bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of DPPC Liposome Disruption by Embedded Tocopheryl Malonate
Authors: Neunert Grażyna , Tomaszewska-Gras Jolanta , Gauza-Włodarczyk Marlena , Witkowski Stanislaw , Polewski Krzysztof
Published: May 2023

In this study, the effect of α-tocopheryl malonate (TM) on physical and structural properties of DPPC liposomes was investigated using ANS fluorescence, DPH, and TMA–DPH anisotropy fluorescence and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) methods. The presence of embedded TM in DPPC liposomes caused alteration in its phase transition temperatures, structural order, dynamics, and hydration of head groups increasingly with growing TM concentration. The ANS fluorescence results demonstrated that increasing TM presence in the DPPC gel phase due to interrupted membrane structure caused the formation of new binding sites. Temperature investigations in the range of 20 °C to 60 °C showed that increasing temperature rises ANS fluorescence which reaches local and global maxima at 36 °C and 42 °C, respectively. The rising TM concentration at the phase transition temperature of DPPC led to the lowering of ANS fluorescence, indicating a decreased binding of ANS. Simultaneously, during heating, a roughly 10-nm shift of ANS emission maximum was observed. The results indicated that in the fluid phase, the observed quenching appears as a result of increasing accessibility of water molecules into ANS in this region. The DPH results indicated that in the gel phase presence of TM introduced disorder in the hydrophobic acyl chain region led to its fluidization. The TMA–DPH results indicated an increasing disorder in the interface region and an increasing hydration of head group atoms at the surface of the membrane. The increasing concentration of TM results in the formation of multicomponent DSC traces, suggesting the formation of another structural phase. The applied methods proved that the incorporation of TM into DPPC membrane results in the interaction of malonate moiety with DPPC head group atoms in the interphase layer and induces the interruption in the membrane packing order, leading to its structural changes. The presented results show that TM presence could regulate the membrane properties, thus it may indicate one of the possible mechanisms responsible for the effective disruption of cell membranes by TM. The knowledge of molecular mechanism how TM interacts with the membrane will help to elucidate its possible pharmacological activity.
Recent Insights to Prepare High-Quality Perovskite Nanocrystals via “Green” and Ecofriendly Solvents and Capping Agents
Authors: Sánchez-Godoy Humberto Emmanuel , Gualdrón-Reyes Andrés Fabián
Published: May 2023

The synthesis of halide perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) with mesmerizing photophysical properties has allowed for the fast development of efficient optoelectronic and photovoltaic devices, as well as making them ideal photocatalysts for solar-driven chemical reactions. However, the use of traditional oleic acid/oleylamine with low binding energy and the introduction of some phosphine- and sulfur-based ligands generate the emergence of highly defective PNCs with poor stability, fast quenching of their PL features, and increase in the toxicity of the final perovskite product. In this review, we will show the use of prominent “green” and ecofriendly solvents and capping ligands with the capability to enhance the quality of the PNCs by suppressing structural defects. By introducing promising ecofriendly agents such as biogenic species and ligands extracted from natural sources, it is possible to favor the radiative recombination dynamics into the perovskite, being beneficial to enhance the device performance. Novel passivation alternatives or synthetic routes are highlighted in this contribution, giving a deeper understanding of the control of surface chemistry in PNCs through ligand engineering to prolong the stability of the nanocrystals.
Recurrent Neural Network to Predict Saccade Offset Time Points from Electrooculogram Signals for Automatic Measurement of Eye-Fixation-Related Potential
Authors: Saga Takuma , Watanabe Hiroki , Naruse Yasushi
Published: May 2023

Eye-fixation-related potential (EFRP)—an event-related potential that is time-locked to the saccade offset (SO)—can be measured without synchronizing with time when external stimuli occur. Such an advantage in measurement enables the mean amplitude of the EFRP to be used to estimate the cognitive workload, which is known to change the amplitude, under real-world conditions. However, to observe EFRPs reliably, the SO timing must be correctly and consistently determined in milliseconds owing to the high temporal resolution of the electroencephalogram (EEG). As the electrooculogram (EOG) is commonly measured simultaneously with the EEG and the SO timing is reflected as a steep change in the waveforms, attempts have been made to determine the SO timing from EOG signals visually (the VD method). However, the SO timing detected by the VD method may be inconsistent across trials. We propose a gated recurrent unit—a recurrent neural network model—to detect the SO timing from EOGs consistently and automatically. We used EOG data from a task that mimics visual inspections, in which participants periodically traversed their eyes from left to right, for the model training. As a result, the amplitudes of the EFRPs based on the proposed method were significantly larger than those based on the VD method and the previous automatic method. This suggests that the proposed method can prevent the decrease in EFRP amplitudes owing to the inconsistent determination of the SO timing and increase the applicability of cognitive workload estimation using the EFRP in real-world environments.
Seismic Response Analysis of a Shield Tunnel in a Coastal Nuclear Power Plant under a Complex Foundation
Authors: Zhao Jie , Wang Cuicui , Lan Wenjun
Published: May 2023

As a transportation hub connecting sea and land, the seismic safety of an undersea tunnel is very important. Based on the structural and stress characteristics of a shield tunnel, a seismic response analysis of a coastal nuclear power plant under a complex foundation is carried out in this paper. Firstly, adopting the lateral and longitudinal response displacement methods, the authors study the variation and distribution features of the rate of diameter change and joint-stretching value of the shield tunnel segments. On this basis, a three-dimensional refined finite element model of a sinking tube–soil mass under a complex soil foundation is established. Finally, when the joints and segments of the shield tunnel are subjected to ground motion, the deformation and internal force distribution of its lining segments are studied. The findings show that under influence of SL-2-magnitude ground motion, the soft–hard stratum junction is the weak point of the shield tunnel structure’s longitudinal seismic resistance. When the silt layer at the position of the shield segment is thicker and the geological conditions are relatively poorer, the internal force, diameter deformation rate, and joint-stretching value will be larger. The research results can provide a reference for seismic research on shield tunnels in sea areas under complex foundations.
Stochastic Resonance Whole Body Vibration (SR-WBV) Does Not Affect the Body Composition of Healthy Young Women: A Preliminary Controlled Before–After (CBA) Study
Authors: Lebiedowska Agata , Hartman-Petrycka Magdalena , Błońska-Fajfrowska Barbara , Koprowski Robert , Wilczyński Sławomir
Published: May 2023

According to the WHO, overweight and obesity, defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation, are a major risk factor for many diseases. The bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a commonly used method of assessing body composition in clinical practice and medical research. When the BIA reveals abnormalities, the recommended therapeutic procedure is to modify the diet and implement physical activity. One method that can reinforce or support physical activity is whole-body vibration (WBV). Vibrating devices with stochastic resonance (SR) generate vibrations of variable amplitude and frequency. For people with unhealthy body composition who cannot undertake physical activity for various reasons, procedures with stochastic resonance seems to be a good solution. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of stochastic resonance whole-body vibration (SR-WBV) on the body composition of women. Measured BC parameters included fat mass (FM, kg), percent body fat (PBF, %), visceral fat area (VFA, cm2), soft lean mass (SLM, kg), fat-free mass (FFM, kg), skeletal muscle mass (SMM, kg), body cell mass (BCM, kg), protein (kg), minerals (kg), bone mineral contents (BMC, kg), intracellular water (IW, l), extracellular water (EW, l), total body water (TBW, l), extracellular water/total body water (EW/TBW). The study involved 240 healthy young women with normal body composition (BC) and low or moderate physical activity levels. Two groups were randomly formed from among all participants: the V group included 134 women participating in 12 SR-WBV procedure sessions over 6 weeks; the C group included 106 women not participating in SR-WBV procedure sessions over 6 weeks. The stochastic procedure consisted of 12 sessions over 6 weeks. One session lasted 15 min, consisting of nine active series of vibrations lasting 45 s each with 40 s breaks between series. The vibration frequency was 2–8 Hz and the amplitude ranged 0.5–3.5 mm. While observing the effect of SR-WBV vibrations on body composition in the group of women, no statistically significant changes were found. Hence, we conclude that the stochastic resonance vibration procedure cannot be recommended as a way to modify body composition in healthy young women characterized by normal body composition and low or moderate physical activity levels.
Non-Thermal Plasma Review: Assessment and Improvement of Feasibility as a Retrofitted Technology in Tertiary Wastewater Purification
Authors: Naicker Kaamil-Inaam , Kaweesa Paul , Daramola Michael O. , Iwarere Samuel A.
Published: May 2023

Chlorination, ozonation and non-thermal plasma water purification technologies were compared in terms of their effectiveness, efficiency, capital and operating costs, energy yield and chemical demand. Retrofitting plasma technology to chlorination plants offered the lowest capital cost (ZAR 14,000 or USD 253,376 based on the current South African Reserve Bank rate of ZAR/USD of 18.0983) and the most effective contaminant removal (of the three possible combinations). How- ever, this combination yielded the highest operating costs (ZAR 586,000 per annum or USD 10.6 million) and the lowest energy efficiency. It was concluded that retrofitting chlorination plants with plasma technology is feasible. However, plasma generators should be redesigned to consume less energy or to operate using renewable energy. Furthermore, research should be performed on contaminants of emerging concern to establish a deadline after which their concentration must not exceed a specified limit. This will accelerate the implementation of plasma technology and secure the health of our posterity.
Effects of Three Different Brazilian Green Propolis Extract Formulations on Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokine Secretion by Macrophages
Authors: Zamarrenho Luana Gonçalves , de Lima Mikhael Haruo Fernandes , Hori Juliana Issa , Lima Jéssica Aparecida , Ambrósio Sérgio Ricardo , Bastos Jairo Kenupp , De Jong David , Berretta Andresa Aparecida
Published: May 2023

Propolis is known for its immunomodulatory properties. We investigated the effects of three recently developed propolis extract formulations: polar propolis fraction (PPF), soluble propolis dry extract (PSDE), and microencapsulated propolis extract (MPE), and some of their components, on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production in a macrophage model. Bone marrow cell-derived macrophages (BMDM) in cell culture were E. coli lipopolysaccharide (500 ng/mL) stimulated for two hours and subsequently incubated for 20 hours with one of the three propolis extract formulations (1, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 300 µg/mL) or with isolated propolis components (caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, artepillin C, or baccharin) (10, 25, 50 and 100 µg/mL) to determine how they affected secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α, and the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10. PPF increased IL-6 and IL-10 levels. PSDE increased IL-6 and IL-10 at lower concentrations, while at higher concentrations it increased TNF-α and decreased IL-10. MPE increased IL-10. Caffeic acid and PPF increased both IL-6 and IL-10. Artepillin C and PSDE decreased IL-10. Baccharin and MPE increased IL-10. Baccharin also decreased IL-6. p-coumaric acid did not affect secretion of these cytokines. Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production by the different propolis extracts differed; however, all three propolis extract formulations have potential as immunomodulatory agents in food supplement and pharmaceutical products.
A General Analytical Solution for Two-Dimensional Columnar Crystal Growth during Laser Beam Welding of Thin Steel Sheets
Authors: Artinov Antoni , Karkhin Victor , Meng Xiangmeng , Bachmann Marcel , Rethmeier Michael
Published: May 2023

A technique for calculating the main solidification parameters for a two-dimensional columnar crystal growth during complete penetration laser beam welding of thin steel sheets was developed. Given that the weld pool interface is described by Lamé curves (superellipses) within the horizontal plane of growth, general analytical solutions were derived for the geometry of the crystal axis and the corresponding growth rate and cross-sectional area of the crystal. A dimensionless analysis was performed to provide insights on the dependence of the solidification parameters on the shape and dimensions of the rear part of the weld pool boundary. The derived solutions were applied for the case of complete penetration laser beam keyhole welding of 2 mm thick 316L austenitic chromium-nickel steel sheets. It was shown that the reconstruction of the weld pool boundary with Lamé curves provides higher accuracy and flexibility compared to results obtained with elliptical functions. The validity of the proposed technique and the derived analytical solutions was backed up by a comparison of the obtained solutions to known analytical solutions and experimentally determined shapes and sizes of the crystals on the top surface of the sheet. The dimensions of the calculated crystal axis correlated well with the experimentally obtained results.
Multi-Stage Prompt Tuning for Political Perspective Detection in Low-Resource Settings
Authors: Kim Kang-Min , Lee Mingyu , Won Hyun-Sik , Kim Min-Ji , Kim Yeachan , Lee SangKeun
Published: May 2023

Political perspective detection in news media—identifying political bias in news articles—is an essential but challenging low-resource task. Prompt-based learning (i.e., discrete prompting and prompt tuning) achieves promising results in low-resource scenarios by adapting a pre-trained model to handle new tasks. However, these approaches suffer performance degradation when the target task involves a textual domain (e.g., a political domain) different from the pre-training task (e.g., masked language modeling on a general corpus). In this paper, we develop a novel multi-stage prompt tuning framework for political perspective detection. Our method involves two sequential stages: a domain- and task-specific prompt tuning stage. In the first stage, we tune the domain-specific prompts based on a masked political phrase prediction (MP3) task to adjust the language model to the political domain. In the second task-specific prompt tuning stage, we only tune task-specific prompts with a frozen language model and domain-specific prompts for downstream tasks. The experimental results demonstrate that our method significantly outperforms fine-tuning (i.e., model tuning) methods and state-of-the-art prompt tuning methods on the SemEval-2019 Task 4: Hyperpartisan News Detection and AllSides datasets.
A Two-Stage Hybrid Model for Determining the Scopes and Priorities of Joint Air Pollution Control
Authors: Yang Pingle , Yi Hongru , Zhao Laijun , Chen Luping
Published: May 2023

Due to the spillover nature of air pollution, the territorial separate governance mode is ineffective in combating pollution, making Joint Prevention and Control of Air Pollution (JPCAP) among multiple regions the only viable option. However, determining the appropriate scopes and priorities for JPCAP is known to be a challenging and significant issue. To address this, we propose a new two-stage hybrid model. In the first stage, making use of long-term, wide area monitoring data provided by the air pollution monitoring network, we propose a new method for subdividing large regions into sub-regions by using data mining techniques. In the second stage, we propose a comprehensive decision-making framework to evaluate the priorities of JPCAP sub-regions from three different perspectives, namely, the impact of a sub-region on the pollution level of the entire target region, as well as the urgency and elasticity of sub-regional air pollution control. A case study is conducted on 27 cities of the Yangtze River Delta region of China. The case study demonstrates the validity and practicality of the proposed two-stage hybrid model. This work provides a viable tool for the effective implementation of air pollution control in China and other regions of the world.
Norms of a Product of Integral and Composition Operators between Some Bloch-Type Spaces
Authors: Stević Stevo
Published: May 2023

We present some formulas for the norm, as well as the essential norm, of a product of composition and an integral operator between some Bloch-type spaces of analytic functions on the unit ball, in terms of given symbols and weights.
Quasi-Magical Fermion Numbers and Thermal Many-Body Dynamics
Authors: Plastino Angelo , Monteoliva Diana , Plastino Angel Ricardo
Published: May 2023

This work scrutinizes, using statistical mechanics indicators, important traits displayed by quantum many-body systems. Our statistical mechanics quantifiers are employed, in the context of Gibbs’ canonical ensemble at temperature T. A new quantifier of this sort is also presented here. The present discussion focuses attention on the role played by the fermion number N in many-fermion dynamics, that is, N is our protagonist. We have discovered discovers particular values of N for which the thermal indicators exhibit unexpected abrupt variations. Such a fact reflects an unanticipated characteristic of fermionic dynamics.
An Analysis of the One-Phase Stefan Problem with Variable Thermal Coefficients of Order p
Authors: Bougoffa Lazhar , Bougouffa Smail , Khanfer Ammar
Published: May 2023

Approximate solutions are obtained in implicit forms for the following general form of the nonlinear Stefan problem ddx(1+δ1yp)dydx+2x(1+δ2yp)dydx=4Steβ(x),0<x<λ, with y(0)=1,y(λ)=0, where λ>0 is a solution to the nonlinear equation y′(λ)=−2λSte, where δi>−1,i=1,2,p>0, and Ste is the Stefan number, which represents a phase-change problem with a nonlinear temperature-dependent thermal parameters (i.e., thermal conductivity and specific heat) on (0,λ).
Mathematical Modeling and Exact Optimizing of University Course Scheduling Considering Preferences of Professors
Authors: Chen Mo , Werner Frank , Shokouhifar Mohammad
Published: May 2023

University course scheduling (UCS) is one of the most important and time-consuming issues that all educational institutions face yearly. Most of the existing techniques to model and solve UCS problems have applied approximate methods, which differ in terms of efficiency, performance, and optimization speed. Accordingly, this research aims to apply an exact optimization method to provide an optimal solution to the course scheduling problem. In other words, in this research, an integer programming model is presented to solve the USC problem. In this model, the constraints include the facilities of classrooms, courses of different levels and compression of students’ curriculum, courses outside the faculty and planning for them, and the limited time allocated to the professors. The objective is to maximize the weighted sum of allocating available times to professors based on their preferences in all periods. To evaluate the presented model’s feasibility, it is implemented using the GAMS software. Finally, the presented model is solved in a larger dimension using a real data set from a college in China and compared with the current program in the same college. The obtained results show that considering the mathematical model’s constraints and objective function, the faculty courses’ timetable is reduced from 4 days a week to 3 working days. Moreover, master courses are planned in two days, and the courses in the educational groups do not interfere with each other. Furthermore, by implementing the proposed model for the real case study, the maximum teaching hours of the professors are significantly reduced. The results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed model and solution method in terms of optimization speed and solution accuracy.
Transformer-Based Network with Optimization for Cross-Subject Motor Imagery Identification
Authors: Tan Xiyue , Wang Dan , Chen Jiaming , Xu Meng
Published: May 2023

Exploring the effective signal features of electroencephalogram (EEG) signals is an important issue in the research of brain–computer interface (BCI), and the results can reveal the motor intentions that trigger electrical changes in the brain, which has broad research prospects for feature extraction from EEG data. In contrast to previous EEG decoding methods that are based solely on a convolutional neural network, the traditional convolutional classification algorithm is optimized by combining a transformer mechanism with a constructed end-to-end EEG signal decoding algorithm based on swarm intelligence theory and virtual adversarial training. The use of a self-attention mechanism is studied to expand the receptive field of EEG signals to global dependence and train the neural network by optimizing the global parameters in the model. The proposed model is evaluated on a real-world public dataset and achieves the highest average accuracy of 63.56% in cross-subject experiments, which is significantly higher than that found for recently published algorithms. Additionally, good performance is achieved in decoding motor intentions. The experimental results show that the proposed classification framework promotes the global connection and optimization of EEG signals, which can be further applied to other BCI tasks.
Characterization and Quantitation of the Tumor Microenvironment of Uveal Melanoma
Authors: Goesmann Lara , Refaian Nasrin , Bosch Jacobus J. , Heindl Ludwig M.
Published: May 2023

Uveal melanoma (UM) is a highly malignant tumor of the eye. Metastatic spread of UM occurs almost exclusively via blood vessels and is of tremendous interest, as half of the patients with uveal melanoma die of metastasis in the long run. The tumor microenvironment consists of all cellular and non-cellular compounds of a solid tumor, except for the tumor cells. This study aims to provide a more detailed understanding of the tumor microenvironment of UM to build the foundation for new therapeutic targets. Fluorescence immunohistochemistry was performed to examine the localization of various cell types in the tumor microenvironment in UM. Furthermore, the presence of LAG-3 and its ligands Galectine-3 and LSECtin was examined to evaluate the potential efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor-based therapies. The main findings are that blood vessels are mainly located in the middle of the tumor, and that immune cells are mostly found in the outer section of the tumor. LAG-3 and Galectine-3 were found to be highly represented, whereas LSECtin barely occurred in UM. Both the predominant location of tumor-associated macrophages in the outer section of the tumor and the high presence of LAG-3 and Galectine-3 in the UM serve as attainable therapeutic targets.
Crop–Weed Introgression Plays Critical Roles in Genetic Differentiation and Diversity of Weedy Rice: A Case Study of Human-Influenced Weed Evolution
Authors: Cai Xing-Xing , Wang Zhi , Yuan Ye , Pang Li-Hao , Wang Ying , Lu Bao-Rong
Published: May 2023

As an important driving force, introgression plays an essential role in shaping the evolution of plant species. However, knowledge concerning how introgression affects plant evolution in agroecosystems with strong human influences is still limited. To generate such knowledge, we used InDel (insertion/deletion) molecular fingerprints to determine the level of introgression from japonica rice cultivars into the indica type of weedy rice. We also analyzed the impact of crop-to-weed introgression on the genetic differentiation and diversity of weedy rice, using InDel (insertion/deletion) and SSR (simple sequence repeat) molecular fingerprints. Results based on the STRUCTURE analysis indicated an evident admixture of some weedy rice samples with indica and japonica components, suggesting different levels of introgression from japonica rice cultivars to the indica type of weedy rice. The principal coordinate analyses indicated indica–japonica genetic differentiation among weedy rice samples, which was positively correlated with the introgression of japonica-specific alleles from the rice cultivars. In addition, increased crop-to-weed introgression formed a parabola pattern of dynamic genetic diversity in weedy rice. Our findings based on this case study provide evidence that human activities, such as the frequent change in crop varieties, can strongly influence weed evolution by altering genetic differentiation and genetic diversity through crop–weed introgression in agroecosystems.
Dihydrocaffeic Acid—Is It the Less Known but Equally Valuable Phenolic Acid?
Authors: Zieniuk Bartłomiej
Published: May 2023

Dihydrocaffeic acid (DHCA) is a phenolic acid bearing a catechol ring and three-carbon side chain. Despite its being found in minor amounts in numerous plants and fungi of different origins, it has attracted the interest of various research groups in many fields of science, from food to biomedical applications. The review article presented herein aims to show a wider audience the health benefits and therapeutic, industrial, and nutritional potential of dihydrocaffeic acid, by sheddinglight on its occurrence, biosynthesis, bioavailability, and metabolism. The scientific literature describes at least 70 different derivatives of dihydrocaffeic acid, both those occurring naturally and those obtained via chemical and enzymatic methods. Among the most frequently used enzymes that were applied for the modification of the parent DHCA structure, there are lipases that allow for obtaining esters and phenolidips, tyrosinases used for the formation of the catechol ring, and laccases to functionalize this phenolic acid. In many studies, both in vitro and in vivo, the protective effect of DHCA and its derivatives on cells subjected to oxidative stress and inflammation were acknowledged.
Serum and Exosomal miR-7-1-5p and miR-223-3p as Possible Biomarkers for Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Citterio Lorenzo Agostino , Mancuso Roberta , Agostini Simone , Meloni Mario , Clerici Mario
Published: May 2023

The etiology of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is poorly understood, and is strongly suspected to include both genetic and environmental factors. In this context, it is essential to investigate possible biomarkers for both prognostic and diagnostic purposes. Several studies reported dysregulated microRNA expression in neurodegenerative disorders, including PD. Using ddPCR, we investigated the concentrations of miR-7-1-5p, miR-499-3p, miR-223-3p and miR-223-5p—miRNAs involved in the α-synuclein pathway and in inflammation—in the serum and serum-isolated exosomes of 45 PD patients and 49 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC). While miR-499-3p and miR-223-5p showed no differences (1), serum concentration of miR-7-1-5p was significantly increased (p = 0.0007 vs. HC) and (2) miR-223-3p serum (p = 0.0006) and exosome (p = 0.0002) concentrations were significantly increased. ROC curve analysis showed that miR-223-3p and miR-7-1-5p serum concentration discriminates between PD and HC (p = 0.0001, in both cases). Notably, in PD patients, both miR-223-3p serum (p = 0.0008) and exosome (p = 0.006) concentrations correlated with levodopa equivalent daily dosage (LEDD). Finally, serum α-synuclein was increased in PD patients compared to HC (p = 0.025), and in patients correlated with serum miR-7-1-5p in (p = 0.05). Our results suggest that both miR-7-1-5p and miR-223-3p, distinguishing PD from HC, have the potential to be useful and non-invasive biomarkers in Parkinson’s disease.
Anisotropy and Frequency Dependence of Signal Propagation in the Cerebellar Circuit Revealed by High-Density Multielectrode Array Recordings
Authors: Monteverdi Anita , Di Domenico Danila , D’Angelo Egidio , Mapelli Lisa
Published: May 2023

The cerebellum is one of the most connected structures of the central nervous system and receives inputs over an extended frequency range. Nevertheless, the frequency dependence of cerebellar cortical processing remains elusive. In this work, we characterized cerebellar cortex responsiveness to mossy fibers activation at different frequencies and reconstructed the spread of activity in the sagittal and coronal planes of acute mouse cerebellar slices using a high-throughput high-density multielectrode array (HD-MEA). The enhanced spatiotemporal resolution of HD-MEA revealed the frequency dependence and spatial anisotropy of cerebellar activation. Mossy fiber inputs reached the Purkinje cell layer even at the lowest frequencies, but the efficiency of transmission increased at higher frequencies. These properties, which are likely to descend from the topographic organization of local inhibition, intrinsic electroresponsiveness, and short-term synaptic plasticity, are critical elements that have to be taken into consideration to define the computational properties of the cerebellar cortex and its pathological alterations.
Rapid Generation of Pulmonary Organoids from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells by Co-Culturing Endodermal and Mesodermal Progenitors for Pulmonary Disease Modelling
Authors: Mitchell Adam , Yu Chaowen , Zhao Xiangjun , Pearmain Laurence , Shah Rajesh , Hanley Karen Piper , Felton Timothy , Wang Tao
Published: May 2023

Differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells to a range of target cell types is ubiquitous in monolayer culture. To further improve the phenotype of the cells produced, 3D organoid culture is becoming increasingly prevalent. Mature organoids typically require the involvement of cells from multiple germ layers. The aim of this study was to produce pulmonary organoids from defined endodermal and mesodermal progenitors. Endodermal and mesodermal progenitors were differentiated from iPSCs and then combined in 3D Matrigel hydrogels and differentiated for a further 14 days to produce pulmonary organoids. The organoids expressed a range of pulmonary cell markers such as SPA, SPB, SPC, AQP5 and T1α. Furthermore, the organoids expressed ACE2 capable of binding SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins, demonstrating the physiological relevance of the organoids produced. This study presented a rapid production of pulmonary organoids using a multi-germ-layer approach that could be used for studying respiratory-related human conditions.
Characterization and Comparative Analysis of Natural, Sustainable Composite Material Properties Using Bio-Binder for Eco-Friendly Construction Applications
Authors: Al-Mazrouei Noura , Ahmed Waleed , Al-Marzouqi Ali H.
Published: May 2023

The utilization of waste materials like bio-binders and fine aggregates in construction is crucial for achieving environmentally sustainable building practices. By reusing these materials, we can significantly reduce waste production and preserve precious natural resources, making it a vital aspect of sustainable construction. This paper presents the experimental findings on the mechanical characteristics of using micro sand silica mixed with a bio-binder such as okra. The estimated mechanical properties that are discussed in this research include modulus, strength, and toughness. Okra with three different weight percentages (5, 10, and 15%) was mixed with four different micro-size particles (25, 250, 425, and 850 μm) and then compressed into a cylindrical sample. Okra demonstrated good adherence characteristics to sand silica particles, where the test results indicate that adding okra significantly affects the mechanical properties. Thermal analysis and SEM were employed to investigate the material degradation, surface morphology, and the internal structure of the composites. In general, it has been observed that at a particle size of 250 μm, the best mechanical properties have been achieved at a 15% weight ratio of the okra bio-binder.
Durability Performance and Thermal Resistance of Structural Self-Compacting Concrete Improved with Waste Rubber and Silica Fume
Authors: Bušić Robert , Miličević Ivana , Dokšanović Tihomir , Grubišić Marin
Published: May 2023

Waste rubber takes many years to decompose, and thus the increasing number of tires in the world can be characterised as an important environmental issue, which generated the idea of implementing crumb rubber in structural self-compacting concrete (SCC). According to previous studies, up to 15% recycled rubber and 5% silica fume can be used to achieve the required properties of SCC in reinforced structural members with congested reinforcement, both in the fresh and hardened state. Most studies have focused on investigating the mechanical properties of self-compacting rubberised concrete (SCRC), and only a small number of studies investigated the durability and thermal properties, with contradictory findings. This study aims to determine the influence of crumb rubber and silica fume on the durability and thermal properties of SCC, with an emphasis on the selection of environmental exposure classes, the safety of using such a material in reinforced concrete members, and additional serviceability and durability requirements. This was further advanced by investigating the micro-structure of hardened SCC with recycled rubber and silica fume using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Test results indicate that the combining effect of crumb rubber and silica fume has a positive impact on the thermal and durability properties of SCC.
Assessment of Mould Risk in Low-Cost Residential Buildings in Urban Slum Districts of Surakarta City, Indonesia
Authors: Murtyas Solli , Minami Yuki , Handayani Kusumaningdyah Nurul , Hagishima Aya
Published: May 2023

Prolonged exposure to indoor dampness in dwellings triggers excessive mould, causing health problems for residents and damage to building structures. This study investigated dampness and mould growth in low-cost dwellings in the slum districts of Surakarta, Indonesia. A VTT mould growth model predicted mould risk in 17 dwellings by employing a set of time-series data of indoor air temperature and relative humidity (RH). Interviews were conducted with 11 houses to understand the residents’ perceptions and lifestyles related to mould risk. The daily average dampness (RH > 80%) ranged from 2.2 to 12.3 h. Low-cost dwellings with plywood board walls had a high risk of cumulative mould growth. Statistical correlation analysis revealed that volumetric heat capacity was significantly positively correlated with mould growth at higher percentiles (75th and 97.5th). Thus, dwellings with smaller volumes and plywood board walls were more susceptible to moulding. Moreover, the majority of the participants expressed dissatisfaction with indoor air quality owing to the presence of unpleasant odours from sewage and dampness, which coincided with their perception of inadequate air ventilation. This study provides a reference for developing standard guidelines for building and upgrading dwellings in Indonesia, focusing on assessing and mitigating mould risks and ensuring moisture safety.
Crosstalk between Noncoding RNAs and the Epigenetics Machinery in Pediatric Tumors and Their Microenvironment
Authors: Pathania Anup S.
Published: May 2023

According to the World Health Organization, every year, an estimated 400,000+ new cancer cases affect children under the age of 20 worldwide. Unlike adult cancers, pediatric cancers develop very early in life due to alterations in signaling pathways that regulate embryonic development, and environmental factors do not contribute much to cancer development. The highly organized complex microenvironment controlled by synchronized gene expression patterns plays an essential role in the embryonic stages of development. Dysregulated development can lead to tumor initiation and growth. The low mutational burden in pediatric tumors suggests the predominant role of epigenetic changes in driving the cancer phenotype. However, one more upstream layer of regulation driven by ncRNAs regulates gene expression and signaling pathways involved in the development. Deregulation of ncRNAs can alter the epigenetic machinery of a cell, affecting the transcription and translation profiles of gene regulatory networks required for cellular proliferation and differentiation during embryonic development. Therefore, it is essential to understand the role of ncRNAs in pediatric tumor development to accelerate translational research to discover new treatments for childhood cancers. This review focuses on the role of ncRNA in regulating the epigenetics of pediatric tumors and their tumor microenvironment, the impact of their deregulation on driving pediatric tumor progress, and their potential as effective therapeutic targets.
Metal-Based Anticancer Complexes and p53: How Much Do We Know?
Authors: Alfadul Samah Mutasim , Matnurov Egor M. , Varakutin Alexander E. , Babak Maria V.
Published: May 2023

P53 plays a key role in protecting the human genome from DNA-related mutations; however, it is one of the most frequently mutated genes in cancer. The P53 family members p63 and p73 were also shown to play important roles in cancer development and progression. Currently, there are various organic molecules from different structural classes of compounds that could reactivate the function of wild-type p53, degrade or inhibit mutant p53, etc. It was shown that: (1) the function of the wild-type p53 protein was dependent on the presence of Zn atoms, and (2) Zn supplementation restored the altered conformation of the mutant p53 protein. This prompted us to question whether the dependence of p53 on Zn and other metals might be used as a cancer vulnerability. This review article focuses on the role of different metals in the structure and function of p53, as well as discusses the effects of metal complexes based on Zn, Cu, Fe, Ru, Au, Ag, Pd, Pt, Ir, V, Mo, Bi and Sn on the p53 protein and p53-associated signaling.
Cold Shock Domain Protein DbpA Orchestrates Tubular Cell Damage and Interstitial Fibrosis in Inflammatory Kidney Disease
Authors: Lindquist Jonathan A. , Bernhardt Anja , Reichardt Charlotte , Sauter Eva , Brandt Sabine , Rana Rajiv , Lindenmeyer Maja T. , Philipsen Lars , Isermann Berend , Zhu Cheng , Mertens Peter R.
Published: May 2023

DNA-binding protein A (DbpA) belongs to the Y-box family of cold shock domain proteins that exert transcriptional and translational activities in the cell via their ability to bind and regulate mRNA. To investigate the role of DbpA in kidney disease, we utilized the murine unilateral ureter obstruction (UUO) model, which recapitulates many features of obstructive nephropathy seen in humans. We observed that DbpA protein expression is induced within the renal interstitium following disease induction. Compared with wild-type animals, obstructed kidneys from Ybx3-deficient mice are protected from tissue injury, with a significant reduction in the number of infiltrating immune cells as well as in extracellular matrix deposition. RNAseq data from UUO kidneys show that Ybx3 is expressed by activated fibroblasts, which reside within the renal interstitium. Our data support a role for DbpA in orchestrating renal fibrosis and suggest that strategies targeting DbpA may be a therapeutic option to slow disease progression.
SIRT3 Deficiency Enhances Ferroptosis and Promotes Cardiac Fibrosis via p53 Acetylation
Authors: Su Han , Cantrell Aubrey C. , Chen Jian-Xiong , Gu Wei , Zeng Heng
Published: May 2023

Cardiac fibrosis plays an essential role in the development of diastolic dysfunction and contributes to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Our previous studies suggested Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) as a potential target for cardiac fibrosis and heart failure. In the present study, we explored the role of SIRT3 in cardiac ferroptosis and its contribution to cardiac fibrosis. Our data showed that knockout of SIRT3 resulted in a significant increase in ferroptosis, with increased levels of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and downregulation of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX-4) in the mouse hearts. Overexpression of SIRT3 significantly blunted ferroptosis in response to erastin, a known ferroptosis inducer, in H9c2 myofibroblasts. Knockout of SIRT3 resulted in a significant increase in p53 acetylation. Inhibition of p53 acetylation by C646 significantly alleviated ferroptosis in H9c2 myofibroblasts. To further explore the involvement of p53 acetylation in SIRT3-mediated ferroptosis, we crossed acetylated p53 mutant (p534KR) mice, which cannot activate ferroptosis, with SIRT3KO mice. SIRT3KO/p534KR mice exhibited a significant reduction in ferroptosis and less cardiac fibrosis compared to SIRT3KO mice. Furthermore, cardiomyocyte-specific knockout of SIRT3 (SIRT3-cKO) in mice resulted in a significant increase in ferroptosis and cardiac fibrosis. Treatment of SIRT3-cKO mice with the ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) led to a significant reduction in ferroptosis and cardiac fibrosis. We concluded that SIRT3-mediated cardiac fibrosis was partly through a mechanism involving p53 acetylation-induced ferroptosis in myofibroblasts.
Highly Selective Arsenite Sensor Based on Gold Nanoparticles and Ionic Liquids
Authors: Lin Xuan Hao , Wong Mann Joe , Li Sam Fong Yau
Published: May 2023

Here, we report a highly selective arsenite (As(III)) sensor based on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and ionic liquids (ILs). AuNPs were citrate-capped with negative charges on their surfaces, and could aggregate and precipitate once electrolytes were introduced to neutralize the negative charges. In this study, we discovered that organic ILs, behaving similarly to inorganic electrolytes such as NaCl, could induce the aggregation and precipitation of AuNPs much more efficiently than inorganic electrolytes. Since As(III) inhibited while ILs promoted the aggregation of AuNPs, we examined the interactions between AuNPs, As(III), and ILs and the possibility of using ILs and AuNPs as a sensing probe to detect arsenite and determine its concentration. Six different ILs were evaluated for this purpose in this study. Repeatability, interference, stability, selectivity, and sensitivity were investigated to evaluate the As(III) sensing probe. The limit of detection (LOD) of the sensor sBMP was as low as 0.18 ppb, ranked as the second lowest among the reported arsenite sensors. The sensing of arsenite was also demonstrated with real water samples and was cross-validated with ICP-OES.
Comparative Evaluation of Extrusion of Apical Debris in Primary Maxillary Anterior Teeth Using Two Different Rotary Systems and Hand Files: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Suresh Balaji , Jeevanandan Ganesh , Ravindran Vignesh , Mashyakhy Mohammed , Alessa Noura , Syed Ather Ahmed , Panda Suman , Assiry Ali Ahmed , Maganur Prabhadevi C. , Vishwanathaiah Satish
Published: May 2023

Successful outcome of pulp therapy depends on good chemomechanical preparation of the canals. This is completed with the help of various upcoming rotary and hand files. However, during this preparation, there might be an apical extrusion of the debris which may result in postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the number of debris apically extruded during canal preparation using two different pediatric rotary file systems and conventional hand file systems in primary teeth. 60 primary maxillary central incisors that were extracted due to trauma or untreated dental caries with no signs of resorption were taken. Canal preparation was executed using three different file systems: Group A: Group A hand K file system, Group B Kedo S Plus, Group C Kedo SG Blue. For each of these files using the Myers and Montgomery model, the pre- and post-weight of the eppendorf tube was assessed to quantify the number of apical debris. The maximum extrusion of apical debris was noticed with the Hand K-file system. The least debris was noticed in the Kedo S Plus file system. Statistical analysis revealed that there were highly significant differences in apical extrusion and debris when comparing hand files and rotary files and also between the two rotary files used. Apical debris collection is an unavoidable outcome of canal instrumentation. Among the file systems compared, rotary files had lesser extrusion when compared to hand files. Among the rotary files, Kedo S plus showed normal extrusion compared to SG Blue.
Fabrication and Characterization of Ti/TiC Composite Layers by an Electron-Beam Surface Modification
Authors: Valkov Stefan , Nedeva Daniela , Dunchev Vladimir , Padikova Fatme , Ormanova Maria , Stoyanov Borislav , Nedyalkov Nikolay
Published: May 2023

In this study, the possibilities for modification and improvement of the surface structure and properties of titanium substrates by a formation of composite Ti/TiC layers are presented. The layers were fabricated by a two-step electron-beam surface modification technique. The first step consists of injection of C powder within the pure Ti substrates by electron-beam alloying technology. The second step is the refinement and homogenization of the microstructure by the electron-beam remelting procedure. During the remelting, the speed of the motion of the samples was varied, and two (most representative) velocities were chosen: 5 and 15 mm/s. Considering both speeds of the motion of the specimens, a composite structure in the form of fine TiC particles distributed within the base titanium matrix was formed. The remelting speed of 5 mm/s led to the formation of a much thicker composite layer, where the TiC particles were significantly more homogeneously distributed. The results obtained for the Vickers microhardness exhibit a significant increase in the value in the mentioned mechanical characteristic in comparison with the base Ti substrate. In the case of the lower speed of the motion of the specimen during the remelting procedure, the microhardness is 510 HV, or about 2.5 times higher than that of the titanium substrate. The application of a higher speed of the specimen motion leads to a decrease in the microhardness in comparison with the case of lower velocity. However, it is still much higher than that of the base Ti material. The mean microhardness of the sample obtained by the remelting speed of motion of 15 mm/s is 360 HV, or it is 1.8 times higher than that of the base material.