bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
trans-chalcone ameliorates CCl4-induced Acute Liver Injury by Suppressing Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress
Authors: Munakarmi Suvesh , Gurau Yamuna , Shrestha Juna , Chand Lokendra , Park Ho Sung , Lee Geum-Hwa , Jeong Yeon Jun 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background Acute liver injury is a sensitive parameter for detecting liver damage due to toxic, viral, metabolic, and autoimmune exposures. Due to the response to adverse external stimuli and various cellular homeostasis, Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), Oxidative stress, and Inflammation have great potential for treating liver injury.Trans-chalcones (TC) is a polyphenolic compound derived from a natural plant with anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory abilities. Here, TC was aimed to attenuate liver injury by triggering ER stress, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Methods A single dose of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) 1 mL/kg was administered intraperitoneally into C57BL6 mice to construct anin vivoNAFLD model, whereas AML12 cells were treated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to construct anin vitroNAFLD model. The mice used in the experiment were randomly assigned to two groups: a 12-hour set and a 24-hour set. Forty-nine mice were randomly divided into seven groups, the control group (Group I), TC group (Group II) 10 mg/kg TC, negative control group (Group III) CCl4, TC + CCl4groups (Groups IV − VI), mice were subcutaneously treated with (5, 10, and 20) mg/kg of TC for three consecutive days before the CCl4injection and the positive control group (Group VII) received 10 mg/kg Silymarin. After the experiment, serum transaminase, liver histological pathology, hepatic expression levels ERS, oxidative stress, and inflammation-related markers were assessed Results TC pre-treatment significantly alleviates the expression of ER stress, oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines, and apoptosis in bothin vivoandin vitromodels of liver injury. TC treatment significantly reduced serum transaminase levels (ALT and AST), and ROS levels. The protective effect of TC on the liver injury mouse model was achieved by inhibiting hepatocyte apoptosis. Moreover, TC pre-treatment dramatically decreased the protein levels of ER stress indicators such as CHOP, Bip, Ero-Lα, IRE1α, PERK, Calnexin, and PDI when compared to the CCl4-only treated group. Conclusion TC exerts hepatoprotective effects against CCl4-induced acute liver injuries in mice by modulating ERS, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Further investigations are necessary to elucidate the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the hepatoprotective effects of TC and to explore its therapeutic potential in clinical trials.
Simulation of Long-Term Aging of Asphalt Binders for Indian Conditions Using Draft Oven and Pressure Aging Vessel
Authors: Rai Priti , Kumar Praveen , Saboo Nikhil 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Artificial aging of asphalt binder in the laboratory is critical for studies on reclaimed asphalt pavement materials (RAPM). This study aims to explore the effectiveness of the universal simple aging test (USAT) and pressure aging vessel (PAV) in simulating the long-term aging (7 years) of asphalt binders for Indian conditions. Rheological and chemical characteristics of lab-aged binders were compared with the field-recovered asphalt binders. It was found that there is a need to extend the aging period in the standard test procedures to simulate field long term aging. Aging in PAV at 110°C for 40 h/60 h was found to be appropriate. The extended conditioning period is a function of the type of base binder and the extent of aging required to be simulated. Aging in draft oven (USAT) was found to be inadequate to represent the changes in chemical properties due to aging, as evaluated using the carbonyl and sulfoxide aging indices. The rate of aging in the polymer modified binder was found to be higher than the viscosity graded binder, used in this study. To simulate field long term aging in tropical environment, this study recommends using PAV at 110°C for an extended time period ranging from 20 h to 40 h. The ratio of the stiffness of field-extracted binder and the unaged binder is the key to select the appropriate aging time.
Comparative studies on the identification and assessment of basal stem necrosis in ash trees (Fraxinus excelsior) against the backdrop of the European ash dieback
Authors: Häuser Henriette Luise , Hauswald Jessica , Kätzel Ralf 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

This study deals with ash monitoring data collected by the FraxForFuture research network on 14 intensive monitoring plots across Germany. It focuses on the phenomenon of ash dieback in Germany.
As basal stem necrosis has been identified as the main cause of ash dieback and uprooting, early detection is essential. To this end, this study investigated three different methods for detecting stem collar necrosis, which we applied simultaneously and compared in the intensive monitoring plot in Brandenburg.
We assessed a cohort of 1,572 ash trees distributed across the 14 plots six times over a three-year period using a nationally standardized ash dieback assessment key. In addition, we assessed 29 ash trees on the Brandenburg plot using a resistograph. Of these trees, we subjected 19 to intensive biochemical analysis. These methods were then evaluated and compared.
Our analysis of the scores shows significant variation in the incidence and progression of basal stem necrosis across Germany. Comparison with the resistograph indicates limitations in the detection of severe necrosis by scoring alone. Biochemical analysis highlights the effect of necrosis on soluble carbohydrate and total phenolic content, with soluble amino acids also implicated.
As ash dieback progresses, ash trees, which are often severely damaged in the canopy, need to be thoroughly assessed at the base of the trunk to limit damage and minimise loss of value.
A global peek at climate data trends since 1984
Authors: Stasinopoulos Thanos N. 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

This study focuses on examining the impact of rising air temperatures on other climatic parameters on a global scale. It conducts a comparative analysis of temperature trends across 100 locations worldwide and assesses how they relate to five additional climatic parameters. The study utilises historical data spanning from 1984 to 2022. Over this period, a consistent upward trend in annual air temperature is observed across almost all locations. In contrast, the trends of the other climatic parameters exhibit diverse patterns, characterized by varying degrees of increase and decrease. To explore the connections between these parameter trends and other influential factors, data pairs from all locations are collectively analysed. The resulting relationships are visualized through scatter charts, providing valuable insights for further scrutiny. Each comparison is accompanied by relevant comments, referencing previous research on the specific relationship. These preliminary findings serve as an initial exploration of the interrelationships between climatic variables, presenting research directions for further investigating the complex dynamics of climate change across various regions of the world.
Untargeted proteomics and stage-specific Huntington’s disease reveal biological pathways, and potential protein biomarkers
Authors: Papanicolaou Eleni Zamba , Christodoulou Christiana , Demetriou Christiana 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Although Huntington’s Disease is a, monogenic neurodegenerative disease, its molecular manifestations remain highly complex and involve multiple cellular process. Here, we performed untargeted proteomics analysis of serum proteins in varying stages of HD severity. Our study identified pathways related to RHOGDI signaling, immune related pathways such as acute phase response signaling, complement system and cascade and LXR/RXR activation for HD stage. Biomarker analysis revealed proteins related to cytoskeleton function and intercellular signaling such as CAP1 in asymptomatic HD patients and CAPZB in symptomatic HD patients, which were both over-expressed in these HD stages. The CFH protein is involved in complement activation and was over-expressed in symptomatic advanced HD patients. Lastly, protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed for each HD stage using HD associated genes from publicly available databases and the differently expressed proteins for each HD stage. The HTT protein interacts with proteins, SPTA1, ACTN1, ACTB, ANK1, LGALS4 that are related to cytoskeleton function and intercellular signalling, mitochondrial related proteins such as AIFM1, MAOB. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the biological mechanisms, protein interactions and potential biomarkers for each HD stage, as this will lead to a better understanding of the disease and open the way for potential treatment.
Obstacle Detection and Avoidance Methods for Mobile Robot in Indoor Environment
Authors: Du Yixiao , Mo Zhibin , Yang Xiansheng , Liu Wanquan , Imran Muhammand , Sun Hui-Jie 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

In indoor environments, mobile robots are commonly equipped with depth cameras or 2-D laser rangefinders to detect obstacles and navigate through path planning algorithms. However, numerous challenges persist in achieving comprehensive detection and effective avoidance of collisions with obstacles in real indoor environments. The limitations of the 2-D laser rangefinder in accurately representing obstacles at varying heights, coupled with the inherent drawbacks of the rapidly-exploring random tree and the artificial potential field algorithms in obstacle avoidance. Therefore, in this paper, an obstacle detection and avoidance method for mobile robots in indoor environments is proposed, aiming to significantly enhance the efficiency and safety of robot navigation within indoor environments. Firstly, the depth cameras are fused with the 2-D laser rangefinder to expand the field of view of robot obstacle detection. Then, by adding the offset force to solve the problem that the mobile robot is trapped in the local minima caused by the traditional artificial potential field algorithm. On this basis, a series of path optimization methods are proposed to minimize path length while enhancing path smoothness. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method enables the mobile robot to detect obstacles comprehensively and acquire a concise and smooth collision-free path.
Amplified single-walled carbon nanohorns aptasensor through catalytic recycling for susceptible detection of kanamycin sulfate
Authors: Zhang Fengjiao , Wang Qihui , Yan Yehao , Jia Chaofan , Xu Xinqiu , Wei Yin 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

This study developed an aptamer-based fluorescence strategy that used oxidized single-walled carbon nanohorns (ox-SWCNHs) for kanamycin sulfate (KAM). Through the oxidation process, single-walled carbon nanohorns were functionalized to produce ox-SWCNHs exhibiting enhanced hydrophilicity, which were subsequently used as fluorescence quenchers within the assay. When kanamycin sulfate was added, it bound to the aptamer and formed a quadruplex structure that detached from the ox-SWCNHs surface and retained the fluorescent dye. During this process, Deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) was introduced and the G-quadruplex structure was cleaved, resulting in the release of kanamycin sulfate from the complex. This structural rearrangement facilitated the release of the kanamycin sulfate, which was then free to bind additional aptamers on the surface of ox-SWCNHs. This initiated a cyclic mechanism that significantly amplified the fluorescence signal. The detection limit of the KAM was 0.6 nM. This probe exhibited high selectivity which was used for the determination of KAM with satisfied recoveries (81.2 to 101.7%) and good precision (0.4 to 8.9%) in lake water samples. Moreover, the technique was specific to KAM and did not interfere with other antibiotics. This sensor demonstrated significant potential for the environmental monitoring of KAM in aquatic systems and offered a versatile platform for the detection of a variety of other substances by simply altering the aptamer sequence.
Chemical predation signals: a possible major influence on the differential predation strategy of ants on termites
Authors: Fan Shu-min , Wen Xiao-lan , Jia Bao , Wu Yuan-ru , Li Zhao-tian 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Chemical pheromones are an important means of communication within social insects, but they can also be easily exploited by predators as cues for locating prey. Ants are the most important predator for termites, ants have evolved a strategy for termites, and termites have their defense strategy for ants. Here, we showed that the ant Odontoponera transvers adopt differential predation strategies towards different species of termites (Coptotermes formosanus, Ancistrotermes dimorphus, and Macrotermes barneyi). The O. transversa actively preys on A. dimorphus and M. barneyi, but passively preys on C. formosanus. As long as there was A. dimorphus or M. barneyi presented, ants O. transversa have no predatory behavior towards C. formosanus. In other words, ants have a much greater predatory preference for A. dimorphus and M. barneyi than for C. formosanus. We provided three hypotheses (nutritional value, predation signals, and defensive capabilities) to explain this predatory difference. A series of field trapping experiments and laboratory behavioral experiments to verify predation signal is the major influence on the differential predation strategy of O. transversa on the three termites. It was demonstrated that ants have a preference for the trail pheromones of termites, which leads to ants making different predatory strategies towards termites.
Sensitivity Enhancement in D-shaped Photonic Crystal Fiber Sensors: Gold versus Silver Plasmonic Layers
Authors: Pakarzadeh Hassan , Sharif Vahid , Rahmanfar Zahra , Hajivandi Jamileh 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors have attracted great attention in recent years for various applications such as medical diagnosis and bio-chemical materials. Among SPR sensors, D-shaped structures based on photonics crystal fibers (PCFs) have shown very high performance and are easy to use. In this paper, a simple design of SPR sensors based on the D-shaped PCFs with the most optimized geometrical parameters is proposed. Gold and silver are considered as plasmonic layers on the surface of the D-shaped PCF sensor. By performing multiple simulations using the finite-difference eigenmode (FDE) method, various values ​​of gold and silver thicknesses are investigated to achieve the highest sensitivity. The results indicate that the highest sensitivity of 25600 nm/RIU occurs for a gold thickness of 44 nm and an analyte with a refractive index (RI) of 1.41. Meanwhile, for an analyte RI range of 1.29 to 1.40, silver demonstrates greater sensitivity than gold in the same range.
Is there correlation between peak backward running velocity and performance variables in physically active men?
Authors: Kauffman-Tacada Alessandra Precinda , Peserico Cecília Segabinazi , Araujo Gabriel Henrique Ornaghi , Machado Fabiana Andrade 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

The aim of this study was to verify the correlations between peak backward running velocity (Vpeak_BR) and peak forward running velocity (Vpeak_FR), 5-km running performance, the agility T-test, 20-m sprint, and countermovement jump (CMJ) in physically active men. Fifty-four physically active men (age: 27.7 ± 4.8 years) performed the following tests: Vpeak_FR, Vpeak_BR, 5-km running performance, agility T-test, and 20-m sprint on the athletics track, and the CMJ test in the laboratory. Tests were performed at the same time of day with 48-hour intervals. Data normality was verified using the Shapiro-Wilk test and the Student's t test for dependent samples was used to compare variables. The correlation between the Vpeak_BR and the other variables was performed using the Pearson correlation test (r), according to the following classification: 0.0 to 0.1 very low; 0.1 to 0.3 low; 0.3 to 0.5 moderate; 0.5 to 0.7 high; 0.7 to 0.9 very high; and 0.9 to 1.0 almost perfect. The significance level adopted was P < 0.05. There was a high correlation between the Vpeak_BR and Vpeak_FR (7.7 ± 0.1 km·h− 1; 13.0 ± 0.2 km·h− 1, respectively; r = 0.58); the Vpeak_BR showed a moderate and negative correlation with 5-km running performance time (t-5km) (27.4 ± 0.5 min; r = -0.46). The Vpeak_BR presented low or very low correlations with the other variables. We concluded that there is a correlation between Vpeak_BR and performance variables in physically active men, however this correlation is more expressive with the variables Vpeak_FR and 5-km running performance.
Differences in hand-eye coordination: a comparative analysis between eSports and non-eSports populations
Authors: Wenkai Gao , Fengxin Li , Xuedong Wang 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

E-sports necessitate maintaining high-speed reactions as well as precise and frequent hand-eye coordination during competitions. This study employs literature review, experimental methods, and statistical analysis to compare the hand-eye coordination abilities of e-sports participants with non-e-sports participants. Additionally, it investigates the correlation between hand-eye coordination and the duration of gaming. The study encompasses a total of 90 subjects, categorized into three groups based on their weekly gaming hours. The first group comprises e-sports participants who engage in gaming for 14 hours or more per week, while the second group consists of those who game for less than 14 hours per week. The third group includes non-e-sports participants. The findings of the study are as follows:1.E-sports participants exhibit significantly superior visual reaction times and hand-eye coordination abilities compared to non-e-sports participants.2.Among e-sports participants, those who game for more than 14 hours per week demonstrate better visual reaction times, hand-eye coordination, and short-term decision-making capabilities.3.Within the e-sports cohort, FPS (First-Person Shooter) players outperform MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) players in visual reaction times and hand-eye coordination. Conversely, MOBA players excel in short-term decision-making compared to FPS players.
Preparation of Land Use Land Cover (Lulc) for Panchganga River Basin Using Remote Sensing and GIS
Authors: Mane Ratan , Patil Mangal , Wandre Sarika , Dalavi Pradip 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

The lower Panchganga River Basin, located in the center of Kolhapur District, is a crucial ecological and socio-economic area known for its diverse landscapes and dynamic land use patterns. A recent study was conducted to analyze the distribution of land use and land cover (LULC) in the basin, covering the years 1991, 2001, 2011, and 2021. The study employed remote sensing and GIS techniques to cover an area of 811.54 sq. km. In this study, land use and land cover maps were created for the years 1991, 2001, 2011 and 2021 by classifying satellite images using supervised classification in QGIS. The accuracy of the classification was assessed using the error matrix approach, and the Kappa coefficient was calculated. The overall accuracy of the satellite image classification was found to be satisfactory, with Kappa coefficient values of 0.78, 0.79, 0.71 and 0.82 for the years 1991, 2001, 2011 and 2021, respectively.
In that, agricultural land, water bodies, barren land and forest found decreasing from 78.8% to 76.5%, 2.3% to 1.4%, 4.9% to 3.9% and 6.2% to 4.0% of the total area, respectively. However, only area under urban settlements found increasing from 7.8% to 14.6% of the total area over the period of 30 years (1991-2021). Overall, it can be said that, over the period of 30 years, basin area under gone drastic change in LULC and continues, but through all these years agricultural land remained dominant as it is the main source of economy in the study area. Comprehending these changes are essential for well informed decision making, sustainable resource administration and efficient environmental planning in Panchganga River Basin. It is essential to focus on study on LULC change detection in the lower Panchganga River basin, which is one of the most important river basins in the Kolhapur district of Maharashtra state.
Medical student attitudes toward mental illness: a cross-sectional study from the Gaza Strip, Palestine
Authors: Aldabbour Belal , Abu-El-Noor Nasser , Elhissi Ahmed , Wafi Jamil , Asad Mohammad Dabour , Aldabbour Osama , Abuabada Amal , Diab Abedelrahman Rizq , Abu-El-Noor Mysoon Khalil 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Mental illness is highly stigmatized compared to physical illness, often due to false beliefs and a lack of knowledge. Negative attitudes harbored by healthcare providers reflect on the care they provide and impact their patients’ outcomes and may tailor their future preferences away from the psychiatric practice. This cross-sectional study used a stratified, randomized sampling to survey the beliefs and attitudes of students at a Palestinian medical school toward mental illness using the Beliefs Toward Mental Illness (BMI) scale.
Results
Overall, 79.1% of 282 participants demonstrated overall positive attitudes toward mentally ill patients (BMI score <43). The highest mean score (more negative attitude) was received by the ‘dangerousness’ domain (2.75 ± 0.75), while the ‘poor social and interpersonal skills’ domain received the lowest mean score (2.47 ± 0.82). Male sex (p=0.031) and having a friend (p=0.035) or a family member (p=0.033) suffering from a mental illness predicted a more positive attitude toward mental illness, while age, study level, and having undergone the clinical psychiatry rotation did not impact attitude significantly.
Conclusions
The study shows that medical students in the Gaza Strip are not absolved from the negative stereotypes of their community toward mentally ill patients, which should be addressed systematically by health educators and medical schools in the country.
Assessing the prevalence of FRNA bacteriophages and their correlation with SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the wastewater of Mumbai city
Authors: Desai Dipen , Desai Nishith , Wani Hima , Menon Smita , Bhathena Zarine , Rose Joan B. , Shrivastava Sandhya 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACT
Bacteriophages have been explored as indicators of the presence of human viruses in water. F+ coliphages are of particular interest due to their abundance in wastewater and some groups surviving the treatment process. This study assessed the prevalence of F+ coliphages and FRNA bacteriophage (FRNAPH) groups in the wastewaters of Mumbai city and explored its correlation with the presence of SARS-CoV-2. Wastewater samples (raw = 63, treated = 99) collected from three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were assessed for F+ coliphages, FRNAPH groups and SARS-CoV-2. Of the 63 raw wastewater samples, 92% were positive for F+ coliphages and FRNAPH, while SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 76% of samples; FRNAPH GI RNA was the most prevalent (96.82%) followed by FRNAPH GII (77.77%), FRNAPH GIII (36.50%), and FRNAPH GIV (4.76%). A significant correlation was observed between the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 and F+ coliphages, FRNAPH GII and FRNAPH GIII RNA copies and also between F+ coliphages and FRNAPH GII and GIII. These observations suggest that F+ coliphages, FRNAPH GII and GIII can be explored further as indicators of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewaters. Also, F+ coliphage detection may be a cost-effective and practical approach for monitoring virus elimination during wastewater treatment.