bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microbial Eukaryotes in Natural and Artificial Salt Marsh Pools
Authors: Potapova Marina , Markarian Daiana , King Abigail , Aycock Laura
Published: April 2024

Microscopic eukaryotes are important components of coastal wetland ecosystems. The goal of this study was to investigate the diversity of microeukaryotes in the tidal pools of a New Jersey salt marsh and to compare the assemblages of natural and artificial pools excavated for controlling mosquito populations. We evaluated microeukaryotic assemblages using the amplicon sequencing of 18S and rbcL DNA markers and the microscopic identification of diatoms in water and sediment samples. 18S unique amplicon sequence variants (ASV) representing ciliates, dinoflagellates, diatoms, and cercozoans were the most diverse, while the reads of dinoflagellates, diatoms, ciliates, and nematodes were the most abundant. The dominant ASVs were attributed to organisms that are characteristic of coastal plankton and sediments or those known for their resistance to salinity, desiccation, hypoxia, and UV stress. The sediment assemblages were more diverse compared to those from the water column and contained a larger portion of ASVs that were not assigned to any low-rank taxa, reflecting the current gaps in understanding the diversity of microeukaryotes. Most taxonomic groups were significantly different in their abundance and composition between natural and artificial pools. Dinoflagellates, haptophytes, chrysophytes, pelagophytes, and raphidophytes—the groups that include a large proportion of mixotrophic taxa and species known for forming harmful algal blooms—were more abundant in the artificial than in the natural pools. Fungi, labyrinthulomycetes, and peronosporomycetes were also more abundant in artificial pools, which may be related to organic matter enrichment. Diatoms and foraminifera showed an opposite trend of higher abundance in natural pools.
Thermoelectric Methylene Blue Degradation by SnSe-Doped Low-Content Copper
Authors: Wang Kaili , Fan Li , Zhu Hongliang , Liu Hao , Wang Yuxuan , Yan Shancheng
Published: April 2024

In important applications, thermoelectric technology has been widely applied for precise temperature control in intelligent electronics. This work synthesized and characterized low-content copper-doped SnSe thermoelectric catalysts using an easy and effective hydrothermal method. It was discovered that doping increased the crystal plane spacing of SnSe, increased the carrier concentration, and improved the thermoelectric properties. The best degradation was attained at x = 0.0025. The thermoelectric degradation performance of low-dose copper-doped tin selenide Sn1−xCuxSe (x = 0, 0.0005, 0.001, 0.0015, 0.002, 0.0025, 0.003), for the degradation of methylene blue from organic wastewater at 75 °C, was examined. Our research indicates that by using this approach, we can create more high-performance catalysts.
A Review of Practice-Changing Therapies in Oncology in the Era of Personalized Medicine
Authors: Capella Mariana Pilon , Esfahani Khashayar
Published: April 2024

In the past decade, a lot of insight was gathered into the composition of the host and tumor factors that promote oncogenesis and treatment resistance. This in turn has led to the ingenious design of multiple new classes of drugs, which have now become the new standards of care in cancer therapy. These include novel antibody-drug conjugates, chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapies (CAR-T), and bispecific T cell engagers (BitTE). Certain host factors, such as the microbiome composition, are also emerging not only as biomarkers for the response and toxicity to anti-cancer therapies but also as potentially useful tools to modulate anti-tumor responses. The field is slowly moving away from one-size-fits-all treatment options to personalized treatments tailored to the host and tumor. This commentary aims to cover the basic concepts associated with these emerging therapies and the promises and challenges to fight cancer.
Risk Factors for Isolated Sphenoid Sinusitis after Endoscopic Endonasal Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery
Authors: Chang Yun-Chen , Tsao Yu-Ning , Chuang Chi-Cheng , Li Cheng-Yu , Lee Ta-Jen , Fu Chia-Hsiang , Wei Kuo-Chen , Huang Chi-Che
Published: April 2024

(1) Background: Transsphenoidal pituitary surgery can be conducted via microscopic or endoscopic approaches, and there has been a growing preference for the latter in recent years. However, the occurrence of rare complications such as postoperative sinusitis remains inadequately documented in the existing literature. (2) Methods: To address this gap, we conducted a comprehensive retrospective analysis of medical records spanning from 2018 to 2023, focusing on patients who underwent transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (formerly called pituitary adenoma). Our study encompassed detailed evaluations of pituitary function and MRI imaging pre- and postsurgery, supplemented by transnasal endoscopic follow-up assessments at the otolaryngology outpatient department. Risk factors for sinusitis were compared using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. (3) Results: Out of the 203 patients included in our analysis, a subset of 17 individuals developed isolated sphenoid sinusitis within three months postoperation. Further scrutiny of the data revealed significant associations between certain factors and the occurrence of postoperative sphenoid sinusitis. Specifically, the classification of the primary tumor emerged as a notable risk factor, with patients exhibiting nonfunctioning pituitary neuroendocrine tumors with 3.71 times the odds of developing sinusitis compared to other tumor types. Additionally, postoperative cortisol levels demonstrated a significant inverse relationship, with lower cortisol levels correlating with an increased risk of sphenoid sinusitis postsurgery. (4) Conclusions: In conclusion, our findings underscore the importance of considering tumor classification and postoperative cortisol levels as potential predictors of postoperative sinusitis in patients undergoing transsphenoidal endoscopic pituitary surgery. These insights offer valuable guidance for clinicians in identifying at-risk individuals and implementing tailored preventive and management strategies to mitigate the occurrence and impact of sinusitis complications in this patient population.
Charting New Frontiers: Insights and Future Directions in ML and DL for Image Processing
Authors: Shehata Mohamed , Elhosseini Mostafa
Published: April 2024

The Special Issue “Deep and Machine Learning for Image Processing: Medical and Non-medical Applications” of the MDPI journal Electronics marks a pivotal point in the exploration of machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) applications in image processing [...]
A Suppression Method of Commutation Failure in LCC-UHVDC Systems Based on the Dynamic Tracking of the Turn-Off Angle Setting Value
Authors: Wang Hua , Zheng Ao , Liu Ziwen , Liu Wei , Pan Xueqing , Tian Chunsun
Published: April 2024

Commutation failure is still one of the most common faults in LCC-UHVDC (line commutated converter-based, ultra-high voltage direct current) systems, and if the inverter side, extinction angle, and rectification value remain constant during the fault, it may lead to commutation failure or even continuous commutation failure. Therefore, this paper first analyzes the structure of the LCC-UHVDC system and the mechanism of commutation failure and, on this basis, proposes a commutation failure suppression method based on dynamic tracking of the extinction angle rectification value. The desired DC voltage of the system under fault conditions is calculated based on key state quantities such as the AC voltage RMS value, the extinction angle, and the leading angle during the fault process. The compensation amount is obtained by comparing the desired DC voltage with the actual DC voltage and superimposition on the extinction angle rectification value in the inverter extinction angle control. When there is a risk of commutation failure, dynamically adjusting the extinction angle setting value according to the compensation value is beneficial for the rapid and stable recovery of the extinction angle, reducing the probability of commutation failure. A bipolar neutral ground LCC-UHVDC testing model system is established in PSCAD/EMTDC for simulation verification to show that the proposed improved control strategy effectively reduces the probability of commutation failure and significantly improves the stable operation characteristics of the LCC-UHVDC system.
Principles for the Design of a Biomass-Fueled Internal Combustion Engine
Authors: Suanes Gonzalo , Bolonio David , Cantero Antonio , Yenes José Ignacio
Published: April 2024

Biomass-fueled engines are a promising way to reduce the consumption of and dependence on fossil fuels. To create a working prototype, a detailed study of the thermodynamic cycle was developed. The dead volume was revealed to be the most limiting parameter for the engine efficiency. The cycle efficiency is reduced from 51.8% to 30.5% for the given example. The engine needs to be properly designed to minimize energy losses. In addition, the optimal compression ratio of the cycle is very low (about 3.5), losing energy in the exhaust gases and contributing to an inefficient engine. However, using a turbocharger can improve the cycle efficiency, combining the basic cycle with a Brayton cycle. Moreover, a two-stroke engine design is recommended for biomass-fueled engines. It allows minimization of the dead volume, is less sensitive to dirt, and avoids gas exchange with the combustion chamber during scavenging. Finally, the combustion chamber of the initial prototype was redesigned, based on the aforementioned improvements and allowing the successful start-up of the engine. This work demonstrates that biomass is a viable alternative to fossil fuels in applications where internal combustion engines are required.
Stochastic Flow Analysis for Optimization of the Operationality in Run-of-River Hydroelectric Plants in Mountain Areas
Authors: Gómez-Beas Raquel , Contreras Eva , Polo María José , Aguilar Cristina
Published: April 2024

The highly temporal variability of the hydrological response in Mediterranean areas affects the operation of hydropower systems, especially in run-of-river (RoR) plants located in mountainous areas. Here, the water flow regime strongly determines failure, defined as no operating days due to inflows below the minimum operating flow. A Bayesian dynamics stochastic model was developed with statistical modeling of both rainfall as the forcing agent and water inflows to the plants as the dependent variable using two approaches—parametric adjustments and non-parametric methods. Failure frequency analysis and its related operationality, along with their uncertainty associated with different time scales, were performed through 250 Monte Carlo stochastic replications of a 20-year period of daily rainfall. Finally, a scenario analysis was performed, including the effects of 3 and 30 days of water storage in a plant loading chamber to minimize the plant’s dependence on the river’s flow. The approach was applied to a mini-hydropower RoR plant in Poqueira (Southern Spain), located in a semi-arid Mediterranean alpine area. The results reveal that the influence of snow had greater operationality in the spring months when snowmelt was outstanding, with a 25% probability of having fewer than 2 days of failure in May and April, as opposed to 12 days in the winter months. Moreover, the effect of water storage was greater between June and November, when rainfall events are scarce, and snowmelt has almost finished with operationality levels of 0.04–0.74 for 15 days of failure without storage, which increased to 0.1–0.87 with 3 days of storage. The methodology proposed constitutes a simple and useful tool to assess uncertainty in the operationality of RoR plants in Mediterranean mountainous areas where rainfall constitutes the main source of uncertainty in river flows.
PV Cells and Modules Parameter Estimation Using Coati Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Elshara Rafa , Hançerlioğullari Aybaba , Rahebi Javad , Lopez-Guede Jose Manuel
Published: April 2024

In recent times, there have been notable advancements in solar energy and other renewable sources, underscoring their vital contribution to environmental conservation. Solar cells play a crucial role in converting sunlight into electricity, providing a sustainable energy alternative. Despite their significance, effectively optimizing photovoltaic system parameters remains a challenge. To tackle this issue, this study introduces a new optimization approach based on the coati optimization algorithm (COA), which integrates opposition-based learning and chaos theory. Unlike existing methods, the COA aims to maximize power output by integrating solar system parameters efficiently. This strategy represents a significant improvement over traditional algorithms, as evidenced by experimental findings demonstrating improved parameter setting accuracy and a substantial increase in the Friedman rating. As global energy demand continues to rise due to industrial expansion and population growth, the importance of sustainable energy sources becomes increasingly evident. Solar energy, characterized by its renewable nature, presents a promising solution to combat environmental pollution and lessen dependence on fossil fuels. This research emphasizes the critical role of COA-based optimization in advancing solar energy utilization and underscores the necessity for ongoing development in this field.
A Review of Heat Dissipation and Absorption Technologies for Enhancing Performance in Photovoltaic–Thermal Systems
Authors: Kurniawati Ischia , Sung Yonmo
Published: April 2024

With the growing demand for photovoltaic (PV) systems as a source of energy generation that produces no greenhouse gas emissions, effective strategies are needed to address the inherent inefficiencies of PV systems. These systems typically absorb only approximately 15% of solar energy and experience performance degradation due to temperature increases during operation. To address these issues, PV–thermal (PVT) technology, which combines PV with a thermal absorber to dissipate excess heat and convert it into additional thermal energy, is being rapidly developed. This review presents an overview of various PVT technologies designed to prevent overheating in operational systems and to enhance heat transfer from the solar cells to the absorber. The methods explored include innovative absorber designs that focus on increasing the heat transfer contact surface, using mini/microchannels for improved heat transfer contiguity, and substituting traditional metal materials with polymers to reduce construction costs while utilizing polymer flexibility. The review also discusses incorporating phase change materials for latent heat absorption and using nanofluids as coolant mediums, which offer higher thermal conductivity than pure water. This review highlights significant observations and challenges associated with absorber design, mini/microchannels, polymer materials, phase change materials, and nanofluids in terms of PV waste heat dissipation. It includes a summary of relevant numerical and experimental studies to facilitate comparisons of each development approach.
Design and Characteristic Research on Variable Displacement Mechanism of Two-Dimensional (2D) Bivariable Pump
Authors: Xing Tong , Ji Xu , Yang Zeri , Ruan Jian
Published: April 2024

In a hydraulic system, a micro variable pump is required to be high pressure and high speed, and this work presents a new type of 2D bivariable pump structure in which the worm gear and worm mechanism are used to rotate the cylinder block to change the flow distribution state of the cylinder window and the piston groove to change the displacement of the 2D pump. The flow–pressure mathematical model of the 2D variable pump is established to analyze the relationship between pump displacement and the pump cylinder rotation angle and the effects of variable displacement on pump pressure characteristics, flow characteristics, and volume efficiency in Matlab. During the experiment, we tested the change in the corresponding pump output flow when the cylinder rotation angle is 0~12°, which verifies the correctness of the variable calculation model. The experimental results indicate that the volume efficiency and mechanical efficiency of the single-piston 2D pump are reduced to different degrees after variable displacement, the volume efficiency is reduced by approximately 3% at most, and the mechanical efficiency is reduced by approximately 5% at most.
Efficiency Evaluation of Forest Carbon Sinks: A Case Study of Russia
Authors: Vilkov Arsenii , Tian Gang
Published: April 2024

Forest carbon sinks in Russia are an integral part of the national “Low-carbon development strategy”. However, the influence of natural disasters and various land use policies in economic regions (ERs) raises the issue of forest carbon sink efficiency (FCSE). This study adopted a DEA-SBM model that considers undesirable outputs to measure FCSE, and the Malmquist index (MI) approach to analyze total factor productivity (TFP) of forest carbon sinks, using panel data from 2009 to 2021. The results show that the average FCSE was 0.788, with an improvement rate of 21.2%. Scale efficiency is the main factor constraining FCSE in Russia. In twelve ERs, forest carbon sinks are efficient only in the Kaliningrad and West Siberian ERs. In general, forest carbon sinks in Russia are inefficient mainly due to forest fires and other natural disturbances (82.33%); excessive logging activities (38.64%); and lack of carbon absorption capacity (31.70%). The average score of their TFP is 0.970, indicating a decline of 3% over the study period. This is primarily attributed to the decline of 1.6% in technological change. The productivity of forest carbon sinks remained static only in the Kaliningrad ER, while other economic regions performed deterioration trends. Therefore, Russia should enhance the efficiency of forest carbon sinks.
Response of the Alpine Timberline to Residual Permafrost Degradation in Mount Wutai
Authors: Shan Wei , Hou Peijie , Wang Yan , Qiu Lisha , Guo Ying , Zhang Chengcheng
Published: April 2024

In cold regions, there is a close relationship between vegetation and the underlying permafrost. While the vegetation protects the permafrost, the permafrost also provides the necessary water, nutrients, and physical support for the vegetation. As the most sensitive area of alpine vegetation to environmental changes, alpine timberlines respond rapidly to permafrost degradation. Based on the data from meteorological stations and remote sensing in Mount Wutai, the distribution and change in surface frost numbers under the influence of vegetation and alpine timberlines in Mount Wutai from 2001 to 2021 were produced. The results show that from 2001 to 2021, along with the continuous degradation of permafrost, the alpine timberline showed an upward followed by a slight downward trend. From 2000 to 2014, the alpine timberline consistently moved upward, with the melting of permafrost, which produces water playing a positive role. In 2014–2021, the permafrost near the timberline in the study area disappeared, and the upward trend in the alpine timberline was blocked, even downward in some areas. Analysis of the above phenomena shows that in the process of permafrost degradation, the functions of supporting and fixing roots as well as water storage for overlying forest vegetation by permafrost will be lost sequentially, which will have an impact on the growth of the vegetation and make the upward trend in NDVI in the growing season blocked. The process of permafrost degradation is beneficial to vegetation growth but is unfavorable at the end of the degradation period, which is reflected in the phenomenon of the alpine timberline rising and then falling.
Volume, Biomass, and Carbon Estimates for Commercial Tree Species in a Managed Forest: A Case Study in the Bolivian Amazon
Authors: Romero Flora Magdaline Benitez , Ferreira Neto José Ambrosio , da Gama e Silva Zenobio Abel Gouvêa Perelli , Jacovine Laércio Antônio Gonçalves , Velasquez Santiago Ivan Sagredo , Romero Richard Andres Benitez , Ribeiro Sabina Cerruto , de Souza Guilherme Silverio Aquino , Isbaex Crismeire , Lopes Rosana Barbosa de Castro , Ferreira Fernanda Machado , Fearnside Philip Martin
Published: April 2024

Tropical forest management has a potential role in forest conservation if it is sustainable. This study of a forest under management in Bolivian Amazonia strongly suggests that the management project is not sustainable and that no potential changes in management would be likely to make it so. In a 216.41 ha harvested area, 278 commercial trees from 10 families, 15 genera, and 15 species were measured. The density of commercial species with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 50 cm was 1.28 trees ha−1, and the harvestable commercial volume was 12.40 m3 ha−1. Due to market restrictions, the actual amounts harvested were much lower: 96 trees were harvested with commercial boles totaling 2.7 m3 ha−1. Of the total impact on biomass and carbon (above- and belowground), the logs removed from the area represented only 13.4%, while 86.6% was from losses in the forest as follows: 14.5% from the stumps, crowns, and roots of harvested trees (DBH ≥ 50 cm) plus 72.1% from the trees (DBH ≥ 10 cm) in the forest lost to roads, log landings, and skid tracks and the gap openings caused by felling the harvested trees. The estimated expenses exceeded the gross revenue of the management company (USD 519.15 ha−1), a fact confirmed by the company’s subsequent bankruptcy. The project’s low harvest intensity reduces the environmental impact per hectare but increases the impact per cubic meter of wood harvested because producing a given volume of wood requires disturbing a larger area and because more kilometers of access roads and skid tracks have to be installed to extract a given volume of wood. Because many costs are fixed regardless of harvest intensity, small harvest volume can render such projects financially unfeasible, increasing the likelihood that they will be abandoned and not provide long-term “sustainable” forest protection. However, this does not mean that higher harvest intensity results in sustainability, as other constraints apply to high-intensity projects. We conclude that conservation alternatives to maintain the forest would be more beneficial than management for timber.
Fabrication of a PLA/PVA-BIO-HA Polymeric Membrane by the Electrospinning Technique
Authors: Arroyo-Reyes Brenda Lizbeth , Gómez-Muñoz Celia Lizeth , Zaca-Morán Placido , Galindo-Ramírez Fabián , Morales-Sánchez Marco Antonio
Published: April 2024

In the present work, the fabrication of a membrane composed of polylactic acid (PLA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and Biological Hydroxyapatite (BIO-HA) is reported using the coaxial electrospinning technique. The membrane fabrication process involved mixing a solution of PLA and trichloromethane (TCM) with a second solution of PVA, isopropyl alcohol (IPA), distilled water, and BIO-HA at 110 °C. Subsequently, the electrospinning process was carried out using a voltage of 25 kV for 30 min on a rotating drum collector at 1000 rpm. The membrane was characterized through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The morphological results revealed the presence of randomly arranged fibers with an average diameter of 290 ± 9 nm and interfiber spacing ranging from 200 to 700 nm, which are characteristics conducive to cell proliferation. Additionally, FTIR studies confirmed the presence of BIO-HA and the constituent elements of the polymers in the composite membrane. The polymeric membrane in contact with human mesenchymal stem cells was characterized as showing significant differences in its behavior at 6, 24, and 72 h post-contact. These studies indicate that the membrane provides physical support as a scaffold due to its suitable morphology for cell adhesion and proliferation, attributable to the electrospinning conditions as well as the polymers contained in BIO-HA. Membrane toxicity was confirmed through a cytotoxicity study using fluorescence microscopy, which showed that the membrane provided a favorable environment for cell proliferation. These results suggest that exposure to BIO-HA enhances its potential application in bone and joint tissue regeneration.
Early Chronic Fluoxetine Treatment of Ts65Dn Mice Rescues Synaptic Vesicular Deficits and Prevents Aberrant Proteomic Alterations
Authors: Fatemi S. Hossein , Otte Elysabeth D. , Folsom Timothy D. , Eschenlauer Arthur C. , Roper Randall J. , Aman Justin W. , Thuras Paul D.
Published: April 2024

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common form of inherited intellectual disability caused by trisomy of chromosome 21, presenting with intellectual impairment, craniofacial abnormalities, cardiac defects, and gastrointestinal disorders. The Ts65Dn mouse model replicates many abnormalities of DS. We hypothesized that investigation of the cerebral cortex of fluoxetine-treated trisomic mice may provide proteomic signatures that identify therapeutic targets for DS. Subcellular fractionation of synaptosomes from cerebral cortices of age- and brain-area-matched samples from fluoxetine-treated vs. water-treated trisomic and euploid male mice were subjected to HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry. Analysis of the data revealed enrichment of trisomic risk genes that participate in regulation of synaptic vesicular traffic, pre-synaptic and post-synaptic development, and mitochondrial energy pathways during early brain development. Proteomic analysis of trisomic synaptic fractions revealed significant downregulation of proteins involved in synaptic vesicular traffic, including vesicular endocytosis (CLTA, CLTB, CLTC), synaptic assembly and maturation (EXOC1, EXOC3, EXOC8), anterograde axonal transport (EXOC1), neurotransmitter transport to PSD (SACM1L), endosomal-lysosomal acidification (ROGDI, DMXL2), and synaptic signaling (NRXN1, HIP1, ITSN1, YWHAG). Additionally, trisomic proteomes revealed upregulation of several trafficking proteins, involved in vesicular exocytosis (Rab5B), synapse elimination (UBE3A), scission of endocytosis (DBN1), transport of ER in dendritic spines (MYO5A), presynaptic activity-dependent bulk endocytosis (FMR1), and NMDA receptor activity (GRIN2A). Chronic fluoxetine treatment of Ts65Dn mice rescued synaptic vesicular abnormalities and prevented abnormal proteomic changes in adult Ts65Dn mice, pointing to therapeutic targets for potential treatment of DS.
Identification, Classification, and Transcriptional Analysis of Rab GTPase Genes from Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) Reveals Salt Stress Response Genes
Authors: Soto Flavia , San Martín-Davison Alex , Salinas-Cornejo Josselyn , Madrid-Espinoza José , Ruiz-Lara Simón
Published: April 2024

Salinity in plants generates an osmotic and ionic imbalance inside cells that compromises the viability of the plant. Rab GTPases, the largest family within the small GTPase superfamily, play pivotal roles as regulators of vesicular trafficking in plants, including the economically important and globally cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Despite their significance, the specific involvement of these small GTPases in tomato vesicular trafficking and their role under saline stress remains poorly understood. In this work, we identified and classified 54 genes encoding Rab GTPases in cultivated tomato, elucidating their genomic distribution and structural characteristics. We conducted an analysis of duplication events within the S. lycopersicum genome, as well as an examination of gene structure and conserved motifs. In addition, we investigated the transcriptional profiles for these Rab GTPases in various tissues of cultivated and wild tomato species using microarray-based analysis. The results showed predominantly low expression in most of the genes in both leaves and vegetative meristem, contrasting with notably high expression levels observed in seedling roots. Also, a greater increase in gene expression in shoots from salt-tolerant wild tomato species was observed under normal conditions when comparing Solanum habrochaites, Solanum pennellii, and Solanum pimpinellifolium with S. lycopersicum. Furthermore, an expression analysis of Rab GTPases from Solanum chilense in leaves and roots under salt stress treatment were also carried out for their characterization. These findings revealed that specific Rab GTPases from the endocytic pathway and the trans-Golgi network (TGN) showed higher induction in plants exposed to saline stress conditions. Likewise, disparities in gene expression were observed both among members of the same Rab GTPase subfamily and between different subfamilies. Overall, this work emphasizes the high degree of conservation of Rab GTPases, their high functional diversification in higher plants, and the essential role in mediating salt stress tolerance and suggests their potential for further exploration of vesicular trafficking mechanisms in response to abiotic stress conditions.
Marker Density and Models to Improve the Accuracy of Genomic Selection for Growth and Slaughter Traits in Meat Rabbits
Authors: Li Wenjie , Li Wenqiang , Song Zichen , Gao Zihao , Xie Kerui , Wang Yubing , Wang Bo , Hu Jiaqing , Zhang Qin , Ning Chao , Wang Dan , Fan Xinzhong
Published: April 2024

The selection and breeding of good meat rabbit breeds are fundamental to their industrial development, and genomic selection (GS) can employ genomic information to make up for the shortcomings of traditional phenotype-based breeding methods. For the practical implementation of GS in meat rabbit breeding, it is necessary to assess different marker densities and GS models. Here, we obtained low-coverage whole-genome sequencing (lcWGS) data from 1515 meat rabbits (including parent herd and half-sibling offspring). The specific objectives were (1) to derive a baseline for heritability estimates and genomic predictions based on randomly selected marker densities and (2) to assess the accuracy of genomic predictions for single- and multiple-trait linear mixed models. We found that a marker density of 50 K can be used as a baseline for heritability estimation and genomic prediction. For GS, the multi-trait genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP) model results in more accurate predictions for virtually all traits compared to the single-trait model, with improvements greater than 15% for all of them, which may be attributed to the use of information on genetically related traits. In addition, we discovered a positive correlation between the performance of the multi-trait GBLUP and the genetic correlation between the traits. We anticipate that this approach will provide solutions for GS, as well as optimize breeding programs, in meat rabbits.
The Relationship between Professional Variables and Burnout Syndrome in Brazilian Dentists during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Castro Marcelo Salmazo , Meira Gabriela de Figueiredo , Mendes Rharessa Gabrielly Ferreira , Castilho Ana Virgínia Santana Sampaio , Trench Leonardo de Aguiar , Segalla Conrado Rodrigues , Vettore Mario Vianna , Sales-Peres Silvia Helena de Carvalho
Published: April 2024

Burnout syndrome (BS) is a highly prevalent occupational disease among dentists who, during the COVID-19 pandemic, have been at greater risk of contracting the disease, generating stress and distancing. The aim of this study was to assess the association of social conditions, professional factors and perceptions of COVID-19 with Burnout Syndrome. This was a cross-sectional study of 302 Brazilian dentists working in the clinical and private sectors. The professionals completed the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory online and answered sociodemographic and professional questions and questions related to their perception of the pandemic. Poisson regression with unadjusted and adjusted robust variance was used to estimate the association between burnout syndrome (dependent variable) and the independent variables. The presence of BS was strongly associated with age, training in a private institution, professionals who claimed to have sufficient protective knowledge and fear of being contaminated by SARS-CoV-2 during patient care (p < 0.05). The findings of this study show that there has been an impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the occurrence of Burnout syndrome in dentists, especially, those who worked in the public sector and those who were afraid to work with other health professionals.
Animating Cartographic Meaning: Unveiling the Impact of Pictorial Symbol Motion Speed in Preattentive Processing
Authors: Cybulski Paweł
Published: April 2024

The primary objective of this study is to assess how the motion of dynamic point symbols impacts preattentive processing on a map. Specifically, it involves identifying the motion velocity parameters for cartographic animated pictorial symbols that contribute to the preattentive perception of the target symbols. We created five pictorial symbols, each accompanied by a unique animation tailored to convey the meaning associated with each symbol. The animation dynamics of symbols on the administrative map were distributed across arithmetic, logarithmic, and exponential scales. Eye-tracking technology was utilized to explain the user’s visual attention. The key findings reveal that, although movement does not uniformly hold the same designation in cartographic communication, it could guide user attention to identify the value peaks in quantitative map visualization. Motion velocity enhances the salience of animated symbols, making them stand out, not only against static elements but also against other animated distractors. Additionally, motion distributions between symbol classes based on exponential or arithmetic scales were identified as the most successful. Nevertheless, certain types of motion, such as rotational, do not perform well with pictorial symbols, even on the most effective motion distribution scale.
Cryo-EM Map Anisotropy Can Be Attenuated by Map Post-Processing and a New Method for Its Estimation
Authors: Sanchez-Garcia Ruben , Gaullier Guillaume , Cuadra-Troncoso Jose Manuel , Vargas Javier
Published: April 2024

One of the most important challenges in cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is the substantial number of samples that exhibit preferred orientations, which leads to an uneven coverage of the projection sphere. As a result, the overall quality of the reconstructed maps can be severely affected, as manifested by the presence of anisotropy in the map resolution. Several methods have been proposed to measure the directional resolution of maps in tandem with experimental protocols to address the problem of preferential orientations in cryo-EM. Following these works, in this manuscript we identified one potential limitation that may affect most of the existing methods and we proposed an alternative approach to evaluate the presence of preferential orientations in cryo-EM reconstructions. In addition, we also showed that some of the most recently proposed cryo-EM map post-processing algorithms can attenuate map anisotropy, thus offering alternative visualization opportunities for cases affected by moderate levels of preferential orientations.
Optimization of Calcium Fluoride Crystallization Process for Treatment of High-Concentration Fluoride-Containing Semiconductor Industry Wastewater
Authors: Sinharoy Arindam , Lee Ga-Young , Chung Chong-Min
Published: April 2024

This study utilized a fluidized bed reactor (FBR) for fluoride removal from high-concentration fluoride-ion-containing simulated semiconductor industry wastewater and recovered high-purity CaF2 crystals. The effects of hydraulic retention time (HRT), pH, Ca2+ to F− ratio, upflow velocity, seed size and seed bed height were investigated by performing lab-scale batch experiments. Considering fluoride removal and CaF2 crystallization efficiency, 5 h HRT, pH 6, seed height of 50 cm and [Ca2+]/[F−] ratio of 0.55 (mol/mol) were found to be optimum. The effect of the interaction between the important process parameters on fluoride removal was further analyzed using response surface methodology (RSM) experimental design. The results showed that all the individual parameters have a significant impact (p = 0.0001) on fluoride removal. SEM-EDX and FTIR analysis showed the composition of the crystals formed inside FBR. HR-XRD analysis confirmed that the crystalline structure of samples was mainly CaF2. The results clearly demonstrated the feasibility of silica seed material containing FBR for efficient removal and recovery of fluoride as high-purity calcium fluoride crystals.
Association between Intracellular Calcium Signaling and Tumor Recurrence in Human Non-Functioning Pituitary Adenomas
Authors: Santiago-Andres Yorgui , Aquiles Ana , Taniguchi-Ponciano Keiko , Salame Latife , Guinto Gerardo , Mercado Moises , Fiordelisio Tatiana
Published: April 2024

Clinically non-functioning pituitary adenomas (CNFPAs) are the second most frequent sellar tumor among studies on community-dwelling adults. They are characterized by the absence of hormonal hypersecretion syndrome, and patients present with compressive symptoms, such as a headache and visual field defects. Immunohistochemically, most CNFPAs are of gonadotrope differentiation, with only a few of them being truly null cell adenomas. Although these tumors express receptors for one or more hypothalamic releasing hormones, to what extent this has an impact on the biological and clinical behavior of these neoplasms remains to be defined. In this research, we evaluated the basal and hypothalamic secretagogue-stimulated intracellular calcium mobilization in 13 CNFPAs, trying to correlate this response to the phenotypic features of the patients. Our results indicate that the recurrence of a CNFPA correlates positively with cellular responsiveness, as measured by spontaneous intracellular calcium activity and the ability to respond to multiple hypothalamic secretagogues. We conclude that this finding may be a useful tool for predicting the clinicopathologic behavior of CNFPAs, by testing the variation of cellular responsiveness to hypothalamic secretagogues.
The Molecular Genetics and Genomics of Plant–Pathogen Interactions
Authors: Bhadauria Vijai , Zhao Wensheng
Published: April 2024

Plants have evolved an intricate immune system to protect themselves from potential pathogens [...]
Halogen Bond-Assisted Supramolecular Dimerization of Pyridinium-Fused 1,2,4-Selenadiazoles via Four-Center Se2N2 Chalcogen Bonding
Authors: Dukhnovsky Evgeny A. , Novikov Alexander S. , Kubasov Alexey S. , Borisov Alexander V. , Sikaona Nkumbu Donovan , Kirichuk Anatoly A. , Khrustalev Victor N. , Kritchenkov Andreii S. , Tskhovrebov Alexander G.
Published: April 2024

The synthesis and structural characterization of α-haloalkyl-substituted pyridinium-fused 1,2,4-selenadiazoles with various counterions is reported herein, demonstrating a strategy for directed supramolecular dimerization in the solid state. The compounds were obtained through a recently discovered 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction between nitriles and bifunctional 2-pyridylselenyl reagents, and their structures were confirmed by the X-ray crystallography. α-Haloalkyl-substituted pyridinium-fused 1,2,4-selenadiazoles exclusively formed supramolecular dimers via four-center Se···N chalcogen bonding, supported by additional halogen bonding involving α-haloalkyl substituents. The introduction of halogens at the α-position of the substituent R in the selenadiazole core proved effective in promoting supramolecular dimerization, which was unaffected by variation of counterions. Additionally, the impact of cocrystallization with a classical halogen bond donor C6F3I3 on the supramolecular assembly was investigated. Non-covalent interactions were studied using density functional theory calculations and topological analysis of the electron density distribution, which indicated that all ChB, XB and HB interactions are purely non-covalent and attractive in nature. This study underscores the potential of halogen and chalcogen bonding in directing the self-assembly of functional supramolecular materials employing 1,2,4-selenadiazoles derived from recently discovered cycloaddition between nitriles and bifunctional 2-pyridylselenyl reagents.
Multi-System-Level Analysis Reveals Differential Expression of Stress Response-Associated Genes in Inflammatory Solar Lentigo
Authors: Jeong Jisu , Lee Wonmin , Kim Ye-Ah , Lee Yun-Ji , Kim Sohyun , Shin Jaeyeon , Choi Yueun , Kim Jihan , Lee Yoonsung , Kim Man S. , Kwon Soon-Hyo
Published: April 2024

Although the pathogenesis of solar lentigo (SL) involves chronic ultraviolet (UV) exposure, cellular senescence, and upregulated melanogenesis, underlying molecular-level mechanisms associated with SL remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the gene regulatory mechanisms intimately linked to inflammation in SL. Skin samples from patients with SL with or without histological inflammatory features were obtained. RNA-seq data from the samples were analyzed via multiple analysis approaches, including exploration of core inflammatory gene alterations, identifying functional pathways at both transcription and protein levels, comparison of inflammatory module (gene clusters) activation levels, and analyzing correlations between modules. These analyses disclosed specific core genes implicated in oxidative stress, especially the upregulation of nuclear factor kappa B in the inflammatory SLs, while genes associated with protective mechanisms, such as SLC6A9, were highly expressed in the non-inflammatory SLs. For inflammatory modules, Extracellular Immunity and Mitochondrial Innate Immunity were exclusively upregulated in the inflammatory SL. Analysis of protein–protein interactions revealed the significance of CXCR3 upregulation in the pathogenesis of inflammatory SL. In conclusion, the upregulation of stress response-associated genes and inflammatory pathways in response to UV-induced oxidative stress implies their involvement in the pathogenesis of inflammatory SL.
Synergistic Effect of a Combination of Proteasome and Ribonucleotide Reductase Inhibitors in a Biochemical Model of the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and a Glioblastoma Cell Line
Authors: Kulagin Kirill A. , Starodubova Elizaveta S. , Osipova Pamila J. , Lipatova Anastasia V. , Cherdantsev Igor A. , Poddubko Svetlana V. , Karpov Vadim L. , Karpov Dmitry S.
Published: April 2024

Proteasome inhibitors are used in the therapy of several cancers, and clinical trials are underway for their use in the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM). However, GBM becomes resistant to chemotherapy relatively rapidly. Recently, the overexpression of ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) genes was found to mediate therapy resistance in GBM. The use of combinations of chemotherapeutic agents is considered a promising direction in cancer therapy. The present work aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the combination of proteasome and RNR inhibitors in yeast and GBM cell models. We have shown that impaired proteasome function results in increased levels of RNR subunits and increased enzyme activity in yeast. Co-administration of the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib and the RNR inhibitor hydroxyurea was found to significantly reduce the growth rate of S. cerevisiae yeast. Accordingly, the combination of bortezomib and another RNR inhibitor gemcitabine reduced the survival of DBTRG-05MG compared to the HEK293 cell line. Thus, yeast can be used as a simple model to evaluate the efficacy of combinations of proteasome and RNR inhibitors.
Small Non-Coding RNAs and Their Role in Locoregional Metastasis and Outcomes in Early-Stage Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Escuin Daniel , Bell Olga , García-Valdecasas Bárbara , Clos Montserrat , Larrañaga Itziar , López-Vilaró Laura , Mora Josefina , Andrés Marta , Arqueros Cristina , Barnadas Agustí
Published: April 2024

Deregulation of small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) has been associated with the onset of metastasis. We evaluated the expression of sncRNAs in patients with early-stage breast cancer, performing RNA sequencing in 60 patients for whom tumor and sentinel lymph node (SLN) samples were available, and conducting differential expression, gene ontology, enrichment and survival analyses. Sequencing annotation classified most of the sncRNAs into small nucleolar RNA (snoRNAs, 70%) and small nuclear RNA (snRNA, 13%). Our results showed no significant differences in sncRNA expression between tumor or SLNs obtained from the same patient. Differential expression analysis showed down-regulation (n = 21) sncRNAs and up-regulation (n = 2) sncRNAs in patients with locoregional metastasis. The expression of SNHG5, SNORD90, SCARNA2 and SNORD78 differentiated luminal A from luminal B tumors, whereas SNORD124 up-regulation was associated with luminal B HER2+ tumors. Discriminating analysis and receiver-operating curve analysis revealed a signature of six snoRNAs (SNORD93, SNORA16A, SNORD113-6, SNORA7A, SNORA57 and SNORA18A) that distinguished patients with locoregional metastasis and predicted patient outcome. Gene ontology and Reactome pathway analysis showed an enrichment of biological processes associated with translation initiation, protein targeting to specific cell locations, and positive regulation of Wnt and NOTCH signaling pathways, commonly involved in the promotion of metastases. Our results point to the potential of several sncRNAs as surrogate markers of lymph node metastases and patient outcome in early-stage breast cancer patients. Further preclinical and clinical studies are required to understand the biological significance of the most significant sncRNAs and to validate our results in a larger cohort of patients.
In Silico Transcriptomic Expression of MSR1 in Solid Tumors Is Associated with Responses to Anti-PD1 and Anti-CTLA4 Therapies
Authors: Sanvicente Adrián , Díaz-Tejeiro Cristina , Nieto-Jiménez Cristina , Paniagua-Herranz Lucia , López Cade Igor , Balázs Győrffy , Moreno Víctor , Pérez-Segura Pedro , Calvo Emiliano , Ocaña Alberto
Published: April 2024

Immuno-oncology has gained momentum with the approval of antibodies with clinical activities in different indications. Unfortunately, for anti-PD (L)1 agents in monotherapy, only half of the treated population achieves a clinical response. For other agents, such as anti-CTLA4 antibodies, no biomarkers exist, and tolerability can limit administration. In this study, using publicly available genomic datasets, we evaluated the expression of the macrophage scavenger receptor-A (SR-A) (MSR1) and its association with a response to check-point inhibitors (CPI). MSR1 was associated with the presence of macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs) and neutrophils in most of the studied indications. The presence of MSR1 was associated with macrophages with a pro-tumoral phenotype and correlated with TIM3 expression. MSR1 predicted favorable overall survival in patients treated with anti-PD1 (HR: 0.56, FDR: 1%, p = 2.6 × 10−5), anti PD-L1 (HR: 0.66, FDR: 20%, p = 0.00098) and anti-CTLA4 (HR: 0.37, FDR: 1%, p = 4.8 × 10−5). When specifically studying skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM), we observed similar effects for anti-PD1 (HR: 0.65, FDR: 50%, p = 0.0072) and anti-CTLA4 (HR: 0.35, FDR: 1%, p = 4.1 × 10−5). In a different dataset of SKCM patients, the expression of MSR1 predicted a clinical response to anti-CTLA4 (AUC: 0.61, p = 2.9 × 10−2). Here, we describe the expression of MSR1 in some solid tumors and its association with innate cells and M2 phenotype macrophages. Of note, the presence of MSR1 predicted a response to CPI and, particularly, anti-CTLA4 therapies in different cohorts of patients. Future studies should prospectively explore the association of MSR1 expression and the response to anti-CTLA4 strategies in solid tumors.