bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrochemical Strategies for the Formation of Iron Oxide Nanostructures: Enhancing Photoelectrochemical Performance for Energy and Environmental Applications
Authors: Yoo JeongEun , Jeong Dongheon , Son Younggon , Choi Yongseon , Lee Kiyoung
Published: December 2023

Using hematite (α‐Fe2O3) nanostructures as photoanodes for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting has received widespread attention in recent years due to their superior PEC performance. However, hematite has a short charge‐carrier lifetime, which hampers the construction of commercial photovoltaic devices. Various electrochemical methods for fabricating hematite and adjusting their physical properties to overcome these drawbacks are reported. This review introduces electrochemical deposition and anodization methods to form hematite nanostructures and explores post‐treatments to enhance their properties for application in advanced PEC devices.
A novel stability indicating mass compatible reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography for the determination of Diroximel fumarate and its related impurities
Authors: Shah Shikha , Kothari Charmy , Bhalodi Krishna , Patel Misari
Published: December 2023

Diroximel fumarate (DRF) is a novel oral fumarate used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Comprehending DRF's stability behavior in different degradation conditions is crucial and has been studied under photolysis, oxidative, hydrolysis, and thermal conditions. Nucleosil C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) was employed to achieve drug separation, with a mobile phase comprising of water and acetonitrile (65:35, v/v). The flow rate was 1 mL/min and detection was performed at 210 nm using a photodiode array detector. The fully validated reversed phase‐high‐performance liquid chromatography stability method as per the International Council for Harmonization Q2 R1 demonstrated excellent selectivity, accuracy, and precision with good sensitivity. During the analysis, two prominent degradant product peaks of DRF were identified across all stress conditions. The usage of liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry compatible solvents in the mobile phase permits further characterization of DRF and its degradants peak. Significant levels of degradation were found in alkaline and acidic hydroxide, peroxide, photolytic, and thermal conditions with hydrolysis being postulated as a possible mechanism of degradation. The fully validated stability‐indicating analytical method can be used for routine quality control and stability testing of DRF, requiring storage in a protected primary container, as it is sensitive to light and moisture.
Interpretable machine learning model for evaluating mechanical properties of concrete made with recycled concrete aggregate
Authors: Nguyen Xuan Hien , Phan Quang Minh , Nguyen Ngoc Tan , Tran Van Quan
Published: December 2023

The main objective of this paper is to use the data‐driven approach to predict and evaluate the mechanical properties of concrete made with recycled concrete aggregate (RCA), including compressive strength and elastic modulus. Using 358 data samples, including 10 input variables, 10 popular machine learning (ML) algorithms are introduced to select the best ML performance model for predicting RCA concrete's compressive strength and elastic modulus. Gradient Boosting and Categorial Boosting have the best performance in predicting the compressive strength of RCA concrete, with R2 = 0.9112, RMSE = 5.3464 MPa, MAE = 4.0845 MPa, and R2 = 0.9175, RMSE = 5.1520 MPa, MAE = 3.7567 MPa, respectively. Light Gradient Boosting and Categorial Boosting have the best performance in predicting the elastic modulus of RCA concrete, with R2 = 0.8775, RMSE = 2.3560 GPa, MAE = 1.8330 GPa, and R2 = 0.9300, RMSE = 2.3560 MPa, MAE = 1.2589 MPa, respectively. Based on the Shapley Additive Explanation analysis, the influence of main factors on compressive strength and elastic modulus of RCA concrete values has been analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. RCA replacement level and cement/sand ratio slightly affect compressive strength but have a dominant influence on the elastic modulus of RCA concrete.
Crown Ether Active Template Synthesis of Rotaxanes**
Authors: Fielden Stephen D. P.
Published: December 2023

Rotaxanes are interlocked molecules that consist of a macrocycle encircling a stoppered thread. The ability to control relative component positions makes rotaxanes ideal building blocks for constructing functional and responsive molecular machines. Despite the potential of rotaxanes, their challenging synthesis limits their application. One approach to construct rotaxanes is to use an active template synthesis, where a reaction that forms the thread is accelerated in the cavity of a macrocycle. An emerging method of active template synthesis that exploits the ability of crown ether macrocycles to accelerate simple organic reactions is discussed herein. Crown ether active template synthesis (CEATS) permits the rapid and simple synthesis of rotaxanes containing a wide range of functionality. Integrating rotaxane formation with chemical reaction networks has permitted the construction of molecular machines. The simplification of rotaxane synthesis will facilitate their widespread study and application.
Polystyrene microplastics mediate cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy in the G2/M phase through ROS in grass carp kidney cells
Authors: Lu Hongmin , Hou Lulu , Zhang Yue , Guo Tiantian , Wang Yu , Xing Mingwei
Published: December 2023

Microplastics (MPs) have attracted widespread worldwide attention as a new pollutant. However, the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell cycle in nephrotoxicity induced by different concentrations of polystyrene microplastics (PS‐MPs) is unknown. This study used grass carp kidney cells (CIK) treated with different concentrations of PS‐MPs (0, 0.012, 0.0625, and 0.5 mg L−1) as subjects. With the increase of PS‐MPs concentration, the levels of ROS and malonaldehyde increased, while the level of total antioxidant capacity, superoxide Dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH) activity decreased. The expression of BUB1 mitotic checkpoint serine/threonine kinase (BUB1), cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK1), CDK2, CyclinB1, cell division cycle 20 homolog (CDC20), and B‐cell lymphoma‐2, sequestosome 1 decreased significantly. Nevertheless, the expression of Caspase 3, Cleave‐Caspase 3, cytochrome c (Cytc), BCL2‐associated X, apoptosis regulator, poly ADP‐ribose polymerase (PARP), Cleave‐PARP, Caspase 9, autophagy immunoblot kit (LC3), and Beclin1 increased. Our research shows that PS‐MPs can trigger oxidative stress and induce cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy in CIK cells by regulating ROS. This work provides a theoretical basis for cellular biology and toxicology mechanisms and new insights into the potential risks to animals from MPs exposure in the environment.
Blockade of phosphodiesterase 5 by sildenafil reduces tumor growth and potentiates tumor‐killing ability of cisplatin in vivo against T cell lymphoma: Implication of modulated apoptosis, reactive oxygen species homeostasis, glucose metabolism, and pH regulation
Authors: Rawat Shiv Govind , Tiwari Rajan Kumar , Kumar Ajay
Published: December 2023

In the past years, PDE5 has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for many cancers due to its highly upregulated expression. Interestingly, a recent in vitro study by our group has shown the antitumor and chemopotentiating action of sildenafil against T cell lymphoma. Our study showed that lower doses of sildenafil (50 μM) and cisplatin (0.5 μg/mL) exhibited 4% and 23% cytotoxicity against HuT78 cells, respectively, which was dramatically increased up to 50% when treated with both. Hence, the present study was designed to evaluate the antitumor and chemo‐potentiating action of sildenafil in a murine model of T cell lymphoma (popularly called as Dalton's lymphoma [DL]). In the present study, DL‐bearing mice were administered with vehicle (PBS), sildenafil (5 mg/kg bw), cisplatin (5 mg/kg bw), and sildenafil and cisplatin followed by evaluation of their impact on tumor growth by analyzing various parameters. The apoptosis was assessed by Wright–Giemsa, annexin‐V, and DAPI staining. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was examined through DCFDA staining. The expression of genes and proteins were estimated by RT‐PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The experimental findings of the study demonstrate for the first time that sildenafil inhibits tumor growth and potentiates tumor inhibitory ability of cisplatin by altering apoptosis, glycolysis, ROS homeostasis, and pH regulation in T cell lymphoma‐carrying host. In addition, our investigation also showed amelioration of tumor‐induced liver and kidney damage by sildenafil. Overall, the experimental data of our study strongly advocate the use and repurposing of SDF in designing promising chemotherapeutic regimens against malignancies of T cells.
Active antioxidant and aromatic films blended with persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) and orange peel flour (Citrus sinensis) as sustainable packaging
Authors: Barone Andreza Salles , Matheus Julia Rabelo Vaz , Luchese Cláudia Leites , Marques Mônica Regina da Costa , de Souza Ana Maria Furtado , Ferreira Willian Hermogenes , Moreira Ricardo Felipe Alves , Fai Ana Elizabeth Cavalcante
Published: December 2023

Active antioxidant and aromatic films based on persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) cultivated according to agroecological precepts with orange peel flour (Citrus sinensis) and glycerol addition were developed by casting technique and characterized. The films were largely red and yellow appearance color, indicating a natural tendency to maintain the color of the persimmon pulp ripe. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a homogeneous and compact structure of the films, which obtained a rougher texture with the addition of glycerol. The addition of orange peel flour to the film‐forming solution proportionally increased the total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of the persimmon puree films. Volatile compounds belonging to different chemical classes were identified, including limonene, β‐ionone, linolenic acid, palmitic acid, and vaccenic acid, which influence the overall aroma, as they were detected above their odor thresholds, and the functional properties of these films. Furthermore, the thermogravimetric analysis showed two important degradation steps related to glycerol and pectin (130–230°C) and decomposition of the polymer structure (above 300°C), guaranteeing the processability of the raw materials under conditions of higher temperatures than those normally used in industrial food packaging products in a circular economy context. This study indicates the potential for formation of persimmon‐based films incorporated into orange peel flour as active antioxidant films for use in drinks and tea bags as a flavoring or as intermediate layers used between slices of cheese, avoiding direct contact with food, facilitating its separation, as some application examples.

Highlights

Persimmon and orange peel flour films were developed by casting.

Antioxidant and sensorial properties of blended films were evaluated.

Volatile compounds were identified, including limonene and vaccenic acid.

Circular economy principles were used to avoid postharvest fruit losses.
New duality-invariant models for nonlinear supersymmetric electrodynamics
Authors: Kuzenko Sergei M. , Stirling Jake C.
Published: December 2023

Abstract

We propose a new family of U(1) duality-invariant models for nonlinear $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 supersymmetric electrodynamics coupled to supergravity. It includes the Cribiori-Farakos-Tournoy-van Proeyen supergravity-matter theory for spontaneously broken local supersymmetry with a novel Fayet-Iliopoulos term without gauged R-symmetry. We present superconformal duality-invariant models, as well as new U(1) duality-invariant models for spontaneously broken local supersymmetry.
Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of Asian patients with T-cell large granular lymphocytic Leukemia: a single-center analysis of 67 cases
Authors: Park Taekeun , Byun Ja Min , Shin Dong-Yeop , Koh Youngil , Hong Junshik , Yoon Sung-Soo , Chang Yoon Hwan , Kim Inho
Published: December 2023

Large granular lymphocytic (LGL) leukemia is a clonal lymphoproliferative disorder of LGLs derived from cytotoxic T lymphocytes or natural killer cells. However, the clinical features and treatment responses are still not fully understood because of the rarity of the disease. To describe and assess a cohort of patients with T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia (T-LGLL). Single-center, retrospective, observational study. We retrospectively collected the clinical data of patients diagnosed with T-LGLL at Seoul National University Hospital since 2006. We included 67 patients in this study. The median age at diagnosis was 60 years. Additionally, 37 patients (55%) were symptomatic, and 25 (37%) had splenomegaly; 54 patients (81%) required treatment. Cyclophosphamide (n = 35), methotrexate (n = 25), and cyclosporin A (n = 19) were used most frequently for treatment, and their overall response rates were similar: cyclophosphamide (77%), methotrexate (64%), and cyclosporin A (63%). Splenomegaly was associated with an increased response rate to first-line therapy and a decreased complete response rate. Thrombocytopenia was associated with decreased response rates to cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, cyclosporin A, and steroids. In contrast, a high LGL number (> 2000/µL) in the peripheral blood smear was associated with increased response rates to cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, cyclosporin A, and steroids. This study describes the clinical features and treatment outcomes of patients with T-LGLL, providing valuable information for clinical decision-making regarding T-LGLL treatment.
Global–local multidisciplinary optimisation for the evaluation of local constraints on finer meshes in preliminary aircraft design
Authors: Sferza Massimo , Ninic Jelena , Glock Florian , Hofer Christoph , Daoud Fernass , Chronopoulos Dimitrios , van der Zee Kristoffer
Published: December 2023

Multidisciplinary design optimisation (MDO) is a methodology increasingly being used in the preliminary design of aircraft. To limit the computational cost of the procedure, it is generally based on coarse models, which do not accurately capture the internal deformation of details with a complex geometry. Therefore, it is not possible to apply constraints in these areas and designers are limited to a conservative pre-sizing of these parts, which are then kept fixed during the optimisation. In this paper we expose the limitations of this approach and present a novel methodology for the preliminary sizing of aircraft, based on global–local MDO. The commonly used coarse model is used together with finer local models, for the parts where additional accuracy is needed. The global–local analysis solves the internal deformation field with sufficient accuracy for the evaluation of local constraints. Furthermore, thanks to the formulation we introduce to compute the coupled sensitivities, the optimiser successfully finds a locally feasible design.
Peatland restoration pathways to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and retain peat carbon
Authors: Mander Ülo , Espenberg Mikk , Melling Lulie , Kull Ain
Published: December 2023

Peatlands play a crucial role in the global carbon (C) cycle, making their restoration a key strategy for mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and retaining C. This study analyses the most common restoration pathways employed in boreal and temperate peatlands, potentially applicable in tropical peat swamp forests. Our analysis focuses on the GHG emissions and C retention potential of the restoration measures. To assess the C stock change in restored (rewetted) peatlands and afforested peatlands with continuous drainage, we adopt a conceptual approach that considers short-term C capture (GHG exchange between the atmosphere and the peatland ecosystem) and long-term C sequestration in peat. The primary criterion of our conceptual model is the capacity of restoration measures to capture C and reduce GHG emissions. Our findings indicate that carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most influential part of long-term climate impact of restored peatlands, whereas moderate methane (CH4) emissions and low N2O fluxes are relatively unimportant. However, lateral losses of dissolved and particulate C in water can account up to a half of the total C stock change. Among the restored peatland types, Sphagnum paludiculture showed the highest CO2 capture, followed by shallow lakes and reed/grass paludiculture. Shallow lakeshore vegetation in restored peatlands can reduce CO2 emissions and sequester C but still emit CH4, particularly during the first 20 years after restoration. Our conceptual modelling approach reveals that over a 300-year period, under stable climate conditions, drained bog forests can lose up to 50% of initial C content. In managed (regularly harvested) and continuously drained peatland forests, C accumulation in biomass and litter input does not compensate C losses from peat. In contrast, rewetted unmanaged peatland forests are turning into a persistent C sink. The modelling results emphasized the importance of long-term C balance analysis which considers soil C accumulation, moving beyond the short-term C cycling between vegetation and the atmosphere.
Structure-aware decoupled imputation network for multivariate time series
Authors: Ahmed Nourhan , Schmidt-Thieme Lars
Published: December 2023

Handling incomplete multivariate time series is an important and fundamental concern for a variety of domains. Existing time-series imputation approaches rely on basic assumptions regarding relationship information between sensors, posing significant challenges since inter-sensor interactions in the real world are often complex and unknown beforehand. Specifically, there is a lack of in-depth investigation into (1) the coexistence of relationships between sensors and (2) the incorporation of reciprocal impact between sensor properties and inter-sensor relationships for the time-series imputation problem. To fill this gap, we present the Structure-aware Decoupled imputation network (SaD), which is designed to model sensor characteristics and relationships between sensors in distinct latent spaces. Our approach is equipped with a two-step knowledge integration scheme that incorporates the influence between the sensor attribute information as well as sensor relationship information. The experimental results indicate that when compared to state-of-the-art models for time-series imputation tasks, our proposed method can reduce error by around 15%.
Desiring to Know: Curiosity as a Tendency toward Discovery
Authors: Summa Michela
Published: December 2023

Both the commonsensical and the philosophical understanding of curiosity as the desire to know display similar ambiguities. In philosophy, such ambiguities have further repercussions, inasmuch as inquiries into curiosity, in addition to being a field of philosophical research in itself, also have meta-theoretical implications concerning the idea of philosophy one embraces. This holds true for Edmund Husserl’s discussion of curiosity: his phenomenological analysis of curiosity as an object of inquiry is crucially connected with a specific meta-theoretical understanding of philosophy as an exploratory endeavor. This article analyses the relevance of the phenomenological analyses of curiosity against the background of the discussion of a polarization in the appreciation of the role of curiosity for philosophy and of the tasks Husserl assigns to philosophy. It focuses on how Husserl’s appraisal of curiosity in philosophy is tied to his concrete analyses of the intentional structure of ordinary curiosity. Crucial for this appraisal and for its meta-theoretical implications is the analysis of the relation between curiosity and the basic structure of intentionality as tendency.
Vaccine Effectiveness Against SARS-CoV-2 Related Hospitalizations in People who had Experienced Homelessness or Incarceration – Findings from the Minnesota EHR Consortium
Authors: DeSilva Malini B. , Knowlton Gregory , Rai Nayanjot K. , Bodurtha Peter , Essien Inih , Riddles John , Mehari Lemlem , Muscoplat Miriam , Lynfield Ruth , Rowley Elizabeth AK , Chamberlain Alanna M. , Patel Palak , Hughes Alexandria , Dickerson Monica , Thompson Mark G. , Griggs Eric P. , Tenforde Mark , Winkelman Tyler NA , Benitez Gabriela Vazquez , Drawz Paul E.
Published: December 2023

COVID-19 disproportionately affects people experiencing homelessness or incarceration. While homelessness or incarceration alone may not impact vaccine effectiveness, medical comorbidities along with social conditions associated with homelessness or incarceration may impact estimated vaccine effectiveness. COVID-19 vaccines reduce rates of hospitalization and death; vaccine effectiveness (VE) against severe outcomes in people experiencing homelessness or incarceration is unknown. We conducted a retrospective, observational cohort study evaluating COVID-19 vaccine VE against SARS-CoV-2 related hospitalization (positive SARS-CoV-2 molecular test same week or within 3 weeks prior to hospital admission) among patients who had experienced homelessness or incarceration. We utilized data from 8 health systems in the Minnesota Electronic Health Record Consortium linked to data from Minnesota’s immunization information system, Homeless Management Information System, and Department of Corrections. We included patients 18 years and older with a history of experiencing homelessness or incarceration. VE and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) against SARS-CoV-2 hospitalization were estimated for primary series and one booster dose from Cox proportional hazard models as 100*(1-Hazard Ratio) during August 26, 2021, through October 8, 2022 adjusting for patient age, sex, comorbid medical conditions, and race/ethnicity. We included 80,051 individuals who had experienced homelessness or incarceration. Adjusted VE was 52% (95% CI, 41–60%) among those 22 weeks or more since their primary series, 66% (95% CI, 53–75%) among those less than 22 weeks since their primary series, and 69% (95% CI: 60–76%) among those with one booster. VE estimates were consistently lower during the Omicron predominance period compared with the combined Omicron and Delta periods. Despite higher exposure risk, COVID-19 vaccines provided good effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 related hospitalizations in persons who have experienced homelessness or incarceration.
The Association Between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Bullying Victimization, and Internalizing and Externalizing Problems Among Early Adolescents: Examining Cumulative and Interactive Associations
Authors: Trompeter Nora , Testa Alexander , Raney Julia H. , Jackson Dylan B. , Al-shoaibi Abubakr A. A. , Ganson Kyle T. , Shao Iris Yuefan , Nagata Jason M.
Published: December 2023

Both adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and bullying victimization are linked with mental health problems in adolescents. However, little is known about the overlap between the two factors and how this impacts adolescent mental health problems (i.e., internalizing and externalizing problems). The current study analyzed data from 8,085 participants (47.7% female; 44.1% racial/ethnic minority) in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, baseline (2016–2018, ages 9–10 years) to Year 2. Regression analyses were used to estimate associations between ACEs, bullying victimization and mental health problems, respectively, adjusting for sex, race/ethnicity, country of birth, household income, parental education, and study site. The findings showed that both ACEs and bullying victimization were independently associated with higher internalizing and higher externalizing problems. However, no significant interaction was found between ACEs and bullying victimization. Overall, the results align with the cumulative risk model of adversity, linking cumulative ACEs and bullying victimization to internalizing and externalizing problems in early adolescents.
Prevalence of portal vein thrombosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Stupia Roberta , Lombardi Rosa , Cattazzo Filippo , Zoncapè Mirko , Mantovani Anna , De Marco Leonardo , Mantovani Alessandro , Fracanzani Anna Ludovica , Sacerdoti David , Dalbeni Andrea
Published: December 2023

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a common complication of cirrhosis as a result of portal hypertension and modification in the hemostatic balance. Accumulating evidence now suggests that patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), especially those with advanced forms, have an increased risk of PVT. Hence, we performed a meta-analysis of observational studies to estimate the overall prevalence of PVT in patients with NAFLD and its advanced forms compared with patients with advanced liver diseases from other etiologies. We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases from the inception date to December 30th 2022, using predefined keywords, to identify observational studies. Meta-analysis was performed using random-effects modeling. We included five observational studies for a total of 225,571 patients. Of these, 26,840 (11.9%) patients had NAFLD, whereas the PVT prevalence was 8.5% (n = 2,280). When compared with patients with advanced liver diseases from other etiologies, patients with NAFLD and its advanced forms had a higher risk of prevalent PVT (OR 1.34, 100% CI 1.07–1.67 p < 0,01). The between-study heterogeneity was substantial (I2 = 88%). This meta-analysis suggests that compared with patients with advanced liver diseases from other etiologies, patient with NAFLD and its advanced forms had a higher risk of prevalent PVT. Further research is required to understand the complex link between NAFLD/NASH and PVT development.
Non-targeted LC–MS/MS metabolomic profiling of human plasma uncovers a novel Mediterranean diet biomarker panel
Authors: Macias Shirin , Yilmaz Ali , Kirma Joseph , Moore Sarah E. , Woodside Jayne V. , Graham Stewart F. , Green Brian D.
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Consumption of a Mediterranean diet (MD) has established health benefits, and the identification of novel biomarkers could enable objective monitoring of dietary pattern adherence.

Objectives

The present investigation performed untargeted metabolomics on blood plasma from a controlled study of MD adherence, to identify novel blood-based metabolite biomarkers associated with the MD pattern, and to build a logistic regression model that could be used to characterise MD adherence.

Methods

A hundred and thirty-five plasma samples from n = 58 patients collected at different time points were available. Using a 14-point scale MD Score (MDS) subjects were divided into ‘high’ or ‘low’ MDS adherence groups and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) was applied for analysis.

Results

The strongest association with MDS was pectenotoxin 2 seco acid (r = 0.53; ROC = 0.78), a non-toxic marine xenobiotic metabolite. Several lipids were useful biomarkers including eicosapentaenoic acid, the structurally related lysophospholipid (20:5(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z)/0:0), a phosphatidylcholine (P-18:1(9Z)/16:0) and also xi-8-hydroxyhexadecanedioic acid. Two metabolites negatively correlated with MDS, these were the monoacylglycerides (0:0/16:1(9Z)/0:0) and (0:0/20:3(5Z,8Z,11Z)/0:0). By stepwise elimination we selected a panel of 3 highly discriminatory metabolites and developed a linear regression model which identified ‘high MDS’ individuals with high sensitivity and specificity [AUC (95% CI) 0.83 (0.76–0.97)].

Conclusion

Our study highlights the utility of metabolomics as an approach for developing novel panels of dietary biomarkers. Quantitative profiling of these metabolites is required to validate their utility for evaluating dietary adherence.
The Theranostic Optimization of PSMA-GCK01 Does Not Compromise the Imaging Characteristics of [99mTc]Tc-PSMA-GCK01 Compared to Dedicated Diagnostic [99mTc]Tc-EDDA/HYNIC-iPSMA in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Mamlins Eduards , Scharbert Lara , Cardinale Jens , Krotov Maria , Winter Erik , Rathke Hendrik , Strodel Birgit , Ankrah Alfred O. , Sathekge Mike , Haberkorn Uwe , Kratochwil Clemens , Giesel Frederik L.
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Radiolabeled PSMA-ligands play a major role in today’s nuclear medicine. Since approval of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 for therapy of metastatic prostate cancer, availability of 177Lu became bottleneck of supply due to the high demand. Recently, a theranostic PSMA-ligand, PSMA-GCK01, was developed which can be labeled either diagnostically with 99mTc or therapeutically with 188Re with both nuclides available from well-known generator systems. This novel tracer might aid to overcome aforementioned supply limitations. In this investigation, the biodistribution and general imaging characteristics of [99mTc]Tc-PSMA-GCK01 were compared with the diagnostic reference compound [99mTc]Tc-EDDA/HYNIC-iPSMA in patients with advanced stage prostate cancer. In addition, the binding of both ligands to PSMA was analyzed at the molecular level using molecular docking.

Procedures

Two cohorts (n = 19 vs. n = 21) of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer matched for age, tumor stage, and Gleason score underwent a planar gamma camera imaging with [99mTc]Tc-EDDA/HYNIC-iPSMA or [99mTc]Tc-PSMA-GCK01 prior to PSMA-ligand therapy for PSMA-phenotyping. The imaging data were retrospective analyzed for salivary gland, kidney, liver, soft tissue, and tumor uptake on a semi-automated ROI-analysis using HERMES Medical Solutions AB (HMS, Sweden).

Results

The data sets were semi-automated quantified on a ROI-based analysis. The tumor-to-background presented equal results of [99mTc]Tc-PSMA-GCK01 compared to [99mTc]Tc-EDDA/HYNIC-iPSMA. The physiological PSMA-positive organs like salivary gland presented also equal uptake in counts/MBq (salivary gland median 9.48 [99mTc]Tc-PSMA-GCK01 vs. median 9.11 [99mTc]Tc-EDDA/HYNIC-iPSMA), while liver-to-kidney ratio presented a slight shift to the liver parenchyma using [99mTc]Tc-PSMA-GCK01 (0.83) compared to [99mTc]Tc-EDDA/HYNIC-iPSMA (0.55) with no statistical significance. This is in agreement with the results from the docking study revealing only a minor difference in the docking scores for both ligands.

Conclusions

The novel theranostic tracer [99mTc]Tc/[188Re]Re-PSMA-GCK01 demonstrates comparable general imaging characteristic with the reference compound [99mTc]Tc-EDDA/HYNIC-iPSMA. These results pave the way for the PSMA-targeting imaging and theranostic agents for a broader, rather low-cost, generator applied radio-ligand therapy utilization.
Phyllite/bentonite mixture—an alternative effective buffer material for a geological disposal of radioactive waste
Authors: Kyzioł-Komosińska Joanna , Janeczek Janusz , Dzieniszewska Agnieszka , Fabiańska Monika J. , Matuszewska Aniela , Teper Ewa , Szram Ewa , Krzykawski Tomasz , Pająk Magdalena , Czupiol Justyna
Published: December 2023

The use of phyllite (Phy) instead of quartz in mixtures with bentonite (B) is recommended as a buffer material for engineering barriers in a geological repository of nuclear waste. The recommendation is based on experimentally determined sorption properties of various Phy/B mixtures. The adsorption capacity of Phy/B mixtures (Phy/B: 75/25, 50/50, and 25/75), the removal efficacy of Eu(III) ions (an analog for fissiongenic lanthanides and actinides), and the rate of their binding reaction were studied using the batch adsorption equilibrium and kinetic experiments at different Eu(III) initial concentrations, solution pH, and solution to adsorbent (L/S) ratio. The adsorption capacity of the Phy/B mixtures increased with the increased bentonite content in the mixture depending on the L/S ratio and solution pH. The highest increase in the adsorption capacity of the Phy/B mixtures compared to phyllite was observed for the Phy/B proportions of 25/75 and 50/50. The rate of the Eu(III) adsorption was the best fitted by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model indicating that the adsorption rate was controlled by chemisorption. The Sips model provided the best correlation of the adsorption experimental data, indicative of more than one adsorption site. The results of this study show the advantage of the Phy/B mixtures in immobilizing Eu and certain fission products by combining adsorption properties of the materials.
Effective microorganism water treatment method for rapid eutrophic reservoir restoration
Authors: Tomczyk Paweł , Wierzchowski Paweł Stanisław , Dobrzyński Jakub , Kulkova Iryna , Wróbel Barbara , Wiatkowski Mirosław , Kuriqi Alban , Skorulski Witold , Kabat Tomasz , Prycik Mirosław , Gruss Łukasz , Drobnik Jarosław
Published: December 2023

Since reservoirs perform many important functions, they are exposed to various types of unfavorable phenomena, e.g., eutrophication which leads to a rapid growth of algae (blooms) that degrade water quality. One of the solutions to combat phytoplankton blooms are effective microorganisms (EM). The study aims to evaluate the potential of EM in improving the water quality of the Turawa reservoir on the Mała Panew River in Poland. It is one of the first studies providing insights into the effectiveness of using EM in the bioremediation of water in a eutrophic reservoir. Samples for the study were collected in 2019–2021. The analysis showed that EM could be one of the most effective methods for cleaning water from unfavorable microorganisms (HBN22, HBN36, CBN, FCBN, FEN) — after the application of EM, a reduction in their concentration was observed (from 46.44 to 58.38% on average). The duration of their effect ranged from 17.6 to 34.1 days. The application of EM improved the trophic status of the Turawa reservoir, expressed by the Carlson index, by 7.78%. As shown in the literature review, the use of other methods of water purification (e.g., constructed wetlands, floating beds, or intermittent aeration) leads to an increase in the effectiveness and a prolongation of the duration of the EM action. The findings of the study might serve as a guide for the restoration of eutrophic reservoirs by supporting sustainable management of water resources. Nevertheless, further research should be conducted on the effectiveness of EM and their application in the remediation of eutrophic water reservoirs.
Towards Inferring Network Properties from Epidemic Data
Authors: Kiss Istvan Z. , Berthouze Luc , KhudaBukhsh Wasiur R.
Published: December 2023

Epidemic propagation on networks represents an important departure from traditional mass-action models. However, the high-dimensionality of the exact models poses a challenge to both mathematical analysis and parameter inference. By using mean-field models, such as the pairwise model (PWM), the high-dimensionality becomes tractable. While such models have been used extensively for model analysis, there is limited work in the context of statistical inference. In this paper, we explore the extent to which the PWM with the susceptible-infected-recovered (SIR) epidemic can be used to infer disease- and network-related parameters. Data from an epidemics can be loosely categorised as being population level, e.g., daily new cases, or individual level, e.g., recovery times. To understand if and how network inference is influenced by the type of data, we employed the widely-used MLE approach for population-level data and dynamical survival analysis (DSA) for individual-level data. For scenarios in which there is no model mismatch, such as when data are generated via simulations, both methods perform well despite strong dependence between parameters. In contrast, for real-world data, such as foot-and-mouth, H1N1 and COVID19, whereas the DSA method appears fairly robust to potential model mismatch and produces parameter estimates that are epidemiologically plausible, our results with the MLE method revealed several issues pertaining to parameter unidentifiability and a lack of robustness to exact knowledge about key quantities such as population size and/or proportion of under reporting. Taken together, however, our findings suggest that network-based mean-field models can be used to formulate approximate likelihoods which, coupled with an efficient inference scheme, make it possible to not only learn about the parameters of the disease dynamics but also that of the underlying network.
Soil bacterial and fungal communities resilience to long-term nitrogen addition in subtropical forests in China
Authors: Fu Xinlei , Dai Yunze , Cui Jun , Deng Pengfei , Fan Wei , Xu Xiaoniu
Published: December 2023

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition is predicted to increase, especially in the subtropics. However, the responses of soil microorganisms to long-term N addition at the molecular level in N-rich subtropical forests have not been clarified. A long-term nutrient addition experiment was conducted in a subtropical evergreen old-growth forest in China. The four treatments were: control, low N (50 kg N ha−1 a−1), high N (100 kg N ha−1 a−1), and combined N and phosphorus (P) (100 kg N ha−1 a−1 + 50 kg P ha−1 a−1). Metagenomic sequencing characterized diversity and composition of soil microbial communities and used to construct bacterial/fungal co-occurrence networks. Nutrient-treated soils were more acidic and had higher levels of dissolved organic carbon than controls. There were no significant differences in microbial diversity and community composition across treatments. The addition of nutrients increased the abundance of copiotrophic bacteria and potentially beneficial microorganisms (e.g., Gemmatimonadetes, Chaetomium, and Aureobasidium). Low N addition increased microbiome network connectivity. Three rare fungi were identified as module hubs under nutrient addition, indicating that low abundance fungi were more sensitive to increased nutrients. The results indicate that the overall composition of microbial communities was stable but not static to long-term N addition. Our findings provide new insights that can aid predictions of the response of soil microbial communities to long-term N addition.
Infection with COVID-19 promotes the progression of pancreatic cancer through the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Zhang Xusheng , Chen Bendong , Liu Kejun , Ma Yongxin , Liu Yimin , Zhou Hongcai , Wei Peng
Published: December 2023

Objective

To investigate the effect of COVID-19 infection on pancreatic cancer.

Methods

Based on the mRNA-Seq data of COVID-19 patients and pancreatic cancer (PC) patients in the GEO database, we used a support vector machine (SVM), LASSO-Cox regression analysis and random forest tree (RF) to screen the common signature genes of the two diseases and further investigate their effects and functional characteristics on PC, respectively. The above procedures were performed in R software.

Results

The proteins COL10A1/FAP/FN1 were found to be common signature genes for COVID-19 and PC, were significantly up-regulated in both diseases and showed good diagnostic efficacy for PC. The risk model based on COL10A1/FAP/FN1 showed good PC risk prediction ability and clinical application potential. Tumor typing based on COL10A1/FAP/FN1 expression levels effectively classified PC into different subtypes and showed significant differences between the two subtypes in terms of survival prognosis, immune levels, immune checkpoint expression levels, mutation status of common tumor mutation sites, and drug sensitivity analysis. While pathway analysis also revealed that FN1 as an extracellular matrix component may be involved in the biological process of PC by regulating the PI3K-AKT signaling axis.

Conclusion

The upregulated expression of COL10A1/FAP/FN1, the characteristic genes of COVID-19, are potential diagnostic targets for PC, and the upregulated expression of FN1 may promote the progression of PC by activating the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. The COL10A1/FAP/FN1-based typing provides a new typing approach for PC, and also provides a good reference and idea for the refinement of PC treatment and subsequent clinical research.
Vertical height growth mechanism of hydraulic fractures in laminated shale oil reservoirs based on 3D discrete lattice modeling
Authors: Chang Xin , Wang Xingyi , Yang Chunhe , Guo Yintong , Wei Kai , Li Qiang , Jiang Chengbai
Published: December 2023

Bedding planes are abundant in shale oil reservoirs, but the intrinsic mechanism of fracture-height containment by these weak interfaces remains unclear. To investigate the effects of interface properties, stress conditions, and fracturing fluid viscosity on the vertical propagation of fracture heights in laminated shale oil reservoirs, a three-dimensional hydro-mechanical coupling numerical model was developed. The model is based on the 3D discrete lattice algorithm (DLA), which replaces the balls and contacts in the conventional synthetic rock mass model (SRM) with a lattice consisting of spring-connected nodes, resulting in improved computational efficiency. Additionally, the interaction between hydraulic fractures and bedding planes is automatically computed using a smooth joint model (SJM), without making any assumptions about fracture trajectories or interaction conditions. The results indicate that a higher adhesive strength of the laminated surface promotes hydraulic fracture propagation across the interface. Increasing the friction coefficient of the laminated surface from 0.15 to 0.91 resulted in a twofold increase in the fracture height. Furthermore, as the difference between vertical and horizontal principal stresses increased, the longitudinal extension distance of the fracture height significantly increased, while the activated area of the laminar surface decreased dramatically. Moreover, increasing the viscosity of the fracturing fluid led to a decrease in filtration loss along the laminar surface of the fracture and a rapid increase in net pressure, making the hydraulic fracture more likely to cross the laminar surface directly. Therefore, for heterogeneous shale oil reservoirs, a reverse-sequence fracturing technique has been proposed to enhance the length and height of the fracture. This technique involves using a high-viscosity fracturing fluid to increase the fracture height before the main construction phase, followed by a low-viscosity slickwater fracturing fluid to activate the bedding planes and promote fracture complexity. To validate the numerical modeling results, five sets of laboratory hydraulic fracturing physical simulations were conducted in Jurassic terrestrial shale. The findings revealed that as the vertical stress difference ratio increased from 0.25 to 0.6, the vertical fracture area increased by 1.98 times. Additionally, increasing both the injection displacement and the viscosity of the fracturing fluid aided in fracture height crossing of the laminar facies. These results from numerical simulation and experimental studies offer valuable insights for hydraulic fracturing design in laminated shale oil reservoirs.
Letting the plants speak: Law, landscape and conservation
Authors: Gillespie Jo , Hamilton Rebecca , Penny Dan
Published: December 2023

The Botany Wetlands are the contemporary remnant of a formerly extensive coastal freshwater wetland in the inner-urban suburbs of Sydney (Australia). This site supports a range of ecosystem services, including human physical and mental health benefits, filtration of stormwater runoff from a highly urban and industrial catchment, and accommodation space for floodwater. The wetlands also provide habitat to migratory water birds and act as a connective habitat corridor and refuge for native flora and fauna including endangered ecological communities recognised in state and national legislation. Current management strategies and ‘on the ground’ practices are informed by a hierarchy of laws and management plans that act to create and reinforce a specific narrative in the material landscape. Here we consider the ecological history of the wetlands, derived from paleoecological data, in the context of this complex network of governance entanglements. We argue that the system bears little resemblance to its long-term character and has been made and continually re-made by a portmanteau of inflexible regulatory structures. We suggest that maintaining ecosystem services in such a complex, hybridized sociolegal-biophysical system requires a critical view of both the power relationsandphysical processes that shape it.
“I Thought you had Forgotten me”: A Corpus-Pragmatic Examination of the Mental Verb Think in Irish Emigrants’ Letters
Authors: Ávila-Ledesma Nancy E.
Published: December 2023

This paper sets out to explore the interface between migration experiences and epistolary discourse in CORIECOR, the Corpus of Irish English Correspondence (McCafferty and Amador-Moreno in preparation). Using corpus and computational methods, this investigation aims to empirically explore language usage in the letters exchanged between the Irish in the United States of America, Australia and New Zealand and their loved ones back in Ireland. Specifically, the study proposes a corpus-pragmatic examination of the mental verb think in an attempt to explain the function of such verb in the negotiation of epistolary relationships, that is, how it helps to reinforce and maintain crucial emotional and physical links between emigrants and their families in Ireland. The material will be searched using Sketch Engine (Kilgarriff et al. 2004). In the quantitative stage, corpus tools such as the Corpus Query Language (CQL) function will be utilised to identify and collect the linguistic patterns that characterise the epistolary discourse under analysis. Qualitatively, a detailed inspection of such patterns will be conducted in order to provide access to historical forms of communication in the context of nineteenth- and twentieth-century Irish emigration as well as the use of involvement-marking strategies in private letters.
7 Recent research on climate, environment, and society in the ancient Greek world
Authors: Bonnier Anton
Published: December 2023

Recent research within Mediterranean archaeology has been increasingly concerned with societal responses to past climate changes in the Holocene. In Greek archaeology, such studies have benefited from an increasing volume of palaeoclimatic proxy data that has recently been made available from the Greek mainland. The current review discusses recent debates on climate and society in the ancient Greek world and also provides an overview of proxy records from Greece that have been published in the last 10 years. The paper further presents a focused discussion on the state of the available palaeoclimatological evidence for the first millennium BC. New palaeoclimatological proxy series from lake, marine, and wetland sediments, as well as from speleothem proxy records, provide important data that has been lacking for the Greek mainland in the past. These records provide new, promising avenues for integrative interdisciplinary research focused on human–environment dynamics in different periods of Greek antiquity, but challenges persist in how we can integrate and understand past climate shifts in connection with the archaeological evidence.
1 Introduction and overview
Authors: Loy Michael , Parikh Tulsi
Published: December 2023

This introduction presents the structure and contents of the current issue of Archaeology in Greece. It also offers an overview (not meant to be exhaustive) of archaeological activity in Greece over the past 12 months, focusing on major exhibitions and other cultural events as well as on important recent publications.