bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Personalized Secukinumab Treatment in Patients with Plaque Psoriasis Using Model-Informed Precision Dosing
Authors: Rodriguez-Fernandez Karine , Zarzoso-Foj Javier , Saez-Bello Marina , Mateu-Puchades Almudena , Martorell-Calatayud Antonio , Merino-Sanjuan Matilde , Gras-Colomer Elena , Climente-Marti Monica , Mangas-Sanjuan Victor
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: Patient care and control of inflammatory disorders, such as psoriasis, can be improved by model-informed precision dosing (MIPD) techniques based on population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) models. Clinical dose selection decisions based on MIPD strategies need to take account of the uncertainty associated with the individual PK/PD model parameters, which is determined by the quantity of individual observational data collected in clinical practice. Methods: The aim of this study was to propose an approach for personalized dosage regimens of secukinumab (SCK) in 22 Spanish patients with plaque psoriasis, whose severity level was considered moderate to severe, taking into account the uncertainty associated with individual parameters in a population-based PK/PD model. Results: The link between SCK serum concentrations and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores was explained using an indirect response model. A maximum inhibition (Imax) drug effect model was applied to limit the progression of psoriatic skin lesions within the turnover PD mechanism, which explains the changes in PASI scores during treatment. A first-order remission rate constant for psoriatic lesions (kout = 0.11 day−1) was estimated. Conclusions: According to the MIPD strategy, 50% of patients would require an optimized regimen and 14% would require an intensified dosage regimen in comparison to current clinical treatment. This research has shown its usefulness as a tool for choosing individualized SCK dosage regimens in patients with long-lasting plaque psoriasis to improve the probability of achieving satisfactory response levels.
A New Productivity Evaluation Method for Horizontal Wells in Offshore Low-Permeability Reservoir Based on Modified Theoretical Model
Authors: Li Li , Xie Mingying , Liu Weixin , Dai Jianwen , Feng Shasha , Luo Di , Wang Kun , Gao Yang , Huang Ruijie
Published: December 2024

In the early stages of offshore low-permeability oil field development, it is crucial to ascertain the productivity of production wells to select high-production, high-quality reservoirs, which affects the design of the development plan. Therefore, accurate evaluation of well productivity is essential. Drill Stem Testing (DST) is the only way to obtain the true productivity of offshore reservoirs, but conducting DST in offshore oilfields is extremely costly. This article introduces a novel productivity evaluation method for horizontal wells in offshore low-permeability reservoirs based on an improved theoretical model, which relieves the limitations of traditional methods. Firstly, a new horizontal well productivity evaluation theoretical model is derived, with the consideration of the effects of the threshold pressure gradient, stress sensitivity, skin factor, and formation heterogeneity on fluid flow in low-permeability reservoirs. Then, the productivity profiles are classified based on differences in the permeability distribution of horizontal well sections. Thirdly, the productivity evaluation equation is modified by calculating correction coefficients to maximize the model’s accuracy. Based on the overdetermined equation concepts and existing DST productivity data, the derived correction coefficients in this paper are x1 = 3.3182, x2 = 0.7720, and x3 = 1.0327. Finally, the proposed method is successfully applied in an offshore low-permeability reservoir with nine horizontal wells, increasing the productivity evaluation accuracy from 65.80% to 96.82% compared with the traditional Production Index (PI) method. This technology provides a novel approach to evaluating the productivity of horizontal wells in offshore low-permeability reservoirs.
Order, Identity, and the “New Self”: Reading Ephesians Through Social Representations Theory
Authors: Bowes William B.
Published: December 2024

Social representations theory (SRT) refers to an approach within social psychology focusing on systems of beliefs, concepts, and values that establish social order and allow for individuals and groups to identify and understand themselves vis-à-vis others. It involves the ascription of meaning to phenomena so that the unfamiliar is made familiar, and new concepts are integrated into existing worldviews in an ongoing process of constructing and interpreting social realities. This approach has not yet been applied to any biblical texts, and this article will explore how such an application would prove fruitful for understanding the processes of identification and community formation in early Christian groups, with a specific focus on Ephesians. This study will focus on how the concepts of reconciled differences (Eph 2.11–22) and of the “new self” (Eph 4.17–32) are communicated to the readers. Analyzing these concepts through SRT will elucidate how the author advocates for certain beliefs, concepts, and values as part of the community members’ process of aligning themselves with their newly created self. Reading Ephesians through SRT can better elucidate how the text reflects its enigmatic community, which was being formed and reformed through identification, division, and re-identification in the tumultuous second half of the first century.
A Basic Asymptotic Test for Value-at-Risk Subadditivity
Authors: Hofert Marius
Published: December 2024

An asymptotic hypothesis test for value-at-risk subadditivity is introduced and studied. The test is derived based on an equivalent formulation of the value-at-risk subadditivity inequality in terms of the distribution of the underlying risks’ sum. Its size is considered mathematically, and its power and p-value are studied empirically for different dependence structures, strength of dependence, marginal distributions, sample sizes, number of risks and value-at-risk confidence levels.
Mapping Cyber-Financial Risk Profiles: Implications for European Cybersecurity and Financial Literacy
Authors: Căciulescu Alexandru Răzvan , Rughiniș Răzvan , Țurcanu Dinu , Radovici Alexandru
Published: December 2024

This study investigates the landscape of cyber-financial risks across Europe by identifying distinct risk profiles based on financial literacy, digital comfort, and economic vulnerability. Utilizing data from the Flash Eurobarometer 525 survey, we employ K-means cluster analysis to categorize European citizens into five distinct cyber-financial risk profiles: Cyber-Savvy Pragmatists, Digital-Savvy Vulnerable individuals, Cautious Traditionalists, Comfortably Naive individuals, and Digitally Hesitant At-Risk individuals. Our findings show significant variations in risk profiles across demographic groups and European regions, with gender disparities and educational differences. We examine how self-perceived financial knowledge and financial decision-making patterns differ across these profiles, uncovering potential overconfidence in some groups that may exacerbate cyber-financial vulnerabilities. This study also explores regional distributions of risk profiles, highlighting areas of heightened cybersecurity concern across Europe. Our results indicate that cybersecurity strategies should be tailored to address the specific vulnerabilities of each risk profile, with particular attention to gender-based disparities and regional variations. This research contributes to a better understanding of cyber-financial risks in Europe and offers actionable information for policymakers, financial institutions, and cybersecurity professionals in developing targeted interventions to enhance digital financial security across diverse populations.
Surge Mechanisms of Garmo Glacier: Integrating Multi-Source Data for Insights into Acceleration and Hydrological Control
Authors: Wu Kunpeng , Feng Jing , Cheng Pingping , Bolch Tobias , Jiang Zongli , Liu Shiyin , Tahir Adnan Ahmad
Published: December 2024

Understanding the mechanisms of glacial surging is crucial, as surges can lead to severe hazards and significantly impact a glacier’s mass balance. We used various remote sensing data to investigate the surge of Garmo Glacier in the western Pamir. Our findings indicate that the glacier surged between 27 April and 30 September 2022, with peak speeds reaching 8.3 ± 0.03 m d−1. During April 2020 and September 2022, the receiving zone thickened by 37.9 ± 0.55 m, while the reservoir zone decreased by 35.2 ± 0.55 m on average. The velocity decomposition suggests that this meltwater gradually warmed the glacier bed, accelerating the glacier during the pre-surge phase. During the surge, substantial drainage events coincided with sharp deceleration, ultimately halting the surge and suggesting hydrological control. Extreme climate events may not immediately trigger glacial surges; they can substantially impact glacial surging processes over an extended period.
GLCANet: Global–Local Context Aggregation Network for Cropland Segmentation from Multi-Source Remote Sensing Images
Authors: Zhang Jinglin , Li Yuxia , Tong Zhonggui , He Lei , Zhang Mingheng , Niu Zhenye , He Haiping
Published: December 2024

Cropland is a fundamental basis for agricultural development and a prerequisite for ensuring food security. The segmentation and extraction of croplands using remote sensing images are important measures and prerequisites for detecting and protecting farmland. This study addresses the challenges of diverse image sources, multi-scale representations of cropland, and the confusion of features between croplands and other land types in large-area remote sensing image information extraction. To this end, a multi-source self-annotated dataset was developed using satellite images from GaoFen-2, GaoFen-7, and WorldView, which was integrated with public datasets GID and LoveDA to create the CRMS dataset. A novel semantic segmentation network, the Global–Local Context Aggregation Network (GLCANet), was proposed. This method integrates the Bilateral Feature Encoder (BFE) of CNNs and Transformers with a global–local information mining module (GLM) to enhance global context extraction and improve cropland separability. It also employs a multi-scale progressive upsampling structure (MPUS) to refine the accuracy of diverse arable land representations from multi-source imagery. To tackle the issue of inconsistent features within the cropland class, a loss function based on hard sample mining and multi-scale features was constructed. The experimental results demonstrate that GLCANet improves OA and mIoU by 3.2% and 2.6%, respectively, compared to the existing advanced networks on the CRMS dataset. Additionally, the proposed method also demonstrated high precision and practicality in segmenting large-area croplands in Chongzhou City, Sichuan Province, China.
Enhancing Efficiency in Trustless Cryptography: An Optimized SM9-Based Distributed Key Generation Scheme
Authors: Chen Jinhong , Zhou Xueguang , Fu Wei , Mao Yihuan
Published: December 2024

Intelligent systems are those in which behavior is determined by environmental inputs, and actions are taken to maximize the probability of achieving specific goals. Intelligent systems are widely applied across various fields, particularly in distributed intelligent systems. At the same time, due to the extensive interaction with user data, intelligent systems face significant challenges regarding security. This study proposes an optimized distributed key generation (DKG) scheme for identity-based cryptography (IBC) using the SM9 standard. Our scheme introduces a (t, n)-threshold system that functions without a trusted center, addressing the vulnerability of single points of failure in conventional key generation centers (KGCs). We reduce communication and computational demands by refining the Paillier share transformation protocol, ensuring efficient, centerless operations. The scheme’s security, validated in the existential unforgeability against adaptive chosen identity attacks (EUF-CIA) model, demonstrates its practical applicability and enhanced security for distributed intelligent systems.
The Influence of Polylactic Acid Filament Moisture Content on Dust Emissions in 3D Printing Process
Authors: Karwasz Anna , Osiński Filip , Kaczmarek Weronika , Furmaniak Kacper , Rojek Izabela
Published: December 2024

This paper presents the results of a study on the effect of moisture content in polylactic acid (PLA) filaments on dust emissions during incremental manufacturing. The tests were conducted in a customised chamber using a standard 3D printer, and Plantower PMS3003 sensors were used to monitor air quality by measuring PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations. The filament humidity levels tested were 0.18%, 0.61% and 0.83%. The results show that a higher moisture content in the filament significantly increases dust emissions. For dry filaments (0.18% humidity), the average dust emissions ranged from 159 to 378 µg/m3. Slightly humid filaments (0.61%) produced higher emissions, with averages between 59 and 905 µg/m3, with one outlier reaching up to 1610 µg/m3. For very humid filaments (0.83%), the highest average emissions were observed, ranging from 57 to 325 µg/m3, along with greater variability (standard deviation up to 198). These findings highlight that increased filament humidity correlates with elevated dust emissions and greater instability in emission levels, raising potential health concerns during 3D printing.
Toxicity Assessment of Molybdenum Nanooxide in Relation to Various Components of the Agroecosystem in a Model Experiment
Authors: Galaktionova Lyudmila , Vershinina Irina , Lebedev Svyatoslav
Published: December 2024

(1) Background: The rapid growth in the number of nanoparticles today raises questions about studying their impact on the environment, including the soil, as the main absorber of nanoparticles. The purpose of our research was to study the effect of MoO3 nanoparticles (NPs; 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg of soil) on the physiological and biochemical parameters of Eisenia fetida, the number of certain ecologo-trophic groups of soil microorganisms, and enzymatic soil activity. (2) Methods: We used 92 ± 0.3 nm nanoparticles of MoO3 at concentrations of 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg dry soil. Texture-carbonate chernozem was used in the study. Eisenia fetida worms were used as test objects. (3) Results: The introduction of MoO3 nanoparticles showed a weak toxic effect towards the animal and microbiological components of the soil at a concentration of 50–250 mg/kg, a medium toxic effect at 500 mg/kg, and a strong or unacceptable toxic effect at 1000 mg/kg. The oxidative stress response of E. fetida depended on the concentration of the NPs. MoO3 NPs at a concentration of up to 100 mg/kg reduced the number of amylolytic bacteria, oligotrophs, and Azotobacter. In soil, urease and catalase showed mild activity, whereas the activity of invertase decreased by 34%. (4) Conclusions: The entry into the environment and the further deposition of nanoparticles of Mo and its oxides in the soil will lead to the suppression of the vital activity of beneficiary soil animals and the activity of soil enzymes. This phenomenon presents special kinds of ecological risks for the ecosystem.
Youth Soccer Heading Exposure and Its Effects on Clinical Outcome Measures
Authors: Wahlquist Victoria E. , Buckley Thomas A. , Caccese Jaclyn B. , Glutting Joseph J. , Royer Todd D. , Kaminski Thomas W.
Published: December 2024

Purposeful heading, in which players may use their heads to advance the ball in play, is a unique part of soccer. Clinical outcome measures used to aid in the diagnosis of a concussion have long been a cornerstone of the contemporary measurements associated with the short- and long-term effects of monitoring repetitive head impacts (RHI) and soccer heading exposure. The effects of RHI in the youth population are still unknown, therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine if heading exposure is predictive of changes in self-reported symptoms, neurocognitive functioning, gait, and balance in female youth soccer players over the course of one soccer season. Small improvements in neurocognitive functioning and gait and slight deficits in balance were observed from pre- to post-season. All changes were not clinically relevant and likely due to a practice effect. The low heading exposure in our cohort of youth soccer players was likely not enough to elicit any changes in clinical measures. In general, our clinical outcomes did not change after a season of soccer play and change scores were not predicted by heading exposure.
Green Motivation for Responsible Innovation: Empirical Evidence from the Chinese Construction Industry
Authors: Chen Chuhan , Haron Syarmila Hany
Published: December 2024

While identifying firms’ green motivation for responsible innovation is a hot topic in the literature, many questions about these drivers in developing countries still need to be answered. This study aims to empirically influence Chinese construction firms’ primary motivations for adopting responsible innovation. To achieve this goal, a conceptual model was developed using partial least squares analysis and tested on data from contracting firms in the construction industry. This study shows that a combination of green intrinsic and extrinsic motivation factors triggers responsible innovation. However, in the Chinese construction industry, extrinsic incentives, such as recognition, subsidies, and reputation, partly influence responsible innovation through intrinsic motivation. The analysis further suggests that corporate social responsibility moderates the relationship between green motivation and responsible innovation through the ability to adopt appropriate responsible innovation responses by combining intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Furthermore, firms with more effective resource commitments tend to engage in more responsible innovation activities. This study contributes to a more detailed understanding of the factors that drive responsible innovation.
Time-Varying Impacts of Monetary Policy and Socio-Economic Factors on China’s CO2 Emissions and Ecological Footprint: A Multi-Methodological Analysis
Authors: Tang Yu , Yasin Iftikhar , ul Rehman Khaliq
Published: December 2024

This research explores the least explored domain concerning the impact of monetary tactics on carbon dioxide emissions in China, thereby adding depth to environmental economics. The analysis spans 1982–2022 and explores the interplay between monetary instruments, ecological footprint, CO2 emissions, and factors like human capital, GDP per capita, remittances, urbanization, and fossil fuel dependence. The investigation utilizes a multifaceted approach, including wavelet analysis techniques, like wavelet power spectrum, wavelet coherence analysis, quantile on quantile, and quantile regression. The findings unveil critical insights. The results demonstrate that monetary policy has had differing effects on emissions depending on the time. Contractionary policies are good for lowering medium- and long-term emissions, even if they cause a short-term increase in emissions. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the beneficial impact of human capital development on CO2 emissions. Fossil fuels, per capita income, and population significantly contribute to environmental damage beyond monetary policy. This research contributes original insights by integrating monetary policy and socio-economic factors in a comprehensive, multi-methodological framework, offering valuable guidance for crafting policies that balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.
Photosynthetic Efficiency of Plants as an Indicator of Tolerance to Petroleum-Contaminated Soils
Authors: Dąbrowski Piotr , Małuszyńska Ilona , Małuszyński Marcin J. , Pawluśkiewicz Bogumiła , Gnatowski Tomasz , Baczewska-Dąbrowska Aneta H. , Kalaji Hazem M.
Published: December 2024

Significant efforts have been made to develop environmentally friendly remediation methods to restore petroleum-damaged ecosystems. One such approach is cultivating plant species that exhibit high resistance to contamination. This study aimed to assess the impact of petroleum-derived soil pollutants on the photosynthetic performance of selected plant species used in green infrastructure development. A pot experiment was conducted using both contaminated and uncontaminated soils to grow six plant species under controlled conditions. Biometric parameters and chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements were taken, followed by statistical analyses to compare plant responses under stress and control conditions. This study is the first to simultaneously analyze PF, DF, and MR820 signals in plant species exposed to petroleum contamination stress. The results demonstrated that petroleum exposure reduced the activity of both PSII and PSI, likely due to increased nonradiative energy dissipation in PSII antenna chlorophylls, decreased antenna size, and/or damage to the photosynthetic apparatus. Additionally, petroleum contamination affected the electron transport chain efficiency, limiting electron flow between PSII and PSI. The most resistant species to petroleum-induced stress were Lolium perenne, Poa pratensis, and Trifolium repens.
Layout Planning of a Basic Public Transit Network Considering Expected Travel Times and Transportation Efficiency
Authors: Liang Mingzhang , Wang Wei , Chao Ye , Dong Changyin
Published: December 2024

Urban transit systems are crucial for modern cities, providing sustainable and efficient transportation solutions for residents’ daily commutes. Extensive research has been conducted on optimizing the design of transit systems. Among these studies, designing transit line trajectories and setting operating frequencies are critical components at the strategic planning level, and they are typically implemented in an urban integrated transportation network. However, its computational complexity grows exponentially with the expansion of urban integrated transportation networks, resulting in challenges to global optimization in large-scale cities. To address this problem, this study investigates the layout planning of a basic public transit network (BPTN) to simplify the urban integrated transportation network by filtering out road segments and intersections that are unattractive for both users and operators. A non-linear integer programming model is proposed to maximize the utility of the BPTN, which is defined as a weighted sum of expected travel times (from a user perspective) and transportation efficiency (from an operator perspective). An expected transit flow distribution (ETFD) analysis method is developed, combining different assignment approaches to evaluate the expected travel time and transportation efficiency of the BPTN under various types of transit systems. Moreover, we propose an objective–subjective integrated weighting approach to determine reasonable weight coefficients for travel time and transportation efficiency. The problem is solved by a heuristic solution framework with a topological graph simplification (TGS) process that further simplifies the BPTN into a small-scale graph. Numerical experiments demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed model and algorithm in achieving desirable BPTN layouts for different types of transit systems under variable demand structures. The scale of the BPTN is significantly reduced while maintaining a well-balanced trade-off between expected travel time and transportation efficiency.
Veratridine Induces Vasorelaxation in Mouse Cecocolic Mesenteric Arteries
Authors: Park Joohee , Sahyoun Christina , Frangieh Jacinthe , Réthoré Léa , Proux Coralyne , Grimaud Linda , Vessières Emilie , Bourreau Jennifer , Mattei César , Henrion Daniel , Marionneau Céline , Fajloun Ziad , Legendre Claire , Legros Christian
Published: December 2024

The vegetal alkaloid toxin veratridine (VTD) is a selective voltage-gated Na+ (NaV) channel activator, widely used as a pharmacological tool in vascular physiology. We have previously shown that NaV channels, expressed in arteries, contribute to vascular tone in mouse mesenteric arteries (MAs). Here, we aimed to better characterize the mechanisms of action of VTD using mouse cecocolic arteries (CAs), a model of resistance artery. Using wire myography, we found that VTD induced vasorelaxation in mouse CAs. This VTD-induced relaxation was insensitive to prazosin, an α1-adrenergic receptor antagonist, but abolished by atropine, a muscarinic receptor antagonist. Indeed, VTD–vasorelaxant effect was totally inhibited by the NaV channel blocker tetrodotoxin (0.3 µM), the NO synthase inhibitor L-NNA (20 µM), and low extracellular Na+ concentration (14.9 mM) and was partially blocked by the NCX1 antagonist SEA0400 (45.4% at 1 µM). Thus, we assumed that the VTD-induced vasorelaxation in CAs was due to acetylcholine release by parasympathetic neurons, which induced NO synthase activation mediated by the NCX1-Ca2+ entry mode in endothelial cells (ECs). We demonstrated NCX1 expression in ECs by RT-qPCR and immunohisto- and western immunolabelling. VTD did not induce an increase in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i), while SEA0400 partially blocked acetylcholine-triggered [Ca2+]i elevations in Mile Sven 1 ECs. Altogether, these results illustrate that VTD activates NaV channels in parasympathetic neurons and then vasorelaxation in resistance arteries, which could explain arterial hypotension after VTD intoxication.
Unveiling Travel Patterns and Challenges Considering Mixed Land Use and User Behavior in an Indian City
Authors: Soni Nikita , Gulati Tewari Khyati , Sobhaninia Saeideh , Amaripadath Deepak
Published: December 2024

Transportation and land use are inextricably linked. Travel patterns are influenced by the location, design of new developments, and users’ behavior. In many Tier II cities in India where rapid transit systems are unavailable, such as Vadodara, spatial and transportation planning lack integration with land use. This disconnect neglects user behavior and travel needs, resulting in congestion and pollution as ongoing, reactive challenges rather than being addressed through sustainable and proactive solutions. This research used a triangulation approach incorporating literature analysis, questionnaire surveys, and field observations to enhance the robustness of the results. After a comprehensive analysis, findings were derived from the user behavior, traffic patterns, and field observations for mixed land use. The study revealed a heavy reliance on private vehicles for work trips (53%) despite low satisfaction with sustainable transport options (average rating of 2.8 out of 5). Infrastructure issues, such as disorganized parking and pedestrian safety concerns, exacerbate congestion and pollution. This study recommends a Comprehensive Mobility Plan (C.M.P.) and a land use and transport integration (LUTI) cell to address these issues and promote sustainability. Future research should explore comparative studies, socioeconomic factors, and legal frameworks for sustainable development.
Development of a Large-Volume Concentration Method to Recover Infectious Avian Influenza Virus from the Aquatic Environment
Authors: Hubbard Laura E. , Stelzer Erin A. , Poulson Rebecca L. , Kolpin Dana W. , Szablewski Christine M. , Givens Carrie E.
Published: December 2024

Since late 2021, outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus have caused a record number of mortalities in wild birds, domestic poultry, and mammals in North America. Wetlands are plausible environmental reservoirs of avian influenza virus; however, the transmission and persistence of the virus in the aquatic environment are poorly understood. To explore environmental contamination with the avian influenza virus, a large-volume concentration method for detecting infectious avian influenza virus in waterbodies was developed. A variety of filtering, elution, and concentration methods were explored, in addition to testing filtering speeds using artificially amended 20 L water matrices (deionized water with sterile dust, autoclaved wetland water, and wetland water). The optimal protocol was dead-end ultrafiltration coupled with salt solution elution and centrifugation concentration. Using this method, infectious virus was recovered at 1 × 10−1 50% egg infectious dose per milliliter (EID50/mL), whereas viral RNA was detected inconsistently down to 1 × 100 EID50/mL. This method will aid in furthering our understanding of the avian influenza virus in the environment and may be applicable to the environmental detection of other enveloped viruses.
The Role of vIL-6 in KSHV-Mediated Immune Evasion and Tumorigenesis
Authors: Komaki Somayeh , Inagaki Tomoki , Kumar Ashish , Izumiya Yoshihiro
Published: December 2024

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a double-stranded DNA gamma herpesvirus. Like other herpesviruses, KSHV establishes a latent infection with limited gene expression, while KSHV occasionally undergoes the lytic replication phase, which produces KSHV progenies and infects neighboring cells. KSHV genome encodes 80+ open reading frames. One of the KSHV genes, K2, encodes viral interleukin 6 (vIL-6), a homolog of human IL-6 (hIL-6), mainly expressed in the lytic phase of the virus. vIL-6 plays a crucial role in regulating the expression of other viral genes and is also associated with inducing angiogenesis, cell survival, and immune evasion, which is suggested to promote the development of KSHV-associated diseases. This review summarizes the current knowledge on vIL-6. We focus on the vIL-6 regarding its protein structure, transcriptional regulation, cell signaling pathways, and contribution to the KSHV-associated diseases.
Cardiac Biomarkers in a Brazilian Indigenous Population Exposed to Arboviruses: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Nicacio Jandir Mendonça , Souza Carlos Dornels Freire de , Gomes Orlando Vieira , Souza Beatriz Vasconcelos , Lima João Augusto Costa , Carmo Rodrigo Feliciano do , Nunes Sávio Luiz Pereira , Pereira Vanessa Cardoso , Barros Naiara de Souza , Melo Ana Luiza Santos de , Lourencini Lucca Gabriel Feitosa , Magalhães Jurandy Júnior Ferraz de , Cabral Diego Guerra de Albuquerque , Khouri Ricardo , Barral-Netto Manoel , Armstrong Anderson da Costa
Published: December 2024

Arthropod-borne viral diseases are acute febrile illnesses, sometimes with chronic effects, that can be debilitating and even fatal worldwide, affecting particularly vulnerable populations. Indigenous communities face not only the burden of these acute febrile illnesses, but also the cardiovascular complications that are worsened by urbanization. A cross-sectional study was conducted in an Indigenous population in the Northeast Region of Brazil to explore the association between arboviral infections (dengue, chikungunya, and Zika) and cardiac biomarkers, including cardiotrophin 1, growth differentiation factor 15, lactate dehydrogenase B, fatty-acid-binding protein 3, myoglobin, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, cardiac troponin I, big endothelin 1, and creatine kinase-MB, along with clinical and anthropometric factors. The study included 174 individuals from the Fulni-ô community, with a median age of 47 years (interquartile range 39.0 to 56.0). High rates of previous exposure to dengue, chikungunya, and Zika were observed (92.5%, 78.2%, and 95.4% anti-IgG, respectively), while acute exposure (anti-IgM) remained low. The biomarkers were linked to age (especially in the elderly), obesity, chronic kidney disease, and previous or recent exposure to chikungunya. This study pioneers the use of Luminex xMAP technology to reveal the association between cardiac inflammatory biomarkers and exposure to classical arboviruses in an Indigenous population undergoing urbanization.
A Convolutional Graph Neural Network Model for Water Distribution Network Leakage Detection Based on Segment Feature Fusion Strategy
Authors: Li Xuan , Wu Yongqiang
Published: December 2024

In this study, an innovative leak detection model based on Convolutional Graph Neural Networks (CGNNs) is proposed to enhance response speed during pipeline bursts and to improve detection accuracy. By integrating node features into pipe segment features, the model effectively combines CGNN with water distribution networks, achieving leak detection at the pipe segment level. Optimizing the receptive field and convolutional layers ensures high detection performance even with sparse monitoring device density. Applied to two representative water distribution networks in City H, China, the model was trained on synthetic leak data generated by EPANET simulations and validated using real-world leak events. The experimental results show that the model achieves 90.28% accuracy in high-density monitoring areas, and over 85% accuracy within three pipe segments of actual leaks in low-density areas (10%–20%). The impact of feature engineering on model performance is also analyzed and strategies are suggested for optimizing monitoring point placement, further improving detection efficiency. This research provides valuable technical support for the intelligent management of water distribution networks under resource-limited conditions.
How to organize effective cleaning in confectionery production
Authors:   Hygiene of Food Production segment, Vileda Professional Russia, Korobova V.N.
Published: December 2024

The article provides data on both the state of the cleaning process in food production and the main stages
of selecting technological methods and equipment for high-quality cleaning of production premises.
Ocupações irregulares em áreas de risco: um estudo de caso do núcleo informal 23 de junho em Fortaleza/CE
Authors: Tôrres Lucas Matheus Garcia , Cavalcante Thaís Frota Ferreira , Queiroz Francisco Caio Bezerra de , Junior Almir Mariano de Sousa
Published: December 2024

O intenso e acelerado processo de urbanização é um problema que afeta milhares de brasileiros. A referida dinâmica possibilita aglomerados populacionais desordenados e com moradias precárias sem infraestrutura, propiciando uma falta de qualidade de vida às pessoas da cidade. As áreas não especuladas pelo capital imobiliário, geralmente as margens de corpos hídricos, morros e encostas são buscadas pela população de baixa renda sem condições de viver em determinadas zonas do espaço urbano, visando alternativas à moradia irregulares e construindo casas, e por conseguinte, Núcleos Urbanos Informais – NUIs. Nesse contexto, o presente estudo, busca identificar áreas e os tipos de risco no NUI 23 de junho, localizado em Fortaleza/CE. Para isso, utilizou-se dados secundários da Prefeitura Municipal de Fortaleza junto à Secretaria Municipal do Desenvolvimento Habitacional de Fortaleza (HABITAFOR) e dados primários, oriundos in loco pelo Núcleo de Pesquisa e Extensão Acesso à Terra Urbanizada (UFERSA). Como resultado, percebeu-se que o NUI 23 de junho está com área 100% ocupada e totalmente inserido em área de risco. Ademais, percebeu-se riscos ambientais, atenuados pela ação antrópica, a exemplo: risco de inundação, contaminação das águas subterrâneas e superficiais, além de doenças advindas desta problemática.  O estudo pode contribuir para reflexão e tomada de decisões dos gestores públicos com relação ao planejamento urbano, inclusive corroborando com o processo de regularização fundiária dessas localidades.
Tratamento conservador em fratura da extremidade distal do rádio: relato de caso
Authors: Almeida João Gabriel Machado de , Sily Isabella Fioresi , Ribeiro Nicolly Tomaz , Araújo Victória Gama de , Simonassi Vitor Pertel , Motta Rodrigo Cezar Gonçalves , Pedruzzi Lucas
Published: December 2024

A fratura da extremidade distal do rádio é a mais comum no membro superior. Dados dos Estados Unidos apontam uma incidência de 643.000 por ano. Apresenta distribuição bimodal, com primeiro pico entre os 5 e os 24 anos de idade e o segundo em idosos, principalmente mulheres. Este trabalho pretende contribuir com o entendimento a respeito do tratamento desta fratura de forma conservadora, demonstrando como conduzi-la, seu método e critérios. O caso abordado trata-se de uma paciente do sexo feminino de 65 anos, atendida no pronto socorro de um hospital em Vitória-ES, após queda da própria altura com trauma em punho direito. Realizada radiografia evidenciando fratura da extremidade distal do rádio direito extra-articular com desvio mínimo. Optado em comum acordo entre o ortopedista e a paciente tratamento de forma conservadora com redução incruenta, seguido de imobilização com gesso axilopalmar e seguimento ambulatorial. Substituída por gesso antebraquiopalmar após período. A escolha pelo método conservador foi feita pela sua classificação como Tipo 1 de Frykman, idade da paciente e características presentes e ausentes na lesão.  Os benefícios da escolha do tratamento conservador são variados: menor invasão, risco reduzido de infecção, menor custo, mobilização mais rápida. Após período de tratamento conservador foi realizada uma nova radiografia que evidenciou fratura consolidada e sem sinais de sequelas. No caso citado, ao escolher pelo tratamento conservador apresentaram-se diversos benefícios e comprovou que para a paciente referida foi a melhor escolha.
Acidentes e complicações durante o tratamento endodôntico com irrigação de Hipoclorito de Sódio
Authors: Moura Davidson Robert Coelho de , Silva Débora Lima da , Oliveira Paula Santiago Leite de , Nunes Eduardo da Costa , Fonseca Tiago Silva da
Published: December 2024

O extravasamento de hipoclorito de sódio além do ápice dental é um dos acidentes mais temidos na prática endodôntica, podendo causar complicações graves que comprometem a saúde bucal e sistêmica do paciente. O hipoclorito de sódio, amplamente utilizado devido às suas propriedades antimicrobianas e capacidade de dissolução tecidual, quando extravasa para os tecidos periapicais, pode resultar em reações adversas como dor intensa, edema, necrose tecidual e, em casos severos, lesões neurológicas. A ocorrência desse tipo de complicação exige diagnósticos ágeis para a identificação precoce e a aplicação imediata de protocolos de conduta que reduzam os danos teciduais. Objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar os efeitos do extravasamento do hipoclorito de sódio além do ápice dental, diagnósticos ágeis, protocolo de conduta pós exposição e protocolo para evitar esses acidentes. A metodologia utilizada neste trabalho foi a bibliográfica. A conclusão do trabalho demonstrou que um manejo clínico criterioso e o uso de protocolos adequados são essenciais para prevenir complicações graves e garantir a segurança dos pacientes. O desenvolvimento de diagnósticos rápidos e a implementação de medidas imediatas são fundamentais para identificar precocemente as complicações e reduzir os danos. Além disso, a adoção de práticas preventivas, como o controle rigoroso da irrigação e a escolha adequada da concentração do hipoclorito, contribui significativamente para diminuir a incidência de acidentes e assegurar a eficácia do tratamento endodôntico.
A Novel Cell-Penetrating Peptide–Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Small Interfering Ribonucleic Acid Complex That Mediates the Inhibition of Angiogenesis by Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells and in an Ex Vivo Mouse Aorta Ring Model
Authors: Kim Minseo , Park Sangkyu , Kim Soyi , Seo Jeongmin , Roh Sangho
Published: December 2024

Angiogenesis is mediated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a protein that plays a key role in wound healing, inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular processes, ocular diseases, and tumor growth. Indeed, modulation of angiogenesis represents a potential approach to treating cancer and, as such, therapeutic approaches targeting VEGF and its receptors have been widely investigated as part of the broader search for curative interventions. Equally, RNA interference is a powerful tool for treating diseases, but its application as a disease treatment has been limited in part because of a lack of efficient small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery systems. The purpose of this study was to characterize an amphipathic cell-penetrating peptide, Ara27, and its potential as an effective delivery vehicle as a conjugate with VEGF siRNA (siVEGF). In our study, we demonstrate that exposure of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with Ara27–siVEGF complexes did not lead to cytotoxicity and can lead to down-regulation of cellular levels of both VEGF mRNA and protein. Moreover, treatment with the Ara27–siVEGF complex attenuates the phosphorylation of VEGFR2, Akt, and ERK in HUVECs and inhibits their capacity for wound healing and tube formation, both of which characteristics reflective of angiogenesis. In addition, we performed an ex vivo study to find that treatment with the Ara27–siVEGF complex inhibits aorta ring sprouting. Furthermore, the complex did not induce immunotoxicity in THP-1 and RAW264.7 cells. Taken together, our studies demonstrate that an Ara27–siVEGF conjugate is efficient for knockdown of VEGF in HUVECs to inhibit angiogenesis, without marked cytotoxic and immunotoxic effects.
Exploring the Perception of Landscape Elements through User-Generated Data to Support Greenspace Management
Authors: Zheng Tianchen , Pan Quan , Huai Songyao , Wang Chenxing , Yan Yan , Van Eetvelde Veerle , Van de Voorde Tim
Published: December 2024

Concern for individual perception is essential to enhance greenspace management. Various landscape elements are key factors affecting visitors’ perception engaging in greenspaces. Targeting Belgian public greenspaces, we develop a comprehensive approach to quantify visitors’ perceptions from multiple dimensions. Applying user-generated data and unsupervised machine learning approach, we identified the landscape elements and classified the greenspaces to extract perception rates and detect dominant elements. The satisfaction of every landscape element was then analyzed by the natural language process approach and standardized major axis regression to discover their contributions to overall satisfaction. Furthermore, we calculated and visualized the positive and negative interactions between elements through network analysis. Integrating the perception rates and contributions, inconsistency was observed between the dominant element and the most contributing element. The perception rate of the human element was in an overwhelmingly dominant position, with 2.46. Despite the variations among the 5 greenspace groups, multiple natural elements highly contributed to overall satisfaction, especially animal and vegetation, which achieved contributions higher than 1.2 in most of the groups. Regarding the interactions, stronger negative interactions appeared generally, reaching up to 0.496. The coexistence of natural and artificial elements has a stronger collective effect on greenspace perception, regardless of positive or negative interaction. By providing an understanding of the landscape elements, our findings can assist greenspace planners in identifying key factors of different greenspace categories from various perspectives and support explicit and effective greenspace management.
Projected Humidification Expands the Sustainable Grazing Areas in the Drylands of the Qinghai–Xizang Plateau
Authors: Lu Tong , Li Changjia , Wang Shuai , Zhou Wenxin , Li Yazhe , Mao Zhenhua , Tang Qiang , Liu Jianbo , Xu Jiren
Published: December 2024

The drylands on the Qinghai–Xizang Plateau are extremely sensitive to climate change and grazing activities. However, there is a lack of quantitative study of the combined effects of aridity and grazing pressure, which are vital in determining the sustainable grazing areas. In this study, a 2-dimensional threshold model was employed to assess the maximum allowable grazing pressure and determine the sustainable grazing areas under both historical conditions and projected climate change scenarios up to 2100. Results showed that 62.2% of the drylands under historical condition were unsuitable for grazing and 6.7% exceeded the ecological threshold, while 31.1% fell within the areas with sustainable grazing. Model projections indicate a trend toward humidification across the drylands under the climate change scenarios of RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5. This process is expected to partially alleviate the negative impact of grazing, leading to an expansion of sustainable grazing areas to approximately 41.0% by 2100. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing grazing strategies in the drylands of the Qinghai–Xizang Plateau in the future.

The drylands on the Qinghai–Xizang Plateau are extremely sensitive to climate change and grazing activities. However, there is a lack of quantitative study of the combined effects of aridity and grazing pressure, which are vital in determining the sustainable grazing areas. In this study, a 2-dimensional threshold model was employed to assess the maximum allowable grazing pressure and determine the sustainable grazing areas under both historical conditions and projected climate change scenarios up to 2100. Results showed that 62.2% of the drylands under historical condition were unsuitable for grazing and 6.7% exceeded the ecological threshold, while 31.1% fell within the areas with sustainable grazing. Model projections indicate a trend toward humidification across the drylands under the climate change scenarios of RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5. This process is expected to partially alleviate the negative impact of grazing, leading to an expansion of sustainable grazing areas to approximately 41.0% by 2100. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing grazing strategies in the drylands of the Qinghai–Xizang Plateau in the future.
Single-Nucleus RNA Sequencing Reveals the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Disease-Associated Microglia in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Chen Lu-Xi , Zhang Mei-Di , Xu Hai-Feng , Ye Hai-Qin , Chen Dian-Fu , Wang Pei-Shan , Bao Zhi-Wei , Zou Sheng-Mei , Lv Yong-Ting , Wu Zhi-Ying , Li Hong-Fu
Published: December 2024

Disease-associated microglia (DAM) are observed in neurodegenerative diseases, demyelinating disorders, and aging. However, the spatiotemporal dynamics and evolutionary trajectory of DAM during the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) remain unclear. Using a mouse model of ALS that expresses a human
SOD1
gene mutation, we found that the microglia subtype DAM begins to appear following motor neuron degeneration, primarily in the brain stem and spinal cord. Using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, RNAscope in situ hybridization, and flow cytometry, we found that DAM increased in number as the disease progressed, reaching their peak in the late disease stage. DAM responded to disease progression in both SOD1
G93A
mice and sporadic ALS and
C9orf72
-mutated patients. Motor neuron loss in SOD1
G93A
mice exhibited 2 accelerated phases: P90 to P110 (early stage) and P130 to P150 (late stage). Some markers were synchronized with the accelerated phase of motor neuron loss, suggesting that these proteins may be particularly responsive to disease progression. Through pseudotime trajectory analysis, we tracked the dynamic transition of homeostatic microglia into DAM and cluster 6 microglia. Interestingly, we used the colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) inhibitor PLX5622 to deplete microglia in SOD1
G93A
mice and observed that DAM survival is independent of CSF1R. An in vitro phagocytosis assay directly confirmed that DAM could phagocytose more beads than other microglia subtypes. These findings reveal that the induction of the DAM phenotype is a shared cross-species and cross-subtype characteristic in ALS. Inducing the DAM phenotype and enhancing its function during the early phase of disease progression, or the time window between P130 and P150 where motor neuron loss slows, could serve as a neuroprotective strategy for ALS.