bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Loss of Exoc1 in dormant oocytes perturbs the subcellular localization of c-KIT and GDF9 and causes female infertility in mice
Authors: Mizuno Seiya , Nguyen Chi , Yumeno Kuba , Le Hoai , Shawki Hossam , Mikami Natsuki , Aoki Madoka , Yasuhara Nanako , Suzuki Hayate , Iijima-Mizuno Saori , Ayabe Shinya , Osawa Yuki , Fujiyama Tomoyuki , Dinh Tra , Ishida Miyuki , Daitoku Yoko , Tanimoto Yoko , Murata Kazuya , Kang Woojin , Ema Masatsugu , Hirao Yuji , Ogura Atsuo , Takahashi Satoru , Sugiyama Fumihiro 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

A limited number of female germ cells support reproduction in many mammals. The follicle, composed of oocytes and supporting granulosa cells, forms the basis of oogenesis. Crosstalk between oocytes and granulosa cells is essential for the formation, dormancy, re-awakening, and maturation of oocytes. The oocyte expresses c-KIT and growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9), which are major factors in this crosstalk. The downstream signallingpathways of c-KIT and GDF-9 have been well-documented; however, their intra-oocyte trafficking pathway remains unclear. Our study reveals that the exocyst complex, a heterotetrameric protein complex important for tethering in vesicular transport, is important for proper intra-oocyte trafficking of c-KIT and GDF9 in mice. We found that depletion of oocyte-specific EXOC1, a component of the exocyst complex, impaired oocyte re-awakening and cyst breakdown, and inhibited granulosa cell proliferation during follicle growth. The c-KIT receptor is localised on the oocyte plasma membrane. The oocyte-specific Kit conditional knockout mice were reported to exhibit impaired oocyte re-awakening and reduced oocyte cyst breakdown. GDF9 is a protein secreted extracellularly in the oocyte. Previous studies have shown that Gdf9knockout mice impaired proliferation and granulosa cell multilayering in growing follicles. We found that both c-KIT and GDF9 abnormally stuck in the EXOC1-depleted oocyte cytoplasm. These abnormal phenotypes were also observed in oocytes depleted of exocyst complex members EXOC3 and EXOC7. These results clearly show that the exocyst complex is essential for proper intra-oocyte trafficking of c-KIT and GDF9. Inhibition of this complex causes complete loss of female fertility in mice. Our findings build a platform for research related to trafficking mechanisms of vital crosstalk factors for oogenesis.
Green Synthesis and Characterization of SmVO4@g-C3N4 with investigation of Photocatalytic and Antioxidant Properties
Authors: KUMAR T ARUN , Ramkumar J. , Kiruthikha M. , Rajeswaran P. 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Samarium Vanadate nanoparticles (SmVO4 NPs) were synthesised eco friendly and quickly utilising Phyllanthus amarus leaf extract. These nanoparticles were then adhered onto the surface of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4). The synthesized nanoparticles were described by UV– Visible, XRD, SEM, TEM,EDAX, FT-IR and BET assured the growth of SmVO4 nanoparticles anchored over the g-C3N4 surface. The synthesized catalyst was used for chromium VI (Cr VI) and Naphthol Blue Black (NBB) degradation through visible light radiation. The influence of catalyst dosage, H2O2 concentration, and pH were among the operating parameters that were optimised. The results indicated that the photo catalytic effectiveness of SmVO4@g-C3N4 was two times greater than that of pristine g- C3N4. It was also discovered that the composite with a 20% wt of SmVO4 concentration had the maximum photo activity among the SmVO4 contents of 5%,10% and 20% wt. The high effectivity was showed by degradation efficiency of 95% toward Cr(VI) and 82% towards NBB. Scavenger effect analysis indicates that the Z-scheme is part of the photo catalytic mechanism that enables effective separation of photo generated electron-hole pairs in the presence of visible light. Centrifugation was employed to extract the catalyst from the reaction solution, which allowed it to be utilised five more times. The outcomes demonstrated that the catalyst's efficiency had not significantly decreased. These findings indicated the possible benefits of the greenly synthesised SmVO4@g- C3N4 for the degradation of organic contaminants.
Quality Appraisal and Hydrochemical Analysis of Groundwater for Domestic and Irrigation Aspects
Authors: Kushwah Vinod , Singh Kunwar 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Aim of this study was to analyze the geochemical mechanisms that influence the composition of groundwater and determine the suitableness of groundwater quality for farming and domestic uses in the agricultural area of Mathura, India. This study also emphasized the significance of using a comprehensive approach which includes water pollution evaluating indexes and multivariate statistical techniques to investigation of hydrochemical analysis of groundwater quality and identification of contamination sources. Water samples were collected from different sampling sites and analyzed. 81.25% and 62.50% of the sampling sites of groundwater above the maximum allowable levels for the concentration of fluoride and nitrate as per BIS, 2012. Cluster analysis categorized sixteen sampling locations into three clusters based (High, moderately and less polluted) on observed data. Piper diagram concluded that the calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, are predominate ions showing its unsuitability for irrigation. According to the Wilcox diagram, US salinity laboratory diagram, Kelly index, Magnesium adsorption ratio, Permeability index, 6.25%, 31.25%, 25%, 93.75%, 18.75% respectively, the study area is classified as an unsuitable for irrigation. The present investigation provided useful information of suitable water management resource for healthy crop growth, human health, water resources management, and ultimately the sustainable development of the environment.
Nitinol rod driven discrete continuum robot for transoral surgery assistance and planar path planning with segmented CT images
Authors: Kim Yeoun-Jae , Oh Jieun , Wi Daehan 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

To address the possibility of assisting the clinicians to perform transoral surgery, a Nitinol rod driven discrete continuum robot with 3 sections and 9 units is developed by authors. The overall length of the discrete continuum robot mechanism is 120 mm and the unit diameter is 15 mm with 20 mm height. The distal and proximal sections are designed to be bendable independently in 2 degree of freedom (DOF) with four Nitinol rod each. To investigate the Nitinol rod displacement change to section bending angle relationship, 2D section bending tests and ANSYS simulation are performed. Moreover, to address the design feasibility of the discrete continuum robot in clinical environment, 11 patients' head and neck CT images are manually segmented to render 11 3D oral cavity and made a fictituous 11 reference passage from lips to oropharynx. Using the 11 fictituous reference passage, planar path planning simulations are performed with the designed 2 sections 8 units discrete continuum robot. To verify the simulations, path following tests are conducted with 3 reference passages. The simulation results show that the average reference path following error is within RMS (root mean square) 1.9705 mm in maximum introducing length and the test results presents that the maximum bending angle difference between the simulation and test is 9.6 degree.
Clinical Features of High Myopia with Optic Nerve Head Prelaminar Schisis: Wuhan High Myopia Study
Authors: Chen Changzheng , Wu Qiuyan , Hu Ruihan , Liu Qihong , Li Fang , Tsering Lhamo , Xiao Di , Abdulla Sawut , Yi Zuohuizi , Yuan Jiajia , Shao Yilei , Shen Meixiao 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Purpose:To investigate the clinical features of prelaminar schisis (PLS) in highly myopic eyes.
Methods: This cross-sectional studyincluded 245 eyes with high myopia and 93 eyes with low to moderate myopia. PLS was classified on a 3-point scale from 0 to 2. Clinical characteristics of the two groups were compared. Factors associated with the presence and severity of PLS and its correlation with visual field were evaluated.
Results: Highly myopic eyes presented a higher frequency (P= 0.019) and severity (P = 0.009) of PLS compared to controls. Among them, 33.47% (82/245) had Grade 0, 56.33% (138/245) had Grade 1 and 10.20% (25/235) had Grade 2. The presence of Bergmeister papilla (OR = 2.232, P= 0.007), a larger Bruch membrane opening (BMO) (OR = 1.927, P = 0.001) and a longer axial length (OR = 1.715, P= 0.003) were correlated with the severity of PLS. Additionally, the severity of PLS was associated with visual field defects (OR = 1.481, P = 0.012).
Conclusion: The presence of Bergmeister papilla, a larger BMO and a longer axial length were associated with the severity of PLS. The relationship of the severity of PLS and visual field defects in high myopic eyes suggests ONH prelaminar schisis may indicate traction and myopic deformation of the ONH, potentially reflecting ongoing functional damage.
Mercury Removal Mechanism of Elemental Sulfur-Modified Activated Carbon Based on Density Functional Theory
Authors: Chen Cong , Wang Rui , Liu Xiaoshuo , Duan Yufeng , Shi Weidong , Wang Zhenxiong , Fang Guofeng , Yan Linpeng , Cai Huatong 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Sulfur-modified activated carbon is a mercury removal adsorbent with broad application prospects. However, research on the mercury adsorption mechanisms and the influence of different adsorption sites on mercury adsorption on sulfur-loaded activated carbon is limited. In this study, the mechanism of mercury adsorption on sulfur-modified activated carbon and the influence of the adsorption were investigated using quantum chemical calculations. A cluster model of the activated carbon surface was established to determine the bonding characteristics, adsorption energy, electrostatic potential, and molecular orbitals of Hg0 for different activated carbon substrate structures. The results indicated that one to two C-S bonds were formed when a single sulfur atom was loaded onto the surface of a carbon cluster in a process involving both chemisorption and physisorption. Among several configurations, the SAC-Arm-1 configuration had the highest adsorption energy (-65.47 kJ/mol). Electrostatic potential analysis revealed that when adsorption occurred at the adsorption site of this structure, Hg was surrounded by a positive electrostatic potential, whereas S was surrounded by a negative electrostatic potential. Under the action of electrostatic forces, sulfur, and mercury tend to move closer to each other, indicating chemisorption between them. Frontier orbital analysis revealed a noticeable change in the orbital spin direction at this adsorption site, with similar changes in the post-adsorption orbitals. Orbital overlap in the system was slightly more frequent, indicating easier electron exchange, further proving that the adsorption reaction is prone to occur. By comparing the adsorption energies and exploring the adsorption mechanisms of the different sulfur-loaded carbon cluster models and different adsorption sites, this study provides guidance for the future development of efficient sulfur-modified carbon-based adsorbents.
Evaluation of vegetable oil as oviposition deterrent for management of old-world bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) in cotton
Authors: Pande Rachna , Vivek Shah , T Prabhulinga , Thube Shivaji , Ghonge Pooja , Behere GT , Prasad YG 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Oviposition deterrents are the semiochemicals that provide the first line of defense by modifying the behavior of conspecific females. In the present study, the oviposition deterrent effect of four fatty acids (linoleic, palmitic, myristic, and stearic acid) and six vegetable oils (groundnut, rice bran, safflower, sesame, soybean, and sunflower) having fatty acids was confirmed in bioassay under laboratory condition at different concentration against the old-world bollworm Helicoverpa armigera. The value of the avoidance index (AI) and percent effective deterrence (PED) confirmed the role of fatty acids and vegetable oils as an oviposition deterrent. It was found that there was a negative correlation between the ratio of the number of eggs laid and the concentrations of fatty acids tested against H. armigera. The efficacy of fatty acids and vegetable oil as oviposition deterrents concerning AI and PED was observed as palmitic acid (AI= 0.57, PED= 73%) > myristic acid (0.53, 69%) > stearic acid (0.52, 68%) > linoleic acid (0.51, 67%) and sunflower (0,50, 66%) > safflower (0.48, 65%) > groundnut (0.46, 63%) > sesame (0.44, 61%) > rice bran and soybean (0.43, 60%) respectively. Validation of the present findings was demonstrated by the field studies conducted during 2019-2020, 2020-21, and 2021-22. The results of the field study ensured the effectiveness of vegetable oils as an oviposition deterrent by reducing egg-laying. Hence, the present work manifests vegetable oils as a promising oviposition deterrent and proves their proficiency in the ethological pest management of H. armigera.
Effectiveness of jasmonate stimulation on attraction of Cotesia marginiventris via olfactory cues on BT- and non-BT-cotton plants
Authors: EL-WAKEIL NABIL , GAAFAR NAWAL , ALKAHTANI SAAD 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

It is well documented that plants damaged with insect species can attract specific biocontrol agents throughout the emission of insect-induced volatiles. A four-armed olfactometer was used to inspect olfactory reactions of Cotesia marginiventris. Behavioural tests for studying parasitoid attraction to specific odours are assessed. Flying tunnel investigations could be evaluated with three odour sources plus control plants at a time. The attractiveness of female parasitoid C. marginiventris was tested by applying several treatments: jasmonate induced plants and plants fed by Spodoptera exigua on Bacillus thuringiensis (BT)(genetic modified GM) and non- GM cotton plants. Three criteria were compared and studied. Search time and choose time and visit numbers for each zone.
The obtained outcomes showed that the plants induced with jasmonate were more attractive than those plants fed by two larvae, while those plants fed by one larva were the least attractive. Whereas, it was found that females of C. marginiventris significantly chose more jasmonate feeding areas than larval feeding areas on GM cotton plants, and the equivalent effect was detected on non-GM cotton plants. Whereas C. marginiventris females spent more time in the jasmonate areas than the rest of the treatments; While the time spent on transgenic cotton plants was longer than the time spent on non-transgenic cotton plants. Whereas in the non-Jasmonate treatments, females spent more time using the GM cotton than the non-GM cotton, the same trend of effects had been detected in the choice of time and visit frequency for that treatment.
Jasmonate stimulation of volatile substances is a good way to increase the attractiveness of parasitoids to their insect hosts to maximize the efficacy of the role of biological control agents. It is proposed that a genetic modification approach to modify the volatiles in these plants could enhance the attractiveness and increase the role assigned to natural enemies. This procedure will cause a more drastic change in the volatiles of those plants. This scientific direction is a complementary role, with transgenic resistance, which will lead to selection of inducible promoters with tissue-specific expression.
Loss of cadherin 17 downregulates LGR5 expression, stem cell properties and drug resistance in metastatic colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Casal J. Ignacio , Bartolome Ruben , Pintado-Berninches Laura , Robles Javier , Calvo-Lopez Tania , Boukich Issam , Otero-Nuñez Pablo , González-Sancho Jose Manuel 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Cadherin 17 (CDH17) plays a crucial role in the metastatic progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) through its interaction with α2β1 integrin. To further elucidate the molecular mechanisms involving CDH17 functions in CRC, we examined global expression alterations following CDH17 silencing in various metastatic cell lines. Loss of CDH17 resulted in a marked down-regulation of the cancer stem cell (CSC) marker LGR5, leading to the inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, suppression of pluripotency genes like MYC, and a subsequent reduction in stemness properties. Mechanistically, treatment with CDH17-blocking antibodies produced similar effects, decreasing both, LGR5 expression and Wnt signaling. CDH17 silencing also down-regulated various transporters associated with drug-resistance, including the glutamine-transporter SLC38A5, thereby enhancing sensitivity to 5-FU, irinotecan, oxidative stress and anoikis. Silencing of SLC38A5 via siRNA further amplified the effects of CDH17 on drug sensitivity, oxidative stress, and anoikis. Furthermore, treatment with amiloride, an SLC38A5 inhibitor, significantly reduced cell viability in response to 5-FU and irinotecan, and improved survival in mouse metastasis models. In conclusion, CDH17 expression is critical for maintaining the signaling cascade Wnt/MYC, responsible of the CSC traits, and drug resistance properties (mediated by SLC38A5) in CRC. These findings underscore the therapeutic potential of targeting CDH17 in metastatic CRC and support the use of amiloride as a promising strategy for inhibiting liver metastasis.
Linking Newborns and Mothers to Enable the Study of Inter-generational Health Outcomes: Evidence from Nationwide Medicaid Data
Authors: Orr Lilla , Seif Basil , Jeon Sun Young , Cascardi Elisa , Bhatt Sakshina , Swartz Jonas , Rodriguez Maria , Mendoza Fernando , Sanders Lee , Hainmueller Jens 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Linking mothers to their newborns in health records is crucial for understanding the impact of policies, programs, and medical treatments on inter-generational health outcomes. While previous studies have used shared identifiers like names or addresses for linkage, such data are often unavailable in Medicaid records due to privacy concerns. We present a scalable framework and linking algorithm using Medicaid MAX and TAF claims data—lacking direct identifiers—that connects mothers and infants while ensuring privacy protection. Our method accommodates variations in Medicaid records over time and across states, supporting matches at different levels of stringency. Using data from all 50 states over 19 years, our algorithm linked 11.68 million mother-infant dyads, covering 68% of Medicaid-enrolled infants, over 30% of all U.S. infants. We provide our code to facilitate research on social determinants of health and the inter-generational effects of U.S. public policy.
Sparse Annotation is Sufficient for Bootstrapping Dense Neuron Segmentation
Authors: Manor Uri , Thiyagarajan Vijay , Harris Kristen , Sheridan Arlo 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Producing dense 3D reconstructions from biological imaging data is a challenging instance segmentation task that requires significant ground-truth training data for effective and accurate deep learning-based models. Generating training data requires intense human effort to annotate each instance of an object across serial section images. Our focus is on the especially complicated brain neuropil, comprising an extensive interdigitation of dendritic, axonal, and glial processes visualized through serial section electron microscopy. We developed a novel deep learning-based method to generate dense 3D segmentations rapidly from sparse 2D annotations of a few objects on single sections. Models trained on the rapidly generated segmentations achieved similar accuracy as those trained on expert dense ground-truth annotations. Human time to generate annotations was reduced by three orders of magnitude and could be produced by non-expert annotators. This capability will democratize generation of training data for large image volumes needed to achieve brain circuits and measures of circuit strengths.
Marine garbage identification algorithm based on MGYOLOv7-Tiny network
Authors: ZUO Guanfang , Gu Sirui , REN Xiaotian , Hao Changliang , Ruan Yiyang , SHA Yanyou 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Aiming at the problem of marine garbage types detection on YOLOv7-Tiny network, a 2-IDetect network named MGYOLOv7-Tiny is proposed to relieve the contradiction between parameter quantity and detection accuracy. Firstly, the number of detection heads is reduced to balance the demands of accuracy improvement and network slimming. Secondly, local feature information is exchanged by light-weight convolution named GSConv. Model parameter quantity is reduced by the training-time and inference-time illating with different Re-parameterization Visual Geometry Group (RepVGG) structures. The activation function of Global Attention Mechanism (GAM) is changed to Hard Swish, so the problem of parameter update near the origin is completely solved. The pixel continuity of upper sampling feature maps is improved by the use of Content-Aware ReAssembly of Features (CARAFE). The prior box size conforming to small marine debris is obtained by using the Kmeans++ algorithm. Finally, Alpha-IoU is used to improve the bounding box regression accuracy of small samples by adjusting the power parameter of . Experimental results show that MGYOLOv7-Tiny has the detection precision of 91.72% and the parameter quantity is 6.7MB on trash\_ICRA19. The universality of MGYOLOv7-Tiny is demonstrated in a small target dataset named Visdrone2019.
Insulation optimization of aluminum profile for high-speed train based on RBF neural network model of sound insulation
Authors: Hao Yuxiang , Song Leiming , Yu Hanyang , Hu Xiaojun , Lin Hao 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Improving the sound insulation of the car body structure is an important technical means to reduce the noise inside the high-speed train. Without reducing the sound insulation of the structure, lowering the mass of the sound insulation structure is an important way to the lightweight of the high-speed train. The model based on radial basis function neural network (BRF) is established by taking the parameters such as the upper plate, the lower plate, the rib plate, the thickness of the aluminum profile and the angle of the rib plate as the design factors, and the weighted sound insulation Rw and the mass of the aluminum profile as the output response. The RBF model is used to optimize the sound insulation performance of the aluminum profile by using the hybrid algorithm of Multi-island Genetic Algorithm (MIGA) and nonlinear programming quadratic line (NLPQL), which greatly improves the optimization efficiency of the sound insulation performance of the aluminum profile. The sidewall aluminum profile of a high-speed train is optimized, and the Rw is increased by 3.6dB under the condition of constant mass. The mass is reduced by 18.5% when the Rw is constant.