bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantum Cosmology: The Integration of Special Relativity and Quantum Mechanics —Part I
Authors: Kahan Dennis
Published: July 2024

The inability to delineate a unified physical ontology that accounts simultaneously for the laws of special relativity and the results of quantum experiments has been a defining problem in physics for more than 100 years. This analysis addresses the problem by positing an ontic, mixed ontology composed of a “discrete” 4D spacetime and a physical, ultra-high dimensional (3 x N) “Planck Space.” Together, Planck Space and the three spatial dimensions of 4D spacetime form a tightly integrated ((3 x N) + 3) hyperspace (the “Dual Ontology”). Critically, the Dual Ontology’s structure replaces 1) the continuous, differentiable manifold of 4D spacetime with a discrete 4D spacetime and 2) mathematical 3N configuration spaces with a physical (3 x N) Planck Space. Moreover, the Dual Ontology is structurally and dynamically predicated on the one-to-one mapping and identity between the discrete spatial units that simultaneously form 4D spacetime and Planck Space. The one-to-one mapping and identity of the discrete spatial units support an integrated quantum dynamics based upon the dynamic evolution of single and N-body quantum states in 4D spacetime in full compliance with the laws of special relativity and the instantaneous collapse of all quantum states in an ontic Planck Space, where special and general relativity and more generally, 4D spacetime’s laws of physics, do not apply.
Schrödinger’s Cat Paradox Is an Illusion: Completion of the Quantum Theory, Postulates and Potential Results.
Authors: Durand Jean-Olivier
Published: July 2024

At the beginning of our observations, Humanity believed that it was the center of the universe, that the Earth was the center of the universe and that the sun was spinning around the Earth. Claude Ptolémée (100-168) made a mistake by modeling the movements in the geocentric reference. The model of sun and planet movements was an illusion, and all humanity was wrong. Nicolas Copernic (1473-1543) showed the illusion and simplified the system by moving from the geocentric reference to the heliocentric reference. In the present paper, I would like to discuss about making mistakes with quantum theory because it is not complete. I have completed quantum theory. I postulate that we are living in a virtual classical world that we consider real. The decoherence problem and wave function collapse do not exist at all; because we are the illusion, we are living in illusions, in mirages. It is impossible to observe the quantum world as it is, in our virtual classical reference, and we see the quantum world with a false view of quantum reality. We are in the real universal quantum reference whose existence I postulate, but we do not see it. I moved to this real universal quantum reference with my thinking, because I am psychotic (schizophrenia) and saw that we are illusions. Schrödinger’s cat paradox is an illusion, as life and death are illusions. We must be very humble with quantum theory, and we should not put ourselves in the center of the quantum world again, particularly with our lives and deaths. I have completed quantum theory with seven postulates that led to a cosmological model based on bipolarity, schizophrenia and epilepsy. This theory explains the recent observations of the James Webb spatial telescope well. I make predictions with the theory that could be confirmed with the James Webb spatial telescope. If confirmed, the theory will become irrefutable. We would be collectively able to reach the quantum world by changing our minds and visions of life. I also explain how to overcome human suffering. This would be our Big Bang and our transformation into Zarathoustra, the Nietzschean surhuman.
Experimental Study on Flexural Bearing Capacity of RC Beam after Explosion Based on Piezoelectric Intelligent Aggregate
Authors: Xu Kai , Sheng Shilong , Jiang Ronghui , Feng Qian
Published: July 2024

In order to study the effect of explosion load on the flexural performance of RC beams, two RC beams of the same size were carried out explosion test and bearing capacity test successively. Piezoelectric intelligent aggregate was embedded in the beams in advance to monitor the damage state of the beams, which realized the whole process of damage monitoring of the concrete inside the structure from explosion damage to compression damage.Based on wavelet packet analysis and residual bearing capacity damage evaluation criteria, the beam damage was quantitatively evaluated, and the bending bearing capacity of RC beam after explosion damage was compared and analyzed.The results show that the change of concrete strain gauge signal, the phenomenon of crack development and the increase of internal crack development index indicate that the RC beam is damaged by explosion load.After explosion damage, the damage index of the beam increases and the residual bending capacity decreases, which proves that the piezoelectric intelligent aggregate sensor can effectively monitor the bending capacity change of the component after explosion damage.
Incorporation Impact of Fucoxanthin‐Loaded Nanoliposome in Yogurt on Its Antioxidant, Physicochemical and Rheological Properties under Cold Storage Condition
Authors: Robles-García Miguel Ángel , Del-Toro-Sánchez Carmen Lizette , Limón-Vargas Germán , Gutiérrez-Lomelí Melesio , Avila-Novoa María Guadalupe , Villalpando-Vargas Fridha Viridiana , Vega-Ruiz Brenda , Bernal-Mercado Thalía , Iturralde-García Rey David , López-Berrellez Reyna Guadalupe , González-Vega Ricardo Iván
Published: July 2024

In the pursuit of functional foods that promote health, nanoliposomal carriers have been used to enhance the stability and functionality of dairy products such as yogurt, promising therapeutic benefits. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of fucoxanthin-loaded nanoliposomes in yogurt on its antioxidant, physico-chemical, and rheological properties under cold storage (21 days). Fucoxanthin-loaded nanoliposomes were prepared using the ultrasonic film dispersion technique and added at concentrations of 0%, 5% and 10% at the yogurt (Y-C, Y-FXN-5, Y-FXN-10). Homogeneous and uniform nanoliposomes (98.28 nm) were ob-tained, preserving their integrity and functionality, and ensuring prolonged release and bioavailability of fucoxanthin. Y-FXN-10 maintained the highest antioxidant activity according to the DPPH (52.96%), ABTS (97.97%), and FRAP (3.16 mmol ET/g) methods. This formulation exhibited enhanced erythroprotective potential, inhibiting hemolysis, photohemolysis, and heat-induced hemolysis, thereby preventing lipid pe-roxidation. However, viscosity and firmness decreased, affecting the texture and appearance. Sensory properties such as color, flavor, aftertaste, texture, and overall acceptance improved with the 10% fuco-xanthin-enriched yogurt formulation. These results suggest that nanoliposomal are suitable for carries fuco-xanthin, their incorporation into food matrices is key to developing functional foods. Regulatory approvals and consumer perceptions regarding nanotechnology-based products must be addressed, emphasizing their safety and health benefits.
Parametric Analysis and Numerical Optimisation of Root-Cutting Shovel of Cotton Stalk Harvester Using Discrete Element Method
Authors: Liu Hua , Cao Silin , Han Dalong , He Lei , Li Yuanze , Cai Jialin , Meng Hewei , Wang Shilong
Published: July 2024

Aiming at the problems of high cost of manual pulling, low reliability of existing pulling devices, high breaking rate and high leakage rate in the process of cotton stalk reuse after leaving the field in Xinjiang cotton area, a loosening soil and root-cutting cotton stalk pulling the setting machine has been researched and designed, established the root-cutting force model, calculated and optimized the key parameters of the V-shaped root-cutting knife, and determined the range of slide cutting angle, cutting edge angle and soil entry angle. The shoveling process simulation of V-shaped root-cutting knife and root-soil complex was constructed, and the working mechanism of V-shaped root-cutting knife was clarified. In order to verify the reliability and operation performance of the V-shaped root-cutting knife, the slide cutting angle, cutting edge angle and soil entry angle were used as the test factors, the response surface test of three-factors and three-levels was carried out with root-breaking force and mean value of the cutting resistance as the test index. The test results were analyzed by variance analysis, the significant of influencing factors on the root-breaking force are in a descending order as: slide cutting angle, cutting edge angle, soil entry angle; the degree of influence on the mean value of the cutting resistance are as follows: slide cutting angle, soil entry angle, cutting edge angle. In order to make the V-shaped root-cutting knife achieve the optimal working state, the parameters of the test index were optimized, and the optimal design parameters of the V-shaped root-cutting knife were set as follows: the slide cutting angle was 48.3°, cutting edge angle was 43.4°, and soil entry angle was 26.2°. The field uprooting test showed that the average pass rate of root breakage was 94.8% and the average pull-out rate of the cotton stalk was 93.2%. This study provides theoretical guidance for the development of root breaking mechanism of cotton straw harvester.
Evaluating Apartment Satisfaction in Erbil City: The Impact of Interior Space Quality Indicators Before, During, and After the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Abdulhamid Nazik Jamal , Hasan Al-Sanjary Hasan Abdulrazzaq
Published: July 2024

Human existence and development ever demanded suitable shelter, the dual direc-tion relationship of human-residence have always been a material dealt with to enhance residential living conditions. The emersion of COVID-19 pandemic had introduced ab-rupt and dramatic changes in human life protocols, that exerted clear pressure on differ-ent sectors within the built environment. Housing beard great impact due to needs of so-cial distancing and quarantine obligations to increase chances of human existence. In order to measure human adaptation and residence alterations following new residential requirements, Quality of life investigations to promotse better built environment for oc-cupants had been facilitated using theory of residential dissatisfaction already been adopted in current study. Residents’ responses had been extracted regarding their dissat-isfaction applying Likert scale for measurement and evaluation. The study focused on homogenous housing estates in Erbil City precisely apartments have been selected with different plans and building layouts for their widespread use in the city and have been occupied during the three stages of study to go beyond investigating direct impact of the pandemic towards permanence of alterations and adaptation even after pandemic. Rea-sons causing changed dissatisfaction levels have been investigated for better reliability towards formulating final conclusions and recommendations. Findings showed in-creased dissatisfaction during pandemic in most of spaces, apartment layout and space design significantly affected responses and demands. Levels of dissatisfaction after pan-demic were different from stability to slight decline in dissatisfaction. The effect of limited external spaces in apartments had limited the possibility to manage the pressure, a case that might be less demanding in single family housing due to availability of private gar-dens.
The Association between Physical Activity and Depressive Symptoms in U.S. Adults Is Modulated by Sleep Duration: Gender Disparities
Authors: Yang Juxiang , Zheng Xi , Wang Yi , Wang Hongchu , Song Gang
Published: July 2024

Background: The aim of this study is to explore the independent and joint associations between physical activity (PA) and sleep duration with depressive symptoms.
Methods: We included and analyzed 18,052 participants (age ≥ 20 years) from the cross-sectional National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 2007 and 2014.
Results: After adjustment, both males and females showed a significant correlation between PA, sleep duration, and depressive symptoms. In the joint association analysis, we found: 1. The interaction between PA and sleep duration was statistically significant in males but not significant in females (P=0.380). 2. Compared to individuals with the lowest PA level and not meeting the National Sleep Foundation's (NSF) guidelines, those with the highest PA level and recommended sleep duration had a 79% decrease in depression risk in males (odds ratio [OR] 0.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.14-0.32) and a 74% decrease in females (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.20-0.35). 3. In male participants adhering to NSF guidelines, each increase in PA quartile is associated with a 19% reduction in the risk of depression (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.71-0.92). Conversely, among male participants not adhering to NSF guidelines, there is a 23% decrease in depression risk (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.69-0.86). For female participants, the respective reductions in depression risk are 20% (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.73-0.89) and 14% (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.80-0.93).
Conclusion: For males, adherence to recommended sleep duration weakens the relationship between physical activity and depression, while the opposite is observed for females.
Effect of the Duration of Deep Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest on the Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Children Undergoing Cardiac Surgery
Authors: GHUNAIM ABDULLAH H. , Al-Jabri Basma , Dohain Ahmed , Althinayyan Ghassan S. , Aleissa Abdulaziz I. , Alshebly Ahmad T. , Alyafi Rayan A. , Alhablany Tareg M. , Nashar Ahmed M. , Al-Radi Osman O.
Published: July 2024

Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) is safe, but subtle neurodevelopmental deficits may persist far beyond the perioperative period. We investigated the relationship between DHCA duration and neurodevelopmental outcomes in young children undergoing cardiac surgery with DHCA. Children aged < 42 months, including neonates who underwent cardiac surgery using DHCA without regional perfusion techniques, were included as the DHCA group. Children in the same age range undergoing cardiac surgery without DHCA were included as the control group. All patients underwent neurodevelopmental assessment using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSTID) by a trained pediatrician. Seventeen of 25 DHCA and six of 10 control patients completed the BSTID assessment. The groups showed no preoperative, operative, or postoperative significant differences. In adjusted multivariable analysis, prematurity and age at assessment were significant changing predictors of each of the BSTID components (p < 0.001), other than the gross motor component, where only age at assessment was a significant adjusting predictor. Longer DHCA was associated with lower fine and gross motor BSTID components; however, the association was not statistically significant (p = 0.06). Use of DHCA without regional perfusion techniques may be associated with less optimal neurodevelopmental outcomes if DHCA has a long duration.
Prognostic Impact of Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Interleukin mRNA-Expression Signatures in Early Breast Cancer
Authors: Heimes Anne-Sophie , Shehaj Ina , Almstedt Katrin , Krajnak Slavomir. , Schwab Roxana , Stewen Kathrin , Lebrecht Antje , Brenner Walburgis , Hasenburg Annette , Schmidt Marcus
Published: July 2024

Background: Interleukins play dual roles in breast cancer, acting as both promoters and 11 inhibitors of tumorigenesis within the tumor microenvironment, which is shaped by their 12 inflammatory functions. This study analyzed the subtype-specific prognostic significance 13 of anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory signatures using microarray-based gene ex- 14 pression analysis. Correlations between these interleukin signatures and immune cell 15 markers (CD8, IgKC, CD20) and immune checkpoints (PD-1) were also evaluated. 16 Materials and Methods: The study investigated the prognostic significance of an anti- 17 inflammatory interleukin signature (IL-12, IL-21, IFN-γ) and a pro-inflammatory interleu- 18 kin signature (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17, CXCL1) for metastasis-free survival (MFS) 19 using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression analyses in a cohort of 461 patients with 20 early breast cancer. Correlations were analyzed using the Spearman-Rho correlation coef- 21 ficient. 22 Results: Kaplan-Meier curves revealed that the prognostic significance of the anti-inflam- 23 matory signature was specifically pronounced in the basal-like subtype (p=0.004, Log 24 Rank). This signature retained independent prognostic significance in multivariate Cox 25 regression analysis (HR 0.463, 95% CI 0.290-0.741; p=0.001). Higher expression of the anti- 26 inflammatory interleukin signature was associated with longer MFS. The pro-inflamma- 27 tory interleukin signature showed a significant prognostic effect in the whole cohort, with 28 higher expression associated with shorter MFS (p=0.034). Strong correlations were found 29 between the anti-inflammatory signature and CD8 expression (ρ=0.391; p<0.001) and be- 30 tween the pro-inflammatory signature and PD-1 expression (ρ=0.627; p<0.001).
Association of VDR Polymorphisms with Muscle Mass Development in Elite Young Soccer Players: A Pilot Study
Authors: Flore Laura , Robledo Renato , Dettori Laura , Scorcu Marco , Francalacci Paolo , Tocco Filippo , Massidda Myosotis , Calò Carla Maria
Published: July 2024

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is an important candidate gene in musculoskeletal phenotypes. Polymorphisms in VDR have been previously associated with several pathologies and muscular strength in athletes and elderly people, however literature reported contradictory results. The object of this research is to verify the association between the most studied VDR variants (rs2228570, rs7975232, and rs1544410) and the increase of muscle mass in elite young soccer players. A sample of 55 soccer players (15-18 years old) form a professional team was selected for this study. DNA was extracted by salting out method and polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR-RFLP, followed by 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. To test the effect of the three SNPs, logistic regression analysis was applied. Body composition was carried out through skinfold thickness method, and muscular area of arm and lower limb were calculated using Frisancho formulas. All three polymorphisms met Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p > 0.05) and their frequencies fell within the worldwide variability. A significant correlation between rs1544410 and increase of calf muscle mass was observed. Individuals carrying A allele showed higher calf muscular mass than those carrying the G allele (p = 0.034). Moreover, haplotype analysis applied to the two SNPs in linkage disequilibrium (rs7975232 and rs1544410), showed that AG haplotype resulted negatively correlated to calf muscle area. In conclusion, we confirm an association between VDR polymorphisms and muscular mass that could encourage the genetic screening of VDR gene to identify a potential risk of injury and for individual nutritional interventions.
Lagrange Duality and Saddle Point Optimality Conditions for Nonsmooth Interval-Valued Multiobjective Semi-infinite Programming Problems with Vanishing Constraints
Authors: Upadhyay Balendu Bhooshan , Sain Shivani , Stancu-Minasian Ioan
Published: July 2024

In this article, we consider a class of nonsmooth interval-valued multiobjective semi-infinite programming problems with vanishing constraints (in short, NIMSIPVC). We introduce the VC-Abadie constraint qualification (in short, VC-ACQ) for NIMSIPVC and employ it to establish Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (in short, KKT)-type necessary optimality conditions. Related to NIMSIPVC, we formulate interval-valued vector Lagrange type dual and scalarized Lagrange type dual problems. Subsequently, we establish weak, strong, and converse duality results relating NIMSIPVC and corresponding dual problems. In addition, we introduce the notions of saddle points for interval-valued vector Lagrangian and scalarized Lagrangian of NIMSIPVC. Moreover, we establish the saddle point optimality criteria for NIMSIPVC. Various non-trivial examples are provided to demonstrate the validity of established results. To the best of our knowledge, optimality conditions, Lagrange type duality, and saddle point optimality criteria for NIMSIPVC have not been investigated yet via Clarke subdifferentials.
The Adsorption and Conductivity of Silicon in Elastic Polymers
Authors: Tsai Teh-Hua , Chang Pi-Pai
Published: July 2024

Silicon (Si) is the major material of semiconductor element. For semiconductor element producing, Si need to refined into high-purity silicon crystals, which has the approximate characteristics of intrinsic semiconductor, then doping 13th group or 15th group trace element. Producing the high-purity silicon crystals with well-lattice structure need a lot of energy and highly cost. Besides, the high-purity silicon is very hard and fragile which limits the scope of application. For this reason, this study added low-grade non-complete lattice silicon in the elastic polymer, and then doped with high concentrations of fine carbon powder. This material can be conductive by physisorption;therefore, it can be used to making semiconductors.
Using this material to produce electronic components can significantly reduce the cost of purification and crystallization, saving energy at the same time. Moreover, because this elastic polymer materials containing silicon, which has soft, warm, and durable physical properties. With those properties, the design of the device could be more flex, full scalability and close to the skin.
Sparsity Limit to Prune Large Language Models for on-Device AI Assistants: Llama-2 as an Example
Authors: Liu Bo , Xu Yuru
Published: July 2024

Large language models (LLMs) have shown impressive performance and versatility. However, their billions of parameters and high computational costs hinder the development of personalized and privacy-preserving AI assistants operating locally on user devices. In this work, we explored the potential of pruning LLMs to create lightweight models suitable for user devices, using the moderate-sized Llama-2 7B model as an example. By adopting a simple yet effective pruning method, we found that up to 60% of the weights in the Llama-2 7B model could be pruned without significantly impairing its language modeling capabilities. Furthermore, despite occasional factual inaccuracies, the pruned model at the sparsity limit generated fluent and helpful answers to daily queries, demonstrating its feasibility of on-device AI assistants. These inaccuracies might originate from forgetting or hallucination due to pruning. We proposed a simple protocol to distinguish between the two mechanisms, as well as future directions to improve the pruned models for local AI assistants.
The ABA/LANCL1-2 Hormone Receptors System Controls ROS Production in Cardiomyocytes through ERRα
Authors: Spinelli Sonia , Guida Lucrezia , Passalacqua Mario , Magnone Mirko , Caushi Bujar , Zocchi Elena , Sturla Laura
Published: July 2024

Rat H9c2 cardiomyocytes overexpressing the abscisic acid (ABA) hormone receptors LANCL1 and LANCL2 have an increased mitochondrial proton gradient, respiration and vitality after hypoxia/reoxygenation. Our aim was to investigate the role of the ABA/LANCL1-2 system in ROS turnover in H9c2. H9c2 cells were retrovirally infected to induce overexpression or silencing of LANCL1 and LANCL2, without or with the concomitant silencing of the transcription factor ERRα. Enzymes involved in radical production or scavenging were studied by qPCR and Western blot. Mitochondrial proton gradient and ROS were measured with specific fluorescent probes. ROS generating enzymes decreased, ROS-scavenging enzymes increased, and mitochondrial ROS were reduced in LANCL1/2-overexpressing vs. control cells infected with the empty vector, while the opposite occurred in LANCL1/2-silenced cells. Knock-down of ERRα abrogated all beneficial effects on ROS turnover in LANCL1/2 overexpressing cells. Taken together, these results indicate that the ABA/LANCL1-2 system controls ROS turnover in H9c2 via ERRα. The ABA/LANCL system emerges as a promising target to improve cardiomyocyte mitochondrial function and resilience to oxidative stress.
How Distressed Are Adolescent Students? A Mix-Method Study on High School Students in Northern Italy, Two Years after the Beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Della Vedova Anna Maria , Covolo Loredana , Fiammenghi Carlotta , Marconi Silvia , Gelatti Umberto , Castellano Maurizio , Zanini Barbara
Published: July 2024

Adolescence is a central phase for the development of a person’s identity involving complex multidimensional changes and increasing vulnerability to distress. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychological well-being of adolescent students in Brescia (Northern Italy), two years after the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. An online survey investigated the extent and the reasons reported by high school students for their emotional distress (ED), also considering other factors such as physical activity, diet, sleep and smartphone overuse. The main reasons for ED were classified through a qualitative analysis of the freetext answers. 1686 students agreed to participate, 50% showed a presence of ED. According to a multiple logistic analysis, the main factors associated to ED were female gender (AdjOR 2.3, p<0.0001), age (AdjOR 1.6, p<0.0001), sleep duration <8 hours (AdjOR 1.5, p=0.0003), anxiety perception (AdjOR 3.4, p<0.0001), and certain eating behaviors, e.g. comfort food consumption (AdjOR 2.0, p<0.0001). According to free-text answers, the main reasons for ED were: “school pressure”, “ relationships with family and peers”, “negative emotional states” and “the pandemic”. The results show a high level of ED among adolescents and the reported reasons may help to better address their psychological needs after the pandemic.
The Effect of Carboxymethyl Cellulose on Gene Expression Related with Apoptosis, Cold Shock, Motility and Reactive Oxygen Species of Cryopreserved Dog Sperm
Authors: Ibrahim Saddah , Jeon Yubyeol , Yu Il-Jeoung
Published: July 2024

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) can act as a nonpermeating cryoprotectant, reducing the toxici-ty of glycerol. The dog spermatozoa were diluted and frozen in freezing extender supplemented with 0 (control), 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, or 0.75 % (w/v) CMC. Post-thaw, the sperm kinematic parameters (CASA), viability (SYBR-14/PI), and acrosome integrity (FITC-PSA) were evaluated. The expres-sion of genes related to apoptosis (BCL2, BAX, and ANAXA), motility (BACTIN), cold shock proteins (YBX3), and ROS (CAT, ROMO1, and SMOX) was evaluated using qPCR. The total mo-tility was higher in the 0.1 % CMC group compared to the other groups (p
Arylpiperazine Derivatives and Cancer: A New Challenge in Medicinal Chemistry
Authors: Andreozzi Giorgia , Corvino Angela , Severino Beatrice , Magli Elisa , Perissutti Elisa , Frecentese Francesco , Santagada Vincenzo , Caliendo Giuseppe , Fiorino Ferdinando
Published: July 2024

In recent decades, there has been a startling rise in the number of cancer patients worldwide, which has led to an amazing upsurge in the development of novel anticancer treatment candidates. On a positive note, arylpiperazines have garnered attention in cancer research due to their potential as scaffolds for developing anticancer agents. These compounds exhibit a diverse array of biological activities, including cytotoxic effects against cancer cells. Indeed, one of the key advantages of aryl piperazines lies in their ability to interact with various molecular targets implicated in cancer pathogenesis. Here, we focus on the chemical structures of several arylpiperazine derivatives, highlighting their anti-proliferative activity in different tumor cell lines. The modular structure, diverse biological activities, and potential for combination therapies of arylpiperazine com-pounds make them valuable candidates for further preclinical and clinical investigations in the fight against cancer. This review, providing a careful analysis of different arylpiperazine deriva-tives and their biological applications, allows researchers to refine the chemical structures to improve potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic properties, thus advancing their therapeutic potential in oncology.
Enhancement of Underwater Images through Parallel Fusion of Transformer and CNN
Authors: Liu Xiangyong , Chen Zhixin , Xu Zhiqiang , Zheng Ziwei , Ma Fengshuang , Wang Yunjie
Published: July 2024

Ocean exploration is crucial for utilizing its extensive resources. Images captured by underwater robots suffer from issues such as color distortion and reduced contrast. To address the issue, we propose an innovative enhancement algorithm that integrates Transformer and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) in a parallel fusion manner. Firstly, a novel transformer model is intro-duced to capture local features, employing peak-signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) attention and linear operations. Subsequently, to extract global features, both temporal and frequency domain features are incorporated to construct convolutional neural network. Finally, the Fourier’s high and low-frequency information of the original image are utilized to fuse different features. To demon-strate the algorithm's effectiveness, underwater images with various levels of color distortion are selected for both qualitative and quantitative analyses. The experimental results demonstrate that our approach surpasses other mainstream methods, achieving superior PSNR and structural sim-ilarity index measure (SSIM) metrics and leading to a detection performance improvement of over ten percent.
Combined Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) and Linkage Mapping Identifies Genomic Regions Associated with Seedling Root System Architecture (RSA) under Different Nitrogen Conditions in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Jia Yulin , Xu Ninglu , Zhang Jun , Ren Kaiming , Wu Jinzhi , Wang Chunping , Huang Ming , Li Youjun
Published: July 2024

The nutrient absorption and utilization efficiency in the roots of seedlings are beneficial for increasing crop yield. Creating marker assisted selection for wheat root traits can assist wheat breeders in choosing robust roots to maximize nutrient uptake. Exploring and identifying the effect of different nitrogen applications on RSA is of great significance for breeding nitrogen efficient wheat varieties. In this study, A total of 243 wheat varieties native to the Yellow and Huai Valley regions of China were utilized for genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Furthermore, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population of 123 lines derived from the cross between Avocet and Chilero was utilized for linkage examination and confirmation of the hereditary loci distinguished by GWAS. Five RSA traits include the relative number of root tips (RNRT); relative total root length (RTRL); relative total root surface area (RTRS); relative total root volume (RTRV) and relative average root diameter (RARD) where evaluated under two N conditions—normal N (NN) supply and low N (LN)—to characterize the NUE of each accession. GWAS and linkage analysis were performed by integrating data from the wheat 660k single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip and diversity arrays technology (DArT) to identify genetic loci associated with RSA. The results showed that based on the ratio of RSA related traits under two N supply conditions, a total of 598 SNP markers, which are significantly associated with RSA related traits, were detected at 160 genetic loci by GWAS. A total of 10 QTL loci related to RSA were dis-covered and identified by linkage mapping. In which, three significant RSA related Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) were identified, namely qRtrl-3D, qRnrt-3D, and qRtrl-7D. The study has the potential to enhance the effectiveness of selecting root traits in wheat breeding programs, offering valuable insights into the genetic underpinnings of nitro-gen use efficiency (NUE) in wheat. This could lead to the creation of NUE wheat varieties by implementing focused breeding strategies.
The Role of the Manganese Content on the Properties of Mn3O4 and Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites for Supercapacitor Electrodes
Authors: Fernández-Jiménez Víctor , De Bernardi-Martín Santiago , García-Gómez Alejandra , López-Diaz David , Sánchez-Montero M. Jesús , Velázquez M. Mercedes , Merchán M. Dolores
Published: July 2024

Increasing the energy density and power of supercapacitors through hybrids of carbonaceous materials and metal oxides continues to be the subject of numerous research works. The correlation between specific capacitance and the properties of materials used as electrodes attracts great interest. In the present study, we have investigated composites (GO/Mn3O4) prepared by hydrothermal method with variable ratio GO/Mn3O4 and tested as supercapacitor electrode materials in three and two-electrode cells. The chemical characterization carried out by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and the adsorption techniques used have allowed the determination of the surface carbon and oxygen content, as well as its textural properties. In this work we have analyzed the contribution of the double layer and of the Faradaic reactions to the value of the final supercapacitance of the synthesized materials. Beyond empirically obtaining the electrochemical properties, these have been related to the physicochemical characteristics of the hybrids, to help design materials with the best performances for supercapacitor electrodes.
Global Existence and Boundedness of Solutions to a Chemotaxis-Haptotaxis Model With Nonlinear Diffusion and Signal Production
Authors: Ai Beibei , Jia Zhe
Published: July 2024

In this paper, we investigate the following chemotaxis-haptotaxis model
$$\left\{
\begin{array}{ll}
u_{t}=\nabla\cdot (D(u) \nabla u)- \nabla\cdot (H(u)\nabla v)- \nabla\cdot (I(u)\nabla w)+ u(a-\mu u^{k-1}-\lambda w),\\
v_{t}=\triangle v-v+u^{\gamma},\\
w_{t}=-v w
\end{array}\right.\eqno(*)
$$
under homogenous Neumann boundary condition and for a bounded domain $ \Omega \subset \mathbb{R}^{n} (n\geq2)$, with $\lambda, \mu, \gamma >0$, $k>1$, $a \in \mathbb{R}$, and $D(u)\geq K_{D} (u+1)^{m-1}$, $0\leq H(u)\leq \chi u(u+1)^{-\alpha}$, $0\leq I(u)\leq \xi u(u+1)^{-\beta}$ for $K_{D}, \chi, \xi>0, m, \alpha, \beta\in \mathbb{R}$. It has been demonstrated that
(i) For $0\gamma-k+1$ and $\beta>1-k$, problem ($*$) admits a classical solution $(u, v, w)$ which is globally bounded.
(ii) For $\frac{2}{n}\gamma-k+\frac{1}{e}+1$ and $\beta>\max\{\frac{(n\gamma-2)(n\gamma+2k-2)}{2n}-k+1, \frac{(n\gamma-2)(\gamma+\frac{1}{e})}{n}-k+1\}$ or $\alpha>\gamma-k+1$ and $\beta>\max\{\frac{(n\gamma-2)(n\gamma+2k-2)}{2n}-k+1, \frac{(n\gamma-2)(\alpha+k-1)}{n}-k+1\}$, problem ($*$) admits a classical solution $(u, v, w)$ which is globally bounded.
Identifying the Drivers Related to Animal Reservoirs, Environment, and Socio-demography of Human Leptospirosis in Different Community types of Southern-Chile: A One Health Perspective
Authors: Talukder Himel , Munoz-Zanzi Claudia , Salgado Miguel , Berg Sergey , Yang Anni
Published: July 2024

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis with global public health impact, particularly in poor socio-economic settings of tropical regions. Transmitted through urine-contaminated water or soil from rodents, dogs, and livestock, leptospirosis causes over a million clinical cases annually. Risk factors include outdoor activities, livestock production, and substandard housing that foster high densities of animal reservoirs. This One Health study in southern Chile examined Leptospira serological evi-dence of exposure people from urban slums, semi-rural, and farm settings, using the Extreme Gradient Boosting algorithm to identify key influencing factors. In urban slums, age, shrub terrain, distance to Leptospira-positive households, and neighborhood housing density were contributing factors. Human exposure in semi-rural communities was linked to environmental factors (tree, shrub, and lower vegetation terrain) and animal variables (Leptospira-positive dogs and rodents, and proximity to Leptospira-positive households). On farms, dog counts, animal Leptospira preva-lence, and proximity to Leptospira-contaminated water samples were significant drivers. The study underscores that disease dynamics vary across landscapes, with distinct drivers in each community setting. This case study demonstrates how the integration of machine learning with comprehensive cross-sectional epidemiological and geospatial data provides valuable insights into leptospirosis eco-epidemiology. These insights are crucial for informing targeted public health strategies and for generating hypotheses for future research.
Metal Bionanohybrids against Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) Consortia
Authors: Ortega-Nieto Clara , Salta Maria , Noël-Hermes Nanni , Palomo Jose M.
Published: July 2024

Present worldwide difficulties in healthcare and the environment have motivated the investigation and research of novel materials in an effort to find novel techniques to address the current chal-lenges and requirements. In particular, the use of nanomaterials has demonstrated a significant promise in the fight against bacterial infections and the problem of antibiotic resistance. Metal na-noparticles and carbon-based nanomaterials in particular have been highlighted for their excep-tional abilities to inhibit many types of bacteria and pathogens. In order for these materials to be as effective as possible, synthetic techniques are crucial. Therefore, in this review article, we high-light some recent developments in the design and synthesis of various nanomaterials, including metal nanoparticles (e.g., Ag, Zn, or Cu), metal hybrid nanomaterials, and the synthesis of mul-ti-metallic hybrid nanostructured materials. Following that, examples of these materials’ applica-tions in antimicrobial performance targeted at eradicating multi-drug resistant bacteria, material protection such as microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC), or additives in construction ma-terials have been described.
Unlocking the Therapeutic Potential of Oral Cancer Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes
Authors: Kumar Prabhat , Lakhera Rishabh , Aggarwal Sadhna , Gupta Shilpi
Published: July 2024

Oral cancer (OC) presents a significant global health burden with rising incidence rates. Despite advancements in diagnosis and treatments, the survival rate for OC patients, particularly those with advanced or recurrent disease, remains low at approximately 20%. This poor prognosis is often due to a small population of cancer stem cells (CSCs) that are capable of self-renewal and immune evasion, thus playing pivotal roles in proliferation, tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and therapy resistance. Exosomes, nano-sized extracellular vesicles (EVs), have emerged as crucial mediators of cell-to-cell communication within the tumor microenvironment (TME). These vesicles carry diverse molecules such as DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids, and metabolites, influencing various cellular processes. Emerging evidence suggests that CSC-derived EVs are significant in promoting tumor progression and metastasis and maintaining the balance between CSCs and non-CSCs, which is vital for intracellular communication within the TME of oral cancer. Recent reports indicate that oral cancer stem cell-derived EVs (OCSC-EVs) influence stemness, immune evasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, tumor reoccurrence, and drug resistance. Understanding OCSC-EVs could significantly improve oral cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy. In this mini-review, we explore OCSC-derived exosomes in oral cancer, examining their potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers that reflect CSC characteristics, and delve into their therapeutic implications, emphasizing their roles in tumor progression and therapy resistance. However, despite their promising potential, several challenges remain, including the need to standardize isolation and characterization methods and to elucidate exosome-mediated mechanisms. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of OCSC-EVs could pave the way for innovative therapeutic strategies that have the potential to improve clinical outcomes for OC patients.
Electroporation Delivery of Cas9 sgRNA ribonucleoprotein-Mediated Genome Editing in Sheep IVF Zygotes
Authors: Pi Wenhui , Feng Guangyu , Liu Minghui , Nie Cunxi , Chen Cheng , Wang Jingjing , Wang Limin , Wan Pengcheng , Liu Changbin , Zhou Ping , Liu Yi
Published: July 2024

The utilization of electroporation for delivering the CRISPR/Cas9 system components has enabled efficient gene editing in mammalian zygotes, facilitating the development of genome-edited animals. In our study，This research focused on targeting the ACTG1 and MSTN genes in sheep, revealing a threshold phenomenon in electroporation with a voltage tolerance in sheep in vitro fertilization (IVF) zygotes. Various poring voltages near 40V and pulse durations were examined for electroporating sheep zygotes. The study concluded that stronger electric fields required shorter pulse durations to achieve the optimal conditions for high gene mutation rates and reasonable blastocyst development. The investigation also assessed the quality of Cas9/sgRNA ribonucleoprotein complexes (Cas9 RNPs) and their influence on genome editing efficiency in sheep early embryos. It was highlighted that pre-complexation of Cas9 proteins with single-guide RNA (sgRNA) before electroporation was essential for achieving a high mutation rate. The use of suitable electroporation parameters for sheep IVF zygotes led to significantly high mutation rates and heterozygote ratios. By delivering Cas9 RNPs and single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ssODNs) to zygotes through electroporation, targeting the MSTN (Myostatin) gene, a knock-in efficiency of 26% was achieved. The successful generation of MSTN-modified lambs was demonstrated by delivering Cas9 RNPs into IVF zygotes via electroporation.
On \v{C}ech-Completeness of the Space of $\tau$-Smooth Idempotent Probability Measures
Authors: Kocinac Ljubisa D. R. , Zaitov Adilbek A. , Eshimbetov Muzaffar R.
Published: July 2024

For the set of probability measures ${\sf I}(X)$, where
$X$ is a compact Hausdorff space, we propose a new way to introduce
the topology by using open subsets of the space $X$. Then, among
other things, we give a new proof that for a compact Hausdorff
space $X$ the space ${\sf I}(X)$ is also a compact Hausdorff space.
For a Tychonoff space $X$, we consider the topological space ${\sf
I_{\tau}}(X)$ of $\tau$-smooth idempotent probability measures on
$X$,and show that the space ${\sf I_{\tau}}(X)$ is \v{C}ech-complete
if and only if the given space $X$ is \v{C}ech-complete.
Recent Advances in Numerical Simulation of Ejector Pumps for Vacuum Generation: A Review
Authors: Sadeghiseraji Jaber , Garcia-Vilchez Mercè , Castilla Robert , Raush Gustavo
Published: July 2024

This review paper provides an overview of recent advances in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of ejector pumps for vacuum generation. It examines various turbulence models, multiphase flow approaches, and numerical techniques employed to capture complex flow phenomena like shock waves, mixing, phase transitions, and heat/mass transfer. Emphasis is placed on comprehensive assessment of flow characteristics within ejectors, including condensation effects such as nucleation, droplet growth, and non-equilibrium conditions. The review highlights efforts in optimizing ejector geometries and operating parameters to enhance the entrainment ratio, a crucial performance metric for ejectors. The studies reviewed encompass diverse working fluids, flow regimes, and geometric configurations, underscoring the significance of ejector technology across various industries. While substantial progress has been made in developing advanced simulation techniques, several challenges persist, including accurate modeling of real gas behavior, phase change kinetics, and coupled heat/mass transfer phenomena. Future research efforts should focus on developing robust multiphase models, implementing advanced turbulence modeling techniques, integrating machine learning based optimization methods, and exploring novel ejector configurations for emerging applications.
How Do Flemish Laying Hen Farmers and Private Bird Keepers Comply with and Think about Measures to Control Avian Influenza?
Authors: Delanglez Femke , Ampe Bart , Watteyn Anneleen , Van Damme Liesbeth G. W. , Tuyttens Frank A.M.
Published: July 2024

Competent authorities of many countries, including Belgium, impose control measures (preventing wild bird access to feeders and water facilities, indoor confinement of captive birds, or fencing off outdoor ranges with nets) to professional and non-professional keepers of birds to prevent the spread of avian influenza (AI). Flemish laying hen farmers (FAR, n = 33) and private keepers of captive birds (PRI, n = 263) were surveyed about their opinion on, and compliance with, AI-measures legally imposed during the most recent high-risk period before this survey in 2021. Participants answered questions on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = the worst, 3 = neutral, and 5 = the best). FAR indicated better compliance with the AI-measures compared to PRI, except for confinement with nets. PRI and FAR perceived the level of compliance with AI-measures by other private bird keepers to be lower compared to themselves. FAR regarded the AI-measures as more effective than PRI. To prevent the spread of AI more effectively, national authorities could focus on information campaigns explaining to private bird keepers, in particular, the need for the various control measures that they impose, implement alternative control measures that have broader support or implement stricter enforcement of the control measures.
Oral Supplementation of L-Carnosine Attenuates Acute Stress-Induced Corticosterone Release and Mitigates Anxiety in CD157 Knockout Mice
Authors: Tsuji Takahiro , Furuhara Kazumi , Guo Erchu , Wu YiJing , Zhong Jing , Higashida Haruhiro , Yamamoto Yasuhiko , Tsuji Chiharu
Published: July 2024

Corticosterone, an end product of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, is a crucial stress hormone. Dysregulated HPA axis and corticosterone release play pivotal roles in the onset and persistence of symptoms of stress-related psychiatric disorders such as anxiety. The intake of nutrients, probiotics, and prebiotic supplements decreases blood corticosterone levels. The dipeptide L-carnosine is composed of beta-alanine and L-histidine and is commercially available as a nutritional supplement for recovery from fatigue. L-carnosine is involved in stress-induced corticosterone responses and anxiety behaviors in rodents. Here, we assessed the effect of L-carnosine in CD157 knockout (KO) mice, a murine model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The uptake of L-carnosine suppressed the increase in plasma corticosterone levels in response to acute stress and attenuated anxiety-like behaviors in CD157 KO mice. These results suggest that L-carnosine supplementation may relieve anxiety by suppressing excessive stress responses in individuals with ASD.