bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic diversity and haplotypes of Cysticercus tenuicollis isolates from slaughtered sheep and goats in Elazig and Bingol provinces of Turkey
Authors: Karakoc Sirvan , Kesik Harun Kaya , Celik Figen , Selcuk Muhammed Ahmed , Gunyakti Kilinc Seyma , Simsek Sami
Published: May 2024

Background

The cestode Taenia hydatigena uses canids, primarily dogs, as definitive hosts, whereas the metacestode larval stage cysticercus infects a range of intermediate hosts, including domestic animals such as goats, sheep and pigs.

Objectives

In this study, we aimed to determine the genetic differences and haplotypes of Cysticercus tenuicollis isolates obtained from sheep and goats slaughtered in the Bingol and Elazig provinces of Turkey.

Methods

C. tenuicollis isolates were collected from 44 sheep and 26 goats slaughtered in slaughterhouses in Bingol and Elazig. After the isolation of total genomic DNA from C. tenuicollis isolates, the genetic characterization of the partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 (CO1) gene region (866 bp) was amplified using specific primers by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the products were then sequenced, and haplotype and genetic diversity analyses were carried out.

Results

As a result of the haplotype network analyses, 34 different haplotypes were detected around the main haplotype (Hap02) arranged in a star‐like configuration and separated from other haplotypes by 1–28 mutation steps and covering 22.85% (16/70) of all isolates. Twenty‐seven polymorphic fields were detected, 77.77% (21/27) of which were parsimony‐informative, and secondary haplotype and nucleotide diversity were observed. Additionally, we detected high intraspecies haplotype diversity (hd: 0.933) and high nucleotide diversity (π: 0.00383), with 27 different nucleotide variation positions among the haplotypes of the isolates. Tajima's D value was negative, indicating population expansion and/or selection purification. The significantly negative Fu's Fs values indicated recent population expansion or the presence of expected rare haplotypes.

Conclusion

The results of this study confirmed that C. tenuicollis isolates clustered in one lineage and were closely related to the relevant reference sequences in different countries, confirming the circulation of C. tenuicollis in different geographical regions.
The Rise of New Social Risks in Post-collectivist China
Authors: Constantin Sandra V.
Published: May 2024

This chapter highlights in a first section the complex changes in China’s Welfare system, marked by historical legacies, reforms, and the ongoing tension between collectivist and individualized approaches.

The chapter reveals that China’s transition to market economy triggered shifts in employment dynamics. The dismantling of State and collective sectors in 1992 led to a surge in job insecurity, with most jobs moving to the private sector by 2005. Efforts to formalize labor contracts began in 1986 but faced challenges. The 1994 Labor Law standardized contracts, but informal jobs persisted.

The chapter uncovers that in this context of uncertainties, intergenerational solidarities tend to replace the collectivist provisions. Demographic shifts strain this new contract. Faced with the challenges of precarious employment, particularly in the informal sector, young adults exhibit varying vulnerabilities. Migrants face increased vulnerabilities, often lacking social security schemes. Many respondents, including those with degrees, experience frustration due to fixed-term contracts, impacting income and personal life. The risk of disaffiliation is exacerbated by long working hours, hindering social interactions. Despite attempts with the 2008 labor law to address job precariousness, poor law enforcement persists, especially after the 2008 economic crisis.
Reevaluation und Empfehlung von unfallbezogenen Kriterien zur Aktivierung eines Schockraumteams nach Verkehrsunfall
Authors: Hetz Michael , Kaffer Philipp , Babisch Stefan , Bieler Dan , Schaser Klaus-Dieter , Kleber Christian
Published: May 2024

Hintergrund

Die adäquate Versorgung von Traumapatienten nach Verkehrsunfällen (VU) setzt eine frühe und bedarfsgerechte Disposition geeigneter Rettungsmittel sowie eine dem erwarteten Verletzungsmuster gerecht werdende Schockraumbehandlung voraus. Daher sind validierte Diskriminanten und eine möglichst hohe Vorhersagegüte zur Alarmierung aller Mitglieder der Rettungskette notwendig. In der aktuellen Version der S3-Leitlinie Polytrauma/Schwerverletzten-Behandlung werden unfallbezogene Schockraumalarmierungskriterien genannt, welche in dieser Arbeit anhand der GIDAS-Datenbank für Verkehrsunfälle reevaluiert werden.

Methodik

In der vorliegenden deskriptiven, retrospektiven Registerstudie wurden 42.310 Verkehrsunfälle mit 57.837 Pkw-Insassen anhand der GIDAS-Datenbank (01/1999–06/2021) analysiert und Parameter zur Vorhersage von schweren Verletzungen (AIS 3+) erhoben.

Ergebnisse

Die Parameter „Intrusion von mehr als 50–70 cm“ (positiver prädiktiver Wert [PPW] 48–59 %), „Geschwindigkeitsänderung > 30 km/h“ (PPW 10 %) und „Fußgänger‑/Zweiradkollision“ (PPW 8 %) zeigten eine geringe Vorhersagegüte oder sind prähospital nicht valide erhebbar. „Tod eines Insassen“ (PPW 45 %) und „Ejektion aus dem Fahrzeug“ (PPW 57 % für herausgeschleuderte Person, PPW 28 % für Mitinsassen) zeigten hingegen eine gute Vorhersagegüte. Weiterhin zeigten die Parameter „Fahrzeugdeformierung“ ab 130 cm (Frontanprall, PPW 33 %) und 100 cm (Seitenanprall, PPW 24 %) eine gute Vorhersagegüte und könnten zur Verbesserung der adäquaten Schockraumalarmierung dienen.

Diskussion

In unserer Studie konnten Diskriminanten mit guter und schlechter Vorhersagegüte einer schweren Verletzung nachgewiesen werden. Diese sollten Grundlage für die Aktivierung eines Schockraumteams B (Teilalarm) sein und Einzug in die kommende Version der S3-Leitlinie Polytrauma/Schwerverletzten-Behandlung finden. Zudem sollten weitere Parameter überprüft und im Rahmen von Abfragemodellen den Rettungsleitstellendisponenten zur Verfügung gestellt werden.
Green supply chain management and firm sustainable performance: unlocking the role of transactional and transformational leadership in firm sustainable operations
Authors: Abbas Jawad
Published: May 2024

Companies are adopting innovative and environmentally friendly methods and technologies to mitigate the adverse effects of their products and services on the natural environment. Various internal and external factors influence a company’s ability to comply with such sustainability standards. This study specifically examines the connection between a company’s sustainable supply chain operations and a crucial internal factor, namely leadership. It focuses on comparing and contrasting the impacts of transformational and transactional leadership on green supply chain management (GSCM) and the overall sustainable performance of the company. Using a quantitative approach, the author conducted surveys among employees and managers and utilized structural equation modeling to analyze the model. The findings indicate that transformational leadership significantly impacts GSCM practices and sustainable organizational performance (OSP). However, the association between transactional leadership and GSCM is relatively weak. Additionally, it is observed that GSCM positively contributes to OSP. The results emphasize the importance of upper-level management involvement in green initiatives, particularly GSCM, to enhance the company’s environmental performance and ensure its long-term sustainability.
Phenomenology, Perspectivalism and (Quantum) Physics
Authors: French Steven
Published: May 2024

It has been claimed that Massimi’s recent perspectival approach to science sits in tension with a realist stance. I shall argue that this tension can be defused in the quantum context by recasting Massimi’s perspectivalism within a phenomenological framework. I shall begin by indicating how the different but complementary forms of the former are manifested in the distinction between certain so-called ‘-epistemic’ and ‘-ontic’ understandings of quantum mechanics, namely QBism and Relational Quantum Mechanics, respectively. A brief consideration of Dieks’ perspectivism will then lead to a consideration of the much-maligned and typically dismissed role of the observer in the measurement process. This opens the door to London and Bauer’s presentation of a form of ‘phenomenological quantum perspectivalism’ that brings together Massimi’s two forms and explicitly eschews the ‘naïve’ realism that creates the above tension. I shall conclude with some reflections on how intersubjectivity can still be established within this framework, focusing in particular on how Massimi’s idea of ‘interlacing’ scientific perspectives can be accommodated, using the example of a ‘new cosmopolitanism’ that gave rise to Bose-Einstein statistics.
Lipschitz Regularity for a Priori Bounded Minimizers of Integral Functionals with Nonstandard Growth
Authors: Eleuteri Michela , Passarelli di Napoli Antonia
Published: May 2024

We establish the Lipschitz regularity of the a priori bounded local minimizers of integral functionals with non autonomous energy densities satisfying non standard growth conditions under a bound on the gap between the growth and the ellipticity exponent that is reminiscent of the sharp bound already found in [16].
The Future of Obesity Management through Precision Nutrition: Putting the Individual at the Center
Authors: Ulusoy-Gezer Hande Gül , Rakıcıoğlu Neslişah
Published: May 2024

Purpose of Review

The prevalence of obesity continues to rise steadily. While obesity management typically relies on dietary and lifestyle modifications, individual responses to these interventions vary widely. Clinical guidelines for overweight and obesity stress the importance of personalized approaches to care. This review aims to underscore the role of precision nutrition in delivering tailored interventions for obesity management.

Recent Findings

Recent technological strides have expanded our ability to detect obesity-related genetic polymorphisms, with machine learning algorithms proving pivotal in analyzing intricate genomic data. Machine learning algorithms can also predict postprandial glucose, triglyceride, and insulin levels, facilitating customized dietary interventions and ultimately leading to successful weight loss. Additionally, given that adherence to dietary recommendations is one of the key predictors of weight loss success, employing more objective methods for dietary assessment and monitoring can enhance sustained long-term compliance.

Biomarkers of food intake hold promise for a more objective dietary assessment. Acknowledging the multifaceted nature of obesity, precision nutrition stands poised to transform obesity management by tailoring dietary interventions to individuals' genetic backgrounds, gut microbiota, metabolic profiles, and behavioral patterns. However, there is insufficient evidence demonstrating the superiority of precision nutrition over traditional dietary recommendations. The integration of precision nutrition into routine clinical practice requires further validation through randomized controlled trials and the accumulation of a larger body of evidence to strengthen its foundation.
DIAR: a blockchain-based system for generation and verification of academic diplomas
Authors: Rustemi Avni , Dalipi Fisnik , Atanasovski Vladimir , Risteski Aleksandar
Published: May 2024

Nowadays, the centralized systems used in higher education institutions are sophisticated and have high security mechanisms, offering secure data transfer and real-time encryption. Despite the prevalent usage of centralized systems in many institutions, particularly those within the realm of higher education, some unresolved concerns persist pertaining to privacy, potential abuse, transparency, and the limited capacity to digitize numerous services. Blockchain systems are considered as a potential solution for addressing these constraints. This study begins by highlighting the significance of implementing blockchain systems in higher education institutions, while also outlining the obstacles encountered by researchers in this domain. Centralized systems and blockchain systems are distinguished, with a description of the challenges related to data transfer and adaptation to different platforms. A thorough explanation of the proposed blockchain system begins with a presentation of the conceptual model, followed by a detailed architecture of the processes that would be executed by the system, with particular emphasis on the generation and authentication of academic credentials. Additionally, an analysis is provided on the significance of smart contracts in the programming of blockchain systems. This includes a detailed explanation of the main smart contract architecture used in the proposed blockchain system. This article aims to explore the development of a proposed blockchain system and its practical implementation for testing purposes using specific scenarios and data in the foreseeable future.
Modeling rehabilitation dataset to implement effective AI assistive systems
Authors: Mennella Ciro , Maniscalco Umberto , Pietro Giuseppe De , Esposito Massimo
Published: May 2024

The demand for automated systems monitoring and supporting patients in their home-based recovery programs is substantial. While emerging technologies have been proposed as potential solutions to enhance at-home patient care, limited systems are in place due to their challenges in offering real-time monitoring and corrective feedback. Most proposed methodologies provide an overall measure or score for the executed movement. The proposed work involves the adaptation of an existing published dataset to cater to the needs of a system capable of remotely assisting patients, effectively acting as a virtual physical therapist able to provide corrective feedback. A dataset containing a set of three simple exercises for shoulder rehabilitation was processed. Each movement was meticulously annotated for temporal and categorical motion domains to monitor exercise execution in terms of the range of motion completeness and to evaluate compensatory movement patterns. This work carries substantial significance by offering a standardized and easily accessible model for human movement data, thus fostering the advancement of digital assistive systems designed to support home-based rehabilitation programs.
Building Recovery Resilience
Authors: du Plessis Guy , Tollefson Derrik R. , Weathers Robert , Webb Kevin G.
Published: May 2024

The first workbook written for individuals progressing through the Recovery Resilience Program, a person-centered, strength and resiliency-based relapse prevention and recovery-oriented intervention designed for individuals in addiction recovery. The book presents practices derived from the I-System Model and the evidence-based intervention Mind-Body Bridging that enhance 'recovery resilience' – a term we use to refer to an individual's capacity to effectively apply coping and self-regulation skills in dealing with cravings, triggers, stress, and high-risk situations without reverting to substance use. Each chapter introduces various Recovery Resilience Practices and explains how they can positively augment any recovery pathway. Readers can learn to use these practices through various exercises, which they can complete before moving on to the next chapter. The program helps individuals to draw upon and use their recovery capital (for example, skills, tools, knowledge, etc.), remove barriers along the way, and strengthen their internal resources, and ultimately reach recovery and life goals.
L
p
positivity preservation and self-adjointness of Schrödinger operators on incomplete Riemannian manifolds
Authors: Bisterzo Andrea , Veronelli Giona
Published: May 2024

The aim of this paper is to prove a qualitative property, namely the preservation of positivity, for Schrödinger-type operators acting on

$L^p$

functions defined on (possibly incomplete) Riemannian manifolds. A key assumption is a control of the behaviour of the potential of the operator near the Cauchy boundary of the manifolds. As a by-product, we establish the essential self-adjointness of such operators, as well as its generalization to the case

$p\neq 2$

, i.e. the fact that smooth compactly supported functions are an operator core for the Schrödinger operator in

$L^p$

.
Bribes and Bombs: The Effect of Corruption on Terrorism
Authors: MEIERRIEKS DANIEL , AUER DANIEL
Published: May 2024

We leverage plausibly exogenous variation in regional exposure to corruption to provide causal estimates of the impact of local political corruption on terrorist activity for a sample of 175 countries between 1970 and 2018. We find that higher levels of corruption lead to more terrorism. This result is robust to a variety of empirical modifications, including various ways in which we probe the validity of our instrumental variables approach. We also show that corruption adversely affects the provision of public goods and undermines counter-terrorism capacity. Thus, our empirical findings are consistent with predictions from a game-theoretical representation of terrorism, according to which corruption makes terrorism relatively more attractive compared to peaceful contestation, while also decreasing the costs of organizing and carrying out terrorist attacks.
Evaluating Adaptation Pathways in a Complex Multi‐Risk System
Authors: Schlumberger Julius , Haasnoot Marjolijn , Aerts Jeroen C. J. H. , Bril Veerle , van der Weide Lars , de Ruiter Marleen
Published: May 2024

Disaster Risk Management (DRM) is complex due to interacting climate risks from interacting hazards and sectors. We develop a synthetic multi‐risk test case to explore the effects of these interactions on decision‐making under deep uncertainty. The test case accounts for changes in hazard impacts and occurrence frequency due to interactions between floods and droughts. Interactions between the shipping, housing and agricultural sectors are considered as well. We use this test case to explore the utility of the Dynamic Adaptive Policy Pathways for Multi‐Risk (DAPP‐MR) framework. DAPP‐MR has been introduced to assess DRM policies' effectiveness under deep uncertainties and to develop integrated adaptive strategies considering interactions across hazards, sectors and time. With the test case, we show that the stage‐wise approach of DAPP‐MR, which gradually increases the complexity of the analysis, can facilitate the evaluation process. Earlier stages of the analysis can be used to establish the direct cause‐effect relations, later stages allow us to identify whether additional interacting factors have a significant effect on the direct cause‐effect relations. As a result, decision‐makers can gain insights into dependencies and their relevance for developing short‐to long‐term strategies under deep uncertainty. We show that multi‐risk interactions can lead to non‐linear effects that influence the outcome of the policy analysis, for example, the indirect influence of a decision in one sector on another. Future work could investigate further improving the operationalization of this staged approach as well as extending the set of uncertainties, dynamics and decision‐rules accounted for in the multi‐risk test case.
The Distribution Pattern of Ground Movement and Co‐Seismic Landslides: A Case Study of the 5 September 2022 Luding Earthquake, China
Authors: Li W. P. , Wu Y. M. , Gao X. , Wang W. M. , Yang Z. H. , Liu H. J.
Published: May 2024

Major earthquakes can cause extensive landsliding that poses a major threat to both property and human lives. In addition to co‐seismically triggered ground failure, the earthquake‐affected region remains vulnerable to landslides due to loosened and unstable materials and structures. Many researchers have studied landslide distributions and their controlling factors after earthquakes, but the function of ground motion is unclear. To investigate the connection in a strike‐slip earthquake, we analyzed the 5 September 2022 Luding earthquake (Mw 6.6) in Sichuan Province, China. We interpreted remote‐sensing images to obtain the landslide distribution before and after the earthquake, calculated surface deformation from D‐InSAR data (pre‐ and post‐earthquake), utilized a point‐source model for the focal mechanism inversion, and then constructed a finite fault model for the rupture slip. There are clear differences in the landslide distributions on the two sides of the fault before and after the earthquake. The density of co‐seismic landslides on the west side of the fault exceeded that on the east side. The patterns of surface deformation and ground motion indicated that the areas with larger deformation and motion were associated with more landslides. Furthermore, the landslide size decreased with distance from the fault. A new finding is that co‐seismic landslides induced by strike‐slip earthquakes result in high landslide concentration on both sides of the fault, while previous studies find that co‐seismic landslides triggered by thrust earthquakes present a hanging wall concentrated distribution pattern. These findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the connection between ground movement patterns and landslide distributions.
Chasmophyte associated stress tolerant bacteria confer drought resilience to chickpea through efficient nutrient mining and modulation of stress response
Authors: Das Sudipta , Chakdar Hillol , Kumar Adarsh , Singh Rajni , Saxena Anil Kumar
Published: May 2024

In the present study, ten (10) selected bacteria isolated from chasmophytic wild Chenopodium were evaluated for alleviation of drought stress in chickpea. All the bacterial cultures were potential P, K and Zn solubilizer. About 50% of the bacteria could produce Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase. The bacteria showed wide range of tolerance towards pH, salinity, temperature and osmotic stress. Bacillus paralicheniformis L38, Pseudomonas sp. LN75, Enterobacter hormachei subsp. xiangfengensis LJ89, B. paramycoides L17 and Micrococcus luteus LA9 significantly improved growth and nutrient (N, P, K, Fe and Zn) content in chickpea under water stress during a green house experiment conducted following a completely randomized design (CRD). Application of Microbacterium imperiale LJ10, B. stercoris LN74, Pseudomonas sp. LN75, B. paralicheniformis L38 and E. hormachei subsp. xiangfengensis LJ89 reduced the antioxidant enzymes under water stress. During field experiments conducted following randomized block design (RBD), all the bacterial inoculations improved chickpea yield under water stress. Highest yield (1363 kg ha−1) was obtained in plants inoculated with Pseudomonas sp. LN75. Pseudomonas sp. LN75, B. paralicheniformis L38 and E. hormachei subsp. xiangfengensis LJ89 have potential as microbial stimulants to alleviate the water stress in chickpea. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of using chasmophyte associated bacteria for alleviation of water stress in a crop plant.
A comprehensive analysis of COVID-19 nonlinear mathematical model by incorporating the environment and social distancing
Authors: Riaz Muhammad , Shah Kamal , Abdeljawad Thabet , Amacha Inas , Al-Jaser Asma , Alqudah Manar
Published: May 2024

This research conducts a detailed analysis of a nonlinear mathematical model representing COVID-19, incorporating both environmental factors and social distancing measures. It thoroughly analyzes the model’s equilibrium points, computes the basic reproductive rate, and evaluates the stability of the model at disease-free and endemic equilibrium states, both locally and globally. Additionally, sensitivity analysis is carried out. The study develops a sophisticated stability theory, primarily focusing on the characteristics of the Volterra–Lyapunov (V–L) matrices method. To understand the dynamic behavior of COVID-19, numerical simulations are essential. For this purpose, the study employs a robust numerical technique known as the non-standard finite difference (NSFD) method, introduced by Mickens. Various results are visually presented through graphical representations across different parameter values to illustrate the impact of environmental factors and social distancing measures.
Harnessing the runoff reduction potential of urban bioswales as an adaptation response to climate change
Authors: Lu Lingwen , Johnson Matthew , Zhu Fangfang , Xu Yaoyang , Ruan Tian , Chan Faith Ka Shun
Published: May 2024

Nature-based solutions (NbS), including China's Sponge City Program (SCP), can address the challenges urban communities face due to surface runoff and flooding. The current capacity of SCP facilities in urban environments falls short of meeting the demands placed on communities by climate change. Bioswales are a form of SCP facility that plays an important role in reducing surface runoff by promoting infiltration. This study assesses the potential of SCP facilities to reduce runoff in urban communities under climate change using the storm water management model. The study site in Ningbo, China, was used to evaluate the potential role of bioswales in reducing runoff risks from climate change. We found that bioswales were most effective in scenarios when rainfall peaks occurred early and were less effective in right-skewed rainfall events. The overall performance of SCP facilities was similar across all climate scenarios. To maintain the current protection level of SCP facilities, bioswales would need to cover at least 4% of the catchment area. These findings from Ningbo provide a useful method for assessing NbS in other regions and indicative values for the increase in the bioswale coverage needed to adapt to climate change.
Polyetheretherketone bioactivity induced by farringtonite
Authors: Martínková Martina , Zárybnická Lucie , Viani Alberto , Killinger Michael , Mácová Petra , Sedláček Tomáš , Oralová Veronika , Klepárník Karel , Humpolíček Petr
Published: May 2024

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is considered as an excellent biomaterial for bone grafting and connective tissue replacement. The clinical potential is, however, limited by its bioinertness, poor osteoconduction, and weak antibacterial activity. These disadvantages can be overcome by introducing suitable additives to produce mineral-polymer composites or coatings. In this work, a PEEK-based bioactive composite has been obtained by blending the polymer with magnesium phosphate (Mg3(PO4)2) particles in amounts ranging from 1 to 10 wt.% using the hot press technique. The obtained composite exhibited improved mechanical and physical properties, above the lower limits set for bone engineering applications. The tested grafts were found to not induce cytotoxicity. The presence of magnesium phosphate induced the mineralisation process with no adverse effects on the expression of the marker crucial for osteoblastic differentiation. The most promising results were observed in the grafts containing 1 wt.% of magnesium phosphate embedded within the PEEK matrix. The improved bioactivity of grafts, together with suitable physical–chemical and mechanical properties, indicate this composite as a promising orthopaedic implant material.
Auditory rhythm facilitates perception and action in children at risk for developmental coordination disorder
Authors: Carrillo Chantal , Chang Andrew , Armstrong Hannah , Cairney John , McAuley J. Devin , Trainor Laurel J.
Published: May 2024

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder featuring deficits in motor coordination and motor timing among children. Deficits in rhythmic tracking, including perceptually tracking and synchronizing action with auditory rhythms, have been studied in a wide range of motor disorders, providing a foundation for developing rehabilitation programs incorporating auditory rhythms. We tested whether DCD also features these auditory-motor deficits among 7–10 year-old children. In a speech recognition task with no overt motor component, modulating the speech rhythm interfered more with the performance of children at risk for DCD than typically developing (TD) children. A set of auditory-motor tapping tasks further showed that, although children at risk for DCD performed worse than TD children in general, the presence of an auditory rhythmic cue (isochronous metronome or music) facilitated the temporal consistency of tapping. Finally, accuracy in the recognition of rhythmically modulated speech and tapping consistency correlated with performance on the standardized motor assessment. Together, the results show auditory rhythmic regularity benefits auditory perception and auditory-motor coordination in children at risk for DCD. This provides a foundation for future clinical studies to develop evidence-based interventions involving auditory-motor rhythmic coordination for children with DCD.
Multi-omics analysis of macrophage-associated receptor and ligand reveals a strong prognostic signature and subtypes in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhao Yulou , Chen Cong , Chen Kang , Sun Yanjun , He Ning , Zhang Xiubing , Xu Jian , Shen Aiguo , Zhao Suming
Published: May 2024

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality worldwide. The interaction between receptors and ligands is the primary mode of intercellular signaling and plays a vital role in the progression of HCC. This study aimed to identify the macrophage-related receptor ligand marker genes associated with HCC and further explored the molecular immune mechanisms attributed to altered biomarkers. Single-cell RNA sequencing data containing primary and recurrent samples were downloaded from the China National GeneBank. Cell types were first identified to explore differences between immune cells from different sample sources. CellChat analysis was used to infer and analyze intercellular communication networks quantitatively. Three molecular subtypes were constructed based on the screened twenty macrophage-associated receptor ligand genes. Bulk RNA-Seq data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases. After the screening, the minor absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression model was employed to identify key markers. After collecting peripheral blood and clinical information from patients, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the correlation between key markers and IL-10, one of the macrophage markers. After developing a new HCC risk adjustment model and conducting analysis, it was found that there were significant differences in immune status and gene mutations between the high-risk and low-risk groups of patients based on macrophage-associated receptor and ligand genes. This study identified SPP1, ANGPT2, and NCL as key biological targets for HCC. The drug-gene interaction network analysis identified wortmannin, ribavirin, and tarnafloxin as potential therapeutic drugs for the three key markers. In a clinical cohort study, patients with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) resistance had significantly higher expression levels of OPN, ANGPT2, NCL, and IL-10 than patients with ICI-responsiveness. These three key markers were positively correlated with the expression level of IL-10. The signature based on macrophage-associated receptor and ligand genes can accurately predict the prognosis of patients with HCC and the sensitivity to immunotherapy. These results may help guide the development of targeted prevention and personalized treatment of HCC.
Functional fixedness in chimpanzees
Authors: Ebel Sonja J. , Völter Christoph J. , Sánchez-Amaro Alejandro , Helming Katharina A. , Herrmann Esther , Call Josep
Published: May 2024

Differences in the tool use of non-human primates and humans are subject of ongoing debate. In humans, representations of object functions underpin efficient tool use. Yet, representations of object functions can lead to functional fixedness, which describes the fixation on a familiar tool function leading to less efficient problem solving when the problem requires using the tool for a new function. In the current study, we examined whether chimpanzees exhibit functional fixedness. After solving a problem with a tool, chimpanzees were less efficient in solving another problem which required using the same tool with a different function compared to a control group. This fixation effect was still apparent after a period of nine months and when chimpanzees had learned about the function of a tool by observation of a conspecific. These results suggest that functional fixedness in our closest living relatives likely exists and cast doubt on the notion that stable function representations are uniquely human.
Improved recovery of urinary small extracellular vesicles by differential ultracentrifugation
Authors: Teixeira-Marques Ana , Monteiro-Reis Sara , Montezuma Diana , Lourenço Catarina , Oliveira Miguel Carlos , Constâncio Vera , Sequeira José Pedro , Carvalho-Maia Carina , Freitas Rui , Martens-Uzunova Elena S. , Vasconcelos M. Helena , Henrique Rui , Jerónimo Carmen
Published: May 2024

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid-membrane enclosed structures that are associated with several diseases, including those of genitourinary tract. Urine contains EVs derived from urinary tract cells. Owing to its non-invasive collection, urine represents a promising source of biomarkers for genitourinary disorders, including cancer. The most used method for urinary EVs separation is differential ultracentrifugation (UC), but current protocols lead to a significant loss of EVs hampering its efficiency. Moreover, UC protocols are labor-intensive, further limiting clinical application. Herein, we sought to optimize an UC protocol, reducing the time spent and improving small EVs (SEVs) yield. By testing different ultracentrifugation times at 200,000g to pellet SEVs, we found that 48 min and 60 min enabled increased SEVs recovery compared to 25 min. A step for pelleting large EVs (LEVs) was also evaluated and compared with filtering of the urine supernatant. We found that urine supernatant filtering resulted in a 1.7-fold increase on SEVs recovery, whereas washing steps resulted in a 0.5 fold-decrease on SEVs yield. Globally, the optimized UC protocol was shown to be more time efficient, recovering higher numbers of SEVs than Exoquick-TC (EXO). Furthermore, the optimized UC protocol preserved RNA quality and quantity, while reducing SEVs separation time.
Characterization and application of recombinant Bovine Leukemia Virus Env protein
Authors: Tomé-Poderti Lorena , Olivero-Deibe Natalia , Carrión Federico , Portela María Magdalena , Obal Gonzalo , Cabrera Gleysin , Bianchi Sergio , Lima Analia , Addiego Andrés , Durán Rosario , Moratorio Gonzalo , Pritsch Otto
Published: May 2024

The Bovine Leukemia Virus (BLV) Envelope (Env) glycoprotein complex is instrumental in viral infectivity and shapes the host’s immune response. This study presents the production and characterization of a soluble furin-mutated BLV Env ectodomain (sBLV-EnvFm) expressed in a stable S2 insect cell line. We purified a 63 kDa soluble protein, corresponding to the monomeric sBLV-EnvFm, which predominantly presented oligomannose and paucimannose N-glycans, with a high content of core fucose structures. Our results demonstrate that our recombinant protein can be recognized from specific antibodies in BLV infected cattle, suggesting its potential as a powerful diagnostic tool. Moreover, the robust humoral immune response it elicited in mice shows its potential contribution to the development of subunit-based vaccines against BLV.
Phenylacetic acid, an anti-vaginitis metabolite produced by the vaginal symbiotic bacterium Chryseobacterium gleum
Authors: Kwon Kang Mu , Kim Eun-Hye , Sim Kyeong Hwa , Lee Youn Ju , Kang Eun-Ji , Han Kap-Hoon , Jin Jong-Sik , Kim Dae Keun , Ahn Ji-Hye , Hwang In Hyun
Published: May 2024

The human microbiome contains genetic information that regulates metabolic processes in response to host health and disease. While acidic vaginal pH is maintained in normal conditions, the pH level increases in infectious vaginitis. We propose that this change in the vaginal environment triggers the biosynthesis of anti-vaginitis metabolites. Gene expression levels of Chryseobacterium gleum, a vaginal symbiotic bacterium, were found to be affected by pH changes. The distinctive difference in the metabolic profiles between two C. gleum cultures incubated under acidic and neutral pH conditions was suggested to be an anti-vaginitis molecule, which was identified as phenylacetic acid (PAA) by spectroscopic data analysis. The antimicrobial activity of PAA was evaluated in vitro, showing greater toxicity toward Gardnerella vaginalis and Candida albicans, two major vaginal pathogens, relative to commensal Lactobacillus spp. The activation of myeloperoxidase, prostaglandin E2, and nuclear factor-κB, and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 were reduced by an intravaginal administration of PAA in the vaginitis mouse model. In addition, PAA displayed the downregulation of mast cell activation. Therefore, PAA was suggested to be a messenger molecule that mediates interactions between the human microbiome and vaginal health.
Osteopontin stabilization and collagen containment slows amorphous calcium phosphate transformation during human aortic valve leaflet calcification
Authors: Sivaguru Mayandi , Mori Shumpei , Fouke Kyle W. , Ajijola Olujimi A. , Shivkumar Kalyanam , Samuel Ashok Z. , Bhargava Rohit , Fouke Bruce W.
Published: May 2024

Calcification of aortic valve leaflets is a growing mortality threat for the 18 million human lives claimed globally each year by heart disease. Extensive research has focused on the cellular and molecular pathophysiology associated with calcification, yet the detailed composition, structure, distribution and etiological history of mineral deposition remains unknown. Here transdisciplinary geology, biology and medicine (GeoBioMed) approaches prove that leaflet calcification is driven by amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), ACP at the threshold of transformation toward hydroxyapatite (HAP) and cholesterol biomineralization. A paragenetic sequence of events is observed that includes: (1) original formation of unaltered leaflet tissues: (2) individual and coalescing 100’s nm- to 1 μm-scale ACP spherules and cholesterol crystals biomineralizing collagen fibers and smooth muscle cell myofilaments; (3) osteopontin coatings that stabilize ACP and collagen containment of nodules preventing exposure to the solution chemistry and water content of pumping blood, which combine to slow transformation to HAP; (4) mm-scale nodule growth via ACP spherule coalescence, diagenetic incorporation of altered collagen and aggregation with other ACP nodules; and (5) leaflet diastole and systole flexure causing nodules to twist, fold their encasing collagen fibers and increase stiffness. These in vivo mechanisms combine to slow leaflet calcification and establish previously unexplored hypotheses for testing novel drug therapies and clinical interventions as viable alternatives to current reliance on surgical/percutaneous valve implants.
Reliability for music-induced heart rate synchronization
Authors: Nomura Ryota
Published: May 2024

Common inputs synchronize various biological systems, including human physical and cognitive processes. This mechanism potentially explains collective human emotions in theater as unintentional behavioral synchronization. However, the inter-subject correlation of physiological signals among individuals is small. Based on findings on the common-input synchronization of nonlinear systems, we hypothesized that individual differences in perceptual and cognitive systems reduce the reliability of physiological responses to aesthetic stimuli and, thus, disturb synchronization. We tested this by comparing the inter- and intra-subject Pearson’s correlation coefficients and nonlinear phase synchronization, calculated using instantaneous heart rate data measured while appreciating music. The results demonstrated that inter-subject correlations were consistently lower than intra-subject correlations, regardless of participants’ music preferences and daily moods. Further, music-induced heart rate synchronization depends on the reliability of physiological responses to musical pieces rather than mood or motivation. This study lays the foundation for future empirical research on collective emotions in theater.
Directional selection, not the direction of selection, affects telomere length and copy number at ribosomal RNA loci
Authors: Sadler Daniel E. , Watts Phillip C. , Uusi-Heikkilä Silva
Published: May 2024

Many fisheries exert directional selection on traits such as body size and growth rate. Whether directional selection impacts regions of the genome associated with traits related to growth is unknown. To address this issue, we characterised copy number variation in three regions of the genome associated with cell division, (1) telomeric DNA, (2) loci transcribed as ribosomal RNA (rDNA), and (3) mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), in three selection lines of zebrafish reared at three temperatures (22 °C, 28 °C, and 34 °C). Selection lines differed in (1) the direction of selection (two lines experienced directional selection for large or small body size) and (2) whether they experienced any directional selection itself. Lines that had experienced directional selection were smaller, had lower growth rate, shorter telomeres, and lower rDNA copy number than the line that experiencing no directional selection. Neither telomere length nor rDNA copy number were affected by temperature. In contrast, mtDNA content increased at elevated temperature but did not differ among selection lines. Though directional selection impacts rDNA and telomere length, direction of such selection did not matter, whereas mtDNA acts as a stress marker for temperature. Future work should examine the consequences of these genomic changes in natural fish stocks.
Evaluation and impact factors of international competitiveness of China’s cobalt industry from the perspective of trade networks
Authors: Xu Ligang , Guo Xiang , Xu Meijuan , Jia Yanglei , Zhong Zhengfang
Published: May 2024

In recent years, with the development of the new energy industry, the demand for cobalt as a raw material for power batteries has been increasing. However, China itself has a shortage of cobalt resources. Therefore, overcoming poor resource conditions and enhancing the international competitiveness of the cobalt industry have become urgent issues. This paper is based on global trade data on cobalt resources from 2007 to 2020. A panel regression model is constructed from the perspective of trade networks, and Entropy-Topsis is used to construct a comprehensive evaluation index system for the international competitiveness of critical nonferrous metals. This study empirically examines the impact of the trade network characteristics of cobalt resources on international competitiveness, assigns practical significance to trade network characteristic indicators, and analyses the overall competitiveness changes in the global cobalt industry chain and its upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors. The research findings reveal the following key points: (1) In recent years, the competitive focus of the cobalt industry chain in various countries has shifted from upstream and midstream to midstream and downstream, with increasingly fierce trade competition downstream, gradually tilting toward countries such as South Korea, Japan, and China. (2) Cobalt trade competition, which was initially characterized by competition among multiple countries, has gradually become more centralized and stable, with differences in the competitiveness of various countries occurring at different stages of the cobalt industry chain. (3) Network centrality and network heterogeneity both have a significant promoting effect on the international competitiveness of the industry, while network connectivity has a significant inhibitory effect on the improvement of international competitiveness.On this basis, the study also suggests some policy implications. The purpose of the study is to enhance the international competitiveness of China's cobalt industry from a trade perspective and to investigate the developments of cobalt trade between China and the rest of the world.
Interfacial electronic state between hexagonal ZnO and cubic NiO
Authors: Chan Yii Yat , Tey Zi Cheng , Wang Hui-Qiong
Published: May 2024

Modelled interface X-ray absorption spectrum between cubic NiO and hexagonal ZnO, based on the in situ thickness-dependent spectra of the NiO film grown on ZnO.
Molecular mechanism of elemental sulfur dissolution in H2S under stratal conditions
Authors: Yuan Sheng , Wan Ying , Wang Li , Li Nong , Yang Mingli , Yu Shengping , Zhang Li
Published: May 2024

This work employs first-principles calculations and molecular dynamics simulations to study the dissolution of sulfur allotrope SN (N = 2, 4, 6 and 8) in H2S, aiding in controlling sulfur deposition in high-sulfur gas development.
Solvation controlled excited-state dynamics in a donor–acceptor phenazine-imidazole derivative
Authors: Shi Hai-Xiong , Bao Hong-Wei , Wu Gui-Yuan
Published: May 2024

We investigated the solvent-dependent excited state properties of a novel D–A molecule. As the solvent polarity increased, intersystem crossing disappeared, radiative transitions decreased, and charge transfer states were generated.
Improvement study of duct heater in VOCs adsorption concentration-catalytic oxidation process
Authors: Li Chongwei , Liu Zhongyang
Published: May 2024

Aiming at the catalytic oxidation process of VOCs in conjunction with fixed adsorption bed, the electric heating unit has the problem of large energy consumption, this paper understands the role of the electric heating unit in the process--providing energy for the process, and analyzes the energy consumption of the process, and the results show that the heat transfer efficiency of the electrically heated gas is a key factor affecting the energy consumption of the process. In order to improve the heat transfer efficiency, this paper explores the effect of flow rate on the heat transfer efficiency, and simulation verification is carried out by Fluent software, and the results show that increasing the flow rate can effectively improve the heat transfer efficiency and reduce the process energy consumption. Based on the above analysis, a pipeline heating scheme is proposed, which has the advantages of fast gas flow rate and high heat transfer efficiency in the pipeline, and effectively reduces the operational energy consumption of the process.
The methodology for calculating the apparent water absorption index from test injection data
Authors: Li Peng
Published: May 2024

After the oilfield enters the medium-high water content period, the treatment problem of produced water becomes more and more prominent, and the same-well injection technology can realize the oil-water separation of the produced fluid at the well. The separated water is injected back into the oil reservoir by the injection pump, while the oil-water mixture with higher oil content is lifted to the surface by the extraction pump. However, once the tampering operation is carried out on the production layer, the fluid production capacity of the layer cannot be judged, and it is impossible to determine the reasonable production allocation of the injection and recovery layer. Moreover, in the normal production process, the production tubing can not be taken out normally, so it is difficult to determine the production capacity after blocking by logging method. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out theoretical research on the production capacity of the same injection and recovery wells after tampering according to the method of reservoir engineering, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the reasonable production allocation in the field.