bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resilience Assessment and Improvement Strategies for Urban Haze Disasters Based on Resident Activity Characteristics: A Case Study of Gaoyou, China
Authors: Cao Yang , Yang Tingting , Wu Hao , Yan Shuqi , Yang Huadong , Zhu Chengying , Liu Yan
Published: February 2024

The popularisation of mobile information technology has provided access to the living habits and activity trajectories of residents and enabled the accurate measurement of the impact of urban haze disasters on residents’ lives, supporting urban haze risk response. Using the main urban area of Gaoyou City as a case study, this study identifies the spatial range and trajectory characteristics of the daily activities of residents in a haze disaster environment, based on air pollution monitoring and resident travel positioning data. We constructed an evaluation index system to measure the corresponding relationship between residential activities and haze disasters. The results indicate that the interference with residential activities and the adaptability of built environments are key indicators for evaluating urban resilience in haze environments, with weights of 0.57 and 0.43, and correlation indices of 0.67 and 0.81, respectively. The interference with residential activities and the adaptability of built environments exhibit spatial characteristics of cold and hot ‘multi-core’ agglomeration and ‘strip’ agglomeration, respectively. Specific indicators show that the residential activity exposure index is significantly influenced by the built environment factor index, with the vegetation coverage index showing a significant positive correlation (0.837) and the public transportation facility accessibility index showing a significant negative correlation (−1.242). Planning should focus on improving the adaptability of the built environment or reducing the interference with residential activities and enhancing the matching degree of the two at the spatial facility level.
Oxygen Isotope Fractionation Due to Non-Thermal Escape of Hot O from the Atmosphere of Mars
Authors: Lyons James R.
Published: February 2024

Secondary minerals in SNC meteorites from Mars exhibit O isotope ratios believed to be consistent with the non-thermal escape of O from the atmosphere. The primary source of the non-thermal O is the dissociative- recombination of O2+ in the ionosphere. I present here the results of a model that accounts for the probability of escape of non-thermal O isotopes due to collisions with overlying CO2, combined with a model for Rayleigh fractionation of the atmosphere remaining as a result of O escape. Previous analyses of MAVEN number density data have shown a strong variability with latitude and season of the heights of the homopause and exobase, with a mean homopause at 110 km and a mean difference of about 60 km. Rayleigh model results demonstrate a dependence on homopause height and on temperature profile and require a more accurate calculation of fractionation factors for the Rayleigh equation. Isothermal temperature profiles yield much smaller variation in 17O with homopause height. These results demonstrate the need for a careful assessment of O isotope enrichment due to non-thermal escape both for the modern atmosphere and for the evolution of the atmosphere over the age of the planet.
Unraveling the Intricacies of the Seminal Microbiome and Its Impact on Human Fertility
Authors: Corral-Vazquez Celia , Blanco Joan , Sarrate Zaida , Anton Ester
Published: February 2024

Although the microbial communities from seminal fluid were an unexplored field some decades ago, their characteristics and potential roles are gradually coming to light. Therefore, a complex and specific microbiome population with commensal niches and fluctuating species has started to be revealed. In fact, certain clusters of bacteria have been associated with fertility and health, while the outgrowth of several species is potentially correlated with infertility indicators. This constitutes a compelling reason for outlining the external elements that may induce changes in the seminal microbiome composition, like lifestyle factors, gut microbiota, pathologies, prebiotics, and probiotics. In this review, we summarize the main findings about seminal microbiome, its origins and composition, its relationship with fertility, health, and influence factors, while reminding readers of the limitations and advantages introduced from technical variabilities during the experimental procedures.
Detection of Cannabinoids in Oral Fluid Specimens as the Preferred Biological Matrix for a Point-of-Care Biosensor Diagnostic Device
Authors: Trif Călin , Harpaz Dorin , Eltzov Evgeni , Parcharoen Yardnapar , Pechyen Chiravoot , Marks Robert S.
Published: February 2024

An increasing number of countries have started to decriminalize or legalize the consumption of cannabis for recreational and medical purposes. The active ingredients in cannabis, termed cannabinoids, affect multiple functions in the human body, including coordination, motor skills, memory, response time to external stimuli, and even judgment. Cannabinoids are a unique class of terpeno-phenolic compounds, with 120 molecules discovered so far. There are certain situations when people under the influence of cannabis may be a risk to themselves or the public safety. Over the past two decades, there has been a growing research interest in detecting cannabinoids from various biological matrices. There is a need to develop a rapid, accurate, and reliable method of detecting cannabinoids in oral fluid as it can reveal the recent intake in comparison with urine specimens, which only show a history of consumption. Significant improvements are continuously made in the analytical formats of various technologies, mainly concerning improving their sensitivity, miniaturization, and making them more user-friendly. Additionally, sample collection and pretreatment have been extensively studied, and specific devices for collecting oral fluid specimens have been perfected to allow rapid and effective sample collection. This review presents the recent findings regarding the use of oral fluid specimens as the preferred biological matrix for cannabinoid detection in a point-of-care biosensor diagnostic device. A critical review is presented, discussing the findings from a collection of review and research articles, as well as publicly available data from companies that manufacture oral fluid screening devices. Firstly, the various conventional methods used to detect cannabinoids in biological matrices are presented. Secondly, the detection of cannabinoids using point-of-care biosensors is discussed, emphasizing oral fluid specimens. This review presents the current pressing technological challenges and highlights the gaps where new technological solutions can be implemented.
Exploring Heading Direction Perception in Cervical Dystonia, Tremor, and Their Coexistence
Authors: Guha Aratrik , Agharazi Hanieh , Gupta Palak , Shaikh Aasef G.
Published: February 2024

Objective: Dystonias, characterized by excessive muscle contractions resulting in involuntary postures and movements, impact 3 million people globally, making them the third most common movement disorder. Often accompanied by tremors, dystonias have epidemiological links and non-motor features shared with isolated tremor, such as essential tremor. Both dystonia and tremor present with balance dysfunction and abnormal involuntary movements, potentially linked to abnormal cerebellar function. This study explores the perception of one’s own linear movement, heading, particularly discrimination of heading direction, in isolated cervical dystonia, isolated tremor, and their combination. We compare such perception behavior in visual and vestibular domains, predicting that visual heading perception would be superior to vestibular heading perception. Methods: Following the focus on the perception of heading direction, we used psychophysics techniques, such as two-alternative-forced-choice task, to examine perception of direction of one’s own movements as they see isolated visual star-cloud movement (visual heading perception) and en bloc body movement (vestibular heading perception). We fitted a sigmoidal psychometric function curve to determine the threshold for visual or vestibular heading perception in our participants. Results: Nineteen participants underwent a two-alternative forced-choice task in the vestibular and visual domains. Results reveal elevated vestibular heading perception thresholds in cervical dystonia with or without tremor, and isolated tremor compared to healthy controls. Vestibular heading perception threshold was comparable in cervical dystonia with tremor and isolated tremor, but it was even worse in isolated cervical dystonia. Visual heading perception, however, remained less affected all three conditions—isolated cervical dystonia, isolated tremor, and their combination. Conclusion: These findings indicate shared deficits and distinctions in the perception of linear translational heading across movement disorders, such as isolated cervical dystonia, tremor, or their combination, offering insights into their pathophysiology, particularly the involvement of cerebellum regions responsible for vestibular processing.
Measurement of Functional Brain Network Connectivity in People with Orthostatic Tremor
Authors: Phipps Connor J. , Whitney David , Shou James , Torres-Russotto Diego , Warren David E.
Published: February 2024

Orthostatic tremor is a rare movement disorder characterized by a sensation of unsteadiness and leg tremor while standing. It has been hypothesized that the disorder is attributable to dysregulation of a central oscillatory network in the brain. This putative network includes primary motor cortex, supplementary motor area, cerebellum, thalamus, and pontine tegmentum. We studied this brain network by recording resting-state functional MRI data from individuals with orthostatic tremor. For each participant, we measured resting-state functional connectivity using a seed-based approach. Regions of interest included were components of the putative central oscillatory network and a primary motor thumb region (identified via transcranial magnetic stimulation). A non-central oscillatory network region of interest—posterior cingulate cortex—was included for comparative analysis of a well-characterized intrinsic network, the default mode network. Demographic information, medical history, and tremor characteristics were collected to test associations with functional connectivity. For normative context, data from the 1000 Functional Connectomes Project were analyzed using an identical approach. We observed that tremor and demographic variables were correlated with functional connectivity of central oscillatory network components. Furthermore, relative to healthy comparison participants, patients with orthostatic tremor exhibited qualitatively different patterns of cerebellar resting state functional connectivity. Our study enhances the current understanding of brain network differences related to orthostatic tremor and is consistent with a hypothesized selective decoupling of cerebellum. Additionally, associations observed between functional connectivity and factors including medical history and tremor features may suggest targets for treatment of orthostatic tremor.
Neural Pathways Linking Autonomous Exercise Motivation and Exercise-Induced Unhealthy Eating: A Resting-State fMRI Study
Authors: Ling Ying , Han Jinfeng , Cui Yicen , Li Wei , Chen Hong
Published: February 2024

Background: Unhealthy food compensation following exercise contributes to the failure of exercise for weight loss. Autonomous exercise motivation is a protective factor against exercise-induced unhealthy foods licensing (EUFL). However, the neural mechanism of exercise-specific autonomous motivation and how these neural correlates link to EUFL remain uncertain. Methods: This study explored the resting-state brain activity (i.e., amplitude or fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF/fALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo)) and seed-based functional connectivity (rsFC) of autonomous exercise motivation among 223 (72.3% female) healthy young adults. Autonomous exercise motivation and EUFL were measured by self-report measurements. Results: Results across resting-state indices and rsFC analysis show that autonomous exercise motivation was robustly associated with activity and connectivity within the cerebellum posterior lobe (PCB), middle frontal gyrus (MFG), and middle occipital gyrus (MOG). Specifically, the PCB acted as a hub, connecting the frontal and occipital lobes. Moreover, higher autonomous exercise motivation indirectly predicts reduced EUFL through enhanced activity in the MFG and connectivity of PCB–MOG. Conclusions: Neural substrate for enhanced conflict awareness and motor control may explain the protective effect of autonomous exercise motivation on post-exercise unhealthy eating. Enhancement of these functions could help regulate post-exercise eating and improve the effectiveness of exercise for weight loss.
A Study of the Effects of Historical Block Context on Soundscape Perception
Authors: Ye Jing , Li Shumin , Chen Youcheng , Ma Yongqiang , Chen Lingyan , He Tianyou , Zheng Yushan
Published: February 2024

This study aims to explore the influence of spatial functional differences on the overall relationship between soundscape and visual landscape in the context of historical blocks and then propose design guidelines for audiovisual elements. Audiovisual stimulus materials were collected from 11 representative locations in typical urban historical blocks along the southeast coast of China and classified into residential, cultural leisure, and commercial spaces based on their primary function, activity, and visual environment characteristics. An evaluation environment was created in the laboratory using virtual reality technology, and a subjective evaluation questionnaire was administered to 71 volunteers regarding the perception of audiovisual elements and the evaluation of the overall environment. Structural equation modeling was used to elucidate the relationships between sound source perception, soundscape perception, visual landscape satisfaction, and overall harmony of the environment and to compare the effects of functional differences at different locations on the overall relationships. The results show significant differences in the types of perceived sound sources at different functional locations, which makes the sound sources affecting soundscape perception and visual landscape satisfaction different. Residential space is mainly affected by artificial sound and mechanical noise; in cultural and leisure spaces, all three types of sound sources have a significant impact, and only natural sound has enhanced subjective perception; the impact of artificial sound in commercial space is crucial. In addition, visual landscape satisfaction should be prioritized over soundscape pleasure to enhance the overall harmony of the environment. In residential and commercial spaces, reducing artificial and mechanical noise can effectively enhance the harmony of the environment; in cultural and leisure areas, reducing artificial sounds and increasing natural sounds or historical landscape elements can enhance the overall harmony of the environment. The results of this paper provide empirical evidence for understanding the overall relationship between soundscape factors in urban contexts and suggest that place function should be considered an important context when designing soundscapes.
Spontaneous Fusion with Transformed Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Results in Complete Heterogeneity in Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Wang Ruoxiang , Hu Peizhen , Wang Fubo , Lyu Ji , Ou Yan , Edderkaoui Mouad , Zhang Yi , Lewis Michael S. , Pandol Stephen J. , Zhau Haiyen E. , Chung Leland W. K.
Published: February 2024

Tumor cells gain advantages in growth and survival by acquiring genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity. Interactions with bystander cells in the tumor microenvironment contribute to the progression of heterogeneity. We have shown that fusion between tumor and bystander cells is one form of interaction, and that tumor–bystander cell fusion has contrasting effects. By trapping fusion hybrids in the heterokaryon or synkaryon state, tumor–bystander cell fusion prevents the progression of heterogeneity. However, if trapping fails, fusion hybrids will resume replication to form derivative clones with diverse genomic makeups and behavioral phenotypes. To determine the characteristics of bystander cells that influence the fate of fusion hybrids, we co-cultured prostate mesenchymal stromal cell lines and their spontaneously transformed sublines with LNCaP as well as HPE-15 prostate cancer cells. Subclones derived from cancer–stromal fusion hybrids were examined for genotypic and phenotypic diversifications. Both stromal cell lines were capable of fusing with cancer cells, but only fusion hybrids with the transformed stromal subline generated large numbers of derivative subclones. Each subclone had distinct cell morphologies and growth behaviors and was detected with complete genomic hybridization. The health conditions of the bystander cell compartment play a crucial role in the progression of tumor cell heterogeneity.
Influence of Organic Coating Thickness on Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy Response
Authors: de Paula Amanda Suellen , Aroeira Barbara Mitraud , Souza Lucas Henrique de Oliveira , da Cruz Alisson Cristian , Fedel Michele , da Silva Brunela Pereira , Cotting Fernando
Published: February 2024

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) is a non-destructive and powerful technique for characterizing corrosion systems, allowing for the evaluation of surface reaction mechanisms, mass transport, kinetic evolution, and corrosion levels of materials. This study aims to analyze the progression of corrosion using EIS, with a focus on the influence of organic coating thickness. For this purpose, layers of high-purity epoxy paint were applied to carbon steel plates with thicknesses of 50 µm, 80 µm, and 100 µm. During the research, a direct correlation was observed between coating thickness and corrosion resistance, emphasizing the importance of identifying the optimal thickness for each type of coating. Additionally, it was found that thicker coatings may experience electrode penetration due to the tensions generated during deposition, resulting in cracks between the layers, while thinner coatings allow electrolyte penetration as they do not provide adequate protection to the base steel. Therefore, the 80 µm thickness demonstrated greater resistance to corrosion compared to the other tested thicknesses.
An Image Classification Method of Unbalanced Ship Coating Defects Based on DCCVAE-ACWGAN-GP
Authors: Bu Henan , Yang Teng , Hu Changzhou , Zhu Xianpeng , Ge Zikang , Zhou Honggen
Published: February 2024

Affected by the improper operation of the workers, environmental changes during drying and curing or the quality of the paint itself, diverse defects are produced during the process of ship painting. The traditional defect recognition method relies on expert knowledge or experience to detect defects, which is not conducive to ensuring the effectiveness of defect recognition. Therefore, this paper proposes an image generation and recognition model which is suitable for small samples. Based on a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN), the model combines a conditional variational autoencoder (DCCVAE) and auxiliary conditional Wasserstein GAN with gradient penalty (ACWGAN-GP) to gradually expand and generate various coating defect images for solving the overfitting problem due to unbalanced data. The DCNN model is trained based on newly generated image data and original image data so as to build a coating defect image classification model suitable for small samples, which is conducive to improving classification performance. The experimental results showed that our proposed model can achieve up to 92.54% accuracy, an F-score of 88.33%, and a G mean value of 91.93%. Compared with traditional data enhancement methods and classification algorithms, our proposed model can identify various defects in the ship painting process more accurately and consistently, which can provide effective theoretical and technical support for ship painting defect detection and has significant engineering research value and application prospects.
Hilly, Semi-Mountainous and Mountainous Areas Harbor Landraces Diversity: The Case of Messinia (Peloponnese-Greece)
Authors: Thanopoulos Ricos , Drossinou Ioulia , Koutroumpelas Iasonas , Chatzigeorgiou Tilemachos , Stavrakaki Maritina , Bebeli Penelope J.
Published: February 2024

Landraces are identified for their genetic diversity and heritage value. Geographically isolated areas are gradually recognized for their agricultural diversity and importance in conservation. One of the consequences of agricultural intensification is an increase in crop uniformity and hence a reduction in the landraces’ genetic resources. Messinia, located in Southwest Peloponnese, Greece, is characterized by a diverse terrain and smallholdings. The geomorphological character of the area and farmers’ selections have led to new landraces (local varieties) with unique traits and specific adaptations. A total of 110 villages/settlements were visited between 2013–2016, aiming to explore the existing wealth of landraces and the degree of genetic erosion. The genetic material collected and the testimonies extracted from local communities were compared to data from past expeditions, gene banks, and portal databases. Of the 427 collected samples, the majority belonged to annual vegetable or pulse species, indicating the genetic diversity of the groups, which was likely related to their culinary value. Perennial crops are priced both as commercial and staple crops, with olive trees dominating the agricultural landscape. Genetic erosion and production decline were noticed for cereals. It is concluded that socio-cultural and agricultural trends have a strong influence on the survival of landraces. Without exhausting the agricultural wealth of the region, the present study suggests that Messinia is an agrobiodiversity hotspot that includes neglected crops.
Ecological and Biogeographical Imprints in a Beech Glacial Refugium
Authors: Tsiripidis Ioannis , Stamellou Stavroula , Papageorgiou Aristotelis C. , Drouzas Andreas D.
Published: February 2024

The distribution of vascular plant species and assemblages existing in beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forests was compared with the distribution of beech chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) haplotypes, aiming to identify possible interpretable trends of co-occurrence, on a small geographical scale, and to infer the relevant historical factors. Vegetation and genetic (cpSSR) data were collected from 60 plots on Mt. Menikio (northeastern Greece). Classification and ordination analyses were applied on the vegetation data, while on the cpSSR data, diversity measures and genetic structure analyses were employed. A probabilistic co-occurrence analysis was performed on haplotypes and taxa. The results show that a plant biogeographical border exists on Mt. Menikio which, in addition, has acted both as a refugium and as a meeting point of lineages for more than one glacial cycle. Significant associations of co-occurrence between haplotypes and vascular taxa were found but no common distribution patterns between the former and species assemblages were identified. The combined consideration of the distribution profiles of species assemblages, plant species and cpDNA haplotypes (corresponding to the three levels of biodiversity) provides concrete information on historical events, leading to a comprehensive understanding of the evolutionary and biogeographical processes that have shaped specific spatial patterns of biodiversity.
On the Precise Link between Energy and Information
Authors: Witkowski Cameron , Brown Stephen , Truong Kevin
Published: February 2024

We present a modified version of the Szilard engine, demonstrating that an explicit measurement procedure is entirely unnecessary for its operation. By considering our modified engine, we are able to provide a new interpretation of Landauer’s original argument for the cost of erasure. From this view, we demonstrate that a reset operation is strictly impossible in a dynamical system with only conservative forces. Then, we prove that approaching a reset yields an unavoidable instability at the reset point. Finally, we present an original proof of Landauer’s principle that is completely independent from the Second Law of thermodynamics.
UHD Database Focus on Smart Cities and Smart Transport
Authors: Sevcik Lukas , Uhrina Miroslav , Frnda Jaroslav
Published: February 2024

“Smart city” refers to a modern solution to organizing a city’s services, using cloud technologies to collect and evaluate large amounts of data, including data from camera systems. Smart city management covers several areas that can be implemented separately, but only their combination can realize the overall desired smart city function. One of the core areas of smart city automation is smart city transport. Transportation is a crucial system in any city, and this is why it needs to be monitored. The primary objective of this publication is to generate top-notch 4K UHD video sequences that are solely dedicated to showcasing smart cities and their transportation systems. The resulting comprehensive database will be made accessible to all professionals in the field, who can utilize it for extensive research purposes. Additionally, all the reference video sequences will be transcoded into various quality settings by altering critical parameters like the resolution, compression standard, and bit rate. The ultimate aim is to determine the best combination of video parameters and their respective settings based on the measured values. This in-depth evaluation will ensure that each video sequence is of the highest quality and provides an unparalleled experience for the service providers offering the service. The video sequences captured will be analyzed for quality assessments in smart cities or smart transport technologies. The database will also include objective and subjective ratings, along with information about the dynamics determined by spatial and temporal information. This will enable a comparison of the subjective evaluation of a selected sample of our respondents with the work of other researchers, who may evaluate it with a different sample of evaluators. The assumption of our future research is to predict the subjective quality based on the type of sequence determined by its dynamicity.
Variability Management in Self-Adaptive Systems through Deep Learning: A Dynamic Software Product Line Approach
Authors: Aguayo Oscar , Sepúlveda Samuel , Mazo Raúl
Published: February 2024

Self-adaptive systems can autonomously adjust their behavior in response to environmental changes. Nowadays, not only can these systems be engineered individually, but they can also be conceived as members of a family based on the approach of dynamic software product lines. Through systematic mapping, we build on the identified gaps in the variability management of self-adaptive systems; we propose a framework that improves the adaptive capability of self-adaptive systems through feature model generation, variation point generation, the selection of a variation point, and runtime variability management using deep learning and the monitor–analysis–plan–execute–knowledge (MAPE-K) control loop. We compute the permutation of domain features and obtain all the possible variation points that a feature model can possess. After identifying variation points, we obtain an adaptation rule for each variation point of the corresponding product line through a two-stage training of an artificial neural network. To evaluate our proposal, we developed a test case in the context of an air quality-based activity recommender system, in which we generated 11 features and 32 possible variations. The results obtained with the proof of concept show that it is possible to manage identifying new variation points at runtime using deep learning. Future research will employ generating and building variation points using artificial intelligence techniques.
Floating Offshore Photovoltaics across Geographies: An Enhanced Model of Water Cooling
Authors: Ayyad Abdulhadi , Golroodbari Sara , van Sark Wilfried
Published: February 2024

Solar photovoltaics (PV) continues to grow rapidly across the world and now accounts for a very considerable proportion of all non-fossil-fuel electricity. With the continuing urgency of greenhouse gas abatement, the growth of solar PV is inevitable. Competition with other land uses and the desire to optimize the efficiency of the panels by making use of water cooling are compelling arguments for offshore floating PV (OFPV), a trend that could also benefit from the existing infrastructure recently built for offshore wind farms. Building on our earlier work, we present a larger dataset (n = 82) located around the globe to assess global yield (dis)advantages while also accounting for a modified form of water cooling of the offshore panels. Using our results regarding the Köppen–Geiger (KG) classification system and using a statistical learning method, we demonstrate that the KG climate classification system has limited validity in predicting the likely gains from OFPV. Finally, we also explore a small subset of sites to demonstrate that economics, alongside geography and technology, impacts the feasibility of locating PV panels offshore.
Microgrid-Based Small Modular Reactor for a High-Renewable-Energy Penetration Grid in Ghana
Authors: Asiamah Genesis Lord , Chang Choong-koo
Published: February 2024

Achieving the necessary energy balance entails the capacity to adapt both power supply and demand, which is known as flexible operation. At present, the Ghana National Commission on Culture depends on a combination of well-coordinated measures designed to uphold the system’s integrity when confronted with abnormal system conditions stemming from significant disturbances within the system. The set of coordinated measures comprises manual (controlled load shedding) and automatic (Special Protection Schemes, Under-Frequency Load Shedding, Over-Frequency Control Scheme, scheme against voltage collapse, etc.) steps to control important system parameters to keep the power system stable and cascading effects leading to major blackouts. Ghana’s system suffers from voltage and frequency degradation as a result of a mismatch of power supply and demand; to maintain grid stability and avoid power outages, a flexible operation is required for real-time supply and demand balancing. SMRs, with their load-following capability, can adjust their output to match the change in demand. This research proposes a microgrid-based design for a high-renewable-energy penetration grid in Ghana with the inclusion of an SMR for voltage stability.
The Impacts of Plant Growth Regulators on the Rapid Propagation of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. in Tissue Culture
Authors: Ai Yang , Chen Yunzhu , Zhu Shuixuan , Jiang Lijuan , Chen Jingzhen , Li Changzhu , Li Peiwang , Zeng Wenbin , Kuang Ding , Liu Qiang , Yang Yan
Published: February 2024

The optimization of explant selection and adjustment of plant growth regulators (PGRs) ratio may enhance the efficiency of micro-propagation of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. The findings of the study suggest that the shoot tip proved to be the optimal explant for regenerating adventitious buds, with an impressive regeneration rate of 77.78% and the average number of adventitious buds being 2.86. The ideal medium consisted of Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA) at a 2 mg L−1, indoleacetic acid (IAA) at a 0.2 mg L−1, kinetin (KT) at 0.15 mg L−1, resulting in an outstanding regeneration rate of adventitious buds reaching up to 91.11%. For rooting purposes, the best medium was found be half-strength MS supplemented with indoleacetic acid (IAA) 0.5 mg L−1, achieving an rate for adventitious roots amounting to as high as 97.78%. The culture plantlets ultimately thrived, achieving an impressive transplanting survival rate of 93.33%. The application of PGRs was also found to enhance the regeneration of adventitious buds by increasing the ratios of endogenous hormones ZR/IAA and GA3/IAA. Additionally, it facilitated the differentiation of adventitious roots by elevating the ratios of endogenous hormones IAA/ZR, IAA/GA3, and ABA/GA3. Our study would provide a theoretical reference for the establishment of an efficient gardenia tissue culture system and the industrial production of gardenia.
Transcriptomic Analysis of Postnatal Rat Carotid Body Development
Authors: Wang Ning , Peng Ying-Jie , Kang Wenjun , Hildreth Matthew , Prabhakar Nanduri R. , Nanduri Jayasri
Published: February 2024

The carotid body (CB), located bilaterally at the carotid artery bifurcations, is the primary sensory organ for monitoring arterial blood O2 levels. Carotid bodies are immature at birth, exhibiting low sensitivity to hypoxia, and become more sensitive with maturation during the first few weeks of neonatal life. To understand the molecular basis for the postnatal developmental hypoxic responses of CB, we isolated CBs from 5-day and 21-day-old Sprague–Dawley rats and performed RNA sequencing, which allows comprehensive analysis of gene expression. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were generated using Edge R, while functional enrichment analysis was performed using gene-set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Analysis of RNA-Seq data showed 2604 DEGs of the total 12,696 genes shared between neonates and adults. Of the 2604 DEGs, 924 genes were upregulated, and 1680 genes were downregulated. Further analysis showed that genes related to oxidative phosphorylation (Ox/phos) and hypoxia-signaling pathways were significantly upregulated in neonatal CBs compared to adult CBs, suggesting a possible link to differential developmental hypoxic responses seen in CB. Genes related to cytokine signaling (INFγ and TNFα) and transcription factors (CREB and NFΚB) mediated pathways were enriched in adult CBs, suggesting that expression of these pathways may be linked to developmental regulation. The RNA-Seq results were verified by analyzing mRNA changes in selected genes by qRT-PCR. Our results of enrichment analysis of biological pathways offer valuable insight into CB hypoxic sensing responses related to the development process.
UNC5C: Novel Gene Associated with Psychiatric Disorders Impacts Dysregulation of Axon Guidance Pathways
Authors: Treccarichi Simone , Failla Pinella , Vinci Mirella , Musumeci Antonino , Gloria Angelo , Vasta Anna , Calabrese Giuseppe , Papa Carla , Federico Concetta , Saccone Salvatore , Calì Francesco
Published: February 2024

The UNC-5 family of netrin receptor genes, predominantly expressed in brain tissues, plays a pivotal role in various neuronal processes. Mutations in genes involved in axon development contribute to a wide spectrum of human diseases, including developmental, neuropsychiatric, and neurodegenerative disorders. The NTN1/DCC signaling pathway, interacting with UNC5C, plays a crucial role in central nervous system axon guidance and has been associated with psychiatric disorders during adolescence in humans. Whole-exome sequencing analysis unveiled two compound heterozygous causative mutations within the UNC5C gene in a patient diagnosed with psychiatric disorders. In silico analysis demonstrated that neither of the observed variants affected the allosteric linkage between UNC5C and NTN1. In fact, these mutations are located within crucial cytoplasmic domains, specifically ZU5 and the region required for the netrin-mediated axon repulsion of neuronal growth cones. These domains play a critical role in forming the supramodular protein structure and directly interact with microtubules, thereby ensuring the functionality of the axon repulsion process. We emphasize that these mutations disrupt the aforementioned processes, thereby associating the UNC5C gene with psychiatric disorders for the first time and expanding the number of genes related to psychiatric disorders. Further research is required to validate the correlation of the UNC5C gene with psychiatric disorders, but we suggest including it in the genetic analysis of patients with psychiatric disorders.
Mapping and Detection of Genes Related to Trichome Development in Black Gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper)
Authors: Gong Dan , Li Jianling , Wang Suhua , Sha Aihua , Wang Lixia
Published: February 2024

Black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) is a pulses crop with good digestible protein and a high carbohydrate content, so it is widely consumed as human food and animal feed. Trichomes are large, specialized epidermal cells that confer advantages on plants under biotic and abiotic stresses. Genes regulating the development of trichomes are well characterized in Arabidopsis and tomato. However, little is known about trichome development in black gram. In this study, a high-density map with 5734 bin markers using an F2 population derived from a trichome-bearing and a glabrous cultivar of black gram was constructed, and a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) related to trichomes was identified. Six candidate genes were located in the mapped interval region. Fourteen single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or insertion/deletions (indels) were associated with those genes. One indel was located in the coding region of the gene designated as Scaffold_9372_HRSCAF_11447.164. Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis demonstrated that only one candidate gene, Scaffold_9372_HRSCAF_11447.166, was differentially expressed in the stem between the two parental lines. These two candidate genes encoded the RNA polymerase-associated protein Rtf1 and Bromodomain adjacent to zinc finger domain protein 1A (BAZ1A). These results provide insights into the regulation of trichome development in black gram. The candidate genes may be useful for creating transgenic plants with improved stress resistance and for developing molecular markers for trichome selection in black gram breeding programs.
Voices from the Ground: Community Perspectives on Preventing Unintentional Child Injuries in Low-Income Settings
Authors: Puvanachandra Prasanthi , Mugeere Anthony , Ssemugabo Charles , Kobusingye Olive , Peden Margaret
Published: February 2024

Unintentional injuries significantly contribute to mortality and morbidity among children under five, with higher prevalence in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Deprived communities in these regions face increased injury risks, yet there is limited research on child safety tailored to their unique challenges. To address this gap, we conducted focus group discussions in rural Uganda, involving parents, village health workers, community leaders, teachers, and maids. The objective was to understand community perceptions around child safety and determine what culturally and age-appropriate solutions may work to prevent child injuries. Analysis of discussions from ten focus groups revealed five main themes: injury causes, child development and behavior, adult behavior, environmental factors, and potential safety kit components. Common injuries included falls, burns, drowning, and poisoning, often linked to environmental hazards such as unsafe bunk beds and wet floors. Financial constraints and limited space emerged as cross-cutting issues. Participants suggested educational resources, first aid knowledge, and practical devices like solar lamps as potential solutions. The study presents invaluable insights into child safety in rural Ugandan homes, emphasizing the role of community awareness and engagement in designing effective, accessible interventions. It underscores the importance of context-specific strategies to prevent childhood injuries in similar resource-constrained environments.
Multi-Scale Non-Local Spatio-Temporal Information Fusion Networks for Multi-Step Traffic Flow Forecasting
Authors: Lu Shuai , Chen Haibo , Teng Yilong
Published: February 2024

Traffic flow prediction is a crucial research area in traffic management. Accurately predicting traffic flow in each area of the city over the long term can enable city managers to make informed decisions regarding the allocation of urban transportation resources in the future. The existing traffic flow prediction models either give insufficient attention to the interactions of long-lasting spatio-temporal regions or extract spatio-temporal features in a single scale, which ignores the identification of traffic flow patterns at various scales. In this paper, we present a multi-scale spatio-temporal information fusion model using non-local networks, which fuses traffic flow pattern features at multiple scales in space and time, complemented by non-local networks to construct the global direct dependence relationship between local areas and the entire region of the city in space and time in the past. The proposed model is evaluated through experiments and is shown to outperform existing benchmark models in terms of prediction performance.
Molecular Simulation of SO2 Separation and Storage Using a Cryptophane-Based Porous Liquid
Authors: Collado Pablo , Piñeiro Manuel M. , Pérez-Rodríguez Martín
Published: February 2024

A theoretical molecular simulation study of the encapsulation of gaseous SO2 at different temperature conditions in a type II porous liquid is presented here. The system is composed of cage cryptophane-111 molecules that are dispersed in dichloromethane, and it is described using an atomistic modelling of molecular dynamics. Gaseous SO2 tended to almost fully occupy cryptophane-111 cavities throughout the simulation. Calculations were performed at 300 K and 283 K, and some insights into the different adsorption found in each case were obtained. Simulations with different system sizes were also studied. An experimental-like approach was also employed by inserting a SO2 bubble in the simulation box. Finally, an evaluation of the radial distribution function of cryptophane-111 and gaseous SO2 was also performed. From the results obtained, the feasibility of a renewable separation and storage method for SO2 using porous liquids is mentioned.
Importance of Metalloproteinase 8 (MMP-8) in the Diagnosis of Periodontitis
Authors: Zalewska Emilia Anna , Ławicka Renata , Grygorczuk Piotr , Nowosielska Magdalena , Kicman Aleksandra , Ławicki Sławomir
Published: February 2024

Periodontitis is a complex condition. Left untreated, it leads to tooth loss and the need for prosthetic treatment. The incidence of periodontitis is steadily increasing, so new methods are being sought to aid in the diagnosis of the disease. Among the methods postulated is the determination of concentrations of bioactive compounds which include extracellular matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). These enzymes are present in various structural elements of the stomatognathic system. The most promising enzyme of this group appears to be metalloproteinase 8 (MMP-8). MMP-8 assays are performed in gingival fluid or saliva, and MMP-8 levels have been shown to be higher in patients with periodontitis compared to healthy subjects and correlated with some clinical parameters of the condition and the severity of the disease. In addition, the preliminary usefulness of this enzyme in evaluating the effectiveness of periodontal treatment and doxycycline therapy has been demonstrated. Determination of the active form of MMP-8 (aMMP-8) in oral rinse fluid using off-the-shelf assays shows the highest potential. Despite reports about aMMP-8 and promising data on the role of MMP-8 in periodontal diagnosis, a clear determination of the usefulness of this enzyme requires further research.
The Crucial Role of SlGSNOR in Regulating Postharvest Tomato Fruit Ripening
Authors: Liu Zesheng , Huang Dengjing , Yao Yandong , Pan Xuejuan , Zhang Yanqin , Huang Yi , Ding Zhiqi , Wang Chunlei , Liao Weibiao
Published: February 2024

S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR) is a well-known regulator in controlling protein S-nitrosylation modification and nitric oxide (NO) homeostasis. Here, a GSNOR inhibitor N6022 and SlGSNOR silencing were applied to investigate the roles of SlGSNOR in tomato fruit postharvest ripening. We found that the application of N6022 and S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO, a NO donor), and SlGSNOR silencing delayed the transition of fruit skin color by improving total chlorophyll level by 88.57%, 44.78%, and 91.03%, respectively. Meanwhile, total carotenoid and lycopene contents were reduced by these treatments. Concurrently, the activity of chlorophyll biosynthesis enzymes and the expression of related genes were upregulated, and the transcript abundances of total carotenoid bioproduction genes were downregulated, by N6022 and GSNO treatments and SlGSNOR silencing. In addition, fruit softening was postponed by N6022, GSNO, and SlGSNOR silencing, through delaying the decrease of firmness and declining cell wall composition; structure-related enzyme activity; and gene expression levels. Furthermore, N6022, GSNO, and SlGSNOR silencing enhanced the accumulation of titratable acid; ascorbic acid; total phenol; and total flavonoid, but repressed the content of soluble sugar and soluble protein accompanied with the expression pattern changes of nutrition-related genes. In addition, the endogenous NO contents were elevated by 197.55%; 404.59%; and 713.46%, and the endogenous SNOs contents were enhanced by 74.65%; 93.49%; and 94.85%; by N6022 and GSNO treatments and SlGSNOR silencing, respectively. Altogether, these results indicate that SlGSNOR positively promotes tomato postharvest fruit ripening, which may be largely on account of its negative roles in the endogenous NO level.
Neurotrophins and Trk Neurotrophin Receptors in the Retina of Adult Killifish (Nothobranchius guentheri)
Authors: Porcino Caterina , Mhalhel Kamel , Briglia Marilena , Cometa Marzio , Guerrera Maria Cristina , Germanà Patrizia Germana , Montalbano Giuseppe , Levanti Maria , Laurà Rosaria , Abbate Francesco , Germanà Antonino , Aragona Marialuisa
Published: February 2024

Specific subpopulations of neurons in nerve and sensory systems must be developed and maintained, and this is accomplished in significant part by neurotrophins (NTs) and the signaling receptors on which they act, called tyrosine protein kinase receptors (Trks). The neurotrophins–tyrosine protein kinase receptors (NTs/Trks) system is involved in sensory organ regulation, including the visual system. An NTs/Trks system alteration is associated with neurodegeneration related to aging and diseases, including retinal pathologies. An emergent model in the field of translational medicine, for instance, in aging study, is the annual killifish belonging to the Nothobranchius genus, thanks to its short lifespan. Members of this genus, such as Nothobranchius guentheri, and humans share a similar retinal stratigraphy. Nevertheless, according to the authors’ knowledge, the occurrence and distribution of the NTs/Trks system in the retina of N. guentheri has never been investigated before. Therefore, the present study aimed to localize neurotrophin BDNF, NGF, and NT-3 and TrkA, TrkB, and TrkC receptors in the N. guentheri retina using the immunofluorescence method. The present investigation demonstrates, for the first time, the occurrence of the NTs/Trks system in N. guentheri retina and, consequently, the potential key role of these proteins in the biology and survival of the retinal cells.