bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Followed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry and Multivariate Profiling of Rare Earth Elements in Coffee
Authors: Savić Aleksandra , Mutić Jelena , Lučić Milica , Vesković Jelena , Miletić Andrijana , Onjia Antonije
Published: January 2025

A rapid and efficient ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) procedure followed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was developed for the determination of 14 rare earth elements (REEs) (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu), along with yttrium (Y) and scandium (Sc), in coffee samples. The method was validated using certified reference material (NIST SRM 1547), recovery tests at four fortification levels, and comparisons with microwave-assisted digestion (MAD). Excellent accuracy and precision were achieved, with recovery rates ranging from 80.1% to 112% and relative standard deviations (RSD%) below 14%. Limits of detection (LODs) ranged from 0.2 ng/kg (Yb) to 0.16 µg/kg (Nd). Total REE concentrations varied between 8.3 µg/kg and 1.1 mg/kg, with the highest individual mean concentrations (µg/kg) observed for Ce (11.7), La (6.0), and Sc (4.7). The lowest individual mean concentrations (µg/kg) were for Ho (0.16), Lu (0.066), and Tm (0.063). Multivariate analysis of REE profiles from 92 coffee samples collected in Serbia revealed clear distinctions between ground roasted and instant coffees, as well as between different surrogate blends. This study indicated that the determination of coffee’s geographical origin was not possible due to the diverse types, blends, and additives. However, differences in REE profiles suggest potential classification based on variety. REEs pose a negligible health risk to coffee consumers, with HI values ranging from 4.7 × 10−8 to 6.3 × 10−6 and TCR ranging from 2.6 × 10−14 to 3.5 × 10−12.
Betalain–Chickpea Protein Particles Produced by Freeze Drying and Spray Drying: Physicochemical Aspects, Storage Stability, and In Vitro Digestion
Authors: Grace Mary H. , Hoskin Roberta Targino , Alghamdi Malak , Lila Mary Ann , Chalova Vesela I.
Published: January 2025

Beetroots are one of the primary sources of betalains, nitrogenous pigments with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, due to their chemical instability, betalains have limited use in food applications. This work investigated whether betalains encapsulated in chickpea protein could be stabilized and delivered in a shelf-stable format. Freeze-dried (CB-FD) and spray-dried (CB-SD) protein–betalain particles encapsulated in chickpea protein isolate (6% w/v) were prepared. The encapsulation method affected particles’ morphology, water activity, hygroscopicity, solubility, and color. Particles captured total betalains of 9.30 ± 0.61 and 4.40 ± 0.92 mg/g for CB-SD and CB-FD, respectively. LC-MS identified 12 betacyanins and 6 betaxanthins. The stability of betalains revealed that encapsulation efficiently preserved betalain integrity of over 6 weeks of storage at 4, 22, and 40 °C compared to dry beetroot extract. CB-SD particles were stable with no significant changes, while CB-FD showed slight degradation after 4 weeks due to increased Aw. Antioxidant activity correlated well with betalain concentration. In vitro digestion resulted in only 25% bioaccessibility of betacyanins, while betaxanthins were more stable with 100% recovery. Encapsulation with chickpea protein isolate is an efficient and straightforward strategy for expanding and diversifying applications of phytochemical-rich beetroot extracts for the food industry.
Clonal Spread and Genetic Mechanisms Underpinning Ciprofloxacin Resistance in Salmonella enteritidis
Authors: Zhang Zengfeng , Zhao Hang , Shi Chunlei
Published: January 2025

Salmonella enteritidis is a major cause of foodborne illness worldwide, and the emergence of ciprofloxacin-resistant strains poses a significant threat to food safety and public health. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, spread, and mechanisms of ciprofloxacin resistance in S. enteritidis isolates from food and patient samples in Shanghai, China. A total of 1625 S. enteritidis isolates were screened, and 34 (2.1%) exhibited resistance to ciprofloxacin. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) results suggested that clonal spread might have persisted among these 34 isolates in the local area for several years. Multiple plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes, GyrA mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR), and overexpression of RND efflux pumps were identified as potential contributors to ciprofloxacin resistance. PMQR genes oqxAB, qnrA, qnrB, and aac(6’)-Ib-cr as well as GyrA mutations S83Y, S83R, D87Y, D87G, D87N, and S83Y-D87Y were identified. The co-transfer of the PMQR gene oqxAB with the ESBL gene blaCTX-M-14/55 on an IncHI2 plasmid with a size of ~245 kbp was observed through conjugation, highlighting the role of horizontal gene transfer in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance. Sequencing of the oqxAB-bearing plasmid p12519A revealed a 248,746 bp sequence with a typical IncHI2 backbone. A 53,104 bp multidrug resistance region (MRR) was identified, containing two key antibiotic resistance determinants: IS26-oqxR-oqxAB-IS26 and IS26-ΔISEcp1-blaCTX-M-14-IS903B. The findings of this study indicate that ciprofloxacin-resistant S. Enteritidis poses a significant threat to food safety and public health. The persistence of clonal spread and the horizontal transfer of resistance genes highlight the need for enhanced surveillance and control measures to prevent the further spread of antibiotic resistance.
Alveolar Measurements in Dental Anthropology: An Alternative Metric Technique in Cases of Postmortem Missing Teeth
Authors: Tanga Carmen , Viciano Joan
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the mesiodistal and buccolingual alveolar diameters and the usual crown and cervical diameters and to test the reliability of these alveolar measurements for their application in dental anthropology in cases of missing teeth. Methods: A total of 127 skeletal individuals from the identified osteological collection of Certosa Cemetery (Bologna, Italy) were used in this study. After the evaluation of limiting factors, only the central incisor to the second premolar was analysed due to a null or small sample size for the molars. The mesiodistal and buccolingual diameters were measured at the level of the crown, cervix and alveolus. The relationship between the mesiodistal and buccolingual crown or cervical diameters and the alveolar measurements was assessed. Results: The buccolingual alveolar diameters showed consistently significant relationships with their equivalent cervical and crown diameters, while the mesiodistal alveolar diameters did not show consistent relationships. Furthermore, the patterns of phenotypic variation were similar for the alveolar, cervical and crown areas. Thus, the alveolar areas appear to show similar levels of variability compared with the equivalent crown and cervical areas. Conclusions: Alveolar measurements may serve as suitable proxies in comparative phenotypic variation studies and can be considered a useful supplement to the standard odontometric data collection strategy. The measurements proposed in this study for the evaluation of the alveoli are a valid alternative in situations in which teeth are not available for measurement, such as in forensic and archaeological contexts.
Reconstructing the Heat Transfer Coefficient in the Inverse Fractional Stefan Problem
Authors: Chmielowska Agata , Brociek Rafał , Słota Damian
Published: January 2025

This paper presents an algorithm for solving the inverse fractional Stefan problem. The considered inverse problem consists of determining the heat transfer coefficient at one of the boundaries of the considered region. The additional information necessary for solving the inverse problem is the set of temperature values in selected points of the region. The fractional derivative with respect to time used in the considered Stefan problem is of the Caputo type. The direct problem was solved by using the alternating phase truncation method adapted to the model with the fractional derivative. To solve the inverse problem, the ant colony algorithm was used. This paper contains an example illustrating the accuracy and stability of the presented algorithm.
Design and Optimization Application of Cut Blasting Parameters for One-Time Completion of Blind Shaft
Authors: Zhang Yifeng , Jia Yongsheng , Jiang Nan , Xie Quanming , Yuan Lin , Wu Yongbo , Xu Zehui
Published: January 2025

The one-time completion blasting technology for blind shafts is widely used in underground mining, for safety reasons. Efficient blind shaft excavation relies on reasonable cutting blasting technology. To optimize blasting parameters, the impact of explosion stress waves and gases on rock fragmentation is quantitatively analyzed using explosion stress wave theory. A calculation model for the radius R1 of the crushed zone and the radius R2 of the fractured zone in rock under the combined action of borehole cutting stress waves and blasting gases is derived and established. Combined with practical engineering examples and the determination method of compensation coefficient Cf, three types of linear cutting patterns, namely six-hole bucket cutting, seven-hole bucket cutting, and nine-hole bucket cutting, are designed. The post-blasting cavity volume and crack length of these three different cutting methods are calculated and analyzed using numerical simulation. Quantitative description of the distribution pattern of blasting-induced cracks in the simulation results of three cutting methods using the box-counting fractal dimension method are presented. Based on this analysis, the nine-hole bucket cutting is selected as the optimal scheme and validated through field application of cutting blasting. The results indicate that the nine-hole bucket cutting blasting scheme for one-time completion of blind shafts, with a designed hole depth of 8 m and a blasthole utilization rate of 93.7%, is an efficient and reasonable technical solution.
Existence Results of Nonlocal Fractional Integro-Neutral Differential Inclusions with Infinite Delay
Authors: Alghanmi Madeaha , Alqurayqiri Shahad
Published: January 2025

This article addresses a new class of delayed fractional multivalued problems complemented with nonlocal boundary conditions. In view of infinite delay theory, we convert the inclusion problem into a fixed-point multivalued problem, defined in an appropriate phase space. Then, sufficient criteria for the existence of solutions are established for the convex case of the given problem using the nonlinear Leray–Schauder alternative type, while Covitz and Nadler’s theorem is applied for nonconvex multivalued functions. Finally, the results are illustrated through examples.
Machine Learning Models for Predicting Thermal Properties of Radiative Cooling Aerogels
Authors: Yuan Chengce , Shi Yimin , Ba Zhichen , Liang Daxin , Wang Jing , Liu Xiaorui , Xu Yabei , Liu Junreng , Xu Hongbo
Published: January 2025

The escalating global climate crisis and energy challenges have made the development of efficient radiative cooling materials increasingly urgent. This study presents a machine-learning-based model for predicting the performance of radiative cooling aerogels (RCAs). The model integrated multiple parameters, including the material composition (matrix material type and proportions), modification design (modifier type and content), optical properties (solar reflectance and infrared emissivity), and environmental factors (solar irradiance and ambient temperature) to achieve accurate cooling performance predictions. A comparative analysis of various machine learning algorithms revealed that an optimized XGBoost model demonstrated superior predictive performance, achieving an R2 value of 0.943 and an RMSE of 1.423 for the test dataset. An interpretability analysis using Shapley additive explanations (SHAPs) identified a ZnO modifier (SHAP value, 1.523) and environmental parameters (ambient temperature, 1.299; solar irradiance, 0.979) as the most significant determinants of cooling performance. A feature interaction analysis further elucidated the complex interplay between the material composition and environmental conditions, providing theoretical guidance for material optimization.
Development of Thermoresponsive Composite Hydrogel Loaded with Indocyanine Green and Camptothecin for Photochemotherapy of Skin Cancer After Surgery
Authors: Lee Yu-Hsiang , Chung Chieh-Lin
Published: January 2025

Skin cancer is the world’s fifth most diagnosed malignancy and is increasingly occurring in young adults. The elevated morbidity and mortality of skin cancer are known to be highly correlated with its frequent recurrence after tumor excision. Although regimens such as chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy are often administered following surgical treatments, the patients may suffer from severe side effects, drug resistance, and/or high cost during treatments, indicating that the development of an effective and safe modality for skin cancer after surgery is still highly demanded nowadays. In this study, an injectable and thermoresponsive hyaluronic acid/hexamethylene diisocyanate-Pluronic F127 block copolymer crosslinking composite hydrogel loaded with indocyanine green (ICG) and camptothecin (CPT), called ICHHPG, was developed for photochemotherapy of skin cancer after surgery. ICHHPG can be self-gelationed at 37 °C and stabilizes ICG in the gel matrix. Upon NIR exposure, ICHHPG can generate hyperthermia and consequently provide photothermal therapy when the ICG dosage is >5 μM. Furthermore, ICHHPG may provide a remarkably enhanced cancericidal effect compared to the equal concentration of free ICG (≤10 μM) or CPT (≤1000 μM) alone, and more than 95% of cancer cells can be destroyed as the intra-gel doses of ICG/CPT were elevated to 10/800 μM. Given the confirmed cytotoxicity together with its fluidic and thermoresponsive characteristics which are foreseeably favorable for wound coverage, the developed ICHHPG is highly applicable for use in skin cancer treatment after surgical excision.
Environmental and Wastewater Treatment Applications of Stimulus-Responsive Hydrogels
Authors: Visan Anita Ioana , Negut Irina
Published: January 2025

Stimulus-responsive hydrogels have emerged as versatile materials for environmental and wastewater treatment applications due to their ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions. This review highlights recent advances in the design, synthesis, and functionalization of such hydrogels, focusing on their environmental applications. Various synthesis techniques, including radical polymerization, grafting, and copolymerization, enable the development of hydrogels with tailored properties such as enhanced adsorption capacity, selectivity, and reusability. The incorporation of nanoparticles and bio-based polymers further improves their structural integrity and pollutant removal efficiency. Key mechanisms such as adsorption, ion exchange, and photodegradation are discussed, emphasizing their roles in removing heavy metals, dyes, and organic pollutants from wastewater. Additionally, this review presents the potential of hydrogels for oil–water separation, pathogen control, and future sustainability through integration into circular economy frameworks. The adaptability, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendliness of these hydrogels make them promising candidates for large-scale environmental remediation.
Geomorphological Observations and Physical Hypotheses About Martian Dune Gullies
Authors: Nardi Adriano , Piersanti Antonio
Published: January 2025

We propose the hypothesis that dune gullies and seasonal “meteorological” appearances observed on the same dunes (e.g., frosting) may have a common origin. These gullies are difficult to explain through the action of liquid flow. The occurrence of a spring flowing from the crest of a dune seems impossible to explain. However, these phenomena could originate from the impact of wind on the profiles of some large Martian dunes. This aerodynamic effect could seasonally generate all the meteorological phenomena we observe on these dunes (bodies of ice, frost, moisture trails, and vapor clouds) and as a result, produce gullies with a peculiar morphology different from the standard. Thus, dune gullies could originate from meteorological liquids, but through a process unlike those known on Earth. Evidence from the Kaiser, Russell, and Korolev Craters supports the possibility of a partial water cycle (a half-cycle), potentially the remnant of a complete ancient cycle.
Complex Study of Settlements Dating from the Paleolithic to Medieval Period in the Ural Mountains on the Border of Europe and Asia
Authors: Prikhodko Valentina , Savelev Nikita , Kotov Vyacheslav , Nikolaev Sergey , Ruslanov Evgeny , Rumyantsev Mikhail , Manakhova Elena
Published: January 2025

Soil, geochemical, microbiological, and archeological studies were conducted at eight settlements dating from the Paleolithic to Late Medieval and Modern Ages near the southern Trans-Urals Mountains, Russia. The forest-steppe landscapes, rivers, and abundant mineral resources have attracted people to the region since ancient times. Cultural layers (CLs) are marked by finds of ceramics fragments, animal bones, stone, and metal tools. The properties of CLs include close-to-neutral pH, being well structured, the absence of salinity, enrichment with exchangeable calcium, and anthropogenic phosphorus (0.2–0.4%). The majority of CLs start at a depth of 3–25 cm, extend to 40–60 cm, and contain 6–10% organic carbon (Corg) in the 0–20 cm layer, reflecting carbon input from modern-day processes. At the Ishkulovo site (0.6–0.8 ka BP), Corg decreases to 1.3% because the CL is below 80 cm, and in the absence of fresh organic material input, carbon has been mineralized. The proximity of sites to deposits of copper, chromium, zinc, and manganese in the Ural Mountains creates natural high-content anomalies in the region, as indicated by their abundance in soils and parent rocks. In the past, these elements were also released into CLs from metal products, ceramic fragments, and raw materials used in their manufacture. The sites are quite far (18–60 km) from the Magnitogorsk Metallurgical plant, but industrial stockpiles of S (technogenic coefficient—Ct 30–87%), and, less often, Cr, Mn, and Sr (Ct 30–40%) accumulated in surface layers. These three factors have led to the concentration of pollutants of the first (arsenic, chromium, lead, and zinc) and second (cobalt, copper, and nickel) hazard classes at CLs, often in quantities 2–5 times higher than values for parent materials and geosphere average content (“Clarke” value), and, and less often, more than the allowable content for human health. This may have influenced their health and behavioral functions. Due to the above properties, chernozems have a high buffering capacity and a strong bond with heavy metals. Therefore, no inhibition of microbes was observed. The microbial biomass of the 0–10 cm layer is high, 520–680 µg C/g, and microbes cause the emission of 1.0 C-CO2 µg/g of soil per hour. During the ancient settlements’ development, a favorable paleoclimate was noted based on the data cited. This contributed to the spread of productive paleolandscapes, ensuring the development of domestic cattle breeding and agriculture.
Framing Deaths, Embracing Lives: Alan M. Clark’s Jack the Ripper Victims Series
Authors: Krawczyk-Żywko Lucyna
Published: January 2025

Jack the Ripper fictions tend to be realist in mode, making frequent use of the Victorian press and archives to depict the 1888 murders. At the same time, they marginalise and exploit the victims, defining them as silent testimonies to the power of the elusive perpetrator. In contrast, Alan M. Clark’s Jack the Ripper Victims Series (2011–2018), consisting of five novels devoted to one canonical victim each, shifts the focus and depicts their lives. This article outlines the way the fictionalisations of the five women’s lives bring to the fore five other ‘crimes’ or transgressions: addiction, domestic violence, unemployment, sex work, and homelessness, but also the way these texts replace what is sensational and formulaic in Ripperature with something more than mundane and gritty in the lived experience of everyday people, such as moments of personal joy or professional accomplishments. Drawing on Kate Mitchell’s approach to history, cultural memory, and neo-Victorian fiction, it argues that pre-dating the publication of The Five (2019), Clark managed to realistically re-present (make present) and represent (create a portrayal of) the late-Victorian crime of dismissing the women who were murdered.
The Associated Factors of Work Engagement, Work Overload, Work Satisfaction, and Emotional Exhaustion and Their Effect on Healthcare Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Moreno-Martínez Marina , Sánchez-Martínez Iván
Published: January 2025

Background: In today’s fast-paced work environment, work engagement is crucial for both organizational success and individual well-being. Objective: Our aim is this study was to analyze the associated factors of work engagement, work overload, work satisfaction, and emotional exhaustion and describe their effect on nurses and physicians in the Central Catalonia Health Region during 2023. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire at the Territorial Management of Central Catalonia (Spain). The questionnaire was accessible from 28 November 2022 to 12 March 2023. The analysis was performed using the SPSS software. CHERRIES (Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys) guidelines were followed for communicating research results. Results: A total of 321 professionals answered the questionnaire, 60.7% of whom were nursing professionals and 39.3% of whom were medical professionals. Work overload, work satisfaction, and emotional exhaustion were associated with work engagement. Being a physician, permanent contracts, irregular work shifts, overtime, and salary were related to work overload and emotional exhaustion. Being a woman, salary, academic level, and irregular work shifts were related to work satisfaction. There was a gender inequality in work engagement among nursing professionals to the detriment of men. In terms of class inequality, there was a difference between occupational groups with respect to work overload and emotional exhaustion among women. Conclusions: Organizational practices need to be improved to promote greater engagement and work satisfaction, as well as to reduce emotional overload and exhaustion. This may include regulating unpaid overtime and promoting more stable working hours.
Framing and Management of Migraines in Women: An Expert Opinion on Challenges, Current Approaches, and Future Multidisciplinary Perspectives
Authors: Barbanti Piero , Nappi Rossella E.
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Migraines are a common neurological disorder that significantly impact women, especially during their reproductive years. Hormonal, neurological, and lifestyle factors shape migraine patterns, with fluctuations during menstruation, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause influencing migraine prevalence and severity. This expert opinion explores current challenges, therapeutic strategies, and future directions for personalized care, addressing the limited inclusion of women in clinical research across different life stages. Methods: In order to focus on hormonal influences, pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies, including CGRP monoclonal antibodies, neuromodulation, and lifestyle interventions, a comprehensive analysis of literature, in particular on clinical trials, real-world studies, and guidelines on migraine management was performed. Emerging digital tools and AI-based approaches were also evaluated to improve personalized care for women with migraine. Results: Hormonal therapies, including contraceptives and HRTs, present both risks and benefits, particularly for women with migraines with aura, highlighting the need for individualized approaches. Advances in CGRP-targeted therapies have shown effectiveness in preventing refractory migraines. Non-pharmacological treatments, such as neuromodulation, acupuncture, and lifestyle adjustments, further expand the treatment landscape. However, research gaps remain, particularly regarding hormonal influences on migraines during pregnancy and menopause. Conclusions: Future research should prioritize female-specific clinical trials to better understand the impact of hormonal changes on migraines. Tailored therapies combining pharmacological, non-pharmacological, and digital solutions are essential for improving care. A multidisciplinary approach integrating personalized medicine, technological advancements, and patient education is crucial to optimizing outcomes and enhancing quality of life for women with migraine.
Toxoplasmosis Knowledge and Preventive Behaviours Among Pregnant Women in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Alghafari Wejdan T.
Published: January 2025

Background: Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii and is considered asymptomatic in most cases. In pregnant women, however, the disease can be transmitted to the foetus, causing severe congenital consequences. Congenital toxoplasmosis can be avoided by practising simple preventive lifestyle measures during pregnancy. Method: This cross-sectional study assessed the toxoplasmosis knowledge and preventive behaviours among 135 pregnant Saudi women in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews using a validated questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of toxoplasmosis, and preventive behaviours towards toxoplasmosis between January and April 2023 using convenience snowball sampling. SPSS Statistics was used for data analysis and the qualitative parameters were described as frequencies and percentages. Result: Approximately 45.2% of the participants displayed a poor knowledge of toxoplasmosis. Moreover, participants aged 31–40 years exhibited significantly higher knowledge compared to those aged less than 30 years. Most participants practised effective preventive behaviours, as demonstrated by 90.4% and 86.7% of them reporting that they habitually washed their hands after handling raw meat and did not eat rare meat, respectively. Conclusion: Overall, the poor knowledge of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women in Jeddah highlights the importance of implementing targeted antenatal health education campaigns and interventions to protect pregnant women and minimise the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis.
Parametric Modelling Techniques for Rhine Castle Models in Blender
Authors: Sommer Etienne , Koehl Mathieu , Grussenmeyer Pierre
Published: January 2025

Recent advances in 3D modelling have greatly improved the digital reconstruction of historic buildings. Traditional 3D modelling methods, while accurate, are very time-consuming and require a detailed focus on complex architectural features. The use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology, adapted to historic buildings as Historic Building Information Modelling (HBIM), has made the modelling process easier. However, HBIM still struggles with a lack of detailed object libraries that truly represent the diverse architectural heritage, due to the unique designs of these ancient structures. This article presents a new method using Blender software, focusing on Geometry Nodes and modifier tools for parametric modelling. This method aims to efficiently reconstruct the Rhine region’s castles, which are part of Europe’s most heavily fortified areas with a history that goes back to the XIth century. Many of these castles, over 500 years old, are now ruins. Our method allows for quick changes and detailed customization to meet the specific needs of archaeologists and heritage researchers. Developed as part of the Châteaux Rhénans-Burgen am Oberrhein project, funded by the European Interreg VI programme, this approach focuses on digitizing and promoting the Rhine castles’ heritage. The project aims to fill some gaps in parametric modelling by providing a flexible and dynamic toolset for heritage conservation.
Factors Influencing FinTech Adoption Among Bank Customers in Palestine: An Extended Technology Acceptance Model Approach
Authors: Hurani Jamal , Abdel-Haq Mohammed Kayed
Published: January 2025

This study examines FinTech adoption in the Palestinian banking sector, highlighting its role in driving innovation, improving customer satisfaction, and ensuring competitiveness. Using an extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and SmartPLS 4.0 software for structural equation modeling, the research investigates factors influencing FinTech adoption among Palestinian bank customers. Findings show high adoption rates, with nearly half of customers also using non-bank FinTech services. While most prefer FinTech solutions from their banks, many are open to switching providers for better service, convenience, or pricing. Brand strength, trust, and awareness significantly impact perceptions of ease of use and usefulness. Customers trust bank-provided FinTech for precision and reliability but remain concerned about security. A lack of customer awareness highlights the need for targeted educational campaigns. These insights confirm the selection of an extended TAM framework as being an appropriate analytical tool in the Palestinian banking sector, incorporating brand, trust, and awareness alongside ease of use and usefulness. It emphasizes the need for banks to innovate, strengthen security, and enhance awareness efforts to retain and attract customers in a competitive landscape.
Patch-Level and Neighborhood-Dependency Spatial Optimization Method (PNO): Application to Urban Land-Use Planning to Facilitate Both Socio-Economic and Environmental Development in Beijing
Authors: Cheng Yuhan , Zhang Xiuyuan , Zhou Qi , Dong Xiaoyan , Du Shihong
Published: January 2025

Rapid urban expansion and chaotic urban land-use patterns cause many socio-economic and environmental issues, e.g., traffic congestion and urban heat islands; thus, scientific planning considering land-use trade-offs and layout optimization is highly required for resolving these issues, especially in the urban renewal stage. However, previous spatial optimization methods were weak in processing land-use patches and ignored their neighborhood dependency, leading to fragmented and inapplicable optimization results. Accordingly, this study proposes a patch-level and neighborhood-dependency spatial optimization method (PNO) to adjust urban land-use patterns considering multiple optimization targets (i.e., improving population and economy but controlling land surface temperature). The PNO represents land-use patterns in a graph structure, quantifies land-use patterns’ impacts on the population, economy, and land surface temperature, defines the spatiotemporal constraints of land-use optimization considering neighborhood-dependency and optimization sequences, and finally optimizes land uses and their spatial layouts based on a multi-objective genetic algorithm. Experiments were conducted in the urban area of Beijing, and the results suggested that, after optimization, the population and GDP can be improved by 667,323 people (4.72%) and USD 10.69 billion in products (2.75%) in the study area; meanwhile, the land surface temperature can be reduced by 0.12 °C (−0.32%). Through comparison, the proposed PNO outperforms previous spatial optimization methods, e.g., NSGA-II, in processing land-use patches as well as their neighborhoods. Taking the land-use map in 2022 as a reference, the PNO optimization results are more consistent with actual land-use changes (consistency of 25%), compared to the existing spatial optimization results (consistency of 10.6%). Thus, PNO is more applicable to land-use planning in urban renewal circumstances.
The Role of Individual Residues in the N-Terminus of Arrestin-1 in Rhodopsin Binding
Authors: Vishnivetskiy Sergey A. , Paul Trishita , Gurevich Eugenia V. , Gurevich Vsevolod V.
Published: January 2025

Sequences and three-dimensional structures of the four vertebrate arrestins are very similar, yet in sharp contrast to other subtypes, arrestin-1 demonstrates exquisite selectivity for the active phosphorylated form of its cognate receptor, rhodopsin. The N-terminus participates in receptor binding and serves as the anchor of the C-terminus, the release of which facilitates arrestin transition into a receptor-binding state. We tested the effects of substitutions of fourteen residues in the N-terminus of arrestin-1 on the binding to phosphorylated and unphosphorylated light-activated rhodopsin of wild-type protein and its enhanced mutant with C-terminal deletion that demonstrates higher binding to both functional forms of rhodopsin. Profound effects of mutations identified lysine-15 as the main phosphate sensor and phenylalanine-13 as the key anchor of the C-terminus. These residues are conserved in all arrestin subtypes. Substitutions of five other residues reduced arrestin-1 selectivity for phosphorylated rhodopsin, indicating that wild-type residues participate in fine-tuning of arrestin-1 binding. Differential effects of numerous substitutions in wild-type and an enhanced mutant arrestin-1 suggest that these two proteins bind rhodopsin differently.
Genome-Wide Identification of CONSTANS-like (COL) Gene Family and the Potential Function of ApCOL08 Under Salt Stress in Andrographis paniculata
Authors: Zhao Yizhu , Xu Jiahao , Xu Xinyi , Liu Hui , Chang Qinxiang , Xu Ling , Liang Zongsuo
Published: January 2025

Andrographis paniculata is an important medicinal herb known as a “natural antibiotic”, which has been used in Southeast Asia for thousands of years. The CONSTANS-like (COL) gene is an important regulatory factor for plant photoperiod flowering and stress response. However, there is currently no detailed research on the COL genes of A. paniculata. In our study, we performed a genome-wide analysis of A. paniculata COL (ApCOL) family members using bioinformatics tools and identified nine ApCOL genes. Based on phylogenetic analysis, ApCOLs were categorized into three groups, with members of the same group having similar structures. Gene duplication events indicated that only one pair of duplicated genes was identified, possibly caused by segmental duplication. In terms of evolutionary relationships, the COL proteins of A. paniculata and Sesamum indicum were closely related, showing that they are highly similar in the phylogenetic tree. In addition, ApCOL genes showed tissue specificity and were specifically highly expressed mainly in leaves and flowers. Based on the cis-regulatory element prediction results, we examined the expression levels of ApCOLs under hormone and salt stress, and ApCOL08 was significantly induced. With subcellular localization results consistent with the prediction, we transformed ApCOL08 into yeast and showed significant resistance to salt stress. Our study suggests that ApCOL genes have important roles in response to abiotic stress and plant development and initially identifies key genes for future molecular regulation studies.
Haplotype Analysis and Gene Pyramiding for Pre-Harvest Sprouting Resistance in White-Grain Wheat
Authors: Dong Haibin , Kou Cheng , Hu Lin , Li Yan , Fang Yuhui , Peng Chaojun
Published: January 2025

The Huanghuai winter wheat region, China’s primary wheat-producing area, predominantly cultivates white-grained wheat. Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) significantly impacts yield and quality, making the breeding of PHS-resistant varieties crucial for ensuring China’s wheat production security. This study evaluated the PHS rate of 344 white-grained wheat varieties over two consecutive growing seasons (2022/2023 and 2023/2024). Furthermore, it analyzed the effects of allelic variations and their combinations in six genes (Tamyb10, TaDFR, TaMKK3-A, TaGASR34, Tasdr, and TaMFT) on PHS resistance. Results revealed average PHS rates of 66.1% and 64.4% for the two growing seasons, with coefficients of variation of 39.1% and 40.2%, respectively, and a narrow-sense heritability of 0.72. These findings indicate substantial genetic variation and relatively high genetic stability within the tested materials. Among the six molecular markers examined, the superior haplotype GS34-7Bb exhibited the lowest average PHS rate (41.9%) over two growing seasons, demonstrating the strongest PHS resistance. Analysis of different haplotype combinations identified two advantageous genotypes for PHS resistance in white-grained wheat: TaMKK3-Ab + GS34-7Bb + Tasdr-2Aa + TaMFT-A1b (average PHS rate: 20.8%) and TaMKK3-Ab + GS34-7Bb + Tasdr-2Ab + TaMFT-A1b (average PHS rate: 34.2%). Notably, the distribution frequency of superior haplotypes of PHS-related genes and these two advantageous haplotype combinations showed varying degrees of decline over time.
Soy Isoflavone Genistein Enhances Tamoxifen Sensitivity in Breast Cancer via microRNA and Glucose Metabolism Modulation
Authors: Shpigel Jessica , Luciano Emilia F. , Ukandu Blessing , Sauane Moira , de la Parra Columba
Published: January 2025

Breast cancer treatment has advanced significantly, particularly for estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) tumors. Tamoxifen, an estrogen antagonist, is widely used; however, approximately 40% of patients develop resistance. Recent studies indicate that microRNAs, especially miR-155, play a critical role in this resistance. Our analysis of MCF-7 tamoxifen-sensitive (TAM-S) and tamoxifen-resistant (TAM-R) cells revealed that miR-155 is significantly upregulated in TAM-R cells. Overexpression of miR-155 in TAM-S cells increased resistance to tamoxifen. Additionally, genistein, a natural isoflavone from soybeans, effectively downregulated miR-155 and its targets associated with apoptosis and glucose metabolism, including STAT3 and hexokinase 2 (HK2). Notably, genistein also significantly decreased cell migration, suggesting potential anti-metastatic effects. Furthermore, genistein reduced glucose consumption, indicating its potential to overcome miR-155-mediated tamoxifen resistance and modulate the Warburg effect. These findings highlight genistein as a promising therapeutic agent for overcoming tamoxifen resistance in ER+ breast cancer and merit further investigation.
Regulation of Flavonoid Biosynthesis by the MYB-bHLH-WDR (MBW) Complex in Plants and Its Specific Features in Cereals
Authors: Bulanov Andrey N. , Andreeva Elena A. , Tsvetkova Natalia V. , Zykin Pavel A.
Published: January 2025

Flavonoids are a large group of secondary metabolites, which are responsible for pigmentation, signaling, protection from unfavorable environmental conditions, and other important functions, as well as providing numerous benefits for human health. Various stages of flavonoid biosynthesis are subject to complex regulation by three groups of transcription regulators—MYC-like bHLH, R2R3-MYB and WDR which form the MBW regulatory complex. We attempt to cover the main aspects of this intriguing regulatory system in plants, as well as to summarize information on their distinctive features in cereals. Published data revealed the following perspectives for further research: (1) In cereals, a large number of paralogs of MYC and MYB transcription factors are present, and their diversification has led to spatial and biochemical specialization, providing an opportunity to fine-tune the distribution and composition of flavonoid compounds; (2) Regulatory systems formed by MBW proteins in cereals possess distinctive features that are not yet fully understood and require further investigation; (3) Non-classical MB-EMSY-like complexes, WDR-independent MB complexes, and solely acting R2R3-MYB transcription factors are of particular interest for studying unique regulatory mechanisms in plants. More comprehensive understanding of flavonoid biosynthesis regulation will allow us to develop cereal varieties with the required flavonoid content and spatial distribution.
Structure-Function Relationship of the β-Hairpin of Thermus thermophilus HB27 Laccase
Authors: Miranda-Zaragoza Beatriz , Huerta-Miranda Guillermo A. , García-García Wendy I. , Hernández-Álvarez Elizabeth , Solano-Peralta Alejandro , Lee Jaeyong , Strynadka Natalie , Miranda-Hernández Margarita , Rodríguez-Almazán Claudia
Published: January 2025

Thermus thermophilus HB27 laccase (Tth-Lac) is a thermostable enzyme that contains a β-hairpin (Ala292-Gln307) covering the substrate entrance. We analyzed the role of this β-hairpin in the enzymatic activity of Tth-Lac through three β-hairpin mutants: two variants without the β-hairpin (C1Tth-Lac and C2Tth-Lac) and one with a partially modified β-hairpin (P1Tth-Lac). Enzymatic activity was assayed with different substrates with and without copper. C1Tth-Lac showed a higher dependency on copper, increasing its activity by 1600-fold for syringaldazine (SGZ). All mutants presented a higher activity than Tth-Lac with phenolic substrates in the presence of copper. The position of the signal associated with CuT2 also changed, as shown in EPR spectra. Elucidation of the crystal structure of P1Tth-Lac mutant (PDB: 9CPM) showed that the partial deletion of the β-hairpin did not significantly affect the overall tertiary structure compared to the wild-type (PDB: 2xu9) nor the coordination of the four internally bound Cu atoms. Higher B-factors of the residues downstream of the deletion indicate increased flexibility (Q307, G308, P309, S310) that were otherwise more ordered in the Tth-Lac structure. Redox potential experiments on platinum electrodes have shown that all proteins have high redox potential, a finding that could have significant implications in the field of protein research.
Discovery of PPAR Alpha Lipid Pathway Modulators That Do Not Bind Directly to the Receptor as Potential Anti-Cancer Compounds
Authors: Al Subait Arwa , Alghamdi Raghad H. , Ali Rizwan , Alsharidah Amani , Huwaizi Sarah , Alkhodier Reem A. , Almogren Aljawharah Saud , Alzomia Barrak A. , Alaskar Ahmad , Boudjelal Mohamed
Published: January 2025

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are considered good drug targets for breast cancer because of their involvement in fatty acid metabolism that induces cell proliferation. In this study, we used the KAIMRC1 breast cancer cell line. We showed that the PPARE-Luciferase reporter gets highly activated without adding any exogenous ligand when PPAR alpha is co-transfected, and the antagonist GW6471 can inhibit the activity. Using this reporter system, we screened 240 compounds representing kinase inhibitors, epigenetic modulators, and stem cell differentiators and identified compounds that inhibit the PPARα-activated PPARE-Luciferase reporter in the KAIMRC1 cell. We selected 11 compounds (five epigenetic modulators, two stem cell differentiators, and four kinase inhibitors) that inhibited the reporter by at least 40% compared to the controls (DMSO-treated cells). We tested them in a dose-dependent manner and measured the KAIMRC1 cell viability after 48 h. All 11 compounds induced the cell killing at different IC50 values. We selected two compounds, PHA665752 and NSC3852, to dissect how they kill KAIMRC1 cells compared to the antagonist GW6741. First, molecular docking and a TR-FRET PPARα binding assay showed that compared to GW6471, these two compounds could not bind to PPARα. This means they inhibit the PPARα pathway independently rather than binding to the receptor. We further confirmed that PHA665752 and NSC3852 induce cell killing depending on the level of PPARα expression, and as such, their potency for killing the SW620 colon cancer cell line that expresses the lowest level of PPARα was less potent than for the KAIMRC1 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Further, using an apoptosis array and fatty acid gene expression panel, we found that both compounds regulate the PPARα pathway by controlling the genes involved in the fatty acid oxidation process. Our findings suggest that these two compounds have opposite effects involving fatty acid oxidation in the KAIMRC1 breast cancer cell line. Although we do not fully understand their mechanism of action, our data provide new insights into the potential role of these compounds in targeting breast cancer cells.
Quickly Finding the Semantically Optimal Presentation Order for a Set of Text Artifacts
Authors: Soper Daniel S.
Published: January 2025

This study considers how to quickly find the order in which to present a set of text artifacts on mobile apps or websites such that those artifacts are maximally semantically separated. Semantic separation is desirable because it ensures that users experience as much novelty as possible from one item to the next, thereby improving user attention and engagement. Since an exhaustive search of all possible sequences of text items becomes increasingly infeasible as the length of the sequence grows, a new algorithm is proposed to quickly find the semantically optimal presentation order for a set of text artifacts. The performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated using an extensive set of experiments involving three different types of text artifacts, seven different sequence lengths, and more than 600 experimental trials. The results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can select statistically optimal sequences of text artifacts extremely quickly, regardless of the type of text artifacts being used as input or the length of the sequence. App and website developers who are seeking to hold users’ attention and improve user engagement may therefore find the proposed algorithm very attractive in comparison to an exhaustive search.
Continuous Stitches Versus Simple Interrupted Stitches During Anterior Colporrhaphy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Bekos Christine , Lange Sören , Koch Marianne , Umek Wolfgang , Carlin Greta Lisa , Heinzl Florian , Bodner-Adler Barbara
Published: January 2025

Background: The anterior vaginal wall is frequently affected by prolapse, which is frequently treated with anterior colporrhaphy. However, this repair has a high recurrence rate, and no standardized approach exists. Our study aimed to compare two suture techniques concerning postoperative outcomes. Methods: This randomized, single-center trial involved patients with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse, assigned to either continuous or interrupted stitches during anterior repair. The primary outcome was subjective symptom improvement, assessed by the German pelvic floor questionnaire 6–12 months post-surgery. Secondary outcomes included anatomical results and surgery-related adverse events per Clavien–Dindo classification (CDC). A total of 42 patients were analyzed to achieve 80% study power. Results: No significant differences were found in the pelvic floor scores between the two groups, but both groups showed significant improvements in prolapse and all other domains assessed by the questionnaire. None of the patients reported a recurrence of symptoms or required re-treatment during the follow-up visits. In patients with continuous stitches, significantly more CDC 2 and fewer CDC 1 events were noticed. The baseline prolapse stage, prolapse domain scores, age, and the stitching technique did not significantly influence the treatment success. Conclusions: We were able to demonstrate that both suture techniques are comparable and effective in improving subjective symptoms after anterior colporrhaphy, with no significant difference in outcomes between the two methods. The choice of stitching technique did not impact the recurrence of symptoms or the need for reoperation.