bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immune microenvironment changes of liver cirrhosis: emerging role of mesenchymal stromal cells
Authors: Yi Qiuyun , Yang Jinxian , Wu Ying , Wang Ying , Cao Qiqi , Wen Wen
Published: July 2023

Cirrhosis is a progressive and diffuse liver disease characterized by liver tissue fibrosis and impaired liver function. This condition is brought about by several factors, including chronic hepatitis, hepatic steatosis, alcohol abuse, and other immunological injuries. The pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis is a complex process that involves the interaction of various immune cells and cytokines, which work together to create the hepatic homeostasis imbalance in the liver. Some studies have indicated that alterations in the immune microenvironment of liver cirrhosis are closely linked to the development and prognosis of the disease. The noteworthy function of mesenchymal stem cells and their paracrine secretion lies in their ability to promote the production of cytokines, which in turn enhance the self-repairing capabilities of tissues. The objective of this review is to provide a summary of the alterations in liver homeostasis and to discuss intercellular communication within the organ. Recent research on MSCs is yielding a blueprint for cell typing and biomarker immunoregulation. Hopefully, as MSCs researches continue to progress, novel therapeutic approaches will emerge to address cirrhosis.
Scratching the structure of moral agency: insights from philosophy applied to neuroscience
Authors: Castro-Toledo Francisco Javier , Cerezo Pablo , Gómez-Bellvís Ana Belén
Published: July 2023

This paper explores the intersection between neuroscience and philosophy, particularly in the areas of moral philosophy and philosophy of mind. While traditional philosophical questions, such as those relating to free will and moral motivation, have been subject to much debate, the rise of neuroscience has led to a reinterpretation of these questions considering empirical evidence. This has led to tensions between those who believe neuroscience can provide definitive answers to very complex philosophical questions and those who are skeptical about the scope of these studies. However, the paper argues that neuroscientists and philosophers can work together to generate major scientific and social advances. To contribute to bridge the gap, in this paper we expose the complexity of moral experience from a philosophical point of view and point to two great challenges and gaps to cover from neurosciences.
Brain but not serum BDNF levels are associated with structural alterations in the hippocampal regions in patients with drug-resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Filimonova Elena A. , Pashkov Anton A. , Moysak Galina I. , Tropynina Anastasia Y. , Zhanaeva Svetlana Y. , Shvaikovskaya Anna A. , Akopyan Anna A. , Danilenko Konstantin V. , Aftanas Lyubomir I. , Tikhonova Maria A. , Rzaev Jamil A.
Published: July 2023

Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy is the most common type of focal epilepsy, imposing a significant burden on the health care system worldwide. Approximately one-third of patients with this disease who do not adequately respond to pharmacotherapy are considered drug-resistant subjects. Despite having some clues of how such epileptic activity and resistance to therapy emerge, coming mainly from preclinical models, we still witness a scarcity of human data. To narrow this gap, in this study, we aimed to estimate the relationship between hippocampal and serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), one of the main and most widely studied neurotrophins, and hippocampal subfield volumes in patients with drug-resistant mesial temporal epilepsy undergoing neurosurgical treatment. We found that hippocampal (but not serum) BDNF levels were negatively correlated with the contralateral volumes of the CA1 and CA4 subfields, presubiculum, subiculum, dentate gyrus, and molecular layer of the hippocampus. Taken together, these findings are generally in accordance with existing data, arguing for a proepileptic nature of BDNF effects in the hippocampus and related brain structures.
Transcriptome analysis of sugar and acid metabolism in young tomato fruits under high temperature and nitrogen fertilizer influence
Authors: Zheng Yanjiao , Yang Zaiqiang , Luo Jing , Zhang Yao , Jiang Nan , Khattak Wajid Ali
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Environmental temperature and nitrogen (N) fertilizer are two important factors affecting the sugar and organic acid content of tomato fruit. N is an essential nutrient element for plant growth and development, and plays a key role in regulating plant growth, fruit quality and stress response. However, the comparative effect of different N fertilizer levels on the accumulation of soluble sugar and organic acid in tomato young fruit under high temperature stress and its mechanism are still unknown.

Methods

Three N fertilizer levels (N1, N2, N3) combined with two temperatures (28/18°C, CK; 35/25°C, HT) were used to study the effects of N fertilizer, HT and their interaction on the soluble sugar and organic acid components, content, metabolic enzyme activity and the expression level of key genes in tomato young fruit, revealing how N fertilizer affects the sugar and organic acid metabolism of tomato young fruit under HT at physiological and molecular levels.

Results

The content of soluble sugar and organic acid in tomato young fruit under HT exposure was increased by appropriate N fertilizer (N1) treatment, which was due to the accumulation of glucose, fructose, citric acid and malic acid. High N (N3) and HT exposure had a negative impact on soluble sugar and reduce sugar accumulation. Further studies showed that due to the up-regulation of the expression of sucrose metabolizing enzyme genes (CWINV2, HK2, SPS, PK) and sucrose transporter (SUT1, SUT4, SWEETs) in tomato, N fertilizer increased the accumulation of soluble sugar by improving the sucrose metabolism, absorption intensity and sucrose transport of fruit under HT exposure. Due to the increase of PEPC gene expression, N fertilizer increased the accumulation of citric acid and malic acid by improving the TCA cycle of fruit under HT exposure.

Discussion

Nitrogen fertilizer can improve the heat tolerance of tomato young fruits by improving sugar metabolism under HT exposure. The results can provide theoretical support for the correct application of N fertilizer to improve the quality of tomato fruit under HT exposure.
Children’s lived experience and perceptions of community members’ influence on their schooling: a study in Uganda
Authors: Balikoowa Richard , Ojiambo Deborah , Emuron Lydia , Siu Godfrey , Mbabazi-Mpyangu Christine , Kikooma Julius Fred , Mugambwa Joshua , Nuwagaba Rachael Daphine , Baluku Martin M. , Onen David
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Global and national initiatives have successfully increased access to public education in low- and middle-income countries. However, many students in rural regions in these countries have high rates of absenteeism and drop-out, and low levels of academic engagement. Together, these significantly limit children’s academic performance and achievement. One strategy that addresses these barriers seeks to engage members of the wider local community in schools. Most previous research focuses on adults’ perspectives even though the potential benefit of community engagement is greatest when learners perceive it to be positive. Past research has also focused on community members structured engagement in activities within schools. This research provides a wider exploration of children’s lived experience and perceptions concerning community members’ influence on their schooling and learning. The aim was to gain a rich picture of how primary school students in rural Uganda perceive that community members’ behavior helps or hinders their education.

Methods

Qualitative data from students 10 to 13 years of age were collected through individual interviews that used the draw-and-talk technique (n= 20) and four focus group discussions.

Results

Seven broad categories of community members’ actions were perceived to be positive (conflict resolution; supporting students’ physical well-being; encouraging learning and positive behavior; reducing truancy; providing food and financial support; collective community work; and political representation). Four categories of community members’ actions were perceived to have a negative influence (creating barriers to attending school; noise and other distractions; insecurity; and theft and vandalism).

Discussion

We conclude that carefully structured community involvement in schooling may improve the emotional and material support that facilitates students’ continued school attendance and their motivation for learning. However, we also identify some limits on the role that local communities may be able to play in overcoming the challenges facing education in low- and middle-income countries.
The clustering of multiple health and lifestyle behaviors among Swedish adolescents: a person-oriented analysis
Authors: Jonsson Kenisha Russell , Corell Maria , Löfstedt Petra , Adjei Nicholas Kofi
Published: July 2023

Background

Knowledge of the distribution, prevalence, and clustering of multiple health and lifestyle related behaviors (HLBs) among adolescents can inform the development of effective health-promoting policies and interventions. We assessed the clustering of multiple HLBs among 11, 13 and 15-year-old Swedish adolescents and examined the socioeconomic and demographic correlates for the identified clusters.

Methods

We used data from the 2017/2018 Swedish Health Behaviour in School-aged children (HBSC) study to conduct sex and age-stratified latent class analysis (LCA). The LCA was based on five HLBs: eating behavior and habits (EBH), physical activity (PA), tobacco usage (TU), alcohol consumption (AC) and sleeping habits and patterns (SHPs). Multinomial logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between the identified clusters and the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of adolescents and their parents.

Results

Health behaviors varied by sex and age. Four distinct clusters were identified based on sex: cluster 1 (Mixed eating behaviors and habits, physical activity and low alcohol consumption), cluster 2 (Healthy lifestyle behaviors), cluster 3 (Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors), and cluster 4 (Breakfast, low alcohol consumption and tobacco usage). In the age-stratified analyzes, three clusters were identified: cluster 1 (Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors), cluster 2 (Moderately healthy lifestyle behaviors) and cluster 3 (Healthy lifestyle behaviors). The multinomial analysis showed that sex, age, family situation and perceived family wealth were strong predictors of health behaviors. Unhealthy behaviors were most commonly associated with socioeconomic disadvantage, having a migrant background, and living in reconstructed families or single-parent households.

Conclusion

Health behaviors vary significantly based on socioeconomic and demographic circumstances. Targeted policies and intervention programs are necessary to improve HLBs among vulnerable and at-risk adolescents.
Identify travel and health factors influencing well-being of the older adults–a case study in China
Authors: Zhu Yi , Zhu Qian , Ma Yongfeng , Chen Shuyan , Meng Hongcheng , Zubair Muhammad
Published: July 2023

Objective

With the increase in aging populations worldwide, the travel well-being of the elders has gained attention. The objective of this study is to examine the nonlinear relationships between the well-being of the older people in China and factors associated with travel and health.

Method

Based on the data collected in China, combined embedded feature selection and decision tree built by Gini index were utilized to screen for influential factors and to determine the importance of the features selected. Tamhane’s T2 was used to study the differences in the important factors among older people with different levels of travel well-being.

Results

This study found that the travel well-being of older adults depends mainly on accessibility to public places, such as schools and medical facilities, and the availability of bus services. Out of expectation, the most important influential factor of travel well-being of older people is the distance from home to high school. This is related to the traditional Chinese concept of education. In addition, it was found that the body mass index is more important than self-perceived health as an influence factor of travel well-being of the elders in China. Social skills are important factors too.

Conclusion

This study investigated various health-related and travel-related factors and their impacts on the travel well-being of older adults Chinese with the overall goal to improve the quality of life of the elders in China. The findings may provide a theoretical basis for the implementation of various transportation management and urban planning and design -related policies to improve the travel well-being of older adults in China.
Evaluation of Bio-Friendly Formulations from Siderophore-Producing Fluorescent Pseudomonas as Biocontrol Agents for the Management of Soil-Borne Fungi, Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani
Authors: Abo-Zaid Gaber Attia , Abdullah Ahmed Salah , Soliman Nadia Abdel-Mohsen , El-Sharouny Ebaa Ebrahim , Al-Askar Abdulaziz A. , Su Yiming , Abdelkhalek Ahmed , Sabry Soraya Abdel-Fattah
Published: July 2023

Secretion of siderophores by Pseudomonas aeruginosa F2 and P. fluorescens JY3 was evaluated on chrome azurol S (CAS) agar plates and their inhibitory effect was inspected against Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani. Production of siderophores as biocontrol agents from F2 and JY3 was accomplished in two optimized media. Afterward, cell-free supernatants of the bacterial cultures containing siderophores were used for the preparation of two bio-friendly formulations for the management of F. oxysporum and R. solani under greenhouse conditions. The investigated bacterial isolates, F2 and JY3, showed antagonistic activity in vitro against F. oxysporum and R. solani and produced siderophores in optimized media with high efficiency. Colonies of both bacterial isolates were grown exponentially with a constant specific growth rate of 0.07 h−1 and 0.27 h−1, correspondingly. Siderophores estimated in 10 µL reached their highest value of 16.95% at 47 h and 19.5% at 48 h for isolate F2 and JY3, respectively. Formulations of siderophore-generating F2 and JY3 reduced damping-off caused by F. oxysporum by 40% and 80%, while the reduction percentage of damping-off caused by R. solani reached 87.5% and 62.5%, correspondingly. Moreover, both formulations encouraged the growing of wheat plants where the fresh and dry weight of shoots and roots were increased compared to the treatment with each fungus. In conclusion, bio-friendly formulations resulting from this investigation can play an active role in managing soil-borne diseases.
A Mobile Laboratory Robot for Various and Precise Measurements of Crops and Soil in Agricultural Fields: Development and Pilot Study
Authors: Noda Shintaro , Miyake Yasunari , Nakano Yuka , Kogoshi Masayuki , Iijima Wataru , Nakagawa Junichi
Published: July 2023

Localized management based on multipoint measurements of crops and soil is expected to improve agricultural productivity. The difficulties with this process are as follows: it is time-consuming due to the many measurement points; it requires various sensors for various measurements; it can lead to unstable measurements due to sunlight and wind. To solve the above issues, the system we propose has the advantages of efficient measurements performed by a robot, various measurements performed through exchangeable sensor units, and stable measurements through protecting the crop from sunlight and wind. As a pilot study for the system, we conducted an experiment to simultaneously measure the crops and soil in a cabbage field. The robot achieved mobility in the field, >4 h of operation time, and the ability to obtain soil electrical conductivity measurements and crop imaging at 100 points. Furthermore, the stability of the measurement conditions within the sensor unit during the experiment was evaluated. Compared to the case without the covering, the illuminance became 280-fold stabler (standard deviation = 0.4 lx), and the wind-induced crop shaking became 20-fold lower (root mean square error of the image pixels = 0.5%). The potential impacts of this research include high reproducibility because of the shareable sensor unit and the expectation of new discoveries using precise indoor sensors.
Time to Step Up Conservation: Climate Change Will Further Reduce the Suitable Habitats for the Vulnerable Species Marbled Polecat (Vormela peregusna)
Authors: Cheng Xiaotian , Han Yamin , Lin Jun , Jiang Fan , Cai Qi , Shi Yong , Cui Dongyang , Wen Xuanye
Published: July 2023

Habitat loss and human threats are putting the marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna) on the brink of extinction. Numerous recent studies have found that climate change will further deteriorate the living environment of endangered species, leading to their eventual extinction. In this study, we used the results of infrared camera surveys in China and worldwide distribution data to construct an ensemble model consisting of 10 commonly used ecological niche models to specify potential suitable habitat areas for V. peregusna under current conditions with similar environments to the sighting record sites. Changes in the suitable habitat for V. peregusna under future climate change scenarios were simulated using mid-century (2050s) and the end of the century (2090s) climate scenarios provided by the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6). We evaluated the accuracy of the model to obtain the environmental probability values (cutoff) of the V. peregusna distribution, the current distribution of suitable habitats, and future changes in moderately and highly suitable habitat areas. The results showed that the general linear model (GLM) was the best single model for predicting suitable habitats for V. peregusna, and the kappa coefficient, area under the curve (AUC), and true skill statistic (TSS) of the ensemble model all exceeded 0.9, reflecting greater accuracy and stability than single models. Under the current conditions, the area of suitable habitat for V. peregusna reached 3935.92 × 104 km2, suggesting a wide distribution range. In the future, climate change is predicted to severely affect the distribution of V. peregusna and substantially reduce the area of suitable habitats for the species, with 11.91 to 33.55% of moderately and highly suitable habitat areas no longer suitable for the survival of V. peregusna. This shift poses an extremely serious challenge to the conservation of this species. We suggest that attention be given to this problem in Europe, especially the countries surrounding the Black Sea, Asia, China, and Mongolia, and that measures be taken, such as regular monitoring and designating protected areas for the conservation of vulnerable animals.
Top-Down Effect of Arthropod Predator Chinese Mitten Crab on Freshwater Nutrient Cycling
Authors: Wang Lin , Liu Hongjun , Carvalho Francisco , Chen Yunru , Lai Linshiyu , Ge Jiachun , Tian Xingjun , Luo Yunchao
Published: July 2023

Aquatic litter decomposition is highly dependent on contributions and interactions at different trophic levels. The invasion of alien aquatic organisms like the channeled apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) might lead to changes in the decomposition process through new species interactions in the invaded wetland. However, it is not clear how aquatic macroinvertebrate predators like the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) will affect the nutrient cycle in freshwater ecosystems in the face of new benthic invasion. We used the litter bag method to explore the top-down effect of crabs on the freshwater nutrient cycle with the help of soil zymography (a technology previously used in terrestrial ecosystems). The results showed significant feeding effects of crabs and snails on lotus leaf litter and cotton strips. Crabs significantly inhibited the intake of lotus litter and cotton strips and the ability to transform the environment of snails by predation. Crabs promoted the decomposition of various litter substrates by affecting the microbial community structure in the sediment. These results suggest that arthropod predators increase the complexity of detrital food webs through direct and indirect interactions, and consequently have an important impact on the material cycle and stability of freshwater ecosystems. This top-down effect makes macrobenthos play a key role in the biological control and engineering construction of freshwater ecosystems.
Improving Forest Detection Using Machine Learning and Remote Sensing: A Case Study in Southeastern Serbia
Authors: Potić Ivan , Srdić Zoran , Vakanjac Boris , Bakrač Saša , Đorđević Dejan , Banković Radoje , Jovanović Jasmina M.
Published: July 2023

Vegetation plays an active role in ecosystem dynamics, and monitoring its patterns and changes is vital for effective environmental resource management. This study explores the possibility of machine learning techniques and remote sensing data to improve the accuracy of forest detection. The research focuses on the southeastern part of the Republic of Serbia as a case study area, using Sentinel-2 multispectral bands. The study employs publicly accessible satellite data and incorporates different vegetation indices to improve classification accuracy. The main objective is to examine the practicability of expanding the input parameters for forest detection using a machine learning approach. The classification process is performed by employing support vector machines (SVM) algorithm and utilising the SVM module in the scikit-learn package. The results demonstrate that including vegetation indices alongside the multispectral bands significantly improves the accuracy of vegetation detection. A comprehensive assessment reveals an overall classification accuracy of up to 99.01% when the selected vegetation indices (MCARI, RENDVI, NDI45, GNDVI, NDII) are combined with the Sentinel-2 bands. This research highlights the potential of machine learning and remote sensing in forest detection and monitoring. The findings underscore the importance of incorporating vegetation indices to enhance classification accuracy using the Python programming language. The study’s outcomes provide valuable insights for environmental resource management and decision-making processes, particularly in regions with diverse forest ecosystems.
Secure Application of MIoT: Privacy-Preserving Solution for Online English Education Platforms
Authors: Yin Jiming , Cui Jie
Published: July 2023

With the increasing demand for higher-quality services, online English education platforms have gained significant attention. However, practical application of the Mobile Internet of Things (MIoT) still faces various challenges, including communication security, availability, scalability, etc. These challenges directly impact the utilization of online English education platforms. The dynamic and evolving nature of the topology characteristics in Mobile Internet of Things networks adds complexity to addressing these issues. To overcome these challenges, we propose a software-defined MIoT model that effectively handles the dynamic and evolving network topology features, thereby enhancing the system’s flexibility and adaptability. Additionally, our model can provide communication security and privacy protection, particularly in emergency situations. In our scheme, the control plane is responsible for computing routes for online learning devices (OLDs) and forward entries for switches. By utilizing the information collected from OLDs and facilities, the controller is able to effectively coordinate the overall system. To ensure the authenticity and reliability of messages sent by OLDs, we have proposed a new signature and authentication mechanism based on traditional encryption algorithms. Moreover, we introduce an emergency-handling system that integrates multicast technology into software-defined MIoT, generating a Steiner Tree among impacted nodes to promptly notify OLDs when there is an emergency. The security analysis proves that our scheme is able to ensure communication security in software-defined MIoT. A performance evaluation indicates that our scheme outperforms other existing schemes.
Approaches for Dealing with Seasonality in Clinical Prediction Models for Infections
Authors: Cánovas-Segura Bernardo , Morales Antonio , Juarez Jose M. , Campos Manuel
Published: July 2023

The quantitative effect of seasonality on the prevalence of infectious diseases has been widely studied in epidemiological models. However, its influence in clinical prediction models has not been analyzed in great depth. In this work, we study the different approaches that can be employed to deal with seasonality when using white-box models related to infections, including two new proposals based on sliding windows and ensembles. We additionally consider the effects of class imbalance and high dimensionality, as they are common problems that must be confronted when building clinical prediction models. These approaches were tested with four datasets: two created synthetically and two extracted from the MIMIC-III database. Our proposed methods obtained the best results in the majority of the experiments, although traditional approaches attained good results in certain cases. On the whole, our results corroborate the theory that clinical prediction models for infections can be improved by considering the effect of seasonality, although the techniques employed to obtain the best results are highly dependent on both the dataset and the modeling technique considered.
Influence of Virtual Reality on User Evaluation of Prototypes in the Development Process—A Comparative Study with Control Rooms for Onshore Drilling Rigs
Authors: Hinricher Niels , König Simon , Schröer Chris , Backhaus Claus
Published: July 2023

User evaluations of prototypes in virtual reality (VR) offer high potential for products that require resource-intensive prototype construction, such as drilling rigs. This study examined whether the user evaluation of a VR prototype for controlling an onshore drilling rigproduces results comparable to an evaluation in the real world. Using a between-subject design, 16 drilling experts tested a prototype in VR and reality. The experts performed three different work processes and evaluated their satisfaction based on task performance, user experience, and usability via standardized questionnaires. A test leader evaluated the effectiveness of the work process execution using a 3-level rating scheme. The number of user interactions and time on task were recorded. There were no significant differences in the effectiveness, number of interactions required, perceived usability, and satisfaction with respect to task performance. In VR, the drilling experts took significantly more time to complete tasks and rated the efficiency of the VR prototype significantly higher. Overall, the real-world evaluation provided more insights into prototype optimization. Nevertheless, several usability issues have been identified in VR. Therefore, user evaluations in VR are particularly suitable in the early development phases to identify usability issues, without the need to produce real prototypes.
A Novel Digitized Method for the Design and Additive Manufacturing of Orthodontic Space Maintainers
Authors: Tamburrino Francesco , Chiocca Andrea , Aruanno Beatrice , Paoli Alessandro , Lardani Lisa , Carli Elisabetta , Derchi Giacomo , Giuca Maria Rita , Razionale Armando V. , Barone Sandro
Published: July 2023

Primary dentition is crucial in influencing the emergence of permanent teeth. Premature primary tooth loss can result in undesired tooth motions and space loss in the permanent dentition. Typically, fixed or removable dental appliances are adopted to maintain edentulous space until the eruption of permanent teeth. However, traditional space maintainers have limitations in terms of variability in tooth anatomy, potential allergic reactions in some individuals (i.e., nickel sensitivity), difficulties in maintaining oral hygiene, and patient acceptance. The present study introduces a fully digital framework for the design and manufacturing of customized pediatric unilateral space maintainers using generative algorithms. The proposed approach overcomes the current challenges by using a biocompatible resin material and optimizing the device’s size, design, and color. The methodology involves intraoral scanning, surface selection, and trim, generative 3D modeling, finite element analysis (FEA), and additive manufacturing (AM) through vat photopolymerization. FEA results demonstrate the device’s mechanical performance and reliability, while additive manufacturing ensures design freedom, high resolution, surface finishing, dimensional accuracy, and proper fit. The mechanical interlocking system facilitates easy and effective positioning of the device. This digital approach offers the potential for wider usage of space maintainers and can be further validated through experimental assessments and clinical studies.
Essential Oils: Chemistry and Pharmacological Activities
Authors: de Sousa Damião P. , Damasceno Renan Oliveira S. , Amorati Riccardo , Elshabrawy Hatem A. , de Castro Ricardo D. , Bezerra Daniel P. , Nunes Vitória Regina V. , Gomes Rebeca C. , Lima Tamires C.
Published: July 2023

In this review, we provide an overview of the current understanding of the main mechanisms of pharmacological action of essential oils and their components in various biological systems. A brief introduction on essential oil chemistry is presented to better understand the relationship of chemical aspects with the bioactivity of these products. Next, the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antimicrobial activities are discussed. The mechanisms of action against various types of viruses are also addressed. The data show that the multiplicity of pharmacological properties of essential oils occurs due to the chemical diversity in their composition and their ability to interfere with biological processes at cellular and multicellular levels via interaction with various biological targets. Therefore, these natural products can be a promising source for the development of new drugs.
A Simple ICT-Based Fluorescent Probe for HOCl and Bioimaging Applications
Authors: Zheng Yan , Wu Shuang , Bing Yifan , Li Huimin , Liu Xueqin , Li Wenlan , Zou Xiang , Qu Zhongyuan
Published: July 2023

Over the past few decades, drug-induced liver damage (DILI) has become a serious public health problem due to drug abuse. Among multifarious reactive oxygen species, mounting evidence attests that ClO− has been used as a potential biomarker in DILI. In this work, a new “turn-on” fluorescent probe 1 was designed and synthesized by modifying 4′-hydroxybiphenyl-4-carbonitrile (dye 2) with N, N-dimethylthiocarbamate as a response site for detecting ClO−. Probe 1 displayed a low detection limit (72 nM), fast response time (30 s), wide pH operating range (6–8), great tissue penetration, large Stokes shift (125 nm) and 291-fold fluorescence enhancement at 475 nm in the mapping of ClO−. Probe 1 could trace amounts of exogenous and endogenous ClO− with high sensitivity in MCF-7 cells and HeLa cells. Expectantly, the fluoxetine-induced liver injury model is successfully established, and probe 1 has been used for detecting the fluctuation of ClO− levels in the mouse model of fluoxetine-induced liver injury. All in all, probe 1 with its high specificity, good biological compatibility and liver tissue penetration ability is expected to assist with the early diagnosis of DILI and the clinical screening of various new drugs. We expect that probe 1 could be efficiently used as a powerful molecular tool to predict clinical DILI and explore molecular mechanisms between molecules and disease.
Impulsivity and Alcohol Use during Pregnancy and Postpartum: Insights from Novel Methodological Approaches within the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Ruyak Sharon L. , Roberts Melissa H. , Chambers Stephanie , Ma Xingya , DiDomenico Jared , De La Garza Richard , Bakhireva Ludmila N.
Published: July 2023

Impaired emotion regulation and impulsivity have been linked to substance use. This study evaluated the association between emotion regulation difficulties—specifically impulsivity—and substance use within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic among pregnant (n = 49) and postpartum (n = 20) women. Participants from a prospective cohort ENRICH-2 completed a baseline phone survey of COVID-19-related experiences and impulsivity followed by a 14-day (3x/day) mobile ecological momentary assessment (mEMA) of impulsivity and substance use. Between-subject (BS) and within-subject (WS) associations for baseline impulsivity and momentary impulsivity with respect to substance use were examined using mixed effects models. At the BS level, momentary impulsivity scores that were higher than the overall group average were positively associated with subsequent momentary reports of marijuana use (β = 1.25; p = 0.04) when controlling for pregnancy status and COVID-19-related stress. At the WS level, momentary impulsivity scores that were higher than an individual’s average score were positively associated with subsequent reports of momentary alcohol use (β = 0.08; p = 0.04). This research supports the idea that impulsivity varies based on individual situations, such as stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, and may be an important correlate of substance use in pregnant and postpartum women. Future research might consider investigation of additional factors, which may serve to moderate or mediate the relationship between impulsivity and substance use.
Mitigating Co Metal Particle Agglomeration and Enhancing ORR Catalytic Activity through Nitrogen-Enriched Porous Carbon Derived from Biomass
Authors: Wu Yanling , Hou Qinggao , Li Fangzhou , Sang Yuanhua , Hao Mengyang , Tang Xi , Qiu Fangyuan , Zhang Haijun
Published: July 2023

Biomass-derived porous carbon has gained significant attention as a cost-effective and sustainable material in non-noble metal carbon-based electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, during the preparation of transition metal catalysts based on biomass-derived porous carbon, the agglomeration of transition metal atoms often occurs, leading to a notable decline in catalytic activity. In this study, we present a straightforward synthetic approach for the preparation of nitrogen-enriched soybean-derived porous carbon (Co@SP-C-a) as an electrocatalyst for the ORR. To achieve this, we employed a two-step method. In the first step, a chemical activator (KCl) was utilized to enhance the porosity of the self-doped nitrogen biomass carbon material. In the second step, a constant pressure drop funnel technique was employed to uniformly disperse bimetal cobalt/zinc-based zeolitic imidazolium frameworks (ZIF-L and ZIF-67) containing different metal ions (Zn2+ and Co2+) into the activated biomass carbon material. Subsequent high-temperature calcination of the ZIF-L and ZIF-67@SP-C-a composite precursor yielded the Co@SP-C-a catalyst. The obtained catalyst exhibited remarkable ORR activity in an alkaline solution (Eonset = 0.89 V, E1/2 = 0.83 V, JL = −6.13 mA·cm−2) and exceptional long-term stability. This study presents an effective strategy to prevent the agglomeration of metal nanoparticles when integrating them with biomass-based carbon materials, thus leading to enhanced catalytic performance.
Research on the Application of Domestic High-Modulus Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Composites to Solar Panels for Solar Arrays
Authors: Yang Shuli , Shao Limin , Ma Jingya , Ren Shouzhi , Chen Yunshuai
Published: July 2023

Based on the new high-modulus carbon fiber CCM40J-6k, which is the critical raw material of a solar panel, the molding process of a mesh face sheet combined with epoxy resin, the overall mechanical performance of a mesh face sheet combined with aluminum honeycomb, the compatibility with polyimide insulation film + solar cell circuit, and the space environment adaptability must pass a test verification and assessment as the premise for large-scale orbit applications. Therefore, based on the traditional carbon fiber M40JB-6k as a reference, a systematic verification project was conducted to apply the CCM40J-6k carbon fiber composite at the process, component, and assembly levels. Six aspects of testing and verifying items were conducted, including mechanical properties under room temperature and thermal shock conditions, bonding force of mesh nodes, comparison of the adaptability of domestic and imported carbon fiber substrates to high–low temperature alternation, the ability of domestic carbon fiber substrates to adapt to the thermal environment after laying solar cell circuits, and in-orbit lifespan of solar panels. Based on the verification results, the mechanical properties of the substrate are the same as those of the imported M40JB-6k, and the actual molding process for M40JB-6k can be utilized. Sample pieces of the substrates can withstand the thermal shock and thermal cycling tests. The bending stiffness of the sample pieces before and after the tests is 3.5%~9.6% higher, and the bending strength is 4.2%~7.2% lower. The tensile strength of mesh nodes made of domestic carbon fiber is 18.9% higher than that of mesh nodes made of imported carbon fiber. The CCM40J-6k substrate is similar to triple-junction GaAs solar cells. The change rates of the open-circuit voltage and the short-circuit current of solar panels based on domestic carbon fiber after fatigue thermal cycling with 2070 cycles are 0.55% and 0.24%, respectively. The above results indicate that the comprehensive performance of the domestic carbon fiber CCM40J-6k meets the requirements and can be applied to solar panels for solar arrays.
Improvement of Microstructure and Sliding Wear Property of Cold-Sprayed FeAl Intermetallic Compound Coating by Annealing Treatment
Authors: Wang Hongtao , An Fenghui , Bai Xiaobo , Yao Hailong , Zhang Mengxian , Chen Qinyu , Ji Gangchang , Ramachandran Chidambaram Seshadri
Published: July 2023

Nanograin Fe(Al) solid solution alloy coating was firstly produced through cold-spraying technology using mechanically alloyed powder. Then, the above-mentioned coating was annealed at different temperatures to explore its influence on the phase constitution, microstructure, microhardness and dry sliding wear property of the coatings. Results exhibited that an FeAl phase appeared in the coatings after 500 °C treatment and remained stable with increasing annealing temperature. The annealing temperature had a considerable effect on the microstructure, microhardness and wear behavior of the FeAl coating. The existing laminated structure in the as-sprayed coating gradually faded away with increasing temperature and finally obtained a dense coating microstructure with no particle interface when annealed above 950 °C. Nanograin began to evidently grow at temperatures over 800 °C. The microhardness of the FeAl coating stayed at 400 Hv0.1 at temperatures below 800 °C, then it quickly dropped to 300 Hv0.1 at 950 °C and remained nearly unchangeable up to 1100 °C. The dry sliding wear mechanism of the FeAl coating annealed at low temperatures below 700 °C was mainly delamination of the oxide layer and showed a high wear rate within the order of magnitude range of 10−4, whereas FeAl coatings annealed at high temperatures above 950 °C were worn by microploughing and little oxidation and exhibited very low wear rates within the order of magnitude range of 10−6.
Structure–Property Correlation between Friction-Welded Work and Hardened Al-4.9Mg Alloy Joints
Authors: Mahajan Aditya M. , Krishna K. Vamsi , Quamar M. J. , Rehman Ateekh Ur , Bandi Bharath , Babu N. Kishore
Published: July 2023

Friction welding of aluminum alloys holds immense potential for replacing riveted joints in the structural sections of the aeronautical and automotive sectors. This research aims to investigate the effects on the microstructural and mechanical properties when AA5083 H116 joints are subjected to rotary friction welding. To evaluate the quality of the welds, optical and scanning electron microanalysis techniques were utilized, revealing the formation of sound welds without porosity. The microstructural examination revealed distinct weld zones within the weldment, including the dynamically recrystallized zone (DRZ), thermo-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ), heat-affected zone (HAZ), and base metal (BM). During the friction-welding process, grain refinement occurred, leading to the development of fine equiaxed grains in the DRZ/weld zone. Tensile testing revealed that the weldment exhibited higher strength (YS: 301 ± 6 MPa; UTS: 425 ± 7 MPa) in the BM region compared to the base metal (YS: 207 ± 5 MPa; UTS: 385 ± 9 MPa). However, the weldment demonstrated slightly lower elongation (%El: 13 ± 2) compared to the base metal (%El: 15 ± 3). The decrease in ductility observed in the weldment can be attributed to the presence of distinct weld zones within the welded sample. Also, the tensile graph of the BM showed serrations throughout the curve, which is a characteristic phenomenon known as the Portevin–Le Chatelier effect (serrated yielding) in Al-Mg alloys. This effect occurs due to the influence of dynamic strain aging on the material’s macroscopic plastic deformation. Fractography analysis showcased a wide range of dimple sizes, indicating a ductile fracture mode in the weldment. These findings contribute to understanding the microstructural and mechanical behavior of AA5083 H116 joints subjected to rotary friction welding.
Molecular Mechanisms of Cutaneous Immune-Related Adverse Events (irAEs) Induced by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Authors: Teng Yi-Shan , Yu Sebastian
Published: July 2023

Over the past few decades, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have emerged as promising therapeutic options for the treatment of various cancers. These novel treatments effectively target key mediators of immune checkpoint pathways. Currently, ICIs primarily consist of monoclonal antibodies that specifically block cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), and lymphocyte activation gene 3 protein (LAG-3). Despite the notable efficacy of ICIs in cancer treatment, they can also trigger immune-related adverse events (irAEs), which present as autoimmune-like or inflammatory conditions. IrAEs have the potential to affect multiple organ systems, with cutaneous toxicities being the most commonly observed. Although cutaneous irAEs are typically of low-grade severity and can usually be managed effectively, there are cases where severe irAEs can become life-threatening. Therefore, early recognition and a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying cutaneous irAEs are crucial for improving clinical outcomes in cancer patients. However, the precise pathogenesis of cutaneous irAEs remains unclear. This review focuses on the skin manifestations induced by ICIs, the prognosis related to cutaneous irAEs, and the exploration of potential mechanisms involved in cutaneous irAEs.
Neurophysiology of Brain Networks Underlies Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease: A Basis for Diagnosis and Management
Authors: Acosta-Mejia Martha Teresa , Villalobos Nelson
Published: July 2023

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the leading neurodegenerative disorders. It is considered a movement disorder, although it is accepted that many nonmotor symptoms accompany the classic motor symptoms. PD exhibits heterogeneous and overlaying clinical symptoms, and the overlap of motor and nonmotor symptoms complicates the clinical diagnosis and management. Loss of modulation secondary to the absence of dopamine due to degeneration of the substantia nigra compacta produces changes in firing rates and patterns, oscillatory activity, and higher interneuronal synchronization in the basal ganglia–thalamus–cortex and nigrovagal network involvement in motor and nonmotor symptoms. These neurophysiological changes can be monitored by electrophysiological assessment. The purpose of this review was to summarize the results of neurophysiological changes, especially in the network oscillation in the beta-band level associated with parkinsonism, and to discuss the use of these methods to optimize the diagnosis and management of PD.
A Short-Text Similarity Model Combining Semantic and Syntactic Information
Authors: Zhou Ya , Li Cheng , Huang Guimin , Guo Qingkai , Li Hui , Wei Xiong
Published: July 2023

As one of the prominent research directions in the field of natural language processing (NLP), short-text similarity has been widely used in search recommendation and question-and-answer systems. Most of the existing short textual similarity models focus on considering semantic similarity while overlooking the importance of syntactic similarity. In this paper, we first propose an enhanced knowledge language representation model based on graph convolutional networks (KEBERT-GCN), which effectively uses fine-grained word relations in the knowledge base to assess semantic similarity and model the relationship between knowledge structure and text structure. To fully leverage the syntactic information of sentences, we also propose a computational model of constituency parse trees based on tree kernels (CPT-TK), which combines syntactic information, semantic features, and attentional weighting mechanisms to evaluate syntactic similarity. Finally, we propose a comprehensive model that integrates both semantic and syntactic information to comprehensively evaluate short-text similarity. The experimental results demonstrate that our proposed short-text similarity model outperforms the models proposed in recent years, achieving a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.8805 on the STS-B dataset.
Toxicity of an Emamectin Benzoate Microemulsion against Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and Its Effect on the Prevention of Pine Wilt Disease
Authors: Zhang Wanjun , Wu Xiaoqin , Ye Jianren , Li Changqiang , Hu Longjiao , Rui Lin , Zhang Yan , Shi Xiufeng , Wang Lei
Published: July 2023

(1) Pine wilt disease (PWD) is a devastating disease of pine forests caused by the pine wood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. Control of the disease is a worldwide problem due to the impossibility of using chemical nematicides on a large scale and for long periods. (2) Based on preliminary tests of microemulsion quality and stability, the optimum formulation was selected from 14 formulated microemulsions. The median lethal concentration (LC50) of the selected formulation at 48 h after treatment of B. xylophilus was 31.45 μg/mL of emamectin benzoate. The active ingredient reached the apical branches of Pinus thunbergii within 90 days of injection. (3) P. thunbergii was inoculated with B. xylophilus at 100 days post-injection, and the trees treated with the formulation remained uninfected for 450 days. Trunk injection exerted substantial control over PWD. (4) These results indicate that this formulation has the advantages of good transportability and long persistence in pine trees after injection and that it effectively prevents PWD. Therefore, this emamectin benzoate formulation can effectively reduce PWD occurrence in pine forests.