bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors affecting fruit damage caused by Thrips hawaiiensis (Morgan) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in citrus lemon groves in Turkey
Authors: Atakan Ekrem 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe Hawaiian flower thrips, Thrips hawaiiensis (Morgan) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is an economically important invasive species in citrus grown in the eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey. The diverse impacts of temperature on arthropods are well documented. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the influence of day-degree on insect population dynamics and crop damage levels in Mersin Province, Turkey during 2018–2019. In 2018, the first damage caused by T. hawaiiensis was observed at 300 degree-days (DD), while in 2019, it occurred at 800 DD. The damage percentage was recorded as 28% in the lemon grove, where the population of second instar larvae briefly reached a high level (approximately 2 individuals per fruit). During 2019, the average temperature remained relatively low, and the initial population density of thrips was below the 33-day development threshold (10.4 °C) from January to April. This pattern was observed even during the mild spring season. Additionally, in both sampling locations, the high adult densities, mainly adult females, led to the shedding of a limited number of flowers that had formed in June.
Bacillus subtilis Induces Human Beta Defensin-2 Through its Lipoproteins in Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells
Authors: So Yoon Ju , Park Ok-Jin , Kwon Yeongkag , Im Jintaek , Lee Dongwook , Yun Sung-Ho , Cho Kun , Yun Cheol-Heui , Han Seung Hyun 
Published: February 2024

AbstractHuman intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) play an important role in maintaining gut homeostasis by producing antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Bacillus subtilis, a commensal bacterium, is considered a probiotic. Although its protective effects on intestinal health are widely reported, the key component of B. subtilis responsible for its beneficial effects remains elusive. In this study, we tried to identify the key molecules responsible for B. subtilis-induced AMPs and their molecular mechanisms in a human IEC line, Caco-2. B. subtilis increased human beta defensin (HBD)-2 mRNA expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Among the B. subtilis microbe-associated molecular patterns, lipoprotein (LPP) substantially increased the mRNA expression and protein production of HBD-2, whereas lipoteichoic acid and peptidoglycan did not show such effects. Those results were confirmed in primary human IECs. In addition, both LPP recognition and HBD-2 secretion mainly took place on the apical side of fully differentiated and polarized Caco-2 cells through Toll-like receptor 2-mediated JNK/p38 MAP kinase/AP-1 and NF-κB pathways. HBD-2 efficiently inhibited the growth of the intestinal pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus. Furthermore, LPPs pre-incubated with lipase or proteinase K decreased LPP-induced HBD-2 expression, suggesting that the lipid and protein moieties of LPP are crucial for HBD-2 expression. Q Exactive Plus mass spectrometry identified 35 B. subtilis LPP candidates within the LPP preparation, and most of them were ABC transporters. Taken together, these results suggest that B. subtilis promotes HBD-2 secretion in human IECs mainly with its LPPs, which might enhance the protection from intestinal pathogens.
Effect of Milling Time on the Structure Stability of FeMnNiCrAl Non-equiatomic High-Entropy Alloy
Authors: Abbas Marwa A. , Sadek Wesam M. , Ibrahim Samir A. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractA non-equiatomic Fe34.9Ni30.2Mn18.6Cr9.3Al7 high-entropy alloy (HEA) was synthesized by mechanical alloying using different milling times. To study the effect of milling time on the structure stability, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were conducted. For comparison, an Al-free alloy (Fe37.5Ni32.5Mn20Cr10) was produced at 25 h milling. XRD indicated a single FCC phase alloy after 5 h milling time and a dual FCC and BCC phase at 25 h milling time. Clearly, it is found that Al addition is not necessarily the main factor leading to BCC phase formation as reported for similar HEAs produced by casting route. Increasing the milling time, the lattice strain increased reaching an average maximum value of 0.8% with an increase in d-spacing while the crystallite size was reduced to about 5.7 nm. A dual-phase structure formation was related to a decrease in the accumulated strain (ca.32%) confirming a strain-induced transformation.
Identifying the tumor immune microenvironment-associated prognostic genes for prostate cancer
Authors: Zong Shi , Gao Ji 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to explore novel tumor immune microenvironment (TIME)-associated biomarkers in prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD).

Methods
PRAD RNA-sequencing data were obtained from UCSC Xena database as the training dataset. The ESTIMATE package was used to evaluate stromal, immune, and tumor purity scores. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to TIME were screened using the immune and stromal scores. Gene functions were analyzed using DAVID. The LASSO method was performed to screen prognostic TIME-related genes. Kaplan–Meier curves were used to evaluate the prognosis of samples. The correlation between the screened genes and immune cell infiltration was explored using Tumor IMmune Estimation Resource. The GSE70768 dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus was used to validate the expression of the screened genes.

Results
The ESTIMATE results revealed that high immune, stromal, and ESTIMATE scores and low tumor purity had better prognoses. Function analysis indicated that DEGs are involved in the cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction signaling pathway. In TIME-related DEGs, METTL7B, HOXB8, and TREM1 were closely related to the prognosis. Samples with low expression levels of METTL7B, HOXB8, and TREM1 had better survival times. Similarly, both the validation dataset and qRT-PCR suggested that METTL7B, HOXB8, and TREM1 were significantly decreased. The three genes showed a positive correlation with immune infiltration.

Conclusions
This study identified three TIME-related genes, namely, METTL7B, HOXB8, and TREM1, which correlated with the prognosis of patients with PRAD. Targeting the TIME-related genes might have important clinical implications when making decisions for immunotherapy in PRAD.
Collective Responsibility and Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Taylor Isaac 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe use of artificial intelligence (AI) to make high-stakes decisions is sometimes thought to create a troubling responsibility gap – that is, a situation where nobody can be held morally responsible for the outcomes that are brought about. However, philosophers and practitioners have recently claimed that, even though no individual can be held morally responsible, groups of individuals might be. Consequently, they think, we have less to fear from the use of AI than might appear to be the case. This paper assesses this claim. Drawing on existing philosophical models of collective responsibility, I consider whether changing focus from the individual to the collective level can help us identify a locus of responsibility in a greater range of cases of AI deployment. I find that appeal to collective responsibility will be of limited use in filling the responsibility gap: the models considered either do not apply to the case at hand or else the relevant sort of collective responsibility, even if present, will not be sufficient to remove the costs that are often associated with an absence of responsibility.
Atorvastatin loaded lecithin-coated zein nanoparticles based thermogel for the intra-articular management of osteoarthritis: in-silico, in-vitro, and in-vivo studies
Authors: Elgendy Heba Amin , Makky Amna M. A. , Elakkad Yara E. , Awad Heba H. , Hassab Mahmoud A. El , Younes Nihal Farid 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Up-to-date literature offers limited data about utilizing atorvastatin calcium (ATV) as a promising chondroprotective agent in osteoarthritis (OA). So, this study aims to develop a depot intra-articular (IA) delivery system for ATV to enhance its deposition in the articular joint.

Methods
A 33 D-optimal design was implemented to prepare ATV-loaded lecithin-coated zein nanoparticles. The optimized formulation (Opt-LCZN) was selected and imaged using a transmission electron microscope according to the desirability value. Various in-vitro and in-silico studies were conducted to evaluate the features of Opt-LCZN. Additionally, it was loaded into an injectable thermogel (Opt-LCZN-thermogel) and evaluated in-vivo in OA-induced Sprague Dawley rats.

Results
The Opt-LCZN showed entrapment efficiency of 70.00 ± 2.96%, particle size of 191.95 ± 17.42 nm, zeta potential of − 20.12 ± 0.79 mV, and polydispersity index of 0.25 ± 0.01. The docking studies revealed favorable binding of zein and ATV, confirmed by molecular dynamics simulation. The morphological examination displayed a bilayer spherical structure formed of a zein core enclosed by a lecithin coat. Furthermore, the formulated Opt-LCZN-thermogel achieved a remarkable sustained release profile, with nearly 50% of the drug being released over 144 h. Opt-LCZN-thermogel showed a significant reduction in inflammation in OA-induced rats, confirmed by knee joint swelling and knee bend test results, in addition to the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators’ levels. The protective effect of ATV can be markedly observed through histopathological examination.

Conclusion
Based on these outcomes, the formulated IA delivery system of ATV can be presented as an excellent candidate for ameliorating OA.

Graphical abstract
Communication of the diagnosis to Klinefelter subjects: an observational study on a key moment of the patient’s life
Authors: Garolla A. , Kiesswetter M. , Angelini S. , Cavalieri F. , Foresta C. , Panzeri M. , Ferlin A. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Klinefelter syndrome (KS) is the most prevalent sex chromosome disorder among males. The communication of the KS diagnosis holds significant implications for the diagnosis's acceptance. Recently, the increased use of prenatal diagnostic procedures has raised the question of whether, when, and by whom information, once provided to parents, should be communicated to their children/adolescents. Currently, there is limited information on this topic. This study aims to investigate the most suitable timing, content, and healthcare professionals (HCPs) according to KS patients’ suggestions for conveying the diagnosis, analyzing the impact of communicating the KS diagnosis on patients and their reception of the communication in real-life situations. Furthermore, research entails a comparison of the actual communication and the patients' preferred mode of communication.

Methods
Self-reported interview data was collected from 196 adults diagnosed with KS. The interview was structured, consisting of 32 multiple-choice questions covering various areas related to diagnosis communication.

Results
Most patients with Klinefelter syndrome reported that earlier communication would have been beneficial. Communication before the age of 18 and by parents increased the likelihood of overcoming negative consequences and relying on psychological support.

Conclusion
To mitigate the adverse effects of poorly timed and inadequately delivered communication, typically by a single person, it is advisable that such communication be carried out at the onset of adolescence by an interdisciplinary team of HCPs (including psychologists, geneticists, endocrinologists) and parents. The information provided should not solely concentrate on hormonal and fertility aspects, but also consider other factors such as psychological variables.
Proposed Methodology for Climate Change Adaptation of Water Infrastructures in the Mediterranean Region
Authors: Stamou Anastasios , Mitsopoulos George , Koutroulis Aristeidis 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWater Infrastructure (WI) is one of the most important sectors of Critical Infrastructure (CI); it encompasses drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater. The WI is vulnerable to the effects of Climate Change (CC) that can disrupt its functionality; thus, it needs to be adapted to CC, especially in the Mediterranean region, where these effects are expected to intensify during the twenty-first century. For this adaptation a Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA) is required in the development of WI to identify the important climate hazards and to recommend the required measures for the adaptation of the WI to these hazards. In the present work, a CRVA methodology is developed and presented based on a literature survey and the relevant European Commission guidelines; it is structured around five key steps: (1) Description of the WI, (2) Climate change assessment, (3) Vulnerability assessment, (4) Risk assessment, and (5) Assessment of adaptation measures. The application of the methodology is illustrated indicatively to a wastewater system in Greece for which preliminary estimations are performed, results are discussed, and conclusions are drawn. The proposed methodology can be modified for application to other sectors of CI; moreover, is a valuable resource in academic curricula and ongoing research initiatives.
The Vaginal Microbiome Changes During Various Fertility Treatments
Authors: van den Tweel M.M. , van den Munckhof E.H.A. , van der Zanden M. , Molijn A. , van Lith J.M.M. , Boers K.E. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the influence of hormonal treatment on the vaginal microbiome during fertility treatments. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) could affect fecundity, particularly in the in vitro fertilization (IVF) population, where negative effects on pregnancy outcomes have been reported. It is hypothesized that the hormone treatment during fertility treatments could influence the abundance of Lactobacilli, with negative effects on the pregnancy results. A total of 53 couples attending a fertility clinic in the Netherlands between July 2019 and August 2022 were included in this prospective cohort study. Vaginal samples were collected at start of treatment, oocyte retrieval or insemination from subjects undergoing intra uterine insemination (IUI) with mild ovarian stimulation, and IVF or intra cytoplasmatic sperm injection (ICSI) with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. AmpliSens® Florocenosis/Bacterial vaginosis-FRT qPCR and 16S rRNA gene-based amplicon sequencing were performed on all samples. In total, 140 swabs were analyzed, with a median of two swabs per person. 33 (24%) tested qPCR BV positive. Lactobacilli percentage decreased during fertility treatments, leading to changes in the vaginal microbiome. Shannon diversity index was not significantly different. Of the total of 53 persons, nine switched from qPCR BV negative to positive during treatment. The persons switching to qPCR BV positive had already a (not significant) higher Shannon diversity index at start of treatment. If the vaginal microbiome of persons deteriorates during fertility treatments, timing of following treatments, lifestyle modifications, or a freeze all strategy could be of possible benefit.
Biochar as sustainable input for nodulation, yield and quality of mung bean
Authors: Jalal Fazal , Akhtar Kashif , Saeed Sulaiman , Said Fazal , Khan Zafar Hayat , Hussain Sayed , Imtiaz Muhammad , Khan Muhammad Ali , Liu Ke , Harrison Matthew Tom , Saud Shah , Hassan Shah , El-Kahtany Khaled , Fahad Shah 
Published: February 2024

AbstractTo reduce dependency on synthetic fertilizers in response to the escalating costs of fertilizers and environmental limitations, it is imperative to enhance crop productivity and soil fertility sustainably. This research was carried out at the Agricultural Research Farm of Abdul Wali Khan University in Mardan, Pakistan, with the objective of investigating the effects of biochar on the qualitative attributes of mung beans. The randomize complete block design (RCBD) was used for the experiment having four replication. The treatments comprised of four levels of biochar i.e. 0, 10, 20 and 30 t ha−1. Our results revealed that increasing biochar content caused an increase in yield components as well as attribute composition. The nodule density (17.8), pods plant−1 (27.3), grains pods−1 (11.4) and biological yield (6497 kg ha−1) produced best results under the application of 30 t ha−1 of biochar. Moreover, grain yield (1550 kg ha−1), grain nitrogen content (25.2 g kg−1) and straw nitrogen content (15.3 g kg−1) also resulted best under 30 t ha−1 biochar. While, 1000 grain weight (64 g) was recorded highest weight under 20 t ha−1. The quality attributes showed that the oil content (41.1%), as well as the saturated and unsaturated fatty acid contents (13.7%), were found to be the best under the application of 30 t ha−1. While, protein (23.37%) and linoleic acid (23.128%) content were the highest at 10 t ha−1of biochar. Moreover, the palmitic acid (6.1025%) and stearic acid (2.64%) content resulted higher under 20 t ha−1 of biochar. All the attributes showed positive response to either small level of biochar or a large level, but their response showed that biochar can be a factor that improves both yield and quality. The study therefore suggests that biochar should be applied to the soil to improve its fertility in regards of nutrient and increased organic matter.
Interplay between polygenic variants related immune response and lifestyle factors mitigate the chances of stroke in a genome-wide association study
Authors: Park Sunmin 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
We aimed to investigate the intricate interplay between genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors on stroke. We conducted a comprehensive genome-wide association study to identify the genetic variants linked to stroke in the participants who experienced a stroke event (cases; n 672) and those with no stroke history (non-stroke; n 58 029) in a large hospital-based cohort. Using generalised multifactor dimensionality reduction, we identified genetic variants with interactive effects and constructed polygenic risk scores (PRS) by summing up the risk alleles from the genetic variants. Food intake was measured with a validated semi-quantitative FFQ. No significant differences in stroke incidence were seen in demographic variables between the two groups. Among the metabolic indicators, only serum TAG levels were higher in males with stroke than those without stroke. The daily nutrient intake, dietary inflammation index, glycaemic index, dietary patterns, alcohol consumption, exercise and smoking did not display associations with the OR for stroke. The stroke-linked genetic variants were related to the IL-18 pathway. After accounting for covariates, the PRS derived from the 5-, 6- and 7-SNP models were positively associated with stroke chance with 2·5-, 2·9- and 2·8-fold. Furthermore, interactions between genetic predisposition and dietary components, including energy, carbohydrates, n-3 fatty acids and branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), that affected OR for stroke were observed. A high intake of energy, carbohydrates and BCAA and a low intake of n-3 fatty acids were positively associated with the chances of stroke occurrence. In conclusion, understanding the interaction between genetic variants and lifestyle factors can assist in developing stroke prevention and management strategies.
Being Open-Minded about Open-Mindedness
Authors: Khorasanee Kasim 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWithin the field of virtue and vice epistemology open-mindedness is usually considered an archetypal virtue. Nevertheless, there is ongoing disagreement over how exactly it should be defined. In this paper I propose a novel definition of open-mindedness as a process of impartial belief revision and use it to argue that we should shift our normative assessments away from the trait itself to the context in which it is exercised. My definition works by three sequential stages: not screening new claims, impartially weighing the evidential strength of claims, and updating beliefs accordingly. Using this definition I argue for a focus on agents’ particular circumstances to determine what degrees of credulity, open-, or closed-mindedness are appropriate in any given situation. As well as providing conceptual clarity regarding the concept of open-mindedness this paper indicates the benefits of this contextual approach for our everyday epistemic attitudes. In particular it enables us to recognise, without stigma, when ourselves or others deviate from open-mindedness for appropriate reasons.
Effect of vegetable consumption on risk of gastric cancer: a systematic review and multi-level meta-analysis of prospective studies
Authors: Wu Xiaomin , Qin Guoqiang , Zhang Rui , Liu Yunning , Chen Liling , Su Jingyang , Kong Chao , Fang Zhongze , Wu Jing 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Vegetables are known to be beneficial to human health, but the association between vegetable consumption and gastric cancer remains uncertain. To synthesise knowledge about the relationship between vegetable group consumption and gastric cancer risk, update present meta-analyses and estimate associations between vegetable consumption and gastric cancer risk based solely on prospective studies, we perform a PRISMA-compliant three-level meta-analysis. Systematic search identified thirteen prospective studies with fifty-two effect sizes that met all inclusion criteria and no exclusion criteria for our meta-analysis. Pooled risk ratios (RRs) showed a positive association between high vegetable consumption and low gastric cancer risk (pooled RR 0·93, 95% confidence interval 0·90–0·97, P = 0·06). In moderator analyses for indicators of gender, region and quantity of vegetable intake, there was no significant difference between subgroups. However, the effect became significant in populations with lower than the minimum risk exposure level (TMREL) of vegetable consumption (P < 0·05). Higher vegetable intake is associated with a decreased risk of gastric cancer. This effect may be limited to specific populations, such as ones with lower vegetable consumption. Evidence from our study has important public health implications for dietary recommendations.
Parameterized complexity of weighted team definability
Authors: Kontinen Juha , Mahmood Yasir , Meier Arne , Vollmer Heribert 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn this article, we study the complexity of weighted team definability for logics with team semantics. This problem is a natural analog of one of the most studied problems in parameterized complexity, the notion of weighted Fagin-definability, which is formulated in terms of satisfaction of first-order formulas with free relation variables. We focus on the parameterized complexity of weighted team definability for a fixed formula
$\varphi$
of central team-based logics. Given a first-order structure
$\mathcal{A}$
and the parameter value
$k\in \mathbb N$
as input, the question is to determine whether
$\mathcal{A},T\models \varphi$
for some team T of size k. We show several results on the complexity of this problem for dependence, independence, and inclusion logic formulas. Moreover, we also relate the complexity of weighted team definability to the complexity classes in the well-known W-hierarchy as well as paraNP.