bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Similarities in Procedures Used to Solve Mathematical Problems and Video Games
Authors: Antequera-Barroso Juan Antonio , Revuelta-Domínguez Francisco-Ignacio , Guerra Antequera Jorge
Published: March 2022

Video game use is widespread among all age groups, from young children to older adults. The wide variety of video game genres, which are adapted to all tastes and needs, is one of the factors that makes them so attractive. In many cases, video games function as an outlet for stress associated with everyday life by providing an escape from reality. We took advantage of this recreational aspect of video games when investigating whether there are similarities between the procedures used to pass a video game level and those used to solve a mathematical problem. Moreover, we also questioned whether the use of video games can reduce the negative emotions generated by mathematical problems and logical–mathematical knowledge in general. To verify this, we used the Portal 2 video game as a research method or tool. This video game features concepts from the spatial–geometric field that the students must identify and relate in order to carry out the procedures required to solve challenges in each level. The procedures were recorded in a questionnaire that was separated into two blocks of content in order to compare them with the procedures used to solve mathematical problems. The first block pertains to the procedures employed and the second block to the emotions that the students experienced when playing the video game and when solving a mathematical problem. The results reveal that the recreational aspect of video games is more important than the educational aspect. However, the students were not aware of using the problem-solving procedures they learned at school to solve different challenges in the video games. Furthermore, overcoming video game challenges stimulates positive emotions as opposed to the negative emotions generated when solving mathematical problems.
TweezBot: An AI-Driven Online Media Bot Identification Algorithm for Twitter Social Networks
Authors: Shukla Rachit , Sinha Adwitiya , Chaudhary Ankit
Published: March 2022

In the ultra-connected age of information, online social media platforms have become an indispensable part of our daily routines. Recently, this online public space is getting largely occupied by suspicious and manipulative social media bots. Such automated deceptive bots often attempt to distort ground realities and manipulate global trends, thus creating astroturfing attacks on the social media online portals. Moreover, these bots often tend to participate in duplicitous activities, including promotion of hidden agendas and indulgence in biased propagation meant for personal gain or scams. Thus, online bots have eventually become one of the biggest menaces for social media platforms. Therefore, we have proposed an AI-driven social media bot identification framework, namely TweezBot, which can identify fraudulent Twitter bots. The proposed bot detection method analyzes Twitter-specific user profiles having essential profile-centric features and several activity-centric characteristics. We have constructed a set of filtering criteria and devised an exhaustive bag of words for performing language-based processing. In order to substantiate our research, we have performed a comparative study of our model with the existing benchmark classifiers, such as Support Vector Machine, Categorical Naïve Bayes, Bernoulli Naïve Bayes, Multilayer Perceptron, Decision Trees, Random Forest and other automation identifiers.
Enhanced Robots as Tools for Assisting Agricultural Engineering Students’ Development
Authors: Loukatos Dimitrios , Kondoyanni Maria , Kyrtopoulos Ioannis-Vasileios , Arvanitis Konstantinos G.
Published: March 2022

Inevitably, the rapid growth of the electronics industry and the wide availability of tailored programming tools and support are accelerating the digital transformation of the agricultural sector. The latter transformation seems to foster the hopes for tackling the depletion and degradation of natural resources and increasing productivity in order to cover the needs of Earth’s continuously growing population. Consequently, people getting involved with modern agriculture, from farmers to students, should become familiar with and be able to use and improve the innovative systems making the scene. At this point, the contribution of the STEM educational practices in demystifying new areas, especially in primary and secondary education, is remarkable and thus welcome, but things become quite uncertain when trying to discover efficient practices for higher education, and students of agricultural engineering are not an exception. Indeed, university students are not all newcomers to STEM and ask for real-world experiences that better prepare them for their professional careers. Trying to bridge the gap, this work highlights good practices during the various implementation stages of electric robotic ground vehicles that can serve realistic agricultural tasks. Several innovative parts, such as credit card-sized systems, AI-capable modules, smartphones, GPS, solar panels, and network transceivers are properly combined with electromechanical components and recycled materials to deliver technically and educationally meaningful results.
Catalysis-Free Growth of III-V Core-Shell Nanowires on p-Si for Efficient Heterojunction Solar Cells with Optimized Window Layer
Authors: Kang Sung Bum , Sharma Rahul , Jo Minhyeok , Kim Su In , Hwang Jeongwoo , Won Sang Hyuk , Shin Jae Cheol , Choi Kyoung Jin
Published: March 2022

The growth of high-quality compound semiconductor materials on silicon substrates has long been studied to overcome the high price of compound semiconductor substrates. In this study, we successfully fabricated nanowire solar cells by utilizing high-quality hetero p-n junctions formed by growing n-type III-V nanowires on p-silicon substrates. The n-InAs0.75P0.25 nanowire array was grown by the Volmer–Weber mechanism, a three-dimensional island growth mode arising from a lattice mismatch between III-V and silicon. For the surface passivation of n-InAs0.75P0.25 core nanowires, a wide bandgap InP shell was formed. The nanowire solar cell was fabricated by benzocyclobutene (BCB) filling, exposure of nanowire tips by reactive-ion etching, electron-beam deposition of ITO window layer, and finally metal grid electrode process. In particular, the ITO window layer plays a key role in reducing light reflection as well as electrically connecting nanowires that are electrically separated from each other. The deposition angle was adjusted for conformal coating of ITO on the nanowire surface, and as a result, the lowest light reflectance and excellent electrical connectivity between the nanowires were confirmed at an oblique deposition angle of 40°. The solar cell based on the heterojunction between the n-InAs0.75P0.25/InP core-shell nanowire and p-Si exhibited a very high photoelectric conversion efficiency of 9.19% with a current density of 27.10 mA/cm2, an open-circuit voltage of 484 mV, and a fill factor of 70.1%.
Highly Efficient Solar Laser Pumping Using a Solar Concentrator Combining a Fresnel Lens and Modified Parabolic Mirror
Authors: Cai Zitao , Zhao Changming , Zhao Ziyin , Yao Xingyu , Zhang Haiyang , Zhang Zilong
Published: March 2022

Solar-pumped lasers (SPLs) allow direct solar-to-laser power conversion, and hence, provide an opportunity to harness a renewable energy source. Herein, we report significant improvements in end-side-pumped solar laser collection efficiency and beam brightness using a novel 1.5-m-diameter compound solar concentrator combining a Fresnel lens and modified parabolic mirror. A key component of this scheme is the off-axis-focused parabolic mirror. An original dual-parabolic pump cavity is another feature. To determine the dependence of the SPL performance on the distance between the focus and central axis of the modified parabolic mirror, several systems with different distances were optimized using TracePro and ASLD software. It was numerically calculated that end-side pumping a 5-mm-diameter, 22-mm-long Nd:YAG crystal rod would generate 74.6 W of continuous-wave solar laser power at a collection efficiency of 42.2 W/m2, i.e., 1.1 times greater than the previous record value. Considering the laser beam quality, a brightness figure of 0.063 W was obtained, which is higher than that of other multimode SPL designs with end-side pumping. Thus, our SPL concentrator offers the possibility of achieving a beam quality as high as that obtainable via side pumping, alongside highly efficient energy conversion, which is characteristic to end-side pumping.
Real-Time Grid Signal-Based Energy Flexibility of Heating Generation: A Methodology for Optimal Scheduling of Stratified Storage Tanks
Authors: Eydner Matthias , Wan Lu , Henzler Tobias , Stergiaropoulos Konstantinos
Published: March 2022

Heat pumps coupled with thermal energy storage (TES) systems are seen as a promising technology for load management that can be used to shift peak loads to off-peak hours. Most of the existing model predictive control (MPC) studies on tariff-based load shifting deploying hot water tanks use simplified tank models. In this study, an MPC framework that accounts for transient thermal behavior (i.e., mixing and stratification) by applying energy (EMPC) and exergy (XMPC) analysis is proposed. A case study for an office building equipped with an air handling unit (AHU) revealed that the MPC strategy had a high load-shifting capacity: over 80% of the energy consumption took place during off-peak hours when there was an electricity surplus in the grid. An analysis of a typical day showed that the XMPC method was able to provide more appropriate stratification within the TES for all load characteristics. An annual exergy analysis demonstrated that, during cold months, energy degradation in the TES is mainly caused by exergy destruction due to irreversibility, while, during the transition to milder months, exergy loss dominates. Compared to the EMPC approach, the XMPC strategy achieves additional reductions of 18% in annual electricity consumption, 13% in operating costs, and almost 17% in emissions.
Machine Learning Applications in Power System Condition Monitoring
Authors: Stephen Bruce
Published: March 2022

While machine learning has made inroads into many industries, power systems have some unique application constraints and barriers that have motivated the creation of this Special Issue on their applications in condition monitoring [...]
Study on the Weakening Law and Classification of Rock Mass Damage under Blasting Conditions
Authors: Yue Rui , Li Kegang , Qin Qingci , Li Mingliang , Li Meng
Published: March 2022

To study the effects of declining mechanical parameters caused by blasting excavation on slopes, we introduced the damage degree index Ds, and established a relationship between Ds and the disturbance factor D in the Hoek–Brown criterion, along with a basic quality index BQ for the rock mass. We then explored the change law for the degree of rock damage Ds as a function of the disturbance factor D. We also used a phosphate mine slope in Guizhou Province for reference, and analyzed the process of damage evolution of the slope based on the RHT (Riedel-Hiermaier-Thoma Constitution) in LS-DYNA (Yunnan, China). Results showed a direct relationship between the GSI value in the Hoek–Brown criterion and the initial damage degree of the slope. As Ds increases, D increases exponentially. However, the compressive strength, elastic modulus, cohesion, and internal friction angle decreased nonlinearly, and the tensile strength of the rock mass decreased linearly. Among these parameters, the compressive strength decreased the most rapidly, while the internal friction angle decreased slowly. We also established a new grade for rock self-stabilization with Ds as the evaluation standard. Thus, these results may provide a theoretical basis for determining the mechanical properties of rocks for future slope protection and stability evaluations.
Renewable Energy System Controlled by Open-Source Tools and Digital Twin Model: Zero Energy Port Area in Italy
Authors: Agostinelli Sofia , Cumo Fabrizio , Nezhad Meysam Majidi , Orsini Giuseppe , Piras Giuseppe
Published: March 2022

The present paper deals with an infrastructure digitization policy to optimize maintenance processes and energy efficiency to transform port areas to ZED (Zero Energy District). The Lazio Region started the process for all its ports in 2020. The Anzio port started and developed as a pilot project as it is a particularly representative sample for the Mediterranean Sea reality due to its geomorphological conformation. The study aimed to develop energy-saving procedures and strategies and integrate production systems from Renewable Energy Systems (RESs) for sustainable mobility. In the article, these strategies are described in detail and energy analysis is carried out, starting from the current state and demonstrating the potential energy self-sufficiency of the infrastructure. Finally, the investigation’s potential utilizing a Digital Twin (DT) of the area is highlighted. Furthermore, the BIM (Building Information Modeling) and GIS (Geographic Information System) combining possibility to maximize the energy efficiency measures beneficial impact are discussed.
Marine Fungi: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Gonçalves Micael F. M. , Esteves Ana C. , Alves Artur
Published: March 2022

Marine fungi play a crucial role in energy flow and nutrient recycling, mediating the cycling of dissolved organic matter in marine environments. However, despite being a prolific group of organisms, marine fungi have been largely neglected for a long time. Besides their importance in the marine food web, marine fungi represent an active source of natural products. Over the last years, researchers have focused on studying marine organisms to discover new metabolites with antibacterial, antiviral, and anticancer activities. Moreover, with the advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies and mass spectrometry techniques, genomic and metabolomic approaches have revealed to be of paramount importance in natural products discovery. The marine mycobiome includes many organisms still to be identified, and the ones already known are still underutilized in biotechnological applications. For this reason, it is undeniable that exploring the marine mycobiome including new habitats and substrates, even those of remote access, is fundamental for describing the true magnitude of the Earth’s mycobiome.
Advances in Understanding Microbial Deterioration of Buried and Waterlogged Archaeological Woods: A Review
Authors: Singh Adya P. , Kim Yoon Soo , Chavan Ramesh R.
Published: March 2022

This review provides information on the advances made leading to an understanding of the micromorphological patterns produced during microbial degradation of lignified cell walls of buried and waterlogged archaeological woods. This knowledge not only serves as an important diagnostic signature for identifying the type(s) of microbial attacks present in such woods but also aids in the development of targeted methods for more effective preservation/restoration of wooden objects of historical and cultural importance. In this review, an outline of the chemical and ultrastructural characteristics of wood cell walls is first presented, which serves as a base for understanding the relationship of these characteristics to microbial degradation of lignocellulosic cell walls. The micromorphological patterns of the three different types of microbial attacks—soft rot, bacterial tunnelling and bacterial erosion—reported to be present in waterlogged woods are described. Then, the relevance of understanding microbial decay patterns to the preservation of waterlogged archaeological wooden artifacts is discussed, with a final section proposing research areas for future exploration.
Valorization of a Pyrolytic Aqueous Condensate and Its Main Components for L-Malic Acid Production with Aspergillus oryzae DSM 1863
Authors: Kubisch Christin , Ochsenreither Katrin
Published: March 2022

Pyrolytic aqueous condensate (PAC) might serve as a cost-effective substrate for microbial malic acid production, as it is an unused side stream of the fast pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass that contains acetol and acetate as potential carbon sources. In the present study, shake flask cultures were performed to evaluate the suitability of acetol and its combination with acetate as substrates for growth and L-malate production with the filamentous fungus Aspergillus oryzae. Acetol concentrations of up to 40 g/L were shown to be utilized for fungal growth. In combination with acetate, co-metabolization of both substrates for biomass and malate formation was observed, although the maximum tolerated acetol concentration decreased to 20 g/L. Furthermore, malate production on PAC detoxified by a combination of rotary evaporation, overliming and activated carbon treatment was studied. In shake flasks, cultivation using 100% PAC resulted in the production of 3.37 ± 0.61 g/L malate, which was considerably improved by pH adjustment up to 9.77 ± 0.55 g/L. A successful scale-up to 0.5-L bioreactors was conducted, achieving comparable yields and productivities to the shake flask cultures. Accordingly, fungal malate production using PAC was successfully demonstrated, paving the way for a bio-based production of the acid.
Coffee Silverskin as a Functional Ingredient in Vegan Biscuits: Physicochemical and Sensory Properties and In Vitro Bioaccessibility of Bioactive Compounds
Authors: Cantele Carolina , Tedesco Martina , Ghirardello Daniela , Zeppa Giuseppe , Bertolino Marta
Published: March 2022

Coffee silverskin (CS), a by-product obtained by the coffee industry after the roasting process, is scientifically known to be a source of fiber and polyphenols, which could contribute to human health. In this work, the production of CS-enriched biscuits is proposed, where the CS from Arabica and Robusta type and a decaffeinated blend of the two were used at three different levels as a replacement for wheat flour. The biscuits were analyzed for their physicochemical properties, consumer acceptability, and the bioaccessibility of polyphenols after in vitro digestion was estimated in order to identify the formulation most appreciated by consumers and most promising in terms of nutritional and biofunctional potential. From the results, CS-based biscuits represent an interesting possibility to create a more sustainable coffee chain, thanks to the valorization of the silverskin, especially if a decaffeinated CS is considered. In fact, a 4% replacement of the wheat flour with decaffeinated CS is able to give a final product with a high content of accessible polyphenols and a biscuit appreciated by the consumer.
Extract from the Macroalgae Ulva rigida Induces Table Grapes Resistance to Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Shomron Alon , Duanis-Assaf Danielle , Galsurker Ortal , Golberg Alexander , Alkan Noam
Published: March 2022

Fungal pathogens are a central cause of the high wastage rates of harvested fruit and vegetables. Seaweeds from the genus Ulva are fast-growing edible green macroalgae whose species can be found on the shore of every continent, and therefore present a resource that can be utilized on a global scale. In this study, we found that the application of ulvan extract, a sulfated polysaccharide extracted from Ulva rigida (1000 mg/L), elicited table grapes defense and reduced the incidence and decay area of Botrytis cinerea by 43% and 41%, respectively. In addition, compared to the control group at two days post-treatment, ulvan extract elicited a variety of defense-related biomarkers such as a 43% increase in the activity of reactive oxygen species, 4-fold increase in the activity of catalase, 2-fold increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase and 1.4-fold increase in the activity of chitinase. No increase was observed in phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity, and the treatment did not affect fruit quality parameters such as the pH levels, sugar levels, and titratable acidity of grapes. These results illustrate the potential of ulvan extract to naturally induce the plant defense response and to reduce postharvest decay.
High-Resolution X-ray Phase-Contrast Imaging and Sensory and Rheometer Tests in Cooked Edamame
Authors: Hidaka Masafumi , Miyashita Shuhei , Yagi Naoto , Hoshino Masato , Kogasaka Yukiya , Fujii Tomoyuki , Kanayama Yoshinori
Published: March 2022

Although several reports exist on the use of X-ray analysis in vegetables and fruits to examine internal disorders, cavities, and porosity, information on X-ray analysis of qualities, such as texture, is lacking as well as information on X-ray analysis of legumes. Therefore, this study aimed to perform X-ray analysis with sensory and rheometer tests in cooked vegetable soybean (edamame). Edamame is popular worldwide due to its deliciousness and nutritional value. Vascular structures and cracks around them were clearly visualized using X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography (CT) imaging. In addition, we observed the fine structure of the seed coat, which could be important for seed development, germination, and processing. The density in the edamame beans declined as the boiling time increased, promoting a reduction in hardness described in sensory and rheometer tests. The reduction in density proceeded from the gap between cotyledons, the opposite side of the hypocotyl, and the crack. Collectively, the findings show that the high-resolution X-ray phase-contrast CT imaging conducted in a nondestructive manner may help in effectively evaluating the quality of vegetables and in observing the internal structures related to plant development.
Dynamic Analysis of a Delayed Fractional Infectious Disease Model with Saturated Incidence
Authors: Ding Peng , Wang Zhen
Published: March 2022

This paper addresses a new fractional order infectious disease model with saturated incidence and time delay. In the new model, the isolated population and the asymptomatic infected population are considered. The invariant region and positive analysis of the solution of the model are established. Next, the basic reproduction number is obtained by the next-generation matrix method, and the sufficient conditions for local asymptotic stability for arbitrary time delays are proposed. Finally, the correctness of the theoretical results is verified by some numerical simulations.
Coping Strategies and Burden Dimensions of Family Caregivers for People Diagnosed with Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder
Authors: El-slamon Marwa Abd El-fatah Ali , Al-Moteri Modi , Plummer Virginia , Alkarani Ahmed S. , Ahmed Mona Gamal
Published: March 2022

(1) Background: Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic mental disorder that can be a source of emotional, financial and/or social burden for family caregivers. Few studies have investigated family caregiving for patients diagnosed with OCD in relation to the coping strategies being used from a theoretical perspective. This study evaluated the burden and coping strategies of family caregivers for people diagnosed with OCD. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, in which 123 participants diagnosed with OCD and their caregivers were surveyed using three types of scales: obsessive–compulsive scale; coping scale; and burden scale. (3) Results: Of the participants with OCD and their caregivers, 53% and 31% were male and 47% and 69% were female, respectively. Around 80% of the OCD patients were considered young and their age ranged from 20–40 years old. Forty percent of caregivers in the current study reported a high burden level. The caregivers of those who had severe OCD symptoms had a lower coping level compared to the caregivers of those with less severe symptoms and those urban caregivers were able to better cope than rural caregivers. There was an association between OCD symptom severity and financial, work-related, social and family relationships, mental and health burdens for family caregivers. Meanwhile, the greater coping level of family caregivers, the lesser social and family, mental, and spouse relationship burden (p < 0.05); (4) Conclusions: The family caregivers of people diagnosed with OCD have specific aspects of burden and coping which require support by designing strategic interventions for family caregiver coping.
How to Survive 33 min after the Umbilical of a Saturation Diver Severed at a Depth of 90 msw?
Authors: Dreyer Sven , Deussen Andreas , Berndt Dietmar , Schipke Jochen D.
Published: March 2022

In 2012, a severe accident happened during the mission of a professional saturation diver working at a depth of 90 m in the North Sea. The dynamic positioning system of the diver support vessel crashed, and the ship drifted away from the working place, while one diver’s umbilical became snagged on a steel platform and was severed. After 33 min, he was rescued into the diving bell, without exhibiting any obvious neurological injury. In 2019, the media and a later ‘documentary’ film suggested that a miracle had happened to permit survival of the diver once his breathing gas supply was limited to only 5 min. Based on the existing data and phone calls with the diver concerned (Dc), the present case report tries to reconstruct, on rational grounds, how Dc could have survived after he was cut off from breathing gas, hot water, light and communication while 90 m deep at the bottom of the sea. Dc carried bail-out heliox (86/14) within two bottles (2 × 12 L × 300 bar: 7200 L). Calculating Dc’s varying per-minute breathing gas consumption over time, both the decreased viscosity of the helium mix and the pressure-related increase in viscosity did not exhibit a breathing gas gap. Based on the considerable respiratory heat loss, the core temperature was calculated to be as low as 28.8 °C to 27.2 °C after recovery in the diving bell. In accordance with the literature, such values would be associated with impaired or lost consciousness, respectively. Relocating Dc on the drilling template by using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the transport of the victim to the bell and subsequent care in the hyperbaric chamber must be regarded as exemplary. We conclude that, based on rational arguments and available literature data, Dc’s healthy survival is not a miracle, as it can be convincingly explained by means of reliable data. Remaining with a breathing gas supply sufficient for five minutes only would not have ended in a miracle but would have ended in death by suffocation. Nevertheless, survival of such an accident may appear surprising, and probably the limit for a healthy outcome was very close. We conclude, in addition, that highly effective occupational safety measures, in particular the considerable bail-out heliox reserve, secured the healthy survival. Nevertheless, the victim’s survival is likely to be due to his excellent diving training, together with many years of diving routine. The rescue action of the second diver and Dc’s retrieval by the ROV operator are also suggestive of the behavior of carefully selected crew members with the high degree of professional qualification needed to correctly function in a hostile environment.
The MOHIP-14PW (Modified Oral Health Impact Profile 14-Item Version for Pregnant Women): A Real-World Study of Its Psychometric Properties and Relationship with Patient-Reported Oral Health
Authors: Yang Chengwu , Huang Shulamite S. , Moore Simas Tiffany A. , Silk Hugh , Savageau Judith A. , Russell Stefanie L.
Published: March 2022

Background: The 14-item version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) has been widely used as a measure for oral health-related quality of life (OHQoL) since its publication in 1997. However, few studies have examined its psychometric properties and relationship with patient-reported oral health in pregnant women. Aim: To offer empirical evidence for appropriate use of the OHIP-14 among pregnant women in research and clinical practice. Objectives: (1) to empirically investigate the psychometric properties of the OHIP-14, (2) to modify it into the MOHIP-14PW (modified OHIP-14 for pregnant women), and (3) to compare their relationships with patient-reported oral health in pregnant women. Methods: In this real-world study (RWS) from suburban New York clinics, we collected OHIP-14 data from 291 pregnant women and assessed its psychometric properties at the item-, dimension-, and measure-level, including confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Accordingly, we modified the OHIP-14 into the MOHIP-14PW. Finally, we compared their correlations with patient-reported oral health scores. Results: All OHIP-14 items had severely skewed distributions, and two had a correlation with the patient-reported oral health < 0.1. All seven pairs of items correlated well (0.47 to 0.62), but the Cronbach’s alphas indicated suboptimal reliability, with two below 0.70. CFA results offered suboptimal support to the original structure, and EFA found a three-dimensional structure best fitted the data. Therefore, we modified the OHIP-14 into the MOHIP-14PW. CFA on the MOHIP-14PW offered stronger supports, and the Cronbach’s alphas increased to 0.92, 0.72, and 0.71. The MOHIP-14PW’s dimensions were more meaningful to pregnant women and had stronger relationships with patient-reported oral health than the OHIP-14; the average correlation coefficients increased by 26% from 0.19 in OHIP-14 to 0.24 in the MOHIP-14PW. Conclusions: The original OHIP-14 required modifications at the item-, dimension-, and measure- level, and the MOHIP-14PW had better psychometric properties, easier interpretation, and stronger correlation with patient-reported oral health in low-income pregnant women. Through an interdisciplinary RWS on a large sample of pregnant women, this study offers concrete empirical evidence for the advantages of the MOHIP-14PW over the original OHIP-14.
PSMD14 Targeting Triggers Paraptosis in Breast Cancer Cells by Inducing Proteasome Inhibition and Ca2+ Imbalance
Authors: Lee Hong-Jae , Lee Dong-Min , Seo Min-Ji , Kang Ho-Chul , Kwon Seok-Kyu , Choi Kyeong-Sook
Published: March 2022

PSMD14, a subunit of the 19S regulatory particles of the 26S proteasome, was recently identified as a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target in diverse human cancers. Here, we show that the silencing and pharmacological blockade of PSMD14 in MDA-MB 435S breast cancer cells induce paraptosis, a non-apoptotic cell death mode characterized by extensive vacuolation derived from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria. The PSMD14 inhibitor, capzimin (CZM), inhibits proteasome activity but differs from the 20S proteasome subunit-inhibiting bortezomib (Bz) in that it does not induce aggresome formation or Nrf1 upregulation, which underlie Bz resistance in cancer cells. In addition to proteasome inhibition, the release of Ca2+ from the ER into the cytosol critically contributes to CZM-induced paraptosis. Induction of paraptosis by targeting PSMD14 may provide an attractive therapeutic strategy against cancer cells resistant to proteasome inhibitors or pro-apoptotic drugs.
Correction: Vidal et al. From Messengers to Receptors in Psoriasis: The Role of IL-17RA in Disease and Treatment. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22, 6740
Authors: Vidal Silvia , Puig Lluís , Carrascosa-Carrillo José-Manuel , González-Cantero Álvaro , Ruiz-Carrascosa José-Carlos , Velasco-Pastor Antonio-Manuel
Published: March 2022

In the original publication [...]
Single Cell Analysis of Reversibility of the Cell Death Program in Ethanol-Treated Neuronal PC12 Cells
Authors: You Wenting , Berendschot Tos T. J. M. , Knoops Kèvin , van Zandvoort Marc A. M. J. , Webers Carroll A. B. , Reutelingsperger Chris P. M. , Gorgels Theo G. M. F.
Published: March 2022

Neurodegenerative diseases are generally characterized clinically by the selective loss of a distinct subset of neurons and a slow progressive course. Mounting evidence in vivo indicates that large numbers of neurons pass through a long period of injury and dysfunction before the actual death of the cells. Whether these dying neurons can be rescued and return to a normal, functional state is uncertain. In the present study, we explored the reversibility of the neuronal cell death pathway at various stages by monitoring the dynamics of single cells with high-resolution live-cell spinning disk confocal microscopy in an in vitro neuronal cell death model. We exposed differentiated neuronal PC12 cells to ethanol as our cell death model. Results showed that exposure to 5% ethanol for 24 h induced cell death in >70% of the cells. Ethanol treatment for 3 h already induced cellular changes and damage such as reactive oxygen species generation, elevation of intracellular Ca2+ level, phosphatidylserine exposure, nuclear shrinkage, DNA damage, mitochondrial fragmentation and membrane potential loss, and retraction of neurites. These phenomena are often associated with programmed cell death. Importantly, after removing ethanol and further culturing these damaged cells in fresh culture medium, cells recovered from all these cell injuries and generated new neurites. Moreover, results indicated that this recovery was not dependent on exogenous NGF and other growth factors in the cell culture medium. Overall, our results suggest that targeting dying neurons can be an effective therapeutic strategy in neurodegenerative diseases.
The UV-B-Induced Transcription Factor HY5 Regulated Anthocyanin Biosynthesis in Zanthoxylum bungeanum
Authors: Zhou Jing , Meng Jiaxin , Zhang Shuangyu , Chi Rufei , Wang Cheng , Wang Dongmei , Li Houhua
Published: March 2022

Pericarp color is an important economic characteristic of Zanthoxylum bungeanum. Anthocyanins are the main reason for the pericarp’s red appearance in Z. bungeanum. In this study, through the combined analysis of the metabolome and transcriptome, HY5, whose expression is highly correlated to changes in the anthocyanin content, was screened and identified. Under natural ripening conditions, the Z. bungeanum fruit gradually changed in color from green to red, while bagging resulted in the fruit maintaining its green color. After unbagging, the fruit gradually turned red, and the ZbHY5 expression and anthocyanin content increased. In addition, the leaves changed from green to red after exposure to UV-B radiation, and the ZbHY5 expression and anthocyanin content increased. The transient overexpression of ZbHY5 deepened the redness of the Z. bungeanum leaves and promoted the expression of ZbHY5 and ZbMYB113 as well as anthocyanin accumulation. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BIFC) showed that there was an interaction between ZbHY5 and ZbMYB113. These results revealed that under UV-B irradiation, ZbHY5 might regulate the expression levels of the structural genes related to anthocyanin biosynthesis through combination with ZbMYB113, thereby affecting anthocyanin accumulation. This finding provides useful insights for further studies focusing on UV-B-induced anthocyanin accumulation in Z. bungeanum.
Nuclear Receptors Linking Metabolism, Inflammation, and Fibrosis in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Puengel Tobias , Liu Hanyang , Guillot Adrien , Heymann Felix , Tacke Frank , Peiseler Moritz
Published: March 2022

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its progressive form nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) comprise a spectrum of chronic liver diseases in the global population that can lead to end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). NAFLD is closely linked to the metabolic syndrome, and comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes, obesity and insulin resistance aggravate liver disease, while NAFLD promotes cardiovascular risk in affected patients. The pathomechanisms of NAFLD are multifaceted, combining hepatic factors including lipotoxicity, mechanisms of cell death and liver inflammation with extrahepatic factors including metabolic disturbance and dysbiosis. Nuclear receptors (NRs) are a family of ligand-controlled transcription factors that regulate glucose, fat and cholesterol homeostasis and modulate innate immune cell functions, including liver macrophages. In parallel with metabolic derangement in NAFLD, altered NR signaling is frequently observed and might be involved in the pathogenesis. Therapeutically, clinical data indicate that single drug targets thus far have been insufficient for reaching patient-relevant endpoints. Therefore, combinatorial treatment strategies with multiple drug targets or drugs with multiple mechanisms of actions could possibly bring advantages, by providing a more holistic therapeutic approach. In this context, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and other NRs are of great interest as they are involved in wide-ranging and multi-organ activities associated with NASH progression or regression. In this review, we summarize recent advances in understanding the pathogenesis of NAFLD, focusing on mechanisms of cell death, immunometabolism and the role of NRs. We outline novel therapeutic strategies and discuss remaining challenges.
Small Molecule Compounds of Natural Origin Target Cellular Receptors to Inhibit Cancer Development and Progression
Authors: Wang Jinhua , Li Dangdang , Zhao Bo , Kim Juhyok , Sui Guangchao , Shi Jinming
Published: March 2022

Receptors are macromolecules that transmit information regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, migration and apoptosis, play key roles in oncogenic processes and correlate with the prognoses of cancer patients. Thus, targeting receptors to constrain cancer development and progression has gained widespread interest. Small molecule compounds of natural origin have been widely used as drugs or adjuvant chemotherapeutic agents in cancer therapies due to their activities of selectively killing cancer cells, alleviating drug resistance and mitigating side effects. Meanwhile, many natural compounds, including those targeting receptors, are still under laboratory investigation for their anti-cancer activities and mechanisms. In this review, we classify the receptors by their structures and functions, illustrate the natural compounds targeting these receptors and discuss the mechanisms of their anti-cancer activities. We aim to provide primary knowledge of mechanistic regulation and clinical applications of cancer therapies through targeting deregulated receptors.
RNA Packaging in the Cystovirus Bacteriophages: Dynamic Interactions during Capsid Maturation
Authors: Gottlieb Paul , Alimova Aleksandra
Published: March 2022

The bacteriophage family Cystoviridae consists of a single genus, Cystovirus, that is lipid-containing with three double-stranded RNA (ds-RNA) genome segments. With regard to the segmented dsRNA genome, they resemble the family Reoviridae. Therefore, the Cystoviruses have long served as a simple model for reovirus assembly. This review focuses on important developments in the study of the RNA packaging and replication mechanisms, emphasizing the structural conformations and dynamic changes during maturation of the five proteins required for viral RNA synthesis, P1, P2, P4, P7, and P8. Together these proteins constitute the procapsid/polymerase complex (PC) and nucleocapsid (NC) of the Cystoviruses. During viral assembly and RNA packaging, the five proteins must function in a coordinated fashion as the PC and NC undergo expansion with significant position translation. The review emphasizes this facet of the viral assembly process and speculates on areas suggestive of additional research efforts.
Intertwined Relationship of Mitochondrial Metabolism, Gut Microbiome and Exercise Potential
Authors: Imdad Saba , Lim Wonchung , Kim Jin-Hee , Kang Chounghun
Published: March 2022

The microbiome has emerged as a key player contributing significantly to the human physiology over the past decades. The potential microbial niche is largely unexplored in the context of exercise enhancing capacity and the related mitochondrial functions. Physical exercise can influence the gut microbiota composition and diversity, whereas a sedentary lifestyle in association with dysbiosis can lead to reduced well-being and diseases. Here, we have elucidated the importance of diverse microbiota, which is associated with an individual’s fitness, and moreover, its connection with the organelle, the mitochondria, which is the hub of energy production, signaling, and cellular homeostasis. Microbial by-products, such as short-chain fatty acids, are produced during regular exercise that can enhance the mitochondrial capacity. Therefore, exercise can be employed as a therapeutic intervention to circumvent or subside various metabolic and mitochondria-related diseases. Alternatively, the microbiome–mitochondria axis can be targeted to enhance exercise performance. This review furthers our understanding about the influence of microbiome on the functional capacity of the mitochondria and exercise performance, and the interplay between them.
Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 as a Therapeutic Target in Oxidative Stress-Related Diseases: Post-Translational Modifications Deserve More Attention
Authors: Gao Jie , Hao Yue , Piao Xiangshu , Gu Xianhong
Published: March 2022

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) has both dehydrogenase and esterase activity; its dehydrogenase activity is closely related to the metabolism of aldehydes produced under oxidative stress (OS). In this review, we recapitulate the enzyme activity of ALDH2 in combination with its protein structure, summarize and show the main mechanisms of ALDH2 participating in metabolism of aldehydes in vivo as comprehensively as possible; we also integrate the key regulatory mechanisms of ALDH2 participating in a variety of physiological and pathological processes related to OS, including tissue and organ fibrosis, apoptosis, aging, and nerve injury-related diseases. On this basis, the regulatory effects and application prospects of activators, inhibitors, and protein post-translational modifications (PTMs, such as phosphorylation, acetylation, S-nitrosylation, nitration, ubiquitination, and glycosylation) on ALDH2 are discussed and prospected. Herein, we aimed to lay a foundation for further research into the mechanism of ALDH2 in oxidative stress-related disease and provide a basis for better use of the ALDH2 function in research and the clinic.
MAP3Kε1/2 Interact with MOB1A/1B and Play Important Roles in Control of Pollen Germination through Crosstalk with JA Signaling in Arabidopsis
Authors: Mei Juan , Zhou Pengmin , Zeng Yuejuan , Sun Binyang , Chen Liqun , Ye De , Zhang Xueqin
Published: March 2022

Restriction of pollen germination before the pollen grain is pollinated to stigma is essential for successful fertilization in angiosperms. However, the mechanisms underlying the process remain poorly understood. Here, we report functional characterization of the MAPKKK kinases, MAP3Kε1 and MAP3Kε2, involve in control of pollen germination in Arabidopsis. The two genes were expressed in different tissues with higher expression levels in the tricellular pollen grains. The map3kε1 map3kε2 double mutation caused abnormal callose accumulation, increasing level of JA and precocious pollen germination, resulting in significantly reduced seed set. Furthermore, the map3kε1 map3kε2 double mutations obviously upregulated the expression levels of genes in JA biosynthesis and signaling. The MAP3Kε1/2 interacted with MOB1A/1B which shared homology with the core components of Hippo singling pathway in yeast. The Arabidopsis mob1a mob1b mutant also exhibited a similar phenotype of precocious pollen germination to that in map3kε1 map3kε2 mutants. Taken together, these results suggested that the MAP3Kεs interacted with MOB1s and played important role in restriction of the precocious pollen germination, possibly through crosstalk with JA signaling and influencing callose accumulation in Arabidopsis.
Nitrite Concentration in the Striated Muscles Is Reversely Related to Myoglobin and Mitochondrial Proteins Content in Rats
Authors: Majerczak Joanna , Kij Agnieszka , Drzymala-Celichowska Hanna , Kus Kamil , Karasinski Janusz , Nieckarz Zenon , Grandys Marcin , Celichowski Jan , Szkutnik Zbigniew , Hendgen-Cotta Ulrike B. , Zoladz Jerzy A.
Published: March 2022

Skeletal muscles are an important reservoir of nitric oxide (NO•) stored in the form of nitrite [NO2−] and nitrate [NO3−] (NOx). Nitrite, which can be reduced to NO• under hypoxic and acidotic conditions, is considered a physiologically relevant, direct source of bioactive NO•. The aim of the present study was to determine the basal levels of NOx in striated muscles (including rat heart and locomotory muscles) with varied contents of tissue nitrite reductases, such as myoglobin and mitochondrial electron transport chain proteins (ETC-proteins). Muscle NOx was determined using a high-performance liquid chromatography-based method. Muscle proteins were evaluated using western-immunoblotting. We found that oxidative muscles with a higher content of ETC-proteins and myoglobin (such as the heart and slow-twitch locomotory muscles) have lower [NO2−] compared to fast-twitch muscles with a lower content of those proteins. The muscle type had no observed effect on the [NO3−]. Our results demonstrated that fast-twitch muscles possess greater potential to generate NO• via nitrite reduction than slow-twitch muscles and the heart. This property might be of special importance for fast skeletal muscles during strenuous exercise and/or hypoxia since it might support muscle blood flow via additional NO• provision (acidic/hypoxic vasodilation) and delay muscle fatigue.
Nutrient Sensing via Gut in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Chopra Gouri , Kaushik Shivam , Kain Pinky
Published: March 2022

Nutrient-sensing mechanisms in animals’ sense available nutrients to generate a physiological regulatory response involving absorption, digestion, and regulation of food intake and to maintain glucose and energy homeostasis. During nutrient sensing via the gastrointestinal tract, nutrients interact with receptors on the enteroendocrine cells in the gut, which in return respond by secreting various hormones. Sensing of nutrients by the gut plays a critical role in transmitting food-related signals to the brain and other tissues informing the composition of ingested food to digestive processes. These signals modulate feeding behaviors, food intake, metabolism, insulin secretion, and energy balance. The increasing significance of fly genetics with the availability of a vast toolbox for studying physiological function, expression of chemosensory receptors, and monitoring the gene expression in specific cells of the intestine makes the fly gut the most useful tissue for studying the nutrient-sensing mechanisms. In this review, we emphasize on the role of Drosophila gut in nutrient-sensing to maintain metabolic homeostasis and gut-brain cross talk using endocrine and neuronal signaling pathways stimulated by internal state or the consumption of various dietary nutrients. Overall, this review will be useful in understanding the post-ingestive nutrient-sensing mechanisms having a physiological and pathological impact on health and diseases.