bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of Novel Diagnostic and Prognostic Gene Signature Biomarkers for Breast Cancer Using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Assisted Transcriptomics Analysis
Authors: Mirza Zeenat , Ansari Md Shahid , Iqbal Md Shahid , Ahmad Nesar , Alganmi Nofe , Banjar Haneen , Al-Qahtani Mohammed H. , Karim Sajjad
Published: June 2023

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common female cancers. Clinical and histopathological information is collectively used for diagnosis, but is often not precise. We applied machine learning (ML) methods to identify the valuable gene signature model based on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for BC diagnosis and prognosis. Methods: A cohort of 701 samples from 11 GEO BC microarray datasets was used for the identification of significant DEGs. Seven ML methods, including RFECV-LR, RFECV-SVM, LR-L1, SVC-L1, RF, and Extra-Trees were applied for gene reduction and the construction of a diagnostic model for cancer classification. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was performed for prognostic signature construction. The potential biomarkers were confirmed via qRT-PCR and validated by another set of ML methods including GBDT, XGBoost, AdaBoost, KNN, and MLP. Results: We identified 355 DEGs and predicted BC-associated pathways, including kinetochore metaphase signaling, PTEN, senescence, and phagosome-formation pathways. A hub of 28 DEGs and a novel diagnostic nine-gene signature (COL10A, S100P, ADAMTS5, WISP1, COMP, CXCL10, LYVE1, COL11A1, and INHBA) were identified using stringent filter conditions. Similarly, a novel prognostic model consisting of eight-gene signatures (CCNE2, NUSAP1, TPX2, S100P, ITM2A, LIFR, TNXA, and ZBTB16) was also identified using disease-free survival and overall survival analysis. Gene signatures were validated by another set of ML methods. Finally, qRT-PCR results confirmed the expression of the identified gene signatures in BC. Conclusion: The ML approach helped construct novel diagnostic and prognostic models based on the expression profiling of BC. The identified nine-gene signature and eight-gene signatures showed excellent potential in BC diagnosis and prognosis, respectively.
A Physicochemical Examination of Blue Shades in Pottery: Rich, Deep and Endless
Authors: Panagopoulou Adamantia P. , Vroom Joanita , Hein Anno , Kilikoglou Vassilis
Published: June 2023

This study attempts to take aspects of pottery technology into account while concentrating on the blue pigment and glaze recipes of various kinds of glazed pottery types; that is to say, Iznik ware, Kütahya ware, Miletus ware, glazed fritware, porcelain, polychrome glazed ware, and monochrome glazed ware were collected from a rescue excavation site within the Castle of Mytilene in Lesvos Island, Greece. The decoration, surface treatment, and production technology were investigated on the basis of 23 ceramic fragments that can be dated to the Turkish/Venetian period. The present study concerns the manufacture of glazed pottery, and in particular, colour recipes and issues of glaze technology. This study endeavoured to look into the specifics of the medieval colour recipes used on the glazed ceramics from Mytilene. This was accomplished by using an analytical process that took into account the compositional information of blue pigments, glazes, and slip coatings. The chemical analysis was conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS), Raman spectroscopy provided information about the compositional variation, and the optical examination via optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS) yielded information about the sample stratigraphy of the examined ceramic sections. This investigation into glazed ceramics was able to define and reflect the key aspects of each society’s perception of colour through a large variety of colour and glaze recipes.
Back to Linnaeus: Proper Botanical Naming of the Tetraploid Indian Acorus (Acoraceae), an Important Medicinal Plant
Authors: Sokoloff Dmitry D. , Remizowa Margarita V. , Skaptsov Mikhail V. , Yadav Shrirang R. , Sennikov Alexander N.
Published: June 2023

The basal monocot genus Acorus comprises essential oil-producing plants widely used in traditional medicine in various countries, including India. Acorus calamus sensu lato is a polyploid complex where the essential oil composition, to some extent, depends on the ploidy level. The literature recognizes diploids (in temperate Asia and North America), triploids (Asian in origin, naturalized elsewhere) and tetraploids (temperate to tropical Asia) at the rank of varieties of A. calamus. We show that the current use of the name A. calamus var. angustatus for the tetraploids is not properly justified. The earliest name based on the Asian material is A. calamus var. verus published in 1753 by Linnaeus. We justify the use of the Linnaean variety for tetraploids by selecting an epitype based on the material cultivated in Peninsular India, for which direct chromosome counts are provided. The name A. verus is available if the tetraploid cytotype is recognized at the species rank. We support earlier data on the importance of leaf anatomy for cytotype diagnostics in Acorus, but also show the limitations of the use of this approach. The growth pattern of the tropical Indian tetraploid material is discussed, and the evergreen nature of the accession studied here is documented. The exact chromosome number of the tetraploid Acorus requires further clarification. All metaphase plates examined here showed at least 44 chromosomes, but plates apparently showing more than 44 chromosomes were found as well. They may be explained by technical difficulties in counting chromosomes in Acorus. Alternatively, our data may indicate the occurrence of aneuploid mixoploidy.
Dead Shells Bring to Life Baselines for Conservation: Case Studies from The Bahamas, Southern California, and Wisconsin, USA
Authors: Michelson Andrew V. , Spergel Julian J. , Kimball Katalina C. , Park Boush Lisa , Leonard-Pingel Jill S.
Published: June 2023

We are living in a time of rapid biodiversity loss. Numerous studies have shown that modern extinction rates are higher than pre-human background rates. However, these studies of biodiversity decline almost exclusively focus on large vertebrates. The scientific community lacks the sufficient long-term records necessary to track biodiversity loss for many invertebrate taxa. However, aquatic, benthic, and skeletonized invertebrates have the advantage of leaving a long-term record that can readily be sampled in conjunction with living communities because the mineralized skeletons accumulate in the very same sediments in which the animals that produced them once lived. These not-quite-fossil “death assemblages” contain an underutilized record for long-term monitoring. Here, we leverage three case studies of calcareous micro- and macro-faunal remains from three aquatic environments spanning two gradients: freshwater to fully marine and polluted to pristine and remediated. We compared the death assemblages to living assemblages in these case studies using Spearman’s rho and the Jaccard–Chao agreement to determine the degree of fidelity. Death assemblages of lacustrine, calcareous microcrustaceans (Ostracoda), collected from lakes in The Bahamas and Wisconsin, USA, faithfully record human impacts, both for degradation and remediation, as determined by a mismatch in the live–dead comparisons. Likewise, the live–dead comparisons of calcareous marine macrofauna (Bivalvia) from the southern California shelf also indicate human impact, including pollution and remediation. These case studies demonstrate how death assemblages can be used to gauge the changes in community assembly and population structures at local and regional scales, even in the absence of a systemic monitoring program. Conservation, restoration, and biomonitoring efforts would benefit from the inclusion of live–dead comparisons of taxa with easily fossilized, identifiable parts. Live–dead studies, such as those presented in these case studies, can be used as tools for recognizing targets and establishing baselines for conservation, tracking community responses to remediation efforts, and identifying local species extinctions.
ASPIRE to a Better Future: The Impact of the Pandemic on Young People, and Options for Schools Post-COVID-19
Authors: Roffey Sue
Published: June 2023

Young people have, in effect, had two years of normality taken from their lives by the pandemic—and for many this has occurred at a crucial time of development. Using the ASPIRE framework of Agency, Safety, Positivity, Inclusion, Respect, and Equity, this paper explores what has happened to adolescents in the UK and elsewhere, the impact this may have had on identity formation and establishing a meaningful sense of self, feelings of belonging and safety, mental health, hope for the future, and relationships. Students already facing disadvantages and adversity have been particularly hard hit. School attendance levels are falling, giving rise to further concerns about wellbeing. Referring to each principle, we discuss the options for responding in ways that support a more positive future.
Strategy Trade-Off of Predominant Stress Tolerance Relative to Competition and Reproduction Associated with Plant Functional Traits under Karst Forests
Authors: Hu Xiaorun , He Yuejun , Gao Lu , Umer Muhammad , Guo Yun , Tan Qiyu , Kang Liling , Fang Zhengyuan , Shen Kaiping , Xia Tingting
Published: June 2023

The Grime (1974) CSR framework posits that ecological strategies of competition, stress tolerance and ruderal reflect plants’ adaptability to their survival environments. Karst forests are crucial for terrestrial ecosystem functions. However, how karst forests regulate plant functional traits in ecological strategy to adapt to infertile habitats remains unclear. Therefore, we surveyed fifty-three karst forest plots and measured plant functional traits involving the plan diameter at breast height (DBH), height, leaf area (LA), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), leaf carbon (LC) and nitrogen (LN) and phosphorus (LP) with the leaf water content (LWC). We calculated CSR components on the individual and community levels introduced by community-weighted means (CWM) using the ‘StrateFy’ calculator. Principal component analysis (PCA) and Mantel’s test were used to investigate trait correlations with CSR components. Our results showed that stress tolerance (S) contributed an average 65.88% and 63.63% in individuals and communities, respectively, followed by competition (C) at 25.82% and 29.63%, and the least, ruderal (R), at 8.30% and 6.74%. Different plant functional traits exhibited different variations, coupled with significant correlations between CSR components and PC1 scores (except for CWM− LA, SLA and LDMC). Component S increased with the increase in CWM− LC and C:N ratio, and decreased with the increase in CWM− DBH, Height, LWC, LN, and N:P ratio, while it was the opposite for C and R, highlighting strategic trade-offs associated with plant functional traits. Mantel’s test revealed varied key trait combinations for each strategy. In conclusion, the predominant stress tolerance strategy relative to competition and ruderal is a result of trade-offs regulating karst forests, in association with plant functional traits. The disentangled CSR strategies provide insights into theoretically understanding functional maintenance for infertile forest ecosystems as an evolutional regulation mechanism.
Metabolome and Transcriptome Integrated Analysis of Mulberry Leaves for Insight into the Formation of Bitter Taste
Authors: Huang Jin , Li Yong , Yu Cui , Mo Rongli , Zhu Zhixian , Dong Zhaoxia , Hu Xingming , Deng Wen
Published: June 2023

Mulberry leaves are excellent for health care, confirmed as a ‘drug homologous food’ by the Ministry of Health, China. The bitter taste of mulberry leaves is one of the main problems that hinders the development of the mulberry food industry. The bitter, unique taste of mulberry leaves is difficult to eliminate by post-processing. In this study, the bitter metabolites in mulberry leaves were identified as flavonoids, phenolic acids, alkaloids, coumarins and L-amino acids by a combined analysis of the metabolome and transcriptome of mulberry leaves. The analysis of the differential metabolites showed that the bitter metabolites were diverse and the sugar metabolites were down-regulated, indicating that the bitter taste of mulberry leaves was a comprehensive reflection of various bitter-related metabolites. Multi-omics analysis showed that the main metabolic pathway related to bitter taste in mulberry leaves was galactose metabolism, indicating that soluble sugar was one of the main factors of bitter taste difference in mulberry leaves. Bitter metabolites play a great role in the medicinal and functional food of mulberry leaves, but the saccharides in mulberry leaves have a great influence on the bitter taste of mulberry. Therefore, we propose to retain bitter metabolites with drug activity in mulberry leaves and increase the content of sugars to improve the bitter taste of mulberry leaves as strategies for mulberry leaf food processing and mulberry breeding for vegetable use.
Metabolic Pathway Pairwise-Based Signature as a Potential Non-Invasive Diagnostic Marker in Alzheimer’s Disease Patients
Authors: Feng Yunwen , Chen Xingyu , Zhang Xiaohua Douglas , Huang Chen
Published: June 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an incurable neurodegenerative disorder. Early screening, particularly in blood plasma, has been demonstrated as a promising approach to the diagnosis and prevention of AD. In addition, metabolic dysfunction has been demonstrated to be closely related to AD, which might be reflected in the whole blood transcriptome. Hence, we hypothesized that the establishment of a diagnostic model based on the metabolic signatures of blood is a workable strategy. To that end, we initially constructed metabolic pathway pairwise (MPP) signatures to characterize the interplay among metabolic pathways. Then, a series of bioinformatic methodologies, e.g., differential expression analysis, functional enrichment analysis, network analysis, etc., were used to investigate the molecular mechanism behind AD. Moreover, an unsupervised clustering analysis based on the MPP signature profile via the Non-Negative Matrix Factorization (NMF) algorithm was utilized to stratify AD patients. Finally, aimed at distinguishing AD patients from non-AD groups, a metabolic pathway-pairwise scoring system (MPPSS) was established using multi-machine learning methods. As a result, many metabolic pathways correlated to AD were disclosed, including oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid biosynthesis, etc. NMF clustering analysis divided AD patients into two subgroups (S1 and S2), which exhibit distinct activities of metabolism and immunity. Typically, oxidative phosphorylation in S2 exhibits a lower activity than that in S1 and non-AD group, suggesting the patients in S2 might possess a more compromised brain metabolism. Additionally, immune infiltration analysis showed that the patients in S2 might have phenomena of immune suppression compared with S1 and the non-AD group. These findings indicated that S2 probably has a more severe progression of AD. Finally, MPPSS could achieve an AUC of 0.73 (95%CI: 0.70, 0.77) in the training dataset, 0.71 (95%CI: 0.65, 0.77) in the testing dataset, and an AUC of 0.99 (95%CI: 0.96, 1.00) in one external validation dataset. Overall, our study successfully established a novel metabolism-based scoring system for AD diagnosis using the blood transcriptome and provided new insight into the molecular mechanism of metabolic dysfunction implicated in AD.
Recurringly Hypoxic: Bottom Water Oxygen Depletion Is Linked to Temperature and Precipitation in a Great Lakes Estuary
Authors: Dugener Nathan M. , Weinke Anthony D. , Stone Ian P. , Biddanda Bopaiah A.
Published: June 2023

Hypolimnetic hypoxia is expanding globally due to anthropogenic eutrophication and climate warming. Muskegon Lake, a Great Lakes estuary, experiences annually recurring hypoxia, impairing ecological, social, and economic benefits. Using high-frequency, time-series Muskegon Lake Observatory (MLO) data, we quantified the dynamics of hypoxia and developed a hypoxia severity index to estimate the spatiotemporal extent of hypoxia during 2011–2021. We also analyzed United States Geological Survey’s temperature and discharge data on the Muskegon River to explain the annual variability in the hypoxia severity index. Severe hypoxia occurred in warmer years with greater stratification, fewer wind mixing events, warmer winter river temperatures, and less winter and spring precipitation, as in 2012 and 2021. Conversely, milder hypoxia was prevalent in colder years with a later stratification onset, more mixing events, colder river temperatures, and more winter and spring precipitation, as in 2015 and 2019. Thus, knowledge of environmental conditions prior to the onset of stratification may be useful for predicting the potential severity of hypoxia for any year. While consistent multi-year trends in hypoxia were not discernible, our findings suggest that temperature and precipitation are major drivers of hypoxia and that as surface waters warm, it will lead to the further deoxygenation of Earth’s inland waters.
Standardised 25-Step Traditional Thai Massage (TTM) Protocol for Treating Office Syndrome (OS)
Authors: Sucharit Wiraphong , Roberts Neil , Eungpinichpong Wichai , Hunsawong Torkamol , Chatchawan Uraiwan
Published: June 2023

Traditional Thai massage (TTM) is a unique form of whole body massage practiced to promote health and well-being in Thailand since ancient times. The goal of the present study was to create a standardised TTM protocol to treat office syndrome (OS) diagnosed based on the identification of the palpation of at least one so-called myofascial trigger point (MTrP) in the upper trapezius muscle. The new 90 min TTM protocol, which was developed following appropriate review of the literature and in consultation with relevant experts, has 25 distinct steps (20 pressing steps, 2 artery occlusion steps, and 3 stretching steps). Eleven TTM therapists treated three patients each using the new 90 min TTM protocol. All of the therapists reported scores greater than 80% in respect to their satisfaction and confidence to deliver the protocol, and all of the patients gave the treatment a satisfaction score of greater than 80%. The treatment produced a significant reduction in pain intensity measured on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), with minimum and maximum values of 0 and 10 cm, of 2.33 cm (95% CI (1.76, 2.89 cm), p < 0.001) and significant increase in pain pressure threshold (PPT) of 0.37 kg/cm2 (95% CI (0.10, 0.64 kg/cm2), p < 0.05). The protocol was revised based on the feedback and the results obtained, and the new standardised TTM protocol will be applied in a randomised control trial (RCT) to compare the efficacy of TTM and conventional physical therapy (PT) for treating OS.
Tips to Quit Smoking: Perspectives from Vietnamese Healthcare Providers, Community Leaders, and Past Tobacco Users in the United States
Authors: Le Tina , Kulkarni Shweta , Businelle Michael , Kendzor Darla , Kong Amanda , Nguyen Anna , Bui Thanh
Published: June 2023

This study focuses on smoking-cessation strategies for United States (US) Vietnamese individuals, a group with high smoking rates, particularly those with limited English proficiency (LEP). The researchers conducted 16 in-depth interviews with a diverse group of participants, including healthcare professionals, community leaders, and former tobacco users. Data were analyzed using the Phase-Based Model of smoking cessation, resulting in several helpful strategies across the four phases: Motivation, Preparation, Cessation, and Maintenance. Prominent advice for the Motivation Phase included having a strong determination to quit and a reason why, such as protecting loved ones. For the Preparation and Cessation Phases, participants recommended healthy coping mechanisms, avoiding triggers, changing habits, and gradually reducing the number of cigarettes smoked. In the Maintenance Phase, strategies included regular exercise and setting boundaries with other people who smoke. Participants also stressed the importance of social support throughout all four phases. These findings have implications for healthcare providers working with US Vietnamese who smoke, especially those with LEP. By understanding the unique challenges this group faces in accessing smoking-cessation resources, providers can offer tailored support and guidance. Ultimately, this study provides useful strategies for helping US Vietnamese quit smoking, improving their health outcomes and quality of life.
“They Tarred Me with the Same Brush”: Navigating Stigma in the Context of Child Removal
Authors: McGrath Joanne , Lhussier Monique , Crossley Stephen , Forster Natalie
Published: June 2023

Child removals are increasing in England and Wales. Family court involvement is particularly common among women with multiple disadvantages, and the rates are higher in economically marginalised areas. This article aims to explore women’s narratives of child removal within life stories of homelessness and examines how stigma, power and State surveillance manifest in their experiences. Data drawn from qualitative interviews with 14 mothers in the north-east of England who had experienced the removal of their children through the family courts are explored within the wider context of a neoliberal political agenda of “troubled families”, and in particular, “deviant mothers”. The participants describe how stigma structured their interactions with social services. Despite the known poor outcomes associated with child removal for both mothers and children, professional involvement often tapers off afterwards, with little support for mothers. Drawing on women’s accounts, we seek to illuminate their experiences of child removal and enhance our understanding of how stigma plays out in statutory settings, further entrenching social exclusion and ultimately increasing health inequalities.
Chemsex and Sexual Well-Being in Young Polish Men
Authors: Gerymski Rafał , Magoń Wiktoria
Published: June 2023

Chemsex refers to the use of psychoactive drugs for sexual purposes—before or during sex. This phenomenon mainly affects men, in particular those belonging to the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer/questioning, asexual, and more diverse individuals) community. From the perspective of the transactional theory of stress, chemsex can be considered a strategy for coping with stress, which is why it is also extremely important to verify its role in functioning outside the sexual sphere. For this reason, this study verified the relationship between the use of chemsex, perceived stress, sexual well-being, and life satisfaction in young Polish men. The study involved 175 men (67 people using chemsex and 108 people in the control group) between 18 and 33 years of age. The Perceived Stress Scale, the Short Scale of Sexual Well-being, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and the authors’ questionnaire about the use of chemsex were used. It was observed that individuals using chemsex showed a significantly lower level of sexual well-being and satisfaction with life (moderate effects) and a higher level of perceived stress (strong effect) when compared to the control group not using psychoactive substances. Additionally, a positive and moderate relationship was observed between the number of psychoactive substances used and perceived stress in the group of individuals using chemsex. Moreover, the number of substances used and the level of perceived stress were negatively and moderately related to the level of well-being in these individuals. It was also shown that perceived stress was a significant predictor of the number of psychoactive substances used before and during sex and that perceived stress and the number of psychoactive substances used were significant and negative predictors of life satisfaction and sexual well-being, explaining a large portion of their variance.
The Beyond-Human Natural World: Providing Meaning and Making Meaning
Authors: Passmore Holli-Anne , Krause Ashley N.
Published: June 2023

Much academic and media attention has been focused on how nature contributes to psychological health, yet, most of this focus has been on happiness or hedonic well-being. Although numerous writers and researchers have linked connecting with nature as a pathway to meaning in life, an integrated overview has not yet (to our knowledge) been offered. Our manuscript is thus of both theoretical and practical importance with respect to finding meaning in life. In this hybrid commentary/review paper, we examine the link between meaning in life and relating to the beyond-human natural world. Through presenting supportive empirical research and interdisciplinary insights, we make the case that connecting with the natural world provides us with meaning in various ways. We discuss how nature is a common source of meaning in people’s lives and how connecting with nature helps to provide meaning by addressing our need to find coherence, significance/mattering, and purpose (the three aspects comprising the tripartite model of meaning life). We also consider how connecting with nature enhances our experiential appreciation for life, a fourth aspect of meaning in life recently proposed. Our discussion then expands to examining nature as a place of attachment. Going beyond how nature provides us with meaning, we consider how engaging in nature-based activities provides an avenue for many people to build meaningful lives. We close by considering how threats to nature are a threat to meaning in life.
Self-Rated Health and Mortality: Moderation by Purpose in Life
Authors: Friedman Elliot M. , Teas Elizabeth
Published: June 2023

Poor self-rated health consistently predicts reduced longevity, even when objective disease conditions and risk factors are considered. Purpose in life is also a reliable predictor of diverse health outcomes, including greater longevity. Given prior work in which we showed that purpose in life moderated the association between chronic conditions and health-related biological factors, the aim of the current study was to examine the role of purpose in life in moderating the relationship between subjective health and mortality. We also examined potential differences in these associations by race/ethnicity. Data were from two large national longitudinal studies—the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study—with a 12- to 14-year follow-up period for mortality estimates. Results of logistic regression analyses showed that purpose in life and self-rated health were both significantly positively associated with longevity, and that purpose in life significantly moderated the relationship between self-rated health and mortality. Stratified analyses showed similar results across all racial/ethnic groups, with the exception of Black MIDUS participants. These results suggest that greater purpose in life may provide a buffer against the greater probability of mortality associated with poor subjective health.
Patterns of Health and Health Service Use in a Prospective Cohort of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children Aged 5–9 Years Living in Urban, Regional and Remote Areas of South Australia
Authors: Gartland Deirdre , Nikolof Arwen , Glover Karen , Leane Cathy , Cahir Petrea , Hameed Mohajer , Brown Stephanie
Published: June 2023

Despite longstanding recognition of disparities in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child health, progress to reduce disparities is slow. To improve the capacity of policy makers to target resources, there is an urgent need for epidemiological studies providing prospective data on child health outcomes. We undertook a prospective population-based study of 344 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children born in South Australia. Mothers and caregivers reported on child health conditions, use of health services and the social and familial context of the children. A total of 238 children with a mean age of 6.5 years participated in wave 2 follow-up. Overall, 62.7% of the children experienced one or more physical health conditions in the 12 months prior to wave 2 follow-up, 27.3% experienced a mental health condition and 24.8% experienced a developmental condition. The 12-month period prevalence of physical, developmental and mental health conditions was similar for children living in urban, regional and remote areas. While most children had had at least one visit with a general practitioner, some children experiencing physical, developmental and mental health conditions appear to be missing out on specialist and allied health care. Greater efforts by governments and policy makers are needed to strengthen outreach, recognition, referral and follow-up.
Evidence That DDR1 Promotes Oligodendrocyte Differentiation during Development and Myelin Repair after Injury
Authors: Mei Ruyi , Qiu Wanwan , Yang Yingying , Xu Siyu , Rao Yueyu , Li Qingxin , Luo Yuhao , Huang Hao , Yang Aifen , Tao Huaping , Qiu Mengsheng , Zhao Xiaofeng
Published: June 2023

Oligodendrocytes generate myelin sheaths vital for the formation, health, and function of the central nervous system. Mounting evidence suggests that receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are crucial for oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination in the CNS. It was recently reported that discoidin domain receptor 1 (Ddr1), a collagen-activated RTK, is expressed in oligodendrocyte lineage. However, its specific expression stage and functional role in oligodendrocyte development in the CNS remain to be determined. In this study, we report that Ddr1 is selectively upregulated in newly differentiated oligodendrocytes in the early postnatal CNS and regulates oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination. Ddr1 knock-out mice of both sexes displayed compromised axonal myelination and apparent motor dysfunction. Ddr1 deficiency alerted the ERK pathway, but not the AKT pathway in the CNS. In addition, Ddr1 function is important for myelin repair after lysolecithin-induced demyelination. Taken together, the current study described, for the first time, the role of Ddr1 in myelin development and repair in the CNS, providing a novel molecule target for the treatment of demyelinating diseases.
Tokenized Markets Using Blockchain Technology: Exploring Recent Developments and Opportunities
Authors: Juan Angel A. , Perez-Bernabeu Elena , Li Yuda , Martin Xabier A. , Ammouriova Majsa , Barrios Barry B.
Published: June 2023

The popularity of blockchain technology stems largely from its association with cryptocurrencies, but its potential applications extend beyond this. Fungible tokens, which are interchangeable, can facilitate value transactions, while smart contracts using non-fungible tokens enable the exchange of digital assets. Utilizing blockchain technology, tokenized platforms can create virtual markets that operate without the need for a central authority. In principle, blockchain technology provides these markets with a high degree of security, trustworthiness, and dependability. This article surveys recent developments in these areas, including examples of architectures, designs, challenges, and best practices (case studies) for the design and implementation of tokenized platforms for exchanging digital assets.
Towards Safe Cyber Practices: Developing a Proactive Cyber-Threat Intelligence System for Dark Web Forum Content by Identifying Cybercrimes
Authors: Sangher Kanti Singh , Singh Archana , Pandey Hari Mohan , Kumar Vivek
Published: June 2023

The untraceable part of the Deep Web, also known as the Dark Web, is one of the most used “secretive spaces” to execute all sorts of illegal and criminal activities by terrorists, cybercriminals, spies, and offenders. Identifying actions, products, and offenders on the Dark Web is challenging due to its size, intractability, and anonymity. Therefore, it is crucial to intelligently enforce tools and techniques capable of identifying the activities of the Dark Web to assist law enforcement agencies as a support system. Therefore, this study proposes four deep learning architectures (RNN, CNN, LSTM, and Transformer)-based classification models using the pre-trained word embedding representations to identify illicit activities related to cybercrimes on Dark Web forums. We used the Agora dataset derived from the DarkNet market archive, which lists 109 activities by category. The listings in the dataset are vaguely described, and several data points are untagged, which rules out the automatic labeling of category items as target classes. Hence, to overcome this constraint, we applied a meticulously designed human annotation scheme to annotate the data, taking into account all the attributes to infer the context. In this research, we conducted comprehensive evaluations to assess the performance of our proposed approach. Our proposed BERT-based classification model achieved an accuracy score of 96%. Given the unbalancedness of the experimental data, our results indicate the advantage of our tailored data preprocessing strategies and validate our annotation scheme. Thus, in real-world scenarios, our work can be used to analyze Dark Web forums and identify cybercrimes by law enforcement agencies and can pave the path to develop sophisticated systems as per the requirements.
Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus Adults Found Coexisting in Urban and Semiurban Dwellings of Southern Chiapas, Mexico
Authors: Lopez-Solis Alma D. , Solis-Santoyo Francisco , Saavedra-Rodriguez Karla , Sanchez-Guillen Daniel , Castillo-Vera Alfredo , Gonzalez-Gomez Rebeca , Rodriguez Americo D. , Penilla-Navarro Patricia
Published: June 2023

Tapachula, Mexico, a tropical city, is an endemic area for dengue, in addition to several outbreaks in the last decade with chikungunya and zika. As part of the migratory corridor from Central to North America and the risks of scattered infectious diseases that this implies, the identification and distribution of potential disease vectors in and around residential areas are essential in terms of entomological surveillance for the prevention of disease outbreaks. The identification of mosquito species of medical importance coexisting in houses and cemeteries in Tapachula and two semiurban sites in southern Chiapas was investigated. Adult mosquitoes were collected from May to December 2018, resting inside and outside houses and in the tombstones and fallen tree leaves in cemeteries. A total of 10,883 mosquitoes belonging to three vector species were collected across 20 sites; 6738 were from neighborhood houses, of which 55.4% were Culex quinquefasciatus, 41.6% Aedes aegypti, and 2.9% Ae. albopictus. Aedes aegypti was the most common mosquito resting inside houses (56.7%), while Ae. albopictus and Cx. quinquefasciatus were mostly found resting outside houses (75.7%). In the cemeteries, Cx. quinquefasciatus (60.8%) and Ae. albopictus (37.3%) were the most abundant, while Ae. aegypti (1.9%) was the least abundant. This is the first report to identify adults of three major disease vector species coexisting in the domestic environment of urban and semiurban sites and Ae. albopictus adult resting inside of urban houses in Mexico. It would be opportune to consider comprehensive strategies that can be applied in this region to control the three species at the same time and avoid outbreaks of the diseases they transmit.
Green Synthesis of Controlled Shape Silver Nanostructures and Their Peroxidase, Catalytic Degradation, and Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Shafiq Ayesha , Deshmukh Aarti R. , AbouAitah Khaled , Kim Beom-Soo
Published: June 2023

Nanoparticles with unique shapes have garnered significant interest due to their enhanced surface area-to-volume ratio, leading to improved potential compared to their spherical counterparts. The present study focuses on a biological approach to producing different silver nanostructures employing Moringa oleifera leaf extract. Phytoextract provides metabolites, serving as reducing and stabilizing agents in the reaction. Two different silver nanostructures, dendritic (AgNDs) and spherical (AgNPs), were successfully formed by adjusting the phytoextract concentration with and without copper ions in the reaction system, resulting in particle sizes of ~300 ± 30 nm (AgNDs) and ~100 ± 30 nm (AgNPs). These nanostructures were characterized by several techniques to ascertain their physicochemical properties; the surface was distinguished by functional groups related to polyphenols due to plant extract that led to critical controlling of the shape of nanoparticles. Nanostructures performance was assessed in terms of peroxidase-like activity, catalytic behavior for dye degradation, and antibacterial activity. Spectroscopic analysis revealed that AgNDs demonstrated significantly higher peroxidase activity compared to AgNPs when evaluated using chromogenic reagent 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine. Furthermore, AgNDs exhibited enhanced catalytic degradation activities, achieving degradation percentages of 92.2% and 91.0% for methyl orange and methylene blue dyes, respectively, compared to 66.6% and 58.0% for AgNPs. Additionally, AgNDs exhibited superior antibacterial properties against Gram-negative E. coli compared to Gram-positive S. aureus, as evidenced by the calculated zone of inhibition. These findings highlight the potential of the green synthesis method in generating novel nanoparticle morphologies, such as dendritic shape, compared with the traditionally synthesized spherical shape of silver nanostructures. The synthesis of such unique nanostructures holds promise for various applications and further investigations in diverse sectors, including chemical and biomedical fields.
In Vitro and In Vivo Applications of Magnesium-Enriched Biomaterials for Vascularized Osteogenesis in Bone Tissue Engineering: A Review of Literature
Authors: Hu Jie , Shao Jiahui , Huang Gan , Zhang Jieyuan , Pan Shuting
Published: June 2023

Bone is a highly vascularized tissue, and the ability of magnesium (Mg) to promote osteogenesis and angiogenesis has been widely studied. The aim of bone tissue engineering is to repair bone tissue defects and restore its normal function. Various Mg-enriched materials that can promote angiogenesis and osteogenesis have been made. Here, we introduce several types of orthopedic clinical uses of Mg; recent advances in the study of metal materials releasing Mg ions (pure Mg, Mg alloy, coated Mg, Mg-rich composite, ceramic, and hydrogel) are reviewed. Most studies suggest that Mg can enhance vascularized osteogenesis in bone defect areas. Additionally, we summarized some research on the mechanisms related to vascularized osteogenesis. In addition, the experimental strategies for the research of Mg-enriched materials in the future are put forward, in which clarifying the specific mechanism of promoting angiogenesis is the crux.
Unilaterally Induced Quadriceps Fatigue during Sustained Submaximal Isometric Exercise Does Not Alter Contralateral Leg Extensor Performance
Authors: Benitez Brian , Kwak Minyoung , Succi Pasquale J. , Weir Joseph P. , Bergstrom Haley C.
Published: June 2023

This study investigated the effects of fatiguing unilateral exercise on the ipsilateral, exercised, and contralateral, non-exercised limb’s post-exercise performance in males and females. Ten males and ten females performed a fatiguing, unilateral isometric leg extension at 50% maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) force. Prior to and immediately after the fatiguing tasks, MVICs were performed for the exercised and non-exercised limb, with surface electromyographic (sEMG) and mechanomyography (sMMG) amplitude (AMP) and mean power frequency (MPF) recorded from each limb’s vastus lateralis. There were no fatigue-induced, sex-dependent, differences in time to task failure (p = 0.265) or ipsilateral performance fatigability (p = 0.437). However, there was a limb by time interaction (p < 0.001) which indicated decreases in MVIC force of the ipsilateral, exercised (p < 0.001), but not the contralateral, non-exercised limb (p = 0.962). There were no sex-dependent, fatigue-induced differences in neurophysiological outcomes between the limbs (p > 0.05), but there was a fatigue-induced difference in sEMG MPF (p = 0.005). To summarize, there were no differences in fatigability between males and females. Moreover, there was insufficient evidence to support the presence of a general crossover effect following submaximal unilateral isometric exercise. However, independent of sex, the neurophysiological outcomes suggested that competing inputs from the nervous system may influence the performance of both limbs following unilateral fatigue.
Synthesis and Characterization of Antimicrobial Hydrophobic Polyurethane
Authors: Rudlong Autumn M. , Moreno Reyes Elizabet , Goddard Julie M.
Published: June 2023

Food borne illness remains a major threat to public health despite new governmental guidelines and industry standards. Cross-contamination of both pathogenic and spoilage bacteria from the manufacturing environment can promote consumer illness and food spoilage. While there is guidance in cleaning and sanitation procedures, manufacturing facilities can develop bacterial harborage sites in hard-to-reach areas. New technologies to eliminate these harborage sites include chemically modified coatings that can improve surface characteristics or incorporate embedded antibacterial compounds. In this article we synthesize a 16 carbon length quaternary ammonium bromide (C16QAB) modified polyurethane and perfluoropolyether (PFPE) copolymer coating with low surface energy and bactericidal properties. The introduction of PFPE to the polyurethane coatings lowered the critical surface tension from 18.07 mN m−1 in unmodified polyurethane to 13.14 mN m−1 in modified polyurethane. C16QAB + PFPE polyurethane was bactericidal against Listeria monocytogenes (>6 log reduction) and Salmonella enterica (>3 log reduction) after just eight hours of contact. The combination of low surface tension from the perfluoropolyether and antimicrobial from the quaternary ammonium bromide produced a multifunctional polyurethane coating suitable for coating on non-food contact food production surfaces to prevent survival and persistence of pathogenic and spoilage organisms.
The Review of Hybridization of Transition Metal-Based Chalcogenides for Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes
Authors: Wang Lin-Hui , Ren Long-Long , Qin Yu-Feng
Published: June 2023

Transition metal chalcogenides as potential anodes for lithium-ion batteries have been widely investigated. For practical application, the drawbacks of low conductivity and volume expansion should be further overcome. Besides the two conventional methods of nanostructure design and the doping of carbon-based materials, the component hybridization of transition metal-based chalcogenides can effectively enhance the electrochemical performance owing to the synergetic effect. Hybridization could promote the advantages of each chalcogenide and suppress the disadvantages of each chalcogenide to some extent. In this review, we focus on the four different types of component hybridization and the excellent electrochemical performance that originated from hybridization. The exciting problems of hybridization and the possibility of studying structural hybridization were also discussed. The binary and ternary transition metal-based chalcogenides are more promising to be used as future anodes of lithium-ion batteries for their excellent electrochemical performance originating from the synergetic effect.
The Portevin–Le Chatelier Effect of Cu–2.0Be Alloy during Hot Compression
Authors: Zhu Daibo , Wu Na , Liu Yang , Liu Xiaojin , Jiang Chaohua , Jiang Yanbin , Zhao Hongyun , Cui Shuhui , Xie Guilan
Published: June 2023

The Portevin–Le Chatelier effect of Cu–2.0Be alloy was investigated using hot isothermal compression at varying strain rates (0.01–10 s−1) and temperature (903–1063 K). An Arrhenius-type constitutive equation was developed, and the average activation was determined. Both strain-rate-sensitive and temperature-sensitive serrations were identified. The stress–strain curve exhibited three types of serrations: type A at high strain rates, type B (mixed A + B) at medium strain rates, and type C at low strain rates. The serration mechanism is mainly affected by the interaction between the velocity of solute atom diffusion and movable dislocations. As the strain rate increases, the dislocations outpace the diffusion speed of the solute atoms, limiting their ability to effectively pin the dislocations, resulting in lower dislocation density and serration amplitude. Moreover, the dynamic phase transformation triggers the formation of nanoscale dispersive β phases, which impede dislocation and cause a rapid increase in the effective stress required for unpinning, leading to the formation of mixed A + B serrations at 1 s−1.
Electric Discharge Machining of Ti6Al4V ELI in Biomedical Industry: Parametric Analysis of Surface Functionalization and Tribological Characterization
Authors: Farooq Muhammad Umar , Anwar Saqib , Bhatti Haider Ali , Kumar M. Saravana , Ali Muhammad Asad , Ammarullah Muhammad Imam
Published: June 2023

The superior engineering properties and excellent biocompatibility of titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) stimulate applications in biomedical industries. Electric discharge machining, a widely used process in advanced applications, is an attractive option that simultaneously offers machining and surface modification. In this study, a comprehensive list of roughening levels of process variables such as pulse current, pulse ON time, pulse OFF time, and polarity, along with four tool electrodes of graphite, copper, brass, and aluminum are evaluated (against two experimentation phases) using a SiC powder-mixed dielectric. The process is modeled using the adaptive neural fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) to produce surfaces with relatively low roughness. A thorough parametric, microscopical, and tribological analysis campaign is established to explore the physical science of the process. For the case of the surface generated through aluminum, a minimum friction force of ~25 N is observed compared with the other surfaces. The analysis of variance shows that the electrode material (32.65%) is found to be significant for the material removal rate, and the pulse ON time (32.15%) is found to be significant for arithmetic roughness. The increase in pulse current to 14 A shows that the roughness increased to ~4.6 µm with a 33% rise using the aluminum electrode. The increase in pulse ON time from 50 µs to 125 µs using the graphite tool resulted in a rise in roughness from ~4.5 µm to ~5.3 µm, showing a 17% rise.