bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Embedding Civil Engineering Understanding through the Use of Interactive Virtual Reality
Authors: McCloskey Daniel William , McAllister Emily , Gilbert Ryan , O’Higgins Connor , Lydon Darragh , Lydon Myra , McPolin Daniel
Published: December 2023

Recent skills surveys of engineering graduates have highlighted a deficit in critical thinking among graduates. A possible solution to this is to increase the number of hands-on exercises in the curriculum. This could be carried out through the integration of 3D learning tools, specifically a virtual reality (VR) program, to effectively teach civil engineering practical studies and allow repeatable and measurable exercises for students. This study aims to assess the suitability of the VR program as an additional resource alongside existing learning exercises or a substitute for hands-on experiments when needed. The methodology involved creating a VR program, compatible with VR headsets to replicate an engineering experiment, namely the loading of a concrete beam to observe its failure. Students’ understanding of the virtual experiment was evaluated through end-of-experiment questions. The findings indicate that the VR learning tool was successful in enhancing students’ understanding of the civil engineering experiment. The immersive and interactive nature of VR contributed to a solid grasp of the concepts presented, proving its potential as a valuable educational resource. By leveraging VR technology, educational institutions can provide an engaging and effective alternative to traditional laboratory sessions, ensuring uninterrupted and high-quality learning experiences for civil engineering students.
Preschool Teachers’ Cognitions, Emotions, and Tolerance toward Children’s Hypothetical Social Behaviors in the Classroom
Authors: Guedes Maryse , Veríssimo Manuela , Santos António J.
Published: December 2023

Teachers’ tolerance toward children’s social behaviors is, in part, guided by teachers’ cognitions and emotions. Few studies have examined the associations between teachers’ cognitions, emotions, and tolerance toward children’s social behaviors. This study aimed to (1) describe the cognitions, emotions, and tolerance of Portuguese preschool teachers toward children’s shy, physically and relationally aggressive, rough-and-tumble play, exuberant, and unsociable behaviors at preschool, depending on children’s sex; and (2) examine the direct and indirect associations (via teachers’ emotions) between teachers’ cognitions and tolerance toward children’s social behaviors, depending on children’s sex. One hundred and seven preschool teachers completed the Child Behaviors Vignettes. Preschool teachers displayed more negative views toward children’s physical and relational aggression, reported positive perspectives toward children’s rough play and mixed attitudes toward children’s exuberance, and differentiated shy from unsociable behaviors. Direct associations between teachers’ cognitions and tolerance were found only for physical aggression. Teachers’ anticipation of negative peer costs and academic performance appear to exert an indirect influence on teachers’ tolerance toward physical aggression and unsociability, via increased levels of worry. These findings highlight the role of teachers’ emotions for tolerance toward children’s social behaviors and the need to enhance their self-awareness.
Point Cloud Registration Based on Local Variation of Surface Keypoints
Authors: Zhu Juan , Huang Zongwei , Yue Xiaofeng , Liu Zeyuan
Published: December 2023

Keypoint detection plays a pivotal role in three-dimensional computer vision, with widespread applications in improving registration precision and efficiency. However, current keypoint detection methods often suffer from poor robustness and low discriminability. In this study, a novel keypoint detection approach based on the local variation of surface (LVS) is proposed. The LVS keypoint detection method comprises three main steps. Firstly, the surface variation index for each point is calculated using the local coordinate system. Subsequently, points with a surface variation index lower than the local average are identified as initial keypoints. Lastly, the final keypoints are determined by selecting the minimum value within the neighborhood from the initial keypoints. Additionally, a sampling consensus correspondence estimation algorithm based on geometric constraints (SAC-GC) for efficient and robust estimation of optimal transformations in correspondences is proposed. By combining LVS and SAC-GC, we propose a coarse-to-fine point cloud registration algorithm. Experimental results on four public datasets demonstrate that the LVS keypoint detection algorithm offers improved repeatability and robustness, particularly when dealing with noisy, occluded, or cluttered point clouds. The proposed coarse-to-fine point cloud registration algorithm also exhibits enhanced robustness and computational efficiency.
Design of an Improved Remaining Useful Life Prediction Model Based on Vibration Signals of Wind Turbine Rotating Components
Authors: Le Thi-Tinh , Lee Seok-Ju , Dinh Minh-Chau , Park Minwon
Published: December 2023

Faults in wind turbine rotating components contribute significantly to malfunctions and downtime. A prevalent strategy to reduce the Cost of Energy (CoE) in wind energy production focuses on minimizing maintenance expenses associated with these turbine components. An accurate Remaining Useful Life (RUL) diagnosis of these components is crucial for maintenance planning, ensuring uninterrupted energy quality and cost-efficiency. This paper introduces a refined method for RUL prediction of wind turbine rotating components using a Health Index (HI) derived from vibration signals. Performing HI construction by extracting all features from the vibration signal and selecting the best features to build HIs using on Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and some abnormal areas that deviate from the bearing damage trend can be eliminated. After constructing a HI use the similarity model and degradation models to predict RUL. Research results show that this degradation method can provide a reliable means to predict the RUL of wind turbine rotating components based on vibration signals. More importantly, predicting RUL in this way can significantly reduce operating and maintenance costs by providing wind turbine rotating operators with sufficient advance notice to plan repairs or replacements before any component failure occurs.
Potential Analysis and Feasibility Study on the Hydrothermal Utilization of Rivers—Using Marburg on the Lahn River as Case Study
Authors: Gappisch Jessika , Borchardt Steve , Lehmann Boris
Published: December 2023

Due to their high specific heat capacity and constant thermal regeneration through flow, rivers are a promising renewable environmental heat source. The suitability of a river for hydrothermal use depends on river section-specific and site-specific factors. This paper presents a methodological proposal for a river section-specific potential analysis and site-specific feasibility study. The presentation of measured values in the form of hydrographs and duration curves as well as the use of suitable mean values and confidence intervals are central steps in the evaluation. The application of the potential analysis showed that the discharge in particular influences the size of the heat potential, while the water temperature determines whether and how the hydrothermal use is possible. The focus of this work was on the analysis of water temperature. Its significance for hydro-thermal use is multi-layered, and an assessment should be carried out at different levels. Using two specific sites on the Lahn river as a case study, the feasibility study method is demonstrated in this paper.
A Scoping Review of the Effects of Ambient Air Quality on Cognitive Frailty
Authors: Hodgson James Robert , Benkowitz Charlotte , Castellani Brian C. , Ellison Amanda , Yassaie Rammina , Twohig Helen , Bhudia Roshni , Jutila Otto-Emil Ilmari , Fowler-Davis Sally
Published: December 2023

Environmental and public health research has given considerable attention to the impact of air quality on brain health, with systematic reviews being widespread. No literature review has been conducted for cognitive frailty—a multidimensional syndrome combining physical frailty and cognitive impairment and their apparent co-dependence, linked to increased vulnerability and adverse health outcomes, including dementia. Instead, cognitive decline and frailty are implicitly explored through research on air quality and comorbid cognitive and physical decline in elderly populations. A scoping review was conducted to explore the need for a systematic review. Combining the Arksey and O’Malley, and PRISMA-ScR checklist, a scoping review of SCOPUS using ‘cogniti*’ + ‘resilience’ + ‘air quality’ or ‘cogniti*’ + ‘ageing’ + ‘air quality’ resulted in n = 2503 articles, screened and reduced using inclusion and exclusion criteria, to n = 16 articles. Air quality appears to be a critical risk factor for cognitive decline, even at air quality levels below WHO targets. Moderate long-term ambient air pollution appears linked to increased risk of cognitive frailty, suggesting earlier and more active interventions to protect older people. There are varied effects on cognition across the life course, with both emotional and functional impacts. Effects may be more detrimental to elderly people with existing conditions, including economic and health inequalities. Generalisation of results is limited due to the absence of a dose–response, variations in methods, controlling for comorbid effects, and variance across studies. No literature review has been performed for cognitive frailty, largely due to the fact that it is not presently treated as an explicit outcome. The findings support the need for more research and a more extensive summary of the literature but suggest that there is worsening cognitive function over the life course as a result of increased PM2.5 concentrations. Furthermore, air quality appears to be a critical risk factor even at levels below World Health Organisation targets.
Searching for Optimal Measurement Parameters by Thermogravimetry for Determining the Degree of Modification of Thermally Modified Wood
Authors: Cerc Korošec Romana , Žener Boštjan , Čelan Korošin Nataša , Humar Miha , Kržišnik Davor , Rep Gregor , Lavrenčič Štangar Urška
Published: December 2023

When wood is thermally modified, several chemical reactions take place that change the chemical and physical properties of the wood. These changes correlate with the degree of modification, which is mostly a function of the temperature and duration of modification, and consequently with the mass loss during this process. There is a lack of standardised quality control to verify the degree of heat treatment of wood and thus its quality. One of the possible methods to check the degree of thermal modification of a particular type of wood is thermogravimetry (TG). It is based on the assumption that processes that did not take place during thermal modification continue when the TG experiment is carried out. In this method, calibration curves have to be established based on TG measurements of standard samples that have been thermally modified at different temperatures and whose mass loss during modification is known. The calibration curves show the mass loss during the TG measurement as a function of the mass loss during the previous thermal modification. The course of thermal decomposition during the TG measurements is influenced by many parameters, such as the mass of the sample, the heating rate, the atmosphere in which the measurement takes place, and the shape of the crucible in which the sample is placed. In this paper, the influence of these parameters on the calibration curves was investigated. We have focused on oak wood. The best parameters result in a calibration curve with the largest correlation coefficient R2 and the highest slope of the line k. On this basis, we can determine the mass loss during the thermal modification of unknown samples of the same wood species under the same measurement conditions.
Functional Validation and Promoter DNA Methylation Analysis of the OfPAO Gene of Osmanthus fragrans ‘Yinbi Shuanghui’
Authors: Wang Rui , Zhou Yixiao , Chen Xuan , Wei Hao , Zheng Dong , Zhu Wuwei , Wang Lianggui , Yang Xiulian
Published: December 2023

Osmanthus fragrans ‘Yinbi Shuanghui’ is a colored leaf variety of O. fragrans. To study the mechanism of leaf color formation in O. fragrans ‘Yinbi Shuanghui’, we selected green and colored leaves with two different parts, namely yellow and green, as our research materials. We analyzed the expression changes related to leaf color in genes by performing qRT-PCR in the different leaf parts, finding that OfPAO was significantly up-regulated in the yellow part of colored leaves, and we initially determined that OfPAO was the key gene involved in the formation of colored leaves. Then, we constructed an OfPAO overexpression vector, before transforming it into tobacco through an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation to obtain transgenic plants. We found that the transgenic tobacco leaf color of OfPAO was lighter than that of the null carrier, the chlorophyll content in leaves decreased, and the expression of genes involved in the chlorophyll degradation pathway in OfPAO transgenic tobacco was up-regulated, suggesting that OfPAO regulates chlorophyll degradation, leading to changes in leaf color. According to the results of transcriptome sequencing and the genome data of O. fragrans ‘Rixianggui’, we cloned CDS and the promoter sequence of OfPAO, and the promoter regions 901-1307 of the OfPAO were sequenced through bisulfite genomic sequencing PCR (BSP), finding that the methylation level of CHH in the yellow part of colored leaves was lowest in colored and green leaves at 145 bp. The methylation of CHH in the promoter of OfPAO in O. fragrans ‘Yinbi Shuanghui’ was negatively correlated with the gene expression level, suggesting that the methylation of the promoter of OfPAO may regulate the expression of OfPAO, affecting chlorophyll degradation in the leaves.
Influence of Topography on UAV LiDAR-Based LAI Estimation in Subtropical Mountainous Secondary Broadleaf Forests
Authors: Li Yunfei , Zeng Hongda , Xiong Jingfeng , Miao Guofang
Published: December 2023

The leaf area index (LAI) serves as a crucial metric in quantifying the structure and density of vegetation canopies, playing an instrumental role in determining vegetation productivity, nutrient and water utilization, and carbon balance dynamics. In subtropical montane forests, the pronounced spatial heterogeneity combined with undulating terrain introduces significant challenges for the optical remote sensing inversion accuracy of LAI, thereby complicating the process of ground validation data collection. The emergence of UAV LiDAR offers an innovative monitoring methodology for canopy LAI inversion in these terrains. This study assesses the implications of altitudinal variations on the attributes of UAV LiDAR point clouds, such as point density, beam footprint, and off-nadir scan angle, and their subsequent ramifications for LAI estimation accuracy. Our findings underscore that with increased altitude, both the average off-nadir scan angle and point density exhibit an ascending trend, while the beam footprint showcases a distinct negative correlation, with a correlation coefficient (R) reaching 0.7. In contrast to parallel flight paths, LAI estimates derived from intersecting flight paths demonstrate superior precision, denoted by R2 = 0.70, RMSE = 0.75, and bias = 0.42. Notably, LAI estimation discrepancies intensify from upper slope positions to middle positions and further to lower ones, amplifying with the steepness of the gradient. Alterations in point cloud attributes induced by the terrain, particularly the off-nadir scan angle and beam footprint, emerge as critical influencers on the precision of LAI estimations. Strategies encompassing refined flight path intervals or multi-directional point cloud data acquisition are proposed to bolster the accuracy of canopy structural parameter estimations in montane landscapes.
A Physiogenomic Study of the Tolerance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to Isoamyl Alcohol
Authors: Song Jialin , Wang Yu , Xu Hengyuan , Liu Jinshang , Wang Jianping , Zhang Haojun , Nie Cong
Published: December 2023

Isoamyl alcohol is a clear, unpleasantly odorous, colorless liquid of higher alcohol that emits a fruity aroma when heavily diluted. It has received much attention in recent years as a new fuel with a high energy density. Isoamyl alcohol can be produced industrially by microbial fermentation. Still, its toxicity to host cells has limited its potential for industrial production, and the molecular mechanism of its toxic effects has not yet been elucidated. In this study, RNA-Seq technology was used to analyze the transcripts of Saccharomyces cerevisiae under normal conditions and in the presence of isoamyl alcohol (0.5 g/L and 2.5 g/L). The results showed that the expression of the cell wall (CCW12, BGL2, NCW2 and SUN4), cell membrane (ELO1, ERG2, FAA1, and OPI3), translation and other structural genes were significantly down-regulated. The expression of genes related to ATP biosynthesis, NADPH biosynthesis (ZWF1), and metal ion transport (PMC1) proteins were up-regulated. Strains with key genes knocked out were cultured without isoamyl alcohol. Combined results suggested that isoamyl alcohol may affect cell wall stability and cell membrane fluidity, and the expression of genes related to ion homeostasis and energy production may play a protective role against isoamyl alcohol stress. By maintaining cell wall stability/membrane fluidity under isoamyl alcohol pressure, improving certain ion homeostasis, and generating energy/NADPH, it is possible to overcome the toxicity of isoamyl alcohol in industrial fermentation processes to a certain extent.
Effects of One-Step Abrupt Temperature Change on Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Kitchen Waste with Dewatered Sludge
Authors: Hu Weijie , Zhou Youfei , Zhu Hong , Wang Tianfeng
Published: December 2023

The operating temperature of anaerobic digesters should be adjusted to adapt to seasonal variations in environmental temperature and the composition of organic solid waste. This study investigated the effects of one-step abrupt temperature changes (from mesophilic to thermophilic temperature, M–T, and from thermophilic to mesophilic temperature, T–M) and the inoculation ratio on methane yield and microbial diversity during the anaerobic co-digestion of kitchen waste with dewatered sludge. The results showed that the cumulative methane yield (CMY) level resulting from thermophilic control and the M–T digesters was greater than that resulting from mesophilic control and the T–M digesters. The CMF of M–T digesters increased, whereas the CMY of T–M digesters gradually decreased with an increase in the inoculation ratio. The maximal CMY was 385.1 mL/g-VSSadded, which corresponded to an M–T digester with a 5% inoculation ratio. In the later stage of anaerobic digestion, the bacterial community of T–M was more diverse than that of M–T, but the archaeal community of M–T was more diverse than that of T–M. The one-step temperature change from thermophilic to mesophilic temperature was more stable than that from mesophilic to thermophilic temperature.
Geometric Properties and Hardy Spaces of Rabotnov Fractional Exponential Functions
Authors: Raza Mohsan , Breaz Daniel , Mushtaq Saima , Cotîrlă Luminiţa-Ioana , Tawfiq Ferdous M. O. , Rapeanu Eleonora
Published: December 2023

The aim of this study is to investigate a certain sufficiency criterion for uniform convexity, strong starlikeness, and strong convexity of Rabtonov fractional exponential functions. We also study the starlikeness and convexity of order γ. Moreover, we find conditions so that the Rabotnov functions belong to the class of bounded analytic functions and Hardy spaces. Various consequences of these results are also presented.
Finite Difference Modeling of Time Fractal Impact on Unsteady Magneto-hydrodynamic Darcy–Forchheimer Flow in Non-Newtonian Nanofluids with the q-Derivative
Authors: Baazeem Amani S. , Nawaz Yasir , Arif Muhammad Shoaib
Published: December 2023

This contribution addresses a fractal numerical scheme that can be employed for handling fractal time-dependent parabolic equations. The numerical scheme presented in this contribution can be used to discretize integer order and fractal derivatives in a given differential equation. Therefore, the scheme and results can be used for both cases. The proposed finite difference scheme is based on two stages. Fractal time derivatives are discretized by employing the proposed approach. For the scalar convection–diffusion equation, we derive the stability condition of the proposed fractal scheme. Using a nonlinear chemical reaction, the approach is also used to solve the Quantum Calculus model of a Williamson nanofluid’s unsteady Darcy–Forchheimer flow over flat and oscillatory sheets. The findings indicate a negative correlation between the velocity profile and the porosity parameter and inertia coefficient, with an increase in these factors resulting in a drop in the velocity profile. Additionally, the fractal scheme under consideration is being compared to the fractal Crank–Nicolson method, revealing that the proposed scheme exhibits a superior convergence speed compared to the fractal Crank–Nicolson method. Several problems involving the motion of non-Newtonian nanofluids through magnetic fields and porous media can be investigated with the help of the proposed numerical scheme. This research has implications for developing more efficient heat transfer and energy conversion devices based on nanofluids.
Genetic Diversity and Sequence Conservation of Peptide-Binding Regions of MHC Class I Genes in Pig, Cattle, Chimpanzee, and Human
Authors: Youk Seungyeon , Kang Mingue , Ahn Byeongyong , Koo Yangmo , Park Chankyu
Published: December 2023

Comparative analyses of MHC gene diversity and evolution across different species could offer valuable insights into the evolution of MHC genes. Intra- and inter-species sequence diversity and conservation of 12 classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I genes from cattle, chimpanzees, pigs, and humans was analyzed using 20 representative allelic groups for each gene. The combined analysis of paralogous loci for each species revealed that intra-locus amino-acid sequence variations in the peptide-binding region (PBR) of MHC I genes did not differ significantly between species, ranging from 8.44% for SLA to 10.75% for BoLA class I genes. In contrast, intraspecies differences in the non-PBRs of these paralogous genes were more pronounced, varying from 4.59% for SLA to 16.89% for HLA. Interestingly, the Shannon diversity index and rate of nonsynonymous substitutions for PBR were significantly higher in SLA and BoLA than those in Patr and HLA. Analysis of peptide-binding pockets across all analyzed MHC class I genes of the four species indicated that pockets A and E showed the lowest and highest diversity, respectively. The estimated divergence times suggest that primate and artiodactyl MHC class I genes diverged 60.41 Mya, and BoLA and SLA genes diverged 35.34 Mya. These results offer new insights into the conservation and diversity of MHC class I genes in various mammalian species.
Whole-Transcriptome Sequencing of Ovary Reveals the ceRNA Regulation Network in Egg Production of Gaoyou Duck
Authors: Zhang Lei , Zhu Rui , Sun Guobo , Wang Jian , Zuo Qisheng , Zhu Shanyuan
Published: December 2023

To investigate the regulatory mechanism of the competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) on the egg performance of Gaoyou ducks, full transcriptome sequencing was performed to analyze the ovarian tissues in Gaoyou ducks. The ducks were categorized into high- and low-yield groups based on the individual in-cage egg production records and the hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining results. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) were further processed by GO (gene ontology) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) analyses. In total, 72 DEmRNAs; 23 DElncRNAs; 4 DEcircRNAs; and 5 signaling pathways, including the ovarian steroidogenesis, PI3K-Akt, hedgehog, tryptophan metabolism, and oocyte meiosis signaling pathways, were significantly enriched. These results suggest that they could be associated with the Gaoyou duck’s ovarian function and affect the total egg production or double-yolked egg production. Furthermore, a coregulation network based on the related candidate ceRNAs across the high- and low-yield egg production groups was constructed. Our findings provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying the molecular regulation of related circRNA/lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA in the egg production and double-yolked egg traits of Gaoyou ducks.
The Spherical Evolutionary Multi-Objective (SEMO) Algorithm for Identifying Disease Multi-Locus SNP Interactions
Authors: Ren Fuxiang , Li Shiyin , Wen Zihao , Liu Yidi , Tang Deyu
Published: December 2023

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), as disease-related biogenetic markers, are crucial in elucidating complex disease susceptibility and pathogenesis. Due to computational inefficiency, it is difficult to identify high-dimensional SNP interactions efficiently using combinatorial search methods, so the spherical evolutionary multi-objective (SEMO) algorithm for detecting multi-locus SNP interactions was proposed. The algorithm uses a spherical search factor and a feedback mechanism of excellent individual history memory to enhance the balance between search and acquisition. Moreover, a multi-objective fitness function based on the decomposition idea was used to evaluate the associations by combining two functions, K2-Score and LR-Score, as an objective function for the algorithm’s evolutionary iterations. The performance evaluation of SEMO was compared with six state-of-the-art algorithms on a simulated dataset. The results showed that SEMO outperforms the comparative methods by detecting SNP interactions quickly and accurately with a shorter average run time. The SEMO algorithm was applied to the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (WTCCC) breast cancer dataset and detected two- and three-point SNP interactions that were significantly associated with breast cancer, confirming the effectiveness of the algorithm. New combinations of SNPs associated with breast cancer were also identified, which will provide a new way to detect SNP interactions quickly and accurately.
Genome-Wide Association Analysis of Reproductive Traits in Chinese Holstein Cattle
Authors: Liu Jiashuang , Xu Lingyang , Ding Xiangbin , Ma Yi
Published: December 2023

This study was to explore potential SNP loci for reproductive traits in Chinese Holstein cattle and identify candidate genes. Genome-wide Association Study based on mixed linear model was performed on 643 Holstein cattle using GeneSeek Bovine 50 K SNP chip. Our results detected forty significant SNP loci after Bonferroni correction. We identified five genes (VWC2L, STAT1, PPP3CA, LDB3, and CTNNA3) as being associated with pregnancy ratio of young cows, five genes (PAEP, ACOXL, EPAS1, GLRB, and MARVELD1) as being associated with pregnancy ratio of adult cows, and nine genes (PDE1B, SLCO1A2, ARHGAP26, ADAM10, APBB1, MON1B, COQ9, CDC42BPB, MARVELD1, and HPSE2) as being associated with daughter pregnancy rate. Our study may provide valuable insights into identifying genes related to reproductive traits and help promote the application of molecular breeding in dairy cows.
The Phylogenetic Relationship of Lamiinae (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) Using Mitochondrial Genomes
Authors: Li Ke , Yu Sheng-Wu , Hu Hao , Feng Yu-Feng , Storey Kenneth B. , Ma Yue , Zhang Jia-Yong , Yu Dan-Na
Published: December 2023

Lamiinae is the largest subfamily of the Cerambycidae (longhorn beetles), with approximately 21,863 described species. Previous phylogenetic studies of Lamiinae showed that this subfamily was monophyletic, but the relationship between the tribes of Lamiinae is still controversial. Partial molecular data and species morphological characteristics are not sufficient to resolve species phylogenetic studies perfectly. At the same time, the full mitochondrial genome contains more comprehensive genetic data. Benefiting from the development of next-generation sequencing (NGS), mitochondrial genomes can be easily acquired and used as reliable molecular markers to investigate phylogenetic relationships within Cerambycidae. Using NGS technology, we obtained 11 mitochondrial genome sequences of Lamiinae species. Based on this newly generated mitochondrial genome dataset matrix, we reconstructed the phylogeny of Lamiinae. The Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood analyses strongly support the monophyly of four tribes (Lamiini, Batocerini, Mesosini, and Saperdini), whereas the tribe Acanthocinini was identified as paraphyletic. Other mitochondrial structural features were also observed: the start codon in the nad1 gene of all 11 mitochondrial genomes is TTG; 17–22 bp intergenic spacers (IGS) with a ‘TACTA’ motif were found between trnS2 and nad1. Moreover, two long IGS were found in Mesosa myops and Batocera sp. Tandem repeats were found in the IGS of Batocera sp.
Using an Open-Source Tool to Develop a Three-Dimensional Hydrogeologic Framework of the Kobo Valley, Ethiopia
Authors: Mekonen Sisay S. , Boyce Scott E. , Mohammed Abdella K. , Disse Markus
Published: December 2023

Groundwater resource management requires understanding the groundwater basin’s hydrogeology and would be improved with the development of a three-dimensional hydrogeologic framework model (HFM). A wide range of methods and software exist to quantify the extent, structure, and properties of geologic systems. However, most geologic software is proprietary and cost-prohibitive for use in developing countries. GemPy is a Python-based, open-source (no-cost) tool for generating three-dimensional geological models. This study uses available data and GemPy to develop the Kobo Valley Hydrogeologic Framework Model (KV-HFM), a three-dimensional HFM for Kobo Valley in northern Ethiopia, which is part of the East African Rift System. The KV-HFM is a conceptual model that comprises the hydrostratigraphy, structural features, and hydraulic properties of the Kobo Valley groundwater system. The limited data described the extent and altitude of the hydrostratigraphic units using the GemPy implicit potential–field interpolation. The KV-HFM showed the existence of an east-to-west, structural-based groundwater divide composed of volcanic rock and clay. This divide splits the catchment into two groundwater systems with limited interconnected flow. This study illustrates the use of open-source software for developing an HFM using sparse, existing geologic data.
Mitigating the Harmful Impact of Ageism among Older Individuals: The Buffering Role of Resilience Factors
Authors: Brinkhof Lotte P. , de Wit Sanne , Murre Jaap M. J. , Ridderinkhof K. Richard
Published: December 2023

Frequent exposure to ageism has significant repercussions on the quality of life and mental well-being/health of older adults. Resilience may play a crucial role in mitigating these effects. The current study aimed to investigate the potential buffering roles of two types of coping variables—behavioral coping and a positive appraisal style—in older adults (N = 2000, aged 55–93). Confirming previous findings, higher levels of perceived negative ageism (PNA) were associated with diminished quality of life and mental well-being, increased depression and loneliness. However, individuals that tend to employ behavioral coping strategies when confronted with challenging/stressful situations showed a weaker relationship between PNA and quality of life, mental well-being, and depression. Embracing a positive appraisal style attenuated the negative impact of PNA on feelings of depression and loneliness. Interestingly, younger older adults appeared to benefit the most from these resilience factors. Despite considerable inter-individual variability, encouraging the utilization of behavioral coping strategies and nurturing a positive appraisal style could serve as effective approaches to mitigate the detrimental effects of PNA.
Exploring the Information Sources Consulted by Doctors at the Point of Care in Four Selected South African Referral Hospitals
Authors: Chitha Nombulelo , Ntsele Nkanyiso , Mabunda Sikhumbuzo A. , Funani Itumeleng , Swartbooi Buyiswa , Mnyaka Onke , Thabede Jahman , Tshabalala Ruth , Pulido-Estrada Guillermo Alfredo , Nomatshila Sibusiso , Chitha Wezile
Published: December 2023

Background: To provide an understanding of the clinical information sources consulted by teaching or referral hospital-based doctors in four South African provinces. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was used. To identify provinces, hospitals, and participants, simple random sampling was adopted. This study targeted a total of 276 doctors from all the four hospitals working across different departments within the hospitals. This study was conducted in four selected South African public referral/teaching hospitals in four different provinces, namely Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in the Eastern Cape province; Witbank Hospital in Mpumalanga province; Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital in Northern Cape province and lastly, Pietersburg Hospital in Limpopo province. Results: Overall, 221 doctors were surveyed. Doctors relied more on colleagues as formal and informal sources of information. They seldomly relied on newspapers, reference, and library books, or used hospital computers to access the internet. They seldomly attended training workshops organised by the district or provincial office. Protocols and clinical guidelines which are kept in the hospitals and easily accessible were often (27.9%) or always (51.1%) used. Conclusions: Teaching hospitals need to strengthen information resources to ensure that even when colleagues are used as an information source, they are an accessible means to validate the correctness of the information provided.
Psychological, Pain, and Disability Factors Influencing the Perception of Improvement/Recovery from Physiotherapy in Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: La Touche Roy , Pardo-Montero Joaquín , Grande-Alonso Mónica , Paris-Alemany Alba , Miñambres-Martín Diego , Nouvilas-Pallejà Encarnación
Published: December 2023

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the possible relationships between psychological, pain, and disability variables with respect to the perception of change/recovery from physiotherapy in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP). Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was performed with 150 patients. All patients completed a series of self-administered questionnaires and a series of self-reports to quantify the perception of change with respect to the physiotherapy they underwent, the level of disability and pain intensity, the level of fear of movement, the level of catastrophism, the degree of self-efficacy, the level of therapeutic alliance and their adherence to the physiotherapy. Results: The strongest correlations were between the subjective perception of change and the number of sessions, treatment beliefs, self-efficacy, pain intensity, collaboration, and bonding. The linear regression model showed that the number of sessions, treatment beliefs, self-efficacy, compliance, pain intensity, and bonding were predictors of subjective perception of improvement, with 50% of the variance. Conclusions: Treatment beliefs, therapeutic alliance, degree of self-efficacy, and pain intensity have been shown to be predictors of a subjective perception of improvement in patients with CMP. In turn, multimodal treatments had the greatest positive impact on the subjective perception of improvement.
Access to University Studies: A New Form of Discrimination for Low-Functioning People
Authors: Rodríguez-Rodríguez Tamara , Álvarez-Martínez-Iglesias José-María , Molina-Saorín Jesús , Marín-Marín José-Antonio
Published: December 2023

Although it would seem that we are currently in a more inclusive society, the reality is quite different, since discriminatory models continue to be perpetuated based on the level of functional performance of each person. In this sense, the purpose of this study is to find out the degree of discrimination that people with low functional performance have in relation to the rest of the population on the basis of sex and level of studies. To this end, through a thorough investigation based on the scientific method and articulated via statistical analysis (the modelling of categorical data), this study reveals the situations of inequality to which people with low functional performance are subjected in terms of higher education. This study used the survey on Employment of People with Disabilities (EPD), carried out by the National Statistics Institute (INE), and conducted annually with a sample size of 60,000 households, equivalent to some 200,000 people. The statistical analysis was carried out using R software and the main techniques used were contingency table modelling, log-linear models, and logistic models. Finally, some recommendations are offered to contribute to social awareness, for which the role of teachers is a crucial element for educational equity and their training is of vital importance, as teachers are a key element in adapting contents to different abilities, especially for people with lower functional performance. The quality of the initial training they receive will depend on their achievement.
Complete Chloroplast Genome Sequence of Dahlia imperialis (Asteraceae): Comparative Analysis and Phylogenetic Relationships
Authors: Duan Shan-De , Liu Yang , Hao Li-Hong , Xiang Di-Ying , Yu Wen-Bin , Liang Juan , Chen Duan-Fen , Niu Shan-Ce
Published: December 2023

The genus Dahlia has approximately 40 species; however, the complete chloroplast genome has been reported only for one species. Due to this lack of information on the chloroplast genomes, the phylogenetic relationships within the Dahlia genus remain unclear. Therefore, the present study sequenced the complete chloroplast genome of D. imperialis for the first time. This genome was 152,084 bp long with a typical quadripartite structure and a GC content of 38.45%. A total of 134 genes were annotated in the genome, including 86 protein-coding genes, 38 transfer RNA genes, 8 ribosomal RNA genes, and 2 pseudogenes. The detailed analysis identified UUA as the most frequently used codon and found 62 intergenic repeat sequences and 157 SSR loci in the D. imperialis genome. Phylogenetic analysis based on 49 chloroplast genomes showed that Dahlia was a monophyletic group, with D. imperialis positioned at the base of this clade. Network evolution and gene flow analysis unveiled extensive hybridization events within the Heliantheae alliance, especially in Dahlia. Thus, the comprehensive analysis of the complete chloroplast genome of D. imperialis enriches the information on the genetic resources of the Dahlia species, provides valuable information for reconstructing their phylogeny, and reveals the evolutionary dynamics of the Dahlia chloroplast genome.
Fertility Protection, A Novel Concept: Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes Protect against Chemotherapy-Induced Testicular Cytotoxicity
Authors: Liakath Ali Farzana , Park Hang-Soo , Beckman Analea , Eddy Adrian C. , Alkhrait Samar , Ghasroldasht Mohammad Mousaei , Al-Hendy Ayman , Raheem Omer
Published: December 2023

Currently, there is no viable option for fertility preservation in prepubertal boys. Experimentally, controlled vitrification of testicular tissue has been evaluated and found to cause potential structural damage to the spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) niche during cryopreservation. In this report, we leveraged the regenerative effect of human umbilical cord-derived Mesenchymal stem cell exosomes (h-UCMSC-Exo) to protect against testicular damage from the cytotoxic effects of polychemotherapy (CTX). A chemotherapy-induced testicular dysfunctional model was established by CTX treatment with cyclophosphamide and Busulfan in vitro (human Sertoli cells) and in prepubescent mice. We assessed the effects of the exosomes by analyzing cell proliferation assays, molecular analysis, immunohistochemistry, body weight change, serum hormone levels, and fertility rate. Our data indicates the protective effect of h-UCMSC-Exo by preserving the SSC niche and preventing testicular damage in mice. Interestingly, mice that received multiple injections of h-UCMSC-Exo showed significantly higher fertility rates and serum testosterone levels (p < 0.01). Our study demonstrates that h-UCMSC-Exo can potentially be a novel fertility protection approach in prepubertal boys triaged for chemotherapy treatment.
Design, Synthesis and Gene Modulation Insights into Pigments Derived from Tryptophan-Betaxanthin, Which Act against Tumor Development in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Henarejos-Escudero Paula , Méndez-García Fernando F. , Hernández-García Samanta , Martínez-Rodríguez Pedro , Gandía-Herrero Fernando
Published: December 2023

The use of betalains, which are nitrogenous plant pigments, by the food industry is widespread and reflects their safety after intake. The recent research showed outstanding results for L-tryptophan-betaxanthin, a phytochemical present in traditional Chinese medicine, as an antitumoral agent when the activity was evaluated in the animal model Caenorhabditis elegans. Thus, L-tryptophan-betaxanthin is now presented as a lead compound, from which eleven novel structurally related betaxanthins have been designed, biotechnologically produced, purified, and characterized. The antitumoral effect of the derived compounds was evaluated on the JK1466 tumoral strain of C. elegans. All the tested molecules significantly reduced the tumoral gonad sizes in a range between 31.4% and 43.0%. Among the novel compounds synthesized, tryptophan methyl ester-betaxanthin and tryptophan benzyl ester-betaxanthin, which are the first betalains to contain an ester group in their structures, caused tumor size reductions of 43.0% and 42.6%, respectively, after administration to the model animal. Since these were the two most effective molecules, their mechanism of action was investigated by microarray analysis. Differential gene expression analysis showed that tryptophan methyl ester-betaxanthin and tryptophan benzyl ester-betaxanthin were able to down-regulate the key genes of the mTOR pathway, such as daf-15 and rict-1.
Different Transcriptome Features of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Non-Emphysematous Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Imamoto Takuro , Kawasaki Takeshi , Sato Hironori , Tatsumi Koichiro , Ishii Daisuke , Yoshioka Keiichiro , Hasegawa Yoshinori , Ohara Osamu , Suzuki Takuji
Published: December 2023

Non-emphysematous chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is defined based on chest computed tomography findings, presented different transcriptome features of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) compared with emphysematous COPD. Enrichment analysis of transcriptomic data in COPD demonstrated that the “Hematopoietic cell lineage” pathway in Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis was highly upregulated, suggesting that cellular dynamic dysregulation in COPD lungs is affected by pathologically modified PBMCs. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) upregulated in PBMCs reflected the disease state of non-emphysematous COPD. Upregulated DEGs such as XCL1, PRKCZ, TMEM102, CD200R1, and AQP1 activate T lymphocytes and eosinophils. Upregulating keratan sulfate biosynthesis and metabolic processes is associated with protection against the destruction of the distal airways. ITGA3 upregulation augments interactions with extracellular matrix proteins, and COL6A1 augments the profibrotic mast cell phenotype during alveolar collagen VI deposition. Upregulating HSPG2, PDGFRB, and PAK4 contributes to the thickening of the airway wall, and upregulating SERPINF1 expression explains the better-preserved vascular bed. Therefore, gene expression and pathway analysis in PBMCs in patients with non-emphysematous COPD represented type 2 immune responses and airway remodeling features. Therefore, these patients have asthmatic potential despite no clinical signs of asthma, in contrast to those with emphysematous COPD.
The Complete Mitochondrial Genome and Phylogenetic Analysis of the Freshwater Shellfish Novaculina chinensis (Bivalvia: Pharidae)
Authors: Zhou Ziquan , Song Yuxin , Zheng Zewen , Liu Yunguang , Yao Haiyan , Rao Xiaozhen , Lin Gang
Published: December 2023

Razor clams, belonging to the Pharidae and Solenidae families, are ecologically and economically important; however, very little research has been conducted on the Pharidae family. The genus Novaculina is a marine-derived freshwater lineage, and Novaculina chinensis is a rare freshwater species of the Pharidae family. In order to understand the phylogenetic relationships of N. chinensis, we sequenced the mitochondrial genome of the genus Novaculina, which is 16,262 bp in length and consists of 12 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), and 2 ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs). The phylogenetic relationships of 69 Imparidentian mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) indicated that N. chineisis is closely related to Sinonovacula constricta of the order Adapedonta. Our study also found that the Ka/Ks ratios of 12 protein-coding genes in the Pharidae family are lower than one, indicating the occurrence of negative purification selection. Morphological observations of the siphons of N. chinensis, Novaculina myanmarensis, and Novaculina gangetica indicate that N. chinensis may be the ancestral clade of the genus Novaculina, which has not been proposed in previous studies. Our study provides useful molecular information on the phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships of Pharidae and also contributes to the conservation and management of the germplasm resources of N. chinensis.
Force-Induced Alignment of Nanofibrillated Bacterial Cellulose for the Enhancement of Cellulose Composite Macrofibers
Authors: Wang Ruochun , Fujie Tetsuo , Itaya Hiroyuki , Wada Naoki , Takahashi Kenji
Published: December 2023

Bacterial cellulose, as an important renewable bioresource, exhibits excellent mechanical properties along with intrinsic biodegradability. It is expected to replace non-degradable plastics and reduce severe environmental pollution. In this study, using dry jet-wet spinning and stretching methods, we fabricate cellulose composite macrofibers using nanofibrillated bacterial cellulose (BCNFs) which were obtained by agitated fermentation. Ionic liquid (IL) was used as a solvent to perform wet spinning. In this process, force-induced alignment of BCNFs was applied to enhance the mechanical properties of the macrofibers. The results of scanning electron microscopy revealed the well-aligned structure of BCNF along the fiber axis. The fiber prepared with an extrusion rate of 30 m min−1 and a stretching ratio of 46% exhibited a strength of 174 MPa and a Young’s modulus of 13.7 GPa. In addition, we investigated the co-spinning of carboxymethyl cellulose-containing BCNF with chitosan using IL as a “container”, which indicated the compatibility of BCNFs with other polysaccharides. Recycling of the ionic liquid was also verified to validate the sustainability of our strategy. This study provides a scalable method to fabricate bacterial cellulose composite fibers, which can be applied in the textile or biomaterial industries with further functionalization.