bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrospun Poly (Vinylidene Fluoride-Co-Hexafluoropropylene) Nanofibers Membranes for Brine Treatment by Membrane Distillation
Authors: Albiladi Amjad , Gzara Lassaad , Organji Hussam , Alkyal Nazeeha , Figoli Alberto
Published: May 2023

The major challenge for membrane distillation (MD) is membrane wetting resistance induced by pollutants in the feed solution. The proposed solution for this issue was to fabricate membranes with hydrophobic properties. Hydrophobic electrospun Poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) nanofibers membranes were produced for brine treatment using the direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) technique. These nanofibers membranes were prepared from three different polymeric solution compositions to study the effect of solvent composition in the electrospinning process. Further, the effect of the polymer concentration was investigated by preparing polymeric solutions with three different polymer percentages: 6, 8, and 10%. All nanofibers membranes obtained from electrospinning were post-treated at varying temperatures. The effects of thickness, porosity, pore size, and LEP were studied. The hydrophobicity was determined by contact angle measurements, which were investigated by optical contact angle goniometry. The crystallinity and thermal properties were studied by DCS and XRD, while the functional groups were studied by FTIR. The morphological study was performed by AMF and described the roughness of nanofibers membranes. Finally, all nanofibers membranes have enough of a hydrophobic nature to be used in DCMD. PVDF membrane filter disc and all nanofibers membranes were applied in DCMD to treat brine water. The resulting water flux and permeate water quality were compared, and it was discovered that all produced nanofibers membranes showed good behavior with varying water flux, but the salt rejection was greater than 90%. A membrane prepared from DMF/acetone 5-5 with 10% PVDF-HFP provided perfect performance, with an average water flux of 44 kg.m-2.h-1 and salt rejection of 99.8%.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a Trap: The Role of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Tuberculosis
Authors: Cavalcante-Silva Luiz Henrique Agra , Almeida Fernanda Silva , Andrade Arthur Gomes de , Comberlang Fernando Cézar , Cardoso Leonardo Lima , Vanderley Shayenne Eduarda Ramos , Keesen Tatjana S. L.
Published: May 2023

Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex causes tuberculosis (TB), a disease that causes pulmonary inflammation but can also affect other tissues. Despite macrophages having a defined role in TB immunopathogenesis, other innate immune cells, such as neutrophils, are involved in this process. These cells have high phagocytic ability and a microbial-killing machine comprised of enzymes, antimicrobial peptides, and reactive oxygen species. In the last two decades, a new neutrophil immune response, the neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), has been intensely researched. NETs comprise DNA associated with histones, enzymes, and antimicrobial peptides. These structures are related to antimicrobial immune response and some immuno-pathogenesis mechanisms. This mini review highlights the role of NETs in tuberculosis and how they can be helpful as a diagnostic tool and/or therapeutic target.
NADP-Dependent Malic Enzyme Genes in Sweet Pepper Fruits: Involvement in Ripening and Modulation by Nitric Oxide (NO)
Authors: Taboada Jorge , Gozález-Gordo Salvador , Muñoz-Vargas María Ángeles , Palma José M , CORPAS FRANCISCO JAVIER
Published: May 2023

NADPH is an indispensable cofactor in a wide range of physiological processes which is generated by a family of NADPH-dehydrogenases, where the NADP-dependent malic enzyme (NADP-ME) is one member of these enzymes. Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruit is a horticultural product worldwide consumed which has great nutritional and economic relevance. Besides the phenotypical changes that undergo pepper fruit during ripening, there are many associated modifications at transcriptomic, proteome ic, biochemical, and metabolic levels. Nitric oxide (NO) is a recognized signal molecule that can exert regulatory functions in diverse plant processes. To our knowledge, there is very scarce information about the number of genes encoding for NADP-ME in pepper plants and their expression during the ripening of sweet pepper fruit. Based on a data-mining approach on the pepper plant genome and fruit transcriptome (RNA-seq), five NADP-ME genes were identified, and four of them, namely CaNADP-ME2 to CaNADP-ME5, were expressed in fruit. The time-course expression analysis of these genes during different fruit ripening stages including green immature (G), breaking point (BP), and red ripe (R) showed that they were differentially modulated. Thus, while CaNADP-ME3 and CaNADP-ME5 were upregulated, CaNADP-ME2 and CaNADP-ME4 were downregulated. Exogenous NO treatment of fruit triggered the downregulation of CaNADP-ME4. Furthermore, the analysis of the cis-regulatory elements showed that CaNADP-ME2 and CaNADP-ME5 were positively regulated by the light-responsive element Box4 whereas CaNADP-ME4 was by ABRE (ACGT-containing abscisic acid response element), which is involved in the abscisic acid (ABA) responsiveness. To get deeper knowledge on this enzyme system from fruits, we obtained the 50-75% ammonium-sulfate-enriched protein fraction containing CaNADP-ME enzyme activity, and this was assayed by non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The results allowed identifying four isozymes designated CaNADP-ME I to CaNADP-ME IV. Taken together, the data provide new pieces of information on the CaNADP-ME system with the identification of five CaNADP-ME genes and how the four genes expressed in pepper fruits are modulated during ripening and by exogenous NO gas treatment.
Are Protein Cavities and Pockets Commonly Used by Redox Active Signalling Molecules?
Authors: Hancock John T.
Published: May 2023

It has been well known for a long time that inert gases, such as xenon (Xe), have significant biological effects. As these atoms are extremely unlikely to partake in direct chemical reactions with bio-molecules, such as proteins, lipids and nucleic acids, there must be some other mode of action to account for the effects reported. It has been shown that the topology of proteins allows for cavities and hydrophobic pockets, and it is through an interaction with such protein structures that inert gases are thought to have their action. Recently, it has been mooted that the relatively inert gas molecular hydrogen (H2), also may have its effects through such a mechanism, and so influencing protein structures and actions. H2 is thought to also act through interaction with redox active compounds, particularly the hydroxyl radical (·OH) and peroxynitrite (ONOO-), but not nitric oxide (NO·), superoxide anions (O2·-) or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). However, instead of having a direct interaction with H2, is there any evidence that these redox compounds can also interact with Xe pockets and cavities in proteins, so either having an independent effect on proteins or interfering with the action of inert gases. This suggestion with be explored here.
A Comprehensive Analysis of Static and Dynamic Load Tests of a Long-Span Cable-Stayed Bridge with a Ground-Based Radar Interferometer
Authors: Chen Yaowen , Huang Qihuan , Zhang Tingbin , Zhou Ming , Jiang Liming
Published: May 2023

Bridge load testing is crucial in evaluating bridge load-carrying capacity and construction quality. However, conventional techniques have many limitations such as the need for direct contact and low acquisition frequency. This study provides a comprehensive examination of the static and dynamic load tests of a multi-span cable-stayed bridge utilizing a ground-based radar inter-ferometer (GB-radar). The case study was conducted at the Fifth Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge (FNYRB), which is recognized as the world's first lightweight steel-concrete composite cable-stayed bridge, with two spans measuring 600 m. To enhance measurement accuracy, a method was proposed to detect and recover radar phase jumps caused by vehicle motion. Furthermore, precise geometry projection was employed to acquire vertical displacements from GB-radar which were taken along the line-of-sight (LOS) direction. Moreover, during the static load test, a continuous deformation was observed with a maximum pace of 0.31 mm/min, indicating a post-construction settlement caused by soft soil consolidation. This case study highlights the high sampling frequency, high measurement accuracy, and exceptional weatherproof ability of GB-radar, thereby demonstrating its potential to be an alternative to the structural health monitoring (SHM) system.
Magnetic and Transformation Properties of Ni2MnGa Combinatorically Substituted With 5 atom.% of Transition Elements From Cr to Cu – Experimental Insight
Authors: Heczko Oleg , Rameš Michal , Kopecký Vít , Veřtát Petr , Varga Michal , Straka Ladislav
Published: May 2023

Heusler Ni-Mn-Ga alloys with martensitic transformation being multiferroic materials are touted for magneto- and multi-caloric effect (MCE) and moreover, they exhibit magnetic shape memory (MSM) phenomena. MCE benefits from high saturation magnetization and also large variability and sensitivity of transformation temperatures on alloying. In contrast, MSM phenomena are limited by low temperatures of both ferromagnetic and ferroelastic transformations. In an attempt to increase the transformation temperatures and to understand the physical fundamentals beyond transformation variations and magnetic ordering, we experimentally investigate the magnetic and transformation properties in Ni2MnGa alloyed with transitional elements spanning from Cr to Cu. These elements are consecutively substituted on Ni, Mn, and Ga sites, to establish the effect of positional substitution and elemental evolution. The elemental dependence of saturation magnetization, magnetocrystalline anisotropy, Curie temperature, and martensitic transformation temperatures are compared with (non-)stoichiometric Ni-Mn-Ga Heusler compounds. The observed behavior is complex and there are no clear trends of transformation temperatures as a function of the number of valence (non-bonding) electrons per atom, however, the saturation magnetization at 10K and Curie temperature seems to follow the Pauli-Slater curve. Obtained results can serve as useful rectification for the theoretical prediction of new Ni-Mn-Ga-X Heusler alloys.
Food Production Scheduling: A Thorough Comparative Study Between Optimization and Rule-Based Approaches
Authors: Samouilidou Maria E. , Georgiadis Georgios P. , Georgiadis Michael C.
Published: May 2023

This work addresses the lot-sizing and production scheduling problem of multi-stage multi-product food industrial facilities. More specifically, the production scheduling problem of the semi-continuous yogurt production process, for two large-scale Greek dairy industries, is considered. Production scheduling decisions are taken using two approaches: i) an optimization and ii) a rule-based approach, followed by a comparative study. A MILP model is applied for the optimization of short-term production scheduling of the two industries. Then, the same problems are solved using the commercial scheduling tool ScheduleProTM, which derives scheduling decisions, using simulation-based techniques and empirical rules. It is concluded that both methods, despite having their advantages and disadvantages, are suitable for addressing complex food industrial scheduling problems. The optimization-based approach leads to better results in terms of operating cost reduction. On the other hand, the complexity of the problem and the experience of production engineers and plant operators can significantly impact the quality of the obtained solutions for the rule-based approach.
Experimental Analysis of the Lightweight Fire-Rated Board on the Fire Resistance, Mechanical and Acoustic Properties
Authors: Yew Ming Chian , Yew Ming Kun , Yuen Richard K.K.
Published: May 2023

Using lightweight fire-rated board (LFRB) presents cost-effective opportunities for various passive fire protection measures. The aim of the project is to develop a LFRB with enhanced fire resistance, acoustic properties, and mechanical properties. These properties were determined using the Bunsen burner, furnace, energy dispersive X-Ray, impedance tube instrument, and Instron universal testing machine. To fabricate the LFRBs, vermiculite and perlite were blended with flame-retardant bind-ers, and four types of LFRBs were produced. A fire test was conducted to compare the fire-resistance performance of the LFRBs with a commercially available flame retardant board. The B2 prototype showed exceptional fire-resistant properties, with a temperature reduction of up to 73.0 °C as compared to the commercially available fire-rated magnesium board. Incorporating nano chicken eggshell into the specially formulated flame-retardant binder preserved the LFRBs’ structural integrity, enabling them to withstand fire for up to 120 minutes with an equilibrium temperature of 92.6 °C. This approach also provided an absorption coefficient of α = 2.0, a high flexural strength of 3.54 MPa, and effective flame retardancy properties with a low oxygen/carbon ratio of 2.60. These results make the LFRBs valuable for passive fire protection applications in the construction and building materials industry.
Rutin Promotes Proliferation and Orchestrates Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Angiogenesis in Human Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Hajimehdipour Homa , Tahmasvand Zahra , Nejad Fatemeh Ghorban , Maresca Marc , Rajabi Sadegh
Published: May 2023

Rutin has been reported as a potential anti-cancer agent for several decades. This study evaluated the effects of rutin on the proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. Increasing concentrations of rutin significantly stimulated the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells compared to controls. Wound scratch assay demonstrated that rutin had an inducing effect on the migration of the cells. In MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells, rutin upregulated MKI67, VIM, CDH2, FN1, and VEGFA and downregulated CDH1 and THBS1 genes. It also increased N-cadherin and VEGFA and decreased E-cadherin and thrombospondin 1 protein expression. Our data indicated that rutin could stimulate proliferation, migration, and pro-angiogenic activity in two different breast cancer cell lines. This phytoestrogen induced invasion and migration of both cell lines by a mechanism involving the EMT process. This suggests that rutin may act as a breast cancer-promoting phytoestrogen.
The Bidirectional Association Between Periodontitis and COVID-19: A Review of Current Evidence
Authors: Ting Miriam , Neiva Rodrigo , Tafline Leenus , Suzuki Jon B
Published: May 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought marked changes worldwide to the management of airborne infectious diseases. It sparked the development of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and pharmacotherapeutics to prevent infection and increase the survival rate during the acute viral phase and the comorbidities associated with COVID-19. Periodontal disease may increase the morbidity and perhaps the mortality of a COVID-19 infection. However, the molecular interaction between periodontitis and COVID-19 infection remains undetermined. A potential pathogenic co-morbidity may involve periodontal pathogenic release of destructive cytokines in the highly inflamed connective tissue and risk for COVID-19. Additional biomarkers such as C-reactive proteins appear to play a role for risk and pathogenesis of COVID-19. The potential of herpesviruses, especially as it is related to aggressive periodontitis may also be a comorbidity for COVID-19. This paper reviews available evidence on the bidirectional association between periodontitis and COVID-19.
Development and Evaluation of Apocynin Loaded pH-sensitive Nanoparticle Based Hydrogel for the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Akbar Rasikha , Khan Dildar , Sabir Muhammad Bilal , Shaukat Irfan , Rajpoot Irfa Basharat , Rehman Asim Ur , Dilawar Naz , Shah Shefaat Ullah , Nawaz Asif , Naz Faiqa Falak , Mehmood Saima , Basit Hafiz Muhammad , Alomar Suliman Yousef , Shah Kifayat Ullah
Published: May 2023

The aim of the current study was to develop and evaluate the therapeutic potential of apocynin (APO) loaded pH-sensitive nanoparticles (NPs) based transdermal hydrogel for management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Slightly modified nanoprecipitation technique was used for preparation of polymeric nanoparticles. Optimization was done through design expert software. Optimized APO-NPs were loaded into carbopol-934 based hydrogel as final dosage form and further studied for physicochemical properties. Optimized APO-NPs formulation had a minimum particle size 63.44 nm, polydisperibility index 0.161, and zeta potential -15mV with a maximum encapsulation efficiency of 89%. In-vitro and ex-vivo studies of APO-NPs based hydrogel was performed at pH 5.5 (pH of normal skin) and 6.8 (pH of inflammed joint) showed a pH-responsive sustained drug release and increased penetration in comparison to free APO based hydrogel. The stability studies of APO-NPs based hydrogel were done to strengthen the potential use of the prepared formulation through transdermal route. Assessment and therapeutic efficacy of the prepared pH-sensitive nanocarriers system was evaluated in chronic inflammatory RA mice model. Parameters associated with chronic inflammation were investigated including behavioral changes and histopathological, and radiological x-rays images of joints of mice paws. In-vivo study depicts improvement in behavioral parameter, decline in synovial hyperplasia and bone structure restoration. In conclusion, APO loaded pH-sensitive NPs based transdermal is a promising carrier system that can effectively manage RA.
Effect of Controlled Heat Treatment and Aluminum Additions on the Strengthening of Cu-Ni Based Alloys for Dental Applications
Authors: Rosales-Cadena Isai , Gonzalez-Rodriguez Jose Gonzalo , Diaz-Reyes Constancio , Guardian-Tapia Rene , Ruiz-Ochoa Juan Antonio , Ramirez-Arteaga America Maria , Lopez-Sesenes Roy
Published: May 2023

In this investigation, Cu-Ni alloys for possible fixed dental prostheses (FDPs), with different aluminum additions were produced using vacuum atmosphere. Annealed alloys (He atmosphere) with low aluminum concentration showed a coarse dendritic structure, while samples with high aluminum concentration showed a refined dendritic structure. Structural defects analyses have shown a relative low vacancy concentrations. Hardness value increases approximately five times for the alloyed samples compared with the as-cast and unalloyed samples. Compression test results have shown a noticeable strengthening improvement, mainly in samples heat treated with 10 at % Al, while samples with 5 at % Al presented also acceptable resistance. Results are discussed in terms of dislocation mobility and hardening precipitation mechanism.
Genetic Characterization and Association Study of Anti-nutritional Compounds in Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) Mutant Lines Using Genotyping‐by‐Sequencing (GBS)
Authors: Ryu Jaihyunk , Yang Baul , Lee Ye-Jin , Kim Dong-Gun , Kim Jae Hoon , Kim Juyoung , Kim Woon Ji , Kim Sang Hoon , Kwon Soon-Jae , Kim Jin-Baek , Kang Si-Yong , Lyu Jae Il , Bae Chang-Hyu , Ahn Joon-Woo
Published: May 2023

The phenolics concentrations of rapeseed are important because they are antinutritional com-pound or directly positive related to antioxidant actives. In this study, single nucleotide poly-morphisms (SNPs) identified from genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS), and genome-wide associa-tion study of phenolic contents were investigated in 95 rapeseed mutant lines derived from gamma rays and their original cultivar. A total of 3,196,318 SNPs were detected, identifying a set of 70,208 union SNPs used to perform association studies. Six phenolics and glucosinolate (pro-goitrin) were identified, sinapine was the major phenolic compound (91.2–99.2%) in all geno-types. The association study was conducted for six phenolic compounds, progoitrin, total sinap-ine content (TSC), total phenolic content (TPC) and seed yield. The association study identified 241 SNPs that were significantly associated with six phenolic compounds, progoitrin, TSC and TPC. Based on the detected SNP markers, BnaA06g31740D, a gene associated progoitrin, BnaC-nng39930D, a gene associated trans-sinapine 1, BnaA07g31720D, a gene associated trans-sinapine 2, BnaC03g31950D and BnaA06g09180D, a gene associated TSC, and BnaAnng27700D, a gene associ-ated TPC, were selected as candidate genes. The SNP makers associated major phenolic com-pounds identified and could be used as targets for breeding programs aimed at improving anti-oxidant contents and reducing antinutritional components.
Anthropogenic Damage, Land Cover Change and Mitigation of Mount Hamiding Protected Forest Area in North Halmahera District, North Maluku Province-Wallace Zone, Indonesia
Authors: Kailola Jacob , Purwanto Rishadi , Sumardi Sumardi , Faida Lies Rahayu W
Published: May 2023

Mount Hamiding Protected Forest is located in North Halmahera Regency, North Maluku Province, the Wallace zone has an important role in providing protection functions, life support systems and regulating water management, preventing floods, preventing seawater intrusion, and controlling soil fertility. The protected forest area in the Wallace Zone is globally renowned for its endemic characteristics of flora and fauna. The condition of the protected forest of Mount Hamiding HMPF is currently experiencing anthropogenic damage as a result of forest encroachment, illegal logging, shifting cultivation, grazing and poaching to meet social needs. Anthropogenic damage has been in the spotlight for decades and has become a global issue. This study aims to determine damage to protected forests, changes in land cover, and mitigation of protected forest areas. This research uses quantitative and descriptive qualitative methods. Determination of research locations by purposive sampling. Parameters measured in this study were damage to protected forests, changes in land cover and area mitigation strategies. To identify forest damage, snowball sampling was carried out, and land cover changes through land cover data processing were obtained from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia. Then using Imagery 7 ETM+ and 8 OLI to calculate changes in forested land to non-forested from 2006 -2021, analysis of land cover change using supervised classification, developing a strategy based on identity verification of forest damage and analysis of land cover change. The results showed that damage to protected forests was caused by anthropogenic disturbances in the form of forest encroachment, shifting cultivation, illegal logging, grazing and hunting of wild animals. Changes in land cover experienced the greatest damage in 2006-2021 amounting to 1,796.54 ha (16.17%). Strategic efforts are carried out using forest engineering, namely the agroforestry system and social engineering through community empowerment, namely training and outreach.
Balloon-based Exposed Payload Designed for Astrobiological Research in Earth’s Near Space
Authors: Wang Yanqiu , Wang Chao , Shen Jianxun , Li Weining , Wang Gaohong , Lin Wei , Jiang Yuanda
Published: May 2023

Earth’s near space is a region between 20 and 100 km above sea level, which is characterized by low temperature, low atmospheric pressure, harsh radiation, and extreme dryness. These conditions are analogous to the surface of Mars and the atmosphere of Venus, and thus make it a unique natural lab for astrobiologists. To address the important astrobiological questions of the effects of the near space environmental conditions on biology and of the survival strategies of representative organisms in this planetary analog, teams from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a scientific balloon platform named the Chinese Academy of Sciences Balloon-Borne Astrobiology Platform (CAS-BAP) and carried out a series of experiments in lower near space since 2019. Here, we describe the Biological Samples Exposure Payload (BIOSEP) loaded on CAS-BAP with respect to its structure and function. The primary role of BIOSEP is to expose biological/chemical samples to the planetary analog environments of Earth’s lower near space. Exposed samples will be returned to laboratories for morphological, physiological, chemical, and genetic analyses. The development of BIOSEP and associated biological exposure experiments will improve our understanding of the livelihood of potential Mars lives and the potential habitability of the atmosphere regions of other planets in the Solar System and beyond.
A New Method for Processing Geochemical Exploration Data: the Geological Connotation Method (GCM)
Authors: Zheng Shunli , Zheng Youye , Chen Xin , Yu Zezhang , Chen Lie
Published: May 2023

Exploration geochemistry is an essential method for discover new mineral areas. However, with the increase of exploration degree, relying solely on "strong, broad and multiple" anomalies to guide exploration work has become increasingly challenging. How to effectively identify valuable geochemical information remains a hot and frontier topic in the field. Thus we proposed a geological connotation method (GCM) that provides an objective geological connotation to big geochemical data based on regional geological and geochemical characteristics of known typical deposits. There are mainly two types of geochemical anomalies expression: (1) the metallogenic intensity anomaly map (MIAM) obtained by accumulating specific anomalous elements, which directly reflects the degree of material exchange and superposition modification during mineralization; (2) the metallogenic type anomaly map (MTAM) obtained by accumulating the mineralization concentration coefficients of elements related to a certain genetic type, which can highlight the anomalies caused by a specific genetic type of deposit. These have been tried and applied in the exploration of the Gangdese, North Himalayas, Nyenchen Tanglha and other metallogenic belts in Tibet, and have made a series of breakthroughs in mineral resources exploration represented by Qulong, Zhunuo and Zhaxikang. The advantage of GCM is that it not only solves the problem of missing ore in the verification of "strong, broad and multiple" anomalies, but also can quickly and preferably delineate the strongest mineralized areas, and better overcome the influence of numerous factors on the anomalies, such as the chemical nature of elements, redox environment, geomorphic landscape and weathering and stripping, so that the anomaly evaluation becomes simple, objective and highlights the regularity.
The Exploitation of Lysosomes in Cancer Therapy with Graphene-Based Nanomaterials
Authors: Ristic Biljana , Bosnjak Mihajlo , Misirkic Marjanovic Maja , Stevanovic Danijela , Janjetovic Kristina , Harhaji-Trajkovic Ljubica
Published: May 2023

Graphene-based nanomaterials (GNMs), including graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, and graphene quantum dots, may have direct anticancer activity or be used as nanocarri-ers for antitumor drugs. GNMs usually enter tumor cells by endocytosis and can accumulate in lysosomes. This accumulation prevents drugs bound to GNMs from reaching their targets, sup-pressing their anticancer effects. A number of chemical modifications are made to GNMs to facili-tate the separation of anticancer drugs from GNMs at low lysosomal pH and to enable lysosomal escape of drugs. Lysosomal escape may be associated with oxidative stress, permeabilization of the unstable membrane of cancer cell lysosomes, release of lysosomal enzymes into the cytoplasm, and cell death. GNMs can prevent or stimulate tumor cell death by inducing protective autopha-gy or suppressing autolysosomal degradation, respectively. Furthermore, because GNMs prevent bound fluorescent agents from emitting light, their separation in lysosomes may enable tumor cell identification and therapy monitoring. In this review, we explain how the characteristics of the lysosomal microenvironment and the unique features of tumor cell lysosomes can be exploited for GNM-based cancer therapy.
A Perturbed Milne’s Quadrature Rule for n-Times Differentiable Functions with Lp-Error Estimates
Authors: Hazaymeh Ayman , Saadeh Rania , Hatamleh Raed , Alomari Mohammad W. , Qazza Ahmad
Published: May 2023

In this work, in spite of Milne’s recommendation using the three-point Newton–Cotes open formula (Milne’s rule) as a predictor rule and three-point Newton–Cotes closed formula (Simpson’s rule) as a corrector rule for 4-th differentiable functions with bounded derivatives. There is still a great need to introduce such formulas in other Lp spaces. Often, we need to approximate real integrals under the assumptions of the function involved. Because of that, the aim of this work is to introduce several Lp error estimates for the proposed perturbed Milne’s quadrature rule. Numerical experiments showing that our proposed quadrature rule is better than the classical Milne rule for certain types of functions are provided as well.
Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP), Livelihood Resources and Aspirations of the Matigsalog and Ata Tribes
Authors: Macusi Erna S. , Sales Anthony C. , Macusi Edison D. , Bong-as Henzel P. , Cayacay Melanie A. , Omandam Juber L. , Schüler Marthje , Vidal Camila
Published: May 2023

The Philippines is an archipelagic country composed of different indigenous cultural communities (ICCs) spread across various islands. Many of these Indigenous Peoples (IP) are marginalized and do not have access to common resources enjoyed in the lowland areas. An initial assessment focusing on the evaluation of their available livelihood and resources was conducted, in order to find common solutions to existing problems. The assessment took place at the office of the tribal council of Matigsalog in barangay Datu Salumay, Marilog District, Davao City from April 11 to 13, 2023. There were about 42 participants in total for Matigsalog tribes (26 men and 16 women) who attended the meeting and there were 15 participants from the Ata tribe (7 men and 8 women). Validation of the study separately took place through a brief presentation of the results before 15 members of the tribe and a hiking visit in their farmlands. The study determined the existing livelihoods in the two areas which are mainly agricultural, farming of crops (rice, corn, cassava, sweet potato) and fruit trees (coconut, banana, durian, jackfruit, pomelo) and the resources as well as the community’s knowledge, systems, and practices with regards to agricultural crops including climate change. Their sustainable farming practices include intercropping, seed-saving, and exchange practices, preserving these crop varieties and ensuring their availability for future planting seasons, no usage of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. To conclude, the tribe’s aspirations and resulting recommendations are summarized, to facilitate more directed and effective governmental assistance.
Divided Continent: Unraveling the Roots of Income Polarization in Europe
Authors: Fabiani Michele
Published: May 2023

The issue of polarization, as opposed to inequality, has been little explored for European countries. in this paper, using harmonized data produced by Luxembourg Income Study Database, observes income trends for 12 European countries, showing an increase in polarization in many of the countries considered. the drivers that led to this concentration of income are also analyzed, noting heterogeneous factors within countries.
Recognition Mechanisms of Hemoglobin Particles by Monocytes – CD163 May Just Be One
Authors: Nimz Jonathan-Gabriel , Rerkshanandana Pichayut , Kloypan Chiraphat , Kalus Ulrich , Chaiwaree Saranya , Pruß Axel , Georgieva Radostina , Xiong Yu , Bäumler Hans
Published: May 2023

Hemoglobin based oxygen carriers (HBOC) as blood substitutes are one of the great hopes of modern transfusion and emergency medicine. After the major safety-relevant challenges of the last decades seem to be largely overcome, current developments have in common that they are affected by degradation and excretion at an early stage in test organisms. Several possible mechanisms that may be responsible for this are discussed in the literature. One of them is CD163, the receptor of the complex of haptoglobin (Hp) and hemoglobin (Hb). The receptor has been shown in various studies to have an affinity for Hb in the absence of Hp. Thus, it seems reasonable that CD163 could possibly also bind Hb within HBOC and cause phagocytosis of the particles. In this work we investigated the role of CD163 for the uptake of our HbMP (hemoglobin sub-micron particles) in monocytes and additionally screened for alternative ways of particle recognition by monocytes. In our experiments, blockade of CD163 by specific monoclonal antibody proved to partly inhibit HbMP-uptake by monocytes. It appears however, that several other phagocytosis pathways for HbMP might exist, independent of CD163 and also Hb.
Status Consumption and Negotiation of Tastes: Anchoring on Ethnic Capital
Authors: KARAÇİZMELİ Ayşe , ÖZHAN DEDEOĞLU Ayla
Published: May 2023

This study examines status consumption and socio-cultural tensions between wealthy Turkish indigenes and newly enriched Kurdish migrants in Şanlıurfa, an underdeveloped city in Turkey. The article focuses on ethnicity, which enables the construction and negotiation of consumer identities and (re)production of distinctions between competing groups under the conditions of marketization. Ethnic capital, a subcategory of social and cultural capital, refers to the dispositions, rituals, and skills of an ethnic group and its members and serves as a source of social power to reproduce group distinctions. The findings contribute to the literature by revealing that, in a context where modernity is not completely entrenched, ethnic capital can explain the scope of competitive status consumption and power struggles. Consumers can still remain attached to their ethnic capital, as they move between different competitive positions in the field of consumption. It has been found that ethnic groups see themselves as having superior qualities—and yet a need to improve—and try to reflect this not by emulating necessarily ‘the’ or ‘an’ other but by emulating lifestyle consumption.
Modeling Transient Flow Behavior of Off-Center Fractured Well with Multiple Fractures in Radial Composite Gas Reservoirs
Authors: Xu Youjie , Zuping Xiang , Yu Mengnan
Published: May 2023

Vertical hydraulic fracturing is widely used to develop low-permeability gas reservoirs. Uneven distribution of formation permeability and stress leads to multiple-wing hydraulic fractures with different lengths, which results in the wellbore not being the center of the circular stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) region. Therefore, to simulate the wellbore pressure of this phenomenon, a semianalytical model of the off-center multiwing fractured well in radial composite gas reservoirs is presented and the corresponding solution method is shown. The model is verified with the numerical solution, and eight flow regimes can be distinguished under the ideal case, which includes bilinear flow, fracture interference, linear flow, radial flow of inner region, transition flow of inner region, and radial flow of inner region. Compared with the previous model in which the well is at the center of radial composite gas reservoirs, in this paper we present an obvious “step” after the inner region radial flow regime, which is related to the off-center distance and radius of the inner region. In addition, the effects of some important parameters (such as off-center distance, permeability mobility, inner region radius, and fracture distribution) on typical curves are discussed. Finally, field well testing data are used to verify the accuracy of the model.
scEC&T-seq: a method for parallel sequencing of extrachromosomal circular DNAs and transcriptomes in single human cells
Authors: González Rocío Chamorro , Conrad Thomas , Kasack Katharina , Henssen Anton G.
Published: May 2023

Extrachromosomal DNA amplifications are common in cancer and are associated with decreased patient survival. A key feature of extrachromosomal circular DNA is its ability to be randomly mis-segregated to daughter cells promoting rapid intercellular heterogeneity. Understanding how extrachromosomal circular DNA dynamics contribute to intercellular heterogeneity remains crucial to better understand its role in tumor evolution and adaptation to therapy. Here, we introduce scEC&T-seq (single cell extrachromosomal circular DNA and transcriptomic sequencing), a method for parallel detection of extrachromosomal circular DNAs and full-length mRNA in single cancer cells. In this protocol, a single cell’s DNA is separated from its polyadenylated RNA as described by Macaulay et al. (2015)1. This is followed by removal of linear DNA through exonuclease digestion and further enrichment of circular DNA by rolling circle amplification with φ29 polymerase2-4. The separated mRNA from the same cell is processed using on-bead Smart-seq21. The duration of the entire procedure from cell sorting to library preparation is approximately 8 days. Our scEC&T-seq protocol has been validated in single cancer cells from neuroblastoma cell lines and primary tumors, and in normal single T-cells isolated from patient’s blood. Besides identifying large, oncogene-containing circular DNAs in cancer cells, our method also captures other smaller circular DNAs, which have been previously described in both cancer and non-malignant cells5. We envision that our method may enable the analysis of yet unknown prerequisites for the maintenance of both small and large circular DNA in cancers, but also in the context of other diseases and normal cellular development.
Age-specific variation of body mass and lipid reserves in Periplaneta americana (Blattodea: Blattidae)
Authors: Borah Nirmali , Hazarika Lakshmi
Published: May 2023

An experiment was conducted on age- specific variation of body mass (BM) and lipid reserves (LR) in Periplaneta americana (L.) (Blattodea: Blattidae). The BM and LR of adult females and males of P. americana fluctuated with age and the females were heavier and loaded with more lipids than the males. The BM and LR of both female and male P. americana showed positive correlation. In an another study on relationship between adult female BM and fecundity we found that an adult female fails to produce an ootheca or does not become reproductively active, until she attains a BM of 1.27 to 1.40 g; as such, 1.27 g may be considered the ‘threshold body mass’ below which a female fails to produce an ootheca. Moreover, positive and highly significant correlations between the female BM and ootheca number (ON) (r = 0.743) and BM and ootheca mass (OM) (r = 0.747) supported the idea that females with BM above the ‘threshold’ produce healthier oothecae with heavier offspring.
Responses of growth, yield and fruit quality of strawberry to elevated CO2, LED supplemental light, and their combination in autumn through spring greenhouse production.
Authors: Qiu Jiangbo , Cai Chuang , Shen Min , Gu Xinyue , Zheng Lei , Sun Lixia , Teng Yue , Yu Hongyan , Zou Luyi
Published: May 2023

During the whole growth cycle growth, yield and fruit quality of strawberry are often strongly affected by insufficient CO2 and low light in greenhouse production. However, it is still not clear what extent growth, yield and fruit quality of strawberry can be improved by elevated CO2 and supplementary light combination. We measured growth, yield and fruit quality of strawberries under four combinations of two levels of CO2, and two levels of light. Our results showed that yield enhancement throughout the growing season was 23.4% by elevated CO2, 21.46% by LED supplemental light, and 51.3% by their combination. Both elevated CO2 and LED supplemental light significantly increased soluble sugar content, but significantly decreased titratable acidity. LED supplemental light could partly or fully compensate for the negative impacts of elevated CO2 on soluble protein content, total phenol content, total flavonoid content, anthocyanin content, and total antioxidant capacity. Yield under four CO2 and light treatments was positively correlated with soluble sugar content, but negatively correlated with titratable acidity. Taken together, the combination of elevated CO2 and LED supplemental light largely improved both fruit yield and sweetness of strawberry during the autumn through spring in greenhouse. Optimal both CO2 and light is a worthwhile practice for improving strawberry production.
eDNA metabarcoding warms up a hotspot of marine biodiversity: Revealing underrepresented taxa in visual surveys and historical records from the Gulf of California
Authors: Loughlin Camila Mac , Valdivia-Carrillo Tania , Valenzuela-Quiñonez Fausto , Reyes-Bonilla Hector , Brusca Richard C , Munguia-Vega Adrian
Published: May 2023

Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is revolutionizing biodiversity monitoring, but comparisons against traditional data are uncommon. We targeted eukaryotes through the 18S barcode amplified from water samples at 20 sites from the Gulf of California (GC), and contrasted eDNA against 316 simultaneous visual surveys and a historical database with over 5k species. From 61k Amplified Sequence Variants, we identified 850 eukaryotic families, of which half represent new compiled records, including 174 families of planktonic, benthic, and parasitic invertebrates. eDNA revealed many overseen taxa, highlighting higher taxonomic ranks within micro invertebrates, microscopic fungi, and other micro eukaryotes from the supergroups Stramenopiles, Alveolata, and Rhizaria. The database combining all methods has doubled the number of distinct phyla, classes and orders compared to the historical baseline, indicating biodiversity levels in the GC are much higher than previously assumed. The estimated proportion of historical taxa included in public reference databases was only 18% for species, explaining the small portion of eDNA reads that were taxonomically assigned to species level (13%). Each method showed different taxonomic biases, with eDNA missing vertebrates, visual surveys targeting only seven phyla, and the historical records focusing on macroinvertebrates, fish and algae. Although all methods recovered the main known biogeographic regionalization, eDNA data did not support the historical pattern of higher diversity in the Central than Northern GC. While combining methods provides a novel view of biodiversity that is much more comprehensive than any individual approach, our study highlights many challenges in synthesizing biodiversity data from traditional and novel sources.
Mass Fabrication and Smart Deployment of “Calibration-free" Miniature Solid-State Potentiometric Sensors towards Digital Water Infrastructure
Authors: Fan Yingzheng , Dai Zheqin , Xu Zhiheng , Qian Xin , Xiang Wenjun , Lounder Samuel , McNamara Cole , McCutcheon Jeffrey , Asatekin Ayse , Li Baikun
Published: May 2023

Achieving digital water infrastructures requires efficient in situ collection and swift interpretation of vast amounts of data under spatial and temporal variations. Existing water sensors suffer from inconsistent quality, incur frequent (re)calibration before and after deployment, and impede reliable data interpretation across water infrastructures. In this study, a novel quality control/quality assurance (QC/QA) regime was developed for mass fabrication of miniature solid-state potentiometric ion-selective membrane (MSP-ISM) sensors through material-wise and device-wise advancements. Our goal was to minimize the discrepancy of sensor readings, assure the consistence of sensor Nernst slope (NS) and standard potential (Eo), and ultimately alleviate the needs of (re)calibration towards calibration-free (CF). Specifically, the material-wise advancement was performed by modifying the key components (e.g., ion selective membrane and solid contact) of the polymer matrix to enhance the NS consistence among multiple pieces of NH4+ MSP-ISM sensors and reduce the standard deviation (SD) from 2.38 mV/dec to 0.27 mV/dec. The devise-wise advancement was conducted by fabricate polymer membranes using electrospray to and fabricating the substratum electrode using aerosol jet printing, through which the variation of the E0 values was diminished from 7.58 mV to 1.39 mV and the uniformity and homogeneity of each layer of sensors were improved. Furthermore, the recalibration-free capability of CF-MSP-ISM sensors was examined in real wastewater over 14 days consecutively, exhibiting excellent accuracy with a discrepancy of less than 2 mg/L against the lab-based validation results. Finally, smart deployment of multiple pieces of CF-MSP-ISM sensors along the length of an anoxic/oxic (A/O) system and precision feedback control were simulated a plug-flow aerobic flexible control (PFAFC) model. The simulation results demonstrate that energy consumption saving and greenhouse gas (GHG, with N2O as the example) emission reduction can achieve 38.4% and 68.7%, respectively, compared with the one using traditional “single-point” monitoring. This high-resolution sensor profiling-based precise control strategy has a great potential to renovate the existing treatment facilities highly relying on excess energy consumption to meet the effluent requirement and explore an energy-saving and resilient operation with mitigated GHG emission.
Using ScRNA-seq to Reveal Lymphocyte Responses to ALV-J in Bone Marrow Microenvironment
Authors: Wang Lecheng , Zhou Xinyi , Yang Gang , Xie Tao , Chen Shutao , Cui Zhifu , Liu Anfang , Wang Qigui , Wang Haiwei , Lan Xi
Published: May 2023

Background: The main tumors in chicken caused by avian leukemia virus (ALV) are leukemia. The bone marrow microenvironment is the genesis of leukemia, but little is known about the state of the chicken bone marrow microenvironment under avian leukemia virus subgroup J (ALV-J) infection. Meanwhile, alterations in the immune status of the bone marrow microenvironment are closely associated with the development of leukemia.
Results: In this article, scRNA-seq was used on chicken bone marrow lymphocytes with different states of ALV-J infection to identify marker genes, cell states, and subgroups of lymphocytes. A total of eighteen clusters and their potential marker genes were identified. Among them, eight T cell clusters, two B cell clusters, and five tumor-like cell clusters were identified, whereas three clusters could not be identified. Among ten lymphocyte clusters, double-positive T cells (cluster_2), B1-like B cells (cluster_7), and cytotoxic T cells (cluster_9) responded strongly to ALV-J infection. Their differentially expressed genes were highly enriched in immune-related pathways and viral infection-related pathways, and they accounted for a large proportion and variation in samples with different clinical symptoms of ALV-J infection. The immunosuppressive state of bone marrow microenvironment was stronger after the occurrence of more severe ALV-J infection. Regulatory T cells and CTLA4T cells were more predominant in samples with more severe ALV-J infection. Immunosuppressive factors TGFB1 and IL16 were expressed in multiple clusters, and the expression of TGFB1 and IL16 was higher in samples with more severe ALV-J infection. ALV-J infected all clusters, but in the same cluster of cells, a fraction of cells expressed ALV-J transcripts, whereas the other fraction did not. Meanwhile, in the same cluster of cells expressing ALV-J transcripts, the pathway associated with intracellular antiviral infection, “Signaling by Rho Family GTPases” was activated. By using IPA analysis software, some upstream regulatory elements (MYCand MCYN) responsible for this difference were predicted.
Conclusions: Decreased immunocompetence in the bone marrow microenvironment caused by ALV-J maybe associated with occurrence of leukemia. The cells in the same cluster showed different susceptibility to ALV-J. Our results could contribute to the understanding of bone marrow lymphocytes in different infection states of ALV-J.