bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Jungian personality type preferences of female and male Hungarian leaders
Authors: Szathmári Edit , Czibor Andrea , Bents Richard , Szabó Zsolt Péter , Kiss Orhidea Edith
Published: October 2023

In this study, we investigated the personality type preferences of female and male Hungarian non-managerial individual contributors, middle managers, and executives. We aimed to investigate the preferences among successful females and males (i.e., executives) compared to non-executives. The preference distinctions between successful females and males were also analyzed. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using the Jungian-based Golden Profiler of Personality (GPOP) questionnaire (N = 5,376; 2,678 females, 2,698 males; average age 35.98 with an SD = 8.977). Executives scored higher in extraversion, intuition, thinking, perceiving, and calm preferences compared to middle managers and individual contributors while scoring lower in sensing and tense preferences. Extraversion, intuition, and feeling preferences were more prevalent among female executives than both male executives and women in general. Our findings suggest that Hungarian female executives' personality preferences align with either stereotypically feminine traits (intuitive and feeling) or male executive-like preferences (extraverted, sensing, thinking, and judging combination). We also discussed the influence of cultural norms and expectations on the personality preferences of female and male executives. Our results are in line with prior research conducted in the Western context, however, the gender differences are more striking. We concluded that men have a reasonable chance of success across a spectrum of personality preferences as they ascend the hierarchy, while women need to exhibit specific preferences to be successful on the same journey. The self-descriptive and cross-sectional nature of our data spell limitations, therefore we suggest conducting future longitudinal studies, including explanatory and contingency variables (e.g. perceived cultural norms).
Identification of SbWRKY Transcription Factors in Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi under Drought Stress and Their Relationship with Baicalin
Authors: Cheng Lin , Yu Jingjing , Zhang Lichao , Yao Yanying , Sun Zhuo , Han Mei , Zhang Yonggang , Yang Limin
Published: October 2023

One of the most significant transcription factors in plants, WRKYs, are crucial for plant growth and stress response. In this study, we analyzed the physicochemical properties, evolutionary relationships, conservation structure, and expression of the WRKY gene family in S. baicalensis. The WRKY family has highly conserved structural domains, which have been classified into three major categories, I, II, and III, based on the number of WRKY structural domains and zinc finger structural features. SbWRKYs of the same subgroup are functionally similar and essentially contain the same motif. Additionally, different drought stress situations resulted in varying levels of SbWRKYs expression, with the majority of these factors being up-regulated in moderate drought stress settings, and fewer of them were up-regulated under severe drought stress conditions. Under moderate drought stress, the expression of key enzymes increased, while under severe drought stress, the expression of key enzymes decreased. Mild drought stress resulted in a 26.42% increase in baicalin accumulation, while severe drought stress led to a 22.88% decrease. The protein interaction analysis of key enzyme genes and SbWRKYs revealed that the expression of key enzyme genes affected the expression of SbWRKYs. We screened nine SbWRKYs with a significant relationship with baicalin accumulation, and SbWRKY8 and SbWRKY16 showed the highest correlation with the baicalin content. These findings offer a theoretical framework for more research on the roles of SbWRKYs and show that SbWRKYs can respond to drought stress in S. baicalensis.
Meat Quality in Katerini and Podolian Young Bulls Raised on Pasture: A Comparison between Organic Production Systems in Greek and Italian Environments
Authors: Karatosidi Despoina , Ligda Christina , Colonna Maria Antonietta , Avgeris Efthymios , Tarricone Simona
Published: October 2023

Local and typical agri-food products (TAP) are receiving increasing interest from consumers, since they are perceived as genuine, healthy and tasty because they are produced under environmentally friendly farming systems. This has aroused a renewed interest among breeders from the inner regions of Italy and Greece toward autochthonous animal populations, such as Greek Katerini and Italian Podolian cattle. Twenty animals were used, divided into two homogeneous groups of ten subjects per each genotype. Animals were fed only on natural pasture and were slaughtered at 18 months of age. Meat from the Katerini young bulls showed a lower a* value, higher moisture and was leaner, and its fat was richer in n-3 fatty acids and had a better n-6/n-3 ratio. Meat from Podolian young bulls was more tender and showed a higher redness value and a significantly greater MUFA concentration. This preliminary study provides a contribution to the local actors and relevant authorities to develop a conservation program for the endangered Katerini breed based on the nutritional and sensorial characterization of its products.
The Effects of Polyphenols on Bone Metabolism in Postmenopausal Women: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Control Trials
Authors: Salvio Gianmaria , Ciarloni Alessandro , Gianfelice Claudio , Lacchè Francesca , Sabatelli Sofia , Giacchetti Gilberta , Balercia Giancarlo
Published: October 2023

Osteoporosis is a condition favored by the postmenopausal decline in estrogen levels and worsened by oxidative stress (OS). Polyphenols are natural compounds abundantly found in fruits and vegetables, and they exert antioxidant and hormonal effects that could be useful in osteoporosis prevention, as suggested by epidemiological studies showing a lower incidence of fractures in individuals consuming polyphenol-rich diets. The aim of our meta-analysis is to evaluate the effects of polyphenols on bone mineral density (BMD, primary endpoint) and bone turnover markers (BTMs, secondary endpoint) in postmenopausal women. Twenty-one randomized control trials (RCTs) were included in our analysis after in-depth search on PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus databases. We found that supplementation with polyphenols for 3–36 months exerted no statically significant effects on BMD measured at lumbar spine (sMD: 0.21, 95% CI [−0.08 to 0.51], p = 0.16), femoral neck (sMD: 0.16, 95% CI [−0.23 to 0.55], p = 0.42), total hip (sMD: 0.05, 95% CI [−0.14 to 0.24], p = 0.61), and whole body (sMD: −0.12, 95% CI [−0.42 to 0.17], p = 0.41). Subgroup analysis based on treatment duration showed no statistical significance, but a significant effect on lumbar BMD emerged when studies with duration of 24 months or greater were analyzed separately. On the other hand, we found a significantly slight increase in bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) levels (sMD: 1.27, 95% CI [1.13 to 1.42], p < 0.0001) and a decrease in pyridinoline (PD) levels (sMD: −0.58, 95% CI [−0.77 to −0.39], p < 0.0001). High heterogeneity among studies and unclear risk of bias in one third of the included studies emerged. A subgroup analysis showed similar effects for different duration of treatment and models of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanner. More robust evidence is needed before recommending the prescription of polyphenols in clinical practice.
Design and Application of a New Visible Light-Curing 3D Printing Platform
Authors: Fu Yu , Ba Shuhong , Yang Yulong , Zhang Bo , Li Linpeng
Published: October 2023

In order to solve the safety problems that exist in traditional charging technology, a new visible light-curing 3D printing platform and energetic slurry formula were designed. Within them, the formula of light-curing slurry is 60.46% EA/PUA (prepolymer), 37.21% PETA/HDDA/BA (active diluent monomer), 0.47% CQ (visible light initiator), 0.93% DMT (curing accelerator), and 0.93% additive. The curing time of visible light-curing paste is 7.5 s, the viscosity is 22 6 mPa·s, the curing hardness is 2 H, the gel rate is 96.67%, the shrinkage rate is 98.35%, and the curing depth is 9.41 mm. The optimal formulation of energetic slurry is 20% visible light-curing slurry, 57.72% AP, 15.28% Al and 7% RDX. The 3D printing energetic powder column has a smooth surface, uniform filler distribution, a flat surface, no protrusions or other defects, and good matching. The average burning rate is 1.165 mm·s−1, the combustion is stable, and the maximum burning light intensity is 2.053 cd.
IoT Anomaly Detection to Strengthen Cybersecurity in the Critical Infrastructure of Smart Cities
Authors: Villegas-Ch William , Govea Jaime , Jaramillo-Alcazar Angel
Published: October 2023

This study addresses anomaly detection in smart city environments driven by the Internet of Things. In these cities, digital interconnection and the extensive network of sensors generate enormous amounts of data, which are essential to improving citizens’ efficiency and quality of life. However, this data may also contain strange events that require early detection to ensure the proper functioning of urban systems. For this, anomaly detection models are explored to identify unusual patterns in urban data. The work focuses on the applicability and effectiveness of these models in different urban scenarios supported by the Internet of Things. Furthermore, its performance is evaluated by comparing it with existing approaches, and its advantages and limitations are analyzed. The results show that the proposed models, including Isolation Forest, recurrent neural network, and variational autoencoder, are highly effective in detecting anomalies in urban data. This work contributes to the field of smart cities by improving the safety and efficiency of urban systems. Early detection of anomalies makes it possible to prevent unplanned interruptions, ensure the safety of citizens, and maintain the integrity of urban systems. Furthermore, the relevance of this work in the existing literature and its importance for the evolution of smart cities supported by the Internet of Things are highlighted.
RNA-Seq-Based Molecular Classification Analyses in Colorectal Cancer and Synchronous Adenoma
Authors: Choi Ji Won , Lee Gi-Young , Kim Sangsoo , Ahn Kwangsung , Do In-Gu , Jung Kyung-Uk , Kim Hyung-Ook , Kim Hungdai , Park Dong-Il , Park Soo-kyung
Published: October 2023

Colorectal cancers (CRC) are classified into consensus molecular subtypes (CMS) based on gene expression profiles. The revised classification system iCMS was proposed by considering intrinsic epithelial status, microsatellite instability (MSI), and fibrosis. This study aimed to provide molecular evidence for the adenoma–carcinoma sequence concept by examining CRC and synchronous adenomas using iCMS. Epithelial CMS cell proportion was estimated using CiberSortx, an in silico cell fractionation method that included CMS cell types among the reference cell types. A random forest (RF) model estimated the posterior probabilities of CMS classes, which were compared with the CiberSortx results. Gene expression profiles of the published iCMS signature panel were retrieved from our dataset and subjected to heatmap clustering for classification. Bulk RNA sequencing data were collected from 29 adenocarcinomas and 11 adenoma samples. CiberSortx showed all CRC contained either CMS2 or CMS3 as the major epithelial cancer cell type. The RF model classified approximately half of the CRC as CMS4, whereas CMS4 was hardly detected by CiberSortx. Because they were enriched with myofibroblasts as per the CiberSortx classification, we tentatively designated them as iCMS2-F/iCMS3-F. iCMS coupled with the application of an in silico cell fractionation method can provide the molecular dissection of CRC and adenoma.
Combined Effect of Plasma-Activated Water and Topotecan in Glioblastoma Cells
Authors: Pinheiro Lopes Beatriz , O’Neill Liam , Bourke Paula , Boehm Daniela
Published: October 2023

The increase in cancer diagnoses and cancer deaths, severe side effects of existing treatments and resistance to traditional treatments have generated a need for new anticancer treatments. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common, malignant and aggressive brain cancer. Despite many innovations regarding GBM treatment, the final outcome is still very poor, making it necessary to develop new therapeutic approaches. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) as well as plasma-activated liquids (PAL) are being studied as new possible approaches against cancer. The anticancer activity of PAL such as “plasma-activated water” (PAW) is dependent on the reactive chemical compounds present in the solution. Possible combinatory effects with conventional therapies, such as chemotherapeutics, may expand the potential of PAL for cancer treatment. We aim to explore the therapeutic properties of a combination of PAW and topotecan (TPT), an antineoplastic agent with major cytotoxic effects during the S phase of the cell cycle, on a GBM cancer cell line (U-251mg). Combined treatments with PAW and TPT showed a reduction in the metabolic activity and cell mass, an increase in apoptotic cell death and a reduction in the long-term survival. Single applications of PAW+TPT treatments showed a cytotoxic effect in the short term and an antiproliferative effect in the long term, warranting future exploration of combining PAW with chemotherapeutic agents as new therapeutic approaches.
Synovial Sarcoma in the Extremity: Diversity of Imaging Features for Diagnosis and Prognosis
Authors: Cho Eun Byul , Lee Seul Ki , Kim Jee-Young , Kim Yuri
Published: October 2023

Synovial sarcomas are rare and highly aggressive soft-tissue sarcomas, primarily affecting adolescents and young adults aged 15–40 years. These tumors typically arise in the deep soft tissues, often near the large joints of the extremities. While the radiological features of these tumors are not definitely indicative, the presence of calcification in a soft-tissue mass (occurring in 30% of cases), adjacent to a joint, strongly suggests the diagnosis. Cross-sectional imaging characteristics play a crucial role in diagnosing synovial sarcomas. They often reveal significant characteristics such as multilobulation and pronounced heterogeneity (forming the “triple sign”), in addition to features like hemorrhage and fluid–fluid levels with septa (resulting in the “bowl of grapes” appearance). Nevertheless, the existence of non-aggressive features, such as gradual growth (with an average time to diagnosis of 2–4 years) and small size (initially measuring < 5 cm) with well-defined margins, can lead to an initial misclassification as a benign lesion. Larger size, older age, and higher tumor grade have been established as adverse predictive indicators for both local disease recurrence and the occurrence of metastasis. Recently, the prognostic importance of CT and MRI characteristics for synovial sarcomas was elucidated. These include factors like the absence of calcification, the presence of cystic components, hemorrhage, the bowl of grape sign, the triple sign, and intercompartmental extension. Wide surgical excision remains the established approach for definitive treatment. Gaining insight into and identifying the diverse range of presentations of synovial sarcomas, which correlate with the prognosis, might be helpful in achieving the optimal patient management.
UCHL1 Regulates Radiation Lung Injury via Sphingosine Kinase-1
Authors: Epshtein Yulia , Mathew Biji , Chen Weiguo , Jacobson Jeffrey R.
Published: October 2023

GADD45a is a gene we previously reported as a mediator of responses to acute lung injury. GADD45a−/− mice express decreased Akt and increased Akt ubiquitination due to the reduced expression of UCHL1 (ubiquitin c-terminal hydrolase L1), a deubiquitinating enzyme, while GADD45a−/− mice have increased their susceptibility to radiation-induced lung injury (RILI). Separately, we have reported a role for sphingolipids in RILI, evidenced by the increased RILI susceptibility of SphK1−/− (sphingosine kinase 1) mice. A mechanistic link between UCHL1 and sphingolipid signaling in RILI is suggested by the known polyubiquitination of SphK1. Thus, we hypothesized that the regulation of SphK1 ubiquitination by UCHL1 mediates RILI. Initially, human lung endothelial cells (EC) subjected to radiation demonstrated a significant upregulation of UCHL1 and SphK1. The ubiquitination of EC SphK1 after radiation was confirmed via the immunoprecipitation of SphK1 and Western blotting for ubiquitin. Further, EC transfected with siRNA specifically for UCHL1 or pretreated with LDN-5744, as a UCHL1 inhibitor, prior to radiation were noted to have decreased ubiquitinated SphK1 in both conditions. Further, the inhibition of UCHL1 attenuated sphingolipid-mediated EC barrier enhancement was measured by transendothelial electrical resistance. Finally, LDN pretreatment significantly augmented murine RILI severity. Our data support the fact that the regulation of SphK1 expression after radiation is mediated by UCHL1. The modulation of UCHL1 affecting sphingolipid signaling may represent a novel RILI therapeutic strategy.
Targeting GD2-Positive Tumor Cells by Pegylated scFv Fragment–Drug Conjugates Carrying Maytansinoids DM1 and DM4
Authors: Kalinovsky Daniel V. , Kholodenko Irina V. , Svirshchevskaya Elena V. , Kibardin Alexey V. , Ryazantsev Dmitry Yu. , Rozov Fedor N. , Larin Sergey S. , Deyev Sergey M. , Kholodenko Roman V.
Published: October 2023

Oligomerization of antibody fragments via modification with polyethylene glycol (pegylation) may alter their function and properties, leading to a multivalent interaction of the resulting constructs with the target antigen. In a recent study, we generated pegylated monomers and multimers of scFv fragments of GD2-specific antibodies using maleimide–thiol chemistry. Multimerization enhanced the antigen-binding properties and demonstrated a more efficient tumor uptake in a syngeneic GD2-positive mouse cancer model compared to monomeric antibody fragments, thereby providing a rationale for improving the therapeutic characteristics of GD2-specific antibody fragments. In this work, we obtained pegylated conjugates of scFv fragments of GD2-specific antibodies with maytansinoids DM1 or DM4 using tetravalent PEG-maleimide (PEG4). The protein products from the two-stage thiol–maleimide reaction resolved by gel electrophoresis indicated that pegylated scFv fragments constituted the predominant part of the protein bands, and most of the scFv formed pegylated monomers and dimers. The conjugates retained the ability to bind ganglioside GD2 comparable to that of the parental scFv fragment and to specifically interact with GD2-positive cells. Both induced significant inhibitory effects in the GD2-positive B78-D14 cell line, in contrast to the GD2-negative B16 cell line. The decrease in the B78-D14 cell viability when treated with scFv-PEG4-DM4 was more prominent than that for scFv-PEG4-DM1, and was characterized by a twofold lower half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50). Unlike the parental scFv fragment, the product of scFv and PEG4 conjugation (scFv–PEG4), consisting predominantly of pegylated scFv multimers and monomers, induced direct cell death in the GD2-positive B78-D14 cells. However, the potency of scFv–PEG4 was low in the selected concentration range, thus demonstrating that the cytotoxic effect of DM1 and DM4 within the antibody fragment–drug conjugates was primary. The suggested approach may contribute to development of novel configurations of antibody fragment–drug conjugates for cancer treatment.
Tribological and Grinding Properties of Spherical Diamond Grown on a Rough Discontinuous Surface
Authors: Zeng Xiangyong , Meng Shaoxin , Liu Jianben , Chen Naichao
Published: October 2023

Spherical diamond particles have great potential as additive materials for improving lubricity of lubricants, and yet the complicated preparation process is difficult to meet the current industrial demand. Therefore, a novel method was proposed to deposit mass spherical diamond on the discontinuous silicon nitride (Si3N4) powder substrate by the hot filament chemical vapor deposition method. The results revealed that the substrate was covered by the spherical diamond grains with a diameter of about 20 μm. Thereafter, they were used as lubricant additives to examine the tribological and grinding properties. Therein, the Si3N4 surface had a remarkable reduction in surface roughness by a factor of 124.62% as compared to that without spherical diamond powder, while GCr15 alloy had a 31.17% increase under the same condition. Hence, our method provides a promising way to deposit the mass spherical diamond powder that might become a great abrasive material for machining the ceramic.
How Soda Ingestion Facilitates the Distinction between a Killian–Jamieson Diverticulum and a Malignant Thyroid Nodule
Authors: Liang Tsung-Jung , Liu Shiuh-Inn , Chiang Chia-Ling
Published: October 2023

A 66-year-old woman presented with an incidental left thyroid nodule during a health examination. She had no voice change, shortness of breath, cough, or dysphagia. Repeated sonography showed a dynamic change of the lesion, which was more evident following soda consumption. A subsequent esophagography confirmed the diagnosis of a Killian–Jamieson diverticulum. This rare left-sided pharyngoesophageal diverticulum is often asymptomatic. On a sonography, air bubbles in the esophageal lumen can cause a ring-down artifact that mimics microcalcifications, which are characteristic of thyroid malignancy, and misdiagnosis may lead to unnecessary interventions, including fine-needle aspiration or thyroidectomy. A dynamic ultrasound, specifically done during soda consumption, offered a simple diagnostic distinction. No surgical intervention was pursued; the patient was monitored in the clinic.
Making the Most of Cognitive Surplus: Descriptive Case Studies of Student-Generated Open Educational Resources
Authors: Fatayer Mais , Tualaulelei Eseta
Published: October 2023

Universities are hives of knowledge production and innovation, but the work students produce for assessment is often utilised in a limited way, neglecting a potentially rich intellectual resource. This article investigates an activity that can make use of this resource. It has known benefits for students but is rarely used in higher education—student-generated open educational resources (OER). In descriptive case studies of two projects where students created OER as an assessed part of university coursework, the article explores the impacts of this activity on students’ learning experiences and the educational practice of teaching academics. Drawing upon social constructivist understandings of teaching and learning and a range of quantitative and qualitative data from projects with 156 students and 3 academics, the descriptive case studies illustrate how student-generated OER, guided by an OER development model, positively benefitted learners and educators. The discussion balances these benefits against some of the challenges experienced in the process. The article will argue that student-generated OER could be widely used, but specific supports are necessary for academics to facilitate this activity successfully.
Safeguarding Traditional Crafts in Europe
Authors: Partarakis Nikolaos , Zabulis Xenophon
Published: October 2023

This entry discusses the challenge of safeguarding crafts in Europe. Safeguarding is defined herein as the systematic process of understanding, representing, preserving, and valorizing crafts following the recommendations of UNESCO and the UN-World Tourism Organization. The abovementioned challenges are discussed through a multidisciplinary prism starting from the scientific challenges in the information and communication technologies sector and expanding the discussion to ethical, legal, and policy-making measures and recommendations to safeguard crafts as a form of tangible and intangible cultural heritage but also as a source of growth and impact for the communities that practice them. To this end, the role of education and training for craft preservation is discussed, considering that the declining number of practitioners and apprentices is considered today the main threat to their preservation.
Local Adaptation in Natural Populations of Toona ciliata var. pubescens Is Driven by Precipitation and Temperature: Evidence from Microsatellite Markers
Authors: Fan Yanru , Dai Jianhua , Wei Yi , Liu Jun
Published: October 2023

Environmental factors are strong drivers of local adaptation in forest tree species. Toona ciliata var. pubescens, an endangered tree species endemic to China, is widely distributed across Eastern and Southwestern China. In this study, we used 8 genomic microsatellite markers and 17 EST-SSR markers across nine populations from the Yunnan–Kweichow Plateau and Eastern China, to explore the adaptive variation and genetic structure of T. ciliata var. pubescens. Patterns of population structure were apparent using a Bayesian clustering program, STRUCTURE, which identified four distinct clusters. We identified four outlier loci that were potentially under selection using the Dirichlet-multinomial and hierarchic simulation models. Through the Mantel test, it was found that geographic and climatic factors have jointly affected the genetic structure of T. ciliata var. pubescens in the study area. Based on redundancy analysis (RDA), it was shown that the correlation between climatic variables associated with variation is stronger than that of geographic variables. It is worth mentioning that the eight alleles from outlier loci have potentially adaptive and are associated with either precipitation or temperature variables. All analyses revealed high genetic diversity and significant genetic differentiation in the populations of T. ciliata var. pubescens. This indicated that the climatic variables including precipitation and temperature are drivers of local adaptation in the populations of T. ciliata var. pubescens.
Modification and Comparison of Methods for Predicting the Moisture Content of Dead Fuel on the Surface of Quercus mongolica and Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica under Rainfall Conditions
Authors: Hu Tongxin , Ma Linggan , Gao Yuanting , Fan Jiale , Sun Long
Published: October 2023

The surface fine dead fuel moisture content (FFMC) is an important factor in predicting forest fire risk and is influenced by various meteorological factors. Many prediction methods rely on temperature and humidity as factors, resulting in poor model prediction accuracy under rainfall conditions. At the same time, there is an increasing number of methods based on machine learning, but there is still a lack of comparison with traditional models. Therefore, this paper selected the broad-leaved forest tree species Quercus mongolica and the coniferous forest species Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica in Northeast China. Taking surface dead fine fuel as the research object, we used indoor simulated rainfall experiments to explore the impact of rainfall on the surface dead fuel moisture content. The prediction model for surface dead fuel moisture content was modified by the direct estimation method. Finally, using field data, the direct estimation method and convolution neural network (CNN) model were used in the comparison. The rainfall simulation results showed that the indoor fuel moisture content had a logarithmic increasing trend. Rainfall and previous fuel moisture content had a significant impact on the fuel moisture content prediction model, and both the relational model and nonlinear model performed well in predicting fuel moisture content under indoor rainfall conditions. Under field conditions, humidity, temperature and rainfall played a significant role in fuel moisture content. Compared with the unmodified direct estimation method, the modified direct estimation method significantly improved the prediction accuracy and the goodness of fit (R2) increased from 0.85–0.94 to 0.94–0.96. Mean absolute error (MAE) decreased from 9.18–18.33% to 6.86–10.74%, and mean relative error (MRE) decreased from 3.97–17.18% to 3.53–14.48%. The modified direct estimation method has higher prediction accuracy compared with the convolutional neural network model; the R2 value was above 0.90, MAE was below 8.11%, and MRE was below 8.87%. The modified direct estimation method had the best prediction effect among them. This study has a certain reference value for the prediction model of surface fuel moisture content in post-rainfall fire risk assessment and is also of great significance for forest fire management in Northeast China.
Analysis of Epidemiological Factors and SNP rs3804100 of TLR2 for COVID-19 in a Cohort of Professionals Who Worked in the First Pandemic Wave in Belém-PA, Brazil
Authors: Silva Marcos Jessé Abrahão , Silva Caroliny Soares , Marinho Rebecca Lobato , Cabral Jeanne Gonçalves , Gurrão Ellen Polyana da Costa , dos Santos Pabllo Antonny Silva , Casseb Samir Mansour Moraes , Lima Karla Valéria Batista , Lima Luana Nepomuceno Gondim Costa
Published: October 2023

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by coronavirus 2 of the severe acute syndrome (SARS-CoV-2). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes, such as TLR2, responsible for an effective human immune response, can change the course of infection. The objective of this article was to verify associations between epidemiological factors and TLR2 SNP rs3804100 (Thymine [T] > Cytosine [C]) in professionals from Health Institutions (HI) who worked during the first pandemic wave and COVID-19. A case-control study was conducted with Belém-PA HI workers (Northern Brazil), divided into symptomatology groups (Asymptomatic-AS; n = 91; and Symptomatic-SI; n = 123); and severity groups classified by Chest Computerized Tomography data (symptomatic with pulmonary involvement—SCP; n = 35; symptomatic without pulmonary involvement—SSP; n = 8). Genotyping was performed by Sanger sequencing, and Statistical Analysis was conducted through the SPSS program. Bioinformatics servers predicted the biological functions of the TLR2 SNP. There were associations between the presence of comorbidities and poor prognosis of COVID-19 (especially between symptomatology and severity of COVID-19 and overweight and obesity) and between the sickness in family members and kinship (related to blood relatives). The homozygous recessive (C/C) genotype was not found, and the frequency of the mutant allele (C) was less than 10% in the cohort. No significant associations were found for this SNP in this cohort. The presence of SNP was indicated to be benign and causes a decrease in the stability of the TLR2 protein. These data can help the scientific community and medicine find new forms of COVID-19 containment.
Non-Destructive Textural Characterization of Southern Romanian Neolithic and Chalcolithic Pottery Using Digital Image Analysis on Tomographically Reconstructed Sections
Authors: Stoicescu Daniel , Duliu Octavian G. , Opriş Vasile , Manea Bogdan , Mariş Izabela , Voinea Valentina , Mirea Pavel , Parnic Valentin , Dimache Mădălina , Lazăr Cătălin
Published: October 2023

Pottery is a complex archaeological material that is found ubiquitously in various spatial—temporal frameworks from all over the world; therefore, it is of great importance to archaeological research. The current paper aims to present and discuss the results obtained on a batch of Neolithic (ca. 6000–5000 BC) and Chalcolithic (ca. 5000–3900 BC) pottery sherds from Southern Romania through X-ray Computed Tomography, a non-destructive methodology that allows for the 3D reconstruction and precise measurement of inclusions and voids present within ceramic artefacts. Images from several potsherds were subsequently exported and analyzed by means of dedicated software (ImageJ 1.54p and GIMP) to extract quantitative information on the observed features. Grain size and morphometric analyses were performed on the particles, while the contour variability of the examined inclusions was characterized through the application of shape descriptors. Voids were analyzed in order to reveal specific orientation patterns through the examination of the aspect ratio of the holes and of the Rayleigh z test values. These analyses evidenced the general reliance of moderately and poorly sorted clays for ceramic production, accompanied by a gradual transition from organic to grog tempering, while conservative traditions remained prevalent in primary pottery-forming processes.
The Co-Application of PGPR and Biochar Enhances the Production Capacity of Continuous Cropping Peppers in the Karst Yellow Soil Region of Southwest China
Authors: Zhang Meng , Liu Yanling , Wei Quanquan , Gou Jiulan , Liu Lingling , Gu Xiaofeng , Wang Ming
Published: October 2023

In recent years, a significant impediment to the advancement of China’s agricultural sector is the noteworthy challenge posed by diminished crop yields and quality due to ongoing continuous cropping obstacles. Numerous studies have consistently showcased the potential of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and biochar in augmenting the alleviation of continuous cropping barriers. Nevertheless, the potential of PGPR and biochar to remediate and improve continuous cropping peppers in the karst yellow soil area remains unclear. A 2-year field experiment was implemented to examine the impact of PGPR and biochar, when applied alone or in combination, on the production potential of continuous cropping peppers. The results revealed that PGPR and biochar significantly elevated the yield of fresh and dry pepper compared with TF treatment. The utilization of PGPR and biochar resulted in an augmentation of free amino acids, soluble sugar, and vitamin C content in pepper fruits, but a reduction in the nitrate content, which proved advantageous in enhancing the overall quality of peppers. Furthermore, the use of PGPR and biochar demonstrated significant benefits in enhancing NPK accumulation, fertilizer utilization, and economic efficiency. Nevertheless, the co-application of PGPR and biochar yielded significantly better results compared to their individual application. In conclusion, the utilization of PGPR and biochar demonstrated a favorable impact on the productivity and economic benefits of continuous cropping peppers. The simultaneous application of PGPR and biochar represents a promising approach to enhancing yield and improving the quality of peppers in the karst yellow soil region of Southwest China.
The Extension of Vase Life in Cut Gerbera Flowers through Pretreatment with Gibberellin A3 in Combination with Calcium Chloride
Authors: Tonooka Makoto , Homma Yoshiyuki , Nukui Hideki , Ichimura Kazuo
Published: October 2023

The effect of pretreatment with gibberellin A3 (GA3) and calcium chloride (CaCl2) on the vase life of cut gerbera ‘Minou’ was investigated. Cut gerbera flowers were treated with GA3 and/or CaCl2 for 24 h and then transferred to an antimicrobial solution. Pretreatment with GA3 at 0, 29, 72, 144, and 289 µM delayed the opening of the tubular florets and promoted stem bending due to elongation of the flower stems, which shortened vase life. When cut gerbera was pretreated with 144 µM GA3 in combination with CaCl2 at 90, 180, 270, and 360 mM, stem elongation was suppressed with the increasing concentration of CaCl2. Next, the effect of pretreatment with 144 µM GA3, 270 mM CaCl2, and their combination on the vase life of the cut gerbera was investigated. Combined treatment with GA3 and CaCl2 significantly extended vase life more than GA3 alone and CaCl2 alone. The vase life of the cut gerbera ‘Banana’, ‘Kimsey’, ‘Pinta’, ‘Tim’, and ‘Vivid’ was significantly extended by pretreatment with 144 µM GA3 and 270 mM CaCl2. It was concluded that combined treatment with GA3 and CaCl2 was effective in extending the vase life of the cut gerbera.
Impact of Microbiome–Brain Communication on Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration
Authors: Stolzer Iris , Scherer Eveline , Süß Patrick , Rothhammer Veit , Winner Beate , Neurath Markus F. , Günther Claudia
Published: October 2023

The gut microbiome plays a pivotal role in maintaining human health, with numerous studies demonstrating that alterations in microbial compositions can significantly affect the development and progression of various immune-mediated diseases affecting both the digestive tract and the central nervous system (CNS). This complex interplay between the microbiota, the gut, and the CNS is referred to as the gut–brain axis. The role of the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases has gained increasing attention in recent years, and evidence suggests that gut dysbiosis may contribute to disease development and progression. Clinical studies have shown alterations in the composition of the gut microbiota in multiple sclerosis patients, with a decrease in beneficial bacteria and an increase in pro-inflammatory bacteria. Furthermore, changes within the microbial community have been linked to the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Microbiota–gut–brain communication can impact neurodegenerative diseases through various mechanisms, including the regulation of immune function, the production of microbial metabolites, as well as modulation of host-derived soluble factors. This review describes the current literature on the gut–brain axis and highlights novel communication systems that allow cross-talk between the gut microbiota and the host that might influence the pathogenesis of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.
Transcatheter Closure of Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defects Including Multifenestrated and Gerbode-Type Defects Using the Lifetech Konar Device
Authors: Godart Francois , Baudelet Jean Benoit , Delarue Alexandre , Polge Anne Sophie , Domanski Olivia , Bichali Said , Houeijeh Ali
Published: October 2023

(1) Transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects (PmVSD) is becoming more attractive and effective with the development of new occluders. The aim of this study was to report a single-center experience in PmVSD closure using the Lifetech Konar-multifunctional occluder (MFO). (2) From March 2019 to October 2022, 43 consecutive patients were enrolled in the study. Among them, 13 had multifenestrated PmVSD including 5 Gerbode-type defects. (3) There were 23 males/20 females, and the median age was 17 years (range 2–68 years). Trivial aortic regurgitation was noticed in 19 patients. Implantation was successful in all patients under general anesthesia. A retrograde approach was used in 35 patients (81%). The retrograde approach was associated with a lower radiation dose (p = 0.042) and shorter fluoroscopy time (p = 0.002) compared to the antegrade approach. Full occlusion was observed immediately in 12 patients (28%) and in 33 patients (77%) at a median follow-up of 11 months. There were no complications such as embolization, complete atrioventricular block, device dislocation, new onset above grade I, or progression of tricuspid or aortic valve regurgitation. Seven of the thirteen patients with a multifenestrated defect had no residual shunt. The persistent shunts were all trivial intra-prosthetic leaks. (4) MFO is effective and safe for PmVSD closure including multifenestrated/Gerbode-type defects with no complication. However, a longer follow-up remains warranted to establish the safety of this technique.
Semi-Automatic Measurement of Fetal Cardiac Axis in Fetuses with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) with Fetal Intelligent Navigation Echocardiography (FINE)
Authors: Weichert Alexander , Gembicki Michael , Weichert Jan , Weber Sven Christian , Koenigbauer Josefine
Published: October 2023

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is one of the most common organ-specific birth defects and a major cause of infant morbidity and mortality. Despite ultrasound screening guidelines, the detection rate of CHD is limited. Fetal intelligent navigation echocardiography (FINE) has been introduced to extract reference planes and cardiac axis from cardiac spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) volume datasets. This study analyses the cardiac axis in fetuses affected by CHD/thoracic masses (n = 545) compared to healthy fetuses (n = 1543) generated by FINE. After marking seven anatomical structures, the FINE software generated semi-automatically nine echocardiography standard planes and calculated the cardiac axis. Our study reveals that depending on the type of CHD, the cardiac axis varies. In approximately 86% (471 of 542 volumes) of our pathological cases, an abnormal cardiac axis (normal median = 40–45°) was detectable. Significant differences between the fetal axis of the normal heart versus CHD were detected in HLHS, pulmonary atresia, TOF (p-value < 0.0001), RAA, situs ambiguus (p-value = 0.0001–0.001) and absent pulmonary valve syndrome, DORV, thoracic masses (p-value = 0.001–0.01). This analysis confirms that in fetuses with CHD, the cardiac axis can significantly deviate from the normal range. FINE appears to be a valuable tool to identify cardiac defects.
Hot-Air Contactless Single-Point Incremental Forming
Authors: Almadani Mohammad , Guner Ahmet , Hassanin Hany , Essa Khamis
Published: October 2023

Single-point incremental forming (SPIF) has emerged as a time-efficient approach that offers increased material formability compared to conventional sheet-metal forming techniques. However, the physical interaction between the forming tool and the sheet poses challenges, such as tool wear and formability limits. This study introduces a novel sheet-forming technique called contactless single-point incremental forming (CSPIF), which uses hot compressed air as a deformation tool, eliminating the requirement for physical interaction between the sheet and a rigid forming tool. In this study, a polycarbonate sheet was chosen as the case-study material and subjected to the developed CSPIF. The experiments were carried out at an air temperature of 160 °C, air pressure of 1 bar, a nozzle speed of 750 mm/min, and a step-down thickness of 0.75 mm. A Schlieren setup and a thermal camera were used to visualize the motion of the compressed hot air as it traveled from the nozzle to the sheet. The results showed that the CSPIF technique allowed for the precise shaping of the polycarbonate sheet with minimal springback. However, minor deviations from the designed profile were observed, primarily at the starting point of the nozzle, which can be attributed to the bending effects of the sample. In addition, the occurrence of sheet thinning and material buildup on the deformed workpiece was also observed. The average surface roughness (Ra) of the deformed workpiece was measured to be 0.2871 microns.
Exploring the Link between Maternal Hematological Disorders during Pregnancy and Neurological Development in Newborns: Mixed Cohort Study
Authors: Bakhsh Ebtisam , Alkhaldi Maan , Shaban Mostafa
Published: October 2023

Maternal hematological disorders during pregnancy may pose a risk to the neurological development of newborns. To investigate the association between maternal hematological disorders during pregnancy and neurological outcomes in newborns, this mixed cohort study was conducted on 200 pregnant women diagnosed with hematological disorders during pregnancy. Some cases have been identified in the past who have completed the pregnancy in full, as well as cases in pregnancy. Currently, the children of all mothers have been followed up to evaluate the neurological outcomes of the children at the age of three months. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between maternal hematological disorders and neurological outcomes in newborns. Children born to mothers with hematological disorders had a higher risk of developmental delays (OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 0.90–2.50), cognitive impairments (OR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.20–2.70), and motor impairments (OR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.00–2.50) compared to children born to mothers without hematological disorders. Hemophilia was associated with the highest risk of neurological outcomes (developmental delay: OR = 2.80, 95% CI = 1.60–4.90; cognitive impairment: OR = 3.20, 95% CI = 2.00–5.10; motor impairment: OR = 2.60, 95% CI = 1.50–4.60). Conclusion: Our study suggests that maternal hematological disorders during pregnancy may increase the risk of negative neurological consequences in newborns. Further research is needed to identify potential mechanisms and explore preventive measures.
Differences in the Effect of Mn2+ on the Reverse Osmosis Membrane Fouling Caused by Different Types of Organic Matter: Experimental and Density Functional Theory Evidence
Authors: Gao Qiusheng , Duan Liang , Jia Yanyan , Zhang Hengliang , Liu Jianing , Yang Wei
Published: October 2023

Landfill leachate from some sites contains a high concentration of Mn2+, which may cause reverse osmosis (RO) membrane fouling during RO treatment. In this study, the effect of Mn2+ on RO membrane fouling caused by typical organic pollutants (humic acid (HA), protein (BSA), and sodium alginate (SA)) was systematically investigated, and it was found that Mn2+ exacerbates RO membrane fouling caused by HA, SA, and HBS (mixture of HA + BSA + SA). When the Mn2+ concentration was 0.5 mM and 0.05 mM separately, the membrane fouling caused by HA and SA began to become significant. On the other hand, with for HBS fouling only, the water flux decreased significantly by about 21.7% and further decreased with an increasing Mn2+ concentration. However, Mn2+ has no direct effect on BSA. The effect degrees to which Mn2+ affected RO membrane fouling can be expressed as follows: HBS > SA > HA > BSA. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations also gave the same results. In modeling the reaction of the complexation of Mn2+ with the carboxyl group in these four types of organic matter, BSA has the highest energy (−55.7 kJ/mol), which predicts that BSA binding to Mn2+ is the most unstable compared to other organic matter. The BSA carboxylate group also has the largest bond length (2.538–2.574 Å) with Mn2+ and the weakest interaction force, which provides a theoretical basis for controlling RO membrane fouling exacerbated by Mn2+.
Prediction and Deformation Mechanism Analysis of High Porosity in U–10Mo Monolithic Fuels at High Burnup
Authors: Jian Xiaobin , Zhao Yunmei , Ding Shurong
Published: October 2023

High porosity phenomena of U-10Mo fuel foil appear in the U–Mo/Al monolithic fuel plate under deep burnup. In this study, the fuel skeleton creep-based bubble growth model is further improved with the intrusion effect of solid fission products, multiplying the reduction factor in the bubble volume to obtain the bubble pressure. With the locally enhanced irradiation creep of the Mo-depleted region considered, a simulation of the thermo-mechanical coupling behaviors of the monolithic fuel plate L1P7A0 is carried out, based on the commercial finite element (FE) analysis code ABAQUS. A fission-induced creep rate coefficient of 250 × 10−22 mm3/(fission·MPa) is identified for the Mo-depleted region, with the predictions of porosity and the thickness deformation of U–Mo fuel foil agreeing well with the experimental data. The research results indicate that: (1) the locally enhanced fuel skeleton creep ability is responsible for the higher porosities near the U–Mo/Zr interface; (2) the entrance of solid fission products into the fission bubbles at high burnup is the dominant factor in inducing high porosity in the regions of the most heavily irradiated fuel foil, especially near the fuel foil edge bearing the elevated external hydrostatic pressures; (3) with the intrusion effect of solid fission products considered, the prediction of the porosity increases from ~15% to ~35% near the fuel foil edge; (4) the intrusion of solid fission products leads to extra differences between the bubble pressure and the external pressure, and simultaneously results in the strengthened fuel skeleton creep deformation contributions to the bubble growth.