bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Melatonin Improves Glucose Homeostasis and Insulin Sensitivity by Mitigating Inflammation and Activating AMPK Signaling in a Mouse Model of Sleep Fragmentation
Authors: Hong Seok Hyun , Lee Da-Been , Yoon Dae-Wui , Kim Jinkwan
Published: March 2024

Sleep fragmentation (SF) can increase inflammation and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to metabolic dysfunction. SF is associated with inflammation of adipose tissue and insulin resistance. Several studies have suggested that melatonin may have beneficial metabolic effects due to activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). However, it is unclear whether melatonin affects the AMPK signaling pathway in SF-induced metabolic dysfunction. Therefore, we hypothesize that SF induces metabolic impairment and inflammation in white adipose tissue (WAT), as well as altered intracellular homeostasis. We further hypothesize that these conditions could be improved by melatonin treatment. We conducted an experiment using adult male C57BL/6 mice, which were divided into three groups: control, SF, and SF with melatonin treatment (SF+Mel). The SF mice were housed in SF chambers, while the SF+Mel mice received daily oral melatonin. After 12 weeks, glucose tolerance tests, insulin tolerance tests, adipose tissue inflammation tests, and AMPK assessments were performed. The SF mice showed increased weight gain, impaired glucose regulation, inflammation, and decreased AMPK in WAT compared to the controls. Melatonin significantly improved these outcomes by mitigating SF-induced metabolic dysfunction, inflammation, and AMPK downregulation in adipose tissue. The therapeutic efficacy of melatonin against cardiometabolic impairments in SF may be due to its ability to restore adipose tissue homeostatic pathways.
Cisplatin and Starvation Differently Sensitize Autophagy in Renal Carcinoma: A Potential Therapeutic Pathway to Target Variegated Drugs Resistant Cancerous Cells
Authors: Dutta Ankita , Thakur Subarna , Dey Debasish Kumar , Kumar Anoop
Published: March 2024

Cisplatin, a powerful chemotherapy medication, has long been a cornerstone in the fight against cancer due to chemotherapeutic failure. The mechanism of cisplatin resistance/failure is a multifaceted and complex issue that consists mainly of apoptosis inhibition through autophagy sensitization. Currently, researchers are exploring ways to regulate autophagy in order to tip the balance in favor of effective chemotherapy. Based on this notion, the current study primarily identifies the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in cisplatin-treated autophagic ACHN cells through the Illumina Hi-seq platform. A protein–protein interaction network was constructed using the STRING database and KEGG. GO classifiers were implicated to identify genes and their participating biological pathways. ClueGO, David, and MCODE detected ontological enrichment and sub-networking. The network topology was further examined using 12 different algorithms to identify top-ranked hub genes through the Cytoscape plugin Cytohubba to identify potential targets, which established profound drug efficacy under an autophagic environment. Considerable upregulation of genes related to autophagy and apoptosis suggests that autophagy boosts cisplatin efficacy in malignant ACHN cells with minimal harm to normal HEK-293 growth. Furthermore, the determination of cellular viability and apoptosis by AnnexinV/FITC-PI assay corroborates with in silico data, indicating the reliability of the bioinformatics method followed by qRT-PCR. Altogether, our data provide a clear molecular insight into drug efficacy under starved conditions to improve chemotherapy and will likely prompt more clinical trials on this aspect.
The Mitochondrial Connection: The Nek Kinases’ New Functional Axis in Mitochondrial Homeostasis
Authors: Basei Fernanda L. , e Silva Ivan Rosa , Dias Pedro R. Firmino , Ferezin Camila C. , Peres de Oliveira Andressa , Issayama Luidy K. , Moura Livia A. R. , da Silva Fernando Riback , Kobarg Jörg
Published: March 2024

Mitochondria provide energy for all cellular processes, including reactions associated with cell cycle progression, DNA damage repair, and cilia formation. Moreover, mitochondria participate in cell fate decisions between death and survival. Nek family members have already been implicated in DNA damage response, cilia formation, cell death, and cell cycle control. Here, we discuss the role of several Nek family members, namely Nek1, Nek4, Nek5, Nek6, and Nek10, which are not exclusively dedicated to cell cycle-related functions, in controlling mitochondrial functions. Specifically, we review the function of these Neks in mitochondrial respiration and dynamics, mtDNA maintenance, stress response, and cell death. Finally, we discuss the interplay of other cell cycle kinases in mitochondrial function and vice versa. Nek1, Nek5, and Nek6 are connected to the stress response, including ROS control, mtDNA repair, autophagy, and apoptosis. Nek4, in turn, seems to be related to mitochondrial dynamics, while Nek10 is involved with mitochondrial metabolism. Here, we propose that the participation of Neks in mitochondrial roles is a new functional axis for the Nek family.
Exploring the Potential Role of Metabolomics in COPD: A Concise Review
Authors: Tirelli Claudio , Mira Sabrina , Belmonte Luca Alessandro , De Filippi Federica , De Grassi Mauro , Italia Marta , Maggioni Sara , Guido Gabriele , Mondoni Michele , Canonica Giorgio Walter , Centanni Stefano
Published: March 2024

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a pathological condition of the respiratory system characterized by chronic airflow obstruction, associated with changes in the lung parenchyma (pulmonary emphysema), bronchi (chronic bronchitis) and bronchioles (small airways disease). In the last years, the importance of phenotyping and endotyping COPD patients has strongly emerged. Metabolomics refers to the study of metabolites (both intermediate or final products) and their biological processes in biomatrices. The application of metabolomics to respiratory diseases and, particularly, to COPD started more than one decade ago and since then the number of scientific publications on the topic has constantly grown. In respiratory diseases, metabolomic studies have focused on the detection of metabolites derived from biomatrices such as exhaled breath condensate, bronchoalveolar lavage, and also plasma, serum and urine. Mass Spectrometry and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy are powerful tools in the precise identification of potentially prognostic and treatment response biomarkers. The aim of this article was to comprehensively review the relevant literature regarding the applications of metabolomics in COPD, clarifying the potential clinical utility of the metabolomic profile from several biologic matrices in detecting biomarkers of disease and prognosis for COPD. Meanwhile, a complete description of the technological instruments and techniques currently adopted in the metabolomics research will be described.
Laryngeal Mask Airway Versus Endotracheal Intubation during Lacrimal Duct Stenosis Surgery in Children—A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Leister Nicolas , Heindl Ludwig M. , Rokohl Alexander C. , Böttiger Bernd W. , Menzel Christoph , Ulrichs Christoph , Schick Volker C.
Published: March 2024

Background: The use of laryngeal masks in the surgical treatment of infantile lacrimal duct stenosis is controversial due to the potential risk of aspiration. Aims: This study investigates airway procedures in children aged <6 years for surgery of lacrimal duct stenosis in a tertiary care university hospital. Methods: After institutional approval, airway procedures, duration of anesthesiological measures, and airway-related complications were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the airway procedures used (endotracheal tube [ET] vs. laryngeal mask [LMA] airway). Associations were calculated using the Chi-square test or Mann-Whitney U-test. Results: Clinical data of 84 patients (ET n = 36 [42.9%] vs. LMA n = 48 [57.1%]) were analyzed. There were no significant differences in surgical treatment, age distribution, and pre-existing conditions between the groups. None of the patients showed evidence of tracheal aspiration or changes in measured oxygen saturation. LMA airway shortened time for anesthesia induction (p = 0.006) and time for recovery/emergence period (p = 0.03). In contrast, the time to discharge from the recovery room was significantly prolonged using LMA (p = 0.001). A total of 7 adverse events were recorded. Five of these were directly or indirectly related to ET (laryngo-/bronchospasm; muscle relaxant residual). Conclusions: LMA airway for infantile lacrimal duct stenosis seems to be a safe procedure and should be used in appropriate pediatric patients due to its lower invasiveness, low complication rate, and time savings.
Crystalline Structure and Optical Properties of Cobalt Nickel Oxide Thin Films Deposited with a Pulsed Hollow-Cathode Discharge in an Ar+O2 Gas Mixture
Authors: Kapran Anna , Hippler Rainer , Wulff Harm , Olejnicek Jiri , Volfova Lenka , Pisarikova Aneta , Nepomniashchaia Natalia , Cada Martin , Hubicka Zdenek
Published: March 2024

Cobalt nickel oxide films are deposited on Si(111) or fluorine-doped tin-oxide-coated (FTO) glass substrates employing a pulsed hollow-cathode discharge. The hollow cathode is operated with argon gas flowing through the nozzle and with O2 gas admitted to the vacuum chamber. Three different cathode compositions (Co20Ni80, Co50Ni50, and Co80Ni20) are investigated. Deposited and annealed thin films are characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared (Raman) spectroscopy, and ellipsometry. As-deposited films consist of a single mixed cobalt nickel oxide phase. Upon annealing at 600 °C, the mixed cobalt nickel oxide phase separates into two cystalline sub-phases which consist of cubic NiO and cubic Co3O4. Annealed films are investigated by spectroscopic ellipsometry and the optical bandgaps are determined.
Limited Role of the Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) for Tumor Grade and Overall Survival in Resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Riviere Deniece M. , Maas Marnix C. , Brosens Lodewijk A. A. , Stommel Martijn W. J. , van Laarhoven Cornelis J. H. M. , Hermans John J.
Published: March 2024

This study evaluated the relationship between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and tumor grades based on WHO, Adsay, and Kalimuthu classifications, using whole-mount pancreatectomy specimens. If glandular formation plays a key role in the degree of diffusion restriction, diffusion-weighted imaging could facilitate non-invasive grading of PDAC. A freehand region of interest (ROI) was drawn along tumor borders on the preoperative ADC map in each tumor-containing slice. Resection specimens were retrospectively graded according to WHO, Adsay, and Kalimuthu classifications and correlated with overall survival and the 10th percentile of whole-volume ADC values. Findings from 40 patients (23 male, median age 67) showed no correlation between ADC p10 values and WHO differentiation (p = 0.050), Adsay grade (p = 0.955), or Kalimuthu patterns (p = 0.117). There was no association between ADC p10 and overall survival (p = 0.082) and other clinicopathological variables. Survival was significantly lower for poor tumor differentiation (p = 0.046) and non-glandular Kalimuthu patterns (p = 0.016) and there was a trend towards inferior survival for Adsay G3 (p = 0.090) after correction for age, tumor location, and stage. Preoperative ADC measurements for determining PDAC aggressiveness had limited clinical utility, as there was no correlation with histological parameters or overall survival in resectable PDAC.
Assessment of the Health Status of Old Trees of Platycladus orientalis L. Using UAV Multispectral Imagery
Authors: Yin Daihao , Cai Yijun , Li Yajing , Yuan Wenshan , Zhao Zhong
Published: March 2024

Assessing the health status of old trees is crucial for the effective protection and health management of old trees. In this study, we utilized an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with multispectral cameras to capture images for the rapid assessment of the health status of old trees. All trees were classified according to health status into three classes: healthy, declining, and severe declining trees, based on the above-ground parts of the trees. Two traditional machine learning algorithms, Support Vector Machines (SVM) and Random Forest (RF), were employed to assess their health status. Both algorithms incorporated selected variables, as well as additional variables (aspect and canopy area). The results indicated that the inclusion of these additional variables improved the overall accuracy of the models by 8.3% to 13.9%, with kappa values ranging from 0.166 and 0.233. Among the models tested, the A-RF model (RF with aspect and canopy area variables) demonstrated the highest overall accuracy (75%) and kappa (0.571), making it the optimal choice for assessing the health condition of old trees. Overall, this research presents a novel and cost-effective approach to assessing the health status of old trees.
Protect the Children, Body and Soul
Authors: Watson Kenjus T. , Marie Tiffani , Gentzis Ersie-Anastasia , Dixson Dante
Published: March 2024

This paper critically examines American schooling systems, challenges their subtractive nature, and juxtaposes it with the culturally sustaining potential of education. We problematize the current tools for evaluating trauma and stress in young people of color and emphasize the need for a comprehensive understanding of indigenous medicines as a remedy. Drawing on interdisciplinary theories, we elucidate the pervasive and evolving nature of anti-blackness, reinforcing the sociohistorical structure of inequity within schools. As a response, this study presents a unique wellness survey (comprising two newly validated wellness scales) developed from a previous four-year longitudinal study investigating the relationship between culturally relevant teaching practices and improved health outcomes for children. We found a strong correlation between exposure to our culturally relevant intervention and several health indicators. Particularly, sustained telomere growth (protection of cells) was observed in over 90% of the participants in the intervention group, indicating a potential biological mechanism through which culturally informed interventions might contribute to improved health outcomes. We use these findings to argue that proactive measures centered on cultural and community contexts can serve as crucial protective factors, thereby potentially mitigating negative health outcomes related to racialized stress.
Responses of Fine Root Morphological and Chemical Traits among Branch Orders to Forest Thinning in Pinus massoniana Plantations
Authors: Zhao Jiahao , Sun Xiaodan , Wang Dong , Wang Meiquan , Li Junjie , Wang Jun , Guan Qingwei
Published: March 2024

Fine roots play an essential role in biogeochemical cycling in forest ecosystems; however, little is known about the response of fine root morphology and chemistry in different root orders to forest management activities such as forest thinning. We investigated the fine root morphological and chemical traits in different root orders of Pinus massoniana under different thinning intensities, namely no thinning, low-intensity thinning (LIT), middle-intensity thinning (MIT), and high-intensity thinning (HIT) (0%, 25%, 45%, and 65% of individual trees eliminated, respectively). We found that forest thinning increased the root diameter (RD) of absorptive roots and decreased that of transport roots, while the trend for the specific root length (SRL) was the opposite. LIT and MIT could increase specific surface area (SSA), especially the SSA of absorptive roots in the MIT treatment. The root tissue density (RTD) of all root sequences in the LIT treatment decreased but increased in the HIT treatment. For the fine root chemical traits, thinning increased the root carbon concentration (RCC) of absorptive roots. The root nitrogen concentration (RNC) and root phosphorus concentration (RPC) of first- to fourth-order roots increased in the LIT and MIT treatments after thinning. Meanwhile, thinning increased root lignin, cellulose, and non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) concentrations. Soil temperature, nitrate, and microbial biomass carbon were factors affecting variations in fine root morphology and chemistry. Forest thinning was likely to shift the absorptive roots’ foraging strategy into a resource-conserving one. Thinning increased fine root chemical traits in most root orders. These findings contributed to our ability to predict how belowground ecological processes are mediated by fine roots under forest management activities.
The Identification of a Cell Cycle Regulation Gene Cyclin E from Hong Kong Oysters (Crassostrea hongkongensis) and Its Protein Expression in Response to Salinity Stress
Authors: Qiu Hengtong , Wang Huan , Yan Xiaomin , Hu Lin , Huang Yonglin , Ye Yanni
Published: March 2024

Hong Kong oysters (Crassostrea hongkongensis) are an important marine bivalve with nutritional and commercial value. The expanded off-bottom farming scale in recent years makes the oysters more susceptible to exposure to abiotic stresses, such as salinity stress, an important environmental factor that has been proven to have significant effects on oyster growth and development. However, the molecular mechanism is still unclear. Cyclin E is an important protein in the process of cell cycle regulation that is indispensable for propelling G1/S phase transition in a dose-dependent manner. In order to investigate whether the salinity stress affects cyclin E expression in oysters, the cDNA sequence of C. hongkongensis cyclin E (Ch-CCNE) was isolated from a gill cDNA library, and the 2.8 kbp length cDNA fragment contained a complete open reading frame (ORF) encoding 440 amino acid residues. Ch-CCNE mRNA was highly expressed in the gonad and low in the adductor mussel, mantle, gill, labial palp, and digestive gland. The recombinant CCNE protein was expressed and purified in a pET32a(+)-CCNE/Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) system via IPTG induction and was used for generating mice anti-Ch-CCNE antiserums. Western blot analysis showed that the CCNE protein in the gill was maintained at low expression levels under either hypo- (5 ppt) or hyper- (35 ppt) salinity, and could be produced at high levels under appropriate salinity during a 10-day exposure period. The immuno-localization indicated that the Ch-CCNE protein was distributed in the nucleus. These results suggested that either hypo- or hyper-salinity stress could inhibit the CCNE expression of Hong Kong oysters and their negative impact on cell division and proliferation.
Transfer Learning Model Application for Rastrelliger brachysoma and R. kanagurta Image Classification Using Smartphone-Captured Images
Authors: Jongjaraunsuk Roongparit , Taparhudee Wara , Sirisuay Soranuth , Kaewnern Methee , Dulyapurk Varunthat , Janekitkarn Sommai
Published: March 2024

Prior aquatic animal image classification research focused on distinguishing external features in controlled settings, utilizing either digital cameras or webcams. Identifying visually similar species, like Short mackerel (Rastrelliger brachysoma) and Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta), is challenging without specialized knowledge. However, advancements in computer technology have paved the way for leveraging machine learning and deep learning systems to address such challenges. In this study, transfer learning techniques were employed, utilizing established pre-trained models such as ResNet50, Xception, InceptionV3, VGG19, VGG16, and MobileNetV3Small. These models were applied to differentiate between the two species using raw images captured by a smartphone under uncontrolled conditions. The core architecture of the pre-trained models remained unchanged, except for the removal of the final fully connected layer. Instead, a global average pooling layer and two dense layers were appended at the end, comprising 1024 units and by a single unit, respectively. To mitigate overfitting concerns, early stopping was implemented. The results revealed that, among the models assessed, the Xception model exhibited the most promising predictive performance. It achieved the highest average accuracy levels of 0.849 and 0.754 during training and validation, surpassing the other models. Furthermore, fine-tuning the Xception model by extending the number of epochs yielded more impressive outcomes. After 30 epochs of fine-tuning, the Xception model demonstrated optimal performance, reaching an accuracy of 0.843 and displaying a 11.508% improvement in predictions compared to the model without fine-tuning. These findings highlight the efficacy of transfer learning, particularly with the Xception model, in accurately distinguishing visually similar aquatic species using smartphone-captured images, even in uncontrolled conditions.
Comparative Study of Air–Water and Air–Oil Frictional Pressure Drops in Horizontal Pipe Flow
Authors: Guzmán Enrique , Pérez Valente Hernández , Rivera Fernando Aragón , Klapp Jaime , Sigalotti Leonardo
Published: March 2024

Experimental data for frictional pressure drop using both air–water and air–oil mixtures are reported, compared and used to evaluate predictive methods. The data were gathered using the 2-inch (54.8 mm) flow loop of the multiphase flow facility at the National University of Singapore. Experiments were carried out over a wide range of flow conditions of superficial liquid and gas velocities that were varied from 0.05 to 1.5 m/s and 2 to 23 m/s, respectively. Pressure drops were measured using pressure transducers and a differential pressure (DP) cell. A hitherto unreported finding was achieved, as the pressure drop in air–oil flow can be lower than that in air–water flow for the higher range of flow conditions. Using flow visualization to explain this phenomenon, it was found that it is related to the higher liquid holdup that occurs in the case of air–oil around the annular flow transition and the resulting interfacial friction. This additional key finding can have applications in flow assurance to improve the efficiency of oil and gas transportation in pipelines. Models and correlations from the open literature were tested against the present data.
Effects of Nozzle Pitch Adaptation in Micro-Scale Liquid Jet Impingement
Authors: Elsinger Georg , Oprins Herman , Cherman Vladimir , Van der Plas Geert , Beyne Eric , De Wolf Ingrid
Published: March 2024

With ever increasing integration density of electronic components, the demand for cooling solutions capable of removing the heat generated by such systems grows along with it. It has been shown that a viable answer to this demand is the use of direct liquid jet impingement. While this method can generally be scaled to the cooling of large areas, this is restricted by the necessity of coolant flow rate scaling. In this study, the benefits and restrictions of using increased nozzle pitch to remedy the increasing demand for overall flow rate are investigated. To this end, a model is validated against experimental findings and then used for computational fluid dynamics simulations, exploring effects of the pitch change for micro-scale nozzle diameters and nozzle-to-target spacings. It is found that while this method is efficient in adjusting the tradeoff between total coolant flow rate and pressure drop up to a certain pint, the occurrence of a hydraulic jump in the cavity causes a deterioration of its effect for large nozzle pitches.
Influence of Nozzle Geometry and Scale-Up on Oil Droplet Breakup in the Atomization Step during Spray Drying of Emulsions
Authors: Höhne Sebastian , Taboada Martha L. , Schröder Jewe , Gomez Carolina , Karbstein Heike P. , Gaukel Volker
Published: March 2024

Spray drying of oil-in-water emulsions is a widespread encapsulation technique. The oil droplet size (ODS) significantly impacts encapsulation efficiency and other powder properties. The ODS is commonly set to a specific value during homogenization, assuming that it remains unchanged throughout the process, which is often inaccurate. This study investigated the impact of atomizer geometry and nozzle dimensions on oil droplet breakup during atomization using pressure-swirl atomizers. Subject of the investigation were nozzles that differ in the way the liquid is set in motion, as well as different inlet port and outlet orifice dimensions. The results indicate that nozzle inlet port area may have a significant impact on oil droplet breakup, with x90,3 values of the oil droplet size distribution decreasing from 5.29 to 2.30 µm with a decrease of the inlet area from 2.0 to 0.6 mm. Good scalability of the findings from pilot to industrial-scale was shown using larger nozzles. A simplified theoretical model, aiming to predict the ODS as a function of calculated shear rates, showed reasonable agreement to the experimental data for different atomization pressures with coefficients of determination of up to 0.99. However, it was not able to predict the impact of different nozzle dimensions, most likely due to changes in flow characteristics. These results suggest that the stress history of the oil droplets might have a larger influence than expected. Further studies will need to consider other zones of high stress in addition to the outlet orifice.
CFD Turbulence Models Assessment for the Cavitation Phenomenon in a Rectangular Profile Venturi Tube
Authors: De la Cruz-Ávila Mauricio , De León-Ruiz Jorge E. , Carvajal-Mariscal Ignacio , Klapp Jaime
Published: March 2024

This study investigates cavitation in a rectangular-profile Venturi tube using numerical simulations and four turbulence models. The unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes technique is employed to simulate vapor cloud formation and compared against experimental data. κ-ε realizable, κ-ε RNG, κ-ω SST, and κ-ω GEKO models are evaluated. The simulation results are analyzed for pressure, turbulence, and vapor cloud formation. Discrepancies in cavitation cloud formation among turbulence models are attributed to turbulence and vapor cloud interactions. RNG and SST models exhibit closer alignment with the experimental data, with RNG showing a superior performance. Key findings include significant vapor cloud shape differences across turbulence models. The RNG model best predicts velocity at the throat exit with an error of 4.145%. Static pressure predictions include an error of 4.47%. The vapor cloud length predictions show variation among models, with the RNG model having a 0.386% error for the minimum length and 4.9845% for the maximum length. The SST model exhibits 4.907% and 13.33% errors for minimum and maximum lengths, respectively. Analysis of the cavitation number reveals agreement with the experimental data and sensitivity to cavitation onset. Different turbulence models yield diverse cloud shapes and detachment points. Weber number contours illustrate the variation in the cavitation cloud behavior under different turbulence models.
Family History in the Iberian Peninsula during Chalcolithic and Bronze Age: An Interpretation through the Genetic Analysis of Plural Burials
Authors: Palomo-Díez Sara , Esparza-Arroyo Ángel , Gomes Cláudia , Rickards Olga , Labajo-González Elena , Perea-Pérez Bernardo , Martínez-Labarga Cristina , Arroyo-Pardo Eduardo
Published: March 2024

Throughout history, it has been observed that human populations have buried the deceased members of their communities following different patterns. During the Copper Age and the Bronze Age—periods on which this study focuses—in the northern sub-plateau of the Iberian Peninsula, we identified different patterns of multiple or collective burial. This work analyzes a total of 58 individuals buried in different multiple or collective graves, to investigate whether the practice of these burials implies a family or biological link between individuals buried together. With this aim, STR markers of nuclear DNA were analyzed, as well as the hypervariable regions I and II of mitochondrial DNA, establishing both close kinship relationships and relationships through maternal lineage. We observed different burial patterns, detecting certain maternal lines preserved in some common burials maintained over time. Close family relationships were observed to a lesser extent, with some occasional exceptions. The results of the analysis formed the basis for a discussion on the concepts of family and community.
Contemporary Jewish Genealogy: Assuming the Role of Former Landsmanshafts
Authors: Klauzinska Kamila
Published: March 2024

To understand the changing trends in Jewish Genealogy over the past 40 years, the author has interviewed more than one hundred genealogists around the world. All of them are connected to the two most important genealogy organisations, JewishGen and JRI-Poland. They range from hobbyists researching their own families to professionals researching specific prewar Polish shtetls and those serving the entire genealogical community. Based on their responses to 26 questions, the author has identified two important features of contemporary Jewish genealogy: its democratisation and institutionalisation. The democratisation of genealogical research has contributed to a great expansion of the field. The focus of interest is no longer limited to only rabbinical families but is also concerned with the common man. Thus, genealogists today speak not only on behalf of sheyne yidn and otherwise distinguished families but also on behalf of the millions of murdered „ordinary” Jews who once lived in Poland. The institutionalisation of genealogy refers to the degree to which genealogical research organisations like JewishGen or JRI-Poland now provide some of the same functions provided years ago by the landsmanshaft institutions. Today, descendants of a particular shtetl often discover and connect to each other through genealogical researchers and these genealogical organisations. How these Jewish genealogical practices can be/are used to strengthen the landsmanshaft-like function will be examined.
An Analytical Review of the Recent Crustal Uplifts, Tectonics, and Seismicity of the Caucasus Region
Authors: Kaftan Vladimir I. , Gvishiani Alexei D. , Manevich Alexander I. , Dzeboev Boris A. , Tatarinov Viktor N. , Dzeranov Boris V. , Avdonina Alina M. , Losev Iliya V.
Published: March 2024

This paper analyzes and reviews the rapid uplifts of the Earth’s crust in the Caucasus that occurred over the last century. The uplifts were registered by precise repeated state leveling and reflected on officially published maps of vertical movements of the Earth’s crust. This study summarizes information on the region’s vertical movements over more than a century. The present study describes the technology for creating maps of recent vertical movements of the Earth’s crust using precision leveling data. This paper summarizes cases of recording uplifts of the Earth’s surface in other regions of the world in connection with seismic activity. The authors carried out intercomparison of vertical movements with tectonics, seismicity, and geophysical fields, which discovered their apparent mutual correspondence. This indicates the deep tectonic nature of the observed uplifts of the Earth’s crust. Spatial and temporal agreement with the distribution of strong earthquakes showed a natural relationship. It has been shown that strong earthquakes are confined to the boundaries of zones of rapid uplift. They occur predominantly in areas of transition between uplifts and subsidence. The results obtained demonstrate the role of the study and observations of vertical movements of the Caucasus in assessing periods and areas of increased seismic hazard.
Microsatellite Sequence Polymorphisms Reveals Substantial Diversity in Caribbean Breadfruit [Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg] Germplasm
Authors: Daley Oral O. , Alleyne Angela T. , Roberts-Nkrumah Laura B. , Motilal Lambert A.
Published: March 2024

Breadfruit [Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg] is recognized as a tropical fruit tree crop with great potential to contribute to food and nutrition security in the Caribbean and other tropical regions. However, the genetic diversity and germplasm identification in the Caribbean and elsewhere are poorly understood and documented. This hampers the effective conservation and use of the genetic resources of this tree crop for commercial activities. This study assessed the genetic identity, diversity, ancestry, and phylogeny of breadfruit germplasm existing in the Caribbean and several newly introduced accessions using 117 SNPs from 10 SSR amplicon sequences. The results showed that there was high and comparable genetic diversity in the breadfruit germplasm in the Caribbean, and the newly introduced breadfruit accessions were based on nucleotide diversity (πT) 0.197 vs. 0.209, respectively, and nucleotide polymorphism (θW) 0.312 vs. 0.297, respectively. Furthermore, the existing Caribbean breadfruit accessions and the newly introduced breadfruit accessions were statistically genetically undifferentiated from each other (p < 0.05). Ancestry and phylogeny analysis corroborated the genetic relatedness of these two groups, with accessions of these groups being present in both main germplasm clusters. This suggests that the existing Caribbean breadfruit germplasm harbors a higher level of genetic diversity than expected.
Knowledge and Awareness of HPV, the HPV Vaccine and Cancer-Related HPV Types among Indigenous Australians
Authors: Lockwood Lucy , Ju Xiangqun , Sethi Sneha , Hedges Joanne , Jamieson Lisa
Published: March 2024

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection is a common, preventable, sexually transmitted disease with oncogenic potential and increasing incidence. This study aimed to gain an understanding of the knowledge and awareness of HPV, the HPV vaccine, and HPV-related cancers, and to evaluate the relationship between participant factors and HPV knowledge, vaccination uptake, and high-risk HPV (16/18) infection, among Indigenous Australians. Data from the 12-month follow-up of a longitudinal cohort study were utilized, involving 763 Indigenous Australian adults in South Australia. The data analysis found that the mean 7-item HPV knowledge tool (HPV-KT) score was 2.3 (95% CI: 2.1–2.4), HPV vaccination prevalence was 27.0% (95% CI: 23.6–30.5) and oral HPV 16/18 infection was 4.7% (95% CI: 3.2–6.2). Multivariable log-Poisson regression models showed ratios of approximately 1.5 times higher HPV-KT scores in females, previous recreational drug users, those who had self-rated as having excellent, very good or good general health and who had heard of HPV; and participants who were not HPV vaccinated had 0.8 times (MR = 0.8, 95% CI: 0.7–0.9) lower HPV-KT scores than their counterparts. The findings suggest that culturally safe education strategies are a necessary investment to improve vaccination coverage among Indigenous Australians and to reduce the impact of HPV and related cancers.
Determinants of Smoking Cessation Outcomes and Reasons for Relapse in Patients Admitted to a Smoking Cessation Outpatient Clinic in Turkey
Authors: Acar Tijen , Gallagher Claire , Gören Yasemin , Erbas Bircan , Özkara Adem
Published: March 2024

The aim of this study was to identify the determinants of smoking cessation outcomes and reasons for relapse following smoking cessation treatment. Using a mixed-method design, 179 patients were recruited from the Smoking Cessation outpatient clinic of Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital between May 2016 and May 2017. Quantitative data were collected via questionnaires or from patient files and qualitative data were obtained via 5 focus group interviews with 28 patients who relapsed to smoking following treatment. The success rate of the smoking cessation clinic at the end of one year was 26%. The number of applications to the clinic was significantly higher in the group who quit smoking. Treatment success was found to be higher in the group that applied behavioral recommendations. In focus group interviews with patients who relapsed, the most common causes were stressful events, especially workplace problems and serious health problems experienced by relatives. The presence of smokers in the immediate vicinity increased the risk of relapse. It was concluded that not stopping treatment before the recommended period, continuity in follow-up appointments, support of the environment, support of pharmacotherapy with cognitive behavioral therapy and improving patients’ coping skills were important.
Recognition of House Structures from Complicated Electrical Plan Images
Authors: Tanaka Fukuharu , Mizumoto Teruhiro , Yamaguchi Hirozumi
Published: March 2024

Advances in image analysis and deep learning technologies have expanded the use of floor plans, traditionally used for sales and rentals, to include 3D reconstruction and automated design. However, a typical floor plan does not provide detailed information, such as the type and number of outlets and locations affecting the placement of furniture and appliances. Electrical plans, providing details on electrical installations, are intricate due to overlapping symbols and lines and remain unutilized as house manufacturers independently manage them. This paper proposes an analysis method that extracts the house structure, room semantics, connectivities, and specifics of wall and ceiling sockets from electrical plans, achieving robustness to noise and overlaps by leveraging the unique features of symbols and lines. The experiments using 544 electrical plans show that our method achieved better accuracy (+3.6 pt) for recognizing room structures than the state-of-the-art method, 87.2% in identifying room semantics and 97.7% in detecting sockets.
Drowning in the Information Flood: Machine-Learning-Based Relevance Classification of Flood-Related Tweets for Disaster Management
Authors: Blomeier Eike , Schmidt Sebastian , Resch Bernd
Published: March 2024

In the early stages of a disaster caused by a natural hazard (e.g., flood), the amount of available and useful information is low. To fill this informational gap, emergency responders are increasingly using data from geo-social media to gain insights from eyewitnesses to build a better understanding of the situation and design effective responses. However, filtering relevant content for this purpose poses a challenge. This work thus presents a comparison of different machine learning models (Naïve Bayes, Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, Convolutional Neural Networks, BERT) for semantic relevance classification of flood-related, German-language Tweets. For this, we relied on a four-category training data set created with the help of experts from human aid organisations. We identified fine-tuned BERT as the most suitable model, averaging a precision of 71% with most of the misclassifications occurring across similar classes. We thus demonstrate that our methodology helps in identifying relevant information for more efficient disaster management.
An Agent-Based Model for Disease Epidemics in Greece
Authors: Thomopoulos Vasileios , Tsichlas Kostas
Published: March 2024

In this research, we present the first steps toward developing a data-driven agent-based model (ABM) specifically designed for simulating infectious disease dynamics in Greece. Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, this research holds significant importance as it can offer valuable insights into disease transmission patterns and assist in devising effective intervention strategies. To the best of our knowledge, no similar study has been conducted in Greece. We constructed a prototype ABM that utilizes publicly accessible data to accurately represent the complex interactions and dynamics of disease spread in the Greek population. By incorporating demographic information and behavioral patterns, our model captures the specific characteristics of Greece, enabling accurate and context-specific simulations. By using our proposed ABM, we aim to assist policymakers in making informed decisions regarding disease control and prevention. Through the use of simulations, policymakers have the opportunity to explore different scenarios and predict the possible results of various intervention measures. These may include strategies like testing approaches, contact tracing, vaccination campaigns, and social distancing measures. Through these simulations, policymakers can assess the effectiveness and feasibility of these interventions, leading to the development of well-informed strategies aimed at reducing the impact of infectious diseases on the Greek population. This study is an initial exploration toward understanding disease transmission patterns and a first step towards formulating effective intervention strategies for Greece.
Understanding the Selective Extraction of the Uranyl Ion from Seawater with Amidoxime-Functionalized Materials: Uranyl Complexes of Pyrimidine-2-amidoxime
Authors: Tsantis Sokratis T. , Lada Zoi G. , Skiadas Sotiris G. , Tzimopoulos Demetrios I. , Raptopoulou Catherine P. , Psycharis Vassilis , Perlepes Spyros P.
Published: March 2024

The study of small synthetic models for the highly selective removal of uranyl ions from seawater with amidoxime-containing materials is a valuable means to enhance their recovery capacity, leading to better extractants. An important issue in such efforts is to design bifunctional ligands and study their reactions with trans-{UO2}2+ in order to model the reactivity of polymeric sorbents possessing both amidoximate and another adjacent donor site on the side chains of the polymers. In this work, we present our results concerning the reactions of uranyl and pyrimidine-2-amidoxime, a ligand possessing two pyridyl nitrogens near the amidoxime group. The 1:2:2 {UO2}2+/pmadH2/external base (NaOMe, Et3N) reaction system in MeOH/MeCN provided access to complex [UO2(pmadH)2(MeOH)2] (1) in moderate yields. The structure of the complex was determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The UVI atom is in a distorted hexagonal bipyramidal environment, with the two oxo groups occupying the trans positions, as expected. The equatorial plane consists of two terminal MeOH molecules at opposite positions and two N,O pairs of two deprotonated η2 oximate groups from two 1.11000 (Harris notation) pmadH− ligands; the two pyridyl nitrogen atoms and the –NH2 group remain uncoordinated. One pyridyl nitrogen of each ligand is the acceptor of one strong intramolecular H bond, with the donor being the coordinated MeOH oxygen atom. Non-classical Caromatic-H⋯X (X=O, N) intermolecular H bonds and π–π stacking interactions stabilize the crystal structure. The complex was characterized by IR and Raman spectroscopies, and the data were interpreted in terms of the known structure of 1. The solid-state structure of the complex is not retained in DMSO, as proven via 1H NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopic techniques as well as molar conductivity data, with the complex releasing neutral pmadH2 molecules. The to-date known coordination chemistry of pmadH2 is critically discussed. An attempt is also made to discuss the technological implications of this work.
Night Warming Has Mixed Effects on the Development of the Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), in Southern China
Authors: Xu Yangcheng , Chi Haipeng , Shi Mingyue , Lu Zhaozhi , Zalucki Myron P.
Published: March 2024

The Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), is a serious migratory pest. After invading China in 2019, the species was established as a year-round breeding population in most of the southern provinces. The area of winter maize in this region has been increasing due to the huge demand of fresh maize consumption, which is potentially at risk from this invasive pest, although the growth and development of S. frugiperda in the region’s changing climate is unclear, particularly with rising temperatures at night. Here, we used the highest daytime temperatures of 27 °C, 24 °C, 20 °C and decreased these by 2, 4 and 6 °C to reflect the range of nighttime temperatures indicative of winter conditions in a warming climate to evaluate the effect of increasing night temperatures on the growth and development of S. frugiperda. Results show that the survival of larvae and pupae significantly declined with daytime temperatures declining and the nighttime temperature range increasing. Significant developmental effects were observed across all daytime–nighttime temperature treatments, except for adults. Additionally, there were significant interaction effects for all stages, except the egg stage, and generation time. The development rate increased with the increasing daytime temperatures and nighttime temperatures, except for the intermediate treatments (Group II). The uniformity of pupation and emergence times were higher under high daytime temperatures and nighttime temperature treatments. Predictions of FAW development and warnings to local farmers need to be adjusted to take into account the more rapid development when nighttime temperatures increase in the warming climate. These results will support decision makers in developing long-term management strategies for FAW in southern China.
Beyond the Finish Line: Examining the Role of Children in Marathon Races—A Narrative Review
Authors: Grivas Gerasimos V.
Published: March 2024

Compared with other sports, running is popular sport for children throughout the world. Over the last few decades, marathon running has become increasingly popular even in the age group below 18 years. While the majority of youth athletes fall within the 16–18 age range, it is noteworthy that there are also participants younger than 12 years engaging in marathon races. Advice on the safety of youth athletes participating in these events is frequently sought by parents, coaches, sport scientists, and medical professionals, particularly concerning potential short- and long-term health consequences. The act of marathon running has the potential to impact key organ systems during the crucial phases of growth and development. To ensure the safety of marathon running in youth runners, it is essential to address multiple physiological and psychological aspects of health. These recommendations are directed towards ensuring the safe participation of youth athletes in marathon races through proper and individualized assessments.
Agricultural Land Market in Ukraine: Challenges of Trade Liberalization and Future Land Policy Reforms
Authors: Ibatullin Shamil , Dorosh Yosyp , Sakal Oksana , Krupin Vitaliy , Kharytonenko Roman , Bratinova Maria
Published: March 2024

After over 20 years of a strict moratorium on the turnover of agricultural land in Ukraine, an official market for this type of land has recently been established. The purpose of this study was to examine the functioning of the fundamental elements of this market from the moment of its introduction on 1 July 2021 until today, as well as to understand the possible directions for its further development. The analysis of the agricultural land market and the visualization of the obtained results were carried out using the PostgreSQL database, Python and SQL programming languages, and the QGIS and Metabase tools. It was found that the volume of the agricultural land market remains insignificant, as the total area of sold land during this period made up only 0.7% of the arable land area of Ukraine. Prices for land plots remained at the level of their normative monetary value and are still relatively low, which indicates the significant undercapitalization of agricultural land as a production factor. The stability of agricultural land prices under the influence of various factors also indicates their relative virtuality, which, taking into account the further lifting of restrictions on the size of land plots to be sold as of 1 January 2024, requires the use of appropriate land policy instruments in order to fully utilize the multipurpose role of land in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, which should be based on a human-rights-based approach to rural development, food security, and land policy.