bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphological, physical, thermal, and mechanical properties with the aspect ratio effects of bio loose-fill packaging from corn stalk
Authors: Thiraphattaraphun Linda , Prasassarakich Pattarapan 
Published: September 2023

AbstractProtective packaging, such as loose-fill material, is commonly used for void filling in packages during transportation and handling. Due to environment concerns about packaging materials, alternative materials derived from agricultural residues, such as corn stalks (CS), are of attention. Dried internodal CS without rind (DCS-R) were prepared as a cylindrical-shaped bio loose-fill packaging pieces (DCS-RP) at three different aspect ratios [length/diameter (L/D) of 0.4, 0.8, and 1.2]. The morphological, physical, and thermal properties of the DCS-RP were investigated and the effect of the L/D ratio of the DCS-RP was examined under compression loading. The DCS-RP exhibited a porous structure with a low density and bulk density, while the packing efficiency at all L/D ratios was less than 1. Different compressive resistance and failure patterns of the DCS-RP were obtained, depending on the direction of compression loading (parallel and perpendicular) to the DCS-RP. In addition, the L/D ratio of bulk DCS-RP also affected the compressive resistance. The results of this study provide important information for future investigations on the protective ability of DCS-RP to the products inside the packages during transportation and handling.
Gender disparity in survival of early porcine fetuses due to altered androgen receptor or associated U2 spliceosome component
Authors: Zacanti Kelly , Park Insung , McNabb Bret R. , Urbano Tara Marie , Maga Elizabeth A. , Nitta-Oda Barbara Jean , Rowe Joan D. , Hennig Sadie L. , Ross Pablo , Berger Trish 
Published: September 2023

AbstractA single locus on the X chromosome codes for androgen receptor (AR) although this gene is subject to alternative splicing. AR is expressed in multiple tissues in males and females and is essential for reproductive success in the male. Since male and female mice are viable following naturally occurring and engineered loss of function with male mice infertile as anticipated, functional deletion of AR in pigs was hypothesized to provide a genetic containment strategy for males with edited genomes. In addition, deletion of AR might be a method to manage boar taint, hence contributing to a perceived improvement in animal welfare. The CRISPR/Cas9 technology was used to edit either exon 2 or exon 5 of the pig AR gene. Although pregnancies were established following embryo transfer of edited embryos, they were not maintained beyond day 25. Furthermore, normal M:F sex ratios were present in edited blastocysts and 19-day fetuses, but all fetuses recovered on day 21 or later were female. The pig AR gene differs from the mouse in having a U2 spliceosome component encoded in the intronic region. Hence, the absence of fetal survival beyond day 25 may be due to interference with the U2 component rather than AR.
Evaluation of small hydropower turbines installed downstream of Nile River branches (Egypt)
Authors: Ahmed Mohamed E.A.E. , Abdellatif M. Attia , Attia Ahmed A. A. , Deifalla Ahmed Farouk , Elsayed Mostafa E. A. , Abdelrahman M. A. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe current study proposes a new strategy for using small hydroelectric turbines in downstream river branches with the least amount of construction and the lowest cost by comparing two different methods of installing the turbines, the first by installing the turbines at the river's bottom and the second by installing the turbines on floating boats. The methodology of this article is based on predicting the distribution of velocities through the watercourse using experimental data collected at various points in the river's depth, and then predicting the resulting electrical power for different sizes of turbines, as well as estimating the number of turbines for each row and the number of rows along the river. Therefore, Investigate the proposed systems. The proposed small hydropower system's economic viability and environmental impact are investigated in this article. According to the nature of the waterway, the best diameter of a turbine that can be used is 1.5 m based on water velocities and river depths. The proposed power plant generated 25.8 kW per single turbine row, with an estimated cost of produced power (0.035 USD/kWh) of approximately 20 turbines installed per row. Compared to other renewable energy sources, the proposed hydropower system is cost-effective and environmentally friendly, as generating electricity with the proposed small hydropower plant could reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by 368 tones of CO2 per single turbine row.
The inhibition of pancreatic cancer progression by K-Ras-overexpressing mesenchymal stem cell-derived secretomes
Authors: Huo Qingji , Li Kexin , Sun Xun , Zhuang Adam , Minami Kazumasa , Tamari Keisuke , Ogawa Kazuhiko , Fishel Melissa L. , Li Bai-Yan , Yokota Hiroki 
Published: September 2023

AbstractPancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive cancer with poor survival. To explore an uncharted function of K-Ras proto-oncogene, K-Ras was activated in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and the effects of MSC conditioned medium (CM) on PDAC were examined. Overexpression of K-Ras elevated PI3K signaling in MSCs, and K-Ras/PI3K-activated MSC-derived CM reduced the proliferation and migration of tumor cells, as well as the growth of ex vivo freshly isolated human PDAC cultures. CM’s anti-tumor capability was additive with Gemcitabine, a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug in the treatment of PDAC. The systemic administration of CM in a mouse model suppressed the colonization of PDAC in the lung. MSC CM was enriched with Moesin (MSN), which acted as an extracellular tumor-suppressing protein by interacting with CD44. Tumor-suppressive CM was also generated by PKA-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Collectively, this study demonstrated that MSC CM can be engineered to act as a tumor-suppressive agent by activating K-Ras and PI3K, and the MSN-CD44 regulatory axis is in part responsible for this potential unconventional option in the treatment of PDAC.
Combined effect of DBM, PRP, and bone marrow fluid on bone union in a rat posterolateral fusion model
Authors: Otagiri Takuma , Shiga Yasuhiro , Hozumi Takashi , Matsuura Yusuke , Tajiri Ikuko , Takayama Naoya , Alejandra Maria , Shiko Yuki , Orita Sumihisa , Inage Kazuhide , Eguchi Yawara , Suzuki Takane , Suzuki-Narita Miyako , Mukai Michiaki , Mukaihata Tomohito , Tsuchiya Ryuto , Tokeshi Soichiro , Okuyama Kohei , Arai Takahito , Toshi Noriyasu , Furuya Takeo , Maki Satoshi , Aoki Yasuchika , Ohtori Seiji 
Published: September 2023

AbstractPlatelet-rich plasma (PRP) promotes bone union through osteoinduction. We investigated whether adding demineralized bone matrix (DBM), derived naturally from biomaterial and with various growth factors, for osteoconductivity and bone marrow fluid for osteogenesis results in different bone unions. Eight-week-old male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four groups of five based on transplantation material: sham control (C group); DBM alone (D group); DBM + PRP (DP group); and DBM + PRP + bone marrow fluid (DPB group). After posterolateral fusion at L3-5, postoperative weekly CT imaging determined average number of bone union in facet joints (4 joints × 5 animals = 20 joints) and bone formation. Pathological evaluation and bone strength were assessed using 3-point bending two weeks postoperatively. Facet joint bone union at four weeks postoperatively was 4/20 (20%, DP group) and 8/20 (40%, DPB group) joints. Six weeks postoperatively, it was 7/20 (35%, D group), 12/20 (60%, DP group), and 16/20 (80%, DPB group). Eight weeks postoperatively, it was 13/20 (65%, D group), 17/20 (85%, DP group), and 20/20 (100%, DPB group), suggesting that DPB > DP > D > C. Bone formation and bone strength showed a similar DPB > DP > D > C group trend. Adding PRP and bone marrow fluid to DBM promotes bone union and strength.
The effect of seasonality and weather conditions on human perception of the urban–rural transitional landscape
Authors: Półrolniczak Marek , Kolendowicz Leszek 
Published: September 2023

AbstractLandscape perception research into the impact of seasonally changing landscape characteristics with the simultaneous influence of the weather are rare. Therefore, eye-tracking metrics were calculated (fixation and saccades) for the whole tested landscape, while its areas of interest (AOIs) were established based on clustering methods. Moreover, the gaze pattern was analysed using the Voronoi cells method. To identify significant differences in landscape perception according to various weather and seasonality, nonparametric tests were applied. The significant influence of weather/seasonality and their synergistic influence is noticed. The results indicate a rather complex influence of the types of weather in warmer and cooler seasons. Regardless of the weather type, seasonal changes cause greater visual span and shorter fixations in the warmer season. The fixations and saccades are shorter in the warmer season in two AOI’s during positive weather, but are longer in negative weather during the colder season in most AOI’s. The main reasons for the influence of weather and seasonality on the visual perception include seasonal changes in the landscape, resulting in the appearance of the landscape from more urban to natural and vice versa (phenological changes) as well as lighting changes (due to seasonality and type of weather).
A comparative study of compartmental models for COVID-19 transmission in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Zhao Yuxuan , Wong Samuel W. K. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe number of confirmed COVID-19 cases reached over 1.3 million in Ontario, Canada by June 4, 2022. The continued spread of the virus underlying COVID-19 has been spurred by the emergence of variants since the initial outbreak in December, 2019. Much attention has thus been devoted to tracking and modelling the transmission of COVID-19. Compartmental models are commonly used to mimic epidemic transmission mechanisms and are easy to understand. Their performance in real-world settings, however, needs to be more thoroughly assessed. In this comparative study, we examine five compartmental models—four existing ones and an extended model that we propose—and analyze their ability to describe COVID-19 transmission in Ontario from January 2022 to June 2022.
Integrated co-expression analysis of regulatory elements (miRNA, lncRNA, and TFs) in bovine monocytes induced by Str. uberis
Authors: Sharifi Somayeh , Pakdel Abbas , Pakdel Mohammad Hossein , Tabashiri Raana , Bakhtiarizadeh Mohammad Reza , Tahmasebi Ahmad 
Published: September 2023

AbstractNon-coding RNAs, including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs), together with transcription factors, are critical pre-, co-, and post-transcriptional regulators. In addition to their criteria as ideal biomarkers, they have great potential in disease prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment of complex diseases. Investigation of regulatory mechanisms in the context of bovine mastitis, as most common and economic disease in the dairy industry, to identify elements influencing the expression of candidate genes as key regulators of the mammary immune response is not yet fully understood. Transcriptome profiles (50 RNA-Seq and 50 miRNA-Seq samples) of bovine monocytes induced by Str. uberis were used for co-expression module detection and preservation analysis using the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) approach. Assigned mi-, lnc-, and m-modules used to construct the integrated regulatory networks and miRNA-lncRNA-mRNA regulatory sub-networks. Remarkably, we have identified 18 miRNAs, five lncRNAs, and seven TFs as key regulators of str. uberis-induced mastitis. Most of the genes introduced here, mainly involved in immune response, inflammation, and apoptosis, were new to mastitis. These findings may help to further elucidate the underlying mechanisms of bovine mastitis, and the discovered genes may serve as signatures for early diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
On the (number of) aversive traits it takes to approximate the common core of aversive personality
Authors: Horsten Luisa K. , Moshagen Morten , Hilbig Benjamin E. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe Dark Triad and Dark Tetrad are the constellation of aversive traits that are most commonly assessed to study their common (aversive) and unique (non-aversive) features. Nonetheless, it is unclear whether these particular traits (in combination) indeed closely approximate the common core of all aversive traits. A close approximation of the aversive core, however, is crucial if one is strictly interested in an aversive trait's unique variance. Therefore, the present study aims to specify how many and which aversive traits jointly approximate the aversive core to a satisfactory extent. To this end, the aversive core was first estimated from 16 aversive traits and then correlated to the aversive cores extracted from all 63,002 possible combinations of two to eleven of these traits. Results showed that most combinations of four, or essentially any combination of at least six aversive traits, approximated the aversive core reasonably well, whereas the Dark Triad and Dark Tetrad lead to systematically poorer approximations compared to other combinations of three of four aversive traits.
Diagnostic accuracy of 18F-FP-CIT PET for clinically uncertain Parkinsonian syndrome
Authors: Oh Minyoung , Oh Seung Jun , Lee Sang Ju , Oh Jungsu S. , Chung Sun Ju , Kim Jae Seung 
Published: September 2023

Abstract18F-FP-CIT is a high-resolution imaging marker of nigrostriatal neuronal integrity, differentiating Parkinsonism with loss of dopaminergic terminals (presynaptic Parkinsonian syndrome [PS]) from Parkinsonism without nigrostriatal degeneration (non-PS). We assessed the diagnostic accuracy of 18F-FP-CIT PET in patients with clinically uncertain PS (CUPS) at the first visit. Among the 272 patients who underwent 18F-FP-CIT PET imaging at the first visit between September 2008 and July 2012, 111 had CUPS (age, 62.6 ± 10.5 y; male:female, 45:66; symptom duration, 13.1 ± 8.8 months). Uncertainty criteria included only one of the three cardinal signs of Parkinsonism, two signs without bradykinesia, or atypical signs. The baseline clinical and 18F-FP-CIT PET imaging diagnostic accuracy was compared with the accuracy of clinical diagnosis after > 2-year follow-up. Nuclear medicine physicians assessed the 18F-FP-CIT PET images visually. Focal dopamine transporter binding deficit in the posterior putamen was considered PS. Bilateral symmetric striatum without focal deficit, suggesting normal 18F-FP-CIT PET, and focal deficits elsewhere in the striatum suggesting vascular Parkinsonism were considered non-PS. Seventy-nine patients had PS, and 32 did not. Baseline clinical diagnosis included PS in 45 patients, non-PS in 24, and inconclusive in 42. Among patients in whom initial clinical diagnosis (PS or non-PS) was possible, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the baseline clinical and 18F-FP-CIT PET imaging diagnoses were 54.4, 50.0, and 53.2%, and 98.7, 100, and 99.1%, respectively. The respective positive and negative predictive values were 95.6 and 66.7%, and 100 and 97.0%. Among those with initially inconclusive diagnosis, 64.2% were eventually diagnosed with PS while 35.7% were diagnosed with non-PS. The final clinical diagnosis of these patients all matched those made by 18F-FP-CIT PET imaging, except in one patient with scan without evidence of dopaminergic deficit (SWEDD). 18F-FP-CIT PET diagnosis was more accurate than clinical diagnosis, reducing the false-negative and inconclusive clinical diagnosis rates at baseline in patients with CUPS.
Exploring shared pathways and the shared biomarker ERRFI1 in Obstructive sleep apnoea and atherosclerosis using integrated bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Chen Bowen , Dong Liping , Zhang Jihua , Hao Ying , Chi Weiwei , Song Dongmei 
Published: September 2023

AbstractObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an upper airway disorder occurring during sleep and is associated with atherosclerosis (AS). AS is a cardiovascular disease caused by environmental and genetic factors, with a high global mortality rate. This study investigated common pathways and potential biomarkers of OSA and AS. Microarray data were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and used to screen for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the OSA and AS datasets. A weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify the co-expression modules of OSA and AS. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operators (LASSO) were used to determine critical biomarkers. Immune cell infiltration analysis was used to investigate the correlation between immune cell infiltration and common biomarkers of OSA and AS. Results revealed that differentially expressed genes may be involved in inflammatory processes, chemokine signaling pathways, and molecular changes in cell adhesion. ERBB receptor feedback inhibitor 1 (ERRFI1) was the best-shared biomarker for OSA and AS. Immune infiltration analysis showed that ERRFI1 expression was correlated with immune cell changes. Changes in immune pathways, inflammatory processes, and cell adhesion molecules may underlie the pathogenesis of both diseases, and ERRFI1 may be a potential diagnostic marker for patients with OSA and AS.
Simulation of GHz ultrasonic wave piezoelectric instrumentation for Fourier transform computation
Authors: Yang Zaifeng , Tan Xing Haw Marvin , Bui Viet Phuong , Png Ching Eng 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe recent emerging alternative to classic numerical Fast Fourier transform (FFT) computation, based on GHz ultrasonic waves generated from and detected by piezoelectric transducers for wavefront computing (WFC), is more efficient and energy-saving. In this paper, we present comprehensive studies on the modeling and simulation methods for ultrasonic WFC computation. We validate the design of the WFC system using ray-tracing, Fresnel diffraction (FD), and the full-wave finite element method (FEM). To effectively simulate the WFC system for inputs of 1-D signals and 2-D images, we verified the design parameters and focal length of an ideal plano-concave lens using the ray-tracing method. We also compared the analytical FFT solution with our Fourier transform (FT) results from 3-D and 2-D FD and novel 2-D full wave FEM simulations of a multi-level Fresnel lens with 1-D signals and 2-D images as inputs. Unlike the previously reported WFC system which catered only for 2-D images, our proposed method also can solve the 1-D FFT effectively. We validate our proposed 2-D full wave FEM simulation method by comparing our results with the theoretical FFT and Fresnel diffraction method. The FFT results from FD and FEM agree well with the digitally computed FFT, with computational complexity reduced from $$O(N^2 logN)$$

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to O(N) for 2-D FFT, and from O(NlogN) to O(N) for 1-D FFT with a large number of signal sampling points N.
Truncated vitronectin with E-cadherin enables the xeno-free derivation of human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Souralova Tereza , Hulinova Daniela , Jeseta Michal , Ventruba Pavel , Hampl Ales , Koutna Irena 
Published: September 2023

AbstractHuman embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have unique abilities that enable their use in cell therapy, disease modeling, and drug development. Their derivation is usually performed using a feeder layer, which is undefined and can potentially cause a contamination by xeno components, therefore there is a tendency to replace feeders with xeno-free defined substrates in recent years. Three hESC lines were successfully derived on the vitronectin with a truncated N-terminus (VTN-N) in combination with E-cadherin in xeno-free conditions for the first time, and their undifferentiated state, hESC morphology, and standard karyotypes together with their potential to differentiate into three germ layers were confirmed. These results support the conclusion that the VTN-N/E-cadherin is a suitable substrate for the xeno-free derivation of hESCs and can be used for the derivation of hESCs according to good manufacturing practices.
The geochemistry, origin, and hydrothermal alteration mapping associated with the gold-bearing quartz veins at Hamash district, South Eastern Desert, Egypt
Authors: Abdel-Rahman Ahmed M. , El-Desoky Hatem M. , Shebl Ali , El-Awny Hamada , Amer Yahia Z. , Csámer Árpád 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIntegrating diverse techniques and datasets, significantly enhances the accurate identification of various mineral deposits. This work aims to determine different types of mineral deposits in the Hamash district (Southern Eastern Desert, Egypt) by combining structural features (derived from ALOS PALSAR DEM), alteration zones (detected using ASTER and Sentinel-2), and ore mineralogy. Multispectral imaging, such as ASTER and Sentinel-2 satellite data, provides a cost-effective and efficient tool for lithological and hydrothermal alteration mapping utilizing selective band ratios (SBR), directed principal component analysis (DPCA), feature-oriented false-color composites (FFCC), and constrained energy minimization (CEM). The deductions drawn from the analysis of ASTER and Sentinel 2 satellite data are solidly corroborated through meticulous investigations of pre-existing lithological maps in the study area, on-site validation via fieldwork, and robust laboratory analysis, attesting to reliable results. Validation of remote sensing results was performed through field observations, petrographic investigations, X-ray diffraction technique (XRD), and SEM–EDX analyses. Based on ore mineralogy derived from XRD and SEM results the quartz-vein-associated ore minerals in the Hamash district include chalcopyrite, pyrite, hematite, goethite, bornite, covellite, and gold. According to the present paragenesis, the mineralization in the study area is classified into three types: sulfide mineralized zone, transitional zone, and supergene zone. Using an ore microscope, our studies identified that the alteration zones include gold-bearing sulfide minerals as well as the minerals goethite and malachite. In gold-bearing quartz samples, the concentrations of Cu, As, Ag, and Sb are positively correlated with Au at the degree of shear deformation. According to data gathered from the fire assay results, Au content varied from 0.027 to 57.20 ppm, along with Cu (10–6484 ppm), Ag (0.5–20.5 ppm), As (5–2046 ppm), Zn (3–1095 ppm), Pb (2–1383 ppm), and Sb (5–23). Our results confirmed that the Hamash region is one of the most important gold-bearing sites, with gold concentrations ranging from 0.027 up to 57.20 ppm. Furthermore, the current contribution highlighted four stages in the paragenetic sequence of the recorded ores, including magmatic, metamorphic, hydrothermal, and supergene by origin, indicating a considered similarity with the known Egyptian gold sites regarding host rocks, mineralization style, alteration assemblage, and several ore mineral conditions.