bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chemoproteomics validates selective targeting of Plasmodium M1 alanyl aminopeptidase as a cross-species strategy to treat malaria
Authors: Creek Darren , Giannangelo Carlo , Challis Matthew , Siddiqui Ghizal , Edgar Rebecca , Malcolm Tess , Webb Chaille , Drinkwater Nyssa , Vinh Natalie , MacRaild Christopher , Counihan Natalie , Duffy Sandra , Wittlin Sergio , Devine Shane , Avery Vicky , de Koning-Ward Tania , Scammells Peter , McGowan Sheena 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

New antimalarial drug candidates that act via novel mechanisms are urgently needed to combat malaria drug resistance. Here, we describe the multi-omic chemical validation of Plasmodium M1 alanyl metalloaminopeptidase as an attractive drug target using the selective inhibitor, MIPS2673. MIPS2673 demonstrated potent inhibition of recombinant Plasmodium falciparum (PfA-M1) and Plasmodium vivax (Pv-M1) M1 metalloaminopeptidases, with selectivity over other Plasmodium and human aminopeptidases, and displayed excellent in vitro antimalarial activity with no significant host cytotoxicity. Orthogonal label-free chemoproteomic methods based on thermal stability and limited proteolysis of whole parasite lysates revealed that MIPS2673 solely targets PfA-M1 in parasites, with limited proteolysis also enabling estimation of the binding site on PfA-M1 to within ~5 Å of that determined by X-ray crystallography. Finally, functional investigation by untargeted metabolomics demonstrated that MIPS2673 inhibits the key role of PfA-M1 in haemoglobin digestion. Combined, our unbiased multi-omic target deconvolution strategies confirmed the on-target activity of MIPS2673, and validated selective inhibition of M1 alanyl metalloaminopeptidase as a promising multi-stage and cross-species antimalarial strategy.
Reliability-based mixed traffic equilibrium problem under endogenous market penetration of connected autonomous vehicles and uncertainty in supply
Authors: Qi Zhong , Lixin Miao 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
In this paper, we consider a novel reliability-based network equilibrium problem for mixed traffic flows of human-driven vehicles (HVs) and connected autonomous vehicles (CAVs) with endogenous CAV penetration rates and stochastic link capacity degradations. Travelers' perception errors on travel time and their risk-aversive behaviors on mode choice and path choice are incorporated in the model with a hierarchical choice structure. Due to the differences between HVs and CAVs, the perception errors and the safety margin reserved by risk-averse travelers are assumed to be related to the vehicle type. The path travel time distribution is derived by using the moment-matching method based on the assumption that link capacity follows lognormal distribution and link travel times are correlated. Then, the underlying problem is formulated as an equivalent variational inequality problem. A path-based algorithm embedded with the Monte Carlo simulation-based method is proposed to solve the model. Numerical experiments are conducted to illustrate the features of the model and the computational performance of the solution algorithm.
Cultural, Socioeconomic, and Demographic Factors Contributing to Child Mortality: Evidence from Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey 2019
Authors: Zahangir Mohammad Salim , Neyma Mahmuda Al , Tabassum Sawasan , Faruk Mohmmad Omar 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Child mortality is the likelihood of a newborn dying before age five and is an essential issue in underdeveloped countries with limited healthcare facilities. Sierra Leone is one of the countries with the highest child mortality rate. This study examined the cultural, socioeconomic, and demographic factors associated with under-five deaths in Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey 2019 data were used in this study. A total of 4540 mothers aged 15–49 years with at least one child under five were included in the analysis. In the bivariate statistical analyses, Spearman’s and Kendal’s tau correlation, Mann-Whietney, and Kruskal Wallis H test have been performed to test the significance of the explanatory features and study variable. A range of statistical multivariate statistical discrete models has been performed in the multivariate analysis. The results revealed that the Zero-inflated Poisson regression model performed best compared to other discrete models to determine the factors influencing child mortality. The study showed that mental age and the mother’s education level significantly impact child mortality in Sierra Leone. In addition, the number of children of ever born and the mother’s working status significantly affect child mortality. Moreover, preceding birth intervals and geographical regions also substantially impact child death in Sierra Leone. The study results would help policymakers make the right interventions and reduce such mortality in Sierra Leone.
Ecological drivers of host-specificity among bat flies: the importance of season and presence of multi-species bat community inside roosts
Authors: SÁNDOR Attila D. , CORDUNEANU Alexandra , HORNOK Sándor , MIHALCA Andrei D. , PÉTER Áron 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Bat flies are the most abundant ectoparasites of bats, showing remarkable morphological adaptations to the parasitic habit, while the relationship with their hosts is characterized by a high level of specificity. By collecting bat flies from live hosts, our intention was to elucidate the seasonal differences in bat fly occurrence and to describe factors regulating the level of incipient host specificity. Our results indicate that the prevalence and the intensity of infestation is increasing from spring to autumn for most host species, with significant differences among different fly species. Males showed higher infestation levels than females in autumn, suggesting a non-random host choice by flies, targeting the most active host sex. Bat-bat fly host specificity shows seasonal changes and host choice of bat flies are affected by the seasonal differences in hosts’ behavior and ecology, the intensity of infestation and the species composition of the local host community. By choosing a non-primary bat host may be an adaptive choice for bat flies in the host’s mating period, thus increasing their dispersive ability in a high activity phase of their hosts.
A Lego-like reconfigurable microfluidic stabilizer system with tunable fluidic RC constants
Authors: Zhuge Wuyang , Li Weihao , Wu Chunhui , Jiang Kyle , Ding Jun , Cheng Xing 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
In microfluidic systems, it is important to maintain flow stability to execute various functions such as chemical reaction, cells transportation, or liquid injection. Conventionally, the design and fabrication of a fluidic stabilizer rely on the soft lithography paradigm, which has inherent limitations in a number of ways, such as only capable of planar design and no reconfigurability. Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, provides an alternative solution to these issues. In this work, we present a Lego-like microfluidic stabilizer system based on 3D printing, and demonstrate its capability to achieve twelve fluidic RC constants to tune transient behaviors of microfluidic systems. A simplified three-element circuit model is used to characterize the system and as a prediction model for system design. In order to evaluate the system’s effectiveness, droplet generation experiments are conducted and discussed. Results show that the microfluidic stabilizer system could significantly increase droplet diameter uniformity. This system provides a new venue for microfluidic stabilization with tunable RC constants, and its reconfigurable design could be utilized in a variety of applications requiring finetuning the fluid flow behaviors in microfluidic devices.
Constrained Query Optimization in Differentiated Feature Spaces
Authors: Wang Tian , Chen Cui , Chang Yubiao , Zhan Ding , Tian Chao , Tian Yunzhe , Chen Kang , Tong Endong , Niu Wenjia , Liu Jiqiang 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
In recent years, with the increasing complexity of user demands, there is a growing need for hybrid multi-modal queries with both structured and unstructured constraints. A lot of constrained hybrid query methods were proposed to retrieval objects with similar features to the query while satisfying given structured attribute constraints. However, due to the overlook of attribution dimension differences and attribute ambiguity, these methods may exhibit reduced accuracy and limited robustness in a differentiated feature space. To address this problem, we propose an optimized constrained query method specifically for differentiated feature spaces. Firstly, interaction relationships between attributes are captured by Factorization Machines model. Then, a novel fusion distance metric is developed, incorporating both the Euclidean distance between feature vectors and semantic distance of the differentiated attributes. Furthermore, approximate matching is introduced to find the most suitable constraint conditions, finally achieving constrained query optimization in differentiated feature spaces. Experiments on four large-scale benchmark tests show the significant performance gains of our method in differentiated feature spaces. Our method is faster than the state-of-the-art hybrid query methods and achieves an average 98% recall@10 within one second under thousands of attribute constraints.
Ensemble Learning for Plant Leaf Disease Detection: A Novel Approach for Improved Classification Accuracy
Authors: Ganguly Abhisek , Tiwari Bhaskar , Reddy G. Pawan Kumar , Chauhan Manorama 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Plant leaf diseases pose significant threats to agricultural productivity and food security. Accurate and timely detection of these diseases is crucial for effective disease management. This research paper proposes a novel approach for plant leaf disease detection using ensemble learning. Ensemble learning combines multiple base models to improve classification accuracy by leveraging their collective intelligence. The proposed ensemble model integrates Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), ResNeXt, and InceptionV3 architectures, exploiting their diverse strengths in image classification tasks. Extensive experiments on a diverse dataset demonstrate that the ensemble model outperforms individual base models, achieving higher classification accuracy. Its ability to capture complementary features enhances generalization and robustness against variations in disease patterns and image quality. The ensemble model also offers benefits such as improved interpretability, model stability, and reduced overfitting risks. The proposed approach contributes to the advancement of automated plant disease diagnosis systems, enabling early detection and timely intervention to mitigate crop losses and ensure food security. By combining multiple models, the ensemble learning approach improves the accuracy and reliability of plant leaf disease detection, addressing a critical need in agricultural practices.
Comparison of Bayesian and frequentist quantile regressions in studying the trend of discharge changes in several hydrometric stations of the Gorganroud basin in Iran
Authors: Ghorbani Khalil , Salarijazi Meysam , Bararkhanpour Sedigheh , Ghaleh Laleh Rezaei 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
This research utilized Bayesian and quantile regression techniques to analyze trends in discharge levels across various seasons for three stations in the Gorganroud basin of northern Iran. The study spanned a period of 50 years (1966–2016). Results indicate a decrease in high discharge rates during springtime for the Arazkouseh and Galikesh stations, with a steep slope of −0.31 m3/s per year for Arazkouseh and −0.19 and −0.17 for Galikesh. Furthermore, Tamar station experienced an increase in very high discharge during summer, with a slope of 0.12 m3/s per year. However, low discharge rates remained relatively unchanged. Arazkouseh station showed a higher rate of decreasing discharge levels and this trend was most prominent during spring. Additionally, the Bayesian quantile regression model proved to be more accurate and reliable than the frequency-oriented quantile regression model. These findings suggest that quantile regression models are a valuable tool for predicting and managing extremely high and low discharge changes, ultimately reducing the risk of flood and drought damage.
Current Update on New Delhi Metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) Variants: New
Challenges in the Journey of Evolution
Authors: Farooq Samiya , Khan Asad U. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract:
New Delhi Metallo-β-lactamase is an enzyme produced by gram-negative bacteria
which has become one of the global concerns for physicians to treating the infection. These Metallo-
β-lactamase are capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of almost all β-lactam antibiotics, endangering
infection treatment. Substitution of single or multiple amino acids results in new NDM
variants. Forty NDM variants have been identified in different bacterial strains across the globe. In
this review, we focused on the structural insight of all NDM variants including the type of amino
acid residues and their position of substitution, country of origin, and type of bacteria carrying these
resistant markers. We also discussed the carbapenemase activity and stability of enzymes that
helps to design potent inhibitors to combat drug-resistant infections.
Assessment of the In Vivo Reprotoxicity of Isotretinoin in Sprague-Dawley
Male Rat
Authors: Khalil Ahmad , Daradkeh Mai , Alrabie Amneh , Abo Siam Hasan 
Published: August 2023

Background:
Isotretinoin (ISO) belongs to a family of drugs called retinoids. It is the most effective drug prescribed by dermatologists for the treatment of the inflammatory disease, acne vulgaris. A significant barrier to the use of ISO has worries regarding its adverse effect profile. Despite the well-recognized reproductive toxicity and teratogenicity in females, there is no warning related to the use by male patients in the medication prospectus. Current data on the effects on human male fertility is contradictory and inconclusive.

Objectives:
This study was undertaken to investigate the potential effects of ISO oral doses in the Sprague–Dawley male rat germ cells using the sperm morphology assay. Also, the serum levels of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone were measured.

Methods:
The rat groups were given varying ISO doses via gastric gavage for seven consecutive days. The epididymis sperm specimens were microscopically examined for the following reproductive toxicity parameters: sperm concentration, examined viability, motility, and morphology. The serum FSH, LH, and testosterone levels were measured by using the corresponding enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The data were analyzed statistically by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the Tukey test at P ≤ 0.05 significance level.

Results:
The results indicated that the drug did not significantly increase the sex hormone levels but notably affected both the sperm quantity and quality.

Conclusion:
These observations suggest that ISO was reprotoxic, and future therapies should be further reassessed.
Mitochondria-targeted Uncouplers Decrease Inflammatory Reactions in
Endothelial Cells by Enhancing Methylation of the ICAM1 Gene Promoter
Authors: Zinovkina Liudmila A. , Makievskaya Ciara I. , Galkin Ivan I. , Zinovkin Roman A. 
Published: August 2023

Introduction:
The study aimed to investigate the effects of low concentrations of mitochondrial uncouplers in endothelial cells on the CpG dinucleotide methylation of the ICAM1 gene promoter. The excessive inflammatory response in the endothelium is responsible for the development of many cardiovascular diseases. Mitochondria are important regulators of endothelial cell functions. Mild uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation and respiration in endothelial mitochondria exerts a long lasting anti-inflammatory effect. However, the detailed mechanism of the anti-inflammatory activity of mitochondrial uncouplers remains unclear.We hypothesized that mild mitochondrial uncoupling leads to epigenetic changes in genomic DNA contributing to the anti-inflammatory response.

Methods:
We studied the long-term effects of mitochondria-targeted compounds with the uncoupler’s activities: the antioxidant plastoquinonyl-decyl-triphenylphosphonium (SkQ1), dodecyl-triphenylphosphonium (C12TPP), and 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP). The mRNA expression of the intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1), a marker of inflammatory activation of endothelial cells, was measured by RT-qPCR. Cytosine methylation in the CpG sites of the ICAM1 gene promoter was estimated by bisulfite sequencing of individual clones.

Results:
It was found that downregulation of ICAM1 expression caused by DNP and C12TPP was accompanied by an increase in the methylation of CpG sites in the ICAM1 gene promoter. None of the compounds affected intracellular or intramitochondrial ATP levels.

Conclusion:
Low concentrations of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation uncouplers are able to increase methylation of ICAM1 gene promoter, which corresponds to the observed decrease in the levels of mRNA levels of this gene. Thus, the change in methylation of the ICAM1 gene promoter may underlie the mechanism of decreased ICAM1 expression caused by mild mitochondrial depolarization. Mitochondrial uncouplers may be exploited as possible therapeutic candidates to treat excessive inflammation in endothelium, by changing the methylation status of genomic DNA.
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of MTHFR (rs1051266) and
SLC19A1 (rs1801133) Associated to Genomic Ancestry in Cuban
Healthy Population
Authors: Martínez Goitybell , Zuñiga Yaima , Bybjerg Jonas , Mors Ole , Marcheco Beatriz 
Published: August 2023

Background:
Several single nucleotide polymorphisms on methotrexate pathway
have been implicated with hyperhomocysteinemia, susceptibility to autoimmune diseases
and the therapy effectiveness of methotrexate

Objective:
The present study estimates the ethnogeographic prevalence of rs1801133
(c.665C>T) in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and rs1051266 (c.80A>G) in solute carrier
family

Methods:
Genomic data was collected from a dense genome-wide genotyping array analysis
of a large sample of individuals from all provinces of Cuba, with a final sample of 946 individuals
for rs1801133 and 948 individuals for rs1051266.

Results:
For rs1801133, T allele and TT genotype were more prevalent in Mayabeque, the
province with the highest European (p<0.0001) and the lowest African ancestry proportion
(p<0.0001). Whereas, T allele and TT genotype frequency were low in Guantánamo (23.7%
and 1.8%), the province with the highest African ancestry proportion (p<0.0001) and the
lowest European ancestry proportion (p<0.0001). For rs1051266, the higher frequency of G
allele was observed in Villa Clara, Las Tunas, Holguín and Granma and this group was associated
with AG and GG genotypes (p=0.0045). This seems to be related to high Native
American ancestry proportion in Las Tunas (p<0.0001), Holguín (p<0.0001) and Granma
(p<0.0001); with the low African ancestry proportion in Villa Clara (p<0.0001) and with a
Native American ancestry-enriched pattern observed for these provinces (p=0.0005).

Conclusion:
These results provide evidence that ancestry contribution impacts in the ethnogeographic
prevalence of rs1801133 (c.665C>T) and rs1051266 (c.80A>G) polymorphisms
in healthy Cuban individuals.
Chemical, Microbiological, and Sensorial Properties of Bio-ayran Prepared using various Cultures
Authors: Hassan Amina Mahmoud , Shalabi Ola Mohamed , Ismail Magdy Mohamed , El-Menawy Reham Kamal 
Published: August 2023

Background:
Ayran is drinkable yoghurt that is prepared by mixing water, salt, and yoghurt,
or by adding water to milk and inoculation with yoghurt culture and adding salt after fermentation.

Objective:
This study investigates the effect of using classic, probiotic, EPS-producing and EPS-producing + probiotic (BB12) cultures on the chemical, microbiological and sensorial characteristics of
drinkable dairy product ayran.

Methods:
Four treatments of ayran were made using classic yogurt culture (T1), ABT-5 culture (T2),
exopolysaccharide (EPS) producing culture (YO-Flex Mild 1.0) (T3), and EPS-producing culture +
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB12 (mixture culture) (T4).

Results:
Sample T2 had the lowest acidity values during the fermentation period. While sample T2 had
the highest pH values, the total solids, fat, and total protein contents of the ayran treatments were unaffected by culture type. Mineral contents slightly decreased in samples T3 and T4. In comparison to
other treatments, sample 4 had higher counts of S. thermophilus, L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, and
Bifidobacterium. The recommended level of probiotic bacteria (107
cfu g
−1
) was exceeded for all treatments, particularly T4, and remained above (107
cfu g
−1
) until the end of storage. Moreover, Ayran,
made with mixture culture (T4), received the highest sensory evaluation scores.

Conclusion:
Mixture culture (EPS-producing culture + BB12) is a good starter to make bioayran containing high counts of probiotics.
Preservice Teachers’ Experiences in Experiential Instruction in Place Value
Authors: Ali Clement Ayarebilla 
Published: August 2023

This study explored Kolb’s four-phase experiential learning cycle in the teaching and learning of place value at the University level. I deployed quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a sample of 42 preservice teachers who are undergoing education and training in the University to be become teachers. The first 21 received Kolb’s experiential model (experimental group) while the second 21 received traditional problem solving models as control group. In the tests, the performance of the preservice teachers in the experimental and control groups were compared using robust statistical t-test and ANCOVA analyses. The results showed that even though traditional Polya’s problem solving and scientific models were widely acknowledged, Kolb’s experiential principles of concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization and active experimentation propelled educational theory and practice into a new direction and focusing on much on the role that experience plays in the learning process. A follow up content analyses of four students’ sample work showed that Kolb’s experiential learning better developed their critical thinking and problem solving skills, effective communication skills, modern technology use, self-directions, and understanding in place value problems. Based on these findings, it is recommended that mathematics educators refocus and tailor their instructional techniques to Kolb’s experiential model of problem solving while bridging the gaps with the traditional problem solving strategies.
An Innovative Approach to Fabrication With Photo-Cured Resins by Shell-Printed-Core-Casting
Authors: Szymczyk Emil , Rećko Maciej , Dzierżek Kazimierz , Sapiołko Karol 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Modified LCD-based method was used to print three-dimensional (3D) elements. This innovative method combines printing the external shell and filling, thus obtaining mould by casting resin. In order to compare the properties of prints obtained with this method with the ones fabricated in a standard procedure, we conducted bending tests of vertically/horizontally printed and shell-printed cast specimens. The shell-cast samples showed higher flexural strength and larger values of apparent Young’s modulus. The presented results also concern the kinetics of curing samples obtained with different fabrication routes.