bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mapping Hierarchical File Structures to Semantic Data Models for Efficient Data Integration into Research Data Management Systems
Authors: tom Wörden Henrik , Spreckelsen Florian , Luther Stefan , Parlitz Ulrich , Schlemmer Alexander
Published: January 2024

Although other methods exist to store and manage data in modern information technology, the standard solution is file systems. Therefore, keeping well-organized file structures and file system layouts can be key to a sustainable research data management infrastructure. However, file structures alone lack several important capabilities for FAIR data management: the two most significant being insufficient visualization of data and inadequate possibilities for searching and obtaining an overview. Research data management systems (RDMSs) can fill this gap, but many do not support the simultaneous use of the file system and RDMS. This simultaneous use can have many benefits, but keeping data in RDMS in synchrony with the file structure is challenging. Here, we present concepts that allow for keeping file structures and semantic data models (in RDMS) synchronous. Furthermore, we propose a specification in yaml format that allows for a structured and extensible declaration and implementation of a mapping between the file system and data models used in semantic research data management. Implementing these concepts will facilitate the re-use of specifications for multiple use cases. Furthermore, the specification can serve as a machine-readable and, at the same time, human-readable documentation of specific file system structures. We demonstrate our work using the Open Source RDMS LinkAhead (previously named “CaosDB”).
Assessment of Dental Anxiety in Children: Reliability and Validity of the Questionnaire to Assess Dental Anxiety in Children (QADA-C)
Authors: Margraf-Stiksrud Jutta , Pieper Klaus
Published: January 2024

This study presents a measure to assess dental anxiety in children. To gain a better understanding of children’s fear and anxiety in the dental setting, instruments to gather data with high quality are necessary and missing, especially in the German language. Based upon the facet approach, the Questionnaire to Assess Dental Anxiety in Children (QADA-C) includes items concerning anxiety reactions in thinking, behavior, and feelings in the form of short statements. The item formulation was adapted for children of the target age (9–11 years), and items were presented with pictures of dental situations. Item and reliability analyses in a sample of 1019 children showed the good quality of the instrument (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.89), and the validity indicators revealed its ability to differentiate high-anxiety, low-anxiety, and non-anxious children with an overall sum score. This score was proven to correlate with oral health criteria (decayed/missing/filled teeth, oral health behavior, oral health knowledge). Its easy administration and appropriateness for children make the questionnaire applicable in the dental office for clinical purposes as well as in research contexts.
Empirical Analysis of the Effect of Institutional Governance Indicators on Climate Financing
Authors: Lubinga Moses Herbert , Mazenda Adrino
Published: January 2024

Sustainable Development Goal 13 echoes the fact that all countries must make urgent and stringent efforts to mitigate against and adapt to climate change and its associated impacts. Climate financing is one of the key mechanisms used to enable countries to remain resilient to the hastening effects of climate change. In this paper, we empirically assess the effect of institutional governance indicators on the amount of climate finance received by 21 nations for which progress towards the internationally agreed-upon target of reducing global warming to 1.5 °C is tracked. We use the fixed-effects ordinary least squares (OLS) and the feasible generalized least squares (FGLS) estimators, drawing on the Climate Action Tracker panel data from 2002 to 2020. Empirical results reveal that perceived political stability significantly enhanced climate finance inflows among countries that strongly increased their NDC targets, while perceived deterioration in corruption control negatively impacted the amount of climate finance received by the same group of countries. Therefore, governments should reduce corruption tendencies while striving to avoid practices and alliances that lead to any form of violence, including terrorism and civil war. Low developing countries (LDCs) in particular need to improve the standard of public services provided to the populace while maintaining a respectable level of autonomy from political influences. Above all, as countries work towards strengthening institutional governance, there is an urgent need for developed economies to assist developing economies in overcoming debt stress since the likelihood of future resilience and prosperity is being undermined by the debt crisis, with developing countries spending almost five times as much annually on repayment of debt as they allocate to climate adaptation.
Knowledge-Guided Heterogeneous Graph Convolutional Network for Aspect-Based Sentiment Analysis
Authors: Song Xiangxiang , Ling Guang , Tu Wenhui , Chen Yu
Published: January 2024

The purpose of aspect-based sentiment analysis (ABSA) is to determine the sentiment polarity of aspects in a given sentence. Most historical works on sentiment analysis used complex and inefficient methods to integrate external knowledge. Furthermore, they fell short of completely utilizing BERT’s potential because when trying to generate word embeddings, they merely averaged the BERT subword vectors. To overcome these limitations, we propose a knowledge-guided heterogeneous graph convolutional network for aspect-based sentiment analysis (KHGCN). Specifically, we consider merging subword vectors utilizing a dynamic weight mechanism in the BERT embedding layer. Additionally, heterogeneous graphs are constructed to fuse different feature associations between words, and graph convolutional networks are utilized to identify context-specific syntactic features. Furthermore, by embedding a knowledge graph, the model can learn additional features from sources other than the corpus. Based on this knowledge, it is consequently possible to obtain more knowledge representation for a particular aspect by utilizing the attention mechanism. Last but not least, semantic features, syntactic features, and knowledge are dynamically combined using feature fusion. Experiments on three public datasets demonstrate that our model achieves accuracy rates of 80.87%, 85.42%, and 91.07%, which is an improvement of more than 2% compared to other benchmark models based on HGCNs and BERT.
Forest Stand Growth Forecasting in the Context of Changes in the Insolation of Building Roofs
Authors: Pelc-Mieczkowska Renata , Błaszczak-Bąk Wioleta , Janicka Joanna , Kozakiewicz Tomasz
Published: January 2024

This article analyzed the long-term impact of tree growth on the decrease in sunlight of a planned photovoltaic installation. As trees grow, they can obstruct sunlight and reduce the amount of insolation reaching the PV panels, and knowledge about the degree of this reduction is crucial when assessing the long-term economic effects of the investment. Currently, when planning PV installation, the roof facing, latitude, topography, and neighboring buildings are taken into account. However, there is no tool to assess the impact of tree growth over time on changes in the level of sunlight on the roof surface. The authors propose a tool for performing such an assessment using geospatial analysis techniques. The data from airborne laser scanning (ALS) and unmanned aerial vehicles with laser scanning (ULS) were used to model trees in two epochs. The authors used two epochs of data to evaluate mathematical models of tree growth. The evaluated tree growth model was then used to predict forest stand growth over a 30-year period and to assess the change in sunlight due to the modeled growth. For the case study, two test sites have been taken into account. At site 1 and site 2, respectively, 25 and 12 points representing the centers of potential photovoltaic panels were designed, for which the annual sum of minutes during which the point remained exposed to sunlight was calculated. The results showed that the use of ALS and ULS provided valuable data for determining current and predicted shading of trees. Moreover, the presented studies showed that the changes in forest stand growth had a significant impact on decreasing the insolation of building construction. In the case of both test sites, the change in tree height after 30 years resulted in a reduction in the number of minutes of sunlight by more than 50%. The authors suggest that the developed technique should be incorporated into PV installation planning tools to ensure reliable prediction of the long-term profitability of designed PV installations.
Multi-Criteria Study on Ground Source Heat Pump with Different Types of Heat Exchangers
Authors: Żelazna Agnieszka , Gołębiowska Justyna , Kosaryha Dmytro
Published: January 2024

Heat pumps are currently one of the most frequently applied heat sources in residential buildings. Ground source heat pumps are more reliable than air source heat pumps in terms of energy efficiency, especially in colder climates. However, they are more expensive and involve increased material inputs; therefore, multi-criteria analyses taking into account environmental and economic aspects seem necessary for the green design of these systems. The aim of this work was to analyze the environmental and economic impacts of the ground source heat pump providing heating for a family house located in eastern Poland, cooperating with three types of ground heat exchangers (each in two sizing options): helix, vertical and horizontal. The multi-criteria analysis was based on the life cycle assessment methodology using IMPACT 2002+ and life cycle costs methods. The lowest environmental impact was reported for the variants with vertical ground heat exchangers, mainly due to their high efficiency in the operation stage. On the other hand, the lowest economic impact was observed for the horizontal heat exchangers, which are not demanding in terms of material and construction costs. Final recommendations based on multi-criteria analysis propose the vertical probes as a sustainable solution, with a weighted sum indicator in the range 0.085–0.297 on 0–1 scale.
Surrogate-Based Multi-Objective Optimization of Flux-Focusing Halbach Coaxial Magnetic Gear
Authors: Shoaei Aran , Farshbaf-Roomi Farnam , Wang Qingsong
Published: January 2024

Due to their contact-free and low-maintenance features, magnetic gears (MGs) have been increasingly investigated to amplify the torque of electric motors in electric vehicles (EVs). In order to meet the requirements of propelling EVs, it is essential to design an MG with a high torque density. In this paper, a novel flux-focusing Halbach coaxial MG (FFH-CMG) is proposed, which combines the advantages of flux focusing and Halbach permanent magnet (PM) arrays. The proposed structure has a higher torque performance and greater efficiency than conventional structures. A multi-objective design optimization based on a surrogate model is implemented to achieve the maximum volumetric torque density (VTD), torque-per-PM volume (TPMV), and efficiency, as well as the minimum torque ripple, in the proposed FFH-CMG. The employed optimization approach has a higher accuracy and is less time-consuming compared to the conventional optimization methods based on direct finite-element analysis (FEA). The performance of the proposed FFH-CMG is then investigated through 2D-FEA. According to the simulation results, the optimized FFH-CMG can achieve a VTD of 411 kNm/m3, and a TPMV of 830 kNm/m3, which are significantly larger than those of the existing MGs and make the proposed FFH-CMG very suitable for EV applications.
EMS for Active and Reactive Power Management in a Polygeneration Microgrid Feeding a PED
Authors: Sawhney Abhinav , Delfino Federico , Bonvini Barbara , Bracco Stefano
Published: January 2024

Energy management systems (EMSs) play a central role in improving the performance of microgrids by ensuring their efficient operation while minimizing operational costs and environmental impacts. This paper presents a comprehensive study of mixed integer linear programming (MILP) based EMSs developed and implemented in MATLAB 2021a using YALMIP software for the energy management of a new positive energy district in the city of Savona, Italy, as part of the Interreg Alpine Space Project ALPGRIDS. The main objective of this research is to optimize the functioning of the microgrid, focusing on cost efficiency and environmental sustainability. In pursuit of this objective, the EMS undergoes comprehensive testing and analysis, replicating actual conditions and addressing the diverse demands of end-users across typical days throughout the year, considering real electricity selling and purchase prices. The EMS also accounts for the reactive power capabilities of the various technologies integrated into the microgrid. The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) serves as a metric for assessing curtailment costs, while penalties related to reactive power absorption from the distribution network are appraised in alignment with prevailing regulatory guidelines. The case study provides valuable insights into the practical implementation of EMS technology in microgrids and demonstrates its potential for sustainable energy management in complex urban energy districts. In all scenarios, the battery energy storage system (BESS) and combined heat and power (CHP) are pivotal for load satisfaction and microgrid resilience. BESSs balance supply and demand, which are crucial in periods of low renewable energy availability, while the versatile CHP efficiently addresses energy demands, contributing significantly to overall microgrid effectiveness. Their synergy ensures reliable load satisfaction, showcasing the dynamic and adaptive nature of microgrid energy management across diverse scenarios.
A Model for Assessing the Potential Impact Radius of Hydrogen Pipelines Based on Jet Fire Radiation
Authors: Lin Yujie , Yu Anfeng , Liu Yi , Liu Xiaolong , Zhang Yang , Kuang Chen , Lu Yuan , Dang Wenyi
Published: January 2024

The accurate determination of the potential impact radius is crucial for the design and risk assessment of hydrogen pipelines. The existing methodologies employ a single point source model to estimate radiation and the potential impact radius. However, these approaches overlook the jet fire shape resulting from high-pressure leaks, leading to discrepancies between the calculated values and real-world incidents. This study proposes models that account for both the mass release rate, while considering the pressure drop during hydrogen pipeline leakage, and the radiation, while incorporating the flame shape. The analysis encompasses 60 cases that are representative of hydrogen pipeline scenarios. A simplified model for the potential impact radius is subsequently correlated, and its validity is confirmed through comparison with actual cases. The proposed model for the potential impact radius of hydrogen pipelines serves as a valuable reference for the enhancement of the precision of hydrogen pipeline design and risk assessment.
Heterotrophic Selenium Incorporation into Chlorella vulgaris K-01: Selenium Tolerance, Assimilation, and Removal through Microalgal Cells
Authors: Zhang Zhenyu , Zhang Yan , Hua Yanying , Chen Guancheng , Fu Pengcheng , Liu Jing
Published: January 2024

Chlorella has been applied in the production of selenium (Se) enriched organic biomass. However, limited information exists regarding heterotrophic selenium tolerance and its incorporation into Chlorella. This study aimed to investigate the potential of using Chlorella vulgaris K-01 for selenium biotransformation. To assess the dose-response effect of Se stress on the strain, time-series growth curves were recorded, growth productivity parameters were calculated, and Gaussian process (GP) regression analysis was performed. The strain’s carbon and energy metabolism were evaluated by measuring residual glucose in the medium. Characterization of different forms of intracellular Se and residual Se in the medium was conducted using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). The EC50 value for the strain in response to Se stress was 38.08 mg/L. The maximum biomass productivity was 0.26 g/L/d. GP regression analysis revealed that low-level Se treatment could increase the biomass accumulation and the carrying capacity of Chlorella vulgaris K-01 in a heterotrophic culture. The maximum organic Se in biomass was 154.00 μg/g DW. These findings lay the groundwork for understanding heterotrophic microalgal production of Se-containing nutraceuticals, offering valuable insights into Se tolerance, growth dynamics, and metabolic responses in Chlorella vulgaris K-01.
Auricularia auricula-judae Attenuates the Progression of Metabolic Syndrome in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rats: Enzymatic Pre-Digestion Technology Is Superior to Superfine Grinding Method
Authors: Jia Ying , Chen Kun , Du Menggang , Zhao Wanzhou , Chen Yong , Cheng Junhong , Zhao Lin , Liu Jiankang , Long Jiangang
Published: January 2024

Auricularia auricula-judae (AAJ) has been cultivated for food in China for centuries, and is also used as a folk medicine for the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. However, there are few studies on the effects of different processing technologies on the therapeutic efficacy of AAJ to date. This study investigated the effectiveness of the AAJ made by using superfine grinding and enzymatic pre-digestion technologies, respectively, in a high-fat diet obese rat model. It was found that oral administrations of two AAJ products significantly alleviated dyslipidemia by decreasing serum lipid levels and restoring liver functions. AAJ products made by using pre-digestion technology have appreciable potential to ameliorate lipid metabolic disorders over other products, possibly due to the higher levels of dietary fiber, crude polysaccharides, and total flavonoids released from AAJ during processing. By analysis of transcriptome sequencing and protein expression, it was clear that starch and sucrose metabolism and glycerolipid metabolism-related factors involved in fatty acid synthesis and metabolism in the liver of obese rats were significantly improved. This study gives further evidence that AAJ significantly ameliorates the progression of glucose and lipid metabolism in obese rats. Moreover, this study demonstrated for the first time that the pre-digestion method may be a better and more efficient processing approach for the improvement of AAJ bioavailability.
Facile Preparation of Magnetic COF-on-COF for Rapid Adsorption and Determination of Sulforaphane from Cruciferous Vegetables
Authors: Zhou Jie , Xu Dan , Cao Jiayong , Shi Weiye , Zhang Xuan , Lin Huan , Yin Chen , Li Lingyun , Xu Donghui , Liu Guangyang
Published: January 2024

Sulforaphane (SFN) is a natural isothiocyanate compound widely abundant in cruciferous vegetables with multiple bioactive functions. However, traditional analytical methods for the extraction and determination of SFN are cumbersome, time-consuming, and low sensitivity with large amounts of organic solvents. Herein, novel magnetic COF-on-COFs (MB-COFs) were fabricated using Fe3O4 as a magnetic core and COFs-1 grown with COFs-2 as a shell, and they were used as efficient adsorbents of magnetic dispersive solid-phase extraction for rapid quantification of SFN in cruciferous vegetables by combining with HPLC-MS/MS. At the optimal ratio of COFs-1 to COFs-2, MB-COFs had a spherical cluster-like structure and a rough surface, with a sufficient magnetic response for rapid magnetic separation (1 min). Due to the introduction of Fe3O4 and COFs-2, MB-COFs exhibited outstanding extraction efficiencies for SFN (92.5–97.3%), which was about 18–72% higher than that of the bare COFs. Moreover, MB-COFs showed good adsorption capacity (Qm of 18.0 mg/g), rapid adsorption (5 min) and desorption (30 s) to SFN, and favorable reusability (≥7 cycles) by virtue of their unique hierarchical porous structure. The adsorption kinetic data were well fitted by the pseudo-second-order, Ritchie-second-order, intra-particle diffusion, and Elovich models, while the adsorption isotherm data were highly consistent with the Langmuir, Temkin, and Redlich–Peterson models. Finally, under the optimized conditions, the developed method showed a wide linear range (0.001–0.5 mg/L), high sensitivity (limits of quantification of 0.18–0.31 μg/L), satisfactory recoveries (82.2–96.2%) and precisions (1.8–7.9%), and a negligible matrix effect (0.82–0.97). Compared to previous methods, the proposed method is faster and more sensitive and significantly reduces the use of organic solvents, which can achieve the efficient detection of large-scale samples in practical scenarios. This work reveals the high practical potential of MB-COFs as adsorbents for efficient extraction and sensitive analysis of SFN in cruciferous vegetables.
A Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly of the Non-Hematophagous Leech Whitmania pigra (Whitman 1884): Identification and Expression Analysis of Antithrombotic Genes
Authors: Liu Zichao , Zhao Fang , Huang Zuhao , He Bo , Liu Kaiqing , Shi Feng , Zhao Zheng , Lin Gonghua
Published: January 2024

Despite being a non-hematophagous leech, Whitmania pigra is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of antithrombotic diseases. In this study, we provide a high quality genome of W. pigra and based on which, we performed a systematic identification of the potential antithrombotic genes and their corresponding proteins. We identified twenty antithrombotic gene families including thirteen coagulation inhibitors, three platelet aggregation inhibitors, three fibrinolysis enhancers, and one tissue penetration enhancer. Unexpectedly, a total of 79 antithrombotic genes were identified, more than a typical blood-feeding Hirudinaria manillensis, which had only 72 antithrombotic genes. In addition, combining with the RNA-seq data of W. pigra and H. manillensis, we calculated the expression levels of antithrombotic genes of the two species. Five and four gene families had significantly higher and lower expression levels in W. pigra than in H. manillensis, respectively. These results showed that the number and expression level of antithrombotic genes of a non-hematophagous leech are not always less than those of a hematophagous leech. Our study provides the most comprehensive collection of antithrombotic biomacromolecules from a non-hematophagous leech to date and will significantly enhance the investigation and utilization of leech derivatives in thrombosis therapy research and pharmaceutical applications.
Development of a Novel Pictorial Questionnaire to Assess Knowledge and Behaviour on Ergonomics and Posture as Well as Musculoskeletal Pain in University Students: Validity and Reliability
Authors: Salman Mona , Bettany-Saltikov Josette , Kandasamy Gokulakannan , Aristegui Racero Garikoitz
Published: January 2024

Background: Good posture is characterised by neutral spinal alignment with high physiological and biomechanical efficiency together with low stress and strain. The purpose of this study was to assess the validity and reproducibility of the adult version of the Aristegui questionnaire in university students. Materials and methods: The study was conducted in two parts. The first part assessed content validity of the questionnaire where five experts provided their feedback on the content of the questionnaire. The second part evaluated the reliability of the questionnaire among a convenience sample of 10 university students in a test–retest study. Results: The content validity of the questionnaire was found to be excellent. Twenty-five out of twenty-seven items had an item content validity index higher than 0.79 (appropriate) and the scale content validity index was 0.93 (high). For the reliability, almost perfect agreements were found for nine items, substantial agreement for three questions, moderate agreement for one item and fair agreement for one item. The kappa coefficients ranged from 0.00 (slight) to 1.00 (perfect) for the items on behaviour. Conclusions: The questionnaire was found to be a valid and reliable tool to measure the university students’ knowledge regarding ergonomics and posture and postural behaviour as well as prevalence of musculoskeletal pain.
Assessment of Patient Matters in Healthcare Facilities
Authors: Moldovan Flaviu , Moldovan Liviu
Published: January 2024

Background and Objectives: Ensuring the sustainability of healthcare facilities requires the evaluation of patient matters with appropriate methods and tools. The objective of this research is to develop a new tool for assessing patient matters as a component of social responsibility requirements that contribute to the sustainability of healthcare facilities. Materials and Methods: We carried out an analytical observational study in which, starting from the domains of the reference framework for the sustainability of health facilities (economic, environmental, social, provision of sustainable medical care services and management processes), we designed indicators that describe patient matters. To achieve this, we extracted from the scientific literature the most recent data and aspects related to patient matters that have been reported by representative hospitals from all over the world. These were organized into the four sequences of the quality cycle. We designed the method of evaluating the indicators based on the information couple achievement degree-importance of the indicator. In the experimental part of the study, we validated the indicators for the evaluation of patient matters and the evaluation method at an emergency hospital with an orthopedic profile. Results: We developed the patient matters indicator matrix, the content of the 8 indicators that make it up, questions for the evaluation of the indicators, and the evaluation grids of the indicators. They describe five levels for each variable of the achievement degree-importance couple. The practical testing of the indicators at the emergency hospital allowed the calculation of sustainability indicators and the development of a prioritization matrix for improvement measures. Conclusions: Indicators designed in this research cover social responsibility requirements that describe patient matters. They are compatible and can be used by health facilities along with other implemented national and international requirements. Their added value consists in promoting social responsibility and sustainable development of healthcare facilities.
Improving Organizational Commitment among Healthcare Employees in Angola: The Role of Psychological Capital and Perceived Transformational Leadership
Authors: Geremias Rosa Lutete , Lopes Miguel Pereira , Sotomayor Ana Maria
Published: January 2024

While previous studies conducted in sub-Saharan African countries have focused on verifying standards of clinical care and assessing challenges faced by healthcare professionals, the present study fills a gap in the literature in that it explores the factors that may drive the organizational commitment of healthcare professionals in Angola. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between psychological capital and organizational commitment through perceived transformational leadership. Therefore, using the quantitative methodology, a self-report questionnaire was applied to 342 healthcare professionals (174 male, 168 female) from different public and private hospitals located in three large cities in Angola. The results confirmed that psychological capital is positively related to affective commitment and that perceived transformational leadership is a mediating variable of this relationship. Therefore, this study highlights the role of psychological capital and perceived transformational leadership in improving affective commitment in challenging environments.
High Ferritin Is Not Needed in Hemodialysis Patients: A Retrospective Study of Total Body Iron and Oral Iron Replacement Therapy
Authors: Ogawa Chie , Tsuchiya Ken , Tomosugi Naohisa , Maeda Kunimi
Published: January 2024

In vivo iron levels can be adjusted through intestinal iron absorption to be maintained at a suitable level; however, optimal iron levels in hemodialysis (HD) patients are unclear. In this study, we investigated total body iron (TBI), calculated as the sum of red blood cell (RBC) iron and iron stores, during courses of low-dose oral iron replacement therapy, and evaluated in vivo iron sufficiency and its indicators in HD patients. We analyzed data on 105 courses of low-dose iron replacement therapy administered to 83 patients on maintenance HD over 7 months. We evaluated changes in TBI, RBC iron, and iron stores from the initiation of treatment to month 7 in two groups of patients, namely, iron-therapy responders and non-responders. TBI showed significant increases until month 4 and plateaued thereafter in iron-therapy responders, and tended to increase and then reached a similar plateau in non-responders (month 7: 1900 ± 447 vs. 1900 ± 408 mg). Steady-state TBI was strongly correlated with body surface area (y = 1628.6x − 791.91, R2 = 0.88, p < 0.001). We observed constant TBI during oral iron replacement therapy suggesting the activation of a “mucosal block”. The results suggest that body surface area has utility for estimating the required TBI with regression equations.
Mitochondrial Homeostasis Regulating Mitochondrial Number and Morphology Is a Distinguishing Feature of Skeletal Muscle Fiber Types in Marine Teleosts
Authors: Li Busu , Wang Huan , Zeng Xianghui , Liu Shufang , Zhuang Zhimeng
Published: January 2024

Fishes’ skeletal muscles are crucial for swimming and are differentiated into slow-twitch muscles (SM) and fast-twitch muscles (FM) based on physiological and metabolic properties. Consequently, mitochondrial characteristics (number and morphology) adapt to each fiber type’s specific functional needs. However, the mechanisms governing mitochondrial adaptation to the specific bioenergetic requirements of each fiber type in teleosts remain unclear. To address this knowledge gap, we investigated the mitochondrial differences and mitochondrial homeostasis status (including biogenesis, autophagy, fission, and fusion) between SM and FM in teleosts using Takifugu rubripes as a representative model. Our findings reveal that SM mitochondria are more numerous and larger compared to FM. To adapt to the increased mitochondrial number and size, SM exhibit elevated mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamics (fission/fusion), yet show no differences in mitochondrial autophagy. Our study provides insights into the adaptive mechanisms shaping mitochondrial characteristics in teleost muscles. The abundance and elongation of mitochondria in SM are maintained through elevated mitochondrial biogenesis, fusion, and fission, suggesting an adaptive response to fulfill the bioenergetic demands of SM that rely extensively on OXPHOS in teleosts. Our findings enhance our understanding of mitochondrial adaptations in diverse muscle types among teleosts and shed light on the evolutionary strategies of bioenergetics in fishes.
Disparate Effects of Two Clerodane Diterpenes of Giant Goldenrod (Solidago gigantea Ait.) on Bacillus spizizenii
Authors: Bozsó Zoltán , Lapat Virág , Ott Péter G. , Móricz Ágnes M.
Published: January 2024

New substances with antimicrobial properties are needed to successfully treat emerging human, animal, or plant pathogens. Seven clerodane diterpenes, previously isolated from giant goldenrod (Solidago gigantea) root, were tested against Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus spizizenii and Rhodococcus fascians by measuring minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC), minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50). Two of them, Sg3a (a dialdehyde) and Sg6 (solidagoic acid B), were proved to be the most effective and were selected for further study. Bacillus spizizenii was incubated with the two diterpenes for shorter (1 h) or longer (5 h) periods and then subjected to genome-wide transcriptional analyses. Only a limited number of common genes (28 genes) were differentially regulated after each treatment, and these were mainly related to the restoration of cell membrane integrity and to membrane-related transports. Changes in gene activity indicated that, among other things, K+ and Na+ homeostasis, pH and membrane electron transport processes may have been affected. Activated export systems can be involved in the removal of harmful molecules from the bacterial cells. Inhibition of bacterial chemotaxis and flagellar assembly, as well as activation of genes for the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, were observed as a general response. Depending on the diterpenes and the duration of the treatments, down-regulation of the protein synthesis-related, oxidative phosphorylation, signal transduction and transcription factor genes was found. In other cases, up-regulation of the genes of oxidation–reduction processes, sporulation and cell wall modification could be detected. Comparison of the effect of diterpenes with the changes induced by different environmental and nutritional conditions revealed several overlapping processes with stress responses. For example, the Sg6 treatment seems to have caused a starvation-like condition. In summary, there were both common and diterpene-specific changes in the transcriptome, and these changes were also dependent on the length of treatments. The results also indicated that Sg6 exerted its effect more slowly than Sg3a, but ultimately its effect was greater.
The Role of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 Alpha in Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure
Authors: Mücke Marcus M. , El Bali Nihad , Schwarzkopf Katharina M. , Uschner Frank Erhard , Kraus Nico , Eberle Larissa , Mücke Victoria Therese , Bein Julia , Beyer Sandra , Wild Peter J. , Schierwagen Robert , Klein Sabine , Zeuzem Stefan , Welsch Christoph , Trebicka Jonel , Brieger Angela
Published: January 2024

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is associated with increased mortality. Specific therapy options are limited. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) has been linked to the pathogenesis of chronic liver disease (CLD), but the role of HIF-1α in ACLF is poorly understood. In the current study, different etiologies of CLD and precipitating events triggering ACLF were used in four rodent models. HIF-1α expression and the intracellular pathway of HIF-1α induction were investigated using real-time quantitative PCR. The results were verified by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry for extrahepatic HIF-1α expression using transcriptome analysis. Exploratory immunohistochemical staining was performed to assess HIF-1α in human liver tissue. Intrahepatic HIF-1α expression was significantly increased in all animals with ACLF, regardless of the underlying etiology of CLD or the precipitating event. The induction of HIF-1α was accompanied by the increased mRNA expression of NFkB1 and STAT3 and resulted in a marked elevation of mRNA levels of its downstream genes. Extrahepatic HIF-1α expression was not elevated. In human liver tissue samples, HIF-1α expression was elevated in CLD and ACLF. Increased intrahepatic HIF-1α expression seems to play an important role in the pathogenesis of ACLF, and future studies are pending to investigate the role of therapeutic HIF inhibitors in ACLF.
New Insights into Endogenous Retrovirus-K Transcripts in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Moreno-Martinez Laura , Macías-Redondo Sofía , Strunk Mark , Guillén-Antonini María Isabel , Lunetta Christian , Tarlarini Claudia , Penco Silvana , Calvo Ana Cristina , Osta Rosario , Schoorlemmer Jon
Published: January 2024

Retroviral reverse transcriptase activity and the increased expression of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We were interested in confirming HERVK overexpression in the ALS brain, its use as an accessory diagnostic marker for ALS, and its potential interplay with neuroinflammation. Using qPCR to analyze HERVK expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and in postmortem brain samples from ALS patients, no significant differences were observed between patients and control subjects. By contrast, we report alterations in the expression patterns of specific HERVK copies, especially in the brainstem. Out of 27 HERVK copies sampled, the relative expression of 17 loci was >1.2-fold changed in samples from ALS patients. In particular, the relative expression of two HERVK copies (Chr3-3 and Chr3-5) was significantly different in brainstem samples from ALS patients compared with controls. Further qPCR analysis of inflammation markers in brain samples revealed a significant increase in NLRP3 levels, while TNFA, IL6, and GZMB showed slight decreases. We cannot confirm global HERVK overexpression in ALS, but we can report the ALS-specific overexpression of selected HERVK copies in the ALS brain. Our data are compatible with the requirement for better patient stratification and support the potential importance of particular HERVK copies in ALS.
Nonspecific Orbital Inflammation (NSOI): Unraveling the Molecular Pathogenesis, Diagnostic Modalities, and Therapeutic Interventions
Authors: Wu Kevin Y. , Kulbay Merve , Daigle Patrick , Nguyen Bich H. , Tran Simon D.
Published: January 2024

Nonspecific orbital inflammation (NSOI), colloquially known as orbital pseudotumor, sometimes presents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in ophthalmology. This review aims to dissect NSOI through a molecular lens, offering a comprehensive overview of its pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, and management strategies. The article delves into the underpinnings of NSOI, examining immunological and environmental factors alongside intricate molecular mechanisms involving signaling pathways, cytokines, and mediators. Special emphasis is placed on emerging molecular discoveries and approaches, highlighting the significance of understanding molecular mechanisms in NSOI for the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Various diagnostic modalities are scrutinized for their utility and limitations. Therapeutic interventions encompass medical treatments with corticosteroids and immunomodulatory agents, all discussed in light of current molecular understanding. More importantly, this review offers a novel molecular perspective on NSOI, dissecting its pathogenesis and management with an emphasis on the latest molecular discoveries. It introduces an integrated approach combining advanced molecular diagnostics with current clinical assessments and explores emerging targeted therapies. By synthesizing these facets, the review aims to inform clinicians and researchers alike, paving the way for molecularly informed, precision-based strategies for managing NSOI.
Exploring the Effect of Near-Field Ground Motions on the Fragility Curves of Multi-Span Simply Supported Concrete Girder Bridges
Authors: Soltanmohammadi Hassan , Mashayekhi Mohammadreza , Memarpour Mohammad Mahdi , Kontoni Denise-Penelope N. , Mirtaheri Masoud
Published: January 2024

Investigating the impact of near-field ground motions on the fragility curves of multi-span simply supported concrete girder bridges is the main goal of this paper. Fragility curves are valuable tools for evaluating seismic risks and vulnerabilities of bridges. Numerous studies have investigated the impact of ground motions on the fragility curves of bridges. Ground motions are commonly categorized into two sets, based on the distance of the recorded station from the seismic source: far-field and near-field. Studies examining the influence of near-field records on bridge fragility curves vary depending on the specific bridge type and type of fragility curve being analyzed. Due to the widespread use of multi-span simply supported concrete girder bridges in the Central and Southeastern United States, this study makes use of this bridge type. This research investigates the component fragility curves for column curvatures, bearing deformations, and abutment displacements by employing 3-D analytical models and conducting nonlinear time history analysis. These curves illustrate the impact of near-field ground motions on different components. The component fragility curves for two sets of records, 91 near-field ground motions and 78 far-field ground motions, were obtained and compared. These findings demonstrate that near-field ground motions have a greater damaging effect on columns and abutments than far-field earthquakes. When it comes to bearing deformations, the far-field earthquake impact is more severe at lower intensities, whereas the impact of the near-field ground motion is stronger at higher intensities.
Flexible Synthetic Inertia Optimization in Modern Power Systems
Authors: Makolo Peter , Zamora Ramon , Perera Uvini , Lie Tek Tjing
Published: January 2024

Increasing the replacement of conventional synchronous machines by non-synchronous renewable machines reduces the conventional synchronous generator (SG) inertia in the modern network. Synthetic inertia (SI) control topologies to provide frequency support are becoming a new frequency control tactic in new networks. However, the participation of SI in the market of RES-rich networks to provide instant frequency support when required proposes an increase in the overall marginal operation cost of contemporary networks. Consequently, depreciation of operation costs by optimizing the required SI in the network is inevitable. Therefore, this paper proposes a flexible SI optimization method. The algorithm developed in the proposed method minimizes the operation cost of the network by giving flexible SI at a given SG inertia and different sizes of contingency events. The proposed method uses Box’s evolutionary optimizer with a self-tuning capability of the SI control parameters. The proposed method is validated using the modified New England 39-bus network. The results show that provided SIs support the available SG inertia to reduce the RoCoF values and maintain them within acceptable limits to increase the network’s resilience.
Myocardial Late Gadolinium Enhancement (LGE) in Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMR)—An Important Risk Marker for Cardiac Disease
Authors: Meier Claudia , Eisenblätter Michel , Gielen Stephan
Published: January 2024

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has significantly revolutionized the comprehension and diagnosis of cardiac diseases, particularly through the utilization of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging for tissue characterization. LGE enables the visualization of expanded extracellular spaces in conditions such as fibrosis, fibrofatty tissue, or edema. The growing recognition of LGE’s prognostic capacity underscores its importance, evident in the increasing explicit recommendations within guidelines. Notably, the contemporary characterization of cardiomyopathies relies on LGE-based scar assessment by CMR to a large extent. This review describes the pattern and prognostic value of LGE in detail for various cardiac diseases. Despite its merits, establishing LGE as a reliable risk marker encounters challenges. Limitations arise from the fact that not all diseases show LGE, and it should always be analyzed in the context of all CMR sequences and the patient’s medical history. In summary, LGE stands as a robust indicator of adverse outcomes in diverse cardiovascular diseases. Its further integration into routine practice is desirable, necessitating widespread availability and application to accumulate both individual and scientific experience.
TMT-Based Proteomic Analysis Reveals the Molecular Mechanisms of Sodium Pheophorbide A against Black Spot Needle Blight Caused by Pestalotiopsis neglecta in Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica
Authors: Zhang Yundi , Yang Jing , Wang Shuren , Chen Yunze , Zhang Guocai
Published: January 2024

Black spot needle blight is a minor disease in Mongolian Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) caused by Pestalotiopsis neglecta, but it can cause economic losses in severe cases. Sodium pheophorbide a (SPA), an intermediate product of the chlorophyll metabolism pathway, is a compound with photoactivated antifungal activity, which has been previously shown to inhibit the growth of P. neglecta. In this study, SPA significantly reduced the incidence and disease index and enhanced the chlorophyll content and antioxidant enzyme activities of P. sylvestris var. mongolica. To further study the molecular mechanism of the inhibition, we conducted a comparative proteomic analysis of P. neglecta mycelia with and without SPA treatment. The cellular proteins were obtained from P. neglecta mycelial samples and subjected to a tandem mass tag (TMT)-labelling LC-MS/MS analysis. Based on the results of de novo transcriptome assembly, 613 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) (p < 0.05) were identified, of which 360 were upregulated and 253 downregulated. The 527 annotated DEPs were classified into 50 functional groups according to Gene Ontology and linked to 256 different pathways using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database as a reference. A joint analysis of the transcriptome and proteomics results showed that the top three pathways were Amino acid metabolism, Carbohydrate metabolism, and Lipid metabolism. These results provide new viewpoints into the molecular mechanism of the inhibition of P. neglecta by SPA at the protein level and a theoretical basis for evaluating SPA as an antifungal agent to protect forests.
Analysis of Regional Medical Supply and Demand Network Characteristics Based on “Patient Flow Phenomenon”: A Case Study of the Core Area of the Wuhan Metropolitan Area
Authors: Guo Fang , Wei Wei , Xiang Bowen , Hong Mengyao
Published: January 2024

Examining medical supply–demand imbalances, as revealed through patients’ cross-boundary treatment behaviors, is vital for reducing a metropolitan area’s medical supply–demand gap and furthering sustainable development goals. This study, leveraging medical supply–demand and commuting data, scrutinizes medical imbalances in the Wuhan metropolitan area core. It includes a ‘People-centered’ theory for elucidating patients’ treatment behaviors, proposes a method for constructing a regional medical supply–demand network, and explores the problem of supply–demand imbalance. The key findings include: (1) Wuhan’s central area, despite its abundance of quality medical resources, fails to adequately cover the entire metropolitan area, indicating a need for broader resource distribution. (2) The Ezhou–Huangshi–Huanggang junction shows a stark contrast to Wuhan with its limited medical services and extensive hinterland connections. Future initiatives should aim to integrate resources dispersed from Wuhan, reducing regional disparities. (3) The city’s periphery, influenced by resource distribution models and geographic distance, exhibits significant variance from central urban areas in medical supply–demand connectivity, particularly around Wuhan’s eastern administrative boundaries. Future urban planning is needed to reinforce this area’s role as a vital medical services conduit. (4) The distinguishing differences among the nine medical service communities in terms of resource recognition, service sharing, and patient mobility provide policy guidance for the allocation of medical resources.