bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AI-Powered Western Blot Interpretation: A Novel Approach to Studying the Frameshift Mutant of Ubiquitin B (UBB+1) in Schizophrenia
Authors: Fabijan Artur , Chojnacki Michał , Zawadzka-Fabijan Agnieszka , Fabijan Robert , Piątek Michał , Zakrzewski Krzysztof , Nowosławska Emilia , Polis Bartosz
Published: May 2024

The application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the analysis of molecular biology data is becoming increasingly widespread. The Western Blot (WB) technique, a cornerstone in proteomic research, facilitates the identification and analysis of proteins, such as the frameshift mutant of ubiquitin B (UBB+1). In our study, we attempted to assess the potential of four different AI models—Gemini, Gemini Advanced, Microsoft Copilot, and ChatGPT 4—in the analysis of WB imagery containing UBB+1, derived from peripheral blood studies of patients suffering from schizophrenia. Participants, all male and diagnosed with schizophrenia, were recruited from the Specialist Psychiatric Care Team of Babinski Hospital in Lodz. After obtaining their informed consent, blood samples were collected and transported to the laboratory of the Department of Medical Biochemistry at the Medical University of Lodz. The samples were processed, synthesis of Ub-48UBB+1 dimers was performed, and the WB technique was applied. The result of the WB analysis, in the form of a photograph with basic labels but without a legend (JPG format), was implemented into ChatGPT 4, Microsoft Copilot, Gemini and Gemini Advanced. Following the implementation of the image, the command ‘Could you analyze the attached photo?’ was added, along with the protocol from Sample Preparation and Synthesis of Ub-48UBB+1 Dimers. The AI models effectively analyzed and interpreted WB images, with variations in their approaches and depth. Gemini excelled in detailing the WB process and biological significance of bands, while Gemini Advanced focused on specific band identification, especially Ub-48UBB+1 dimers. Microsoft Copilot provided a basic overview with less technicality, and ChatGPT 4 offered comprehensive band interpretations, linking them to patient samples and standards, thus confirming the hypothesis about the differing capabilities of these models. This discovery demonstrates the advanced capabilities of ChatGPT 4 and highlights the growing role of AI in scientific research, including the interpretation of results.
Nutritional Analysis of Plant-Based Meat: Current Advances and Future Potential
Authors: Ishwarya Shankaran Padma , Kumari Priyanka
Published: May 2024

This perspective article delves into the current state of the art pertaining to the nutritional aspects of plant-based meat and identifies future opportunities for improvement in this line of research. A comparative overview of the macro- and micronutrients of plant-based meat products vis-à-vis conventional animal meat is presented in the initial section. This article explains the differences in their nutritional profiles, highlighting the advantages (equivalent protein content, low saturated fat, source of dietary fiber) and challenges (incomplete amino acid profile, anti-nutrients, and low bioavailability of nutrients) of plant-based alternatives. Emphasis has been placed on the health challenges posed by anti-nutrients in plant-based meat and the role of phytase as a promising solution for mitigating these concerns. The latter sections of this article highlight the ability of phytase enzymes to cause a substantial reduction in phytic acid content and improve the absorption of iron and zinc from the food matrix while not affecting the textural attributes of end products. By deliberating on these critical factors, the article aims to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on the nutritional aspects of plant-based meat and the scientific strategies to mitigate the nutritional challenges currently associated with this category of alternative protein products.
Optimizing Ambiance: Intelligent RGB Lighting Control in Structures Using Fuzzy Logic
Authors: Alvarez-Garcia Gonzalo-Alberto , Zúñiga-Cañón Claudia-Liliana , Garcia-Sanchez Antonio-Javier , Garcia-Haro Joan , Asorey-Cacheda Rafael
Published: May 2024

Managing red–green–blue (RGB) lighting conditions within structures may evoke emotions and positively influence behavior. Intelligent RGB lighting systems based on environmental data measurements can substantially enhance the perception of comfort. This study presents a challenge that requires a holistic and integrated approach to implement an automatic RGB artificial lighting control system that can be utilized in various structures and indoor environments. Initially, the challenge spans the identification of environmental variables directly impacting comfort up to the careful selection of suitable sensors. The result is the development of a sophisticated and autonomous system that can adjust RGB lighting in real time, creating environments that are both comfortable and energy-efficient. This automated system fosters the creation of appropriate atmospheres across different contexts. The identification and monitoring of environmental variables are achieved through a neuro-fuzzy control mechanism, where fuzzy rules and membership functions are defined based on late positive potential timings and the influence of artificial lighting on human emotions. The outcomes from this study are an interconnected system capable of performing both online and offline operations to enable the monitoring of environmental variables and the efficient management of artificial lighting based on these metrics. A pilot study, with reference to an EEG wave registry system, yielded significant results. These tests had a statistically relevant result with an average frequency of approximately 9.8 Hz, indicative of a state of comfort among people. Despite a 10% deviation margin, 87% of measurements during the test remained consistent. This research study contributes to human behavior by fostering a relaxing environment and enabling a reduction in energy consumption through the use of efficient lighting. Moreover, the environment intention enables the creation of stimuli in three emotional states: activation, relaxation, and neutral, allowing behavioral adaptation to an intention to occur automatically in fluctuating environmental conditions.
Boosting the Performance of Deep Ear Recognition Systems Using Generative Adversarial Networks and Mean Class Activation Maps
Authors: Bouaouina Rafik , Benzaoui Amir , Doghmane Hakim , Brik Youcef
Published: May 2024

Ear recognition is a complex research domain within biometrics, aiming to identify individuals using their ears in uncontrolled conditions. Despite the exceptional performance of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) in various applications, the efficacy of deep ear recognition systems is nascent. This paper proposes a two-step ear recognition approach. The initial step employs deep convolutional generative adversarial networks (DCGANs) to enhance ear images. This involves the colorization of grayscale images and the enhancement of dark shades, addressing visual imperfections. Subsequently, a feature extraction and classification technique, referred to as Mean-CAM-CNN, is introduced. This technique leverages mean-class activation maps in conjunction with CNNs. The Mean-CAM approach directs the CNN to focus specifically on relevant information, extracting and assessing only significant regions within the entire image. The process involves the implementation of a mask to selectively crop the pertinent area of the image. The cropped region is then utilized to train a CNN for discriminative classification. Extensive evaluations were conducted using two ear recognition datasets: mathematical analysis of images (MAI) and annotated web ears (AWEs). The experimental results indicate that the proposed approach shows notable improvements and competitive performance: the Rank-1 recognition rates are 100.00% and 76.25% for MAI and AWE datasets, respectively.
Analysis of Near-Surface Wind Shear Characteristics over Land in China
Authors: Yuan Ling , Yang Fengzhi , Ruan Xia , Zou Feng , Luo Qi
Published: May 2024

Wind shear is one of the crucial parameters in wind resource assessment and also serves as a vital parameter and basis for determining wind turbines’ selection and hub height. Existing studies have only focused on typical underlying surface areas, but a relatively limited comprehensive analysis of wind shear characteristics in different complex environments remains. This study analyzes the daily and monthly variations in wind shear index (α) at the station scale based on the observations from 754 wind measurement towers across land surfaces in China. The distribution and empirical values of wind shear in different wind regions and underlying surface types are also investigated. The research findings indicate that the wind shear index derived from fitting the complete annual average wind speeds at multiple height levels of meteorological towers can accurately characterize the stratification state of the atmospheric boundary layer. The variation pattern of solar radiation influences the daily α value in typical regions. In mountainous and desert areas, the monthly variation tends to be higher in autumn and winter and lower in spring and summer. However, its monthly variation shows relatively smaller fluctuations in plain regions. The comprehensive α value over land regions in China is 0.135. The α values for I, II, III, and IV wind fields are 0.111, 0.163, 0.1, and 0.153, respectively. Its values for mountainous, plains, grassland, and desert regions are 0.12, 0.273, 0.123, and 0.104, respectively. By conducting statistical analysis on α values across different wind regions, guidance is provided for extrapolating surface wind speeds to hub-height wind speeds. This serves as a reference for wind energy resource assessment, wind turbine selection, and hub height determination in the atmospheric boundary layer of China.
Feasibility of Urban-Based Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in Urban Centers of Southwest Ethiopia: From Local Climate Action Perspective
Authors: Geleta Tesfaye Dessu , Dadi Diriba Korecha , Garedew Weyessa , Worku Adefires
Published: May 2024

This study identified the practices of adaptation strategies to climate change in Jimma, Bedelle, Bonga, and Sokorru urban centers using a survey of 384 households, 55 key informant interviews, 4 focus group discussions, and field observations. A cross-sectional study design was employed from 2019 to 2021. The adaptive capacity of municipalities to reduce climate extreme events was rated as poor by the majority (51%), mostly reactive measures (76%). The climate hazards identified in four urban centers were riverine and flash floods, urban heat waves, landslides, and windstorms. The urban households practiced lifestyle modification, reduce paved surfaces, the use of air conditioner, planting trees, and multiple windows. The adaptation strategies practiced by municipalities include the relocation of prone areas, the support of basic amenities, the construction of protection walls, diversion ditches, the clearance of waterways and rivers, greenery, and park development. The adaptation actions were constrained by a lack of awareness, commitment, cooperation and coordination, adaptive capacity, and participation. Gray/physical infrastructures (costly but important) as adaptation actions were hampered by the low municipal capacity. We recommend that urban authorities should incorporate climate change adaptation strategies into urban planning and development proactively to ensure future resilient climate smart urban centers of southwest Ethiopia.
Observation-Based Ozone Formation Rules by Gradient Boosting Decision Trees Model in Typical Chemical Industrial Parks
Authors: Cheng Nana , Jing Deji , Gu Zhenyu , Cai Xingnong , Shi Zhanhong , Li Sujing , Chen Liang , Li Wei , Wang Qiaoli
Published: May 2024

Ozone pollution in chemical industrial parks is severe and complicated and is significantly influenced by pollutant emissions and meteorological parameters. In this study, we innovatively investigated the formation rules of ozone by using observation-based analyses and a gradient-boosting decision tree (GBDT) model, focusing on a typical chemical industrial park located in the Yangtze River Delta of China. The results revealed that ozone concentration was positively correlated with temperature while negatively correlated with NO2 concentration and relative humidity (RH). Ozone pollution was predominantly observed from April to October (M4–10). The optimized GBDT model was subsequently utilized to establish a specific and quantifiable relationship between each single dominant impact factor (RH, NO2, temperature, and PM2.5) and ozone within a complex and uncertain multi-factor context during M4–10. Detailed discussions were conducted on the reaction rate of ozone-related to different levels of RH and temperature. The accumulation of ozone was favored by high temperature and low RH, with the maximum ozone concentration observed at the RH of 50% and the temperature of 35 °C. The NO2-O3 change curve exhibited distinct phases, including a period of stability, gradual increase, rapid increase, and equilibrium. During the second and third periods, the ratio of ozone production to NO2 consumption was 0.10 and 2.73, respectively. Furthermore, there was a non-monotonic relationship between variations in ozone concentration and PM2.5 concentration. Hence, it is imperative to implement fine control strategies in the park, such as adopting seasonal production strategies, implementing targeted measures for controlling NOx and active VOCs, and employing special control methods during periods of high temperature. This study provides aid in achieving effective management of localized ozone pollution and ensuring compliance with air quality standards.
Hypermethylation of the Gene Body in SRCIN1 Is Involved in Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation and Is a Potential Blood-Based Biomarker for Early Detection and a Poor Prognosis
Authors: Shen Hsieh-Tsung , Hung Chin-Sheng , Davis Clilia , Su Chih-Ming , Liao Li-Min , Shih Hsiu-Ming , Lee Kuan-Der , Ansar Muhamad , Lin Ruo-Kai
Published: May 2024

Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality in women worldwide. Using the Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip, we analyzed plasma sample methylation to identify the SRCIN1 gene in breast cancer patients. We assessed SRCIN1-related roles and pathways for their biomarker potential. To verify the methylation status, quantitative methylation-specific PCR (qMSP) was performed on genomic DNA and circulating cell-free DNA samples, and mRNA expression analysis was performed using RT‒qPCR. The results were validated in a Western population; for this analysis, the samples included plasma samples from breast cancer patients from the USA and from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort. To study the SRCIN1 pathway, we conducted cell viability assays, gene manipulation and RNA sequencing. SRCIN1 hypermethylation was identified in 61.8% of breast cancer tissues from Taiwanese patients, exhibiting specificity to this malignancy. Furthermore, its presence correlated significantly with unfavorable 5-year overall survival outcomes. The levels of methylated SRCIN1 in the blood of patients from Taiwan and the USA correlated with the stage of breast cancer. The proportion of patients with high methylation levels increased from 0% in healthy individuals to 63.6% in Stage 0, 80% in Stage I and 82.6% in Stage II, with a sensitivity of 78.5%, an accuracy of 90.3% and a specificity of 100%. SRCIN1 hypermethylation was significantly correlated with increased SRCIN1 mRNA expression (p < 0.001). Knockdown of SRCIN1 decreased the viability of breast cancer cells. SRCIN1 silencing resulted in the downregulation of ESR1, BCL2 and various cyclin protein expressions. SRCIN1 hypermethylation in the blood may serve as a noninvasive biomarker, facilitating early detection and prognosis evaluation, and SRCIN1-targeted therapies could be used in combination regimens for breast cancer patients.
Effect of Co Contents on Microstructure and Cavitation Erosion Resistance of NiTiAlCrCoxN Films
Authors: Yan Hongjuan , Cheng Fangying , Si Lina , Yang Ye , Dou Zhaoliang , Liu Fengbin
Published: May 2024

In order to investigate the effect of Co contents on the structure and cavitation erosion property, NiTiAlCrCoxN films were prepared by the magnetron sputtering system. The X-ray diffractometer (XRD), the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) were used to characterize the structure and morphology of the films. The nanoindenter and the scratch tester were used to analyze the mechanical properties of the films. Cavitation erosion experiments were carried out by the ultrasonic vibration cavitation machine. The results show that NiTiAlCrCoxN films with different Co contents have a simple face-centered cubic (FCC) structure and show a preferred orientation on the (200) crystal plane. The diffraction angle on the (200) crystal plane decreases and the interplanar spacing increases with the increase in Co content in NiTiAlCrCoxN films. NiTiAlCrCoxN films exhibit a typical columnar crystalline structure. With the increase in Co content, the nanohardness of the films increases and the elastic modulus of the films decreases, while the mass loss of cavitation erosion monotonously increases except for the film with a 1.2 Co molar ratio. The NiTiAlCrCo1.4N film has a minimum hardness of 13.264 GPa, a maximum elastic modulus of 253.22 GPa and a minimum mass loss of 0.72 mg in the cavitation erosion experiment. The NiTiAlCrCo1.4N film exhibits the best cavitation corrosion resistance because the addition of the Co element enhances the solid solution strengthening effect and the NiTiAlCrCox1.4N film with the biggest elastic modulus has better elasticity to reduce the micro jet impact.
Effect of Electrolytic Plasma Polishing on Surface Properties of Titanium Alloy
Authors: Yang Dongliang , Sun Huanwu , Ji Gangqiang , Xiang Yuxia , Wang Juan
Published: May 2024

Electrolytic plasma polishing (EPPo) is an advanced metal surface finishing technology with high quality and environmental protection that has broad application prospects in the biomedical field. However, the effect of EPPo on surface properties such as corrosion resistance and the wettability of biomedical titanium alloys remains to be investigated. This paper investigated the changes in surface roughness, surface morphology, microstructure, and chemical composition of Ti6Al4V alloy by EPPo and their effects on surface corrosion resistance, wettability, and residual stress. The results showed that Ra decreased from 0.3899 to 0.0577 μm after EPPo. The surface crystallinity was improved, and the average grain size increased from 251 nm to more than 800 nm. The oxidation behavior of EPPo leads to an increase in surface oxygen content and the formation of TiO2 and Al2O3 oxide layers. EPPo can significantly improve the corrosion resistance and wettability of titanium alloy in simulated body fluid and eliminate the residual stress on the sample surface. The surface properties are enhanced not only by the reduction in surface roughness but also by the formation of a denser oxide film on the surface, changes in the microstructure, an increase in surface free energy, and the annealing effect developed during EPPo. This study can provide guidance and references for applying EPPo to biomedical titanium alloy parts.
Investigating the Suitability of Various Silver(I) Complexes for Use in a Cyanide-Free Silver Electrolyte
Authors: Baumer Christoph , Schmidt Udo , Bund Andreas
Published: May 2024

The suitability of various nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and phosphorus compounds as complexing agents in a silver electrolyte was examined by using potentiometric titration under practical conditions. The setup consisted of three electrodes to measure the pH and the activity of the silver ions simultaneously. Different ratios of silver to complexing agent from 1:10 to 1:1 at a constant ionic strength of 0.2 mol/L were investigated. The type of the complexes and their corresponding critical stability constants were evaluated by fitting the measured data using a self-developed algorithm. The pH and Nernst potential curve were calculated for the assumed complexes based on the law of mass action to find the best approximation. The correct definition of the occurring species is challenging and can lead to significant changes in the calculation of stability constants. For this reason, the measured silver potential curves were primarily used for the rating of the complexing agents. An evaluation of the measurements shows that the donor atom of the complexing agent and its ligand field strongly affected the stability and type of the complexes. Only a few complexing agents were found to be suitable for use in the cyanide-free silver electrolyte.
Two Consecutive Negative Electrocaloric Peaks in <001>-Oriented PMN-30PT Single Crystals
Authors: Zhang Yu , Gong Weiping , Li Zhen , Li Jianting , Li Changyu , Chen Jun , Yang Yaodong , Bai Yang , Rao Wei-Feng
Published: May 2024

The versatile electrocaloric (EC) behaviors of the (1-x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-xPT (PMN-100xPT) single crystal are closely related to the multiple phase transitions under the multiple fields of electric field and temperature. In this work, the EC effect of <001>-oriented PMN-30PT single crystals with chemical composition at morphotropic phase boundary has been studied during the phase transformation process from the ferroelectric rhombohedral (R) phase to the tetragonal (T) phase. Two consecutive negative EC peaks have been achieved for the first time. Based on the projection of the EC effect in the electric field-temperature phase diagram, the relationship between the EC behaviors and the phase transitions is further established. It was found that the monoclinic (M) phase actually existed during the transformation from the R phase to the T phase, and the related R-M phase transition and M-T phase transition could both induce negative EC peaks. Under the electric field of E = 10 kV/cm, the first negative EC peaks induced by the R-M phase transition is at 57 °C with ΔTmax = −0.11 K. And the M-T phase transition can produce a higher negative EC peak, and its value can reach −0.22 K at 68 °C. Based on thermodynamic calculations, the relationship between the entropy change in different phase transitions and the EC behaviors has been further elucidated. The negative EC effect originates from the structural entropy increase in the electric field-induced phase transition process. This work not only advances the research on the electrical properties of relaxor ferroelectric single crystals but also provides a new insight into high-performance ferroelectric materials design.
Effect of Polyoxyethylene-Based Nonionic Surfactants on Chemical–Mechanical Polishing Performance of Monocrystalline Silicon Wafers
Authors: Jiang Bowen , Guan Jie , Zhao Peng , Chen Yulin , Zhang Zefang
Published: May 2024

The use of surfactants is crucial in the chemical–mechanical polishing fluid system for silicon wafers. This paper examines the impact of the functional group structure of polyoxyethylene-based nonionic surfactants and the variation in the polyoxyethylene (EO) addition number on the polishing performance of monocrystalline silicon wafers, to achieve the appropriate material removal rate and surface quality. The results demonstrated that the straight-chain structure of fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether (AEO-9) exhibited superior performance in wafer polishing compared to octylphenol polyoxyethylene ether (OP-9) and isoprenol polyoxyethylene ether (TPEG) and polyethylene glycol (PEG). By varying the number of EO additions of AEO-type surfactants, this study demonstrated that the polishing performance of monocrystalline silicon wafers was affected by the number of EO additions. The best polishing effect was achieved when the number of EO additions was nine. The mechanism of the role of polyoxyethylene-type nonionic surfactants in silicon wafer polishing was derived through polishing experiments, the contact angle, abrasive particle size analysis, zeta potential measurement, XPS, and other means of characterization.
SSGNet: Selective Multi-Scale Receptive Field and Kernel Self-Attention Based on Group-Wise Modality for Brain Tumor Segmentation
Authors: Guo Bin , Cao Ning , Yang Peng , Zhang Ruihao
Published: May 2024

Medical image processing has been used in medical image analysis for many years and has achieved great success. However, one challenge is that medical image processing algorithms ineffectively utilize multi-modality characteristics to further extract features. To address this issue, we propose SSGNet based on UNet, which comprises a selective multi-scale receptive field (SMRF) module, a selective kernel self-attention (SKSA) module, and a skip connection attention module (SCAM). The SMRF and SKSA modules have the same function but work in different modality groups. SMRF functions in the T1 and T1ce modality groups, while SKSA is implemented in the T2 and FLAIR modality groups. Their main tasks are to reduce the image size by half, further extract fused features within the groups, and prevent information loss during downsampling. The SCAM uses high-level features to guide the selection of low-level features in skip connections. To improve performance, SSGNet also utilizes deep supervision. Multiple experiments were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of our model on the BraTS2018 dataset. SSGNet achieved Dice coefficient scores for the whole tumor (WT), tumor core (TC), and enhancing tumor (ET) of 91.04, 86.64, and 81.11, respectively. The results show that the proposed model achieved state-of-the-art performance compared with more than twelve benchmarks.
The Research on Large-Mode-Area Anti-Bending, Polarization-Insensitive, and Non-Resonant Optical Fibers
Authors: Zhou Dinghao , Zhou Jingkai , Du Yuhang , Zhang Ruizhe , Zou Hui
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we propose a novel type of hollow-core anti-resonance fiber (HC-ARF). The cladding region of this fiber is formed by a combination of nested tubes and U-shaped tubes, and the centrally symmetric arrangement significantly reduces sensitivity to polarization. The influence of parameters on the performance of the designed HC-ARF LMA is analyzed by a finite element algorithm. The simulation results demonstrate that the designed structure achieves a large mode area of 3180 µm2, bending loss of 2 × 10−2 dB/km, and confinement loss of 5 × 10−3 dB/km at a wavelength of 1064 nm. Similarly, at a wavelength of 1550 nm, the large mode area, bending loss, and confinement loss are 3180 µm2, 1.4 × 10−2 dB/km, and 4 × 10−2 dB/km, respectively. These results indicate unprecedentedly large mode areas and ultra-low losses compared to previous studies. Within the bending radius under consideration, the bending loss remains below 1.35 × 10−2 dB/km. Furthermore, by increasing the fiber radius, the large mode area can reach an extraordinary 6250 µm2. The proposed device exhibits excellent mode area and outstanding polarization insensitivity, along with favorable bending performance. We believe that the designed fiber holds promising applications in high-power miniaturized fiber lasers, fiber amplifiers, and various high-power fiber communication systems, and it can be applied in sensors that require polarization insensitivity and better bending performance.
Supervised and Few-Shot Learning for Aspect-Based Sentiment Analysis of Instruction Prompt
Authors: Huang Jie , Cui Yunpeng , Liu Juan , Liu Ming
Published: May 2024

Aspect-based sentiment analysis (ABSA), which aims to extract aspects and corresponding opinions from sentences and determine aspect sentiment polarity, has been widely studied in recent years. Most approaches focus on the subtasks of ABSA and deal with them in the pipeline method or end-to-end method. However, these approaches ignore the semantic information of the labels and the correlation between the labels. In this study, we process various ABSA tasks in a unified generative framework and use instruction prompts to guide the generative model to learn the relationships between different sentiment elements, accurately identify the sentiment elements in sentences, and improve the performance of the model in few-shot learning. Experimental results on several benchmark datasets show that our approach achieves significant performance gains. Among them, for the aspect term extraction and sentiment classification task on the Laptop 14 dataset, our method improves the F1 score by 4.08% and 1.87% on fully supervised learning compared to the GAS model and PARA model, respectively. In few-shot learning, we can achieve 80% of the fully supervised learning performance using one-tenth of the dataset. Our method can effectively address the problem of data shortage in low-resource environments.
Changes in the 19th Century Cultural Landscape with Regard to City Rights in Western Poland
Authors: Lorek Dariusz , Horbiński Tymoteusz
Published: May 2024

This research study focuses on determining the spatial transformations taking place in selected areas in the context of administrative changes in the 19th century (in the context of city rights) using the example of three neighboring places in western Poland. The occurrence of both individual topographic features and the transformation of structures and spatial relations occurring in the studied area since the 19th century were considered. The source material included archival cartographic studies from six time periods and contemporary data resources. A significant part of the research concerned the development of the possibility of using and presenting the data in an interactive form. The most important functions include comparing three neighboring places at the same time. Programming activities focused on the implementation of all collected archive data in the form of rasters and the construction of a map service divided into three windows (taking into account the turning on of layers simultaneously for all windows). The Leaflet library was used to create the proposed map solution.
Transcriptomic Insights into Host Metabolism and Immunity Changes after Parasitization by Leptopilina myrica
Authors: Zhang Junwei , Shan Jieyu , Shi Wenqi , Feng Ting , Sheng Yifeng , Xu Zixuan , Dong Zhi , Huang Jianhua , Chen Jiani
Published: May 2024

Parasitoids commonly manipulate their host’s metabolism and immunity to facilitate their offspring survival, but the mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we deconstructed the manipulation strategy of a newly discovered parasitoid wasp, L. myrica, which parasitizes D. melanogaster. Using RNA-seq, we analyzed transcriptomes of L. myrica-parasitized and non-parasitized Drosophila host larvae. A total of 22.29 Gb and 23.85 Gb of clean reads were obtained from the two samples, respectively, and differential expression analysis identified 445 DEGs. Of them, 304 genes were upregulated and 141 genes were downregulated in parasitized hosts compared with non-parasitized larvae. Based on the functional annotations in the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases, we found that the genes involved in host nutrition metabolism were significantly upregulated, particularly in carbohydrate, amino acid, and lipid metabolism. We also identified 30 other metabolism-related DEGs, including hexokinase, fatty acid synthase, and UDP-glycosyltransferase (Ugt) genes. We observed that five Bomanin genes (Boms) and six antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) were upregulated. Moreover, a qRT-PCR analysis of 12 randomly selected DEGs confirmed the reproducibility and accuracy of the RNA-seq data. Our results provide a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of how L. myrica manipulates its host, laying a solid foundation for studies on the regulatory mechanisms employed by parasitoid wasps in their hosts.
Predictive Score for Advanced Colorectal Neoplasia Based on Cardiovascular and Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors
Authors: Ruiz-Belmonte Lara M. , Carrera-Lasfuentes Patricia , Cebollada-Solanas Alberto , Scarpignato Carmelo , Lanas Angel , Gargallo-Puyuelo Carla J.
Published: May 2024

Background and Aims: Cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer (CRC) are significant health problems and share some risk factors. The aim of our study was to develop and validate a predictive score for advanced colorectal neoplasia (CRN) based on risk factors for cardiovascular disease and CRC. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study comprising a derivation cohort and an external validation cohort of 1049 and 308 patients, respectively. A prediction score for advanced CRN (CRNAS: Colorectal Neoplasia Advanced Score) was developed from a logistic regression model, comprising sex, age, first-degree family history for CRC, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, body mass index, diabetes, smoking, and antihypertensive treatment. Other cardiovascular risk scores (Framingham–Wilson, REGICOR, SCORE, and FRESCO) were also used to predict the risk of advanced CRN. The discriminatory capacity of each score was evaluated using the area under the curve (AUC). Results: CRN were found in 379 subjects from the derivation cohort (36%), including 228 patients (22%) with an advanced CRN. Male sex, age, diabetes, and smoking were identified as independent risk factors for advanced CRN. The newly created score (CRNAS) showed an AUC of 0.68 (95% CI: 0.64–0.73) for advanced CRN, which was better than cardiovascular risk scores (p < 0.001). In the validation cohort, the AUC of CRNAS for advanced CRN was 0.67 (95% CI: 0.57–0.76). Conclusions: The newly validated CRNAS has a better discriminatory capacity to predict advanced CRN than cardiovascular scores. It may be useful for selecting candidates for screening colonoscopy, especially in those with cardiovascular risk factors.
Process Optimization of Scaled-Up Production and Biosafety Evaluation of the Dimethyl-Dioctadecyl-Ammonium Bromide/Poly(lactic acid) Nano-Vaccine
Authors: Yang Hengye , Gao Yuan , Liu Meijuan , Ma Juan , Lu Qun
Published: May 2024

Nano-adjuvant vaccines could induce immune responses and enhance immunogenicity. However, the application and manufacturing of nano-adjuvant is hampered by its challenging scale-up, poor reproducibility, and low security. Therefore, the present study aimed to optimize the preparation nanoparticles (NPs) using FDA-approved biopolymer materials poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and cationic lipid didodecyl-dimethyl-ammonium bromide (DDAB), develop the scale-up process, and evaluate the stability and biosafety of it. The optimum preparation conditions of DDAB/PLA NPs on a small scale were as follows: DDAB amount of 30 mg, aqueous phase volume of 90 mL, stirring rate at 550 rpm, and solidifying time of 12 h. Under the optimum conditions, the size of the NPs was about 170 nm. In scale-up preparation experiments, the vacuum rotary evaporation of 6 h and the Tangential flow ultrafiltration (TFU) method were the optimum conditions. The results suggested that DDAB/PLA NPs exhibited a uniform particle size distribution, with an average size of 150.3 ± 10.4 nm and a narrow polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.090 ± 0.13, coupled with a high antigen loading capacity of 85.4 ± 4.0%. In addition, the DDAB/PLA NPs can be stored stably for 30 days and do not have side effects caused by residual solvents. For biosafety, the acute toxicity experiments showed good tolerance of the vaccine formulation even at a high adjuvant dose. The local irritation experiment demonstrated the reversibility of muscular irritation, and the repeated toxicity experiment revealed no significant necrosis or severe lesions in mice injected with the high-dose vaccine formulation. Overall, the DDAB/PLA NPs exhibit potential for clinical translation as a safe candidate vaccine adjuvant.
Targeted Anthocyanin Enrichment of Cranberry Juice by Electrodialysis with Filtration Membranes: Impact of Filtration Membrane Physicochemical Properties and Predictive Statistical Models
Authors: Revellat Eva , Bazinet Laurent
Published: May 2024

To optimize cranberry juice enrichment, correlation between physicochemical properties of filtration membranes (FM) and anthocyanin migration was investigated during electrodialysis with filtration membranes (EDFM) using redundancy (RDA) and multivariate regression (MRGA) analyses. Six polyether sulfone (PES) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes with molecular weight cut-offs between 150 and 500 kDa, commercially available at large scale, were characterized in terms of nine physicochemical characteristics and used for EDFM. The highest migration of total anthocyanin was obtained with PVDF 250 kDa, with a global migration rate of 3.5 ± 0.4 g/m2·h. RDA showed that two FM properties (mesopore porosity and hydrophilic porosity) were significantly negatively correlated to the anthocyanin’s migration and explained 67.4% of their total variation in migration. Predictive MRGA models were also developed for each anthocyanin based on these significant FM properties. A combination of intermolecular interactions may lead to binding in a cooperative and synergistic mode and hinder the anthocyanin migration.
The Helix Ring Peptide U11 from the Venom of the Ant, Tetramorium bicarinatum, Acts as a Putative Pore-Forming Toxin
Authors: Peigneur Steve , Tibery Diogo , Tytgat Jan
Published: May 2024

An insect neuroactive helix ring peptide called U11-MYRTX-Tb1a (abbreviated as U11) from the venom of the ant, Tetramorium bicarinatum. U11 is a 34-amino-acid peptide that is claimed to be one of the most paralytic peptides ever reported from ant venoms acting against blowflies and honeybees. The peptide features a compact triangular ring helix structure stabilized by a single disulfide bond, which is a unique three-dimensional scaffold among animal venoms. Pharmacological assays using Drosophila S2 cells have demonstrated that U11 is not cytotoxic but instead suggest that it may modulate potassium channels via the presence of a functional dyad. In our work described here, we have tested this hypothesis by investigating the action of synthetically made U11 on a wide array of voltage-gated K and Na channels since it is well known that these channels play a crucial role in the phenomenon of paralysis. Using the Xenopus laevis oocyte heterologous expression system and voltage clamp, our results have not shown any modulatory effect of 1 μM U11 on the activity of Kv1.1, Kv1.3, Kv1.4, Kv1.5, Shaker IR, Kv4.2, Kv7.1, Kv10.1, Kv11.1 and KQT1, nor on DmNav and BgNav. Instead, 10 μM U11 caused a quick and irreversible cytolytic effect, identical to the cytotoxic effect caused by Apis mellifera venom, which indicates that U11 can act as a pore-forming peptide. Interestingly, the paralytic dose (PD50) on blowflies and honeybees corresponds with the concentration at which U11 displays clear pore-forming activity. In conclusion, our results indicate that the insecticidal and paralytic effects caused by U11 may be explained by the putative pore formation of the peptide.
Design and Analysis of 5-DOF Compact Electromagnetic Levitation Actuator for Lens Control of Laser Cutting Machine
Authors: Zhao Chuan , Zhang Qinwei , Pei Wenzhe , Jin Junjie , Sun Feng , Zhang Hongkui , Zhou Ran , Liu Dongning , Xu Fangchao , Zhang Xiaoyou , Yang Lijian
Published: May 2024

In laser beam processing, the angle or offset between the auxiliary gas and the laser beam axis have been proved to be two new process optimization parameters for improving cutting speed and quality. However, a traditional electromechanical actuator cannot achieve high-speed and high-precision motion control with a compact structure. This paper proposes a magnetic levitation actuator which could realize the 5-DOF motion control of a lens using six groups of differential electromagnets. At first, the nonlinear characteristic of a magnetic driving force was analyzed by establishing an analytical model and finite element calculation. Then, the dynamic model of the magnetic levitation actuator was established using the Taylor series. And the mathematical relationship between the detected distance and five-degree-of-freedom was determined. Next, the centralized control system based on PID control was designed. Finally, a driving test was carried out to verify the five-degrees-of-freedom motion of the proposed electromagnetic levitation actuator. The results show it can achieve a stable levitation and precision positioning with a desired command motion. It also proves that the proposed magnetic levitation actuator has the potential application in an off-axis laser cutting machine tool.
Editorial for the Special Issue on Advanced Interconnect and Packaging, 2nd Edition
Authors: Wang Dawei , Zhao Wensheng
Published: May 2024

Interconnect and packaging technologies are crucial aspects of modern electronics, and they are essential to achieve high performance, miniaturization and low power consumption of electronic equipment [...]
Evaluation of Phototoxicity of Short-Wavelength Laser Light Utilizing PCNA Accumulation
Authors: Matsuyama Tetsuya , Osaka Noboru , Yamaguchi Mikiya , Kanamaru Naohiro , Wada Kenji , Kawakita Ai , Murata Kaori , Sugimoto Kenji , Okamoto Koichi
Published: May 2024

In recent years, diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and retinal pigment degeneration caused by excessive exposure to short-wavelength visible light have become significant concerns. With the aim of quantitatively evaluating the toxicity of short-wavelength light, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) accumulation at the irradiation site was investigated using live cell imaging techniques to irradiate individual living cells with short-wavelength laser light. By examining the dependency of PCNA accumulation on the irradiation site within the cells and their cell cycle, it was observed that PCNA accumulation occurred only when the cell nucleus of cells in the S phase of the cell cycle was irradiated. We investigated the accumulation of PCNA at the laser irradiation site using laser light at wavelengths of 405 nm and 375 nm, with intensities ranging from 0.5 μW to 9.0 μW. The results confirmed an increase in PCNA accumulation with increasing intensity, and a higher accumulation was observed with laser light irradiation at a wavelength of 375 nm compared to 405 nm. By comparing the PCNA accumulation and 24 h cell viability, we demonstrated the feasibility of quantitatively assessing laser light toxicity through the measurement of PCNA accumulation.
Bipolar Radiofrequency and Non-Crosslinked Hyaluronic Acid Plus Calcium Hydroxyapatite in the Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence
Authors: Kolczewski Piotr , Łukaszuk Mariusz , Cymbaluk-Płoska Aneta , Kozłowski Mateusz , Ciećwież Sylwester , Kuźlik Rafał , Zerbinati Nicola
Published: May 2024

Background: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) causes both physical and psychological problems to women and their partners. Recently, vaginal radiofrequency (RF) application, as well as the administration of non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid (NCLHA) together with calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA), has attracted attention for SUI treatment. The current, comparative study evaluated the efficacy and safety of these technologies acting separately and in a combined treatment. Methods: Sixty women with mild to moderate SUI, aged between 46 and 76 years (mean age 63.2) were divided into three groups intended for different treatments: group I, RF vaginal treatment only, group II, NCLHA plus CaHA periurethral injection only, group III, combined treatment including a single periurethral injection of NCLHA plus CaHA followed by four vaginal applications of RF at intervals of 3–5 days. The clinical effects of the treatments were evaluated by ICIQ-LUTSqol (Polish version) and UDI-6. Results: The obtained results suggest that the symptoms of SUI and the quality of life of the patients improved significantly in each group after the therapies compared to the pre-treatment levels and were more persistent in the third HA + RF group compared to the HA or the RF group.
β-Elemene Reverses Gefitinib Resistance in NSCLC Cells by Inhibiting lncRNA H19-Mediated Autophagy
Authors: Zhang Ruonan , Zheng Yintao , Zhu Qianru , Gu Xiaoqing , Xiang Bo , Gu Xidong , Xie Tian , Sui Xinbing
Published: May 2024

Lung cancer is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, especially among Asian patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. Initially, first-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are commonly administered as the primary treatment option; however, encountering resistance to these medications poses a significant obstacle. Hence, it has become crucial to address initial resistance and ensure continued effectiveness. Recent research has focused on the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in tumor drug resistance, especially lncRNA H19. β-elemene, derived from Curcuma aromatic Salisb., has shown strong anti-tumor effects. However, the relationship between β-elemene, lncRNA H19, and gefitinib resistance in NSCLC is unclear. This study aims to investigate whether β-elemene can enhance the sensitivity of gefitinib-resistant NSCLC cells to gefitinib and to elucidate its mechanism of action. The impact of gefitinib and β-elemene on cell viability was evaluated using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay. Furthermore, western blotting and qRT-PCR analysis were employed to determine the expression levels of autophagy-related proteins and genes, respectively. The influence on cellular proliferation was gauged through a colony-formation assay, and apoptosis induction was quantified via flow cytometry. Additionally, the tumorigenic potential in vivo was assessed using a xenograft model in nude mice. The expression levels of LC3B, EGFR, and Rab7 proteins were examined through immunofluorescence. Our findings elucidate that the resistance to gefitinib is intricately linked with the dysregulation of autophagy and the overexpression of lncRNA H19. The synergistic administration of β-elemene and gefitinib markedly attenuated the proliferative capacity of resistant cells, expedited apoptotic processes, and inhibited the in vivo proliferation of lung cancer. Notably, β-elemene profoundly diminished the expression of lncRNA H19 and curtailed autophagic activity in resistant cells, thereby bolstering their responsiveness to gefitinib. Moreover, β-elemene disrupted the Rab7-facilitated degradation pathway of EGFR, facilitating its repositioning to the plasma membrane. β-elemene emerges as a promising auxiliary therapeutic for circumventing gefitinib resistance in NSCLC, potentially through the regulation of lncRNA H19-mediated autophagy. The participation of Rab7 in this dynamic unveils novel insights into the resistance mechanisms operative in lung cancer, paving the way for future therapeutic innovations.