bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emergence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Clone with Reduced Susceptibility to Sitafloxacin in China: An In Vitro and Genomic Study
Authors: Ye Meiping , Yao Linxin , Lu Xinying , Ding Fangyuan , Zou Danyang , Tian Tingli , Lin Yi , Ning Zhen , Jiang Jianping , Zhou Pingyu
Published: May 2024

Drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae poses an urgent threat to public health. Recently, sitafloxacin, a new-generation fluoroquinolone, has shown high in vitro activity against drug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae. However, data on its effectiveness in clinical isolates remains limited. In this study, we collected 507 N. gonorrhoeae isolates from 21 hospitals in Shanghai, China, during 2020 and 2021. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that sitafloxacin minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) exhibited a bimodal distribution, ranging from <0.004 to 2 mg/L. The MIC50 and MIC90 for sitafloxacin were 0.125 mg/L and 0.5 mg/L, respectively, which are 32 and 16 times lower than those for ciprofloxacin (4 mg/L and 8 mg/L, respectively). Sitafloxacin demonstrated high in vitro activity against isolates resistant to either ceftriaxone, azithromycin, or both. Notably, among the isolates with reduced sitafloxacin susceptibility (MIC ≥ MIC90), 83.7% (36/43) were identified as sequence type (ST) 8123. Further phylogenetic analysis showed that ST8123 has evolved into two subclades, designated as subclade-I and subclade-II. A majority of the isolates (80%, 36/45) within subclade-I exhibited reduced susceptibility to sitafloxacin. In contrast, all isolates from subclade-II were found to be susceptible to sitafloxacin. Subsequent genomic investigations revealed that the GyrA-S91F, D95Y, and ParC-S87N mutations, which were exclusively found in ST8123 subclade-I, might be linked to reduced sitafloxacin susceptibility. Our study reveals that sitafloxacin is a promising antibiotic for combating drug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae. However, caution is advised in the clinical application of sitafloxacin for treating N. gonorrhoeae infections due to the emergence of a clone exhibiting reduced susceptibility.
A Case Study of the Integration of Ground-Based and Drone-Based Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) for an Archaeological Survey in Hulata (Israel): Advancements, Challenges, and Applications
Authors: Frid Michael , Frid Vladimir
Published: May 2024

This study delves into the fusion of ground-based and drone-based ground-penetrating radar (GPR) technologies in archaeological exploration. Set against the backdrop of the Hulata solar panel construction site in Israel, the research confronts daunting obstacles such as clayey soil, accurate detection of small objects, and the imperative of timely reporting crucial for construction management. The drone-based GPR, a testament to technological innovation, showcases remarkable adaptability to challenging terrains, dispelling doubts about electromagnetic wave decay in clayey soil. Methodologically, the study employs detailed orthophoto mapping and grid-type surveys. The correlation of the results significantly bolsters the reliability of archaeological discoveries, uncovering scattered artifacts buried approximately 1–1.5 m below the surface. Meticulous excavations validate the geophysical surveys, affirming the presence of structures constructed from boulders. The application at the Hulata site validates the adaptability of drone-based GPR in challenging terrains. It provides a swift, cost-effective, and minimally invasive alternative to traditional excavation techniques, thereby transforming the field of archaeology.
Nonlinear Vibration of Cracked Porous FG-GPL RC Cylindrical Panels Using a Phase-Field Crack Model
Authors: Cho Jin-Rae
Published: May 2024

This study is concerned with the nonlinear free vibration of a cracked functionally graded porous cylindrical panel reinforced with graphene platelets by introducing a phase-field crack model. Conventional crack modeling by separating the grid nodes lying on the crack line is not only painstaking but also suffers from numerical instability. To overcome this problem, the internal crack is modeled by adopting the phase-field formulation and a virtual geometry rotation. The nonlinear numerical method is developed based on the first-order shear deformation theory incorporated with the von Kármán geometry nonlinearity in the framework of the 2-D extended natural element method, a recently introduced mesh-free method. The crack-induced singular field is represented by adopting the crack-tip singular functions, and the troublesome numerical locking is restrained by combining the MITC3+ shell concept and the shear stabilization factor. The curved shell surface is mapped to a 2-D rectangular NEM grid to avoid difficulty in defining the interpolation functions. The developed numerical method is verified through a comparison with the reference solutions, and the large-amplitude free vibration of porous cracked functionally graded grapheme platelet-reinforced cylindrical panels is profoundly examined by changing the major parameters.
Rotating Target Detection Using Commercial 5G Signal
Authors: Chen Penghui , Tian Liuyang , Bai Yujing , Wang Jun
Published: May 2024

Passive radar detection emerges as a pivotal method for environmental perception and target detection within radar applications. Through leveraging its advantages, including minimal electromagnetic pollution and efficient spectrum utilization, passive radar methodologies have garnered increasing interest. In recent years, there has been an increasing selection of passive radar signal sources, and the emerging 5G has the characteristics of a high-frequency band, high bandwidth, and a large number of base stations, which give it significant advantages for use in passive radar. Therefore, in this paper, we introduce a passive radar target detection method based on 5G signals and design a rotating target speed measurement experiment. In the experiment, this paper validated the method of detecting rotating targets using 5G signals and evaluated the measurement accuracy, providing a research foundation for passive radar target detection using 5G signals and detecting rotating targets such as drone rotors.
Molecular Characterization of Isolates of the Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) from the District of Chókwè, Mozambique
Authors: Barros Sandra Carvalho I. Mussa , Figueira Antonia dos Reis , Silveira Antonia Thalyta Lopes
Published: May 2024

Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) was recently detected in Mozambique and appears to be limited to the provinces of Gaza, Maputo and Zambezia, but it has great potential to spread to other provinces. Despite its importance, nothing is known about the BBTV isolates that occur in Mozambique. In this study, the sequences of the S and R genes of forty isolates chosen as representatives of samples collected previously from eleven farms of the four administrative posts of the district of Chóckwè, province of Gaza, were sequenced and analyzed. The S-DNA nucleotide sequences of the analyzed isolates were highly conserved, with identity ranging from 97% to 100%. The same was observed for the R-DNA sequences, with most identities ranging between 98% and 100% among the isolates from Chókwè and above 90% when compared to the isolates from GenBank. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the Mozambican BBTV isolates belong to the Pacific–Indian Oceans (PIO) group, showing greater proximity to the isolate JQ820453 from Malawi than to the isolates from sub-Saharan countries, which were grouped in a distinct subclade. This is the first study conducted to determine the molecular characteristics of BBTV isolates present in Mozambique.
Capillary-Driven Microdevice Mixer Using Additive Manufacturing (SLA Technology)
Authors: Cabrera-Moreta Victor H. , Casals-Terré Jasmina
Published: May 2024

This study presents a novel microfluidic mixer designed, fabricated, and characterized using additive manufacturing technology—stereolithography (SLA)—and harnessing capillarity principles achieved through microstructure patterning. Micromixers are integral components in optimizing mixing and reaction processes within microfluidic systems. The proposed microdevice employs a tank mixing method capable of blending two fluids. With a channel length of up to 6 mm, the process time is remarkably swift at 3 s, and the compact device measures 35 × 40 × 5 mm. The capillarity-driven working flow rates range from 1 μL/s to 37 μL/s, facilitated by channel dimensions varying between 400 μm and 850 μm. The total liquid volume within the device channels is 1652 mL (6176 μL including the supply tanks). The mix index, representing the homogeneity of the two fluids, is approximately 0.55 along the main channel. The manufacturing process, encompassing printing, isopropyl cleaning, and UV (ultraviolet) curing, is completed within 90 min. This microfluidic mixer showcases efficient mixing capabilities, rapid processing, and a compact design, marking it as a promising advancement in microfluidic technology. The new microfluidic mixer is a major step forward in microfluidic technology, providing a cost-effective and flexible solution for various uses. Its compatibility with SLA additive manufacturing allows for quick prototyping and design improvements, making it valuable for research and practical applications in chemistry, biology, and diagnostics. This study highlights the importance of combining advanced manufacturing techniques with basic fluid dynamics to create effective and easy-to-use microfluidic solutions.
Intelligent Diagnosis of Compound Faults of Gearboxes Based on Periodical Group Sparse Model
Authors: Chen Lan , Zhang Xiangfeng , Wang Lizhong , Li Kaihua , Feng Yang
Published: May 2024

A gearbox compound fault intelligent diagnosis method based on the period group sparse model is proposed for the problem that the fault features are coupled with each other and the fault components are superimposed on each other and difficult to be separated in the gearbox compound fault signal. Firstly, a binary sequence is constructed to embed the fault pulse period as a priori knowledge into the group sparse model to decouple and separate the composite fault signal while maintaining the amplitude and sparsity of the extracted features. Secondly, the wavelet packet energy features of the decoupled signals are extracted to improve the data quality while enhancing the characterization ability of the dictionary in the classification model. Finally, the wavelet packet energy features are imported into the sparse dictionary classification model, and the fault diagnosis is completed by outputting the fault categories using the self-driven characteristics of the data. The results show that the fault identification accuracy using the proposed method is 97%. In addition, the experimental validation under different states and working conditions with different rotational speeds allows the superiority and effectiveness of the algorithm in this paper to be tested and has the feasibility of a practical application in engineering.
Mobile Robot Path Planning Algorithm Based on NSGA-II
Authors: Liu Sitong , Tian Qichuan , Tang Chaolin
Published: May 2024

Path planning for mobile robots is a key technology in robotics. To address the issues of local optima trapping and non-smooth paths in mobile robot path planning, a novel algorithm based on the NSGA-II (Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II) is proposed. The algorithm utilizes a search window approach for population initialization, which improves the quality of the initial population. An innovative fitness function is designed as the objective function for optimization iterations. A probability-based selection strategy is employed for population selection and optimization, enhancing the algorithm’s ability to escape local minima and preventing premature convergence to suboptimal solutions. Furthermore, a path smoothing algorithm is developed by incorporating Bézier curves. By connecting multiple segments of Bézier curves, the problem of the high computational complexity associated with high-degree Bézier curves is addressed, while simultaneously achieving smooth paths. Simulation results demonstrated that the proposed path planning algorithm exhibited fewer iterations, superior path quality, and path smoothness. Compared to other methods, the proposed approach demonstrated better overall performance and practical applicability.
A Comprehensive Review of Plant-Based Biopolymers as Viscosity-Modifying Admixtures in Cement-Based Materials
Authors: Boutouam Yousra , Hayek Mahmoud , Bouarab Kamal , Yahia Ammar
Published: May 2024

As the construction industry is facing the challenge of meeting the ever-increasing demand for environmentally friendly and durable concrete, the role of viscosity-modifying admixtures (VMAs) has become increasingly essential to improve the rheological properties, stability, and mechanical properties of concrete. Additionally, natural polymers are ever evolving, offering multiple opportunities for innovative applications and sustainable solutions. This comprehensive review delves into the historical context and classifications of VMAs, accentuating their impact in enhancing the rheological properties, stability, and mechanical properties of concrete. Emphasis is placed on the environmental impact of synthetic VMAs, promoting the exploration of sustainable alternatives derived from plant-based biopolymers. Indeed, biopolymers, such as cellulose, starch, alginate, pectin, and carrageenan are considered in this paper, focusing on understanding their efficacy in improving concrete properties while enhancing the environmental sustainability within the concrete.
Attempts to Obtain Material Based on Polyvinyl Alcohol with Barrier Properties against Water Vapor
Authors: Pop Lucica Maria , Mihaly Cozmuta Anca , Nicula Camelia , Mihaly Cozmuta Leonard , Peter Anca
Published: May 2024

The purpose of this study was to obtain a biodegradable film based on polyvinyl alcohol with reduced water vapor permeability. The hydrophobic character of the films was achieved by incorporating beeswax, vegetable bio-surfactant, citric acid as a cross-linking agent, and glycerol to provide elasticity, along with the application of thermal treatment. Water vapor permeability was determined gravimetrically. The results indicated that all films produced had lower water vapor permeability compared to unmodified or untreated polyvinyl alcohol films. The barrier to water vapor varied directly with the mass of beeswax used, and the homogeneous dispersion of beeswax in the polyvinyl alcohol matrix was essential for achieving an efficient hydrophobic film. The best performing-material exhibited a water vapor permeability 5.15 times lower than that of the neat polyvinyl alcohol and 15 times higher than that of polyethylene. Considering the fact that the water vapor barrier property of neat polyvinyl alcohol was 78 times lower than that of polyethylene, the combination of beeswax, citric acid, and vegetable bio-surfactant—along with thermal treatment—can be a viable solution to reduce the hygroscopicity of polyvinyl alcohol-based films.
Evaluating the Impact of Environmental and Operational Conditions on the Characteristics of CFRP Epoxy Composites
Authors: Kocyan Ewa , Szczepanik Mirosław
Published: May 2024

The purpose of this study is to determine the material properties of CFRP composites in the form of a fabric for the construction of racing car bodywork. This work focused on the determination of the strength and tribological properties as well as investigating the effects of the operating environment on the developed material. Three material variants, differing in the number of layers used to produce the reinforcement, were used in this study. The tests were carried out on two-/three-/four-layer sheets produced by infusion. Due to the later use of the tested composites for the sheathing of a racing car, the results obtained were analysed in terms of the most favourable strength properties while keeping the weight as low as possible. In this study, the hardness, impact strength, and tensile and bending stresses of the developed composites were examined. In addition to the strength properties, the density, the effects of immersion in water, and the composite’s resistance to staining and friction in the presence of aggressive media were also checked. The structure and the breakthroughs resulting from the strength tests were observed using a stereoscopic microscope. The material’s resistance to sunlight and UVB was also tested.
Identification of Milling Cutter Wear State under Variable Working Conditions Based on Optimized SDP
Authors: Chang Hao , Gao Feng , Li Yan , Chang Lihong
Published: May 2024

Traditional data-driven tool wear state recognition methods rely on complete data under targeted working conditions. However, in actual cutting operations, working conditions vary, and data for many conditions lack labels, with data distribution characteristics differing between conditions. To address these issues, this article proposes a method for recognizing the wear state of milling cutters under varying working conditions based on an optimized symmetrized dot pattern (SDP). This method utilizes complete data from source working conditions for representation learning, transferring a generalized milling cutter wear state recognition model to varying working condition scenarios. By leveraging computer image processing features, the vibration signals produced by milling are converted into desymmetrization dot pattern images. Clustering analysis is used to extract template images of different wear states, and differential evolution algorithms are employed to adaptively optimize parameters using the maximization of Euclidean distance as an indicator. Transfer learning with a residual network incorporating an attention mechanism is used to recognize the wear state of milling cutters under varying working conditions. The experimental results indicate that the method proposed in this paper reduces the impact of working condition changes on the mapping relationship of milling cutter wear states. In the wear state identification experiment under varying conditions, the accuracy reached 97.39%, demonstrating good recognition precision and generalization ability.
Extrusion of Rice and Aronia melanocarpa Pomace: Physical and Functional Characteristics of Extrudates
Authors: Dushkova Mariya , Simitchiev Apostol , Beleva Boryana , Petrova Todorka , Koleva Anna
Published: May 2024

In this study, black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) juice pomace was used to enrich the extrudates from rice in order to create a functional food. A response surface methodology was applied to optimize the physical (expansion ratio, bulk density, moisture content, hardness, pellet durability index, and color) and functional (water solubility index, water absorption index) characteristics of the extrudates. A laboratory single-screw extruder was used to produce the extrudates and a full factorial experimental design was applied (N = 32) to present the effect of the amount of chokeberry pomace (10 and 20%), the feed moisture content (14 and 20%) and the working screw speed (180 min−1 and 220 min−1) of the extruder on the physical and functional characteristics. The results showed that the three factors influenced all studied characteristics. An exception with statistically insignificant effect was the amount of chokeberry pomace on the expansion ratio, pellet durability index, water adsorption index, lightness, redness, and yellowness, the feed moisture content on the water solubility, water adsorption index, redness and yellowness, and the working screw speed on the bulk density and hardness.
Towards Media Monitoring: Detecting Known and Emerging Topics through Multilingual and Crosslingual Text Classification
Authors: Kapočiūtė-Dzikienė Jurgita , Ungulaitis Arūnas
Published: May 2024

This study aims to address challenges in media monitoring by enhancing closed-set topic classification in multilingual contexts (where both training and testing occur in several languages) and crosslingual contexts (where training is in English and testing spans all languages). To achieve this goal, we utilized a dataset from the European Media Monitoring webpage, which includes approximately 15,000 article titles across 18 topics in 58 different languages spanning a period of nine months from May 2022 to March 2023. Our research conducted comprehensive comparative analyses of nine approaches, encompassing a spectrum of embedding techniques (word, sentence, and contextual representations) and classifiers (trainable/fine-tunable, memory-based, and generative). Our findings reveal that the LaBSE+FFNN approach achieved the best performance, reaching macro-averaged F1-scores of 0.944 ± 0.015 and 0.946 ± 0.019 in both multilingual and crosslingual scenarios. LaBSE+FFNN’s similar performance in multilingual and crosslingual scenarios eliminates the need for machine translation into English. We also tackled the open-set topic classification problem by training a binary classifier capable of distinguishing between known and new topics with the average loss of ∼0.0017 ± 0.0002. Various feature types were investigated, reaffirming the robustness of LaBSE vectorization. The experiments demonstrate that, depending on the topic, new topics can be identified with accuracies above ∼0.796 and of ∼0.9 on average. Both closed-set and open-set topic classification modules, along with additional mechanisms for clustering new topics to organize and label them, are integrated into our media monitoring system, which is now used by our real client.
Molecular Identification of Ascomycetes from American Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton) Grown in Plantation in Poland
Authors: Oksińska Małgorzata P. , Magnucka Elżbieta G. , Kmieć Anna , Pietr Stanisław J.
Published: May 2024

The American cranberry is a perennial North American fruit plant that is grown successfully on commercial plantations in Poland. The purpose of this study was to recognize filamentous fungi that colonize roots, leaves, and fruits without visible disease symptoms. Pure fungal cultures were isolated from disinfected plant fragments in agar media and identified by sequencing common taxonomic DNA markers such as the ITS region, the TEF-1α, or RPB2 genes. Of the 141 isolates studied, 59% were identified as closely related to soil saprotrophs. They were classified primarily as showing the greatest similarity to type strains of Trichoderma amoenum, Trichoderma dorothopsis, Paraphaeosphaeria sporulosa, and Penicillium murcianum. Additionally, isolates that are most similar to strains of Penicillium crustosum, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus versicolor that produced mycotoxins were detected. The fungi identified as closest to Alternaria geophila, Alternaria senecionicola, Paraphoma radicina, Pestalotiopsis unicolor, Pestalotiopsis scoparia, and Neopestalotiopsis spp., whose hosts are plants other than American cranberry, represented 33.81% of the isolates tested. Only 7.2% of the isolates corresponded to the species of Physalospora vaccinia, Diaporthe vaccinii, and Diaporthe eres, known cranberry pathogens. The results of this study can be used to identify latent plant infection and potential disease risks.
Limitations of Large Language Models in Propaganda Detection Task
Authors: Szwoch Joanna , Staszkow Mateusz , Rzepka Rafal , Araki Kenji
Published: May 2024

Propaganda in the digital era is often associated with online news. In this study, we focused on the use of large language models and their detection of propaganda techniques in the electronic press to investigate whether it is a noteworthy replacement for human annotators. We prepared prompts for generative pre-trained transformer models to find spans in news articles where propaganda techniques appear and name them. Our study was divided into three experiments on different datasets—two based on an annotated SemEval2020 Task 11 corpora and one on an unannotated subset of the Polish Online News Corpus, which we claim to be an even bigger challenge as an example of an under-resourced language. Reproduction of the results of the first experiment resulted in a higher recall of 64.53% than the original run, and the highest precision of 81.82% was achieved for gpt-4-1106-preview CoT. None of our attempts outperformed the baseline F1 score. One of the attempts with gpt-4-0125-preview on original SemEval2020 Task 11 achieved an almost 20% F1 score, but it was below the baseline, which oscillated around 50%. Part of our work that was dedicated to Polish articles showed that gpt-4-0125-preview had a 74% accuracy in the binary detection of propaganda techniques and 69% in propaganda technique classification. The results for SemEval2020 show that the outputs of generative models tend to be unpredictable and are hardly reproducible for propaganda detection. For the time being, these are unreliable methods for this task, but we believe they can help to generate more training data.
Blow-Up Analysis of L2-Norm Solutions for an Elliptic Equation with a Varying Nonlocal Term
Authors: Zhu Xincai , He Chunxia
Published: May 2024

This paper is devoted to studying a type of elliptic equation that contains a varying nonlocal term. We provide a detailed analysis of the existence, non-existence, and blow-up behavior of L2-norm solutions for the related equation when the potential function V(x) fulfills an appropriate choice.
High Perturbations of a Fractional Kirchhoff Equation with Critical Nonlinearities
Authors: Yu Shengbin , Huang Lingmei , Chen Jiangbin
Published: May 2024

This paper concerns a fractional Kirchhoff equation with critical nonlinearities and a negative nonlocal term. In the case of high perturbations (large values of α, i.e., the parameter of a subcritical nonlinearity), existence results are obtained by the concentration compactness principle together with the mountain pass theorem and cut-off technique. The multiplicity of solutions are further considered with the help of the symmetric mountain pass theorem. Moreover, the nonexistence and asymptotic behavior of positive solutions are also investigated.
Modulation of Canine Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem/Medicinal Signalling Cells with Ascorbic Acid: Effect on Proliferation and Chondrogenic Differentiation on Standard Plastic and Silk Fibroin Surfaces
Authors: Voga Metka
Published: May 2024

Ascorbic acid (AA) plays a crucial role in both the proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation potential of mesenchymal stem/medicinal signalling cells (MSCs); these are both key aspects of their general therapeutic use and their increasing use in veterinary medicine. Current immunomodulatory therapies require efficient expansion of MSCs in the laboratory, while emerging tissue regeneration strategies, such as cartilage or bone repair, aim to use differentiated MSCs and modulate the expression of chondrogenic and hypertrophic markers. Our aim was to investigate whether the addition of AA to the growth medium enhances the proliferation of canine adipose-derived MSCs (cAMSCs) grown on standard plastic surfaces and whether it affects chondrogenic differentiation potential on silk fibroin (SF) films. We assessed cell viability with trypan blue and proliferation potential by calculating population doubling. Chondrogenic induction on SF films was assessed by Alcian blue staining and gene expression analysis of chondrogenic and hypertrophic genes. The results showed that growth medium with AA significantly enhanced the proliferation of cAMSCs without affecting cell viability and modulated the expression of chondrogenic and hypertrophic genes of cAMSCs grown on SF films. Our results suggest that AA may be used in growth medium for expansion of cAMSCs and, at the same time, provide the basis for future studies to investigate the role of AA and SF in chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs.
Among Other Tissues, Short-Term Garlic Oral Treatment Incrementally Improves Indicants of Only Pancreatic Islets of Langerhans Histology and Insulin mRNA Transcription and Synthesis in Diabetic Rats
Authors: Al-Adsani Amani M. , Al-Qattan Khaled K.
Published: May 2024

Background: The source, mRNA transcription, and synthesis of insulin in the pancreas, in addition to the bile duct and liver, in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats (DR) in response to garlic oral treatment are not yet clear. Objective: This study investigated the accumulative effects of continued garlic oral treatment on changes in the pancreas, bile duct, and liver with regards to: 1—Insulin mRNA transcription, synthesis, and concentration in relation to changes in serum insulin (SI); 2—Insulinogenic cells insulin intensity and distribution, proliferation, and morphology. Method: Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and insulin concentration in serum and pancreas (PI) and sources and mRNA transcription in the pancreas, bile duct, and liver in normal rats given normal saline (NR-NS) and DR given either NS (DR-NS) or garlic extract (DR-GE) before and after 1, 4, and 8 weeks of oral treatment were examined. Results: Compared to NR-NS, DR-NS showed a significant increase in FBG and reductions in SI and PI and deterioration in islets histology, associated pancreatic insulin numerical intensities, and mRNA transcription. However, compared to DR-NS, the targeted biochemical, histological, and genetic variables of DR-GE were significantly and incrementally improved as garlic treatment continued. Insulin or its indicators were not detected either in the bile duct or the liver in DR-GE. Conclusions: 8 weeks of garlic oral treatment is enough to incrementally restore only pancreatic islets of Langerhans insulin intensity and insulinogenic cells proliferation, morphology, and distribution. These indices were associated with enhanced pancreatic insulin mRNA transcription and synthesis. Eight weeks of garlic treatment were not enough to stimulate insulinogenesis in either the bile duct or the liver.
Identification of Insertion/Deletion Markers for Photoperiod Sensitivity in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Tam Nguyen Thanh , Nhan Dang Kieu
Published: May 2024

The current study aims to identify candidate insertion/deletion (INDEL) markers associated with photoperiod sensitivity (PS) in rice landraces from the Vietnamese Mekong Delta. The whole-genome sequencing of 20 accessions was conducted to analyze INDEL variations between two photoperiod-sensitivity groups. A total of 2240 INDELs were identified between the two photoperiod-sensitivity groups. The selection criteria included INDELs with insertions or deletions of at least 20 base pairs within the improved rice group. Six INDELs were discovered on chromosomes 01 (5 INDELs) and 6 (1 INDEL), and two genes were identified: LOC_Os01g23780 and LOC_Os01g36500. The gene LOC_Os01g23780, which may be involved in rice flowering, was identified in a 20 bp deletion on chromosome 01 from the improved rice accession group. A marker was devised for this gene, indicating a polymorphism rate of 20%. Remarkably, 20% of the materials comprised improved rice accessions. This INDEL marker could explain 100% of the observed distinctions. Further analysis of the mapping population demonstrated that an INDEL marker associated with the MADS-box gene on chromosome 01 was linked to photoperiod sensitivity. The F1 population displayed two bands across all hybrid individuals. The marker demonstrates efficacy in distinguishing improved rice accessions within the indica accessions. This study underscores the potential applicability of the INDEL marker in breeding strategies.
Accounting for NAD Concentrations in Genome-Scale Metabolic Models Captures Important Metabolic Alterations in NAD-Depleted Systems
Authors: Sauter Roland , Sharma Suraj , Heiland Ines
Published: May 2024

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is a ubiquitous molecule found within all cells, acting as a crucial coenzyme in numerous metabolic reactions. It plays a vital role in energy metabolism, cellular signaling, and DNA repair. Notably, NAD levels decline naturally with age, and this decline is associated with the development of various age-related diseases. Despite this established link, current genome-scale metabolic models, which offer powerful tools for understanding cellular metabolism, do not account for the dynamic changes in NAD concentration. This impedes our understanding of a fluctuating NAD level’s impact on cellular metabolism and its contribution to age-related pathologies. To bridge this gap in our knowledge, we have devised a novel method that integrates altered NAD concentration into genome-scale models of human metabolism. This approach allows us to accurately reflect the changes in fatty acid metabolism, glycolysis, and oxidative phosphorylation observed experimentally in an engineered human cell line with a compromised level of subcellular NAD.
Cholesterol Modulation Attenuates the AD-like Phenotype Induced by Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Infection
Authors: Salgado Blanca , Izquierdo Beatriz , Zapata Alba , Sastre Isabel , Kristen Henrike , Terreros Julia , Mejías Víctor , Bullido María J. , Aldudo Jesús
Published: May 2024

Cholesterol, a crucial component of cell membranes, influences various biological processes, including membrane trafficking, signal transduction, and host-pathogen interactions. Disruptions in cholesterol homeostasis have been linked to congenital and acquired conditions, including neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Previous research from our group has demonstrated that herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1) induces an AD-like phenotype in several cell models of infection. This study explores the interplay between cholesterol and HSV-1-induced neurodegeneration. The impact of cholesterol was determined by modulating its levels with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MβCD) using the neuroblastoma cell lines SK-N-MC and N2a. We have found that HSV-1 infection triggers the intracellular accumulation of cholesterol in structures resembling endolysosomal/autophagic compartments, a process reversible upon MβCD treatment. Moreover, MβCD exhibits inhibitory effects at various stages of HSV-1 infection, underscoring the importance of cellular cholesterol levels, not only in the viral entry process but also in subsequent post-entry stages. MβCD also alleviated several features of AD-like neurodegeneration induced by viral infection, including lysosomal impairment and intracellular accumulation of amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) and phosphorylated tau. In conclusion, these findings highlight the connection between cholesterol, neurodegeneration, and HSV-1 infection, providing valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of AD.
Age- and Sex-Dependent Effects of Moderate Exercise on Endogenous Pain Inhibition in Rats
Authors: do Espírito-Santo Renan F. , Margerison Sarah M. , Zhang Youping , Pak Joshua , Ro Jin Y. , Da Silva Joyce T.
Published: May 2024

Diffuse noxious inhibitory controls (DNICs), or the pain inhibits pain phenomenon, refer to reduced pain-like behaviors that are displayed following a noxious conditioning stimulus located far from the test stimulus and have also been referred to as “descending control of nociception” when measured in awake-behaving animals. In this study, we sought to determine the impact of moderate long-term exercise on the DCN response and determine if this effect differed across age and sex. After a six-week exercise program consisting of 30 min of moderate treadmill running 5 days a week, the animals’ forepaws were injected with capsaicin, and DCN responses were assessed using thermal withdrawal latencies of the hind paw. Young, exercised male and female rats displayed prolonged DCN responses relative to their sedentary counterparts, with the young exercised male group displaying longer-lasting DCN facilitation than the young exercised females. Exercise did not impact DCN responses in either male or female aged rats. Additionally, the serum testosterone levels did not change following exercise in any group. Importantly, the levels of corticosterone did not change following the exercise program, indicating that changes in the DCN response are not due to stress-induced analgesia. Our findings suggest that moderate exercise can facilitate the DCN response in young animals, even when this exercise does not change the levels of serum testosterone.
Can Microfluidics Improve Sperm Quality? A Prospective Functional Study
Authors: Meseguer Fernando , Giménez Rodríguez Carla , Rivera Egea Rocío , Carrión Sisternas Laura , Remohí Jose A. , Meseguer Marcos
Published: May 2024

The same sperm selection techniques in assisted reproduction clinics have remained largely unchanged despite their weaknesses. Recently, microfluidic devices have emerged as a novel methodology that facilitates the sperm selection process with promising results. A prospective case-control study was conducted in two phases: 100 samples were used to compare the microfluidic device with Density Gradient, and another 100 samples were used to compare the device with the Swim-up. In the initial phase, a significant enhancement in progressive motility, total progressive motile sperm count, vitality, morphology, and sperm DNA fragmentation were obtained for the microfluidic group compared to Density Gradient. Nevertheless, no statistically significant differences were observed in sperm concentration and chromatin structure stability. In the subsequent phase, the microfluidic group exhibited significant increases in sperm concentration, total progressive motile sperm count, and vitality compared to Swim-up. However, non-significant differences were seen for progressive motility, morphology, DNA structure stability, and DNA fragmentation. Similar trends were observed when results were stratified into quartiles. In conclusion, in a comparison of microfluidics with standard techniques, an improvement in sperm quality parameters was observed for the microfluidic group. However, this improvement was not significant for all parameters.
Comparative Evaluation of Dental Enamel Microhardness Following Various Methods of Interproximal Reduction: A Vickers Hardness Tester Investigation
Authors: Serbanoiu Dan-Cosmin , Vartolomei Aurel-Claudiu , Ghiga Dana-Valentina , Pop Silvia Izabella , Panainte Irinel , Moldovan Marioara , Sarosi Codruta , Petean Ioan , Boileau Marie-Jose , Pacurar Mariana
Published: May 2024

Interproximal enamel reduction, also known as stripping, is a common orthodontic procedure that reduces the mesiodistal diameter of teeth, allowing for a balance of available space in dental arches. The aim of this study was to assess the enamel surface microhardness resulting from the application of currently available methods for interproximal reduction. Forty-two extracted human permanent teeth were divided into six different groups, each subjected to a therapeutic stripping procedure using various methods (i.e., diamond burs, abrasive strips of 90 μm, 60 μm, 40 μm, and 15 μm, and abrasive discs). Stripping was performed by a single individual in accordance with the manufacturers’ recommendations for the various systems used. One of the proximal faces of the tooth underwent IPR, while the other side remained untreated for control. The hardness of the enamel surface was measured using a Vickers hardness tester. The control group achieved the hardest enamel surface (354.4 ± 41.02 HV1), while the lowest was observed for enamel surfaces treated with 90 µm abrasive strips (213.7 ± 118.6). The only statistically significant difference was identified in comparisons between the values measured for the control group and those obtained after stripping with diamond burs (p = 0.0159). Enamel microhardness varied depending on the stripping instrument used, but no statistically significant differences were found (p > 0.05). Optimal microhardness values, close to those of healthy enamel, were achieved after mechanical treatment with 15 µm abrasive strips and abrasive discs. Dental stripping is a safe therapeutic procedure that has a relatively minor influence on the microhardness of surface enamel.
Preparation and Properties of Attapulgite-Hydroxyethyl Cellulose Composite Poly (Acrylic Acid-co-2-acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic Acid) Concrete Internal Curing Material
Authors: Zhao Younan , Wang Laifa , Li Yongqing , Xiong Rui , Lu Fuyang
Published: May 2024

Attapulgite-hydroxyethyl cellulose-poly (acrylic acid-co-2-acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid) (ATP-HEC-P(AA-co-AMPS)) in-concrete curing material was synthesized by aqueous solution polymerization using attapulgite (ATP) as an inorganic filler and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) as a backbone. The effects of relevant factors such as ATP dosage, HEC dosage, degree of neutralization, initiator quality, and cross-linking agent quality on the water absorption characteristics of ATP-HEC-P (AA-co-AMPS) were investigated through expansion tests. The micro-morphology of ATP-HEC-P (AA-co-AMPS) was also comprehensively characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, a thermal analysis, and other applicable means. The results showed that the prepared ATP-HEC-P (AA-co-AMPS) had a strong water absorption and water retention capacity, with a water absorption multiplicity of 382 g/g in deionized water and 21.55% water retention capacity after being placed at room temperature for 7 d in a bare environment. Additionally, ATP-HEC-P (AA-co-AMPS) showed good performance for absorbing liquids within the pH range of 7–12. The material’s thermal stability and mechanical properties were also significantly improved after the addition of ATP. The preparation cost is low, the process is simple, and the material meets the requirements for concrete curing materials.
A Systematic Review of the Socio-Legal Dimensions of Responsible AI and Its Role in Improving Health and Safety in Construction
Authors: Agapiou Andrew
Published: May 2024

Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) in the construction industry could revolutionise workplace safety and efficiency. However, this integration also carries complex socio-legal implications that require further investigation. Presently, there is a research gap in the socio-legal dimensions of AI use to enhance health and safety regulations and protocols for the construction sector in the United Kingdom, particularly in understanding how the existing legal frameworks can adapt to AI integration effectively. Comprehensive research is indispensable to identify where the existing regulations may fall short or require more specificity in addressing the unique implications introduced by AI technologies. This article aims to address the pressing socio-legal challenges surrounding the integration of AI in the UK construction industry, specifically in enhancing health and safety protocols on construction sites, through a systematic review encompassing the PRISMA protocol. The review has identified that the existing legal and regulatory framework provides a strong foundation for risk management. Still, it needs to sufficiently account for the socio-legal dimensions introduced by AI deployment and how AI may evolve in the future. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will require standardised authorities to effectively oversee the use of AI in the UK construction industry. This will enable the HSE to collect data related to AI processes and carry out technical, empirical, and governance audits. The provision of sufficient resources and the empowerment of the HSE within the context of the construction industry are critical factors that must be taken into consideration to ensure effective oversight of AI implementation.
Exploring the Evolution Mechanisms of Social Risks Associated with Urban Renewal from the Perspective of Stakeholders
Authors: Xie Hong , Zhang Lei , Cui Peng , Yuan Jingfeng , Li Qiming
Published: May 2024

The urban renewal (UR) process involves various stakeholders and related activities, and the various risks arising from this endeavor can affect these stakeholders. Additionally, the impact of adverse factors such as policy discontinuity and inequitable distribution of benefits among stakeholders can easily result in collective tensions or conflicts, as well as the gradual emergence of potential social frictions and confrontations. These social risks (SRs) not only impede the smooth execution of urban renewal projects but also pose challenges to social harmony and stability. Hence, to mitigate and control the SRs in the UR process (URSRs) and ensure the successful implementation of effective and sustainable UR projects, it is of paramount importance to gain a comprehensive understanding of the occurrence and evolution mechanisms of these SRs. Although existing studies have touched upon the influence of stakeholder conflicts on URSRs, there remains a lack of systematic examination of the evolution mechanisms of these risks from the perspective of stakeholder theory. The resulting fragmented and specialized comprehension of URSRs has hindered the effectiveness of risk governance strategies. This study adopts stakeholder theory to analyze the potential sources of risk throughout the entire UR process. By considering the conflicts of interests among stakeholders, a systematic analysis of the evolution mechanisms of URSRs is explored and targeted governance recommendations for URSRs are proposed.
Effect of Air Parameters on LiCl-H2O Film Flow Behavior in Liquid Desiccant Systems
Authors: Lyu Yue , Yin Yonggao , Wang Jingjing
Published: May 2024

The wettability and stability of a solution’s film on the filler surface are the key factors determining heat and mass transfer efficiency in liquid desiccant air conditioning systems. Therefore, this study investigates the effects of different air parameters on the flow behavior of a lithium chloride solution’s film. The effects of air velocity, air flow pattern, and pressure on the wettability and critical amount of spray are discussed. The results show that the main mechanism by which the air velocity affects the wettability is that the shear stress generated by the direction of the air velocity disperses the direction of the surface tension and weakens its effect on the liquid film distribution. In addition, in the counter flow pattern, the air flow blocks the liquid film from spreading longitudinally and destroys the stability of the liquid film at the liquid outlet, which increases the critical amount of spray. The pressure distribution is similar under different operating pressures when the flow is stable; thus, pressure has little effect on wettability. The simulation results under 8 atm are compared with the experimental results. It is found that the sudden increase in the amount of moisture removal when the amount of spray changes from 0.05 to 0.1 m3/(m·h) in the experiment is caused by the change in the liquid film flow state. In addition, the results show that within the range of air flow parameters for the liquid desiccant air conditioning system, air flow shear force is not the main factor affecting the stability of the solution’s film, and there is no secondary breakage of the solution’s film during the falling-film flow process.