bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploration of Microencapsulation of Arginine in Carnauba Wax (Copernicia prunifera) and Its Dietary Effect on the Quality of Beef
Authors: Contreras-Lopez German , Garcia-Galicia Ivan A. , Carrillo-Lopez Luis Manuel , Corral-Luna Agustin , Buenabad-Carrasco Lorenzo , Titulaer Mieke , Villarreal-Balderrama José A. , Alarcon-Rojo Alma D.
Published: June 2024

The objective of this exploratory study was to assess if microencapsulated arginine influences the physicochemical quality of beef. The study included three genetic groups: Angus, Hereford, and Angus × Hereford crossbreed. Two encapsulation systems were used with carnauba wax, at ratios of 3:1 and 2:1, carnauba wax:core (arginine), respectively. A control treatment was also included with no arginine addition. Encapsulated arginine with a 3:1 ratio increased redness by 19.66 at 28 d aged beef compared to the control and 2:1 ratio with values of 18.55 and 16.77, respectively (p = 0.01). Encapsulated arginine at a 3:1 ratio showed the lowest meat shear force values with 24.32 N at 28 d of ageing (p < 0.001). The Angus breed also had a low value of 24.02 N (p < 0.001). Finally, the highest values of intramuscular fat were observed with the inclusion of arginine in a 3:1 ratio. The fat value reached 2.12% with a 3:1 ratio (p = 0.002), while in the Angus breed it was 1.59%. The addition of carnauba wax-encapsulated arginine can improve meat quality. It enhances red color, tenderness, and marbling in bovine meat.
Seroprevalence survey of Hepatitis E Virus in Domestic Pigs in Guangdong, China
Authors: Liu Dingyu , Liu Baoling , He Zhenwen , Qiao Changhong , Luo Qin , Chen Xiangyu , Wang Xiaohu , Xiang Hua , Chen Jing , Zhang Pian , Huang Yuan , Wang Gang , Tan Chen , Cai Rujian
Published: June 2024

The Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes acute and chronic Hepatitis E and is a global public health concern. HEV genotypes 3 (HEV-3) and 4 (HEV-4) are common to humans and animals, and domestic pigs and wild boars have been identified as the main reservoirs. However, limited information is available on the status of HEV infection in pigs, particularly in the Guangdong Province, China. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of HEV in pig farms within the Guangdong Province. A total of 1568 serum samples were collected from 25 farms and tested for anti-HEV IgG antibodies. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results revealed that 57.53% (902/1568) of serum samples from 24 farms (24/25, 96%) were positive for anti-HEV IgG antibodies. Year, season, region, and age were all linked risk factors for HEV in Guangdong, with season and region showing more significant impacts. The results showing a high seroprevalence of HEV confirmed its circulation among domestic pigs in the Guangdong Province, China. The presence of this antibody indicates that HEV infection was or is present on farms, posing a risk of zoonotic transmission of HEV from pigs to exposed workers and from pork or organs to consumption.
Food Grinding Behavior: A Review of Causality and Influential Factors
Authors: Tang Hao , Ge Wei-Wei , Wei Wan-Hong , Yang Sheng-Mei , Dai Xin
Published: June 2024

Food waste is a common issue arising from grinding of food by experimental animals, leading to excessive food scraps falling into cages. In the wild, animals grind food by gnawing vegetation and seeds, potentially damaging the ecological environment. However, limited ecology studies have focused on food grinding behavior since the last century, with even fewer on rodent food grinding, particularly recently. Although food grinding’s function is partially understood, its biological purposes remain under-investigated and driving factors unclear. This review aims to explain potential causes of animal food grinding, identify influencing factors, and discuss contexts and limitations. Specifically, we emphasize recent progress on gut microbiota significance for food grinding. Moreover, we show abnormal food grinding is determined by degree of excess normal behavior, emphasizing food grinding is not meaningless. Findings from this review promote comprehensive research on the myriad factors, multifaceted roles, and intricate evolution underlying food grinding behavior, benefiting laboratory animal husbandry and ecological environment protection, and identifying potential physiological benefits yet undiscovered.
Bacterial Histidine Kinase and the Development of Its Inhibitors in the 21st Century
Authors: Ahsan Ragib , Kifayat Sumaiya , Pooniya Krishan Kumar , Kularia Sunita , Adimalla Bhavani Sailu , Sanapalli Bharat Kumar Reddy , Sanapalli Vidyasrilekha , Sigalapalli Dilep Kumar
Published: June 2024

Bacterial histidine kinase (BHK) is a constituent of the two-component signaling (TCS) pathway, which is responsible for the regulation of a number of processes connected to bacterial pathogenicity, virulence, biofilm development, antibiotic resistance, and bacterial persistence. As BHK regulation is diverse, inhibitors can be developed, such as antibiotic synergists, bacteriostatic/bactericidal agents, virulence inhibitors, and biofilm inhibitors. Inhibition of essential BHK has always been an amenable strategy due to the conserved binding sites of the domains across bacterial species and growth dependence. Hence, an inhibitor of BHK might block multiple TCS regulatory networks. This review describes the TCS system and the role of BHK in bacterial virulence and discusses the available inhibitors of BHK, which is a specific response regulator with essential structural features.
P-EcStat: A Versatile Design of Photoelectrochemical and Electrochemical Sensing System with Smartphone Interface via Bluetooth Low Energy
Authors: Huynh Vo Anh Hao , Tran Viet Cuong , Tran Trung Tin , Nguyen Thien Trang , Nguyen Anh Duong , Huynh Tran My Hoa , Tran Trung Nghia
Published: June 2024

Electrochemical and photoelectrochemical sensors are a rapidly developing field in analytical chemistry. However, commercial systems often lack versatility and affordability, hindering wider adoption. Additionally, the absence of integrated excitation light sources limits their application in photoelectrochemical sensing. Here, we present a highly precise, versatile, affordable measurement system for both electrochemical and photoelectrochemical sensing applications. The system incorporates a three-electrode potentiostat with a synchronized excitation light source. This design enables the system to perform conventional electrochemical measurements like cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and photoelectrochemical amperometric measurements with controlled light excitation. The developed measurement system operates within a voltage range suitable for a measurable current range of 1 nA to 18 mA, with a high precision of 99%. The excitation source is a monochromatic LED system offering seven distinct wavelengths with digitally controlled intensity via a digital-to-analog converter. Furthermore, an Android-based user interface allows wireless system control via Bluetooth Low Energy. The report also details the construction of a photoelectrochemical experiment using copper (II) oxide nanorods synthesized by the hydrothermal process as the photoactive material employed to test the experiment on a potassium ferricyanide/potassium ferrocyanide solution. This user-friendly system allows broader exploration of electrochemical and photoelectrochemical sensing applications.
Crop Land Change Detection with MC&N-PSPNet
Authors: Chen Yuxin , Duan Yulin , Zhang Wen , Wang Chang , Yu Qiangyi , Wang Xu
Published: June 2024

To enhance the accuracy of agricultural area classification and enable remote sensing monitoring of agricultural regions, this paper investigates classification models and their application in change detection within rural areas, proposing the MC&N-PSPNet (CBAM into MobileNetV2 and NAM into PSPNet) network model. Initially, the HRSCD (High Resolution Semantic Change Detection) dataset labels undergo binary redrawing. Subsequently, to efficiently extract image features, the original PSPNet (Pyramid Scene Parsing Network) backbone network, ResNet50 (Residual Network-50), is substituted with the MobileNetV2 (Inverted Residuals and Linear Bottlenecks) model. Furthermore, to enhance the model’s training efficiency and classification accuracy, the NAM (Normalization-Based Attention Module) attention mechanism is introduced into the improved PSPNet model to obtain the categories of land cover changes in remote sensing images before and after the designated periods. Finally, the final change detection results are obtained by performing a different operation on the classification results for different periods. Through experimental analysis, this paper demonstrates the proposed method’s superior capability in segmenting agricultural areas, which is crucial for effective agricultural area change detection. The model achieves commendable performance metrics, including overall accuracy, Kappa value, MIoU, and MPA values of 95.03%, 88.15%, 93.55%, and 88.90%, respectively, surpassing other models. Moreover, the model exhibits robust performance in final change detection, achieving an overall accuracy and Kappa value of 93.24% and 92.29%, respectively. The results of this study show that the MC&N-PSPNet model has significant advantages in the detection of changes in agricultural zones, which provides a scientific basis and technical support for agricultural resource management and policy formulation.
Low-Carbon Operation Strategy of Park-Level Integrated Energy System with Firefly Algorithm
Authors: Chen Hongyin , Wang Songcen , Yu Yaoxian , Guo Yi , Jin Lu , Jia Xiaoqiang , Liu Kaicheng , Zhang Xinhe
Published: June 2024

The integrated energy system at the park level, renowned for its diverse energy complementarity and environmentally friendly attributes, serves as a crucial platform for incorporating novel energy consumption methods. Nevertheless, distributed energy generation, characterized by randomness, fluctuations, and intermittency, is significantly influenced by the surrounding environment. Within the park, the output of multiple devices frequently diverges significantly from the actual demand, potentially resulting in energy waste phenomena, such as the curtailment of wind and solar power. To tackle the dual challenges of balancing energy supply and demand while reducing carbon emissions in the industrial park, this paper introduces a low-carbon integrated energy system that incorporates distributed renewable and clean energy sources. Mathematical models are formulated for the source–grid–load–storage components of this low-carbon integrated energy system. Furthermore, various operational scenarios for the park-level integrated energy system are analyzed. The ultimate goal is to devise an economically viable, low-carbon, and efficient operational strategy for the integrated energy system, aiming to satisfy the diverse objectives of various stakeholders.
Influence of Mixing Rubber Fibers on the Mechanical Properties of Expansive Clay under Freeze–Thaw Cycles
Authors: Yang Zhongnian , Sun Zhenxing , Ling Xianzhang , Cai Guojun , Wang Rongchang , Meng Xiang
Published: June 2024

With the growth of the transportation industry, large volumes of waste tires are being generated, which necessitates the development of effective solutions for recycling waste tires. In this study, expansive clay was mixed with rubber fibers obtained from waste tires. Triaxial tests were conducted on the rubber fiber-reinforced expansive clay after freeze–thaw cycles. The experimental results of the unreinforced expansive clay from previous studies were used to evaluate the effect of mixing rubber fibers on the mechanical properties of rubber fiber-reinforced expansive clay under freeze–thaw cycles. The results demonstrate that the mixing of rubber fibers significantly reduces the effect of freeze–thaw cycles on the shear strength and elastic modulus of expansive clay. The shear strength and elastic modulus of the unreinforced expansive clay decrease markedly as the number of freeze–thaw cycles increases, while the shear strength and elastic modulus of the rubber fiber-reinforced expansive clay do not exhibit any remarkable change. A calculation model of the deviatoric stress–axial strain curves after freeze–thaw cycles was established. The model describes the deviatoric stress–axial strain behavior of rubber fiber-reinforced expansive clay and unreinforced expansive clay under different confining pressures and different numbers of freeze–thaw cycles.
Bridging Continuous and Lattice-Based Models of Two-Dimensional Diffusion: A Systematic Approach for Estimating Transition Probabilities, Grid Size and Diffusivity
Authors: Andrew Tricity M. , Haider Mansoor A.
Published: June 2024

Lattice-based models have been broadly applied in mathematical and computational modeling of biological and biomedical systems for which spatial effects are important. These discrete models commonly include diffusion of mobile constituents as a key underlying mechanism. While the direct simulation of diffusion in continuous (off-lattice) domains is possible, it is computationally intensive, particularly when multiple coupled mechanisms are involved. This study presents a systematic approach for connecting continuous models of two-dimensional diffusion with internal obstacles to discrete, lattice-based (surrogate) models of diffusion. Results from continuous model simulations on a representative domain, and over many realizations, are used to develop accurate lattice-based surrogate models by exploiting internal symmetries. Probabilities determined for the lattice-based surrogate models are also connected to theoretical diffusivities for 2D random walks on a square lattice, necessitating the calibration of a spatial grid size. This approach can facilitate the inclusion of more accurate diffusive transport models of complex media within the general framework of lattice-based models that incorporate multiple coupled mechanisms.
Diagnosis of Tympanic Membrane Disease and Pediatric Hearing Using Convolutional Neural Network Models with Multi-Layer Perceptrons
Authors: Lee Hongchang , Jang Hyeonung , Jeon Wangsu , Choi Seongjun
Published: June 2024

In this study, we propose a method of classification for tympanic membrane diseases and regression of pediatric hearing, using a deep learning model of artificial neural networks. Based on the B7 Backbone model of EfficientNet, a state-of-the-art convolutional neural network model, drop connect was applied in the encoder for generalization, and multi-layer perceptron, which is mainly used in the transformer, was applied to the decoder for improved accuracy. For the training data, the open-access tympanic membrane dataset, divided into four classes, was used as the benchmark dataset, and the SCH tympanic membrane dataset with five classes of tympanic membrane diseases and pediatric hearing was also used as the training dataset. In the benchmark using the open-access tympanic membrane dataset, the proposed model showed the highest performance among the five comparative models with an average accuracy of 93.59%, an average sensitivity of 87.19%, and an average specificity of 95.73%. In the experiment trained on the SCH tympanic membrane disease dataset, the average accuracy was 98.28%, the average sensitivity was 89.66%, the average specificity was 98.68%, and the average inference time was 0.2 s. In the experiment trained on the SCH pediatric hearing dataset, the mean absolute error was 6.8678, the mean squared logarithmic error was 0.2887, and the average inference time was 0.2 s.
Construction and Ranking of Usability Indicators for Medical Websites Based on Website User Experience
Authors: Liu Xiaoxue , Park Kyungjin
Published: June 2024

In the era of digitalization, medical websites have rapidly expanded their healthcare market share due to their convenience. However, with this user-base expansion, issues with poor user experience have surfaced. To address this, we developed and ranked usability indicators for medical websites, aiming to improve their design and development from a user experience perspective, thereby improving user satisfaction and the website’s usability. Initially, we reviewed the relevant literature and summarized 30 usability indicators. Subsequently, we formed a Delphi panel of 20 experts and preliminarily identified 24 usability indicators through the Delphi survey method. Using data from 300 valid user surveys, we applied the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) method to categorize these 24 indicators into four groups. Finally, we assessed the relative importance and priorities of these indicators using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. The results showed that, in terms of criterion layer weight priorities, Trust and Security (0.5494), Basic Performance (0.2710), and Features and Technology (0.1355) exhibited higher proportions. For the solution layer, Property Protection (0.1894), Credibility (0.1852), Privacy Protection (0.1194), Effectiveness (0.0932), and Findability (0.0579) exhibited higher weight proportions. The findings of this study will assist in future usability assessments and enhancements of medical websites. By optimizing the usability, we can both advance the digitalization of medical websites and improve the usability of medical websites, and enhance the service experience and satisfaction of your users.
Intelligent Identification of Liquid Aluminum Leakage in Deep Well Casting Production Based on Image Segmentation
Authors: Yan Junwei , Li Xin , Zhou Xuan
Published: June 2024

This study proposes a method based on image segmentation for accurately identifying liquid aluminum leakage during deep well casting, which is crucial for providing early warnings and preventing potential explosions in aluminum processing. Traditional DeepLabV3+ models in this domain encounter challenges such as prolonged training duration, the requirement for abundant data, and insufficient understanding of the liquid surface characteristics of casting molds. This work presents an enhanced DeepLabV3+ method to address the restrictions and increase the accuracy of calculating liquid surface areas for casting molds. This algorithm substitutes the initial feature extraction network with ResNet-50 and integrates the CBAM attention mechanism and transfer learning techniques. The results of ablation experiments and comparative trials demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can achieve favorable segmentation performance, delivering an MIoU of 91.88%, an MPA of 96.53%, and an inference speed of 55.05 FPS. Furthermore, this study presents a technique utilizing OpenCV to accurately measure variations in the surface areas of casting molds when there are leakages of liquid aluminum. In addition, this work introduces a measurement to quantify these alterations and establish an abnormal threshold by utilizing the Interquartile Range (IQR) method. Empirical tests confirm that the threshold established in this study can accurately detect instances of liquid aluminum leakage.
Bond Strength Evaluation of FRP–Concrete Interfaces Affected by Hygrothermal and Salt Attack Using Improved Meta-Learning Neural Network
Authors: Wang Yi , Ye Ning , Liu Siyuan , Zhang Zhengqin , Hu Yihan , Wei Anni , Wang Haoyu
Published: June 2024

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) laminates are popular in the strengthening of concrete structures, but the durability of the strengthened structures is of great concern. Due to the susceptibility of the epoxy resin used for bonding and the deterioration of materials, the bond performance of the FRP–concrete interface could be degraded due to environmental exposure. This paper aimed to establish a data-driven method for bond strength prediction using existing test results. Therefore, a method composed of a Back Prorogation Net (BPNN) and Meta-learning Net was proposed, which can be used to solve the implicit regression problems in few-shot learning and can obtain the deteriorated bond strength and the impact weight of each parameter. First, the pretraining database Meta1, a database of material strength degradation, was established from the existing results and used in the meta-learning network. Then, the database Meta2 was built and used in the meta-learning network for model fine-tuning. Finally, combining all prior knowledge, not only the degradation of the FRP–concrete bond’s strength was predicted, but the respective weights of the environment parameters were also obtained. This method can accurately predict the degradation of the bond performance of FRP–concrete interfaces in complex environments, thus facilitating the further assessment of the remaining service life of FRP-reinforced structures.
Investigation of Issues in Data Anomaly Detection Using Deep-Learning- and Rule-Based Classifications for Long-Term Vibration Measurements
Authors: Khan Imdad Ullah , Jeong Seunghoo , Sim Sung-Han
Published: June 2024

Structural health monitoring (SHM) systems are widely used for civil infrastructure monitoring. Data acquired from the SHM systems play an important role in assessing structural integrity and determining further maintenance activities. Considering that sensors in the SHM systems are installed in a harsh environment for long-term measurements, some sensors can malfunction and produce faulty data. As a large amount of measured data is often desired to be automatically processed and can adversely affect structural assessments, identifying such abnormal data is important. This paper provides critical investigations of the automated detection of data anomalies using existing deep-learning-based classification in conjunction with a simple rule-based approach. The issues investigated in this study include (1) the presence of ambiguous data that cannot be categorized as an anomaly class in the literature, (2) information loss during the conversion of time-series data into images for the deep-learning-based approach, and (3) additional issues, such as misclassification by trained models and requirements of the threshold section in the rule-based approach. The results of these key investigations can be utilized to develop an effective anomaly detection process.
Airborne Culturable Fungi in the Indoor and Outdoor Environments of Shrines in Chennai, India
Authors: Nannu Shankar Sripriya , Srinivasan Bhuvaneswari , Nyayiru Kannaian Udaya Prakash
Published: June 2024

The diversity and concentrations of airborne fungi in the environments of 58 temples across a metropolitan city (Chennai) in India were investigated. Air samples from indoors (within 2 m of the Sanctum sanctorum) and outdoors (at least 10 m away from the Sanctum sanctorum) were collected using the Reuter Centrifugal Sampler (RCS). Of the 90 species isolated, 7 belonged to Zygomycota, 5 to Ascomycota and the remaining 78 to Mitosporic fungi. A total of 3470 colonies were isolated from the indoor environment, which was 13.73% higher than the total recorded outdoors (3051 colonies). An average of 747.7 and 657.5 CFU/m3 of air was recorded in the indoor and outdoor environments, respectively. The predominant species identified in both environments were Aspergillus flavus, A. niger and Cladosporium cladosporioides. While most of the fungal species isolated are considered allergens and pathogens, they can also deteriorate the architecture of shrines. This study indicates the need to implement control measures to minimize the risks of exposure to bioaerosols in public spaces such as shrines.
Symmetric Identities Involving the Extended Degenerate Central Fubini Polynomials Arising from the Fermionic p-Adic Integral on ℤp
Authors: Alatawi Maryam Salem , Khan Waseem Ahmad , Duran Ugur
Published: June 2024

Since the constructions of p-adic q-integrals, these integrals as well as particular cases have been used not only as integral representations of many special functions, polynomials, and numbers, but they also allow for deep examinations of many families of special numbers and polynomials, such as central Fubini, Bernoulli, central Bell, and Changhee numbers and polynomials. One of the key applications of these integrals is for obtaining the symmetric identities of certain special polynomials. In this study, we focus on a novel generalization of degenerate central Fubini polynomials. First, we introduce two variable degenerate w-torsion central Fubini polynomials by means of their exponential generating function. Then, we provide a fermionic p-adic integral representation of these polynomials. Through this representation, we investigate several symmetric identities for these polynomials using special p-adic integral techniques. Also, using series manipulation methods, we obtain an identity of symmetry for the two variable degenerate w-torsion central Fubini polynomials. Finally, we provide a representation of the degenerate differential operator on the two variable degenerate w-torsion central Fubini polynomials related to the degenerate central factorial polynomials of the second kind.
Modification of Keratin Integrations and the Associated Morphogenesis in Frizzling Chicken Feathers
Authors: Wu Hao , Chuang Tsao-Chi , Liao Wan-Chi , Chi Kai-Jung , Ng Chen-Siang , Cheng Hsu-Cheng , Juan Wen-Tau
Published: June 2024

The morphological and compositional complexities of keratinized components make feathers ingenious skin appendages adapted to diverse ecological needs. Frizzling feathers, characterized by their distinct curling phenotypes, offer a unique model to explore the intricate morphogenesis in developing a keratin-based bioarchitecture over a wide range of morphospace. Here, we investigated the heterogeneous allocation of α- and β-keratins in flight feather shafts of homozygous and heterozygous frizzle chickens by analyzing the medulla–cortex integrations using quantitative morphology characterizations across scales. Our results reveal the intriguing construction of the frizzling feather shaft through the modified medulla development, leading to a perturbed balance of the internal biomechanics and, therefore, introducing the inherent natural frizzling compared to those from wild-type chickens. We elucidate how the localized developmental suppression of the α-keratin in the medulla interferes with the growth of the hierarchical keratin organization by changing the internal stress in the frizzling feather shaft. This research not only offers insights into the morphogenetic origin of the inherent bending of frizzling feathers but also facilitates our in-depth understanding of the developmental strategies toward the diverse integuments adapted for ecological needs.
Synthesis of Substituted 1,2,4-Triazole-3-Thione Nucleosides Using E. coli Purine Nucleoside Phosphorylase
Authors: Fateev Ilya V. , Sasmakov Sobirdjan A. , Abdurakhmanov Jaloliddin M. , Ziyaev Abdukhakim A. , Khasanov Shukhrat Sh. , Eshboev Farkhod B. , Ashirov Oybek N. , Frolova Valeriya D. , Eletskaya Barbara Z. , Smirnova Olga S. , Berzina Maria Ya. , Arnautova Alexandra O. , Abramchik Yulia A. , Kostromina Maria A. , Kayushin Alexey L. , Antonov Konstantin V. , Paramonov Alexander S. , Andronova Valeria L. , Galegov Georgiy A. , Esipov Roman S. , Azimova Shakhnoz S. , Miroshnikov Anatoly I. , Konstantinova Irina D.
Published: June 2024

1,2,4-Triazole derivatives have a wide range of biological activities. The most well-known drug that contains 1,2,4-triazole as part of its structure is the nucleoside analogue ribavirin, an antiviral drug. Finding new nucleosides based on 1,2,4-triazole is a topical task. The aim of this study was to synthesize ribosides and deoxyribosides of 1,2,4-triazole-3-thione derivatives and test their antiviral activity against herpes simplex viruses. Three compounds from a series of synthesized mono- and disubstituted 1,2,4-triazole-3-thione derivatives were found to be substrates for E. coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase. Of six prepared nucleosides, the riboside and deoxyriboside of 3-phenacylthio-1,2,4-triazole were obtained at good yields. The yields of the disubstituted 1,2,4-triazol-3-thiones were low due to the effect of bulky substituents at the C3 and C5 positions on the selectivity of enzymatic glycosylation for one particular nitrogen atom in the triazole ring. The results of cytotoxic and antiviral studies on acyclovir-sensitive wild-type strain HSV-1/L2(TK+) and acyclovir-resistant strain (HSV-1/L2/RACV) in Vero E6 cell culture showed that the incorporation of a thiobutyl substituent into the C5 position of 3-phenyl-1,2,4-triazole results in a significant increase in the cytotoxicity of the base and antiviral activity. The highest antiviral activity was observed in the 3-phenacylthio-1-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)-1,2,4-triazole and 5-butylthio-1-(2-deoxy-β-D-ribofuranosyl)-3-phenyl-1,2,4-triazole nucleosides, with their selectivity indexes being significantly higher than that of ribavirin. It was also found that with the increasing lipophilicity of the nucleosides, the activity and toxicity of the tested compounds increased.
Expression Proteomics and Histone Analysis Reveal Extensive Chromatin Network Changes and a Role for Histone Tail Trimming during Cellular Differentiation
Authors: Oliviero Giorgio , Wynne Kieran , Andrews Darrell , Crean John , Kolch Walter , Cagney Gerard
Published: June 2024

In order to understand the coordinated proteome changes associated with differentiation of a cultured cell pluripotency model, protein expression changes induced by treatment of NT2 embryonal carcinoma cells with retinoic acid were monitored by mass spectrometry. The relative levels of over 5000 proteins were mapped across distinct cell fractions. Analysis of the chromatin fraction revealed major abundance changes among chromatin proteins and epigenetic pathways between the pluripotent and differentiated states. Protein complexes associated with epigenetic regulation of gene expression, chromatin remodelling (e.g., SWI/SNF, NuRD) and histone-modifying enzymes (e.g., Polycomb, MLL) were found to be extensively regulated. We therefore investigated histone modifications before and after differentiation, observing changes in the global levels of lysine acetylation and methylation across the four canonical histone protein families, as well as among variant histones. We identified the set of proteins with affinity to peptides housing the histone marks H3K4me3 and H3K27me3, and found increased levels of chromatin-associated histone H3 tail trimming following differentiation that correlated with increased expression levels of cathepsin proteases. We further found that inhibition of cathepsins B and D reduces histone H3 clipping. Overall, the work reveals a global reorganization of the cell proteome congruent with differentiation, highlighting the key role of multiple epigenetic pathways, and demonstrating a direct link between cathepsin B and D activity and histone modification.
TFTF: An R-Based Integrative Tool for Decoding Human Transcription Factor–Target Interactions
Authors: Wang Jin
Published: June 2024

Transcription factors (TFs) are crucial in modulating gene expression and sculpting cellular and organismal phenotypes. The identification of TF–target gene interactions is pivotal for comprehending molecular pathways and disease etiologies but has been hindered by the demanding nature of traditional experimental approaches. This paper introduces a novel web application and package utilizing the R program, which predicts TF–target gene relationships and vice versa. Our application integrates the predictive power of various bioinformatic tools, leveraging their combined strengths to provide robust predictions. It merges databases for enhanced precision, incorporates gene expression correlation for accuracy, and employs pan-tissue correlation analysis for context-specific insights. The application also enables the integration of user data with established resources to analyze TF–target gene networks. Despite its current limitation to human data, it provides a platform to explore gene regulatory mechanisms comprehensively. This integrated, systematic approach offers researchers an invaluable tool for dissecting the complexities of gene regulation, with the potential for future expansions to include a broader range of species.
Multiple Sclerosis and Clostridium perfringens Epsilon Toxin: Is There a Relationship?
Authors: Huss André , Bachhuber Franziska , Feraudet-Tarisse Cécile , Hiergeist Andreas , Tumani Hayrettin
Published: June 2024

Recent research has suggested a link between multiple sclerosis and the gut microbiota. This prospective pilot study aimed to investigate the composition of the gut microbiota in MS patients, the presence of Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin in the serum of MS patients, and the influence of disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) on epsilon toxin levels and on the microbiota. Epsilon toxin levels in blood were investigated by two methods, a qualitative ELISA and a highly sensitive quantitative ELISA. Neither epsilon toxin nor antibodies against it were detected in the analyzed serum samples. 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing was applied to obtain insights into the composition of the gut microbiota of MS patients. No significant differences in the quantity, diversity, and the relative abundance of fecal microbiota were observed in the gut microbiota of MS patients receiving various DMDs, including teriflunomide, natalizumab, ocrelizumab, and fingolimod, or no therapy. The present study did not provide evidence supporting the hypothesis of a causal relationship between Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin and multiple sclerosis.
Sonographic Cortical Development and Anomalies in the Fetus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Mappa Ilenia , Di Mascio Daniele , Carbone Luigi , Lu Jia Li Angela , Sorrenti Sara , Patelli Chiara , D’Amico Alice , Matarrelli Barbara , Giuliani Giulia Andrea , Neola Daniele , Di Girolamo Raffaella , Sarno Laura , Khalil Asma , Rizzo Giuseppe , Maruotti Giuseppe Maria , D’Antonio Francesco
Published: June 2024

The aim of this systematic review is to report the normal cortical development of different fetal cerebral fissures on ultrasound, describe associated anomalies in fetuses with cortical malformations, and evaluate the quality of published charts of cortical fissures. The inclusion criteria were studies reporting development, anomalies, and reference charts of fetal cortical structures on ultrasound. The outcomes observed were the timing of the appearance of different cortical fissures according to different gestational age windows, associated central nervous system (CNS) and extra-CNS anomalies detected at ultrasound in fetuses with cortical malformation, and rate of fetuses with isolated anomaly. Furthermore, we performed a critical evaluation of the published reference charts for cortical development on ultrasound. Random-effect meta-analyses of proportions were used to combine the data. Twenty-seven studies (6875 fetuses) were included. Sylvian fissure was visualized on ultrasound in 97.69% (95% CI 92.0–100) of cases at 18–19, 98.17% (95% CI 94.8–99.8) at 20–21, 98.94% (95% CI 97.0–99.9) at 22–23, and in all cases from 24 weeks of gestation. Parieto-occipital fissure was visualized in 81.56% (95% CI 48.4–99.3) of cases at 18–19, 96.59% (95% CI 83.2–99.8) at 20–21, 96.85% (95% CI 88.8–100) at 22–23, and in all cases from 24 weeks of gestation, while the corresponding figures for calcarine fissure were 37.27% (95% CI 0.5–89.6), 80.42% (95% CI 50.2–98.2), 89.18% (95% CI 74.0–98.2), and 96.02% (95% CI 96.9–100). Malformations of cortical development were diagnosed as an isolated finding at ultrasound in 6.21% (95% CI 2.9–10.9) of cases, while they were associated with additional CNS anomalies in 93.79% (95% CI 89.1–97.2) of cases. These findings highlight the need for large studies specifically looking at the timing of the appearance of the different brain sulci. Standardized algorithms for prenatal assessment of fetuses at high risk of malformations of cortical development are also warranted.
Biomimetic Approaches in Scaffold-Based Blood Vessel Tissue Engineering
Authors: Rosellini Elisabetta , Giordano Cristiana , Guidi Lorenzo , Cascone Maria Grazia
Published: June 2024

Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of mortality globally, with atherosclerosis representing a significant pathological means, often leading to myocardial infarction. Coronary artery bypass surgery, a common procedure used to treat coronary artery disease, presents challenges due to the limited autologous tissue availability or the shortcomings of synthetic grafts. Consequently, there is a growing interest in tissue engineering approaches to develop vascular substitutes. This review offers an updated picture of the state of the art in vascular tissue engineering, emphasising the design of scaffolds and dynamic culture conditions following a biomimetic approach. By emulating native vessel properties and, in particular, by mimicking the three-layer structure of the vascular wall, tissue-engineered grafts can improve long-term patency and clinical outcomes. Furthermore, ongoing research focuses on enhancing biomimicry through innovative scaffold materials, surface functionalisation strategies, and the use of bioreactors mimicking the physiological microenvironment. Through a multidisciplinary lens, this review provides insight into the latest advancements and future directions of vascular tissue engineering, with particular reference to employing biomimicry to create systems capable of reproducing the structure–function relationships present in the arterial wall. Despite the existence of a gap between benchtop innovation and clinical translation, it appears that the biomimetic technologies developed to date demonstrate promising results in preventing vascular occlusion due to blood clotting under laboratory conditions and in preclinical studies. Therefore, a multifaceted biomimetic approach could represent a winning strategy to ensure the translation of vascular tissue engineering into clinical practice.
The Use of Technology-Based Simulation among Medical Students as a Global Innovative Solution for Training
Authors: Guerrini Francesco , Bertolino Luca , Safa Adrian , Pittarello Matilde , Parisi Anna , Beretta Ludovica Vittoria , Zambelli Elena , Totis Francesca , Campanaro Giovanni , Pavia Lorenzo , Spena Giannantonio , Nicolosi Federico , Servadei Franco
Published: June 2024

Background: Technological advancements have been rapidly integrated within the neurosurgical education track since it is a high-risk specialty with little margin for error. Indeed, simulation and virtual reality during training can improve surgical performance and technical skills. Our study aims to investigate the impact of neurosurgical technology-based simulation activities on medical students. Methods and Materials: The “Suturing Mission–The Symposium” was a three-day event held at Humanitas University. Participants had access to live-streamed conferences held by worldwide experts in several fields of neurosurgery and practical simulations of dura mater sutures, microvascular anastomosis, and augmented reality neurosurgical approaches. An anonymous survey was conducted at the beginning and end of the event. Results: 141 medical students with a mean age of 21 participated. After the course, 110 participants (77.5%) showed interest in pursuing a surgical path, with a great prevalence in those who had planned to have a surgical career before the event (88.7% vs. 41.4%, p < 0.001). Participants were also asked about their comfort levels while handling surgical instruments, and a good outcome was reached in 72.7% of participants, with a significant difference between those who had previously attended a suture course (87.8% vs. 66.3%, p = 0.012). Conclusion: Training sessions on surgical simulators were effective in increasing participants’ interest in pursuing a surgical path, improving their understanding of postgraduate orientation, and boosting their confidence with surgical instruments.
Group-Based Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy (MERITg) and Its Relationship to Recovery-Oriented Beliefs in Serious Mental Illness
Authors: Musket Christie W. , Bullock Joshua , Fiszdon Joanna M. , Stacy Meaghan , Martino Steve , James Alison , Lysaker Paul H. , Schnakenberg Martin Ashley M.
Published: June 2024

Group-based Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy (MERITg) is the group application of Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy (MERIT), an evidence-based, integrative, recovery-oriented intervention to enhance insight and understanding of oneself and others in individuals with serious mental illness (SMI). MERITg may offer therapeutic interactions between participants that uniquely support recovery. The goal of the current study was to examine the relationship between MERITg participation and recovery-oriented beliefs. Thirty-one participants (outpatient = 21; inpatient = 10) in SMI treatment programs participated in MERITg as an adjunctive treatment. A short form of the Maryland Assessment of Recovery in Serious Mental Illness (MARS-12) was used to assess recovery-oriented beliefs before and after group participation. Recovery-oriented beliefs significantly improved in the outpatient MERITg group but not in the inpatient group, and change in recovery-oriented beliefs was positively correlated with the total number of groups attended. These findings suggest the promise of MERITg for enhancing recovery-oriented beliefs. The potential role of treatment setting is discussed.
The General Pedagogical Knowledge Underpinning Early Childhood Education Teachers’ Classroom Behaviors Who Teach English as a Foreign Language in Chinese Kindergartens
Authors: Shi Xiaobo , Yeung Susanna Siu-Sze
Published: June 2024

There is limited understanding of the general pedagogical knowledge (GPK) of early childhood education (ECE) teachers who teach English as a foreign language (EFL). This study therefore explored GPK categories and subcategories in six Chinese ECE EFL teachers using stimulated recall classroom observation. The deductive and inductive data analysis revealed that GPK consists of four categories and ten subcategories. The four knowledge categories were child development, the objectives and content of teaching, the act of teaching, and classroom management. Additionally, the study found that the novice teachers had similarities with the experienced teachers in number and type of GPK. The study also found differences: the subcategory how to use child-appropriate instructional methods was top for the experienced teachers, but not for the novice teachers; the novice teachers mentioned classroom management more than the experienced teachers; the novice teachers showed a negative tendency toward the act of teaching, while the experienced teachers were positive. The implications are discussed.
Artificial Intelligence for Routine Heritage Monitoring and Sustainable Planning of the Conservation of Historic Districts: A Case Study on Fujian Earthen Houses (Tulou)
Authors: Fan Jiayue , Chen Yile , Zheng Liang
Published: June 2024

With its advancements in relation to computer science, artificial intelligence has great potential for protecting and researching the world heritage Fujian earthen houses (Tulou) historical district. Wood is an important material used in the construction of Fujian earthen houses (Tulou); wood is used in both the main structure of the buildings and for decoration. However, professionals must invest significant time and energy in evaluating any damage before repairing a building. In this context, this study proposes and optimizes a detection method based on the YOLOv8 model for detecting damage to the wooden structure of Fujian earthen houses. Through multiple experiments and adjustments, we gradually improved the detection performance of the model and verified its effectiveness and reliability in practical applications. The main results of this study are as follows: (1) This machine-learning-based object detection method can efficiently and accurately identify damaged contents, overcoming the limitations of traditional evaluation methods in terms of labor and time costs. This approach will aid in the daily protection monitoring of historical districts and serves as a preliminary method for their renewal and restoration. (2) Through multiple rounds of experiments, we optimized the YOLOv8 model and significantly improved its detection accuracy and stability by removing samples with complex backgrounds, improving label quality, and adjusting hyperparameters. In the final experiment, the model’s overall mAP was only 57.00% at most. However, during the field test, the model successfully identified nearly all damage points, including holes, stains, and cracks in the wooden structure of the analyzed earthen building, effectively fulfilling the requirements of the detection task. (3) In the KuiJu Lou field test in Fujian Tulou, the model also performed well in complex environments and was able to reliably detect damage types such as holes, stains, and cracks in the wooden structure. This test confirmed the model’s efficiency and stability in practical applications and provided reliable technical support for Fujian Tulou protection and restoration.
Adapting Street Profile Design by Using Nature-Based Solutions in New Neighbourhoods and the Retrofit of Buildings
Authors: Ibric Adrian , Bostenaru Dan Maria , Crăciun Cerasella
Published: June 2024

The aim of this paper is to analyse ways to upgrade the existing urban and architectural features in the built environment by incorporating and enhancing the use of nature-based solutions (NbSs) in relation to the city of Bucharest, which lacks green spaces mapping and quality studies and literature. The paper draws a comparison between the design elements used in other cities, namely Lisbon, Vienna and Rome. These are also analysed and compared in relation to the integration in a mixed urban development plan for a research-to-business neighbourhood design competition in Măgurele, situated near Bucharest. A matrix of five criteria is used for the analysis: historical context, urban context, nature versus design, use and climate context. In Lisbon, examples range from new green walls, modern green Mediterranean courtyards, NbS in scaffolding and temporary walls, the placing of Miradores around the city to green-and-healthy marketing tools for restaurants. For Vienna, a street is being remodelled in an innovative way using independent green infrastructure designs in existing retrofitted parking units, hotels and residential constructions. For Bucharest, emergent pop-up, small scale, bottom-up solutions push the city’s urban fabric beyond the greyish look of socialist-communist background and eclectic late 19th, early 20th century built heritage. For Măgurele, different versions of a modern neighbourhood and street profile design issues are analysed, using 3D renderings that incorporate NbS at various insertion scales. Existing example cases showcase new dimensions and toolsets of the adaptation of the urban fabric based on a more ecosystem-based approach of architectural-urban research by design, as possible instruments that facilitate a Green Transition in urban settings. Covering more cities in the future would add to the impact and contribution of this study.