bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aedes aegypti salivary extracts exert immunomodulatory effects onmacrophages, dendritic cells, and T lymphocytes and increase Zikavirus production in vitro.
Authors: Hilario Gabriel , Haubert Alison , Dorneles Gilson , Freitas Deise Nascimento , Silva Onilda Santos , Prophiro Josiane Somariva , Fazolo Tiago , Fonseca Simone Gonçalves , Romão Pedro Roosevelt Torres , Junior Luiz Rodrigues 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
This study delves into the complex interplay between Aedes aegypti salivary gland extract and immunological cells during Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. Focusing on key immune cells, including macrophages, dendritic cells, and mononuclear cells from human peripheral blood (PBMCs), it aims to unravel the intricate mechanisms through which mosquito saliva possibly modulates the immunological landscape, influencing ZIKV transmission, host susceptibility, and disease progression. The research sheds light on the role of mosquito saliva in enhancing viral replication and impairing cells involved in host defenses, offering new insights into arbovirus pathogenesis and potential intervention strategies.
Methods
Using the FIOCRUZ-PE243|2015 ZIKV strain, the research evaluates the Aedes aegypt salivary extracts (SGE's) impact on cytokine production in dendritic and macrophage cell lines, as well as its influence on the redox state and cytokine responses in human PBMCs. Flow cytometry assesses immune cell profiling, aiming to understand SGE's role in ZIKV infectivity and immune modulation.
Results
SGE enhances pro-inflammatory cytokine production in both dendritic cells and macrophages, while also inducing a Th2 cytokine profile, evidenced by decreased IFN-γ and increased IL-4 levels in PBMCs. Furthermore, SGE exposure leads to increased dendritic cell frequencies, altered T lymphocyte dynamics, and elevated oxidative stress markers.
Conclusions
It highlights how SGE not only facilitates ZIKV infection by modulating cytokine production and oxidative stress but also alters immune cell dynamics.
WITHDRAWN: Integrated analysis of distribution characteristics, controlling factors, source apportionment, and potential remediation requirements of Pb in a typical karst region
Authors: Huang Chunyang , Li Jie , Wang Xinyu , Feng Minhao , Luo Jie , Feng Siyao , Yin Ningxin 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
This study focuses on the potential quantity of soil Pb remediation in a typical karst region of China, an area where previous research on the potential remediation quantity of Pb in soil has been scarce. In this study, 12,547 surface soil samples and 54 sets of soil-profile samples were collected. This analysis investigated the sources, concentrations, distribution, and reserve properties of soil Pb in the study region. Building upon these findings, a formula for calculating the potential remediation quantity of Pb in karst soils was derived. The results disclose variations in Pb content within the surface soil, with values spanning from 9.4 to 376.4 mg/kg and a background level of 72.97 mg/kg. Additionally, the Pb content in deep soil shows a spectrum from 1.6 to 160.9 mg/kg. Principal component analysis showed that the sources of Pb in karst soil were related to the geological background, agricultural fertilization, and mineral resources. Single-factor variance analysis demonstrated significant influences of topography, parent rock type, soil utilization, and soil type on soil Pb content. The spatial distribution of soil Pb, as determined by principal component analysis, was influenced by mineral distribution, geological background, and agricultural fertilization. The soil profile analysis showed that Pb concentrations followed a logarithmic distribution pattern with increasing depth. A formula for the potential remediation quantity of Pb was derived using a logarithmic model. This rational and representative formula establishes a foundation for the management of Pb-influenced soils in karst regions.
Diversity of the Ry sto gene conferring resistance to potato virus Y in wild relatives of potato
Authors: Paluchowska Paulina , Rossmann Simeon Lim , Lysøe Erik , Janiszewska Marta , Michalak Krystyna , Giglou Rasoul Heydarnajad , Giglou Mousa Torabi , Brurberg May Bente , Śliwka Jadwiga , Yin Zhimin 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
Potato virus Y (PVY) is among the economically most damaging viral pathogen in production of potato (Solanum tuberosum) worldwide. The gene Rysto derived from the wild potato relative Solanum stoloniferum confers extreme resistance to PVY.
Results
The presence of Rysto and diversity of it was investigated in wild relatives of potato (298 genotypes representing 29 accessions of 26 tuber-bearing Solanum species) using PacBio amplicon sequencing. A total of 55 unique Rysto-like sequences were identified in 72 genotypes representing 12 accessions of ten Solanum species and six resistant controls (potato cultivars Alicja, Bzura, Hinga, Nimfy, White Lady and breeding line PW363). The 55 Rysto-like sequences showed 89.87 to 99.98% nucleotide identity to the Rysto reference gene, and these encoded in total 45 unique protein sequences. While Rysto-like26 identified in Alicja, Bzura White Lady and Rysto-like16 in PW363 encode a protein identical to the Rysto reference, the remaining 44 predicted Rysto-like proteins were 65.93 to 99.92% identical to the reference. Higher levels of diversity of the Rysto-like sequences were found in the wild relatives of potato than in the resistant control cultivars. The TIR and NB-ARC domains were the most conserved within the Rysto-like proteins, while the LRR and C-JID domains were more variable. Several of the tested Solanum species, including S. antipoviczii and S. hougasii, showed resistance to PVY. This study demonstrated Hyoscyamus niger, a Solanaceae species distantly related to Solanum, as a host of PVY.
Conclusions
The new Rysto-like variants, as well as the PVY resistant potato genotypes identified in this study, could be potential resistance gene sources against PVY in potato breeding. Identification of H. niger as a host for PVY is important for cultivation of this plant, studies on the PVY management, its ecology, and migrations. The amplicon sequencing based on PacBio SMRT technology and the following data analysis pipeline described in our work may be applied to obtain the nucleotide sequences and analyze any full-length genes from any, even polyploid, organisms.
Bioactivity of essential oils from three species of Mentha against Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)
Authors: Neto Antônio de Almeida Paz , Câmara Cláudio Augusto Gomes da , Monteiro Vaneska Barbosa , Moraes Marcilio Martins , Melo João Paulo Ramos , Leal Tamara Thays Barbosa 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Botanical derivatives constitute an important option for the reduction in the use of synthetic insecticides for the management of agricultural pests. The larval form of the diamond back moth, Plutella xylostella, is one of the main pests of the family Brassica and is resistant to synthetic insecticides. The aim of the present study was to test the potential of commercially available essential oils (EOs) from the genus Mentha on P. xylostella. EOs from M. arvensis, M. spicata and M. piperita were investigated. Topical toxicity and residual contact toxicity tests were conducted, along with the assessment of biological parameters, feeding deterrence and repellency. Phytotoxicity to Brassica leaves was also investigated. The oil from M. piperita was the most toxic to P. xylostella by topical contact, whereas the oil from M. spicata was the most toxic by residual contact. Overall, the Mentha oils were more toxic by topical contact than residual contact. The EOs from M. arvensis and M. spicata significantly altered the weight of the pupae and larval survival. All Mentha oils tested caused feeding deterrence in P. xylostella. The EO from M. piperita exhibited persistent repellence over time compared to the other EOs. The oils administered at the maximum doses tested did not cause phytotoxicity to Brassica leaves. The present results demonstrate the potential of essential oils from plants of the genus Mentha, altering biological and behavioral aspects of P. xylostella.
Analyzing Digital Propaganda and Conflict Rhetoric: A Study on Russia’s Bot-Driven Campaigns and Counter-Narratives during the Ukraine Crisis
Authors: Marigliano Rebecca , Ng Lynnette Hui Xian , Carley Kathleen M. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

The dissemination of disinformation has become a formidable weapon, with nation-states exploiting social media platforms to engineer narratives favorable to their geopolitical interests. This study delved into Russia's orchestrated disinformation campaign, in three times periods of the 2022 Russian-Ukraine War: its incursion, its midpoint and the Ukrainian Kherson counteroffensive. This period is marked by a sophisticated blend of bot-driven strategies to mold online discourse. Utilizing a dataset derived from Twitter, the research examines how Russia leveraged automated agents to advance its political narrative, shedding light on the global implications of such digital warfare and the swift emergence of counter-narratives to thwart the disinformation campaign.
This paper introduces a methodological framework that adopts a multiple-analysis model approach, initially harnessing unsupervised learning techniques, with TweetBERT for topic modeling, to dissect disinformation dissemination within the dataset. Utilizing Moral Foundation Theory and the BEND Framework, this paper dissects social-cyber interactions in maneuver warfare, thereby understanding the evolution of bot tactics employed by Russia and its counterparts within the Russian-Ukraine crisis.
The findings highlight the instrumental role of bots in amplifying political narratives and manipulating public sentiment, with distinct strategies in narrative and community maneuvers identified through the BEND framework. Moral Foundation Theory reveals how moral justifications were embedded in these narratives, showcasing the complexity of digital propaganda and its impact on public perception and geopolitical dynamics. The study shows how pro-Russian bots were used to foster a narrative of protection and necessity, thereby seeking to legitimize Russia’s actions in Ukraine whilst degrading both NATO and Ukraine's actions. Simultaneously, the study explores the resilient counter-narratives of pro-Ukraine forces, revealing their strategic use of social media platforms to counteract Russian disinformation, foster global solidarity, and uphold democratic narratives. These efforts highlight the emerging role of social media as a digital battleground for narrative supremacy, where both sides leverage information warfare tactics to sway public opinion.
Clusters and Unique Least Common Ancestors in Directed Acyclic Graphs
Authors: Shanavas Ameera Vaheeda , Changat Manoj , Hellmuth Marc , Stadler Peter F. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

We investigate the connections between clusters and least common ancestors (LCAs) in directed acyclic graphs (DAGs). We focus on the class of DAGs having unique least common ancestors for certain subsets of their minimal elements since these are of interest, particularly as models of phylogenetic networks. Here, we use the close connection between the canonical k-ary transit function and the closure function on a set system to show that pre-k-ary clustering systems are exactly those that derive from a class of DAGs with unique LCAs. We show that k-ary T-systems and k-weak hierarchies are associated with DAGs that satisfy stronger conditions on the existence of unique LCAs for sets of size at most k. Moreover, we introduce a LCA-graphs as unique graphs derived from arbitrary DAGs that are sufficient to study their LCAs.
Popularity and Discourse in Tech-Related Online Communities
Authors: Rubaye Abduljaleel Al , Sukthankar Gita 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Tech-related online communities on GitHub, Reddit, and Stack Overflow are an invaluable resource for software engineers, allowing them to find solutions to problems and connect with other professionals. Much of the discourse on these platforms is conducted using commenting mechanisms in which one user responds to content posted by another user. Even though these communities lack formal organizational structures, these technologists are often followed by other software developers who monitor their posts; users who regularly post useful solutions are recognized using platform-specific mechanisms such as stars or karma points. This article investigates the relationship between popularity and discourse in tech-related online communities. To do this, we create comment timelines from sequences of user interactions and extract commenting networks from comment response patterns. We study how the popularity of the post authors and other commenters shapes community interaction. Although there are some commonal-ities, there are distinct differences between the commenting behavior of GitHub users vs. Reddit and Stack Overflow. By understanding how popularity affects user interactions, we can design communities that are more effective at supporting learning, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.
A micromechanical analysis of marble pulverization under quasi-static progressive cyclic loading
Authors: Fu Bin , Li Yingchun , Tang Chun'an , Ji Yinlin , Zang Arno 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Highly fragmented rocks (i.e., pulverized rocks) in the fault damage zone presumably develop during co-seismic deformation processes. These pulverized rocks close to the fault core are generally thought to originate from high strain rates, whereas the genesis of pulverized rocks that can be found several hundred meters away from the fault core – where quasi-static conditions prevail – remains unclear. We thus conducted uniaxial cyclic loading experiments with axial strain rate of ~10–3 s–1 on Leiyang marble in a stress-controlled manner in order to produce crushed rocks for analysis. We found that cyclic loading between 0.8 sc and 1.3 sc can simultaneously compact pre-existing cracks and generated new cracks in marble, which strengthened and stiffened the rock. The stiffened marble developed a higher crack density and energy density before rupture, thereby facilitating rock fragmentation compared with the reference sample, which was fractured monotonically in one cycle. Our results provide a plausible explanation for the genesis of pulverized marble at quasi-static strain rate in the field.
Urban water security assessment: investigating inequalities using a multi-scale approach
Authors: Marcal Juliana , Shen Junjie , Antizar-Ladislao Blanca , Butler David , Hofman Jan 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Water security is a multi-faceted concept that encompasses dimensions such as water quantity, quality, human health, well-being, water hazards, and governance. The evaluation of water security is an important step towards understanding and improving it, particularly in urban settings where disparities resulting from unequal distribution of population and resources are present and often evade citywide assessments. To address the diversity of the urban space, we propose a multi-level assessment approach based on downscaling the spatial dimension. Using a comprehensive indicator-based framework, we evaluate the city of Campinas in Brazil across citywide and intra-city scales. Employing the Theil index to measure inequality, the results reveal nuanced disparities less apparent at broader scales. Despite an overall favourable water security condition, spatial heterogeneity is still noticeable in the urban area of Campinas. The methodology highlights different aspects, such as vegetation cover, social green areas, and wastewater collection, which are inequitably distributed in the urban area. This integrated approach, linking inequality and water security assessment, has the potential to unveil specific needs within urban areas, helping guide targeted interventions to improve water security levels for all.
Climate variability, trend, and associated risks: Tana sub-basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Tesfaw Bewuketu Abebe , Dzwairo Bloodless , Sahlu Dejene 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

The study focused on analyzing the variability and trends of climate parameters in the Tana sub-basin. Various statistical methods and indices were employed to assess precipitation and temperature patterns in the region. The findings indicated a statistically non-significant increasing trend in rainfall across the sub-basin, with values ranging from 1.64 to 5.37 mm/year. In terms of temperature, there was an increasing trend observed, but it was also not statistically significant. The seasonality index ranged between 0.87 and 1.03, indicating different rainfall distribution patterns. In 36.69% of the sub-basin, rainfall occurs in marked seasonal patterns with a long dry season, and the remaining (63.31%) is concentrated in 3 or fewer months, indicating a different rainfall distribution pattern. In addition, the study assessed the precipitation concentration and found that 57.5% of the rainfall data exhibited a strong irregular concentration, 41.5% showed an irregular concentration, and 1% exhibited a moderate concentration. The study underscores the presence of climate variability and trends in the Tana sub-basin, emphasizing the need to align agricultural and water resource management practices with the observed climate variability.
Performance of CHIRPS for estimating precipitation extremes in the Wala Basin, Jordan
Authors: Al-Shamayleh Safaa , Tan Mou Leong , Samat Narimah , Rahbeh Michel , Zhang Fei 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

The evaluation of open-source precipitation data is crucial to enable the selection of the most appropriate product for a specific research. This study aims to evaluate the capability of the Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station data (CHIRPS) with a spatial resolution of 0.05° for estimating monthly and annual precipitation in the Wala basin, Jordan, from 1987 to 2017 using a point-to-pixel comparison approach. Eleven precipitation extreme indices, recommended by the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI), were used in this study. The findings show that CHIRPS correlated moderately with stations in monthly precipitation estimation, with the Pearson correlation coefficient values ranging from 0.50 to 0.73. However, CHIRPS had low correlations with stations in most of the extreme indices, except PRCPTOT, R10mm, and R20mm. The CHIRPS, particularly in the extreme years, overestimated low precipitation amounts and underestimated high ones. Moreover, CHIRPS underestimated the calculation of consecutive dry days, consecutive wet days, R10mm, R20mm, and R30mm, while an overestimation was found for the R95p, R99p, and Rx1day. The trend analysis and Wilcox text showed a lack of resemblance between the CHIRPS and gauges, showing a bias correction is needed before applying an extreme analysis in this region.
Optimizing performance assessment of multi-reservoir operations for sustainable water management in a semi-arid region
Authors: Ajudiya Bhavana K. , Kumar Vijendra , Yadav Sanjaykumar M. , Solanki Yash Parshottambhai 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Global challenges, such as population growth, rapid urbanization, and the impacts of climate change, are creating unprecedented demands on water resources in semi-arid regions. Meeting the surging needs for irrigation and water supply requires a departure from the limitations of single reservoir systems. Instead, the construction of multi-reservoir systems within semi-arid river basins is imperative. The research employs an integrated reservoir operation approach that facilitates the controlled release of surplus water from upstream reservoirs to downstream ones. The novel Teaching-Learning-Based Optimization (TLBO) model is utilized to determine optimal irrigation releases, subsequently forming the basis for evaluating reservoir operation performance through the lenses of reliability, resilience, and vulnerability. The findings of this study shed light on the performance of these reservoirs under different models. Notably, the Aji-2 reservoir operation exhibits higher levels of reliability and resilience when the TLBO model is employed, surpassing the outcomes of the Linear Programming (LP) model. Conversely, the vulnerability of the Aji-3 reservoir operation is more pronounced with the TLBO model, albeit reduced when compared to actual release years 2005, 2009, and 2013. This study adds to the development of reservoir operation policies that favor reduced vulnerability and increased reliability.
Nature’s Elixir for Cancer Treatment: Targeting Tumor-induced
Neovascularization
Authors: Kumari Rani , Syeda Saima , Shrivastava Anju 
Published: March 2024

:
Angiogenesis, a multistep process, involves sprouting of new vessels from
the pre-existing vessels in response to a stimulus in its microenvironment. Normally, angiogenesis
is important for tissue maintenance and homeostasis, however it is also
known to be associated with various pathologies, including cancer. Importantly, neovascularization
is very crucial for tumors to grow and metastasize since it allows delivery
of oxygen and nutrients as well as promotes tumor cell dissemination to distant sites. Activation
of angiogenic switch is a consequence of imbalance in pro- as well as anti-angiogenic
factors, that are immensely impacted by reactive oxygen species and epigenetic
regulation. Several reports have suggested that angiogenic inhibitors significantly inhibit
tumor growth. Therefore, anti-angiogenic therapy has gained substantial attention and
has been considered a rational approach in cancer therapeutics. In this line, several anti-
angiogenic drugs have been approved, however, their long term usage caused several
side effects. In view of this, researchers switched to plant-based natural compounds for
identifying safe and cost-effective anti-angiogenic drugs. Of note, various phytochemicals
have been evaluated to reduce tumor growth by inhibiting tumor-induced angiogenesis.
Moreover, the implication of nano-carriers to enhance the bioavailability of phytochemicals
has proven to be more efficient anti-cancer agents. The present review highlights
the existing knowledge on tumor-induced neovascularization and its regulation at
the epigenetic level. Further, we emphasize the inhibitory effect of phytochemicals on tumor-
induced angiogenesis that will open up new avenues in cancer therapeutics.