bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hegel’in Felsefesinde Bireyden Devlete Ve Ardından Uluslararası Hukuka Giden Süreçte Tanınmanın Yeri
Authors: Meydan Vildan
Published: January 2024

Siyaset felsefesi üzerine ele aldığı çeşitli eserleri ile bilinen Hegel, her ne kadar daha çok felsefeye bulunduğu katkıları ile bilinse de, uluslararası ilişkilere ve dolayısıyla uluslararası hukuka da azımsanmayacak katkılarda bulunmuştur. Özellikle Tinin Fenomenolojisi eserinde ayrıntılı olarak özbilinç üzerinde fikirlerde bulunan Hegel, bu noktadan hareketle köle-efendi diyalektiğini ve tanınma kavramını ele almıştır. Hukuk Felsefesi’nin Prensipleri adlı eserinde ise uluslararası hukuk üzerine fikirlerini belirten Hegel, tanınma konusunda önemli katkılarda bulunmuştur.
Günümüz uluslararası sistemin temel aktörü olan ulus-devletlerin de önemli bir karakteristiğini oluşturan tanınma kavramı, çeşitli siyasal toplulukların da tanınma talepleri ile önemini korumaktadır. Dolayısıyla Hegelyan tanınma kavramı, günümüz sisteminde de yerini ve önemini korumaktadır. Tanınma konusunun uluslararası hukukta yer almaya başladığı sürecin 18. yüzyıl ortalarına denk geldiği düşünülmektedir. Hegel’in tanınma kavramı ise daha önce literatüre girmiş olup, tanınma konusunda önemli noktalara değinmektedir. Dolayısıyla bu çalışmanın amacı, Hegel’in felsefesinde bireyden başlayarak devlete ve ardından uluslararası hukuka giden süreçte tanımanın yerini incelemek, günümüz uluslararası hukukunun tanıma kavramına yaptığı katkıları ortaya çıkarmaktır. Bu doğrultuda çalışmanın sonuç bölümünü, Hegel’in bireyden devlete ve devletlerarası hukukta tanınmaya giden süreçteki tartışmalarından hareketle, günümüz uluslararası hukukta tanınma konusu ile karşılaştırılması ve uluslararası hukukta tanınma konusuna Hegel’in katkıları oluşturacaktır. Tüm bu başlıklardan hareketle çalışmanın amacı, Hegelyan tanınmanın, bireyden devlete ve devletler üstü sisteme giden süreçte nasıl bir evrim geçirdiğini ve bu evrimin uluslararası hukuka yansımasını ortaya koymaktır.
Kalkınma Planlarındaki Gençlik Politikaları Üzerinden Genel Bir Değerlendirme
Authors: AKAY Hasan
Published: January 2024

Bu çalışmada Türkiye için önemli birer vizyon belgesi niteliği taşıyan Kalkınma Planlarında ülkenin gelecek misyonları olan gençlere yönelik politikaların hangi konular ekseninde ele alındığının değerlendirmesi amaçlanmıştır. Kalkınma Planları periyotlar halinde ülkenin ekonomik, sosyal, kültürel ve sağlık gibi gelişim endeksini yukarı yönlü ilerletecek konularda hedeflerin belirlendiği politika belgeleri niteliğindedir. Gençler Kalkınma Planlarında dönemin şartlarına göre korunan, gelişen, misyon yüklenen, umut bağlanan ve nihayetinde ülkeyi kalkındıran bir konumda bulunmuşlardır. Bu konumlarına göre gençler, Kalkınma Planlarındaki politikalarda çeşitli başlıklar adı altında değerlendirilmişler ve mevcut siyasal iktidarların himayesinde çeşitli uygulamalar ile sosyo- kültürel, istihdam ve sağlık gibi alt başlıklardaki faaliyetlere konu olmuşlardır. Sonuç olarak Kalkınma Planlarında gençlik politikaları 1980’lere kadar soyut anlamda ve korunaklı bir anlayış ile politika edilmiş, 2000’lere gelene kadar sosyal ve kültürel anlamda gelişimleri konularına dönük politikalar belirlenmiş ve günümüze kadar da ülkenin gelecek liderleri misyonu ile önceki planların konu başlıklarına ek olarak teknolojik gelişmelere ayak uyduran ve bunun yanında inovasyon da üreten bir rol model olmaları için politikalarda yer almışlardır. Ancak gençler ile ilgili politikalar Kalkınma Planlarında devlet politikası ile hükümet politikaları arasında somut ve soyut hedeflerin birbiri içine girdiği bir paradokstan sıyrılamamışlardır.
Space and Time, do we describe them correctly? On the 4-dimensional structure of the universe
Authors: Scano Pier Sandro
Published: January 2024

The topic is whether the 4-dimensional structure constitutes a proven theory and whether it completely and effectively describes space-time phenomena. Spacetime is almost universally assumed as the basic structure for physical and cosmological thinking. Its meaning lies in the fusion of time and space into a unified entity. In the paper, the theoretical foundation and mathematical formalism are analysed. The theory is confirmed by an impressive quantity of experimental verifications. However, reasons for reflection emerge, starting from the one-way unidirectionality and irreversibility of time. The conclusion is that on space and time we know little, in the state, to be able to affirm a definitive and testable theory. Further research is necessary on what is very often considered indisputable.Finally, it doesn't seem sustainable that Special Relativity, supplemented by general Relativity, constitutes a complete and definitive theory of spatiotemporal relations.
Translatability of Ancillary Antonymy in the Qur’an: A Lexicosyntactic Approach
Authors: Hassanein Hamada S. A. , Moustafa Basant S. M.
Published: January 2024

Among Muslims there is a dogmatic belief in the linguistic inimitability of Qur’anic discourse that places limitations on its translatability at different linguistic levels and constitutes a minefield of hurdles when translating it between incongruous and incommensurable languages. One understudied linguistic level is the lexical-semantic level and one unstudied issue is the frames and functions of ancillary antonymy in the Qur’anic discourse. This article explores the translatability of ancillary antonym frames and functions from Qur’anic Arabic into English, using a lexicosyntactic approach to seven English translations available and accessible in the Quranic Arabic Corpus (QAC). Findings demonstrate that the Qur’an translators in focus are at great variance in rendering the syntactic frames and discourse functions of ancillary antonymy into English. There are also noticeable variations in the translatorial syntagmatic chains and paradigmatic choices as a result of adopting different translational strategies, notably explicitation, implicitation, domestication, foreignization, reproduction, substitution, and exonymy. The main conclusion is that ancillary antonym pairs co-occur within syntactic frames and co-perform discourse functions which must be attended and rendered into target texts.
Adopting Quranic Classical Literary Translation: Selected Parts of Jane Eyre as a Model
Authors: Aljadid Renad Ibrahim , Allawzi Areej Khamis
Published: January 2024

The present paper argues that structures of the Holy Quran may be relied on as a source of eloquence, contributing to a more idiomatic and elevated translation of the English classics. Accordingly, the paper identified a number of significant Quranic structures that can be leveraged as a translation strategy. Then, the proposed translation strategy was applied to selected parts of Charlotte Bronte’s 19th-century novel Jane Eyre. To evaluate the efficiency of the strategy, the translated excerpts were presented against Muneer Baalbaki’s published translation of the novel to be assessed by a panel of experts comprising nine linguists and translators who provided their input and evaluation on a Likert scale of 1 to 5. Based on the statistical analysis of responses, the suggested translation was found to be fairly successful, scoring an average of 4.28 out of 5.00. The study revealed that Quranic structures can be selectively applied to texts following specific strategies and taking various aspects into consideration. Moreover, it recommends conducting further studies on Quranic vocabulary and rhetorical expressions that can also be utilised in the translation of classical literature.
Pengaruh Media Pembelajaran Audio Visual Terhadap Minat Belajar Siswa Sekolah Dasar
Authors: Adam Adiyana
Published: January 2024

One of the efforts of educators to increase students' interest in learning is to use various learning media, one of the media used is audio-visual. The problem in this study is how the influence of audio-visual learning media on the learning interest of elementary school students. The purpose of this study was to determine the use of audio-visual learning media on elementary school students' learning interests. The method used in this research is descriptive quantitative with data analysis using Excel. The sample in this study were 12 elementary school students who were randomly selected. The results showed that the students were very happy, interested and very interested in using audio-visual learning media in the teaching and learning process. With very high student interest and interest, this in turn influences student learning outcomes. Students can understand learning material more quickly. The implications of this research are improving the quality of student learning, developing learning models and increasing student understanding.
Peningkatan Literasi Nutrisi Anak Sekolah Dasar melalui Pembelajaran IPA pada Kurikulum Merdeka
Authors: M.Pd Dindin Nasrudin , Millah Mila Faizatul , Helsy Imelda , Sugilar Hamdan
Published: January 2024

Every people, including elementary school children, need nutritional literacy. This study aims to develop a science learning design to increase students' nutritional literacy in the Merdeka curriculum. This research and development study uses the ADRRI (Analyze, Design, Review, Revision, Implementation) cycle model. This research successfully analyzed the science curriculum in both K13 and the Merdeka Curriculum regarding the relevance of elementary science learning in increasing nutritional literacy. This research also successfully developed a framework and design for elementary science learning to improve students' nutritional literacy. This study recommends that elementary school teachers implement this learning design on the topic of digestive organ systems and circulatory organ systems.
Exploring the Potential of Wood Vinegar: Chemical Composition and Biological Effects on Crops and Pests
Authors: Iacomino Giuseppina , Idbella Mohamed , Staropoli Alessia , Nanni Bruno , Bertoli Tomaso , Vinale Francesco , Bonanomi Giuliano
Published: January 2024

Wood vinegar is a by-product of the pyrolysis of organic raw materials. In this study, we investigated the chemical composition and biological activity of industrial wood vinegar derived from the pyrolysis of wood pruning waste. The composition of wood vinegar was characterized using liquid chromatography (LC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Wood vinegar bioactivity was tested against Bactrocera oleae under field conditions in an olive grove for two years. Furthermore, wood vinegar was applied in a greenhouse experiment with strawberry plants and in a strawberry field infested with the nematode Meloidogyne incognita. Finally, a seed root length bioassay was performed to evaluate the phytotoxicity or biostimulation of wood vinegar on Eruca sativa, Lactuca sativa, Lens culinaryis, Lolium multiflorum, and Solanum lycopersicum. Our results showed that wood vinegar had a pH of 3.2, with high concentrations of acetic acid (27,840.16 mg L−1) and phenols (54.00 mg L−1). No repellent effect against B. oleae was observed when wood vinegar was applied as an aerosol in olive groves. On strawberry plants in greenhouse conditions, wood vinegar showed phytotoxic effects at high concentrations, resulting in a decrease in the total yield of the plants. In the field, at a 1% concentration, wood vinegar led to a significant 15% reduction in the infection caused by M. incognita in strawberry plants. Finally, in the in vitro crop bioassay, wood vinegar demonstrated remarkable phytotoxicity effects at high concentrations while promoting root growth when diluted. The efficacy of wood vinegar displayed considerable variability based on concentration and delivery system, emphasizing the need for careful evaluation when considering its application, particularly in diverse crops and production systems.
Acta Microbiologica Hellenica: A New Era of a Historical Journal
Authors: Tsakris Athanasios
Published: January 2024

The first issue of Acta Microbiologica Hellenica, a bimonthly journal in Greek, was published in 1956 by the Hellenic Society for Microbiology, one of the oldest and most respected scientific Greek medical societies, founded in 1932 [...]
Antiphospholipid Antibodies Associated with Native Arteriovenous Fistula Complications in Hemodialysis Patients: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature
Authors: Taghavi Maxime , Jabrane Abla , Jacobs Lucas , Mesquita Maria Do Carmo Filomena , Demulder Anne , Nortier Joëlle
Published: January 2024

Antiphospholipid antibody (aPL)-persistent positivity is frequent in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Native arteriovenous fistula (AVF) complications such as stenosis and thrombosis are among the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients. The association between aPL positivity and AVF thrombosis seems to now be well established. However, whether aPL positivity is associated with other AVF complications, such as maturation failure or stenosis, is not well known. Given the significant impact of AVF failure on patient’s prognosis, it is of interest to further investigate this particular point in order to improve prevention, surveillance and treatment, and, ultimately, the patient’s outcome. This literature review aims to report the recent literature on aPL-associated native AVF complications.
A Novel Anti-CD47 Nanobody Tetramer for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Ratnikova Nataliya M. , Kravchenko Yulia , Ivanova Anna , Zhuchkov Vladislav , Frolova Elena , Chumakov Stepan
Published: January 2024

CD47 acts as a defense mechanism for tumor cells by sending a “don’t eat me” signal via its bond with SIRPα. With CD47’s overexpression linked to poor cancer outcomes, its pathway has become a target in cancer immunotherapy. Though monoclonal antibodies offer specificity, they have limitations like the large size and production costs. Nanobodies, due to their small size and unique properties, present a promising therapeutic alternative. In our study, a high-affinity anti-CD47 nanobody was engineered from an immunized alpaca. We isolated a specific VHH from the phage library, which has nanomolar affinity to SIRPα, and constructed a streptavidin-based tetramer. The efficacy of the nanobody and its derivative was evaluated using various assays. The new nanobody demonstrated higher affinity than the monoclonal anti-CD47 antibody, B6H12.2. The nanobody and its derivatives also stimulated substantial phagocytosis of tumor cell lines and induced apoptosis in U937 cells, a response confirmed in both in vitro and in vivo settings. Our results underscore the potential of the engineered anti-CD47 nanobody as a promising candidate for cancer immunotherapy. The derived nanobody could offer a more effective, cost-efficient alternative to conventional antibodies in disrupting the CD47–SIRPα axis, opening doors for its standalone or combinatorial therapeutic applications in oncology.
Gas Plasma Exposure Alters Microcirculation and Inflammation during Wound Healing in a Diabetic Mouse Model
Authors: Schmidt Anke , Singer Debora , Aden Henrike , von Woedtke Thomas , Bekeschus Sander
Published: January 2024

Diabetes can disrupt physiological wound healing, caused by decreased levels or impaired activity of angiogenic factors. This can contribute to chronic inflammation, poor formation of new blood vessels, and delayed re-epithelialization. The present study describes the preclinical application of medical gas plasma to treat a dermal, full-thickness ear wound in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Gas plasma-mediated effects occurred in both sexes but with gender-specific differences. Hyperspectral imaging demonstrated gas plasma therapy changing microcirculatory parameters, particularly oxygen saturation levels during wound healing, presumably due to the gas plasma’s tissue delivery of reactive species and other bioactive components. In addition, gas plasma treatment significantly affected cell adhesion by regulating focal adhesion kinase and vinculin, which is important in maintaining skin barrier function by regulating syndecan expression and increasing re-epithelialization. An anticipated stimulation of blood vessel formation was detected via transcriptional and translational increase of angiogenic factors in gas plasma-exposed wound tissue. Moreover, gas plasma treatment significantly affected inflammation by modulating systemic growth factors and cytokine levels. The presented findings may help explain the mode of action of successful clinical plasma therapy of wounds of diabetic patients.
nmODE-Unet: A Novel Network for Semantic Segmentation of Medical Images
Authors: Wang Shubin , Chen Yuanyuan , Yi Zhang
Published: January 2024

Diabetic retinopathy is a prevalent eye disease that poses a potential risk of blindness. Nevertheless, due to the small size of diabetic retinopathy lesions and the high interclass similarity in terms of location, color, and shape among different lesions, the segmentation task is highly challenging. To address these issues, we proposed a novel framework named nmODE-Unet, which is based on the nmODE (neural memory Ordinary Differential Equation) block and U-net backbone. In nmODE-Unet, the shallow features serve as input to the nmODE block, and the output of the nmODE block is fused with the corresponding deep features. Extensive experiments were conducted on the IDRiD dataset, e_ophtha dataset, and the LGG segmentation dataset, and the results demonstrate that, in comparison to other competing models, nmODE-Unet showcases a superior performance.
The Integration of Artificial Intelligence into Clinical Practice
Authors: Karalis Vangelis D.
Published: January 2024

The purpose of this literature review is to provide a fundamental synopsis of current research pertaining to artificial intelligence (AI) within the domain of clinical practice. Artificial intelligence has revolutionized the field of medicine and healthcare by providing innovative solutions to complex problems. One of the most important benefits of AI in clinical practice is its ability to investigate extensive volumes of data with efficiency and precision. This has led to the development of various applications that have improved patient outcomes and reduced the workload of healthcare professionals. AI can support doctors in making more accurate diagnoses and developing personalized treatment plans. Successful examples of AI applications are outlined for a series of medical specialties like cardiology, surgery, gastroenterology, pneumology, nephrology, urology, dermatology, orthopedics, neurology, gynecology, ophthalmology, pediatrics, hematology, and critically ill patients, as well as diagnostic methods. Special reference is made to legal and ethical considerations like accuracy, informed consent, privacy issues, data security, regulatory framework, product liability, explainability, and transparency. Finally, this review closes by critically appraising AI use in clinical practice and its future perspectives. However, it is also important to approach its development and implementation cautiously to ensure ethical considerations are met.
Potential of Lactic Acid Bacteria and Bacillus spp. in a Bio-Detoxification Strategy for Mycotoxin Contaminated Wheat Grains
Authors: Mischler Sandra , André Amandine , Freimüller Leischtfeld Susette , Müller Nadina , Chetschik Irene , Miescher Schwenninger Susanne
Published: January 2024

Mycotoxins present in cereals are a worldwide problem and are a result of the presence of mycotoxin producing fungi. A strategy to reduce these fungi and mycotoxin levels in contaminated grains is with the use of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) or Bacillus spp., which can degrade or bind toxins. In this study, LAB and Bacillus spp. were isolated from mycotoxin contaminated wheat grains and, together with additional plant-derived strains, an antifungal screening against Fusarium graminearum was performed. Furthermore, these strains were screened for their ability to reduce zearalenone (ZEA) and deoxynivalenol (DON). Finally, the mode of action of the most promising microorganisms was investigated by analyzing toxin reduction with viable and dead cells, cell extracts and supernatants. Out of 212 tested strains, 70 showed high antifungal activity and 42 exhibited the ability to detoxify more than 90% ZEA, i.e., Bacillus licheniformis (19), B. megaterium (13), and Levilactobacillus brevis (10). None of the tested strains were able to decrease DON. The mode of action of ZEA reduction could not be fully elucidated. Neither dead cells (<20%), nor cell extracts nor supernatants could reduce ZEA in high amounts, which exclude high binding capacity and the involvement of extra- or intra-cellular enzymes.
Design and Control of a Modular Integrated On-Board Battery Charger for EV Applications with Cell Balancing
Authors: Nasr Esfahani Fatemeh , Darwish Ahmed , Ma Xiandong
Published: January 2024

This paper presents operation and control systems for a new modular on-board charger (OBC) based on a SEPIC converter (MSOBC) for electric vehicle (EV) applications. The MSOBC aims to modularise the battery units in the energy storage system of the EV to provide better safety and improved operation. This is mainly achieved by reducing the voltage of the battery packs without sacrificing the performance required by the HV system. The proposed MSOBC is an integrated OBC which can operate the EV during traction and braking, as well as charge the battery units. The MSOBC is composed of several submodules consisting of a full-bridge voltage source converter connected on the ac side and SEPIC converter installed on the battery side. The SEPIC converter controls the battery segments with a continuous current because it has an input inductor which can smooth the battery’s currents without the need for large electrolytic capacitors. The isolated version of the SEPIC converter is employed to enhance the system’s safety by providing galvanic isolation between the batteries and the ac output side. This paper presents the necessary control loops to ensure the optimal operation of the EV with the MSOBC in terms of charge and temperature balance without disturbing the required modes of operation. The mathematical analyses in this paper are validated using a full-scale EV controlled by TMS320F28335 DSP.
Ecology of Saline Watersheds: An Investigation of the Functional Communities and Drivers of Benthic Fauna in Typical Water Bodies of the Irtysh River Basin
Authors: Zi Fangze , Wang Baoqiang , Yang Liting , Huo Qiang , Wang Zhichao , Ren Daoquan , Huo Bin , Song Yong , Chen Shengao
Published: January 2024

In this study, we investigated how changes in salinity affect biodiversity and function in 11 typical water bodies in the Altai region. The salinity of the freshwater bodies ranged from 0 to 5, the brackish water salinities ranged from 5 to 20, and the hypersaline environments had salinities > 20. We identified 11 orders, 34 families, and 55 genera in 3061 benthic samples and classified them into 10 traits and 32 categories. Subsequently, we conducted Mantel tests and canonical correlation analysis (CCA) and calculated biodiversity and functional diversity indices for each sampling site. The results indicated that biodiversity and the proportion of functional traits were greater in freshwater environments than in saline environments and decreased gradually with increasing salinity. Noticeable shifts in species distribution were observed in high-salinity environments and were accompanied by specific functional traits such as swimming ability, smaller body sizes, and air-breathing adaptations. The diversity indices revealed that the species were more evenly distributed in high-diversity environments under the influence of salinity. In contrast, in high-salinity environments, only a few species dominated. The results suggested that increasing salinity accelerated the evolution of benthic communities, leading to reduced species diversity and functional homogenization. We recommend enhancing the monitoring of saline water resources and implementing sustainable water resource management to mitigate the impact of salinity stress on aquatic communities in response to climate-induced soil and water salinization.
The Bioinformatics Identification of Potential Protein Glycosylation Genes Associated with a Glioma Stem Cell Signature
Authors: Tokumura Kazuya , Sadamori Koki , Yoshimoto Makoto , Tomizawa Akane , Tanaka Yuki , Fukasawa Kazuya , Hinoi Eiichi
Published: January 2024

Glioma stem cells (GSCs) contribute to the pathogenesis of glioblastoma (GBM), which is the most malignant form of glioma. The implications and underlying mechanisms of protein glycosylation in GSC phenotypes and GBM malignancy are not fully understood. The implication of protein glycosylation and the corresponding candidate genes on the stem cell properties of GSCs and poor clinical outcomes in GBM were investigated, using datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus, The Cancer Genome Atlas, and the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas, accompanied by biological validation in vitro. N-linked glycosylation was significantly associated with GSC properties and the prognosis of GBM in the integrated bioinformatics analyses of clinical specimens. N-linked glycosylation was associated with the glioma grade, molecular biomarkers, and molecular subtypes. The expression levels of the asparagine-linked glycosylation (ALG) enzyme family, which is essential for the early steps in the biosynthesis of N-glycans, were prominently associated with GSC properties and poor survival in patients with GBM with high stem-cell properties. Finally, the oxidative phosphorylation pathway was primarily enriched in GSCs with a high expression of the ALG enzyme family. These findings suggest the role of N-linked glycosylation in the regulation of GSC phenotypes and GBM malignancy.
Biomedical Informatics: State of the Art, Challenges, and Opportunities
Authors: Leung Carson K.
Published: January 2024

Biomedical informatics can be considered as a multidisciplinary research and educational field situated at the intersection of computational sciences (including computer science, data science, mathematics, and statistics), biology, and medicine. In recent years, there have been advances in the field of biomedical informatics. The current article highlights some interesting state-of-the-art research outcomes in these fields. These include research outcomes in areas like (i) computational biology and medicine, (ii) explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) in biomedical research and clinical practice, (iii) machine learning (including deep learning) methods and application for bioinformatics and healthcare, (iv) imaging informatics, as well as (v) medical statistics and data science. Moreover, the current article also discusses some existing challenges and potential future directions for these research areas to advance the fields of biomedical informatics.
A Crisscross-Strategy-Boosted Water Flow Optimizer for Global Optimization and Oil Reservoir Production
Authors: Zhao Zongzheng , Luo Shunshe
Published: January 2024

The growing intricacies in engineering, energy, and geology pose substantial challenges for decision makers, demanding efficient solutions for real-world production. The water flow optimizer (WFO) is an advanced metaheuristic algorithm proposed in 2021, but it still faces the challenge of falling into local optima. In order to adapt WFO more effectively to specific domains and address optimization problems more efficiently, this paper introduces an enhanced water flow optimizer (CCWFO) designed to enhance the convergence speed and accuracy of the algorithm by integrating a cross-search strategy. Comparative experiments, conducted on the CEC2017 benchmarks, illustrate the superior global optimization capability of CCWFO compared to other metaheuristic algorithms. The application of CCWFO to the production optimization of a three-channel reservoir model is explored, with a specific focus on a comparative analysis against several classical evolutionary algorithms. The experimental findings reveal that CCWFO achieves a higher net present value (NPV) within the same limited number of evaluations, establishing itself as a compelling alternative for reservoir production optimization.
An Angular Acceleration Based Looming Detector for Moving UAVs
Authors: Zhao Jiannan , Xie Quansheng , Shuang Feng , Yue Shigang
Published: January 2024

Visual perception equips unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with increasingly comprehensive and instant environmental perception, rendering it a crucial technology in intelligent UAV obstacle avoidance. However, the rapid movements of UAVs cause significant changes in the field of view, affecting the algorithms’ ability to extract the visual features of collisions accurately. As a result, algorithms suffer from a high rate of false alarms and a delay in warning time. During the study of visual field angle curves of different orders, it was found that the peak times of the curves of higher-order information on the angular size of looming objects are linearly related to the time to collision (TTC) and occur before collisions. This discovery implies that encoding higher-order information on the angular size could resolve the issue of response lag. Furthermore, the fact that the image of a looming object adjusts to meet several looming visual cues compared to the background interference implies that integrating various field-of-view characteristics will likely enhance the model’s resistance to motion interference. Therefore, this paper presents a concise A-LGMD model for detecting looming objects. The model is based on image angular acceleration and addresses problems related to imprecise feature extraction and insufficient time series modeling to enhance the model’s ability to rapidly and precisely detect looming objects during the rapid self-motion of UAVs. The model draws inspiration from the lobula giant movement detector (LGMD), which shows high sensitivity to acceleration information. In the proposed model, higher-order information on the angular size is abstracted by the network and fused with multiple visual field angle characteristics to promote the selective response to looming objects. Experiments carried out on synthetic and real-world datasets reveal that the model can efficiently detect the angular acceleration of an image, filter out insignificant background motion, and provide early warnings. These findings indicate that the model could have significant potential in embedded collision detection systems of micro or small UAVs.
The Influence of Magnetic Fields, Including the Planetary Magnetic Field, on Complex Life Forms: How Do Biological Systems Function in This Field and in Electromagnetic Fields?
Authors: Hart David
Published: January 2024

Life on Earth evolved to accommodate the biochemical and biophysical boundary conditions of the planet millions of years ago. The former includes nutrients, water, and the ability to synthesize other needed chemicals. The latter includes the 1 g gravity of the planet, radiation, and the geomagnetic field (GMF) of the planet. How complex life forms have accommodated the GMF is not known in detail, considering that Homo sapiens evolved a neurological system, a neuromuscular system, and a cardiovascular system that developed electromagnetic fields as part of their functioning. Therefore, all of these could be impacted by magnetic fields. In addition, many proteins and physiologic processes utilize iron ions, which exhibit magnetic properties. Thus, complex organisms, such as humans, generate magnetic fields, contain significant quantities of iron ions, and respond to exogenous static and electromagnetic fields. Given the current body of literature, it remains somewhat unclear if Homo sapiens use exogenous magnetic fields to regulate function and what can happen if the boundary condition of the GMF no longer exerts an effect. Proposed deep space flights to destinations such as Mars will provide some insights, as space flight could not have been anticipated by evolution. The results of such space flight “experiments” will provide new insights into the role of magnetic fields on human functioning. This review will discuss the literature regarding the involvement of magnetic fields in various normal and disturbed processes in humans while on Earth and then further discuss potential outcomes when the GMF is no longer present to impact host systems, as well as the limitations in the current knowledge. The GMF has been present throughout evolution, but many details of its role in human functioning remain to be elucidated, and how humans have adapted to such fields in order to develop and retain function remains to be elucidated. Why this understudied area has not received the attention required to elucidate the critical information remains a conundrum for both health professionals and those embarking on space flight. However, proposed deep space flights to destinations such as Mars may provide the environments to test and assess the potential roles of magnetic fields in human functioning.
One-Pot CRISPR-Cas12a-Based Viral DNA Detection via HRP-Enriched Extended ssDNA-Modified Au@Fe3O4 Nanoparticles
Authors: Park Dong Hyeok , Haizan Izzati , Ahn Min Ju , Choi Min Yu , Kim Min Jung , Choi Jin-Ha
Published: January 2024

In the context of virus outbreaks, the need for early and accurate diagnosis has become increasingly urgent. In addition to being crucial for effective disease control, timely and precise detection of viral infections is also necessary for the implementation of essential public health measures, especially during pandemics. Among these measures, point-of-care testing (POCT) stands out as a powerful approach with the potential to revolutionize the landscape of viral diagnosis. In this study, we developed a one-pot clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas12a-based viral DNA detection system tailored for POCT; this method utilizes multi-enzyme-modified Au@Fe3O4 nanoparticles. As an alternative to nucleic acid amplification, our method uses single-stranded DNA elongation to facilitate multi-enzyme modification; this guarantees heightened sensitivity and expedites the diagnostic process. We achieved a satisfactory limit of detection of 0.25 nM, demonstrating the remarkable sensitivity of the method without the need for sophisticated equipment. The incorporation of Au@Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles facilitates sample separation, further streamlining the workflow and reinforcing the simplicity of our method. This integrated approach offers a practical solution for sensitive viral DNA detection in POCT scenarios, advancing the field of rapid and accurate diagnostics.
Mechanical Consequences of Suffusion on Gap-Graded Soils with Stress Anisotropy: A CFD–DEM Perspective
Authors: Yu Gengfeng , Yu Chao , Fu Zunan , Jing Jianguo , Hu Zheng , Pan Kun
Published: January 2024

Natural soil in geotechnical engineering is commonly in the anisotropic stress state, but the effect of stress anisotropy on soil suffusion remains unclear. In this study, the coupled computational fluid dynamics–discrete element method was utilised to simulate the complete suffusion process of gap-graded soils by introducing a vertical seepage flow through the soil assembly. The mechanical consequences of suffusion on gap-graded soils were evaluated by comparing the triaxial shear responses of soil specimens before and after suffusion. The results indicated that the specimens with greater stress anisotropy are more vulnerable to suffusion, particularly those with the principal stress that is coincident with the principal flow direction. Compared with the isotropically consolidated specimens, the specimens with greater stress anisotropy exhibited more pronounced reduction in shear strength and secant stiffness after suffusion. The effects of stress anisotropy on the suffusion and mechanical properties of gap-graded soils were also evaluated from a microcosmic perspective in terms of force chain, coordination number, and fabric tensor.
Enhancement of Carrier Migration by Monolayer MXene Structure in Ti3CN/TiO2 Heterojunction to Achieve Efficient Photothermal Synergistic Transformation of CO2
Authors: Zhu Chenxuan , Guo Mingnv , Wang Ziqi , He Jiang , Qiu Jiaqi , Guo Yuxuan , Yan Yunfei , Ran Jingyu , Yang Zhongqing
Published: January 2024

Carbon nitride MXene exhibits good metal conductivity, high photothermal conversion, carrier mobility, and high exposure of active sites, which makes it a promising co-catalyst for photothermal synergistic transformation of CO2. In this paper, Ti3CN/TiO2 heterojunction was constructed in situ using Ti3CN as TiO2 precursor to investigate the performance of Ti3CN MXene in photothermal synergistic transformation of CO2, and then the monolayer structure was utilized to enhance the interfacial charge transfer and improve the photothermal catalytic activity of Ti3CN. The catalysts were characterized by SEM, XRD, XPS, and UV-Vis DRS, and it was found the heterojunction constructed by monolayer MXene had a narrower bandgap and a higher carrier generation mobility, which, combined with the catalytic activity test, proved the single monolayer Ti3CN MXene had better photothermal synergistic conversion efficiency of CO2, and the heterojunction yield was 11.36 μmol·g−1·h−1 after layering, compared with that before layering (9.41%), which was 1.2 times higher than that before layering (9.41 μmol·g−1·h−1).
Characterization of Extracellular Vesicles from Human Saliva: Effects of Age and Isolation Techniques
Authors: Reseco Lucia , Molina-Crespo Angela , Atienza Mercedes , Gonzalez Esperanza , Falcon-Perez Juan Manuel , Cantero Jose L.
Published: January 2024

Salivary extracellular vesicles (EVs) represent an attractive source of biomarkers due to the accessibility of saliva and its non-invasive sampling methods. However, the lack of comparative studies assessing the efficacy of different EV isolation techniques hampers the use of salivary EVs in clinical settings. Moreover, the effects of age on salivary EVs are largely unknown, hindering the identification of salivary EV-associated biomarkers across the lifespan. To address these questions, we compared salivary EV concentration, size mode, protein concentration, and purity using eight EV isolation techniques before and after magnetic bead immunocapture with antibodies against CD9, CD63, and CD81. The effects of age on salivary EVs obtained with each isolation technique were further investigated. Results showed higher expression of CD63 on isolated salivary EVs compared to the expression of CD81 and flotillin-1. Overall, magnetic bead immunocapture was more efficient in recovering salivary EVs with Norgen’s Saliva Exosome Purification Kit and ExoQuick-TC ULTRA at the cost of EV yield. Regardless of age, Invitrogen Total Exosome Isolation Solution showed the highest level of protein concentration, whereas Izon qEVOriginal-70nm columns revealed the highest purity. This study provides the first comprehensive comparison of salivary EVs in younger and older adults using different EV isolation techniques, which represents a step forward for assessing salivary EVs as a source of potential biomarkers of tissue-specific diseases throughout the life cycle.
TLR9 Monotherapy in Immune-Competent Mice Suppresses Orthotopic Prostate Tumor Development
Authors: Miles Mark A. , Luong Raymond , To Eunice E. , Erlich Jonathan R. , Liong Stella , Liong Felicia , Logan Jessica M. , O’Leary John , Brooks Doug A. , Selemidis Stavros
Published: January 2024

Prostate cancer is ranked second in the world for cancer-related deaths in men, highlighting the lack of effective therapies for advanced-stage disease. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and immunity have a direct role in prostate cancer pathogenesis, but TLR9 has been reported to contribute to both the progression and inhibition of prostate tumorigenesis. To further understand this apparent disparity, we have investigated the effect of TLR9 stimulation on prostate cancer progression in an immune-competent, syngeneic orthotopic mouse model of prostate cancer. Here, we utilized the class B synthetic agonist CPG-1668 to provoke a TLR9-mediated systemic immune response and demonstrate a significant impairment of prostate tumorigenesis. Untreated tumors contained a high abundance of immune-cell infiltrates. However, pharmacological activation of TLR9 resulted in smaller tumors containing significantly fewer M1 macrophages and T cells. TLR9 stimulation of tumor cells in vitro had no effect on cell viability or its downstream transcriptional targets, whereas stimulation in macrophages suppressed cancer cell growth via type I IFN. This suggests that the antitumorigenic effects of CPG-1668 were predominantly mediated by an antitumor immune response. This study demonstrated that systemic TLR9 stimulation negatively regulates prostate cancer tumorigenesis and highlights TLR9 agonists as a useful therapeutic for the treatment of prostate cancer.
Cultures of Human Skin Mast Cells, an Attractive In Vitro Model for Studies of Human Mast Cell Biology
Authors: Akula Srinivas , Tripathi Shiva Raj , Franke Kristin , Wernersson Sara , Babina Magda , Hellman Lars
Published: January 2024

Studies of mast cell biology are dependent on relevant and validated in vitro models. Here, we present detailed information concerning the phenotype of both freshly isolated human skin mast cells (MCs) and of in vitro cultures of these cells that were obtained by analyzing their total transcriptome. Transcript levels of MC-related granule proteins and transcription factors were found to be remarkably stable over a 3-week culture period. Relatively modest changes were also seen for important cell surface receptors including the high-affinity receptor for IgE, FCER1A, the low-affinity receptor for IgG, FCGR2A, and the receptor for stem cell factor, KIT. FCGR2A was the only Fc receptor for IgG expressed by these cells. The IgE receptor increased by 2–5-fold and an approximately 10-fold reduction in the expression of FCGR2A was observed most likely due to the cytokines, SCF and IL-4, used for expanding the cells. Comparisons of the present transcriptome against previously reported transcriptomes of mouse peritoneal MCs and mouse bone marrow-derived MCs (BMMCs) revealed both similarities and major differences. Strikingly, cathepsin G was the most highly expressed granule protease in human skin MCs, in contrast to the almost total absence of this protease in both mouse MCs. Transcript levels for the majority of cell surface receptors were also very low compared to the granule proteases in both mouse and human MCs, with a difference of almost two orders of magnitude. An almost total absence of T-cell granzymes was observed in human skin MCs, indicating that granzymes have no or only a minor role in human MC biology. Ex vivo skin MCs expressed high levels of selective immediate early genes and transcripts of heat shock proteins. In validation experiments, we determined that this expression was an inherent property of the cells and not the result of the isolation process. Three to four weeks in culture results in an induction of cell growth-related genes accompanying their expansion by 6–10-fold, which increases the number of cells for in vitro experiments. Collectively, we show that cultured human skin MCs resemble their ex vivo equivalents in many respects and are a more relevant in vitro model compared to mouse BMMCs for studies of MC biology, in particular human MC biology.
Updates in the Management of Congenital Melanocytic Nevi
Authors: Mologousis Mia A. , Tsai Serena Yun-Chen , Tissera Kristin A. , Levin Yakir S. , Hawryluk Elena B.
Published: January 2024

Congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) carry an increased risk of melanoma and may be disfiguring, and consensus regarding treatment recommendations is lacking. While clinical monitoring is the standard of care, many caregivers are interested in its removal to prevent psychosocial burden or to decrease risk. Although melanoma can occur regardless of CMN removal, there are a variety of treatments that may offer improved cosmesis or local symptom control, including surgical excision, laser therapy, and other superficially destructive techniques. Regardless of the selected management, these patients are monitored for ongoing melanoma risk. An extensive discussion with families regarding the risks and benefits of observation versus active intervention is essential. To facilitate these discussions, we herein summarize current CMN management strategies and considerations.
Physiological and Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal Commonalities and Specificities in Wheat in Response to Aluminum and Manganese
Authors: Luo Daozhen , Xian Chunnuan , Zhang Wenjie , Qin Ying , Li Qing , Usman Muhammad , Sun Shiheng , Xing Yongxiu , Dong Dengfeng
Published: January 2024

Aluminum (Al) and manganese (Mn) toxicity are the top two constraints of crop production in acid soil. Crops have evolved common and specific mechanisms to tolerate the two stresses. In the present study, the responses (toxicity and tolerance) of near-isogenic wheat lines (ET8 and ES8) and their parents (Carazinho and Egret) to Al and Mn were compared by determining the physiological parameters and conducting transcriptome profiling of the roots. The results showed the following: (1) Carazinho and ET8 exhibited dual tolerance to Al and Mn compared to Egret and ES8, indicated by higher relative root elongation and SPAD. (2) After entering the roots, Al was mainly distributed in the roots and fixed in the cell wall, while Mn was mainly distributed in the cell sap and then transported to the leaves. Both Al and Mn stresses decreased the contents of Ca, Mg, and Zn; Mn stress also inhibited the accumulation of Fe, while Al showed an opposite effect. (3) A transcriptomic analysis identified 5581 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) under Al stress and 4165 DEGs under Mn stress. Among these, 2774 DEGs were regulated by both Al and Mn stresses, while 2280 and 1957 DEGs were exclusively regulated by Al stress and Mn stress, respectively. GO and KEGG analyses indicated that cell wall metabolism responds exclusively to Al, while nicotianamine synthesis exclusively responds to Mn. Pathways such as signaling, phenylpropanoid metabolism, and metal ion transport showed commonality and specificity to Al and Mn. Transcription factors (TFs), such as MYB, WRKY, and AP2 families, were also regulated by Al and Mn, and a weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified PODP7, VATB2, and ABCC3 as the hub genes for Al tolerance and NAS for Mn tolerance. The identified genes and pathways can be used as targets for pyramiding genes and breeding multi-tolerant varieties.
Quantitative Analysis and Molecular Docking Simulation of Flavonols from Eruca sativa Mill. and Their Effect on Skin Barrier Function
Authors: Park Jihye , Choi Wonchul , Kim Jayoung , Kim Hye Won , Lee Jee-Young , Lee Jongsung , Kim Bora
Published: January 2024

Eruca sativa is a commonly used edible plant in Italian cuisine. E. sativa 70% ethanol extract (ES) was fractionated with five organic solvents, including n-hexane (EHex), chloroform (ECHCl3), ethyl acetate (EEA), n-butyl alcohol (EBuOH), and water (EDW). Ethyl acetate fraction (EEA) had the highest antioxidant activity, which was correlated with the total polyphenol and flavonoid content. ES and EEA acted as PPAR-α ligands by PPAR-α competitive binding assay. EEA significantly increased cornified envelope formation as a keratinocyte terminal differentiation marker in HaCaT cells. Further, it significantly reduced nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The main flavonol forms detected in high amounts from EEA are mono-and di-glycoside of each aglycone. The main flavonol form of EEA is the mono-glycoside of each aglycone detected, and the most abundant flavonol mono-glycoside is kaempferol 3-glucoside 7.4%, followed by quercetin-3-glucoside 2.3% and isorhamnetin 3-glucoside 1.4%. Flavonol mono-glycosides were shown to be a potent PPAR-α ligand using molecular docking simulation and showed the inhibition of nitric oxide. These results suggest that the flavonol composition of E. sativa is suitable for use in improving skin barrier function and inflammation in skin disorders, such as atopic dermatitis.