bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epigenetic Regulation of Neural Stem Cells in Developmental and Adult Stages
Authors: Kunoh Shu , Nakashima Hideyuki , Nakashima Kinichi
Published: June 2024

The development of the nervous system is regulated by numerous intracellular molecules and cellular signals that interact temporally and spatially with the extracellular microenvironment. The three major cell types in the brain, i.e., neurons and two types of glial cells (astrocytes and oligodendrocytes), are generated from common multipotent neural stem cells (NSCs) throughout life. However, NSCs do not have this multipotentiality from the beginning. During cortical development, NSCs sequentially obtain abilities to differentiate into neurons and glial cells in response to combinations of spatiotemporally modulated cell-intrinsic epigenetic alterations and extrinsic factors. After the completion of brain development, a limited population of NSCs remains in the adult brain and continues to produce neurons (adult neurogenesis), thus contributing to learning and memory. Many biological aspects of brain development and adult neurogenesis are regulated by epigenetic changes via behavioral control of NSCs. Epigenetic dysregulation has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of various brain diseases. Here, we present recent advances in the epigenetic regulation of NSC behavior and its dysregulation in brain disorders.
Using a Logistic Regression Model to Examine the Variables Influencing Changes in Northern Thailand’s Forest Cover and Comparing Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Worachairungreung Morakot , Kulpanich Nayot , Yodsuk Pichamon , Kaewnet Thactha , Sae-ngow Pornperm , Ngansakul Pattarapong , Thanakunwutthirot Kunyaphat , Hemwan Phonpat
Published: June 2024

Protecting biodiversity and keeping the Earth’s temperature stable are both very important jobs performed by tropical forests. In the last few decades, remote sensing has given us new tools and ways to track changes in land cover. To understand what causes changes in forest cover, it is important to look at the things that affect those changes. However, there is not enough research that uses a logistic regression model (LRM) and compares the results with machine learning (ML) techniques to investigate the specific factors that cause forest cover change in remote mountainous areas like Thailand’s Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai Provinces. Following a comparison of an LRM, a random forest, and an SVM, this study of the causes of changes in forest cover in Mae Hong Son found six important factors: soil series, rock types, slope, the NDVI, the NDWI, and the distances to city areas. Compared to the LRM, both the RF and SVM machine learning algorithms had higher values for the kappa coefficient, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictions, and sensitivity, especially the RF. Following what was found in Mae Hong Son, when the important factors were examined in Chiang Mai, the RF came out on top. It is believed that these results can be used in more situations to help make plans for restoring ecosystems and to promote long-lasting methods of managing land use.
Genetic Diversity, Mating System, and Seed Viability Reveal a Trade-Off between Outcrossing and Inbreeding in Pinus yunnanensis var. tenuifolia, an Ecologically Important Conifer Species Growing in a Hot-Dry River Basin Habitat in Southwest China
Authors: Li Xian-Qin , Wen Yu-Zhuo , Huang Chun-Hui , Tang Meng-Yun , Jiang Wei-Xin , Bai Tian-Dao
Published: June 2024

Revealing the relationship between the mating system (i.e., the outcrossing/inbreeding degree) and the fitness of seeds in tree species under wild conditions is essential for understanding the ecological adaptability and evolutionary stability of the species. This study collected open-pollinated seeds from seven wild populations of Pinus yunnanensis var. tenuifolia that exhibited fragmentation in the Nanpan–Hongshui River basin, an ecologically fragile area in China. The seeds and sprouts (germinated seeds) from 20 families were genotyped (24 seeds and 24 sprouts per family) using twelve microsatellite loci to reveal the genetic diversity, mating status, and effect of inbreeding on the three seed quality indicators (thousand-seed weight, germination rate, and germination potential). The three seed quality indicators differed significantly between families (p < 0.001). Higher values of genetic diversity (except the observed heterozygosity) were observed in the sprout group than those in the seed group. Families from different populations showed a notable genetic differentiation (Φst = 0.12), and a large part of families from the common populations had a high degree of coancestry, which signified that the current habitat fragmentation is limiting gene flow between populations. High levels of outcrossing rates (tm) were observed in both the seed group (tm = 0.974) and the sprout group (tm = 0.978), indicating that a low proportion of seeds were self-fertilized. Although there was a slightly higher single outcrossing rate (ts = 0.888) and a lower proportion of biparental inbreeding (tm − ts = 0.077) in sprouts compared to the seeds (ts = 0.871, tm − ts = 0.091), indicating that a part of inbred seeds were purged during the germination stage, curve fitting between the outcrossing rate and seed quality indicators showed that a certain degree of biparental inbreeding (ts between 0.89 and 0.91 and tm − ts between 0.09 and 0.11) did have a positive effect on seed germination ability. This highlights that excessive inbreeding or outbreeding seems to be unfavorable to seed viability. The peculiar relationship between seed viability and the mating system in P. yunnanensis var. tenuifolia was likely an evolutionary consequence of a trade-off between the nature of mixed mating and its specific ecological niche.
Morphological, Physiological, Biochemical and Metabolite Analyses of Parenchyma Cells Reveal Heartwood Formation Mechanism of Schima superba
Authors: Wen Lili , Chen Shixiang , Wei Penglian , Fu Yunlin
Published: June 2024

A sapwood tree is a species in which the sapwood does not differ significantly from the heartwood and cannot be classified by shades of color. It is generally accepted that heartwood has a higher economic value than sapwood, but most of the studies related to heartwood formation have focused on heartwood trees, with less research on sapwood trees. In this paper, we take the sapwood tree Schima superba as the research object and analyze the physiological and biochemical changes in the process of heartwood formation by studying the anatomical structure of parenchyma cells, and then further explore the main categories of metabolites and compositional changes. The results showed that during heartwood formation, the parenchyma cells become inactive and the nucleus disappears, while at the same time, the storage substance starch is gradually degraded under the action of enzymes and transformed into secondary metabolites, which include terpenoids, phenols and alkaloids. The accumulation of white and colorless compounds in large quantities in the heartwood, which has some effect on the heartwood color, is an important reason why the heartwood in Schima superba shows normal formation but no difference in color from the sapwood. This study fills a gap in the mechanism of heartwood formation in sapwood trees.
Molecular Markers and Regulatory Networks in Solventogenic Clostridium Species: Metabolic Engineering Conundrum
Authors: Olorunsogbon Tinuola , Okonkwo Christopher Chukwudi , Ezeji Thaddeus Chukwuemeka
Published: June 2024

Solventogenic Clostridium species are important for establishing the sustainable industrial bioproduction of fuels and important chemicals such as acetone and butanol. The inherent versatility of these species in substrate utilization and the range of solvents produced during acetone butanol–ethanol (ABE) fermentation make solventogenic Clostridium an attractive choice for biotechnological applications such as the production of fuels and chemicals. The functional qualities of these microbes have thus been identified to be related to complex regulatory networks that play essential roles in modulating the metabolism of this group of bacteria. Yet, solventogenic Clostridium species still struggle to consistently achieve butanol concentrations exceeding 20 g/L in batch fermentation, primarily due to the toxic effects of butanol on the culture. Genomes of solventogenic Clostridium species have a relatively greater prevalence of genes that are intricately controlled by various regulatory molecules than most other species. Consequently, the use of genetic or metabolic engineering strategies that do not consider the underlying regulatory mechanisms will not be effective. Several regulatory factors involved in substrate uptake/utilization, sporulation, solvent production, and stress responses (Carbon Catabolite Protein A, Spo0A, AbrB, Rex, CsrA) have been identified and characterized. In this review, the focus is on newly identified regulatory factors in solventogenic Clostridium species, the interaction of these factors with previously identified molecules, and potential implications for substrate utilization, solvent production, and resistance/tolerance to lignocellulose-derived microbial inhibitory compounds. Taken together, this review is anticipated to highlight the challenges impeding the re-industrialization of ABE fermentation, and inspire researchers to generate innovative strategies for overcoming these obstacles.
Pump System Model Parameter Identification Based on Experimental and Simulation Data
Authors: Wang Sheldon , Gao Dalong , Wester Alexandria , Beaver Kalyb , Edwards Shanae , Taylor Carrie Anne
Published: June 2024

In this paper, the entire downhole fluid-sucker rod-pump system is replaced with a viscoelastic vibration model, namely a third-order differential equation with an inhomogeneous forcing term. Both Kelvin’s and Maxwell’s viscoelastic models can be implemented along with the dynamic behaviors of a mass point attached to the viscoelastic model. By employing the time-dependent polished rod force measured with a dynamometer as the input to the viscoelastic dynamic model, we have obtained the displacement responses, which match closely with the experimental measurements in actual operations, through an iterative process. The key discovery of this work is the feasibility of the so-called inverse optimization procedure, which can be utilized to identify the equivalent scaling factor and viscoelastic system parameters. The proposed Newton–Raphson iterative method, with some terms in the Jacobian matrix expressed with averaged rates of changes based on perturbations of up to two independent parameters, provides a feasible tool for optimization issues related to complex engineering problems with mere information of input and output data from either experiments or comprehensive simulations. The same inverse optimization procedure is also implemented to model the entire fluid delivery system of a very viscous non-Newtonian polymer modeled as a first-order ordinary differential equation (ODE) system similar to the transient entrance developing flow. The convergent parameter reproduces transient solutions that match very well with those from fully fledged computational fluid dynamics models with the required inlet volume flow rate and outlet pressure conditions.
Driving Factors Influencing the Decision to Purchase Plant-Based Beverages: A Sample from Türkiye
Authors: Baş Murat , Kahriman Meryem , Ayakdas Gamze , Hajhamidiasl Ladan , Koseoglu Selen Koksal
Published: June 2024

In recent years, the trend toward plant-based beverages has continued to grow rapidly. This study aimed to assess the effects of sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge about plant-based beverages, subjective norms, perceived price, environmental protection, animal welfare, availability, and trust on attitudes and buying behavior toward these products. This study was conducted online using a two-part questionnaire prepared by considering the literature. This study included 935 participants, and our findings confirmed that the variable of environmental protection affects the attitude toward these products (β= 0.095; p = 0.007). Furthermore, gender, income level, lactose intolerance, and bloating due to cow’s or sheep’s milk influenced actual buying behavior (p < 0.05; p < 0.001). These findings indicate that people’s increased environmental protection awareness will positively influence attitudes towards plant-based beverages and that individuals who do not experience lactose intolerance and bloating due to cow’s or goat’s milk will have lower actual buying behavior. It was also determined that individuals with lower incomes bought more plant-based beverages. In conclusion, plant-based beverage marketers need to take into account individuals’ sociodemographic characteristics and environmental protection awareness when planning their marketing strategies.
Pulsed Electric Field Pretreatments Affect the Metabolite Profile and Antioxidant Activities of Freeze− and Air−Dried New Zealand Apricots
Authors: Liu Ye , Oey Indrawati , Leong Sze Ying , Kam Rothman , Kantono Kevin , Hamid Nazimah
Published: June 2024

Pulsed electric field (PEF) pretreatment has been shown to improve the quality of dried fruits in terms of antioxidant activity and bioactive compounds. In this study, apricots were pretreated with PEF at different field strengths (0.7 kV/cm; 1.2 kV/cm and 1.8 kv/cm) at a frequency of 50 Hz, and electric pulses coming in every 20 µs for 30 s, prior to freeze−drying and air−drying treatments. PEF treatments were carried out at different field strengths. The impact of different pretreatments on the quality of dried apricot was determined in terms of physical properties, antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, and metabolite profile. PEF pretreatments significantly (p < 0.05) increased firmness of all the air−dried samples the most by 4–7−fold and most freeze−dried apricot samples (44.2% to 98.64%) compared to the control group. However, PEF treatment at 1.2 kV/cm did not have any effect on hardness of the freeze−dried sample. The moisture content and water activity of freeze−dried samples were found to be significantly lower than those of air−dried samples. Scanning electron microscopy results revealed that air drying caused the loss of fruit structure due to significant moisture loss, while freeze drying preserved the honeycomb structure of the apricot flesh, with increased pore sizes observed at higher PEF intensities. PEF pretreatment also significantly increased the antioxidant activity and total phenol content of both air−dried and freeze−dried apricots. PEF treatment also significantly (p < 0.05) increased amino acid and fatty acid content of air−dried samples but significantly (p < 0.05) decreased sugar content. Almost all amino acids (except tyrosine, alanine, and threonine) significantly increased with increasing PEF intensity. The results of this study suggest that PEF pretreatment can influence the quality of air−dried and freeze−dried apricots in terms antioxidant activity and metabolites such as amino acids, fatty acids, sugar, organic acids, and phenolic compounds. The most effective treatment for preserving the quality of dried apricots is freeze drying combined with high−intensity (1.8 kv/cm) PEF treatment.
Quantifying the Pore Heterogeneity of Alkaline Lake Shale during Hydrous Pyrolysis by Using the Multifractal Method
Authors: Liu Yanxin , Zhang Hong , Zhang Zhengchen , Jing Luda , Liu Kouqi
Published: June 2024

Distinguishing itself from marine shale formations, alkaline lake shale, as a significant hydrocarbon source rock and petroleum reservoir, exhibits distinct multifractal characteristics and evolutionary patterns. This study employs a combination of hydrous pyrolysis experimentation, nitrogen adsorption analysis, and multifractal theory to investigate the factors influencing pore heterogeneity and multifractal dimension during the maturation process of shale with abundant rich alkaline minerals. Utilizing partial least squares (PLS) analysis, a comparative examination is conducted, elucidating the disparate influence of mineralogical composition on their respective multifractal dimensions. The findings reveal a dynamic evolution of pore characteristics throughout the maturation process of alkaline lake shale, delineated into three distinct stages. Initially, in Stage 1 (200 °C to 300 °C), both ΔD and H demonstrate an incremental trend, rising from 1.2699 to 1.3 and from 0.8615 to 0.8636, respectively. Subsequently, in Stages 2 and 3, fluctuations are observed in the values of ΔD and D, while the H value undergoes a pronounced decline to 0.85. Additionally, the parameter D1 exhibits a diminishing trajectory across all stages, decreasing from 0.859 to 0.829, indicative of evolving pore structure characteristics throughout the maturation process. The distinct alkaline environment and mineral composition of alkaline lake shale engender disparate diagenetic effects during its maturation process compared with other shale varieties. Consequently, this disparity results in contrasting evolutionary trajectories in pore heterogeneity and multifractal characteristics. Specifically, multifractal characteristics of alkaline lake shale are primarily influenced by quartz, potassium feldspar, clay minerals, and alkaline minerals.
Google Earth Engine and Machine Learning for Flash Flood Exposure Mapping—Case Study: Tetouan, Morocco
Authors: SELLAMI EL Mehdi , Rhinane Hassan
Published: June 2024

Recently, the earth’s climate has changed considerably, leading to several hazards, including flash floods (FFs). This study aims to introduce an innovative approach to mapping and identifying FF exposure in the city of Tetouan, Morocco. To address this problem, the study uses different machine learning methods applied to remote sensing imagery within the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. To achieve this, the first phase of this study was to map land use and land cover (LULC) using Random Forest (RF), a Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Classification and Regression Trees (CART). By comparing the results of five composite methods (mode, maximum, minimum, mean, and median) based on Sentinel images, LULC was generated for each method. In the second phase, the precise LULC was used as a related factor to others (Stream Power Index (SPI), Topographic Position Index (TPI), Slope, Profile Curvature, Plan Curvature, Aspect, Elevation, and Topographic Wetness Index (TWI)). In addition to 2024 non-flood and flood points to predict and detect FF susceptibility, 70% of the dataset was used to train the model by comparing different algorithms (RF, SVM, Logistic Regression (LR), Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), and Naive Bayes (NB)); the rest of the dataset (30%) was used for evaluation. Model performance was evaluated by five-fold cross-validation to assess the model’s ability on new data using metrics such as precision, score, kappa index, recall, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. In the third phase, the high FF susceptibility areas were analyzed for two-way validation with inundated areas generated from Sentinel-1 SAR imagery with coherent change detection (CDD). Finally, the validated inundation map was intersected with the LULC areas and population density for FF exposure and assessment. The initial results of this study in terms of LULC mapping showed that the most appropriate method in this research region is the use of an SVM trained on a mean composite. Similarly, the results of the FF susceptibility assessment showed that the RF algorithm performed best with an accuracy of 96%. In the final analysis, the FF exposure map showed that 2465 hectares were affected and 198,913 inhabitants were at risk. In conclusion, the proposed approach not only allows us to assess the impact of FF in this study area but also provides a versatile approach that can be applied in different regions around the world and can help decision-makers plan FF mitigation strategies.
The First World War and Ford Madox Ford’s Short Stories, 1914–1920
Authors: Frayn Andrew
Published: June 2024

This article analyses together, for the first time, Ford Madox Ford’s short stories about the First World War. A surprisingly unfamiliar form for Ford, who valued allusion, subtlety, and omission as narrative devices, we see in these stories his first attempts to parse his experience of wartime and, subsequently, military service. It is also an aspect of Ford’s writing which has received little previous critical comment. The wartime and post-war short stories are approached chronologically: ‘The Scaremonger: A Tale of the War Times’ (1914), ‘Fun!—It’s Heaven’ (1915), ‘Pink Flannel’ (1919), ‘The Colonel’s Shoes’ (1920), ‘Enigma’ ([1920–1922] 1999), and ‘The Miracle’ (1928). The contemporary debates in which Ford intervened are highlighted by returning to their original periodical publications, and extensive reference to a range of his non-fictional periodical contributions establishes new connections among his wartime writing. Here I bring together for the first time these short stories, arguing that Ford’s refracting of the war through the lens of his impressionism is distinctive as an early response to war, trauma, and neurosis and is vital to the genesis of his later successes in prose, notably the Parade’s End novel tetralogy (1924–1928).
Assessing the Risk of Normal Weight Obesity in Korean Women across Generations: A Study on Body Composition and Physical Fitness
Authors: Cho Yeong-Hyun , Sakong Hyuk , Oh Myung-Jin , Seo Tae-Beom
Published: June 2024

Normal weight obesity (NWO) refers to a condition in which the body mass index falls within the normal range, but the percent of body fat is excessive. Although there are reports of a high prevalence of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in NWO, analyses regarding physical fitness have been lacking. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze the age-related prevalence of NWO and to examine physical fitness across generations. Our study utilized a dataset comprising 119,835 participants for analysis. The prevalence of NWO across ages was examined using cross-tabulation analysis. For body composition and physical fitness, medians and group differences were assessed by generation through Kruskal–Wallis and Bonferroni post hoc tests. Additionally, univariate logistic regression was adopted to analyze the odds ratio. The prevalence of NWO in Korean women was 18.3%. The fat-free mass of the NWO group was consistently lower than that of both the group with normal body mass indexes (Normal) and obese body mass indexes (Obesity) across all generations. Additionally, the waist circumference and blood pressure were greater in the now group than in the Normal group. When considering maximal strength, muscle endurance, power, balance, and coordination, the NWO group exhibited lower levels compared to the Normal group. The NWO group showed lower muscle mass than both the Normal and Obesity groups, resulting in significantly reduced physical fitness compared to that of the Normal group, similar to the Obesity group. This condition may increase not only the risk of posing a potentially more serious health concern than obesity but also the risk of falls in elderly people. Therefore, based on this study, it is crucial to not only define obesity using BMI criteria but also to diagnose NWO. Public health policies and preventive measures must be implemented accordingly.
The Iridescent Painting Palette of Michelino da Besozzo: First Results of Non-Invasive Diagnostic Analyses
Authors: Delle Foglie Anna , Felici Anna Candida
Published: June 2024

This study concerns the characterization of the color palette of Michelino da Besozzo, one of the leading painters and illuminators of the Late Gothic period in Northern Italy. The artist’s relationship with the color blue was investigated by considering the recipe for lapis lazuli given by the artist to Giovanni Alcherio in Venice in 1410 and found in the medieval treatise of Jean Lebegue. The paper highlights this important evidence for the study of painting technique in the first half of the 15th century with an analytical and technical study of two paintings: The Mystic Marriage of Saint Catherine (Siena, Pinacoteca Nazionale, inv. 171) and The Madonna of the Rose Garden (Verona, Museo di Castelvecchio, inv. 173-1B359). These two case studies were approached through analyses carried out with non-invasive and portable techniques such as Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (ED-XRF) spectroscopy and Fiber Optics Reflectance Spectroscopy (FORS). The results show a color palette based on ultramarine, azurite, verdigris or copper resinate; earths, cinnabar or vermillion; and lead white, yellow and red ochre and lac. These preliminary results made it possible to clarify certain aspects of the artist’s style and his painting technique and identify common elements between the two works of art.
Investigating the Effect of Hydrafiber and Biochar as a Substitute for Peat-Based Substrate for Zinnia (Zinnia elegans) and Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) Production
Authors: Chen Lilin , Rycyna Julia , Yu Ping
Published: June 2024

Increasing environmental and economic concerns necessitate the research for peat moss alternatives, aiming to balance ecological sustainability with cost-effectiveness. This study assessed whether biochar (BC) and hydrafiber (HF) could be a partial replacement for peat moss as substrate components. Twelve substrates were formulated by either mixing BC (20%, 40%, and 60%, by vol.) with HF (20%, 40%, and 60%, by vol.), with the remaining being peat moss or mixing BC (0%, 20%, 40%, and 60%, by vol.) with the commercial substrates (CS) to grow zinnia (Zinnia elegans) and snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) plants in containers. The physical properties of the substrates, including container capacity, total porosity, air space, bulk density, and chemical properties including leachate pH and electrical conductivity (EC) were measured. Plant growth parameters including growth index (GI) and leaf greenness (indicated with SPAD), biomass, and number of flowers were measured biweekly. The results showed all the substrate mixes had similar air space, bulk density, and SPAD. Treatment with 20% BC and 80% CS yielded the highest GI, biomass, and numbers of flowers in both zinnia and snapdragon. In conclusion, BC could be used to partially (20%) replace commercial substrate mix for container-grown zinnia and snapdragon.
The Effect of COVID-19 on Public and Private Sector Earnings Management: Evidence from Korea
Authors: Kim Woo-sahng , Moon Bo-young , Jung Dong-goo
Published: June 2024

This study investigated how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted earnings management practices within both public and private firms in Korea. Amid active government efforts and policies to overcome the pandemic crisis, we anticipate that the earnings management of public sector managers, prioritizing public benefit as their key sustainability objective, will distinctly differ from those of private sector managers, who are influenced by a different set of pressures and incentives. Empirical analysis revealed a notable decrease in earnings management in the public sector post-COVID-19, with no significant change in the private sector. Our study distinguishes how public and private firms react to identical economic crises, deepening our insight into the ways different organizations handle financial reporting amid government intervention and economic stress. Such differentiation not only broadens our comprehension of strategies for managing earnings but also offers vital perspectives on the dynamics among corporate governance, regulatory environments, and sustainability.
Intestinal Microbiota Increases Cell Proliferation of Colonic Mucosa in Human-Flora-Associated (HFA) Mice
Authors: Brandi Giovanni , Calabrese Carlo , Tavolari Simona , Bridonneau Chantal , Raibaud Pierre , Liguori Giuseppina , Thomas Muriel , Di Battista Monica , Gaboriau-Routhiau Valerie , Langella Philippe
Published: June 2024

Intestinal epithelium renewal strictly depends on fine regulation between cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. While murine intestinal microbiota has been shown to modify some epithelial cell kinetics parameters, less is known about the role of the human intestinal microbiota. Here, we investigated the rate of intestinal cell proliferation in C3H/HeN germ-free mice associated with human flora (HFA, n = 8), and in germ-free (n = 15) and holoxenic mice (n = 16). One hour before sacrifice, all mice were intraperitoneally inoculated with 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), and the number of BrdU-positive cells/total cells (labelling index, LI), both in the jejunum and the colon, was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Samples were also observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Moreover, the microbiota composition in the large bowel of the HFA mice was compared to that of of human donor’s fecal sample. No differences in LI were found in the small bowels of the HFA, holoxenic, and germ-free mice. Conversely, the LI in the large bowel of the HFA mice was significantly higher than that in the germ-free and holoxenic counterparts (p = 0.017 and p = 0.048, respectively). In the holoxenic and HFA mice, the SEM analysis disclosed different types of bacteria in close contact with the intestinal epithelium. Finally, the colonic microbiota composition of the HFA mice widely overlapped with that of the human donor in terms of dominant populations, although Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli disappeared. Despite the small sample size analyzed in this study, these preliminary findings suggest that human intestinal microbiota may promote a high proliferation rate of colonic mucosa. In light of the well-known role of uncontrolled proliferation in colorectal carcinogenesis, these results may deserve further investigation in a larger population study.
The Crucial Role of Inflammation and the Immune System in Colorectal Cancer Carcinogenesis: A Comprehensive Perspective
Authors: Burgos-Molina Antonio Manuel , Téllez Santana Teresa , Redondo Maximino , Bravo Romero María José
Published: June 2024

Chronic inflammation drives the growth of colorectal cancer through the dysregulation of molecular pathways within the immune system. Infiltration of immune cells, such as macrophages, into tumoral regions results in the release of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6; IL-17; TNF-α), fostering tumor proliferation, survival, and invasion. Tumors employ various mechanisms to evade immune surveillance, effectively ‘cloaking’ themselves from detection and subsequent attack. A comprehensive understanding of these intricate molecular interactions is paramount for advancing novel strategies aimed at modulating the immune response against cancer.
A Comparison of Bias Mitigation Techniques for Educational Classification Tasks Using Supervised Machine Learning
Authors: Wongvorachan Tarid , Bulut Okan , Liu Joyce Xinle , Mazzullo Elisabetta
Published: June 2024

Machine learning (ML) has become integral in educational decision-making through technologies such as learning analytics and educational data mining. However, the adoption of machine learning-driven tools without scrutiny risks perpetuating biases. Despite ongoing efforts to tackle fairness issues, their application to educational datasets remains limited. To address the mentioned gap in the literature, this research evaluates the effectiveness of four bias mitigation techniques in an educational dataset aiming at predicting students’ dropout rate. The overarching research question is: “How effective are the techniques of reweighting, resampling, and Reject Option-based Classification (ROC) pivoting in mitigating the predictive bias associated with high school dropout rates in the HSLS:09 dataset?" The effectiveness of these techniques was assessed based on performance metrics including false positive rate (FPR), accuracy, and F1 score. The study focused on the biological sex of students as the protected attribute. The reweighting technique was found to be ineffective, showing results identical to the baseline condition. Both uniform and preferential resampling techniques significantly reduced predictive bias, especially in the FPR metric but at the cost of reduced accuracy and F1 scores. The ROC pivot technique marginally reduced predictive bias while maintaining the original performance of the classifier, emerging as the optimal method for the HSLS:09 dataset. This research extends the understanding of bias mitigation in educational contexts, demonstrating practical applications of various techniques and providing insights for educators and policymakers. By focusing on an educational dataset, it contributes novel insights beyond the commonly studied datasets, highlighting the importance of context-specific approaches in bias mitigation.
Forecasting the Expansion of Bactrocera tsuneonis (Miyake) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in China Using the MaxEnt Model
Authors: Mao Jianxiang , Meng Fanhua , Song Yunzhe , Li Dongliang , Ji Qinge , Hong Yongcong , Lin Jia , Cai Pumo
Published: June 2024

The invasive pest, Bactrocera tsuneonis (Miyake), has become a significant threat to China’s citrus industry. Predicting the area of potentially suitable habitats for B. tsuneonis is essential for optimizing pest control strategies that mitigate its impact on the citrus industry. Here, existing distribution data for B. tsuneonis, as well as current climate data and projections for four future periods (2021–2040, 2041–2060, 2061–2080, and 2081–2100) from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) were obtained. The distribution of B. tsuneonis under current and different climate change scenarios in China was predicted using the optimized MaxEnt model, ArcGIS, and the ENMeval data package. Model accuracy was assessed using ROC curves, and the primary environmental factors influencing the distribution of the pest were identified based on the percent contribution. When the regularization multiplier (RM) was set to 1.5 and the feature combination (FC) was set to LQH, a model with lower complexity was obtained. Under these parameter settings, the mean training AUC was 0.9916, and the mean testing AUC was 0.9854, indicating high predictive performance. The most influential environmental variables limiting the distribution of B. tsuneonis were the Precipitation of Warmest Quarter (Bio18) and Temperature Seasonality (standard deviation ×100) (Bio4). Under current climatic conditions, potentially suitable habitat for B. tsuneonis in China covered an area of 215.9 × 104 km2, accounting for 22.49% of the country’s land area. Potentially suitable habitat was primarily concentrated in Central China, South China, and East China. However, under future climatic projections, the area of suitable habitat for B. tsuneonis exhibited varying degrees of expansion. Furthermore, the centroid of the total suitable habitat for this pest gradually shifted westward and northward. These findings suggest that B. tsuneonis will spread to northern and western regions of China under future climate changes. The results of our study indicate that climate change will have a major effect on the invasion of B. tsuneonis and have implications for the development of strategies to control the spread of B. tsuneonis in China.
Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC) in the Treatment of Gastric Cancer: Feasibility, Efficacy and Safety—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ramalho-Vasconcelos Francisca , Gomes Raquel , Bouça-Machado Raquel , Aral Marisa , Nogueiro Jorge , Bouça-Machado Tiago , Sousa-Pinto Bernardo , Santos-Sousa Hugo
Published: June 2024

Background: Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC) is an emerging technique for delivering chemotherapy directly to the peritoneum via a pressurized aerosol. Its growing attention stems from its effectiveness in treating peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) originating from various primary tumors, with gastric cancer (GC) being among the most prevalent. This study aimed to systematically investigate PIPAC’s therapeutic role in gastric cancer peritoneal metastasis (GCPM). Methods: The systematic review and meta-analysis followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, searching Pubmed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS databases. The meta-analysis of relative risks and mean differences compared patients undergoing one or two PIPAC sessions with those completing three or more, assessing various outcomes. Results: Eighteen studies underwent qualitative analysis, and four underwent quantitative analysis. Patients with three or more PIPAC procedures had shorter hospital stays (MD = −1.2; 95%CI (−1.9; −0.5); p < 0.001), higher rates of histopathological response (RR = 1.77, 95%CI 1.08; 2.90; p = 0.023), and significantly improved overall survival (MD = 6.0; 95%CI 4.2; 7.8; p < 0.001). Other outcomes showed no significant differences. Conclusions: PIPAC demonstrated efficacy in carefully selected patients, enhancing histopathologic response rates and overall survival without prolonging hospital stays. This study underscores the necessity for randomized controlled trials and precise selection criteria to refine PIPAC’s implementation in clinical practice.
Physical, Mechanical and Microstructural Characteristics of Perlite-Based Geopolymers Modified with Mineral Additives
Authors: Kozhukhova Natalia I. , Glazkov Roman A. , Ageeva Marina S. , Kozhukhova Marina I. , Nikulin Ivan S. , Zhernovskaya Irina V.
Published: June 2024

One of the promising raw materials for the synthesis of geopolymers is perlite, which is a natural low-calcium aluminosilicate. This research studied the physical, mechanical and microstructural characteristics of perlite-based geopolymers modified with different mineral additives that were prepared using different methods of introducing the alkali components and curing conditions. The experimental results of the consolidated perlite-based geopolymer pastes showed that curing conditions and the method of introducing the alkali component into the geopolymer matrix had a minimal effect on the average density while demonstrating a significant boost in compressive strength. So, after thermal treatment, the compressive strength increased by 0.63 to 11.4 times for the mixes when fresh alkali solution was used and by 0.72 to 12.8 times for the mixes with the 24 h conditioned alkali solution. Maximum-strength spikes from 1.1 MPa to 13.2 MPa and from 0.7 MPa to 9.7 MPa were observed for the mixes with kaolin when prepared with fresh and conditioned alkali solutions, respectively. It was also observed that thermal treatment facilitates the compaction of the matrix structure by 18% and 1% for the non-modified mix and the mix modified with Portland cement. Perlite-based geopolymers modified with Portland cement and citrogypsum demonstrated a significant reduction in the initial and final setting times with both methods of introducing the alkali solution. On the surface of mixes modified with citrogypsum, regardless of the curing conditions and method of introducing the alkali component, an efflorescence substance was observed. The microstructural analysis of the consolidated geopolymer perlite-based pastes containing citrogypsum demonstrated a loose structure and the presence of efflorescence, which can be associated with a retardation in interaction processes between alkali cations and the aluminosilicate component. EDS analysis demonstrated that the presence of such elements as oxygen, sodium and sulfur may indicate the efflorescence of unreacted sodium hydroxide (NaOH), citrogypsum (CaSO4) and the products of their interaction in the form of crystalline hydrates of sodium sulfate (Na2SO4).
Microbial Symbiont-Based Detoxification of Different Phytotoxins and Synthetic Toxic Chemicals in Insect Pests and Pollinators
Authors: Kline Olivia , Joshi Neelendra K.
Published: June 2024

Insects are the most diverse form of life, and as such, they interact closely with humans, impacting our health, economy, and agriculture. Beneficial insect species contribute to pollination, biological control of pests, decomposition, and nutrient cycling. Pest species can cause damage to agricultural crops and vector diseases to humans and livestock. Insects are often exposed to toxic xenobiotics in the environment, both naturally occurring toxins like plant secondary metabolites and synthetic chemicals like herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides. Because of this, insects have evolved several mechanisms of resistance to toxic xenobiotics, including sequestration, behavioral avoidance, and enzymatic degradation, and in many cases had developed symbiotic relationships with microbes that can aid in this detoxification. As research progresses, the important roles of these microbes in insect health and function have become more apparent. Bacterial symbionts that degrade plant phytotoxins allow host insects to feed on otherwise chemically defended plants. They can also confer pesticide resistance to their hosts, especially in frequently treated agricultural fields. It is important to study these interactions between insects and the toxic chemicals they are exposed to in order to further the understanding of pest insect resistance and to mitigate the negative effect of pesticides on nontarget insect species like Hymenopteran pollinators.
Driving Success: Unveiling the Synergy of E-Marketing, Sustainability, and Technology Orientation in Online SME
Authors: Türkeș Mirela Cătălina
Published: June 2024

In Romania, the pandemic and post-pandemic effects, coupled with the nearly 80% increase in internet service penetration, have led to an extraordinary acceleration of e-commerce activity. Rising rents and operational costs, heightened financial challenges, and the improved quality and accessibility of internet connectivity have prompted some Romanian SMEs to sell their products and services online or through other online communication networks. In this context, it becomes essential to conduct marketing research to identify factors that could stimulate business performance. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of e-marketing orientation, sustainability orientation, and technology orientation on the performance of online SMEs in Romania. Hypothesis testing and validation of the proposed construct model were conducted using structural equation modeling with partial least squares (SEM-PLS) and multi-group analysis (PLS-MGA). The research results have indicated that all three independent variables have positive and significant effects on online SMEs’ business performance. Finally, the study suggests that SME managers should focus on integrating these three variables and on selling products and services both nationally and internationally through the internet if they aim for long-term business performance growth.
The Influencing Mechanism of the Communities’ Built Environment on Residents’ Subjective Well-Being: A Case Study of Beijing
Authors: Lin Yunan , Fu Hongpeng , Zhong Qikang , Zuo Zitu , Chen Sihong , He Ziqiang , Zhang Hao
Published: June 2024

There is a consensus toward quantitative environmental design in the information age, but the content and specific practices of its quantification have yet to be systematically studied. To enhance residents’ subjective well-being through environmental design, this study includes 847 valid questionnaires across four types of communities and identifies different types of resident groups using correspondence analysis. Then, this study compares the differences in the built environment and subjective well-being using one-way ANOVA and analyzes their impact via regression analysis. The results indicate that residents in old communities have the highest subjective well-being (3.93/5) and built environment assessments, and residents in policy housing communities have the lowest subjective well-being (3.37/5) and built environment assessments. A resident’s subjective well-being is more influenced by two types of built environment factors: architecture and landscape and the human–land relationship. Age, education level, public place usage, and the community’s overall evaluation also significantly affect residents’ subjective well-being. In the information age, quantitative design is the inevitable direction of future design. Through quantitative research, targeted design strategies can be proposed to serve community residents better in their communities and provide references for communities in other developing countries.
Nonequivalent Antiferromagnetically Coupled Sublattices Induce Two-Step Spin-Crossover Transitions: Equilibrium and Nonequilibrium Aspects
Authors: Veliu Valon , Yalçın Orhan , Özüm Songül , Erdem Rıza
Published: June 2024

As a continuation to the previously published work (Yalçın et al. (2022)), we investigate the equilibrium and nonequilibrium properties of the spin-crossover systems, with a specific focus on the nonequivalent sublattice, and compare these properties with those of the equivalent sublattices. We used the lowest approximation of the cluster variation method (LACVM) to derive the static equations for the order parameters of the two sublattices and determine high-spin fraction in relation to temperature and external magnetic field in a spin-crossover system. At a low temperature, the transition from stable high-spin (HS) state where nHS=1 occurs in the plateau region, where nHS=0.5 for nonequivalent sublattices. The order parameters for non-equivalent sublattices exhibit different states at the transition temperature. Also, we study the nonequilibrium properties of the order parameters and high-spin fraction using the path probability method (PPM). With the current model, we obtain and analyze the relaxation curves for the order parameters Sa, Sb, and high-spin fraction. These curves demonstrate the existence of bistability at low temperatures. At the end of this study, we present the flow diagram that shows the order parameters for different temperature values. The diagram exhibits states that are stable, metastable, and unstable.
Significance of Duodenal Prolactin Receptor Modulation by Calcium and Vitamin D in Sulpiride-Induced Hyperprolactinemia
Authors: Radojkovic Danijela Branislav , Pesic Milica , Radojkovic Milan , Vukelic Nikolic Marija , Jevtovic Stoimenov Tatjana , Radenkovic Sasa , Ciric Vojislav , Basic Dijana , Radjenovic Petkovic Tatjana
Published: June 2024

Background and Objectives: Hyperprolactinemia, as a potential side-effect of some antipsychotic medications, is associated with decreased bone density and an increased risk of fractures. This study investigates whether calcium and vitamin D supplementation affects prolactin receptor (Prlr) gene expression in the duodenum, vertebrae, and kidneys of female rats with sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinemia. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one-week-old female Wistar rats were assigned to three groups: Group S consisted of ten rats who received sulpiride injections (10 mg/kg) twice daily for 6 weeks; Group D (10 rats) received daily supplementation of 50 mg calcium and 500 IU vitamin D along with sulpiride for the last 3 weeks; and Group C consisting of seven age-matched nulliparous rats serving as a control group. Real-time PCR was used to assess Prlr gene expression in the duodenum, vertebrae, and kidneys. Results: In Group S, Prlr gene expression was notably decreased in the duodenum (p < 0.01) but elevated in the vertebrae and kidneys compared to Group C. Conversely, Group D exhibited significantly increased Prlr expression in the duodenum (p < 0.01) alongside elevated expression in the vertebrae and kidneys. Conclusions: In sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinemia, decreased Prlr gene expression in the duodenum may lead to reduced intestinal calcium absorption. Consequently, prolactin may draw calcium from the skeletal system to maintain calcium balance, facilitated by increased Prlr gene expression in the vertebrae. However, vitamin D supplementation in sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinemia notably enhances Prlr gene expression in the duodenum, potentially ameliorating intestinal calcium absorption and mitigating adverse effects on bone health.