bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of Key Nodes in Multi-Layer Heterogeneous Aviation Network through Aggregating Multi-Source Information
Authors: Gao Qi , Hu Minghua , Yang Lei , Zhao Zheng
Published: July 2024

Aviation networks exhibit multi-layer characteristics and heterogeneity of nodes and edges. Identifying key nodes in a multi-layer heterogeneous aviation network (MHAN) and elucidating its cascading failure process are of great practical significance for enhancing the ability to resist failure and strengthening network resilience. Therefore, this paper first establishes the basic model of MHAN and then designs an intra-layer node importance evaluation method based on the improved TOPSIS-grey correlation analysis (ITG) method and an inter-layer influence weight quantification method based on the gravity model. By integrating the information transmission characteristics between network nodes, a key node identification method in MHAN through aggregating multi-source information is proposed. Finally, based on the actual overload operation of aviation networks, the initial load adjustment coefficient, capacity limit, and overload coefficient are introduced based on the traditional capacity–load model, a cascading failure model of MHAN considering overload condition and failure probability is constructed, and a node influence index based on this model is defined to verify the accuracy of the key node identification results. The instance analysis conducted on the aviation network in western China demonstrates that the intra-layer node importance evaluation method based on ITG yields results with better distinguishability and higher accuracy. The key nodes are predominantly hub en-route nodes and sector nodes. In the cascading failure model, increasing the overload coefficient and capacity limit within a specific range while reducing the initial load adjustment coefficient helps reduce the network failure scale. The key nodes identified by the node influence index are consistent with those identified by the method proposed in this paper, validating the accuracy and effectiveness of the key node identification method in MHAN through aggregating multi-source information herein.
Experimental and Numerical Simulation of Ejecta Size and Velocity of Hypervelocity Impact Rubble-Pile Asteroid
Authors: Liu Wenjin , Zhang Qingming , Long Renrong , Ren Jiankang , Li Juncheng , Gong Zizheng , Wu Qiang , Ren Siyuan
Published: July 2024

Rubble-pile asteroids may be the type of near-Earth object most likely to threaten Earth in a future collision event. Small-scale impact experiments and numerical simulations for large-scale impacts were conducted to clarify the size ratio of the boulder/projectile diameter effects on ejecta size–velocity distribution. A series of small-scale impact cratering experiments were performed on porous gypsum–basalt targets at velocities of 2.3 to 5.5 km·s−1. Three successive ejection processes were observed by high-speed and ultra-high-speed cameras. The momentum transfer coefficient and cratering size were measured. A three-dimensional numerical model reflecting the random distribution of the interior boulders of the rubble-pile structure asteroid is established. The size ratio (length to diameter) of the boulder size inside the asteroid to the projectile diameter changed from 0.25 to 1.7. We conducted a smoothed particle hydrodynamics numerical simulation in the AUTODYN software to study the boulder size effect on the ejecta size–velocity distribution. Simulation results suggest that the microscopic porosity on regolith affects the propagation of shock waves and reduces the velocity of ejecta. Experiments and numerical simulation results suggest that both excavation flow and spalling ejection mechanism can eject boulders (0.12–0.72 m) out of the rubble-pile asteroid. These experiments and simulation results help us select the potential impact site in a planetary defense scenario and reduce deflection risk. are comprised primarily of boulders of a range of sizes.
Farm Plot Boundary Estimation and Testing Based on the Digital Filtering and Integral Clustering of Seeding Trajectories
Authors: Ma Zhikai , Ma Shiwei , Zhao Jianguo , Wang Wei , Yu Helong
Published: July 2024

Farmland boundary data, an important basic data for the operation of agricultural automation equipment, has been widely studied by scholars from all over the world. However, the common methods of farmland boundary acquisition through sensors such as LiDAR and vision cameras combined with complex algorithms suffer from problems such as serious data drift, difficulty in eliminating noise, and inaccurate plot boundary data. In order to solve this problem, this study proposes a method for estimating the orientation dimensions of farmland based on the seeding trajectory. The method firstly calculates the curvature of the discrete data of the seeding trajectory; secondly, we innovatively use a low-pass filter and integral clustering to filter the curvature values and distinguish between straight lines and curves; and finally, the straight-line portion located at the edge of the seeding trajectory is fitted with a univariate linear fit to calculate the estimation of the farmland size orientation. As verified by the field experiments, the minimum linear error of the vertices is only 0.12m, the average error is 0.315m, and the overlapping rate of the plot estimation is 98.36% compared with the real boundary of the plot. Compared with LiDAR mapping, the average linear error of the vertices’ position is reduced by 50.2%, and the plot estimation overlap rate is increased by 2.21%. The experimental results show that this method has the advantage of high accuracy, fast calculation speed, and small calculation volume, which provides a simple and accurate method for constructing farmland maps, provides the digital data support for the operation of agricultural automation equipment, and has significance for farm digital mapping.
Field Performance Evaluation of Low-Cost Soil Moisture Sensors in Irrigated Orchard
Authors: Marković Monika , Matoša Kočar Maja , Barač Željko , Turalija Alka , Atılgan Atılgan , Jug Danijel , Ravlić Marija
Published: July 2024

Measuring the soil water content (SWC) is a fundamental component of the sustainable management of water resources, soil preservation, and high irrigation efficiency. Non-destructive SWC measurements using soil moisture sensors (SMSs) enables timely irrigation and reduces overirrigation and water stress. Within this context, the performance of four commercial single-point soil moisture sensors (Watermark and tensiometer (Irrometer Company, Inc., Riverside, CA, USA), SM150 (Delta-T Devices, Cambridge, UK)), FieldScout TDR300 (Spectrum Technologies, Aurora, IL, USA) and one soil profile PR2 probe (Delta-T Devices, Cambridge, UK) were tested under anthropogenic eutric cambisol with a silty clay loamy texture (20, 30, and 40 cm) to evaluate accuracy and sensitivity to changes in the SWC in an irrigated apple orchard. The Watermark and tensiometer were additionally tested in the laboratory to convert soil water tension (kPa) to the volumetric soil water content (%vol.). In general, all tested SMSs responded to changes in the SWC, with sensor-to-sensor differences. The Watermark and tensiometer underestimated the SWC, while the TDR overestimated the SWC. The SM150 and PR2 showed high accuracy, i.e., SM150—RMSE-2.24 (20 cm), 2.18 (30 cm) and 2.34 (40 cm), MSE—5.02 (20 cm), 2.93 (30 cm) and 1.89 (40 cm), and PR2—RMSE-1.8 (20 cm), 1.3 (30 cm) and 1.55 (40 cm), MSE-3.23 (20 cm), 1.7 (30 cm) and 2.39 (40 cm) at all observed soil depths.
Experimental Study on the Characteristics of Camellia oleifera Fruit Shell Explosion by Hot Air Drying
Authors: Xiao Zhifeng , Tang Xin , Ai Ziping , Liu Muhua , Deng Gelong , Xu Huilong , Tong Jinjie , Li Tao
Published: July 2024

The shell explosion by hot air drying is a critical step in the processing of Camellia oleifera fruit (COF), which directly affects the degree of the shell explosion, and the separation effect of Camellia oleifera seed and Camellia oleifera shell after the shell explosion of COF. To reveal the characteristics of the COF shell explosion, a hot air drying device was designed based on mass conservation and drying principles. The physical characteristics of COF and the evolution of drying parameters were thoroughly analyzed with a combination method of drying analysis and experimental. Moreover, under the conditions of air temperature 50–70 °C, relative humidity 20–50%, and air velocity 1.3–1.9 m/s, the internal relationship between COF shell explosion formation through hot air drying and the hot air drying medium was systematically investigated by response surface methodology, and a prediction model for the shell explosion rate of COF by hot air drying was constructed using statistical methods. Results demonstrated that decreasing the relative humidity and increasing the temperature and air velocity of the drying medium could reduce the dehydration time of COF. The moisture content of Camellia oleifera shell was found to be 177.45% d.b. (dry basis) at the initial cracking stage of COF. Furthermore, at temperatures ranging from 50 to 70 °C Deff values of COF were estimated to be within the range of 0.915 × 10−9 to 1.782 × 10−9 m2/s. Similarly, at relative humidity levels of 20 to 50%, Deff values ranged from 1.226 × 10−9 to 1.501 × 10−9 m2/s. At an air velocity of 1.3 to 1.9 m/s, Deff values ranged from 0.956 × 10−9 to 1.501 × 10−9 m2/s. The measured values of the shell explosion rate were in close agreement with that calculated using the fitted model, with a correlation coefficient of 0.997 and a root mean square error of 0.9743. This study will provide a theoretical basis for optimizing the shell explosion process and improving shell explosion rate of COF by hot air drying.
Nitrogen Rate Assessment for Greenhouse Gas Emission Mitigation and Quality Maintenance in Sustainable Turf Management
Authors: Verdi Leonardo , Caturegli Lisa , Magni Simone , Volterrani Marco , Dalla Marta Anna , Orlandini Simone , Baldi Ada
Published: July 2024

Turfgrass systems hold significant climate change mitigation value, but their management often negates the beneficial effects due to the intense adoption of external inputs. The research objective in this paper was to assess the nitrogen fertilization rate able to maintain the ideal esthetic characteristics of Zoysia turfgrass, reducing the environmental impacts associated with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A two-year open field experiment was conducted. Nitrogen was added to the soil at six rates (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 kg ha−1). The GHG emissions were monitored using a portable gas analyzer and the static chamber methodology. Cumulative environmental impacts were calculated from the inclusion of CO2, CH4, and, N2O using the Global Warming Potential (GWP). The quality assessment of the turf was assessed through a visual and instrumental approach. Higher CO2 and N2O fluxes were linked to high nitrogen rates, ranging from 83.55 to 87.50 and from 0.046 to 0.047 g N-N2O ha−1 day−1 for 200 and 250 kg N ha−1, respectively. CH4 emissions were not correlated to nitrogen rates. Higher GWP impacts were linked to high N rate treatments. A rate of 100 kg N ha−1 is recommended as the best strategy to reduce GHG emissions while maintaining high turf quality.
Structure–Activity Mechanism of Sodium Ion Adsorption and Release Behaviors in Biochar
Authors: Yang Kai , Jing Wei , Wang Jing , Zhang Kaizhao , Li Yaoming , Xia Meng , Zhang Kun , Mao Jiefei
Published: July 2024

Biochar is a soil amendment that has the potential to effectively improve soil salinization. However, there is a paucity of studies on sodium adsorption using biochar, and the adsorption mechanism remains unclear. To better understand the adsorption mechanism of Na+ on the surface of biochar, both pyrochar and hydrochar were produced at different temperatures. The capacity and influencing factors of Na+ adsorption in biochar were analyzed via batch adsorption experiments. Pore filling dominated the Na+ adsorption in the concentration of the NaCl solution when it was ≤100 mg/L, where wheat straw pyrochar (WB, 3.95–4.94 mg/g Na) and poplar wood chip pyrochar (PB, 0.62–0.70 mg/g Na) presented the release and adsorption of Na+, respectively. When the concentration of the NaCl solution was >100 mg/L, the adsorption capacity of WB (25.44–36.45 mg/g) was significantly higher than PB (4.46–6.23 mg/g). Both the adsorption and release of Na+ in hydrochar was insufficient. In a high concentration of NaCl solution, ion exchange became the key mechanism determining the adsorption of Na+ in pyrochar, in which K+ contributed to more than 94% of the Na+ adsorption. The findings proposed strategies for the structural design of biochar used for Na adsorption. These will promote the utilization of solid biowaste for sodium adsorption and the potential of soil salinization amendment for agriculture in arid lands.
Development of a Multiplex RT-PCR for Simultaneous Detection of Five Actinidia Viruses
Authors: Wu Kuan , Li Danyang , Wu Yunfeng
Published: July 2024

Kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) is a perennial fruit tree, and the fruit of kiwifruit is economically and nutritionally important worldwide. To date, approximately 23 species of kiwifruit viruses have been reported worldwide. As for the detection method for kiwifruit viruses, previous reports mostly used the single RT-PCR detection method. In the detection of kiwifruit viruses, multiplex RT-PCR has the advantages of being fast, reliable and inexpensive. In this study, a stable, efficient and reliable multiplex RT-PCR method for the detection of the five most common kiwifruit viruses was established. The concentrations of Mg2+ and HS-Taq and the annealing temperature in the multiplex PCR system were optimized. The results indicate that the optimal annealing temperature was 56 °C; the optimal concentration of added Mg2+ was 2 mM; and the optimal concentration of HS-Taq was 1.0 U/μL. The stability of the optimized multiplex RT-PCR system was verified by field sample testing, and the results showed that the multiplex RT-PCR system was stable, efficient and reliable. This will provide much convenience for the detection of kiwifruit viruses in the future.
Investigation of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ixodes Ticks from Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Omeragić Jasmin , Kapo Naida , Goletić Šejla , Softić Adis , Terzić Ilma , Šabić Emina , Škapur Vedad , Klarić Soldo Darinka , Goletić Teufik
Published: July 2024

Limited information is available regarding the presence of tick-borne pathogens and their distribution within Ixodes species in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This study aimed to identify Rickettsia spp., Babesia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) in Ixodes ticks collected from domestic and wild animals and vegetation in different regions across Bosnia and Herzegovina. A total of 7438 adult ticks, including 4526 Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes canisuga, and Ixodes hexagonus, were collected. Real-time PCR screening of 450 pooled I. ricinus samples revealed a 22.1% infection rate with at least one pathogen. Rickettsia spp. (6.3%) were found in ticks from dogs, cats, and goats, Babesia spp. (3.1%) in ticks from dogs and cattle, A. phagocytophilum (8.8%) in ticks from dogs, goats, and cattle, and B. burgdorferi s.l. (3.4%) in ticks from dogs and cats. Mixed infections with B. burgdorferi s.l. and A. phagocytophilum, as well as B. burgdorferi s.l. and Rickettsia spp., were found in two pools of I. ricinus from dogs and cats, respectively. Additionally, co-infection with Rickettsia spp. and A. phagocytophilum was confirmed in three tick pools from dogs and goats. Each tick from these pooled samples was individually retested to confirm the presence of pathogens. In the examined pooled samples of I. canisuga (1) and I. hexagonus (6), none of the tested pathogens were detected. Our findings represent the first detection of Rickettsia spp., Babesia spp., A. phagocytophilum, and B. burgdorferi s.l. in I. ricinus collected from domestic animals and vegetation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Considering the established infection rates, the detection of tick-borne pathogens in adult ticks collected from domestic animals and vegetation enriches the current knowledge of the presence of tick-borne pathogens at the local, regional, national, and broader levels.
Potential Role of SdiA in Biofilm Formation and Drug Resistance in Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Hai Haowen , Yang Mengyang , Cheng Zhuo , Ma Kai , Shang Fei
Published: July 2024

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) constitutes a significant cause of colibacillosis, a localized or systemic inflammatory disorder in avian species, resulting in considerable economic losses within the global poultry industry. SdiA (suppressor of division inhibitor) is a transcription factor recognized as a LuxR homolog in Escherichia coli, regulating various behaviors, including biofilm formation, multidrug resistance, and the secretion of virulence factors. However, the function of SdiA in APEC strains and its correlation with virulence and multidrug resistance remains unknown. This study probed into the function of SdiA by analyzing the effect of sdiA deletion on the transcription profile of an APEC strain. The microarray data revealed that SdiA upregulates 160 genes and downregulates 59 genes, exerting a particularly remarkable influence on the transcription of multiple virulence genes. A series of antibiotic sensitivity tests, biofilm formation assays, motility assays, and transcriptome analyses were performed, while a Normality test and t-test were conducted on the datasets. This research confirmed that SdiA inhibits biofilm formation by 1.9-fold (p-value < 0.01) and motility by 1.5-fold (p-value < 0.01). RT-qPCR revealed that SdiA positively regulates multidrug resistance by upregulating the expression of yafP, cbrA, and eamB. Collectively, the results of this study indicate the role of SdiA in the pathogenesis of APEC by controlling biofilm formation, motility, and multidrug resistance.
Comparison of Residual Network and Other Classical Models for Classification of Interlayer Distresses in Pavement
Authors: Cai Wenlong , Li Mingjie , Jin Guanglai , Liu Qilin , Lu Congde
Published: July 2024

Many automatic classification methods published can identify the main hidden distress types of highways, but they cannot meet the precise needs of operation and maintenance. The classification of interlayer distresses based on ground penetrating radar (GPR) images is very important to improve maintenance efficiency and reduce cost. However, among models of different complexities, which models are suitable for the interlayer distress data needs further verification. Firstly, to cover enough of the variable range of distress samples, the interlayer distress dataset collected containing 32,038 samples was subcategorized into three types: interlayer debonding, interlayer water seepage, and interlayer loosening. Secondly, residual networks (ResNets) that render easier to build shallower or deeper networks (ResNet-4, ResNet-6, ResNet-8, ResNet-10, ResNet-14, ResNet-18, ResNet-34, and ResNet-50) and five classical network models (DenseNet-121, EfficientNet B0, SqueezeNet1_0, MobileNet V2, and VGG-19) were evaluated by training and validation loss, test accuracy, and model complexity. The experimental results show that all models have high test accuracy with little difference, but ResNet-4, ResNet-6, SqueezeNet1_0, and ResNet-8 exhibit no overfitting which means they have good generalization performance.
Research on the Use of Reflective Thermal Insulation Coating on Railway Tracks and Wagons in Slovak Republic
Authors: Brumercikova Eva , Hofer Werner , Brumercik Frantisek , Bukova Bibiana , Zitricky Vladislav
Published: July 2024

Global warming is a process in which the temperature of the entire planet gradually increases. High temperatures affect the surface of the material and cause undesirable effects such as damage because of overheating of the material. This article describes the use of reflective thermal insulation coatings on railway tracks abroad. Part of the article describes the method of applying reflective coatings to railway tracks. The article examines, analyzes, and evaluates the effect of a reflective thermal insulation coating on the railway track and railway wagon in the conditions of the Slovak Republic.
Background-Filtering Feature-Enhanced Graph Neural Networks for Few-Shot Learning
Authors: Wang Binbin , Wang Yuemao , Xu Yaoqun
Published: July 2024

The fundamental idea behind few-shot learning is to employ sparse labeled data to effectively handle novel tasks, whereas most existing mainstream approaches mostly rely on prior experience gained from previous situations. Nonetheless, effective knowledge transfer is sometimes hampered by constraints on new samples and barriers between classes. To address these issues, this research presents a novel background-filtering feature-enhanced graph network (BFFE-GNN) that attempts to generate relationships between graphs in order to explicitly describe and transmit inter-class relationships. To specifically address the issue of inadequate information utilization brought on by sample background interference, which is frequent in classification tasks, we employ a novel background-filtering feature-enhanced graph network. Effective data information extraction from complicated datasets is challenging due to the original module’s relatively simple network structure during the feature extraction stage and the interference of the image background. The background-filtering module was specifically introduced, which enhances spatial attention. This not only improves the quality of feature extraction but also effectively lessens the influence of picture background on classification results. In addition, we have improved the background-filtering-based feature gap calculation by implementing a feature-enhanced module. To demonstrate the adaptability of the BFFE-GNN model, we not only ran experiments on two publicly available datasets, MiniImagenet and TiredImagenet, but we also created our own Tool dataset. The method’s exceptional performance and universal applicability in the field of few-shot picture classification are clearly demonstrated by the experimental findings, which indicate that it greatly outperforms the majority of existing similar methods. This discovery establishes a strong basis for further research in the field of few-shot learning in addition to offering fresh insights into the subject.
Measuring Sphericity in Positive Semi-Definite Matrices
Authors: Ferreira Dário , Ferreira Sandra S.
Published: July 2024

The measure of sphericity for positive semi-definite matrices plays a crucial role in understanding their geometric properties, especially in high-dimensional settings. This paper introduces a robust measure of sphericity, which remains invariant under orthogonal transformations and scaling. We explore its behavior in finite-dimensional cases. Additionally, we investigate the stochastic case by considering a normal distribution, analyzing the asymptotic normality of random matrices and its implications on the convergence properties of the proposed measure.
Association between the Maternal Gut Microbiome and Macrosomia
Authors: Zhong Zixin , An Rongjing , Ma Shujuan , Zhang Na , Zhang Xian , Chen Lizhang , Wu Xinrui , Lin Huijun , Xiang Tianyu , Tan Hongzhuan , Chen Mengshi
Published: July 2024

Fetal macrosomia is defined as a birthweight ≥4000 g and causes harm to pregnant women and fetuses. Studies reported that the maternal intestinal microbiome plays a key role in the establishment, growth, and development of the fetal intestinal microbiome. However, whether there is a relationship between maternal gut microbiota and macrosomia remains unclear. Our study aimed to identify gut microbiota that may be related to the occurrence of macrosomia, explore the possible mechanisms by which it causes macrosomia, and establish a prediction model to determine the feasibility of predicting macrosomia by early maternal gut microbiota. We conducted a nested case-control study based on an early pregnancy cohort (ChiCTR1900020652) in the Maternity and Child Health Hospital of Hunan Province on fecal samples of 93 women (31 delivered macrosomia as the case group and 62 delivered normal birth weight newborns as the control group) collected and included in this study. We performed metagenomic analysis to compare the composition and function of the gut microbiome between cases and controls. Correlation analysis was used to explore the association of differential species and differential functional pathways. A random forest model was used to construct an early pregnancy prediction model for macrosomia. At the species level, there were more Bacteroides salyersiae, Bacteroides plebeius, Ruminococcus lactaris, and Bacteroides ovatus in the intestinal microbiome of macrosomias’ mothers compared with mothers bearing fetuses that had normal birth weight. Functional pathways of the gut microbiome including gondoate biosynthesis, L-histidine degradation III, cis-vaccenate biosynthesis, L-arginine biosynthesis III, tRNA processing, and mannitol cycle, which were more abundant in the macrosomia group. Significant correlations were found between species and functional pathways. Bacteroides plebeius was significantly associated with the pathway of cis-vaccenate biosynthesis (r = 0.28, p = 0.005) and gondoate biosynthesis (r = 0.28, p < 0.001) and Bacteroides ovatus was positively associated with the pathway of cis-vaccenate biosynthesis (r = 0.29, p = 0.005) and gondoate biosynthesis (r = 0.32, p = 0.002). Bacteroides salyersiae was significantly associated with the pathway of cis-vaccenate biosynthesis (r = 0.24, p = 0.018), gondoate biosynthesis (r = 0.31, p = 0.003), and L–histidine degradation III (r = 0.22, p = 0.291). Finally, four differential species and four clinical indicators were included in the random forest model for predicting macrosomia. The areas under the working characteristic curves of the training and validation sets were 0.935 (95% CI: 0.851~0.979) and 0.909 (95% CI: 0.679~0.992), respectively. Maternal gut microbiota in early pregnancy may play an important role in the development of macrosomia and can be used as potential predictors to prevent macrosomia.
Impact of Antibiotic and Steroid Therapy on Leptospirosis Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study in Transcarpathia, Ukraine
Authors: Petakh Pavlo , Poliak Mykhailo , Kohutych Anton , Oksenych Valentyn , Kamyshnyi Oleksandr
Published: July 2024

Leptospirosis presents a significant health challenge in the Transcarpathian region of Ukraine, with higher incidence rates and mortality compared to national averages. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to investigate the effects of antibiotic and steroid treatments on outcomes in leptospirosis patients. Our analysis of clinical and laboratory data from a single center revealed that dexamethasone showed significant effects on various clinical variables, as did investigated antibiotics. Notable differences in clinical and laboratory outcomes were observed, particularly in direct bilirubin levels, which were significantly higher in non-survivors. ROC analysis demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity of direct bilirubin as a predictor of mortality. These findings highlight the importance of targeted treatment strategies and the potential of specific laboratory markers in improving leptospirosis management.
Single-Cell RNA-seq Analysis Reveals a Positive Correlation between Ferroptosis and Beta-Cell Dedifferentiation in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Ma Jiajing , Li Xuhui , Wan Xuesi , Deng Jinmei , Cheng Yanglei , Liu Boyuan , Liu Liehua , Xu Lijuan , Xiao Haipeng , Li Yanbing
Published: July 2024

Insulin deficiency in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is associated with beta-cell dysfunction, a condition increasingly recognized to involve processes such as dedifferentiation and apoptosis. Moreover, emerging research points to a potential role for ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of T2D. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential involvement of ferroptosis in the dedifferentiation of beta cells in T2D. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of six public datasets. Differential expression and gene set enrichment analyses were carried out to investigate the role of ferroptosis. Gene set variation and pseudo-time trajectory analyses were subsequently used to verify ferroptosis-related beta clusters. After cells were categorized according to their ferroptosis and dedifferentiation scores, we constructed transcriptional and competitive endogenous RNA networks, and validated the hub genes via machine learning and immunohistochemistry. We found that ferroptosis was enriched in T2D beta cells and that there was a positive correlation between ferroptosis and the process of dedifferentiation. Upon further analysis, we identified two beta clusters that presented pronounced features associated with ferroptosis and dedifferentiation. Several key transcription factors and 2 long noncoding RNAs (MALAT1 and MEG3) were identified. Finally, we confirmed that ferroptosis occurred in the pancreas of high-fat diet-fed mice and identified 4 proteins (NFE2L2, CHMP5, PTEN, and STAT3) that may participate in the effect of ferroptosis on dedifferentiation. This study helps to elucidate the interplay between ferroptosis and beta-cell health and opens new avenues for developing therapeutic strategies to treat diabetes.
What Are the Barriers Impeding Female Graduates in Higher Education from Pursuing Entrepreneurship in China? An Investigation from a Theory of Planned Behaviour Perspective
Authors: Chen Zhixiu , Guo Wuyuan
Published: July 2024

This study investigates the obstacles encountered by female graduates in China’s higher education system when considering entrepreneurship by employing the Theory of Planned Behaviour as an analytical framework. Although entrepreneurship is widely acknowledged as crucial for economic and personal growth, gender inequalities remain, with women being severely underrepresented. The primary objective of this study is to gain insight into the underlying reasons behind the reluctance of female university students, specifically in China, to pursue entrepreneurial ventures. In this study, we conducted 30 semi-structured interviews with female university students from different majors to identify the key barriers that discourage them from starting their businesses. The factors discovered are instrumental and affective attitudes towards entrepreneurship, subjective norms (family, friends, teachers, and others), and perceived behavioural control (encompassing past experiences, second-hand information, and anticipated obstacles). The results showed that a conservative familial atmosphere, risk-averse cultural norms, and limited access to helpful resources and experiences in universities are major obstacles. This study enriches the present knowledge by providing a detailed explanation of the gender-specific obstacles in entrepreneurship in the Chinese context. It proposes that interventions at the educational and governmental levels are imperative to promote female entrepreneurship.
Evaluating the Anti-Skid Performance of Asphalt Pavements with Basalt and Limestone Composite Aggregates: Testing and Prediction
Authors: Meng Yunwei , Chen Zhuochu , Wang Zixiao , Lu Hang , Qing Guangyan , Liu Zhongshuai , Wang Yanhai
Published: July 2024

This study investigates the skid resistance performance of asphalt mixtures containing composite aggregates of basalt and limestone. The research aimed to predict the service life of the asphalt mixtures and identify the optimal basalt content for enhanced performance. Using an accelerated friction tester, friction indices such as the British pendulum number (BPN), mean texture depth (MTD), and dynamic friction coefficient (Dµ) were measured. The study conducted accelerated wear tests on mixtures with varying basalt contents under different water flow rates and loads. Results indicate that anti-skid performance decreased with increasing water flow, load, and wear cycles, initially showing a sharp decline followed by a gradual stabilization. Orthogonal experiments determined that basalt content had the most significant impact on skid resistance, followed by load and water flow rate. By converting skid resistance and MTD values into IFI values, a four-area diagram was created to illustrate skid resistance deterioration. The four-area IFI diagram also demonstrated that higher basalt content significantly enhances the skid resistance and service life of asphalt mixtures. Cost analysis based on life prediction showed that a 40% basalt content mixture is cost effective while maintaining excellent skid resistance. A test section study further validated that a 40% basalt content ensures good skid resistance, with indoor test predictions aligning closely with field data. Although the test section has been operational for only two years, ongoing monitoring will provide further insights into long-term skid resistance performance.
Applications of Smart and Self-Sensing Materials for Structural Health Monitoring in Civil Engineering: A Systematic Review
Authors: Vasconcelos Ana Raina Carneiro , de Matos Ryan Araújo , Silveira Mariana Vella , Mesquita Esequiel
Published: July 2024

Civil infrastructures are constantly exposed to environmental effects that can contribute to deterioration. Early detection of damage is crucial to prevent catastrophic failures. Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems are essential for ensuring the safety and reliability of structures by continuously monitoring and recording data to identify damage-induced changes. In this context, self-sensing composites, formed by incorporating conductive nanomaterials into a matrix, offer intrinsic sensing capabilities through piezoresistivity and various conduction mechanisms. The paper reviews how SHM with self-sensing materials can be applied to civil infrastructure while also highlighting important research articles in this field. The result demonstrates increased dissemination of self-sensing materials for civil engineering worldwide. Their use in core infrastructure components enhances functionality, safety, and transportation efficiency. Among nanomaterials used as additions to produce self-sensing materials in small portions, carbon nanotubes have the most citations and, consequently, the most studies, followed by carbon fiber and steel fiber. This highlight identifies knowledge gaps, benchmark technologies, and outlines self-sensing materials for future research.
Imaging-Based Disease Assessment and Management Recommendations: Impact of Multidisciplinary Sarcoma Tumor Board
Authors: Jubane Maverick , Rennick Andrew C. , Villavicencio Joseph J. , Ferreira de Souza Felipe , Peters Vanessa , Jonczak Emily , Bialick Steven , Dhir Aditi , Grossman Julie , Trent Jonathan C. , D’Amato Gina , Rosenberg Andrew E. , Hornicek Francis J. , Yechieli Raphael L. , Subhawong Ty , Alessandrino Francesco
Published: July 2024

Multidisciplinary tumor boards (MTBs) facilitate decision-making among subspecialists in the care of oncology patients, but the mechanisms by which they enhance outcomes remain incompletely understood. Our aim was to measure the agreement between sarcoma MTBs and radiology reports’ disease assessment and management recommendations. This single-center IRB-approved retrospective study evaluated cases presented at a weekly sarcoma MTB from 1 August 2020 to 31 July 2021. Cases without clinical notes, imaging studies, or radiology reports were excluded. The data collected included the patient’s clinical status at the time of the MTB, the treatment response assessment by the MTB and radiologists (stable disease; partial response; complete response; progressive disease/recurrence), and the recommendations of the radiology reports and of the MTB. The agreement between the initial radiologist review and MTB on disease assessment and recommendations was analyzed using kappa statistics. In total, 283 cases met the inclusion criteria. Radiology reports provided recommendations in 34.3% of cases, which were adhered to by the ordering providers in 73.2% of cases. The agreement between MTBs and radiology reports was moderate in disease assessment (86.2% agreement; κ = 0.78; p < 0.0001) and negligible in recommendations (36% agreement; κ = 0.18; p < 0.0001). Radiologists were more likely to assign progressive disease/recurrence than MTBs (54.4% vs. 44.4%; p < 0.001) and to recommend short-term imaging follow-up more commonly than MTBs (46.4% vs. 21.7%; p < 0.001). At a tertiary care center, radiologists’ isolated interpretations of imaging findings and management recommendations frequently differ from the MTB’s consensus, reflecting the value of multidisciplinary discussions incorporating the patient’s clinical status and the available treatment options into the final radiographic assessment.
Use Cases Requiring Privacy-Preserving Record Linkage in Paediatric Oncology
Authors: Hayn Dieter , Kreiner Karl , Sandner Emanuel , Baumgartner Martin , Jammerbund Bernhard , Falgenhauer Markus , Düster Vanessa , Devi-Marulkar Priyanka , Schleiermacher Gudrun , Ladenstein Ruth , Schreier Guenter
Published: July 2024

Large datasets in paediatric oncology are inherently rare. Therefore, it is paramount to fully exploit all available data, which are distributed over several resources, including biomaterials, images, clinical trials, and registries. With privacy-preserving record linkage (PPRL), personalised or pseudonymised datasets can be merged, without disclosing the patients’ identities. Although PPRL is implemented in various settings, use case descriptions are currently fragmented and incomplete. The present paper provides a comprehensive overview of current and future use cases for PPRL in paediatric oncology. We analysed the literature, projects, and trial protocols, identified use cases along a hypothetical patient journey, and discussed use cases with paediatric oncology experts. To structure PPRL use cases, we defined six key dimensions: distributed personalised records, pseudonymisation, distributed pseudonymised records, record linkage, linked data, and data analysis. Selected use cases were described (a) per dimension and (b) on a multi-dimensional level. While focusing on paediatric oncology, most aspects are also applicable to other (particularly rare) diseases. We conclude that PPRL is a key concept in paediatric oncology. Therefore, PPRL strategies should already be considered when starting research projects, to avoid distributed data silos, to maximise the knowledge derived from collected data, and, ultimately, to improve outcomes for children with cancer.
Catalytic Cascade for Biomass Valorisation: Coupled Hydrogen Transfer Initiated Dehydration and Self-Aldol Condensation for the Synthesis of 2-methyl-pent-2-enal from 1,3-propanediol
Authors: Ma Yueyuan , Wang Yue-Ming , Lorenzini Fabio , Marr Andrew Craig
Published: July 2024

A one-pot, one-step protocol combining hydrogen transfer initiated dehydration (HTID) of 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO), catalysed by [Cp*IrCl2(NHC)] (Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl; NHC = carbene ligand) complexes (1-5H and 1-3F), and self-aldol condensation (SAC) of propanal (2), allowed selective production of C6 aldehyde 2-methyl-pent-2-enal (3), in ionic liquids with high substrate conversion. This shows, for the first time, the conversion of 1,3-propanediol to C6 aldehydes in one pot via a catalytic hydrogen borrowing methodology. The Ir(III) pre-catalysts and the ionic liquids were recyclable. C6 aldehyde 2-methyl-pent-2-enal could also be selectively produced in the presence of water and in neat 1,3-PDO. The efficient, selective delivery of a value-added chemical from 1,3-PDO, a major product of many whole-cell bacterial fermentation processes, shows that the combination of chemo-catalytic processing of the chemical platform via Cp*IrCl2(NHC)-catalysed HTID/SAC with bio-catalysis has the potential to allow direct valorisation of the bio-renewable feedstocks, such as waste glycerol and sugars, into valuable chemicals.
Alpha Synuclein Toxicity and Non-Motor Parkinson’s
Authors: Mazzotta Gabriella M. , Conte Carmela
Published: July 2024

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common multisystem neurodegenerative disorder affecting 1% of the population over the age of 60 years. The main neuropathological features of PD are the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and the presence of alpha synuclein (αSyn)-rich Lewy bodies both manifesting with classical motor signs. αSyn has emerged as a key protein in PD pathology as it can spread through synaptic networks to reach several anatomical regions of the body contributing to the appearance of non-motor symptoms (NMS) considered prevalent among individuals prior to PD diagnosis and persisting throughout the patient’s life. NMS mainly includes loss of taste and smell, constipation, psychiatric disorders, dementia, impaired rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, urogenital dysfunction, and cardiovascular impairment. This review summarizes the more recent findings on the impact of αSyn deposits on several prodromal NMS and emphasizes the importance of early detection of αSyn toxic species in biofluids and peripheral biopsies as prospective biomarkers in PD.
Soluble CD40 Ligand as a Promising Biomarker in Cancer Diagnosis
Authors: Pazoki Alireza , Dadfar Sepehr , Shadab Alireza , Haghmorad Dariush , Oksenych Valentyn
Published: July 2024

Cancer remains a significant challenge in medicine due to its complexity and heterogeneity. Biomarkers have emerged as vital tools for cancer research and clinical practice, facilitating early detection, prognosis assessment, and treatment monitoring. Among these, CD40 ligand (CD40L) has gained attention for its role in immune response modulation. Soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) has shown promise as a potential biomarker in cancer diagnosis and progression, reflecting interactions between immune cells and the tumor microenvironment. This review explores the intricate relationship between sCD40L and cancer, highlighting its diagnostic and prognostic potential. It discusses biomarker discovery, emphasizing the need for reliable markers in oncology, and elucidates the roles of CD40L in inflammatory responses and interactions with tumor cells. Additionally, it examines sCD40L as a biomarker, detailing its significance across various cancer types and clinical applications. Moreover, the review focuses on therapeutic interventions targeting CD40L in malignancies, providing insights into cellular and gene therapy approaches and recombinant protein-based strategies. The clinical effectiveness of CD40L-targeted therapy is evaluated, underscoring the need for further research to unlock the full potential of this signaling pathway in cancer management.
Wnt5a Promotes Axon Elongation in Coordination with the Wnt–Planar Cell Polarity Pathway
Authors: Ahmad Samar , Attisano Liliana
Published: July 2024

The establishment of neuronal polarity, involving axon specification and outgrowth, is critical to achieve the proper morphology of neurons, which is important for neuronal connectivity and cognitive functions. Extracellular factors, such as Wnts, modulate diverse aspects of neuronal morphology. In particular, non-canonical Wnt5a exhibits differential effects on neurite outgrowth depending upon the context. Thus, the role of Wnt5a in axon outgrowth and neuronal polarization is not completely understood. In this study, we demonstrate that Wnt5a, but not Wnt3a, promotes axon outgrowth in dissociated mouse embryonic cortical neurons and does so in coordination with the core PCP components, Prickle and Vangl. Unexpectedly, exogenous Wnt5a-induced axon outgrowth was dependent on endogenous, neuronal Wnts, as the chemical inhibition of Porcupine using the IWP2- and siRNA-mediated knockdown of either Porcupine or Wntless inhibited Wnt5a-induced elongation. Importantly, delayed treatment with IWP2 did not block Wnt5a-induced elongation, suggesting that endogenous Wnts and Wnt5a act during specific timeframes of neuronal polarization. Wnt5a in fibroblast-conditioned media can associate with small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), and we also show that these Wnt5a-containing sEVs are primarily responsible for inducing axon elongation.
Imbalance of B-Cell Subpopulations in the Microenvironment of Sarcoidosis or Lung Cancer
Authors: Raniszewska Agata , Kwiecień Iwona , Rutkowska Elżbieta , Bednarek Joanna , Sokołowski Rafał , Miklusz Piotr , Rzepecki Piotr , Jahnz-Różyk Karina
Published: July 2024

Although the role of T lymphocytes in sarcoidosis (SA) and lung cancer (LC) is quite well reported, the occurrence of B cells in disease microenvironments may suggest their potential role as natural modifiers of the immune response. The aim of this study was to investigate the B-cell profile and lymphocyte-related hematological parameters between patients with SA, LC and healthy controls (HCs). The cells were assessed by flow cytometry and a hematological analyzer in peripheral blood (PB) and material from lymph nodes (LNs) obtained by the EBUS/TBNA method. We showed that in SA patients, there were higher percentages of naïve B and CD21low B cells and a lower percentage of class-switched memory B cells than LC patients in LNs. We observed a higher median proportion of non-switched memory and transitional B cells in the PB of SA patients than in LC patients. We noticed the lowest median proportion of class-switched memory B cells in the PB from SA patients. LC patients had a higher percentage of RE-LYMP and AS-LYMP than SA patients. Our study presented a different profile of B-cell subpopulations in SA and LC patients, distinguishing dominant subpopulations, and showed the relocation from distant compartments of the circulation to the disease microenvironment, thus emphasizing their role.
Male Tract Microbiota and Male Infertility
Authors: Grande Giuseppe , Graziani Andrea , De Toni Luca , Garolla Andrea , Ferlin Alberto
Published: July 2024

In recent years, several studies have analyzed the composition of the male genital tract microbiota and its changes in infertility or in different situations associated with infertility. The aim of this narrative review is to obtain more insight on this topic; in particular, to describe actual evidence about changes in the semen microbiota in patients with infertility, male tract infections, or HPV infections. In semen, an increase in semen Prevotella spp. is associated with oligozoospermia and with obesity-associated asthenozoospermia; an increase in Pseudomonas is more frequently associated with asthenozoospermia and oligozoospermia; a reduction in Lactobacilli spp. (namely in Lactobacillus crispatus) may represent a marker of low semen quality. However, an increase in Lactobacillus iners is considered a risk factor for a reduced sperm concentration. In patients with prostatitis, there is a reduction in Lactobacillus spp. and an increase in Streptococcus spp., opening important perspectives about the role of probiotic treatments in these patients. Finally, an increase in Fusobacteria spp. was observed in patients with an HPV infection. In the conclusion, we underline the interactions between the seminal and vaginal microbiota, so that further studies should focus on the “couple genital microbiota”.