bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Use of Immune Regulation in Treating Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC)
Authors: Wang Che-Wei , Biswas Pulak Kumar , Islam Atikul , Chen Mu-Kuan , Chueh Pin Ju
Published: February 2024

Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising new treatment modality for head and neck cancer, offering the potential for targeted and effective cancer management. Squamous cell carcinomas pose significant challenges due to their aggressive nature and limited treatment options. Conventional therapies such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy often have limited success rates and can have significant side effects. Immunotherapy harnesses the power of the immune system to recognize and eliminate cancer cells, and thus represents a novel approach with the potential to improve patient outcomes. In the management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), important contributions are made by immunotherapies, including adaptive cell therapy (ACT) and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. In this review, we are focusing on the latter. Immune checkpoint inhibitors target proteins such as programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) to enhance the immune response against cancer cells. The CTLA-4 inhibitors, such as ipilimumab and tremelimumab, have been approved for early-stage clinical trials and have shown promising outcomes in terms of tumor regression and durable responses in patients with advanced HNSCC. Thus, immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy holds promise in overcoming the limitations of conventional therapies. However, further research is needed to optimize treatment regimens, identify predictive biomarkers, and overcome potential resistance mechanisms. With ongoing advancements in immunotherapy, the future holds great potential for transforming the landscape of oral tumor treatment and providing new hope for patients.
Hedgehog on the Move: Glypican-Regulated Transport and Gradient Formation in Drosophila
Authors: Jiménez-Jiménez Carlos , Grobe Kay , Guerrero Isabel
Published: February 2024

Glypicans (Glps) are a family of heparan sulphate proteoglycans that are attached to the outer plasma membrane leaflet of the producing cell by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor. Glps are involved in the regulation of many signalling pathways, including those that regulate the activities of Wnts, Hedgehog (Hh), Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs), and Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs), among others. In the Hh-signalling pathway, Glps have been shown to be essential for ligand transport and the formation of Hh gradients over long distances, for the maintenance of Hh levels in the extracellular matrix, and for unimpaired ligand reception in distant recipient cells. Recently, two mechanistic models have been proposed to explain how Hh can form the signalling gradient and how Glps may contribute to it. In this review, we describe the structure, biochemistry, and metabolism of Glps and their interactions with different components of the Hh-signalling pathway that are important for the release, transport, and reception of Hh.
Differential Upregulation of Th1/Th17-Associated Proteins and PD-L1 in Granulomatous Mycosis Fungoides
Authors: Marques-Piubelli Mario L. , Navarrete Jesus , Ledesma Debora A. , Hudgens Courtney W. , Lazcano Rossana N. , Alani Ali , Huen Auris , Duvic Madeleine , Nagarajan Priyadharsini , Aung Phyu P. , Wistuba Ignacio I. , Curry Jonathan L. , Miranda Roberto N. , Torres-Cabala Carlos A.
Published: February 2024

Granulomatous Mycosis Fungoides (GMF) is a rare form of mycosis fungoides (MF) characterized by a granulomatous infiltrate associated with the neoplastic lymphoid population and is considered to have a worse prognosis compared with regular MF. The upregulation of the T helper (Th) axis, especially Th17, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory/infectious granulomatous cutaneous diseases, but its role in GMF is still not elucidated to date. In this study, we evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of Th1 (Tbet), Th2 (GATA-3), Th17 (RORγT), T regulatory (Foxp3), and immune checkpoint (IC) (PD-1 and PD-L1) markers in a cohort of patients with GMF and MF with large cell transformation (MFLCT). Skin biopsies from 49 patients (28 GMF and 21 MFLCT) were studied. Patients with GMF were associated with early clinical stage (p = 0.036) and lower levels of lactate dehydrogenase (p = 0.042). An increased percentage of cells positive for Tbet (p = 0.017), RORγT (p = 0.001), and PD-L1 (p = 0.011) was also observed among the GMF specimens, while a stronger PD-1 intensity was detected in cases of MFLCT. In this cohort, LCT, RORγT < 10%, Foxp3 < 10%, age, and advanced stage were associated with worse overall survival (OS) in univariate analysis. GMF demonstrated Th1 (cellular response) and Th17 (autoimmunity) phenotype, seen in early MF and granulomatous processes, respectively, which may be related to the histopathological appearance and biological behavior of GMF. Further studies involving larger series of cases and more sensitive techniques are warranted.
Research Progress of Electronic Nose and Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Meat Adulteration Detection
Authors: Sun Xu , Wang Songlin , Jia Wenshen
Published: February 2024

China is a large consumer of meat and meat products. People’s daily diets include a variety of meat, but meat food adulteration problems are common. This paper discusses the research progress of the electronic nose and near-infrared spectroscopy in the field of meat adulteration detection. Through the study of dozens of related papers in recent years, it has been found that the use of the electronic nose and near-infrared spectroscopy for meat detection has the advantages of speed, a nondestructive nature, high sensitivity, strong quantitative analysis, high automation, a wide applicability, an improved product quality, and cost reduction over the traditional detection, but it may be limited in detecting the adulteration of a specific meat, and there are issues with the life and stability of the sensors of the electronic nose in the process of detection, along with the problems of the high requirements for the modeling of the data of near-infrared spectroscopy. This paper takes adulterated meat as the research object and briefly summarizes the detection principles of the electronic nose and near-infrared spectroscopy, as well as the types of sensors applied in the electronic nose. The research progress of the electronic nose and near-infrared detection technology in meat adulteration assessment is reviewed, the advantages and disadvantages of the two in practical application are analyzed, the classification of pattern recognition methods and their applications in meat identification are described, and the feasibility and practical significance of the joint application of the two in meat adulteration detection are envisioned. Meanwhile, the challenges faced by the two in meat detection are pointed out.
Candida Variety in the Oral Cavity of Mexican Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and TLR2 Gene Expression
Authors: Pérez-Vielma Nadia Mabel , Gómez-López Modesto , Martínez-Godínez María de los Ángeles , Luna-Torres Ana Laura , Domínguez López Aarón , Miliar-García Ángel
Published: February 2024

Background: The aim was to diagnose Candida in the oral cavity of subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using a genotyping technique and compare the results with those from conventional diagnosis by Papanicolaou (Pap) staining. Methods: Palatal mucosa smears were performed on 18 dental care patients diagnosed with T2DM and grade I, II, and III prosthetic stomatitis who met the inclusion criteria; 18 healthy control subjects were also included in the study. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were determined from total blood. Using exfoliative cytology, the Pap staining technique was used to diagnose candidiasis. Exfoliative cytology was also used for molecular diagnosis; DNA was obtained for Candida genotyping, and RNA was used for gene expression studies. Results: Clinical patterns indicated that all subjects were positive for Candida; however, Pap analysis revealed only three positive subjects, whereas end-point polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis revealed 15 subjects with some type of Candida. The most common Candida species found were Candida guilliermondii (38.8%), Candida krusei (33.3%), Candida tropicalis, and Candida lusitaniae (22.2%). Interestingly, the coexpression of different species of Candida was found in various patients. In all patients, HbA1c levels were increased. Gene expression analysis showed a significant decrease (p ≤ 0.05) in TLR2 expression in positive subjects, whereas TLR4 expression did not differ significantly among patients. Conclusions: The end-point PCR technique showed better sensitivity for the diagnosis of Candida when compared with the diagnosis by Pap staining. T2DM subjects showed an increased presence of C. guilliermondii that was correlated with decreased TLR2 expression.
Laser–Chemical Surface Treatment for Enhanced Anti-Corrosion and Antibacterial Properties of Magnesium Alloy
Authors: Xiong Wei , Fu Jiajun , Liu Chao , Li Li , Wang Huixin , Zhang Mingjun , Ge Zhiqiang , Zhang Tairui , Wang Qinghua
Published: February 2024

Magnesium (Mg) alloy with good biomechanical and biocompatible properties is considered to be a promising biodegradable material for various applications. However, Mg alloy that is chemically active tends to be corroded in a physiological environment. In this work, we proposed a laser–chemical surface treatment to combine laser surface structuring and stearic immersion treatment to enhance the anti-corrosion and antibacterial properties of Mg alloy. The effects of surface structuring, chemistry, and wettability were analyzed, and the performance of the proposed technique was evaluated in terms of corrosion resistance and antibacterial properties. The experiments showed the following: (1) surface structuring by laser-induced dual-scale micro/nanostructures produced superhydrophilicity, with a water contact angle (WCA) of 0° on the surface of the Mg alloy; (2) applying the stearic acid immersion changed the chemistry of the Mg alloy’s surface and thus facilitated the wettability transition to superhydrophobicity, with a WCA of 160.1° ± 0.5°; (3) the proposed laser–chemical surface treatment enhanced corrosion resistance and stabilized the wettability of Mg alloy in a corrosive medium significantly; and (4) the proposed laser–chemical surface treatment enhanced the antibacterial properties of the Mg alloy greatly, with an improved antibacterial rate as high as 82.05%. This work proved that the proposed laser–chemical surface treatment was a simple, effective, and efficient technique to modulate and control the wettability and further improve the anti-corrosion and antibacterial properties of the Mg alloy.
Suicide-Related Groups and School Shooting Fan Communities on Social Media: A Network Analysis
Authors: Peshkovskaya Anastasia , Chudinov Sergey , Serbina Galina , Gubanov Alexander
Published: February 2024

As network structure of virtual communities related to suicide and school shooting still remains unaddressed in scientific literature, we employed basic demographics analysis and social network analysis (SNA) to show common features, as well as distinct facets in the communities’ structure and their followers’ network. Open and publicly accessible data of over 16,000 user accounts were collected with a social media monitoring system. Results showed that adolescents and young adults were the main audience of suicide-related and school shooting fan communities. List of blocked virtual groups related to school shooting was more extensive than that of suicide, which indicates a high radicalization degree of school shooting virtual groups. The homogeneity of followers’ interests was more typical for subscribers of suicide-related communities. A social network analysis showed that followers of school shooting virtual groups were closely interconnected with their peers, and their network was monolithic, while followers of suicide-related virtual groups were fragmented into numerous communities, so presence of a giant connected component in their network can be questioned. We consider our results highly relevant for better understanding the network aspects of virtual information existence, harmful information spreading, and its potential impact on society.
New Data on Crystal Phases in the System MgSO4–OC(NH2)2–H2O
Authors: Nikolova Rositsa , Kostov-Kytin Vladislav , Petrova Nadia , Kossev Krasimir , Titorenkova Rositsa , Velyanova Gergana
Published: February 2024

Urea complexes of magnesium sulfate have been intensively studied due to their application in many areas of life, including agricultural chemistry, pharmacy, medicine, etc. The aim of this study is to add new knowledge about the trends and consistencies in the preparation procedures of MgSO4·nOC(NH2)2·mH2O phases. A set of analytical methods was used to characterize their structure, thermal and spectroscopic properties. The conditions for obtaining the three complexes in pure form were specified and the crystal structures of MgSO4·OC(NH2)2·2H2O and MgSO4·OC(NH2)2·3H2O were determined. The spectroscopic data of the considered compounds were analysed with respect to their structural and chemical properties. Thermal analyses showed that both the melting point and the urea decomposition temperature depend on the OC(NH2)2: H2O ratio in the octahedral environment of the magnesium ion in the studied structures.
Simultaneous Implant and Guided Bone Regeneration Using Bovine-Derived Xenograft and Acellular Dermal Matrix in Aesthetic Zone
Authors: Devina Anggun Alfreda , Halim Felita Clarissa , Sulijaya Benso , Sumaringsih Patricia Rinanti , Dewi Ratna Sari
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Implant placement in the maxillary anterior area requires sufficient quantity and quality of both soft and hard tissue. In cases where soft and hard tissues are insufficient, additional regeneration using biomaterials is recommended. Treatment using bovine-derived xenograft and acellular dermal matrix (ADM) may increase bone volume and soft tissue thickness. Case and management: A 65-year-old woman sought help for discomfort and aesthetic issues with her denture, reporting missing teeth (11, 12, 13, 14, and 21) and bone volume shrinkage due to disuse atrophy. Intraoral examination revealed 1 mm gingival thickness. CBCT showed labio-palatal bone thickness of 6.0 mm, 5.8 mm, and 4.7 mm for teeth 21, 12 and 14, respectively. Implant planning and surgical guide fabrication were carried out before the surgery. Surgery included the placement of implants 3.3 mm in diameter and 12 mm in length, with the use of xenograft and ADM. Three months post-op, improvements in soft and hard tissues were observed, with a final prosthesis being a long-span implant-supported bridge. Conclusions: Disuse alveolar atrophy causes soft and hard tissue deficiency. The use of xenograft and ADM show favourable results even on a geriatric patient.
Concordance of Fathers and Mothers in the Assessment of Their 5-Year-Old Child’s Dental Fear
Authors: Seppänen Sanna , Vuorenmaa Kukka , Suominen Auli , Ogawa Mika , Pohjola Vesa , Rantavuori Kari , Karlsson Hasse , Karlsson Linnea , Lahti Satu
Published: February 2024

The aim of this study was to evaluate the concordance of parents’ assessments of their child’s dental fear. Cross-sectional secondary analysis used data from the multidisciplinary FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study. Child dental fear was assessed at age 5 with the Finnish translation of the modified Children’s Fear Survey Schedule Dental Subscale (CFSS-M) by both fathers (n = 588) and mothers (n = 1100). Reply alternatives were from 1 = not afraid to 5 = very afraid and 6 = no experience coded as missing and 1. In total, 514 mother–father pairs were eligible for the analyses. Descriptive statistics, percentage agreement and Cohen’s Kappa coefficients were used in the analyses. The concordance of parents’ assessments was poor (Kappa range 0.072–0.258). The majority of parents replied “No Experience” to items related to invasive treatment or being unable to breathe. Thus, coding of this reply alternative had a significant impact on the mean values of the child’s fear. When assessing the fear of a five-year-old child, it might not be safe to rely only on one parent’s assessment, and whether or not the child has experience with the question asked should also be considered.
The Impact of Nano- and Micro-Silica on the Setting Time and Microhardness of Conventional Glass–Ionomer Cements
Authors: Güçlü Zeynep A. , Patat Şaban , Coleman Nichola J.
Published: February 2024

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the incorporation of 2, 4 or 6 wt% of amorphous nano- or micro-silica (Aerosil® OX 50 or Aeroperl® 300 Pharma (Evonik Operations GmbH, Essen, Germany), respectively) on the net setting time and microhardness of Ketac™ Molar (3M ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA) and Fuji IX GP® (GC Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) glass–ionomer cements (GICs) (viz. KM and FIX, respectively). Both silica particles were found to cause a non-linear, dose-dependent reduction in setting time that was within the clinically acceptable limits specified in the relevant international standard (ISO 9917-1:2007). The microhardness of KM was statistically unaffected by blending with 2 or 4 wt% nano-silica at all times, whereas 6 wt% addition decreased and increased the surface hardness at 1 and 21 days, respectively. The incorporation of 4 or 6 wt% nano-silica significantly improved the microhardness of FIX at 1, 14 and 21 days, with no change in this property noted for 2 wt% addition. Micro-silica also tended to enhance the microhardness of FIX, at all concentrations and times, to an extent that became statistically significant for all dosages at 21 days. Conversely, 4 and 6 wt% additions of micro-silica markedly decreased the initial 1-day microhardness of KM, and the 21-day sample blended at 4 wt% was the only specimen that demonstrated a significant increase in this property. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that the nano- and micro-silica particles were well distributed throughout the composite structures of both GICs with no evidence of aggregation or zoning. The specific mechanisms of the interaction of inorganic nanoparticles with the constituents of GICs require further understanding, and a lack of international standardization of the determination of microhardness is problematic in this respect.
On Playing with Emotion: A Spatial Evolutionary Variation of the Ultimatum Game
Authors: Charcon D. Y. , Monteiro L. H. A.
Published: February 2024

The Ultimatum Game is a simplistic representation of bargaining processes occurring in social networks. In the standard version of this game, the first player, called the proposer, makes an offer on how to split a certain amount of money. If the second player, called the responder, accepts the offer, the money is divided according to the proposal; if the responder declines the offer, both players receive no money. In this article, an agent-based model is employed to evaluate the performance of five distinct strategies of playing a modified version of this game. A strategy corresponds to instructions on how a player must act as the proposer and as the responder. Here, the strategies are inspired by the following basic emotions: anger, fear, joy, sadness, and surprise. Thus, in the game, each interacting agent is a player endowed with one of these five basic emotions. In the modified version explored in this article, the spatial dimension is taken into account and the survival of the players depends on successful negotiations. Numerical simulations are performed in order to determine which basic emotion dominates the population in terms of prevalence and accumulated money. Information entropy is also computed to assess the time evolution of population diversity and money distribution. From the obtained results, a conjecture on the emergence of the sense of fairness is formulated.
Evaluation of the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions Model in an Alternative Educational Setting
Authors: Bostrom Stefan , Karlberg Martin , Schell Candace , Klang Nina
Published: February 2024

The aim of this study was to evaluate the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) intervention in an alternative educational setting for students with behavioural problems. The effect of the CPS intervention on students’ off-task behaviour was studied using a single-subject experimental design that included two students with behavioural problems via systematic direct observations and direct behaviour ratings. The usability of the CPS intervention was investigated through questionnaires and interviews with the participating students and teacher assistant. The results revealed no significant effects of the CPS intervention on students’ off-task behaviour. The students and teacher assistant viewed the CPS intervention as acceptable but the teacher assistant’s ratings of the feasibility of the intervention were lower, together with the ratings of the extent to which the intervention matched the socio-political climate of the educational setting.
Teamwork Made in China: Soft Skill Development with a Side of Friendship in the STEM Classroom
Authors: Van Horne Constance , Rakedzon Tzipora
Published: February 2024

One demand imposed by the global market is the possession of adequate soft skills, a challenge commonly faced by STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) graduates. This challenge is particularly prominent in China, which produces millions of STEM graduates annually. Consequently, there is a pressing need to develop and research programs facilitating the acquisition of soft skills, with a specific focus on teamwork, among Chinese engineers. To this end, we created a team-based project as part of a semester-long scientific English communication course at a Sino–foreign STEM university in China. The project aimed at fostering valuable soft skills through active learning, including teamwork, communication, and collaboration. In this report, we examine written reflections by students, aiming to assess their perceptions of soft skill development and overall experience resulting from their participation in the team-based project. Our results show the self-reflected soft skills development was considerable, and, unexpectedly, a noteworthy outcome of the project was the significant development of interpersonal connections, resulting in a positive experience and friendship development. Consequently, the findings of this study shed light on how teamwork can foster soft skills and friendship development, the latter often referred to as relationship development, another soft skill in the 21st century.
Machine Learning-Based Forecasting of Temperature and Solar Irradiance for Photovoltaic Systems
Authors: Tercha Wassila , Tadjer Sid Ahmed , Chekired Fathia , Canale Laurent
Published: February 2024

The integration of photovoltaic (PV) systems into the global energy landscape has been boosted in recent years, driven by environmental concerns and research into renewable energy sources. The accurate prediction of temperature and solar irradiance is essential for optimizing the performance and grid integration of PV systems. Machine learning (ML) has become an effective tool for improving the accuracy of these predictions. This comprehensive review explores the pioneer techniques and methodologies employed in the field of ML-based forecasting of temperature and solar irradiance for PV systems. This article presents a comparative study between various algorithms and techniques commonly used for temperature and solar radiation forecasting. These include regression models such as decision trees, random forest, XGBoost, and support vector machines (SVM). The beginning of this article highlights the importance of accurate weather forecasts for the operation of PV systems and the challenges associated with traditional meteorological models. Next, fundamental concepts of machine learning are explored, highlighting the benefits of improved accuracy in estimating the PV power generation for grid integration.
Supercritical CO2 Power Technology: Strengths but Challenges
Authors: Molière Michel , Privat Romain , Jaubert Jean-Noël , Geiger Frédéric
Published: February 2024

In the late 1960s, a handful of inspired researchers predicted the great potential of supercritical CO2 (“sCO2”) cycles for the production of electricity and highlighted the prospects for dramatic reductions in component sizes and efficiency increases. Since then, considerable development programs have been deployed around the world to “tame” this new technology. Despite these efforts, in-depth engineering studies and extensive testing are still necessary today before viable designs can be released for large-scale industrial applications. This raises questions as to the reasons for this delay, this debate being rarely addressed in the current literature. This situation has motivated the present study. Trying to unravel such an intricate topic requires to understand the distinctive properties of supercritical CO2 and the particular requirements of closed, high-pressure power systems. This article aims then to provide a broad overview of sCO2 power cycles, highlighting their main advantages and limitations and reflecting the challenges associated with the industrialization of that technology which actually requires disruptive and innovative designs.
Multi-Objective Robust Optimization of Integrated Energy System with Hydrogen Energy Storage
Authors: Zhao Yuyang , Wei Yifan , Zhang Shuaiqi , Guo Yingjun , Sun Hexu
Published: February 2024

A novel multi-objective robust optimization model of an integrated energy system with hydrogen storage (HIES) considering source–load uncertainty is proposed to promote the low-carbon economy operation of the integrated energy system of a park. Firstly, the lowest total system cost and carbon emissions are selected as the multi-objective optimization functions. The Pareto front solution set of the objective function is applied by compromise planning, and the optimal solution among them is obtained by the maximum–minimum fuzzy method. Furthermore, the robust optimization (RO) approach is introduced to cope with the source–load uncertainty effectively. Finally, it is demonstrated that the illustrated HIES can significantly reduce the total system cost, carbon emissions, and abandoned wind and solar power. Meanwhile, the effectiveness of the proposed model and solution method is verified by analyzing the influence of multi-objective solutions and a robust coefficient on the Chongli Demonstration Project in Hebei Province.
Levelized Cost of Biohydrogen from Steam Reforming of Biomethane with Carbon Capture and Storage (Golden Hydrogen)—Application to Spain
Authors: Yagüe Luis , Linares José I. , Arenas Eva , Romero José C.
Published: February 2024

The production of biohydrogen with negative CO2 emissions through the steam methane reforming of biomethane, coupled with carbon capture and storage, represents a promising technology, particularly for industries that are difficult to electrify. In spite of the maturity of this technology, which is currently employed in the production of grey and blue hydrogen, a detailed cost model that considers the entire supply chain is lacking in the literature. This study addresses this gap by applying correlations derived from actual facilities producing grey and blue hydrogen to calculate the CAPEX, while exploring various feedstock combinations for biogas generation to assess the OPEX. The analysis also includes logistic aspects, such as decentralised biogas production and the transportation and storage of CO2. The levelized cost of golden hydrogen is estimated to range from EUR 1.84 to 2.88/kg, compared to EUR 1.47/kg for grey hydrogen and EUR 1.93/kg for blue hydrogen, assuming a natural gas cost of EUR 25/MWh and excluding the CO2 tax. This range increases to between 3.84 and 2.92, with a natural gas cost of EUR 40/MWh with the inclusion of the CO2 tax. A comparison with conventional green hydrogen is performed, highlighting both prices and potential, thereby offering valuable information for decision-making.
Different Species Proportions Influence Silvicultural Heterogeneity of Trees in a Restoration of a Ombrophilous Dense Forest in Lowlands
Authors: Schneider Chaiane Rodrigues , Mastella Alexandre Dal Forno , Mattar Eduardo Abilhoa , Angelo Alessandro Camargo , Behling Alexandre , Rios Román Carlos , Blum Christopher Thomas , Carpanezzi Antonio Aparecido , Neves Edinelson Jose Maciel , Souza Karen Koch Fernandes de , Angelo Dalton Henrique
Published: February 2024

In order to generate strategies for the use of native species for ecological restoration, this paper presents the effects resulting from planting with facilitating tree species, in different proportions, after 13 years of forest restoration, in an area previously used for cattle buffaloes. The implantation was carried out in the Ombrophilous Dense Forest in the Lowlands, in the Atlantic Rainforest biome of the coastal plain of the state of Paraná and consisted of the plantation of 10 native species, distributed in two treatments: equal (A) and unequal (B) proportions of trees per species. After conducting a forest census, it was identified that the silvicultural expression of the facilitating tree species in the treatments differed significantly, and proportion A contributed to a scenario with greater silvicultural heterogeneity in the areas, which may be beneficial to the evolution of the ecological dynamics of the forest restoration process. In addition, the monitoring of Alchornea glandulosa, Inga edulis, and Myrsine coriacea expressed better development in the area and high resilience to the environmental adversities arising from the cattle ranching activity previously carried out, especially in relation to invasive grasses; therefore, they are recommended for use in the forest restoration of associated ecosystems.
The Seasonal Impact of Thinning Intensities on Soil Carbon Cycling in the Lesser Xing’an Range, Northeast China
Authors: Zhang Baoshan , Gao Ran , Dong Xibin
Published: February 2024

Forest degradation, driven by human and natural factors, diminishes ecological functions and carbon storage. Understanding the complex dynamics of soil carbon pools is crucial for the global carbon cycle, although these dynamics are poorly understood. This study examines how different thinning intensities influence seasonal soil carbon cycling in degraded forests. ANOVA revealed significant differences in soil properties across treatments (p < 0.05). Redundancy analysis and random forest analyses were used to explore relationships among thinning intensities, soil properties, and carbon sequestration. Thinning significantly altered soil attributes, as revealed by field experiments and data analysis. Moderate thinning (20% intensity) significantly enhanced litter retention and soil nutrient levels year-round (p < 0.05). Seasonal variations affected soil carbon dynamics and lower thinning intensities improved carbon sequestration in spring and summer. Conversely, higher thinning intensities led to carbon loss in autumn and winter. Litter carbon, fine root carbon, and correction factor significantly respond to thinning intensities year-round as examined through redundancy analysis and random forest analyses. Findings indicate moderate thinning effectively enhances soil carbon sequestration in degraded forests. Strategically planned thinning could aid climate change mitigation by boosting forest soil carbon storage, influencing forest management and conservation.
Effect of Surface Reaction on the Distribution Characteristics of Temperature and OH Radicals in Microchannel Combustion
Authors: Li Xiuquan , Kang Dugang , Zhang Lei , Chen Jie , Huang Song , Zou Qunfeng , He Ziqiang
Published: February 2024

Microchannel burners suffer from low combustion efficiency and poor stability in applications. In order to explore the effect of wall reaction on methane/air premixed combustion performances in the microchannel, the effects of wall activity, inlet velocity, pressure, and equivalence ratio on the temperature and radical distribution characteristics were studied by CFD computational simulations. It is found that as the reaction pressure increases, there are more free-radical collisions, causing the reaction temperature to rise. The OH radicals participate in the reaction at the active near wall so that the mass fraction of the OH radical on the active wall is lower than that on the inert wall. As the equivalence ratio increases from 0.6 to 1.2, the high-temperature regions increase but the maximum temperature decreases. The mass fraction of OH radical increases with the increase of the equivalence ratio, and the increase of OH radical near the inert wall is larger than that of the active wall. As the flow rate increases, the disturbance increases, and the combustion reaction becomes more intense, resulting in an increase in the temperature and the mass fraction of OH radicals. The mass fraction of H, O, OH, and CH3 radicals in the inert wall was slightly higher than that in the active wall, in which the peak mass fraction of CH3 radical appeared at the axial position closest to the entrance, while the other three radicals reached the peak at about the same axial position. This study provides a reference for combustion stability in microcombustors.
Visualizing and Evaluating Microbubbles in Multiphase Flow Applications
Authors: Najim Safa A. , Meerakaviyad Deepak , Pun Kul , Russell Paul , Ganesan Poo Balan , Hughes David , Hamad Faik A.
Published: February 2024

Accurate visualization of bubbles in multiphase flow is a crucial aspect of modeling heat transfer, mixing, and turbulence processes. It has many applications, including chemical processes, wastewater treatment, and aquaculture. A new software, Flow_Vis, based on experimental data visualization, has been developed to visualize the movement and size distribution of bubbles within multiphase flow. Images and videos recorded from an experimental rig designed to generate microbubbles were analyzed using the new software. The bubbles in the fluid were examined and found to move with different velocities due to their varying sizes. The software was used to measure bubble size distributions, and the obtained results were compared with experimental measurements, showing reasonable accuracy. The velocity measurements were also compared with literature values and found to be equally accurate.
A Colorimetric Nanofiber Film Based on Ethyl Cellulose/Gelatin/Purple Sweet Potato Anthocyanins for Monitoring Pork Freshness
Authors: Wen Peng , Wu Jinling , Wu Jiahui , Wang Hong , Wu Hong
Published: February 2024

In this study, colorimetric indicator nanofiber films based on ethyl cellulose (EC)/gelatin (G) incorporating purple sweet potato anthocyanins (PSPAs) were designed via electrospinning technology for monitoring and maintaining the freshness of pork. The film presented good structural integrity and stability in a humid environment with water vapor permeability (WVP) of 6.07 ± 0.14 × 10−11 g·m−1s−1Pa−1 and water contact angle (WCA) of 81.62 ± 1.43°. When PSPAs were added into the nanofiber films, the antioxidant capacity was significantly improved (p < 0.05) with a DPPH radical scavenging rate of 68.61 ± 1.80%. The nanofiber films showed distinguishable color changes as pH changes and was highly sensitive to volatile ammonia than that of casting films. In the application test, the film color changed from light pink (fresh stage) to light brown (secondary freshness stage) and then to brownish green (spoilage stage), indicating that the nanofiber films can be used to detect the real-time freshness of pork during storage. Meanwhile, it could prolong the shelf life of pork by inhibiting the oxidation degree. Hence, these results suggested that the EC/G/PSPA film has promising future for monitoring freshness and extending shelf life of pork.
Potency of Dimethyl Dicarbonate on the Microbial Inhibition Growth Kinetics, and Quality of Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis) Juice during Refrigerated Storage
Authors: Shiekh Khursheed Ahmad , Noieaid Akaranaj , Gadpoca Poke , Sermwiwatwong Supassorn , Jafari Saeid , Kijpatanasilp Isaya , Worobo Randy W. , Assatarakul Kitipong
Published: February 2024

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of dimethyl dicarbonate (DMDC) at various concentrations (0–250 ppm) in inhibiting the growth of Escherichia coli TISTR 117 and spoilage microbes in passion fruit juice (PFJ) and its impact on the physicochemical and antioxidant quality of the juice during refrigerated storage. The highest log reduction in the total viable count, yeast/molds and E. coli was attained in PFJ samples with 250 ppm of DMDC (p ≤ 0.05) added. Microbial growth inhibition by DMDC followed the first-order kinetic model with a coefficient of determination (R2) and inhibition constants (k) ranging from 0.98 to 0.99 and 0.022 to 0.042, respectively. DMDC at 0–250 ppm showed an insignificant effect on pH, °Brix, color (L*, a*, b*), ascorbic acid, total phenolic compound (TPC), total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity (DPPH, FRAP) (p > 0.05). Control (untreated PFJ), DMDC-250 ppm, and pasteurized (15 s at 72 °C) samples were subjected to 27 days of cold storage at 4 °C. A decreasing trend in pH, total soluble solid, ascorbic acid content, DPPH and FRAP values were observed in all the samples during refrigerated storage. However, the DMDC-250 ppm sample showed a better prospect in physicochemical quality changes compared to the pasteurized and untreated control PFJ samples. ΔE values showed marked changes in the control sample than the DMDC-250 ppm and pasteurized samples at 27 days of storage. Additionally, the total viable count and yeast/mold count were augmented during storage, and an estimated shelf-life of the control, DMDC-250 ppm, and pasteurized samples was approximately 3, 24 and 18 days, respectively. In conclusion, DMDC at 250 ppm could ensure microbial safety without affecting the quality attributes of PFJ during 24 days of storage at 4 °C.
Eco-Friendly Sol–Gel Coatings with Organic Corrosion Inhibitors for Lightweight AZ61 Alloy
Authors: Domínguez-Martínez Jorge , López-Sánchez Jesús , García-Galván Federico , Serrano Aída , Barranco Violeta , Galván Juan Carlos , Rodríguez de la Fuente Óscar , Carmona Noemí
Published: February 2024

The latest advances in technology and materials science have catalyzed a transformative shift towards the adoption of environmentally conscious and lightweight materials across key sectors such as aeronautics, biomedical, and automotive industries. Noteworthy among these innovations are the magnesium-aluminum (Mg-Al) alloys employed in aeronautical applications, contributing to the overall reduction in aircraft weight and subsequently diminishing fuel consumption and mitigating atmospheric emissions. The present work delves into a study of the anti-corrosive properties inherent in various sol-gel coatings, leveraging a range of environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitors, specifically tailored for samples of the AZ61 alloy. Methodologically, the work involves the synthesis and application of sol-gel coatings on AZ61 alloy containing eco-friendly inhibitors: L-cysteine, N-acetyl-cysteine, curcumin and methylene blue. Subsequently, an accelerated corrosion test in a simulated saline environment is performed. Through microstructural and compositional analyses, the best inhibitors responses are achieved with inhibitors containing S, N heteroatoms and conjugated double bonds in their structure, probably due to the creation of a continuous MgCl2 layer. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse on protective eco-coatings, aligning with the broader paradigm shift towards sustainable and lightweight materials in key industries.
Autotetraploid Induction of Three A-Genome Wild Peanut Species, Arachis cardenasii, A. correntina, and A. diogoi
Authors: Suppa Robert W. , Andres Ryan J. , Dunne Jeffrey C. , Arram Ramsey F. , Morgan Thomas B. , Chen Hsuan
Published: February 2024

A-genome Arachis species (AA; 2n = 2x = 20) are commonly used as secondary germplasm sources in cultivated peanut breeding, Arachis hypogaea L. (AABB; 2n = 4x = 40), for the introgression of various biotic and abiotic stress resistance genes. Genome doubling is critical to overcoming the hybridization barrier of infertility that arises from ploidy-level differences between wild germplasm and cultivated peanuts. To develop improved genome doubling methods, four trials of various concentrations of the mitotic inhibitor treatments colchicine, oryzalin, and trifluralin were tested on the seedlings and seeds of three A-genome species, A. cardenasii, A. correntina, and A. diogoi. A total of 494 seeds/seedlings were treated in the present four trials, with trials 1 to 3 including different concentrations of the three chemical treatments on seedlings, and trial 4 focusing on the treatment period of 5 mM colchicine solution treatment of seeds. A small number of tetraploids were produced from the colchicine and oryzalin gel treatments of seedlings, but all these tetraploid seedlings reverted to diploid or mixoploid states within six months of treatment. In contrast, the 6-h colchicine solution treatment of seeds showed the highest tetraploid conversion rate (6–13% of total treated seeds or 25–40% of surviving seedlings), and the tetraploid plants were repeatedly tested as stable tetraploids. In addition, visibly and statistically larger leaves and flowers were produced by the tetraploid versions of these three species compared to their diploid versions. As a result, stable tetraploid plants of each A-genome species were produced, and a 5 mM colchicine seed treatment is recommended for A-genome and related wild Arachis species genome doubling.
Physical Activity Is Associated with the Incidence of Depression in United States Adults from the NHANES 2013–18: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Pereira-Payo Damián , Mendoza-Muñoz María , Denche-Zamorano Angel , Rubio-de la Osa Ana , Moreno-Quintanilla Miranda , Pastor-Cisneros Raquel
Published: February 2024

The number of depression sufferers is rising globally. In the United States, 8% of adults over 20 years of age suffer from it, making it the most prevalent mental disorder in the country. Some lifestyle habits have been shown to favor or prevent the onset of depression; for instance, physical inactivity is associated with an increased likelihood of suffering depression, whilst multiple benefits have been attributed to performing physical activity (PA). This study aims to test whether there is a dependence between the prevalence of depression and PA, age, gender and educational level. The secondary objective was to identify the differentiating variables for depression and non-depression. This cross-sectional study is based on data from the NHANES 2013–2014, 2015–2016 and 2017–2018 editions. Some of the items in this survey were taken from preexisting questionnaires: the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for depression screening and the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) for the PA groups. The final sample was formed of 15,574 United States residents over 18 years old. After testing the data normality (p < 0.001), a descriptive analysis and the non-parametric chi-square test was conducted, as well as discriminant analysis. The results showed that there was an association between depression prevalence and PA (p < 0.001) in the general population and for both genders. Inactive participants had the highest prevalence of major depression and other depressive disorders. The discriminant analysis identified PA group (0.527), education level (0.761) and gender (−0.505) as significant variables that differentiate between participants with and without depression. The results of this research confirmed that a dependency relationship between PA group according to the GPAQ and depression prevalence according to the PHQ-9 existed in the United States adult population, and that PA group is a relevant variable to differentiate between depression sufferers and non-sufferers.
Frailty in an Adult Acute Hospital Population: Predictors, Prevalence, and Outcomes
Authors: O’Caoimh Rónán , Morrison Laura , Costello Maria , Flannery Antoinette , Small Cliona , O’Reilly Liam , Heffernan Laura , Mannion Edel , Waters Ruairi , O’Keeffe Shaun
Published: February 2024

Frailty is common among older hospital inpatients. While studies describe frailty prevalence in acute hospitals, it is usually based upon retrospective hospital-coded data or brief screening on admission rather than comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). Further, little is known about differences between pre-admission and current frailty status. Given this, we investigated the prevalence of pre-frailty and frailty among adult inpatients in a large university hospital after CGA. Of the 410 inpatients available, 398 were included in the study, with a median age of 70 years; 56% were male. The median length of stay (LOS) at review was 8 days. The point prevalence of frailty was 30% versus 14% for pre-frailty. The median Clinical Frailty Scale score pre-admission was 3/9, which was significantly lower than at review, which was 4/9 (p < 0.001). After adjusting for age and sex, frailty was associated with greater odds of prolonged LOS (odds ratio [OR] 1.7, p = 0.045), one-year mortality (OR 2.1, p = 0.006), and one-year institutionalisation (OR 9, p < 0.001) but not re-admission. Frailty was most prevalent on medical and orthopaedic wards. In conclusion, CGA is an important risk assessment for hospitalised patients. Frailty was highly prevalent and associated with poor healthcare outcomes. Frailty status appears to worsen significantly during admission, likely reflecting acute illness, and it may not reflect a patient’s true frailty level. The development of frailty clinical care pathways is recommended in order to address the poor prognosis associated with a diagnosis of frailty in this setting.
Special Issue “Third Edition: Advances in Molecular Simulation”
Authors: Borówko Małgorzata
Published: February 2024

Molecular simulation is one of the fastest growing fields in science [...]
Inhibition of Multifunctional Protein p32/C1QBP Promotes Cytostatic Effects in Colon Cancer Cells by Altering Mitogenic Signaling Pathways and Promoting Mitochondrial Damage
Authors: Egusquiza-Alvarez Carlos Alejandro , Moreno-Londoño Angela Patricia , Alvarado-Ortiz Eduardo , Ramos-Godínez María del Pilar , Sarabia-Sánchez Miguel Angel , Castañeda-Patlán María Cristina , Robles-Flores Martha
Published: February 2024

The protein p32 (C1QBP) is a multifunctional and multicompartmental homotrimer that is overexpressed in many cancer types, including colon cancer. High expression levels of C1QBP are negatively correlated with the survival of patients. Previously, we demonstrated that C1QBP is an essential promoter of migration, chemoresistance, clonogenic, and tumorigenic capacity in colon cancer cells. However, the mechanisms underlying these functions and the effects of specific C1QBP protein inhibitors remain unexplored. Here, we show that the specific pharmacological inhibition of C1QBP with the small molecule M36 significantly decreased the viability rate, clonogenic capacity, and proliferation rate of different colon cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. The effects of the inhibitor of C1QBP were cytostatic and non-cytotoxic, inducing a decreased activation rate of critical pro-malignant and mitogenic cellular pathways such as Akt-mTOR and MAPK in RKO colon cancer cells. Additionally, treatment with M36 significantly affected the mitochondrial integrity and dynamics of malignant cells, indicating that p32/C1QBP plays an essential role in maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis. Altogether, our results reinforce that C1QBP is an important oncogene target and that M36 may be a promising therapeutic drug for the treatment of colon cancer.