bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of serum metabolites associated with polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) exposure in papillary thyroid carcinoma: A case–control study
Authors: Song Jiayi , Liu Yuan , Peng Jinling , Jiang Yousheng , Lin Xiaoshi , Zhang Jianqing
Published: July 2024

Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common endocrine cancer with a sharply increasing incidence worldwide in recent years. Multiple factors including genetics, radiation, iodine, autoimmune disease, and exposure to environmental endocrine–disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may be related to the incidence of TC. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been extensively used in electronic production, soft furnishings, fabrics, and paints as flame retardants since the 1980s. As a typical EDCs, high PBDEs exposure is associated with an increased risk of TC. However, interference with the metabolic signature in PBDEs exposure–related TC has not been studied. In this study, eight congeners of PBDEs were determined in serum from 111 patents with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and 111 healthy participants based on case–control epidemiology using gas chromatography–atmospheric pressure chemical ionization–tandem mass spectrometry (GC-APCI-MS/MS). Based on the tertile distribution of total PBDEs concentrations in 59 participants, metabolomics analysis was performed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to hybrid quadrupole-Orbitrap MS. The 29 identified metabolites were correlated with PBDEs exposure (Partial correlation analysis, P < 0.05). Furthermore, (+/-)-octopamine and 5-hydroxyindole, which modify the actions of neurotransmitters, were identified as potentially disturbed metabolite markers of TC upon PBDEs exposure. The PBDEs disturbed the glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, which showed that neurotransmitters, oxidative stress, and inflammation were the sensitive pathways in PTC. These are the first findings on metabolic disturbance in PTC associated with PBDEs exposure by MS nontargeted metabolomics.
Cognitive reserve mitigates cognitive impairment in cerebral small vessel disease by protecting white matter fibers: an automated fiber quantification study
Authors: Li Mingyu , Shi Yachen , Ma Lin , Mao Haixia , Xu Min , Gao Qianqian , Yang Jiayi , Wang Feng , Fang Xiangming , Hu Xiaoyun
Published: July 2024

This study investigates how cognitive reserve (CR), developed through education and other cognitive activities, can slow cognitive dysfunction in patients with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) by examining cerebral white matter fiber connectivity. We prospectively enrolled 125 patients with CSVD from the Department of Neurology between 2021 and 2023, including 69 patients with no cognitive impairment (nonCI) and 56 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Patients were divided into low cognitive reserve (LCR) and high cognitive reserve (HCR) subgroups based on the median of years of education (≤9 vs. >9 years). All participants underwent 3.0T MRI scans and neuropsychological assessments. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) values of fiber bundles detected by automated fiber quantification (AFQ) were compared among groups by two-way analysis of variance, considering disease state and CR as factors. Correlation analyses examined the relationships between significant fiber segments and cognitive function. We found that the MCI group exhibited decreased FA and increased MD in specific segments of some fiber tracts, such as the corpus callosum splenium, bilateral thalamic radial tracts, and bilateral inferior frontal occipital tracts compared to the nonCI group. The LCR group had decreased FA in the left corticospinal tract and increased MD in the right corticospinal tract compared to the HCR group. Significant interactions of FA values were observed in the left arcuate fasciculus, particularly in segments related to information processing speed and memory. The MCI group exhibited poorer white matter fiber integrity than the nonCI group. These findings suggest that CR’s protective effects on cognitive dysfunction in patients with CSVD may be partially mediated by the left arcuate fasciculus.
Histological and genetic changes induced by extracorporeal shockwave therapy after rotator cuff repair in a rat model with tears
Authors: Kamiyama Masataka , Shitara Hitoshi , Ichinose Tsuyoshi , Sasaki Tsuyoshi , Miyamoto Ryosuke , Ino Fukuhisa , Hamano Noritaka , Nakase Kurumi , Koibuchi Noriyuki , Chikuda Hirotaka
Published: July 2024

The histological and genetic changes associated with significant tendon-to-bone differences after extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) are unknown. This controlled laboratory study investigated the histological and genetic changes in the rotator cuff induced by ESWT. Twenty-two retired male Wistar rats were induced with left supraspinatus tendon ruptures. Three weeks later, rotator cuff repair was performed. One week post-repair, the rats were randomly assigned into either the ESWT or control group, with 11 rats in each group. Compared with the control group, the ratio of cellularity was significantly lower, and that of collagen fiber orientation was significantly higher in the ESWT group. The number of blood vessels and the total histological scores were not significantly different between the two groups. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that the mRNA expressions of CCN2 and SCX were significantly higher in the ESWT group than in the control group. No statistically significant differences were found between the SOX9 and Tnmd expressions. ESWT induces histological changes and increases the messenger RNA expressions of CCN2 and SCX in rotator cuff repair of chronic tears in rats. ESWT is a potential method for promoting histological and cytological changes associated with improving the mechanical strength of rotator cuff repair.
Consistency in the performance of four inspection instruments used in femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery for corneal astigmatism correction.
Authors: Zeng Yanfeng , Liang Min , Zheng Shengnan , Liu Fengting , Xu Sen
Published: July 2024

To observe the consistency of four examination devices in femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery for femtosecond correction of corneal astigmatism. We selected 31 patients (40 eyes) who chose femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery combined with corneal astigmatism for 1.0-3.5 days as the study object. Femtosecond laser combined with cataract phacoemulsification surgery was performed on patients with corneal lysis incision for astigmatism correction at no additional cost. Computer optometry, IOL-Master700, OPD ScanIII and Pentacam HR were used before surgery, 1 day, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after surgery. The result was a high degree of agreement among the four instruments, showing a high positive correlation (r > 0.7).
Cadmium-doped Titanium Dioxide Material for Electrochemical Sensing of CAP in Diverse Real-World Samples: A DFT Analysis
Authors: Ravikumar Srujan Basavapura , Subbareddy Sirisha , Shivamurthy Santhosh Arehalli , Shadakshari Sandeep , neelanjeneyalu Prashanth Kumar pasupaleti , Al-Anazi Khalid Mashay , Farah Mohammad Abul
Published: July 2024

The world is currently grappling with a significant challenge, marked by environmental pollution, amidst the abundance of energy and opportunities. Nevertheless, to overcome such adverse effects, scientific methodologies must be adapted, and among those, electrochemical sensors have emerged as a promising tool for the primary detection of various pollutants in real samples. Herein, we have developed the distinctive type of electrochemical sensor with Cd doped TiO2 as sensor material for the detection of a nitroaromatic contaminant, chloramphenicol (CAP). Cd-TiO2 was synthesised by the sol-gel, followed by a hydrothermal process to obtain the Cd-doped TiO2 sensor material. Further, it underwent various characterization techniques like XRD, FT-IR, HR-TEM, and EIS. Moreover, to determine the detection facility, CV and LSV techniques were deployed. Proven results with a remarkable low limit of detection 3.5 nM and a linear concentration range were found to be 1 µm to 25 µm. Real sample analysis was conducted with different samples: Honey and coconut water. Additionally, DFT studies were conducted to verify the HOMO-LUMO of CAP and electrostatic potential. The results obtained were accurate and could be chosen as best sensor material for the detection of CAP in real-world analysis.
Identification of miRNAs associated with Aspergillus flavus infection and their targets in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
Authors: Joshi Pushpesh , Sharma Vinay , Pandey Arun K. , Nayak Spurthi N. , Bajaj Prasad , Sudini Hari K. , Sharma Shailendra , Varshney Rajeev K. , Pandey Manish K.
Published: July 2024

Background: Groundnut is the major oilseed crop that suffers substantial post-harvest losses due to aflatoxin contamination by the fungus Aspergillus flavus. The interaction between A. flavus and groundnut microRNAs in combating aflatoxin contamination remains unclear. This study was carried out to identify microRNAs (miRNAs) to enhance the understanding of in vitro Seed Colonisation (IVSC) resistance mechanism in groundnut.
Result: In this study, resistant (J 11) and susceptible (JL 24) genotypes of groundnut were treated with toxigenic A. flavus (strain AF-11-4), and total RNA was extracted at 1 day after inoculation (1 DAI), 2 DAI, 3 DAI and 7 DAI. Seeds of JL 24 showed higher mycelial growth than J 11 at successive days after inoculation. A total of 208 known miRNAs belonging to 36 miRNA families, with length varying from 20-24 nucleotides, were identified, along with 27 novel miRNAs, with length varying from 20-22 nucleotides. Using psRNATarget server, 952 targets were identified for all the miRNAs. The targeted genes function as disease resistant proteins encoding, auxin responsive proteins, squamosa promoter binding like proteins, transcription factors, pentatricopeptide repeat-containing proteins and growth regulating factors, etc. Through differential expression analysis, seven miRNAs (aly-miR156d-3p, csi-miR1515a, gma-miR396e, mtr-miR2118, novo-miR-n27, ptc-miR482d-3p and ppe-miR396a) were found common among 1 DAI, 2 DAI, 3 DAI and 7 DAI in J 11, whereas ten miRNAs (csi-miR159a-5p, csi-miR164a-3p, novo-miR-n17, novo-miR-n2, osa-miR162b, mtr-miR2118, ptc-miR482d-3p, ptc-miR167f-3p, stu-miR319-3p and zma-miR396b-3p) were found common among 1 DAI, 2 DAI, 3 DAI and 7 DAI in JL 24. Two miRNAs, ptc-miR482d-3p and mtr-miR2118, showed contrasting expression at different time intervals between J 11 and JL 24. These two miRNAs were found to target those genes with NBS-LRR function, making them potential candidates for marker development in groundnut breeding programs aimed at enhancing resistance against A. flavusinfection.
Conclusion: This study enhances our understanding of the involvement of two miRNAs namely, ptc-miR482d-3p and mtr-miR2118, along with their NBS-LRR targets, in conferring resistance against A. flavus-induced aflatoxin contamination in groundnut under in vitro conditions.
Error mitigation of entangled states using brainbox quantum autoencoders
Authors: Pazem Joséphine , Ansari Mohammad
Published: July 2024

Current quantum hardware is susceptible to various sources of noise that limit our access to precisely-tuned entangled states. Quantum autoencoder circuits with a single-qubit bottleneck have demonstrated the ability to correct errors up to a certain noise threshold. In this work, we introduce subgraph structures in the bottleneck, referred to as brainboxes, and observe not only a speed-up in the denoising process but also the ability to handle stronger noise channels beyond the initial threshold. However, selecting the most suitable brainbox for the bottleneck involves a trade-off between the intensity of noise on the hardware and the training complexity. By monitoring the evolution of Rényi entropy throughout the networks, we present a clear framework for denoising through learning.
Research on the Impact and Mechanisms of Digital Transformation on the High-Quality Development of Chinese Agribusinesses
Authors: Zhu Di , Zhu Chen-Zhi
Published: July 2024

In the era of the digital economy, digital transformation has become a key driver for promoting high-quality development within agricultural enterprises. Utilizing a fixed-effects model and panel data from Chinese listed agricultural companies spanning 2011 to 2020, this study empirically investigates the influence of digital transformation on the high-quality progress of Chinese agribusinesses. Our findings are threefold: (1) Digital transformation strongly promotes the high-quality development of agricultural enterprises. A segmented analysis further shows that digital technology application, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence notably enhance the total factor productivity of these enterprises, while blockchain and big data do not exhibit significant improvement. (2) Regarding mechanistic pathways, digital transformation primarily boosts high-quality development in agribusiness by increasing technological innovation within enterprises. (3) Heterogeneity analysis additionally reveals that the productivity-enhancing effects of digital transformation are more prominent in small and medium-sized enterprises, state-owned enterprises, those receiving government subsidies, and enterprises with higher gearing ratios. This research provides invaluable data-driven insights and analytical perspectives for assessing the impact of digital transformation in agriculture, thereby guiding Chinese agribusinesses towards a path of high-quality development.
Why do women with early breast cancer in Northern Sri Lanka undergo mastectomy? Decision-making and ways forward
Authors: Rajasooriyar Chrishanthi , Kumar Ramya , Thuseetharan Dhivya , Sivakumar Gopikha , Muthulingam Suman , Vengadasalam Sutharshan
Published: July 2024

Background Despite robust evidence confirming equivalent survival rates and better cosmetic outcomes with breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and radiotherapy compared to mastectomy, the rates of mastectomy among women with early breast cancer have not declined significantly in Sri Lanka. This study explores views on the surgical treatment of breast cancer among Northern Sri Lankan women who were eligible for BCS but underwent mastectomy.Methods An exploratory descriptive qualitative study was carried out among 15 women who underwent mastectomy for early breast cancer. Patients who were referred to the Tellippalai Trail Cancer Hospital for adjuvant therapy after mastectomy and matched the study criteria were recruited. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews, which were transcribed in Tamil, translated into English, coded using QDA Miner Lite software, and analysed thematically.Results Seven out of 15 participants were not aware of breast-conserving surgery (BCS) as a treatment option or their eligibility for BCS at the time of mastectomy. According to participant narratives, the treating team had recommended mastectomy to most participants. While most opted for mastectomy believing that it was associated with lower rates of recurrence and spread compared to BCS, these beliefs were frequently reinforced by the treating team. The pros and cons of the two approaches had not been discussed before surgery with most participants. In the absence of information, family and friends weighed in on the decision to opt for mastectomy, ultimately resulting in feelings of loss and regret in most instances.Conclusion Most participants were not aware that they were eligible for BCS. These information gaps need to be urgently addressed for women to make informed decisions about their health.
A Novel Method Based on Improved SFLA for IP Information Extraction from TEM Signals
Authors: Li Ruiyou , Li Ruiheng , Li Guang , Zhang Yong , Ding Xiaohui , Zhang Long
Published: July 2024

The extraction of induced polarization (IP) information from transient electromagnetic (TEM) signals holds significant practical importance for the development of deep mineral, oil and gas resources. Linear inversion technology is the preferred method for extracting IP information, but it is associated with three primary drawbacks: dependence on the initial conditions, susceptibility to falling into a local optimum, and a significant lack of uniqueness. To solve the above problems, an improved shuffle frog leaping algorithm (ISFLA) based on the tent chaotic distribution and an adaptive mobile factor is presented in this paper, and the algorithm is employed to extract IP information. First, a tent chaotic operator is adopted to ameliorate the initial population distribution to improve the global search capability. Then, an adaptive mobile factor is designed to replace the random operator for balancing the local and global search, which increases the solution accuracy and ensures stable convergence in the later period. Finally, TEM inversion for a 1-D layered geoelectric model with IP information is performed by the proposed ISFLA approach. The inversion results show that the ISFLA method can more effectively reconstruct the geoelectric structure as well as extract the IP information and achieve stronger robustness. Compared with other heuristic algorithm, the proposed algorithm achieves a superior global search ability and inversion accuracy, making it suitable for IP information extraction.
Short-term forecasts of Economic Growth for Nigeria using the Average Centered Penalized Regression Method
Authors: Ebiwonjumi Ayooluwade , Chifurira Retius , Chinhamu Knowledge
Published: July 2024

in this study, we predicted ten (10) quarterly economic growth rate represented by RGDP the presence of multicollinearity and outliers. We employed the average centered penalized regression techniques comprising of LASSO, ridge and elastic net method to quarterly data from 1986 to 2021 obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria. Consequently, the predictive power for the fitted LASSO, ridge and elastic net penalized least square model using RMSE were revealed to be 0.2895, 0.3197 and 0.2979 respectively, MAE were revealed to be 0.2174, 0.2400 and 0.2237 respectively, MAPE were revealed to be 2.1298, 2.3489 and 2.1985 respectively. The R Square values indicated that economic growth drivers identified can explained 91.9%, 91.0% and 92.0% variation or changes in the economic growth in Nigeria when LASSO, ridge and elastic net as penalized least square regression techniques were respectively adopted. The lambda penalty for the fitted model using LASSO technique was 0.084 which was higher than that of elastic net technique that stood at 0.000. Also, based on smallest RMSE, MAE and MAPE, it can be emphasized that LASSO as an average centered penalized regression techniques was more sensitive and efficient for estimating and predicting the economic growth when multicollinearity and outliers were jointly present in data set. Hence, the LASSO method showed that INDT, RINR, REXR and OPEN were positively contributed to the RGDP to the turn of 4.27%. 0.40%, 0.49% and 0.53% respectively and the contribution of EXDT to economic growth was negative and as such led to decline in RGDP by 0.98% during the period under consideration. Thus, it can be concluded based on RMSE, MAE and MAPE, normal quantile plot and quantile predicted plot as well as the estimated parameter of RGDP that LASSO was the best and most appropriate model for predicting economic situation in Nigeria. This was evidently showed by the stability of the series and forecasted 10 quarterly RGDP. Therefore, there is a need for urgent action and strong willed to address the retrogressive economic situation. Thus, economic openness should be adopted to enhance the development and the growth of economy.
Wideband Compact 3-dB Microstrip Power Divider for L- and S-Band Applications
Authors: Demir Kübra , İmeci Şehabeddin Taha , Tütüncü Bilal
Published: July 2024

This paper presents the analysis, design, built and testing of a new compact 3 dB power divider operating across a wideband frequency range, with a 2.56 GHz center frequency. The proposed divider, consisting of three ports, is constructed using an FR4 substrate, with overall dimensions of 45×40×1 mm3. The frequencies with the best S21 and S31 results are recorded with a magnitude of -3.04 dB at 2.56 GHz. The simulated input match (S11) displays nearly − 30 dB at 2.56 GHz, with a -10 dB bandwidth extending from 1 to 4 GHz, resulting in a total bandwidth of 3 GHz. Hence, the proposed power divider emerges as a strong candidate for applications in both the L- and S-bands. The measured data exhibit strong agreement with the simulation results. The originality of this study lies in achieving high performance within such compact dimensions at an affordable cost, thereby eliminating the complexity that can lead to manufacturing errors. Additionally, it is demonstrated through a comparative table that the proposed power divider exhibits superiority over similar ones found in the literature.
Melittin - A Main Component of Bee Venom: A Promising Therapeutic Agent for Neuroprotection through Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway Activation
Authors: Yoo Jaehee , Nguyen Cong Duc , Ha Hai-Anh , Jeong Sang Jun , Yang Ji Hye , Lee Gihyun , Shin Jeong Cheol , Kim Jae-Hong
Published: July 2024

The Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, known for its significant role in regulating innate antioxidant defense mechanisms, is increasingly being recognized for its potential in neuroprotection studies. Derived from bee venom, melittin's neuroprotective effects are raising interest. This study confirms that melittin specificity upregulated the weaken Nrf2/HO-1 signaling in mice brain. Interestingly, we also revealed melittin’s efficient tactic, as the restored redox balance alone gradually stabilized other regulations of the mouse hippocampus. Using a scopolamine-induced, a common and effective neurodegeneration model in mice, chemical analysis revealed that melittin crosses the compromised blood-brain barrier, accumulates in the hippocampus, and significantly enhances neurogenesis and cognitive function in scopolamine-induced mice. Careful observation in mice showed: first signs of changes within 5 hours after melittin administration were the restoration of the Nrf2/HO-1 system and suppresses oxidative stress. After this event, from 7 to 12.5 hours after administration were the rebalancing of inflammation, apoptosis, neurotrophic factors, cholinergic function, and mitochondrial performance. This chain reaction underscores the redox balance's role in reviving multiple neuronal functions. Evidence of enhancement in mouse hippocampus led to further exploration with hippocampal cell line HT22. Immunofluorescence analysis showed melittin-induced Nrf2 translocation to the nucleus, which would initiating the translation of antioxidant genes like HO-1. Pathway inhibitors pinpointed melittin's direct influence on the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. 3D docking models and pull-down assays suggested melittin's direct interaction with Keap1, Nrf2/HO-1’s activator. Overall, this study not only highlighted melittin specifically effect on Nrf2/HO-1, thus, rebalancing cellular redox, but also showed that this is a effective multi-effect therapeutic strategy against neurodegeneration.
Analysis of phase-change heat transfer in gold particles irradiated by an ultrashort-pulse laser under scattering effect
Authors: Shi Shunze , Zhang Mengya , Li Ling
Published: July 2024

The phase-change heat transfer in gold (Au) particles, vertically irradiated by a single-pulse laser, was investigated using a two-temperature model combined with the results of uneven particle surface light intensity distribution due to scattering. By coupling the interface energy balance equation and the phase tracking method of nucleation kinetics, the position of the solid-liquid interface was determined and the impact of laser parameters on the sintering process was investigated. As the laser irradiated the Au particles vertically, the melting process mainly occurred at both poles of the particles. The melting began at the bottom and resulted in a relatively small melting volume. As the laser energy density rose, the melting volume of the particles also increased. During the laser irradiation phase, the particle size increase led to an increase in the light intensity, and hence, temperature, at the bottom of the particle due to the scattering effect. At the end of laser irradiation, larger particle sizes resulted in a higher heat transfer volume per unit of light surface area. This led to lower temperatures, followed by particle melting, and a faster decline of the temperature at the bottom of the particle.
Sculpting Stochastic Dynamics: Manipulating Conductivity and Noise for Transitioning between Stochastic and Inverse Stochastic Resonances in Liquid- Crystal Electroconvection
Authors: Huh Jong-Hoon , Higashi Takumi , Sato Yuki
Published: July 2024

Noise can play a constructive role in nature and various engineering systems. Over the past four decades, noise-induced stochastic resonances (SRs) have been extensively documented, showing enhancement in system performance. Additionally, inverse SR has been observed in various systems. Typically, these resonances were studied independently. A transition between these resonances was recently observed in an alternating current-driven liquid-crystal electroconvection (EC) system using combined amplitude and phase noises. This study uses internal (material) and external (noise) parameters to demonstrate the control of this transition. Specifically, the nonmonotonic threshold voltage behavior of the EC system, indicative of the resonances, was numerically examined using additional parameters. Experimental tests were conducted to confirm the effects of these parameters. The findings reveal that the transition between these resonances can be systematically controlled to meet specific needs, whether desirable or undesirable system performances. Notably, this study illustrates how to modify the behavior of both resonances in colored noise by adjusting its cutoff frequency and steepness and phase noise, which is often overlooked. Moreover, this study provides valuable insights for various noise-related applications.
Deviatoric Stress-Induced Transition of Self-Trapped Exciton Emissions
Authors: Liu Kai-Kai , Lv Chao-Fan , Yang Xigui , Wu Yanran , Liang Yachuan , Qin Jinxu , Lai Shoulong , Liu Hang , Zang Jinhao , Cheng Shaobo , Shan Chong-Xin
Published: July 2024

Self-trapped exciton (STE) emissions, featured by their broad spectral band and little self-absorption, have garnered considerable attention for advanced lighting and imaging applications. However, the exploration of an effective strategy to facilitate multiple STE states, modulate the emission energy and the cover range remains a great challenge. Here, we introduce deviatoric stress, facilitating an extrinsic STE (ex-STE) state and the transition between ex-STE and another intrinsic STE (in-STE) emissions in pyramidal ZnO nanocrystals, achieving a remarkable transition of emission energy from yellow-green (2.34 eV) to deep-blue (2.88 eV). Combined in-situ stress monitoring and optical experiments demonstrate that the ex-STE state originates from a potential well generated by plastic deviatoric deformation induced by deviatoric stress. Spectroscopic and dynamical characterization of these two STE emissions reveal a transition process in the carrier’s relaxation pathway from ex-STE to in-STE, and conversely at much higher pressure. These findings demonstrate that deviatoric stress is a robust tool to drive STE emissions and provide deep insights into the carrier dynamics evolution of STE emissions.
Structural basis for transcription activation through cooperative recruitment of MntR
Authors: ahuja Shivani , Shi Haoyuan , Fu Yu , Kodyte Vilmante , Andreas Amelie , Sachla Ankita , Miller Keiki , Shrestha Ritu , Helmann John , Glasfeld Arthur
Published: July 2024

The manganese transport regulator (MntR) from B. subtilis is a dual regulatory protein that responds to heightened Mn2+ availability in the cell by both repressing the expression of uptake transporters and activating the expression of efflux proteins. Recent work indicates that, in its role as an activator, MntR binds several sites upstream of the genes encoding Mn2+ exporters, leading to a cooperative response to manganese. Here, we use cryo-EM to explore the molecular basis of gene activation by MntR and report a structure of four MntR dimers bound to four 18-base pair sites across an 84-base pair regulatory region of the mneP promoter. Our structures, along with solution studies including mass photometry and in vivo transcription assays, reveal that MntR dimers employ polar and non-polar contacts to bind cooperatively to an array of low-affinity DNA-binding sites. These results reveal the molecular basis for cooperativity in the activation of manganese efflux.
Tumor-specific high-valence bismuth(V) nanoplatform potentiates cancer immunotherapy with exogenous excitation-free endogenous H2O2- and O2-independent ROS generation
Authors: Li Wanwan , Tang Yizhang , Yu Xujiang , He Liangrui , Tang Meng , Yue Wenji , Chen Ruitong , Zhao Jie , Pan Qi
Published: July 2024

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) with evoked immunotherapy holds tremendous promise for cancer treatment but has limitations due to its dependence on exogenous excitation and/or endogenous H2O2 and O2. Here we report a versatile oxidizing pentavalent bismuth(V) nanoplatform (NaBiVO3-PEG) can generate ROS in an excitation-free and H2O2- and O2-independent manner. Upon exposure to tumor microenvironment, NaBiVO3-PEG undergoes continuous H+-accelerated hydrolysis with •OH and 1O2 generation through a two-electron transfer reaction with H2O and intrinsic lattice oxygen transformation. Simultaneous release of sodium counterions after endocytosis triggers caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis. NaBiVO3-PEG intratumorally administered initiates robust therapeutic efficacies against both primary and distant tumors and activates systemic immune responses to combat tumor metastasis. Alternatively, NaBiVO3-PEG intravenously administered can efficiently accumulate at the tumor site for further real-time computed tomography monitoring and synergistic immunotherapy and radiotherapy. Overall, this work offers a new nanomedicine based on a high-valence bismuth(V) nanoplatform and underscores its great potential for cancer immunotherapy.
Fructose metabolism is associated with anesthesia/surgery induced lactate production
Authors: Zhang Lei , Liu Jianhui , Miao Zhengjie , Zhou Ren , Wang Hao , Li Xiang , Liu Jiehui , Zhang Jingya , Yan Jia , Jiang Hong
Published: July 2024

Background: Elderly individuals display excessive lactate levels that may contribute to development of cognitive impairment following surgery, including delayed neurocognitive recovery (dNCR). Since the origin of this increased lactate is unknown, here we assessed associations between metabolic pathways and postoperative dNCR.
Methods: This study included 43 patients (≥65 years old) who had surgery under general anaesthesia. We also used a mouse model in which 20-month-old mice were exposed under sevoflurane to induce postoperative dNCR. Metabolomics were used to measure metabolites in the serum of patients and brains of mice following anaesthesia/surgery. Isotope labelling and metabolic flux were used to analyse flow and distribution of specific metabolites in metabolic pathways.
Results: Among 43 patients, 17 developed dNCR. Metabolomics showed significantly decreased postoperative serum fructose 1-phosphate levels in dNCR compared to non-dNCR patients. Similar results were found in the mouse model. Isotope labelling and metabolic flux experiments in mice showed fructose but not glucose entered glycolysis, increasing lactate levels after anaesthesia/surgery. Administration of intraperitoneal fructose inhibitors to mice effectively inhibited the increased lactate levels and cognitive dysfunction following anaesthesia/surgery. We also found anaesthesia/surgery increased IL-6 levels in mice, and that IL-6 may function upstream in fructose activation.
Conclusions: These results suggest that anaesthesia/surgery activates fructose metabolism, producing excessive lactate and ultimately contributing to postoperative cognitive impairment. Fructose metabolism is thus a potential therapeutic target for dNCR.
Evolving Neuro-Fuzzy Systems for Real-Time Data Processing in Internet of Medical Things
Authors: Nyirenda Clement , Chilipa Richard
Published: July 2024

Evolving neuro-fuzzy systems (ENFS) have shown great promise in analysis of streaming data, integrating artificial
neural networks and fuzzy logic to create self-learning, data-driven models suitable for online (real-time) applications. In healthcare, ENFS have the potential to transform the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) by enabling real-time data processing, decision support, and timely emergency response. In this study six
evolving fuzzy min-max neural network models have been implemented using Python and Kafka, and evaluated on the MIT-BIH Arrhythmia dataset comprising 109,446 samples corresponding to shapes of heartbeats for the normal case and the cases affected by different arrhythmias and myocardial infarction. To achieve online continual learning, the prequential test-then-train method has been used to sequentially classify the data instances from
scratch and update the system structure along with the arrival of new data samples. The Enhanced Fuzzy Min-Max Neural Network (EFMMNN) achieved the highest accuracy of 98.11%. Future work will explore deploying these evolving fuzzy systems in real-world healthcare settings using edge-fog computing.
Particle Swarm Optimization of Deep Learning Models for the Determination of Vehicle Hijacking Tweets
Authors: Nyirenda Clement , Patel Taahir A.
Published: July 2024

The problem of vehicle hijacking is increasingly prevalent in many parts of the world, including South Africa, causing travelers to live in constant fear of becoming victims. To address this, this work employs the usage of social media data to identify hijacking incidents in urban environments by using the city of Cape Town in South Africa as the case study. More specifically, the incorporated data is obtained from the Twitter social media platform. However, this form of data tends to be informal and unstructured. Hence, this led to the issue of data relevance, which was addressed by using Machine Learning algorithms to classify tweets. Two deep learning algorithms were employed: a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), and a Multi-layer Feed-forward Neural Network (MLFNN). However, due to model complexity, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) was also implemented to produce the model variations, PSOCNN and PSOMLFNN. It was found that the PSO-optimized models outperformed the standard non-PSO models. The PSOMLFNN approach was also identified to be the best-performing model amongst the employed selection by obtaining an accuracy of 96.15%. Hence, it was successfully employed along with the Tweet data to produce vehicle hijacking maps. In future work, further machine learning and optimization algorithms will be tested to identify the best-performing algorithms for this task as well as extend the hijacking maps to a mobile application for drivers on the South African roads.
REVIEW AND OPPONENT`S REVIEW IN THE SYSTEM OF SCIENTIFIC AND LITERARY-CRITICAL GENRES (part 2)
Authors: Ishchenko Olena , Oropaі Anna
Published: July 2024

The article analyzes the views of contemporary researchers on the essence of the concepts “criticism”, “literary criticism” and “art criticism”. It is noted that these concepts should be considered synonymous, since they all indicate the ability to analyze and evaluate artistic works. The authors of this research offer their own interpretation of the term “literary and artistic criticism”, which is understood as a scientific or professional interpretation of an artistic (literary) work in the context of ideological and aesthetic guidelines of the time, socio-political factors and professional skills of the interpreter. It was determined that in the contemporary literary and critical discourse, a review is understood as one of the most widespread genres in this field, the purpose of which is the analysis and evaluation of an artistic, artistic, journalistic, scientific work in the context of historical, social and political realities, as well as consideration of the corpus violated in the work problems. It was determined that the similarity of literary and critical review and opponent’s review is caused by common structural components, a common goal, the influence of the ideological and aesthetic paradigm of a certain period (the tendency to dominate modification forms in our time) and the desire to respond to the requests of the contemporary audience.
Design, Synthesis and Biological Activities of Novel meta-Diamide Compounds Containing 1,2,4-Oxadiazole Group
Authors: Huang Pengmian , Yang Ting , Liu Jiyong , Xiang Juncheng , Wu Minghui
Published: July 2024

To discover new bisamide compounds with insecticidal and fungicidal activities, 19 novel cyproflanilide derivatives containing 1,2,4-oxadiazole group were designed and synthesized according to the principle of biologically active factor splicing. Preliminary biological assay data indicated that the majority of target compounds demonstrated significant insecticidal activity against Lepidopteran pests. Meanwhile, compounds 5p and 5q showed 97.22 and 100% lethality against Tetranychus cinnabarinus at 400 mg L-1, which were better than cyproflanilide (41.11% at 400 mg L-1). In addition, it is exciting that we have achieved our initial goals as some of the target compounds exhibited both insecticidal and fungicidal activities. For instance, compounds 5b and 5c showed 59.26 and 74.07% fungicidal activities against Cucumber downy mildew at 400 mg L-1, as well as 100% insecticidal activity against Plutella xylostella and armyworm at 100 mg L-1. Compound 5h showed 100% insecticidal activity against armyworm at 10 mg L-1, and also displayed 66.67% fungicidal activity against Cucumber downy mildew at 400 mg L-1. The inhibition rate of compounds 5l and 5s against Cucumber downy mildew reached 88.89 and 96.30% at 400 mg L-1. This work showed the effectively fungicidal application of 1,2,4-oxadiazole group in bisamide compounds and provides insights for optimal structural design.
Water quality ensemble prediction model for the urban water reservoir based on the hybrid long short-term memory (LSTM) network analysis
Authors: He Kai , Liu Yu , Yuan Jinlong , He Zhidong , Yin Qidong , Xu Dongjian , Zhao Xinfeng , Hu Maochuan , Lu Haoxian
Published: July 2024

The water quality of drinking water reservoirs directly impacts the water supply safety for urban residents. This study focuses on the Da Jing Shan Reservoir, a crucial drinking water source for Zhuhai City and the Macau Special Administrative Region. The aim is to establish a prediction model for the water quality of drinking water reservoirs, which can serve as a vital reference for water plants when formulating their water supply plans. In this research, after smoothing the data using the Hodrick-Prescott filter, we utilized the long short-term memory (LSTM) network model to create a water quality prediction model for the Da Jing Shan Reservoir. Simulation calculations reveal that the model's fitting degree is consistently above 60%. Specifically, the prediction accuracy for pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in the water quality prediction model aligns with actual results by more than 70%, effectively simulating the reservoir's water quality changes. Moreover, for parameters such as pH, DO, BOD, and total phosphorus, the relative forecasting error of the LSTM model is less than 10%, confirming the model's validity. The results of this study offer an essential model reference for predicting water quality for the Da Jing Shan Reservoir.
Impact of El Niño, Indian Ocean dipole, and Madden–Julian oscillation on land surface temperature in Kuching City Sarawak, during the periods of 1997/1998 and 2015/2016: a pilot study
Authors: Anak Kemarau Ricky , Boo Wee Hin , Sakawi Zaini , Dambul Ramzah , Suab Stanley Anak , Wan Mohd Jaafar Wan Shafrina , Eboy Oliver Valentine , Fakhry Norzin Muhammad Ammar
Published: July 2024

The severe El Niño events of 1997/1998 and 2015/2016 caused significant disruptions in Southeast Asia, particularly in Borneo, resulting in hazardous haze and acute water shortages. This study examines the influence of El Niño, the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), and the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) on regional climate, using time-series data from February 1993 to December 2020. Data from El Niño, IOD, and MJO indices were integrated with Landsat 5 and 8 land surface temperature records, allowing for a detailed analysis of their combined effects on regional temperature and precipitation patterns. Time-series trend decomposition and the generalized linear mixed model approach identified the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) as a significant driver of temperature increases and dry spell occurrences during the peak El Niño years. On the other hand, ONI correlated strongly with mean monthly temperatures, underscoring its dominant influence. In addition, the IOD was found to significantly affect regional temperatures with a regression coefficient of 0.38867 (p = 0.0455), indicating its significant but less pronounced impact compared with ONI. These findings clarify the dynamics between key climate indices and their impact on regional climate extremes, offering critical insights for improving climate resilience and adaptation in tropical regions.
Educational Strategy of The Primary Prevention of Domestic Violence: Contributions of Curricular Practices to the Strengthening of Citizenship
Authors: Martins Alcina Manuela Oliveira , Costa Elisabete Pinto da
Published: July 2024

At a global level, quality education is fundamental to achieve social and gender justice, stability, and sustainable development worldwide. Therefore, the current school is faced with the need to find answers to these challenges, which can manifest themselves in multiple social violences. The investment in Portugal in an education for citizenship is based on the implementation of an educational policy that introduces, in an intentional and strategical manner, into the curriculum, fracturing themes in societies with the aim of its transformation. In this regard, the construction of the curriculum, as proposed by the Critical Theory, as a social practice, can constitute an educational strategy for the study and action on the problematic issue of primary prevention of domestic violence. The aim of this research is to understand to what extent the inclusion of the issue of domestic violence in curricular practices, in the context of citizenship education, contributes to the primary prevention of this social scourge. The methodological course of the research is based on a qualitative approach of exploratory nature, using a questionnaire with four open-ended questions. The study took place in two public schools, Primary and Secondary: one in the Oporto area and the other in the Lisbon area. The former has a Prevention Project against Domestic Violence in place; the second has no similar project. The data was obtained through the Google Forms tool. Eight participants were selected, four from each school, all teachers at the end of a schooling cycle, specifically: 4th year, 6th year, 9th year and 12th year. The study revealed that, in the school in the Oporto area, because it had a Violence Prevention Plan, there were curricular practices focused on this issue. The school in the Lisbon area, on the other hand, that does not have a Plan for the Prevention of Violence, has an absence of this issue in curricular practices, there being only awareness-raising on the subject.
Análise dos Parâmetros Físico-Químicos do Gongocomposto e Vermicomposto Produzidos no IFS Aracaju com Desenvolvimento de Mudas de Rúcula e Alface
Authors: Silva José Anderson Bonfim , Brandão Érika Cristina Teixeira dos Anjos , Lima Rodrigo Gallotti
Published: July 2024

O problema da geração de resíduos sólidos ainda é uma séria questão a se resolver. O gerenciamento de resíduos tem como disposição final apenas os aterros sanitários, já para uma destinação ambientalmente sustentável há diversas possibilidades. Sendo os resíduos orgânicos facilmente putrescíveis, essas possibilidades incluem práticas que podem ser feitas em casa, como a compostagem, a vermicompostagem e a gongocompostagem. O projeto “Vem e Composta” realiza a vermicompostagem no IFS Aracaju desde 2020, mas recicla pouco material vegetal seco. Neste sentido, devido à necessidade de reduzir os resíduos castanhos produzidos no campus, implantou-se a gongocompostagem. Esta técnica instalou-se em 2022 com a montagem de dois gongolários feitos com lixeiras de 60 litros reutilizadas, onde foi iniciada a compostagem de folhas e galhos secos com diplópodes coletados em zonas urbanas de Aracaju. O intuito deste trabalho foi produzir composto orgânico de pronto uso e, posteriormente, comparar com o vermicomposto que já é produzido na casa de vegetação do campus. O gongocomposto apresentou teores de umidade (77,62%), carbono (80,2 g kg-1), nitrogênio (15,5 g kg-1), cálcio (3,95 g kg-1) e magnésio (1,04 g kg-1) maiores que os do vermicomposto. O vermicomposto mostrou-se mais rico em fósforo (0,298 g kg-1) e potássio (4,8 g kg-1) e mais denso que o húmus de gongolo. O pH para ambos foi semelhante. O gongocomposto mostra-se como uma alternativa eficaz para tratamento de resíduos de poda e produção de substrato de qualidade, promovendo maior taxa de germinação e desenvolvimento de sementes de alface e rúcula quando comparado com o vermicomposto.
Pulmonary Hypertension: Exercise Intolerance and the Benefits of Respiratory Muscle and Exercise Training
Authors: Ratwatte Seshika , Tran Derek , Celermajer David S. , Cordina Rachael
Published: July 2024

Pulmonary hypertension is characterized by significant remodeling of the pulmonary vasculature, leading to raised pulmonary vascular resistance. Despite advances in medical therapy, decreased exercise tolerance remains a predominant symptom experienced by patients. Reduced exercise capacity has been shown to have implications on quality of life and prognosis. There is growing acknowledgment that the etiology of exercise tolerance is multifactorial with cardiac, respiratory, and skeletal muscle contributors. There has been a shift in management approach with exercise training now included as a Class 1 recommendation indication in recent guidelines. In this review, we summarize the literature on the pathophysiology of exercise intolerance in pulmonary hypertension and then describe the literature assessing the safety and efficacy of inspiratory muscle and exercise training in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.