bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simple adsorptive removal of Crystal violet, a triarylmethane dye, from synthetic wastewater using Fe (III) treated pine needle biochar
Authors: Joshi Manisha , Srivast Anjana , Bhatt Devesh , Srivast Prakash Chandra
Published: October 2022

Untreated and Fe (III) treated, cost effective pine needle biochar (PNB) wereevaluatedat different pH forremoval of toxic crystal violet (CV) dye from synthetic wastewaters. Adsorption kinetics followed pseudo-first order kineticsinvolving intra-particle diffusion process. Theadsorption rate constant increased with Fe-treatment of PNB especially at pH 7.0.Adsorption data of CV fitted well to Freundlich adsorption isotherms and both adsorption capacity(ln K) and order of adsorption (1/n) of CV nearly doubled with Fe (III)treatment of PNB at pH 7.0. Desorption of adsorbed CV from both untreatedand Fe(III) treatedPNB could be eplained satisfactorily by third degree polynomial equations. Increase in ionic strength and rise in temperature enhanced dye adsorption onto untreated and Fe(III)treated PNB. Adsorption of CV was an endothermic spontaneous reaction with the increase in entropy of the system. FTIR spectra revealed that C = O of carboxylic acid aryls,C = O and C-O-C inlignin residues of PNB reacted with Fe (III)besides the formation of some iron oxyhydroxide minerals.The changes in FTIR confirmed the possible bonding of positively charged moiety of CV onto untreated and Fe treatedPNB. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) revealed the porous surfaces of PNB with the clear accumulation of Fe (III) after treatment and deposition of CV dye on surfaces and pores of PNB. Iron (III) treatedPNBat pH 7.0 can serve as anecofriendly adsorbent for efficient removal of CV dye from wastewaters.
Comprehensive Analysis of CNN and YOLOv5 Object Detection Model to Classify Phytomedicine Tree’s Leaf Disease
Authors: Islam Md. Ashiqul , Haque Imdadul , Rahaman Mizanur , Jahan Tanjila , Shohan Sarwar Jahan , Ahmed Md. Tanvir , Rahman Md. Mizanur , Khatun Tania
Published: October 2022

Phytomedicine is not only known to the poor people of East Bengal and West Bengal as a medicine but also as a beacon of hope for survival in a diseased life. In this approach, Terminalia Arjuna, Lawsonia inermis, Azadirachta indica, and Ocimum tenuiflorum Phytomedicine tree datasets. Terminalia Arjuna mainly protects gastric mucosa from oxidative damage and it makes it strong so that the stomach gets protection against ulcers. It also exhibits strong antibacterial and antimicrobial properties which help to fight against stomach infections like gastric, diarrhea, and dysentery. There are various uses of Lawsonia inermis. It is known as a powerful detoxifier and it helps to prefer healthy gum, and healthy hair and reduces arthritis pain. The flower of Lawsonia inermis can be used for headaches due to the heat of the sun. Neem is known as Phytomedicine for all diseases and the most common diseases are treated with acne, nourishing the skin, treating wounds, use to reduce dandruff and joint pain, etc. Mainly it increases immunity and provides a healthy life. Another famous Phytomedicine known as Ocimum tenuiflorum is used to treat kidney stones, alleviate fever and headaches, provide a healthy heart, healthy eye, healthy oral, and fight against acne, etc. It is also known as a big source of vitamin K. The most famous and fast object detection algorithms as YOLOv5 and Keras pre-trained models as Xception, ResNet152V2, VGG19, and InceptionResNetV2 have been developed to predict disease-affected or disease-free leaves. The implemented approach has gained a height accuracy of 97.00% from Xception and 95% accuracy from YOLOv5.
Multi-criteria Evaluation of the Tax Administrations of 26 European Countries Using PROMETHEE II Method
Authors: anastasiou athanasios , Galariotis emilios , Liadaki angeliki , Zopounidis konstantin
Published: October 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
The structure of monkeypox virus 2′-O-ribose methyltransferase VP39 in complex with sinefungin provides the foundation for inhibitor design
Authors: Silhan Jan , Klima Martin , Chalupska Dominika , Kozic Jan , Boura Evzen
Published: October 2022

Monkeypox is an emerging, rapidly spreading disease with pandemic potential. It is caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), a dsDNA virus from the Poxviridae family, that replicates in the cytoplasm and must encode for its own RNA processing machinery including the capping machinery. Here, we present the crystal structure of its 2′-O-RNA methyltransferase (MTase) VP39 in complex with the pan-MTase inhibitor sinefungin. A comparison of this 2′-O RNA MTase with enzymes from unrelated ssRNA viruses (SARS-CoV-2 and Zika) reveals a surprisingly conserved sinefungin binding mode implicating that a single inhibitor could be used against unrelated viral families.
The neuroprotective effects of dental pulp stem cells and erythropoietin in mice hippocampus after ischemia-reperfusion
Authors: Poor Shahram Mohammad , Moghadam Amir Johari , Rezayof Ameneh , Mehdizade Rana , Barbarestani Mohammad , Alizadeh Rafieh , Abbasi Naser , Katebi Majid , Soleimani Mansoureh
Published: October 2022

Background
Brain strokes are the cause of death in many people, among survivors; it can cause problems such as motor and cognitive impairment. The role of the hippocampus and its damage in ischemia has been assessed by researchers. One of the treatments commonly used today by researchers in cell therapy. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the use of dental pulp stem cells and erythropoietin in mice hippocampus after ischemia-reperfusion.
Methods
In this study, NMRI male mice were divided into six groups. Except for the sham group, all groups group experienced ischemic hippocampus. A group received erythropoietin or dental pulp stem cells and the other group received a combination exposer of erythropoietin and DPSC, while the vehicle group received DPSC solvent and erythropoietin solvent. After eight weeks, they were subjected to a test of learning and memory by Morris water maze. Then, their brains were examined for histological assessment, and immunohistochemistry (DCX and NeuN for neurogenesis). Furthermore, VEGF was applied for angiogenesis and GFAP for gliosis examination.
Results
The behavioral function of the group receiving erythropoietin and the combined group (DPSC and erythropoietin) was better than other groups. The mean number of healthy cells in EPO, DPSC, and EPO + DPSC groups was significantly different from that of the vehicle group (P < 0.05). Besides, DPSC, EPO, and EPO + DPSC groups showed a significant increase in green density in comparison with the ischemia and vehicle groups (P < 0.05), but no difference was found between the ischemia and sham groups.
Conclusion
DPSC and erythropoietin were capable of increased neuronal function but behavioral studies revealed that outcomes of erythropoietin therapy are better than DPSC
Thermocapillary Bubble Oscillations and Migration in a Vibrating Cylinder in a Zero-Gravity Environment
Authors: Alhendal Yousuf , Touzani Sara , Turan Ali , Cheddadi Abdelkhalek
Published: October 2022

Bubble migration in a vibrating zero gravity environment is numerically investigated using ANSYS-FLUENT software. A 3D CFD model is developed describing the two-phase flow of a nitrogen bubble immersed in a container full of ethanol. The Volume of Fluid (VOF) method and the geometric reconstruction scheme are used to track the liquid-liquid interface. The container is vibrated horizontally with different frequencies from 0 Hz to 1 Hz, and amplitudes from 0.005 m/s2 to 0.1 m/s2. The vibration impact on the bubble arrival times to the top and its ensuing dynamic is analyzed. Different bubble trajectory shapes are observed, other than the conventional vertical translation induced by the temperature difference. Compared to the no vibration case, the bubble motion is slightly either accelerated or decelerated for very low vibration amplitudes, Ab = 0.005 m/s2. For a fixed frequency f = 1 Hz, the bubble arrival time increases significantly with the vibration amplitude increment relative to the no vibration case. The vibration effect becomes more intense with the Marangoni number decrease when f = 0.2 Hz and Ab = 0.005 m/s2. Those results are difficult to obtain experimentally, signifying the importance of this numerical study to understand bubble motion and migration in space.
Modeling Accumulated Degree-Days for the Invasive Aquatic Plants Oxycaryum cubense and Eichhornia crassipes in Mississippi
Authors: Squires Allison , Turnage Gray , Wersal Ryan M
Published: October 2022

Cuban bulrush [Oxycaryum cubense (Poepp. & Kunth) Lye] and water hyacinth [Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms] are floating aquatic plants that cause major ecological and economical harm in the southeastern U.S. They are commonly associated with each other due to the epiphytic nature of O. cubense, in that it utilizes E. crassipes (and other floating plants or objects) as a colonization substrate. Increasing global temperatures may allow for the northward expansion of both species in North America. The purpose of this study was to model plant growth (i.e., biomass) as a function of accumulated degree-days (calculated from air temperature) to predict peak biomass of both species growing in Lake Columbus, MS. According to the model, E. crassipes base temperature threshold at which growth does not occur was between 3 and 4°C, while O. cubense base threshold was − 3 to -5°C suggesting that O. cubense has a more prolonged growing season with the ability to grow during the winter, allowing it to continue growth and spread after other species have senesced. O. cubense’s low base temperature threshold suggests this species has the environmental tolerance to expand further north than was previously expected.
The effect of the Substance P/NK1R system on thioredoxin and its target gene, miR-325-3p, in MCF-7 breast cancer cells
Authors: Alaei Amin , Soltani Arash , Mobarra Naser , Hashemy Seyed Isaac
Published: October 2022

Purpose
Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent malignancy with a high morbidity and mortality rate among women that can be initiated and be progressed through activating the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) by substance P (SP), a highly conserved member of the tachykinin peptide family. The oxidative stress-mediated role of the SP/NK1R system results in BC pathogenesis is not entirely understood. Therefore, this study was designed to shed light on the link between SP/NK1R and cellular redox state in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.
Methods
Aprepitant IC50 was measured by resazurin assay. Reactive oxygen species were assessed utilizing DCFDA assay. Thioredoxin (Txn) and miR-325-3p genes expression were determined through Real-Time PCR. To evaluate the Txn protein expression, western blot analysis was performed.
Results
We found that SP elevated ROS production in these cells. furthermore, SP leads to a remarkable down-regulation of miR-325-3p and thioredoxin (Trx) target genes and protein expression of Trx in MCF-7 cells. In addition, aprepitant inhibited SP's effects; therefore, it decreased ROS accumulation, and up-regulated Trx and miR-325-3p genes, suggesting that aprepitant may render antioxidant properties through Trx.
Conclusion
Oxidative stress could have an essential role in BC pathogenesis via activating the NK1R by SP. SP can decrease the BC cell's antioxidative capacity by reducing the Trx gene and protein and miR-325-3p gene. Therefore, it causes an increase in ROS production and oxidative damage. the present investigation indicates that the SP/NK1R system might be an appealing and promising therapeutic target against BC.
Phase 2 Study of AV-GBM-1 (a Tumor-initiating Cell Targeted Dendritic Cell Vaccine) in Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Patients: Safety and Efficacy Assessment
Authors: Bota Daniela , Taylor Thomas H. , Piccioni David E. , Duma Christopher M. , LaRocca Renato V. , Kesari Santosh , Carillo Jose A. , Abedi Mehrdad , Aiken Robert D. , Hsu Frank P.K. , Kong Xiao-Tang , Hsieh Candace , Bota Peter G. , Nistor Gabriel I. , Keirstead Hans S. , Dillman Robert O.
Published: October 2022

Background
Vaccine immunotherapy may improve survival in GBM. A multicenter phase II trial was designed to determine: (1) the success rate of manufacturing AV-GBM-1, (2) AE associated with AV-GBM-1 administration, and (3) survival.
Methods
Fresh suspected glioblastoma tissue was collected during surgery, and patients with pathology-confirmed GBM enrolled before starting RT/TMZ with ITT after recovery from RT/TMZ. AV-GBM-1 was made by incubating autologous dendritic cells with a lysate of irradiated autologous TICs. Eligible patients were adults (18 to 70 years old) with a KPS of 70 or greater, a successful TIC culture, and sufficient monocytes collected. A cryopreserved AV-GBM-1 dose was thawed and admixed with 500 mg of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor before every subcutaneous (s.c.) administration.
Results
Success rates were 97% for both TIC production and monocyte collection. AV-GBM-1 was manufactured for 63/63 patients; 60 enrolled per ITT; 57 started AV-GBM-1. The most common AEs attributed to AV-GBM-1 were local injection site reactions (16%) and flu-like symptoms (10%). Treatment-emergent AEs included seizures (33%), headache (37%), and focal neurologic symptoms (28%). One patient discontinued AV-GBM-1 because of seizures. mPFS and mOS from ITT enrollment were 10.4 and 16.0 months, respectively. 2-year OS is 27%.
Conclusions:
AV-GBM-1 was reliably manufactured. Treatment was well-tolerated, but there were numerous treatment-emergent central nervous system AEs. mPFS was longer than historical benchmarks, though no mOS improvement was noted.
Trial Registration: NCT, NCT03400917, Registered 10 January 2018, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03400917?term=NCT03400917&draw=2&rank=1
Regulatory effects and mechanisms of L-theanine on neurotransmitters via liver-brain axis under a high protein diet
Authors: Xu Wei , Song Yuxin , Xiao Wenjun , Gong Zhihua
Published: October 2022

Excessive protein intake causes liver and brain damage and neurotransmitter disorders, thereby inducing cognitive dysfunction. L-theanine can regulate the neurotransmitter content and show great potential in liver and brain protection. However, it remains unclear whether l-theanine effectively regulates neurotransmitter content under high-protein diet. A 40-day feeding experiment was performed in Sprague Dawley rats to investigate the regulatory effects and mechanisms of l-theanine on neurotransmitters via liver-brain axis in high-protein diets. The results showed that a 30% protein diet increased the liver and brain neurotransmitter content while maintaining the normal structure of liver and the hippocampal CA1 of brain and improving the autonomous behavior of rats. In contrast, 40% and 50% protein diets decreased the content of neurotransmitters, affected autonomous behavior, and destroyed liver and the hippocampal CA1 of brain structure. However, l-theanine improved liver and brain neurotransmitter content, autonomous behavior, and hippocampal brain structure in 40% and 50% protein diets. By analyzing different metabolites and proteomes and using western blotting for validate quantitatively, we found that l-theanine regulates the activity of PF4 and G protein subunit alpha i2, increases the content of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and dopamine under a 20% protein diet. In addition, l-theanine can activate the adenylate cyclase-protein kinase A pathway through the protein Alpha/beta-hydrolase domain protein 12 to regulate the content of neurotransmitters under a 40% protein diet, thereby exerting a neuroprotective effect.
S100B predicts neurological injury and 30-day mortality following surgery for acute type A aortic dissection: an observational cohort study
Authors: Teurneau-Hermansson Karl , Ede Jacob , Larsson Mårten , Moseby-Knappe Marion , Bjursten Henrik , Nozohoor Shahab , Sjögren Johan , Zindovic Igor
Published: October 2022

Background: Neurological injuries are frequent following Acute Type A Aortic Dissection (ATAAD) repair occurring in 4-30% of all patients. Our objective was to study whether S100B can predict neurological injury following ATAAD repair.
Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective, observational study. The study included all patients that underwent ATAAD repair at our institution between Jan 1998 and Dec 2021 and had recorded S100B-values. The primary outcome measure was neurological injury, defined as focal neurological deficit or coma diagnosed by clinical assessment with or without radiological confirmation and with a symptom duration of more than 24 hours. Secondary outcome measures were 30-day mortality and postoperative complications.
Results: 538 patients underwent surgery during the study period and 393 patients, had recorded S100B-values. The patients had a mean age of 64.4 ± 11.1 years and 34% were female. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for S100B 24 hours postoperatively yielded area under the curve (AUC) 0.687 (95% CI 0.615-0.759) and best Youden’s index corresponded to S100B 0.225 which gave a sensitivity of 60% and specificity of 75%. Multivariable logistic regression identified S100B ³ 0.23 mg/l at 24 hours as an independent predictor for neurological injury (OR 4.71, 95% CI 2.59-8.57; p<0.01) along with preoperative cerebral malperfusion (OR 4.23, 95% CI 2.03-8.84; p<0.01) as well as an independent predictor for 30-day mortality (OR 4.57, 95% CI 1.18-11.70; p<0.01).
Conclusions: We demonstrated that S100B, 24 hours after surgery is a strong independent predictor for neurological injury and 30-day mortality after ATAAD repair.
Trial registration: As this was a retrospective observational study it was not registered.
Prevalence and correlates of overweight and obesity among under-five children in Egypt
Authors: Bonsu Emmanuel Osei , Addo Isaac Yeboah
Published: October 2022

Background: Evidence suggests that Egypt, a country in North Africa, has a significant number of children at serious risk of excess body weight. Yet, there is a dearth of studies on overweight and obesity among children under 5 years in the country. This study examined the prevalence and correlates of overweight and obesity among under-five children in Egypt.
Methods: Data were retrieved from the latest (2008 and 2014) Egypt demographic and health surveys (EDHS). A total of 42,568 children under 5 years were included. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was described using proportions whereas the factors associated with the prevalence were examined using logistic regression.
Results: Of the 42,568 children under 5 years, about one in every six (17%) were overweight or obese. Those aged 19-37 months, those with birth weights greater than 4 kg, those given large portions of protein foods (eggs and meat), and those whose mothers were in the rich wealth quintile had significant risks of overweight or obesity.
Conclusion: Overweight and obesity are highly prevalent among children under five years in Egypt. Interventions developed to address these two overnutrition indicators in Egypt need to consider variations in risk factors across age, birth weight, food types and portions, and maternal wealth status.
Exchange Bias Coupling and Bipolar Resistive Switching at Room Temperature on GaSb/Mn Multilayers for Resistive Memories Applications
Authors: Calderón Jorge A. , Quiroz Heiddy P. , Terán Cristian L. , Manso-Silván M. , Dussan A. , Noval Álvaro Muñoz
Published: October 2022

This work present structural, morphological, magnetic, and electrical properties of GaSb/Mn multilayer deposited via DC magnetron sputtering at room temperature and at 423 K. The samples are characterized by forming layers of 3, 6 and 12 periods of the GaSb/Mn structure. Through XRD patterns, it was possible to stablish the formation of GaSb, Mn3Ga, and Mn2Sb2 phases. FTIR measurements present an optical interference associated with periodicity and the homogenous thickness of the layers. HR-SEM shows the multilayer architecture with columnar microstructure in the formation of layers with grain nucleation on the surface. A ferromagnetic-like behavior was observed in the multilayers at room temperature related to the domains and interlayers interaction. Additionally, the hysteresis curves present shifts attributed to the effect of exchange bias coupling. I-V curves show RESET-SET states of the multilayer system with bipolar resistive behavior, which can be modified by external magnetic fields. The resistive switching evidenced corresponds to the conductive mechanism based on the capacitive conductance and the formation of conductive filaments in multilayer structure.
The evolution of the genetic load during habitat loss and population fragmentation
Authors: Pinto Alessandro V. , Hansson Bengt , Patramanis Ioannis , Morales Hernán E. , Oosterhout Cock
Published: October 2022

Habitat loss and population fragmentation pose severe threats to the survival of many species. Population isolation and the decline in effective population size lead to increased genetic drift and inbreeding. In turn, this reduces neutral diversity, and it also affects the genetic load of deleterious mutations. Here, we analyse the effect of such genomic erosion by designing a spatially explicit model in SLiM to simulate the effects of the recorded habitat loss in Mauritius over the past ~ 250 years. We show that the loss of neutral nucleotide diversity was barely noticeable during the first 100 years of habitat loss, and that it only became apparent when the total amount of suitable habitat had been reduced to circa 25% of the native undisturbed forest. At that time, the census population size had dropped from circa 10,000 individuals to approximately N = 2000 (equivalent to Ne ~ 1000). The decline of neutral diversity continued after the metapopulation had stabilised at low numbers, consistent with the “drift debt” hypothesis. Although a considerable number of deleterious mutations were lost by drift, others increased in frequency. The masked load was thus converted into a realised load, which compromises individual fitness and population viability after much of the native habitat had been lost. Our study shows that historic habitat loss can pose a sustained threat to populations also in future generations, and that the resulting genetic erosion is likely to continue even without further habitat loss. The UN’s Decade on Ecosystem Restoration needs to lead to transformative change to save species from future extinction, and this requires the urgent restoration of natural habitats.
Nanoengineered Drug Delivery in Cancer Immunotherapy for Overcoming Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Park Sei Hyun , Eun Ryounho , Heo Janghun , Lim Yong Taik
Published: October 2022

Almost like a living being in and of itself, tumors actively interact with and modify their environment to escape immune responses. Owing to the pre-formation of cancer favorable microenvironment prior to anti-cancer treatment, the numerous attempts that followed proposes limited efficacy in oncology. Immunogenicity by activation of immune cells within the tumor microenvironment or recruitment of immune cells from nearby lymph nodes is quickly offset as the immunosuppressive environment, rapidly converting immunogenic cells into immune suppressive cells, overriding the immune system. Tumor cells, as well as regulatory cells, namely M2 macrophages, Tregs, and MDSCs, derived by the immunosuppressive environment, also cloaks from potential anti-tumoral factors by directly or indirectly secreting cytokines, such as IL-10 and TGF-β, related to immune regulation. Enzymes and other metabolic or angiogenetic constituents – VEGF, IDO1, and iNOS - are also employed directed for anti-cancer immune cell malfunctioning. Therefore, the conversion of ‘cold’ immunosuppressive environment into ‘hot’ immune responsive environment is of paramount importance, bestowing the advances in the field of cancer immunotherapy the opportunity to wholly fulfill its intended purpose. This paper reviews the mechanisms by which tumors wield to exercise immune suppression and the nanoengineered delivery strategies being developed to overcome this suppression. Clinical advances based on transforming ‘cold’ into ‘hot’ tumors targeting various methods discussed in this paper will also be addressed for further understanding of the clinical applications of ongoing research in cancer immunotherapy.
Synthesis, Characterization, Analytical Application, and Theoretical Studies of a Schiff Base, (E)-2-(2-aminophenylthio)-N-(thiophen-2-yl-methylene) benzenamine
Authors: Berhanu Asnake Lealem , Mohiuddin Irshad , Malik Ashok Kumar , Aulakh Jatinder Singh
Published: October 2022

In this study, a new Schiff base, (E)-2-(2-aminophenylthio)-N-(thiophen-2-yl-methylene) benzenamine was synthesized for selective detection of Hg2+. This Schiff base was characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1HNMR) spectroscopy, carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13CNMR) spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Binding interaction between (E)-2-(2-aminophenylthio)-N-(thiophen-2-yl-methylene)benzenamine and various metal ions has been studied by UV–Vis spectroscopic measurements and shows promising coordination towards Hg2+ and almost no interference from other metal ions ( Ag+, Mn2+, Fe3+, Al3+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Fe2+ and Cr3+).This Schiff base exhibiting detection limit of 3.8 × 10− 8 M. The Schiff base newly synthesized in this study was successfully applied to the determination of Hg2+ in water samples. In addition to the experimental study, a theoretical study was conducted using Gaussian 09 program to support the experimental findings. FTIR, NMR, bond angle, bond length, torsional angles and structural approximation were studied using theoretical consideration.
A simple soil mass correction factor for a more accurate determination of soil carbon stock changes
Authors: Fowler Ames , Basso Bruno , Millar Neville , Brinton William
Published: October 2022

Agricultural soils can act as a sink for large quantities of soil organic carbon (SOC), but can also be sources of carbon to the atmosphere. The international standard for SOC stock assessment relies on a 30cm fixed depth sample. The tendency of bulk density (BD) to decrease with decreasing disturbance and increasing SOC concentration and the assumption of constant SOC and BD within this depth profile introduces error into the estimates of SOC stock. A change in BD from 1.5 to 1.1 in the top 30cm underestimates SOC stocks by 17%. Significant effort has been made to evaluate and reduce this fixed depth error by using the equivalent soil mass (ESM) approach, but with limited adoption.
We evaluate the error in SOC stock assessment generated from fixed depth measurements relative to the ESM approach and propose correction factors that can be readily adopted under current sampling and analytical methods. Our approach provides a more accurate estimate of SOC stock accumulation or loss that will help incentivize management practice changes that reduce the environmental impacts of agriculture and further legitimize the accounting practices used by the emerging carbon market and organizations that have pledged to reduce their supply chain GHG footprints.
Improvement of face recognition performance using a new hybrid subspace classifier
Authors: Keser Serkan
Published: October 2022

Multiple Classification Systems (MCS) play an important role in increasing recognition performance, especially when using heterogeneous classifiers effectively improves performance. In this study, a new hybrid classifier was designed using heterogeneous Fisherface and Discriminative common vector approach (DCVA) subspace recognition methods, which gave successful results in face recognition. The main feature of the hybrid classifier is that it can assign the misclassified parts to the correct class. While DCVA is based on the common properties of the signals belonging to the classes for classification, Fisherface is based on the different properties of the signals. In order to create a hybrid classifier, called the Hybrid DCVA-Fisherface (HDF), the classifiers' decision rules were combined using the Minimum Proportional Score Algorithm (MPSA) and Recognition Update Algorithm (RUA). To better examine the efficiency of the algorithms, tests were also carried out by downsampling the images. When the experimental results were analyzed, the proposed hybrid classifier gave higher recognition rates than other classifiers.
Assessing the learning curve of robot-assisted total mesorectal excision. A multi-centre study considering procedural safety, pathological safety and efficiency
Authors: Burghgraef Thijs A. , Sikkenk D. J. , Crolla R. M.P.H. , Fahim M. , Melenhorst J. , Moumni M. El , Schelling G. , Smits A. B. , Stassen L. P.S. , Verheijen P. M. , Consten E. C.J.
Published: October 2022

Purpose
Evidence regarding the learning curve of robot-assisted total mesorectal excision is scarce and of low quality. Case-mix is mostly not taken into account, and learning curves are based on operative time, while preferably clinical outcomes and literature-based limits should be used. Therefore this study aims to assess the learning curve of robot-assisted total mesorectal excision.
Methods
A retrospective study was performed in four Dutch centres. The primary aim was to assess the safety of the individual and institutional learning curves using a RA-CUSUM analysis based on intraoperative complications, major postoperative complications and compound pathological outcome (positive circumferential margin or incomplete TME specimen). The learning curve for efficiency was assessed using a LC-CUSUM analysis for operative time. Outcomes of patients before and after the learning curve were compared.
Results
In this study, seven participating surgeons performed robot-assisted total mesorectal excisions in 531 patients. Learning curves for intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, and compound pathological outcome did not exceed predefined literature-based limits. The LC-CUSUM for operative time showed lengths of the learning curve ranging from 12–35 cases. Intraoperative, postoperative and pathological outcome did not differ between patients operated during and after the learning curve.
Conclusion
The learning curve of robot-assisted total mesorectal excision based on intraoperative complications, postoperative complications and compound pathological outcome did not exceed predefined limits, and is therefore suggested to be safe. Using operative time as a surrogate for efficiency, the learning curve is estimated to be between 12 and 35 procedures.
Application of laser desorption/ionization for investigation of phosphomolybdic acid
Authors: Minenkova Irina V. , Emel’yanov Anton M. , Tarkhanova Irina G. , Buryak Aleksey K.
Published: October 2022

Heteropoly compounds are of great practical importance as components of catalysts. In particular, phosphomolybdic acid H3PMo12O40 is widely used in catalytic oxidation processes. For heterogeneous catalysts, one of the effective methods for studying their structure is mass spectrometry. In this work, the main patterns of fragmentation of crystalline phosphomolybdic acid and its aqueous solutions are studied by laser desorption/ionization. It has been found that during laser desorption/ionization, acid crystals tend to form particles of the cluster type (MoO3)n and HPO3∙(MoO3)n. When registering positive ions, particles with a mixed oxidation state of Mo+ 5 and Mo+ 6 were detected. Clusters of molybdenum (VI) oxide were found in the study of aqueous solutions of acid. In the study of aqueous solutions together with a matrix of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, particles containing a hydrated molecular ion were found. Clusters with a molecular ion were identified: H3PMo12O40∙(MoO3)3, H3PMo12O40∙(MoO3)4, H3PMo12O40∙MoO3∙4H2O, H3PMo12O40∙(MoO3)2∙2H2O, H3PMo12O40∙(MoO3)2∙4H2O, and H3PMo12O40∙(MoO3)3∙2H2O. When studying the influence of the LDI parameters on the informativity of the mass spectrum, it was found that, in the general case, the values of the peak intensity and the laser power, as well as the number of shots, are in symbatic dependence. The intensity of the peak depends largely on the power of the laser than on the number of shots. Thus, it has been shown that, upon ionization, phosphomolybdic acid can generate both fragments and cluster ions containing mainly the adduct of the molecular ion with molybdenum oxide and water.
Plasma exosomal miR-199a-3p downregulates cell proliferation and migration in Hirschsprung’s disease by targeting mTOR
Authors: Yu Daiyue , Yang Yang , Huang Zhaorong , Lu Yi , Wang Chen , Luo Caiyun , Su Yuqian , Yang Liucheng , Wu Kai
Published: October 2022

Background
Plasma exosomal microRNAs have been suggested to be potential biomarkers of disease. However, the exosomal microRNAs in Hirschsprung’s disease (HSCR) are still unclear. In this study, we analyzed the miRNA profiles of HSCR and elucidated the mechanism of the selected miR-199a-3p in the development of HSCR.
Methods
Plasma exosomes were isolated, and exosomal miRNA high-throughput sequencing was performed to obtain differentially expressed miRNAs. CCK-8 and Transwell assay were used to determine the function of the most differentially expressed miRNA, which was confirmed in tissue specimen. Thereafter, target genes of the selected miRNAs were predicted by the databases. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes Genomes (KEGG) analysis, and protein–protein interaction network (PPI) construction of possible target genes were used to perform enrichment analysis and interaction. Finally, the PCR, Western blot and recovery experiment were used to confirm the function of target gene, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), in vitro.
Results
The expression of miR-199a-3p was upregulated in plasma exosomes and diseased colonic tissues of patients with HSCR. In vitro, miR-199a-3p can inhibit cell proliferation and migration. Bioinformatic analysis suggested that mTOR might be a potential target of miR-199a-3p in HSCR. mTOR was discovered to be downregulated by miR-199a-3p in vitro. The negative connection between mTOR and miR-199a-3p was confirmed in tissue samples. mTOR can partially reverse the effect of miR-199a-3p on cell proliferation and migration function in vitro.
Conclusions
miR-199a-3p suppresses cell growth and motility, partially by targeting mTOR. Plasma exosomal miR-199a-3p, a diagnostic marker, is crucial for the development of HSCR.
Using spatially variable nitrogen application and crop responses to evaluate crop nitrogen use efficiency
Authors: Hegedus Paul B. , Ewing Stephanie , Jones Clain , Maxwell Bruce D.
Published: October 2022

Low nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is ubiquitous in agricultural systems, with mounting global scale consequences for both atmospheric aspects of climate and downstream ecosystems. Since NUE related soil characteristics such as water holding capacity and organic matter are likely to vary at small scales (<1 ha), understanding the influence of soil characteristics on NUE at the subfield scale (<32 ha) could increase fertilizer NUE. Here, we quantify NUE in four conventionally managed dryland winter-wheat fields in Montana following multiple years of sub-field scale variation in experimental N fertilizer applications. To inform farmer decisions that incorporates NUE, we developed a generalizable model to predict subfield scale NUE by comparing six candidate models, using ecological and biogeochemical data gathered from open-source data repositories and from normal farm operations, including yield and protein monitoring data. While NUE varied across fields and years, efficiency was highest in areas of fields with low N availability from both fertilizer and estimated mineralization of soil organic N (SON). At low levels of applied N, distinct responses among fields suggest distinct capacities to supply non-fertilizer plant-available N, suggesting that mineralization supplies more available N in locations with higher total N, reducing efficiency for any applied rate. Comparing modelling approaches, a random forest regression model of NUE provided predictions with the least error relative to observed NUE. Subfield scale predictive models of NUE can help to optimize efficiency in agronomic systems, maximizing both economic net return and NUE, which provides a valuable approach for optimization of nitrogen fertilizer use.
Hepatocellular carcinoma risk-stratification based on ASGR1 in circulating epithelial cells for cancer interception
Authors: Colomo Amparo Roa , Garrido María Ángeles López , Molina-Vallejo Pilar , Rojas Angela , Sanchez Mercedes González , Aranda-García Violeta , Salmeron Javier , Romero-Gomez Manuel , Muntane Jordi , Padillo Javier , Alamo Jose María , Lorente Jose A. , Serrano María José , Garrido-Navas M. Carmen
Published: October 2022

Purpose: Lack of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in hepatocellular carcinoma impedes stratifying patients based on their risk of developing cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity of circulating epithelial cells (CECs) based on asialoglycoprotein receptor 1 (ASGR1) and miR-122-5p expression as potential diagnostic and prognostic tools in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver cirrhosis (LC).
Methods: Peripheral blood samples were extracted from LC and HCC patients at different disease stages. CECs were isolated using positive immunomagnetic selection. Genetic and phenotypic characterization was validated by double immunocytochemistry for cytokeratin (CK) and ASGR1 or by in-situ hybridization with miR-122-5p and CECs were visualized by confocal microscopy.
Results: The presence of CECs increased HCC risk by 2.58-fold, however, this was only significant for patients with previous LC (p=0.028) and not for those without prior LC (p=0.23). Furthermore, the number of CECs lacking ASGR1 expression correlated significantly with HCC incidence and absence of miR-122-5p expression (p=0.014; r=0.23). Finally, overall survival was significantly greater for patients at earlier cancer stages (p=0.018), but this difference was only maintained in the group with the presence of CECs (p=0.021) whereas progression-free survival was influenced by the absence of ASGR1 expression.
Conclusion: Identification and characterization of CECs by ASGR1 and/or miR-122-5p expression may be used as a risk-stratification tool in LC patients, as it was shown to be an independent prognostic and risk-stratification marker in LC and early disease stage HCC patients.
Revealing the Crystalline Packing Structure of Y6 in the Active Layer of Organic Solar Cells: The Critical Role of Solvent Additives
Authors: Xia Xinxin , Mei Le , He Chengliang , Chen Zeng , Yao Nannan , Qin Minchao , Sun Rui , Pan Yuyu , Xiao Yiqun , Min Jie , Zhang Fengling , Zhu Haiming , Bredas Jean-Luc , Chen Hongzheng , Chen Xian-Kai , Lu Xinhui
Published: October 2022

The bulk heterojunction morphology of photovoltaic materials for organic solar cells (OSCs) is crucial to the fundamental optoelectronic properties. However, in the photoactive layer, the intrinsic crystalline packing structure of Y6, currently the hallmark molecule among the Y-series non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs), is still unclear. Here, employing grazing-incidence wide-angle x-ray scattering (GIWAXS), we resolved the crystalline packing structure of Y6 in the active layer thin film obtained under actual device fabrication conditions. It is found that the film with solvent additive 1-chloronaphthalene (CN) presents a more ordered crystalline packing of Y6. Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations indicate that there exist additional π-π interactions between CN molecules and Y6 end groups, which provide more space for Y6 molecules to relax and form more ordered structures. Our work reveals the critical role of CN in the crystalline packing of Y6 in the device active layer and provides direct correlations between this crystalline packing and the device characteristics and photophysical properties.
EA-GAN: Ancient books text restoration model based on example attention
Authors: Zheng Wenjun , Su Benpeng , Feng Ruiqi , Peng Xihua , Chen Shanxiong
Published: October 2022

Ancient books are of great significance to historical research and cultural inheritance. Unfortunately, these books have been damaged and corroded in the process of long-term transmission. The restoration and digital preservation of ancient books is a new protection method. Traditional character restoration methods ensure the visual consistency of character images through the character features and the pixels around the damaged hole. However, character structure often causes errors, especially when there is a big hole in critical locations. Inspired by human copywriting behavior, a two-branch structure character restoration network EA-GAN is proposed, which is based on generative adversarial network and fuses reference examples. By referring to the feature of the example character, the damaged character can be repaired accurately even when the damaged area is large. EA-GAN first uses two branches to extract the features of the damaged character and example character respectively. Then, the damaged character is repaired according to their neighborhood information and example character features of different scales in the upsampling stage. To solve the problems that the example features and the fixed character features are not aligned and the convolution receptive field is too small, an Example Attention structure block is proposed to assin ist repair. Qualitative and quantitative analysis experiments are carried out on the self-built dataset MSACCSD and real scene pictures. Compared with the latest repair networks, EA-GAN can get the correct text structure through the guidance of the additional example in the Example Attention block. The peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and the structural similarity (SSIM) value were improved by 9.82% and 1.82%, and the learned perceptual image patch similarity (LPIPS) value calculated by VGG and AlexNet decreased by 35.04% and 16.36% respectively, which obtained better results than the current repair methods. It also has a good repair effect in the face of untrained characters ,which is helpful to the digital preservation of ancient books.
VdERG2 was involved in ergosterol biosynthesis, nutritional differentiation and virulence of Verticillium dahliae
Authors: Lv Junyuan , Liu Shichao , Zhang Xiaojian , Zhao Lihong , Zhang Tao , Zhang Zhigang , Feng Zili , Wei Feng , Zhou Jinglong , Zhao Ruiyuan , Feng Hongjie , Zhu Heqin , Li Caihong , Zhang Yalin
Published: October 2022

The ergosterol biosynthesis pathway plays an important role in model pathogenic bacteria Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but little is known about the biosynthesis of ergosterol in pathogenic fungus Verticillium dahliae. In this study, we identified the VdERG2 gene encoding sterol C-8 isomerase from V. dahliae and investigated its function in virulence by generating gene deletion mutants (ΔVdEGR2) and complemented mutants (C-ΔVdEGR2). Deletion of VdERG2 reduced ergosterol content. The conidial germination rate and conidial yield of ΔVdERG2 decreased significantly, and abnormal conidia were produced. In spite of VdERG2 did not affect the utilization of carbon sources by V. dahliae, but ΔVdERG2 observed a decrease in melanin production when cellulose and pectin were used as sole carbon sources, respectively. The ability of mutants ΔVdERG2 to produce microsclerotia and melanin decreased and the knockout of VdERG2 led to a significant decrease in the expression of microsclerotia and melanin-related genes VaflM, Vayg1, VDH1, VdLAC, VdSCD and VT4HR. In addition, mutants ΔVdEGR2-1 and ΔVdEGR2-2 were very sensitive to congo red (CR), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) stresses, indicating that VdEGR2 was involved in cell wall and oxidative stress response. The absence of VdERG2 weakened the penetration ability of mycelium on cellophane and affected the growth of mycelium on cellophane. Although ΔVdERG2 could infect cotton, its pathogenicity was significantly impaired. These phenotypic defects in ΔVdERG2 could be complemented by reintroduction of a full-length VdERG2 gene. In summary, as a single conservative secretory protein, VdERG2 played a crucial role in ergosterol biosynthesis, nutritional differentiation and virulence in V. dahliae.
Natural and artificial OH defect incorporation into fluoride minerals at elevated temperature – a case study of sellaite, villiaumite and fluorite
Authors: Talla Dominik , Beran Anton , Škoda Radek
Published: October 2022

The long-known presence of a sharp OH absorption band in the tetragonal fluoride mineral sellaite, MgF2, inspired us to conduct a detailed study of the OH incorporation modes into this IR-transparent material as well as to search for hydrogen traces in two other IR-translucent halides – villiaumite (NaF) and fluorite (CaF2). Among these three phases, sellaite is the only one to incorporate ‘intrinsic’ OH groups, most commonly as O–H∙∙∙F defects oriented nearly perpendicular to the c-axis along the shortest edge of the constituent MgF6 polyhedra, in analogy with the isostructural mineral rutile, TiO2. Another defect type, seen only scarcely in untreated natural material, develops when subjecting sellaite to temperatures above 900°C. It involves an O–H∙∙∙O cluster along the 2.802 Å edge of the original MgF6 dipyramid, as fluorine atoms are progressively expelled from the structure, being replaced by O2- anions. This is corroborated by the appearance of spectral absorption features typical for brucite (Mg(OH)2) and ultimately periclase (MgO), the presence of which could be proven via powder diffraction of the heat-treated material. Except for a ‘dubious’ peak most probably caused by included phases, neither villiaumite (NaF) nor fluorite (CaF2) showed any presence of ‘intrinsic’ OH defects. They do however decompose along a similar route into the respective oxide and hydroxide phases at high temperature. This thermal decomposition of the studied halide phases is accompanied by the emission of gaseous (HF)n species at temperatures well below their established melting point - a subject which seems to be quite overlooked.
Contamination and risk assessment of heavy metals in stream sediments of Bambui area, Southern Cameroon
Authors: Yiika Lemnyuy Prosper , Jean-Lavenir Ndema Mbongué , Monespérance Mboudou Germain Marie , Mengu Emmanuel Eseya , Bih Bewah Emilien
Published: October 2022

The Bambui area is located southwestern part of the Pan-African fold belt in Cameroon, and it is found at the foot of Bamenda Mountains, which is part of the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL). The study area is made up of various rocks types such as alkali basalt, trachyte, rhyolite and ignimbrite with a granitic basement of the Pan Africa Fold belt. The main objective of this work was to assess the contamination and risk pose by heavy metals in stream sediments of Bambui area, southern Cameroon. Heavy metal contents in the representative stream sediment samples collected were determined using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The elevated content of Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Th, V, Zn, La, Fe and Ti could be attributed to the geology of the area and anthropogenic metal input sources. The evaluation of contamination factor, degree of contamination, modified degree of contamination, enrichment factor, ecological risk factor and potential ecological risk index revealed that the sediments have low to high ecological risk index. Pollution load index (0.78-1.60), geo-accumulation load index (1.73-5641.91) and anthropogenic metal input (0-5.25) indicate heavy metal contamination of the study area. Geogenic origins, agricultural practices, municipal waste disposal into streams, biosolids and animal manure were identiﬁed as the major sources of heavy metals in stream sediments of the study area.