bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and Application of Portable Centrifuge Inspired by a Hand-Powered Spinning Top
Authors: Tang Dongbao , Duan Ziwei , Liu Luxuan , Jia Zhaoyuan , Lang Lijun , Tan Yuyu
Published: October 2023

Traditional centrifuges, extensively employed in biology, chemistry, medicine, and other domains for tasks such as blood separation and pathogen extraction, have certain limitations. Their high cost, substantial size, and reliance on electricity restrict their range of application. Contemporary centrifuges, inspired by everyday items like paper trays and egg beaters, boast characteristics such as ease of operation, independence from electricity, and portability. These features offer unique advantages in specific situations, such as electricity shortages, inadequate infrastructure, and challenging medical conditions. Consequently, we designed a hand-powered portable centrifuge driven by pulling a rope. Our experiments revealed significant performance factors, including load capacity, rope length, and frequency of rope pulling. The results demonstrated that the revolutions per minute (RPM) of a hand-powered portable centrifuge were directly proportional to the length of the rope and the frequency of pulling, up to a certain limit, while inversely proportional to the load. When used for separating and washing polystyrene microspheres, the portable centrifuge’s performance equaled that of traditional centrifuges. According to relevant calculations, this centrifuge could be capable of meeting the application of blood separation. Therefore, we believe this portable centrifuge will find meaningful applications in similar areas, particularly in resource-poor settings.
Effects of Branched-Chain Fatty Acids Derived from Yak Ghee on Lipid Metabolism and the Gut Microbiota in Normal-Fat Diet-Fed Mice
Authors: Tan Ting , Luo Yihao , Sun Wancheng , Li Xiaoxiao
Published: October 2023

Branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) are natural components with a variety of biological activities. However, the regulation of lipid metabolism by BCFAs is unknown. It was dedicated to examining the impacts of BCFAs inferred from yak ghee on the expression of qualities related to lipid metabolism, natural pathways, and intestinal microbiota in mice. The treatment group (purified BCFAs from yak ghee) exhibited a decrease in cholesterol levels; a decrease in HMGCR levels; downregulation of FADS1, FADS2, ACC-α, FAS, GAPT4, GPAM, ACSL1, THRSP, A-FABP, and PPARα gene expression; and upregulation of SCD1, ACSS1, FABP1, CPT1, and DGAT-1 gene expression. Gut microbiota 16S rDNA sequencing analysis showed that the treatment group improved the gut microbiota by increasing the relative abundances and increasing the short-chain fatty acid levels produced by the genera Akkermansia, Clostridium, Lachnospiraceae, Lactobacillus, Anaerotaenia, and Prevotella. After adding BCFAs to cultured breast cancer cells, pathways that were downregulated were found to be related to fatty acid degradation and fatty acid metabolism, while 20 other pathways were upregulated. Our results suggest that BCFAs reduce body fat in mice by modulating intestinal flora and lipid metabolism and modulating fatty acid metabolism in breast cancer cells.
Barium Lanthanum Oxide Nanosheets in Photocatalytic and Forensic Applications: One-Pot Synthesis and Characterization
Authors: Majani Sanjay S. , Meghana  , S H Sowmyashree , J Sowjanyashree , Umesh Sahaja , Shivamallu Chandan , Iqbal Muzaffar , Amachawadi Raghavendra G. , K N Venkatachalaiah , Kollur Shiva Prasad
Published: October 2023

The present work elucidates the fabrication of Barium Lanthanum Oxide nanosheets (BaLa2O4 NSs) via a simple one-pot precipitation method. The acquired results show an orthorhombic crystal system with an average crystallite size of 27 nm. The morphological studies revealed irregular-shaped sheets stacked together in a layered structure, with the confirmation of the precursor elements. The diffused reflectance studies revealed a strong absorption between 200 nm and 350 nm, from which the band-gap energy was evaluated to be 4.03 eV. Furthermore, the fluorescence spectrum was recorded for the prepared samples; the excitation spectrum shows a strong peak at 397 nm, attributed to the 4F7/2→4G11/2 transition, while the emission shows two prominent peaks at 420 nm (4G7/2→4F7/2) and 440 nm (4G5/2→4F7/2). The acquired emission results were utilized to confirm the color emission using a chromaticity plot, which found the coordinates to be at (0.1529 0.1040), and the calculated temperature was 3171 K. The as-prepared nanosheets were utilized in detecting latent fingerprints (LFPs) on various non-porous surfaces. The powder-dusting method was used to develop latent fingerprints on various non-porous surfaces, which resulted in detecting all the three ridge patterns. Furthermore, the as-synthesized nanosheets were used to degrade methyl red (MR) dye, the results of which show more than 60% degradation at the 70th minute. It was also found that there was no further degradation after 70 min. All the acquired results suggest the clear potential of the prepared BaLa2O4 NSs for use in advanced forensic and photocatalytic applications.
Synthesis, Computational, and Anticancer In Vitro Investigations of Aminobenzylnaphthols Derived from 2-Naphtol, Benzaldehydes, and α-Aminoacids via the Betti Reaction
Authors: Kciuk Mateusz , Malinowska Martyna , Gielecińska Adrianna , Sundaraj Rajamanikandan , Mujwar Somdutt , Zawisza Anna , Kontek Renata
Published: October 2023

Multicomponent reactions have emerged as an important approach for the synthesis of diverse and complicated chemical compounds. They have various advantages over two-component reactions, including the convenience of one-pot procedures and the ability to modify the structure of agents. Here, we employed in vitro and in silico studies to explore the anticancer potential of novel aminobenzylnaphthols derived from the Betti reaction (MMZ compounds). MTT assay was used to explore the cytotoxic activity of the compounds in pancreatic (BxPC-3 cells) and colorectal (HT-29) cancer cell lines or normal human lung fibroblasts (WI-38 cells). Proapoptotic properties of two derivatives MMZ-45AA and MMZ-140C were explored using AO/EB and annexin V-FITC/PI staining. In silico studies including ADMET profiling, molecular target prediction, docking, and dynamics were employed. The compounds exhibited cytotoxic properties and showed proapoptotic properties in respective IC50 concentrations. As indicated by in silico investigations, anticancer activity of MMZs can be attributed to the inhibition of ADORA1, CDK2, and TRIM24. Furthermore, compounds exhibited favorable ADMET properties. MMZs constitute an interesting scaffold for the potential development of new anticancer agents.
The System of Self-Consistent Models: The Case of Henry’s Law Constants
Authors: Toropov Andrey A. , Toropova Alla P. , Roncaglioni Alessandra , Benfenati Emilio , Leszczynska Danuta , Leszczynski Jerzy
Published: October 2023

Data on Henry’s law constants make it possible to systematize geochemical conditions affecting atmosphere status and consequently triggering climate changes. The constants of Henry’s law are desired for assessing the processes related to atmospheric contaminations caused by pollutants. The most important are those that are capable of long-term movements over long distances. This ability is closely related to the values of Henry’s law constants. Chemical changes in gaseous mixtures affect the fate of atmospheric pollutants and ecology, climate, and human health. Since the number of organic compounds present in the atmosphere is extremely large, it is desirable to develop models suitable for predictions for the large pool of organic molecules that may be present in the atmosphere. Here, we report the development of such a model for Henry’s law constants predictions of 29,439 compounds using the CORAL software (2023). The statistical quality of the model is characterized by the value of the coefficient of determination for the training and validation sets of about 0.81 (on average).
Facile Synthesis of Cu-Doped ZnO Nanoparticles for the Enhanced Photocatalytic Disinfection of Bacteria and Fungi
Authors: Nan Ruichun , Liu Shurui , Zhai Mengwan , Zhu Mengzhen , Sun Xiaodong , Chen Yisong , Pang Qiangqiang , Zhang Jingtao
Published: October 2023

In this study, Cu-doped ZnO was prepared via the facile one-pot solvothermal approach. The structure and composition of the synthesized samples were characterized by XRD (X-ray diffraction), TEM (transmission electron microscopy), and XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) analyses, revealing that the synthesized samples consisted of Cu-doped ZnO nanoparticles. Ultraviolet–visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy analysis showed that Cu-doping significantly improves the visible light absorption properties of ZnO. The photocatalytic capacity of the synthesized samples was tested via the disinfection of Escherichia coli, with the Cu-ZnO presenting enhanced disinfection compared to pure ZnO. Of the synthesized materials, 7% Cu-ZnO exhibited the best photocatalytic performance, for which the size was ~9 nm. The photocurrent density of the 7% Cu-ZnO samples was also significantly higher than that of pure ZnO. The antifungal activity for 7% Cu-ZnO was also tested on the pathogenic fungi of Fusarium graminearum. The macroconidia of F. graminearum was treated with 7% Cu-ZnO photocatalyst for 5 h, resulting in a three order of magnitude reduction at a concentration of 105 CFU/mL. Fluorescence staining tests were used to verify the survival of macroconidia before and after photocatalytic treatment. ICP-MS was used to confirm that Cu-ZnO met national standards for cu ion precipitation, indicating that Cu-ZnO are environmentally friendly materials.
High-Rate One-Dimensional α-MnO2 Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries: Impact of Polymorphic and Crystallographic Features on Lithium Storage
Authors: Kim Hye-min , Cha Byung-chul , Kim Dae-wook
Published: October 2023

Manganese dioxide (MnO2) exists in a variety of polymorphs and crystallographic structures. The electrochemical performance of Li storage can vary depending on the polymorph and the morphology. In this study, we present a new approach to fabricate polymorph- and aspect-ratio-controlled α-MnO2 nanorods. First, δ-MnO2 nanoparticles were synthesized using a solution plasma process assisted by three types of sugars (sucrose, glucose, and fructose) as reducing promoters; this revealed different morphologies depending on the nucleation rate and reaction time from the molecular structure of the sugars. Based on the morphology of δ-MnO2, the polymorphic-transformed three types of α-MnO2 nanorods showed different aspect ratios (c/a), which highly affected the transport of Li ions. Among them, a relatively small aspect ratio (c/a = 5.1) and wide width of α-MnO2-S nanorods (sucrose-assisted) induced facile Li-ion transport in the interior of the particles through an increased Li-ion pathway. Consequently, α-MnO2-S exhibited superior battery performance with a high-rate capability of 673 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1, and it delivered a high reversible capacity of 1169 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 after 200 cycles. Our findings demonstrated that polymorphs and crystallographic properties are crucial factors in the electrode design of high-performance Li-ion batteries.
Modeling of Short-Pulse Laser Interactions with Monolithic and Porous Silicon Targets with an Atomistic–Continuum Approach
Authors: Grigoryeva Maria S. , Kutlubulatova Irina A. , Lukashenko Stanislav Yu. , Fronya Anastasia A. , Ivanov Dmitry S. , Kanavin Andrey P. , Timoshenko Victor Yu. , Zavestovskaya Irina N.
Published: October 2023

The acquisition of reliable knowledge about the mechanism of short laser pulse interactions with semiconductor materials is an important step for high-tech technologies towards the development of new electronic devices, the functionalization of material surfaces with predesigned optical properties, and the manufacturing of nanorobots (such as nanoparticles) for bio-medical applications. The laser-induced nanostructuring of semiconductors, however, is a complex phenomenon with several interplaying processes occurring on a wide spatial and temporal scale. In this work, we apply the atomistic–continuum approach for modeling the interaction of an fs-laser pulse with a semiconductor target, using monolithic crystalline silicon (c-Si) and porous silicon (Si). This model addresses the kinetics of non-equilibrium laser-induced phase transitions with atomic resolution via molecular dynamics, whereas the effect of the laser-generated free carriers (electron–hole pairs) is accounted for via the dynamics of their density and temperature. The combined model was applied to study the microscopic mechanism of phase transitions during the laser-induced melting and ablation of monolithic crystalline (c-Si) and porous Si targets in a vacuum. The melting thresholds for the monolithic and porous targets were found to be 0.32 J/cm2 and 0.29 J/cm2, respectively. The limited heat conduction mechanism and the absence of internal stress accumulation were found to be involved in the processes responsible for the lowering of the melting threshold in the porous target. The results of this modeling were validated by comparing the melting thresholds obtained in the simulations to the experimental values. A difference in the mechanisms of ablation of the c-Si and porous Si targets was considered. Based on the simulation results, a prediction regarding the mechanism of the laser-assisted production of Si nanoparticles with the desired properties is drawn.
Exploration of the Different Dimensions of Wurtzite ZnO Structure Nanomaterials as Gas Sensors at Room Temperature
Authors: Ramike Matshidiso P. , Ndungu Patrick G. , Mamo Messai A.
Published: October 2023

In this work, we report on the synthesis of four morphologies of ZnO, namely, nanoparticles, nanorods, nanosheets, and nanoflowers, from a single precursor Zn(CH3COO)2·2H2O under different reaction conditions. The synthesised nanostructured materials were characterised using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy, UV–Vis, XPS analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and nitrogen sorption at 77 K. The XRD, FTIR, and Raman analyses did not reveal any significant differences among the nanostructures, but differences in the electronic properties were noted among the different morphologies. The TEM and SEM analyses confirmed the four different morphologies of the ZnO nanostructures. The textural characteristics revealed that the specific surface areas were different, being 1.3, 6.7, 12.7, and 26.8 m2/g for the nanoflowers, nanoparticles, nanorods, and nanosheets, respectively. The ZnO nanostructures were then mixed with carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) and cellulose acetate (CA) to make nanocomposites that were then used as sensing materials in solid-state sensors to detect methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol vapour at room temperature. The sensors’ responses were recorded in relative resistance. When detecting methanol, 6 out of 12 sensors were responsive, and the most sensitive sensor was the composite with a mass ratio of 1:1:1 of ZnO nanorods:CNPs:CA with a sensitivity of 0.7740 Ω ppm−1. Regarding the detection of ethanol vapour, 9 of the 12 sensors were responsive, and the 3:1:1 mass ratio with ZnO nanoparticles was the most sensitive at 4.3204 Ω ppm−1. Meanwhile, with isopropanol, 5 out of the 12 sensors were active and, with a sensitivity of 3.4539 Ω ppm−1, the ZnO nanoparticles in a 3:1:1 mass ratio were the most sensitive. Overall, the response of the sensors depended on the morphology of the nanostructured ZnO materials, the mass ratio of the sensing materials in the composites, and the type of analyte. The sensing mechanism was governed by the surface reaction on the sensing materials rather than pores hindering the analyte molecules from reaching the active site, since the pore size is larger than the kinetic diameter of the analyte molecules. Generally, the sensors responded well to the ethanol analyte, rather than methanol and isopropanol. This is due to ethanol molecules displaying a more enhanced electron-donating ability.
Efficient One-Step Synthesis of a Pt-Free Zn0.76Co0.24S Counter Electrode for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells and Its Versatile Application in Photoelectrochromic Devices
Authors: Tashenov Yerbolat , Suleimenova Diana , Baptayev Bakhytzhan , Adilov Salimgerey , Balanay Mannix P.
Published: October 2023

In this study, we synthesized a ternary transition metal sulfide, Zn0.76Co0.24S (ZCS-CE), using a one-step solvothermal method and explored its potential as a Pt-free counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Comprehensive investigations were conducted to characterize the structural, morphological, compositional, and electronic properties of the ZCS-CE electrode. These analyses utilized a range of techniques, including X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrocatalytic performance of ZCS-CE for the reduction of I3− species in a symmetrical cell configuration was evaluated through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Our findings reveal that ZCS-CE displayed superior electrocatalytic activity and stability when compared to platinum in I−/I3− electrolyte systems. Furthermore, ZCS-CE-based DSSCs achieved power conversion efficiencies on par with their Pt-based counterparts. Additionally, we expanded the applicability of this material by successfully powering an electrochromic cell with ZCS-CE-based DSSCs. This work underscores the versatility of ZCS-CE and establishes it as an economically viable and environmentally friendly alternative to Pt-based counter electrodes in DSSCs and other applications requiring outstanding electrocatalytic performance.
N-Type Coating of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes by Polydopamine-Mediated Nickel Metallization
Authors: Zimmerer Cordelia , Simon Frank , Putzke Sascha , Drechsler Astrid , Janke Andreas , Krause Beate
Published: October 2023

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have unique thermal and electrical properties. Coating them with a thin metal layer can provide promising materials for many applications. This study presents a bio-inspired, environmentally friendly technique for CNT metallization using polydopamine (PDA) as an adhesion promoter, followed by electroless plating with nickel. To improve the dispersion in the aqueous reaction baths, part of the SWCNTs was oxidized prior to PDA coating. The SWCNTs were studied before and after PDA deposition and metallization by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, scanning force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. These methods verified the successful coating and revealed that the distribution of PDA and nickel was significantly improved by the prior oxidation step. Thermoelectric characterization showed that the PDA layer acted as a p-dopant, increasing the Seebeck coefficient S of the SWCNTs. The subsequent metallization decreased S, but no negative S-values were reached. Both coatings affected the volume conductivity and the power factor, too. Thus, electroless metallization of oxidized and PDA-coated SWCNTs is a suitable method to create a homogeneous metal layer and to adjust their conduction type, but more work is necessary to optimize the thermoelectric properties.
NAD+ Precursors: A Physiological Reboot?
Authors: Niño-Narvión Julia , Camacho Mercedes , Julve Josep
Published: October 2023

In this Editorial, we comment on a series of recent articles featured in the Special Issue “Emerging Benefits of Vitamin B3 Derivatives on Aging, Health and Disease: From Basic Research to Translational Applications” in Nutrients [...]
Practical Application and Methodological Considerations on the Basics of Sports Nutrition in Basketball: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of Observational and Interventional Studies
Authors: Nowaczyk Paulina M. , Adamczewski Jakub , Durkalec-Michalski Krzysztof
Published: October 2023

The current systematic review (PROSPERO registration no. CRD42022334707) of observational (OS) and interventional studies (IS) aimed at evaluating the state of scientific knowledge on the basics of sports nutrition, framing discipline-specific dietary recommendations, and indicating potential directions for future studies in various age, experience level, and able-bodied abilities groups of basketball players (BP). A systematic search of PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science ended on 20 December 2022. Records were excluded if reporting studies on animals, sport disciplines other than basketball, or supplementation protocols other than those related to macronutrients and hydration manipulations. Risk of bias (RoB) was evaluated using Cochrane RoB_2 tools, ‘JBI checklist for prevalence studies’, and ‘Quality assessment tool for before-after (pre-post) studies with no control group’. The relevant data was synthesized in tables and a narrative review was performed. Seventy-two records were included (2581 participants): 63 were on able-bodied BP (2433 participants) and 9 on para-athlete players (148 participants); 45 records were OS and 27 IS. The review disclosed widespread poor nutritional habits and knowledge and shortages in applying adequate nutritional and hydration practices in BP. Moreover, the systematic review revealed the lack of a sufficient number of investigations delivering reliable proof for framing discipline-specific and evidence-based recommendations on the basics of sports nutrition in basketball.
The Pharmacological Properties of Red Grape Polyphenol Resveratrol: Clinical Trials and Obstacles in Drug Development
Authors: Farhan Mohd , Rizvi Asim
Published: October 2023

Resveratrol is a stilbenoid from red grapes that possesses a strong antioxidant activity. Resveratrol has been shown to have anticancer activity, making it a promising drug for the treatment and prevention of numerous cancers. Several in vitro and in vivo investigations have validated resveratrol’s anticancer capabilities, demonstrating its ability to block all steps of carcinogenesis (such as initiation, promotion, and progression). Additionally, resveratrol has been found to have auxiliary pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective activity. Despite its pharmacological properties, several obstacles, such as resveratrol’s poor solubility and bioavailability, as well as its adverse effects, continue to be key obstacles to drug development. This review critically evaluates the clinical trials to date and aims to develop a framework to develop resveratrol into a clinically viable drug.
Single-Lateral-Incision Technique for Talar Neck Fractures—A Viable Option
Authors: Ryan Paul M. , Arthur Jacob , McMurray Keanu , Unangst Alicia
Published: October 2023

Background: Displaced talar neck fractures are subject to avascular necrosis and degenerative joint disease. A single-lateral-incision approach may avoid damage to the remaining blood supply to the talar body provided by the deltoid artery. The purpose of this paper is to describe the surgical technique for a single approach to talar neck fractures, to evaluate the outcomes in a cohort of patients, and to review the literature on the topic. Method: A retrospective review. Patients were identified at a single medical center and met the following inclusion criteria: closed fracture, type-II talar neck fracture with displacement of the subtalar joint, single lateral operative approach, and radiographic follow-up of at least 6 months. Results: Five patients were identified meeting the inclusion criteria. The mean follow-up was 18 months (12–25). The mean VAS (Visual Analog Score) score at the final follow-up was 1.2 (0–3). Four of five patients returned to running at the final follow-up. The one patient who did not return to running was able to bike and hike. There were no cases of avascular necrosis and no cases of degenerative joint disease. Conclusions: Although a two-incision approach could be considered for all displaced talar neck fractures, there are certain fractures that can be anatomically reduced and stabilized through a single lateral incision which may limit the risk of avascular necrosis.
Current Status and Challenges Associated with Tick-Borne Pathogens and Diseases: Where Do We Stand?
Authors: Banović Pavle , Rodríguez Islay , Jakimovski Dejan
Published: October 2023

Lyme Borreliosis (LB), caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s [...]
Self-Assembling Polymers with p-Aminosalicylate Anions Supported by Encapsulation of p-Aminosalicylate for the Improvement of Drug Content and Release Efficiency
Authors: Keihankhadiv Shadi , Neugebauer Dorota
Published: October 2023

Bioactive linear choline-based copolymers were developed as micellar carriers for drug delivery systems (DDSs). The polymethacrylates containing trimethylammonium groups with p-aminosalicylate anions (PAS-based copolymers: series 1) or chloride anions (Cl-based copolymers: series 2) differing in ionic content and chain length were selected for drug loading. The diverse structures of amphiphilic copolymers made it possible to adjust the encapsulation efficiency of a well-known antibiotic, i.e., p-aminosalicylate in the form of sodium salt (PASNa) or acid (PASA), providing single drug systems. Goniometry was applied to verify the self-assembly capacity of the copolymers using the critical micelle concentration (CMC = 0.03–0.18 mg/mL) and the hydrophilicity level quantifying the surface wettability of polymer film using the water contact angle (WCA = 30–53°). Both parameters were regulated by the copolymer composition, indicating that the increase in ionic content caused higher CMC and lower WCA, but the latter was also modified to a less hydrophilic surface by drug encapsulation. The drug content (DC) in the PAS-based polymers was increased twice by encapsulation of PASNa and PASA (47–96% and 86–104%), whereas in the chloride-based polymer systems, the drug was loaded in 43–96% and 73–100%, respectively. Efficient drug release was detected for PASNa (80–100% series 1; 50–100% series 2) and PASA as complete in both series. The strategy of loading extra drug by encapsulation, which enhances the drug content in the copolymers containing anions of the same pharmaceutics, provided promising characteristics, which highlight the potential of PAS-loaded micellar copolymers for drug delivery.
Recent Advancements in Development and Therapeutic Applications of Genome-Targeting Triplex-Forming Oligonucleotides and Peptide Nucleic Acids
Authors: Mikame Yu , Yamayoshi Asako
Published: October 2023

Recent developments in artificial nucleic acid and drug delivery systems present possibilities for the symbiotic engineering of therapeutic oligonucleotides, such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and small interfering ribonucleic acids (siRNAs). Employing these technologies, triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) or peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) can be applied to the development of symbiotic genome-targeting tools as well as a new class of oligonucleotide drugs, which offer conceptual advantages over antisense as the antigene target generally comprises two gene copies per cell rather than multiple copies of mRNA that are being continually transcribed. Further, genome editing by TFOs or PNAs induces permanent changes in the pathological genes, thus facilitating the complete cure of diseases. Nuclease-based gene-editing tools, such as zinc fingers, CRISPR-Cas9, and TALENs, are being explored for therapeutic applications, although their potential off-target, cytotoxic, and/or immunogenic effects may hinder their in vivo applications. Therefore, this review is aimed at describing the ongoing progress in TFO and PNA technologies, which can be symbiotic genome-targeting tools that will cause a near-future paradigm shift in drug development.
Uncovering the Role of Hormones in Enhancing Antioxidant Defense Systems in Stressed Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) Plants
Authors: Hernández-Carranza Paola , Avila-Sosa Raúl , Vera-López Obdulia , Navarro-Cruz Addí R. , Ruíz-Espinosa Héctor , Ruiz-López Irving I. , Ochoa-Velasco Carlos E.
Published: October 2023

Tomato is one of the most important fruits worldwide. It is widely consumed due to its sensory and nutritional attributes. However, like many other industrial crops, it is affected by biotic and abiotic stress factors, reducing its metabolic and physiological processes. Tomato plants possess different mechanisms of stress responses in which hormones have a pivotal role. They are responsible for a complex signaling network, where the antioxidant system (enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants) is crucial for avoiding the excessive damage caused by stress factors. In this sense, it seems that hormones such as ethylene, auxins, brassinosteroids, and salicylic, jasmonic, abscisic, and gibberellic acids, play important roles in increasing antioxidant system and reducing oxidative damage caused by different stressors. Although several studies have been conducted on the stress factors, hormones, and primary metabolites of tomato plants, the effect of endogenous and/or exogenous hormones on the secondary metabolism is still poorly studied, which is paramount for tomato growing management and secondary metabolites production. Thus, this review offers an updated overview of both endogenous biosynthesis and exogenous hormone application in the antioxidant system of tomato plants as a response to biotic and abiotic stress factors.
Evaluation of Morpho-Physiological and Yield-Associated Traits of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Landraces Combined with Marker-Assisted Selection under High-Temperature Stress and Elevated Atmospheric CO2 Levels
Authors: Mollier Merentoshi , Roychowdhury Rajib , Tzudir Lanunola , Sharma Radheshyam , Barua Ujjal , Rahman Naseema , Pal Sikandar , Gogoi Bhabesh , Kalita Prakash , Jain Devendra , Das Ranjan
Published: October 2023

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an important cereal crop worldwide due to its long domestication history. North-Eastern India (NEI) is one of the origins of indica rice and contains various native landraces that can withstand climatic changes. The present study compared NEI rice landraces to a check variety for phenological, morpho-physiological, and yield-associated traits under high temperatures (HTs) and elevated CO2 (eCO2) levels using molecular markers. The first experiment tested 75 rice landraces for HT tolerance. Seven better-performing landraces and the check variety (N22) were evaluated for the above traits in bioreactors for two years (2019 and 2020) under control (T1) and two stress treatments [mild stress or T2 (eCO2 550 ppm + 4 °C more than ambient temperature) and severe stress or T3 (eCO2 750 ppm + 6 °C more than ambient temperature)]. The findings showed that moderate stress (T2) improved plant height (PH), leaf number (LN), leaf area (LA), spikelets panicle−1 (S/P), thousand-grain weight (TGW), harvest index (HI), and grain production. HT and eCO2 in T3 significantly decreased all genotypes’ metrics, including grain yield (GY). Pollen traits are strongly and positively associated with spikelet fertility at maturity and GY under stress conditions. Shoot biomass positively affected yield-associated traits including S/P, TGW, HI, and GY. This study recorded an average reduction of 8.09% GY across two seasons in response to the conditions simulated in T3. Overall, two landraces—Kohima special and Lisem—were found to be more responsive compared to other the landraces as well as N22 under stress conditions, with a higher yield and biomass increment. SCoT-marker-assisted genotyping amplified 77 alleles, 55 of which were polymorphic, with polymorphism information content (PIC) values from 0.22 to 0.67. The study reveals genetic variation among the rice lines and supports Kohima Special and Lisem’s close relationship. These two better-performing rice landraces are useful pre-breeding resources for future rice-breeding programs to increase stress tolerance, especially to HT and high eCO2 levels under changing climatic situations.
Inhibitory Activity of Natural cis-Khellactone on Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase and Proinflammatory Cytokine Production in Lipopolysaccharides-Stimulated RAW264.7 Cells
Authors: Kim Jang Hoon , Park Ji Hyeon , Koo Sung Cheol , Huh Yun-Chan , Hur Mok , Park Woo Tae , Moon Youn-Ho , Kim Tae Il , Cho Byoung Ok
Published: October 2023

The pursuit of anti-inflammatory agents has led to intensive research on the inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) and cytokine production using medicinal plants. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of cis-khellactone, a compound isolated for the first time from the roots of Peucedanum japonicum. The compound was found to be a competitive inhibitor of sEH, exhibiting an IC50 value of 3.1 ± 2.5 µM and ki value of 3.5 µM. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations illustrated the binding pose of (−)cis-khellactone within the active site of sEH. The results suggest that binding of the inhibitor to the enzyme is largely dependent on the Trp336–Gln384 loop within the active site. Further, cis-khellactone was found to inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines, including NO, iNOS, IL-1β, and IL-4. These findings affirm that cis-khellactone could serve as a natural therapeutic candidate for the treatment of inflammation.
Revitalizing the Mission: The Challenge for Christian Education to Discover Contextual Vocation and Ethos
Authors: de Muynck Bram , Kunz Bram
Published: October 2023

In a rapidly changing world, due to globalization, individualization, economization, and secularization, the need for revitalizing the mission of Christian schools is inevitable. The authors relate the concept of mission to the often-used concept of school identity. The latter concept is distinguished as intended identity, lived identity, and perceived identity. The mission is defined as equal to the intended identity and must be understood as a contextual vocation. Revitalizing the mission means following a process in which stakeholders can once again relate prospect to retrospect. This process includes discerning about a vocation by exploring meanings in the past and the present (sense-giving and sense-making) and focusing on ethos (action formation and institutionalization). The outcome of the revitalization will differ according to the preferences in the context of the school. The authors propose a seven-step model through which the school’s vocation can be determined in any context. Although this roadmap is mainly meant to be used in an already existing school, it can also be applied to a new school to be started. In both cases, staff members need to be involved in the process of revitalization and inception.
Marriage and Family in Putin’s Russia: State Ideology and the Discourse of the Russian Orthodox Church
Authors: Skladanowski Marcin , Szabaciuk Andrzej , Lukasik-Turecka Agnieszka , Smuniewski Cezary
Published: October 2023

The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) presents itself as a defender of traditional Christian values. Among these values, representatives of the ROC mention concern for marriage and family. To what extent is the position of the ROC an expression of commitment to the traditional Christian concept of marriage and family? In this article, we analyse the contemporary Orthodox discourse in Russia since Kirill Gundyayev became the Patriarch of Moscow in 2009. From a political science and security studies perspective, we highlight the main ideological elements of this discourse. We contrast these elements with similar content in Russian official documents and Vladimir Putin’s statements. An analysis of what the ROC says about the problems and protection of marriage and family in Russia, against the background of Putin’s statements and the actions of the state authorities, shows that the ROC’s discourse on marriage and family echoes the main themes of the political discourse controlled by the state authorities. In its understanding of marriage and in its efforts on behalf of the family, the ROC represents a conservative doctrinal position. Although, in doctrinal terms, it essentially expresses the traditional Christian teaching on marriage, the strong ideologisation and securitisation of demographic issues in Russia are also reflected in church discourse.
Confucian Response to the Challenge Posed by Catholicism: Wang Fuzhi’s Views of Catholicism
Authors: Li Huanyou
Published: October 2023

Despite his significant influence, Wang Fuzhi’s perspective on Catholicism and its actual impact on his philosophical outlook have yet to be thoroughly examined. This essay aims to delve into this topic and elucidate Wang’s attitude toward Catholicism, highlighting its evolution over time. In his earlier ideological developments, Wang Fuzhi adopted a staunchly critical approach to Catholicism, primarily from an ethical standpoint and through the lens of the Hua-Yi differentiation (hua yi zhi bian 华夷之辨). He perceived Catholicism as a doctrine of Yi 夷, lacking an understanding of the proper human place within relationships. Moreover, he pointed out that Catholicism was characterized by dogmatic adherence, in contrast to the Confucian emphasis on embodying the “mean” (Zhong 中) in practical terms. However, in his old age, Wang Fuzhi’s perspective underwent a subtle shift, spurred by the astronomical observations conducted by missionaries like Matteo Ricci. This shift prompted him to re-evaluate the Confucian concept of heaven and led him to assert that certain Catholic practices were essentially endeavors of “investigating things” (gewu 格物). This reinterpretation encouraged individuals to explore the significance of engaging with the external world—a facet often overlooked in the context of Song-Ming Neo-Confucianism. Wang Fuzhi embarked on an endeavor to integrate Catholicism into the Confucian framework. He identified select Catholic ideas that aligned with his own viewpoint and incorporated them into the doctrine of qi. Despite his lifelong dedication to Confucianism, the challenges posed by Catholicism and the activities of missionaries compelled him to reassess and, in some instances, embrace new ideas that deviated from his predecessors’ stance.
Prenatal Evaluation of a Fetal Cystic Hygroma: An Unexpected Finding of a De Novo Fetal BRCA1 Deletion Case Report
Authors: Laniewski Stephanie C. , Hirschler LauraAnne , Iqbal Anwar M. , Seligman Neil S.
Published: October 2023

This case presents a novel occurrence of a de novo BRCA1 gene deletion in a fetus with a cystic hygroma. Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) was performed for chromosome G-banding analysis, demonstrating a normal karyotype: 46, XX. Chromosome microarray analysis performed as a reflex test revealed an 80 kb deletion on 17q21.31, encompassing the BRCA1 gene. Follow-up FISH analysis performed on parental blood samples yielded negative results, confirming that the deletion was de novo in the fetus. Subsequent anatomic ultrasound evaluation showed no identifiable structural defects, and it was concluded that the microdeletion was unlikely to be the cause of the cystic hygroma. Regardless, it will be imperative that the patient’s daughter be appropriately counseled regarding the implications of carrying a BRCA1 deletion and the need for heightened surveillance in adulthood. As BRCA1 genetic testing is traditionally performed on adult patients with informed consent, this case report highlights the need for ongoing conversations and research in the management of incidental fetal diagnosis discovered during routine prenatal testing, as well as the care and counseling of these patients and their families.
Estimation of Lightning Activity of Squall Lines by Different Lightning Parameterization Schemes in the Weather Research and Forecasting Model
Authors: Liu Dongxia , Yu Han , Sun Chunfa
Published: October 2023

Based on three-dimensional lightning data and an S-band Doppler radar, a strong relationship was identified between lightning activity and the radar volume of squall lines. A detailed analysis of the squall line investigates the relationship following an exponential relationship. According to the correlation between lightning and the radar volume, three radar-volume-based lightning parameterization schemes, named the V30dBZ, V35dBZ, and V40dBZ lightning schemes, have been established and introduced into the weather research and forecasting (WRF) model. The performance of lightning precondition by different lightning parameterization schemes was evaluated, including the radar-volume-based schemes (V30dBZ, V35dBZ, and V40dBZ), as well as existing lightning schemes (PR92_1, PR92_2, and the Lightning Potential Index (LPI)). The evaluation shows that the simulated spatial lightning density and temporal lightning frequency by the radar-volume-based lightning schemes are more consistent with the observations. While the two PR_92 lightning schemes significantly underestimated the magnitude of lightning density. The radar-volume-based lightning parameterization schemes are proven to be more reliable in estimating lightning activity than other lightning schemes.
Research on Emotion Recognition Method of Cerebral Blood Oxygen Signal Based on CNN-Transformer Network
Authors: Jin Zihao , Xing Zhiming , Wang Yiran , Fang Shuqi , Gao Xiumin , Dong Xiangmei
Published: October 2023

In recent years, research on emotion recognition has become more and more popular, but there are few studies on emotion recognition based on cerebral blood oxygen signals. Since the electroencephalogram (EEG) is easily disturbed by eye movement and the portability is not high, this study uses a more comfortable and convenient functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) system to record brain signals from participants while watching three different types of video clips. During the experiment, the changes in cerebral blood oxygen concentration in the 8 channels of the prefrontal cortex of the brain were collected and analyzed. We processed and divided the collected cerebral blood oxygen data, and used multiple classifiers to realize the identification of the three emotional states of joy, neutrality, and sadness. Since the classification accuracy of the convolutional neural network (CNN) in this research is not significantly superior to that of the XGBoost algorithm, this paper proposes a CNN-Transformer network based on the characteristics of time series data to improve the classification accuracy of ternary emotions. The network first uses convolution operations to extract channel features from multi-channel time series, then the features and the output information of the fully connected layer are input to the Transformer netork structure, and its multi-head attention mechanism is used to focus on different channel domain information, which has better spatiality. The experimental results show that the CNN-Transformer network can achieve 86.7% classification accuracy for ternary emotions, which is about 5% higher than the accuracy of CNN, and this provides some help for other research in the field of emotion recognition based on time series data such as fNIRS.
Revisiting Mehrotra and Nichani’s Corner Detection Method for Improvement with Truncated Anisotropic Gaussian Filtering
Authors: Magnier Baptiste , Hayat Khizar
Published: October 2023

In the early 1990s, Mehrotra and Nichani developed a filtering-based corner detection method, which, though conceptually intriguing, suffered from limited reliability, leading to minimal references in the literature. Despite its underappreciation, the core concept of this method, rooted in the half-edge concept and directional truncated first derivative of Gaussian, holds significant promise. This article presents a comprehensive assessment of the enhanced corner detection algorithm, combining both qualitative and quantitative evaluations. We thoroughly explore the strengths, limitations, and overall effectiveness of our approach by incorporating visual examples and conducting evaluations. Through experiments conducted on both synthetic and real images, we demonstrate the efficiency and reliability of the proposed algorithm. Collectively, our experimental assessments substantiate that our modifications have transformed the method into one that outperforms established benchmark techniques. Due to its ease of implementation, our improved corner detection process has the potential to become a valuable reference for the computer vision community when dealing with corner detection algorithms. This article thus highlights the quantitative achievements of our refined corner detection algorithm, building upon the groundwork laid by Mehrotra and Nichani, and offers valuable insights for the computer vision community seeking robust corner detection solutions.
Comparative Study of Chemical Composition and Cholinesterase Inhibition Potential of Essential Oils Isolated from Artemisia Plants from Croatia
Authors: Politeo Olivera , Cajic Ivana , Simic Anja , Ruscic Mirko , Bektasevic Mejra
Published: October 2023

The essential oil (EO) of Artemisia plants contains a large number of bioactive compounds that are widely used. The aim of this study was to analyse the chemical composition of EOs of six Artemisia plants collected in Croatia and to test their cholinesterase inhibitory potential. GC–MS analysis of the EO of A. absinthium showed that the dominant compounds are cis-sabinyl acetate and cis-epoxy-ocimene; in EO of A. abrotanum, it is borneol; in the EO of A. annua, they are artemisia ketone, camphor and 1,8-cineole; in the EO of A. arborescens, they are camphor and chamazulene; in the EO of A. verlotiorum, they are cis-thujone, 1,8-cineole and trans-thujone; and in the EO of A. vulgaris, they are trans-thujone and trans-epoxy-ocimene. The EO of the five studied Artemisia species from Croatia is rich in monoterpenoid compounds (1,8-cineole, artemisia ketone, cis-thujone, trans-thujone, cis-epoxy-ocimene, camphor, borneol and cis-sabinyl acetate). The EO of A. arborescens is also rich in chamazulene. The results also showed that the tested EOs have moderate cholinesterase inhibition potential, especially the EOs of A. annua, A. vulgaris and A. abrotanum. This is the first analysis of the chemical composition of the EOs of four Artemisia plants and the first analysis of cholinesterase potential for plants collected in Croatia.
Doctors for the Truth: Echo Chambers of Disinformation, Hate Speech, and Authority Bias on Social Media
Authors: Milhazes-Cunha Joana , Oliveira Luciana
Published: October 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has been the catalyser of one of the most prolific waves of disinformation and hate speech on social media. Amid an infodemic, special interest groups, such as the international movement of “Doctors for the Truth”, grew in influence on social media, while leveraging their status as healthcare professionals and creating true echo chambers of COVID-19 false information and misbeliefs, supported by large communities of eager followers all around the world. In this paper, we analyse the discourse of the Portuguese community on Facebook, employing computer-assisted qualitative data analysis. A dataset of 2542 textual and multimedia interactions was extracted from the community and submitted to deductive and inductive coding supported by existing theoretical models. Our investigation revealed the high frequency of negative emotions, of toxic and hateful speech, as well as the widespread diffusion of COVID-19 misbeliefs, 32 of which are of particular relevance in the national context.