bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased Barefoot Stride Variability Might Be Predictor Rather than Risk Factor for Overuse Injury in the Military
Authors: Nesterovica-Petrikova Darja , Vaivads Normunds , Stepens Ainārs
Published: July 2023

Footwear usage could be a promising focus in reducing musculoskeletal injury risk in lower extremities commonly observed among the military. The goal of this research was to find potential gait-related risk factors for lower leg overuse injuries. Cases (n = 32) were active-duty infantry soldiers who had suffered an overuse injury in the previous six months of service before enrolling in the study. The control group (n = 32) included infantry soldiers of the same age and gender who did not have a history of lower leg overuse injury. In the gait laboratory, individuals were asked to walk on a 5-m walkway. Rearfoot eversion, ankle plantar/dorsiflexion and stride parameters were evaluated for barefoot and shod conditions. Barefoot walking was associated with higher stride time variability among cases. According to the conditional regression analysis, stride time variability greater than 1.95% (AUC = 0.77, 95% CI (0.648 to 0.883), p < 0.001) during barefoot gait could predict lower leg overuse injury. Increased barefoot gait variability should be considered as a possible predictive factor for lower leg overuse injury in the military, and gait with military boots masked stride-related differences between soldiers with and without lower leg overuse injury.
CD47 Expression in Circulating Tumor Cells and Circulating Tumor Microemboli from Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Is a Poor Prognosis Factor
Authors: Torres Jacqueline Aparecida , Brito Angelo Borsarelli Carvalho , Silva Virgilio Souza e , Messias Iara Monique , Braun Alexcia Camila , Ruano Anna Paula Carreta , Buim Marcilei E. C. , Carraro Dirce Maria , Chinen Ludmilla Thomé Domingos
Published: July 2023

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and/or circulating tumor microemboli (CTM) from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients may be a non-invasive tool for prognosis, acting as liquid biopsy. CTCs interact with platelets through the transforming growth factor-β/transforming growth factor-β receptor type 1 (TGF-β/TGFβRI) forming clusters. CTCs also may express the Cluster of Differentiation 47 (CD47) protein, responsible for the inhibition of phagocytosis, the “don’t eat me” signal to macrophages. Objectives: To isolate, quantify and analyze CTCs/CTMs from metastatic NSCLC patients, identify TGFβRI/CD47 expression in CTCs/CTMs, and correlate with progression-free survival (PFS). Methods: Blood (10 mL) was collected at two time-points: T1 (before the beginning of any line of treatment; T2 (60 days after initial collection). CTCs were isolated using ISET®. Immunocytochemistry was conducted to evaluate TGFβRI/CD47 expression. Results: 45 patients were evaluated. CTCs were observed in 82.2% of patients at T1 (median: 1 CTC/mL; range: 0.33–11.33 CTCs/mL) and 94.5% at T2 (median: 1.33 CTC/mL; 0.33–9.67). CTMs were observed in 24.5% of patients and significantly associated with poor PFS (10 months vs. 17 months for those without clusters; p = 0.05) and disease progression (p = 0.017). CTMs CD47+ resulted in poor PFS (p = 0.041). TGFβRI expression in CTCs/CTMs was not associated with PFS. Conclusion: In this study, we observed that CTC/CTM from NSCLC patients express the immune evasion markers TGFβRI/CD47. The presence of CTMs CD47+ is associated with poor PFS. This was the first study to investigate CD47 expression in CTCs/CTM of patients with NSCLC and its association with poor PFS.
Aging Model for Analyzing Drug-Induced Proarrhythmia Risks Using Cardiomyocytes Differentiated from Progeria-Patient-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Daily Neil , Elson Julian , Wakatsuki Tetsuro
Published: July 2023

Among various cardiac safety concerns, proarrhythmia risks, including QT prolongation leading to Torsade de Pointes, is one of major cause for drugs being withdrawn (~45% 1975–2007). Preclinical study requires the evaluation of proarrhythmia using in silico, in vitro, and/or animal models. Considering that the primary consumers of prescription drugs are elderly patients, applications of “aging-in-a-dish” models would be appropriate for screening proarrhythmia risks. However, acquiring such models, including cardiomyocytes (CMs) derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), presents extensive challenges. We proposed the hypothesis that CMs differentiated from iPSCs derived from Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS, progeria) patients, an ultra-rare premature aging syndrome, can mimic the phenotypes of aging CMs. Our objective, therefore, was to examine this hypothesis by analyzing the response of 11 reference compounds utilized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s Comprehensive in vitro Proarrhythmia Assay (CiPA) using progeria and control CMs. As a sensitive surrogate marker of modulating cardiac excitation–contraction coupling, we evaluated drug-induced changes in calcium transient (CaT). We observed that the 80% CaT peak duration in the progeria CMs (0.98 ± 0.04 s) was significantly longer than that of control CMs (0.70 ± 0.05 s). Furthermore, when the progeria CMs were subjected to four doses of 11 compounds from low-, intermediate-, and high-risk categories, they demonstrated greater arrhythmia susceptibility than control cells, as shown through six-parameter CaT profile analyses. We also employed the regression analysis established by CiPA to classify the 11 reference compounds and compared proarrhythmia susceptibilities between the progeria and control CMs. This analysis revealed a greater proarrhythmia susceptibility in the progeria CMs compared to the control CMs. Interestingly, in both CMs, the compounds categorized as low risk did not exceed the safety risk threshold of 0.8. In conclusion, our study demonstrates increased proarrhythmia sensitivity in progeria CMs when tested with reference compounds. Future studies are needed to analyze underlying mechanisms and further validate our findings using a larger array of reference compounds.
Practical Approaches for the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae Genome Modification
Authors: Stepchenkova Elena I. , Zadorsky Sergey P. , Shumega Andrey R. , Aksenova Anna Y.
Published: July 2023

The yeast S. cerevisiae is a unique genetic object for which a wide range of relatively simple, inexpensive, and non-time-consuming methods have been developed that allow the performing of a wide variety of genome modifications. Among the latter, one can mention point mutations, disruptions and deletions of particular genes and regions of chromosomes, insertion of cassettes for the expression of heterologous genes, targeted chromosomal rearrangements such as translocations and inversions, directed changes in the karyotype (loss or duplication of particular chromosomes, changes in the level of ploidy), mating-type changes, etc. Classical yeast genome manipulations have been advanced with CRISPR/Cas9 technology in recent years that allow for the generation of multiple simultaneous changes in the yeast genome. In this review we discuss practical applications of both the classical yeast genome modification methods as well as CRISPR/Cas9 technology. In addition, we review methods for ploidy changes, including aneuploid generation, methods for mating type switching and directed DSB. Combined with a description of useful selective markers and transformation techniques, this work represents a nearly complete guide to yeast genome modification.
Glucose Deprivation Induces Cancer Cell Death through Failure of ROS Regulation
Authors: Kang Mingyu , Kang Joon H. , Sim In A. , Seong Do Y. , Han Suji , Jang Hyonchol , Lee Ho , Kang Sang W. , Kim Soo-Youl
Published: July 2023

In previous work, we showed that cancer cells do not depend on glycolysis for ATP production, but they do on fatty acid oxidation. However, we found some cancer cells induced cell death after glucose deprivation along with a decrease of ATP production. We investigated the different response of glucose deprivation with two types of cancer cells including glucose insensitive cancer cells (GIC) which do not change ATP levels, and glucose sensitive cancer cells (GSC) which decrease ATP production in 24 h. Glucose deprivation-induced cell death in GSC by more than twofold after 12 h and by up to tenfold after 24 h accompanied by decreased ATP production to compare to the control (cultured in glucose). Glucose deprivation decreased the levels of metabolic intermediates of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) and the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) in both GSC and GIC. However, glucose deprivation increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) only in GSC, suggesting that GIC have a higher tolerance for decreased NADPH than GSC. The twofold higher ratio of reduced/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) in GIS than in GSC correlates closely with the twofold lower ROS levels under glucose starvation conditions. Treatment with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) as a precursor to the biologic antioxidant glutathione restored ATP production by 70% and reversed cell death caused by glucose deprivation in GSC. The present findings suggest that glucose deprivation-induced cancer cell death is not caused by decreased ATP levels, but rather triggered by a failure of ROS regulation by the antioxidant system. Conclusion is clear that glucose deprivation-induced cell death is independent from ATP depletion-induced cell death.
Decoding of miR-7-5p in Colony Forming Unit–Hill Colonies as a Biomarker of Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease—A MERIT Study
Authors: Bakhashab Sherin , Megantara Hamzah Pratama , Mahaputra Dimas Kirana , O’Neill Josie , Phowira Jason , Weaver Jolanta U.
Published: July 2023

Colony forming unit–Hill (CFU–Hill) colonies were established to serve as a sensitive biomarker for vascular health. In animals, the overexpression of miR-7-5p was shown to be pro-atherogenic and associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. In a MERIT study, we aimed to explore the role of miR-7-5p expression in CFU–Hill colonies in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and the effect of metformin in subclinical CVD. The expression of miR-7-5p in CFU–Hill colonies in 29 T1DM subjects without CVD and 20 healthy controls (HC) was measured. Metformin was administered to T1DM subjects for eight weeks. MiR-7-5p was upregulated in T1DM whereas metformin reduced it to HC levels. MiR-7-5p was positively correlated with c-reactive protein, and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10. The receiver operating characteristic curve revealed miR-7-5p as a biomarker of CVD, and upregulated miR-7-5p, defining subclinical CVD at a HbA1c level of 44.3 mmol/mol. Ingenuity pathway analysis predicted miR-7-5p to inhibit the mRNA expression of Krüppel-like factor 4, epidermal growth factor receptor, insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor, v-raf-1 murine leukemia viral oncogene homolog 1 and insulin receptor substrate ½, and insulin receptor, while metformin activated these miRNAs via transforming growth factor-β1 and Smad2/3. We proved the pro-atherogenic effect of miR-7-5p that maybe used as a prognostic biomarker.
Wheatgrass-and-Aronia-Mixed Extract Suppresses Immunoglobulin E-Mediated Allergic Reactions In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Lee Ji-Hyun , Lim Ji-Ye , Jeon Yong-Deok , Yun Dae-Ho , Lee Young-Mi , Kim Dae-Ki
Published: July 2023

Mast cells are an important component of immune responses. Immunoglobulin (Ig) E-sensitized mast cells release substances within minutes of allergen exposure, triggering allergic responses. Until now, numerous pharmacological effects of wheatgrass and aronia have been verified, but the effects of wheatgrass and aronia (TAAR)-mixed extract on allergic reactions have not been identified. Therefore, the aim of this study was to demonstrate the anti-allergic effect of TAAR extract on mast cell activation and cutaneous anaphylaxis. In this study, we investigated the anti-allergic effects and related mechanisms of TAAR extract in IgE-activated mast cells in vitro. We also assessed the ameliorating effect of TAAR extract on IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis mice in vivo. The TAAR extract significantly reduced the expression of β-hexosaminidase, histamine, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are mediators related to mast cell degranulation, via the regulation of various signaling pathways. The TAAR extract also regulated oxidative-stress-related factors through the Nrf2 signaling pathway. Additionally, treatment of TAAR extract to the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis mouse model improved ear thickness and local ear pigmentation. Taken together, our results suggest that TAAR extract is a potential candidate natural product to treat overall IgE-mediated allergic inflammation and oxidative-stress-related diseases by suppressing mast cell activity.
Structural Insights into the Giardia lamblia Target of Rapamycin Homolog: A Bioinformatics Approach
Authors: Muñoz-Muñoz Patricia L. A. , Mares-Alejandre Rosa E. , Meléndez-López Samuel G. , Ramos-Ibarra Marco A.
Published: July 2023

TOR proteins, also known as targets of rapamycin, are serine/threonine kinases involved in various signaling pathways that regulate cell growth. The protozoan parasite Giardia lamblia is the causative agent of giardiasis, a neglected infectious disease in humans. In this study, we used a bioinformatics approach to examine the structural features of GTOR, a G. lamblia TOR-like protein, and predict functional associations. Our findings confirmed that it shares significant similarities with functional TOR kinases, including a binding domain for the FKBP-rapamycin complex and a kinase domain resembling that of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related kinases. In addition, it can form multiprotein complexes such as TORC1 and TORC2. These results provide valuable insights into the structure–function relationship of GTOR, highlighting its potential as a molecular target for controlling G. lamblia cell proliferation. Furthermore, our study represents a step toward rational drug design for specific anti-giardiasis therapeutic agents.
Comparative Biochemical, Structural, and Functional Analysis of Recombinant Phospholipases D from Three Loxosceles Spider Venoms
Authors: da Justa Hanna Câmara , Hernández González Jorge Enrique , Vuitika Larissa , Mariutti Ricardo Barros , Magnago Pedro Augusto Martinho , de Moraes Fábio Rogério , Senff-Ribeiro Andrea , Gremski Luiza Helena , Arni Raghuvir Krishnaswamy , Veiga Silvio Sanches
Published: July 2023

Spiders of Loxosceles genus are widely distributed and their venoms contain phospholipases D (PLDs), which degrade phospholipids and trigger inflammatory responses, dermonecrosis, hematological changes, and renal injuries. Biochemical, functional, and structural properties of three recombinant PLDs from L. intermedia, L. laeta, and L. gaucho, the principal species clinically relevant in South America, were analyzed. Sera against L. gaucho and L. laeta PLDs strongly cross-reacted with other PLDs, but sera against L. intermedia PLD mostly reacted with homologous molecules, suggesting underlying structural and functional differences. PLDs presented a similar secondary structure profile but distinct melting temperatures. Different methods demonstrated that all PLDs cleave sphingomyelin and lysophosphatidylcholine, but L. gaucho and L. laeta PLDs excelled. L. gaucho PLD showed greater “in vitro” hemolytic activity. L. gaucho and L. laeta PLDs were more lethal in assays with mice and crickets. Molecular dynamics simulations correlated their biochemical activities with differences in sequences and conformations of specific surface loops, which play roles in protein stability and in modulating interactions with the membrane. Despite the high similarity, PLDs from L. gaucho and L. laeta venoms are more active than L. intermedia PLD, requiring special attention from physicians when these two species prevail in endemic regions.
Contact Mechanics of Elliptical and Spherical Head Implants during Axial Rotation in Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Biomechanical Comparison
Authors: Muench Lukas N. , Slater Maria , Archambault Simon , Berthold Daniel P. , Rupp Marco-Christopher , Obopilwe Elifho , Cote Mark P. , Mazzocca Augustus D.
Published: July 2023

Background: Elliptical humeral head implants have been proposed to result in more anatomic kinematics following total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA). The purpose of this study was to compare glenohumeral contact mechanics during axial rotation using spherical and elliptical humeral head implants in the setting of aTSA. Methods: Seven fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders were utilized for biomechanical testing in neutral (NR), internal (IR), and external (ER) rotation at various levels of abduction (0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°) with lines of pull along each of the rotator cuff muscles. Each specimen underwent the following three conditions: (1) native, and TSA using (2) an elliptical and (3) spherical humeral head implant. Glenohumeral contact mechanics, including contact pressure (CP; kPa), peak contact pressure (PCP; kPa), and contact area (CA; mm2), were measured in neutral rotation as well as external and internal rotation using a pressure mapping sensor. Results: Elliptical head implants showed a significantly lower PCP in ER compared to spherical implants at 0° (Δ−712.0 kPa; p = 0.034), 15° (Δ−894.9 kPa; p = 0.004), 30° (Δ−897.7 kPa; p = 0.004), and 45° (Δ−796.9 kPa; p = 0.010) of abduction, while no significant difference was observed in ER at 60° of abduction or at all angles in NR and IR. Both implant designs had similar CA in NR, ER, and IR at all tested angles of abduction (p > 0.05, respectively). Conclusions: In the setting of aTSA, elliptical heads showed significantly lower PCP during ER at 0° to 45° of abduction, when compared to spherical head implants. However, in NR and IR, PCP was similar between implant designs. Both designs showed similar CA during NR, ER, and IR at all abduction angles. Level of Evidence: basic science; controlled laboratory study.
Biomechanical Study and Analysis for Cardiovascular/Skeletal Materials and Devices
Authors: Qiao Aike , Du Tianming , Yang Haisheng , Mu Yongliang
Published: July 2023

The Special Issue entitled “Biomechanical Study and Analysis for Cardiovascular/Skeletal Materials and Devices” addresses biological functional materials and devices relevant to cardiovascular diseases and orthopedic conditions [...]
A Study on the Viability of Fuel Cells as an Alternative to Diesel Fuel Generators on Ships
Authors: Seyfi Hossein , Hitchmough David , Armin Milad , Blanco-Davis Eddie
Published: July 2023

This study investigates methods for reducing air pollution in the shipping sector, particularly in port areas. The study examines the use of fuel cells as an alternative to diesel generators. Environmental pollution at ports remains a critical issue, so using fuel cells as an alternative to conventional energy systems warrants further research. This study compares commercial fuel cell types that can be used on a case study very large crude carrier (VLCC) vessel specifically, although the technology is applicable to other vessels and requirements. Seven different fuel cell types were ranked based on five criteria to accomplish this. The proton-exchange membrane cell type was found to be the most suitable fuel cell type for the case study vessel. Based on the input fuel, ammonia-based hydrogen storage has been identified as the most promising option, along with using an ammonia reforming unit to produce pure hydrogen. Furthermore, this study provides an integrated fuel cell module and highlights the economic, environmental, and maintenance aspects of implementing the proton-exchange membrane fuel cell module for this case study. It also calculates the required space as a crucial constraint of implementing fuel cell technology at sea.
Assessing Coastal Vulnerability to Storms: A Case Study on the Coast of Thrace, Greece
Authors: Chalmoukis Iason A.
Published: July 2023

Climate change is expected to increase the risks of coastal hazards (erosion and inundation). To effectively cope with these emerging problems, littoral countries are advised to assess their coastal vulnerabilities. In this study, coastal vulnerability is first assessed by considering two basic storm-induced phenomena, i.e., erosion and inundation. First, the erosion is computed using the numerical model for Storm-induced BEAch CHange (SBEACH), whereas the inundation is estimated using two different empirical equations for comparison. Then, the integration of the vulnerabilities of both storm-induced impacts associated with the same return period permits the identification of the most hazardous regions. The methodology is applied to the coast of Thrace (Greece). The majority of the coastline is not vulnerable to erosion, except for some steep and narrow beaches and the coast along the city of Alexandroupolis. Beaches with very low heights are highly vulnerable to inundation. Half of the studied coastline is considered highly or very highly vulnerable, whereas the other half is relatively safe. The above results will help decision-makers choose how to invest their resources for preventing damage.
Bi-Objective Integrated Scheduling of Quay Cranes and Automated Guided Vehicles
Authors: Duan Yating , Ren Hongxiang , Xu Fuquan , Yang Xiao , Meng Yao
Published: July 2023

Operational efficiency is one of the key performance indicators of a port’s service level. In the process of making scheduling plans for container terminals, different types of equipment are usually scheduled separately. The interaction between quay cranes (QCs) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) is neglected, which results in low operational efficiency. This research explores the integrated scheduling problem of QCs and AGVs. Firstly, a multi-objective mixed integer programming model (MOMIP) is conducted, with the aim of minimizing the makespan of vessels and the unladen time of AGVs. Then, embedded with a new heuristic method, the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II) is designed for the scheduling problem. The heuristic method includes two parts: a bay-based QC allocation strategy and a container-based QC-AGV scheduling strategy. Finally, in order to test the performance of the proposed algorithm, differently sized benchmark tests are performed, and the results are compared to the multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm (MOPSO) and the weighted-sum method. The computational results indicate that the proposed algorithm can effectively solve the multi-objective integrated scheduling problem of QCs and AGVs. For large-scale problems, the NSGA-II algorithm has better performance and more obvious advantages compared to others. The proposed method has the capability of providing a theoretical reference for the QC and AGV scheduling of container terminals.
Analysis of Flow and Runner Dynamic Response Characteristics under Pump Conditions of Variable-Speed Pump Turbine
Authors: Shang Linmin , Cao Jingwei , Wang Lei , Yu Shuang , Ding Sen , Wei Zichao , Wang Zhengwei , Liu Xiaobing
Published: July 2023

Pumped storage power stations can ensure the safe operation of the grid, as well as utilize clean energy sources to establish a low-carbon, safe, and efficient energy system. As pump turbines, the core components of pumped storage power plants, become more and more popular, the technical requirements for hydraulic design begin to improve year by year. However, when the unit operates far beyond the optimal range, the variable-speed pump turbine can overcome the shortcomings of the fixed-speed unit and solve the problem of unstable operation under partial load. The pressure pulsation of the unit in the pump condition is investigated by numerical simulation, analyzing the hydraulic thrust, and studying the dynamic response characteristics of the runner at a maximum speed of 456.5 rpm. Comparing the pressure pulsation amplitude of various components in the entire flow passage, the highest values of pressure pulsation were found in the runner and vaneless space. The axial hydraulic thrust has a fluctuation range between 174t and 198t and 0t to 40t for radial force. As per the structural analysis, it has been observed that the runner demonstrates uneven patterns in both its axial and radial deformations, with deformation mainly concentrated in radial displacement and stress distribution mainly concentrated on the blades near the crown. The dynamic stress amplitude of the runner at monitoring point S1 (located on the runner blade near the crown) is 37 MPa. This stress has a dominant frequency of 4.8fn, while the monitoring point S2 (located on the runner blade near the band) is 4 MPa, and the dominant frequency is 1.8fn. Using these findings, the design of the variable-speed pump turbine’s runner can be optimized, and the unit’s stable and secure operation can be guided accordingly.
Advances in S. cerevisiae Engineering for Xylose Fermentation and Biofuel Production: Balancing Growth, Metabolism, and Defense
Authors: Wagner Ellen R. , Gasch Audrey P.
Published: July 2023

Genetically engineering microorganisms to produce chemicals has changed the industrialized world. The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is frequently used in industry due to its genetic tractability and unique metabolic capabilities. S. cerevisiae has been engineered to produce novel compounds from diverse sugars found in lignocellulosic biomass, including pentose sugars, like xylose, not recognized by the organism. Engineering high flux toward novel compounds has proved to be more challenging than anticipated since simply introducing pathway components is often not enough. Several studies show that the rewiring of upstream signaling is required to direct products toward pathways of interest, but doing so can diminish stress tolerance, which is important in industrial conditions. As an example of these challenges, we reviewed S. cerevisiae engineering efforts, enabling anaerobic xylose fermentation as a model system and showcasing the regulatory interplay’s controlling growth, metabolism, and stress defense. Enabling xylose fermentation in S. cerevisiae requires the introduction of several key metabolic enzymes but also regulatory rewiring of three signaling pathways at the intersection of the growth and stress defense responses: the RAS/PKA, Snf1, and high osmolarity glycerol (HOG) pathways. The current studies reviewed here suggest the modulation of global signaling pathways should be adopted into biorefinery microbial engineering pipelines to increase efficient product yields.
The Yeast Protein Kinase Sch9 Functions as a Central Nutrient-Responsive Hub That Calibrates Metabolic and Stress-Related Responses
Authors: Caligaris Marco , Sampaio-Marques Belém , Hatakeyama Riko , Pillet Benjamin , Ludovico Paula , De Virgilio Claudio , Winderickx Joris , Nicastro Raffaele
Published: July 2023

Yeast cells are equipped with different nutrient signaling pathways that enable them to sense the availability of various nutrients and adjust metabolism and growth accordingly. These pathways are part of an intricate network since most of them are cross-regulated and subject to feedback regulation at different levels. In yeast, a central role is played by Sch9, a protein kinase that functions as a proximal effector of the conserved growth-regulatory TORC1 complex to mediate information on the availability of free amino acids. However, recent studies established that Sch9 is more than a TORC1-effector as its activity is tuned by several other kinases. This allows Sch9 to function as an integrator that aligns different input signals to achieve accuracy in metabolic responses and stress-related molecular adaptations. In this review, we highlight the latest findings on the structure and regulation of Sch9, as well as its role as a nutrient-responsive hub that impacts on growth and longevity of yeast cells. Given that most key players impinging on Sch9 are well-conserved, we also discuss how studies on Sch9 can be instrumental to further elucidate mechanisms underpinning healthy aging in mammalians.
Meyerozyma caribbica Isolated from Vinasse-Irrigated Sugarcane Plantation Soil: A Promising Yeast for Ethanol and Xylitol Production in Biorefineries
Authors: Alencar Bárbara Ribeiro Alves , de Freitas Renan Anderson Alves , Guimarães Victor Emanuel Petrício , Silva Rayssa Karla , Elsztein Carolina , da Silva Suzyanne Porfírio , Dutra Emmanuel Damilano , de Morais Junior Marcos Antonio , de Souza Rafael Barros
Published: July 2023

The production of fuels and other industrial products from renewable sources has intensified the search for new substrates or for the expansion of the use of substrates already in use, as well as the search for microorganisms with different metabolic capacities. In the present work, we isolated and tested a yeast from the soil of sugarcane irrigated with vinasse, that is, with high mineral content and acidic pH. The strain of Meyerozyma caribbica URM 8365 was able to ferment glucose, but the use of xylose occurred when some oxygenation was provided. However, some fermentation of xylose to ethanol in oxygen limitation also occurs if glucose was present. This strain was able to produce ethanol from molasses substrate with 76% efficiency, showing its tolerance to possible inhibitors. High ethanol production efficiencies were also observed in acidic hydrolysates of each bagasse, sorghum, and cactus pear biomass. Mixtures of these substrates were tested and the best composition was found for the use of excess plant biomass in supplementation of primary substrates. It was also possible to verify the production of xylitol from xylose when the acetic acid concentration is reduced. Finally, the proposed metabolic model allowed calculating how much of the xylose carbon can be directed to the production of ethanol and/or xylitol in the presence of glucose. With this, it is possible to design an industrial plant that combines the production of ethanol and/or xylitol using combinations of primary substrates with hydrolysates of their biomass.
Exploring Dynamic Asset Pricing within Bachelier’s Market Model
Authors: Nyarko Nancy , Divelgama Bhathiya , Gnawali Jagdish , Omotade Blessing , Rachev Svetlozar , Yegon Peter
Published: July 2023

This paper delves into the dynamics of asset pricing within Bachelier’s market model (BMM), elucidating the representation of risky asset price dynamics and the definition of riskless assets. It highlights the fundamental differences between BMM and the Black–Scholes–Merton market model (BSMMM), including the extension of BMM to handle assets yielding a simple dividend. Our investigation further explores Bachelier’s term structure of interest rates (BTSIR), introducing a novel version of Bachelier’s Heath–Jarrow–Morton model and adapting the Hull–White interest rate model to fit BMM. This study concludes by examining the applicability of BMM in real-world scenarios, such as those involving environmental, social, and governance (ESG)-adjusted stock prices and commodity spreads.
The Superiority of TiO2 Supported on Nickel Foam over Ni-Doped TiO2 in the Photothermal Decomposition of Acetaldehyde
Authors: Tryba Beata , Miądlicki Piotr , Rychtowski Piotr , Trzeciak Maciej , Wróbel Rafał Jan
Published: July 2023

Acetaldehyde decomposition was performed under heating at a temperature range of 25–125 °C and UV irradiation on TiO2 doped by metallic Ni powder and TiO2 supported on nickel foam. The process was carried out in a high-temperature reaction chamber, “The Praying MantisTM”, with simultaneous in situ FTIR measurements and UV irradiation. Ni powder was added to TiO2 in the quantity of 0.5 to 5.0 wt%. The photothermal measurements of acetaldehyde decomposition indicated that the highest yield of acetaldehyde conversion on TiO2 and UV irradiation was obtained at 75 °C. The doping of nickel to TiO2 did not increase its photocatalytic activity. Contrary to that, the application of nickel foam as a support for TiO2 appeared to be highly advantageous because it increased the decomposition of acetaldehyde from 31 to 52% at 25 °C, and then to 85% at 100 °C in comparison with TiO2 itself. At the same time, the mineralization of acetaldehyde to CO2 doubled in the presence of nickel foam. However, oxidized nickel foam used as support for TiO2 was detrimental. Most likely, different mechanisms of electron transfer between Ni–TiO2 and NiO-TiO2 occurred. The application of nickel foam greatly enhanced the separation of free carriers in TiO2. As a consequence, high yields from the photocatalytic reactions were obtained.
Comparative Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles: Evaluation of Chemical Reduction Procedures, AFM and DLS Size Analysis
Authors: Chicea Dan , Nicolae-Maranciuc Alexandra , Doroshkevich Aleksandr S. , Chicea Liana Maria , Ozkendir Osman Murat
Published: July 2023

The size of silver nanoparticles plays a crucial role in their ultimate application in the medical and industrial fields, as their efficacy is enhanced by decreasing dimensions. This study presents two chemical synthesis procedures for obtaining silver particles and compares the results to a commercially available Ag-based product. The first procedure involves laboratory-based chemical reduction using D-glucose (C6H12O6) and NaOH as reducing agents, while the second approach utilizes trisodium citrate dehydrate (C6H5Na3O7·2H2O, TSC). The Ag nanoparticle suspensions were examined using FT-IR and UV-VIS spectroscopy, which indicated the formation of Ag particles. The dimensional properties were investigated using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and confirmed by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). The results showed particle size from microparticles to nanoparticles, with a particle size of approximately 60 nm observed for the laboratory-based TSC synthesis approach.
Asymmetric Extrusion Technology of Mg Alloy: A Review
Authors: Yang Qingshan , Zhang Dan , Peng Peng , Wei Guobing , Zhang Jianyue , Jiang Bin , Pan Fusheng
Published: July 2023

Magnesium (Mg) alloy is a widely used lightweight metal structural material due to its high specific strength and stiffness, excellent damping performance, and recyclability. Wrought Mg alloys are particularly favored in fields such as aerospace, transportation, and biomedical stents. However, most wrought Mg alloys with a hexagonal close-packed (HCP) crystal structure lack sufficient independent slip systems to meet the von Mises criterion for uniform plastic deformation at room temperature. This can result in the formation of a strong basal texture during plastic deformation and poor room temperature plastic formability. Enhancing the room temperature forming performance is therefore a crucial challenge that needs to be addressed in order to expand the application of Mg alloy sheets. Our research group has comprehensively summarized significant work and the latest research progress in improving the room temperature forming of Mg alloy sheets via extrusion technology in recent years. Specifically, we have developed a new type of asymmetric extrusion technology that combines material structure evolution, mechanical properties, and forming behavior analysis. We have elucidated the extrusion process characteristics, texture control mechanism, and forming properties of Mg alloy sheets through plastic deformation mechanisms, mold design, and finite element numerical simulation. The findings of our study present an innovative extrusion technology for the fabrication of highly formable Mg alloy sheets, which can be utilized in various applications.
Performance Evaluation of Phenol-Resin-Based Adsorbents for Heat Transformation Applications
Authors: Asfahan Hafiz M. , Sultan Muhammad , Farooq Muhammad , Riaz Fahid , Ibrahim Sobhy M. , Ahamed Md Shamim , Imran Muhammad
Published: July 2023

Phenol resins (PRs) are considered as relatively inexpensive adsorbents synthesized from agricultural biomass via employing a variety of synthesized procedures. The performance of PR for heat transformation application is not widely investigated. In this regard, the present study aims to evaluate the four PR derivative/refrigerant pairs, namely (i) KOH6-PR/CO2, (ii) SAC-2/HFC, (iii) KOH4-PR/ethanol, and (iv) KOH6-PR/ethanol, for adsorption cooling and adsorption heating applications. Ideal cycle analyses and/or thermodynamic modelling approaches were utilized comprising governing heat and mass balance equations and adsorption equilibrium models. The performance of the AHP system is explored by means of specific cooling energy (SCE), specific heating energy (SHE), and coefficient of performance (COP), both for cooling and heating applications, respectively. It has been realized that KOH6-PR/ethanol could produce a maximum SCE of 1080 kJ/kg/cycle and SHE of 2141 kJ/kg/cycle at a regeneration temperature (Treg) and condenser temperature (Tcond) of 80 °C, and 10 °C, respectively, followed by KOH4-PR/ethanol, SAC-2/HFC-32, and KOH6-PR/CO2. The maximum COP values were estimated to be 1.78 for heating and 0.80 for cooling applications, respectively, at Treg = 80 °C and Tcond = 10 °C. In addition, the study reveals that, corresponding to increase/decrease in condenser/evaporator pressure, both SCE and SHE decrease/increase, respectively; however, this varies in magnitude due to adsorption equilibrium of the studied PR derivative/refrigerant pairs.
Magneto-Transport and Enhanced Spin-Polarized Photo Response in Solution-Processed Vertically Aligned Zn0.9Ni0.1O Nanowires
Authors: Kazmi Jamil , Kazmi Jamal , Raza Syed Raza Ali , Nazir Babar , Khan Raja Azhar Saeed , Mohamed Mohd Ambri , Rafique Mohsin
Published: July 2023

In this study, we grew pristine and Ni-doped vertically aligned zinc oxide nanowires (NWs) on a glass substrate. Both the doped and pristine NWs displayed dominant 002 peaks, confirming their vertical alignment. The Ni-doped NWs exhibited a leftward shift compared to the pristine NWs. TEM measurements confirmed the high crystallinity of individual NWs, with a d-spacing of ~0.267 nm along the c-axis. Ni-doped NWs had a higher density, indicating increased nucleation sites due to nickel doping. Doped NW films on glass showed enhanced absorbance in the visible region, suggesting the creation of sub-gap defect levels from nickel doping. Magnetization vs. magnetic field measurements revealed a small hysteresis loop, indicative of soft ferromagnetic behavior. Current transient plots demonstrated an increase in current with an applied magnetic field. Two-terminal devices exhibited a photo response that intensified with magnetic field application. This increase was attributed to parallel grain alignment, resulting in enhanced carrier concentration and photo response. In the dark, transport properties displayed negative magnetoresistance behavior. This magneto-transport effect and enhanced photo response (under an LED at ~395 nm) were attributed to giant magnetoresistance (GMR) in the aligned NWs. The observed behavior arose from reduced carrier scattering, improved transport properties, and parallel spin alignment in the magnetic field.
On the Quality of Synthetic Generated Tabular Data
Authors: Espinosa Erica , Figueira Alvaro
Published: July 2023

Class imbalance is a common issue while developing classification models. In order to tackle this problem, synthetic data have recently been developed to enhance the minority class. These artificially generated samples aim to bolster the representation of the minority class. However, evaluating the suitability of such generated data is crucial to ensure their alignment with the original data distribution. Utility measures come into play here to quantify how similar the distribution of the generated data is to the original one. For tabular data, there are various evaluation methods that assess different characteristics of the generated data. In this study, we collected utility measures and categorized them based on the type of analysis they performed. We then applied these measures to synthetic data generated from two well-known datasets, Adults Income, and Liar+. We also used five well-known generative models, Borderline SMOTE, DataSynthesizer, CTGAN, CopulaGAN, and REaLTabFormer, to generate the synthetic data and evaluated its quality using the utility measures. The measurements have proven to be informative, indicating that if one synthetic dataset is superior to another in terms of utility measures, it will be more effective as an augmentation for the minority class when performing classification tasks.
Bertrand’s Paradox Resolution and Its Implications for the Bing–Fisher Problem
Authors: Chechile Richard A.
Published: July 2023

Bertrand’s paradox is a problem in geometric probability that has resisted resolution for more than one hundred years. Bertrand provided three seemingly reasonable solutions to his problem — hence the paradox. Bertrand’s paradox has also been influential in philosophical debates about frequentist versus Bayesian approaches to statistical inference. In this paper, the paradox is resolved (1) by the clarification of the primary variate upon which the principle of maximum entropy is employed and (2) by imposing constraints, based on a mathematical analysis, on the random process for any subsequent nonlinear transformation to a secondary variable. These steps result in a unique solution to Bertrand’s problem, and this solution differs from the classic answers that Bertrand proposed. It is shown that the solutions proposed by Bertrand and others reflected sampling processes that are not purely random. It is also shown that the same two steps result in the resolution of the Bing–Fisher problem, which has to do with the selection of a consistent prior for Bayesian inference. The resolution of Bertrand’s paradox and the Bing–Fisher problem rebuts philosophical arguments against the Bayesian approach to statistical inference, which were based on those two ostensible problems.
Likelihood Based Inference and Bias Reduction in the Modified Skew-t-Normal Distribution
Authors: Arrué Jaime , Arellano-Valle Reinaldo B. , Calderín-Ojeda Enrique , Venegas Osvaldo , Gómez Héctor W.
Published: July 2023

In this paper, likelihood-based inference and bias correction based on Firth’s approach are developed in the modified skew-t-normal (MStN) distribution. The latter model exhibits a greater flexibility than the modified skew-normal (MSN) distribution since it is able to model heavily skewed data and thick tails. In addition, the tails are controlled by the shape parameter and the degrees of freedom. We provide the density of this new distribution and present some of its more important properties including a general expression for the moments. The Fisher’s information matrix together with the observed matrix associated with the log-likelihood are also given. Furthermore, the non-singularity of the Fisher’s information matrix for the MStN model is demonstrated when the shape parameter is zero. As the MStN model presents an inferential problem in the shape parameter, Firth’s method for bias reduction was applied for the scalar case and for the location and scale case.
Technique for Enhancing the Chaotic Characteristics of Chaotic Maps Using Delayed Coupling and Its Application in Image Encryption
Authors: Huang Shuiyuan , Deng Gengsheng , Liu Lingfeng , Li Xiangjun
Published: July 2023

Chaotic systems are widely used in many scientific fields for their dynamic characteristics. This study proposes a new delayed coupling method, which not only disturbs the control coefficient in chaotic maps but also affects their function structure, such that using this improved method will produce chaotic maps with better effect. The numerical simulation results prove that the delayed coupling method can greatly improve the chaotic characteristics of chaotic maps. Furthermore, an image encryption algorithm based on the delayed coupling Logistic map is proposed. Several numerical simulations indicate that the image encryption algorithm has a high level of security, and can compete with other encryption algorithms.
An Enhanced Dwarf Mongoose Optimization Algorithm for Solving Engineering Problems
Authors: Moustafa Ghareeb , El-Rifaie Ali M. , Smaili Idris H. , Ginidi Ahmed , Shaheen Abdullah M. , Youssef Ahmed F. , Tolba Mohamed A.
Published: July 2023

This paper proposes a new Enhanced Dwarf Mongoose Optimization Algorithm (EDMOA) with an alpha-directed Learning Strategy (LS) for dealing with different mathematical benchmarking functions and engineering challenges. The DMOA’s core concept is inspired by the dwarf mongoose’s foraging behavior. The suggested algorithm employs three DM social categories: the alpha group, babysitters, and scouts. The family forages as a team, with the alpha female initiating foraging and determining the foraging course, distance traversed, and sleeping mounds. An enhanced LS is included in the novel proposed algorithm to improve the searching capabilities, and its updating process is partially guided by the updated alpha. In this paper, the proposed EDMOA and DMOA were tested on seven unimodal and six multimodal benchmarking tasks. Additionally, the proposed EDMOA was compared against the traditional DMOA for the CEC 2017 single-objective optimization benchmarks. Moreover, their application validity was conducted for an important engineering optimization problem regarding optimal dispatch of combined power and heat. For all applications, the proposed EDMOA and DMOA were compared to several recent and well-known algorithms. The simulation results show that the suggested DMOA outperforms not only the regular DMOA but also numerous other recent strategies in terms of effectiveness and efficacy.
Analyzing the Dynamics of a Periodic Typhoid Fever Transmission Model with Imperfect Vaccination
Authors: Alharbi Mohammed H. , Alalhareth Fawaz K. , Ibrahim Mahmoud A.
Published: July 2023

We present a nonautonomous compartmental model that incorporates vaccination and accounts for the seasonal transmission of typhoid fever. The dynamics of the system are governed by the basic reproductive number R0. This demonstrates the global stability of the disease-free solution if R0<1. On the contrary, if R0>1, the disease persists and positive periodic solutions exist. Numerical simulations validate our theoretical findings. To accurately fit typhoid fever data in Taiwan from 2008 to 2023, we use the model and estimate its parameters using Latin hypercube sampling and least squares techniques. A sensitivity analysis reveals the significant influence of parameters such as infection rates on the reproduction number. Increasing vaccination coverage, despite challenges in developing countries, reduces typhoid cases. Accessible and highly effective vaccines play a critical role in suppressing the epidemic, outweighing concerns about the efficacy of the vaccine. Investigating possible parameter changes in Taiwan highlights the importance of monitoring and managing transmission rates to prevent recurring annual epidemics.