lin Han , Mor Siobhan , Woldekiros Helina S. , Dobney Keith , Lebrasseur Ophelie , Hanotte Olivier , Mwacharo Joram M.
Published: June 2024

Anthropological and biophysical processes have shaped livestock genomes over Millenia and can explain their current geographic distribution and genetic divergence. We analyzed 57 Ethiopian indigenous domestic goat genomes alongside 67 equivalents of east, west, and north-west African, European, South Asian, Middle East, and wild Bezoar goats. Cluster, ADMIXTURE (K = 4) and phylogenetic analysis revealed four genetic groups comprising African, European, South Asian, and wild Bezoar goats. The Middle Eastern goats had an admixed genome of these four genetic groups. At K = 5, the West African Dwarf and Moroccan goats were separated from East African goats demonstrating a likely historical legacy of goat arrival and dispersal into Africa via the coastal Mediterranean Sea and the Horn of Africa. FST, XP-EHH, and Hp analysis revealed signatures of selection in Ethiopian goats overlaying genes for thermo-sensitivity, oxidative stress response, high-altitude hypoxic adaptation, reproductive fitness, pathogen defence, immunity, pigmentation, DNA repair, modulation of renal function and integrated fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. Notable examples include TRPV1 (a nociception gene); PTPMT1 (a critical hypoxia survival gene); RETREG (a regulator of reticulophagy during starvation), and WNK4 (a molecular switch for osmoregulation). These results suggest that human-mediated translocations and adaptation to contrasting environments are shaping indigenous African goat genomes.
Subclinical leaflet thrombus in patients with severe aortic stenosis and atrial fibrillation -ENRICH-AF TAVI study
Authors: Otsuka Yasuhiro , Ishii Masanobu , Tabata Noriaki , Oda Seitaro , Kidoh Masafumi , Shirahama Yuichiro , Egashira Koichi , Kuyama Naoto , Rokutanda Taku , Noda Katsuo , Horio Eiji , Sakamoto Tomohiro , Kudo Takashi , Shimomura Hideki , Ikemoto Tomokazu , Tsunoda Ryusuke , Nakamura Taishi , Matsui Kunihiko , Kaikita Koichi , Tsujita Kenichi ,   ENRICH AF TAVI Investigators
Published: June 2024

Subclinical leaflet thrombosis (SLT) can be one of the causes of transcatheter heart valve (THV) failure after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We sought to clarify the formation process of SLT and thrombogenicity during the perioperative period of TAVI. This multicenter, prospective, single-arm interventional study enrolled 26 patients treated with edoxaban for atrial fibrillation and who underwent TAVI for severe aortic stenosis between September 2018 and September 2022. We investigated changes in maximal leaflet thickness detected by contrast-enhanced computed tomography between 1 week and 3 months after TAVI in 18 patients and measured the thrombogenicity by Total Thrombus-formation Analysis System (T-TAS) and flow stagnation volume by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) (n = 11). SLT was observed in 16.7% (3/18) at 1 week, but decreased to 5.9% (1/17) at 3 months after TAVI. Patients with SLT at 1 week had a significantly decreased maximal leaflet thickness compared to those without SLT. Thrombogenicity assessed by T-TAS decreased markedly at 1 week and tended to increase at 3 months. The stagnation volume assessed by CFD was positively associated with a higher maximum leaflet thickness. This study showed the course of leaflet thrombus formation and visualization of stagnation in neo-sinus of THV in the acute phase after TAVI.
Research on distribution strategy of logistics enterprise alliance based on three-party evolution game
Authors: Ran Wenxue , He Dandan , Li Zhaoxia , Xue Yun , He Zhenzhen , Basnayaka Gunarathnage Aravinda Dananjaya Basnayaka
Published: June 2024

Currently, collaborative distribution models have not reached the optimal state of carbon emissions. The cost of additional low-carbon expenditures and the problem of carbon data verification have led to the lack of motivation for reducing emissions among collaborative distribution enterprises. Therefore, how to incentivize them to adopt the low-carbon model is crucial for achieving low-carbon goal. By relying on a government-led digital platform, this paper designs a dual low-carbon incentive strategy to encourage enterprise-alliance to adopt a low-carbon distribution model. In this paper, we first construct an evolutionary game model of the government, enterprise-alliance and end-users; then we explore the conditions of the three-party equilibrium evolution strategy by solving the model and analyzing the stability; and finally, we conduct simulation validation and results analysis with the help of MATLAB. In summary, we found that government punishment is more effective at regulating enterprise-alliance than reward. End-users’ behavior is affected by the costs they need to bear, and they no longer support enterprise-alliance to carry out collaborative low-carbon distribution above a certain threshold.
Exploring the dynamics of prefrontal cortex in the interaction between orienteering experience and cognitive performance by fNIRS
Authors: Liu Jingru , Liu Yang , Wu Linzhen
Published: June 2024

Sporting experience plays a pivotal role in shaping exercise habits, with a mutually reinforcing relationship that enhances cognitive performance. The acknowledged plasticity of cognition driven by sports necessitates a comprehensive examination. Hence, this study delves into the dynamic intricacies of the prefrontal cortex, exploring the impact of orienteering experience on cognitive performance. Our findings contribute empirical evidence regarding the functional activation of specific brain regions bridging the nexus between experiential factors and cognitive capabilities. In this cross-sectional study, a cohort of forty-nine athletes was enrolled to meticulously examine behavioral variances and prefrontal cortex dynamics among orienteering athletes of varying experience levels across diverse non-specialized scenarios. These investigations involved the utilization of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to detect alterations in oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2). The high-experience expert group exhibited neurological efficiency, demonstrating significantly diminished brain activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal, left ventral lateral prefrontal, and right orbitofrontal regions compared to the low-experience group. Within the low-experience novice group, superior performance in the spatial memory task was observed compared to the mental rotation task, with consistently lower reaction times across all conditions compared to the high-experience group. Notably, cerebral blood oxygenation activation exhibited a significant reduction in the high-experience expert group compared to the low-experience novice group, irrespective of task type. The dorsolateral prefrontal lobe exhibited activation upon task onset, irrespective of experience level. Correct rates in the spatial memory task were consistently higher than those in the mental rotation task, while brain region activation was significantly greater during the mental rotation task than the spatial memory task.” This study elucidates disparities in prefrontal cortex dynamics between highly seasoned experts and neophyte novices, showcasing a cognitive edge within the highly experienced cohort and a spatial memory advantage in the inexperienced group. Our findings contribute to the comprehension of the neural mechanisms that underlie the observed cognitive advantage and provide insights into the forebrain resources mobilized by orienteering experience during spatial cognitive tasks.”