bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impacts of mining on soil pollution with metal(loid)s in resource-rich Mongolia
Authors: Pecina Václav , Juřička David , Hedbávný Josef , Klimánek Martin , Kynický Jindřich , Brtnický Martin , Komendová Renata 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAs Mongolia is considered one of the most resource extraction-dependent countries globally, significant mining-related environmental and human health risks are expected. The aim of this study was to (I) assess the impacts of mining on soil pollution with metals in Mongolia's key coal mining towns (Baganuur, Nalaikh and Sharyn Gol) and (II) review the current knowledge on soil pollution with metal(loid)s and related health risks in Mongolia. The results showed predominantly low soil contents of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn and a related absence of severe pollution and potential health risk in the coal mining towns. Urban design, rather than the presence of mines, controlled the pollution distribution. Despite the methodological shortcomings of several studies on soil pollution in Mongolia, their results suggest a similarly low threat in the three largest cities (Ulaanbaatar, Darkhan, Erdenet) and several mining areas. While the generally highlighted risk of As seems like an artificially escalated issue, the content of Cr in urban soil may be a neglected threat. Further pollution research in Mongolia should focus on street dust and drinking water pollution.
The permanent magnet hypothesis: an intuitive approach to designing non-circular magnet arrays with high field homogeneity
Authors: Tewari Sumit , Webb Andrew 
Published: February 2023

AbstractDoes the Halbach magnetization rotation rule that is used for designing circular magnet arrays for achieving the best homogeneity hold also for an elliptical or other non-circular cross-section? In this article, it is shown that a new numerically optimized magnetization rotation rule can provide more than three orders of magnitude improvement in field homogeneity as compared to a Halbach configuration for elliptical systems. Further it is demonstrated that such optimized magnetization rules can be easily derived in an intuitive way by studying virtual permanent magnets of a similar cross-section as the desired magnet array. This is coined as a permanent magnet hypothesis. Finally, it is shown that the applicability of this technique is not limited to circular or elliptical systems but can be applied to any arbitrarily shaped cross-section.
Optimization of green and environmentally-benign synthesis of isoamyl acetate in the presence of ball-milled seashells by response surface methodology
Authors: Fattahi Amir Hossein , Dekamin Mohammad G. , Clark James H. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBall-milled seashells, as a nano-biocomposite catalyst and natural source of CaCO3 in its aragonite microcrystalline form with fixed CO2, was optimized for the synthesis of isoamyl acetate (3-methylbutyl ethanoate) by response surface methodology with a five-level three-factor rotatable circumscribed central composite design. The seashells nano-biocomposite has proved to be an excellent heterogeneous multifunctional catalyst for the green and environmentally-benign synthesis of isoamyl acetate from acetic acid and isoamyl alcohol under solvent-free conditions. A high yield of 91% was obtained under the following optimal conditions: molar ratio of alcohol: acetic acid (1:3.7), catalyst loading (15.7 mg), the reaction temperature (98 °C), and the reaction time (219 min). The outstanding advantages of this protocol are the use of an inexpensive, naturally occurring and easily prepared nano-biocomposite material having appropriate thermal stability and without any modifications using hazardous reagents, lower catalyst loading and reaction temperature, no use of corrosive Bronsted acids as well as toxic azeotropic solvents or water adsorbents, and simplicity of the procedure.
The spatial distribution of GPCR and Gβγ activity across a cell dictates PIP3 dynamics
Authors: Wijayaratna Dhanushan , Ratnayake Kasun , Ubeysinghe Sithurandi , Kankanamge Dinesh , Tennakoon Mithila , Karunarathne Ajith 
Published: February 2023

AbstractPhosphatidylinositol (3,4,5) trisphosphate (PIP3) is a plasma membrane-bound signaling phospholipid involved in many cellular signaling pathways that control crucial cellular processes and behaviors, including cytoskeleton remodeling, metabolism, chemotaxis, and apoptosis. Therefore, defective PIP3 signaling is implicated in various diseases, including cancer, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. Upon activation by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) or receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), phosphoinositide-3-kinases (PI3Ks) phosphorylate phosphatidylinositol (4,5) bisphosphate (PIP2), generating PIP3. Though the mechanisms are unclear, PIP3 produced upon GPCR activation attenuates within minutes, indicating a tight temporal regulation. Our data show that subcellular redistributions of G proteins govern this PIP3 attenuation when GPCRs are activated globally, while localized GPCR activation induces sustained subcellular PIP3. Interestingly the observed PIP3 attenuation was Gγ subtype-dependent. Considering distinct cell-tissue-specific Gγ expression profiles, our findings not only demonstrate how the GPCR-induced PIP3 response is regulated depending on the GPCR activity gradient across a cell, but also show how diversely cells respond to spatial and temporal variability of external stimuli.
Fungal cell barriers and organelles are disrupted by polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB)
Authors: Ntow-Boahene Winnie , Papandronicou Isabelle , Miculob Josephous , Good Liam 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe similarities between fungal and mammalian cells pose inherent challenges for the development of treatments for fungal infections, due to drug crossover recognition of host drug targets by antifungal agents. Thus, there are a limited number of drug classes available for treatment. Treatment is further limited by the acquisition and dissemination of antifungal resistance which contributes to the urgent need of new therapies. Polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) is a cationic antimicrobial polymer with bactericidal, parasiticidal and fungicidal activities. The antifungal mechanism of action appears to involve preferential mechanical disruption of microbial cell structures, offering an alternative to conventional antifungals. However, the antifungal mechanisms have been little studied. The aim of this study was to characterise PHMB’s activities on selected yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicans) and filamentous fungal species (Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium glabrum). Fungal membrane disruption, cell entry and intracellular localisation activities of PHMB were evaluated using viability probe entry and polymer localisation studies. We observed that PHMB initially permeabilises fungal cell membranes and then accumulates within the cytosol. Once in the cytosol, it disrupts the nuclear membrane, leading to DNA binding and fragmentation. The electrostatic interaction of PHMB with membranes suggests other intracellular organelles could be potential targets of its action. Overall, the results indicate multiple antifungal mechanisms, which may help to explain its broad-spectrum efficacy. A better understanding of PHMB’s mechanism(s) of action may aid the development of improved antifungal treatment strategies.
Application of TOPSIS algorithm in describing bacterial cellulose-based composite hydrogel performance in incorporating methylene blue as a model drug
Authors: Amrabadi Touraj , Jalilnejad Elham , Ojagh Seyed Mohammad Amin , Vahabzadeh Farzaneh 
Published: February 2023

AbstractA multi-component hydrogel was developed using bacterial cellulose, alginate, and gelatin with the aid of glycerol as trihydric alcohol which participates in re-distribution of hydrogen bonds in the test system. FTIR, XRD, SEM, and TGA as instrumental techniques were used to structurally characterize the physical/chemical properties of the formed composite hydrogel. By using an exponential equation, swelling behavior of the hydrogel was evaluated. By incorporating a model drug (methylene blue—MB) in the formed hydrogel, experiments were directed to study release characteristics of the MB where the medium solution for the release was prepared at four different pHs. The maximum cumulative drug release at pH 2.8, 6, 7.4, and 9 were 42.8, 63, 80, and 84.5%, respectively. Data fitting process was carried out using five kinetic models (Korsmeyer-Peppas, Higuchi, Hopfenberg, zero-order, and first-order equations) and the preferred kinetic model at each pH was estimated by applying TOPSIS algorithmic technique. The adsorption capacity of the hydrogel in relation to MB was determined while thermodynamic properties of this relationship were quantified ($$\Delta{\text{H}}_{\text{ad}}^{0}= \text{ } -\text{99.95 kJ} \, {\text{mo}}{\text{l}}^{-{1}}$$

Δ

H

ad

0

=

-
99.95 kJ

mol

-
1

and $$\Delta{\text{S}}_{\text{ad}}^{0}= -\text{0.237 kJ} \, {\text{mo}}{\text{l}}^{-{1}} {\text{K}}^{-{1}}$$

Δ

S

ad

0

=
-
0.237 kJ

mol

-
1

K

-
1

). The results of the present study were in favor of the potential usage of the developed composite hydrogel in drug delivery systems.
Data storage mechanism of industrial IoT based on LRC sharding blockchain
Authors: Ren Yongjun , Liu Xinyu , Sharma Pradip Kumar , Alfarraj Osama , Tolba Amr , Wang Shenqing , Wang Jin 
Published: February 2023

AbstractWith the rapid development of Industry 4.0, the data security of Industrial Internet of Things in the Industry 4.0 environment has received widespread attention. Blockchain has the characteristics of decentralization and tamper-proof. Therefore, it has a natural advantage in solving the data security problem of Industrial Internet of Things. However, current blockchain technologies face challenges in providing consistency, scalability and data security at the same time in Industrial Internet of Things. To address the scalability problem and data security problem of Industrial Internet of Things, this paper constructs a highly scalable data storage mechanism for Industrial Internet of Things based on coded sharding blockchain. The mechanism uses coded sharding technology for data processing to improve the fault tolerance and storage load of the blockchain to solve the scalability problem. Then a cryptographic accumulator-based data storage scheme is designed which connects the cryptographic accumulator with the sharding nodes to save storage overhead and solve the security problem of data storage and verification. Finally, the scheme is proved to be security and the performance of the scheme is evaluated.
Industrial upgrading and its influence on green land use efficiency
Authors: Chang Jifeng , Wang Wei , Liu Jinli 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe rational use of land is an important guarantee for the sustainable development of resource-based cities. First, this paper uses the panel data of 115 resource-based cities in China from 2004 to 2018 to measure green land use efficiency (GLUE) by SBM model and Metafrontier-Malmquist productivity index model. Secondly, it analyzes the industrial upgrading from the perspectives of the optimization of industrial structure and the rationalization of industrial structure to explore the impact mechanism of industrial upgrading on GLUE. Furtherly, the heterogeneity analysis is carried out from the following two perspectives: exploring the impact of industrial upgrading on GLUE under different types of urban samples; using the quantile model to analyze the impact of industrial upgrading under different GLUE quantiles. The main conclusions of this study are as follows: (1) both the optimization of industrial structure and the rationalization of industrial structure promote the improvement of GLUE. The robustness test and instrumental variable method support this conclusion. (2) For different types of resource-based cities, the rationalization and optimization of industrial structure have positive coefficients in regeneration cities, growing cities, and declining cities, but have a negative effect on mature cities. (3) In all quantiles, the effects of industrial structure optimization and industrial structure rationalization are positive. However, with the increase of quantiles, the role of industrial structure optimization gradually decreases. The role of industrial structure rationalization gradually increases. Meanwhile, there is an obvious threshold effect when taking resource endowment as the threshold variable. This paper provides a theoretical reference for the transformation and development of resource-based cities.
IRF4 as a novel target involved in malignant transformation of oral submucous fibrosis into oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Meng Li , Jiang Yucheng , You Jiawen , Zhao Panpan , Liu Weiguang , Zhao Na , Yu Zhichun , Ma Junqing 
Published: February 2023

AbstractOral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in the context of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) has a high incidence owing to undefined pathogenesis. Identifying key genes and exploring the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in the conversion of OSF into OSCC are in urgent need. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between OSCC and OSF were dug from GEO databases and a total of 170 DEGs were acquired. Functional association of DEGs were analyzed by GO and KEGG. Protein–protein interactions (PPIs) analysis was carried out and candidate biomarkers were identified by Gene co-expression analysis and Cox analyses. Hub genes were confirmed by qRT-PCR in tissues and cell lines, of which we found that IRF4 mRNA was successively up-regulated from Normal to OSF and then to OSCC and associated with immune infiltrating levels. In addition, Immunohistochemical (IHC) and Immunofluorescence (IF) assays were conducted to validate the consistent upregulation of IRF4 and the oncogene role of IRF4 in OSF and OSCC at translation level. IRF4 may be indicative biomarker in transformation of OSF into OSCC. High IRF4 expression contribute to increased immune infiltration of OSCC and may provide a novel diagnostic marker for OSCC patients translated from OSF.
No evidence for the benefit of PPIs in the treatment of acute pancreatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Horváth István László , Bunduc Stefania , Hankó Balázs , Kleiner Dénes , Demcsák Alexandra , Szabó Bence , Hegyi Péter , Csupor Dezső 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAlthough current guidelines do not recommend the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in the standard of care of acute pancreatitis (AP), they are often prescribed in clinical practice, mainly for ulcer stress prophylaxis. In this systematic review and meta-analysis we evaluated the association between the use of PPIs in the management of AP and various clinical outcomes. We conducted the systematic research in six databases without restrictions on January 24th, 2022. We investigated adult patient with AP, who were treated with PPI compared to conventional therapy. The pooled odds ratios, mean differences, and corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated with random effect model. We included six RCTs and three cohort studies, consisting of 28,834 patients. We found a significant decrease in the rate of pancreatic pseudocyst formation in patients who received PPI treatment. PPI use was associated with a higher risk of GI bleeding, however this finding could be due to the patients’ comorbid conditions. We found no significant difference in the rates of 7-day mortality, length of hospital stay, and acute respiratory distress syndrome between the groups. The available data on this topic are limited; therefore, further well designed RCTs are needed to evaluate the potential benefits and adverse effects of PPIs in AP.
Dynamics of stochastic-constrained particles
Authors: Guo Tao 
Published: February 2023

AbstractPrior studies have focused on the overall behavior of randomly moving particle swarms. However, the characteristics of the stochastic-constrained particles that form ubiquitously within these swarms remain oblivious. This study demonstrates a generalized diffusion equation for stochastic-constrained particles that considers the velocity and location aggregation effects observed from their parent particle swarm (i.e., a completely random particle swarm). This equation can be approximated as the form of Schrödinger equation in the microcosmic case (low relative density) and describe the dynamics of the total mass distribution in the macrocosmic case (high relative density). The predicted density distribution of the particle swarm in the stable aggregation state is consistent with the total mass distribution of massive, relaxed galaxy clusters (at least in the range of $$r<r_{\textrm{s}}$$

r
<

r
s

), preventing cuspy problems in the empirical Navarro–Frenk–White profile. This study opens a window to observe the dynamics of stochastic-constrained particles from a third perspective, from which the aggregation effect of particles without gravitation can be saw.
The association between egg consumption and metabolic health status in overweight and obese adolescents
Authors: Tabatabaeyan Ali , Lotfi Keyhan , Mirzaei Saeideh , Asadi Ali , Akhlaghi Masoumeh , Saneei Parvane 
Published: February 2023

AbstractExisting evidence examining the relation between egg consumption and metabolic health of overweight/obese adolescents is scarce. We examined the association between egg consumption and metabolic status in Iranian overweight/obese adolescents. Using multistage cluster random sampling approach, overweight/obese adolescents (n = 203) with ages from 12 to 18 years old were selected for the present cross-sectional study. A validated 147-item food frequency questionnaire was adopted to determine usual dietary intakes. Blood pressure and anthropometric data and were assessed, and levels of lipid profile, insulin, and glucose were measured by collecting fasting blood samples. Participants were classified into metabolically healthy obese (MHO) or metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO) based on two methods of International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the combination of IDF with Homeostasis Model Assessment Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). In total, 67 (33.0%) and 79 (38.9%) adolescents were classified as MUO based on IDF/HOMA and IDF definitions, respectively. Considering IDF criteria, the highest intake of egg was related to decreased chance of MUO, in crude (OR 0.22; 95% CI 0.10–0.48) and maximally-adjusted model (OR 0.25; 95% CI 0.10–0.59). Considering IDF/HOMA-IR criteria, similar results were obtained (crude model: OR 0.24; 95% CI 0.11–0.52; fully-adjusted model: OR 0.28; 95% CI 0.11–0.69). Stratified analyses found stronger relation among boys (vs. girls) and overweight (vs. obese) individuals. In conclusion, higher egg consumption was negatively related to decreased chance of being MUO in overweight/obese adolescents, especially in boys and overweight individuals, regardless of MUO definitions. Prospective studies are required to support our results.
Ultrasmall amorphous zirconia nanoparticles catalyse polyolefin hydrogenolysis
Authors: Chen Shaojiang , Tennakoon Akalanka , You Kyung-Eun , Paterson Alexander L. , Yappert Ryan , Alayoglu Selim , Fang Lingzhe , Wu Xun , Zhao Tommy Yunpu , Lapak Michelle P. , Saravanan Mukunth , Hackler Ryan A. , Wang Yi-Yu , Qi Long , Delferro Massimiliano , Li Tao , Lee Byeongdu , Peters Baron , Poeppelmeier Kenneth R. , Ammal Salai C. , Bowers Clifford R. , Perras Frédéric A. , Heyden Andreas , Sadow Aaron D. , Huang Wenyu 
Published: February 2023

AbstractCarbon–carbon bond cleavage reactions, adapted to deconstruct aliphatic hydrocarbon polymers and recover the intrinsic energy and carbon value in plastic waste, have typically been catalysed by metal nanoparticles or air-sensitive organometallics. Metal oxides that serve as supports for these catalysts are typically considered to be inert. Here we show that Earth-abundant, non-reducible zirconia catalyses the hydrogenolysis of polyolefins with activity rivalling that of precious metal nanoparticles. To harness this unusual reactivity, our catalytic architecture localizes ultrasmall amorphous zirconia nanoparticles between two fused platelets of mesoporous silica. Macromolecules translocate from bulk through radial mesopores to the highly active zirconia particles, where the chains undergo selective hydrogenolytic cleavage into a narrow, C18-centred distribution. Calculations indicated that C–H bond heterolysis across a Zr–O bond of a Zr(O)2 adatom model for unsaturated surface sites gives a zirconium hydrocarbyl, which cleaves a C–C bond via β-alkyl elimination.
First monotreme from the Late Cretaceous of South America
Authors: Chimento Nicolás R. , Agnolín Federico L. , Manabe Makoto , Tsuihiji Takanobu , Rich Thomas H. , Vickers-Rich Patricia , Novas Fernando E. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractMonotremata is a clade of egg-lying mammals, represented by the living platypus and echidnas, which is endemic to Australia, and adjacent islands. Occurrence of basal monotremes in the Early Cretaceous of Australia has led to the consensus that this clade originated on that continent, arriving later to South America. Here we report on the discovery of a Late Cretaceous monotreme from southern Argentina, demonstrating that monotremes were present in circumpolar regions by the end of the Mesozoic, and that their distinctive anatomical features were probably present in these ancient forms as well.
Antifungal alternation can be beneficial for durability but at the cost of generalist resistance
Authors: Ballu Agathe , Despréaux Philomène , Duplaix Clémentine , Dérédec Anne , Carpentier Florence , Walker Anne-Sophie 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe evolution of resistance to pesticides is a major burden in agriculture. Resistance management involves maximizing selection pressure heterogeneity, particularly by combining active ingredients with different modes of action. We tested the hypothesis that alternation may delay the build-up of resistance not only by spreading selection pressure over longer periods, but also by decreasing the rate of evolution of resistance to alternated fungicides, by applying an experimental evolution approach to the economically important crop pathogenZymoseptoria tritici. Our results show that alternation is either neutral or slows the overall resistance evolution rate, relative to continuous fungicide use, but results in higher levels of generalism in evolved lines. We demonstrate that the nature of the fungicides, and therefore their relative intrinsic risk of resistance may underly this trade-off, more so than the number of fungicides and the rhythm of alternation. This trade-off is also dynamic over the course of resistance evolution. These findings open up new possibilities for tailoring resistance management effectively while optimizing interplay between alternation components.