bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Confessions of a Monopoly: The Covert Decision Making of the Early BBC
Authors: Taylor Julia , Polkinghorne Martyn
Published: October 2023

One of the great business institutions of the modern era is the BBC which is now 100 years old. The authors explored letters and memoranda in the BBC’s Written Archives at Caversham, which revealed much about the business tactics of those in charge of the BBC during the pre-Second World War era, and how they used the power of their monopoly to their own ends. A new market of broadcasting magazines sprang up around the radio broadcasts, creating an inter-dependency between the two media. The BBC soon launched its own magazines, and from then on, the BBC’s interactions with the press media were complex, reflecting an uncomfortable blend of symbiosis and threat. Episodes between the press owners and the BBC have been uncovered, about which there has been little previous investigation, and unexpected patterns of behaviour have emerged. This archival research, using narrative history, is based upon original letters, memoranda and handwritten messages that were archived for posterity, and which report upon the actual thoughts and views of those involved at the time, revealing unexpected intrigue and machinations.
The Influence and Prediction of Built Environment on the Subjective Well-Being of the Elderly Based on Random Forest: Evidence from Guangzhou, China
Authors: Zhang Yiwen , Luo Haizhi , Xie Jiami , Meng Xiangzhao , Ye Changdong
Published: October 2023

Aging and urbanization significantly impact the physical and mental well-being of the elderly population. Empirical investigations have highlighted the contribution of the built environment to promoting elderly health. However, there is a need for further exploration of the factors within the built environment that impact the subjective well-being (SWB) of the elderly. To address this, this study selected 50 communities in Guangzhou, where 1403 elderly people were surveyed. Employing the random forest, we have identified contributing factors of the built environment affecting the SWB of the elderly. Meanwhile, we used a prediction model constructed by random forest to predict the SWB level of the elderly. The results indicated that accessibility to parks (positive emotions (PA): 0.822, positive experiences (PE): 0.235), hospitals (PA: 0.680, PE: 0.546), and supermarkets (PA: 0.237, PE: 0.617) significantly contributed to PA and PE. On the other hand, factors such as population density had a significant contribution to negative emotions (NA: 0.431) and negative experiences (NE: 0.194). Based on the prediction results, the spatial distribution of SWB among the elderly can be derived. Overall, our study can provide planning and improvement strategies for built environments that promote SWB among the elderly.
Effects of Oil Supply Condition on Spinning–Sliding EHL
Authors: Li Wei , Liu Xiaoling , Meng Qingen , Ma Mingming , Long Tao , Guo Feng
Published: October 2023

An optical interference test rig with spinning elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) was established to investigate the spinning lubrication performance under different oil-supply conditions. Variations in the shape and thickness of the film versus the velocity, the load, and the spinning factor under fully flooded lubrication were discussed, and the effects of the inlet-starvation position and oil-supply quantity were analyzed. The results show that the symmetry for the classical horseshoe shape does not exist under both spinning–rolling and spinning–sliding EHL conditions. Different from spinning–rolling, a dimple is generated more easily under the spinning–sliding condition. The dimple is related to the load and the speed. The effects of the inlet-starvation position on spinning EHL are different. When the inlet starvation is on the low-speed side of the contact, that is, proximal to the center of rotation, the inlet-starvation position extends from the proximal side to the center of rotation to the distal side to the center of rotation, i.e., the high-speed side of the contact, which is starved easily. When the starvation happens on the high-speed side, i.e., distal to the center of rotation, the starvation at this position becomes much more severe, and lubrication failure and a risk of wear will occur. In addition, the effects of oil-supply quantity on spinning EHL are important.
Embodied Energy Optimization of Prestressed Concrete Road Flyovers by a Two-Phase Kriging Surrogate Model
Authors: Yepes-Bellver Lorena , Brun-Izquierdo Alejandro , Alcalá Julián , Yepes Víctor
Published: October 2023

This study aims to establish a methodology for optimizing embodied energy while constructing lightened road flyovers. A cross-sectional analysis is conducted to determine design parameters through an exhaustive literature review. Based on this analysis, key design variables that can enhance the energy efficiency of the slab are identified. The methodology is divided into two phases: a statistical technique known as Latin Hypercube Sampling is initially employed to sample deck variables and create a response surface; subsequently, the response surface is fine-tuned through a Kriging-based optimization model. Consequently, a methodology has been developed that reduces the energy cost of constructing lightened slab bridge decks. Recommendations to improve energy efficiency include employing high slenderness ratios (approximately 1/28), minimizing concrete and active reinforcement usage, and increasing the amount of passive reinforcement.
Damage Model of Steel Fiber-Reinforced Coal Gangue Concrete under Freeze–Thaw Cycles Based on Weibull Distribution
Authors: Cheng Yaohui , Sun Li , Li Yongjing , Liu Mengxin , He Ruixia , Jin Xiaoying , Jin Huijun
Published: October 2023

In order to improve the utilization rate of coal gangue and expand the application range of coal gangue concrete (CGC), a certain proportion of steel fiber was added to the concrete, and the freeze–thaw cycles (FTCs) and flexural tests were used to explore the effects of different mass replacement rates of coal gangue (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) and different proportions of the volumetric blending of the steel fiber (0%, 0.8%, 1.0%, and 1.2%) on the frost resistance of steel fiber-reinforced CGC (SCGC). The governing laws of mass loss rate, relative dynamic elastic modulus and load–midspan deflection curve were obtained on the base of the analysis of testing results. The damage mechanisms of the SCGC under the FTCs were analyzed using the results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Based on the Lemaitre’s strain equivalence principle and Krajcinovic’s vector damage theory, a damage evolution model of the SCGC under the FTCs was established by introducing the damage variable of the SCGC satisfying Weibull distribution. The results show an increasing mass loss rate of the SCGC and a decreasing relative dynamic elastic modulus with an increasing mass replacement rate of coal gangue. The proper content of the steel fiber can reduce the mass loss rate of concrete by 10~40% and the relative loss rate of dynamic elastic modulus of concrete by 2~8%, thus significantly improving the ductility and toughness of the concrete. The established damage evolution model is well validated by the experimental results, which further help to improve the modelling accuracy. This study provides key experimental data and a theoretical basis for a wider range of proper utilization of coal gangue in cold regions.
Towards DevOps for Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs): Resilient Self-Adaptive Software for Sustainable Human-Centric Smart CPS Facilitated by Digital Twins
Authors: Dobaj Jürgen , Riel Andreas , Macher Georg , Egretzberger Markus
Published: October 2023

The Industrial Revolution drives the digitization of society and industry, entailing Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs) that form ecosystems where system owners and third parties share responsibilities within and across industry domains. Such ecosystems demand smart CPSs that continuously align their architecture and governance to the concerns of various stakeholders, including developers, operators, and users. In order to satisfy short- and long-term stakeholder concerns in a continuously evolving operational context, this work proposes self-adaptive software models that promote DevOps for smart CPS. Our architectural approach extends to the embedded system layer and utilizes embedded and interconnected Digital Twins to manage change effectively. Experiments conducted on industrial embedded control units demonstrate the approach’s effectiveness in achieving sub-millisecond real-time closed-loop control of CPS assets and the simultaneous high-fidelity twinning (i.e., monitoring) of asset states. In addition, the experiments show practical support for the adaptation and evolution of CPS through the dynamic reconfiguring and updating of real-time control services and communication links without downtime. The evaluation results conclude that, in particular, the embedded Digital Twins can enhance CPS smartness by providing service-oriented access to CPS data, monitoring, adaptation, and control capabilities. Furthermore, the embedded Digital Twins can facilitate the seamless integration of these capabilities into current and future industrial service ecosystems. At the same time, these capabilities contribute to implementing emerging industrial services such as remote asset monitoring, commissioning, and maintenance.
The Concavity of Conditional Maximum Likelihood Estimation for Logit Panel Data Models with Imputed Covariates
Authors: Otieno Opeyo Peter , Cheng Weihu
Published: October 2023

In estimating logistic regression models, convergence of the maximization algorithm is critical; however, this may fail. Numerous bias correction methods for maximum likelihood estimates of parameters have been conducted for cases of complete data sets, and also for longitudinal models. Balanced data sets yield consistent estimates from conditional logit estimators for binary response panel data models. When faced with a missing covariates problem, researchers adopt various imputation techniques to complete the data and without loss of generality; consistent estimates still suffice asymptotically. For maximum likelihood estimates of the parameters for logistic regression in cases of imputed covariates, the optimal choice of an imputation technique that yields the best estimates with minimum variance is still elusive. This paper aims to examine the behaviour of the Hessian matrix with optimal values of the imputed covariates vector, which will make the Newton–Raphson algorithm converge faster through a reduced absolute value of the product of the score function and the inverse fisher information component. We focus on a method used to modify the conditional likelihood function through the partitioning of the covariate matrix. We also confirm that the positive moduli of the Hessian for conditional estimators are sufficient for the concavity of the log-likelihood function, resulting in optimum parameter estimates. An increased Hessian modulus ensures the faster convergence of the parameter estimates. Simulation results reveal that model-based imputations perform better than classical imputation techniques, yielding estimates with smaller bias and higher precision for the conditional maximum likelihood estimation of nonlinear panel models.
A High-Performance Federated Learning Aggregation Algorithm Based on Learning Rate Adjustment and Client Sampling
Authors: Gao Yulian , Lu Gehao , Gao Jimei , Li Jinggang
Published: October 2023

Federated learning is a distributed learning framework designed to protect user privacy, widely applied across various domains. However, existing federated learning algorithms face challenges, including slow convergence, significant loss fluctuations during aggregation, and imbalanced client sampling. To address these issues, this paper introduces a high-performance federated learning aggregation algorithm. This algorithm combines a cyclic adaptive learning rate adjustment strategy with client-weighted random sampling, addressing the aforementioned problems. Weighted random sampling assigns client weights based on their sampling frequency, balancing client sampling rates and contributions to enhance model aggregation. Additionally, it adapts the learning rate based on client loss variations and communication rounds, accelerating model convergence and reducing communication costs. To evaluate this high-performance algorithm, experiments are conducted using well-known datasets MNIST and CIFAR-10. The results demonstrate significant improvements in convergence speed and loss stability. Compared to traditional federated learning algorithms, our approach achieves faster and more stable convergence while effectively reducing training costs.
Physiological Effects of Oxidative Stress Caused by Saxitoxin in the Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Wu Haiyan , Prithiviraj Balakrishnan , Tan Zhijun
Published: October 2023

Saxitoxin (STX) causes high toxicity by blocking voltage-gated sodium channels, and it poses a major threat to marine ecosystems and human health worldwide. Our work evaluated the neurotoxicity and chronic toxicology of STX to Caenorhabditis elegans by an analysis of lifespan, brood size, growth ability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, and the overexpression of green fluorescent protein (GFP). After exposure to a series of concentrations of STX for 24 h, worms showed paralysis symptoms and fully recovered within 6 h; less than 5% of worms died at the highest concentration of 1000 ng/mL for first larval stage (L1) worms and 10,000 ng/mL for fourth larval stage (L4) worms. Declines in lifespan, productivity, and body size of C. elegans were observed under the stress of 1, 10, and 100 ng/mL STX, and the lifespan was shorter than that in controls. With STX exposure, the productivity declined by 32–49%; the body size, including body length and body area, declined by 13–18% and 25–27%, respectively. The levels of ROS exhibited a gradual increase over time, accompanied by a positive concentration effect of STX resulting in 1.14–1.86 times higher levels compared to the control group in L4 worms. Conversely, no statistically significant differences were observed between L1 worms. Finally, after exposure to STX for 48 h, ATP levels and GFP expression in C. elegans showed a significant dose-dependent increase. Our study reports the first evidence that STX is not lethal but imposes substantial oxidative stress on C. elegans, with a dose-responsive relationship. Our results indicated that C. elegans is an ideal model to further study the mechanisms underlying the fitness of organisms under the stress caused by paralytic shellfish toxins including STX.
The Usefulness and Reliability of Coagrasper for Artery Bleeding during Endoscopic Necrosectomy
Authors: Ito Yuki , Okuno Mitsuru , Iwata Keisuke , Kawade Masahiro , Iwasa Yuhei , Sugiyama Akihiko , Nishigaki Youichi , Tomita Eiichi
Published: October 2023

Although endoscopic necrosectomy (EN) is a less invasive therapy for walled-off necrosis (WON), arterial bleeding can occur during EN. A 60-year-old man with infected WON underwent the EN procedure. During EN, the artery in the WON cavity was injured. As the artery was directly visible, we grasped it using a Coagrasper and coagulated the bleeding point. However, the bleeding was aggravated after coagulation owing to an extension of the vessel damage. The entire vessel was grasped, and complete hemostasis was achieved. The Coagrasper is useful for managing arterial bleeding; however, it should be employed only on the basis of its characteristics and in suitable scenarios.
Structural Identification of Zotarolimus (ABT-578) Metabolites Generated by Human Liver Microsomes Using Ion-Trap and High-Resolution Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry in Combination with the Analysis of Fragmentation Patterns
Authors: Shokati Touraj , Drake Seth H. , Zhao Wanzhu , Klawitter Jost , Klawitter Jelena , Christians Uwe
Published: October 2023

Zotarolimus (ABT-578) is a sirolimus derivative that, like sirolimus and everolimus, is an inhibitor of cell growth via inhibition of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR). Zotarolimus was developed for coating coronary stents to prevent smooth muscle cell proliferation and restenosis. Albeit zotarolimus-eluting cardiovascular devices have been on the market for years, details of zotarolimus drug metabolism in humans are still unknown. Hence, it was the goal of the present study to identify zotarolimus metabolites generated by incubation with human liver microsomes. Metabolite structures were identified using high-resolution mass spectrometry, MS/ion-trap (MSn), and comparison of fragmentation patterns of the metabolites with those of zotarolimus and other known sirolimus derivatives. Kinetic parameters such as incubation time, human liver microsomal protein concentrations, and drug concentrations were optimized before scaling up the metabolism experiments. Human liver microsomes mainly hydroxylated and/or demethylated zotarolimus. The structures of the following metabolites were identified: O-demethylated metabolites: 39-O-desmethyl, 16-O-desmethyl, and 27-O-desmethyl zotarolimus; hydroxylated metabolites: hydroxy piperidine zotarolimus, 11-hydroxy, 12-hydroxy, 14-hydroxy, 23-hydroxy, 24-hydroxy, 25-hydroxy, 45/46-hydroxy, and 49-hydroxy zotarolimus; demethylated-hydroxylated metabolites: 16-O-desmethyl, 23/24-hydroxy; 39-O-desmethyl, 23/24-hydroxy; 39-O-desmethyl, 25-hydroxy zotarolimus; 39-O-desmethyl, 11-hydroxy zotarolimus; 39-O-desmethyl, hydroxy-piperidine zotarolimus; 27-O-desmethyl, 45/46-hydroxy zotarolimus; didemethylated metabolites: 16,39-O-didesmethyl zotarolimus; 16,27-O-didesmethyl zotarolimus; 27,39-O-didesmethyl zotarolimus; and dihydroxylated metabolites: 11,24-dihydroxy zotarolimus, 12,24-dihydroxy zotarolimus, and 11,47/48-dihydroxy zotarolimus. It is concluded that zotarolimus is extensively metabolized by human liver microsomes. Twenty-four of these metabolites could be structurally identified using a combination of ion-trap MSn and high-resolution mass spectrometry.
Aqueous-Phase Formation of Two-Dimensional PbI2 Nanoplates for High-Performance Self-Powered Photodetectors
Authors: Saleem Muhammad Imran , Chandrasekar Perumalveeramalai , Batool Attia , Lee Jeong-Hwan
Published: October 2023

The process of the aqueous synthesis of nanomaterials has gained considerable interest due to its ability to eliminate the need for complex organic solvents, which aligns with the principles of green chemistry. Fabricating nanostructures in aqueous solutions has gained recognition for its potential to develop ultrasensitive, low-energy, and ultrafast optoelectronic devices. This study focuses on synthesizing lead iodide (PbI2) nanoplates (NPs) using a water-based solution technique and fabricating a planar photodetector. The planar photodetectors (ITO/PbI2 NPs/Au) demonstrated a remarkable photosensitivity of 3.9 × 103 and photoresponsivity of 0.51 mA/W at a wavelength of 405 nm. Further, we have carried-out analytical calculations for key performance parameters including open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current (Isc), on-off ratio, responsivity (R), and specific detectivity (D*) at zero applied bias, while photodetector operating in self-powered mode. These values are as follows: Voc = 0.103 V, Isc = 1.93 × 10−8, on-off ratio = 103, R = 4.0 mA/W, and D* = 3.3 × 1011 Jones. Particularly, the asymmetrical output properties of ITO/PbI2 NPs/Au detector provided additional evidence of the effective creation of a Schottky contact. Therefore, the photodetector exhibited a photo-response even at 0 V bias (rise/decay time ~1 s), leading to the realization of self-powered photodetectors. Additionally, the device exhibited a rapid photo-response of 0.23/0.38 s (−5 V) in the visible range. This study expands the scope of aqueous-phase synthesis of PbI2 nanostructures, enabling the large-area fabrication of high-performance photodetectors.
Effects of Electrical Parameters on Micro-Arc Oxidation Coatings on Pure Titanium
Authors: Abbas Aqeel , Kung Hsuan-Ping , Lin Hsin-Chih
Published: October 2023

The micro-arc oxidation process was used to apply a ceramic oxide coating on a pure titanium substrate using calcium acetate and sodium dihydrogen phosphate as an electrolyte. The influence of the current frequency and duty ratio on the surface morphology, phase composition, wear behavior, and corrosion resistance were analyzed by employing a scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer, ball-on-disk apparatus, and potentiodynamic polarization, respectively. Analyses of the surface and cross-sectional morphologies revealed that the MAO films prepared via a low current frequency (100 Hz) and a high duty ratio (60%) had a lower porosity and were more compact. The medium (500 Hz) and high (1000 Hz) frequencies at the higher duty ratios presented with better wear resistance. The highest film thickness (11.25 µm) was achieved at 100 Hz and a 20% duty ratio. A negligible current density was observed when the frequency was fixed at 500 Hz and 1000 Hz and the duty cycle was 20%.
Bovine Piroplasma Populations in the Philippines Characterized Using Targeted Amplicon Deep Sequencing
Authors: Galon Eloiza May , Macalanda Adrian Miki , Sugi Tatsuki , Hayashida Kyoko , Kawai Naoko , Kidaka Taishi , Ybañez Rochelle Haidee , Adjou Moumouni Paul Franck , Ringo Aaron Edmond , Li Hang , Ji Shengwei , Yamagishi Junya , Ybañez Adrian , Xuan Xuenan
Published: October 2023

Molecular assays and capillary electrophoresis sequencing have been used to identify parasites in livestock. The low sample capacity, which increases labor and processing time, is one drawback. Targeted amplicon sequencing (Ampliseq) uses the fast and large sample capacity platform to identify parasites in the target host, overcoming this limitation. DNA was extracted from 162 whole blood samples collected from cattle in three provinces in the Philippines. Using Illumina’s Miseq platform, the V4 hypervariable region of the piroplasma 18S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced. The AMPtk pipeline was used to obtain distinct amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) and the NCBI BLAST non-redundant database was used to assign taxonomy. In total, 95 (58.64%) samples were positive for piroplasma. Using the AMPTk pipeline, 2179 ASVs were obtained. A total of 79 distinct ASVs were obtained after clustering and filtering, which belonged to genera Babesia (n = 58), Theileria (n = 17), Hepatozoon (n = 2), and Sarcocystis (n = 2). The ASV top hits were composed of 10 species: Babesia bovis, B. bigemina, Theileria orientalis, Babesia sp., Hepatozoon canis, Sarcocystis cruzi, T. annulata, T. equi, T. mutans, and Theileria sp. Thung Song. The results generated in this study demonstrated the applicability of Ampliseq in detecting piroplasmid parasites infecting cattle in the Philippines.
Streptococcal Arginine Deiminase Inhibits T Lymphocyte Differentiation In Vitro
Authors: Starikova Eleonora A. , Mammedova Jennet T. , Ozhiganova Arina , Leveshko Tatiana A. , Lebedeva Aleksandra M. , Sokolov Alexey V. , Isakov Dmitry V. , Karaseva Alena B. , Burova Larissa A. , Kudryavtsev Igor V.
Published: October 2023

Pathogenic microbes use arginine-metabolizing enzymes as an immune evasion strategy. In this study, the impact of streptococcal arginine deiminase (ADI) on the human peripheral blood T lymphocytes function in vitro was studied. The comparison of the effects of parental strain (Streptococcus pyogenes M49-16) with wild type of ArcA gene and its isogenic mutant with inactivated ArcA gene (Streptococcus pyogenes M49-16delArcA) was carried out. It was found that ADI in parental strain SDSC composition resulted in a fivefold decrease in the arginine concentration in human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) supernatants. Only parental strain SDSCs suppressed anti-CD2/CD3/CD28-bead-stimulated mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity and caused a twofold decrease in IL-2 production in PBMC. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that ADI decreased the percentage of CM (central memory) and increased the proportion of TEMRA (terminally differentiated effector memory) of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells subsets. Enzyme activity inhibited the proliferation of all CD8+ T cell subsets as well as CM, EM (effector memory), and TEMRA CD4+ T cells. One of the prominent ADI effects was the inhibition of autophagy processes in CD8+ CM and EM as well as CD4+ CM, EM, and TEMRA T cell subsets. The data obtained confirm arginine’s crucial role in controlling immune reactions and suggest that streptococcal ADI may downregulate adaptive immunity and immunological memory.
Determination of Geographic Origin of Turquoise by Combining Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry Analysis and Chemometrics
Authors: Tong Shuoyun , Chen Guodong , Hu Weikang , Pan Shiyang , Zhu Dan , Liu Shuang , Lu Li , Zhou Shunchao , Zhou Wanfeng
Published: October 2023

Microsampling elemental analysis is widely used for gemstone and mineralogy traceability. Using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry combined with chemometrics, the contents of 56 elements in turquoise samples from 5 distinct producing areas in 3 nations were measured. An origin identification model for turquoise samples from various producing areas was established through random forest importance analysis, principal component analysis, and linear discriminant analysis. When combined with random forest importance screening, the traceability efficiency of principal component analysis is significantly improved. Moreover, by taking 48 elements as characteristic variables and introducing them into the discriminant model, a Fisher discriminant model for identifying the origin of turquoise was successfully established. The effective element fingerprint information of turquoise species is closely related to the species origin, and the accuracy of cross-validation reaches 99.5%, demonstrating the feasibility of the proposed model for the identification of the origin of turquoise samples.
Genesis of the Daliuhang Gold Deposit, Jiaodong Peninsula, Eastern China: Constraints from H-O-S-Pb-He-Ar Isotopes, and Geochronology
Authors: Tian Jiepeng , Li Junjian , Wu Xuan , Fu Chao , Dang Zhicai , Zhang Pengpeng , He Jiangtao , Tang Wenlong , Tian Ruicong
Published: October 2023

The Daliuhang gold deposit in the Qipengfu (Qixia–Penglai–Fushan) ore concentration area is a typical gold deposit of medium-low temperature hydrothermal veins. Uncertainties regarding the primary sources of ore-forming fluids, as well as whether host rocks contribute materials to the mineralization of the gold deposits in the Jiaodong Peninsula, are still subject to intense debate. Hydrogen–oxygen isotope results show that atmospheric water is involved in ore-forming fluids. According to the results of the helium–argon isotopes of pyrite, it is hypothesized that the initial fluid source was located in the oceanic crust or upper mantle lithosphere above the Early Cretaceous Paleo-Pacific Plate, as it was subducted into the eastern part of the eastern North China Craton. In situ sulfur isotope results show that high δ34S values characterize the pyrite in the main mineralization period. It is inferred that during the thinning and melting process of the lithospheric mantle, the volatile components enriched in pyrite contributed to the release of δ34S. At the same time, when the fluids ascended to the weak zones, such as fissures of ore-endowed peripheral rocks, the δ34S in the peripheral rocks were extracted, and the two processes acted together to cause high δ34S values to occur. Similarly, the lead and strontium isotopic compositions indicate a crust–mantle mixing attribute of the mineralized material source. The zircon U–Pb age of the ore-hosting granodiorite was 130.35 ± 0.55 Ma, and the Rb–Sr isochron age of the pyrite from the main mineralization period was 117.60 ± 0.10 Ma, which represents the timing of felsic magmatism and gold mineralization, respectively, with at least 10 Ma between the magmatism and mineralization. The magma gradually cooled over time after its formation, and when the granodiorite cooled down to 300 ± 50 °C, the temperature and pressure conditions were most conducive to the precipitation of gold. It is inferred that gold-rich initial mantle fluids with volatile components, rising along tectonically weak zones, such as fractures, underwent fluid phase separation in the fractured position of the granite and extracted the gold from the granodiorite, forming gold deposits.
PLLA Nanosheets for Wound Healing: Embedding with Iron-Ion-Containing Nanoparticles
Authors: Mussin Aslan , AlJulaih Ali A. , Mintcheva Neli , Aman Delvin , Iwamori Satoru , Gurbatov Stanislav O. , Bhardwaj Abhishek K. , Kulinich Sergei A.
Published: October 2023

This article reports on polymer (PLLA, poly(L-lactic acid)) nanosheets incorporated with Fe-ion nanoparticles, aiming at using the latter nanoparticles as a source to release Fe ions. Such Fe ions should facilitate burn wound healing when such nanosheets are applied as a biomedical tissue on skin. Laser ablation in liquid phase was used to produce Fe-containing nanoparticles that, after incorporation into PLLA nanosheets, would release Fe ions upon immersion in water. Unlike most iron-oxide nanostructures, which are poorly soluble, such nanoparticles prepared in chloroform were found to have water solubility, as they were shown by XPS to be based on iron chloride and oxide phases. After incorporation into PLLA nanosheets, the ion-release test demonstrated that Fe ions could be released successfully into water at pH 7.4. Incorporation with two different metal ions (Fe and Zn) was also found to be efficient, as both types of ions were demonstrated to be released simultaneously and with comparable release rates. The results imply that such polymer nanosheets show promise for biomedical applications as potential patches for healing of burns.
Is 25OH Vitamin D Excess before 36 Weeks Corrected Age an Independent Risk Factor for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia or Death?
Authors: Laborie Sophie , Bonjour Maxime , Bacchetta Justine , Mauras Mathilde , Butin Marine
Published: October 2023

Low 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in preterm infants is a risk factor for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), but increased supplementation failed to demonstrate a beneficial effect on BPD. In neonatal animal models, deficiency and excessive vitamin D exposure have been associated with increased mortality and histological alterations in the lung evocative of BPD. Our hypothesis is that 25(OH)D levels ≥ 120 nmol/L are also a risk factor for BPD or death. This retrospective single-center cohort study included only infants born at <31 weeks gestational age without major malformations with at least a determination of 25(OH)D at <36 weeks corrected age and no determination <50 nmol/L. Routine 25(OH)D determination was performed at 1 month and monthly thereafter. A total of 175 infants were included. Infants with BPD or who died had a significantly lower term and weight, but a similar frequency of 25(OH)D ≥120 nmol/L (50.5% vs. 43.9%, p = 0.53). The logistic regression identified weight (OR 0.997, 95% CI [0.995–0.998]) and term (OR 0.737, 95% CI [0.551–0.975]) as significantly associated with BPD or death; the occurrence of excessive 25(OH)D was not significantly associated (OR 1.029, 95% CI [0.503–2.093]). The present study did not demonstrate any significant association between excessive 25(OH)D after one month of age and BPD or death.
Mitochondrial Function in Healthy Human White Adipose Tissue: A Narrative Review
Authors: Guerrier Lisa , Malpuech-Brugère Corinne , Richard Ruddy , Touron Julianne
Published: October 2023

As ¾ of the global population either have excess or insufficient fat, it has become increasingly critical to understand the functions and dysfunctions of adipose tissue (AT). AT serves as a key organ in energy metabolism, and recently, attention has been focused on white AT, particularly its mitochondria, as the literature evidence links their functions to adiposity. This narrative review provides an overview of mitochondrial functionality in human white AT. Firstly, it is noteworthy that the two primary AT depots, subcutaneous AT (scAT) and visceral AT (vAT), exhibit differences in mitochondrial density and activity. Notably, vAT tends to have a higher mitochondrial activity compared to scAT. Subsequently, studies have unveiled a negative correlation between mitochondrial activity and body mass index (BMI), indicating that obesity is associated with a lower mitochondrial function. While the impact of exercise on AT mitochondria remains uncertain, dietary interventions have demonstrated varying effects on AT mitochondria. This variability holds promise for the modulation of AT mitochondrial activity. In summary, AT mitochondria exert a significant influence on health outcomes and can be influenced by factors such as obesity and dietary interventions. Understanding the mechanisms underlying these responses can offer potential insights into managing conditions related to AT and overall health.
Sex Differences in the Skeletal Muscle Response to a High Fat, High Sucrose Diet in Rats
Authors: Hulett Nicholas A. , Knaub Leslie A. , Hull Sara E. , Pott Gregory B. , Peelor Rick , Miller Benjamin F. , Shankar Kartik , Rudolph Michael C. , Reusch Jane E. B. , Scalzo Rebecca L.
Published: October 2023

Men are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at lower body mass indexes than women; the role of skeletal muscle in this sex difference is poorly understood. Type 2 diabetes impacts skeletal muscle, particularly in females who demonstrate a lower oxidative capacity compared to males. To address mechanistic differences underlying this sex disparity, we investigated skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration in female and male rats in response to chronic high-fat, high-sugar (HFHS) diet consumption. Four-week-old Wistar Rats were fed a standard chow or HFHS diet for 14 weeks to identify sex-specific adaptations in mitochondrial respirometry and characteristics, transcriptional patterns, and protein profiles. Fat mass was greater with the HFHS diet in both sexes when controlled for body mass (p < 0.0001). Blood glucose and insulin resistance were greater in males (p = 0.01) and HFHS-fed rats (p < 0.001). HFHS-fed males had higher mitochondrial respiration compared with females (p < 0.01 sex/diet interaction). No evidence of a difference by sex or diet was found for mitochondrial synthesis, dynamics, or quality to support the mitochondrial respiration sex/diet interaction. However, transcriptomic analyses indicate sex differences in nutrient handling. Sex-specific differences occurred in PI3K/AKT signaling, PPARα/RXRα, and triacylglycerol degradation. These findings may provide insight into the clinical sex differences in body mass index threshold for diabetes development and tissue-specific progression of insulin resistance.
Pharmacological Effects of Urolithin A and Its Role in Muscle Health and Performance: Current Knowledge and Prospects
Authors: Zhao Haotian , Song Ge , Zhu Hongkang , Qian He , Pan Xinliang , Song Xiaoneng , Xie Yijie , Liu Chang
Published: October 2023

Urolithin A (UA) is a naturally occurring compound derived from the metabolism of gut microbiota, which has attracted considerable research attention due to its pharmacological effects and potential implications in muscle health and performance. Recent studies have demonstrated that Urolithin A exhibits diverse biological activities, encompassing anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor, and anti-aging properties. In terms of muscle health, accumulating evidence suggests that Urolithin A may promote muscle protein synthesis and muscle growth through various pathways, offering promise in mitigating muscle atrophy. Moreover, Urolithin A exhibits the potential to enhance muscle health and performance by improving mitochondrial function and regulating autophagy. Nonetheless, further comprehensive investigations are still warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of Urolithin A and to assess its feasibility and safety in human subjects, thereby advancing its potential applications in the realms of muscle health and performance.
Plants and Their Derivatives as Promising Therapeutics for Sustainable Control of Honeybee (Apis mellifera) Pathogens
Authors: Bava Roberto , Castagna Fabio , Ruga Stefano , Nucera Saverio , Caminiti Rosamaria , Serra Maria , Bulotta Rosa Maria , Lupia Carmine , Marrelli Mariangela , Conforti Filomena , Statti Giancarlo , Domenico Britti , Palma Ernesto
Published: October 2023

The most important pollinator for agricultural crops is the Western honeybee (Apis mellifera). During the winter and summer seasons, diseases and stresses of various kinds endanger honeybee numbers and production, resulting in expenses for beekeepers and detrimental effects on agriculture and ecosystems. Researchers are continually in search of therapies for honeybees using the resources of microbiology, molecular biology, and chemistry to combat diseases and improve the overall health of these important pollinating insects. Among the most investigated and most promising solutions are medicinal plants and their derivatives. The health of animals and their ability to fight disease can be supported by natural products (NPs) derived from living organisms such as plants and microbes. NPs contain substances that can reduce the effects of diseases by promoting immunity or directly suppressing pathogens, and parasites. This literature review summarises the advances that the scientific community has achieved over the years regarding veterinary treatments in beekeeping through the use of NPs. Their impact on the prevention and control of honeybee diseases is investigated both in trials that have been conducted in the laboratory and field studies.
Greener and Whiter Analytical Chemistry Using Cyrene as a More Sustainable and Eco-Friendlier Mobile Phase Constituent in Chromatography
Authors: El Deeb Sami , Abdelsamad Khalid , Parr Maria Kristina
Published: October 2023

Cyrene (dihydrolevoglucosenone) was evaluated for the first time as a potential sustainable mobile phase solvent in reversed-phase chromatography. As a benign biodegradable solvent, Cyrene is an attractive replacement to classical non-green organic chromatographic solvents such as acetonitrile and a modifier, co-eluent to known green solvents such as ethanol. Compared to ethanol, Cyrene is less toxic, non-flammable, biobased, biodegradable, and a cheaper solvent. A fire safety spider chart was generated to compare the properties of Cyrene to ethanol and show its superiority as a greener solvent. Cyrene’s behavior, advantages, and drawbacks in reversed-phase chromatography, including the cut-off value of 350 nm, elution power, selectivity, and effect on the column, were investigated using a model drug mixture of moxifloxacin and metronidazole. A monolithic C18 (100 × 4.6 mm) column was used as a stationary phase. Different ratios of Cyrene: ethanol with an aqueous portion of sodium acetate buffer mobile phases were tested. A mobile phase consisting of Cyrene: ethanol: 0.1 M sodium acetate buffer pH 4.25 (8:13:79, v/v/v) was selected as the most suitable mobile phase system for separating and simultaneously determining metronidazole and moxifloxacin. The greenness and whiteness of the method were evaluated using the qualitative green assessment tool AGREE and the white analytical chemistry assessment tool RGB12. Further potentials of Cyrene as a solvent or modifier in normal phase chromatography, liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, and supercritical fluid chromatography are discussed.
Advances in Amino Acid-Based Chemistry
Authors: Palumbo Rosanna , Simonyan Hayarpi , Roviello Giovanni N.
Published: October 2023

Numerous applications of amino acid-based compounds and peptide derivatives in different biomedicine- and nanotechnology-related fields were described in the recent scientific literature [...]
Bacteria and Bacterial Components as Natural Bio-Nanocarriers for Drug and Gene Delivery Systems in Cancer Therapy
Authors: Zong Rui , Ruan Hainan , Liu Chanmin , Fan Shaohua , Li Jun
Published: October 2023

Bacteria and bacterial components possess multifunctional properties, making them attractive natural bio-nanocarriers for cancer diagnosis and targeted treatment. The inherent tropic and motile nature of bacteria allows them to grow and colonize in hypoxic tumor microenvironments more readily than conventional therapeutic agents and other nanomedicines. However, concerns over biosafety, limited antitumor efficiency, and unclear tumor-targeting mechanisms have restricted the clinical translation and application of natural bio-nanocarriers based on bacteria and bacterial components. Fortunately, bacterial therapies combined with engineering strategies and nanotechnology may be able to reverse a number of challenges for bacterial/bacterial component-based cancer biotherapies. Meanwhile, the combined strategies tend to enhance the versatility of bionanoplasmic nanoplatforms to improve biosafety and inhibit tumorigenesis and metastasis. This review summarizes the advantages and challenges of bacteria and bacterial components in cancer therapy, outlines combinatorial strategies for nanocarriers and bacterial/bacterial components, and discusses their clinical applications.
Glucosamine-Modified Mesoporous Silica-Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles: A “Raisin-Cake”-like Structure as an Efficient Theranostic Platform for Targeted Methotrexate Delivery
Authors: Farjadian Fatemeh , Faghih Zahra , Fakhimi Maryam , Iranpour Pooya , Mohammadi-Samani Soliman , Doroudian Mohammad
Published: October 2023

This study presents the synthesis of glucosamine-modified mesoporous silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as a therapeutic platform for the delivery of an anticancer drug, methotrexate (MTX). The MNPs were coated with mesoporous silica in a templated sol–gel process to form MNP@MSN, and then chloropropyl groups were added to the structure in a post-modification reaction. Glucosamine was then reacted with the chloro-modified structure, and methotrexate was conjugated to the hydroxyl group of the glucose. The prepared structure was characterized using techniques such as Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, elemental analysis (CHN), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Good formation of nano-sized MNPs and MNP@MSN was observed via particle size monitoring. The modified glucosamine structure showed a controlled release profile of methotrexate in simulated tumor fluid. In vitro evaluation using the 4T1 breast cancer cell line showed the cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and cell cycle effects of methotrexate. The MTT assay showed comparable toxicity between MTX-loaded nanoparticles and free MTX. The structure could act as a glucose transporter-targeting agent and showed increased uptake in cancer cells. An in vivo breast cancer model was established in BALB/C mice, and the distribution of MTX-conjugated MNP@MSN particles was visualized using MRI. The MTX-conjugated particles showed significant anti-tumor potential together with MRI contrast enhancement.
Complexes of Ibuprofen Thiazolidin-4-One Derivatives with β-Cyclodextrin: Characterization and In Vivo Release Profile and Biological Evaluation
Authors: Vasincu Ioana Mirela , Apotrosoaei Maria , Lupascu Florentina , Iacob Andreea-Teodora , Giusca Simona-Eliza , Caruntu Irina-Draga , Marangoci Narcisa-Laura , Petrovici Anca Roxana , Stanciu Gabriela Dumitrita , Tamba Bogdan-Ionel , Profire Bianca-Stefania , Focsa Alin-Viorel , Pinteala Mariana , Profire Lenuta
Published: October 2023

Generally, NSAIDs are weakly soluble in water and contain both hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups. One of the most widely used NSAIDs is ibuprofen, which has a poor solubility and high permeability profile. By creating dynamic, non-covalent, water-soluble inclusion complexes, cyclodextrins (CDs) can increase the dissolution rate of low aqueous solubility drugs, operating as a drug delivery vehicle, additionally contributing significantly to the chemical stability of pharmaceuticals and to reducing drug-related irritability. In order to improve the pharmacological and pharmacokinetics profile of ibuprofen, new thiazolidin-4-one derivatives of ibuprofen (4b, 4g, 4k, 4m) were complexed with β-CD, using co-precipitation and freeze-drying. The new β-CD complexes (β-CD-4b, β-CD-4g, β-CD-4k, β-CD-4m) were characterized using scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction and a phase solubility test. Using the AutoDock-VINA algorithm included in YASARA-structure software, we investigated the binding conformation of ibuprofen derivatives to β-CD and measured the binding energies. We also performed an in vivo biological evaluation of the ibuprofen derivatives and corresponding β-CD complexes, using analgesic/anti-inflammatory assays, as well as a release profile. The results support the theory that β-CD complexes (β-CD-4b, β-CD-4g, β-CD-4k, β-CD-4m) have a similar effect to ibuprofen derivatives (4b, 4g, 4k, 4m). Moreover, the β-CD complexes demonstrated a delayed release profile, which provides valuable insights into the drug-delivery area, focused on ibuprofen derivatives.
Taxonomy and Distribution of the Genus Sellaphora Mereschowsky (Bacillariophyceae: Sellaphoraceae) in Aquatic Ecosystems of Mongolia
Authors: Glushchenko Anton , Genkal Sergei , Kuznetsova Irina , Kulikovskiy Maxim
Published: October 2023

During our investigation, 28 species belonging to the genus Sellaphora Mereschowsky were found in different types of water bodies and streams in Mongolia. Of these, 14 species have already been described and/or shown earlier in the flora of Mongolia, and we found 14 species for the first time. One new taxonomic combination has been proposed: Sellaphora glomus (J.R. Carter and A.E. Bailey-Watts) Glushchenko and Kulikovskiy comb. nov. One species is proposed for description as new to science: Sellaphora dorofeyukae Glushchenko and Kulikovskiy sp. nov. All species were illustrated with original light micrographs, and a number of species were also illustrated with scanning electronic photographs. The distribution of the identified species within Mongolia and the world is discussed.
Integrated Systems Biology Pipeline to Compare Co-Expression Networks in Plants and Elucidate Differential Regulators
Authors: Kumar Nilesh , Mukhtar M. Shahid
Published: October 2023

To identify sets of genes that exhibit similar expression characteristics, co-expression networks were constructed from transcriptome datasets that were obtained from plant samples at various stages of growth and development or treated with diverse biotic, abiotic, and other environmental stresses. In addition, co-expression network analysis can provide deeper insights into gene regulation when combined with transcriptomics. The coordination and integration of all these complex networks to deduce gene regulation are major challenges for plant biologists. Python and R have emerged as major tools for managing complex scientific data over the past decade. In this study, we describe a reproducible protocol POTFUL (pant co-expression transcription factor regulators), implemented in Python 3, for integrating co-expression and transcription factor target protein networks to infer gene regulation.