Digital Commons Network^™

Microplastic Pollution In Marine Ecosystems: Sources, Impacts, Andstakeholder-Based Solutions, Seren Acarer Arat

Turkish Journal of Biology

Microplastics (MPs) are plastic particles of anthropogenic origin with a size range of 1–5000 μm. Marine MP pollution is increasingly recognized as a significant global environmental challenge. MPs, which enter marine ecosystems from land- and marine-based sources, pose physical, chemical, and biological risks due to the adsorption of various pollutants and the formation of biofilm layers. MPs are found in various organisms from lower to higher trophic levels of the marine food web. The negative effects of MPs on marine organisms depend on their abundance, their characteristics, and the exposure time of organisms to MPs. MPs can adversely affect various …

A Review Of Deep Learning Architectures For Plant Disease Detection​, Yasi̇n Kaya, Ercan Gürsoy

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: The rapid advancement of deep learning (DL) has revolutionized plant disease detection by enabling highly accurate, image-based diagnostic solutions. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of DL-based methodologies for plant disease detection, systematically structured around the key stages of the modeling pipeline, encompassing data acquisition, preprocessing, augmentation, classification, detection, segmentation, and deployment.

Materials and methods: The review focuses on evaluating convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures such as VGG, ResNet, EfficientNet, and DenseNet across diverse experimental contexts. Classification strategies are categorized according to their integration of visualization techniques (e.g., saliency maps, Grad-CAM) to enhance model interpretability, emphasizing the pivotal role …

Green Carbon Dots In The Era Of Ai: Sustainable Synthesis, Intelligent Drug Delivery, Advanced Diagnostics, And Bioimaging, Emi̇ne Sezer, Fulden Ulucan Karnak, Si̇nan Akgöl

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Green carbon dots (GCDs) are a rapidly developing class of nanomaterials that are revolutionizing various scientific disciplines due to their unique optical properties, low toxicity, and sustainable synthesis. This review offers a comprehensive roadmap for the field, emphasizing the synergy between GCDs and artificial intelligence (AI).

Materials and methods: We begin by detailing the sustainable synthesis of GCDs, highlighting green chemistry principles and the transformative role of AI in optimizing their production. Subsequently, we explore the critical characterization of GCDs, including their structural, optical, and biocompatibility assessment. The core of this study explores the diverse biomedical applications of GCDs, …

Flavonoids And Phenolic Compounds: A Promising Avenue For Neurodegenerative Disease Therapy, Tesli̇me Özge Şahi̇n, Özge Cemali̇, Merve Özdemi̇r, Şeri̇fe Ayten, Duygu Ağagündüz

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and ALS are characterized by a progressive loss of nerve cells, for which no definitive cure currently exists. These conditions share common pathological mechanisms, including chronic neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, protein aggregation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Flavonoids and other plant-derived phenolic compounds have recently attracted attention for the treatment of such conditions due to their antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties. This review explores the neuroprotective mechanisms of flavonoids and evaluates their potential for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Materials and methods: A literature search of the Web of Science, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases …

Hsa_Circ_0001776 Regulates The Progression Of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Through The Mir-1269b/Pten Axis, Yaoyao Wang, Xiancong Yang, Simin Rong, Xiaoxu Lan, Chenhui Ti, Weimiao Sun, Baohui Yin, Youjie Li, Yunxiao Sun

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a malignant neoplasm arising from bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells. It is a common subtype of childhood leukemia and remains challenging to cure. Emerging evidence suggests that circular RNAs (circRNAs), a class of noncoding RNAs, play key regulatory roles in tumor biology. Among their various functions, circRNAs often act as ‘sponges’ for microRNAs (miRNAs), modulating gene expression posttranscriptionally. This study investigates the functional role and clinical relevance of hsa_circ_0001776 in AML.

Materials and methods: Three AML cell lines and 22 peripheral blood samples were analyzed. Differential expression analysis of circRNAs in a GSE dataset …

Evaluating Sh-Sy5y Cells As A Dopaminergic Neuronal Model: Morphological, Transcriptomic, And Proteomic Insights, Eylül Ece İşlek Camadan, Mehmet Sarihan, Murat Kasap, Gürler Akpinar, Eli̇fcan Koçyi̇ği̇t

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: The SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line is a popular in vitro model for neurodegenerative disease research, especially Parkinson’s disease (PD) research, but its use is complicated by limitations like the persistence of neuroblastoma-like features, unstable differentiation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cellular stress. To address these limitations, this study tested a blended, nine-day differentiation protocol that sequentially applied all-trans retinoic acid (RA), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dbcAMP). By evaluating key neuronal, dopaminergic, and PD-related markers, the research aims to determine if these differentiated SH-SY5Y cells are a suitable model for studying PD.

Materials and methods: A blended …

Jumpstart Worker Training Record, Mary S. Choate

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Extraction And Antioxidant Activity Evaluation Of Functional Peptides In Hongjun Tofu, Feng Yueqing, Xia Min, Lin Xiaoyu, Liang Tingyu, Liu Guo, Qiu Yuanxin

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To investigate the properties of functional peptides in Hongjun Tofu. [Methods] Functional peptides were extracted from Hongjun Tofu by ultrasound-assisted water extraction. The crude peptide content was used as the evaluation index to investigate the effects of extraction time, pH, extraction temperature, and solid-liquid ratio on peptide extraction. Single-factor and orthogonal experiments were designed to optimize the extraction process, and the antioxidant activity of the obtained functional peptides was evaluated. [Results] The optimal extraction conditions were 35 minutes extraction time, 55 ℃ extraction temperature, pH 11, and a solid-liquid ratio of 1∶40 (g/mL). Under these conditions, the crude peptide …

Research Progress On Active Ingredients And Functions Of Hericium Erinaceus, Wang Kaixuan, Lin Junfang, Guo Liqiong, Zhou Fenglong, Wang Na, Zhong Jingru

Food and Machinery

Hericium erinaceus has a long history in China as a medicinal and edible fungus. With delicious tastes, it also contains various active ingredients. In the current era of increasing emphasis on dietary health, Hericium erinaceus can be an ideal choice for a balanced diet. Based on previous research, this paper comprehensively summarizes the active ingredients contained in Hericium erinaceus, including terpenes, ketones, ergothioneine, and polysaccharides. The specific types and different active functions of corresponding ingredients are elaborated, while the prospect is also given on the future development of active ingredients.

Complexity Measures For Self-Similar And Chemical Graphs Using Entropies And Generalized Fractal Dimensions, J. Bhuvaneswari, D. Easwaramoorthy

Baghdad Science Journal

Nonlinear analysis finds numerous applications in understanding the intricate characteristics of generalized Sierpinski graphs or chemical graphs. It aids in discerning the fractal patterns inherent in self-similar structures, deciphering the dynamic interactions within chemical bonds, and assessing the complexity of molecular arrangements. Furthermore, it plays a crucial role in unraveling the emergent behaviors of complex systems, offering insights applicable to diverse fields such as materials science, chemistry, biology, network theory, and beyond. In this paper, the complexity of generalized Sierpinski graphs and chemical graphs is analyzed using fractal-based nonlinear measures computed iteratively. Nonlinear measures assess intricate relationships within graphs by …

Lung Cancer Classification With High Accuracy Based On Enhanced K- Nearest Neighbor Algorithm, Ahmed Subhi Abdalkafor, Ali Azawii Abdul Lateef

Baghdad Science Journal

Lung diseases have newly increased, with lung cancer being the most serious, as a result of the widespread use of electronic cigarettes and the high demand for them among youth. Misdiagnosis of this disease has resulted in a high death rate around the world, which further complicates matters. So the researchers have tended to concentrate on and study this illness. After extracting the crucial characteristics for this cancer's classification, several studies implemented multiple artificial intelligence algorithms with different techniques, nonetheless, the primary difference between those studies persisted in the classification accuracy. In this paper, after selecting the methods of pre-processing …

Heavy Metal Contamination And Health Risks In Katoro's Artisanal Gold Mining Soils, Tanzania, Innocent J. Lugendo, Venance Mwesiga

Tanzania Journal of Science

This study assessed heavy metal contamination in surface soils from artisanal gold mining areas in Katoro, Tanzania, evaluating ecological and human health risks. Thirty-six soil samples were systematically collected from three mining villages (Bingwa, Isenye, and CCM) at varying distances ranging from 30 to 90 m from active mining pits alongside twelve control samples from a non-mining area for comparison purposes. Concentrations of Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb, and As in soil samples were analyzed using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF). Results revealed severe contamination, with Cr (117–1255 mg/kg), Cu (81–104 mg/kg), and Ni (89–271 mg/kg) exceeding permissible limits. The …

Modeling The Effects Of Screening, Vaccination, Treatment, And Non-Pharmaceutical Controls On Leptospirosis Transmission Dynamics, Janeth Michael, Herieth Rwezaura, Goodluck Mlay, Nyimvua Shaban Mbare

Tanzania Journal of Science

Leptospirosis is the world’s most common zoonotic disease and remains a significant public health challenge, particularly in regions with poor sanitation and high exposure risks. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of combined interventions: screening, vaccination, treatment, and non-pharmaceutical controls in reducing leptospirosis transmission in human and domestic animal populations. The study develops and analyzes a deterministic compartmental model with eleven compartments representing human, domestic animal, and bacterial populations. Stability analysis reveals that the Disease-Free Equilibrium (DEF) is globally asymptotically stable when the effective reproduction number is less than a unit ( < 1), ensuring disease eradication under these conditions, whereas the Endemic Equilibrium Point (EEP) remains stable when > 1. The study employs the normalized forward …

Rainwater Harvesting For Domestic Use In Suburb Areas Of Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania: A Case Study Of Wazo Hill, Scholastica S. Ishengoma, Mahir Mohammed Said, Neema O. Msuya

Tanzania Journal of Science

Despite the increasing reliance of rainwater harvesting in semi-urban areas, there is a lack of comprehensive localized data on the safety of harvested rainwater, particularly in areas such as Wazo Hill where communities predominantly depend on it. This study evaluates the quality of harvested rooftop rainwater intended for human consumption and assesses its compliance with the World health Organization (WHO) and Draft East Africa Standards (DEAS) for drinking water. Rainwater samples were collected from various catchment surfaces and storage systems located in Wazo Hill, Tanzania. A stratified random sampling technique was employed to select the households equipped with rainwater harvesting …

Assessment Of Bacteriological Quality And Physico-Chemical Parameters Of Domestic Water Sources In Relation To Human Health Risk In Kigamboni, Tanzania, Joseph A. Mwakosya

Tanzania Journal of Science

Data on bacteriological quality and physico-chemical parameters is crucial for protection and sustainable utilization of water resources. This study determined bacteriological quality and physico-chemical parameters of well and tap water sourcesin relation to human health risk in Kigamboni, Tanzania. Thirty water samples were collected randomly and analyzed using SPSS software. The mean values for well water samples of pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, Chloride, Sulphate, Nitrate, Phosphate, and Calcium Carbonate were 7.2, 960.27 mg/L, 528.13 mg/L, 1.52 NTU, 288.00 mg/L, 30.13 mg/L, 0.05 mg/L, 0.08 mg/L, and 160.07 mg/L, respectively. The mean values for tap water …

Academic Senate - Minutes, 10/28/2025, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.

The George-Anne

The George-Anne

No abstract provided.

Dissecting The Intrinsic And Extrinsic Regulators Of Prostate Cancer Dormancy In The Bone Microenvironment, Mostafa M. Nasr

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Metastatic disease is the primary driver of cancer-related mortality. In prostate cancer (PCa), patient survival decreases dramatically once the disease spreads to distant organs, with over 80% of metastases occurring in the bone. This dissemination is often followed by a clinically silent period of tumor dormancy that can last for years, creating a critical reservoir of cells poised for lethal relapse. A significant barrier to understanding and targeting this dormant phase has been the lack of robust experimental models. This thesis first addresses this challenge by establishing a novel stress-induced model of PCa dormancy, validated across multiple murine and human …

Epac2 Deficiency Compromises Adaptation To Dietary Acidification By Decreasing H+ Transport In The Renal Nephron, Kyrylo Pyrshev, Anna Atamanchuk, Wenli Yang, Mariya Kordysh, Fang Mei, Oleg Zaika, Xiaodong Cheng, Oleh Pochynyuk

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Kidneys are central in maintaining acid-base homeostasis by recovering filtered bicarbonate (HCO3-) in the proximal tubule and by secreting H+ in the collecting duct. Here, we demonstrate a critical role of the exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac) signaling, and particularly the Epac2, in governing renal adaptation to dietary acid load. RNAseq analysis of the renal cortical area revealed that Epac1&2 deficiency was associated with changes in gene profile seen in acidosis. Renal expression of Epac2 but not Epac1 was enhanced by acid load. Epac2-/- mice developed a pronounced metabolic acidosis due to the inability to acidify urine in …

Mechanism Of Flavor Formation And Its Influencing Factors In Marinated Meat Products, Lu Hui, Li Hui, Deng Na, Lin Fei, Wang Jianhui

Food and Machinery

The distinctive flavor profile of marinated meat products originates from thermally induced transformations of endogenous precursor substances and the synergistic effects of exogenous spices. The flavor formation mechanisms encompass multiple pathways, including oxidation and degradation of proteins and lipids, as well as Maillard reactions driven by related secondary metabolites. This review systematically investigates the compositional characteristics and regulatory mechanisms of flavor compounds in marinated meat products, with a focus on how volatile and non-volatile substances collaboratively form the flavor basis, the main sources of flavor constituents, and how processing parameters (e.g., temperature, duration, and braising cycles) influence flavor intensity and …

Effect Of Ginger Essential Oil Nanoemulsion Treatment On Preservation Quality And Microbial Changes Of Chilled Pork At 4 ℃, Li Xinwei, Chen Peihang, Lin Bimin, Miao Jianyin

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To analyze the preservation effect of ginger essential oil nanoemulsion as a natural preservative for pork. [Methods] Pork tenderloin was treated with 1.5% (w/w) ginger essential oil nanoemulsion. Changes in sensory, physicochemical, and microbiological indexes of the pork were analyzed during storage at 4 ℃.High-throughput sequencing technology was applied to analyze changes in the pork microflora during storage. [Results] The pH value, volatile basic nitrogen, and malondialdehyde content of pork treated with ginger essential oil nanoemulsion were significantly lower than those of the control group treated with sterile water at different time points (P<0.05), showing good preservation effects and extending the shelf life of pork tenderloin by 6 days. The nanoemulsion effectively reduced microbial abundance and diversity and inhibited spoilage bacteria such as Macrococcus and Brochothrix, thereby delaying pork spoilage. [Conclusion] Ginger essential oil nanoemulsion can serve as a natural preservative that effectively inhibits spoilage bacteria growth, reduces protein degradation and lipid oxidation in pork, improves sensory quality, and extends the shelf life of pork products.

Effect Of Ultrasonic Thawing On The Quality And Protein Oxidation Of Litopenaeus Vannamei, Peng Panpan

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To improve the texture quality of frozen Litopenaeus vannamei. [Methods] Using Litopenaeus vannamei as the research object, the study systematically evaluates the effects of ultrasonic thawing (300, 400, 500 W) on the texture properties, thawing loss, cooking loss, TVB-N, TBARS values, protein oxidation (content of sulphydryl and carbonyl groups), amino acid release, pH value, and sensory evaluation of frozen shrimp. [Results] Ultrasonic thawing significantly increases the elasticity, hardness, and recovery of the frozen shrimp (P<0.05), with the 400 and 500 W ultrasonic groups showing significantly higher hardness and elasticity than the 300 W group. Ultrasonic thawing significantly reduces thawing loss, cooking loss, and TVB-N content in the frozen shrimp (P<0.05), with the 500 W ultrasonic group showing the most significant reduction. Amino acid analysis reveals that ultrasonic thawing significantly increases the total amino acid (TAA) content and the proportion of essential amino acids (EAA), with the release of essential amino acids such as leucine and glutamic acid being highest in the 300 and 400 W ultrasonic groups. The protein oxidation analysis shows that the sulphydryl content in the ultrasonic-thawed group was significantly higher than that in the room-temperature thawed group, while the carbonyl content was significantly lower. Sensory evaluation results indicated that the overall score of the ultrasonic-thawed group is significantly higher than that |of the room-temperature thawed group, with the 400 W ultrasonic group achieving the highest sensory score. Pearson correlation analysis indicates that the thawing loss of frozen shrimp is negatively correlated with elasticity and hardness (P<0.05), and positively correlated with TVB-N, TBARS values, and carbonyl content (P<0.05). TVB-N is negatively correlated with hardness, elasticity, and recovery (P<0.05), and positively correlated with TBARS values and carbonyl content (P<0.05). [Conclusion] Ultrasonic thawing improves the texture quality of frozen shrimp compared to room-temperature thawing and effectively inhibits lipid and protein oxidation during the thawing process, with 400 W ultrasonic thawing being the most suitable.

Anti-Fatigue Effects Of Euglena Extract On Mice, Zhang Jun, Xu Bin, Xi Yanli, Zheng Minghai, Han Yuxuan, Li Huimin

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To study the effects of euglena extract on the anti-fatigue and antioxidant free radical levels in mice, and to explore its specific mechanism. [Methods] A total of 40 healthy adult male Kunming mice are randomly divided into a control group (normal saline is used instead of injection to establish fatigue mice models), a low dose group (euglena extract 0.25 g/kg BW), a medium dose group (euglena extract 0.5 g/kg BW), and a high dose group (euglena extract 1.5 g/kg BW). The groups of different doses are administered by gavage. The exhaustive swimming time and fatigue rotarod test time are …

Extraction Process Optimization Of Alcohol-Soluble Proteins From Highland Barley Fermentation Spent And In Vitro Antioxidant Properties, Lyu Qian, Zhao Jie, Song Yangbo, Xu Dan, Geng Guigong, Zhang Yiquan

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To optimize the extraction process of alcohol-soluble proteins from highland barley fermentation spent, aiming to enhance the added value of byproducts from highland barley wine processing. [Methods] The alcohol-soluble proteins were extracted from highland barley fermentation spent using ultrasound-assisted ethanol extraction. The yield of alcohol-soluble proteins was used as the evaluation index to analyze the effects of four factors, i.e., solid-to-liquid ratio, ultrasound temperature, ultrasound power, and ultrasound time, on the protein yield. An orthogonal test was conducted to optimize the extraction process and determine the optimal extraction conditions. SDS-PAGE analysis was performed to examine the relative molecular mass …

Spectroscopic Investigation Of Plasma Parameters In An Iron Target: A Comparative Study Of Different Laser Energies, Hiba A. Abed, Sabah N. Mazhir, Saeed N. T. Alrashid

Baghdad Science Journal

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) has emerged as a powerful technique for analyzing materials through the creation of plasma by laser ablation. In this study, we present a comprehensive investigation of plasma parameters in an Fe target using LIBS spectroscopy. The experiment involved using a high-power laser to ablate the Fe target, generating a plasma plume that emitted characteristic spectral lines. By analyzing the emitted light, we extracted valuable information about the plasma parameters, including electron temperature, electron density, and ionization degrees. The LIBS setup was carefully calibrated and optimized to ensure accurate and reliable measurements. The obtained spectra were employed …

Dense And Nowhere Dense Sets On Dual Soft Topological Space, Janat Y. Rasheed, L. A. Al. Swidi

Baghdad Science Journal

The concepts of dual soft sets are introduced as general mathematical tools for transactions with a lack of confidence or certainty. This work defined the dual soft topology on a dual soft set and presented its related properties. The main goal of this research is to clarify the concepts of dense and nowhere dense sets on dual soft topological spaces as density plays a very important role in general topology for solving many mathematical and engineering problems. Our research paper presented the notions of dense, nowhere dense and somewhere dense within the dual soft set theory which in specific ways. …

Numerical Solutions Of Poisson Problem By Using Finite Element Method Based On Linear, Quadratic, And Cubic Polynomials, Ali Kamil Al-Abadi, Shurooq Kamel Abd

Baghdad Science Journal

The finite element approach, which uses linear, quadratic, and cubic polynomials, can solve the elliptic form of the Poisson equation. This allows the method to provide a solution to the Poisson problem. This possibility arises from the structure within which the method operates. This work aims to provide an analysis of the technique in question and demonstrate its potential for applications in both square and circular dimensions. In conducting this investigation, a direct solution of the system of linear equations was used. Obtaining optimal error estimates in the L² and H¹ norms is possible for us if we …

Coefficient Estimates Of A New Subclass Of R-Fold Symmetric Bi-Univalent Functions Involving Ruscheweyh Derivative, Nihad H. Shehab, Abdul Rahman S. Juma, Maslina Darus

Baghdad Science Journal

In this work, the authors introduce and study a new subclass ofM^h,u_Σr(γ,η,κ,λ), which is r-fold bi-univalent functions in open-unit disk 𝔄. Using the Rushwaya derivative operator, the study investigates the properties and behavior of an analytically generalized r-fold symmetric two-monovalent function in the open-unit disk 𝔄. The analysis calculates the Taylor-Maclarin coefficients |a_r+1| and |a_2r+1|, which represent one of its key terms these estimates M^h,u_Σr(γ …

On The Statistical Variation Of Γ-Covers Controlled By The Class Of Weight Functions, Parthiba Das, Jalal Hatem Hussein Al-Bayati, Prasenjit Bal

Baghdad Science Journal

In this study, the notion of the star operator and the class of weight functions defined on the entire natural number set ℕ have been used to develop a version of the statistical cover of a topological space. In this version of statistical γ-cover, the pace of statistical convergence is mostly controlled by the selected weight function. A map g defined as g:ℕ→[0,∞)such that lim_n→∞g(n)=∞ and lim_n→∞⁄ng(n)≠0is called a weight function. Relationships between several γ …

An Analytical Review Of Brainwave Analysis For Mind-Controlled Drones: Utilizing Hybrid Neural Networks And Motor Imagery, Ather Salah Hadi Al-Isawi, Sufri Muhammad, Novia Indriaty Admodisastro, Siti Anom Ahmad, Raihani Mohamed

Baghdad Science Journal

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) provide direct drone control by interpreting motor imagery brain impulses. This review paper critically assesses the progress made in using hybrid neural networks and motor imagery to operate mind-controlled drones and addresses the challenges of encoding and decoding complex brain signals for precise and reliable drone control. In this review paper, the primary objective is to analyze and synthesize the latest brainwave analysis technologies, focusing on hybrid neural networks and motor imagery tasks for drone control via brain-computer interfaces. This study aims to provide insights into the effectiveness of these technologies in enhancing the accuracy and reliability …