bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TRANSFORMATION OF BUSINESS MODELS IN THE PARADIGM OF POST-CRISIS RECOVERY OF THE ECONOMICS
Authors: Maslak Olga , Grishko Natalya , Yakovenko Yaroslava , Shara Viktoriia , Matviiets Viktoriia
Published: March 2023

The article deals with topical issues of business model transformation. It was argued that in the context of the post-crisis economic recovery, classical approaches to business planning have lost their relevance and have been replaced by business models as logical descriptions of how an enterprise simultaneously creates and acquires value for the client. The key issues of successful business transformation and the emergence of the latest challenges of socio-economic development were also explored. It was found that unique developments are important in addition to the business model, strategy, clientele. It was also noted that the business models themselves need to be transformed due to changes in consumer behaviour and the emergence of new competitors since business digitalization has facilitated market entry. It was emphasized that key activities should be formed around strong competencies. At the same time, the value proposition dictates the type of communication with the end consumer, because being specific in its essence, it also requires the use of various communication channels. Foreign examples of successful multi-stage rethinking and transformation of the business model are highlighted, which made it possible to improve interaction with customers, better warehousing and transportation logistics, as well as improve the management of technological infrastructure. It was noted that updating business models does not always require the creation of a new market or fundamentally new technologies, since the benefits of transformation can be obtained in an existing market with a range of products or services. It has been proven that the need to implement a new business model arises when sectors of the business canvas need to be updated. The nature of reasonable changes that accompany transformational changes was determined and the main components of a phased rethinking of the business model based on the formation of a value proposition for the client were presented. The typical trends in the implementation of transformations were also presented and the priorities and stages of transformation of the business model of the enterprise were determined.
CONCEPTUAL APPROACHES TO EVALUATION OF THE INNOVATIVE POTENTIAL OF THE ENTERPRISE
Authors: Makovoz Oksana , Kuzmenko Tatiana
Published: March 2023

The complexity of the innovative potential of the enterprise as a subject of research and its versatility determine the large number of approaches to its evaluation. Therefore, an important area of ​​research is to develop a comprehensive approach to quickly and fully diagnose the state of the existing innovative potential of the enterprise. Assessment of the innovative potential of the enterprise is a set of analytical procedures to determine its quantitative and qualitative characteristics, which expresses a certain attitude to this object of the one who evaluates in accordance with the chosen system of relations. The changing and dynamic business environment requires active innovation, which ensures the overall development of the enterprise, as well as improving or maintaining the necessary level of its competitiveness. At the same time, conducting innovative activities is accompanied by significant risks and threats. Assessment and management of the innovative potential of the enterprise is designed to reduce the level of risks and possible consequences of their occurrence. These processes consist of a number of stages, one of which is the adoption of management decisions on the selection and implementation of a particular innovation strategy. Management decisions are impossible without reliable and complete information about the object of management. In turn, the definition of enterprise development strategy depends on the main characteristics of the existing innovation potential of the enterprise, which is a necessary condition for innovation and acts as a decisive factor in increasing the competitiveness of the enterprise. Therefore, in order to objectively assess the current situation, find competitive advantages and increase the effectiveness of enterprise management in general, it is necessary to analyze the existing innovation potential and identify reserves of efficiency. The subject of research and analysis is the innovative potential of the enterprise and its components. The main purpose of the article is to formulate and substantiate conceptual approaches to assessing the innovative potential of the enterprise.
DETERMINATION OF THE EFFICIENCY OF BRAND MARKETING RESEARCH BASED ON KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Authors: Larka Ludmila , Chernobrovkina Svitlana
Published: March 2023

The expediency of using the system of key performance indicators for evaluating the effectiveness of conducting the main types of brand marketing research is analyzed. The purpose of the article is to systematize the characteristics of the effectiveness of marketing research, depending on the objectives of the study. The article considers marketing research of the target audience of the brand, brand testing, determination of the effectiveness of alternative brand options and marketing research of the feasibility of rebranding products. The use of the KRI system for evaluating the effectiveness of marketing research of brands allows you to more rationally plan the distribution of the company's marketing budget, avoiding financing of unpromising areas. A system of key performance indicators in the study of the brand's target audience is proposed, which reflects the accuracy of assessing the compilation of profiles of primary and secondary audiences, the effectiveness of interviews and the organization of focus groups, and also reflects the efficiency of using Internet resources. The characteristics of software products Xtensio, Digital Marketer, Demand Metric, Hub Spot, which are advisable to use for compiling profiles of the target audience, are considered. It is shown that the increase in the efficiency of the work of focus groups contributes to the observance of the principle of homogeneity of its composition, a clear definition of priorities and a careful choice of a moderator. It has been established that when testing a brand as a KPI, it is advisable to use indicators of the accuracy of assessing the linguistic strength of the brand name, brand color, behavioral and economic perception of the brand by the target audience. Key performance indicators for evaluating the effectiveness of the rebranding expediency reflect the value of the brand, compliance with the target audience, and the effect of rebranding. The total cost method or residual estimated value method can be used to determine brand value.
DYNAMIC PRICING STRATEGIES IN SALES MANAGEMENT OF DISCRETE PRODUCTS WITH A LIMITED LIFETIME
Authors: Melnikov Oleg
Published: March 2023

The paper is devoted to the development of a dynamic pricing strategy for the sale of goods with a limited shelf life. The case of sales of discrete goods to heterogeneous consumers who have at most a unit demand for sold goods and independent identically distributed estimates of its consumer value is considered. Such a structure of demand makes it possible to describe the optimal pricing strategy using a simple system of recursive equations, for which, in some cases, an analytical solution can be found. For the general case, a numerical algorithm has been developed for finding the optimal solution in the form of a feedback loop with time and the remaining stocks of unsold products as state variables. It is shown that optimal prices are non-increasing functions of both of these factors. These two properties, combined with the random nature of product sales, determine the rather complex dynamics of observed prices, examples of which are given in the paper. In particular, it is shown that although, on average, prices can be expected to decrease towards the end of the sales period, in some cases prices can increase and generally change quite chaotically. The proposed strategy is compared with the policy of fixed prices, the optimization of which under the conditions of the model is also a non-trivial task. The results of the comparison indicate the high economic efficiency of the dynamic price adjustment strategy, especially in cases when the product sold nears the end of its lifetime. It is shown that the general process of product sales can be represented as a controlled Markov process. This makes it possible to calculate any numerical characteristics of seller’s expected financial results depending on the model parameters. Based on the analysis of the results of numerical simulation, simple heuristics for sales management under conditions of incomplete information are also proposed.
THE QUALITY OF EXPENDITURES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CROP PRODUCTS AND ITS IMPACT ON CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNTING
Authors: Hryshchuk Hanna
Published: March 2023

In Ukraine, in recent years, there has been a tendency to expand the market of organic crop production, which is one of the main directions of the formation of the domestic economy. Organic crop production is a production management system, the main goal of which is to grow ecological and safe products without harming the natural environment. The specifics of the industry affect quality management in the part of production. In this regard, it was established that the most significant items of expenditure require detailing in order to control the objectivity of cost formation and establish a reasonable price for organic crop production. The article describes trends in the development of organic production of plant products, analyzes the state of the organic market in Ukraine compared to the leading countries of the world. Approaches to the interpretation of the economic essence of quality costs were studied and it was proposed to consider them as a set of preventive measures to ensure and improve the technical characteristics of products in order to increase the volume of sales on the market. It is proposed to detail the quality costs of production (seeds, fertilizers, fuel, labor wages, shortages in production) on sub-accounts of the second and third levels of accounting. In addition, we consider it expedient to single out not only the costs of production, but also the quality of organic crop production in terms of the implementation of control measures; confirmation and improvement; sale of products; conducting research and development. It was determined that these implementations will contribute not only to meeting the informational needs of users, compliance with the technological process of production, but also to optimizing costs to establish a justified price in order to increase the consumption of products in the domestic and foreign markets.
THEORETICAL PRINCIPLES OF THE LOGISTICS STRATEGY OF MACHINE-BUILDING ENTERPRISES
Authors: Maslak Olga , Pochtovyuk Andrii , Gryshko Natalia , Maslak Mariya , Yakovenko Yaroslava
Published: March 2023

Theoretical approaches to determining the logistics strategy of the enterprise, considering the specifics of the machine-building industry are discussed in the article. Approaches to the interpretation of the economic category "logistics strategy" (as a long-term direction of activity, long-term planning, strategic decisions) are defined, based on the author's interpretation of the enterprise's logistics strategy is proposed as setting long-term goals of the logistics system of the machine-building enterprise, considering the optimization of flow movements to ensure the balanced interaction of all components of the logistics system.

The tasks of the company's logistics strategy are outlined in the study. The types of logistics strategies and ways of their implementation depending on the purpose of the logistics strategy are presented in the work. Emphasis is placed on considering the external environment when developing the logistics strategy of a machine-building enterprise. The priorities of the logistics strategy of the machine-building enterprise are formed, which depend on the long-term advantages of the enterprise, capital investment, identification of weaknesses in the logistics activities of competitors, development of logistics partnerships, use of logistics outsourcing, use of flexible logistics strategies, etc.
Arte sonoro
Authors: Coordinador Equipo
Published: March 2023

Los sonidos de la naturaleza han sido objeto de inspiración y admiración por parte de artistas y científicos a lo largo de los siglos; sin embargo, son pocos los espacios de conversación interdisciplinaria. En este simposio se presentaron proyectos inspirados en los sonidos naturales y materializados en composiciones artísticas, brindando así un espacio de discusión entre arte y ciencia. El impacto de estas obras se ha hecho patente en cómo han permitido al público general entender y valorar la naturaleza a través del paisaje sonoro. Además del hecho de incluir muestras de arte en un espacio históricamente científico, estas piezas presentan la importancia del sonido como componente clave para entender nuestro impacto como seres humanos sobre los paisajes que habitamos y transformamos.
Stage-by-Stage Hydraulic Fracture and Reservoir Characterization Through Post-Fracture-Pressure-Decay Technique and Flowback DFIT Method Integration
Authors: Zeinabady Danial , Clarkson Christopher R.
Published: March 2023

The post-fracture-pressure-decay (PFPD) technique is a low-cost method allowing for stage-by-stage hydraulic fracture characterization. The physics of the PFPD method are complex, with data affected by both hydraulic fracture and reservoir properties. Available analysis methods in the literature are oversimplified; reservoir or fracture properties are often assumed to be constant along the horizontal well, and therefore changes in the trend of pressure decay data are attributed to hydraulic fracture or to reservoir properties only. Moreover, methods analogous to those applied to the analysis of conventional diagnostic fracture injection tests (DFITs) are often used and ignore critical mechanisms involved in main-stage hydraulic fracture stimulation.

A conceptual numerical simulation study was first conducted herein to understand the key physics involved in main-stage hydraulic fracturing. An analytical model was then developed to account for the dynamic behavior of the hydraulic fracture, pressure-dependent leakoff, proppant distribution, multiple fractures, and propped- and unpropped-closure events. The analytical model is cast in the form of a new straight-line analysis (SLA) method that provides stage-by-stage estimates of the ratio of unpropped fracture surface area to total fracture surface area. The SLA method was validated against numerical simulation results. Moreover, to account for the variation of reservoir properties along the horizontal well, the PFPD model is integrated with DFIT-flowback (DFIT-FBA) tests, performed at some points along the lateral, to obtain a reliable stage-by-stage hydraulic fracture and reservoir characterization approach. The practical application of the proposed integrated approach was demonstrated using PFPD and DFIT-FBA data from a horizontal well completed in 22 stages in the Montney Formation.

The numerical simulation study demonstrated that the use of proppant and injection into multiple clusters (creating multiple fractures) results in multiple-closure events. The closure process may start early after the pump-in period at a pressure significantly higher than the minimum in-situ stress. Employing DFIT-based analytical models, which ignore the presence of proppant, causes significant errors in hydraulic fracture and reservoir property estimation. The PFPD field data examined herein exhibited a similar pressure trend to the numerical simulation cases. The ratio of unpropped fracture surface area to total fracture surface area was determined stage-by-stage using the PFPD SLA method, constrained by DFIT-FBA data. Engineers can use this information to optimize hydraulic fracture stimulation design in real-time, optimize well spacing, and forecast production. The cost and time advantages of this diagnostic method make this approach very attractive.
Using Edge Computing and Autonomous Control to Manage and Optimize Well Performance in Cyclic Steam Stimulation Operations.
Authors: Hyder Zeshan , Holding Trevor , Garrison Brett
Published: March 2023

The age of Production 4.0 has made possible the collection of large amounts of data. Proper analysis and eventual effective utilization of this data is still going through its "trial and error" period. This is where autonomous control systems can utilize the information being gathered continuously and assist in making real-time decisions that would optimize well production, reduce surface and sub-surface equipment wear, maintain production sustainability (reduce well downtime) and provide economic benefit, all without human intervention.

The controller agnostic Edge IoT platform provided "out-of-the-box" and customized autonomous control to analyze daily average operational data and make recommendations and implement set point changes to manage well optimization and operations. A multitude of different instrumentation was also utilized to determine how additional data would assist in further optimization of well operations and well management through exception. Additional instrumentation included a different controller than the incumbent in the field along with wired and wireless load cells, inclinometers and a regenerative Variable Frequency Drive (VFD).

The observation period of the pilot lasted approximately 7 months which encompassed the majority of the active production cycle of the Cyclic Steam Stimulation (CSS) operated 24 well pad. 16 wells had the Edge IoT platform installed on them whereas the remaining 8 were "control" wells which were managed as per standard operating procedures (SOP) by operations. Analysis of data from dynamometer cards, average surface pumping unit speed and average pump fillage in relation to target speed, target pump fillage and associated minimum and maximum limits, led to implementation of set point recommendations. Field results indicated that the Edge IoT platform was successful in making real-time decisions that led to increased production. Advantages and challenges were both observed in regard to different instrumentation piloted.

The next generation Edge IoT platform with its system analysis methods, high frequency data access, customizable autonomous control logic and real-time alerts, allows for better data granularity and optimization of well production and operations.
Learnings from the Planning and Execution of a Heavy Oil Polymer Flood Pilot in North Saskatchewan, Canada
Authors: Raffa Duilio , Abedini Ali
Published: March 2023

The oil recovery in Section 14-50-25W3 (province of Saskatchewan, Canada) has evolved through multiple stages as technology has changed over time. Oil was initially produced through vertical wells beginning in the early 1970s. In the 2010s horizontal drilling was established and the Lloydminster sandstone formation was produced on primary with horizontal wells. In 2014 the secondary waterflooding was implemented. At the beginning of 2018 a tertiary polymer flood was implemented and is still running (year 2022). Along the past several years three different injection fluid viscosities were injected.

The discussion centers on the water and polymer flood displacement process performance and its implications for wells operation and economics.

Performance to date is discussed in detail and learnings and future steps are presented in the conclusions.
Digital Cloud Enables Evolution of Well Construction Workflows: A First Look at Global Results
Authors: Vij Jitesh
Published: March 2023

Well construction and planning is a complex process that requires expertise in numerous disciplines and is conventionally performed using multiple stand-alone domain-specific software. The iterative nature of planning needs several reviews, and it is often impractical to analyze multiple scenarios in the stipulated time available to well planners. For instance, a change in trajectory may cause a geologist to update the formation tops, which in turn might lead to further changes in the trajectory. This should also require changing the casing shoe depths, hydraulics design (possibly including BHA, fluids and bits design), top of cement and cement volumes, casing design, kick tolerance, etc. Moreover, these engineering calculations need to be performed using different types of software, which makes them even more cumbersome.

For these applications, cloud-based solutions provide a number of distinct advantages over traditional approaches using stand-alone, silo-based on-premise software. A cloud-based solution brings all the domains into a single system and utilizes the powerful computing capabilities of the cloud—which would not be available to a desktop-based solution—to analyze multiple scenarios and automate repetitive tasks. These solutions provide optimized workflows that help planning teams optimize results by giving them access to all the data and science they need in a single, common collaborative system. Cloud-based systems provide a new way to communicate and share information while eliminating multiple data transfers and manual inputs. Vendors can work directly within the system, reducing design iterations and massively simplifying information exchange. Engineers can simulate various scenarios using automated offset-well analysis dashboards to decide the best plan more quickly.

This paper discusses the benefits of a cloud-based collaborative well-planning solution as experienced by various operators. In the cases presented in this paper, operator legacy workflows were mapped by interviewing various domain experts and by analyzing existing standards and documents. Numerous stakeholders were consulted to understand each step of the well-design workflow. Following this, any duplicative and time-consuming steps were optimized or removed. Discussions with subject matter experts (SMEs) and management teams helped to understand the desired and potential capabilities to align with the digital vision of each operator's organization. Proof-of-value projects and actual deployments were undertaken, where asset teams were trained and real wells were designed using the recommended workflow of the cloud-native solution.
Reducing Simulation Time in a Huff-And-Puff Gas Injection Project in Complex Shale Reservoirs: Sequence-Based Proxy Multi-Porosity Reservoir Simulator
Authors: Aranguren Cristhian , Rodríguez Araque Carlos , Cuervo Santiago , Fragoso Alfonso , Aguilera Roberto
Published: March 2023

The objective of this project is to explore cutting-edge sequence-based machine learning models commonly used in language processing to reproduce a multi-porosity reservoir simulator. The proposed method integrates advanced techniques to significantly reduce the numerical simulation time and improve the decision-making process for Huff and Puff (H-n-P) gas injection optimization in shale reservoirs. The proposed approach follows three crucial steps to predict an output sequence given an input sequence: 1) the simulation results should be validated against actual data, 2) train and validate a machine learning model using simulation results from either commercial or in-house numerical simulators, 3) exhaustive exploration of hyperparameter tuning and selection of machine learning techniques, such as sequence-to-sequence (Seq2Seq), Luong attention and ConvLSTM. The proxy model considers as input variables well control parameters such as injection and production periods, number of cycles and gas injection rates to estimate the proxy model results.

The multi-porosity proxy reservoir simulation model is a complementary tool that integrates numerical simulation and data-driven techniques. Although tuning the model typically demands significant time, it can speed up the simulation time up to 20,000X allowing for generating hundreds or even thousands of scenarios at the expense of accepting a reduction in the accuracy of the results in a matter of minutes. One of the most notable findings is that considering a small training dataset, the proxy model can reproduce the capabilities for predicting oil production in complex low and ultra-low permeability reservoirs with significantly reduced error, relative to the multi-porosity reservoir simulator. Finally, the possibility of reproducing a considerable number of scenarios in minutes opens the door to exploring different well control configurations such as injection and production periods, number of cycles and gas injection rates. The novelty of the proxy multi-porosity reservoir simulator is to notably accelerate the numerical simulation time by using techniques capable of solving sequence learning problems in which the output is dependent on previous outputs.
The footprint of human-induced climate change on heat-related deaths in the summer of 2022 in Switzerland
Authors: Vicedo-Cabrera Ana , de Schrijver Evan , Schumacher Dominik L. , Ragettli Martina , Fischer Erich , Seneviratne Sonia
Published: March 2023

As in most countries in Europe, the 2022 summer in Switzerland was exceptionally hot, only comparable to the infamous 2003 summer, and particularly devastating in terms of excess health burden. Here we combine methods in climate epidemiology and attribution to quantify the mortality associated with heat and the contribution of human-induced climate change in the 2022 summer in Switzerland. We estimate 623 deaths [95% empirical confidence interval (95% eCI): 151 - 1,068] due to heat between June-August 2022, corresponding to 3.5% of all-cause mortality. More importantly, we find that 60% of this burden (370 deaths [95% eCI: 133-644]) could have been avoided in absence of human-induced climate change. Older women were affected the most, as well as populations in western and southern Switzerland and more urbanized areas. Our findings demonstrate that human-induced climate change was a relevant driver of the exceptional excess health burden observed in Switzerland.
Antimicrobial effect of edible mixed herbal extracts on oral microorganisms
Authors: Yoon Se Eun , Choi Byul Bo Ra , Nam Seoul Hee , Kim Gyoo Cheon
Published: March 2023

Background The oral cavity is inhabited by pathogenic bacteria, the growth of which is inhibited by synthetic oral drugs composed of antibiotics or chemical compounds. However, upon long-term use, the negative side effects of these drugs outweigh their benefits. Natural antimicrobial substances that do not elicit negative side effects may serve as effective synthetic agent substitutes for long-term use. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of edible mixed herbal extracts, comprising Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briq., Mentha piperascens, Acanthopanax sessiliflous Seem., and Glycyrrhiza uralensis, on oral pathogenic bacteria.
Methods The yield of each herbal extract was as follows: 5% S. tenuifolia, 10.94% M. piperascens, 5.47% A. sessiliflous, and 10.66% G. uralensis. For each extract, antimicrobial tests, morphological analysis using scanning electron microscopy, microbial surface hydrophobicity measurements, and oral malodor reduction tests, were performed.
Results The mixed herbal extracts significantly inhibit the growth of Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans, and Porphyromonas gingivalis compared to growth in the control group. Scanning electron microscopy results further reveal altered cellular morphology in the groups treated with mixed herbal extracts. Additionally, the hydrophobicity assay results show that the mixed herbal extracts reduce the oral adhesion of bacteria. Levels of volatile sulfur compounds, as the main components of oral malodor, are also reduced by the mixed herbal extracts.
Conclusions The edible mixed herbal extracts effectively eliminate oral pathogens and may be useful for improving oral health.
Molecular subtypes of breast cancer: secular improvement in prognosis
Authors: Vatten Lars Johan , Skovlund Eva , Valla Marit , Engstrøm Monica J , Opdahl Signe , Bofin Anna M
Published: March 2023

Background: Prognostic improvement over time may differ between molecular breast cancer subtypes.
Methods: Molecular subtypes of breast cancer (denoted Luminal A, Luminal B (HER2-), Luminal B (HER2+), HER2 type, and Triple negative) were determined by immunohistochemistry and in situhybridization applied to tissue microarrays (TMA) from archival diagnostic material. Analyses included 1957 incident cases diagnosed in three population studies over more than 30 years of observation. To study differences in prognosis over time, we compared 10-year risk of death for each subtype between specified diagnostic periods.
Results: Luminal A was most frequent (47.9%) followed by Luminal B (HER2-) (28.2%), Luminal B (HER2+) (9.0%), Triple negative (9.2%) and the HER2 subtype (5.7%). Between 1990 and 2000, the 10-year risk of death from breast cancer decreased substantially for each subtype, compared to before 1990. After 2000, the decrease continued for Luminal A and HER2 patients, but there was no further decrease for Triple negative patients.
Conclusion: The observed improvement in prognosis during the 1990s may primarily be attributed to modern oncological treatment. After 2000, the improvement for Luminal A coincides with implementation of organized mammography screening, whereas the strong improvement for HER2 patients may be due to novel targeted treatment.
Zoom in: A Psycho-Institutional Intervention Improves Minority Student’s Grades in Two Field Experiments
Authors: Endevelt Kinneret , Halperin Eran , porat Roni
Published: March 2023

Improving minority’s achievements in higher education is a crucial step towards closing the inequality gap. In this paper we introduce a new psycho-institutional approach targeting institutional changes that affect psychological processes that are necessary for minority’s success. We tested this approach in two field experiments in Israel (n > 20,000). Our intervention involved reconstructing institutional virtual spaces in a manner that signals to minority students that they belong. This was achieved by manipulating how lecturer’s name appeared on Zoom so that instead of the default option (i.e., Hebrew or English only) it appeared in three languages: Arabic, Hebrew, and English. This approach positively affected minority students’ sense of belonging, class participation, and grades (a 7.5-point class grade increase in experiment 1, and a 4-point semester grade increase in experiment 2). Taken together, these studies provide a new framework for designing interventions that can meaningfully impact minority’s outcomes.
ZmDRR206 involves in maintaining cell wall integrity during maize seedling growth and interaction with the environment
Authors: Ye Jianrong , Zhong Tao , Deng Suining , Li Yanmei , Fan Xingming , Xu Mingliang
Published: March 2023

Plants adaptively change their cell wall composition and structure during their growth, development, and interactions with environmental stresses. Dirigent proteins (DIRs) contribute to environmental adaptations by dynamically reorganizing the cell wall and/or by generating defense compounds. Here, we established that maize DIR, ZmDRR206, mediates maize seedling growth and disease resistance by coordinately regulating biosynthesis of cell wall components for cell wall integrity (CWI) maintenance. The expression of ZmDRR206 increased rapidly in maize seedling upon pathogen infection. Both overexpression and mutation of ZmDRR206 resulted in small kernel and diminished seedling growth; while ZmDRR206-overexpression increased disease resistance, enhanced drought tolerance and reduced photosynthetic activity, thus caused the maize seedlings to show a growth and defense trade-off phenotype. Consistently, ZmDRR206-overexpression reduced the contents of primary metabolites and down-regulated the photosynthesis-related genes; while increased the contents of major cell wall components and defense phytohormones and up-regulated defense- and cell wall biosynthesis-related genes in maize seedlings grown under non-stress conditions. Furthermore, ZmDRR206 physically interacted with ZmCesA10 in yeast and in planta. Our findings unravel a mechanism that ZmDRR206 coordinately regulates biosynthesis of cell wall components for CWI maintenance during maize seedling growth, providing opportunities for breeding strong disease resistance in maize.
Relationship between first trimester physical activity and premature rupture of membranes: a birth cohort study in Chinese women
Authors: Lv Chuanzhu , Lu Qian , Yan Shijiao , Chen Huanjun , Pan Xiongfei , Wang Rixing , Fu Chao , Song Xingyue
Published: March 2023

Objective We aimed to examine prospective associations of different intensity levels and types of physical activity (PA) in early pregnancy with premature rupture of membranes (PROM) among Chinese pregnant women. Methods A total of 6284 pregnant women were included from the Tongji-Shuangliu Birth Cohort. Household/caregiving, occupational, sports/exercise and transportation activities during early pregnancy were investigated by the pregnancy physical activity questionnaire (PPAQ), and the diagnosis of PROM was ascertained during the whole pregnancy. Data were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression, the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Results 1246 were identified to have PROM (19.8%). Women undertaking the highest level (3 third tertile) of PA during pregnancy appeared to have a lower risk of PROM [OR = 0.68, 95%CI 0.58–0.80) when compared to those at the lowest tertile of PA. Similarly, women with increased levels of light intensity activity, moderate-vigorous intensive, household/caregiving activity and meeting exercise guidelines during pregnancy were associated with reduced risks of PROM (OR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.59–0.81, OR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.60–0.82, OR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.53–0.73 and OR = 0.82, 95% CI 0.70–0.97, respectively). Conclusions High levels of PA of different intensities and PA of household/caregiving activities and meeting exercise guidelines during the first trimester were associated with a lower incidence of PROM. Trial registration: The data of human participants in this study were conducted in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China ([2017] No. S225). All participants provided written informed consent prior to enrollment. A statement to confirm that all methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations.
GFP-expressing prostate cancer cells demonstrate attenuated tumorigenicity through regulation of energy metabolism, translational activity, and cytoskeletal dynamics: a proteomic study
Authors: Yanar Sevinc , Sarihan Mehmet , Kasap Murat , Akpinar Gurler , Teke Kerem , Yaprak Busra
Published: March 2023

Background
Green Fluorescent Protein is widely used as a cellular marker tool, but its potential influence on cells has been questioned. Although the potential off-target effects of GFP on tumor cells have been studied to some extent, the findings at the molecular level are insufficient to explain the effect of GFP expression on the tumorigenic capacity of cancer cells. Here, we aimed to investigate the effect of GFP expression on the tumorigenicity of PC3 prostate cancer cells.
Methods and Results
Using GFP-expressing and wild-type PC3 cells, xenograft models were generated in athymic BALB/C mice. To identify differentially expressed proteins, the change in the proteome of cells was investigated by label‐free quantification with nano‐high performance liquid chromatography to tandem mass spectrometry (nHPLC‐MS/MS). The proteins that showed significantly altered expression levels were evaluated using the bioinformatics tools. The results showed that GFP-expressing cells, in contrast to the wild-type cells, failed to develop tumor. Label-free quantification revealed a total of 216 differentially regulated proteins, of which 98 were upregulated and 117 were downregulated.
Conclusion
Upon GFP expression, the immune system, translational machinery, energy metabolism, elements of cytoskeletal and VEGF signaling pathway were regulated. Alterations in these cellular events caused attenuated tumorigenicity. Therefore, ultimate care should be taken into account to prevent reporting deceitful mechanisms generated from studies utilizing GFP.
Cell Line Treatment using Titanium dioxide Nanoparticles Irradiated by UV and IR Radiation
Authors: Saad A. F. , Selim Y. A. , Hamada M. , Elywa M.
Published: March 2023

Cancer is a disease characterized by abnormal cell growth in body tissues. In general, there are numerous different treatments for cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. These therapies do, however, have negative impacts on healthy cells. The TIO2NPs is one of many pharmacological targets for the treatment of cancer by preventing cell division. Therefore, in this study, we investigated In vitro cytotoxic effects of TIO2 nanoparticles on the growth of HuH-7cells (human Hepatocellular cancer cell line). The UV–Vis (ultraviolet–visible) spectra and The cytotoxic effect have been studied of TIO2 nanoparticles after exposure to 250 W IR-radiation lamp and 11 W UV-radiation lamp for various times ranging from 2.5 to 20min and 0.5 to 10 hour respectively. The cytotoxic effect was evaluated by measuring the numbers of viable cells were determined by the MTT test. The relation between surviving cells and drug concentration is plotted to get the survival curve of each tumor cell line after treatment with the specified compound. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50), the concentration required to cause toxic effects in 50% of intact cells, was estimated from graphic plots of the dose response curve for each conc.
Maternal immune activation during pregnancy is associated with worst socio-adaptive behaviors in autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Ellul Pierre , Maruani Anna , Vantalon Valérie , Humeau Elise , Amestoy Anouck , Anchordoqui Andrea , Atzori Paola , Baleyte Jean-Marc , Benmansour Safiyah , Bonnot Olivier , Bouvard Manuel , Cartigny Ariane , Coulon Nathalie , Coutelle Romain , Fonseca David Da , Demily Caroline , Givaudan Marion , Gollier-Briant Fanny , Guénolé Fabian , Koch Andrea , Leboyer Marion , Lefebvre Aline , Lejuste Florian , Levy Charlotte , Mendes Eugénie , Robert Natalia , Schroder Carmen M , Speranza Mario , Zante Elodie , Peyre Hugo , Rosenzwajg Michelle , Klatzmann David , tchitchek nicolas , DELORME Richard
Published: March 2023

Background
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterised by deficits in social communication or interaction and repetitive behaviours. Maternal immune activation (MIA) during the mid-pregnancy is a known risk factor for ASD. Although reported in 15% of affected individuals, little is known about the specificity of their clinical profiles. Adaptive skills represent a holistic approach to a person's competencies and reflect specifically in autism, their strengths and difficulties.
Methods
In this study, we hypothesised that individual with ASD with a history of MIA (MIA+) could be more severely socio-adaptively impaired than those without MIA during pregnancy (MIA−). To answer this question, we considered two independent cohorts of individuals with ASD (PARIS study and FACE ASD) screened for pregnancy history, and used a supervised and unsupervised statistical approach.
Results
We included 295 mother-child dyads with 14% of them with MIA+. We found that ASD-MIA+ individuals displayed more severe maladaptive behaviors, specifically in their socialization abilities. MIA+ directly influenced individual's socio-adaptive skills, independent of other covariates, including ASD severity. Interestingly, MIA+ may affected persistently the socio-adaptive behavioral trajectories of individuals with ASD.
Limitations
: The current study has a retrospective design with possible recall bias regarding the MIA event and, even if pooled from two cohorts, has a relatively small population. In addition, we were limited by the number of covariables available potentially impacted socio-adaptive behaviors. Larger prospective study with additional dimensions related to ASD is needed to confirm our results
Conclusions
Specific pathophysiological pathways may explain these clinical peculiarities of ASD- MIA+ individuals, and may open the way to new perspectives in deciphering the phenotypic complexity of autism and for the development of specific immunomodulatory strategies.
Non-Distractive Testing by Nanosecond Nd: Yag Laser Technique as Alternative Method to Find Nano -ZnO/Al Properties
Authors: Zamil Narjis
Published: March 2023

Purpose
Aluminum alloy is widely used in automotive and aircraft due to supper properties such as low density, high strength-to-weight ratio, high corrosion resistance, good impact resistance, good thermal conductivity, excellent castability, and high wear resistance, etc., mechanical properties enhanced by controlling of additional materials, alloying elements, casting process parameters, solidify rates, heat treatments. The paper describes ‘Non-destructive testing (NDT)’ as a material testing method that is less damaging or inducing helpfulness to give information about a material or component.
Methods
An experimental study employing the laser shock wave technique is performed to examine the physical characteristics of Aluminum before and after covering its surface with ZnO nanoparticles and compare it with the classical testing technique. The NDT experimental data depends on studying high-resolution optical microscopy images by studying the track effect induced by different energy of nanosecond Nd-YAG laser; the shock wave plays a vital role in causing atomic excitation.
Results
The time duration of the applied laser-induced shock wave is close to the laser pulse for the Al before coating; it decreased after being covered Al by nano ZnO dissolved in water and ethanol medium due to confinement to the surface by a transparent layer; average shock pressures are (5.6, 26,26.12 ) GPa for Al, ZnO dissolved in water /Al, and ZnO dissolved in ethanol /Al, respectively, the mechanical properties results and behaviors of NDT by LSP are comparable to the classical methods (Tensile test and Vicker hardness). The strain and hardness increased after overlaying Al with ZnO nanoparticles while decreasing the Young modulus; the hardness increased by about 4.4 after depositing n-ZnO dissolved in ethanol on Al. The zinc oxide particles deposited on aluminum may also act as a dopant, changing the aluminum's electrical properties, lowering electrical resistivity, and increasing electrical current.
Conclusions
Dependent on NDLT and classical results, the NDLT results have good agreement with classical methods; it is a good technique employed as an alternative method to find acoustic material properties and mechanical properties; NDLT is a suitable, precision, accurate, cheaper, and non-distractive manner applied to examine the acoustic properties of different materials in the future.
Health consciousness and pro-environmental behaviors in an Italian representative sample: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Castellini Greta , Acampora Marta , Provenzi Livio , Cagliero Lucia , Lucini Luigi , Barello Serena
Published: March 2023

Individual behavior is one of the most influential factors affecting both environmental change and chronic disease development. To encourage behaviors bringing about environmental and health co-benefits, it is important to understand the underlying factors of behavior change for healthy and sustainable lifestyles. One area of potential overlap concerns people's health consciousness. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between health consciousness and pro-environmental behavior. We investigated whether health consciousness correlates with five clusters of pro-environmental behaviors: sustainable food consumption, recycling, green purchasing, sustainable mobility, and energy saving. Research data were collected via cross-sectional survey involving a representative sample of 1001 Italian citizens. Statistically significant differences emerged in the frequency of the different classes of pro-environmental behaviors: Italians most frequently implement sustainable behaviors related to energy saving and recycling while sustainable mobility behaviors are the least implemented. Moreover, stepwise linear regression model demonstrated the predictive role of citizens’ health consciousness on the adoption of specific classes of pro-environmental behaviors showing how higher involvement in one’s own health determines higher levels of pro-environmental behaviors. This evidence highlights the importance of creating educational interventions and campaigns to increase involvement in health in order to rise pro-environmental behaviors.
The 5-HT4 receptor agonist, Velusetrag, rescues GI dysfunction, gut inflammation and dysbiosis in the A53T αS mouse model of Parkinson’s Disease.
Authors: Colla Emanuela , Grigoletto Jessica , Miraglia Fabiana , Benvenuti Laura , Pellegrini Carolina , Soldi Sara , Galletti Serena , Cattaneo Antonino , Pich Emilio Merlo , Grimaldi Maria , Vesci Loredana
Published: March 2023

In patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), constipation is common, and it appears in a prodromal stage before the hallmark motor symptoms. The present study aimed to investigate whether Velusetrag, a selective 5‑HT4 receptor agonist, may be a suitable candidate to improve intestinal motility in a mouse model of PD. Five months old PrP human A53T alpha-synuclein transgenic mice, which display severe constipation along with decreased colonic cholinergic transmission already at 3 months, were treated daily with the drug for 4 weeks. Velusetrag treatment reduced constipation by significantly stimulating both the longitudinal and circular-driven contractions and improved inflammation by reducing the level of serum and colonic IL-1β and TNFα and by decreasing the number of GFAP-positive glia cells in the colon of treated mice. No downregulation of the 5-HT4 receptor was observed but instead Velusetrag seemed to induce axonal regeneration in the colon, stimulating the AKT pathway. Ultimately, Velusetrag restored a well-balanced intestinal microbial composition comparable to non transgenic mice. Based on these promising data, we are confident that Velusetrag is potentially eligible for clinical studies to treat constipation in PD patients.