bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Relationship Between Electrical Characteristics and Changes in Chemical Composition and Structure of OSG Low-k Films under Thermal Annealing
Authors: Gerelt-Od Mungunsuvd , Kolesnikova Tatiana G. , Mokrushev Pavel A. , Vishnevskiy Alexey S. , Vorotilov Konstantin A. , Gismatulin Andrei A. , Gritsenko Vladimir A. , Baklanov Mikhail R.
Published: September 2024

The paper is dedicated to studying the influence of annealing temperature on the chemical, structural and electrophysical properties of low-k films made from porous organosilicate glasses containing terminal methyl groups. The films were deposited using centrifugation, followed by drying at 200 °C and annealing at temperatures ranging from 350 °C to 900 °C. Changes in refractive index, porosity, pore size, chemical composition, and electrical properties as a function of annealing temperature are evaluated. The results of JV measurements indicate that the methyl-modified film, which was annealed at 450 °С, demonstrates minimal leakage currents. This phenomenon can be explained by the almost complete removal of surfactant residues and non-condensed silanols, as well as the minimal thermal degradation of methyl groups. The results of the study on leakage current models in methyl-modified films, obtained at various annealing temperatures, lead us to conclude that the predominant mechanism of charge carrier transfer is Poole–Frenkel emission.
Comparison of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Patterns by Sex, Geographical Location, and Time of the Week in Mexican Adolescents
Authors: Jáuregui-Ulloa Edtna , Ortiz-Brunel Julissa , Gaytán-González Alejandro , Soria-Rodríguez Raúl , Pérez-Maravilla José Marcos , González-Villalobos Martín Francisco , Salvo Deborah , Warbuton Darren E. R. , López-Taylor Juan Ricardo
Published: September 2024

Excess sedentary behaviour (SB) and insufficient physical activity (PA) have been identified as risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases in adolescents, some factors may affect how much time they spent on these activities. This study sought to compare the SB and PA patterns as well as the compliance with PA recommendations by sex, geographical location, and time of the week in Mexican adolescents. In a cross-sectional design, we objectively assessed SB and PA in 106 adolescents (15 to 18 y) through waist-worn accelerometers for one week. The time spent in SB and in PA at different intensities was compared by sex, geographical location and time of the week with two-way and three-way repeated measures MANOVAs, while the compliance with physical activity recommendations (i.e. ≥60 min/day) was compared using chi-squared and McNemar tests. Male participants spent more time in moderate, vigorous, and moderate to vigorous PA than females both in the whole week and in weekdays (all p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in SB nor PA by geographical location (i.e., metropolitan vs non-metropolitan areas). Moreover, all participants spent more time on moderate, vigorous, and moderate to vigorous PA on weekdays than on weekends (p < 0.05). Compliance with international PA recommendations also showed a sex difference (males > females) and change between weekdays and weekends with no difference by geographical location. While geographical location does not seem to be a relevant factor, sex and time of the week appear to influence the SB and PA patterns in Mexican adolescents.
Study on Influencing Factors of Vertical Bearing Capacity of Pile Foundation in Multi‐Layer Cave
Authors: Wang Yi , Lu Guoyun , Zhang En , Zhao Cheng , Wang Wei , Dong Fenghui
Published: September 2024

In order to study the influence factors of vertical bearing capacity of pile foundation under the special address condition of multi-layer karst cave, the finite element model of foundation pile in double-layer karst area was established by using a commercial general finite element software Ansys, the bearing capacity of concrete pile foundation with different rock height, different ec-centricity and different elastic modulus under the gradually increasing load was studied. The results show that: (1) Under the condition of constant external load, the maximum displacement of pile foundation increases with the increase of eccentricity; (2) With the increase of concrete strength, the maximum displacement decreases gradually, but the corresponding maximum stress is roughly the same; (3) The height of the rock cave has a great influence on the bearing capacity of the pile foundation. In the construction process, it is necessary to minimize or avoid passing through the area with higher karst caves.
Energy-Resolved Mass Spectrometry and Mid-Infrared Microscopy for Purity Assessment of a Synthetic Peptide Cyclised by Intramolecular Click Chemistry
Authors: Maroto Alicia , Boqué Ricard , dit Fouque Dany Jeanne , Memboeuf Antony
Published: September 2024

Cyclic peptides have higher stability and better properties as therapeutic agents than their linear peptide analogues. Consequently, intramolecular click chemistry is becoming an increasingly popular method for the synthesis of cyclic peptides from their isomeric linear peptides. However, assessing the purity of these cyclic peptides by mass spectrometry is a significant challenge, as the linear and cyclic peptides have identical masses. In this paper, we have evaluated the analytical capabilities of energy-resolved mass spectrometry (ER MS) and mid-infrared microscopy (IR) to address this challenge. On the one hand, mixtures of both peptides were subjected to Collision Induced Dissociation tandem mass spectrometry (CID MS/MS) experiments in an ion trap mass spectrometer at several excitation energies. Two different calibration models were used: a univariate model (at a single excitation voltage) and a multivariate model (using multiple excitation voltages). The multivariate model demonstrated slightly enhanced analytical performance, which can be attributed to more effective signal averaging when multiple excitation voltages are considered. On the other hand, IR microscopy was used for the quantification of the relative amount of linear peptide. This was achieved through univariate calibration, based on the absorbance of an alkyne band specific to the linear peptide, and through Partial Least Squares (PLS) multivariate calibration. The PLS calibration model demonstrated superior performance in comparison to univariate calibration, indicating that consideration of the full IR spectrum is preferable to focusing on the specific peak of the linear peptide. The advantage of IR microscopy is that it is linear across the entire working interval, from linear peptide molar ratios of 0 (equivalent to pure cyclic peptide) up to 1 (pure linear peptide). In contrast, the ER MS calibration models exhibited linearity only up to 0.3 linear peptide molar ratio. However, ER MS showed better performances in terms of limit of detection, intermediate precision and root-mean-square-error of calibration. Therefore, ER MS is the optimal choice for the detection and quantification of the lowest relative amounts of linear peptide.
Is the Selfish Never Selfless? Experimental Evidence from Charitable Giving Dictator Game Played by Pre-Service Teachers in Cambodia
Authors: Ros Bandos , Kaneko Shinji
Published: September 2024

This study reveals that with similar valence of empathy, the tendency for humans to help humans in need is stronger than the animal in need. It also illustrates that a convincible advertisement for a charity should be a combination of various feelings, mainly empathic anger, in addition to compassion or empathy. To gain support from young individuals or donors regardless of their personal values, the egoistic values particularly, both the NPOs in humanitarian aid as well as in environmental protection or conservation should develop ads by which each individual or donor is aroused by either an empathic anger and empathic joy or both. This claim is more applicable for any ads developed to help people in need more than animals in need. Nevertheless, this study also found the role of an animal, generally known as innocent, as an actor in an ad is likely more crucial than human. Subjects with high-egoistic values appeared to get vulnerably aroused to a higher extent by being immersed in animal’s suffering than human’s suffering. The feeling of arousal seemed to motivate subjects with high-egoistic values to not decrease the amount of donation to a charity.
Optimizing Unsupervised Feature Engineering and Predictive Models for Thyroid Cancer Recurrence Prediction
Authors: Onah Emmanuel , Eze Uche Jude , Abdulraheem Abdullahi Salahudeen , Ezigbo Ugochukwu Gabriel , Amorha Kosisochi Chinwendu
Published: September 2024

Background/Objectives: Thyroid cancer, particularly well-differentiated thyroid cancer, is one of the most prevalent endocrine malignancies, with a rising incidence. Although it generally has a favorable prognosis, recurrence is common. Accurate prediction of recurrence is crucial for optimizing treatment plans and improving patient outcomes. This study aimed to advance the state-of-the-art in thyroid cancer recurrence prediction by refining feature engineering techniques and exploring a diverse ensemble of machine learning algorithms and an artificial neural network, using the differentiated thyroid cancer dataset from the UCI Machine Learning Repository; Methods: Various unsupervised data engineering methods, such as dimensionality reduction and clustering, were employed to enhance feature quality and mitigate noise, using stratified 10-fold cross-validation. The best-performing dimensionality reduction techniques were used to build classification model pipelines employing each of several machine learning models and an artificial neural network. The performance of these classification pipelines were assessed using metrics sensitive to class imbalance; Results: Principal Component Analysis and Truncated Singular Value Decomposition achieved superior clustering performance and moderate variances in their first principal components. Logistic Regression, Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, K-Nearest Neighbors, and Feedforward Neural Network models all achieved high performance, with Logistic Regression pipelines demonstrating balanced accuracy, F1 score, AUC, sensitivity, specificity, and precision—all greater than 0.93 on the test set and slightly lower in 10-fold cross-validation. Gradient Boosting classification pipelines performed the lowest, though still with respectable metrics; Conclusions: This study shows that employing feature engineering techniques like Principal Component Analysis or Truncated Singular Value Decomposition in Logistic Regression, Random Forest, Feedforward Neural Networks, Support Vector Machine, and K-Nearest Neighbors classification pipelines can improve thyroid cancer recurrence prediction accuracy and reliability, supporting more personalized treatment strategies in post-treatment patients.
The Impact of AI on International Trade: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Ozturk Ozcan
Published: September 2024

This study examines the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in international trade, highlighting its significant roles in optimizing trade operations, enhancing trade finance, and improving market access. In trade optimization, through advanced machine learning and predictive analytics, AI helps in demand forecasting, route optimization, and customs processes, ensuring efficient logistics and inventory management. In trade finance, AI automates document processing and risk assessment, democratizing access to finance and enhancing transactional transparency through integration with blockchain technology. In improving market access, AI-driven analytics identify consumer trends and competitive dynamics, enabling personalized marketing and overcoming linguistic and cultural barriers. The study includes case studies of leading companies such as Alibaba, DHL, and Maersk, showcasing how they leverage AI to enhance their trade operations, improve customer service, and achieve greater efficiency. These real-world examples demonstrate AI's practical applications and significant benefits in the global trade landscape. However, the adoption of AI in international trade is not without challenges. These include data quality, ethical considerations, technological complexity, and public perception. Ensuring high-quality, accessible data, fostering ethical AI usage, and overcoming technological and regulatory barriers are crucial for successful AI integration. Policy recommendations emphasize the need for robust data infrastructure, ethical AI guidelines, and international cooperation to harmonize data protection regulations. These measures aim to create an environment conducive to AI-driven sustainable economic growth and innovation in global trade.
SARS-CoV-2 Displays a Suboptimal Codon Usage Bias for Efficient Translation in Human Cells Diverted by Hijacking the tRNA Epitranscriptome
Authors: ELDIN Patrick , DAVID Alexandre , HIRTZ Christophe , BATTINI Jean-Luc , BRIANT Laurence
Published: September 2024

Codon bias analysis of SARS-CoV-2 reveals suboptimal adaptation for translation in human cells it infects. The detailed examination of the codons preferentially used by SARS-CoV-2 shows a strong preference for LysAAA, GlnCAA, GluGAA, and Arg AGA infrequently used in human genes. In the absence of an adapted tRNA pool, efficient decoding of these codons requires a 5-methoxycarbonylmethyl-2-thiouridine (mcm5s2) modification at the U34 wobble position of the corresponding tRNAs (tLysUUU; tGlnUUG; tGluUUC; tArgUCU). The optimal translation of SARS-CoV-2 open reading frames (ORFs) may therefore require several adjustments to the host's translation machinery, enabling the highly biased viral genome to achieve a more favorable "Ready-to-Translate" state in human cells. Experimental approaches based on LC-MS/MS quantification of tRNA modifications and on alteration of enzymatic tRNA modification pathways provide strong evidence to support the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 induces U34 tRNA modifications and relies on these modifications for its lifecycle. The conclusions emphasize the need for future studies on the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 codon bias and its ability to alter the host tRNA pool through the manipulation of RNA modifications.
Pregnancy and Risks from Cosmetics
Authors: Biskanaki Foteini , Tertipi Niki , Andreou Eleni , Sfyri Eleni , Kefala Vasiliki , Rallis Efstathios
Published: September 2024

This review aimed to identify the risks of cosmetics during the sensitive period of pregnancy. Pregnancy causes many hormonal changes and skin issues, such as red stretch marks, cellulite, and more. These aesthetic concerns can impact both the appearance and health of the pregnant woman. Cosmetics and aesthetic treatments can help improve these problems and positively affect the mental well-being of these women. However, the lack of clinical trials regarding the safety of such treatments during pregnancy has led to the recommendation of only the mildest aesthetic applications. Additionally, professional aestheticians and dermatologists who provide cosmetics and other aesthetic treatments (e.g., laser, ultrasound, radiofrequency) during pregnancy face challenging and sometimes adverse working conditions. They should be treated with respect for their situation, with careful consideration of all the peculiarities associated with pregnancy. Further research and additional recorded data are crucial for better understanding the use of cosmetics and aesthetic treatments during pregnancy.
Association between NOX2-Mediated Oxidative Stress, Low-Grade Endotoxemia, Hypoalbuminemia and Clotting Activation in COVID-19
Authors: Carnevale Roberto , Nocella Cristina , Marocco Raffaella , Zuccalà Paola , Carraro Anna , Picchio Vittorio , Oliva Alessandra , Cangemi Roberto , Miele Maria Claudia , De Angelis Massimiliano , Cancelli Francesca , Casciaro Giovanni Enrico , Cristiano Luca , Pignatelli Pasquale , Frati Giacomo , Venditti Mario , Pugliese Francesco , Mastroianni Claudio Maria , Violi Francesco , Ridola Lorenzo , Del Borgo Cosmo , Palmerio Silvia , Valenzi Emiliano , Carnevale Rita , Alvaro Domenico , Lichtner Miriam , Cardinale Vincenzo
Published: September 2024

Low-grade endotoxemia by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been detected in COVID-19 and could favour thrombosis via eliciting a pro-inflammatory and pro-coagulant state. The aim of the study was to analyse the mechanism accounting for low-grade endotoxemia and its relationship with oxidative stress and clotting activation thrombosis in COVID-19. We measured serum levels of sNOX2-dp, zonulin, LPS, D-dimer and albumin in 175 patients with COVID-19, classified as having or not acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and 50 healthy subjects. Baseline levels of sNOX2-dp, LPS, zonulin, D-dimer, albumin and hs-CRP were significantly higher in COVID-19 compared to controls. In COVID-19 patients with ARDS, sNOX2-dp, LPS, zonulin, D-dimer and hs-CRP were significantly higher compared to COVID-19 patients without ARDS. Conversely, concentration of albumin was lower in patients with compared with those without ARDS and inversely associated with LPS. In COVID-19 cohort, the number of patients with ARDS progressively increased according to sNOX2-dp and LPS quartiles; a significant correlation between LPS and sNOX2-dp, and LPS and D-Dimer was detected in COVID-19. In a multivariable logistic regression model, LPS/Albumin levels and D-dimer predicted thrombotic events. In COVID-19 patients, LPS is significantly associated with a hypercoagulation state and disease severity. In vitro, LPS can increase endothelial oxidative stress and coagulation biomarkers, that were reduced by the treatment with albumin. In conclusion, impaired gut barrier permeability, increased NOX2 activation and low serum albumin may account for low-grade endotoxemia, and they may be implicated in thrombotic events in COVID-19.
Prevalence of Hospital-Acquired Infections in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Odoom Alex , Tetteh-Quarcoo Patience Borkor , Donkor Eric S.
Published: September 2024

Background/Objectives: The burden of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) is particularly sub-stantial in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, a comprehensive understanding of their prevalence in these regions is lacking. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the prevalence of HAIs in LMICs.
Methods: Major databases, including Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science, were thoroughly searched for published studies between January 1, 2000, and July 15, 2024. The PRISMA guidelines were followed for a comprehensive and systematic approach. The pooled prevalence of HAIs was estimated using a random-effects model and a 95% confidence interval (CI).
Results: The literature search identified 87 studies reporting HAI prevalence in LMICs. The overall prevalence of HAIs across LMICs was 22% (95% CI: 17-28), with notable regional variations. The South-East Asian Region (SEAR) presented the highest prevalence at 37% (95% CI: 13-62), followed by the African Region at 25% (95% CI: 16-33). The European Region (EUR) had the lowest preva-lence, at 14% (95% CI: 5-23). In terms of income level, low-income countries had the highest prevalence at 37% (95% CI: 23-52), followed by lower-middle income at 22% (15-30) and up-per-middle income at 13% (95% CI: 6-20). Surgical site infections (SSIs) had the highest prevalence among infection types at 27% (95% CI: 23-31), followed by pneumonia at 23% (95% CI: 18-28) and urinary tract infections (UTIs) at 22% (95% CI: 19-26). Gastrointestinal infections (GIs) were less prevalent at 6% (95% CI: 3-9).
Conclusions: This systematic review underscores the high prevalence of HAIs in most LMICs, with variations based on region and income level, emphasizing the need to facilitate the development of targeted prevention and control strategies to mitigate the impact of this critical public health issue, especially in resource-limited settings.
Trajectory Planning and Performance Atlases of a New Omnidirectional Conveyor
Authors: Zhang Zhuo , Sun Tianyu , Wang Zexing , Zhang Xuping
Published: September 2024

This paper proposes an omnidirectional conveyor as a novel alternative to existing omnidirectional conveyors. With symmetric and compact layout, this new structure ensures consistent kinematics and enhanced flexibility in trajectory planning. The kinematic model of the proposed omnidirectional conveyor is developed and verified through simulation in CoppeliaSim. Four typical classes of trajectories are generated and verified in the simulation environment. Using PID control, the actual trajectories of a package on the conveyor closely match the desired trajectories. In addition, this paper outlines the workspace and corresponding wheel patterns for the conveyor, demonstrating how different supported wheel patterns emerge when packages move across various areas of the conveyor. The discussion extends to fault tolerance and obstacle avoidance, examining the workspace and wheel patterns with one or two omni wheels failed. Furthermore, this paper provides a comprehensive analysis on the feasible desired movements for the packages on the conveyor under the constrained wheel speed. This provides insights and guidance on trajectory planning and design of the conveyor.
Os desafios de pesquisar com crianças na era digital: posturas éticas e metodológicas necessárias
Authors: Oliveira Bruna Santana de , Lucena Simone , Fontes Nayara Evellyn Santos
Published: September 2024

Atualmente, as crianças têm ocupado gradativamente o espaço virtual para aprender, brincar e socializar com os pares por meio do acesso às tecnologias digitais conectadas em rede. Por esta razão, as pesquisas com as infâncias atuantes na era digital exigem outras posturas éticas e metodológicas que garantam a escuta de suas vozes. Por isso, este estudo tem como objetivo abordar as estratégias éticas e metodológicas adotadas em uma pesquisa com crianças imersas com os aparelhos tecnológicos nos seus momentos lúdicos de brincadeiras. Para tanto, com base nas técnicas da etnografia, adotamos o diário de campo, registros fotográficos e a observação interativa no ambiente privado/familiar de duas crianças ao longo de quatro meses. Os resultados evidenciam que as escolhas metodológicas influem nos níveis de participação dos pequenos, além disso, essa aproximação exige diversas mobilizações éticas para registrar in situ como compreendem a participação, contribuem e mobilizam conhecimentos para/sobre a investigação científica.
Optimizing Injection Well Trajectory to Maximize CO2 Storage Security and Minimize Geomechanical Risk
Authors: Li Yunan , ONeal Ryan , Whitezell Marc , Kovscek Anthony R.
Published: September 2024

The work demonstrates an optimal well design for a potential geological carbon storage (GCS) project in Kern County, California (USA). Carbon dioxide (CO2) plume shape, size, and pressure response history in the subsurface are outcomes. We created a toolbox (pyCCUS) to standardize the well design optimization process and it is applicable to different carbon storage assets. This toolbox is helpful to maximize storage security and minimize geomechanical risk. The numerical model of the storage formation features two-way coupled transport and geomechanical deformation. It honors a predefined injection scheme with injection rates that ramp up and then decline for a total of 12.3 MtCO2 injection in 18 years. The peak injection rate is greater than 1 MtCO2/yr, whereas the post-injection monitoring period is 100 years. We propose to develop a long, deviated injection well to best address the injectivity and plume migration challenges for this complex, heterogeneous, dipping formation. The chosen well trajectory improves injectivity while minimizing formation pressure buildup. The well design optimization successfully reduces the pressure buildup by 54% over the base design while only increasing the areal extent of the plume by 21%. We quantify the CO2 plume shape and size at the land surface. The plume grows rapidly during injection, but it increases only slightly after shut-in due to slow updip migration driven by buoyancy. The plume becomes stationary within the post-injection monitoring period. The optimal injector design balances the optimization goals of CO2 plume size, pressure increase, and pressure buildup at geological faults. The optimal injection well design is robust under uncertainties from injection schemes and geological model realizations. Rock deformation due to the pressure buildup is also computed. The model estimates 2.1 cm of uplift that occurs during the year of the peak annual injection rate. Land surface uplift strongly correlates with the subsurface pressure response.
Multisource Modeling Method for Petroleum Production Prediction Models: A Case Study of CO2-Flooding Performance
Authors: Dong Yukun , Jin Jianxiang , Zhang Jiyuan , Wu Kuankuan , Liu Shuaiwei , Bai Junkai
Published: September 2024

Accurate prediction of oil production is crucial for formulating oilfield development strategies. With the rapid development of artificial intelligence, research on utilizing deep learning to construct oil production prediction models has been growing, which has partially compensated for the low computational efficiency of numerical simulators. Although the well-trained source domain model maintains high prediction accuracy on target blocks with similar production conditions, the prediction accuracy of the model declines in scenarios where substantial disparities exist between the production conditions of the target block and the source domain. This discrepancy makes the prediction results unreliable and causes a domain shift issue. We propose a multisource model fine-tuning approach, which leverages a limited amount of target domain data to fine-tune the existing source domain model, enabling it to rapidly converge in the target domain while maintaining superior prediction performance. Based on a heterogeneous low-permeability CO2-flooding reservoir development model, we established a series of source domain data sets, encompassing numerous types of well patterns and permeability fields, and specifically prepared various target domain data sets to verify the effectiveness of the model fine-tuning. Experimental outcomes demonstrate that our proposed model fine-tuning approach facilitates the rapid convergence of the existing model on target domain data. Following testing, the fine-tuned model, which attained a prediction accuracy exceeding 97% in the target domain, significantly improved upon the accuracy compared with the unfine-tuned model. The time required is significantly lower than retraining a new model, and it significantly reduces the need for data in the target domain. This provides support for the rapid generation of new prediction models using existing source domain models and limited target domain data.
Antagonistic action of Siah2 and Pard3/JamC to promote germinal zone exit of differentiated cerebellar granule neurons by modulating Ntn1 signaling via Dcc
Authors: Laumonnerie Christophe , Shamambo Maleelo , Stabley Daniel R. , Lewis Tommy L. , Trivedi Niraj , Howell Danielle , Solecki David J
Published: September 2024

Exiting a germinal zone (GZ) initiates a cascade of events that promote neuronal maturation and circuit assembly. Developing neurons and their progenitors must interpret various niche signals— such as morphogens, guidance molecules, extracellular matrix components, and adhesive cues—to navigate this region. How differentiating neurons integrate and adapt to multiple cellextrinsic niche cues with their cell-intrinsic machinery in exiting a GZ is unknown. We establish cooperation between cell polarity-regulated adhesion and Netrin-1 (Ntn-1) signaling comprises a coincidence detection circuit repelling maturing neurons from their GZ. In this circuit, the Partitioning defective 3 (Pard3) polarity protein and Junctional adhesion molecule-C (JamC) adhesion protein promote, while the Seven in absentia 2 (Siah2) ubiquitin ligase inhibits, Deleted in colorectal cancer (Dcc) receptor surface recruitment to gate differentiation linked repulsion to GZ Ntn-1. These results demonstrate cell polarity as a central integrator of adhesive- and guidance cues cooperating to spur GZ exit.
Ursolic acid synergistically enhances gemcitabine-induced apoptosis in bladder cancer via the PI3K/AKT and JNK signaling pathways
Authors: Huang Xiaolong , Sun Yan , Zhu Junlong , Tong Hang , Wen Peng , He Weiyang
Published: September 2024

Ursolic acid (UA) is a natural compound that exists in a number of Chinese medicinal herbs, which has been demonstrated to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy in multiple types of cancer. The present study aimed to observe whether UA enhances the antitumor effects of gemcitabine (GEM) in human bladder cancer (BCa) cell lines, and to investigate the possible underlying mechanisms. The human BCa cell lines, T24 and 5637, were treated with GEM and/or UA in vitro. Cell viability was measured by the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Apoptosis was detected using Hoechst 33258 staining, western blot analysis and flow cytometry. The expression levels of signaling pathway-related proteins were detected using western blot analysis. UA and GEM synergistically inhibited the proliferation of human BCa cells. Compared with GEM treatment alone, the combination of GEM and UA led to enhanced the antitumor effects, which were associated with the induction of apoptosis. The PI3K/AKT and JNK signaling pathways were involved in human BCa cells treated with GEM and UA. Both the AKT activator, SC79, and the JNK inhibitor, SP600125, reduced the expression of cleaved PARP and cleaved caspase-3. On the whole, the results of the present study demonstrate that UA enhances GEM-induced apoptosis by inactivating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and activating the JNK signaling pathway in human BCa cells.
Assessment of Climate Change Risks for Plant Species in South Korea: Sensitivity, Vulnerability, and Adaptation Strategies.
Authors: Hong Seungbum , LEE KYUNGEUN , Oh Jieun , Cha Jaegyu
Published: September 2024

This study presents a climate change risk assessment for plant species in South Korea, incorporating temperature rise projections under the four Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP) scenarios from the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6). The assessment methodology evaluated species sensitivity to temperature changes and the vulnerability to losing suitable habitats by 2100, translating these factors into species extirpation risk. The sensitivity analysis classified the plant species into four grades based on statistical correlations between their geographical distributions and temperature distributions. Subsequently, the vulnerability analysis determined how rapidly the current suitable temperature zones for each species will deviate from future climate conditions by comparing current temperature ranges with projected future temperatures in 20-year intervals under four SSP scenarios. Based on these analyses, species were classified according to risk assessment grades. This assessment indicated a significant increase in the species extirpation rate, particularly under pessimistic scenarios like SSP5-8.5. By 2100, over 1,000 species could face extirpation, representing over 40% of the total evaluated species in this study. This study proposed adaptive strategies for species conservation, prioritizing urgent measures for high-risk species. This approach amins to inform effective policy responses to mitigate the impacts of climate change on South Korea’s plant biodiversity.
Amorphous silica reduces N2O emissions from arable land at the field plot scale
Authors: Hoffmann Mathias , Diaz Oscar Rodrigo Monzon , Zentgraf Isabel , Al-Hamwi Wael , Dubbert Maren , Stein Mathias , Holz Maire , Schaller Jörg
Published: September 2024

Increasing greenhouse gas emissions pose a strong threat due to accelerating global warming. N2O emissions are highly important in this regard as N2O is a very powerful greenhouse gas. Agriculture is the main human-induced source for N2O emissions contributing roughly 60% to total N2O emissions. Soil amorphous silica (ASi) contents are reduced in arable soils due to yearly exports by crop harvest as most crops are silicon accumulator plants. Most recently it has been shown that ASi is increasing water and nutrient availability in soils. Both factors are known to directly and indirectly affect N2O emissions from agroecosystems. In this study we conducted a field plot trial on arable soil depleted in ASi and fertilized this soil its pre-agricultural ASi level. Our data clearly shows that increasing soil ASi to a pre-agricultural level decreased seasonal N2O emissions by ~ 30%. This reduction of N2O emissions due to ASi might be of global relevance as agricultural practice has reduced the ASi content in agricultural soils. If future studies confirm the effect of ASi on N2O emissions, the soil ASi depletion by agricultural practice in the last decades may have led to a substantial increases of N2O emissions.
Thermal modeling of tool-work interface during polymer's friction welding process by mechanical, pneumatic and electrical sources
Authors: mohamed serier , Albaijan Ibrahim , Alazzawi Sheymaa , Arshad Noor Siddiquee , Abdalrhman Milad
Published: September 2024

The High-density polyethylene (HDPE) has become an essential material, widely used in daily life, especially in water transportation networks. What enhances the use of this material is its adaptability to many manufacturing processes, especially with contemporary friction stir welding technology. At present, many researches have studied the welding of joints of polyethylene parts using mechanical energy, that is, in the same way as welding aluminum parts. This study aims to add advantages to welding this material by proving the existence of other energies for polyethylene, such as pneumatic and electrical energy (with an aluminum welding tool). It relies on easy-to-move equipment, especially in difficult cases of treating cracked pipes. The FSW process parameters: rotation speed, advance speed, and tool inclination angle were varied while using the three power sources. The maximum temperature was monitored. The thermal efficiency of the three energies was verified using the experimental design method. Tensile testing was also used to examine the resistance of the weld area.
Intelligent prediction of internal corrosion rate in submarine oil and gas pipelines based on KPCA-ISSA-MKSVR combined strategy
Authors: Jiang Hong-ye , Lei Peng-zheng , li You-lv , Chi Ming-hua , Xu Tao-long , Liao Yi
Published: September 2024

Given the increasingly prominent problem of pipeline internal corrosion leakage caused by the long-term service of submarine oil and gas pipelines, this paper proposes a KPCA-ISSA-MKSVR combined prediction model that can be used to predict the internal corrosion rate. The model uses kernel principal component analysis (KPCA) to reduce the dimension of corrosion influencing factors. Based on the sparrow search algorithm (SSA), the quality of the initial population is optimized by introducing the Tent chaotic map, and the balance between global exploration and local development is achieved by adjusting the periodic nonlinear adaptive convergence factor. The introduction of polynomial mutation disturbance further increases the diversity of the population and avoids the local optimal trap. Combining the advantages of mixed kernel support vector regression (MKSVR) that can integrate multiple kernel functions solves the problem that the traditional SVR model has a strong dependence on kernel functions and can better capture the diversity and complexity of sample data. Furthermore, taking two sets of actual corrosion data as examples, the accuracy of the combination strategy proposed in this study and its superiority over other models are explored. In Example 1, the KPCA-ISSA-MKSVR model reduced the MAE to 0.015, RMSE to 0.018, MAPE to 0.546, and achieved an R² of 0.991. In Example 2, the MAE decreased to 0.013, RMSE to 0.017, MAPE to 0.493, and R²reached 0.994.The KPCA-ISSA-MKSVR combination strategy proposed in this study is accurate and superior in predicting the internal corrosion rate, which can provide strong technical engineering support for the maintenance and safety management of submarine oil and gas pipelines.
Aβ1-42 promotes microglial activation and apoptosis in the progression of AD by binding to TLR4
Authors: Dou Rui-xia , Gu Cheng , Liang Yun-hua , Zhang Lu-lu , Zhang Yi
Published: September 2024

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common age-related neurodegenerative diseases and the most devastating form of senile dementia. It has a complex mechanism and no effective treatment. Exploring the pathogenesis of AD and providing ideas for treatment can effectively improve the prognosis of AD. Microglia were incubated with β-amyloid protein 1–42 (Aβ1–42) to construct an AD cell model. After microglia were activated, cell morphology changed, the expression level of inflammatory factors increased, cell apoptosis was promoted, and the expression of Tau protein and related proteins increased. By up-regulating and down-regulating Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), the cells were divided into Lv-NC group, Lv-TLR4 group, Sh-NC group, and Sh-TLR4 group. The expression of inflammatory factors was detected again. It was found that compared with the Lv-NC group, the expression of various inflammatory factors in the Lv-TLR4 group decreased, cell apoptosis was inhibited, and the expression of Tau protein and related proteins decreased. Compared with the Sh-NC group, the expression of inflammatory factors in the Sh-TLR4 group increased, cell apoptosis was promoted, and the expression of Tau protein and related proteins increased. These results indicate that Aβ1–42 may promote microglial activation and apoptosis by binding to TLR4. Reducing the expression of TLR4 can reduce the occurrence of inflammatory response in AD cells and slow down cell apoptosis. Therefore, TLR4 is expected to become a new target for the prevention and treatment of AD.
Analysis of canopy light utilization efficiency in high-yielding rapeseed varieties
Authors: Xiao Xiaolu , Duan Bo , Huang Fangyuan , Zhi Ximin , Jiang Zhan , Ma Ni
Published: September 2024

The photosynthetic mechanism responsible for the differences in yield between different rapeseed varieties remains unclear, and there have been no consensus and definite conclusions about the relationship between photosynthesis and yield. Representation of the whole plant by measuring the photosynthetic performance at a single site may lead to biased results. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed the main photosynthetic organs of four high-yielding rapeseed varieties at the seedling, bud, flowering, and podding stages. The canopy photosynthetic parameters were derived by measuring the photosynthetic area, net photosynthetic rate, and chlorophyll content, and canopy photosynthetic capacity was used to evaluate the light utilization efficiency of different rapeseed varieties to establish the relationship between canopy photosynthetic traits and yield. The results showed that there were significant differences in photosynthetic traits among different parts of rapeseed plants. The photosynthetic trait parameters of the whole plant differed significantly when represented by leaves at different positions among different varieties, and different rapeseed varieties exhibited significantly different sensitivity to light intensity. The whole-plant study showed that the canopy photosynthetic capacity was the highest and second highest at the seedling and bud stage, respectively, both of which were closely and positively correlated with rapeseed yield, and ZY501 had higher canopy photosynthetic capacity than other varieties at these two stages due to its larger canopy photosynthetic area. Canopy chlorophyll content was also positively correlated with canopy photosynthetic capacity. These results indicated that investigation of photosynthetic characteristics at single sites in rapeseed might lead to biased results of photosynthetic capacity in different varieties, and provided a new evaluation index for studying the light utilization efficiency of rapeseed. Our results also clarified that canopy photosynthetic area has significantly greater contribution to canopy photosynthetic capacity than canopy photosynthetic efficiency, and provided a theoretical basis for investigating the photosynthesis mechanism underlying high crop yield.
The impact of curculigoside on osteogenic differentiation and orthodontic tooth movement in osteoporosis under mechanical stretch stress
Authors: Liu Xinyu , Jiang Huang , Wang Huimin , Li Yutong , Hu Min
Published: September 2024

Curculigoside (CCG), a natural glycoside compound extracted from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Curculigo orchioides, is known for its osteogenic differentiation-promoting effects. In this study, we investigated the anti-osteoporotic effects of CCG under mechanical stress. Establishing an osteoporotic orthodontic force cell model, we found that CCG treatment could promote osteogenic differentiation in MC3T3-E1 cells and enhance the expression of osteogenic differentiation factors such as COL1, BMP2, ALP, and RUNX2. Furthermore, we applied CCG to osteoporotic rats undergoing orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) to observe its in vivo anti-osteoporotic activity. Through the detection of serum ALP levels, X-ray of femur, and Micro-CT of maxillary, we found that CCG could alleviate the reduction in bone density caused by osteoporosis (OP) and decrease the loss of alveolar bone mass during OTM. In summary, CCG can promote osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells under mechanical stress, and it is beneficial for bone formation during OTM in OP.
Integrative Computational Approaches to Assess Anti-Influenza Activity in Caesalpinia mimosoides Lamk Hydroethanolic Extract
Authors: Klamrak Anuwatchakij , Rahman Shaikh Shahinur , Nopkuesuk Napapuch , Nabnueangsap Jaran , Narkpuk Jaraspim , Janpan Piyapon , Saengkun Yutthakan , Soonkum Thananya , Sribu Supawadee , Teeravechyan Samaporn , Sitthiwong Poramet , Jangpromma Nisachon , Kulchat Sirinan , Choowongkomon Kiattawee , Patramanon Rina , Chaveerach Arunrat , Daduang Jureerut , Daduang Sakda
Published: September 2024

In a recent study, we used chemical analysis to show that the Caesalpinia mimosoides aqueous extract, which contains a high concentration of simple phenolics, has strong anti-influenza activity. We determined through molecular docking methods that its potential target inhibitor is the neuraminidase. Therefore, our study objectives were to evaluate whether the aqueous-ethanol extract (30% v/v) of this plant species exhibits greater antiviral activity than the aqueous plant extract. The C. mimosoides hydroethanolic extract exhibited potent antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay, with an IC50 value of 15.01 µg/mL, comparable to authentic quercetin (IC50 = 12.72 µg/mL) and approximately 4.91 times greater than standard gallic acid (IC50 = 3.06 µg/mL). Through untargeted metabolomic analyses (UPLC-ESI(±)-QTOF-MS/MS) and subsequent stepwise computational metabolomics analyses, we identified the extract as primarily containing simple phenolics (e.g., gallic acid, ellagic acid, shikimic acid, and chlorogenic acid), flavonoid derivatives (e.g., quercetin, taxifolin, myricitrin, and afzelin), and other bioactive components, including dicarboxylic acids and germacrone. The polyphenol-rich extract showed strong anti-influenza activity, with an IC50 of 2.33 µg/mL against the influenza A/PR/8/34 virus and no cytotoxic effects, as indicated by a CC50 greater than 50 µg/mL. This represents an approximately 3.35-fold increase in effectiveness compared to its corresponding aqueous extract (IC50 = 7.81 µg/mL). Furthermore, the extract demonstrated no hemolytic activity, even at a maximum concentration of 2,000 µg/mL, suggesting its potential as a safe antiviral agent. Molecular docking analyses revealed that the identified phytochemicals can simultaneously interact with the "drug-target binding sites" of neuraminidase (NA) and the PB2 subunit of influenza RNA polymerase, indicating their potential polypharmacological effects. Given the consistent efficacy of polyphenols in targeting various viral machinery proteins, we are currently investigating the anti-SARS-CoV-2 properties of our established plant extract to expand its potential applications.
Quantitative Study on Hepatic Genotoxicity of Neodymium and Its Molecular Mechanisms Based on Benchmark Dose Method
Authors: Wang Ning , Chang Xiu-li , Leng Jing , Cheng Xue-qing , Ding Yu , Xu Jing , Yang Zhengli , Zhang Hui-min , Sun Jing-qiu , Hong Xin-yu , Jia Xu-dong
Published: September 2024

Neodymium has been shown to induce genotoxicity in mice, but the molecular mechanisms behind this effect are not fully understood. To clarify the genotoxic effects of intragastric neodymium nitrate (Nd(NO3)3) administration over 28 consecutive days, we assessed the percentage of tail DNA in mouse hepatocytes using the alkaline comet assay, genetic toxicological biomarkers, and the expression levels of genes and proteins related to the p53 pathway in the mouse liver. Our results indicated significant accumulation of Nd(NO3)3 in the livers and kidneys of mice, resulting in micronuclei formation and DNA double-strand breaks, as indicated by comet and γ-H2AX assays, as well as DNA damage in hepatocytes. Nd(NO3)3 significantly increased the percentage of tail DNA in hepatocytes as measured by the alkaline comet assay and upregulated the expression of p53 pathway-related molecules, including ATM, Wip1, ATR, Chk2, MDM2, p53, p21, and NF-kB, at both the transcriptional and translational levels. This treatment effectively triggered the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and γ-H2AX in liver tissue. These findings suggest that Nd(NO3)3 induces hepatic genotoxicity and injury in mice, and modulates the expression of genes associated with DNA damage response, carcinogenesis, and inflammatory processes.
In-Situ Bragg Coherent Diffraction Imaging ofDomain Wall Motion in Multiferroic DyMnO3 Nanocrystal
Authors: Najeeb Mansoor A. , Morrison Robbie , Mokhtar Ahmed H. , Porter Daniel G. , Lichtenberg Frank , Bombardi Alessandro , Spaldin Nicola A. , Newton Marcus C.
Published: September 2024

Multiferroic materials which exhibit interacting and coexisting properties, like ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism, possess significant potential in the development of novel technologies that can be controlled through the application of external fields. They also exhibit varying regions of polarity, known as domains,with the interfaces that separate the domains referred to as domain walls. In this study, using three-dimensional Bragg Coherent Diffractive Imaging (BCDI), we investigate the dynamics of multiferroic domain wall motion in a single hexagonal dysprosium manganite (h-DyMnO3 ) nanocrystal under varying applied electricfield. Our analysis reveals the dynamics of the ferroelectric polarisation where switching of the direction was achieved with an applied field of less than 0.3 V.