bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality attributes of paddy rice during storage as affected by accumulated temperature
Authors: Han Qian , Chen Yifan , Liu Xiuying , Bi Jie , Zhang Wei , Zeng Xuefeng , Wang Pingping , Shu Zaixi
Published: January 2024

In actual storage processes of rice, environment temperatures fluctuate rather than remain constant. Accumulated temperature is the sum of temperature during the storage period. In this research, six different temperature-varied conditions with two accumulated temperatures (low intensity: 7200°C⸱d; high intensity: 9000°C⸱d) were designed to store rice for 12 months and the stored rice samples were compared in quality. Three low-accumulated temperature conditions were set as follows: No. 4–15°C for 6 months followed by 25°C; No. 5–25°C for 6 months followed by 15°C; No. 8-alternating between 15°C and 25°C every 2 months. Similarly, three high-intensity conditions, No. 6, No. 7, and No. 9, were set with a temperature change from 25°C to 35°C. Three constant temperature conditions, No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3, with storage temperature of 15, 25, and 35°C, respectively, were used as controls. Under temperature-varied conditions, rice demonstrated a decline in germination rate (GR), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activities, and an increase in fatty acid value (FAV) as storage time increased. After storage, rice exhibited higher water absorption rate (WAR) and volume expansion rate (VER), but reduced stickiness and sensory scores for appearance, taste and overall quality. Generally, three batches at high-accumulated temperature conditions had lower GR and sensory scores, and higher FAV, WAR, and VER compared to those under low-intensity conditions. Furthermore, variations in the sequence of temperature also affected quality parameters, even at the same accumulated temperature. These findings indicate that under temperature-varied conditions, increased accumulated temperature exacerbates rice deterioration, and different temperature sequences can influence quality at a given accumulated temperature.
Challenges in management of refractory pain and sedation in infants
Authors: Oschman Alexandra , Rao Karishma
Published: January 2024

The survival of preterm infants continues to improve, along with an increased in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) management of chronic infants who are medically complex infants who have prolonged hospital stays, sometimes up until 2 years of age. Despite advances in neonatal and infant care, the management of pain and sedation in chronic NICU patients continues to be a challenge. Challenges such as development of appropriate pain, sedation, and withdrawal scales along with unfamiliarity of the NICU care team with pediatric disease states and pharmacotherapy complicate management of these patients. Opioid induced hyperalgesia (OIH) and delirium may play a large role in these refractory cases, yet are often not considered in the NICU population. Drug therapy interventions such as gabapentin, ketamine, risperidone, and others have limited data for safety and efficacy in this population. This article summarizes the available literature regarding the evidence for diagnosis and management of infants with refractory pain and sedation along with the challenges that clinicians face when managing these patients.
Transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of peri-tumoral hepatic tissue in hepatocellular carcinoma: unveiling the molecular landscape of immune checkpoint therapy resistance
Authors: Bi Huaqiang , Feng Kai , Wang Xiaofei , Zheng Ping , Qu Chengming , Ma Kuansheng
Published: January 2024

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) often resists traditional treatments, necessitating new therapeutic approaches. With immune checkpoint therapy emerging as a promising alternative, understanding its resistance mechanisms becomes crucial.

Methods: Using 22 samples from 11 HCC patients, we conducted a comprehensive transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of peri-tumoral hepatic tissues from those treated with Atezolizumab.

Results: We identified significant metabolic alterations and a correlation between the COMMD3-BMI1 gene and Dephospho-CoA metabolite. Findings suggest these as potential markers for therapeutic resistance, as evidenced by upregulated COMMD3-BMI1 and downregulated Dephospho-CoA in non-responsive patients, with animal models further supporting these observations.

Discussion: The study highlights COMMD3-BMI1 and Dephospho-CoA as critical actors in immune checkpoint therapy resistance in HCC, providing insights and potential pathways for more effective therapeutic strategies.
Klotho-derived peptide KP1 ameliorates SARS-CoV-2-associated acute kidney injury
Authors: Xu Jie , Lin Enqing , Hong Xue , Li Li , Gu Jun , Zhao Jinghong , Liu Youhua
Published: January 2024

Introduction: The severe cases of COVID-19, a disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), often present with acute kidney injury (AKI). Although old age and preexisting medical conditions have been identified as principal risk factors for COVID-19-associated AKI, the molecular basis behind such a connection remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the pathogenic role of Klotho deficiency in COVID-19-associated AKI and explored the therapeutic potential of Klotho-derived peptide 1 (KP1).

Methods: We assessed the susceptibility of Klotho deficient Kl/Kl mice to developing AKI after expression of SARS-CoV-2 N protein. The role of KP1 in ameliorating tubular injury was investigated by using cultured proximal tubular cells (HK-2) in vitro and mouse model of ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in vivo.

Results: Renal Klotho expression was markedly downregulated in various chronic kidney disease (CKD) models and in aged mice. Compared to wild-type counterparts, mutant KL/KL mice were susceptible to overexpression of SARS-CoV-2 N protein and developed kidney lesions resembling AKI. In vitro, expression of N protein alone induced HK-2 cells to express markers of tubular injury, cellular senescence, apoptosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition, whereas both KP1 and Klotho abolished these lesions. Furthermore, KP1 mitigated kidney dysfunction, alleviated tubular injury and inhibited apoptosis in AKI model induced by IRI and N protein.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that Klotho deficiency is a key determinant of developing COVID-19-associated AKI. As such, KP1, a small peptide recapitulating Klotho function, could be an effective therapeutic for alleviating AKI in COVID-19 patients.
Challenges for dark matter direct search with SiPMs
Authors: Razeto Alessandro , Rossi Nicola
Published: January 2024

Liquid xenon and liquid argon detectors are leading the direct dark matter search and are expected to be the candidate technology for the forthcoming generation of ultra-sensitive large-mass detectors. At present, scintillation light detection in those experiments is based on ultra-pure low-noise photo-multipliers. To overcome the issues in terms of the extreme radio-purity, costs, and technological feasibility of the future dark matter experiments, the novel silicon photomultiplier (SiPM)-based photodetector modules seem to be promising candidates, capable of replacing the present light detection technology. However, the intrinsic features of SiPMs may limit the present expectations. In particular, interfering phenomena, especially related to the optical correlated noise, can degrade the energy and pulse shape resolutions. As a consequence, the projected sensitivity of the future detectors has to be reconsidered accordingly.
Genomic selection for target traits in the Australian lentil breeding program
Authors: Gebremedhin Alem , Li Yongjun , Shunmugam Arun S. K. , Sudheesh Shimna , Valipour-Kahrood Hossein , Hayden Matthew J. , Rosewarne Garry M. , Kaur Sukhjiwan
Published: January 2024

Genomic selection (GS) uses associations between markers and phenotypes to predict the breeding values of individuals. It can be applied early in the breeding cycle to reduce the cross-to-cross generation interval and thereby increase genetic gain per unit of time. The development of cost-effective, high-throughput genotyping platforms has revolutionized plant breeding programs by enabling the implementation of GS at the scale required to achieve impact. As a result, GS is becoming routine in plant breeding, even in minor crops such as pulses. Here we examined 2,081 breeding lines from Agriculture Victoria’s national lentil breeding program for a range of target traits including grain yield, ascochyta blight resistance, botrytis grey mould resistance, salinity and boron stress tolerance, 100-grain weight, seed size index and protein content. A broad range of narrow-sense heritabilities was observed across these traits (0.24-0.66). Genomic prediction models were developed based on 64,781 genome-wide SNPs using Bayesian methodology and genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) were calculated. Forward cross-validation was applied to examine the prediction accuracy of GS for these targeted traits. The accuracy of GEBVs was consistently higher (0.34-0.83) than BLUP estimated breeding values (EBVs) (0.22-0.54), indicating a higher expected rate of genetic gain with GS. GS-led parental selection using early generation breeding materials also resulted in higher genetic gain compared to BLUP-based selection performed using later generation breeding lines. Our results show that implementing GS in lentil breeding will fast track the development of high-yielding cultivars with increased resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, as well as improved seed quality traits.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the adaptability and resiliency of school food programs across Canada
Authors: Ahmed Mavra , Richardson Alana , Riad Jessica , McPherson Chelsea , Sellen Daniel W. , Malik Vasanti S.
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Following the sudden closure of schools due to the pandemic in 2020, many school food program (SFP) operators lost their operating venues and had to innovate to continue distributing meals to children. Our objective was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the delivery, adaptability, and resiliency of school food programs across Canada by conducting a systematic rapid review.

Materials and methods

Systematic literature searches identified newspaper articles and social media sources related to the adaptations and challenges faced by school food programs across Canada in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Included sources were assessed and thematically categorized according to the dimensions of the Analysis Grid for Environments Linked to Obesity (ANGELO) and Getting To Equity (GTE) frameworks to identify factors impacting the delivery, adaptability, and resiliency of school food programs in Canada.

Results

School food programs in Canada made various efforts to meet existing and new challenges associated with the delivery of these programs to keep feeding school children, particularly those most vulnerable, during the pandemic. Distribution of food kits, prepared meals and gift cards/coupons were successful pathways in ensuring support for food accessibility to students and their families. Increased collaborations between community members and organizations/stakeholders to help maintain food delivery or collectively offer new modes to deliver foods were most frequently cited as key to facilitating school food programming. However, maintenance and sustainability related to operating costs and funding were identified as key challenges to successful school food programming.

Conclusion

Our study highlights the swift and substantial transformation school food programs,, underwent in response to the pandemic, driven by the urgent need to ensure that students still had access to nutritious meals and the importance of policy and resource support to bolster the adaptability and resiliency of these programs. Findings on facilitators and challenges to school food programs during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic can inform development of guidelines to design a robust national Canadian school food program and help make existing programs more sustainable, adaptable, and resilient.
Do positive childhood and adult experiences counter the effects of adverse childhood experiences on learned helplessness?
Authors: Crandall AliceAnn , Castaneda Gladys Lopez , Barlow Melissa J. , Magnusson Brianna M.
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Learned helplessness often arises when an individual feels that a challenging situation is inescapable. Childhood trauma can lead to feelings of learned helplessness in youth and adulthood. Resiliency theory suggests that positive experiences in childhood and adulthood may counteract traumatic experiences in childhood and reduce learned helplessness and promote learned optimism, the antithesis of learned helplessness. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) with learned helplessness and optimism in adulthood and whether positive childhood and adult experiences (PCEs and PAEs) can lessen learned helplessness even in the presence of ACEs and promote greater learned optimism.

Methods

The sample consisted of 435 adults who were recruited to participate in the study through Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk), a crowdsourcing recruitment service. Participants lived in the United States and were 18–56 years at the time of the study. Each participant completed a survey about their childhood and adulthood experiences and learned helplessness and optimism as an adult. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) in Mplus Version 7.

Results

The learned helplessness scale had two factors which we termed learned helplessness and learned optimism. ACEs were associated with higher self-report of learned helplessness and lower learned optimism. When PCEs were added to the model, ACEs retained their relationship with learned helplessness but were no longer associated with learned optimism. PCEs were positively associated with learned optimism but were not associated with learned helplessness. PAEs were negatively correlated with learned helplessness and positively correlated with learned optimism. Learned optimism and learned helplessness in adults were inversely correlated.

Discussion

Potentially traumatic experiences in childhood, as measured by ACEs, may lead to more learned helplessness throughout life. However, positive experiences in both childhood and adulthood can increase learned optimism, which was correlated with lower learned helplessness, even when childhood trauma was experienced.
Reactive optimal motion planning for a class of holonomic planar agents using reinforcement learning with provable guarantees
Authors: Rousseas Panagiotis , Bechlioulis Charalampos , Kyriakopoulos Kostas
Published: January 2024

In control theory, reactive methods have been widely celebrated owing to their success in providing robust, provably convergent solutions to control problems. Even though such methods have long been formulated for motion planning, optimality has largely been left untreated through reactive means, with the community focusing on discrete/graph-based solutions. Although the latter exhibit certain advantages (completeness, complicated state-spaces), the recent rise in Reinforcement Learning (RL), provides novel ways to address the limitations of reactive methods. The goal of this paper is to treat the reactive optimal motion planning problem through an RL framework. A policy iteration RL scheme is formulated in a consistent manner with the control-theoretic results, thus utilizing the advantages of each approach in a complementary way; RL is employed to construct the optimal input without necessitating the solution of a hard, non-linear partial differential equation. Conversely, safety, convergence and policy improvement are guaranteed through control theoretic arguments. The proposed method is validated in simulated synthetic workspaces, and compared against reactive methods as well as a PRM and an RRT⋆ approach. The proposed method outperforms or closely matches the latter methods, indicating the near global optimality of the former, while providing a solution for planning from anywhere within the workspace to the goal position.
What Happens If You Do Not Get Enough Sleep?
Authors: Gileles-Hillel Alex , Yelov Leila
Published: January 2024

Good sleep is essential for a healthy lifestyle. The official recommendations for the length of a night’s sleep range from 7 to 9 h for adults and 10–13 h for children, depending on age. Based on this recommendation, many children and adolescents around the world do not get the recommended amount of sleep. In this article, we will review the reasons why young people are not getting enough sleep, discuss the effects of lack of sleep on brain function and emotions, and emphasize the benefits of adequate sleep for improving mood and optimizing performance in school. We will also examine how delaying the start of the school day could help increase overall sleep hours and reduce the negative consequences of sleep deprivation.
How many cases are required to achieving early proficiency in purely off-clamp robot-assisted partial nephrectomy?
Authors: Zhang Guoling , Wang Bowen , Liu Hua , Jia Guang , Tao Boju , Zhang Haoxun , Wang Chunyang
Published: January 2024

Background and purpose

Off-clamp robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (Offc-RAPN) is a technically challenging procedure that can effectively avoid renal ischemia owing to the absence of hilar vessel preparation and clamping. However, data on the learning curve (LC) for this technique are limited. The purpose of this study was to assess the LC of Offc-RAPN and compare the perioperative outcomes between different learning phases.

Methods

This retrospective study included 50 consecutive patients who underwent purely Offc-RAPN between January 2022 and April 2023. Multidimensional cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis method was used to assess LC. Spearman's correlation and LOWESS analysis were performed to analyze the continuous variables of perioperative outcomes. Baseline characteristics and perioperative outcomes were compared using χ2-test, t-test and U-test.

Results

CUSUM analysis identified two LC phases: phase I (the first 24 cases) and phase II (the subsequent 26 cases). Phase II showed significant reductions in mean operative time (133.5 vs. 115.31 min; p = 0.04), mean console time (103.21 vs. 81.27 min; p = 0.01), and mean postoperative length of stay (5.33 vs. 4.30 days; p = 0.04) compared to phase I. However, no significant differences were observed in other perioperative outcomes or baseline characteristics between the two LC phases.

Conclusions

Offc-RAPN performed by a surgeon with experience in laparoscopic and robotic surgeries achieved early proficiency in 24 cases. Moreover, Offc-RAPN alone is safe and feasible even in the initial phase of the LC for an experienced surgeon.
Comparing broad and narrow phenotype algorithms: differences in performance characteristics and immortal time incurred
Authors: Swerdel Joel N. , Conover Mitchell M.
Published: January 2024

Introduction: When developing phenotype algorithms for observational research, there is usually a trade-off between definitions that are sensitive or specific. The objective of this study was to estimate the performance characteristics of phenotype algorithms designed for increasing specificity and to estimate the immortal time associated with each algorithm.

Materials and methods: We examined algorithms for 11 chronic health conditions. The analyses were from data from five databases. For each health condition, we created five algorithms to examine performance (sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV)) differences: one broad algorithm using a single code for the health condition and four narrow algorithms where a second diagnosis code was required 1–30 days, 1–90 days, 1–365 days, or 1- all days in a subject’s continuous observation period after the first code. We also examined the proportion of immortal time relative to time-at-risk (TAR) for four outcomes. The TAR’s were: 0–30 days after the first condition occurrence (the index date), 0–90 days post-index, 0–365 days post-index, and 0–1,095 days post-index. Performance of algorithms for chronic health conditions was estimated using PheValuator (V2.1.4) from the OHDSI toolstack. Immortal time was calculated as the time from the index date until the first of the following: 1) the outcome; 2) the end of the outcome TAR; 3) the occurrence of the second code for the chronic health condition.

Results: In the first analysis, the narrow phenotype algorithms, i.e., those requiring a second condition code, produced higher estimates for PPV and lower estimates for sensitivity compared to the single code algorithm. In all conditions, increasing the time to the required second code increased the sensitivity of the algorithm. In the second analysis, the amount of immortal time increased as the window used to identify the second diagnosis code increased. The proportion of TAR that was immortal was highest in the 30 days TAR analyses compared to the 1,095 days TAR analyses.

Conclusion: Attempting to increase the specificity of a health condition algorithm by adding a second code is a potentially valid approach to increase specificity, albeit at the cost of incurring immortal time.
Perceived Physical Competence, Self-Esteem, and Leadership among Girls: A Program Evaluation of GOALS (Girls Organizing and Learning Sport)
Authors: Csabai Bailey , Pollard Barbara A. , Woodruff Sarah J.
Published: January 2024

This study evaluated a leadership-based physical activity program, Girls Organizing and Learning Sport (GOALS), by assessing changes in health behaviours, physical competence, self-esteem, and leadership. Of the 466 participants who enrolled in the program, 102 (22%) completed a pre-and post-program survey containing questions concerning demographics, physical activity, physical competence, self-esteem, and leadership. The GOALS program was held twice (fall 2022/winter 2023) and consisted of two-hour weekly sessions over four weeks at nine different locations. Paired-sample t-tests, Chi-squares, and one-way ANOVA tests were utilized to analyze differences before and after the GOALS program. Results revealed that more participants were involved in school sports, community sports, and regular physical activity post-program (all p’s < 0.05). A significant difference was also observed between pre-and post-test scores for physical competence and self-esteem (p’s < 0.05). However, the program did not elicit changes in health behaviours or total leadership scores (all p’s > 0.05). Moreover, significant results were observed between physical competence difference scores and those who care for their health by exercising (p = 0.025), leadership difference scores and those who take care of their health by exercising (p = 0.044), self-esteem difference scores by program location (p = 0.001), and physical competence difference scores by ethnicity (p = 0.003). Overall, further research into the design, administration, and targeted outcomes is recommended for future sessions.
Possibility of Using the By-Product of Fatty Acid Extraction from Fish in Fertilization as an Element of the Circular Economy
Authors: Wiśniowska-Kielian Barbara , Filipek-Mazur Barbara , Gambuś Florian
Published: January 2024

The study aimed to compare the effect of urea fatty fraction (UFF) and Pulrea® (urea fertilizer) on plant yield and selected plant and soil parameters determined after the plants were harvested. UFF is a by-product of essential unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) extraction from fish oil using urea, and Pulrea® is a commercial urea fertilizer. Both products were applied to the soil and the leaves (foliar application). The effect of Pulrea® on plant yield was generally stronger than that of UFF but depended on soil properties and plant species. Both fertilizers, but especially UFF, increased the total N content in the plant and effected nitrate accumulation. The plants used 45–90% of fertilizer nitrogen, with the plants generally using more N from Pulrea® than from UFF. Higher nitrogen production efficiency was achieved using Pulrea® than UFF and when plants were cultivated on medium soil than on light soil. Fertilizers increased the acidity and electrolytic conductivity of both soils but did not induce soil salinization. They increased the content of mineral nitrogen forms in soils, which was generally the case more in soil with Pulrea® application than with UFF application. As a rule, the soil dehydrogenases activity did not change significantly or even decrease after fertilizer application. It was visibly higher in medium soil and after foliar Pulrea® application than after foliar UFF application. This may be due to the content of accompanying substances in UFF that affect nitrogen absorption from this fertilizer. Based on the results, it cannot be clearly stated that one of the tested fertilizers had a better effect on the studied parameters. Generally, the less favorable effects of UFF compared to Pulrea® may indicate the necessity of removing from UFF the accompanying substances that may adversely affect plants and soil microorganisms. This aspect needs to be investigated under controlled conditions in field experiments.
Quinces (Cydonia oblonga, Chaenomeles sp., and Pseudocydonia sinensis) as Medicinal Fruits of the Rosaceae Family: Current State of Knowledge on Properties and Use
Authors: Kostecka-Gugała Anna
Published: January 2024

In recent years, the evaluation of many plant-derived compounds as potential new drugs or functional foods has become an active research topic. The morphological characteristics of quinces of the genera Cydonia sp., Chaenomeles sp., and Pseuocydonia sp. are largely similar, which is why these fruits are often confused. Although they have been appreciated in Asia for centuries as a valuable component of local ethnomedicine, they are less known in Western countries, and scientific knowledge about their health benefits remains fragmentary. This literature review summarizes studies on the content of chemical compounds responsible for the health-promoting and functional properties of the quince fruit. It focuses on the content of carotenoids, vitamins, minerals, and carboxylic acids, although the main emphasis is on the content and diversity of bioactive polyphenols, which are extremely abundant in these fruits. The quince fruits are rich in antioxidants and compounds with proven anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiallergic, and immunomodulatory effects. Their phytochemicals effectively regulate glycemia and improve the blood lipid profile, suggesting potential antidiabetic and cardioprotective benefits. Analysis of chemical characteristics showed that the Chaenomeles fruits. are underestimated as functional food ingredients. Studies on the molecular effects of their bioactive compounds and species-specific genomic analyses are sorely lacking in the scientific literature.
Defect Detection in Solid Timber Panels Using Air-Coupled Ultrasonic Imaging Techniques
Authors: Jiang Xiaochuan , Wang Jun , Zhang Ying , Jiang Shenxue
Published: January 2024

This paper reports on investigations of the air-coupled ultrasonic (ACU) method to detect common defects in solid timber panels made of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.). The ACU technology is a non-contact method for nondestructive timber testing with quicker scanning rates compared to contact methods. A testbed was set up consisting of commercially available piezo-ceramic ACU transducers and in-house manufactured signal processing circuits. To demonstrate the suitability of the ACU technique, through-transmission measurement results are presented for samples with defects such as knots, wormholes, and cracks. Pulse compression methods (Barker-coded method) were used to improve the power of received signals based on cross-correction algorithms. Results showed defects of timber panels made of Chinese fir can be detected with a thickness of less than 40 mm. Defects larger than 3 mm in diameter could be detected with high precision. Applying the pulse compression method showed better results than using common sine signals as excitation signals since it increased the signal-to-noise ratio, which is especially important for air-coupled measurement of high-attenuation materials like timber materials. The measurement results on reference samples demonstrated that ACU technology is a promising method for timber defect detection, especially for the quality assessment of engineered wood products.
Thermoforming Simulation of Woven Carbon Fiber Fabric/Polyurethane Composite Materials
Authors: Hwang Shun-Fa , Tsai Yi-Chen , Tsai Cho-Liang , Wang Chih-Hsian , Liu Hsien-Kuang
Published: January 2024

A finite element simulation was utilized in this work to analyze the thermoforming process of woven carbon fiber fabric/polyurethane thermoplastic composite sheets. In the simulation that may be classified as a discrete method, the woven carbon fiber fabric was treated as an undulated fill yarn crossed over an undulated warp yarn, and the resin was considered separately. Then, they were combined to represent the composite sheets. To verify this simulation, bias extension tests under three constant temperatures were executed. After that, the composite was thermoformed into a U-shaped structure and small luggage. From the bias extension tests, the finite element simulation and material properties of the fiber and resin were confirmed. From the comparison of the thermoformed products, the present simulation could provide the deformed profile and fiber-included angles and has good agreement with the experiment. The results also indicate that the stacking sequences of [(0°/90°)]4 and [(+45°/−45°)]4 have quite different product profiles and fiber-included angles.
Impact of De Novo Cholesterol Biosynthesis on the Initiation and Progression of Breast Cancer
Authors: Coradini Danila
Published: January 2024

Cholesterol (CHOL) is a multifaceted lipid molecule. It is an essential structural component of cell membranes, where it cooperates in regulating the intracellular trafficking and signaling pathways. Additionally, it serves as a precursor for vital biomolecules, including steroid hormones, isoprenoids, vitamin D, and bile acids. Although CHOL is normally uptaken from the bloodstream, cells can synthesize it de novo in response to an increased requirement due to physiological tissue remodeling or abnormal proliferation, such as in cancer. Cumulating evidence indicated that increased CHOL biosynthesis is a common feature of breast cancer and is associated with the neoplastic transformation of normal mammary epithelial cells. After an overview of the multiple biological activities of CHOL and its derivatives, this review will address the impact of de novo CHOL production on the promotion of breast cancer with a focus on mammary stem cells. The review will also discuss the effect of de novo CHOL production on in situ and invasive carcinoma and its impact on the response to adjuvant treatment. Finally, the review will discuss the present and future therapeutic strategies to normalize CHOL biosynthesis.
Space Flight Enhances Stress Pathways in Human Neural Stem Cells
Authors: Carpo Nicholas , Tran Victoria , Biancotti Juan Carlos , Cepeda Carlos , Espinosa-Jeffrey Araceli
Published: January 2024

Mammalian cells have evolved to function under Earth’s gravity, but how they respond to microgravity remains largely unknown. Neural stem cells (NSCs) are essential for the maintenance of central nervous system (CNS) functions during development and the regeneration of all CNS cell populations. Here, we examined the behavior of space (SPC)-flown NSCs as they readapted to Earth’s gravity. We found that most of these cells survived the space flight and self-renewed. Yet, some showed enhanced stress responses as well as autophagy-like behavior. To ascertain if the secretome from SPC-flown NSCs contained molecules inducing these responses, we incubated naïve, non-starved NSCs in a medium containing SPC-NSC secretome. We found a four-fold increase in stress responses. Proteomic analysis of the secretome revealed that the protein of the highest content produced by SPC-NSCs was secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), which induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, resulting in the cell’s demise. These results offer novel knowledge on the response of neural cells, particularly NSCs, subjected to space microgravity. Moreover, some secreted proteins have been identified as microgravity sensing, paving a new venue for future research aiming at targeting the SPARC metabolism. Although we did not establish a direct relationship between microgravity-induced stress and SPARC as a potential marker, these results represent the first step in the identification of gravity sensing molecules as targets to be modulated and to design effective countermeasures to mitigate intracranial hypertension in astronauts using structure-based protein design.
Asian American University Students’ Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Hwang Jacqueline , Ding Yi , Wang Cixin , Chen Eric , Wu Ying , Hu Xiaoyan
Published: January 2024

In addition to the unprecedented challenges and stressors that university students faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, Asian American students experienced specific hardships due to COVID-19-associated xenophobic attitudes, harassment, and assault against people of Asian complexions. This qualitative study aimed to explore the ways in which Asian American university students’ experiences during the pandemic changed their views of their identities as Asian Americans by analyzing in-depth interviews of four case study participants. Secondary analysis of two waves of interviews, which were conducted during the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and during a six-month follow-up, and primary analysis of a newly conducted third wave one year after the initial outbreak yielded 12 themes that captured the essence of the Asian American university students’ experience and redefining of their identity during the pandemic. The four participants identified these themes across four categories: Experiences and Events during the Pandemic; Categorization of Asians in America; Confronting Asian Discrimination; and Renewed Sense of Identity. The longitudinal findings revealed direct experiences and perspectives regarding the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on Asian communities, as well as the impact of the various social and political events during this time period, such as the Black Lives Matter Movement (2020) and the 2020 US presidential election. The implications, limitations, and future directions are discussed.
Simulated Microgravity Affects Pro-Resolving Properties of Primary Human Monocytes
Authors: Leuti Alessandro , Fava Marina , Pellegrini Niccolò , Forte Giulia , Fanti Federico , Della Valle Francesco , De Dominicis Noemi , Sergi Manuel , Maccarrone Mauro
Published: January 2024

Space-related stressors such as microgravity are associated with cellular and molecular alterations of the immune and inflammatory homeostasis that have been linked to the disorders that astronauts suffer from during their missions. Most of the research of the past 30 years has consistently established that innate adaptive immune cells represent a target of microgravity, which leads to their defective or dysfunctional activation, as well as to an altered ability to produce soluble mediators—e.g., cytokines/chemokines and bioactive lipids—that altogether control tissue homeostasis. Bioactive lipids include a vast array of endogenous molecules of immune origin that control the induction, intensity and outcome of the inflammatory events. However, none of the papers published so far focus on a newly characterized class of lipid mediators called specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), which orchestrate the “resolution of inflammation”—i.e., the active control and confinement of the inflammatory torrent mostly driven by eicosanoids. SPMs are emerging as crucial players in those processes that avoid acute inflammation to degenerate into a chronic event. Given that SPMs, along with their metabolism and signaling, are being increasingly linked to many inflammatory disorders, their study seems of the outmost importance in the research of pathological processes involved in space-related diseases, also with the perspective of developing therapeutic countermeasures. Here, we show that microgravity, simulated in the rotary cell culture system (RCCS) developed by NASA, rearranges SPM receptors both at the gene and protein level, in human monocytes but not in lymphocytes. Moreover, RCCS treatment reduces the biosynthesis of a prominent SPM like resolvin (Rv) D1. These findings strongly suggest that not only microgravity can impair the functioning of immune cells at the level of bioactive lipids directly involved in proper inflammation, but it does so in a cell-specific manner, possibly perturbing immune homeostasis with monocytes being primary targets.
Molecular Foundations of Inflammatory Diseases: Insights into Inflammation and Inflammasomes
Authors: Kim Mi Eun , Lee Jun Sik
Published: January 2024

Inflammatory diseases are a global health problem affecting millions of people with a wide range of conditions. These diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), gout, and diabetes, impose a significant burden on patients and healthcare systems. A complicated interaction between genetic variables, environmental stimuli, and dysregulated immune responses shows the complex biological foundation of various diseases. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying inflammatory diseases, including the function of inflammasomes and inflammation. We investigate the impact of environmental and genetic factors on the progression of inflammatory diseases, explore the connection between inflammation and inflammasome activation, and examine the incidence of various inflammatory diseases in relation to inflammasomes.
Genetic Polymorphisms and Tumoral Mutational Profiles over Survival in Advanced Colorectal Cancer Patients: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Cayún Juan Pablo , Cerpa Leslie Carol , Colombo Alicia , Cáceres Dante Daniel , Leal José Luis , Reyes Felipe , Gutiérrez-Cáceres Carolina , Calfunao Susan , Varela Nelson Miguel , Quiñones Luis Abel
Published: January 2024

Colorectal cancer is a common disease, both in Chile and worldwide. The most widely used chemotherapy schemes are based on 5-fluorouracil (5FU) as the foundational drug (FOLFOX, CapeOX). Genetic polymorphisms have emerged as potential predictive biomarkers of response to chemotherapy, but conclusive evidence is lacking. This study aimed to investigate the role of genetic variants associated with 5FU-based chemotherapy on therapeutic response, considering their interaction with oncogene mutations (KRAS, NRAS, PI3KCA, AKT1, BRAF). In a retrospective cohort of 63 patients diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer, a multivariate analysis revealed that liver metastases, DPYD, ABCB1, and MTHFR polymorphisms are independent indicators of poor prognosis, irrespective of oncogene mutations. BRAF wild-type status and high-risk drug-metabolism polymorphisms correlated with a poor prognosis in this Chilean cohort. Additionally, findings from the genomics of drug sensitivity (GDSC) project demonstrated that cell lines with wild-type BRAF have higher IC50 values for 5-FU compared to BRAF-mutated cell lines. In conclusion, the genetic polymorphisms DPYDrs1801265, ABCB1rs1045642, and MTHFRrs180113 may serve as useful biomarkers for predicting a poor prognosis in patients undergoing 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy, regardless of oncogene mutations.
Study on the Effect of High-Concentration Oxygen Enrichment on Engine Performance and Exhaust Emissions Using Diesel Fuel and Palm Biodiesel Substitute Fuel
Authors: Ghany Fariza Almira , Wahono Bambang , Praptijanto Achmad , Putrasari Yanuandri , Dimyani Ahmad , Nur Arifin , Suherman  , Pratama Mulia , Wardana Muhammad Khristamto Aditya
Published: January 2024

Air pollution remains a big issue in many countries. One form of air pollution comes from the use of fossil fuels as the primary fuel in the power generating and transportation sectors. Diesel engines are employed in a variety of industries due to their dependability, durability, and efficiency. Enhancing the availability of oxygen within the combustion chamber is one technique for reducing exhaust gas emissions and optimizing diesel engine combustion. The aim of this study is to investigate how oxygen enrichment in diesel engines with diesel fuel and biodiesel affects their performance and emissions. The modeling in this research was carried out using AVL BOOST version 2011 software based on experimental results of the YANMAR TF 155 R-DI diesel engine at 1200 rpm with and without oxygen enrichment. Modeling was performed based on the baseline parameter of a diesel engine with gradual loads at 50%, 75%, and 100%. The oxygen concentration was increased to 30.6%, 37.8%, 45%, and 54% by mass. The results show an increase in the maximum heat release rate (HRR) and the mass fraction burned (MFB) up to 90% for both fuels. The peak heat release rate of biodiesel shifts around 6 J/degree and the brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) is up to 0.0035 kg/kWh higher than that of diesel fuel. When compared to diesel fuel, the thermal efficiency and BSFC of biodiesel usage are around 0.3% and 0.028 kg/kWh, respectively. NOx emissions increase due to higher combustion temperatures and more oxygen availability. Biodiesel emits 50% less NOx than diesel fuel, presumably due to a lower combustion temperature. As a result, while high-concentration oxygen enrichment improves combustion and lowers soot emissions, it raises NOx emissions. Soot emissions were reduced as a result of the enhanced combustion process, while NOx emissions rose due to higher combustion temperatures and increased oxygen availability.
A Study of a Gain-Scheduled Individual Pitch Controller for an NREL 5 MW Wind Turbine
Authors: Lim Chae-Wook
Published: January 2024

In order to reduce the asymmetric load acting on the blades of MW-class wind turbines, it is necessary to apply an individual pitch controller that independently adjusts the pitch angles of the three blades. This paper takes a new look at the relationship between the individual pitch controller applied to MW-class wind turbines and the vibration mode of the blades. The purpose of this study is to propose a method in which the individual pitch controller further reduces the 1P component of the bending moment in the out-of-plane direction acting on the blade, without exciting the in-plane vibration mode of the blade within the entire wind speed range, from the rated wind speed to the cut-out wind speed. To this end, a problem related to the excitation of the blade’s vibration mode that may occur when applying the individual pitch controller to an NREL 5 MW wind turbine is examined, and a method that uses gain scheduling to overcome this problem is presented. It is confirmed that it is possible to solve the problem of exciting the first-order vibration mode in the in-plane direction of the blade that can occur in the high wind speed range by applying the proposed gain scheduling method to the individual pitch controller aimed at reducing the 1P component of the out-of-plane bending moment of the blade.
A Generalised Series Model for the LES of Premixed and Non-Premixed Turbulent Combustion
Authors: Zeng Weilin , Wang Xujiang , Luo Kai Hong , Vogiatzaki Konstantina , Navarro-Martinez Salvador
Published: January 2024

In this study, the generality and prediction accuracy of a generalised series model for the large eddy simulation of premixed and non-premixed turbulent combustion is explored. The model is based on the Taylor series expansion of the chemical source term in scalar space and implemented into OpenFOAM. The mathematical model does not depend on combustion regimes and has the correct limiting behaviour. The numerical error sources are also outlined and analysed. The model is first applied to a piloted methane/air non-premixed jet flame (Sandia Flame D). The statistical (time-averaged and RMS) results agree well with the experimental measurements, particularly with regard to the mixture fraction, velocity, temperature, and concentrations of major species CH4, CO2, H2O, and O2. However, the concentrations of the intermediates CO and H2 are over-predicted, due to the limitations of the reduced reaction mechanism employed. Then, a Bunsen-piloted flame is simulated. Most of the statistical properties of both the reactive species and progress variables are well reproduced. The only major discrepancy evident is in the temperature, which is probably attributed to the experimental uncertainties of temperature fields in the pilot stream. These findings demonstrate the model’s generality for both a premixed and non-premixed combustion simulation, as well as the accuracy of prediction of reactive species distribution.
Analysing the Connection between Economic Growth, Conventional Energy, and Renewable Energy: A Comparative Analysis of the Caspian Countries
Authors: Vlăduţ Oana , Grigore George Eduard , Bodislav Dumitru Alexandru , Staicu Gabriel Ilie , Georgescu Raluca Iuliana
Published: January 2024

The objective of this research paper is to apply a mathematical model to estimate and predict the economic growth of the Caspian countries in the period from 1995 to 2022. We use multiple regression by applying the OLS method to estimate the impact of global oil price, energy resource production per capita, trade, and renewable energy on GDP per capita. The mathematical approach uses fixed and random effects models to assess the overall impact of the independent variables on economic growth in this region and over the period analysed. This study also aims to investigate whether the explanatory variables are cointegrated in the long run; as such, we carry out several mathematical cointegration tests, namely the Pedroni and Johansen tests. The mathematical analysis is completed by the estimation of short- and long-run parameters using the stochastic VAR/VEC models, the impulse response function, and the causality test to assess economic growth in this region. This study’s main finding is that GDP per capita is increasingly influenced by its previous values, which is confirmed by considering lag 1 and lag 2. The results of the Granger causality tests identify several bidirectional relationships between GDP per capita and oil and gas production. These relationships are clearly positive evidence of the growth trend and progress of economic activity in the Caspian region. The practical implications of the study aim to promote and support the use of renewable energy sources. In this sense, policymakers in the Caspian countries should create favourable conditions for the transition to a green economy. An important aspect is the efforts of the government authorities to make their policies more environmentally friendly, as decarbonisation is a good practice in the current context of sustainability and related choices. As the Caspian countries are heavily dependent on conventional energy production, it is essential for them to increase their export earnings from energy resources via diversifying and strengthening new energy opportunities and partnerships.