bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
NEOTAPHONOMIC SURVEY OF SMALL TAR SEEPS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Authors: George Jessie , Macdonald Glen M. 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
California’s La Brea Tar Pits is one of the richest Ice Age fossil localities in the world and offers unmatched potential for reconstructing environmental conditions and ecological relationships in the Late Pleistocene. Plant macrofossils are abundant at the site, but their accurate interpretation requires a better understanding of the processes behind their deposition in hydrocarbon seeps and potential spatial resolution, a topic not yet addressed in asphalt pit related research. In this study we monitor temperature, phenology, and seep activity of two hydrocarbon seeps in southern California over the span of a year. For each seep we surveyed surrounding vegetation within 10 meters and sampled seep surfaces for analysis of trapped plant material. We find hydrocarbon seeps to be highly localized with 77–91% of plant material originating from species found within five meters of the seep. Temperature and time-lapse imagery indicate a greater likelihood of transportation of plant material by wind or animal than by water in these particular seeps. Animal transport through fecal matter or entrapment was the most likely candidate for the species Sambucus mexicana to be transported outside the immediate vicinity of the monitored seeps. Variation in observed viscosity of liquid asphalt correlated with seasonal temperature changes, with higher temperatures coinciding with decreased viscosity and increased seep flow. We find observations of seasonal seep flow connected to a warm season bias of plant material, making phenology an important consideration in the interpretation of plant presence and absence in asphaltic fossil contexts.
FOSSILIZATION OF WELL-PRESERVED DEEP-SEA LANTERNFISH: A CASE STUDY FROM THE MIOCENE MOROZAKI GROUP, CHITA PENINSULA, SOUTHWEST JAPAN
Authors: Katada Haruka , Yoshida Hidekazu , Oji Tatsuo , Asahara Yoshihiro , Minami Masayo , Kouketsu Yui 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Several biological and chemical changes occur during fossilization of organisms. However, the nature and mechanism of fossilization are not yet completely understood. In this study we investigated the changes in chemical composition during fossilization of lanternfish from the lower Miocene Yamami Formation, Chita Peninsula, Japan compared to modern/living lanternfish. This comprised chemical mapping using X-ray microscopic analysis, mineral identification using Raman spectroscopy, and chemical analysis using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. Carbon and nitrogen were lost significantly during fossilization, whereas slight changes were observed in phosphorus and calcium concentrations, which are major elements of hard tissues. Iron and sulfur concentrations are high in fossil fish compared to modern/living fish due to pyrite formation during fossilization. In agreement with earlier studies, we conclude that in-situ pyrite formation mediated by sulfur-reducing bacteria played an important role in the preservation of soft tissue textures in the Yamami Formation. This includes the preservation in the fossils of delicate organs, such as eyes in the Yamami lanternfish. The oxidation of pyrite is also important for fossil preservation because of the low solubility of iron oxides.
An Automatic Recognition of Indian Dish and Allergen Prediction Using DeepLearning
Authors: Kadam Viren , Thengade Anita , Pambhar Keval , Bachal Tarush , Agarwal Mihir 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

The research addresses the issue of image variability in practical settings by introducing a deep learning-based system for allergy prediction and Indian dish recognition. Food plays a big part in supporting a healthy lifestyle, which is becoming more and more popular globally. Recognizing the different types of food and the allergies that are in it is crucial. With the help of convolutional neural networks and visual transformers, the model can predict possible allergies and identify foods with accuracy, which is important for managing diet and raising awareness of allergens. Its uses are extensive in the food service, medical, and nutrition domains, providing workable answers for safer and better-informed nutritional selections in Indian food. Extensive analysis validates the model's effectiveness and potential influence on many sectors. In this study, various CNN architectures, including ResNet50, VGG16, VGG19, and a custom CNN, were employed for Indian Dish Recognition and Allergy Prediction. To enhance model accuracy, techniques such as image augmentation were integrated. While certain models showed promising results, reaching a maximum accuracy of 81%, others did not meet the desired expectations. To improve performance, Vision Transformers (ViTs) were employed, resulting in a remarkable accuracy of 92%.
Selective Inhibition of HSF1 Expression in the Heat Shock Pathway of Keloid Fibroblasts Reduces Excessive Fibrosis in Keloid
Authors: Li Chenyu , Xie Ruxin , Zhang Shiwei , Yun Jiao , Zhao Tian , Zhong Ai , Zhang Jinjue , Chen Junjie 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
The stress response following burns may be a crucial factor in keloid formation, yet the underlying pathological mechanisms remain to be elucidated. This study initially investigated how HSF1 and HSPs within the heat shock pathway influence keloid fibrosis, shedding light on the heat shock response's role in keloid development.
Objective
To further elucidate the role of the heat shock pathway in keloid fibrosis and explore the position of heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) within the heat shock pathway of keloid.
Methods
This study focused on human keloid fibroblasts, examining the expression and regulatory role of HSF1 on heat shock proteins (HSPs) under heat stress using immunohistochemistry, RNA interference, real-time fluorescent PCR, and Western blotting techniques;
Results
HSF1 was overexpressed in keloid fibroblasts and tissues compared to normal skin, and heat stress could further enhance HSF1 expression in both keloid tissues and fibrobalsts. Functional inhibition of HSF1 significantly affected the expression of downstream HSPs in keloid fibroblasts, ultimately leading to the inhibition of keloid fibrosis.
Conclusion
The heat shock pathway plays a crucial role in keloid fibrosis, with HSF1 as a key regulator influencing HSPs expression. Heat stress treatment of keloid fibroblasts offers a approach for investigating keloid formation.
Protodioscin exerts antagonistic analgesic and antidiarrheal properties through the cyclooxygenase and µ-opioid receptor interaction pathways
Authors: Hasan Md. Sakib Al , Chowdhury Raihan , Ghosh Pompa Rani , Yadav Balkrishnan , Mia Emon , Bhuia Md. Shimul , Islam Md. Tanvir , Hasan Md. Rakibul , Ansari Siddique Akber , Ansari Irfan Aamer , Rouf Razina , Islam Muhammad Torequl 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Protodioscin (PRO), a natural steroidal saponin, shows potential for treating pain and diarrhea due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The study aims to investigate the analgesic and antidiarrheal effects of PRO, comparing its efficacy with diclofenac sodium (DFS) and loperamide (LOP), using in vivo and in silico methods. Analgesic activity was evaluated using the acetic acid-induced writhing test, and antidiarrheal effects were assessed via castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice. Mice were divided into groups receiving PRO (2.5 and 10 mg/kg, p.o.), DFS (25 mg/kg, p.o.), LOP (3 mg/kg, p.o.), or combinations. Molecular docking studies were conducted on COX-1, COX-2 enzymes, and the Mu-opioid receptor (MOR), with toxicity predictions performed for safety profiling. In vivo results demonstrated that PRO significantly reduced pain and diarrhea in a dose-dependent manner. PRO at 10 mg/kg, p.o. showed comparable efficacy to DFS (25 mg/kg, p.o.) and LOP (3 mg/kg, p.o.) in both models. Molecular docking revealed that PRO had stronger binding affinities with COX-1 (‒10.0 kcal/mol), COX-2 (‒9.6 kcal/mol) enzymes and MOR (‒7.7 kcal/mol) compared to standard drugs. Toxicity predictions indicated moderate toxicity for PRO, similar to DFS. PRO exhibits significant analgesic and antidiarrheal activities comparable to DFS and LOP, making it a promising natural alternative for managing pain and diarrhea. Further clinical trials and pharmacokinetics profile are to examine needed to use it long-term with safety.
Comprehensive Mendelian randomization analysis of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and multiple cancers
Authors: Liang Hengchang , Tang Chunling , Sun Yue , Wang Mingwei , Tong Tong , Gao Qinquan , Xie Hui , Tan Tao 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the causal relationship between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and five cancers (breast, cervical, thyroid, prostate and colorectal) using the Mendelian Randomization (MR) method, with a view to revealing the potential role of LDL-C in the development of these cancers.
Methods:We used gene variant data and disease data from the Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) database to assess the causal relationship between LDL-C and each cancer by Mendelian randomisation analysis methods such as inverse variance weighting and MR-Egger. Specifically, we selected Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9(PCSK9) and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase(HMGCR), genes associated with LDL-C levels, as instrumental variables, extracted the corresponding single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data and analysed the associations of these SNPs with five cancers.In addition, sensitivity analyses and heterogeneity tests were performed to ensure the reliability of the results
Results: The analyses showed that when using HMGCR gene,LDL-C were significantly and positively associated with breast (OR:1.200, 95% CI:1.082-1.329, p=0.001), prostate (OR:1.198, 95% CI:1.050-1.366, p=0.007), and thyroid cancers (OR:8.291, 95% CI:3.189- 21.555, p=0.00001) were significantly positively correlated, whereas they were significantly negatively correlated with colorectal cancer (OR:0.641, 95% CI:0.442-0.928, p=0.019); the results for cervical cancer were not significant (p=0.050). When using the PCSK9 gene, LDL-C levels were significantly and positively associated with breast (OR:1.107, 95%:CI 1.031-1.187, p=0.005) and prostate (OR:1.219, 95%:CI 1.101-1.349, p=0.0001) cancers, but not with cervical (p=0.294), thyroid cancer (p=0.759) and colorectal cancer ( p=0.572).
Conclusion: Analyses using both the HMGCR and PCSK9 genes have shown that LDL-C may be a potential risk factor for breast and prostate cancer, while analyses of the HMGCR gene have also suggested that LDL-C may increase the risk of thyroid cancer and decrease the risk of colorectal cancer.
An unsupervised change detection approach based on pseudo-labeling and spectral index time series
Authors: Chaves Fellipe Mira , Negri Rogério Galante , Alves Larissa Mioni Vieira 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Accurate detection of land-cover changes is crucial for environmental conservation and sustainable land management. This study proposes a fully unsupervised change detection model based on pseudo-labels, applied to multitemporal satellite imagery. The model was tested in two regions of the Brazilian Amazon, one predominantly forested area with minimal agricultural activity, and another with extensive agricultural practices and dynamic land-use changes.Using spectral indices and an optimized thresholding process,the model's performance was compared to the Wavelet Energy Correlation Screening (WECS) method.The proposed model significantly outperformed WECS in both areas. The results demonstrate the model's robustness and adaptability, achieving accuracy values of up to 80% across various environmental contexts. This makes it an effective tool for monitoring land-cover changes in the Amazon.
The knockout of ClaCSLH1 induced dwarfing in watermelon
Authors: Bao Jiancheng , Shi Jiale , Qin Yuanyuan , Hua Shengqi , Wu Yanhong , Yang Congji , Gu Yige , dong wei 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

In agriculture and horticulture, selecting ideal plant types with desirable traits, such as dwarfing and upright stem structures, significantly enhances crop yield and quality by optimizing light absorption, spatial efficiency, and nutrient utilization. Developing new varieties of dwarf watermelon is a crucial objective in watermelon breeding. In this study, we constructed an F2 generation population by using the wild type V063 as the paternal parent and the dwarf variety dw-n as the maternal parent. The dwarfing trait was found to be recessive, governed by a pair of recessive alleles. Through Bulk Segregant Analysis sequencing (BSA-seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), we identified the gene Cla97C02G035450, which encodes for cellulose synthase-like H1 (CSLH1), as a candidate gene associated with the dwarfing phenotype. ClaCLSH1 belongs to the ClaCESA/CSLs family, which is involved in the synthesis of cell walls by regulating the synthesis of cellulose and hemicellulose. Microscopic analyses, revealed that dw-n plants exhibited shorter internode cells, thicker cell walls, and elevated hemicellulose content compared to V063. Subcellular localization studies demonstrated that the CLACSLH1 protein is primarily localized in the nucleus and the cell membrane/wall. Notably, the overexpression of CLACSLH1 in the dw-n background was able to rescue its dwarf phenotype. Furthermore, experiments indicated that knockdown of CLACSLH1 resulted in excessive hemicellulose synthesis, inhibited internode cell elongation, and ultimately led to the stunted phenotype observed in dw-n. This research provides innovative insights into the development of superior dwarf watermelon varieties and advances our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying watermelon dwarfism.
DFT Insights into Substituent Effects on Trithiocarbonate Linkages: Electronic Structure, Stability and Reactivity
Authors: Verma Rahul , Kushwaha Pankaj Kumar , Arya Suresh Kumar , Chaturvedi Amit K. , Srivast Sunil Kumar , Chaturvedi Devdutt 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive theoretical investigation of trithiocarbonate (TTC) linkages, significant in polymerization processes, pharmacological therapies, and biologically active compounds. The focus is on the impact of various substituents on electronic structure, stability, and reactivity using Density Functional Theory (DFT). Key electronic parameters such as HOMO, LUMO, and energy gap were analyzed to evaluate molecular stability and potential reactivity. Compound characterization was performed using UV-visible absorption and IR spectroscopy. Molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) analysis identified nucleophilic and electrophilic regions, while the density of states (DOS) provided additional insights into electronic distribution. Global reactivity descriptors, including chemical potential (µ), chemical softness (s), chemical hardness (ⴄ), and electrophilicity index (ꞷ), were used to assess the stability and reactivity. The electrophilic index of TTC1–TTC11 ranged from 1.5 eV to 4.0 eV, indicating high reactivity, while TTC12, TTC13, and TTC14 were classified as super-electrophilic. MEP analysis highlighted reactive sites, such as the sulfur atom in TTC11 and the C-H bond in TTC13. High bond dissociation energies (BDE) and Gibbs free energies for TTC11, TTC13, and TTC14 suggest strong linkages with their substituents when directly attached to ring-structured substituents without alkyl spacer. In contrast, TTC8, TTC9, TTC10, and TTC12 exhibit weaker linkages when linked with alkyl spacer. These findings offer valuable insights for designing TTC compounds with tailored properties.
Enhanced Biodegradation of Fluoranthene and Pyrene in Saline Condition Using Microbial Consortia
Authors: Ahmed Aziz , Kakar Mohib , Jattak Zafar Ullah , Iqbal Imran , Ataya Farid Shokry , Fouad Dalia 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent organic pollutants that exert acute toxic effects and/or possess carcinogenic, tumorigenic, and genotoxic properties. This study focused on the potential of a single bacterium and an enriched consortium to degrade high-molecular-weight (HMW) PAHs such as Pyrene (Pyr) and Fluoranthene (Flu) under saline conditions. The potential PAH degraders were isolated from mangrove sediments and identified as Ochrobactrum anthropi, Stenotrophomonas acidaminiphila, and Aeromonas salmonicida ss salmonicida. The findings revealed that the single culture degraders degraded Flu by 60%, 53%, and 47%, respectively, as well as Pyr by 58%, 51%, and 42%, respectively, from an initial concentration of 20 mg/L in seawater (28 ppm of NaCl) after 8 days. Meanwhile, the consortium degraded 85% of Flu and 81% of Pyr from an initial concentration of 50 mg/L after 8 days. The consortium also degraded a mixture of Flu and Pyr by about 60%. Biodegradation ability by the consortium for Flu and Pyr at different temperatures decreased in the order 30°C > 25°C > 35°C. The results revealed that, the consortium showed enhanced degradative capacity of more than 80% as compared to single isolates for degradation of Flu and Pyr and additionally the mixture of both PAHs showed 60% rate of degradation in saline environments. Therefore it can be concluded that the pooled microbial consortium has higher potential of degradation of PAHs especially for Flu and Pyr and this could be used as a method of removing PAHs pollution from the contaminated environment.
Praga (Brno, Bratysława) – słowiańskie Ateny? Międzywojenne czechosłowackie badania slawistyczne
Authors: Baron Roman , Madecki Roman 
Published: November 2024

Powstanie Czechosłowacji oznaczało ważną cezurę w rozwoju czeskiej i słowackiej nauki. W okresie międzywojennym Czechosłowacja, a w szczególności Praga, stała się jednym z najważniejszych ośrodków badań slawistycznych w Europie i na świecie, zasługując tym samym na miano „słowiańskich Aten”. Nastąpił wtedy rozwój Czeskiego Uniwersytetu Karola w Pradze, ponadto w 1919 r. założono nowe uniwersytety w Brnie i Bratysławie. Slawistyka była na powyższych uczelniach w latach 1919-1939 jedną z kluczowych dyscyplin humanistyki. Do tego stanu przyczyniła się w znacznym stopniu działalność Praskiego Koła Lingwistycznego. Ważne miejsce w dorobku czechosłowackiej slawistyki przypadło także polonistyce.
Influence of Acidic Drinks and Brushing on Microhardness of Restorative Resin Materials
Authors: Baroudi Kusai , Islam Md Sofiqul , Awadalkreem Fadia , Hussain Zulfa Elmugeera , Shaheen Carol , Moreira Paola Pacheco , Baroudi Amro , Amaral Marina , Regiane da Siliva-Concilio Lais 
Published: November 2024

Background
Various factors, including acidic diets and beverages, can compromise the longevity of restorations by affecting their physical and mechanical properties.

Objectives
This study aims to evaluate, in vitro, the performance of different resin restorative materials and their interaction in an exogenous acid medium (orange juice), as well as erosion and whether there is interference in the microhardness of the composite resins.

Materials and Methods
48 samples from your different materials were distributed across 8 groups. Microhardness measurements were conducted before and after immersion in orange juice for 2 weeks, followed by brushing simulations. The data was analyzed using SPSS 20, initially checking for normality, and then two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc tests were applied for comparison at the significance level of 95%.

Results
There was a significant change in microhardness values among both groups (orange juice and distilled water) (p<0.05), with the orange juice group displaying a greater reduction in hardness over time. Vita Enamic showed the greatest amount of reduction in values (p<0.05) yet still maintained higher values compared to the other materials. Charisma Classic experienced the least, though a significant change (P<0.05) in microhardness when exposed to orange juice.

Conclusion
Overall, all materials showed a significant decrease in microhardness when immersed in orange juice, which highlights the erosive effects of acidic environments on resin restorative materials. Simulated brushing after acid exposure had minimal impact on the results.
Associations between Retinal and Choroidal Vascularization Parameters and Brachial Artery Flow-mediated Dilation in Type 2 Diabetes and Healthy Controls
Authors: Małyszczak Artur , Przeździecka-Dołyk Joanna , Misiuk-Hojło Marta 
Published: November 2024

Introduction
Patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) are a group at an increased cardiovascular risk, which is associated with impaired vascular endothelial function. The aim of our study was to determine whether retinal and choroidal vascularization parameters are related to vascular endothelial function as expressed by flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD).

Methods
Thirty-two eyes of 32 patients were included in this observational study; 15 eyes were categorized into the study group, defined as type 2 diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy and other diabetic complications, and 17 in the healthy control group. RTVue XR Avanti optical coherent tomography angiography (angio-OCT) was used to perform OCT scans and visualize the superficial and deep retinal plexus (SCP and DCP, respectively). Using OCT image binarization, the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) was calculated. Brachial FMD was measured for each participant.

Results
There was no difference in FMD between the DM group and healthy controls (6.64 vs 5.67, p= 0.47, respectively). A positive correlation of FMD was found with the perifoveal SCP and CVI (r=0.57 and r=0.58, respectively) in the control group and with perifoveal DCP in the study group, control group, and the whole studied population (r=0.58, r=0.89, and r=0.68, respectively). In multivariate linear regression, after adjusting for age and sex, FMD was associated with the presence of hypertension (b=-0.4) and perifoveal DCP (b=0.47).

Conclusion
Retinal capillary plexus density parameters are positively associated with peripheral vascular endothelial function expressed by FMD in type 2 diabetes and healthy populations.
Using Parkrun Age Grading as an Indicator of Adolescent Health: A Pilot Cross-sectional Comparator Study
Authors: Dearing Chey G. , Williams Tiara R. , Dearing Georgia C. 
Published: November 2024

Background
Prescribing physical activity in parks and other nature settings improves health and well-being. Objective markers of health or health improvement in such a setting are required.

Objective
To examine if Parkrun age grading is a marker for health in adolescents living in a high-deprivation area.

Methods
Twenty-five adolescents, 17 female, and 8 male, were recruited from a high deprivation area. Subjects participated in testing for cardiorespiratory fitness, glycosylated haemoglobin (Hb1Ac), body composition, strength, perceived stress, and perceptions of family functioning. Within 8 days of testing, participants also completed a single 5000m Parkrun, which generated age and gender-specific Parkrun age grading scores. Participants were assigned to a high Parkrun age grading or a low Parkrun age grading group using the participant's Parkrun age grading median value, and then groups were compared.

Results
Parkrun age grading had relationships with body fat (r=-0.65, p < .001), muscle mass (r=0.47, p=0.027), and Hb1Ac (r=-0.45, p=0.037). Hb1Ac was significantly (p=0.006) different between high Parkrun age grading (34.4 ± 2.9 mmol/mol) and low Parkrun age grading (38.1 ± 2.8 mmol/mol).

Conclusion
Parkrun age grading is a marker for physical health in vulnerable adolescents, though not all aspects of health are captured.