bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal Distress and Adolescent Mental Health in Poor Chinese Single-Mother Families: Filial Responsibilities—Risks or Buffers?
Authors: Leung Janet T. Y. , Shek Daniel T. L. , To Siu-Ming , Ngai So-Wa
Published: April 2023

Single motherhood and poverty have a significant, negative impact on mothers and their children. When their mothers experience maternal distress, adolescent children have to take up more instrumental and emotional filial responsibilities to comfort their mother and adapt to related changes. Based on 325 mother–child dyads of Chinese single-mother families experiencing economic disadvantage, this study examined the relationship between maternal distress and adolescent mental health problems (indexed by anxiety and depression) and the moderating roles of instrumental and emotional filial responsibilities. Results indicated that maternal distress was positively associated with anxiety and depression in adolescent children. In addition, instrumental filial responsibility intensified the associations of maternal distress with adolescent anxiety and depression. Moreover, the moderating role of emotional filial responsibility in the predictive relationship between maternal distress and adolescent anxiety was different in boys and girls. Adolescent girls with more emotional filial responsibility reported higher adolescent anxiety than did those who shouldered less emotional filial responsibility when their mother exhibited more distress, whereas the relationship between maternal distress and adolescent anxiety was stable in boys, regardless of emotional filial responsibility. In short, the present study showed that parentification was likely to occur in poor Chinese single-mother families, and adolescent children who took up a more caregiving role in the family exhibited poorer mental health. Family counselling and tangible support for single-mother families experiencing economic disadvantage are urged.
The Contribution of Intersectoral Healthcare Centres with an Extended Outpatient Care Model to Improve Regional Care-Structures—A Qualitative Study
Authors: Sturm Heidrun , Kaiser Florian , Leibinger Philipp , Drechsel-Grau Edgar , Joos Stefanie , Schmid Andreas
Published: April 2023

Many smaller hospitals in Germany are currently threatened with closure due to economic reasons and politically derived centralization. In some—especially rural areas—this may result in a lack of accessible local care structures. At the same time, patients are unnecessarily admitted to hospitals due to insufficient primary care structures and healthcare coordination. Intersectoral health centers (IHC), as new intermediary structures, may offer round-the-clock monitoring (Extended Outpatient Care, EOC), with fewer infrastructure needs than hospitals and, thus, could offer a sustainable solution. In an iterative process, 30 expert interviews (with physicians, nurses and other healthcare experts) formed the basis for the derivation of diagnostic groups, relevant related patient characteristics and scenarios, as well as structural preconditions necessary for safe care in the setting of the new model of IHC/EOC. Additionally, three workshops within the multidisciplinary research team (including healthcare services researchers, GPs, and health economists) were performed. Inductive categories on disease-, case-, sociodemographic- and infrastructure-related criteria were derived following thematic analysis. Due to the expert interviews, general practice equipment plus continuous monitoring beds should form the basic infrastructure for EOCs, which should be adjusted to local needs and infrastructure demands. GPs could be aided through (electronic) support by other specialists. IHC, as a physician-led facility, should rely on experienced nurses to allow for 24-h services and to support integrated team-based primary care with GPs. Alongside nurses, case managers, therapists and social workers can be included in the structure, allowing for improved integration of (primary) care services. In order to sustain low-threshold, local access to care, especially in rural areas, IHC with extended monitoring and integration of coordinative support, emerged as a promising solution that could solve many common patient needs without the need for hospital-based inpatient care.
Mapping Imprecision: How to Geocode Data from Inaccurate Historic Maps
Authors: Panecki Tomasz
Published: April 2023

This paper aims to present and discuss the method of geocoding historical place names from historic maps that cannot be georeferenced in the GIS environment. This concerns especially maps drawn in the early modern period, i.e., before the common use of precise topographic surveys. Such maps are valuable sources of place names and geocoding them is an asset to historical and geographical analyses. Geocoding is a process of matching spatial data (such as place names) with reference datasets (databases, gazetteers) and therefore giving them geographic coordinates. Such referencing can be done using multiple tools (online, desktop), reference datasets (modern, historical) and methods (manual, semi-automatic, automatic), but no suitable approach to handling inaccurate historic maps has yet been proposed. In this paper, selected geocoding strategies were described, as well as the author’s method of matching place names from inaccurate cartographic sources. The study was based on Charles Perthées maps of Polish palatinates (1:225,000, 1783–1804)—maps that are not mathematically precise enough to be georeferenced. The proposed semi-automatic and curated approach results in 85% accuracy. It reflects the manual workflow of historical geographers who identify place names with their modern counterparts by analysing their location and proper name.
Delineation of G Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase Phosphorylation Sites within the D1 Dopamine Receptor and Their Roles in Modulating β-Arrestin Binding and Activation
Authors: Moritz Amy E. , Madaras Nora S. , Rankin Michele L. , Inbody Laura R. , Sibley David R.
Published: April 2023

The D1 dopamine receptor (D1R) is a G protein-coupled receptor that signals through activating adenylyl cyclase and raising intracellular cAMP levels. When activated, the D1R also recruits the scaffolding protein β-arrestin, which promotes receptor desensitization and internalization, as well as additional downstream signaling pathways. These processes are triggered through receptor phosphorylation by G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs), although the precise phosphorylation sites and their role in recruiting β-arrestin to the D1R remains incompletely described. In this study, we have used detailed mutational and in situ phosphorylation analyses to completely identify the GRK-mediated phosphorylation sites on the D1R. Our results indicate that GRKs can phosphorylate 14 serine and threonine residues within the C-terminus and the third intracellular loop (ICL3) of the receptor, and that this occurs in a hierarchical fashion, where phosphorylation of the C-terminus precedes that of the ICL3. Using β-arrestin recruitment assays, we identified a cluster of phosphorylation sites in the proximal region of the C-terminus that drive β-arrestin binding to the D1R. We further provide evidence that phosphorylation sites in the ICL3 are responsible for β-arrestin activation, leading to receptor internalization. Our results suggest that distinct D1R GRK phosphorylation sites are involved in β-arrestin binding and activation.
Mast Cells in Human Health and Diseases
Authors: Traina Giovanna
Published: April 2023

This Special Issue includes articles that discuss several important aspects regarding the role of mast cells (MCs) and elucidate some cellular and molecular mechanisms of these multifaceted cells [...]
The Effect of the Sterile Insect Technique on Vibrational Communication: The Case of Bagrada hilaris (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)
Authors: Peccerillo Chiara , Mainardi Chiara Elvira , Nieri Rachele , Fouani Jalal Melhem , Cemmi Alessia , Cristofaro Massimo , Anfora Gianfranco , Mazzoni Valerio
Published: April 2023

The painted bug, Bagrada hilaris, is an agricultural pest in its original areas (Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East), and it has recently been recorded as an invasive species in southwestern part of the US, Chile, Mexico, and two islands in the Mediterranean basin. Its polyphagous diet causes severe damage to economically important crops. The control of this pest is primarily achieved by means of synthetic pesticides, which are often expensive, ineffective, and harmful to the ecosystem. Recent physiological bioassays to assess its potential control through the sterile insect technique demonstrated that mating between untreated females and males irradiated at doses of 64 and 100 Gy, respectively, resulted in 90% and 100% sterility of the eggs produced by the females. In this study, the mating abilities of virgin males irradiated at 60 and 100 Gy with virgin females were measured through a study of short-range courtship mediated by vibrational communication. The results indicate that males irradiated at 100 Gy emit signals with lower peak frequencies, mate significantly less than unirradiated males do, and do not surpass the early stages of courtship. Conversely, males irradiated at 60 Gy present vibrational signal frequencies that are comparable to those of the control and successfully mated males. Our findings suggest that B. hilaris individuals irradiated at 60 Gy are good candidates for the control of this species, given that they retain sexual competitiveness regardless of their sterility, through an area-wide program that incorporates the sterile insect technique.
Flight Phenology of Elasmopalpus lignosellus (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in the Northwest Florida Panhandle
Authors: Santos Abraão A. , dos Santos Izailda B. , Paula-Moraes Silvana V.
Published: April 2023

Elasmopalpus lignosellus Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), the lesser cornstalk borer (LCSB), is an economically important peanut pest in the southeastern U.S. region, and its occurrence and abundance have been associated with warm and dry conditions. In the Northwestern Florida Panhandle (USA), the LCSB occurrence and abundance are unknown. Thus, a study in this region used commercial sex pheromones to capture male moths year-round from July/2017 to June/2021. Our results indicated that the LCSBs were present in the region from April to December, with higher abundance in August. Moths were also caught from January to March in only 2020. In addition, the number of moths collected increased when the temperature increased. Our results indicate a different pattern for LCSB abundance than previously documented, with peak occurrence in warm and wet conditions (August). These results support that region-specific weather information should be considered when designing IPM recommendations based on the phenology of pest occurrence in the agroecosystem.
The Effect of Recipient Back-Table Duration on Graft Outcome of Deceased Donor Kidneys: A Single-Center Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Slagter Julia S. , Rijkse Elsaline , De Wilde Roeland F. , Haen Roel , Lepiesza Agnieszka , Cappelle Marie L. , Kimenai Diederik H. J. A. N. , Minnee Robert C.
Published: April 2023

Background: Little is known about the influence of the duration of the kidney back-table preparation period and kidney temperature on graft outcomes after transplantation. The aim of this study is to investigate the back-table duration and its relation to graft outcome and the relation between kidney temperature and graft outcome. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, deceased donor kidney temperature is measured at fixed time points using an infrared thermometer during back-table preparation and transplantation. Additionally, the back-table duration is measured using a timer. Results: Between September 2020 and July 2021, 49 kidneys were prospectively included in this study. Median back-table duration was 33.7 (standard deviation ± 14.1) min and donor kidney temperature increased up to 14.9 °C (±2.8) after 60 min of back-table preparation. Mean implantation time was 24.9 (±7.6) min and kidney temperature increased up to 25.9 °C (±2.4) after 30 min of implantation time. Longer back-table duration was significantly associated with higher rates of delayed graft function (p = 0.037). However, this observation did not sustain at 3 and 6-months post-transplantation. No association was found between kidney temperature and graft outcomes. Conclusion: Longer back-table duration is significantly associated with DGF after deceased donor kidney transplantation. No association was observed between kidney temperature and graft outcomes of deceased donor kidneys.
State of the Art and Challenges in Epilepsy—A Narrative Review
Authors: Manole Aida , Sirbu Carmen , Mititelu Mihaela , Vasiliu Octavian , Lorusso Lorenzo , Sirbu Octavian , Ionita Radu Florentina
Published: April 2023

Epilepsy is a common condition worldwide, with approximately 50 million people suffering from it. A single seizure does not mean epilepsy; almost 10% of the population can have a seizure during their lifetime. In particular, there are many other central nervous system disorders other than epilepsy in which seizures occur, either transiently or as a comorbid condition. The impact of seizures and epilepsy is, therefore, widespread and easily underestimated. It is estimated that about 70% of patients with epilepsy could be seizure-free if correctly diagnosed and treated. However, for patients with epilepsy, quality of life is influenced not only by seizure control but also by antiepileptic drug-adverse reactions, access to education, mood, employment, and transportation.
Patellofemoral Arthroplasty Is an Efficient Strategy for Isolated Patellofemoral Osteoarthritis with or without Robotic-Assisted System
Authors: Batailler Cécile , Putzeys Pit , Lacaze Franck , Vincelot-Chainard Caroline , Fontalis Andreas , Servien Elvire , Lustig Sébastien
Published: April 2023

There is relative paucity in the literature concerning outcomes after robotic-assisted Patellofemoral Arthroplasty (PFA). The aims were (1) to evaluate outcomes in patients undergoing PFA with inlay or onlay components, with or without robotic arm assistance and (2) to identify risk factors of poor outcomes after PFA. This retrospective study included 77 PFA for isolated patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis, assigned to three groups (18 conventional technique, 17 image-free robotic-assisted system and 42 image-based robotic-assisted system). The demographic data were comparable between the three groups. The clinical outcomes assessed were: Visual Analogue Scale, Knee Society Score, Kujala score and satisfaction rate. The radiological measures were: Caton Deschamps index, patellar tilt and frontal alignment of the trochlea. Functional outcomes, satisfaction rate and residual pain were comparable between the three groups. Patellar tilt improvement was superior when a robotic device was used (either image-based or image-free) compared to the conventional technique. There were three revisions (3.9%) at the last follow-up related to femorotibial osteoarthritis progression. Multivariate analysis found no significant risk factors for poor outcomes, with respect to the surgical technique or implant design. Functional outcomes and revisions rate after PFA were comparable between the surgical techniques and implants. Robotic-assisted systems were associated with a superior improvement of the patellar tilt compared to the conventional technique.
Modified SCOPE (mSCOPE) Score as a Tool to Predict Mortality in COVID-19 Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Zanelli Stavroula , Bakakos Agamemnon , Sotiropoulou Zoi , Papaioannou Andriana I. , Koukaki Evangelia , Potamianou Efstathia , Kyriakoudi Anna , Kaniaris Evangelos , Bakakos Petros , Giamarellos-Bourboulis Evangelos J. , Koutsoukou Antonia , Rovina Nikoletta
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Efficient clinical scores predicting the outcome of severe COVID-19 pneumonia may play a pivotal role in patients’ management. The aim of this study was to assess the modified Severe COvid Prediction Estimate score (mSCOPE) index as a predictor of mortality in patients admitted to the ICU due to severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Materials and methods: In this retrospective observational study, 268 critically ill COVID-19 patients were included. Demographic and laboratory characteristics, comorbidities, disease severity, and outcome were retrieved from the electronical medical files. The mSCOPE was also calculated. Results: An amount of 70 (26.1%) of patients died in the ICU. These patients had higher mSCOPE score compared to patients who survived (p < 0.001). mSCOPE correlated to disease severity (p < 0.001) and to the number and severity of comorbidities (p < 0.001). Furthermore, mSCOPE significantly correlated with days on mechanical ventilation (p < 0.001) and days of ICU stay (p = 0.003). mSCOPE was found to be an independent predictor of mortality (HR:1.219, 95% CI: 1.010–1.471, p = 0.039), with a value ≥ 6 predicting poor outcome with a sensitivity (95%CI) 88.6%, specificity 29.7%, a positive predictive value of 31.5%, and a negative predictive value of 87.7%. Conclusion: mSCOPE score could be proved useful in patients’ risk stratification, guiding clinical interventions in patients with severe COVID-19.
An Exploratory Study of the Critical Success Factors of the Global Shipping Industry in the Digital Era
Authors: Brrar Surinder , Lee Eunha , Yip Tsz Leung
Published: April 2023

The global shipping industry faces many uncertainties which impact on how organisations within this sector will perform in the future. Research in the critical success factors which impact the global shipping industry in the digital era is lacking. This study plugs the gap in the literature by identifying four key critical success factors which are innovation capability, risk governance capability, leadership and strategic capability, and technological capability. In addition, this study also found three organisational performance measures that are useful for senior management teams within the industry, namely, financial performance, operational performance and marketing performance. The results were then triangulated and validated by the case study method using a global shipping organisation. The findings establish a set of critical success factors and the corresponding relationships between the identified critical success factors and the identified organisational performance measures. The paper also provides managerial insights for industry practitioners for defining, prioritising and allocating resources in order to improve organisational performance.
The Impacts of Road Traffic on Urban Carbon Emissions and the Corresponding Planning Strategies
Authors: Lei Haiyan , Zeng Suiping , Namaiti Aihemaiti , Zeng Jian
Published: April 2023

Carbon emissions increase the risk of climate change. As one of the primary sources of carbon emissions, road traffic faces a significant challenge in terms of reducing carbon emissions. Many studies have been conducted to examine the impacts of cities on carbon emissions from the perspectives of urbanization, population size, and economics. However, a detailed understanding of the relationship between road traffic and urban carbon emissions is lacking due to the lack of a reasonable set of road traffic metrics. Furthermore, there have been fewer studies that have conducted cluster analyses of the impact factors, which will be supplemented in this research. We established 10 impact metrics, including the highway network system, city road network system, public transit system, and land use system of streets and transportation, using 117 county-level cities in Hebei Province as the study area, which is one of the regions in China with the most acute conflicts between economic development and the environment. We built an ordinary least squares (OLS) model, a spatial lag model (SLM), a spatial error model (SEM), a spatial Durbin model (SDM), and a geographically weighted regression (GWR) model, and performed a cluster analysis on the key metrics. The results are as follows: (1) The difference in spatial distribution of urban land-average carbon emissions is obvious, highly concentrated in the areas surrounding Beijing and Tianjin. (2) The GWR model has a higher R2 and a lower AICc than global models (OLS, SLM, SEM, and SDM) and performs better when analyzing the impact mechanism. (3) Highway network density, city road length, and density of the public transit network have significant effects on urban land-average carbon emissions, whereas the street and transportation land use systems have no significant effect, which indicates that the highway network and public transit systems should be prioritized. (4) The GWR model results show that the impact of the four metrics on the urban land-average carbon emissions exhibits clear spatial heterogeneity with a significant piecewise spatial distribution pattern. The highway network density has a relatively large impact on the northern region. The northwest is more affected by the density of the public transit network. The southwest is most impacted by the length of city roads. (5) The study area is divided into four distinct characteristic areas: the highway network dominant impact area, the public transit dominant impact area, the city road network dominant impact area, and the multi-factor joint impact area. Different traffic optimization strategies are proposed for different areas.
Storing Grain in the Land: The Gestation, Delineation Framework, and Case of the Two Zones Policy in China
Authors: Wu Songze , Wang Dongyan
Published: April 2023

Cultivated land (CL) protection is an overarching strategic concern for stabilizing the agricultural foundation and for achieving the sustainable development of the national economy and society. Faced with the challenges of the dual drives of complex domestic and international situations, China’s CL protection system has coupled the quantity and quality dimensions and focused on a dynamic balancing system and permanent basic farmland (PBF) policy. However, it has had difficulty meeting the objectives of sustainable agricultural development and is undergoing upgrades. Accordingly, the Chinese government has issued a CL protection policy that includes adjusting the planting structure, optimizing the agricultural layout, and adding the three dimensions of quantity, quality, and planting structure, namely “Delimitation of the Grain Production Functional Zone and the Important Agricultural Product Production-Protection Zone” (the “two zones” policy). With regard to the ambiguous understanding of the two zones policy, this study aims to explore the following issues: (1) How was the two zones policy conceived? (2) What mechanism does it use to make up for the deficiencies of the previous policy? (3) How does it integrate the three dimensions of quantity, quality, and planting structure? (4) How to reasonably delimit the two zones. To solve these problems, this paper first reviews the evolution of China’s CL protection policies and explains the incubation process of the two zones policy and its connotation and mechanism. Then, a delineation framework process is proposed and the approaches of executing the two zones policy on a regional scale are discussed. Furthermore, a real delimitation was conducted in Qianguo County to validate the framework. The evidence shows that customizing CL use according to regional resource potential differentiation and forming a CL protection policy with the three dimensions of quantity, quality, and structure are effective in improving the productive potential of CL and promoting the adjustment of the planting structure. Furthermore, the framework and case study findings of the delimitation provide a theoretical reference and practical foundation to translate macro policy into micro management.
Correlation between Spatial-Temporal Changes in Landscape Patterns and Habitat Quality in the Yongding River Floodplain, China
Authors: Su Junyi , Zhang Renfei , Wu Minghao , Yang Ruiying , Liu Zhicheng , Xu Xiaoming
Published: April 2023

The watershed habitat, especially floodplains, is often impacted by the interaction between the natural environment and human activities, and the fragile ecological balance is easily disturbed. Therefore, the study of the changes in habitat quality in floodplains is significant for the reconstruction of damaged habitats. In this study, the landscape patterns and habitat quality in the Yongding River floodplain from 1967 to 2018 were evaluated. We employed spatial analysis to explore the characteristics and correlation of its spatio-temporal pattern change. Our results show that, first, the overall landscape pattern of the Yongding River floodplain was dominated by arable land and forestland while the construction land expanded. Second, the landscape pattern tended toward fragmentation, and the degree of landscape complexity increased. Third, the habitat quality was generally above the medium level. However, the low-quality area continued to increase. Furthermore, there was a strong correlation between habitat quality and the Aggregation Index, Diversity Index, and the area of water and forestland. In this context, the protection of the integrity and diversity of the landscape, reducing or even prohibiting the loss of water and forestland habitats, and restoring the ecological river, should be strengthened. The contribution of this paper provides a scientific reference to the comprehensive management and ecological restoration of river ecosystems.
An Overview of the Putative Structural and Functional Properties of the GHBh1 Receptor through a Bioinformatics Approach
Authors: Wolf Casper J. H. , Venselaar Hanka , Spoelder Marcia , Beurmanjer Harmen , Schellekens Arnt F. A. , Homberg Judith R.
Published: April 2023

The neurotransmitter γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is suggested to be involved in neuronal energy homeostasis processes, but the substance is also used as a recreational drug and as a prescription medication for narcolepsy. GHB has several high-affinity targets in the brain, commonly generalized as the GHB receptor. However, little is known about the structural and functional properties of GHB receptor subtypes. This opinion article discusses the literature on the putative structural and functional properties of the GHBh1 receptor subtype. GHBh1 contains 11 transmembrane helices and at least one intracellular intrinsically disordered region (IDR). Additionally, GHBh1 shows a 100% overlap in amino acid sequence with the Riboflavin (vitamin B2) transporter, which opens the possibility of a possible dual-function (transceptor) structure. Riboflavin and GHB also share specific neuroprotective properties. Further research into the GHBh1 receptor subtype may pave the way for future therapeutic possibilities for GHB.
Preparation and Characterization of Low-Carbon Cementitious Materials Based on Soda-Residue-Activated Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag: A Case Study on Cemented Paste Backfills
Authors: Ren Qiangsheng , Qi Wenyue , Zhao Qingxin , Jia Yali , Feng Yabin , Han Yongji , Duan Ge , Pang Haotian
Published: April 2023

To investigate the issues related to significant environmental damage and poor resource utilization of soda residue (SR), the composition and microstructure of hydration products of the GGBS (ground granulated blast-furnace slag) synergistically activated by NaOH-SR are characterized by an X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), thermogravimetric–differential thermogravimetric (TG-DTG) analysis, and scanning electron microscope X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS). The effect of SR proportion, activator dosage, and water-to-binder ratio on the hydration process is studied. Results indicate that the hydration products mainly include hydrated calcium chloroaluminate (3CaO·Al2O3·CaCl2·10H2O, FS), hydrated calcium aluminosilicate (Ca2Al3(SiO4)3OH, C-A-S-H), halite (NaCl), calcite (CaCO3), and C-S-H gel. With the increase in SR proportion (especially from 80% to 90%), the C-S-H gel yield decreases significantly, while the FS yield rapidly increases, and the T-O-Si (T = Al or Si) peak shifts to a higher wavenumber range (955 cm−1 to 975 cm−1). With the decrease in activator dosage (40% to 15%), the hydration reaction gradually weakens, and the FTIR band of the T-O-Si (T = Al or Si) shifts to the lower wavenumber range (968 cm−1 to 955 cm−1). Then, cemented paste backfills (CPBs) are prepared with iron tailings as the aggregate. At mass content of 75%, SR proportion of 80%, and activator dosage of 30%, the fluidity of the CPB reaches 267.5 mm with a 28-day unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of 2.4 MPa, confirming that SR- and NaOH-synergistically-activated GGBS has great application prospects in backfill mining.
Metadynamic Recrystallization Behavior of Cr-Ni-Mo Alloy Steel
Authors: Zheng Bing , Zou Zhipeng , Xu Dong , Wang Yiqun , Wang Xuexi , Zhao Hongyang , Ju Dongying
Published: April 2023

In order to study the metadynamic recrystallization behavior of 34CrNi3MoV steel, a double-pass isothermal compression experiment and a single-pass thermal interval experiment were designed and conducted to obtain the stress–strain curves under different deformation conditions and to explore the action law of deformation parameters during the compression process. The softening rate was calculated by the compensation method, and the grain size in the recrystallization region was measured. Based on the obtained data, the effects of deformation temperature (T), interval time (t), and strain rate (ε˙) on the softening rate and grain size of 34CrNi3MoV steel during metadynamic recrystallization were analyzed. The results show that increasing the deformation temperature, extending the interval time, and increasing the strain rate are all beneficial to the improvement of the metadynamic recrystallization softening rate and that fine and uniform new grains can be obtained under a high strain rate. However, in high-temperature conditions, mixed crystallization can easily occur, which is not conducive to grain refinement. Based on the true stress–strain data and experimental data on the grain size, a relevant model for metadynamic recrystallization of 34CrNi3MoV steel was established using mathematical analysis of regression equations. The average relative error AARE between the constructed dynamic model and the grain size model and the experimental results are 6.48% and 1.30%, respectively. This indicates that the model has high predictability.
Evolution of Natural Product Scaffolds as Potential Proteasome Inhibitors in Developing Cancer Therapeutics
Authors: Mir Reyaz Hassan , Mir Prince Ahad , Uppal Jasreen , Chawla Apporva , Patel Mitesh , Bardakci Fevzi , Adnan Mohd , Mohi-ud-din Roohi
Published: April 2023

Homeostasis between protein synthesis and degradation is a critical biological function involving a lot of precise and intricate regulatory systems. The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP) is a large, multi-protease complex that degrades most intracellular proteins and accounts for about 80% of cellular protein degradation. The proteasome, a massive multi-catalytic proteinase complex that plays a substantial role in protein processing, has been shown to have a wide range of catalytic activity and is at the center of this eukaryotic protein breakdown mechanism. As cancer cells overexpress proteins that induce cell proliferation, while blocking cell death pathways, UPP inhibition has been used as an anticancer therapy to change the balance between protein production and degradation towards cell death. Natural products have a long history of being used to prevent and treat various illnesses. Modern research has shown that the pharmacological actions of several natural products are involved in the engagement of UPP. Over the past few years, numerous natural compounds have been found that target the UPP pathway. These molecules could lead to the clinical development of novel and potent anticancer medications to combat the onslaught of adverse effects and resistance mechanisms caused by already approved proteasome inhibitors. In this review, we report the importance of UPP in anticancer therapy and the regulatory effects of diverse natural metabolites, their semi-synthetic analogs, and SAR studies on proteasome components, which may aid in discovering a new proteasome regulator for drug development and clinical applications.
The Associations of Maternal Health Characteristics, Newborn Metabolite Concentrations, and Child Body Mass Index among US Children in the ECHO Program
Authors: Snyder Brittney M. , Gebretsadik Tebeb , Rohrig Nina B. , Wu Pingsheng , Dupont William D. , Dabelea Dana M. , Fry Rebecca C. , Lynch Susan V. , McEvoy Cindy T. , Paneth Nigel S. , Ryckman Kelli K. , Gern James E. , Hartert Tina V. ,   on behalf of Program Collaborators for Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes
Published: April 2023

We aimed first to assess associations between maternal health characteristics and newborn metabolite concentrations and second to assess associations between metabolites associated with maternal health characteristics and child body mass index (BMI). This study included 3492 infants enrolled in three birth cohorts with linked newborn screening metabolic data. Maternal health characteristics were ascertained from questionnaires, birth certificates, and medical records. Child BMI was ascertained from medical records and study visits. We used multivariate analysis of variance, followed by multivariable linear/proportional odds regression, to determine maternal health characteristic-newborn metabolite associations. Significant associations were found in discovery and replication cohorts of higher pre-pregnancy BMI with increased C0 and higher maternal age at delivery with increased C2 (C0: discovery: aβ 0.05 [95% CI 0.03, 0.07]; replication: aβ 0.04 [95% CI 0.006, 0.06]; C2: discovery: aβ 0.04 [95% CI 0.003, 0.08]; replication: aβ 0.04 [95% CI 0.02, 0.07]). Social Vulnerability Index, insurance, and residence were also associated with metabolite concentrations in a discovery cohort. Associations between metabolites associated with maternal health characteristics and child BMI were modified from 1–3 years (interaction: p < 0.05). These findings may provide insights on potential biologic pathways through which maternal health characteristics may impact fetal metabolic programming and child growth patterns.
Dietary Soybean Lecithin Improves Growth, Immunity, Antioxidant Capability and Intestinal Barrier Functions in Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides Juveniles
Authors: Wu Jiaojiao , Yang Wenxue , Song Rui , Li Zhe , Jia Xiaowei , Zhang Hao , Zhang Penghui , Xue Xinyu , Li Shenghui , Xie Yuanyuan , Zhang Rongfei , Ye Jinyun , Zhou Zhijin , Wu Chenglong
Published: April 2023

This study evaluated the effects of dietary soybean lecithin (SBL) on the growth, haematological indices, immunities, antioxidant capabilities, and inflammatory and intestinal barrier functions because little information of dietary SBL could be obtained in juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). The fish were fed identical diets except for SBL added at 0, 2, 4 and 8%. It was found that 4 and 8% SBL significantly increased fish weight gain and daily growth rate (p < 0.05), while 4% SBL was optimal for enhancing RBC, HGB, PLT, MCV, MCH, WBC and MON in blood, and ALB and ALP in serum (p < 0.05). SBL (4%) also significantly elevated the antioxidant enzymes activities of T-SOD, CAT, GR, GPx, GST and T-AOC and GSH contents; increased mRNA transcription levels of Nrf2, Cu/Zn-SOD, CAT, GR, GST3 and GPx3; and decreased MDA contents. Keap1a and Keap1b levels were markedly down-regulated (p < 0.05). SBL (4%) significantly enhanced levels of the immune factors (ACP, LZM and C3) and the mRNA expression levels of innate immune-related genes (C3, C4, CFD, HEPC and MHC-I) compared with the control groups (0%) (p < 0.05). SBL (4%) significantly increased IgM and T-NOS in the intestine (p < 0.05) and significantly decreased levels of TNF-α, IL-8, IL-1β and IFN-γ and increased TGF-β1 at both transcription and protein levels in the liver and intestine (p < 0.05). The mRNA expression levels of MAPK13, MAPK14 and NF-κB P65 were significantly decreased in the intestine in the 4% SBL groups (p < 0.05). Histological sections also demonstrated that 4% SBL protected intestinal morphological structures compared with controls. This included increased intestinal villus height and muscular thickness (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of the intestinal epithelial cell tight junction proteins (TJs) (ZO-1, claudin-3, claudin-4, claudin-5, claudin-23 and claudin-34) and mucin-5AC were significantly up-regulated in the 4% SBL groups compared with the controls (p < 0.05). In conclusion, these results suggested that 4% dietary SBL could not only improve growth, haematological indices, antioxidant capabilities, immune responses and intestinal functions, but also alleviate inflammatory responses, thereby providing reference information for the feed formulations in cultured largemouth bass.
Ultrafast-Laser-Induced Tailoring of Crystal-in-Glass Waveguides by Precision Partial Remelting
Authors: Lipatiev Alexey S. , Lotarev Sergey V. , Lipateva Tatiana O. , Fedotov Sergey S. , Lopatina Elena V. , Sigaev Vladimir N.
Published: April 2023

Space-selective laser-induced crystallization of glass enables direct femtosecond laser writing of crystal-in-glass channel waveguides having nearly single-crystal structure and consisting of functional phases with favorable nonlinear optical or electrooptical properties. They are regarded as promising components for novel integrated optical circuits. However, femtosecond-laser-written continuous crystalline tracks typically have an asymmetric and strongly elongated cross-section, which causes a multimode character of light guiding and substantial coupling losses. Here, we investigated the conditions of partial remelting of laser-written LaBGeO5 crystalline tracks in lanthanum borogermanate glass by the same femtosecond laser beam which had been used for their writing. Exposure to femtosecond laser pulses at 200 kHz repetition rate provided cumulative heating of the sample in the vicinity of the beam waist sufficient to provide space-selective melting of crystalline LaBGeO5. To form a smoother temperature field, the beam waist was moved along the helical or flat sinusoidal path along the track. The sinusoidal path was shown to be favorable for tailoring the improved cross-section of the crystalline lines by partial remelting. At optimized laser processing parameters, most of the track was vitrified, and the residual part of the crystalline cross-section had an aspect ratio of about 1:1. Thermal-induced stress emerging during the tailoring procedure was efficiently eliminated by fine post-annealing. The proposed technique suggests a new way to control the morphology of laser-written crystal-in-glass waveguides by tailoring their cross-section, which is expected to improve the mode structure of the guided light.
SiC Measurements of Electron Energy by fs Laser Irradiation of Thin Foils
Authors: Torrisi Lorenzo , Cutroneo Mariapompea , Torrisi Alfio
Published: April 2023

SiC detectors based on a Schottky junction represent useful devices to characterize fast laser-generated plasmas. High-intensity fs lasers have been used to irradiate thin foils and to characterize the produced accelerated electrons and ions in the target normal sheath acceleration (TNSA) regime, detecting their emission in the forward direction and at different angles with respect to the normal to the target surface. The electrons’ energies have been measured using relativistic relationships applied to their velocity measured by SiC detectors in the time-of-flight (TOF) approach. In view of their high energy resolution, high energy gap, low leakage current, and high response velocity, SiC detectors reveal UV and X-rays, electrons, and ions emitted from the generated laser plasma. The electron and ion emissions can be characterized by energy through the measure of the particle velocities with a limitation at electron relativistic energies since they proceed at a velocity near that of the speed of light and overlap the plasma photon detection. The crucial discrimination between electrons and protons, which are the fastest ions emitted from the plasma, can be well resolved using SiC diodes. Such detectors enable the monitoring of the high ion acceleration obtained using high laser contrast and the absence of ion acceleration using low laser contrast, as presented and discussed.
Potential Use of Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation for the Biocementation of Mine Tailings
Authors: Zúñiga-Barra Héctor , Ortega-Martínez Eduardo , Toledo-Alarcón Javiera , Torres-Aravena Álvaro , Jorquera Lorena , Rivas Mariella , Jeison David
Published: April 2023

Mining activities offer clear economic benefits for mineral-rich countries. However, mining operations can produce several environmental impacts. Many of these are associated with generating and managing mining waste known as tailings, which are typically stored in surface facilities. Windblown dust emissions from tailing deposits can cause severe damage to local ecosystems and adverse health effects for the surrounding population. Microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) can be used for the superficial biocementation of tailings, thereby preventing such emissions. This research studied the capacity of MICP for the biocementation of tailings. The effect of applying different doses of biocementation reagents and two different methods for their application were evaluated. Results show that a relevant increase in surface strength can be achieved, especially if reagents are mechanically mixed with the tailings to induce a more homogeneous distribution of precipitates. Micrographical and mineralogical analysis by SEM, FTIR and XRD analysis showed the precipitation of calcium in the form of anorthite, calcite or vaterite. Overall results indicate that calcite precipitation can be induced in tailing by microorganisms with urease activity, providing a potential technique for the biocementation of this material.
Prediction Model for SiO2 Activity in the CaO-Al2O3-SiO2-MgO Quaternary Slag System
Authors: Lin Yue , Yi Yuanrong , Fang Minghang , Ma Wenqing , Liu Wei
Published: April 2023

Activity models based on the ion and molecule coexistence theory have been widely used in the refining of metallurgical slags, with the SiO2 content of slag playing a crucial role in improving the mechanical properties of refining slag-based cementitious materials. In order to improve the reactivity of SiO2 in slag, this study established a SiO2 activity prediction model for the CaO-Al2O3-SiO2-MgO quaternary slag system based on the ion and molecule coexistence theory, validating the prediction results using reference values from the literature. Following this, the effects of w(SiO2), w(CaO), w(CaO)/w(Al2O3), and R(w(CaO)/w(SiO2)) on SiO2 activity were explored (where w and R represent content and alkalinity, respectively). The results show that the model could accurately predict the SiO2 activity of refining slag at 1873k. When the SiO2 content was increased from 10% to 30%, with 60% w(CaO) and a w(MgO)/w(Al2O3) ratio of 0.25, the SiO2 activity exhibited a trend of initially increasing and then decreasing, with a maximum activity value of 0.1359 reached at 17.5% w(SiO2). When slag contained 15% w(SiO2) and a w(MgO)/w(Al2O3) ratio of 0.25, the SiO2 activity decreased with increasing CaO content, reaching a maximum activity value of 0.1268 when 55% w(CaO) was present. Therefore, by controlling the ratio of w(CaO)/w(Al2O3) and w(CaO)/w(SiO2) in the slag to maintain a ratio of 3, the activity of SiO2 can be effectively increased.
Fuel-Appropriate Distribution of the Material Layer Based on Numerical Model of Sintering with Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Dai Fanglei , Fan Xiaohui , Huang Xiaoxian , Chen Xuling , Gan Min , Ji Zhiyun , Sun Zengqing
Published: April 2023

An optimization model for the fuel distribution of the material layer with mechanism models and algorithms is presented, which can reduce the fuel ratio of ore blending and enhance the fuel content in the upper layer to improve the homogeneity of the sinter quality. The actual fuel distribution of the material layer is analyzed through the granulation model and the theoretical fuel distribution for each unit is obtained using the numerical model. Then, the fuel particle size composition and segregation characteristics are optimized via the particle swarm optimization algorithm to bring fuel distribution close to the theoretical value, with a sum of their absolute values of 0.025. In comparison with the initial conditions, the fuel particle size composition conforms to a normal distribution with increased coarse particles, and the deviation of the granules from the vertical direction of the sinter layer decreases. Through this optimization method, the sinter bed with the ideal thermal profile can be achieved, namely uniform sintering along with a reduced coke ratio.
An Update of Clinical, Epidemiological, and Psychosocial Features in Gamma-Sarcoglycanopathy
Authors: Chabbi Naoufel , Angelini Corrado , Rodriguez Alicia Aurora
Published: April 2023

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMDs) represent a group of muscle diseases due to monogenic mutations encoding muscle proteins that are defective for heterozygous and homozygous mutations prevalent in certain regions. Advances in knowledge of their pathophysiology have shed light on these rare diseases, which were, until recently, difficult to diagnose. This paper has described the process of diagnosis in autosomal recessive limb-girdle dystrophy that in Tunisia are due to the c.521del mutation in gamma-sarcoglycanopathy and to ethnically specific mutations in other countries such as Italy. The epidemiology, pathophysiology clinical features, and the main socioeconomic needs as well as research progress are discussed. We discuss an Italian case for its psychosocial impact and socioeconomic consideration and compare this case with Tunisian patients.
Nanometric Mechanical Behavior of Electrospun Membranes Loaded with Magnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Longo Raffaele , Vertuccio Luigi , Speranza Vito , Pantani Roberto , Raimondo Marialuigia , Calabrese Elisa , Guadagno Liberata
Published: April 2023

This work analyzes on nanoscale spatial domains the mechanical features of electrospun membranes of Polycaprolactone (PCL) loaded with Functionalized Magnetite Nanoparticles (FMNs) produced via an electrospinning process. Thermal and structural analyses demonstrate that FMNs affect the PCL crystallinity and its melting temperature. HarmoniX-Atomic Force Microscopy (H-AFM), a modality suitable to map the elastic modulus on nanometric domains of the sample surface, evidences that the FMNs affect the local mechanical properties of the membranes. The mechanical modulus increases when the tip reveals the magnetite nanoparticles. That allows accurate mapping of the FMNs distribution along the nanofibers mat through the analysis of a mechanical parameter. Local mechanical modulus values are also affected by the crystallinity degree of PCL influenced by the filler content. The crystallinity increases for a low filler percentage (<5 wt.%), while, higher magnetite amounts tend to hinder the crystallization of the polymer, which manifests a lower crystallinity. H-AFM analysis confirms this trend, showing that the distribution of local mechanical values is a function of the filler amount and crystallinity of the fibers hosting the filler. The bulk mechanical properties of the membranes, evaluated through tensile tests, are strictly related to the nanometric features of the complex nanocomposite system.