bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temperature Elevation during Semen Delivery Deteriorates Boar Sperm Quality by Promoting Apoptosis
Authors: Li Junwei , Zhao Wenming , Zhu Jiaqiao , Wang Shuaibiao , Ju Huiming , Chen Shufang , Basioura Athina , Ferreira-Dias Graça , Liu Zongping
Published: October 2023

Semen delivery practice is crucial to the efficiency of artificial insemination using high-quality boar sperm. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of a common semen delivery method, a Styrofoam box, under elevated temperatures on boar sperm quality and functionality and to investigate the underlying molecular responses of sperm to the temperature rise. Three pooled semen samples from 10 Duroc boars (3 ejaculates per boar) were used in this study. Each pooled semen sample was divided into two aliquots. One aliquot was stored at a constant 17 °C as the control group. Another one was packaged in a well-sealed Styrofoam box and placed in an incubator at 37 °C for 24 h to simulate semen delivery on hot summer days and subsequently transferred to a refrigerator at 17 °C for 3 days. The semen temperature was continuously monitored. The semen temperature was 17 °C at 0 h of storage and reached 20 °C at 5 h, 30 °C at 14 h, and 37 °C at 24 h. For each time point, sperm quality and functionality, apoptotic changes, expression levels of phosphorylated AMPK, and heat shock proteins HSP70 and HSP90 were determined by CASA, flow cytometry, and Western blotting. The results showed that elevated temperature during delivery significantly deteriorated boar sperm quality and functionality after 14 h of delivery. Storage back to 17 °C did not recover sperm motility. An increased temperature during delivery apparently promoted the conversion of sperm early apoptosis to late apoptosis, showing a significant increase in the expression levels of Bax and Caspase 3. The levels of phosphorylated AMPK were greatly induced by the temperature rise to 20 °C during delivery but reduced thereafter. With the temperature elevation, expression levels of HSP70 and HSP90 were notably increased. Our results indicate that a temperature increase during semen delivery greatly damages sperm quality and functionality by promoting sperm apoptosis. HSP70 and HSP90 could participate in boar sperm resistance to temperature changes by being associated with AMPK activation and anti-apoptotic processes.
The Effect of Holder Pasteurization and Different Variants on Breast Milk Antioxidants
Authors: Vass Réka Anna , Mikó Éva , Gál Csenge , Kőszegi Tamás , Vass Csaba I. , Bokor Szilvia , Molnár Dénes , Funke Simone , Kovács Kálmán , Bódis József , Ertl Tibor
Published: October 2023

Background: After birth, breast milk (BM) is a known essential source of antioxidants for infants. We analyzed the non-enzymatic total antioxidant capacity (TAC), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and glutathione, calcium, transferrin, and total protein levels of human breast milk before and after Holder pasteurization (HoP). Methods: The collected donor BM samples were pasteurized with HoP. Results: HoP decreased TAC (−12.6%), ORAC (−12.1%), transferrin (−98.3%), and total protein (−21.4%) levels; HoP did not influence the glutathione concentration, and it increased the total calcium (+25.5%) concentration. Mothers who gave birth via Cesarean section had significantly lower TAC in their BM. TAC and glutathione levels were elevated in the BM of mothers over the age of 30. BM produced in the summer had higher glutathione and calcium levels compared to BM produced in the winter. The glutathione concentration in term milk samples was significantly higher in the first two months of lactation compared to the period between the third and sixth months. The transferrin level of BM for female infants was significantly higher than the BM for boys, and mothers with a BMI above 30 had increased transferrin in their samples. Conclusions: Antioxidant levels in human milk are influenced by numerous factors. Environmental and maternal factors, the postpartum age at breast milk collection, and Holder pasteurization of the milk influence the antioxidant intake of the infant.
Coumarin N-Acylhydrazone Derivatives: Green Synthesis and Antioxidant Potential—Experimental and Theoretical Study
Authors: Simijonović Dušica M. , Milenković Dejan A. , Avdović Edina H. , Milanović Žiko B. , Antonijević Marko R. , Amić Ana D. , Dolićanin Zana , Marković Zoran S.
Published: October 2023

Coumarin N-acylhydrazone derivatives were synthesized in the reaction of 3-acetylcoumarin and different benzohydrazides in the presence of molecular iodine as catalyst and at room temperature. All reactions were rapidly completed, and products were obtained in good to excellent yields. It is important to emphasize that four products were reported for the first time in this study. The obtained compounds were subjected to evaluation of their in vitro antioxidative activity using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods. It was shown that products with a catechol moiety in their structure are the most potent antioxidant agents. The thermodynamic parameters and Gibbs free energies of reactions were used to determine the most probable mechanism of action. The results of in silico examination emphasize the need to take solvent polarity and free radical species into account when examining antiradical action. It was discovered by using computational approaches that HAT and SPLET are competitive molecular pathways for the radical scavenging activity of all compounds in polar mediums, while the HAT is the dominant mechanism in non-polar environments.
The Inhibition of Neuropathic Pain Incited by Nerve Injury and Accompanying Mood Disorders by New Heme Oxygenase-1 Inducers: Mechanisms Implicated
Authors: Suárez-Rojas Irene , Pérez-Fernández Montse , Bai Xue , Martínez-Martel Ignacio , Intagliata Sebastiano , Pittalà Valeria , Salerno Loredana , Pol Olga
Published: October 2023

Neuropathic pain is a type of pain that persists for a long time and becomes pathological. Additionally, the anxiodepressive disorders derived from neuropathic pain are difficult to palliate with the current treatments and need to be resolved. Then, using male mice with neuropathic pain provoked by chronic constriction of the sciatic nerve (CCI), we analyzed and compared the analgesic actions produced by three new heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) inducers, 1m, 1b, and 1a, with those performed by dimethyl fumarate (DMF). Their impact on the anxiety- and depressive-like comportments and the expression of the inflammasome NLRP3, Nrf2, and some antioxidant enzymes in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and amygdala (AMG) were also investigated. Results revealed that the administration of 1m, 1b, and DMF given orally for four days inhibited the allodynia and hyperalgesia caused by CCI, while 1a merely reduced the mechanical allodynia. However, in the first two days of treatment, the antiallodynic effects produced by 1m were higher than those of 1a and DMF, and its antihyperalgesic actions were greater than those produced by 1b, 1a, and DMF, revealing that 1m was the most effective compound. At four days of treatment, all drugs exerted anxiolytic and antidepressant effects, decreased the NLRP3 levels, and increased/normalized the Nrf2, HO-1, and superoxide dismutase 1 levels in DRG and AMG. Data indicated that the dual modulation of the antioxidant and inflammatory pathways produced by these compounds, especially 1m, is a new promising therapeutic approach for neuropathic pain and related emotional illnesses.
Simulation of Test Arch Based on Concrete Damage Plasticity Model and Damage Evolution Analysis
Authors: Tian Zhongchu , Cai Yue , Shi Hongtao , Wang Guibo , Zhang Zujun , Dai Ye , Xu Binlin
Published: October 2023

In light of the limited research on latent damages during the construction of large-span suspension arches, this study introduced a method to simulate structural damage utilizing random porosity. Initially, based on data from real-world engineering projects, the most susceptible areas within the arch structure were pinpointed. Subsequently, multiple test arch simulation models were constructed. Employing Python, commands for random porosity were implemented within ABAQUS and distinct mesh modules were devised to depict structures under varying degrees of damage. The current investigation delved into the structural responses of these susceptible areas under different damage rates, shedding light on damage progression patterns. Notably, our findings demonstrated that concealed damages on the top plate of the arch foot profoundly influenced structural integrity, whereas damages at the arch hance were comparatively minimal and predominantly manifest at the arch base. The pronounced localized damage at both the arch base and hance initiated and intensified at sectional corners, necessitating enhanced anti-crack measures in these regions. Moreover, depending on the stresses of the arch structure, diverse reinforcement strategies could be employed, optimizing the balance between load-bearing efficiency and cost considerations.
An Improved Nested Named-Entity Recognition Model for Subject Recognition Task under Knowledge Base Question Answering
Authors: Wang Ziming , Xu Xirong , Li Xinzi , Li Haochen , Wei Xiaopeng , Huang Degen
Published: October 2023

In the subject recognition (SR) task under Knowledge Base Question Answering (KBQA), a common method is by training and employing a general flat Named-Entity Recognition (NER) model. However, it is not effective and robust enough in the case that the recognized entity could not be strictly matched to any subjects in the Knowledge Base (KB). Compared to flat NER models, nested NER models show more flexibility and robustness in general NER tasks, whereas it is difficult to employ a nested NER model directly in an SR task. In this paper, we take advantage of features of a nested NER model and propose an Improved Nested NER Model (INNM) for the SR task under KBQA. In our model, each question token is labeled as either an entity token, a start token, or an end token by a modified nested NER model based on semantics. Then, entity candidates would be generated based on such labels, and an approximate matching strategy is employed to score all subjects in the KB based on string similarity to find the best-matched subject. Experimental results show that our model is effective and robust to both single-relation questions and complex questions, which outperforms the baseline flat NER model by a margin of 3.3% accuracy on the SimpleQuestions dataset and a margin of 11.0% accuracy on the WebQuestionsSP dataset.
Evolutionary Game Analysis of Copyright Protection for NFT Digital Works Considering Collusive Behavior
Authors: Gao Yudong , Xie Xuemei , Ni Yuan
Published: October 2023

The non-fungible tokens trading of digital content works, as an emerging business model, has rapidly developed while also posing challenges to current copyright protection. The NFT infringement incidents in recent years have exposed many issues, such as lack of government regulation, imperfect copyright protection mechanisms, and illegal profits from service platforms. Considering the collusive behavior during the NFT minting process, this study uses evolutionary game theory to model a game composed of three populations: digital content creators; NFT service platforms; and government regulatory agencies. We derived and analyzed the replication dynamics of the game to determine the evolutionary stability strategy. In addition, combined with numerical simulations, we also analyzed the impact of individual factors on the stability of system evolution. This study identifies that the incentives and fines set by the government must be above a certain threshold in order for game results to develop toward an ideal equilibrium state, and the government can try to improve the efficiency of obtaining and updating market information and set dynamic punishment and reward mechanisms based on this. This study also found that excessive rewards are not conducive to the government fulfilling its own regulatory responsibilities. In this regard, the government can use information technology to reduce the cost of regulation, thereby partially offsetting the costs brought about by incentive mechanisms. In addition, the government can also enhance the governance participation of platforms and creators to improve the robustness of digital copyright protection by strengthening media construction and cultivating public copyright awareness. This study helps to understand the complex relationship between NFT service platforms, digital content creators, and government regulatory authorities and proves the practical meaning of countermeasures and suggestions for improving government digital copyright regulations.
Holistic Trash Collection System Integrating Human Collaboration with Technology
Authors: Saher Raazia , Saleh Matasem , Anjum Madiha
Published: October 2023

Effective waste management is of paramount importance as it contributes significantly to environmental preservation, mitigates health hazards, and aids in the preservation of precious resources. Conversely, mishandling waste not only presents severe environmental risks but can also disrupt the balance of ecosystems and pose threats to biodiversity. The emission of carbon dioxide, methane, and greenhouse gases (GHGs) can constitute a significant factor in the progression of global warming and climate change, consequently giving rise to atmospheric pollution. This pollution, in turn, has the potential to exacerbate respiratory ailments, elevate the likelihood of cardiovascular disorders, and negatively impact overall public health. Hence, efficient management of trash is extremely crucial in any society. It requires integrating technology and innovative solutions, which can help eradicate this global issue. The internet of things (IoT) is a revolutionary communication paradigm with significant contributions to remote monitoring and control. IoT-based trash management aids remote garbage level monitoring but entails drawbacks like high installation and maintenance costs, increased electronic waste production (53 million metric tons in 2013), and substantial energy consumption for always-vigilant IoT devices. Our research endeavors to formulate a comprehensive model for an efficient and cost-effective waste collection system. It emphasizes the need for global commitment by policymakers, stakeholders, and civil society, working together to achieve a common goal. In order to mitigate the depletion of manpower, fuel resources, and time, our proposed method leverages quick response (QR) codes to enable the remote monitoring of waste bin capacity across diverse city locations. We propose to minimize the deployment of IoT devices, utilizing them only when absolutely necessary and thereby allocating their use exclusively to central garbage collection facilities. Our solution places the onus of monitoring garbage levels at the community level firmly on the shoulders of civilians, demonstrating that a critical aspect of any technology is its ability to interact and collaborate with humans. Within our framework, citizens will employ our proposed mobile application to scan QR codes affixed to waste bins, select the relevant garbage level, and transmit this data to the waste collection teams’ database. Subsequently, these teams will plan for optimized garbage collection procedures, considering parameters such as garbage volume and the most efficient collection routes aimed at minimizing both time and fuel consumption.
Effect of Furnace Structure on Burden Distribution and Gas Flow in Sinter Vertical Cooling Furnace
Authors: Li Haifeng , Qi Tengfei , Zhang Yongjie
Published: October 2023

Sinter sensible heat recovery via a vertical cooling furnace is a new type of waste heat recovery process proposed based on coke dry quenching. However, the segregation of the burden in a vertical cooling furnace is serious, resulting in a large amount of cooling gas escaping from the short-circuit channel of the vertical cooling furnace, which seriously affects the uniform gas–solid heat transfer in the furnace. To improve the burden distribution and gas flow in such a furnace, this paper proposes a Venturi-type vertical cooling furnace. Based on the single silo of a vertical cooling furnace in Meishan Steel, a slot model was established, and the improvement effect of the Venturi furnace structure on the burden distribution and gas flow was studied using the DEM–CFD coupling method. The results show that compared with the existing furnace type, the inclined wall of the Venturi furnace changed the direction of the high Dnv (average diameter) channel from vertical to inclined-vertical and reduced the Dnv from >0.033 m to 0.028~0.03 m in the vertical part of the variable-diameter section, thus reducing the influence area of the high Dnv channel. The minimum and average values of the voidage in the contraction part of the variable-diameter section increased from 0.28 and 0.315 to 0.31 and 0.33, respectively, which caused the voidage distribution to change from U-shaped to W-shaped along the longitudinal direction while simultaneously reducing the longitudinal fluctuation range of the voidage from 0.28~0.39 to 0.298~0.37. The gas flow direction changed from vertical-upward to vertical-inclined-upward, which increased the gas–solid contact. The gas velocity increased significantly. In the vertical section, the average gas velocity was 2.34 m/s, which was 30.73% higher than the velocity of 1.79 m/s of the existing furnace type. In the variable-diameter section, the average gas velocity was 3.52 m/s, which was 72.55% higher than the velocity of 2.04 m/s of the existing furnace type. The high-speed gas channel basically only existed in the sidewall area and the center area of the vertical section, and the length was reduced from 3.11 m to 2.52 m, which reduced the influence area. In the variable-diameter section, the high-speed gas channel disappeared, and the uniformity of the gas velocity distribution was greatly improved. The gas pressure drop increased from 4140 Pa to 6410 Pa, with an increase of 54.83%. Therefore, when designing the Venturi furnace type, it was necessary to take into consideration the improvement in the gas velocity distribution and the increase in the pressure drop. The research results of this paper can provide guidance for the structure optimization of the sinter vertical cooling furnace.
Gradation Influence on Crack Resistance of Stress-Absorbing Membrane Interlayer
Authors: Li Ping , Xiao Xuan , Tian Shuaituan , Liu Junbin , Peng Wenju , Wang Bin , Liu Shende
Published: October 2023

Reflective cracking is a common distress of old pavement overlaid with an asphalt layer. The asphalt rubber stress-absorbing membrane interlayer can effectively mitigate and prevent reflective cracking. However, the existing test methods and evaluation indices for the crack resistance of the asphalt rubber stress-absorbing membrane interlayer are insufficient and unsystematic. They do not account for the significant effect of gradation parameters on the crack resistance in a comprehensive way. Therefore, this research aims to explore the impact of gradation parameters on the performance of the asphalt rubber stress-absorbing membrane interlayer. Based on the Chinese and U.S. standards, three kinds of 10 types of gradation were selected, forming a total of seven groups. The asphalt rubber stress-absorbing membrane interlayer was subjected to −10 °C and 15 °C beam bending test, low-temperature semi-circular bend test, crack expansion semi-circular bend test, and overlay test to evaluate its cracking resistance. The correlation and influence law between the key sieve hole method, graded fractal method, and Bayley method parameters of different grades and beam bending test, low-temperature semi-circular bend test, crack expansion semi-circular bend test, and overlay test indexes were quantitatively analyzed by the coefficient of variation and Pearson correlation analysis method. The results showed that the performance of the mixtures with different gradation ranges varied significantly in different tests, as indicated by the maximum difference of 56.07% in stress absorption. This implied that gradation is a critical factor that affects the stress absorption performance of mixes. The different sensitivities of different tests to the parameters of the key sieve method, the graded fractal method, and the Bailey method indicated that the stress absorption performance was affected by a combination of factors. Therefore, in order to evaluate and optimize the stress absorption performance, it was necessary to comprehensively consider the interactions among the parameters of the key sieve method, the graded fractal method, and the Bailey method. The stress absorption performance included crack resistance and crack expansion resistance, which were inversely related and needed to be balanced and optimized during design. The −10 °C beam bending test and crack expansion semi-circular bend tests were more suitable test methods for evaluating stress absorption performance, and maximum flexural–tensile strain, strain energy density, fracture energy, and flexibility index were recommended as evaluation indicators. This research provides a reference for the optimization of the grading design of asphalt rubber stress-absorbing membrane interlayers, and provides test methods and indicators for the evaluation of crack resistance.
Enhancing Friction Models for Starting Up Water Installations Containing Trapped Air
Authors: Fuertes-Miquel Vicente S. , Arrieta-Pastrana Alfonso , Coronado-Hernández Oscar E.
Published: October 2023

Starting up water installations is typically a task that falls within the purview of water utility companies. These operations involve the presence of two separate fluids (water and air) that can be analyzed in terms of consideration two distinct behaviors (hydraulic and thermodynamic). During a filling process, trapped air pockets exhibit a trend of declining volume, generating pressure surges that are typically not addressed under current worldwide regulations. This research introduces an innovative mathematical approach based on physical equations to investigate filling operations in water installations involving trapped air, incorporating an unsteady friction model (using the Brunone friction coefficient), in combination with the rigid water column model. The validation of the proposed model is carried out in an experimental facility measuring 7.36 m in length. The proposed model is then applied to a case study involving a 460 m long pipeline with an internal pipe diameter of 150 mm, featuring an undulating profile composed of three branches, to demonstrate how the gravity term should be calculated in real-world water installations. The results showed that the proposed model, considering an unsteady friction model, is suitable for simulating the start up of water pipelines for the experimental facility analysis and the case study. The Swamee–Jain formula yielded the best results compared to other formulations for computing the friction factor.
Effect of Surface Methane Controls on Ozone Concentration and Rice Yield in Asia
Authors: Tatsumi Kenichi
Published: October 2023

Surface methane (CH4) is a significant precursor of tropospheric ozone (O3), a greenhouse gas that detrimentally impacts crops by suppressing their physiological processes, such as photosynthesis. This relationship implies that CH4 emissions can indirectly harm crops by increasing troposphere O3 concentrations. While this topic is important, few studies have specifically examined the combined effects of CH4 and CH4-induced O3 on rice yield and production. Utilizing the GEOS-Chem model, we assessed the potential reduction in rice yield and production in Asia against a 50% reduction in anthropogenic CH4 emissions relative to the 2010 base year. Based on O3 exposure metrics, the results revealed an average relative yield loss of 9.5% and a rice production loss of 45,121 kilotons (Kt) based on AOT40. Regions such as the India-Gangetic Plain and the Yellow River basin were particularly affected. This study determined that substantial reductions in CH4 concentrations can prevent significant rice production losses. Specifically, curbing CH4 emissions in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region could significantly diminish the detrimental effects of O3 on rice yields in China, Korea, and Japan. In summary, decreasing CH4 emissions is a viable strategy to mitigate O3-induced reductions in rice yield and production in Asia.
An Enhanced Atmospheric Pre-Corrected Differential Absorption (APDA) Algorithm by Extending LUTs Applied to Analyze ZY1-02D Hyperspectral Images
Authors: Zhang Hongwei , Zhang Hao , Zhu Xiaobo , Zhang Shuning , Ma Zhonghui , Hao Xuetao
Published: October 2023

Water vapor is a crucial component of the atmosphere. Its absorption significantly influences remote sensing by impacting radiation signals transmitted through the atmosphere. Determining columnar water vapor (CWV) from hyperspectral remote sensing data is essential during the imagery atmospheric correction process. Over the past 40 years, numerous CWV inversion algorithms have been developed, with refinements to enhance retrieval accuracy and reliability. In this study, we proposed an enhanced atmospheric pre-corrected differential absorption (APDA) algorithm. This enhancement was achieved by thoroughly analyzing water vapor absorption in relation to elevation and aerosol optical depth and extending look up tables (LUTs). The enhanced method utilizes a pre-built MODTRAN lookup table and is applied to ZY1-02D hyperspectral data from a satellite launched in 2020. We compared the inversion results of 10 ZY1-02D scenes obtained using the improved method with AERONET measurements and inversion results from commonly used atmospheric correction software, namely, FLAASH and ATCOR. The updated algorithm demonstrated a lower average error (0.0568 g·cm−2) and relative average error (10.49%) compared to the ATCOR software (0.17 g·cm−2 and 40.78%, respectively) and the FLAASH module (0.13 g·cm−2 and 30.82%, respectively). Consequently, the enhanced method outperforms traditional CWV inversion algorithms, especially at high altitudes.
Review of the 1st EUV Light Sources Code Comparison Workshop
Authors: Sheil John , Versolato Oscar , Bakshi Vivek , Scott Howard
Published: October 2023

We review the results of the 1st Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) Light Sources Code Comparison Workshop. The goal of this workshop was to provide a platform for specialists in EUV light source plasma modeling to benchmark and validate their numerical codes using well-defined case studies. Detailed consideration of a plethora of atomic collisional and radiative processes is required for modeling EUV light source plasmas. Eight institutions spanning four countries contributed data to the workshop. Two topics were addressed, namely (i) the atomic kinetics and radiative properties of tin plasmas under EUV-generating conditions and (ii) laser absorption in a fully ionized, one-dimensional hydrogen plasma. In this paper, we summarize the key findings of the workshop and outline plans for future iterations of the code comparison activity.
Swept-Source Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging and Quantification of Bleb Parameters in Glaucoma Filtration Surgery
Authors: Tan Jeremy C.K. , Muntasser Hussameddin , Choudhary Anshoo , Batterbury Mark , Vallabh Neeru A.
Published: October 2023

This paper describes a technique for using swept-source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) to visualize internal bleb microstructure and objectively quantify dimensions of the scleral flap and trabeculo-Descemet window (TDW) in non-penetrating glaucoma filtration surgery (GFS). This was a cross-sectional study of 107 filtering blebs of 67 patients who had undergone deep sclerectomy surgery at least 12 months prior. The mean post-operative follow-up duration was 6.5 years +/− 4.1 [standard deviation (SD)]. The maximal bleb height was significantly greater in the complete success (CS) blebs compared to the qualified success (QS) and failed (F) blebs (1.48 vs. 1.17 vs. 1.10 mm in CS vs. QS vs. F, one-way ANOVA, p < 0.0001). In a subcohort of deep sclerectomy blebs augmented by intraoperative Mitomycin-C, the trabeculo-Descemet window was significantly longer in the complete success compared to the qualified success group (613.7 vs. 378.1 vs. 450.8 µm in CS vs. QS vs. F, p = 0.004). The scleral flap length, thickness, and width were otherwise similar across the three outcome groups. The quantification of surgical parameters that influence aqueous outflow in non-penetrating GFS can help surgeons better understand the influence of these structures on aqueous outflow and improve surgical outcomes.
Efficient Cytotoxicity of Recombinant Azurin in Escherichia coli Nissle 1917-Derived Minicells against Colon Cancer Cells
Authors: Ma Yi , Zhu Guanshu , Feng Lan , Jiang Shoujin , Xiang Qi , Wang Jufang
Published: October 2023

Compared to chemical drugs, therapeutic proteins exhibit higher specificity and activity and are generally well-tolerated by the human body. However, the limitations, such as poor stability both in vivo and in vitro as well as difficulties in penetrating cell membranes, hinder their widespread application. To overcome the challenges, a highly efficient protocol was developed and implemented for the recombinant expression of the therapeutic protein azurin and secretion into minicells derived from probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917. The novel coupled production with a delivery system of therapeutic proteins based on minicells was obtained through purification to enhance protein activity, circulation characteristics, and targeting specificity. This protein drug carrier integrates the production of carrier materials and the loading of expression proteins. The drug carrier also protects the encapsulated polypeptide drugs from enzymatic or gastric acid degradation until they are released. Escherichia coli Nissle 1917-derived minicells have natural targeting to colon cancer cells, low toxicity, and can accumulate for a long time after penetrating tumor tissue. This self-produced protein drug delivery system simplified the process of protein preparation, and its inhibitory effect on different types of colon cancer cells was verified by CCK-8 cytotoxicity assay, cancer cell invasion, and migration assay. This work provided a simple method to prepare minicell drug delivery systems for protein drug production and a novel approach for the transport of recombinant protein drugs.
Prognostic Significance of Amino Acid and Biogenic Amines Profiling in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Gervasini Guillermo , Verde Zoraida , González Luz M. , Chicharro Celia , González-Rodríguez Laura , Fernández-Araque Ana , Mota-Zamorano Sonia , Cancho Bárbara , Pérez-Hernández Alberto , García-López Virginio , Bandrés Fernando , Robles Nicolás R.
Published: October 2023

There is a pressing need for more precise biomarkers of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Plasma samples from 820 subjects [231 with CKD, 325 with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and 264 controls] were analyzed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to determine a metabolic profile of 28 amino acids (AAs) and biogenic amines to test their value as markers of CKD risk and progression. The kynurenine/tryptophan ratio showed the strongest correlation with estimated glomerular filtration rate values (coefficient = −0.731, p < 0.0001). Models created with orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) containing the metabolic signature showed a high goodness of fit and predictability for controls/CKD (R2X:0.73:R2Y:0.92:Q2:0.92, p < 0.0001) and lower values for CKD/ESKD (R2X:0.56:R2Y:0.59:Q2:0.55, p < 0.0001). Based on generated VIP scores, the most relevant markers for segregating samples into control/CKD and CKD/ESKD groups were citrulline (1.63) and tryptophan (1.47), respectively. ROC analysis showed that the addition of the metabolic profile to a model including CKD classic risk factors improved the AUC from 86.7% (83.6–89.9) to 100% (100–100) for CKD risk (p < 0.0001) and from 63.0% (58.2–67.8) to 96.5% (95.3–97.8) for the risk of progression from CKD to ESKD (p < 0.0001). Plasma concentrations of AAs and related amines may be useful as diagnostic biomarkers of kidney disease, both for CKD risk and for progression of CKD patients to ESKD.
Circulating CD8+ T Cell Subsets in Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome
Authors: Kudryavtsev Igor , Benevolenskaya Stanislava , Serebriakova Maria , Grigor’yeva Irina , Kuvardin Evgeniy , Rubinstein Artem , Golovkin Alexey , Kalinina Olga , Zaikova Ekaterina , Lapin Sergey , Maslyanskiy Alexey
Published: October 2023

Currently, multiple studies have indicated that CD8+ T lymphocytes play a role in causing damage to the exocrine glands through acinar injury in primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). The aim of this research was to assess the imbalance of circulating CD8+ T cell subsets. We analyzed blood samples from 34 pSS patients and 34 healthy individuals as controls. We used flow cytometry to enumerate CD8+ T cell maturation stages, using as markers CD62L, CD28, CD27, CD4, CD8, CD3, CD45RA and CD45. For immunophenotyping of ‘polarized’ CD8+ T cell subsets, we used the following monoclonal antibodies: CXCR5, CCR6, CXCR3 and CCR4. The findings revealed that both the relative and absolute numbers of ‘naïve’ CD8+ T cells were higher in pSS patients compared to the healthy volunteers. Conversely, the proportions of effector memory CD8+ T cells were notably lower. Furthermore, our data suggested that among patients with pSS, the levels of cytotoxic Tc1 CD8+ T cells were reduced, while the frequencies of regulatory cytokine-producing Tc2 and Tc17 CD8+ T cells were significantly elevated. Simultaneously, the Tc1 cell subsets displayed a negative correlation with immunoglobulin G, rheumatoid factor, the Schirmer test and unstimulated saliva flow. On the other hand, the Tc2 cell subsets exhibited a positive correlation with these parameters. In summary, our study indicated that immune dysfunction within CD8+ T cells, including alterations in Tc1 cells, plays a significant role in the development of pSS.
The Utility of Responsive Neurostimulation for the Treatment of Pediatric Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
Authors: Piazza Martin G. , Varga Gregory , Welch William , Abel Taylor J.
Published: October 2023

Drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) has a strongly negative impact on quality of life, as well as the development of pediatric patients. Surgical treatments have evolved over time, including more invasive craniotomies for resection or disconnection. More recently, neuromodulation techniques have been employed as a less invasive option for patients. Responsive neurostimulation (RNS) is the first closed-loop technology that allows for both treatment and device data collection, which allows for an internal assessment of the efficacy of treatment. This novel technology has been approved in adults and has been used off label in pediatrics. This review seeks to describe this technology, its history, and future directions.
Gut–Brain Crosstalk and the Central Mechanisms of Orofacial Pain
Authors: Tao Ran , Liu Sufang , Crawford Joshua , Tao Feng
Published: October 2023

Accumulated evidence has demonstrated that the gut microbiome can contribute to pain modulation through the microbiome–gut–brain axis. Various relevant microbiome metabolites in the gut are involved in the regulation of pain signaling in the central nervous system. In this review, we summarize recent advances in gut–brain interactions by which the microbiome metabolites modulate pain, with a focus on orofacial pain, and we further discuss the role of gut–brain crosstalk in the central mechanisms of orofacial pain whereby the gut microbiome modulates orofacial pain via the vagus nerve-mediated direct pathway and the gut metabolites/molecules-mediated indirect pathway. The direct and indirect pathways both contribute to the central regulation of orofacial pain through different brain structures (such as the nucleus tractus solitarius and the parabrachial nucleus) and signaling transmission across the blood-brain barrier, respectively. Understanding the gut microbiome-regulated pain mechanisms in the brain could help us to develop non-opioid novel therapies for orofacial pain.
Impact of Met-Expectation of Athletic Justice on Athletic Satisfaction and Organizational Commitment via Leader–Member Exchange among Elite Saudi Arabian Athletes
Authors: Kim Seungmo , Oh Taeyeon , Love Adam , Alahmad Majed Essa
Published: October 2023

Athletes’ perceptions of fairness toward coaching behaviors and decisions can play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of a strong coach–athlete relationship. However, scholars have given limited attention to athletes’ perceptions of fairness. Therefore, the current study aimed to explore the relationship between coaches and athletes by applying the concept of organizational justice based on met-expectation theory. The primary objective of the study was to empirically examine the direct and indirect relationships between the met-expectation of athletic justice and athletes’ attitudinal outcomes, such as athletic satisfaction and organizational commitment, through leader–member exchange (LMX). Data were collected from 289 elite athletes (238 men and 51 women) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia using a mixed-mode approach (paper-and-pencil and online surveys). The results of Structural Equation Modeling indicated that when athletes perceive that their expectations of fair treatment are met, it positively affects their satisfaction. This relationship is partially influenced by the quality of their relationship with their leader. However, the findings also suggest that while the athletes’ met-expectation of athletic justice has a positive effect on their satisfaction, it does not have a significant impact on their commitment to the team. The findings provide insight about important work-related outcomes by validating the coach–athlete relationship based on met-expectation of athletic justice. The findings can be utilized to improve athlete satisfaction and commitment, leading to positive team and individual outcomes.
Educational Mismatch and Workers’ Fertility Intentions: Evidence from China
Authors: Zhang Zizhe , Zhao Nan , Liao Wanqing , Chen Hounan
Published: October 2023

This paper focuses on the impact of the educational mismatch on workers’ fertility intentions and explores the underlying mechanisms. Empirical research based on the China Family Panel Survey (CFPS) data shows that undereducation has a negative effect on the fertility intentions of women aged 18–35, whereas overeducation reports no effect, a finding that remains stable in the robustness test and the IV model. An explanation for this phenomenon is that undereducated female workers have a wage premium and higher expectations of career development, which implies a greater opportunity cost of fertility. The heterogeneity analysis shows that women with low socio-economic status, especially those who are less educated, from low-income households, and who are employed in the private sector, are more affected. It is therefore necessary to reduce the substitution risk in the labor market for this group and to lighten the fertility burden and pressure on women.
Fomite Transmission in Airports Based on Real Human Touch Behaviors
Authors: Zhuang Linan , Ding Yuqing , Zhou Linlin , Liu Ronghan , Ding Jiajie , Wang Rui , Huang Weiwei , Shang Shujia , Qian Hua , Zhang Nan
Published: October 2023

The public areas of airports are often bustling, raising the risk of infectious diseases spreading through fomites. We recorded 21.3 h of video at three airports, focusing on nine common areas (e.g., boarding and check-in areas) where people touch surfaces. We analyzed 25,925 touches to create a model for how microbes spread from surfaces to humans through touch. The airport mask-wearing rate is high (96.1% in non-restaurant areas), but it is lower (22%) in restaurants. Passengers touch their mucous membranes more often (10.3 times/hour) in restaurants compared to other areas (1.6 times/hour on average). Wearing a mask can significantly reduce the risk of obtaining a virus through direct contact with hands and mucous membranes. If everyone in non-restaurant areas wore masks, the viral intake fraction could be reduced by up to 97.4% compared to not wearing masks. People touch public surfaces the most in self-service check-in areas, at a rate of 473.5 times per hour. Disinfecting public surfaces or hands twice per hour could reduce the viral intake fraction in each area by 27.7% or 15.4%, respectively. The findings of this study provide valuable data support and a scientific foundation for implementing interventions aimed at mitigating fomite transmission within airport settings.
Flexural Performance Study of Basalt-Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Bar Basalt-Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Beams
Authors: Song Kangjia , Yu Yang , Liu Yutao , Zhao Jichong
Published: October 2023

The utilization of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) rods to strengthen concrete beam structures can enhance their ultimate load-carrying capacity and mitigate steel reinforcement corrosion damage. However, a prominent issue with BFRP (Basalt FRP) rod reinforcement in flexural members is its lack of yielding behavior, which can lead to catastrophic brittle failure without any preventive measures. Therefore, this study aims to enhance the ductility of concrete by introducing a specific quantity of basalt fiber, thereby reducing the hazards associated with the brittle failure of this composite structure. This experiment focuses on two main variables: the inclusion rate of basalt fiber and the type of longitudinal reinforcement and conducts four-point static bending tests on four BFRP bar BFRC (Basalt-Fiber-Reinforced Concrete) beams. Results showed that the inclusion of fibers resulted in a delayed initiation of vertical cracks and a reduction in the severity of beam failure, thereby enhancing structural safety and reliability. When the basalt fiber inclusion rate was 0.2%, the cracking load and ultimate load of the beam increased by 18.42% and 8.27%, respectively. Furthermore, compared to traditional RC beams, BFRP bar BFRC beams showed a 58.27% increase in ultimate load capacity. A cracking moment calculation model for BFRP beams is proposed and subsequently validated through the utilization of existing experimental data.
Passengers’ Perception of Acoustic Environment in the Airport Terminal: A Case Study of Tianjin Binhai International Airport
Authors: Liu Mengjin , Gao Zhibin , Chang Fei , Zhao Wei , Wang Junquan , Ma Hui , Wang Chao
Published: October 2023

This paper aims to investigate passengers’ perception of the acoustic environment in airport terminals. Airport terminals typically consist of several interconnected large spaces and have a noisy environment in China. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 221 passengers at the T2 terminal of Tianjin Binhai International Airport in China to explore their perception and attitude towards the acoustic environment. On-site measurements were also taken to obtain the noise levels in different areas. The results show that the sound pressure levels vary periodically, ranging from 60.7 dB(A) to 79.1 dB(A) across different areas. The acoustic environment lacks eventfulness and pleasantness, with nearly two-thirds of respondents expressing dissatisfaction. Public announcement is generally perceived as the loudest but most preferred sound, while other audible sources are given varying degrees of negative attitudes. The perceived loudness of aircraft and footstep sounds is not high, but their absence significantly improves overall evaluations. Furthermore, age influences the perceived vitality of the acoustic environment. This study is important for the improvement in the indoor environment of the terminal building and the satisfaction of passengers.
Building Performance under Untypical Weather Conditions: A 40-Year Study of Hong Kong
Authors: Lou Siwei , Peng Zhengjie , Cai Jilong , Zou Yukai , Huang Yu
Published: October 2023

As a common engineering practice, the buildings are usually evaluated under the Typical Meteorological Year (TMY), which represents the common weather situation. The warm and cool conditions, however, can affect the building performance considerably, yet building performances under such conditions cannot fully be given by the conventional TMY. This paper gives approaches to constructing the weather data that represents several warm and cool conditions and compares their differences by studying the cumulative cooling demands of a typical building in a hot and humid climate. Apart from the Extreme Weather Year (EWY), the Near-Extreme Weather Year (NEWY) and Common warm/cool Years (CY) data are proposed according to the occurrence distributions of the weather over the long term. It was found that the cooling demands of NEWY and EWY differ by 4.8% from the cooling needs of TMY. The difference between the cooling demands of NEWY and CY for most calendar months can be 20% and 15%, respectively. For the hot months, the cooling demands under NEWY and CY take 7.4–11.6% and 2.3–5.6% differences from those under TMY. The uncertainties of building performance due to the ever-changing weather conditions can be essential to the robustness of building performance evaluations.
Exploring the Use of the AEDET Hospital Evaluation Toolkit to Create a Better Healing Environment for Cancer Patients beyond the Global North
Authors: Tekbiyik Tekin Bedia , Dincyurek Ozgur
Published: October 2023

Today, numerous studies have shown that the physical environment in hospitals can significantly influence patients’ well-being, comfort, and recovery. However, this is currently neglected in hospitals in the Global South. Therefore, there is an urgent need to increase awareness to make it more applicable worldwide. Thus, this study focuses on improving the healing environment standards by exploring the impact of evidence-based design and patient-centered care in hospitals for cancer patients, particularly the architectural space quality, on patient health outcomes as well as hospital staff health and well-being. In Global North countries such as the UK, the achieving excellence design evaluation toolkit (AEDET) is used by their National Health Services to assess the effectiveness of various environmental attributes. However, these toolkits have not been designed for and do not work well within Global South countries, such as Northern Cyprus. To examine and compare the effectiveness of different physical environmental attributes and to evaluate user responses, the post-occupancy evaluation method and the AEDET toolkit were used in this study. These were applied to both public and private hospitals in Northern Cyprus, involving cancer patients, staff, and professionals (n = 220). The findings reveal the strengths and weaknesses in terms of environmental comfort based on the aspects of the evidence-based design of the hospitals such as natural light, air quality, noise, view, infection control, etc., to create a more optimal physical environment for better psychological outcomes. They also reveal that these toolkits are not fit for purpose for Global South contexts and require adaptations. This is the first study to propose an adaptation of the AEDET toolkit to assist architects in designing healthcare facilities that are responsive to the requirements of hospital patients and staff and to promote the quality of a healing environment for improved health and well-being outcomes.
Study and Treatment of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma—Insights and Perspectives
Authors: Hakim Samer George , Su Yu-Xiong (Richard)
Published: October 2023

The prevalence of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has increased in recent decades, and its impact on the health system has become a new aspect [...]