bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and Implementation of a Decision Integration System for Monitoring and Optimizing Heating Systems: Results and Lessons Learned
Authors: Djebko Kirill , Weidner Daniel , Waleska Marcel , Krey Timo , Kamble Bhaskar , Rausch Sven , Seipel Dietmar , Puppe Frank
Published: December 2024

With the increasing need to tackle climate change, energy efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions are proving to be one of society’s greatest challenges. Special consideration should be given to heating systems as they are prone to inefficiency due to non-optimal controller configurations and the shortage of experts or qualified technicians to optimize the operating behavior. Especially for residential heating systems, more often than not, the target metric is the achievement of specific heating and hot water temperatures by manual adjustments with limited sensor information and with little regard to efficiency. This presents potential for computer-aided optimization based on artificial intelligence techniques. In this paper, we presented a Decision Integration System that is interfaced with a data acquisition infrastructure and allows for the analysis of measured heating system data, the generation of recommended measures for efficiency improvement, and the simulative validation of recommended controller parameter changes. We presented different parts of the Decision Integration System, the interfaced data acquisition infrastructure, as well as the non-invasive sensor appliances used. We analyzed the measured data of real heating systems and evaluated our approach by generating the recommended measures based on rules created by heating system experts, which were then partially applied to the physical heating systems and partially evaluated in simulation. Finally, we compared long-term energy consumption data against the latest monitoring period after implementing the measures. Our results showed an average reduction in energy consumption of 24.52% across all considered buildings, corresponding to an approximate reduction of 8.12 tons of CO2 emissions.
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Dynamics in the Energy Sector: Strategic Approaches for Sustainable Development
Authors: Yucel Mustafa , Yucel Sevgi
Published: December 2024

ESG metrics have become increasingly important in evaluating corporate sustainability and meeting regulatory expectations. Thus, it is essential to explore these elements for a clearer understanding. This study examined the environmental (E), social (S), and governance (G) scores across various sub-sectors of the energy industry. Using systems thinking and creating shared value (CSV) approaches, the research investigated whether ESG performance varies significantly among the sub-sectors and how changes in one pillar might influence the others. Data from 576 companies in the Thomson Reuters EIKON database were analyzed using ANOVA, correlation, and multiple regression. The results revealed distinct differences in the ESG scores among sub-sectors, with environmental and social practices often reinforcing each other. However, governance showed a weaker influence, highlighting the need for further research on governance frameworks to clarify the underlying reasons and to integrate better with other ESG pillars. The research has specific implications for strategic management and provided recommendations for further studies.
Selective Recovery of Zinc from Alkaline Batteries via a Basic Leaching Process and the Use of a Machine Learning-Based Digital Twin for Predictive Purposes
Authors: Muñoz García Noelia , Valverde José Luis , Delgado Cano Beatriz , Heitz Michèle , Avalos Ramirez Antonio
Published: December 2024

Recycling the metals found in spent batteries offers both environmental and economic benefits, especially when extracted and purified using environmentally friendly processes. Two basic leaching agents were tested and compared: ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Using NH4OH 4 M at 25 °C, 30.5 ± 0.7 wt. % of zinc (Zn) was dissolved for a solid/liquid (S/L) ratio of 1/10 (g of black mass (BM)/mL of solution); meanwhile, with NaOH 6 M at 70 °C, and an S/L ratio of 1/5 (g of BM/mL of solution), 69.9 ± 2.8 wt. % of the Zn initially present in the BM of alkaline batteries was leached. A virtual representation of the experimental data through digital twins of the alkaline leaching process of the BM was proposed. For this purpose, 90% of the experimental data were used for training a supervised learning procedure involving 600 different artificial neural networks (ANNs) and using up to 12 activation functions. The application was able to choose the most suitable ANN using an ANOVA analysis. After the training step, the network was tested by predicting the outputs of inputs that were not used in the training process, to avoid overfitting in a validating process with 10% of the data. The best model was employed for estimating the degree of leaching of different metals that can be obtained from BM, obtaining a data deviation of less than 10% for highly concentrated compounds such as Zn.
Intelligent Detection Method for Surface Defects of Particleboard Based on Super-Resolution Reconstruction
Authors: Zhou Haiyan , Xia Haifei , Fan Chenlong , Lan Tianxiang , Liu Ying , Yang Yutu , Shen Yinxi , Yu Wei
Published: December 2024

To improve the intelligence level of particleboard inspection lines, machine vision and artificial intelligence technologies are combined to replace manual inspection with automatic detection. Aiming at the problem of missed detection and false detection on small defects due to the large surface width, complex texture and different surface defect shapes of particleboard, this paper introduces image super-resolution technology and proposes a super-resolution reconstruction model for particleboard images. Based on the Transformer network, this model incorporates an improved SRResNet (Super-Resolution Residual Network) backbone network in the deep feature extraction module to extract deep texture information. The shallow features extracted by conv 3 × 3 are then fused with features extracted by the Transformer, considering both local texture features and global feature information. This enhances image quality and makes defect details clearer. Through comparison with the traditional bicubic B-spline interpolation method, ESRGAN (Enhanced Super-Resolution Generative Adversarial Network), and SwinIR (Image Restoration Using Swin Transformer), the effectiveness of the particleboard super-resolution reconstruction model is verified using objective evaluation metrics including PSNR, SSIM, and LPIPS, demonstrating its ability to produce higher-quality images with more details and better visual characteristics. Finally, using the YOLOv8 model to compare defect detection rates between super-resolution images and low-resolution images, the mAP can reach 96.5%, which is 25.6% higher than the low-resolution image recognition rate.
Advances in Biotechnological Strategies for Sustainable Production of Non-Animal Proteins: Challenges, Innovations, and Applications
Authors: Muniz Emanuel do Nascimento , Montenegro Rebeca Teixeira de Queiroz , da Silva Daniel Nascimento , D’Almeida Alan Portal , Gonçalves Luciana Rocha Barros , de Albuquerque Tiago Lima
Published: December 2024

This review explores recent advances in the design of fermentation processes for producing alternative proteins, focusing on utilizing agro-industrial waste and renewable substrates. New bioprocess strategies, such as experimental designs, optimizing bioreactors, bioprocesses, and applying precision fermentation can improve the protein yields and nutritional value. Also, unconventional substrates, such as hydrolysates derived from agro-industrial residues conversion may result in cost reduction and enhanced feasibility. The application of enzymes to produce protein-rich foods with high bioaccessibility that improve digestibility and nutritional value are also highlighted. This article addresses the importance of developing cost-effective fermentation solutions that minimize the environmental impact while addressing technical challenges such as scalability and contamination control. Furthermore, it emphasizes the growing need for innovations in fermentation process design to ensure the sustainability of industrial protein production. The review concludes that improvements in process design are fundamental in overcoming technological and regulatory barriers, particularly in increasing the efficiency and competitiveness of non-meat proteins in the global market.
Strategies and Methodologies for Improving Toughness of Starch Films
Authors: Yang Yiwen , Fu Jun , Duan Qingfei , Xie Huifang , Dong Xinyi , Yu Long
Published: December 2024

Starch films have attracted increasing attention due to their biodegradability, edibility, and potential use as animal feed from post-products. Applications of starch-based films include food packaging, coating, and medicine capsules. However, a major drawback of starch-based films is their brittleness, particularly under dry conditions, caused by starch retrogradation and the instability of plasticizers. To address this challenge, various strategies and methodologies have been developed, including plasticization, chemical modification, and physical reinforcement. This review covers fundamental aspects, such as the microstructures, phase transitions, and compatibility of starch, as well as application-oriented techniques, including processing methods, plasticizer selection, and chemical modifications. Plasticizers play a crucial role in developing starch-based materials, as they mitigate brittleness and improve processability. Given the abundance of hydroxyl groups in starch, the plasticizers used must also contain hydroxyl or polar groups for compatibility. Chemical modification, such as esterification and etherification, effectively prevents starch recrystallization. Reinforcements, particularly with nanocellulose, significantly improved the mechanical properties of starch film. Drawing upon both the literature and our expertise, this review not only summarizes the advancements in this field but also identifies the limitations of current technologies and outlines promising research directions for future development.
Dynamic Double-Networked Hydrogels by Hybridizing PVA and Herbal Polysaccharides: Improved Mechanical Properties and Selective Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Liu Weidong , Yao Chuying , Wang Daohang , Du Guangyan , Ji Yutian , Li Quan
Published: December 2024

Chinese herbal medicine has offered an enormous source for developing novel bio-soft materials. In this research, the natural polysaccharide isolated from the Chinese herbal medicine Dendrobium was employed as the secondary building block to fabricate a “hybrid” hydrogel with synthetic poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) polymers. Thanks to the presence of mannose units that contain cis-diol motifs on the chain of the Dendrobium polysaccharides, efficient crosslinking with the borax is allowed and reversible covalent borate ester bonds are formed. Eventually, highly dynamic and double-networked hydrogels were successfully prepared by the integration of Dendrobium polysaccharides and PVA. Interestingly, the introduction of polysaccharides has given rise to more robust and dynamic hydrogel networks, leading to enhanced thermal stability, mechanical strength, and tensile capacity (>1000%) as well as the rapid self-healing ability (<5 s) of the “hybrid” hydrogels compared with the PVA/borax single networked hydrogel. Moreover, the polysaccharides/PVA double network hydrogel showed selective antibacterial activity towards S. aureus. The reported polysaccharides/PVA double networked hydrogel would provide a scaffold to hybridize bioactive natural polysaccharides and synthetic polymers for developing robust but dynamic multiple networked hydrogels that are tailorable for biomedical applications.
A Qualitative Study of Barriers and Facilitators to the Uptake of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Octogenarians
Authors: Nichol Charlotte , Das Rajiv , Barry Gill , Kelly Michael , Vogiatzis Ioannis , Adams Nicola
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Despite an established evidence-base for cardiac rehabilitation (CR) improving functional outcomes and quality of life and reducing re-hospitalisation, there is limited research on CR for older cardiac patients, who require rehabilitation the most, as they are often very deconditioned due to aortic stenosis (AS). CR uptake in the UK is limited to 52% with national variability of provision and accessibility, and it is a national priority to increase uptake to 85%. Frequently, research has excluded older populations as they are deemed to be too frail or generally not suitable for inclusion. This study aimed to explore factors that can impact the uptake of CR in octogenarians. Methods: Qualitative interviews were carried out with 20 AS patients (12 female, 8 male), from a large NHS Trust in the North East of England. Results: Four main themes were identified in the data: Perceptions and Understanding, Delivery and Accessibility, Perceived Impact of Exercise and Health and Life Changes, and Transportation. Discussion: The findings suggested that the major factors were the understanding of the nature, purpose and relevance of CR to older patients, whether CR was offered, and the role of social support. Barriers and facilitators can impact uptake based on the mode of delivery and the individual circumstances identified. Future research could explore how to develop CR programmes that overcome the barriers identified in the research, such as education, monitoring strategies, use of telehealth, and home-based elements to create an acceptable and accessible programme for octogenarians.
Effectiveness of Leisure-Focused Occupational Therapy Interventions in Middle-Aged and Older People with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review
Authors: Vásquez-Carrasco Edgar , Huenchuquen Camila , Ferrón Catalina , Hernandez-Martinez Jordan , Landim Síbila Floriano , Helbig Fabiola , Carmine Florencia , Valdés-Badilla Pablo , Sandoval Cristian , Gómez Celia Sánchez , Moruno-Miralles Pedro
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: This systematic review aimed to evaluate and synthesize scientific evidence on occupational therapy (OT) interventions focused on leisure activities to improve activities of daily living (ADLs) and cognitive function in middle-aged and older people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: A systematic review was carried out following the guidelines established by the PRISMA statement. The study was registered in the PROSPERO database. Four databases were used for the literature search process (Scopus, Web of Science, Medline/PubMed, ScienceDirect), and selected results were assessed using standard tools for risk of bias and certainty of evidence with GRADEpro. Results: Of 169 records identified in the databases, 7 studies with a total of 620 middle-aged and older people (44.9% female) with a mean age of 77.5 years were analyzed using the PICOS format. The meta-analysis of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) revealed no significant improvements in cognitive function (p > 0.05). Individual studies reported varied results on ADL among people with MCI, with some demonstrating significant improvements following leisure interventions, while others found no notable differences between groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: OT interventions did not significantly improve MMSE of the overall cognitive function and ADL performance in middle-aged and older people with MCI. Therefore, further studies detailing the dosage of interventions are needed.
Health Programmes for Older Adults Who Are the Primary Family Caregivers for Their Partners: A Scoping Review
Authors: Chica-Pérez Anabel , Martínez-Sola Lucía , Correa-Casado Matías , Fernández-Sola Cayetano , El Marbouhe El Faqyr Karim , Hernández-Padilla José Manuel
Published: December 2024

Aim: To examine and map health programmes that have been implemented and evaluated to improve health outcomes amongst older adults who are the primary family caregivers for their partners. Methods: A scoping review was carried out, following the methodology of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) and PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines. The search was conducted in six databases (PubMed/Medline, Cochrane, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, and EMBASE) between December 2023 and March 2024. Results: Eleven studies were included, covering different health programmes implemented and evaluated with the aim of improving health outcomes in older adults who assume the role of primary family caregiver for their partner. The programmes were carried out by multidisciplinary teams and psychologists. The programmes varied in content, frequency, and duration. Discrepancies were found in the effects of the interventions on stress, depression, quality of life, and caregiver burden. Conclusions: This scoping review shows that programmes aimed at improving health outcomes in older adults who are the primary family caregiver for their partner vary widely in both content and effectiveness. While some interventions reduced the burden and psychological distress, others did not show clear improvements in quality of life. It can be concluded that there is a need for randomised controlled trials that rigorously evaluate the outcomes of long-term, personalised interventions.
Health and Well-Being of Older People in the City of Valencia: A Comprehensive Study
Authors: Pérez-Saiz Leticia , Ferri-Sanz Mireia , Canas Marina , Fernandez Mirian , Ferrando Maite , Dix Rachael
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: In the framework of the ValueCare project (funded by EC, ref 875215), the Valencia pilot site assessed the comprehensive health of 240 older people with frailty. ValueCare aims to deliver personalised integrated health and social care and better outcomes for older people. Methods: For the health evaluation, a comprehensive approach was adopted, based on validated questionnaires that address not only mental and physical health but also other key dimensions in older people’s well-being, namely unwanted loneliness and nutrition. Results: This study provides an overview of the overall health status of 60-year-old people from March to December 2022 in the city of Valencia, allowing for a comparison between national and European health indicators. Conclusions: Older people in the city of Valencia reported good health, quality of life, independency, nutrition and social wellbeing, with some differences between gender.
COVID-19 Pathophysiology: Inflammation to Cardiac Injury
Authors: Fouda Sami , Hammond Robert , Donnelly Peter D , Coates Anthony R M , Liu Alexander
Published: December 2024

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is responsible for one of the worst pandemics in human history. The causative virus, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), can invade host cells in multiple organs by binding the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) II expressed on the cell surface. Once inside the host cell, viral replication takes place, leading to cellular disruption and the release of signal molecules that are recognised by the innate immune system. Innate immunity activation leads to the release of proinflammatory cytokines and primes the adaptive immune system. The proinflammatory environment defends against further viral entry and replication. SARS-CoV-2 infection is thought to lead to myocardial injury through several mechanisms. Firstly, direct viral-mediated cellular invasion of cardiomyocytes has been shown in in vitro and histological studies, which is related to cellular injury. Secondly, the proinflammatory state during COVID-19 can lead to myocardial injury and the release of protein remnants of the cardiac contractile machinery. Thirdly, the hypercoagulable state of COVID-19 is associated with thromboembolism of coronary arteries and/or other vascular systems. COVID-19 patients can also develop heart failure; however, the underlying mechanism is much less well-characterised than for myocardial injury. Several questions remain regarding COVID-19-related heart failure, including its potential reversibility, the role of anti-viral medications in its prevention, and the mechanisms underlying heart failure pathogenesis in long COVID-19. Further work is required to improve our understanding of the mechanism of cardiac sequelae in COVID-19, which may enable us to target SARS-CoV-2 and protect patients against longer-lasting cardiovascular complications.
Open-Source High-Throughput Phenotyping for Blueberry Yield and Maturity Prediction Across Environments: Neural Network Model and Labeled Dataset for Breeders
Authors: Zhang Jing , Maleski Jerome , Ashrafi Hudson , Spencer Jessica A. , Chu Ye
Published: December 2024

Time to maturity and yield are important traits for highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) breeding. Proper determination of the time to maturity of blueberry varieties and breeding lines informs the harvest window, ensuring that the fruits are harvested at optimum maturity and quality. On the other hand, high-yielding crops bring in high profits per acre of planting. Harvesting and quantifying the yield for each blueberry breeding accession are labor-intensive and impractical. Instead, visual ratings as an estimation of yield are often used as a faster way to quantify the yield, which is categorical and subjective. In this study, we developed and shared a high-throughput phenotyping method using neural networks to predict blueberry time to maturity and to provide a proxy for yield, overcoming the labor constraints of obtaining high-frequency data. We aim to facilitate further research in computer vision and precision agriculture by publishing the labeled image dataset and the trained model. In this research, true-color images of blueberry bushes were collected, annotated, and used to train a deep neural network object detection model [You Only Look Once (YOLOv11)] to detect mature and immature berries. Different versions of YOLOv11 were used, including nano, small, and medium, which had similar performance, while the medium version had slightly higher metrics. The YOLOv11m model shows strong performance for the mature berry class, with a precision of 0.90 and an F1 score of 0.90. The precision and recall for detecting immature berries were 0.81 and 0.79. The model was tested on 10 blueberry bushes by hand harvesting and weighing blueberries. The results showed that the model detects approximately 25% of the berries on the bushes, and the correlation coefficients between model-detected and hand-harvested traits were 0.66, 0.86, and 0.72 for mature fruit count, immature fruit count, and mature ratio, respectively. The model applied to 91 blueberry advance selections and categorized them into groups with diverse levels of maturity and productivity using principal component analysis (PCA). These results inform the harvest window and yield of these breeding lines with precision and objectivity through berry classification and quantification. This model will be helpful for blueberry breeders, enabling more efficient selection, and for growers, helping them accurately estimate optimal harvest windows. This open-source tool can potentially enhance research capabilities and agricultural productivity.
Cultivar-Dependent Variations in the Microbiome of Grapevine Leaves
Authors: Castanera Raúl , González-Miguel Víctor M. , Escolà Glòria , Olivé Marta , Teixidó Neus , Savé Robert , Casacuberta Josep María , San Segundo Blanca
Published: December 2024

The grapevine (Vitis vinifera) is a major fruit crop of economic importance worldwide. Commercial grapevine cultivars are susceptible to infection by pathogenic microorganisms that cause diseases both in leaves and fruits, and it is known that the leaf microbiome plays an important role in plant health and fitness. In this study, shotgun metagenomic sequencing was used to characterize the microbial communities associated with grapevine leaves in three commercial varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha, and Marselan, grown in the same biogeographical unit. Metagenomic data revealed a differential enrichment of the microbial communities living inside grapevine leaves or on the leaf surface in the three varieties. The most abundant fungal taxa associated with grapevine leaves belong to the phylum Ascomycota, which included relevant pathogenic fungi for grapevines, such as Botrytis cinerea, Sclerotinia sclerotium, and Alternaria alternata, as well as several fungal species potentially pathogenic for grapevines (e.g., members of the Colletotrichum, Aspergillus, and Penicillium genera). Basidiomycota constituted a minor fraction of the fungal microbial communities. Grapevine leaves also harbored a diversity of bacterial taxa. At the phylum level, bacterial communities in all three varieties were primarily composed of Pseudomonadata, Bacillota, Bacteroidota, and a lower proportion of Actinomycetota. Differences in the fungal and bacterial community structures were observed between varieties, although they were more important in fungi. In particular, S. sclerotiorum and B. cinerea were found to preferentially colonize leaves in the Marselan and Garnacha varieties, respectively. These findings further support that the host genotype can shape its own microbiome in grapevines. A better understanding of the leaf microbiome in grapevines will provide the basis for the development of tailored strategies to prevent diseases in vineyards while helping to increase sustainability in grapevine production.
Physiological Behavior and Antioxidant Responses of Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Exposed to Different Concentrations of Aluminum and Barium
Authors: Kouki Rim , Bankaji Insaf , Hidouri Saida , Bouzahouane Hana , Caçador Isabel , Pérez-Clemente Rosa María , Sleimi Noomene
Published: December 2024

Soil contamination by trace metal elements, such as aluminum and barium, presents specific environmental risks, particularly to plant health and agricultural productivity. Excessive accumulation of these toxic elements in plant tissues can alter redox equilibrium and affect homeostasis. This study sought to examine the physiological reactions of Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) under aluminum- and barium-induced stress. The plants were exposed to multiple concentrations of Al or Ba (0, 100, 200, 400 and 600 µM) for 45 days; then, the accumulation potential of Al and Ba, oxidative damage, and antioxidative metabolism were assessed. Key findings showed a proportional distribution of the Al and Ba in roots and aerial parts of the plants, with lower accumulation in the fruits. The occurrence of oxidative damage and the involvement of antioxidant enzymes were demonstrated by increased amounts of malondialdehyde and H2O2, enhanced activity of superoxide dismutase, and decreased catalase activity. The study also highlighted that GSH played a primary role in Al detoxification in the roots and fruits, while phytochelatins were more active in Ba-treated plants, particularly in roots and shoots, facilitating Ba sequestration.
Fruit Growth and Oil Accumulation of Olive (Olea europaea L.) Cultivars at Different Locations Along a Latitudinal–Altitudinal Gradient
Authors: Hamze Leila M. , Rousseaux María Cecilia , Searles Peter S. , Trentacoste Eduardo R.
Published: December 2024

Environmental conditions during olive fruit development and genotype have shown to be important sources of variability in final fruit weight and oil concentration. There are fewer studies concerning how the environment and genotype modulate growth dynamics. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the timing of fruit growth, pit hardening, and oil accumulation in several olive cultivars under different air temperatures along a latitudinal gradient (29°–33° S) with a range of altitudes (450–1250 masl) in Western Argentina; determine parameters derived from the dynamics of fruit growth and oil accumulation along the same gradient; and explore possible relationships between derived parameters and air temperatures. The cultivars evaluated were Arbequina, Arbosana, Coratina, Changlot, and Picual. Pit hardening occurred 20 days earlier in warmer locations, leading to an earlier onset of oil synthesis. The final fruit dry weight was mainly influenced by the cultivar, which was explained by differences in fruit growth rates. Cooler locations had 39% higher average final fruit dry weight and 22% higher oil concentration than warmer ones. Differences in final oil concentration between genotypes × environments were primarily associated with the oil accumulation rate rather than the duration of the oil accumulation period. However, changes in this rate seem to be cultivar-dependent. Interestingly, the rate and oil accumulation duration showed a negative relationship. These results highlight the need to explore genetic variability in temperature response to limit the detrimental impacts of global warming on olive fruit growth and oil concentration.
Smart Solutions for Mega-Cities: Utilizing Long Short-Term Memory and Multi-Head Attention in Parking Prediction
Authors: Kemik Hasan , Dalyan Tugba , Aydogan Murat
Published: December 2024

Finding a parking space is a major concern in megacities, causing drivers to lose time and money while contributing to atmospheric pollution and global warming. This study proposes a method to predict parking slot availability by comparing Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Multi-Head Attention (MHA) methods using the CityPulse Smart City Datasets. The initial experiments assessed the impact of pollution and time features on prediction accuracy. In a subsequent experiment, the dataset was expanded by incorporating weather-related features and a broader time range while excluding pollution and time features, as informed by the initial results. Various experiments were conducted with different parameters, such as model depth and activation functions. The results demonstrated that MHA outperformed LSTM in predicting occupancy rates, achieving a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) score of 0.0589 on the extended dataset. This study marks a pioneering effort in using MHA for real-time parking occupancy prediction, showcasing significant success with fewer parameters and a smaller model size.
Protective Effects of Fasudil Against Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity in Zebrafish: An In Vivo Study
Authors: Lim Kang Hyeon , Park Saemi , Han Eunjung , Baek Hyun woo , Hyun Kyungtae , Hong Sumin , Kim Hwee-Jin , Lee Yunkyoung , Rah Yoon Chan , Choi June
Published: December 2024

While cisplatin is an effective anti-tumor treatment, it induces ototoxicity through mechanisms involving DNA damage, oxidative stress, and programmed cell death. Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase (ROCK) is essential for numerous cellular processes, including apoptosis regulation. Studies have suggested that ROCK inhibitors could prevent apoptosis and promote regeneration. We aimed to investigate the protective effects of the ROCK inhibitor fasudil against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in a zebrafish model. The zebrafish larvae were exposed to 1 mM cisplatin alone or 1 mM cisplatin co-administered with varying concentrations of fasudil for 4 h. The surviving hair cell counts, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), caspase 3 activity, and autophagy activation were assessed. Rheotaxis behavior was also examined. Cisplatin reduced hair cell counts; increased apoptosis, ROS production, and ΔΨm loss; and activated caspase 3 and autophagy. Fasudil (100 and 500 µM) mitigated cisplatin-induced hair cell loss, reduced apoptosis, and inhibited caspase 3 and autophagy activation. Rheotaxis in zebrafish was preserved by the co-administration of fasudil with cisplatin. Cisplatin induces hair cell apoptosis in zebrafish, whereas fasudil is a promising protective agent against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.
Special Issue: The Role of Extracellular Matrix Proteins in Pathogenesis
Authors: Cappellano Giuseppe , Chiocchetti Annalisa , Raineri Davide
Published: December 2024

The extracellular matrix (ECM) serves as a complex network that regulates cellular behavior and maintains tissue architecture [...]
Structure Characterization of Zinc Finger Motif 1 and 2 of GLI1 DNA Binding Region
Authors: Wu Mousheng , Jahan Nusrat , Sharp Amanda , Ullah Anwar , Augelli-Szafran Corinne E. , Zhang Sixue , Boohaker Rebecca J.
Published: December 2024

As a transcription factor, GLI1 plays an important role in cell cycle regulation, DNA replication, and DNA damage responses. The aberrant activation of GLI1 has been associated with cancers such as glioma, osteosarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma. The binding of GLI1 to a specific DNA sequence was achieved by five tandem zinc finger motifs (Zif motifs) on the N-terminal part of the molecule. Here, we reported a novel homodimeric crystal structure of Zif1-2. These two Zif motifs are linearized. Namely, Zif2 does not bend and interact with Zif1 of the same molecule. Instead, Zif1 from one molecule interacts with Zif2 from another molecule. The dimer interface of Zif1-2 is unique and different from the conformation of Zif1-2 from the GLI1-DNA co-crystal structure. The dimeric conformation of Zif motifs could represent the native conformation of apo form GLI1 Zif motifs in the cell. The molecular dynamics simulation result of the homodimer, the in silico mutagenesis, and the predicted protease stability of these mutants using a large language model are also presented.
Interaction Between Liver Metabolism and Gut Short-Chain Fatty Acids via Liver–Gut Axis Affects Body Weight in Lambs
Authors: Wang Haibo , Zhan Jinshun , Zhao Shengguo , Jiang Haoyun , Jia Haobin , Pan Yue , Zhong Xiaojun , Huo Junhong
Published: December 2024

The gut–liver axis and its interactions are essential for host physiology. Thus, we examined the jejunal microbiota, fermentation parameters, digestive enzymes, morphology, and liver metabolic profiles in different growth development lambs to investigate the liver–gut axis’s role in their development. One hundred male Hu lambs of similar birth weight and age were raised under the same conditions until they reached 180 days of age. Subsequently, the eight lambs with the highest (HADG) and lowest (LADG) average daily weight gains were slaughtered for index assessment. The study indicates that the body weight, carcass weight, propanoic acid, butyric acid, propanoic acid ratio, butyric acid ratio, and digestive enzymes (beta-glucosidase, microcrystalline cellulase, xylanase, and carboxymethyl cellulase) were significantly higher in HDAG lambs than in LADG lambs (p < 0.05). Additionally, there were no significant differences in the jejunal microbiota’s structure and function among lambs at different growth development stages (p > 0.05). Overall, our analysis revealed that HADG lambs compared to LADG lambs exhibited an up-regulation of metabolites (such as spermine, cholic acid, succinic acid, betaine, etc.) that were positively correlated with the butyric acid ratio, propanoic acid ratio, propanoic acid, xylanase, microcrystalline cellulase, beta-glucosidase, amylase, carboxymethyl cellulase, carcass weight, and body weight, while these metabolites were negatively correlated with the kidney, acetic acid, acetic acid/ propanoic acid, and acetic acid ratio. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between liver metabolism and jejunal microbiota. This study revealed significant differences in hepatic metabolites and jejunal fermentation among lambs at different growth stages, which may inform targeted regulation strategies to enhance lamb productivity.
Aluminum Concentration Is Associated with Tumor Mutational Burden and the Expression of Immune Response Biomarkers in Colorectal Cancers
Authors: Bonfiglio Rita , Giacobbi Erica , Palumbo Valeria , Casciardi Stefano , Sisto Renata , Servadei Francesca , Scioli Maria Paola , Schiaroli Stefania , Cornella Elena , Cervelli Giulio , Sica Giuseppe , Candi Eleonora , Melino Gerry , Mauriello Alessandro , Scimeca Manuel
Published: December 2024

Environmental pollution poses a significant risk to public health, as demonstrated by the bioaccumulation of aluminum (Al) in colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to investigate the potential mutagenic effect of Al bioaccumulation in CRC samples, linking it to the alteration of key mediators of cancer progression, including immune response biomarkers. Aluminum levels in 20 CRC biopsy samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results indicated that Al bioaccumulation occurred in 100% of the cases. A correlation between Al levels and tumor mutation burden was observed. Furthermore, RNA sequencing revealed a significant association between Al concentration and the expression of the immune checkpoint molecule CTLA-4. Although correlations with PD-1 and PD-L1 were not statistically significant, a trend was observed. Additionally, a correlation between Al levels and both the presence of myeloid cells and IFNγ expression was detected, linking Al exposure to inflammatory responses within the tumor microenvironment. These findings suggested that Al can play a role in CRC progression by promoting both genetic mutations and immune evasion. Given the ubiquitous presence of Al in industrial and consumer products, dietary sources, and environmental pollutants, these results underscored the need for stricter regulatory measures to control Al exposure.
Reactivity of [3+1+1] Uranyl-DGA Complex as Lewis-Acid Catalyst in Nucleophilic Acyl Substitution of Acid Anhydrides
Authors: Akashi Shin , Takao Koichiro
Published: December 2024

A UO22+ complex bearing N, N, N′, N′-tetraisopropyldiglycolamide (TiPDGA) and two DMF molecules was prepared to explore the catalytic activities of the Lewis-acidic U centre. The cationic complex, [UO2(TiPDGA)(DMF)2]2+, was obtained as a ClO4− salt under optimised reaction conditions with an appropriate mixing ratio between UO22+ and TiPDGA to maintain 1:1 stoichiometry, a non-coordinating ClO4− counteranion to reserve the coordination sites for substrate activation, and the presence of extra HClO4 to suppress undesired hydrolysis of UO22+ competing with the expected complex formation. This UO22+ complex was characterised by IR, elemental analysis, X-ray crystallography, and 1H NMR to confirm that the desired [3+1+1] equatorial coordination is actually formed in the solid state and is still maintained even after dissolution in CD2Cl2. [UO2(TiPDGA)(DMF)2]2+ was further subjected to nucleophilic acyl substitution reactions of acid anhydrides to assess its activity and capability as a Lewis-acid catalyst there. Although the observed reaction rates were not very rapid, some characteristic aspects to gain reaction- and substrate-selectivity appeared thanks to the equatorial coordination sphere sterically regulated by the tridentate auxiliary TiPDGA ligand and labile monodentate DMF molecules to activate an acid anhydride after ligand substitution.
Life History Differences Between Lepidoptera Larvae and Blattodea Nymphs Lead to Different Energy Allocation Strategies and Cellular Qualities
Authors: Taheri Fahimeh , Hou Chen
Published: December 2024

Different life histories result in different strategies to allocate energy in biosynthesis, including growth and reproduction, and somatic maintenance. One of the most notable life history differences between Lepidoptera and Blattodea species is that the former grow much faster than the latter, and during metamorphosis, a large amount of tissue in Lepidoptera species disintegrates. In this review, using Lepidoptera caterpillars and cockroach nymphs as examples, we show that, due to these differences in growth processes, cockroach nymphs spend 20 times more energy on synthesizing one unit of biomass (indirect cost of growth) than butterfly caterpillars. Because of the low indirect cost of growth in caterpillars, the fraction of metabolic energy allocated to growth is six times lower, and that for maintenance is seven times higher in caterpillars, compared to cockroach nymphs, despite caterpillar’s higher growth rates. Moreover, due to the higher biosynthetic energy cost in cockroach nymphs, they have better cellular qualities, including higher proteasomal activity for protein quality control and higher resistance to oxidative stress. We also show that under food restriction conditions, the fraction of assimilated energy allocated to growth was reduced by 120% in cockroach nymphs, as they lost body weight under food restriction, while this reduction was only 14% in hornworms, and the body mass increased at a lower rate. Finaly, we discuss future research, especially the difference in adult lifespans associated with the energetic differences.
Multiple Subpial Transection for the Treatment of Landau–Kleffner Syndrome—Review of the Literature
Authors: Duda Piotr , Duda Natalia , Kostelecka Katarzyna , Woliński Filip , Góra Joanna , Granat Michał , Bryliński Łukasz , Teresińska Barbara , Karpiński Robert , Czyżewski Wojciech , Baj Jacek
Published: December 2024

As speech-related symptoms of Landau–Kleffner syndrome (LKS) are often refractory to pharmacotherapy, and resective surgery is rarely available due to the involvement of the vital cortex, multiple subpial transection (MST) was suggested to improve patient outcome and preserve cortical functions. Here, we analyze the reports about MST use in LKS, regarding its impact on seizures, language, behavior, EEG, cognition, and reported adverse effects. In conditions like LKS, surgery is not a popular treatment option and presumably should be considered sooner. Candidates for MST should be selected carefully, optimally with the unilateral onset of epileptic activity. Laterality can be assessed using a methohexital suppression test (MHXT), electrical intracarotid amobarbital test, or magnetoencephalography. After MST, a significant percentage of LKS patients present seizure-free status, normalization of EEG patterns, and rapid behavior improvement. Data comprising language outcomes are mixed, with improvement reported in 23.8–100% of cases, and no superiority was found in the only study comparing MST with a non-surgical group. Cognitive outcomes are not well described. The risk linked to MST is described as low, with cerebral edema and transient neurological deficits being the most common complications. MST successfully improves seizure, EEG, and behavioral outcomes in LKS patients. However, its beneficial impact on language and cognition is not well proven. It is generally a safe neurological operation.
Reassessing Pulmonary Hypertension Classification: Utilizing Criteria for Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction Instead of Pulmonary Arterial Wedge Pressure
Authors: Park Da-Hee , Fuge Jan , Kamp Jan Christopher , Harrigfeld Britta , Berliner Dominik , Hoeper Marius M. , Olsson Karen M.
Published: December 2024

Background: The current classification of pulmonary hypertension (PH) distinguishes between pre-capillary (PAWP ≤ 15 mmHg) and post-capillary (PAWP > 15 mmHg) forms, with left heart disease, especially heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), being a common cause of PH. We investigated the suitability of an HFpEF diagnosis instead of PAWP in diagnosing PH associated with HFpEF. Methods: In a retrospective, single-center analysis, we reviewed diagnoses from our database, focusing on patients initially diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) or PH associated with HFpEF (PH-HFpEF) based on their PAWP. These patients were reclassified, distinguishing between HFpEF and non-HFpEF cases. Patients with PH-HFpEF were further stratified by PAWP (≤15 mmHg or >15 mmHg). Results: The study included 350 patients: 214 (61.1%) with PAWP ≤ 15 mmHg and 136 (38.9%) with PAWP > 15 mmHg. Replacing the PAWP criterion with the HFpEF criterion resulted in the reclassification of 121 of 350 (34.6%) patients (115 of 214 [53.7%] from IPAH to PH-HFpEF and 6 of 136 [4.4%] from PH-HFpEF to IPAH). The final disposition was IPAH (n = 105, 30%), PH-HFpEF with PAWP ≤ 15 mmHg (n = 115, 32.9%), and PH-HFpEF with PAWP > 15 mmHg (n = 130, 37.1%). Characteristics such as age distribution, functional impairment, co-morbidities, echocardiographic indices of HFpEF, pulmonary vascular resistance, response to PH medications, and unadjusted survival were comparable between the two HFpEF cohorts but differed substantially from those with IPAH. Conclusions: PH-HFpEF patients with PAWP ≤ 15 mmHg resemble those with PAWP > 15 mmHg but differ from IPAH cases. Incorporating non-invasive HFpEF criteria could refine PH diagnostic classification.
Monitoring Progression in Hypertensive Patients with Dyslipidemia Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography: Can A.I. Be Improved?
Authors: Barca Irina Cristina , Potop Vasile , Arama Stefan Sorin
Published: December 2024

Background: With the development of artificial intelligence (A.I.), the optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) analysis of progression in hypertensive retinopathy could be improved. Our purpose was to use the OCTA to study the effect of uncontrolled dyslipidemia and hypertensive retinopathy on the retinal microvasculature and to identify a potential software update of the A.I. secondary to the OCTA analysis. By using our most relevant data, the A.I. software can be upgraded by introducing new mathematic formulas between the OCTA parameters and the lipid level. Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study on 154 eyes of participants from Eastern Europe. We used a standardized protocol to collect data on past medical history of dyslipidemia and hypertension and OCTA to measure retinal vascular parameters. Results: The average age of the participants was 56.9 ± 9.1, with a minimum of 34 and a maximum of 82 and with a higher percentage of males: 55.8%. Statistically significant correlations were found for total cholesterol and skeleton total (r = −0.249; p = 0.029), foveal avascular zone (FAZ), circularity and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (r = 0.313; p = 0.006), non-flow area (NFA) and LDL (r = 0.233; p = 0.042), and vascular flow area (VFA) and LDL (r = −0.354; p = 0.002). Conclusions: Subjects with dyslipidemia and progressive hypertensive retinopathy had a reduction in microvascular density and vascular flow, a focal capillary non-perfusion, and an increased FAZ. Thus, by improving the A.I. system, our research aims to provide better OCTA monitoring, which could help in the early-stage detection of progression and development of A.I. screening programs, leading to increased efficiency in diagnosing patients.