bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Composition and Quality of Honey Bee Feed: The Methodology and Monitoring of Candy Boards
Authors: Falcão Soraia I. , Bocquet Michel , Chlebo Robert , Barreira João C. M. , Giacomelli Alessandra , Smodiš Škerl Maja Ivana , Quaglia Giancarlo
Published: October 2024

The nutritional status of a honey bee colony is recognized as a key factor in ensuring a healthy hive. A deficient flow of nectar and pollen in the honey bee colony immediately affects its development, making room for pathogen proliferation and, consequently, for a reduction in the activities and strength of the colony. It is, therefore, urgent for the beekeepers to use more food supplements and/or substitutes in apiary management, allowing them to address colony nutritional imbalances according to the beekeeper’s desired results. In this context, the commercial market for beekeeping products is growing rapidly due to low regulation of animal food products and the beekeeper’s willingness to guarantee healthy colonies. There are numerous products (bee food additives) currently available on the worldwide market, with a highly variable and sometimes even undefined composition, claiming a set of actions at the level of brood stimulation, energy supplementation, queen rearing support, reduction of Varroa reproduction levels, improvement of the intestinal microflora of bees, Nosema prevention, and improvement of the health of honey bee colonies infested by American foulbrood, among others. To address this issue, the members of the COLOSS (Honey Bee Research Association) NUTRITION Task Force are proposing, for the first time, action on honey bee feed control and monitoring. In our common study, we focused on candy board composition and quality parameters. For that, a selected number of commercial candy boards usually found in Europe were analyzed in terms of water and ash content, pH, acidity, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, sugars, C3-C4 sugar origin, and texture. Results revealed differences between the values found and the ones displayed on the label, demonstrating the need for regulation of the quality of these products.
Physicochemical Properties of Betacyclodextrin-Assisted Extracts of Green Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis)
Authors: Mogashoa Letlhogonolo , Vhangani Lusani Norah , Van Wyk Jessy
Published: October 2024

Betacyclodextrin (β-CD)-assisted extracts of green rooibos displayed elevated polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity compared with aqueous extracts. This study aimed to analyse the physicochemical properties of aqueous green rooibos and 15 Mm β-CD at 40 °C for 60 min. Sorption isotherms and colour (L*a*b*C*) were evaluated. Thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared were conducted to verify encapsulation. Sorption isotherm studies revealed that β-CD reduced water uptake, resulting in a reduction in the monolayer value of GRE (7.90) to 6.40 for β-GRE. Betacyclodextrin contributed to increased lightness (L*) and decreased redness (a*) of green rooibos. However, storing extracts at varied water activity resulted in a reduction in L* and chroma (C*), with a higher reduction observed for GRE than β-GRE. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that GRE degraded at 180 °C, followed by β-GRE at 260 °C and β-CD at 340–375 °C. Betacyclodextrin increased the thermal stability of green rooibos; as a result, β-GRE displayed a superposition of GRE and β-CD in its thermogram, confirming the formation of inclusion complexes. Fourier transform infrared spectra indicated the disappearance or shifting of characteristic peaks, with the formation of hydrogen bonds between GRE and β-CD at the 1255 cm−1 band depicting C–O stretching of carboxylic acid.
Development of a Novel Beam-Based Finite-Element Approach for the Computationally Efficient Prediction of Residual Stresses and Displacements in Large 3D-Printed Polymer Parts
Authors: Hepler Irja B. , Davids William G.
Published: October 2024

Recently, 3D printing of large, structural polymer parts has received increasing interest, especially for the creation of recyclable structural parts and tooling. However, the complexity of large-scale 3D polymeric printing often dictates resource-intensive trial and error processes to achieve acceptable parts. Existing computational models used to assess the impact of fabrication conditions typically treat the 3D-printed part as a continuum, incorporate oversimplified boundary conditions and take hours to days to run, making design space exploration infeasible. The purpose of this study is to create a structural model that is computationally efficient compared with traditional continuum models yet retains sufficient accuracy to enable exploration of the design space and prediction of part residual stresses and deformations. To this end, a beam-based finite element methodology was created where beads are represented as beams, vertical springs represent inter-bead transverse force transfer and multi-point, linear constraints enforce strain compatibility between adjacent beads. To test this framework, the fabrication of a large Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) wall was simulated. The PETG was modeled as linearly elastic with an experimentally derived temperature-dependent coefficient of thermal expansion and elastic modulus using temperature history imported from an ABAQUS thermal model. The results of the simulation were compared to those from a continuum model with an identical material definition, showing reasonable agreement of stresses and displacements. Further, the beam-based model required an order of magnitude less run time. Subsequently, the beam-based model was extended to allow separation of the part from the printing bed and the inclusion of part self-weight during fabrication to assess the significance of these effects that pose challenges for existing continuum models.
Examining the Influence of Sports Appreciation on Sports Engagement and Behaviors: The Moderating Role of Sport Type among Taiwanese Pupils
Authors: Gau Li-Shiue , Chu Hsiu-Tan , Wu Su-Pi , Kim Jong-Chae
Published: October 2024

This study examines the impact of sports participation and appreciation on sports identification and engagement with sports spectatorship with the sport type as a moderator through a perspective of the social and emotional development of elementary school students in Taiwan. This research specifically explores the influence of baseball and badminton activities on students’ engagement and connection with sports. An experimental design, supplemented with questionnaires, was utilized, involving 111 students from middle and upper grades who either participated in a recreational sports camp or did not. This study aimed to uncover quasi-causal relationships among active sports participation, personal identification with sports, and spectator behaviors. Pre- and post-camp surveys indicated that participation in sports camps significantly enhanced sports identification and interest in spectating, particularly in baseball, because of more frequent viewing opportunities. The findings highlight the importance of the type of sport and the level of identification with it in sustaining an ongoing interest in sports spectatorship. Interestingly, introducing spectatorship at badminton camps resulted in decreased sports identification and engagement intentions, suggesting that programs must be tailored to developmental needs and meet the abilities of young learners to be effective.
Optimization Method for Stiffened-Plate Layout in Box Structures Based on Load Paths
Authors: Zhang Huilong , Lian Hui , Wang Chaoshi , Wu Fenghe , Wang Zhaohua
Published: October 2024

Gantries and beams, as the main load-bearing structures of heavy equipment, usually belong to the box structure consisting of outer walls and inner stiffened plates. The structure of the stiffener layout is bulky due to empirical design, leading to higher material consumption and impacting mechanical performance. There are challenges in effectively identifying load-transferred paths within 3D box structures through direct topological optimization. A method for optimizing the layout of internal stiffened plates of large box structures based on load paths is proposed in this paper. Initially, based on the load conditions acting on the structure, the 3D box structure is decomposed into 2D functional sections. Subsequently, the load paths on the functional cross-section are visualized according to the load path method. Finally, the stiffener layout of the ultimate optimized structure is designed according to the effective load path distribution. Taking the gantry of a heavy-duty aluminum ingot composite processing unit as an example, the optimization results indicate that the maximum stress of the structure decreased by 14.9%, the maximum deformation reduced by 32.95%, and the overall weight decreased by 14.4%. This demonstrates that the approach proposed in this paper is practical and effective for optimizing stiffener layouts in large-box structures.
A Second-Order Numerical Method for a Class of Optimal Control Problems
Authors: Aida-zade Kamil , Handzel Alexander , Providas Efthimios
Published: October 2024

The numerical solution of optimal control problems through second-order methods is examined in this paper. Controlled processes are described by a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations. There are two specific characteristics of the class of control actions used. The first one is that controls are searched for in a given class of functions, which depend on unknown parameters to be found by minimizing an objective functional. The parameter values, in general, may be different at different time intervals. The second feature of the considered problem is that the boundaries of time intervals are also optimized with fixed values of the parameters of the control actions in each of the intervals. The special cases of the problem under study are relay control problems with optimized switching moments. In this work, formulas for the gradient and the Hessian matrix of the objective functional with respect to the optimized parameters are obtained. For this, the technique of fast differentiation is used. A comparison of numerical experiment results obtained with the use of first- and second-order optimization methods is presented.
Classification and Recognition of Lung Sounds Using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: A Literature Review
Authors: Xu Xiaoran , Sankar Ravi
Published: October 2024

This review explores the latest advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for the identification and classification of lung sounds. The article provides a historical overview from the invention of the electronic stethoscope to the auscultation of lung sounds, emphasizing the importance of the rapid diagnosis of lung diseases in the post-COVID-19 era. The review classifies lung sounds, including wheezes and stridors, and explores their pathological relevance. In addition, the article deeply explores feature extraction strategies, measurement methods, and multiple advanced machine learning models for classification, such as deep residual networks (ResNets), convolutional neural networks combined with long short-term memory networks (CNN–LSTM), and transformer models (transformer). The article discusses the problems of insufficient data and replicating human expert experience and proposes future research directions, including improved data utilization, enhanced feature extraction, and classification using spectrograms. Finally, the article emphasizes the expanding role of AI and ML in lung sound diagnosis and their potential for further development in this field.
Whole-Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Potential CeRNA Regulatory Mechanism in Takifugu rubripes against Cryptocaryon irritans Infection
Authors: Xia Yuqing , Yu Xiaoqing , Yuan Zhen , Yang Yi , Liu Ying
Published: October 2024

Cryptocaryon irritans (C. irritans) is a proto-ciliate parasite that infects marine fishes, including the cultured species Takifugu rubripes (T. rubripes), causing disease and potential mortality. In host organisms, infection by parasites triggers an immune response that is modulated by regulatory elements including proteins and non-coding RNAs. In this study, the whole transcriptome RNA sequencing of T. rubripes gill tissue before and after infection with C. irritans was performed to reveal the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network. Histomorphology revealed gill segment swelling and parasitic invasion in the infected group. The analysis identified 18 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs), 214 lncRNAs (DELs), 2501 genes (DEGs), and 7 circRNAs (DECs) in the infected group. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed that these genes were notably enriched in the Wnt signaling pathway and mTOR signaling pathway. The co-expression networks (lncRNA/circRNA-miRNA-mRNA) were constructed based on correlation analysis of the differentially expressed RNAs. Further analysis suggested that the LOC105418663-circ_0000361-fru-miR-204a-fzd3a ceRNA axis was potentially involved in the regulation of immune responses against C. irritans infection. Finally, the expression levels of DEG, DEL, and DEM were validated. This study reveals the regulatory mechanism of a candidate ceRNA network, providing insights into the potential mechanism of T. rubripes’ infection with C. irritans.
The Epiphyte Bacillus sp. G2112 Produces a Large Diversity of Nobilamide Peptides That Promote Biofilm Formation in Pseudomonads and Mycobacterium aurum
Authors: Iloabuchi Kenechukwu , Spiteller Dieter
Published: October 2024

Bacillus sp. G2112, an isolate from cucumber plants that inhibited plant pathogens, produces not only surfactins, iturins, and fengycins common to many Bacillus spp., but also a large variety of N-acyl-(depsi)peptides related to A-3302-B and nobilamides. Four known and fourteen previously unreported nobilamide peptides were characterized using high-resolution mass spectrometry, tandem mass spectrometry, and NMR. The stereochemistry of the amino acids of nobilamide peptides was determined using Marfey’s method. The diversity of nobilamide peptides from Bacillus sp. G2112 resulted from the incorporation of different acyl groups and amino acids in the sequence. The peptides occur in linear or cyclic form. In addition, a truncated N-acetylpentapeptide was produced. Agar diffusion assays with selected nobilamide peptides against plant pathogens and human pathogens revealed that A-3302-B and its N-acyl homologs, A-3302-A and nobilamide J, exhibited powerful antibiotic activity (at 5 µg/hole) against Lysinibacillus sphaericus that can cause severe sepsis and bacteremia in patients. Moreover, nobilamide peptides from Bacillus sp. G2112 strongly promoted biofilm formation in the Gram-positive Mycobacterium aurum and Gram-negative pseudomonads. Structurally diverse nobilamides from Bacillus sp. G2112, whether linear or cyclic, penta and heptapeptides, induced biofilm formation, suggesting that the common N-acetyl-D-Phe-D-Leu-L-Phe-D-allo-Thr-L-Val amino acid sequence motif is important for the biofilm-inducing activity.
Advances and Challenges in Scoring Functions for RNA–Protein Complex Structure Prediction
Authors: Zeng Chengwei , Zhuo Chen , Gao Jiaming , Liu Haoquan , Zhao Yunjie
Published: October 2024

RNA–protein complexes play a crucial role in cellular functions, providing insights into cellular mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. However, experimental determination of these complex structures is often time-consuming and resource-intensive, and it rarely yields high-resolution data. Many computational approaches have been developed to predict RNA–protein complex structures in recent years. Despite these advances, achieving accurate and high-resolution predictions remains a formidable challenge, primarily due to the limitations inherent in current RNA–protein scoring functions. These scoring functions are critical tools for evaluating and interpreting RNA–protein interactions. This review comprehensively explores the latest advancements in scoring functions for RNA–protein docking, delving into the fundamental principles underlying various approaches, including coarse-grained knowledge-based, all-atom knowledge-based, and machine-learning-based methods. We critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of existing scoring functions, providing a detailed performance assessment. Considering the significant progress demonstrated by machine learning techniques, we discuss emerging trends and propose future research directions to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of scoring functions in RNA–protein complex prediction. We aim to inspire the development of more sophisticated and reliable computational tools in this rapidly evolving field.
Identification of Sinapic Acid Derivatives from Petit Vert Leaves and Their Effects on Glucose Uptake in C2C12 Murine Myoblasts
Authors: Yamada Shizuo , Warashina Tsutomu , Shirota Osamu , Kato Yoshihisa , Fukuda Toshiyuki
Published: October 2024

Petit vert (scientific name: Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera DC. × Brassica oleracea var. acephala DC.) is a new variety of vegetable created by crossbreeding kale and brussel sprouts (Brassica oleracea species). The present study aimed to identify biologically active compounds in extracts of the outer leaves of Petit vert by purification and to examine their biological activities. The dried and powdered outer leaves of Petit vert were extracted, fractionated, and purified to isolate active compounds. Mass spectrometry (MS) was used to identify the compounds, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was performed to elucidate their structures. The compounds isolated from Petit vert leaves were glycosides that contained kaempferol, quercetin (flavonol), or sinapic acid (phenylpropanoid). Glucose uptake in cultured C2C12 murine myoblasts in the absence of insulin was significantly increased by these compounds, kaempferol, sinapic acid, and ferulic acid, while uptake in the presence of insulin was also significantly increased by compounds 3 and 4, kaempferol, and sinapic acid. The effect was not necessarily concentration-dependent, and some agents decreased the glucose uptake at higher concentrations. The present study reports for the first time the isolation of five compounds containing sinapic acid from the outer leaves of Petit vert and their stimulation of glucose uptake in cultured C2C12 murine myoblasts. The results obtained herein suggest the potential of these compounds to effectively attenuate hyperglycemia and maintain muscle strength by promoting glucose metabolism in muscle cells.
Conceptions of Consensual versus Non-Consensual Sexual Activity among Young People from Colombia
Authors: Prieto Luis Enrique , Moyano Nieves
Published: October 2024

Conceptions or ideas that couples hold about sexual consent could be a key factor in their communication, mutual respect, and the prevention of sexual violence. The multifaceted nature of sexual consent makes it a complex concept. The aim of the present study was to explore individuals’ ideas and understanding of sexual intercourse in two distinct contexts: consensual and non-consensual. We used a qualitative approach, adopting the methodology of thematic analysis. In total, 113 surveys obtained from the general population (76.1% women and 23.9% men aged 18 to 59 years) were studied. Two open-ended questions were asked about the general topic of sexual consent, where we distinguished sexual activity in which there is sexual consent vs. no consent. The phases of the thematic analysis approach were applied. For the consensual context, the following themes emerged: mutual reciprocity and respect; open, clear communication and agreements; and awareness and emotional well-being. For the non-consensual context, the following themes emerged: violence and sexual assault, absence and ambiguity of sexual consent, and lack of communication. All of these aspects should be considered in couples’ communication and sexual education to facilitate and improve sexual relationships and, in turn, prevent violence and sexual aggression.
Educational Expectations and Academic Persistence among Rural Adolescents: The Protective Role of High Self-Esteem
Authors: Zhang Feng , Xu Xiaodan , Peng Wei , Guo Cheng
Published: October 2024

Rural adolescents are at higher risk of reduced academic persistence due to socioeconomic barriers. Educational expectations are theoretically viewed as important for adolescents’ learning behaviors, and cross-sectional research has supported this assumption. However, few longitudinal studies have investigated the influence of educational expectations on adolescents’ academic persistence. In addition, research has not clearly identified whether self-esteem moderates this link among adolescents who experience greater economic risk. Using data from two time points (i.e., six months apart), this study aims to provide a more complete understanding of whether, and under what conditions, rural adolescents’ educational expectations influence academic persistence. The participants consist of 631 adolescents (Mage = 13.34 years at T1), and all the adolescents are from families with rural household registrations. The results show that the interaction term of educational expectations and self-esteem significantly predicts academic persistence. Specifically, after controlling for baseline academic persistence, educational expectations positively predict later academic persistence for rural adolescents with lower self-esteem, and educational expectations do not significantly predict later academic persistence for those with higher self-esteem. This study reveals the protective role of self-esteem in rural adolescents. High self-esteem benefits rural adolescents by protecting them from the effects of lower educational expectations on academic persistence. This finding also emphasizes the importance of developing self-esteem interventions for rural adolescents with low educational expectations to prevent them from experiencing weaker academic persistence.
A Systematic Literature Review on Energy Efficiency Analysis of Building Energy Management
Authors: Fang Minglu , Misnan Mohd Saidin , Halim Nur Hajarul Falahi Abdul
Published: October 2024

Government agencies, energy consumers, and other societal groups have all shown concern and attention for the energy management of buildings. Relevant statistical data, however, indicate that most public buildings continue to consume large amounts of energy overall and that the issues of low energy usage and energy waste have not materially improved. As a result, this study reviewed the state of progress and potential directions for future research in the field of building energy management in public buildings using a data-driven approach. Relevant studies were obtained from three databases—Web of Science, Scopus, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure—based on certain search phrases. The text mining program VOS viewer was then used to examine the material. We provide a thorough examination of the study techniques and material, as well as a visual representation of the keywords and current state of the field. According to this study, the range of data processing outcomes; the flexibility of research system standards; and the availability of a comprehensive, unified assessment system are the main factors contributing to the practical issues facing building energy management today. Based on the geographic distribution and state of energy development, this study is the first to examine possible research avenues for building energy management in public buildings through cross-fusion research on passive energy-saving design and subjective behavioral energy-saving. It offers a foundation for developing the building energy management system best practice model in the future.
Impacts of Employment Status, Partnership, Cancer Type, and Surgical Treatment on Health-Related Quality of Life in Irradiated Head and Neck Cancer Survivors
Authors: Lin Ching-Rong , Hung Tsung-Min , Shen Eric Yi-Liang , Cheng Ann-Joy , Chang Po-Hung , Huang Shiang-Fu , Kang Chung-Jan , Fang Tuan-Jen , Lee Li-Ang , Chang Chih-Hung , Chang Joseph Tung-Chieh
Published: October 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and sociodemographic and clinical variables in survivors of head and neck cancer (HNC) treated with radiotherapy, with or without surgery. Materials and Methods: HRQoL was measured using the functional assessment of cancer therapy—head and neck (FACT-H&N) in a cross-sectional survey involving 150 patients. Of these, 60 had nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC), treated exclusively with radiotherapy, while 90 had oral cavity squamous cell cancer (OSCC), undergoing radical surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. Key variables included cancer type, age, gender, partnership status, education, and employment, with additional clinical variables assessed in patients with OSCC. Statistical analyses included multiple regression, ANOVA, and t-tests to explore relationships between variables and HRQoL. Results: Cancer type, surgical treatment, and employment status emerged as significant independent predictors of HRQoL in HNC patients. Patients with NPC reported better HRQoL on three FACT-H&N subscales—social/family well-being, functional well-being, and additional concerns—compared to patients with OSCC. Unemployed individuals exhibited lower HRQoL on four subscales. In patients with OSCC, partnership status and segmental mandibulectomy were found to predict HRQoL independently. Conclusions: This study concludes that cancer type, surgical intervention, and employment status notably influence HRQoL among HNC patients undergoing radiotherapy. In addition, partnership status is a key factor affecting HRQoL in patients with OSCC.
Investigating Layered Topological Magnetic Materials as Efficient Electrocatalysts for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction under High Current Densities
Authors: Gupta Sanju , Świątek Hanna , Sawczak Mirosław , Klimczuk Tomasz , Bogdanowicz Robert
Published: October 2024

Despite considerable progress, high-performing durable catalysts operating under large current densities (i.e., >1000 mA/cm2) are still lacking. To discover platinum group metal-free (PGM-free) electrocatalysts for sustainable energy, our research involves investigating layered topological magnetic materials (semiconducting ferromagnets) as highly efficient electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction under high current densities and establishes the novel relations between structure and electrochemical property mechanisms. The materials of interest include transition metal trihalides, i.e., CrCl3, VCl3, and VI3, wherein a structural unit, the layered structure, is formed by Cr (or V) atoms sandwiched between two halides (Cl or I), forming a tri-layer. A few layers of quantum crystals were exfoliated (~50−60 nm), encapsulated with graphene, and electrocatalytic HER tests were conducted in acid (0.5M H2SO4) and alkaline (1M KOH) electrolytes. We find a reasonable HER activity evolved requiring overpotentials in a range of 30–50 mV under 10 mA cm−2 and 400−510 mV (0.5M H2SO4) and 280−500 mV (1M KOH) under −1000 mA cm−2. Likewise, the Tafel slopes range from 27 to 36 mV dec−1 (Volmer–Tafel) and 110 to 190 mV dec−1 (Volmer–Herovsky), implying that these mechanisms work at low and high current densities, respectively. Weak interlayer coupling, spontaneous surface oxidation, the presence of a semi-oxide subsurface (e.g., O–CrCl3), intrinsic Cl (or I) vacancy defects giving rise to in-gap states, electron redistribution (orbital hybridization) affecting the covalency, and sufficiently conductive support interaction lowering the charge transfer resistance endow the optimized adsorption/desorption strength of H* on active sites and favorable electrocatalytic properties. Such behavior is expedited for bi-/tri-layers while exemplifying the critical role of quantum nature electrocatalysts with defect sites for industrial-relevant conditions.
High-Performance Methanol Oxidation via Ni12-Metal8/CNF Catalyst for Fuel Cell Applications
Authors: Gomaa Mahmoud. M. , Abdel-Hamed Mohamed. O. , Ibrahim Mohamed , Abdel-Hady Esam. E. , Elsharkawy Yehya S.
Published: October 2024

In this work, non-precious electrocatalysts were synthesized using the electrospinning technique. Ni12M8/CNF (M = Cd, Co, and Cu) catalysts were successfully prepared in a fixed ratio to withstand the optimum transition metal co-catalyst in addition to the role of CNFs as support in ion-charge movement through the catalyst surface. The prepared catalysts were physically studied by XRD, SEM, and TEM. The electrochemical activity was verified using different fuel concentrations, different sweeping scan rates, and electrochemical impedance. Ni12Cu8/CNFs showed the highest electrochemical activity reaching 152 mA/cm2 through different methanol concentrations. The outstanding performance is attributed to the large active surface area provided by carbon nanofibrous that eases the charge carrier transfer through the untrapped surface of the catalyst. The electrochemical tests suggest that Ni12Cu8/CNFs have the lowest ohmic impedance resistance ensuring the highest efficiency of the designed catalyst. The obtained results serve as an efficient catalyst for direct methanol electrooxidation reactions and suggest a possible application of a low-cost, easily accessible, and large surface area established via the preparing method.
Effect of Trace Bismuth on Deformation Behavior of Ultrahigh-Purity Copper during Hot Compression
Authors: Liu Haitao , Hua Yunxiao , Li Weiqiang , Hou Zhenguo , Dong Jincan , Liu Yong
Published: October 2024

The effect of trace Bi impurities on the flow stress, microstructure evolution, and dynamic recrystallization (DRX) of the ultrahigh-purity copper was systematically investigated by a hot compression test at 600 °C. The results show that the peak stress of the ultrahigh-purity copper gradually decreases with increasing Bi content. Trace Bi impurities can refine the microstructure of ultrahigh-purity copper. However, the refinement effect of 50 wt ppm Bi is much more significant than that of 140 wt ppm Bi during the hot deformation. This effect is ascribed to the higher concentration of Bi at GBs, which induces severe GB cracks that reduces the driving force for the nucleation of DRX grains. In addition, the introduction of Bi inhibits the DRX of the ultrahigh-purity copper and transforms its DRX process from the discontinuous dynamic recrystallization (DDRX) to the coexistence of DDRX and continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX) mechanisms.
Endemic and Threatened: The Conservation Value of the Philippine Duck
Authors: Jaafar Khinnel Jay D. , Vera Peter Jan D. de , Catipay John Paul A. , Kontsiotis Vasileios J. , Liordos Vasilios
Published: October 2024

The Philippine duck (Anas luzonica) is a vulnerable species, endemic to the Philippines. The need of local people for food and land has led to the endangerment of the Philippine duck populations through illegal hunting and the conversion of wetlands to aquaculture and farmland. This study was conducted to determine the willingness to pay (WTP) of residents (n = 500) in Maguindanao provinces for the conservation of the Philippine duck and the effects of conservation attitude and knowledge toward the Philippine duck, as well as sociodemographic characteristics, on WTP. The mean annual WTP for Philippine duck conservation was USD 0.60, and the total estimated annual amount that could be collected was USD 134 thousand when projected based on the number of households in the Maguindanao provinces. A positive conservation attitude and high knowledge increased the WTP for Philippine duck conservation. Females, pet owners, and those with higher income pledged a higher WTP than males, non-pet owners, and those with lower income. This study revealed that local residents are supportive of the conservation of the vulnerable duck populations by paying a considerable amount. These results are critical for designing and implementing outreach programs for increasing awareness and the acquisition of funds urgently needed for the protection and conservation of the remaining Philippine duck population in the area.
Environmental Factors Shaping the Culturable Freshwater Fungi Diversity of Four Lakes in Yunnan Province, China
Authors: Li Lu , Zhao Zhen-Xiong , Gui Heng , Wang Xiao-Ai , Xing Peng , Karunarathna Samantha C. , Cheewangkoon Ratchadawan
Published: October 2024

Our study focused on freshwater fungal diversity, an important aspect in assessing the ecology of aquatic ecosystems. We carefully explored the diversity and influencing factors of culturable fungi across Dianchi Lake, Fuxian Lake, Xingyun Lake, and Yangzonghai Lake in Yunnan Province, China. Through fungi culture, morphological characterization, and ITS sequence analysis, we identified a total of 565 isolates belonging to 405 species across 133 genera. The diversity indices viz. H′, D, and J were evaluated for fungal diversity across the lakes. Interestingly, although diversity indices were highest during summer and at Yangzonghai Lake, no significant differences in fungal community diversity were observed between seasons and regions. Water variables were analyzed and indicated that changes with rapid fluctuations in temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen likely influence fungal diversity. These findings significantly contribute to our understanding of fungal communities within plateau lake ecosystems, thereby aiding in managing and conserving vital aquatic resources.
The Rediscovery of Noblella peruviana after More than 115 Years Helps Resolve the Molecular Phylogeny and Taxonomy of Noblella (Amphibia, Anura, Strabomantidae)
Authors: von May Rudolf , Diaz M. Isabel , Ttito Alex , Santa-Cruz Roy , Catenazzi Alessandro
Published: October 2024

We revise the taxonomy of the frog genus Noblella on the basis of a molecular phylogeny. Previous studies recognized that Noblella is non-monophyletic, with one clade distributed from southeastern Peru to northeastern Bolivia and adjacent areas in Brazil and another clade distributed from northern Peru to Ecuador and southeastern Colombia. The lack of sequences from the type species Noblella peruviana prevented the investigation of its phylogenetic position and the status of related taxa. Our rediscovery after more than 115 years allowed for the inclusion of DNA sequences of Noblella peruviana obtained from specimens collected at the type locality in southeastern Peru. We inferred a phylogeny based on a concatenated dataset (three mitochondrial and two nuclear loci) using Bayesian and maximum likelihood methods. Our phylogeny corroborated the non-monophyly of Noblella and helped resolve the status of related taxa, including Psychrophrynella bagrecito, the type species of the genus Psychrophrynella (rediscovered after 42 years). We identified a clade containing N. peruviana, P. bagrecito, and other species of Noblella and Psychrophrynella distributed in southern Peru. Given that the name Noblella predates Psychrophrynella, we propose that Psychrophrynella should be considered a junior synonym of Noblella. The second clade contains species of Noblella distributed in Ecuador and northern Peru, including N. myrmecoides, which used to be the type species of the genus Phyllonastes. Consequently, we propose to reinstate the genus Phyllonastes to accommodate all species of Noblella distributed in Ecuador, northern Peru, southeastern Colombia, and adjacent areas in Brazil. We present an updated taxonomy including new combinations for 12 species and reinstatements for three species.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Accompanied by Hyperandrogenemia or Metabolic Syndrome Triggers Glomerular Podocyte Injury
Authors: Gungor Kagan , Gungor Nur D. , Celik Onder , Ersahin Aynur , Celik Nilufer , Yardim Meltem , Yurci Arzu , Kobaner Murat , Ilkov Maslarski Ivan
Published: October 2024

Objective: To determine whether the urinary excretion of podocyte degradation products varies according to PCOS phenotype and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods: The concentrations of podocalyxin (PDX) and nephrin, chronic markers of podocyte damage, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), a marker of acute glomerular damage, were analyzed in the morning urine samples of 50 PCOS patients and 50 healthy controls matched by age and BMI. Albuminuria was assessed by calculating the urine albumin–creatinine ratio (uACR). Results: The PDX, nephrin and NGAL concentrations of PCOS participants were significantly higher than those of the control group. While PDX, nephrin and NGAL levels of classic phenotypes were similar, they were higher than ovulatory and non-hyperandrogenic phenotypes. Significant increases in urinary levels of each podocyte protein were detected in PCOS patients with MetS compared to patients without MetS. A positive significant correlation between podocyte proteins and BMI, systolic blood pressure, testosterone, glucose, HOMA-IR and uACR. After adjusting for age and BMI, podocyte proteins were an independent risk factor for microalbuminuria. The incidence of microalbuminuria in PCOS increased 6-fold compared to controls. The frequency of microalbuminuria was higher in classical phenotypes than in ovulatory phenotype. The frequency of microalbuminuria in PCOS patients with MetS was 6.5 times higher than in PCOS patients without MetS. Conclusions: In PCOS accompanied by hyperandrogenemia or metabolic syndrome, leakage of acute and chronic podocyte breakdown products into the urine becomes more pronounced.
A New Joint Training Method for Facial Expression Recognition with Inconsistently Annotated and Imbalanced Data
Authors: Chen Tao , Zhang Dong , Lee Dah-Jye
Published: October 2024

Facial expression recognition (FER) plays a crucial role in various applications, including human–computer interaction and affective computing. However, the joint training of an FER network with multiple datasets is a promising strategy to enhance its performance. Nevertheless, widespread annotation inconsistencies and class imbalances among FER datasets pose significant challenges to this approach. This paper proposes a new multi-dataset joint training method, Sample Selection and Paired Augmentation Joint Training (SSPA-JT), to address these challenges. SSPA-JT models annotation inconsistency as a label noise problem and selects clean samples from auxiliary datasets to expand the overall dataset size while maintaining consistent annotation standards. Additionally, a dynamic matching algorithm is developed to pair clean samples of the tail class with noisy samples, which enriches the tail classes with diverse background information. Experimental results demonstrate that SSPA-JT achieved superior or comparable performance compared with the existing methods by addressing both annotation inconsistencies and class imbalance during multi-dataset joint training. It achieved state-of-the-art performance on RAF-DB and CAER-S datasets with accuracies of 92.44% and 98.22%, respectively, reflecting improvements of 0.2% and 3.65% over existing methods.
Reinforcement Learning-Based Multimodal Model for the Stock Investment Portfolio Management Task
Authors: Du Sha , Shen Hailong
Published: October 2024

Machine learning has been applied by more and more scholars in the field of quantitative investment, but traditional machine learning methods cannot provide high returns and strong stability at the same time. In this paper, a multimodal model based on reinforcement learning (RL) is constructed for the stock investment portfolio management task. Most of the previous methods based on RL have chosen the value-based RL methods. Policy gradient-based RL methods have been proven to be superior to value-based RL methods by a growing number of research. Commonly used policy gradient-based reinforcement learning methods are DDPG, TD3, SAC, and PPO. We conducted comparative experiments to select the most suitable method for the dataset in this paper. The final choice was DDPG. Furthermore, there will rarely be a way to refine the raw data before training the agent. The stock market has a large amount of data, and the data are complex. If the raw stock market data are fed directly to the agent, the agent cannot learn the information in the data efficiently and quickly. We use state representation learning (SRL) to process the raw stock data and then feed the processed data to the agent. It is not enough to train the agent using only stock data; we also added comment text data and image data. The comment text data comes from investors’ comments on stock bars. Image data are derived from pictures that can represent the overall direction of the market. We conducted experiments on three datasets and compared our proposed model with 11 other methods. We set up three evaluation indicators in the paper. Taken together, our proposed model works best.
Identity-Driven Targeted Violence in a College Setting: An Overview of Prevalence and Behavioral Responses
Authors: McGonigal Patrick T. , Scalora Mario J.
Published: October 2024

Background: Online and offline identity-driven harassment disproportionately affects minoritized college students, contributing to poorer academic performance and attrition. Because victims are often hesitant to formally report incidents, additional research is needed to understand the genuine prevalence of these experiences as well as the responses victims engage in following the incidents. Methods: A large undergraduate sample (N = 2000) from a Midwestern university responded to an anonymous survey assessing the frequency of identity-driven behavior occurring on-campus and beyond, in addition to how they responded to harassment. Results: The results unveiled that perpetrators most often targeted an individual’s sex and gender, followed by their sexual orientation and race. Specific behaviors ranged from more frequent, mild forms of harassment (i.e., verbal harassment, invading space) to less frequent, severe forms of harassment (i.e., physical and sexual assault). Victims reported engaging in informal activities following harassment, such as relying on social support or ignoring the perpetrator. Conclusions: The current study unveiled patterns of identity-driven behaviors experienced by college students as well as how they respond to victimization. Future directions and practical implications are discussed.
Comparative Analysis of the Cutaneous Microbiome in Psoriasis Patients and Healthy Individuals—Insights into Microbial Dysbiosis: Final Results
Authors: Radaschin Diana Sabina , Iancu Alina Viorica , Ionescu Alexandra Mariana , Gurau Gabriela , Niculet Elena , Bujoreanu Florin Ciprian , Beiu Cristina , Tatu Alin Laurentiu , Popa Liliana Gabriela
Published: October 2024

Psoriasis is one of the most frequent chronic inflammatory skin diseases and exerts a significant psychological impact, causing stigmatization, low self-esteem and depression. The pathogenesis of psoriasis is remarkably complex, involving genetic, immune and environmental factors, some of which are still incompletely explored. The cutaneous microbiome has become more and more important in the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases such as acne, rosacea, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Dysbiosis of the skin microbiome could be linked to acute flare ups in psoriatic disease, as recent studies suggest. Given this hypothesis, we conducted a study in which we evaluated the cutaneous microbiome of psoriasis patients and healthy individuals. In our study, we collected multiple samples using swab sampling, adhesive tape and punch biopsies. Our results are similar to other studies in which the qualitative and quantitative changes found in the cutaneous microbiome of psoriasis patients are different than healthy individuals. Larger, standardized studies are needed in order to elucidate the microbiome changes in psoriasis patients, clarify their role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, decipher the interactions between the commensal microorganisms of the same and different niches and between microbiomes and the host and identify new therapeutic strategies.
YKL40/Integrin β4 Axis Induced by the Interaction between Cancer Cells and Tumor-Associated Macrophages Is Involved in the Progression of High-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma
Authors: Yamanaka Keitaro , Koma Yu-ichiro , Urakami Satoshi , Takahashi Ryosuke , Nagamata Satoshi , Omori Masaki , Torigoe Rikuya , Yokoo Hiroki , Nakanishi Takashi , Ishihara Nobuaki , Tsukamoto Shuichi , Kodama Takayuki , Nishio Mari , Shigeoka Manabu , Yokozaki Hiroshi , Terai Yoshito
Published: October 2024

Macrophages in the tumor microenvironment, termed tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), promote the progression of various cancer types. However, many mechanisms related to tumor–stromal interactions in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) progression remain unclear. High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is the most malignant EOC subtype. Herein, immunohistochemistry was performed on 65 HGSOC tissue samples, revealing that patients with a higher infiltration of CD68+, CD163+, and CD204+ macrophages had a poorer prognosis. We subsequently established an indirect co-culture system between macrophages and EOC cells, including HGSOC cells. The co-cultured macrophages showed increased expression of the TAM markers CD163 and CD204, and the co-cultured EOC cells exhibited enhanced proliferation, migration, and invasion. Cytokine array analysis revealed higher YKL40 secretion in the indirect co-culture system. The addition of YKL40 increased proliferation, migration, and invasion via extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) signaling in EOC cells. The knockdown of integrin β4, one of the YKL40 receptors, suppressed YKL40-induced proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as Erk phosphorylation in some EOC cells. Database analysis showed that high-level expression of YKL40 and integrin β4 correlated with a poor prognosis in patients with serous ovarian carcinoma. Therefore, the YKL40/integrin β4 axis may play a role in ovarian cancer progression.
Bugs on Drugs: Paracetamol Exposure Reveals Genotype-Specific Generational Effects on Life History Traits in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Hundebøl Birk Nete Randlev Gleerup , Rohde Palle Duun , Kristensen Torsten Nygaard , Jensen Rune Wittendorff Mønster , Vosegaard Thomas , Sørensen Jesper Givskov
Published: October 2024

Few investigations have been made to determine whether pharmaceutical drugs cause any generational effects. These effects can be divided into intergenerational and transgenerational effects. In insects, the F1 offspring of exposed individuals are considered to show intergenerational effects (as they have been exposed as germ cells or early embryos), while the F2 generation is fully non-exposed and considered to show transgenerational effects. Here, the common over-the-counter (OTC) drug, paracetamol, is investigated for genotype-specific responses and effects across generations on three life-history traits: fecundity, longevity, and spontaneous locomotor activity levels in the model species Drosophila melanogaster. Seven isofemale D. melanogaster lines were exposed to a high and intermediate dose of paracetamol determined by a dose–response curve. NMR investigations verified the long-term presence of paracetamol in the food substrate. Phenotypic effects of paracetamol ingestion were investigated on flies exposed to the drug and in their offspring and grand-offspring. The dose–response curve indicated genotype-specific responses to paracetamol. In the following experiment, all traits investigated displayed significant effects of paracetamol ingestion for at least one of the seven isofemale lines, and we detected strong genotype-specific responses to paracetamol. Fecundity tended to increase in individuals directly exposed to the drug whereas fecundity in the F2 generation was reduced (transgenerational). Longevity generally decreased in directly exposed individuals but tended to increase in F1 offspring (intergenerational). Paracetamol effects on spontaneous locomotor activity were primarily detected as transgenerational effects and were rarely seen in directly exposed individuals. However, across lines, no clear overall trend could be determined for any trait. The generational effects and marked genotype-specific response to paracetamol warrants further investigation of both genotype-specific responses and generational effects in general.