bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial–Temporal Variations in Regional Sea Level Change in the South China Sea over the Altimeter Era
Authors: Xiong Lujie , Jiao Yanping , Wang Fengwei , Zhou Shijian
Published: December 2023

This study utilizes 27 years of sea level anomaly (SLA) data obtained from satellite altimetry to investigate spatial–temporal variations in the South China Sea (SCS). The local mean decomposition (LMD) method is applied to decompose the sea level data into three components: high-frequency, low-frequency, and trend components. By removing the influence of high-frequency components, multiple time series of regular sea level changes with significant physical significance are obtained. The results indicate that the average multi-year SLA is 50.16 mm, with a linear trend of 3.91 ± 0.12 mm/a. The wavelet analysis method was employed to examine the significant annual and 1.5-year periodic signals in the SCS SLA series. At the seasonal scale, the sea level rise in coastal areas during autumn and winter surpasses that of spring and summer. Moreover, there are generally opposing spatial distributions between spring and autumn, as well as between summer and winter. The linear trends in multi-year SLA for the four seasons are 3.70 ± 0.13 mm/a, 3.66 ± 0.16 mm/a, 3.49 ± 0.16 mm/a, and 3.74 ± 0.33 mm/a, respectively. The causes of SCS sea level change are examined in relation to phenomena such as monsoons, the Kuroshio Current, and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Based on the empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis of SCS SLA, the contributions of the first three modes of variance are determined to be 34.09%, 28.84%, and 8.40%, respectively. The temporal coefficients and spatial distribution characteristics of these modes confirm their associations with ENSO, monsoons, and the double-gyre structure of SCS sea surface temperature. For instance, ENSO impacts SCS sea level change through atmospheric circulation, predominantly affecting the region between 116° E and 120° E longitude, and 14° N and 20° N latitude.
The Escape Intensity and Its Influencing Factors in Antarctic Krill (Euphausia superba) Passing through Large Mesh at the Front End of a Commercial Trawl
Authors: Wang Zhongqiu , Wang Lumin , Wang Yongjin , Tang Hao , Xu Liuxiong
Published: December 2023

The purpose of this study was to comprehend the escape intensity and its influencing factors in Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) that escaped through large mesh located at the front end of commercial trawl nets. Two pocket nets were employed to collect escaped krill that passed through the mesh opening in the first section (400 mm mesh size, without liner) and second section (16 mm mesh size liner) of the trawl body. The results show that krill escape primarily took place in the first section of the trawl body. Meanwhile, there was almost no krill escape observed in the second section of the trawl body, primarily attributable to the presence of a 16 mm mesh size liner. In terms of body length composition, the average PSI (percentage similarity index) was 67.31 (95% CI: 61.86–72.87) for krill from the pocket net on the larger mesh part and the codend. In addition, the PSI was significantly different (p < 0.05) between the day (60.96, 95% CI: 55.68–66.71) and night (83.62, 95% CI: 76.80–89.46). The escape intensity of krill ranged from 20.83 to 213.13 g·m−2 per ton per hour in the area at the front end of trawl body, with a mean value of 76.52 (95% CI: 55.22–101.09) g·m−2 per ton per hour during the daytime, and 144.66 (95% CI: 110.44–180.03) g·m−2 per ton per hour at night. These results indicate that krill can see and avoid contacting the netting easily during the day, particularly for larger individuals. This provides insight into the design of krill trawls, specifically on the arrangement of liners, which should be integrated from the front part of the trawl body.
A New Multi-Mechanism Synergistic Acoustic Structure for Underwater Low-Frequency and Broadband Sound Absorption
Authors: Shi Kangkang , Li Dongsheng , Hu Dongsen , Shen Qi , Jin Guoyong
Published: December 2023

The acoustic absorption characteristics of anechoic coatings attached to the surface of underwater vehicles are closely related to their acoustic stealth. Owing to the essential property of local resonance, the narrow sound-absorption band cannot meet the underwater broadband sound absorption requirements. To this end, a multi-mechanism synergistic composite acoustic structure (MMSC−AS) was designed according to the integration of multiple acoustic dissipation mechanisms in this paper. Then, the acoustical calculation model for MMSC−AS was developed by using the graded finite element method (G-FEM), and the feasibility and the correctness of the established acoustical calculation model were verified. The underwater sound absorption behaviors of MMSC−AS were studied, and the optimization of the sound absorption characteristics of the MMSC−AS was also carried out. The results indicated that the calculation accuracy of the G-FEM was better than that of the FEM under the condition of the same mesh elements. Moreover, there were many sound wave regulation mechanisms in the MMSC−AS, and the synergy between the mechanisms enriched the mode of sound acoustic energy dissipation, which could widen the absorption band with effect. This study provides theoretical and technical basis for breaking through the challenge of low-frequency and broadband acoustic structure design of underwater vehicles.
Generation, Transfer, and Loss of Alternative Oxidase Paralogues in the Aspergillaceae Family
Authors: Flipphi Michel , Márton Alexandra , Bíró Vivien , Ág Norbert , Sándor Erzsébet , Fekete Erzsébet , Karaffa Levente
Published: December 2023

Alternative oxidase (Aox) is a terminal oxidase operating in branched electron transport. The activity correlates positively with overflow metabolisms in certain Aspergilli, converting intracellular glucose by the shortest possible path into organic acids, like citrate or itaconate. Aox is nearly ubiquitous in fungi, but aox gene multiplicity is rare. Nevertheless, within the family of the Aspergillaceae and among its various species of industrial relevance—Aspergillus niger, A. oryzae, A. terreus, Penicillium rubens—paralogous aox genes coexist. Paralogous genes generally arise from duplication and are inherited vertically. Here, we provide evidence of four independent duplication events along the lineage that resulted in aox paralogues (aoxB) in contemporary Aspergillus and Penicillium taxa. In some species, three aox genes are co-expressed. The origin of the A. niger paralogue is different than that of the A. terreus paralogue, but all paralogous clades ultimately arise from ubiquitous aoxA parent genes. We found different patterns of uncorrelated gene losses reflected in the Aspergillus pedigree, albeit the original aoxA orthologues persist everywhere and are never replaced. The loss of acquired paralogues co-determines the contemporary aox gene content of individual species. In Aspergillus calidoustus, the two more ancient paralogues have, in effect, been replaced by two aoxB genes of distinct origins.
Dual RNA-Seq Reveals Temperature-Mediated Gene Reprogramming and Molecular Crosstalk between Grapevine and Lasiodiplodia theobromae
Authors: Peng Junbo , Li Yonghua , Xing Qikai , Huang Caiping , Yan Jiye
Published: December 2023

High temperatures associated with a fluctuating climate profoundly accelerate the occurrence of a myriad of plant diseases around the world. A comprehensive insight into how plants respond to pathogenic microorganisms under high-temperature stress is required for plant disease management, whereas the underlying mechanisms behind temperature-mediated plant immunity and pathogen pathogenicity are still unclear. Here, we evaluated the effect of high temperature on the development of grapevine canker disease and quantified the contribution of temperature variation to the gene transcription reprogramming of grapevine and its pathogenic agent Lasiodiplodia theobromae using a dual RNA-seq approach. The results showed that both grapevine and the pathogen displayed altered transcriptomes under different temperatures, and even the transcription of a plethora of genes from the two organisms responded in different directions and magnitudes. The transcription variability that arose due to temperature oscillation allowed us to identify a total of 26 grapevine gene modules and 17 fungal gene modules that were correlated with more than one gene module of the partner organism, which revealed an extensive web of plant–pathogen gene reprogramming during infection. More importantly, we identified a set of temperature-responsive genes that were transcriptionally orchestrated within the given gene modules. These genes are predicted to be involved in multiple cellular processes including protein folding, stress response regulation, and carbohydrate and peptide metabolisms in grapevine and porphyrin- and pteridine-containing compound metabolisms in L. theobromae, implying that in response to temperature oscillation, a complex web of signaling pathways in two organism cells is activated during infection. This study describes a co-transcription network of grapevine and L. theobromae in the context of considering temperature variation, which provides novel insights into deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying temperature-modulated disease development.
Antifungal Activity of Chitosan against Histoplasma capsulatum in Planktonic and Biofilm Forms: A Therapeutic Strategy in the Future?
Authors: Brilhante Raimunda Sâmia Nogueira , Costa Anderson da Cunha , Mesquita Jacó Ricarte Lima de , dos Santos Araújo Gessica , Freire Rosemeyre Souza , Nunes João Victor Serra , Nobre Augusto Feynman Dias , Fernandes Mirele Rodrigues , Rocha Marcos Fábio Gadelha , Pereira Neto Waldemiro de Aquino , Crouzier Thomas , Schimpf Ulrike , Viera Rodrigo Silveira
Published: December 2023

Histoplasmosis is a respiratory disease caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, a dimorphic fungus, with high mortality and morbidity rates, especially in immunocompromised patients. Considering the small existing therapeutic arsenal, new treatment approaches are still required. Chitosan, a linear polysaccharide obtained from partial chitin deacetylation, has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and non-toxicity properties. Chitosan with different deacetylation degrees and molecular weights has been explored as a potential agent against fungal pathogens. In this study, the chitosan antifungal activity against H. capsulatum was evaluated using the broth microdilution assay, obtaining minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging from 32 to 128 µg/mL in the filamentous phase and 8 to 64 µg/mL in the yeast phase. Chitosan combined with classical antifungal drugs showed a synergic effect, reducing chitosan’s MICs by 32 times, demonstrating that there were no antagonistic interactions relating to any of the strains tested. A synergism between chitosan and amphotericin B or itraconazole was detected in the yeast-like form for all strains tested. For H. capsulatum biofilms, chitosan reduced biomass and metabolic activity by about 40% at 512 µg/mL. In conclusion, studying chitosan as a therapeutic strategy against Histoplasma capsulatum is promising, mainly considering its numerous possible applications, including its combination with other compounds.
Analysis of Spatial Characteristics Contributing to Urban Cold Air Flow
Authors: Kim Hyunsu , Oh Kyushik , Yoo Ilsun
Published: December 2023

To mitigate the urban heat island phenomenon at night, cool, fresh air can be introduced into the city to circulate and dissipate the heat absorbed during the day, thereby reducing high urban air temperatures. In other words, cold air flow (CAF) generated by mountainous and green areas should be introduced to as wide an area as possible within the city. To this end, it is necessary to first understand the characteristics of urban spatial factors that impact CAF, and to conduct concrete and quantitative analyses of how these urban spatial characteristics are contributing to air temperature reduction. In this study, the following are conducted: (1) an analysis of the relationship between cold air volume flux (CAVF) and the amount of air temperature reduction; (2) urban spatial categorization; (3) an analysis of the relationship between CAVF and the amount of air temperature reduction by urban spatial type; (4) a regression analysis between the amount of air temperature reduction and urban spatial characteristic factors that affect CAF; and finally, (5) the use of CAF to reduce urban air temperatures in urban planning and a design is proposed. Urban space was categorized into nine types using the results of the tertile analysis of CAVF and urban temperature reduction. It was determined that building height (BH) has a positive (+) influence on all urban spatial types, while building area ratio (BA) has a negative (−) effect. However, in the case of wall area index (WAI), the direction of influence varied depending on the development density; relatively low BA areas should focus on development that increases height to increase WAI, while relatively high BA areas should focus on development that reduces BA to reduce WAI by targeting development types closer to the tower type. And even in areas with similar development density, influence varies depending on the terrain elevation. Moreover, it is necessary to prepare improvement measures to increase the factors with CAF that positively influence air temperature reduction and decrease those with negative influence according to the characteristics of urban spatial types. Such results quantitatively and specifically confirmed the effects of spatial factors that affect CAF by urban spatial type on air temperature reduction. The results of this study can be used as useful information for the efficient use of CAF, a major element of urban ecosystem services.
Meeting in the Middle: Sociophonetic Convergence of Bad Bunny and J Balvin’s Coda /s/ in Their Artistic Performance Speech
Authors: Hayes Elizabeth Naranjo
Published: December 2023

The artistic performance of identity by top Latin music artists can be heard on many Top-40 US radio stations, since, as of July 2023, 20% of the Billboard Hot 100 is (Spanish language) Latin music. This study aims to determine the variants found in the pronunciation of coda /s/, a robust phonetic differentiator of regional and social dialects, in the top songs versus in the spontaneous speech of the two top Latin music artists in the global market. Are Bad Bunny and J Balvin holding to the pronunciation of their respective regional variety in their artistic performance speech (APS, my term) or are they shifting to a different pronunciation? What motivations might cause a difference in the pronunciation of their APS and spontaneous speech? Bad Bunny and J Balvin’s pronunciation of coda /s/ is analyzed in depth as sociophonetic data: their performances of songs from 2018 to 2020 that charted at the top of the Hot Latin Songs Billboard chart as well as on The Billboard Hot 100 chart, and their spontaneous speech from their most-viewed Spanish-language interviews and Instagram Live recordings on YouTube recorded between 2018 and 2020. Bad Bunny overwhelmingly used deletions (∅) in his spontaneous speech—which is typical of an island Puerto Rican—but used a statistically significant amount of maintenance of the sibilant [s] and its aspirated variant [h] in his APS (p < 0.0001). J Balvin primarily used [s] in his spontaneous speech—which is typical of Medellín, Colombia—but used about 50/50 [s] and (∅) in his APS. They are both shifting to a different pronunciation in their APS and converging towards each other, and the difference is statistically significant (p < 0.0001). This dialect convergence could be the beginning of an identity-based pan-Latinx dialect leveling that is, on the one hand, the “in-crowd” pronunciation with covert prestige but, on the other hand, is part of the formation of an evolving multi-regional connector variant diffused through popular music and pop culture.
Proactive Effect of Algae-Based Graphene Support on the Oxygen Evolution Reaction Electrocatalytic Activity of NiFe
Authors: González-Ingelmo María , Granda Marcos , Ruiz Begoña , Fuente Enrique , Sierra Uriel , Rocha Victoria G. , González Zoraida , Álvarez Patricia , Menéndez Rosa
Published: December 2023

The preparation of graphene materials from biomass resources is still a challenge, even more so if they are going to be employed as supports for electrocatalysts for water splitting. Herein, we describe the preparation and characterization of graphene oxides (GOs) from solid macroalgae waste obtained after processing an agar–agar residue. The structural and morphological characterization of the obtained GO confirm the presence of a lamellar material that is composed of few layers with an increased number of heteroatoms (including nitrogen) if compared with those observed in a GO obtained from graphite (reference). Three-dimensional electrodes were prepared from these GOs by depositing them onto a fibrous carbon paper, followed by electrodeposition of the catalyst, NiFe. The electrocatalytic performance of these hybrid systems for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) showed a proactive effect of both graphene materials toward catalysis. Moreover, the electrode prepared from the algae-based graphene showed the highest electrocatalytic activity. This fact could be explained by the different structure of the algae-based graphene which, due to differences in the nucleation growth patterns and electroactive sites developed during the electrodeposition process, produced more reactive NiFe species (higher oxidation state).
Comparative Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Beam Behaviour: Conventional Model vs. Artificial Neural Network Predictions
Authors: Ahmad Muhammad Mahtab , Elahi Ayub , Barbhuiya Salim
Published: December 2023

This research aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the first crack load, flexural strength, and shear strength in reinforced concrete beams without stirrups. The comparison is made between the conventional model developed according to the current design code (ACI building code) and an unconventional approach using Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). To accomplish this, a dataset comprising 110 samples of reinforced concrete beams without stirrup reinforcement was collected and utilised to train a Multilayer Backpropagation Neural Network in MATLAB. The primary objective of this work is to establish a knowledge-based structural analysis model capable of accurately predicting the responses of reinforced concrete structures. The coefficient of determination obtained from this comparison yields values of 0.9404 for the first cracking load, 0.9756 for flexural strength, and 0.9787 for shear strength. Through an assessment of the coefficient of determination and linear regression coefficients, it becomes evident that the ANN model produces results that closely align with those obtained from the conventional model. This demonstrates the ANN’s potential for precise prediction of the structural behaviour of reinforced concrete beams.
The Combined Effects of Additives on the Conventional and High-Temperature Performance Properties of Warm Mix Asphalt Binders
Authors: Chomicz-Kowalska Anna , Bartos Joanna , Maciejewski Krzysztof , Iwański Mateusz M.
Published: December 2023

The present study investigates the effects of the simultaneous use of two additives, an organosilane warm mix asphalt (WMA) agent and a grade-bumping polyolefin compound, on the conventional and high-temperature performance properties of a paving grade 50/70 bitumen and a polymer-modified 45/80-55 bitumen. The WMA agent and polyolefin additive were introduced to the binders at rates of up to 0.3% and 2%, respectively. The base asphalt binders and their blends with the additives were tested before and after aging in a rolling thin film oven test at a temperature of 143 °C. The effects of the investigated additives were found to be dependent on the type of base binder and its aging state. It was generally observed that the WMA additive decreased the performance of the asphalt binders and limited the effects of the other additive, which increased the high-temperature stiffness and non-recoverable compliance of the blends. This interaction amounted to as much as an approx. 20% decrease in high-temperature stiffness and non-recoverable compliance of the binders. The additives caused a small increase in the elasticity of the binders and improved their creep performance when measured in multiple stress creep recovery tests.
Influence of Wave-Absorbing Materials on the Heating Efficiency in Microwave Heating Treatment of Contaminated Soil
Authors: Yang Yuxuan , Zhao Xiang , Zhang Xueqian , Li Hui
Published: December 2023

China has a lot of wastelands that are usually overly contaminated as a result of the relocation of industrial enterprises. Given that long-term threats are thus generated, safe and effective treatment routines are urgently needed. Due to its low carbon footprint and environmental protection benefits, the microwave heating treatment of contaminated soil has generated substantial academic interest. Nevertheless, wave-absorbing materials must be added during the treatment process to holistically enhance the effectiveness of heating the contaminated soil. Therefore, this study selects three typical wave-absorbing materials, i.e., Fe3O4, SiC and activated carbon, to explore the influence of the addition of wave-absorbing materials on the microwave heating efficiency for contaminated soil. Moreover, the changes in the mineral phases and microscopic morphology of the contaminated soil and wave-absorbing materials after heating at different temperatures are analyzed. It is concluded that the heating rate would reach 39.5 °C/min when the amount of additive Fe3O4 reaches 8%; when the temperature exceeds 300 °C, the Fe3O4 will be gradually oxidized to Fe2O3. Activated carbon is a wave-absorbing material that has a higher thermal stability than Fe3O4, although it has less impact on the heating rate. The ability of SiC to absorb waves has a limited impact on the heating rate. During microwave heating, the microscopic morphology of the contaminated soil and wave-absorbing materials do not change significantly.
Investigating the Role of Stator Slot Indents in Minimizing Flooded Motor Fluid Damping Loss
Authors: Tekgun Didem , Tekgun Burak
Published: December 2023

This research examines how fluid damping loss affects the operation of a two-pole, 5.5 HP (4 kW) induction machine (IM) within the context of different slot opening configurations developed for downhole water pump applications. Since these motors operate with their cavities filled with fluid, the variations in fluid viscosity and density, compared to air, result in the occurrence of damping losses. Furthermore, this loss can be attributed to the motor’s stator and rotor surface geometry, as the liquid within the motor cavity moves unrestrictedly within the motor housing. This study involves the examination of the damping loss in a 24-slot IM under different stator slot indentations. The investigation utilizes computational fluid dynamics (CFD) finite element analysis (FEA) and is subsequently validated through experiments. The aim of this work is to emphasize the significance of fluid damping loss in submerged machines. Results reveal that the damping loss exceeds 8% of the motor output power when the stator surface has indentations, and it diminishes to 3.2% of the output power when a custom wedge structure is employed to eliminate these surface indentations.
Stochastic Process Leading to Catalan Number Recurrence
Authors: Białecki Mariusz
Published: December 2023

Motivated by a simple model of earthquake statistics, a finite random discrete dynamical system is defined in order to obtain Catalan number recurrence by describing the stationary state of the system in the limit of its infinite size. Equations describing dynamics of the system, represented by partitions of a subset of {1,2,…,N}, are derived using basic combinatorics. The existence and uniqueness of a stationary state are shown using Markov chains terminology. A well-defined mean-field type approximation is used to obtain block size distribution and the consistency of the approach is verified. It is shown that this recurrence asymptotically takes the form of Catalan number recurrence for particular dynamics parameters of the system.
A p-Refinement Method Based on a Library of Transition Elements for 3D Finite Element Applications
Authors: Shahriar Adnan , Mostafa Ahmed Jenan
Published: December 2023

Wave propagation or acoustic emission waves caused by impact load can be simulated using the finite element (FE) method with a refined high-fidelity mesh near the impact location. This paper presents a method to refine a 3D finite element mesh by increasing the polynomial order near the impact location. Transition elements are required for such a refinement operation. Three protocols are defined to implement the transition elements within the low-order FE mesh. Due to the difficulty of formulating shape functions and verification, there are no transition elements beyond order two in the current literature for 3D elements. This paper develops a complete set of transition elements that facilitate the transition from first- to fourth-order Lagrangian elements, which facilitates mesh refinement following the protocols. The shape functions are computed and verified, and the interelement compatibility conditions are checked for each element case. The integration quadratures and shape function derivative matrices are also computed and made readily available for FE users. Finally, two examples are presented to illustrate the applicability of this method.
On the Oracle Properties of Bayesian Random Forest for Sparse High-Dimensional Gaussian Regression
Authors: Olaniran Oyebayo Ridwan , Alzahrani Ali Rashash R.
Published: December 2023

Random forest (RF) is a widely used data prediction and variable selection technique. However, the variable selection aspect of RF can become unreliable when there are more irrelevant variables than relevant ones. In response, we introduced the Bayesian random forest (BRF) method, specifically designed for high-dimensional datasets with a sparse covariate structure. Our research demonstrates that BRF possesses the oracle property, which means it achieves strong selection consistency without compromising the efficiency or bias.
An Advanced Segmentation Approach to Piecewise Regression Models
Authors: Lu Kang-Ping , Chang Shao-Tung
Published: December 2023

Two problems concerning detecting change-points in linear regression models are considered. One involves discontinuous jumps in a regression model and the other involves regression lines connected at unknown places. Significant literature has been developed for estimating piecewise regression models because of their broad range of applications. The segmented (SEG) regression method with an R package has been employed by many researchers since it is easy to use, converges fast, and produces sufficient estimates. The SEG method allows for multiple change-points but is restricted to continuous models. Such a restriction really limits the practical applications of SEG when it comes to discontinuous jumps encountered in real change-point problems very often. In this paper, we propose a piecewise regression model, allowing for discontinuous jumps, connected lines, or the occurrences of jumps and connected change-points in a single model. The proposed segmentation approach can derive the estimates of jump points, connected change-points, and regression parameters simultaneously, allowing for multiple change-points. The initializations of the proposed algorithm and the decision on the number of segments are discussed. Experimental results and comparisons demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method. Several real examples from diverse areas illustrate the practicability of the new method.
Searching for Novel Sources of Hydrogen Sulfide Donors: Chemical Profiling of Polycarpa aurata Extract and Evaluation of the Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Authors: Casertano Marcello , Esposito Erika , Bello Ivana , Indolfi Chiara , Putra Masteria , Di Cesare Mannelli Lorenzo , Ghelardini Carla , Menna Marialuisa , Sorrentino Raffaella , Cirino Giuseppe , d’Emmanuele di Villa Bianca Roberta , Imperatore Concetta , Panza Elisabetta , Mitidieri Emma
Published: December 2023

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a signaling molecule endogenously produced within mammals’ cells that plays an important role in inflammation, exerting anti-inflammatory effects. In this view, the research has shown a growing interest in identifying natural H2S donors. Herein, for the first time, the potential of marine extract as a source of H2S-releasing agents has been explored. Different fractions obtained by the Indonesian ascidian Polycarpa aurata were evaluated for their ability to release H2S in solution. The main components of the most active fraction were then characterized by liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) and NMR spectroscopy. The ability of this fraction to release H2S was evaluated in a cell-free assay and J774 macrophages by a fluorimetric method, and its anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in vitro and in vivo by using carrageenan-induced mouse paw edema. The anti-inflammatory effects were assessed by inhibiting the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), coupled with a reduction in nitric oxide (NO) and IL-6 levels. Thus, this study defines the first example of a marine source able to inhibit inflammatory responses in vivo through the release of H2S.
The Marine Natural Compound Dragmacidin D Selectively Induces Apoptosis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Spheroids
Authors: Guzmán Esther A. , Peterson Tara A. , Wright Amy E.
Published: December 2023

Cancer cells grown in 3D spheroid cultures are considered more predictive for clinical efficacy. The marine natural product dragmacidin D induces apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) spheroids within 24 h of treatment while showing no cytotoxicity against the same cells grown in monolayers and treated for 72 h. The IC50 for cytotoxicity based on caspase 3/7 cleavage in the spheroid assay was 8 ± 1 µM in MDA-MB-231 cells and 16 ± 0.6 µM in MDA-MB-468 cells at 24 h. No cytotoxicity was seen at all in 2D, even at the highest concentration tested. Thus, the IC50 for cytotoxicity in the MTT assay (2D) in these cells was found to be >75 µM at 72 h. Dragmacidin D exhibited synergy when used in conjunction with paclitaxel, a current treatment for TNBC. Studies into the signaling changes using a reverse-phase protein array showed that treatment with dragmacidin D caused significant decreases in histones. Differential protein expression was used to hypothesize that its potential mechanism of action involves acting as a protein synthesis inhibitor or a ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor. Further testing is necessary to validate this hypothesis. Dragmacidin D also caused a slight decrease in an invasion assay in the MDA-MB-231 cells, although this failed to be statistically significant. Dragmacidin D shows intriguing selectivity for spheroids and has the potential to be a treatment option for triple-negative breast cancer, which merits further research into understanding this activity.
Aggressive Male Breast Cancer—Clinical and Therapeutic Aspects Correlated with the Histopathological Examination: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Petrescu Ana-Maria , Pirici Nicolae-Daniel , Ruxanda Anca-Ileana , Vasile Liviu , Pîrșcoveanu Mircea , Paitici Ștefan , Petrescu Gabriel-Sebastian , Munteanu Alexandru Claudiu , Matei Ramona-Andreea , Dumitrache Daniel , Donoiu Andreas , Mogoantă Stelian-Ștefăniță
Published: December 2023

Breast cancer is often seen as a disease that occurs in women, but it can also appear in men in a very small percentage, below 1%. Men have a minimal amount of breast tissue compared to women, which has the potential to become malignant in a similar way to women, although much less frequently. A patient presented with advanced local invasion due to the low amount of breast tissue, with the tumor quickly invading the adjacent structures. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations have an extremely important role in the pathology of breast cancer. Given that male breast cancer is rare and there are not enough surgeons specializing in breast surgery in our country, there is a lack of experience in the management and early diagnosis of this type of cancer, which will be highlighted in this article.
Bacillus subtilis 26D Triggers Induced Systemic Resistance against Rhopalosiphum padi L. by Regulating the Expression of Genes AGO, DCL and microRNA in Bread Spring Wheat
Authors: Rumyantsev Sergey D. , Veselova Svetlana V. , Burkhanova Guzel F. , Alekseev Valentin Y. , Maksimov Igor V.
Published: December 2023

Bacillus subtilis 26D is a plant growth-promoting endophytic bacteria capable of inducing systemic resistance through the priming mechanism, which includes plant genome reprogramming and the phenomenon of RNA interference (RNAi) and microRNA (miRNAs). The phloem-feeding insect bird cherry-oat aphid Rhopalosiphum padi L. is a serious pest that causes significant damage to crops throughout the world. However, the function of plant miRNAs in the response to aphid infestation remains unclear. The results of this work showed that B. subtilis 26D stimulated aphid resistance in wheat plants, inducing the expression of genes of hormonal signaling pathways ICS, WRKY13, PR1, ACS, EIN3, PR3, and ABI5. In addition, B. subtilis 26D activated the RNAi mechanism and regulated the expression of nine conserved miRNAs through activation of the ethylene, salicylic acid (SA), and abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathways, which was demonstrated by using treatments with phytohormones. Treatment of plants with SA, ethylene, and ABA acted in a similar manner to B. subtilis 26D on induction of the expression of the AGO4, AGO5 and DCL2, DCL4 genes, as well as the expression of nine conserved miRNAs. Different patterns of miRNA expression were found in aphid-infested plants and in plants treated with B. subtilis 26D or SA, ethylene, and ABA and infested by aphids, suggesting that miRNAs play multiple roles in the plant response to phloem-feeding insects, associated with effects on hormonal signaling pathways, redox metabolism, and the synthesis of secondary metabolites. Our study provides new data to further elucidate the fine mechanisms of bacterial-induced priming. However, further extensive work is needed to fully unravel these mechanisms.
Characterisation of Soil Bacterial Communities That Exhibit Chemotaxis to Root Exudates from Phosphorus-Limited Plants
Authors: Weigh Katherine V. , Batista Bruna D. , Hoang Huong , Dennis Paul G.
Published: December 2023

The ability to sense and direct movement along chemical gradients is known as ‘chemotaxis’ and is a common trait among rhizosphere microorganisms, which are attracted to organic compounds released from plant roots. In response to stress, the compounds released from roots can change and may recruit symbionts that enhance host stress tolerance. Decoding this language of attraction could support the development of microbiome management strategies that would enhance agricultural production and sustainability. In this study, we employ a culture-independent bait-trap chemotaxis assay to capture microbial communities attracted to root exudates from phosphorus (P)-sufficient and P-deficient Arabidopsis thaliana Col-0 plants. The captured populations were then enumerated and characterised using flow cytometry and phylogenetic marker gene sequencing, respectively. Exudates attracted significantly more cells than the control but did not differ between P treatments. Relative to exudates from P-sufficient plants, those collected from P-deficient plants attracted a significantly less diverse bacterial community that was dominated by members of the Paenibacillus, which is a genus known to include powerful phosphate solubilisers and plant growth promoters. These results suggest that in response to P deficiency, Arabidopsis exudates attract organisms that could help to alleviate nutrient stress.
“A Safe Space for Sharing Feelings”: Perspectives of Children with Lived Experiences of Anxiety on Social Robots
Authors: Dosso Jill A. , Kailley Jaya N. , Martin Susanna E. , Robillard Julie M.
Published: December 2023

Social robots have the potential to support health and quality of life for children experiencing anxiety. We engaged families with lived experiences of pediatric anxiety in social robot development to explore desired design features, application areas, and emotion functionalities of social robots in anxiety care. We conducted 10 online co-creation workshops with (1) children with anxiety aged 7–13 (n = 24) with their family members (n = 20), and (2) youth with anxiety aged 14–18 (n = 12). Workshop participation included a validated robot expectations scale, anonymous polls, and discussion. Transcripts and text responses were subjected to content analysis. A lived experience expert group provided feedback throughout the research. Participants desired a pet-like robot with a soft texture, expressive eyes, and emotion detection to support activities of daily living. Specific anxiety-related applications included breathing exercises, managing distressing thoughts, and encouragement. Emotional alignment, the design of a robot’s emotional display, and the emotional impacts of an interaction were discussed. Privacy and the replacement of human interaction were concerns. We identify pediatric anxiety-specific design features, applications, and affective considerations for existing and future social robots. Our findings highlight the need for customizability and robust emotional functionality in social robot technologies intended to support the health and care of children living with anxiety.
Determination Position and Initial Value of Aspheric Surface for Fisheye Lens Design
Authors: Fan Lirong , Yan Ketao , Qiao Guodong , Lu Lijun , Gao Shuyuan , Zheng Huadong
Published: December 2023

The aspheric surface is a commonly used method to improve the imaging quality of the fisheye lens, but it is difficult to determine the position and initial value. Based on the wave aberration theory of the plane-symmetric optical system, a method of using an aspheric surface to design a fisheye lens is proposed, which can quickly determine the appropriate aspheric surface to improve the imaging performance. First, the wave aberration of each optical surface of the fisheye lens is calculated and its aberration characteristics are analyzed. Then, a numerical evaluation function is reported based on the aberration distribution of the fisheye lens on the image plane. According to the functional relationship between the evaluation function and the aspheric coefficient, the position of the aspheric surface and the initial value of the aspheric coefficient can be calculated. Finally, the adaptive and normalized real-coded genetic algorithm is used as the evaluation function to optimize the fisheye lens using an aspheric surface. The proposed method can provide an effective solution for designing a fisheye lens using an aspheric surface.
Hybrid Filtration Process for Gas Desulfurization
Authors: Germain Christelle , Poser Morgane , Peu Pascal , Couvert Annabelle , Dumont Eric
Published: December 2023

A hybrid desulfurization process combining a physical filtration stage on cellular concrete (CC abiotic filter, called CCAF) and a biotrickling filter (called BTF) filled with expanded schist as packing material was used to remove high H2S concentrations from a synthetic gas containing dinitrogen (N2), dioxygen (O2) and H2S without the addition of a nutritive solution. Provided that small amounts of oxygen are present in the gas (1.2 ± 0.1% in volume), the global removal efficiency was 100%, and the global removal capacity reached 35 ± 2 gH2S m−3 h−1 for a total empty bed residence time (EBRT) of 120 s (CCAF + BTF). The resilience of the desulfurization process was demonstrated by applying severe changes in the H2S concentrations, from 160 to 1150 ± 20 mg m−3 for an EBRT = 120 s. According to the performances of the abiotic filter, which can decline over time due to the lifetime of the cellular concrete (137 days), the biotrickling filter reacted either as a refining system or as an efficient system able to treat significant H2S loading rates (up to 45 ± 3 gH2S m−3 h−1). Depending on the operating conditions, the increase in the pressure drops of the biotrickling filter (from 45 ± 3 to 234 ± 8 Pa m−1) highlighted biomass accumulation, especially extremophilic Acidithiobacillus sp. Considering the cellular concrete abiotic filter alone, removal capacities of up to 56 ± 3 gH2S m−3 h−1 were recorded for an EBRT of 60 s, demonstrating that gases such as landfill biogas or household biogas could be efficiently treated using this simple technique.
Bidual Representation of Expectiles
Authors: Balbás Alejandro , Balbás Beatriz , Balbás Raquel , Charron Jean-Philippe
Published: December 2023

Downside risk measures play a very interesting role in risk management problems. In particular, the value at risk (VaR) and the conditional value at risk (CVaR) have become very important instruments to address problems such as risk optimization, capital requirements, portfolio selection, pricing and hedging issues, risk transference, risk sharing, etc. In contrast, expectile risk measures are not as widely used, even though they are both coherent and elicitable. This paper addresses the bidual representation of expectiles in order to prove further important properties of these risk measures. Indeed, the bidual representation of expectiles enables us to estimate and optimize them by linear programming methods, deal with optimization problems involving expectile-linked constraints, relate expectiles with VaR and CVaR by means of both equalities and inequalities, give VaR and CVaR hyperbolic upper bounds beyond the level of confidence, and analyze whether co-monotonic additivity holds for expectiles. Illustrative applications are presented.
Characteristics of Abnormalities in Somatosensory Submodalities Observed in Residents Exposed to Methylmercury
Authors: Takaoka Shigeru , Fujino Tadashi , Shigeoka Shin-ichi , Yorifuji Takashi
Published: December 2023

Hundreds of thousands of people living along the Yatsushiro Sea coast have been exposed to methylmercury from the contaminated water of the Chisso factory in Minamata. The most common neurological disorder caused by methylmercury is somatosensory disturbance, but very few studies have been conducted in the world to determine its pathophysiology and origin, including the Japanese cases, which have produced numerous intoxicated individuals. We have already shown in previous studies the body part where the disorder occurs and that its cause is not peripheral nerve damage but damage to the parietal lobes of the cerebrum. We reanalyzed the results of subjective symptoms, neurological findings, and quantitative sensory measurements in 197 residents (63.2 ± 10.7 years old) from contaminated areas exposed to methylmercury from seafood and 130 residents (63.7 ± 9.3 years old) from control areas, the same subjects as in previous studies, to determine the characteristics of somatosensory disturbance in detail. The most commonly affected sensory modalities were superficial peripheral touch and pain in the extremities, followed by two-point discrimination and deep senses, and in the most severe cases, full-body sensory dysfunction and impairment of all sensory submodalities. The severity of sensory submodalities correlated with each other but not with peripheral nerve conduction test indices, further confirming the correctness of our assertion about the responsible foci of sensory disturbance. The health effects of chronic methylmercury toxicosis can be elucidated by a detailed examination of sensory deficits.
Tidal Resonance: A Factor Worth Considering in the Orbital Evolution of Heartbeat Stars
Authors: Ou Jian-Wen , Jiang Chen , Yang Ming , Yu Cong , Gao Dong-Yang , Long Guangbo
Published: December 2023

Heartbeat star systems have been reported to exhibit two distinct different orbital dynamic evolution processes: apsidal precession (e.g., KIC 4544587) and orbital decay (e.g., KIC 3766353). While experiencing similar dynamic tidal interactions, these binary systems display different dynamical behaviors, which is a puzzling phenomenon. In this work, we deduced a theoretical relation between the timescale of stellar pulsation Ppul and orbital periods Porb of heartbeat stars based on the resonance criteria representing the orbital local low-energy configuration. The theoretical relation shows that when the ratio of Porb to Ppul is an integer, the specific orbital period is captured in the resonance state, resulting in resonance locking. The resonance criteria are verified by periodograms of the pulsations and orbits of the two systems KIC 4544587 and KIC 3766353 from observations. KIC 4544587 is an apsidal precession heartbeat star with eight observed resonant frequencies available from observations and has an almost integer ratio of Ppul/Porb=67.968. On the contrary, KIC 3766353 is undergoing the process of orbital shrinkage with only three weak pulsation–orbital resonance frequencies available and shows a non-integer ratio of Ppul/Porb=83.163. Given the results, the theoretical relation is a potential proxy to distinguish between apsidal precession and orbital decay binary systems. Furthermore, we predict that the orbital period of KIC 3766353 will be reduced to 2.492 days, at which time it will be transformed into apsidal precession.
Torsion at Different Scales: From Materials to the Universe
Authors: Mavromatos Nick E. , Pais Pablo , Iorio Alfredo
Published: December 2023

The concept of torsion in geometry, although known for a long time, has not gained considerable attention from the physics community until relatively recently, due to its diverse and potentially important applications to a plethora of contexts of physical interest. These range from novel materials, such as graphene and graphene-like materials, to advanced theoretical ideas, such as string theory and supersymmetry/supergravity, and applications thereof in terms of understanding the dark sector of our Universe. This work reviews such applications of torsion at different physical scales.