bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The insect pests of coffee and their management practices in the main coffee growing region in Kenya
Authors:   KALRO- Coffee Research Institute, P.O Box 4- 00232, RUIRU, Kenya., H. M. Mugo , D. I. Mwangi ,   Chuka University, P.O. Box 109-60400, Chuka, Kenya.
Published: November 2023

Coffee farming in Kenya is a major source of income for over 800,000 farmers. Globally, the Kenyan coffee is renowned for its high quality. Most of the Kenyan coffee is produced in the Mt. Kenya region. Its production faces many challenges that include infestation by a complex of insect pests. A field survey covering eight (8) main coffee-growing counties and 485 households in the Mt. Kenya region was conducted in May 2022. The survey aimed to establish the key insect pests in the region, and their distribution and management practices applied by the farmers. The survey established eight (8) insect pests as of major importance in the region. These included the Coffee Berry Borer (Hypothenemus hampei), Thrips (Diarthrothrips coffeae), Leaf miners (Leucoptera spp), Yellow Headed Borer (Dirphya nigricornis), White Borer (Anthores leuconotus), Green scales (Coccus alpinus), Kenya Meallybugs (Planococcus kenyae) and Antestia bugs (Antestiopsis spp). Their occurrence ranged from 5 to 66%. The C. alpinus (66%) occurred in all the surveyed counties, Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZs) and coffee farms’ households. The D. nigricornis (57%) was the second most common insect pest. The C. alpinus, D. nigricornis, Leucoptera spp and H. hampei dominated the “Lower” coffee zone and were less dominant in Upper Midland 1(UM 1). Farmers used insecticides, plant extracts, and physical, mechanical, cultural, and field sanitation approaches to control the pests. Insecticides at 79% was the most widespread practice used by coffee farmers. This study and its findings are key to Agricultural extension services in providing focused technical advisory services to coffee farmers based on specific insect pests per the Agro-Ecological Zones from the Mt Kenya region. Keywords: Agro-ecological zones, insect pests, infestation, management practices.
PENINGKATAN PENGETAHUAN “DAMPAK NEGATIF GAME ONLINE” MELALUI MEDIA POSTER PADA SISWA SMPN 79 JAKARTA
Authors: Rosini Rosini , Langari Alfiezhar , Maulana Aya Yahya
Published: November 2023

This research aims to analyze the increasing knowledge about the "negative impact of online games" after the education using posters on the students of 79 SMPN Jakarta. This type of research is an experimental research method using the One-group Pretest-Posttest Design with a quantitative approach that uses a questionnaire as instruments. The population in this study is 252 students of Grade 7 SMPN 79 Jakarta who play online games or not. T-test showed sig (2-tailed) with a result of 0,000 <0.05 then H0 was rejected and H1 was accepted. It could be concluded that there were differences before and after being given education by using poster media. The pre-test results were 57.50 while the post-test were 77.58. Thus, there is an increase in knowledge about the negative impact of online games by 20.08 on students. Therefore, it can be said that poster media is able to increase the knowledge of students of SMPN 79 Jakarta on the negative impacts of online games.
Efisiensi Teknologi Informasi dan Komunikasi Pada Era Revolusi Industri 4.0 Dalam Proses Pembelajaran Siswa SMP M 10 Indralaya
Authors: Oktarini Saputri Nurul Adha , Putra M. Soekarno , Syakti Firamon , Misinem Misinem , Hannah Merrieayu Puspita
Published: November 2023

Penyebaran pengetahuan tentang efisiensi teknologi informasi dan komunikasi pada era revolusi industri 4.0 dalam proses pembelajaran siswa pada sekolah SMP M 10 Indralaya adalah sangat penting, karena juga dapat meningkatkan pengetahuan siswa tentang kemajuan teknologi yang terus melesat seperti sekarang ini. Metode yang digunakan dalam melaksanakan kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini adalah dengan melakukan observation, interview dan training. Pelaksanaan kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini dilakukan di SMP M 10 Indralaya dan peserta kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini merupakan siswa/siswi SMP M 10 Indralaya berjumlah kurang lebih 10 orang peserta, dengan tujuan agar siswa dapat mempraktekkan bagaimana efisiensi teknologi informasi dan komunikasi pada era revolusi industri 4.0 dalam proses pembelajaran. Hasil kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini dapat meningkatkan mutu dan kualitas pendidikan dan pembelajaran di SMP M 10 Indralaya. Kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini memberikan pengetahuan kepada siswa tentang efisiensi teknologi informasi dan komunikasi pada era revolusi industri 4.0 untuk mendukung proses belajar, sehingga siswa memiliki kemampuan menggunakan teknologi informasi dan komunikasi baik di PC maupun di Smartphone Android. Kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini juga akan meningkatkan pengetahuan dan motivasi siswa di SMP M 10 Indralaya dalam teknologi informasi dan komunikasi pada era revolusi industri 4.0.
Evaluation of Antimicrobial Potential of Endophytic Fungi and GC-MS Metabolic Profiling of Cephalosporium sp., and Fusarium moniliforme
Authors: Farhat Hafiza , Urooj Faizah , Sohail Nida , Ullah Shahid , Aamer Muhammad
Published: November 2023

From last few decades, microbes gained special attention residing inside plant tissues, now called endophyte. Studies proved that these microbes are able to produce biologically active metabolites and effective candidates against various pathogens. Endophytic fungi are a source of natural therapeutic products. Therefore, endophytic Fusarium species are isolated from different plants. These endophytic Fusarium species showed a potential against common laboratory bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium and Bacillus subtilis). Fusarium moniliforme and Cephalosporium sp., were further selected to isolate compounds by GC-MS techniques. The mycelial extract of Cephalosporium sp., and oily fraction of filtrates of F. moniliforme revealed the presence of several therapeutic compounds based on the peak areas, molecular weights, Rt (retention times) and m/z (mass fragmentations). The major bioactive metabolites identified from these fungi are Cholest-22-ene-21-ol, 3,5-dehydro-6-methoxy-pivalate, Salicylamide, 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, Geranyl isovalerate, and diisooctyl ester, and reported to possess antibacterial, antioxidant, nematicidal, and antifungal potential. These results will lead to further in-depth research into the potential cause of plants endophytes interactions. The wide application of fungal origin bio products offers an effective prospect for discovering novel therapeutic agents in order to combat infectious agents as well as agricultural pests.
TaqMan probe-based one-step multiplex real-time RT-PCR assay for the diagnosis of foot-and-mouth disease
Authors: Biswal Jitendra K. , Mohapatra Jajati K. , Ranjan Rajeev , Rout Manoranjan , Dahiya Shyam Singh , Singh Rabindra Prasad
Published: November 2023

Effective control and monitoring the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) relies upon rapid and accurate laboratory detection of FMD virus (FMDV). Therefore, in this report, a multiplex TaqMan probe-based one-step RT-qPCR assay simultaneously targeting FMDV 5′UTR and 3Dpol regions, and 18S rRNA housekeeping gene (as an internal control) in a single reaction tube was developed and evaluated. The multiplex one-step RT-qPCR assay specifically detected viral genome in both FMDV-infected cell culture suspensions and clinical samples collected from known-FMD infected animals. The assay could detect FMDV RNA in the archived FMDV cell culture isolates (n = 120) collected during the last two decades in India. In addition, the new assay could also detect viral RNA in the FMD suspected clinical samples (n = 740) collected from various field outbreaks. At a cut-off Ct-value of <38, the assay could detect at least 20 and 10 copies of FMDV 3Dpol and 5′UTR genes, respectively. Further, the multiplex RT-qPCR assay proved to be robust, showing an inter-assay co-efficient of variations ranging from 1.3% to 3.03% for FMDV-3Dpol gene target, and from 1.44% to 4.69% for 5′UTR gene target. In addition, it was found that the new assay could be used to detect viral genome in a variety of samples (epithelium, saliva, OPF, milk and blood) without any significance difference in the detection limit of the assay. Hence, the multiplex one-step RT-qPCR assay could be considered a valuable tool for the detection of FMDV in India.
Associations of Lifestyle Patterns With Overweight and Depressive Symptoms Among United States Emerging Adults With Different Employment Statuses
Authors: Xie Qian-Wen , Fan Xu Li , Luo Xiangyan , Chen Jieling
Published: November 2023

Objective: To identify lifestyle patterns in emerging adults and examine the association of lifestyle patterns with overweight and depression.

Methods: Data was from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2011 and 2018. A latent class analysis (LCA) was conducted with 2,268 US emerging adults based on sedentary behavior, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, diet, sleep, alcohol drinking, and cigarette smoking. The associations of lifestyle groups with overweight and depression were examined by logistic regression and were further stratified by employment status.

Results: The LCA results favored a four-class solution: “unhealthy but non-substance use” (59%), “healthy but sleepless and drinking” (12%), “unhealthy lifestyle” (15%), and “healthy but sedentary” group (14%). Compared to the “unhealthy lifestyle” group, participants in the “unhealthy but non-substance use” (coef. = −1.44, SE = 0.27; OR = 0.40, 95% CI [0.26, 0.61]), “healthy but sleepless and drinking” (coef. = −1.49, SE = 0.35; OR = 0.38, 95% CI [0.20, 0.72]), and “healthy but sedentary” (coef. = −1.97, SE = 0.34; OR = 0.29, 95% CI [0.14, 0.57]) groups had lower depression severity and reported fewer depressive symptoms. Moreover, lifestyle groups and health outcomes showed different relationships among employed and unemployed participants.

Conclusion: This study found that the combinations of lifestyle behaviors had synergistic effects on mental health, and such effects differed by employment status.
The Involvement of Universities, Incubators, Municipalities, and Business Associations in Fostering Entrepreneurial Ecosystems and Promoting Local Growth
Authors: Leal Marisa , Leal Carmem , Silva Rui
Published: November 2023

Portugal has made investments in several regions within the country to promote the development of entrepreneurial ecosystems. The primary goal of these investments is to facilitate the foundation of new firms, drive economic growth, and encourage innovation. The current emphasis is on examining productive entrepreneurship and the intricate interactions among many features of an entrepreneurial ecosystem. This study’s main objective is to thoroughly comprehend the current status of entrepreneurial ecosystems in Portugal, and their potential to foster local economic development as perceived by key stakeholders. This will be achieved through analysing the contributions made by universities, incubators, municipalities, and business groups towards their growth and advancement. The research employed a qualitative technique, wherein semi-structured interviews were administered to a total of nineteen participants. These participants consisted of CEOs from incubation organisations, representatives from municipal councils, representatives from business associations, and representatives from higher education institutions. The data was gathered throughout the period spanning from December 2022 to March 2023, with a combination of in-person and online interviews. The interviews were taped and afterwards transcribed, with the information being processed using the MAXQDA PRO 20 software. The findings indicate that there has been a notable development and expansion of entrepreneurial ecosystems in Portugal throughout the past several years. This progress has been facilitated by the active involvement of various stakeholders at the local level, including higher education institutions, incubators, local government bodies, and business groups. Notwithstanding the aforementioned expansion, the survey participants highlight the presence of some challenges that constraint the advancement of entrepreneurial ecosystems in select locations in the country, including insufficient financial resources and a dearth of skilled workers.
Changes in Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites in Captive Coyotes (Canis latrans): Influence of Gender, Time, and Reproductive Status
Authors: Gese Eric M. , Terletzky Patricia A. , Bleke Cole A. , Stevenson Erika T. , French Susannah S.
Published: November 2023

Reproduction is considered an energetically and physiologically demanding time in the life of an animal. Changes in physiological stress are partly reflected in changes in glucocorticoid metabolites and can be measured from fecal samples. We examined levels of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCMs) in 24 captive coyotes (Canis latrans) to investigate responses to the demands of reproduction. Using 12 pairs of coyotes (five pairs produced pups, seven pairs did not), we analyzed 633 fecal samples covering 11 biological periods (e.g., breeding, gestation, and lactation). Levels of fGCMs showed high individual variability, with females having higher fGCM levels than males. The production of pups showed no statistical effect on fGCM levels among females or males. Among females, fGCM levels were highest during 4–6 weeks of gestation compared to other periods but were not significantly different between pregnant and nonpregnant females. Among males, the highest fGCM levels were during 1–3 weeks of gestation compared to other periods, but were not significantly different between males with a pregnant mate versus nonpregnant mate. Of females producing pups, litter size did not influence fGCM levels. Given that they were fed ample food throughout the year, we found that the demands of producing pups did not appear to statistically influence measures of fGCM concentrations in captive coyotes.
Development and Application of Potentially Universal Microsatellite Markers for Pheasant Species
Authors: Xie Daxin , Yang Nan , Xu Wencai , Jiang Xue , Luo Lijun , Hou Yusen , Zhao Guangqing , Shen Fujun , Zhang Xiuyue
Published: November 2023

Pheasants are widely distributed in the southwest of China, but many of them are endangered due to habitat fragmentation and environmental changes. Genetic diversity is crucial for species to maintain their evolutionary potential, and thus it is important to develop universal genetic markers for facilitating the assessment of genetic diversity and planning effective conservation actions in these endangered species. In this study, 471 microsatellite loci which are common among eight pheasant species were screened based on genome data, and 119 loci were selected to develop microsatellite markers. After PCR amplifications and reaction condition optimizations, and validation of microsatellite loci in 14 species of 11 genera within Phasianidae. Finally, 49 potentially universal microsatellite markers in pheasant species were obtained. These microsatellite markers were successfully applied to assess the genetic diversity of 3 pheasant species. The Sichuan hill partridge (Arborophila rufipectus), blood pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus), buff-throated partridge (Tetraophasis szechenyii) and Sichuan hill partridge had a relatively low genetic diversity level. These 49 microsatellite loci are potentially universal microsatellite loci for pheasants and are of great significance to establish a shared platform in population genetics study of pheasants.
Integration of Transcriptomics and Proteomics Analysis Reveals the Molecular Mechanism of Eriocheir sinensis Gills Exposed to Heat Stress
Authors: Shen Chenchen , Feng Guangpeng , Zhao Feng , Huang Xiaorong , Wang Min , Wang Haihua
Published: November 2023

Heat stress is an increasingly concerning topic under global warming. Heat stress can induce organisms to produce excess reactive oxygen species, which will lead to cell damage and destroy the antioxidant defense of aquatic animals. Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis, is sensitive to the change in water temperature, and parent crabs are more vulnerable during the breeding stage. In the present study, the multi-omics responses of parent E. sinensis gills to heat stress (24 h) were determined via transcriptome and proteome. The integrative analysis revealed that heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and glutathione s-transferase (GST) were significantly up-regulated at gene and protein levels after heat stress, indicating that HSP70 and the antioxidant system participated in the regulatory mechanism of heat stress to resist oxidative damage. Moreover, the “Relaxin signaling pathway” was also activated at gene and protein levels under 30 °C stress, which implied that relaxin may be essential and responsible for reducing the oxidative damage of gills caused by extreme heat stress. These findings provided an understanding of the regulation mechanism in E. sinensis under heat stress at gene and protein levels. The mining of key functional genes, proteins, and pathways can also provide a basis for the cultivation of new varieties resistant to oxidative stress.
Investigation of a UPR-Related Gene Signature Identifies the Pro-Fibrotic Effects of Thrombospondin-1 by Activating CD47/ROS/Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Pathway in Lung Fibroblasts
Authors: Zhan Jun-Hui , Wei Juan , Liu Lin , Xu Yi-Tong , Ji Hui , Wang Chang-Nan , Liu Yu-Jian , Zhu Xiao-Yan
Published: November 2023

Unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress have been linked to pulmonary fibrosis. However, the relationship between UPR status and pulmonary function and prognosis in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients remains largely unknown. Through a series of bioinformatics analyses, we established a correlation between UPR status and pulmonary function in IPF patients. Furthermore, thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) was identified as a potential biomarker for prognostic evaluation in IPF patients. By utilizing both bulk RNA profiling and single-cell RNA sequencing data, we demonstrated the upregulation of TSP-1 in lung fibroblasts during pulmonary fibrosis. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) results indicated a positive association between TSP-1 expression and gene sets related to the reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathway in lung fibroblasts. TSP-1 overexpression alone induced mild ER stress and pulmonary fibrosis, and it even exacerbated bleomycin-induced ER stress and pulmonary fibrosis. Mechanistically, TSP-1 promoted ER stress and fibroblast activation through CD47-dependent ROS production. Treatment with either TSP-1 inhibitor or CD47 inhibitor significantly attenuated BLM-induced ER stress and pulmonary fibrosis. Collectively, these findings suggest that the elevation of TSP-1 during pulmonary fibrosis is not merely a biomarker but likely plays a pathogenic role in the fibrotic changes in the lung.
Bilosomes and Biloparticles for the Delivery of Lipophilic Drugs: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Sguizzato Maddalena , Ferrara Francesca , Baraldo Nada , Bondi Agnese , Guarino Annunziata , Drechsler Markus , Valacchi Giuseppe , Cortesi Rita
Published: November 2023

In this study, bile acid-based vesicles and nanoparticles (i.e., bilosomes and biloparticles) are studied to improve the water solubility of lipophilic drugs. Ursodeoxycholic acid, sodium cholate, sodium taurocholate and budesonide were used as bile acids and model drugs, respectively. Bilosomes and biloparticles were prepared following standard protocols with minor changes, after a preformulation study. The obtained systems showed good encapsulation efficiency and dimensional stability. Particularly, for biloparticles, the increase in encapsulation efficiency followed the order ursodeoxycholic acid < sodium cholate < sodium taurocholate. The in vitro release of budesonide from both bilosytems was performed by means of dialysis using either a nylon membrane or a portion of Wistar rat small intestine and two receiving solutions (i.e., simulated gastric and intestinal fluids). Both in gastric and intestinal fluid, budesonide was released from bilosystems more slowly than the reference solution, while biloparticles showed a significant improvement in the passage of budesonide into aqueous solution. Immunofluorescence experiments indicated that ursodeoxycholic acid bilosomes containing budesonide are effective in reducing the inflammatory response induced by glucose oxidase stimuli and counteract ox-inflammatory damage within intestinal cells.
Dietary Factors Affecting Asthma Outcomes among Asthmatic Children in California
Authors: Dos Santos Hildemar , Chai Elena , Gaio Josileide , Becerra Monideepa B. , Reis Wenes Pereira , Paalani Michael , Banta Jim E.
Published: November 2023

Asthma is one of the principal causes of absenteeism from school and the leading cause of emergency department visits for children in the United States. Some dietary habits are associated with asthma prevalence and play a role in the pathogenesis and control of symptoms. The objective of this study was to characterize dietary factors that may affect asthma outcomes among children with asthma in California. The California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) is the largest state health survey in the nation. This cross-sectional study included 7687 surveys, representing an estimated annual 710,534 children (ages 2–11) reported to have asthma between 2001 and 2015. Analysis was survey-weighted. We used multivariable regression, adjusting for covariates, to examine the association between dietary factors and asthma outcomes. Asthmatic children consuming two or more servings of sodas per day had more symptoms of asthma than those who did not consume soda daily (OR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.04, 2.15). Moreover, those consuming two servings of fruits per day had lower odds of missing school due to asthma. Children with asthma may be affected by certain pro-inflammatory foods that are energy dense. This study provided an additional reason to discourage the consumption of sodas and sugary drinks due to the negative respiratory impact, in addition to their effect on childhood obesity, oral health problems, and future chronic diseases.
Intelligent Medical Diagnosis Reasoning Using Composite Fuzzy Relation, Aggregation Operators and Similarity Measure of q-Rung Orthopair Fuzzy Sets
Authors: Dounis Anastasios , Stefopoulos Angelos
Published: November 2023

Medical diagnosis is the process of finding out what is the disease a person may be suffering from. From the symptoms and their gradation, the doctor can decide which the dominant disease is. Nevertheless, in the process of medical diagnosis, there is ambiguity, uncertainty, and a lack of medical knowledge that can adversely affect the doctor’s judgment. Thus, a tool of artificial intelligence, fuzzy logic, has come to enhance the decision-making of diagnosis in a medical environment. Fuzzy set theory uses the membership degree to characterize the uncertainty and, therefore, fuzzy sets are integrated into imperfect data in order to make a reliable diagnosis. The patient’s medical status is represented as q-rung orthopair fuzzy values. In this paper, many versions and methodologies were applied such as the composite fuzzy relation, fuzzy sets extensions (q-ROFS) with aggregation operators, and similarity measures, which were proposed as decision-making intelligent methods. The aim of this procedure was to find out which of the diseases (viral fever, malaria fever, typhoid fever, stomach problems, and chest problems), was the most influential for each patient. The work emphasizes the contribution of aggregation operators in medical data in order to contain more than one expert’s aspect. The performance of the methodology was quite good and interesting as most of the results were in agreement with previous works.
CanaryExp: A Canary-Sensitive Automatic Exploitability Evaluation Solution for Vulnerabilities in Binary Programs
Authors: Huang Hui , Lu Yuliang , Zhu Kailong , Zhao Jun
Published: November 2023

We propose CanaryExp, an exploitability evaluation solution for vulnerabilities among binary programs protected by StackGuard. CanaryExp devises three novel techniques, namely canary leakage proof of concept generation, canary leaking analysis time exploitation, and dynamic canary-relocation-based exploitability evaluation. The canary leakage proof of concept input generation mechanism first traces the target program’s execution, transforming the execution state into some canary leaking state, from which some canary leaking input is derived. This input can be deemed as proof that some vulnerability that can lead to canary leakage exists. The canary leaking analysis time exploit generation then performs incremental analysis based on the canary leaking input, crafting analysis time exploit that can complete vulnerability exploitation in the analysis time environment. Based on the analysis time exploit, the dynamic canary-relocation-based exploitability evaluation component collects the necessary metadata, on which an exploitation session is automatically constructed that can not only leak the runtime canary and relocate it in the input stream but also evaluate the exploitability of the desired vulnerability. Using a benchmark containing six test programs, eight challenges from some network challenging events and four real-world applications, we demonstrate that CanaryExp can generate canary leaking samples more effectively than existing test case generation methods and automatically evaluate the exploitability for vulnerabilities among programs where the StackGuard protection mechanism is deployed.
Tetrahydroisoquinoline-Triazole Derivatives: Novel Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase Inhibitors
Authors: Ung Alison T. , Payne Matthew
Published: November 2023

Through the Lilly Open Innovation Drug Discovery program (OIDD), we discovered five cationic bis(aryltriazol-4-yl)methyl)-6,7-dimethoxytetrahydroisoquinolinium derivatives that effectively inhibit human nicotinamide N-methyltransferase. Compounds 4a, 4c, and 4f demonstrated activity against hNNMT in enzymatic-based testing, with IC50 values of 3.177 μM, 7.9 μM, and 4.477 μM, respectively. In cell-based testing, 4c and 4f inhibited the enzyme in HEK293 cells with an IC50 value of 2.81 μM and 1.97 μM. Compound 4m inhibited hNNMT in the enzymatic-based assay by 98% at a concentration of 10 μM, with IC50 of 1.011 μM in the cell-based assay. Through structure-activity relationship analysis, we found that the active compounds had electron-withdrawing substituents at the 4-position of the phenyl-triazole, while compounds containing bulky and electron-donating groups at the same position did not display any activity. The results of docking studies using AutoDock 4.2 showed that all active compounds had similar binding patterns at the NNMT active site. They occupied the nicotinamide binding site and about two-thirds of the S-adenosyl-L-methionine site. However, the SAR and docking results of 4g contradicted the compound’s inactivity. Nevertheless, the molecular docking studies provided insight into how the ligands interact with the protein and explained the activity of our compounds.
Relationship between Summer Synoptic Circulation Patterns and Extreme Precipitation in Northern China
Authors: Li Shuping , Feng Guolin , Yan Pengcheng , Su Tao
Published: November 2023

Synoptic circulation patterns over the midlatitudes play a pivotal role in regional precipitation changes; however, the synoptic circulation patterns over eastern Asia (35°–60° N, 105°–145° E) and their effects on extreme precipitation events in the North China Plain (NCP) and northeastern China (NEC) remain unclear. The summer daily 500 hPa geopotential height anomaly fields for 1979–2021 are classified into six synoptic circulation patterns using self-organizing map (SOM) cluster analysis. The SOM1 pattern, characterized by a high-pressure ridge over the north of eastern Asia and a trough near the Korean Peninsula, yields decreased precipitation in NEC. The SOM2 pattern reveals a robust high ridge over eastern Asia, resulting in a higher incidence of regional extreme precipitation events (REPEs) of approximately 24% in the NCP. Under the SOM3 pattern, the anomalous cyclonic circulation over eastern Asia leads to above-average precipitation in the NCP. The SOM4 pattern yields the highest incidence of REPEs in NEC, with the lowest incidence of REPEs in the NCP, as the anomalous cyclonic circulation over eastern Asia moves southeastward compared to the SOM3 pattern. The SOM5 pattern presenting an anticyclone–cyclone dipole reduces precipitation in the NCP and NEC, and the anticyclonic circulation near eastern China associated with the SOM6 pattern causes above-average precipitation in the NCP. On interannual time scales, the SOM2 pattern occurrence with an increasing trend tends to induce an increasing summer precipitation trend in the NCP. The SOM3 pattern occurrence is negatively correlated with the summer precipitation in NEC. Overall, classifying the synoptic circulation patterns helps to improve precipitation forecasting and provides insights into the synoptic circulation patterns dominating the occurrences of REPEs.
The Distribution and Biogenic Origins of Zinc in the Mineralised Tooth Tissues of Modern and Fossil Hominoids: Implications for Life History, Diet and Taphonomy
Authors: Dean M. Christopher , Garrevoet Jan , Van Malderen Stijn J. M. , Santos Frédéric , Mirazón Lahr Marta , Foley Robert , Le Cabec Adeline
Published: November 2023

Zinc is incorporated into enamel, dentine and cementum during tooth growth. This work aimed to distinguish between the processes underlying Zn incorporation and Zn distribution. These include different mineralisation processes, the physiological events around birth, Zn ingestion with diet, exposure to the oral environment during life and diagenetic changes to fossil teeth post-mortem. Synchrotron X-ray Fluorescence (SXRF) was used to map zinc distribution across longitudinal polished ground sections of both deciduous and permanent modern human, great ape and fossil hominoid teeth. Higher resolution fluorescence intensity maps were used to image Zn in surface enamel, secondary dentine and cementum, and at the neonatal line (NNL) and enamel–dentine–junction (EDJ) in deciduous teeth. Secondary dentine was consistently Zn-rich, but the highest concentrations of Zn (range 197–1743 ppm) were found in cuspal, mid-lateral and cervical surface enamel and were similar in unerupted teeth never exposed to the oral environment. Zinc was identified at the NNL and EDJ in both modern and fossil deciduous teeth. In fossil specimens, diagenetic changes were identified in various trace element distributions but only demineralisation appeared to markedly alter Zn distribution. Zinc appears to be tenacious and stable in fossil tooth tissues, especially in enamel, over millions of years.
Antimicrobial Potential of Different Isolates of Chaetomium globosum Combined with Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry Chemical Profiling
Authors: Goda Marwa S. , El-Kattan Noura , Abdel-Azeem Mohamed A. , Allam Kamilia A. M. , Badr Jihan M. , Nassar Nourelhuda Ahmed , Almalki Ahmad J. , Alharbi Majed , Elhady Sameh S. , Eltamany Enas E.
Published: November 2023

The antimicrobial resistance of pathogenic microorganisms against commercial drugs has become a major problem worldwide. This study is the first of its kind to be carried out in Egypt to produce antimicrobial pharmaceuticals from isolated native taxa of the fungal Chaetomium, followed by a chemical investigation of the existing bioactive metabolites. Here, of the 155 clinical specimens in total, 100 pathogenic microbial isolates were found to be multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria. The Chaetomium isolates were recovered from different soil samples, and wild host plants collected from Egypt showed strong inhibitory activity against MDR isolates. Chaetomium isolates displayed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against C. albicans, Gram-positive, and Gram-negative bacteria, with inhibition zones of 11.3 to 25.6 mm, 10.4 to 26.0 mm, and 10.5 to 26.5 mm, respectively. As a consecutive result, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of Chaetomium isolates ranged from 3.9 to 62.5 µg/mL. Liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis was performed for selected Chaetomium isolates with the most promising antimicrobial potential against MDR bacteria. The LC-MS/MS analysis of Chaetomium species isolated from cultivated soil at Assuit Governate, Upper Egypt (3), and the host plant Zygophyllum album grown in Wadi El-Arbaein, Saint Katherine, South Sinai (5), revealed the presence of alkaloids as the predominant bioactive metabolites. Most detected bioactive metabolites previously displayed antimicrobial activity, confirming the antibacterial potential of selected isolates. Therefore, the Chaetomium isolates recovered from harsh habitats in Egypt are rich sources of antimicrobial metabolites, which will be a possible solution to the multi-drug resistant bacteria tragedy.
Impacted Mandibular Third Molar Prevalence and Patterns in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital: A 5-Year Retrospective Study
Authors: Adeola Opeyemi , Fatusi Olawunmi , Njokanma Azuka , Adejobi Adewale
Published: November 2023

Mandibular third molars are the most commonly impacted teeth. The prevalence and pattern of impacted mandibular third molars in patients presenting to the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, a tertiary hospital in south-western Nigeria, are largely unknown. This retrospective study examined 469 patient records, extracting socio-demographic and clinical information for analysis. It also determined the prevalence and pattern of impacted mandibular third molars from January 2015 to December 2019. The positioning of impacted teeth was assessed via periapical radiographs utilizing Winter’s classification. Data were subjected to analysis with IBM SPSS version 20, utilizing frequencies, percentages, and likelihood ratios, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. The prevalence of impacted mandibular third molars within the study cohort was 2.51%, with a higher incidence observed in the 21–29 age group (p < 0.001). Mesioangular impaction was the most prevalent, with pericoronitis being the primary reason for extraction, and periodontal pockets being the most common associated pathology.
Novel Microsynthesis of High-Yield Gold Nanoparticles to Accelerate Research in Biosensing and Other Bioapplications
Authors: Díaz-García Víctor , Haensgen Astrid , Inostroza Ligia , Contreras-Trigo Braulio , Oyarzun Patricio
Published: November 2023

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) exhibit unique properties that make them appealing for applications in biosensing and other emerging fields. Despite the availability of numerous synthesis methods, important questions remain to be addressed regarding the volume effect on the synthesis yield and quality of AuNPs in the light of biosensing research. The present study addresses these issues by developing a novel microvolumetric citrate-reduction method to improve the synthesis of AuNPs, which were characterized by electronic microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, zeta potential and colorimetric analysis. A comparison of the novel microsynthesis method with the standard Turkevich method demonstrated its superior performance in terms of yield, monodispersity, rapidity (in one step), reproducibility, and stability. The analytical behavior of AuNPs-based aptasensors prepared by microsynthesis was investigated using kanamycin detection and showed higher reproducibility and improved detection limits (3.4 times) compared to those of Turkevich AuNPs. Finally, the effect of pH was studied to demonstrate the suitability of the method for the screening of AuNP synthesis parameters that are of direct interest in biosensing research; the results showed an optimal pH range between 5.0 and 5.5. In summary, the approach described herein has the potential to improve research capabilities in biosensing, with the added benefits of lowering costs and minimizing waste generation in line with current trends in green nanotechnology.
Post-COVID-19 Cognitive Decline and Apoe Polymorphism: Towards a Possible Link?
Authors: Tavares-Júnior José Wagner Leonel , Oliveira Danilo Nunes , da Silva Jean Breno Silveira , Queiroz Feitosa Werbety Lucas , Sousa Artur Victor Menezes , Marinho Samuel Cavalcante , Cunha Letícia Chaves Vieira , Gaspar Safira de Brito , Gomes Carmem Meyve Pereira , de Oliveira Laís Lacerda Brasil , Moreira-Nunes Caroline Aquino , Sobreira Emmanuelle Silva Tavares , Moraes Maria Elisabete Amaral de , Sobreira-Neto Manoel Alves , Montenegro Raquel Carvalho , Braga-Neto Pedro
Published: November 2023

APOE ε4 polymorphism has been recently described as a possible association with cognitive deficits in COVID-19 patients. This research aimed to establish the correlation between COVID-19 and cognitive impairment, and the APOE gene polymorphism among outpatients. We performed a cross-sectional study with confirmed COVID-19 patients and neurological symptoms that persisted for more than three months from onset. APOE genotypes were determined. The final number of patients included in this study was 219, of which 186 blood samples were collected for APOE genotyping, evaluated 4.5 months after COVID-19. Among the participants, 143 patients (65.3%) reported memory impairment symptoms as their primary concern. However, this complaint was objectively verified through screening tests (Addenbrooke Cognitive Examination-Revised and Mini-Mental State Examination) in only 36 patients (16.4%). The group experiencing cognitive decline exhibited a higher prevalence of the APOE ε4 allele than the normal group (30.8% vs. 16.4%, respectively, p = 0.038). Furthermore, the APOE ε4 allele and anxiety symptoms remained significant after multivariate analysis. This study assessed an outpatient population where cognitive changes were the primary complaint, even in mild cases. Moreover, the ε4 allele, sleep disorders, and anxiety symptoms were more frequent in the cognitive decline group.
Assessment of Parental Needs and Quality of Life in Children with a Rare Neuromuscular Disease (Pompe Disease): A Quantitative–Qualitative Study
Authors: Benedetto Loredana , Musumeci Olimpia , Giordano Annunziata , Porcino Mattia , Ingrassia Massimo
Published: November 2023

Pompe disease (PD) is a rare metabolic disorder with progressive neuromuscular consequences that negatively impact a child’s development and quality of life (QoL). Despite an improved prognosis with treatment, the risk for early death due cardiorespiratory crisis remains. Parents not only face physical fatigue and family distress in coping with the child’s special needs but also experience emotions, worries, and unexpressed needs (a “humanistic burden”) that require supportive interventions. Fourteen parents of children with PD completed an online self-report questionnaire assessing their child’s QoL, their own parental burden of care, and disease-related issues. The aim was to estimate the associations between the child’s QoL and the caregiver’s burden levels. Three mothers were also interviewed. A total of 57.1% of parents lived with moderate/severe burden conditions; worse QoL for the child was associated with higher levels of caregiver burden (rS[N = 14] = −0.67, p < 0.01). Uncertainty about the child’s future was a state commonly described by mothers. However, the child’s resilience, normalization of disease, and coping strategies (primarily positive appraisal and focusing on the present) alleviated suffering and helped mothers maintain family functioning. Finally, dissatisfaction with communication in relationships with professionals emerged. In conclusion, a typical pediatric palliative care approach is recommended since it manages to guarantee parents empathetic and supportive communication from healthcare professionals, alleviating feelings of isolation and loneliness in parents.
Psychological Impacts of Teaching Models on Ibero-American Educators during COVID-19
Authors: Sato Simone Nomie , Condes Moreno Emilia , Villanueva Adriana Rico , Orquera Miranda Paulo , Chiarella Pascual , Bermudez Gloria , Aguilera Jose Francisco Tornero , Clemente-Suárez Vicente Javier
Published: November 2023

Educational systems globally, and notably in the Ibero-American context, underwent significant adaptations in response to the myriad challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pedagogical evolution unfolded through three discernible phases: predominantly online, hybrid, and ultimately, a return to face-to-face instruction. While these phases were universally apparent, cultural, socio-economic, and health disparities across regions subtly influenced the quality and experiential aspects of teaching and learning within these models. This study seeks to illuminate the psychological profiles and evaluative perspectives regarding teaching and learning quality among university educators during COVID-19’s tri-phase educational transformation. Engaging 601 university instructors from various Ibero-American countries, a comprehensive questionnaire mapped demographic, academic, and psychological landscapes across the pandemic’s distinctive epochs. The pivot to online educational methodologies, supplanting traditional modalities, permeated numerous facets of the educational endeavor, particularly impacting faculty life and wellbeing. Data underscored a prevalent sentiment of loneliness, indicative of broader mental health challenges, especially pronounced among educators in Latin American nations. Notwithstanding these hurdles, Latin American educators demonstrated a predilection towards online instruction, in stark contrast to their European peers, who exhibited a preference for in-person pedagogy. This study unveils the divergent pedagogical preferences and mental health challenges among university educators in the Ibero-American realm during COVID-19’s educational shifts, underlining the need for adaptable educational frameworks and robust mental health support, attuned to the region’s distinct socio-cultural and economic contexts.
Dynamic Response Analysis of a Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Reinforced Viaduct under Full Scale Moving Maglev Train Load
Authors: Chango Ishola Valere Loic , Chen Jun , Han Ziping
Published: November 2023

Fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) are widely utilized in the construction of bridges all over the world and are thought to be a potential alternative to steel reinforcement, particularly in concrete structures exposed to harsh conditions or the effects of electromagnetic fields. Although some FRP bridges have already been put into service and others are still being built, there is ongoing discussion in the civil engineering community over the efficacy of FRPs in substituting steel in vibration-prone bridge parts. This study adopts finite element modeling based on numerical and analytical approaches to investigate the dynamic behavior of the viaduct during maglev train operation when the steel-reinforced girder concrete is replaced by FRP-reinforced girder concrete. In this way, a realistic coupled maglev train–viaduct system is developed and validated by comparative analysis with data from field experiments. Then, an investigation of the viaduct dynamic behavior when the girder is reinforced with polyacrylic nitrile carbon FRP or S-glass FRP reveals that system displacement is governed by viaduct stiffness, whereas acceleration is governed by structure weight. Nonetheless, the dynamic load frequency has a considerable impact on the efficacy of FRP as viaduct concrete reinforcement, which has been demonstrated to be effective at particular train speeds dependent on the structure’s natural frequency.
3DGAUnet: 3D Generative Adversarial Networks with a 3D U-Net Based Generator to Achieve the Accurate and Effective Synthesis of Clinical Tumor Image Data for Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Shi Yu , Tang Hannah , Baine Michael J. , Hollingsworth Michael A. , Du Huijing , Zheng Dandan , Zhang Chi , Yu Hongfeng
Published: November 2023

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presents a critical global health challenge, and early detection is crucial for improving the 5-year survival rate. Recent medical imaging and computational algorithm advances offer potential solutions for early diagnosis. Deep learning, particularly in the form of convolutional neural networks (CNNs), has demonstrated success in medical image analysis tasks, including classification and segmentation. However, the limited availability of clinical data for training purposes continues to represent a significant obstacle. Data augmentation, generative adversarial networks (GANs), and cross-validation are potential techniques to address this limitation and improve model performance, but effective solutions are still rare for 3D PDAC, where the contrast is especially poor, owing to the high heterogeneity in both tumor and background tissues. In this study, we developed a new GAN-based model, named 3DGAUnet, for generating realistic 3D CT images of PDAC tumors and pancreatic tissue, which can generate the inter-slice connection data that the existing 2D CT image synthesis models lack. The transition to 3D models allowed the preservation of contextual information from adjacent slices, improving efficiency and accuracy, especially for the poor-contrast challenging case of PDAC. PDAC’s challenging characteristics, such as an iso-attenuating or hypodense appearance and lack of well-defined margins, make tumor shape and texture learning challenging. To overcome these challenges and improve the performance of 3D GAN models, our innovation was to develop a 3D U-Net architecture for the generator, to improve shape and texture learning for PDAC tumors and pancreatic tissue. Thorough examination and validation across many datasets were conducted on the developed 3D GAN model, to ascertain the efficacy and applicability of the model in clinical contexts. Our approach offers a promising path for tackling the urgent requirement for creative and synergistic methods to combat PDAC. The development of this GAN-based model has the potential to alleviate data scarcity issues, elevate the quality of synthesized data, and thereby facilitate the progression of deep learning models, to enhance the accuracy and early detection of PDAC tumors, which could profoundly impact patient outcomes. Furthermore, the model has the potential to be adapted to other types of solid tumors, hence making significant contributions to the field of medical imaging in terms of image processing models.
The Multifaceted Roles of Lamins in Lung Cancer and DNA Damage Response
Authors: Janetzko Janina , Oeck Sebastian , Schramm Alexander
Published: November 2023

Emerging evidence suggests that lamin functions are not limited to maintaining the structural integrity of the nucleus in eukaryotic cells but that these functions affect many facets of cancer biology. An increasing number of reports suggest that adaptive changes in the lamin subtype composition within the nuclear lamina could affect essential features of cancer development and aggressiveness. These include regulation of cellular stiffness and mobility as well as epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), all of which directly impact the metastatic properties of cancer cells. Additionally, insights from studies on the physiological functions of lamins suggest that cancer cells could hijack the ability of lamins to modify chromatin accessibility, cell cycle regulation, and DNA damage response. Here, we present a comprehensive overview of the role of lamins in lung cancer and DNA damage response, which is commonly evoked by lung cancer therapies. Collectively, this information should help better understand the sometimes-conflicting reports on lamin functions in lung cancer as well as in other cancer types.