bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formation of the separation characteristic of ore material thickening based on the model predictive control method
Authors: Morkun V , Morkun N , Tron V , Serdiuk O , Haponenko I , Haponenko A
Published: July 2022

The aim of the investigation is to form an optimal separation characteristic of beneficiation processes on the basis on operational information on time-varying of their parameters exemplified by the process of thickening ore raw materials. Methods of research. In the research work, the following methods are used: analysis of scientific research and practical experience; statistics methods and the probability theory for estimation of experiment results; methods of analytical synthesis and numerical simulation; methods of model predictive control for developing control algorithms of the thickening process; numerical simulation methods for synthesizing and analyzing a mathematical model. The scientific novelty of the investigation is in finding optimal values of the control horizon and the prediction horizon in terms of quality control for a single-channel system of model predictive control of ore raw material thickening. Practical significance involves development of methods and software for determining the control horizon and the prediction horizon values of the single-channel system of model predictive control of the process of ore raw material thickening that are optimal from the point of view of quality control, this enabling optimization of separation characteristics of ore raw material thickening. Results To form a separation characteristic of the process of ore raw material thickening based on model predictive control for the single-channel control system of the thickening process, satisfactory control results are achieved by setting the control horizon equal to one interval. For this value, the quadratic control error does not exceed 0.1452-0.1474. A further increase in the prediction horizon is not feasible since it does not allow significant reduction of the quadratic control error. At the same time, the value of 3-5 intervals is sufficient for prediction horizons. These values are determined by an increase in computational complexity of prediction by 10-20 intervals, which causes a slight decrease in the quadratic control error.
The mining and geometrical methodology for estimating of mineral deposits
Authors: Pysmennyi S , Peremetchyk A , Chukharev S , Fedorenko S , Anastasov D , Tomiczek K
Published: July 2022

Ensuring the correct development of the deposit is a priority production task, which is based on a scientifically grounded assessment of the geometrical characteristics of the mineral deposit and a clear understanding of the nature and quantity of the deposit’s re-serves. Aim of the study is a geological and industrial assessment of a mineral deposit, which provides for the correct determination of the quantity and quality of explored reserves, requires the collection and processing of such material, which would be sufficient to draw up a technically correct and economically feasible project for the development of the deposit. The research methodology consists in mining and geometrical modeling and monitoring of subsoil based on progressive and classical methods and techniques for geometrization of the array of minerals and host rocks. This includes a set of measures aimed at collecting and evaluating the initial information, assessing its accuracy, mathematical processing and determining the optimal and most effective methods for solving the problem of geometrization of the field. The results allow us to practically solve the problems of mining operations related to the assessment of reserves of mineral deposits, their genesis, the nature of occurrence, quality, the possibility of sorting, forecasting and industrial development. An effective set of methods has been developed based on the statistical assessment of mineral deposits, as well as the use of the latest geoinformation systems, which provide the possibility of high-quality and accurate calculation and assessment of mineral deposits.
Problematics of the issues concerning development of energy-saving and environmentally efficient technologies of well construction
Authors: Pavlychenko A V , Ihnatov A O , Koroviaka Ye A , Ratov B T , Zakenov S T
Published: July 2022

Specialists of Dnipro University of Technology are among the leading researchers involved in studying the specifics of implementation and functioning of rational and energy-efficient schemes of organization of circulation processes while well drilling and operating. In particular, we have carried out thorough and comprehensive studies of physicochemical phenomena used while creating, preparing, and using the washing fluids. The purpose of the paper is to study and generalize the approaches to designing the parameters of hydraulic well washing programme under complicated geological and technical conditions, analysis of the factors of its correction basing on substantiation of analytical and research regularities of well circulation processes, and optimization of a component and quantitative composition of drill cleaning agents, which are aimed at the most efficient intensification of the bottomhole breaking processes. The development and implementation of a progressive complex hydraulic washing programme for wells under construction are analyzed involving modern methods of analytical analysis and experimental studies. The drilling circulation processes in a well were modelled in terms of experimental wells involving a drill rig UKB-4P and corresponding auxiliary tools and equipment.
Magnetite and hematite quartzites - common features and technological differences
Authors: Ivanchenko V V , Ivanchenko A V , Stetsenko V V
Published: July 2022

In the process of developing deposits of magnetite quartzites, hematite quartzites are simultaneously involved in mining. But the processing of hematite quartzites is associated with significant difficulties, so they accumulate in warehouses, landfills and spread uncontrollably in the environment. A detailed study of the features of the composition, structure and technological properties of hematite ores made it possible to develop a new method for complex processing in a vortex air-mineral flow. Under laboratory conditions, a number of commercial products were produced from them: iron ore concentrate, sinter ore, clinker ore, mineral paint and quartz sand, without waste accumulation. The formation of magnetic floccules is reduced in the air stream. Therefore, this technology also improves the processing of magnetite ores.
Hydrological simulation and assessment of the optimal parameters of the water replenishment of the floodplain lake and old riverbed on the Uzh river
Authors: Velychko S V , Dupliak O V
Published: July 2022

One of the tasks in modern approach of the water resources management is improving environment health by the way of the river restoration. On the urban area it is impossible to provide full river restoration, but at the same time it is possible to create the environment close to natural. In our work on the example of the river Uzh located inside the city provides the assessment of the restoring possibility of the part of the floodplain by water replenishment of the old riverbed during the vegetation season. Flood control dyke construction interrupted the connection between old riverbed and river and as a result floodplain lake became muddy, silted up and lost its attractive form. To assess the possibility of the floodplain lake replenishment, the simulation of some scenarios were carried out: natural condition, water replenishment during flood, pumping water, raising water level in the river Uzh near the lake. The connection of the lake and the old riverbed with the river will improve slightly the storage capacity of the lake and allows to provide the depth of up to 1.0 m in the lake during flood, but the water will be absent in the old riverbed during the dry season. Hydraulic calculation showed that replenishment during spring floods and pumping water were not possible due to high hydraulic conductivity of the gravel and pebble soils. The old riverbed replenishment is possible by raising water level in the river Uzh, which will ensure the free water flow into the lake and into the old riverbed during the dry season.
Model substantiation of strategies of economic behavior in the context of increasing negative impact of environmental factors in the context of sustainable development
Authors: Ivanov R V , Grynko T V , Porokhnya V M , Pavlov R A , Golovkova L S
Published: July 2022

The concept of sustainable development considers environmental, social and economic issues in general. And the goals of resource conservation and socio-economic development do not contradict each other, but contribute to mutual reinforcement. The purpose of this study is to build and test an economic and mathematical model for the formation of strategies for the behavior of an economic entity with an increase in the impact of negative environmental factors. The proposed strategies and their models are based on the income-expenditure balance equation, which takes into account both quantitative and qualitative characteristics. The constructed models are considered in the state space. The research methodology is based on building models in the form of linear combinations of functions of a homogeneous external impact and various spatial combinations of economic sources (sinks). The study makes it possible to assess the dependence of the amount of resources used for life support on the chosen adaptive strategy. Within the framework of the proposed model, it was found that the criterion for the effectiveness of the applied strategy can be an indicator of satisfaction with the state, the preservation of which, simultaneously with the preservation of the size of resources used, corresponds to the direction of optimization. This approach is consistent with the concept of sustainable development.
Justification of the method of soil densification of the interstation tunnel by jet injection based on computer modeling
Authors: Vapnichna V V , Korobiichuk V V , Zuievska N V , Iskov S S , Kovalevych L A
Published: July 2022

The article is devoted to a topical issue - the development of a method of densification of the base of the underground interstation tunnel to prevent further intensive subsidence of tunnel structures. Based on computer-mathematical modeling, the work establishes experimental dependence between the angle of inclination of jet grouting piles and the amount of subsidence of the distribution plate on which the tunnel structures rest upon. Inspection of the technical condition and analysis of defects in a comprehensive comparison with subsidence graphs allowed us to identify the main typical deformations during subsidence of a shallow tunnel built from blocks of a solid-section frame, namely their characteristic features, geometric parameters and placement points.
Increasing of strength-rigidity parameters of bases of metallic silos
Authors: Butenko A A , Mozgovyi A O , Butnik S V , Spirande K V
Published: July 2022

To date, effective codes of Ukraine limit settlement of foundations of metallic silos to 15 cm. To provide normative settlement of foundation with diameter up to 40 m and more is not always possible without additional essential measures for strengthening or changing base soils. Taking into account high levels of loads, soils of bases in natural condition can not carry stress under the base of foundation and require strengthening. Execution of works on change of soils of bases or installation of soil cushions is not always possible taking into account underflooding of territory, building development that exist near at hand, or other complicating factors. Soil cement after Deep Soil Mixing (DSM) technology, Jet Grouting, injection and micropiles were considered for different types of strengthening taking into account application in great volumes. From analysis of the obtained results, it was determined that soil cement after Deep Soil Mixing technology is the most economically justified method. Application of Jet Grouting is justified during strengthening of soil thicknesses locally separated by depth. Injection and micropiles are used appropriately only in conditions of reconstruction under absence of direct access to the base.
Investigation of the influence of technological factors and compositions of binders on the strength characteristics of blast–furnace cement with magnetized ferromagnetic additives
Authors: Sakhno S I , Yanova L O , Pischikova O V , Sergiienko T S
Published: July 2022

Cement production is a significant source of carbon dioxide emissions. One of the ways to reduce emissions is to reduce the proportion of clinker in cement by introducing active mineral additives into its composition, particularly granulated blast-furnace slag. One of the ways to increase the activity of such cement is the effect of magnetic fields on the spin multiplicity of the substances involved in the hardening reaction. In this case, the maximum effect is ensured by introducing a magnetized finely dispersed ferromagnetic substance into the cement composition. The activation effect depends on the additive’s adding method to the cement’s composition, the components ratio in the cement, and the cement hardening mode. This work aims to identify the influence of the adding method of the additive, the slag and additive proportion in cement, and the steam curing temperature on the activity effect of the binder. Three groups of studies were carried out to determine the strength characteristics of laboratory samples hardened both in natural conditions and during steaming. In the first group, cement samples have tested containing 40% slag obtained by joint grinding and joint mixing of the additive with cement for 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 minutes. In the second group, samples have tested with the additive amount varied from 0 to 2.5%, and slag amount from 0 to 80%. Finally, cement samples were tested in the third group containing 50% slag and from 0 to 2.5% additive. The samples were steam cured at temperatures ranging from 50 to 90° C and tested one day, 28 and 90 days after steam curing. As a result of the research, it has revealed that to obtain the maximum effect, the additive must be introduced into the cement composition by joint grinding. The factors influencing the activity have been determined. At the same time, the time of joint grinding should ensure uniform mixing of the components and the formation of new surfaces of cement grains in the presence of magnetic fields. Too long joint grinding leads to the loss of the magnetic properties of the addition. It was found that the activation effect from the additive addition increases with an increase in the proportion of slag. In cement without slag, an increase in the additive content leads to a drop in strength. It was revealed that the introduction of magnetized ferromagnetic dust additives into the composition of the SPC makes it possible to reduce the steam curing temperature of products by 20-25° C. Studies have shown that using a finely dispersed ferromagnetic substance as an activating additive can save energy resources and reduce emissions.
Investigation of energy-power parameters of thin sheets rolling to improve energy efficiency
Authors: Chubenko V A , Khinotskaya A , Yarosh T , Saithareiev L , Baskanbayeva D
Published: July 2022

In order to study processes occurring during manufacturing of thin steel sheet by cold rolling and change of energy-power parameters, simulation was performed using engineering software DEFORM 3D, which allows to reflect rolling technology accurately. Model of treatment process was created, output data, modes and temperature of treatment, motion parameters of rolls and sheets were set, material of workpiece was selected and its properties were determined. During simulation of sheets cold rolling process, Lagrange analysis was used, number of simulation steps was 100. Process of plastic deformation of metal along curved grid was investigated, vector displacement field was determined, and it was found that maximum movement of metal occurs under effect of top roll. Distribution of stress-strain state was investigated and maximum stress in strain zone was determined. Distribution of rolling forces and torque was investigated, which allowed to determine their maximum values. Maximum rolling forces and torque were observed at 7 – 9
th
second of treatment, and in future they were reduced due to the fact that pushing force disappeared and steady process began.
Capabilities of the WEBBIRDS system in the process of assessing the impact of wind farms on seasonal bird complexes on the example of spring migrants at the Botiieve wind farm in 2013-2021
Authors: Siokhin V D , Annenkov A B , Osadchyi V V , Horlova A P
Published: July 2022

This paper contains the analyzed results of field observations of the spring migration of birds on the territory of the Botiieve wind farm in 2013-2021. The work was carried out as part of the planned monitoring of the ornithological situation in the area of the Botiieve wind farm (Pryazovskyi district, Zaporizhzhia region) and also covered the Tubal Estuary formed by the confluence of the Velyka and Mala Domuzla and Akchokrak Rivers and in the mouth of the Korsak River. During each trip, up to 70% of the wind farm area was covered. There were given characteristics of the taxonomic composition of the ornithocomplex, flight phenology, height and direction of migration by seasons and months. In the spring period of 2013-2021, 156,910 individuals of 125 species were recorded in the project area. 52,575 individuals of 92 species of these birds (33.5%) were observed directly within the Botiieve wind farm and buffer zones and there were recorded 104,335 individuals of 99 species (66.5%) at the adjacent wetlands - the Botiieve Ponds and the Tubal Estuary. New methods for collecting, storing and processing information, including mapping, server storage and data processing using two web applications, have been proposed. In order to describe in detail the migration processes in the local area, methods of vector mathematics, as well as computer vision algorithms, were used. The result of the analysis was a gradient map of seasonal bird migration concentration, which allows a differentiated approach to assessing the threats to birds from operating wind turbines. The impact of the Botiieve wind farm on birds during the period of seasonal migrations is estimated to be low.
Active garden therapy for the elderly and people with disabilities
Authors: Turovtseva N , Bredikhina Y , Pererva V , Gnilusha N
Published: July 2022

Garden therapy has been used in the world medical practice for many decades. There are many examples where human interaction with plants has a positive impact or facilitates the lives of various segments and groups of society: children, youth, elderly people, with mental health problems, people with disabilities, crime victims, patients with cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, mental health problems, drug addicts and alcoholics, combatants, victims of military or terrorist acts, etc. Garden therapy is the process of using plants and the garden to improve well-being through the effects on the mind, body and soul. Garden therapy combines gardening and rehabilitation and is a synthesis of landscape design, medicine and psychology. It can help work with different target groups: in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation and cancer centers, hospices, as well as other medical and residential complexes. Despite this, garden therapy is still not widespread in Ukraine and requires wider development. This is due to the general set of social and health problems, as well as regional problems of modern times, including the post-Chernobyl factor, the mass factor of post-traumatic stress disorders among the affected population of the temporarily occupied territories and the contingent of ATO participants. Undoubtedly, the urgent task today is to develop garden therapy programs for recovery from illness and combating the stressful effects of prolonged self-isolation during quarantine activities related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The article considers an example of creating a location for active garden therapy for visitors to the Center for medical and social rehabilitation services in Melitopol, Zaporozhia region.
Assessment of ecological and economic competitiveness of regions using factor analysis
Authors: Andrusiak N O , Andrusiak V M , Danylchuk H B
Published: July 2022

The article examines the assessment of ecological and economic competitiveness of regions using factor analysis. Ecological and economic competitiveness of the territory is formed from groups of components, some of which will determine its basic potential, others - the potential of possible development trajectories. The ratio of these components is different for each region and in each period of time when competitiveness is determined. Ecological and economic competitiveness of the region is determined by the ratio of several areas that interact and interdependent: social, economic, environmental. It is proposed to introduce the amount of atmospheric rent into the indicators of assessing the competitiveness of regions. Atmospheric rent is a fiscal lever of influence and a stimulus for the formation of ecological and economic competitiveness of the region. The factor analysis confirmed that the value of atmospheric rent is a significant indicator that belongs to the first, most important group of indicators, and therefore should be taken into account when conducting environmental and economic assessment. To study the ecological and economic competitiveness, there were built two models and compared by the results modeling. The most accurate model turned out to be additive, which is explained by a more balanced consideration of the load of indicators and the share of explained variation of data by each of the factors. The assessment of ecological and economic competitiveness was carried out on the example of regions of Ukraine and the ranks of these regions were determined.
Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Professional Musicians: Do Self-employed and Employer-employed Musicians Differ?
Authors: Stanhope Jessica , Cook Angus , Pisaniello Dino , Weinstein Philip
Published: July 2022

Concerns have been raised for the health and wellbeing of self-employed workers. Musicians are the ‘original’ gig workers, and musicians have a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSSs). Studies of musicians’ MSSs have typically focused on classical, employer-employed musicians; leaving self-employed musicians under-investigated. We investigated the prevalence of MSS outcomes in all types of professional musicians, and compared the MSS outcomes between self-employed and employer-employed musicians. We conducted a cross-sectional study of professional musicians. Given the large proportion of musicians who were both self-employed and employer-employed, three groups were compared: self-employed only (self-employed group), employer-employed only (employer-employed group), and both self-employed and employer-employed (both group) musicians. Multivariable regression analyses were conducted. A total of 225 professional musicians were included in the study, 87.9% of whom reported MSSs in the last 12 months. For MSSs that impaired musical activity, the 12-month prevalence was 43.2%. Musicians in the self-employed group reported a significantly higher 7-day prevalence of MSSs compared with those in the employer-employed group. Compared with musicians in the employer-employed group, musicians in the both group reported a higher 12-month prevalence of MSSs that impaired musical activity. A higher proportion of symptomatic musicians in the both group reported seeing a health professional for their MSSs, compared with the employer-employed group. Similarly, symptomatic musicians in the both group reported higher ratings of emotional impact from MSSs, compared with symptomatic musicians in the employer-employed group. The majority of musicians have experienced MSSs. Several significant differences were reported between the three groups of musicians, with musicians in the both group generally reporting poorer MSS outcomes, compared with musicians in the employer-employed group. There are several potential reasons for why musicians who are both self-employed and employer-employed appear to have poorer MSS outcomes, including the stress of balancing multiple demands. Further research is required into the risk factors for MSS outcomes in self-employed musicians, including those who are both self-employed and employer-employed, and interventions should be directed towards self-employed musicians to minimise the MSS burden.
Deep generative model for therapeutic targets using transcriptomic disease-associated data—USP7 case study
Authors: Pereira Tiago , Abbasi Maryam , Oliveira Rita I , Guedes Romina A , Salvador Jorge A R , Arrais Joel P
Published: July 2022

The generation of candidate hit molecules with the potential to be used in cancer treatment is a challenging task. In this context, computational methods based on deep learning have been employed to improve in silico drug design methodologies. Nonetheless, the applied strategies have focused solely on the chemical aspect of the generation of compounds, disregarding the likely biological consequences for the organism’s dynamics. Herein, we propose a method to implement targeted molecular generation that employs biological information, namely, disease-associated gene expression data, to conduct the process of identifying interesting hits. When applied to the generation of USP7 putative inhibitors, the framework managed to generate promising compounds, with more than 90% of them containing drug-like properties and essential active groups for the interaction with the target. Hence, this work provides a novel and reliable method for generating new promising compounds focused on the biological context of the disease.
Associations of genetic susceptibility and healthy lifestyle with incidence of coronary heart disease and stroke in individuals with hypertension
Authors: Wang Mengyao , Brage Soren , Sharp Stephen J , Luo Shan , Au Yeung Shiu Lun , Kim Youngwon
Published: July 2022

Aims

This study explored the associations of genetic susceptibility and adherence to a healthy lifestyle with incident coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke in individuals with hypertension.

Methods and results

This study included 258 531 European descendants with hypertension at baseline from UK Biobank. Genetic risk of CHD and stroke was estimated using polygenic risk scores derived from 300 and 87 single-nucleotide polymorphisms, respectively. Lifestyle scores were calculated based on 4 lifestyle components (no obesity, no current smoking, regular physical activity and healthy diet). Cox regression with age as the underlying timescale was fit for incident CHD (n = 7470) and stroke (n = 5015), separately. A favourable lifestyle (3–4 lifestyle components) was associated with 37% and 30% lower hazards of CHD (95% confidence intervals, 32–42%) and stroke (23–37%), compared with an unfavourable lifestyle (0–1 lifestyle component), at all levels of genetic risk. Evidence of interaction between genetic susceptibility and lifestyle adherence was found for stroke (P = 0.036): no evidence of interaction for CHD (P = 0.524). A favourable lifestyle at high genetic risk had lower 12-year absolute risk of CHD and stroke, compared with an unfavourable lifestyle at low-to-intermediate genetic (exception: an unfavourable lifestyle at low CHD genetic risk).

Conclusion

Adhering to a healthy lifestyle is associated with lower CHD and stroke risk regardless of genetic risk among individuals with hypertension. Risk of CHD and stroke for those at high genetic risk but adhering to a healthy lifestyle was generally lower than for those at low-to-intermediate genetic risk but adhering to an unhealthy lifestyle.
Termite-engineered microbial communities of termite nest structures: a new dimension to the extended phenotype
Authors: Li Hongjie , Greening Chris
Published: July 2022

Termites are a prototypical example of the ‘extended phenotype’ given their ability to shape their environments by constructing complex nesting structures and cultivating fungus gardens. Such engineered structures provide termites with stable, protected habitats, and nutritious food sources, respectively. Recent studies have suggested that these termite-engineered structures harbour Actinobacteria-dominated microbial communities. In this review, we describe the composition, activities, and consequences of microbial communities associated with termite mounds, other nests, and fungus gardens. Culture-dependent and culture-independent studies indicate that these structures each harbour specialized microbial communities distinct from those in termite guts and surrounding soils. Termites select microbial communities in these structures through various means: opportunistic recruitment from surrounding soils; controlling physicochemical properties of nesting structures; excreting hydrogen, methane, and other gases as bacterial energy sources; and pretreating lignocellulose to facilitate fungal cultivation in gardens. These engineered communities potentially benefit termites by producing antimicrobial compounds, facilitating lignocellulose digestion, and enhancing energetic efficiency of the termite ‘metaorganism’. Moreover, mound-associated communities have been shown to be globally significant in controlling emissions of methane and enhancing agricultural fertility. Altogether, these considerations suggest that the microbiomes selected by some animals extend much beyond their bodies, providing a new dimension to the ‘extended phenotype’.
An oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding-fold protein enhances the alternative splicing event producing thylakoid membrane-bound ascorbate peroxidase in Nicotiana tabacum
Authors: Yamada Masato , Suzuki Kanako , Tanabe Noriaki , Suzuki Takamasa , Nishizawa-Yokoi Ayako , Shigeoka Shigeru , Yoshimura Kazuya
Published: July 2022

The stromal and thylakoid membrane-bound ascorbate peroxidase isoforms are produced by the alternative splicing event of the 3′-terminal region of the APXII gene in spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), but not in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). However, all alternative splicing variants were detected in APXII gene-transformed Arabidopsis, indicating the occurrence of its regulatory mechanisms in Arabidopsis. The efficiency of this alternative splicing event in producing thylakoid membrane-bound ascorbate peroxidase mRNA is regulated by a splicing regulatory cis element, but trans splicing regulatory factor(s) for alternative splicing remain unclear. To identify this factor, we conducted a forward genetic screen using Arabidopsis in combination with a luciferase reporter system to evaluate the alternative splicing efficiency of thylakoid membrane-bound ascorbate peroxidase mRNA production. We isolated 9 mutant lines that showed low efficiency of the AS in producing thylakoid membrane-bound ascorbate peroxidase mRNA compared with that in the control plants. From one mutant [APXII alternative splicing inhibition (apsi1)], the causal gene responsible for the phenotype, AT5G38890 (oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding-fold protein, APSI1), was identified. The levels of thylakoid membrane-bound ascorbate peroxidase mRNA from the transformed APXII gene decreased and increased in APSI1 knockout and APSI1-overexpressing plants, respectively. APSI1 was localized to the nucleus and specifically bound to the splicing regulatory cis element sequence. Tobacco plants that disrupted the closest homologs of APSI1 showed low levels of endogenous thylakoid membrane-bound ascorbate peroxidase mRNA. These results indicate that APSI1 is an enhancing component of the alternative splicing event of APXII.
Citri Reticulatae Semen Extract Promotes Healthy Aging and Neuroprotection via Autophagy Induction in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Long Tao , Tang Yong , He Yan-Ni , He Chang-Long , Chen Xue , Guo Min-Song , Wu Jian-Ming , Yu Lu , Yu Chong-Lin , Yuen-Kwan Law Betty , Qin Da-Lian , Wu An-Guo , Zhou Xiao-Gang
Published: July 2022

Nutrition intervention has emerged as a potential strategy to delay aging and promote healthy longevity. Citri Reticulatae Semen (CRS) has diverse beneficial effects and has been used for thousands of years to treat pain. However, the health benefits of CRS in prolonging health span and improving aging-related diseases and the exact mechanisms remain poorly characterized. In this study, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) was used as a model organism to study the antiaging and health span promoting activities of 75% ethanol extract of CRS (CRSE). The results showed that treatment with CRSE at 1 000 μg/mL significantly extended the life span of worms by 18.93% without detriment to health span and fitness, as evidenced by the delayed aging-related phenotypes and increased body length and width, and reproductive output. In addition, CRSE treatment enhanced the ability of resistance to heat, oxidative, and pathogenic bacterial stress. Consistently, heat shock proteins and antioxidant enzyme-related and pathogenesis-related genes were up-regulated by CRSE treatment. Furthermore, CRSE supplementation also improved α-synuclein, 6-OHDA, and polyQ40-induced pathologies in transgenic C. elegans models of Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease. The mechanistic study demonstrated that CRSE induced autophagy in worms, while the RNAi knockdown of 4 key autophagy-related genes, including lgg-1, bec-1, vps-34, and unc-51, remarkably abrogated the beneficial effects of CRSE on the extending of life span and health span and neuroprotection, demonstrating that CRSE exerts beneficial effects via autophagy induction in worms. Together, our current findings provide new insights into the practical application of CRS for the prevention of aging and aging-related diseases.
Galectin-3 facilitates cell-to-cell HIV-1 transmission by altering the composition of membrane lipid rafts in CD4 T cells
Authors: Wang Sheng-Fan , Hung Yu-Hsien , Tsao Ching-Han , Chiang Cho-Ying , Teoh Pak-Guan , Chiang Meng-Lin , Lin Wei-Han , Hsu Daniel K , Jan Hau-Ming , Lin Hsiu-Chu , Lin Chun-Hung , Liu Fu-Tong , Chen Huan-Yuan
Published: July 2022

Galectin-3 (GAL3) is a β-galactoside-binding lectin expressed in CD4 T cells infected with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1). GAL3 promotes HIV-1 budding by associating with ALIX and Gag p6. GAL3 has been shown to localize in membrane lipid rafts in dendritic cells and positively regulate cell migration. HIV-1 spreads between T cells by forming supramolecular structures (virological synapses [VSs]), whose integrity depends on lipid rafts. Here, we addressed the potential role of GAL3 in cell-to-cell transmission of HIV-1 in CD4 T cells. GAL3 expressed in donor cells was more important for facilitating HIV-1 cell-to-cell transfer than GAL3 expressed in target cells. GAL3 was found to be co-transferred with Gag from HIV-1-positive donor to HIV-1-negative target T cells. HIV-1 infection induced translocation of GAL3 together with Gag to the cell–cell interfaces and colocalize with GM1, where GAL3 facilitated VS formation. GAL3 regulated the coordinated transfer of Gag and flotillin-1 into plasma membrane fractions. Finally, depletion of GAL3 reduced the cholesterol levels in membrane lipid rafts in CD4 T cells. These findings provide evidence that endogenous GAL3 stimulates lipid raft components and facilitates intercellular HIV-1 transfer among CD4 T cells, offering another pathway by which GAL3 regulates HIV-1 infection. These findings may inform the treatment of HIV-1 infection based on targeting GAL3 to modulate lipid rafts.
Online information and support seeking during COVID-19 lockdown in Wuhan: implications for health promotion
Authors: Zhao Xiaoman , Basnyat Iccha
Published: July 2022

The lockdown that was deployed in Wuhan, China to combat the COVID-19 pandemic curbed the infection but also created great information challenges for people in social isolation. This resulted in surge in online health information seeking (OHIS) behaviors of the patients and their families. While the Internet has been widely used by Chinese public to access and search health information, there is relatively little research in the context of pandemic outbreaks, especially at the onset of a strong lockdown while many people were panicking. From a total of 10 908 ‘#COVID-19 Patient Seeking Help’ posts on Weibo in a period of 20 days when the lockdown policy was first initiated, we identified 1496 unique patients living in or with family in Wuhan, China. Using textual analysis, we explored OHIS behaviors at the onset of the pandemic. Many faced increased difficulties accessing offline healthcare services and such turned to social media for help and information. In particular, the findings highlight the following themes: ‘OHIS for medical treatment’, ‘OHIS to manage self-quarantine’, ‘OHIS for tangible support’ and ‘OHIS to navigate information discrepancy’. Overall, our findings provide important insights into health information seeking behaviors and the role of social media during a pandemic. Our findings also highlight the importance of considering people’s information need and challenges created due to the lockdown policies in the future pandemic communication and preparedness.
A Creative Concept to empower office workers addressing work-related health risks
Authors: Borsos Ágnes , Zoltán Erzsébet Szeréna , Cakó Balázs , Medvegy Gabriella , Girán János
Published: July 2022

Among office workers, the sedentary work-related health challenges are mainly associated with the fact that they often sit for up to 10 hr a working day. Members of the Research Group conducted a research program to assist the office workers of an international telecommunication company’s affiliate in Budapest to enhance comfort levels in the office work environment. The data collection included a Comfort Survey to reveal employees’ sense of comfort related to Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) components and the characteristics of employees’ feelings and behavior during working hours. Moreover, a measurement of IEQ components was carried out and focused on air quality, lighting, sound exposure and thermal comfort parameters. Based on the survey’s results, a Creative Concept was developed to empower office workers to address work-related health risks, notably sedentary work risks. The Creative Concept consists of five elements: a Comfort Map as an IEQ-related application to select a suitable workplace, redesigning concepts to increase the use of lounges, a newly developed work pad to improve personal hygiene in an office environment, recommendations for creating a health-enabling work environment and a workplace training program to raise health awareness. After validation, our Creative Concept can function as a multi-component workplace health promotion method to offer assistance for a wide variety of offices to create a health-enabling working environment.
HPV vaccine recommendation practices of current and future physicians in North Carolina: an exploratory study
Authors: Richman Alice R , Torres Essie , Wu Qiang , Eldridge David , Lawson Luan
Published: July 2022

We assessed human papillomavirus (HPV) prevention practices and HPV literacy of pediatricians, family physicians and medical students in North Carolina. An online survey was distributed to physicians in 2018, and paper surveys were collected among medical students in 2019. Surveys measured HPV literacy, HPV prevention practices and HPV prevention self-efficacy. In terms of comfort, 27% of medical students and 24% of physicians anticipated having an uncomfortable conversion when recommending the vaccine to patients. Most physicians (76%, n = 230) followed the HPV vaccine age recommendation guidelines; however, those with higher HPV vaccine knowledge were more compliant with the guidelines (P < 0.01). Female physicians were more likely to start routinely recommending the HPV vaccine to women (84%, n = 134 versus 72%, n = 92) and men (81%, n = 127 versus 71%, n = 84) between the ages of 9 and 12 years (P < 0.05). Only 27%, n = 73 of physicians and 18%, n = 19 of medical students followed/knew the ‘provider-driven’ HPV-recommended style. Female physicians were more likely to use this communication style (32%, n = 48 versus 20%, n = 23, P = 0.03). HPV prevention curriculum should be incorporated into medical programs. The gender-related practice patterns found indicate a need for training of male providers specifically. Quality improvement efforts are needed for all physicians to strengthen vaccine communication, recommendation practices and guideline adherence.
State rhetoric, nationalism and public opinion in China
Authors: Neo Ric , Xiang Chen
Published: July 2022

The Chinese government is fond of invoking the ‘hurt feelings of 1.4 billion Chinese citizens’ to protest foreign actions and policies. However, this rhetoric might be nothing more than propaganda and attempts to leverage nationalist sentiment. How much do citizens in China actually care about issues completely unrelated to their daily livelihoods? To answer this, the study employs a representative survey to investigate the extent to which rhetoric about ‘hurt feelings’ is consistent with public opinion on four contemporary socio-political disputes involving the NBA, Marriott International, Mercedes-Benz and the city of Prague. Across the scenarios, we found that the Chinese government did not exaggerate the displeasure of audiences—citizens are aware of the cases, were indeed upset by them and advocated for retaliatory measures that were surprisingly more forceful than those adopted in reality. These emotions were largely driven by nationalistic sentiment rather than personal experiences or encounters, suggesting the success of state propaganda in steering the public opinion toward outcomes favourable to the state. These findings support recent studies highlighting the peculiar case of rising nationalism in China, and have important implications for the impact of public opinion on Chinese policymaking.
Rethinking global nuclear politics, rethinking feminism
Authors: Choi Shine , Eschle Catherine
Published: July 2022

This article serves as an introduction to the International Affairs special section, ‘Feminist interrogations of global nuclear politics’. In this article, we argue that feminist International Relations scholarship on the global nuclear order and its discontents should be revitalized, in ways that reckon more fully with the colonial matrix of power and its contemporary realignments. As the initial step in such a task, the first part of the article explores some of the distinctive insights that are generated about global nuclear politics by a feminist approach that takes coloniality seriously. We show that such an approach reconceptualizes nuclear destruction as a lived reality for many, within a broader history of domination; exposes the racialized, gendered and colonial dimensions of nuclear discourses; and casts fresh light on the material colonial relationships at the heart of the global nuclear order. In the second part, we reverse our focus to critically think through how the content of feminism, and its relation to coloniality and struggles for self-determination, might be understood differently if we start from a concern with global nuclear politics. The third and final part surveys the articles in the special section, highlighting where they pick up on the themes we have explored and some future lines of enquiry.
Effects of Spring Warming on Seasonal Neuroendocrinology and Activation of the Reproductive Axis in Hibernating Arctic Ground Squirrels
Authors: Chmura Helen E , Duncan Cassandra , Saer Ben , Moore Jeanette T , Barnes Brian M , Buck C Loren , Loudon Andrew S I , Williams Cory T
Published: July 2022

Many animals adjust the timing of seasonal events, such as reproduction, molt, migration, and hibernation, in response to interannual variation and directional climate-driven changes in temperature. However, the mechanisms by which temperature influences seasonal timing are relatively under-explored. Seasonal timing involves retrograde signaling in which thyrotropin (TSH) in the pars tuberalis (PT) alters expression of thyroid hormone (TH) deiodinases (Dio2/Dio3) in tanycyte cells lining the third ventricle of the hypothalamus. This, in turn, affects the availability of triiodothyronine (T3) within the mediobasal hypothalamus—increased hypothalamic T3 restores a summer phenotype and activates the reproductive axis in long-day breeders. Recently, we showed that retrograde TH signaling is activated during late hibernation in arctic ground squirrels (Urocitellus parryii) held in constant darkness and constant ambient temperature. Sensitivity of seasonal pathways to nonphotic cues, such as temperature, is likely particularly important to hibernating species that are sequestered in hibernacula during spring. To address this issue, we exposed captive arctic ground squirrels of both sexes to an ecologically relevant increase in ambient temperature (from −6 to −1°C) late in hibernation and examined the effects of warming on the seasonal retrograde TSH/Dio/T3 signaling pathway, as well as downstream elements of the reproductive axis. We found that warmed males tended to have higher PT TSHβ expression and significantly heavier testis mass whereas the TSH/Dio/T3 signaling pathway was unaffected by warming in females, although warmed females exhibited a slight decrease in ovarian mass. Our findings suggest that temperature could have different effects on gonadal growth in male and female arctic ground squirrels, which could lead to mismatched timing in response to rapid climate change.
Predictive Role of CD36 Expression in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Neoadjuvant Trastuzumab
Authors: Ligorio Francesca , Di Cosimo Serena , Verderio Paolo , Ciniselli Chiara Maura , Pizzamiglio Sara , Castagnoli Lorenzo , Dugo Matteo , Galbardi Barbara , Salgado Roberto , Loi Sherene , Michiels Stefan , Triulzi Tiziana , Tagliabue Elda , El-Abed Sarra , Izquierdo Miguel , de Azambuja Evandro , Nuciforo Paolo , Huober Jens , Moscetti Luca , Janni Wolfgang , Coccia-Portugal Maria Antonia , Corsetto Paola Antonia , Belfiore Antonino , Lorenzini Daniele , Daidone Maria Grazia , Vingiani Andrea , Gianni Luca , Pupa Serenella Maria , Bianchini Giampaolo , Pruneri Giancarlo , Vernieri Claudio
Published: July 2022

Background

Despite huge efforts to identify biomarkers associated with long-term clinical outcomes in patients with early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer (HER2+ BC) treated with (neo)adjuvant anti-HER2 therapy, no reliable predictors have been identified so far. Fatty acid uptake, a process mediated by the transmembrane transporter CD36, has recently emerged as a potential determinant of resistance to anti-HER2 treatments in preclinical HER2+ BC models.

Methods

Here, we investigated the association between baseline intratumor CD36 gene expression and event-free survival in 180 patients enrolled in the phase III trial Neoadjuvant Lapatinib and/or Trastuzumab Treatment Optimization (NeoALTTO), which randomly assigned stage II-III HER2+ BC patients to receive neoadjuvant lapatinib, trastuzumab, or lapatinib-trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy. To this aim, we selected NeoALTTO trial patients for whom pretreatment whole transcriptomic data were available. The main study results were validated in an independent cohort of patients enrolled in the neoadjuvant phase II trial NeoSphere.

Results

In 180 NeoALTTO patients, high intratumor CD36 expression was independently associated with worse event-free survival in patients treated with trastuzumab-based therapy (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.20 to 2.46), but not with lapatinib-based (HR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.68 to 1.53) or trastuzumab-lapatinib–based (HR = 1.08, 95% CI = 0.60 to 1.94) therapy. Among 331 NeoSphere patients evaluated, high CD36 expression was independently associated with worse patient disease-free survival in both the whole study cohort (HR = 1.197, 95% CI = 1.002 to 1.428) and patients receiving trastuzumab-based neoadjuvant therapy (HR = 1.282, 95% CI = 1.049 to 1.568).

Conclusions

High CD36 expression predicts worse clinical outcomes in early-stage HER2+ BC treated with trastuzumab-based neoadjuvant therapy.