bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemistry Storytelling with AI: A Descriptive Research of Ebook Creation for Grade 10 Students
Authors: Nugraha Christophorus Ardi , Harsono Rita Jhon
Published: November 2024

Teaching chemical compounds in an interesting way is quite challenging because of the complexity of the material and the difficulty of contextualizing various chemical elements in everyday life. This study explores the use of AI tools and storytelling to design engaging chemistry lessons for tenth grade students. Conducted at Bandung Alliance Intercultural School, the project involved fifteen students who created ebooks to teach chemical compounds to second graders. AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and CanvaAI facilitated brainstorming, storyline development, and image generation, while human input ensured the content was age-appropriate and engaging. The collaborative nature of the project fostered student ownership and engagement. Data were collected through observations and rubric scoring. Findings indicate that AI-enhanced storytelling can make chemistry lessons more interactive and relatable. However, the study's generalizability is limited due to its single-school setting. Future research should replicate this method in diverse educational environments and use experimental designs to measure the effectiveness of AI and storytelling in chemistry education.

Abstrak
Mengajarkan senyawa kimia secara menarik itu cukup menantang karena kompleksitas materi dan sulitnya mengkontekstualisasi berbagai unsur kimia dalam kehidupan sehari-hari. Penelitian ini mengeksplorasi penggunaan alat AI dan metode bercerita untuk merancang pembelajaran kimia yang menarik bagi siswa kelas sepuluh. Penelitian ini dilakukan di Bandung Alliance Intercultural School, melibatkan lima belas siswa yang membuat ebook untuk mengajarkan senyawa kimia kepada siswa kelas dua. Data dikumpulkan melalui observasi dan penilaian rubrik. Alat AI seperti ChatGPT, Gemini, dan CanvaAI digunakan untuk mencari ide cerita, mengembangkan alur cerita, dan membuat gambar. Intervensi dari siswa diperlukan untuk memastikan kontennya sesuai usia dan menarik. Sifat kolaboratif proyek ini mendorong kepemilikan dan keterlibatan siswa. Temuan menunjukkan bahwa metode bercerita yang diperkaya dengan AI dapat membuat pelajaran kimia lebih interaktif dan relevan. Sayangnya, generalisasi hasil penelitian ini terbatas karena dilakukan di satu sekolah saja. Penelitian selanjutnya harus mereplikasi metode ini di lingkungan pendidikan yang beragam dan menggunakan desain eksperimental untuk mengukur efektivitas AI dan metode bercerita dalam pendidikan kimia.
Conciencia y participación frente a la diversidad sexual y de género en estudiantes y docentes de contaduría pública
Authors: Rivera Quiguanás Valeria , Rios Buitrago Jhenifer , Vargas Ramírez Juan Pablo
Published: November 2024

This research analyzes the awareness and participation of students with sexual and gender diversity of the night shift of the Public Accounting program of the University of Quindío (Armenia, Colombia) in the year 2022. Thus, the regulations and laws that support or promote inclusion in higher education institutions, the existence of inclusive content on the subject in the institution and the program is described, and the level of awareness and participation of students and teachers of the Program is consulted. The methodology is mixed, of a descriptive type and a inductive method, it uses as collection instruments the structured interview with experts, and a structured survey of students and teachers. Among the results, it is highlighted that the institution has an institutional policy in the process of development and application, for this reason, the area of institutional well-being promotes diversity and inclusion through courses, workshops, talks, among others, although with a scope limited. The existing contents are institutional but scarce, the program does not have its own contents or work routes. The level of awareness among students and teachers of the program is high, but participation is low. It is concluded that there is a willingness to work on these issues, it is necessary to rethink the way of understanding and addressing sexual and gender diversity, there is the possibility of increasing efforts in the participation of the academic community and generating social impact through a profession of economic approach that can permeate the context with their students.
Sustentabilidad y AgroTech. Modelo de análisis de capacidades y resultados en centros de I+D universitarios
Authors: Camio Maria Isabel , Arditi Andrea Belén
Published: November 2024

Este trabajo identifica capacidades y resultados para la innovación en el sector AgroTech con enfoque en la sustentabilidad. Se construye un modelo conceptual basado en literatura sobre la vinculación universidad-industria y las capacidades para la innovación, operacionalizado mediante la definición de dimensiones, variables e indicadores. El sitio de investigación es la Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, en Argentina, en particular, 14 núcleos de actividades científico-tecnológicas (NACT) con diferentes capacidades tecnológicas y relacionales que desarrollan productos o servicios en el sector AgroTech con enfoque en la sustentabilidad. Académicamente, se destaca la propuesta de un modelo aplicable al análisis de centros de I+D y de indicadores útiles para medir capacidades tecnológicas y relacionales. En términos de política pública, se señala el rol de los sistemas públicos de investigación, sugiriendo la creación de espacios de articulación universidad-industria para abordar problemas relacionados con la sustentabilidad y el desarrollo territorial.
Historical Pathways of National Research and Development Systems in OECD Countries
Authors: Gutiérrez Rojas Cristián , Smith-Uldall Jerome
Published: November 2024

Research and development (R&D) is crucial for promoting knowledge generation as well as the acquisition of new knowledge, so as to enable the development of new products, processes, or services, and improve the existing ones. In this vein, countries make decisions to increase and sustain their innovation efforts and focus on public R&D expenditures. This paper seeks to analyse the pathways of national R&D systems of OECD countries. For this purpose, we conducted a descriptive and exploratory analysis for the period of 2000-2021. We used innovative effort variables, such as R&D intensity, as well as patents as an output variable. The sample consisted of 37 OECD countries, divided into five quintiles according to productivity performance during the study period. The results highlight cases of R&D systems that made a significant leap in productivity during the study period; however, the results also identify cases where a higher R&D intensity does not translate into substantial improvements in productivity. This confirms that innovation is a complex phenomenon where there is not always a guarantee of a positive linear relationship between innovative effort and scientific/technological performance.
Mapping the Nexus in the literature:The Influence of Entrepreneurial and Market Orientations on Supply Chain Agility
Authors: Lazarte-Aguirre Andrea
Published: November 2024

Purpose – This study aims to map the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO), market orientation (MO), and supply chain agility (SCA) from the operations perspective. An analysis of the most relevant manuscripts on the topic supposes a gap in the existing literature; thus, such an analysis was performed to evaluate consensus and discrepancies between scholars. 
Design/methodology/approach – The literature review includes 13 papers published in Web of Science-indexed journals. These studies provide an overview of MO and EO on SCA. This review uses content analysis to map the nexus between these three capabilities.
Findings – The results indicate that the literature can be clustered in four areas: (a) MO and EO with supply chain agility, (b) MO and supply chain agility, (c) EO and supply chain agility, and (d) supply chain orientation and other orientations as a research niche. The literature confirms the dominance of EO and MO in achieving SCA and demonstrates their combined effect as a dual strategic orientation in an organization.
Originality/value – This study provides value to both researchers and policymakers in the areas of strategic management and supply chain by presenting the links between EO, MO, and SCA in a systematic and structured manner. In addition, it comprehensively identifies the gaps in previous research and provides avenues for future research.
LO STATUS DELLA LINGUA ITALIANA NELLE IDEE DI ALESSANDRO MANZONI. PER UNA SEMANTICA A FAVORE DELL’USO
Authors: Malaspina Emma
Published: November 2024

Nel panorama della linguistica italiana ottocentesca, Alessandro Manzoni discorrendo aequo animo su numerose formulazioni, abolisce l’assurda convinzione che una lingua possa essere valutata lontana dall’Uso. Confuta così le teorie etimologiche e analogiche sulle quali si poggiavano le dissertazioni precedenti, e mostra il percorso della formazione linguistica dell’italiano. Di conseguenza questo lavoro analizzerà il Sentir messa, lo scritto nel quale il Manzoni smantellerà i paradossi della linguistica dei lumi, nella persona di Melchiorre Cesarotti, e correggerà le convinzioni errate di uno dei suoi seguaci, Vincenzo Monti. La ricerca dimostrerà la superiorità dei risultati raggiunti dal Manzoni in questo campo del sapere, e rivelerà allo stesso tempo la sua posizione anticipatrice, in quanto ciò che egli aveva intuito, sarà solo successivamente preso in considerazione e sviluppato nel campo della linguistica e dello studio delle lingue.
Letter to the editor on seeing an elephant
Authors: Izre'el Shlomo
Published: November 2024

This contribution is part of the Debate section that dialogues with the two-part paper "The Syntax of Existential Constructions" by Shlomo Izre'el from Tel-Aviv University published in Volume 11 in 2022. This letter is a reply to Rivka Halevy in the same section and published in Volume 11 in 2022 and to Pavel Ozerov in the same section and published in Volume 12 in 2023. First, I will refer to Rivka Halevy’s rejoinder, where she mainly addressed typological issues, among which the syntactical status of the pivot is especially intriguing. I will then deal with Pavel Ozerov’s rejoinder, who addressed the theoretical framework upon which my analysis of the existential-presentative constructions was based. Here I will deal with the complexities in defining and analyzing a syntactic predicate and its relations to the pragmatic notion of comment. In guise of a conclusion, I will touch upon some general observations on the study of language.
The Effect of Housing Poverty on Subjective Health among the Elderly Living Alone: Double Mediating Effects of Self-Esteem and Depression
Authors:   Korean Academy Welfare Counselling, Kim Gyeong Heui , Seo Bu Il
Published: November 2024

The purpose of this study is to empirically identify the magnitude and characteristics of residential poverty among the elderly living alone and to determine the mediating effects of self-esteem and depression on the effects of residential poverty on the subjective health of the elderly living alone. The analysis data used was secondary data from the 15th Korea Welfare Panel (KOWEPS) (2020). Among the panel survey data, 1,502 cases of seniors aged 65 or older living alone were finally analyzed as of 2020, the time of the survey. SPSS 23.0 and PROCESS Macro 3.5 were used for analysis, and the main research results are as follows. First, the level of residential poverty among elderly households living alone was approximately 1 out of 3 households. Second, health status was confirmed in terms of self-esteem, depression, and subjective health. As a result of the analysis, the average subjective health score was 2.7057 points on a 5-point scale, depression was 11.8635 points, and self-esteem was 2.8427 points on a 4-point scale. Third, as a result of controlling and analyzing demographic characteristics to determine how residential poverty affects the health of single-person elderly households, the effect of residential poverty on subjective health of single-person elderly households was statistically significant (β=-. 2295, p<.001), when self-esteem and depression were included, residential poverty no longer appeared to affect their subjective health (β=-.0418, p>.05), showing that residential poverty and subjective health It was found that depression and self-esteem each fully mediated the relationship. Fourth, as a result of verifying the size of the double mediating effect, it was found that the housing poverty (X) → self-esteem (M1) → depression (M2) → health (Y) path was significant as -.0479 (-.0674~-.0307). Based on these results, implications and development tasks for the residential welfare policy and service direction of elderly households living alone were presented.
A Proof of the Riemann Hypothesis Based on a New Expression of the Completed Zeta Function
Authors: Zhang Weicun
Published: November 2024

The Riemann Hypothesis (RH) is proved based on a new absolutely convergent expression of $\xi(s)$, which was obtained from the Hadamard product, through paring $\rho_i$ and $\bar{\rho}_i$, and taking the possible multiple zeros into consideration with their real (unique and unchangeable) multiplicities, i.e. $$\xi(s)=\xi(0)\prod_{\rho}(1-\frac{s}{\rho})=\xi(0)\prod_{i=1}^{\infty}(1-\frac{s}{\rho_i})(1-\frac{s}{\bar{\rho}_i})=\xi(0)\prod_{i=1}^{\infty}\Big{(}\frac{\beta_i^2}{\alpha_i^2+\beta_i^2}+\frac{(s-\alpha_i)^2}{\alpha_i^2+\beta_i^2}\Big{)}^{m_{i}}$$ where $\xi(0)=\frac{1}{2}$, $\rho_i=\alpha_i+j\beta_i$ and $\bar{\rho}_i=\alpha_i-j\beta_i$ are the complex conjugate zeros of $\xi(s)$, $0<\alpha_i<1$ and $\beta_i\neq 0$ are real numbers, $m_i\geq 1$ is the real multiplicity of $\rho_i$, $0<|\beta_1|\leq|\beta_2|\leq|\beta_3|\leq \cdots$. \\Then, according to the functional equation $\xi(s)=\xi(1-s)$, we have $$\prod_{i=1}^{\infty}\Big{(}1+\frac{(s-\alpha_i)^2}{\beta_i^2}\Big{)}^{m_{i}}=\prod_{i=1}^{\infty}\Big{(}1+\frac{(1-s-\alpha_i)^2}{\beta_i^2}\Big{)}^{m_{i}}$$ which, owing to the uniqueness and unchangeableness of $m_i$, is finally equivalent to (for more details, see the proof of Lemma 3.) $$\Big{(}1+\frac{(s-\alpha_i)^2}{\beta_i^2}\Big{)}^{m_{i}}=\Big{(}1+\frac{(1-s-\alpha_i)^2}{\beta_i^2}\Big{)}^{m_{i}} \Leftrightarrow \alpha_i=\frac{1}{2}, 0<|\beta_1|<|\beta_2|<|\beta_3|<\cdots$$ Thus, we conclude that the RH is true.
How to Parallelize “Non-Parallelizable” Minimization Functions
Authors: Lukyanenko Dmitry , Torbin Sergei , Shinkarev Valentin
Published: November 2024

The paper proposes an algorithm for parallelizing calculations that arise when using highly optimized minimization functions available in many computing packages. The main idea of the proposed algorithm is based on the fact that although the ``inner workings'' of the minimization function used may not be known to the user, it inevitably uses in its work auxiliary functions that implement the calculation of the minimized functional and its gradient, which are usually realized by the user and in many cases can be parallelized. The paper discusses in detail both the parallelization algorithm and its software implementation using MPI parallel programming technology, which can act as template for parallelizing a wide set of applied minimization problems. An example of software implementation of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated using the Python programming language, but can be easily rewritten using the C/C++/Fortran programming languages.
Enhancing Exchange Rate Forecasting with Explainable Deep Learning Models
Authors: Meng Shuchen , Chen Andi , Wang Chihang , Zheng Mengyao , Wu Fangyu , Chen Xupeng , Ni Haowei , Li Panfeng
Published: November 2024

Accurate exchange rate prediction is fundamental to financial stability and international trade, positioning it as a critical focus in economic and financial research. Traditional forecasting models often falter when addressing the inherent complexities and non-linearities of exchange rate data. This study explores the application of advanced deep learning models, including LSTM, CNN, and transformer-based architectures, to enhance the predictive accuracy of the RMB/USD exchange rate. Utilizing 40 features across 6 categories, the analysis identifies TSMixer as the most effective model for this task. A rigorous feature selection process emphasizes the inclusion of key economic indicators, such as China-U.S. trade volumes and exchange rates of other major currencies like the euro-RMB and yen-dollar pairs. The integration of grad-CAM visualization techniques further enhances model interpretability, allowing for clearer identification of the most influential features and bolstering the credibility of the predictions. These findings underscore the pivotal role of fundamental economic data in exchange rate forecasting and highlight the substantial potential of machine learning models to deliver more accurate and reliable predictions, thereby serving as a valuable tool for financial analysis and decision-making.
Acute Fatal Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus in a Captive Adult Linnaeus’s Two-Toed Sloth (Choloepus didactylus) in Amazon Biome
Authors: Oliveira Hanna Gabriela da Silva , Lopes Cinthia Távora de Albuquerque , Correa Letícia Yasmin Silva , Thiesen Roberta Martins Crivelaro , Silva Rodrigo Otavio Silveira , Uzal Francisco Alejandro , Domingues Sheyla Farhayldes Souza , Salvarani Felipe Masiero
Published: November 2024

This study aims to report the dietary and daily management, clinical signs, complementary exams, and pathological findings related to an acute and fatal case of gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) in a captive Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth (Choloepus didactylus) in the Amazon Biome. An adult female sloth, rescued after being electrocuted, was housed at HVSAS. It was fed a diverse diet that included animal protein, fruits, vegetables, and greens, with vitamin and mineral supplementation. After five years, the sloth was found in its enclosure hyporesponsive, dehydrated, hypothermic, and hyperventilating, with an abdominal dilation of firm consistency. During emergency care, the animal died. Fecal samples collected two days before death were positive only for Clostridium perfringens type A. Necropsy findings included dilatation of the squamous gastric compartment due to gas accumulation, with necrotic and hemorrhagic mucosa, a 180-270° volvulus obstructing the gastroesophageal region, and intestinal mucosal hyperemia. Histopathology revealed marked congestion with hemorrhage and gastric mucosal necrosis, along with tertiary lymphoid follicles in the submucosa. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of GDV in a sloth in Brazil. Further research is needed to develop appropriate approaches to GDV in captive sloths.
The Effect of Nitrogen as Co-Dopant in P-Type NiO:Nb Films on the Photovoltaic Performance of NiO/TiO2 Transparent Solar Cells
Authors: Aivalioti Chrysa , Androulidaki Maria , Tsagaraki Katerina , Manidakis Emmanouil G. , Koliakoudakis Charidimos , Pelekanos Nikolaos T. , Modreanu Mircea , Aperathitis Elias
Published: November 2024

Doping engineering has been applied in niobium-doped NiO (NiO:Nb) by adding nitrogen (N) in its structure. The rf-sputtered films were made from a Ni-Nb composite target on unheated substrates at 300 W rf power and 5 mTorr total pressure. The plasma contained 50% Ar and 50% O2 for the fabrication of the single-doped NiO:Nb film (AΝ film), and N2 gas for the incorporation of N in the Ni-O-Nb structure. The N2 in plasma was introduced by keeping constant the flow rates of O2 and N2 gases (O2/N2=1) and reducing the amount of Ar gas, namely 94% Ar, 3% O2, 3% N2 (film AN1), 50% Ar, 25% O2, 25% N2 (film AN2), 6% Ar, 47% O2, 47% N2 (film AN3). All films had the single phase of cubic NiO and both Nb and N in the Ni-O structure were revealed by XPS experiments. The roughness of the films was increased with the increase of N in plasma. Post-deposition thermal treatment improved the crystallinity and reduced the structural disorder of the films. The AN2 film was found to be the most transparent of all films exhibiting the widest band gap, 3.72 eV, and the narrowest Urbach tail states width, 313 meV. The AN and the AN2 films were employed to form NiO/TiO2 heterostructures. The NiO:Nb/TiO2 and NiO:(Nb,N)/TiO2 heterostructures exhibited a visible transmittance of around 42% and 75%, respectively and both showed rectification properties. Upon illumination with UV light, the NiO:(Nb,N)/TiO2 diode exhibited enhanced photovoltaic performance when compared to the NiO:Nb/TiO2 solar cell: the short circuit current densities were 0.2 mA/cm2 versus 1.4 μA/cm2 and the open-circuit voltages were 0.5 V versus 0.2 V. The output characteristics of the p-NiO:(Nb,N)/n-TiO2 UV-photovoltaic can be further improved by proper engineering of the individual layers and device processing procedures.
Effect of Scattered Solar Radiation on the Informativeness of Polarization Lidar Studies of High-Level Clouds
Authors: Samokhvalov Ignatii , Bryukhanov Ilia , Akimov Ivan , Kuchinskaia Olesia , Penzin Maxim , Romanov Denis , Ni Evgeny , Zhivotenyuk Ivan
Published: November 2024

During daylight laser polarization sensing of high-level clouds (HLCs), the lidar receiving system generates a signal caused by not only backscattered laser radiation, but also scattered solar radiation, the intensity and polarization of which depends on the Sun’s location. If a cloud contains spatially oriented ice particles, then it becomes anisotropic, that is, the coefficients of directional light scattering of such a cloud depend on the Sun’s zenith and azimuth angles. In this work, the possibility of using the effect of anisotropic scattering of solar radiation on the predictive ability of machine learning algorithms in solving the problem of predicting the HLC backscattering phase matrix (BSPM) was evaluated. The hypothesis that radiation scattered on HLCs has no effect on the BSPM elements of such clouds determined with a polarization lidar was tested. The operation of two algorithms for predicting the BSPM elements is evaluated. To train the first one, meteorological data were used as input parameters; for the second algorithm, the azimuthal and zenith angles of the Sun's position were added to the meteorological parameters. It is shown that there is no significant improvement in the predictive ability of the algorithm.
Selection and Validation of Reference Genes for Rt-qPCR Analysis of the Predatory Natural Enemy Orius nagaii (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)
Authors: Wang Chengxing , Yin Zhenjuan , Wang Yu , Liu Yan , Zhao Shan , Dai Xiaoyan , Wang Ruijuan , Su Long , Chen Hao , Zheng Li , Zhai Yifan
Published: November 2024

Orius nagaii is a highly effective natural enemy for controlling thrips, tetranychids, aphids, and various Lepidoptera pests. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms underlying its interactions with host pests remain unclear. Screening optimal reference genes is prerequisite for using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to investigate the interrelationship. Here, ten commonly used reference genes (Act, GAPDH, β-Tub, EF1-α, RPS10, RPS15, RPL6, RPL13, RPL32, and HSP90) were selected and evaluated the expression stability across developmental stages, tissues, temperature, and host conditions by RefFinder, which contains multiple analytical approaches (NormFinder, geNorm, the ΔCt method, and BestKeeper). The findings suggested that the most reliable normalization can be achieved by selecting the two reference genes for all conditions, with the optimal pairs were: RPS10 and RPL32 for developmental stage, RPS10 and RPS15 for tissue, RPS10 and RPS15 for host, and EF1-α and RPL13 for temperature. Also, the best- and least-stable reference genes were chosen to compare the relative transcript levels of the TBX1 in various tissues, which exhibited considerable variation. Our findings will significantly enhance the reliability of RT-qPCR and provide a foundation for further research on the expression patterns of crucial genes implicated in the interaction between O. nagaii and its host pests.
Sông Sài Gòn: Extreme Plastic Pollution Pathways in Riparian Waterways
Authors: Cleveland Peter , Morrison Ann
Published: November 2024

Plastic pollution in waterways poses a significant global challenge, largely stemming from land-based sources and subsequently transported by rivers to marine environments. With a substantial percentage of marine plastic waste originating from land-based sources, comprehending the trajectory and temporal experience of single-use plastic bottles assumes paramount importance. This project designed, developed, and released a plastic pollution tracking device, coinciding with Vietnam's annual Plastic Awareness Month. By mapping the plastic tracker's journey through the Saigon River, this study generated high-fidelity data for comprehensive analysis and bolstered public awareness through regular updates on the Re-Think Plastics Vietnam website. The device, equipped with technologies such as drone flight controller, open-source software, embedded computing, and cellular networking effectively captured GPS position, track, and localized conditions experienced by the plastic bottle tracker on its journey. This amalgamation of data contributes to the understanding of plastic pollution behaviours and serves as a data set for future initiatives aimed at plastic prevention in the ecologically sensitive Mekong Delta. By illuminating the transportation of single-use plastic bottles in the riparian waterways of Ho Chi Minh City and beyond, this study plays a role in collective efforts to understand plastic pollution and preserve aquatic ecosystems.
Release and Disintegration Properties of Poly(lactic Acid) Films with Allyl Isothiocyanate-β-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes for Active Food Packaging
Authors: Muñoz-Shugulí Cristina , Rodríguez-Mercado Francisco , Guarda Abel , Galotto María José , Jiménez Alfonso , Garrigós Maria Carmen , Ramos Marina
Published: November 2024

This study aimed to enhance the properties and compostability of active poly(lactic acid) (PLA) films by incorporating β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) inclusion complexes with allyl isothiocyanate (AITC). Films were prepared via melt extrusion and characterized by their structural, chemical, morphological, thermal and barrier properties. These inclusion complexes improved the thermal stability and moisture absorption of films, enhancing disintegration under composting conditions. The release of AITC in the vapour phase was responsive to relative humidity, maintaining the antimicrobial functionality at low values and releasing effectively at higher humidity levels, with a maximum release at 100%. Incorporating 5% and 10% β-CD:AITC complexes accelerated disin-tegration under composting conditions, reducing the time by five days for disintegration com-pared to pure PLA, achieving up to 90% in 23 days. These results, with a general improvement in functional properties, suggest that PLA films with β-CD:AITC are promising for developing sustainable, biodegradable antimicrobial packaging solutions for food applications.
Characterization of Freshly Isolated Human Peripheral Blood B Cells, Monocytes, CD4 + and CD8+ T Cells, and Skin Mast Cells by Quantitative Transcriptomics
Authors: Akula Srinivas , Alvarado-Vazquez Abigail , Haide Mendez Enriquez Erika , Bal Gürkan , Franke Kristin , Wernersson Sara , Hallgren Jenny , Pejler Gunnar , Babina Magda , Hellman Lars
Published: November 2024

Quantitative transcriptomics offers a new way to obtain a detailed picture of freshly isolated cells. By direct isolation, the cells are unaffected by in vitro culture and the isolation at cold temperatures maintains the cells relatively unaltered in phenotype by avoiding activation through receptor crosslinking or plastic adherence. Simultaneous analysis of several cell types provides the opportunity to obtain detailed pictures of transcriptomic differences between them. We here present such an analysis focusing on four human blood cell populations and compare those to isolated human skin mast cells. Pure CD19+ peripheral blood B cells, CD14+ monocytes, and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were obtained by fluorescence activated cell sorting and KIT+ human connective tissue mast cells (MCs) were purified by MACS sorting from healthy skin. Detailed information concerning expression levels of the different granule proteases, proteases inhibitors, Fc-receptors, other receptors, transcription factors, cell signaling components, cytoskeletal proteins and many other protein families relevant to the functions of these cells were obtained and comprehensively discussed. The MC granule proteases were found exclusively in the MC samples, and the T cell granzymes in the T cells, of which several were present in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. High levels of CD4 were also observed in MCs and monocytes. We found a large variation between the different cell populations in the expression of Fc receptors was observed across cell populations as well as for lipid mediators, proteoglycan synthesis enzymes, cytokines, cytokine receptors and transcription factors. This detailed quantitative comparative analysis of more than 780 proteins of importance for the function of these populations can now serve as a good reference material for research into how these entities shape the role of these cells in immunity and tissue homeostasis.
Role of miR-486-5p on CSC Phenotype in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Etzi Federica , Griñán-Lisón Carmen , Fenu Grazia , González-Titos Aitor , Pisano Andrea , Farace Cristiano , Sabalic Angela , Picón-Ruiz Manuel , Marchal Juan Antonio , Madeddu Roberto
Published: November 2024

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third diagnosed cancer worldwide. The 44% of metastatic colorectal cancer patients were diagnosed at an early stage. Despite curative resection, approximately 40% of patients will develop metastases within few years. Previous studies indicate the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and their contribute to CRC progression and metastasis. miRNAs deregulation plays a role in CSCs formation and in tumor development. At the light of previous studies, we investigated the role of miR-486-5p to better understand its role in CSC. The expression of miR-486-5p was assessed in adherent cells and spheres generated from two CRC cell lines to observe the difference of expression in CSC-enriched spheroids. After, we overexpressed and underexpressed this miRNA in adherent and spheres cultures through the transfection of miR-486-5p mimic and a mimic inhibitor. The results demonstrated that miR-486-5p exhibited a notable downregulation in CSC models, and its over-expression led to a significant decrease in colony size. In this study, we confirmed that miR-486-5p plays an onco-suppressive role in CRC, thereby advancing our understanding of the role of this microRNA in the CSC phenotype.
Comprehensive Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Cell-Type-Specific Roles of Human Odorant Receptors in Glioblastoma and the Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Yeo Dong Jun , Yang HeeWoong , Cho Hee Jin , Koo JaeHyung
Published: November 2024

Odorant receptors (ORs), which constitute approximately 50% of all human G protein-coupled receptors, are increasingly recognized for their diverse roles beyond odor perception, including functions in various pathological conditions like brain diseases and cancers. However, the roles of ORs in glioblastoma (GBM), the most aggressive primary brain tumor with a median survival of only 15 months, remain largely unexplored. Here, we performed an integrated transcriptomic analysis combining TCGA RNA-seq and single-cell RNA sequencing data from GBM patients to uncover cell-type-specific roles of ORs within the tumor and its microenvironment. Our findings reveal that ORs display distinct expression patterns, with OR51E1 enriched in pericytes linked to vascular remodeling and angiogenesis, OR2B11 associated with tumor-associated macrophages supporting immunosuppressive phenotypes, and OR2L13 correlated with synaptic activity in recurrent tumors, potentially mediating treatment-induced neuronal adaptations. These results highlight ORs as potential therapeutic targets, offering new insights into their regulatory roles in GBM progression, immune modulation, and treatment resistance.
Unravelling During Cold Storage and Shelf Life the Pathological and Physicochemical Characteristics of Postharvest Apples and Oranges Treated with Sodium Metabisulfite
Authors: Allagui Mohamed Bechir , Ben Amara Mouna
Published: November 2024

Fruits are susceptible to a diverse range of postharvest rots that can reduce quality if preventive measures are not taken in time. In this study, samples of orange cv. 'Maltaise' and apple cvs. ‘Golden Delicious' and 'Richared' were sorted without infection or injury, treated or not with sodium metabisulfite (SMB), then placed in cold storage for 20, 42 or 59-61 days, followed by a shelf life of 6 or 15 days. The degree of fruit infection, weight loss and physicochemical characteristics were analyzed at each storage period. Our results indicate that adequate postharvest storage depends on the type of fruit, the duration of cold storage and shelf life. The heat map grouped 'Richared' apples close to its fresh state, without developing rot or perceptible weight loss for 60 days at low temperature (6°C) and 15 days of shelf life. These red apples performed better during storage than the “Golden”, especially in terms of storability and total flavonoids. Apples of 'Golden' showed better storage stability than 'Maltaise', which could be stored properly for up to 20 days at 6°C, followed by a 15-day shelf life, regardless of treatment with sodium metabisulfite. The longer the oranges were stored, the greater the risk of infection and the physicochemical properties, in this case flavonoids, decreased. The chemical criteria (TSS, pH) of apples and oranges were not affected by soaking in SMB, being similar to that of untreated fruit. However, treating fruit with SMB is regarded as unlikely due to its low effectiveness in preventing fruit decay during long-term storage. Cluster analysis showed that total polyphenols were linked to poor storability, while flavonoids, hardness and TSS were clustered with better storability. This suggests that flavonoids may be a more reliable indicator of storage suitability than total polyphenols.
Burden of Food-Borne Trematodiases in China: Trends from 1990 to 2021 and Projections to 2035
Authors: Zou Yanzheng , Lin Yihu , Qian Yili , Tao Luqiu , Tan Gao , Zhu Hongru , Pan Li , Liu Xiaoli , He Yu , Wang Wei
Published: November 2024

Objective: Food-borne trematodiases are a group of parasitic diseases primarily transmitted to humans via the consumption of raw or undercooked aquatic products. This study aims to assess the prevalence of and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to food-borne trematodiases in China from 1990 to 2021 and to project the DALYs up to 2035.
Methods: Data for this study were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2021. Temporal trends of age-standardized and age-specific prevalence and DALY rates were quantified using the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC). A Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model was applied to project DALY counts and rates through 2035.
Results: In 2021, the estimated number of prevalent cases of food-borne trematodiases in China was 33.32 million (95% uncertainty interval (UI): 29.25–38.35 million), contributing to 768,297.4 DALYs (95% UI: 383,882.8–1,367,826.1). From 1990 to 2021, the number of prevalent cases and DALYs declined by 9.02% and 18.11%, respectively. The age-standardized prevalence and DALY rates also showed downward trends (EAPC: -0.96 and -1.21, respectively). Higher prevalence and DALY rates were consistently observed in males compared with females. By age, the middle-aged group bore the highest burden, while the older population showed the most rapid increase in the number of prevalent cases and DALYs. Projected DALYs and DALY rate remain stable through 2035.
Conclusions: The burden of food-borne trematodiases in China declined from 1990 to 2021, but prevalence remains high, and it contributed considerably to disability and premature death. This study also revealed gender and age disparities in the burden of this disease. Continued control efforts and targeted interventions are essential to further reducing the burden of food-borne trematodiases in China.
DIA/SWATH-Mass Spectrometry Revealing Melanoma Cell Proteome Transformations with Silver Nanoparticles: An Innovative Comparative Study
Authors: Martano Simona , Faktor Jakub , Kote Sachin , Cascione Mariafrancesca , Di Corato Riccardo , Faktorová Dagmar , Semeraro Paola , Rizzello Loris , Rinaldi Rosaria , De Matteis Valeria
Published: November 2024

Melanoma is an aggressive cancer with increasing incidence and high mortality, driven by chemotherapy resistance and molecular dysregulation. Nanotechnology, specifically silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), shows promise as a treatment due to their ability to cause oxidative stress and apoptosis in cancer cells. However, traditional colloidal AgNPs lack selectivity, causing significant harm to normal cells. In this study, we present a green synthesis of AgNPs using plant extracts, which offers an eco-friendly alternative with a more targeted antitumor effect than traditional colloidal AgNPs. Using label-free DIA/SWATH MS quantitative proteomics, we compared the antitumor effects of AgNPs synthesized via traditional and green methods on A375 melanoma cells at 24 and 48 hours. Green AgNP exposure selectively reduced melanoma cell viability while sparing healthy keratinocytes (HaCaT), unlike Colloidal AgNPs. Proteomic analysis revealed that Green AgNPs exposure significantly decreased a panel of oncogenes and increasing carbohydrate metabolism, and dysregulating copper homeostasis. This is the first study to report the effects of differently synthesized AgNPs on melanoma cells using an integrated proteomic approach. It emphasizes the potential of green AgNPs in cancer therapy at a molecular level.
Strategies and Methodologies of Improving Toughness of Starch Film
Authors: Yang Yiwen , Fu Jun , Duan Qingfei , Xie Huifang , Dong Xinyi , Yu Long
Published: November 2024

Starch films have attracted increasingly attentions since they are not only biodegradable but also edible, or using as animal feeds from the post-products. Applications of starch-based films include food packaging, coating and medicine capsules etc. One of the well-recognized weaknesses of starch-based film is brittle, especially under dry condition since starch retrogradation and instability of plasticizers. Various strategies and methodologies have been developed to improve this weakness, including plasticizing, chemical modification and physical reinforcement etc. This review includes both fundamental science such as microstructures, phase transitions and compatibility, and application techniques like processing, plasticizer evaluation and chemical modifications etc. Plasticizers act as very important role in developing starch-based materials since without plasticizer the starch-based materials will be very brittle even unprocessable. Since starches contain many hydroxyl groups all the plasticizers used for starch-based materials must contain hydroxyl or polar groups. Chemical modification like esterification and etherification can prevent starch recrystallization. Reinforcement, in particular with nano-cellulous significantly improved the mechanical properties of starch film. Based on the literatures and our experience, we have not only discussed and summarized the achievements in this area, but also pointed out the weakness of current technologies and proposed research directions in this review.
Hybrid Model Integration of LightGBM, DeepFM, and DIN for Enhanced Purchase Prediction on the Elo Dataset
Authors: Lu Jiaxin , Long Yujian , Li Xinrui , Shen Yanxin , Wang Xueshe
Published: November 2024

In the rapidly evolving landscape of personalized recommendation systems, accurately predicting user purchase behavior remains a critical challenge. This study presents a novel hybrid model combining LightGBM, DeepFM, and Deep Interest Network (DIN) architectures to enhance the prediction accuracy for the Elo payment dataset. Our approach leverages advanced feature engineering, including clustering and temporal feature extraction, coupled with robust training strategies such as adversarial weight perturbation (AWP) and pseudo-labeling. By integrating these techniques, we achieve superior performance compared to existing models, as measured by AUC (Area Under the Curve) and NDCG (Normalized Discounted Cumulative Gain) metrics. Our model demonstrates a significant improvement in prediction precision, particularly for high-ranking predictions, thereby offering a comprehensive solution to the complexities of user behavior modeling in payment datasets.
Palliative Care in the Community and the Relevance of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Placement on Quality of Life and Survival
Authors: Magalhães Júlia , Ribeiro Hugo , Costa Elisabete , Rodrigues Inês , Rocha-Neves João , Andrade José Paulo , Bernardes António , Dourado Marília
Published: November 2024

The study explores the impact of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement on survival and quality of life in patients under community palliative care in northern Portugal. This observational, retrospective cohort study involved 54 patients monitored by a specialized palliative care team between March 2020 and December 2023. Key outcomes assessed include survival rates, main diagnoses leading to PEG requests, and the influence of PEG placement on survival and place of death. Statistical analysis revealed that survival time was significantly longer in females compared to males (p = 0.003). The main reason for PEG requests was dysphagia, especially in patients with dementia and oncological diseases. No significant correlations were found between PEG placement and age at death, survival time or palliative performance scores (PPS). However, the study identified a moderate positive correlation between follow-up time and survival after PEG placement (r = 0.457, p < 0.001) and a low rate of complications (11% of patients with minor complications and none with severe complications). The study emphasizes the role of timely PEG placement and social support in improving patient outcomes. Additionally, patients whose PEG was requested by the study’s palliative care team demonstrated better survival outcomes compared to those referred by other teams. The findings underscore the need for individualized decision-making in PEG placement and suggest that this procedure is safe and increases patient longevity and quality of life, avoiding the high rate of complications associated with nasogastric tubes in fragile patients in need of specialized palliative care.
Perceptions and Needs Assessment of Digital Dentistry Interdisciplinary Education Among Dental Laboratory Technology Students
Authors: LEE YOOMEE
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: This study evaluates the awareness and perceptions of multidisciplinary education, with a particular focus on digital dentistry, among students in the Department of Dental Technology. The findings aim to inform the development of interdisciplinary courses and programs to enhance students' skills in response to the evolving digital landscape of dental healthcare. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess the perceptions and demands regarding interdisciplinary education in digital dentistry among students in the Department of Dental Technology. A 23-item online questionnaire was employed to collect data on general characteristics, perceptions of interdisciplinary education, the perceived necessity of such education, and the demand for interdisciplinary training, including topics related to CAD/CAM and 3-D printing technologies. Results: Despite the relatively low level of awareness regarding interdisciplinary education, students expressed a strong perceived need for it. 76.6% of respondents preferred to collaborate with the Department of Dental Hygiene. Conclusions: There is a strong demand for interdisciplinary education, highlighting the need for demand-driven courses in the development of digital dental technology. The results of this study suggest the importance of integrating interdisciplinary education.
Comparative Analysis of LiDAR and Photogrammetry for 3D Crime Scene Reconstruction
Authors: Sheshtar Fatemah M. , Alhatlani Wajd M. , Moulden Michael , Kim Jong Hyuk
Published: November 2024

Accurate and fast 3D mapping of crime scenes is crucial in law enforcement, and first responders often need to document the scenes in detail under challenging conditions and within a limited time. Traditional methods often fail to capture the details to understand the scenes comprehensively. This study investigates the effectiveness of recent mobile phone-based mapping technologies equipped with a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor. The performance of LiDAR and pure photogrammetry is evaluated under different illumination (day and night) and scanning conditions (slow and fast scanning) in a mock-up crime scene. The results reveal that the mapping using an iPhone LIDAR in day-light conditions with 5 minutes of fast scanning shows the best results, yielding 0.1084 meters of error. Also, the cloud-to-cloud distance showed that 90% of the point clouds exhibited under 0.1224 meters of error, demonstrating the utility of these tools for rapid and portable scanning in crime scenes.
Development of Fruit and Vegetal Probiotic Beverages with Lactiplantibacillus pentosus LPG1 Isolated from Table Olives
Authors: Lopez-Toledano Azahara , Moyano Lourdes , Arroyo-López Francisco Noé , Martinez-Merina Paola , Bohoyo-Gil Diego , Romero-Gil Verónica , Martin-Arranz Virginia , Varo M. Ángeles
Published: November 2024

Plant-based foods can be an alternative to dairy products as a source of probiotic microorganisms, especially aimed for lactose intolerant people. In this work, the nutritional profile, antioxidant activity and organoleptic characteristics of four beverages elaborated with different vegetables and fruits and enriched with the plant-derived probiotic microorganism Lactiplantibacillus pentosus LPG1 were studied. Results show that is possible to reach more than 3 million of CFU/mL of the probiotic at the end of storage at 4ºC, without presence of spoilage or pathogenic microorganisms. On the other hand, the developed beverages could be classified as a high-value-added product due to their high antioxidant capacity, considerable total polyphenol content, and adequate nu-tritional composition. Additionally, sensory analysis via an flash profile and acceptance test re-vealed that all probiotic beverages were appropriate in terms of odor and taste, rendering them suitable for market introduction.