Differences In Composition Research Articles

Evaluation of neutronic characteristics of accident tolerant fuel concepts in SMART reactor fuel assemblies using DRAGON

The selection of perfect accident-tolerant nuclear reactor fuels necessitates a neutronic study of the various fuels for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). This study demonstrates a neutronic assessment of 17 × 17 fuel assemblies of Korean SMART (System-Integrated Modular Advanced ReacTor) integral type SMR using three types of Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) by the deterministic code DRAGON. These reactors are less expensive to build, have a shorter construction period, are safer, and have a higher power density. Uranium Nitride (UN), Uranium Di-Silicide (U3Si2), and Composite material (70 % UN- 30 % U3Si2) are considered the most potential ATF candidates. The effective multiplication factor (keff), different fissionable materials, neutron poisons, neutron-induced power, decay power, and fuel burnup are investigated as well as presented on graphs and compared from the conventional fuel UO2. Throughout the entire duration of the operation, all four models maintain a critical state while maintaining consistent dimensions. However, due to enrichment and chemical composition differences, it is found that the UN has the highest keff value. UN displayed lower concentration variation for different isotopes, whereas UO2 showed the highest power analysis study among the models. The different approaches to Accident Tolerant Fuel are not quite significant. However, opting for Uranium Nitride (UN) could offer a slight advantage in terms of effectiveness because of the higher power-up rates and burnup as well as increased cycle length when compared to the other three options.

Comparison of prey fauna in tropical red traps versus temperate whitish traps in carnivorous Drosera indica complex (Droseraceae)

AbstractCertain carnivorous plant species display geographical variation in trap coloration, which may impact interactions with prey. Our study focused on Drosera indica (Droseraceae) in tropical Thailand and its phylogenetically related species Drosera toyoakensis in temperate Japan. Drosera indica in Thailand has green leaf blades with red tentacles when flowering, making the entire trap appear red. In contrast, D. toyoakensis in Japan has green leaf blades with green‐white tentacles when flowering, and the entire trap appears white. Field observations revealed statistically significant differences in taxa and size of prey caught by D. indica and D. toyoakensis. Both species caught small flies, but D. toyoakensis additionally caught larger flies and butterflies, including pollinators. These differences in prey composition may reflect differences in trap coloration that evolved under different selection pressures for capturing prey. However, trap coloration and prey assemblages were influenced by various factors, and further research is required to elucidate their evolutionary significance.

Upper mesophotic reef fish assemblages at Bahía de Banderas, Mexico.

There is no information on the species associated with the mesophotic reefs of Banderas Bay, located in the central Mexican Pacific. This study analysed the reef fish assemblage from three depths (50, 60 and 70 m) in three sampling sites of the southern submarine canyon of the Bay: Los Arcos, Bajo de Emirio and Majahuitas. Several analyses were performed to test the hypothesis that there are important differences in fish abundance and species composition between sites and depths. Twenty-two species of bony fishes grouped in 14 families were recorded. PERMANOVA results showed that there were no significant differences in fish diversity parameters between sites, indicating a certain uniformity in their distribution. However, nine species were exclusive to one site and depth (five singleton species with only one individual recorded and four unique species recorded only once). On the other hand, there were significant differences between depths, mainly between 50 and 70 m. Diversity decreases with depth and species composition changes. SIMPER, Shade Plot and NMDS analysis show the most representative species at each depth, with at least half of the species (11) recorded only at 50 m and four species at the deeper levels (60 - 70 m). The observed assemblage includes several of the most caught species in the shallow water artisanal fishery, which is the most traditional and common type of fishery in the Bay. In addition, the Pomacanthuszonipectus (Cortés angelfish) is of particular interest, as it has a special protection status in the official Mexican standard (NOM-059-SEMARNAT, 2010) due to its use as an ornamental species in aquaria. We hypothesised that the mesophotic zone may serve as a refuge for these fishes, so we propose that the information obtained is an important basis for new research aimed at the sustainable management of fisheries in the area.

Size and ethnic homogeneity of extended social networks in the Netherlands: Differences between migrant groups and migrant generations

AbstractExtended social networks encompass both weak and strong ties to provide social support and resources. Hence, it is important to study what explains variation in these networks. This paper addresses this and examines the size and ethnic homogeneity of extended social networks, and group differences therein, and it aims to explain these differences based on a preference–opportunities approach through a decomposition analysis. We apply state‐of‐the‐art NSUM methods to measure the extended networks for different ethnic‐majority and minoritized groups, also considering migrant generation differences, in the Netherlands. Results show that group differences in network size reflect first‐generation minority citizens having smaller networks and majority citizens having more ethnically homogeneous networks. More positive out‐group attitudes among the Moroccan– and Turkish–Dutch partly explain why these groups have less homogeneous networks than Dutch majority members. Differences in the ethnic composition of neighbourhoods also contribute to explaining the homogeneity gap between Dutch majority and Turkish‐Dutch.

Consecutive Fertilization-Promoted Soil Nutrient Availability and Altered Rhizosphere Bacterial and Bulk Fungal Community Composition

Fertilization is an important measure to quickly supplement the soil nutrients required for plantation productivity. However, the response patterns of the microbial community and functional taxa in Larix plantation root, rhizosphere, and bulk soil to short-term and consecutive fertilization have rarely been reported. In this study, we assessed Larix root, rhizosphere, and bulk soil microbial community on days 0, 5, 15, and 30 after the first inorganic fertilization and after three consecutive years of fertilization. The bacterial 16S and fungal ITS high-throughput sequencing technology were used to monitor changes in microbial community composition and potential functional groups, as well as changes in soil nutrient content and enzyme activity to evaluate the status of plantation soil productivity. Consecutive fertilization treatment significantly increased the available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) content and soil enzyme activity. The nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) results showed that there were significant differences in microbial community composition in root samples, rhizosphere soil, and bulk soil samples. The dominant microbial taxa were different between root and soil microbial community composition. Consecutive fertilization treatment had little effect on endophytic microbial community but significantly increased the abundance of Gaiellales in rhizosphere soil and Mortierella in bulk soil. The redundancy analysis (RDA) and co-occurrence network analyses showed that Gaiellales and Mortierellales had significant positive correlations with soil nutrient content and enzyme activity. The fungal functional group compositions were significantly affected by consecutive fertilization treatment and the proportions of ectomycorrhizal and saprotroph significantly decreased, but the proportion of endophyte significantly increased in bulk soil samples. Our results suggested that consecutive fertilization may promote soil nutrient availability by increasing the abundance of Gaiellales and Mortierella. Consecutive fertilization maintained the balance of the soil microbiota under Larix plantation and had a positive effect on promoting soil nutrient availability. This study provided a theoretical basis for consecutive fertilization to promote soil nutrient availability through specific microbial groups.

Development of the forgiveness schema among young children and adolescents: A multinational comparison

Few studies on the development of forgiveness involved young children and adolescents, and very few involved samples from non-western countries. This study focused on the development of willingness to forgive a particular transgression in participants aged 4 to 12 years and from two different cultures: a South African culture (Mozambique) and a Western European culture (France). Overall, 153 pupils from Mozambique and 107 pupils from France were presented with eight vignettes depicting a situation where a young child, intentionally or accidentally, dropped a small radio that they borrowed from another young child. These vignettes were composed by applying an orthogonal Intent × Consequences × Apologies, 2 × 2 × 2, design. Participants expressed what their willingness to forgive would be in each case on a continuous response scale. Through cluster analysis, four main positions were identified. They were labeled: Almost never forgive (11% of participants), Depends mainly on consequences (22%), Depends mainly on intent and apologies (57%), and Almost always forgive (2%). The first two positions were typical of 4–7-year olds, and the third one was typical of 8–12-year olds. No significant differences in cluster composition were found between the Mozambican and French participants. Up to the age of four, most children probably do not have access to the notion of forgiveness. From the age of four to seven, this notion begins to appear, in particular through a gradual taking into account of circumstantial factors other than the severity of consequences of a transgression. This development is quite rapid—probably during the 7-year period, from 0 to 7 years. From the age of eight onwards, a forgiveness schema similar to that observed in adults is operational. This developmental trajectory is probably very general. It seems to depend little on the type of culture in which it develops.

Ikan Nyalian (Barbodes binotatus Valenciennes, 1842) di Danau Tamblingan, Buleleng, Bali Dilihat dari Aspek Makanannya

Tamblingan Lake is one of four lakes in Bali which is located in Munduk Village, Banjar District, Buleleng Regency, Bali. Spotted barb (Barbodes binotatus) is a freshwater fish belonging to the Cyprinidae family found in Tamblingan Lake. Information regarding the food composition of spotted barb in Tamblingan Lake has not been carried out. This research aims to determine the food of nyalian fish by observing the composition of the type of food in the Tamblingan Lake Waters. Fish sampling was carried out in January-June 2019 using gill nets with a mesh size of 0.5; 1.0; 1.5; 2.0; 2.5; 3.0 cm with length of 300 m and height of 2 m. Fishing was carried out at five stations with different characteristics. Fish samples obtained during the research were 180 fish. The composition food of spotted barb consists of 37 types of organisms consisting of 6 classes of phytoplankton, 6 classes of zooplankton, 1 class of fungi and 1 class of aquatic plants. Most types of food organisms come from the Bacillariophyceae class, which is 16 genera. Species of Surirella sp., Navicula sp., Cymbella sp., and Pinnularia sp. is a genus of the Bacillariophyceae class which is often found every month of observation with the frequency of occurrence respectively 174, 105, 126 and 112. There was not much difference in food composition between nyalian fish in each month of observation. Spotted barb include omnivorous fish (tend to be herbivores) and classified as euryfagus.

Concurrent, Web-First, or Web-Only? How Different Mode Sequences Perform in Recruiting Participants for a Self-Administered Mixed-mode Panel Study

Abstract During the COVID-19 pandemic, many survey programs switched to self-administered modes of data collection, often offering respondents both web-based and paper-based questionnaires. However, there is little guidance as to when to offer which mode, especially when the aim is to recruit participants for a panel survey. This study examines the effectiveness of different mode-sequence designs by analyzing an experiment implemented in the recruitment wave of the German panel study “Family Research and Demographic Analysis.” We randomly assigned 108,256 individuals aged 18–49 years to one of three mode-sequence-design conditions: concurrent, web-first including a paper-based questionnaire with the second reminder (web-first-2), and web-first including a paper-based questionnaire with the third reminder (web-first-3). A fourth, simulated group did not receive a paper-based questionnaire (web-only). We analyzed how different mode-sequence designs affected outcome rates, sample composition, response distributions, data quality, share of paper-based questionnaires, postage costs, number of postal mailings in the recruitment wave, and participation in the first regular wave. Our results show no differences in response distributions and small differences in sample composition across the four mode-sequence designs. As the web-first-2 and simulated web-only designs yielded comparatively good response and recruitment rates at reasonable costs, we recommend their use when surveying adults between 18 and 49 years old.

Geochemistry, Sr-Nd Isotope Compositions, and U-Pb Chronology of Apatite from Kimberlite in Wafangdian, North China Craton: Constraints on the Late Magmatic Processes

Diamondiferous kimberlites occur in the Wafangdian area in the eastern part of the North China Craton (NCC). In order to better constrain their magmatic source and emplacement time, we have investigated apatite from two kimberlites, i.e., the #110 dike kimberlite and the #50 root-zone kimberlite by measuring in situ their U–Pb and Sr–Nd isotopic compositions. The crystallization ages of the #110 and #50 apatites are 460.9 ± 16.8 Ma and 455.4 ± 19.3 Ma, respectively. For the #50 apatite, 87Sr/86Sr = 0.70453–0.70613 and εNd(t) = −2.74 to −4.52. For the #110 apatite, 87Sr/86Sr = 0.70394–0.70478 and εNd(t) = −3.46 to −5.65. Based on the similar distribution patterns of the rare earth elements (REEs) and the similar Sr-Nd isotope compositions of the apatite, it is believed that the #110 and #50 kimberlites have the same source region and the kimberlite magmas in Wafangdian were derived from an enriched mantle source (EMI). The primary magmatic composition has little effect on the emplacement pattern. It is more likely that the geological environment played an important role in controlling the retention and removal of volatile components (H2O and CO2). This led to the different evolutionary paths of the kimberlite magma in the later period, resulting in differences in the major element compositions of the apatite. High Sr concentrations may be associated with hydrothermal (H2O-rich fluid) overprinting events in the later magmatic period; the higher light rare earth element (LREE) concentration of the #50 apatite reflects the involvement of the REE3+ + SiO44− ⇔ Ca2+ + PO43− replacement mechanism. Two emplacement patterns of the #110 dike kimberlite (#110 apatite, low Sr, and high Si) and the #50 root-zone (#50 apatite, high Sr, and low Si) kimberlites were identified via major element analysis of the #110 apatite and #50 apatite.

Gut microbiota-based discriminative model for patients with ulcerative colitis: A meta-analysis and real-world study.

Gut microbiota directly interacts with intestinal epithelium and is a significant factor in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). A meta-analysis was performed to investigate gut microbiota composition of patients with UC in the United States. We also collected fecal samples from Chinese patients with UC and healthy individuals. Gut microbiota was tested using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. Meta-analysis and 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing revealed significant differences in gut bacterial composition between UC patients and healthy subjects. The Chinese UC group had the highest scores for Firmicutes, Clostridia, Clostridiales, Streptococcaceae, and Blautia, while healthy cohort had the highest scores for P-Bacteroidetes, Bacteroidia, Bacteroidales, Prevotellaceae, and Prevotella_9. A gut microbiota-based discriminative model trained on an American cohort achieved a discrimination efficiency of 0.928 when applied to identify the Chinese UC cohort, resulting in a discrimination efficiency of 0.759. Additionally, a differentiation model was created based on gut microbiota of a Chinese cohort, resulting in an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.998. Next, we applied the model established for the Chinese UC cohort to analyze the American cohort. Our findings suggest that the diagnostic efficiency ranged from 0.8794 to 0.9497. Furthermore, a combined analysis using data from both the Chinese and US cohorts resulted in a model with a diagnostic efficacy of 0.896. In summary, we found significant differences in gut bacteria between UC individuals and healthy subjects. Notably, the model from the Chinese cohort performed better at diagnosing UC patients compared to healthy subjects. These results highlight the promise of personalized and region-specific approaches using gut microbiota data for UC diagnosis.

Age-Related Differences in Physical Fitness and Performance of an “Ability Test” among Firefighters

This study’s primary objective was to examine the differences in body composition, abdominal strength, absolute and relative power, handgrip strength, one repetition maximum for squat and bench press, and the maximum count of push-up and sit-up repetitions executed within a minute across different age cohorts of firefighters. Furthermore, this study aimed to evaluate the age-related differences in firefighters’ completion times of six firefighting tasks. Eighty-four male volunteer firefighters (age 33.79 ± 6.97 years) were grouped into three age categories, 20–30 years, 31–40 years, and 41–50 years, and underwent the aforementioned evaluations. One-way analysis of variance (MANOVA) revealed that age exerts a statistically significant influence (p < 0.001) on body fat percentage, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio. Furthermore, age significantly affected the overall time of the ability test (p < 0.001) and the duration required to accomplish each individual task (p < 0.001). Additionally, age significantly affected abdominal strength, relative power (as measured by the step test), and the maximum count of push-up and sit-up repetitions performed within a minute. These outcomes support earlier research indicating an age-associated decrement in physical fitness parameters among firefighters. It is recommended that firefighters prioritize maintaining strength and endurance of the abdominal muscles, upper body muscular endurance, and a healthy body weight. The emphasis on specific muscular groups is essential for improving task performance within this profession.

Re-considering Re-partnering: New Insights about Gender and Sexuality in the Study of Second Union Formation

Abstract Past studies have established the existence of a persistent gender gap in re-partnering, wherein women are less likely to re-partner than men in the general population. Existing theories and explanations focus on women’s and men’s socio-demographic characteristics as mechanisms determining their opportunities, needs, and attractiveness in the re-partnering process. However, this work assumes that people are heterosexual and overlooks sexual minorities despite growing scholarly interest in union formation and dissolution among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual (LGB) people. We investigate whether and how the gender gap in re-partnering intersects with sexual identity to highlight the role of gender relations as a social force that shapes union formation outcomes among both the heterosexual and LGB population. We use retrospective data on cohabitation and marriage histories from the British Understanding Society survey (UKHLS) to estimate event history models. We confirm the existence of a gender gap favoring men among heterosexuals but find that lesbian women are more likely to re-partner than gay men. We do not observe a gender gap among bisexuals. Results are robust to accounting for compositional differences between groups using exact matching techniques. These findings suggest that the persistent gender gap found in past studies is not as universal as previously presumed and that sexual identity plays a vital role in re-partnering outcomes. Therefore, sociologists should explicitly incorporate the gender relational context into models and theories that explain gender differences in union formation outcomes.

How do management decisions impact butterfly assemblages in smallholding oil palm plantations in Peninsular Malaysia?

Abstract In the world's leading palm oil‐producing countries (Indonesia and Malaysia), smallholders make up about 40 per cent of total oil palm plantation area. Management in smallholdings can be highly variable, ranging from intensive monoculture to polyculture systems, especially in the earlier years of cultivation when open canopies allow a variety of understorey crop types to be grown alongside oil palm. Currently, many plantations in the region are mature and due to be replanted, which is likely to have substantial impacts on the ecosystems within them, but studies investigating the impacts of alternative post‐replanting management strategies in smallholder plantations are lacking. We investigated the impacts of replanting and choice of crop management following replanting (growing oil palm as a monoculture or polyculture) on habitat structure and complexity, and on the abundance, richness and composition of butterfly assemblages in smallholding oil palm plantations in Banting, Selangor, Malaysia. We also assessed the direct effects of habitat structure and complexity on butterfly assemblages. Butterflies are likely to be a valuable indicator group for monitoring the impacts of management practices on biodiversity as butterfly species also show a range of sensitivities to habitat disturbance, with some being vulnerable to change, but others being common in plantations. They are also a functionally important group that pollinate wild plants, are prey for larger species and are common in tropical systems. Across 27 plantations, we recorded 1227 butterflies from 5 families, 46 genera and 56 species. Habitat structure and complexity differed between management decisions (mature monoculture, immature monoculture, immature polyculture), although many environmental parameters overlapped. We found no significant differences in species richness, density and assemblage composition of butterflies between management decisions. However, changes in local environmental conditions, such as an increase in the coverage of understorey vegetation, increased the abundance of butterflies. Synthesis and applications. Our findings suggest that replanting oil palm and choice of mono or polyculture have relatively few effects on butterflies, but management for specific features in plantations could benefit butterfly assemblages.

Dry fractionation of Australian mungbean for sustainable production of value‐added protein concentrate ingredients

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesDry fractionation, combining milling and air classification technology, offers an economical and sustainable pathway for the processing of value‐added protein ingredients from Australia's major pulse crops. Leveraging a wider range of pulses will help meet the growing demand for plant‐based protein ingredients. This study demonstrates the efficient processing of protein concentrates from Australian mungbean, which were characterized for key nutritional properties, phytochemical constituents, protein quality, and protein secondary structure.FindingsMilling and air classification of mungbean flour resulted in protein concentrates (fine fraction) with a protein content of 62.2 g/100 g (db), reflecting a two‐fold increase in protein content compared to the original flour (p < .05). Ash, fat, dietary fiber, and free phenolic and antioxidant compounds, also co‐concentrated with protein in the fine fraction (p < .05), imparting enhanced nutritional properties with the potential to deliver health benefits. The protein quality of dry fractionated mungbean protein concentrate was compared to a commercial source of mungbean protein isolate (88 g/100 g, [db]). Amino acid scores highlighted deficiencies in sulfur‐containing amino acids, methionine, and cysteine, as well as tryptophan and threonine. In vitro protein digestibility‐corrected amino acid scores for the mungbean protein concentrate and protein isolate were 63.7% and 59.5%, respectively. SDS‐PAGE protein profiles showed no major differences in protein composition, indicating that no specific types of proteins are lost during the dry fractionation process. Fourier transform infrared analysis of protein secondary structure showed that β‐sheets were the dominant structural component, with relative percentages of 36% and 49%, for the mungbean protein concentrate and isolate, respectively.ConclusionsThere is significant potential for dry fractionation to deliver value‐added opportunities for Australian mungbean, through the production of protein concentrate ingredients with enhanced nutritional properties for use in new and existing foods.Significance and NoveltyNutritional properties, protein quality, and protein secondary structure were compared for protein concentrates and protein isolates processed from Australian‐grown mungbean. Key findings from this study will inform pulse protein processors and pulse‐based food manufacturers.

Comparison of the microbiome and mycobiome in tissues of the tropical carnivorous epiphytic herb Utricularia jamesoniana Oliv. (Lentibulariaceae)

Background: Utricularia jamesoniana, a small epiphytic plant found in wet tropical forests, stands out for its carnivorous habit, intricate trap system, and small but beautiful and complex flowers. This species remains relatively understudied despite its wide geographical distribution and curious adaptations.
 Questions: Our aim is to elucidate the composition of bacterial and fungal communities inhabiting both the bladders and leaves of Utricularia jamesoniana, facilitating the comprehension of the physiology and ecological dynamics of this carnivorous species.
 Methods: In this study, we employed 16S rRNA and ITS sequencing to compare the prokaryotic and fungal communities within leaves and traps of U. jamesoniana.
 Results: The analysis of amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) unveiled notable differences in community composition depending on the plant tissue and type of microorganism. Prokaryotic communities predominantly comprised Proteobacteria and Actinobacteriota, featuring genera such as Acidocella, Bradyrhizobium, Ferritrophicum, and Ferrovum. Fungal communities were dominated by Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, encompassing representatives of Dothideomycetes, Sordariomycetes, Eurotiomycetes, and Agaricomycetes, as well as ASVs related to Mycosphaerellaceae, Colletotrichum, Aspergillus, and Thanatephorus. We determined that the prokaryotic diversity was higher in the bladders with respect to the leaves. Fungal communities, in turn, were more diverse in leaves than in bladders.
 Conclusions: This study sheds light on the microbial communities associated with this carnivorous epiphyte and provides valuable insights into the intricate relationships between the plant and its microbial inhabitants across different tissues.

The Difference in the Source of Bee Bread (Citrus, Anise) in Its Chemical Composition

Beebread is a hive product derived from the collection of pollen by bees. To produce beebread, bees enrich the gathered pollen with honey and digestive enzymes, storing the mixture within the combs. The transformation of bee pollen into beebread occurs through an anaerobic fermentation process facilitated by the bees.
 Effective beehive management is crucial to encourage the accumulation of beebread, with the intention of marketing it for human consumption. This is due to its recognition as a valuable nutritional supplement, attributed to its rich array of nutrients. The nutritional value of beebread, including protein, amino acids, fatty acids, carbohydrates, and polyphenols, is contingent upon the plant source of the bee pollen, emphasizing the significance of proper hive management for optimizing its quality.
 The nutritional and functional composition of beebread lead this research, work was done to collect bee bread from two different geographical regions, namely the coastal region (Lattakia), which was the predominant citrus at the time of collection and the interior region (the countryside of Hama), which was aniseed prevalent at the time of collection.
 The results of the research showed the difference in the chemical composition of bee bread collected from the two mentioned areas.
 The protein content of bee bread samples from the interior region increased, which amounted to 20%, with a very high significance compared to bee bread from the coastal region, which amounted to 15.6%.
 The content of sinters also increased with a very high significance, which amounted to 7.92% and 2.02% in the interior and coastal regions, respectively.
 As for the ash, it was 2% and 1.3% in the interior and coastal regions, respectively.
 As for the humidity of the samples of the interior region, it was lower than that of the coastal region, which amounted to 8.68%, while 13.5% in the coastal region.
 The results also showed the difference in the content of the studied bee bread samples in fructose, where the content of the samples of the interior region amounted to 23.07%, while the content of the samples of the coastal region amounted to 18.10%, while the content of glucose sugar reached 15.74% and 14.82% in both the interior and coastal regions, respectively.
 This confirms the difference in the chemical composition of bee bread according to the plant type from which bee pollen was collected.

Abstract B039: Identification of sex-specific molecular features in glioma transcriptome

Abstract Glioma is a lethal disease with limited treatment options available. Sex differences in glioma are well-documented in clinical settings, with males having twice the risk of developing the disease and increased mortality compared to female counterparts. To investigate the molecular basis of sex differences in glioma, we analyzed transcriptomic sex differences in a collection of three independent glioma datasets and validated them in additional independent studies. The impact of differentially expressed genes were assessed through Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) on approximately 5000 gene sets to interpret their biological relevance. Given the well-recognized heterogeneity of glioma, we also integrated three single-cell RNA (scRNA) sequencing datasets to decipher the sex differences in cellular composition and cell-type specific differential gene expression between male and female tumors. The effects of sex on gene expression are modest and primarily driven by the X chromosome (14 out of 16 differentially expressed genes were on the X chromosome). These genes are associated with escape from X-chromosome inactivation (e.g., KDM5C, KDM6A) and are also sex-differentially expressed (DE) in the healthy human brain according to Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) data. GSEA results suggest increased activity in cell proliferation and neuronal signaling in male GBM samples, whereas females show enrichment in glycoprotein/lipid metabolism. By deconvoluting the cell-type composition, we identified a higher percentage of pericytes in the male glioma tumor microenvironment compared to those in females, which is consistent with recent spatial-omic discoveries in glioma. By integrating scRNA sequencing data, we found that both differentially expressed genes and pathways show cell-type-specific enrichment. For example, the female-biased gene GBGT1 is exclusively expressed in the myeloid lineage, while male-biased neuronal pathways are enriched in cancer stem cells. Integrating with the inference of cell trajectories, we observed that male tumors harbor more unconnected, invasive malignant cells than females, which might explain the poor prognosis in male glioma patients. In summary, our results provide a comprehensive multi-level characterization of sex differences in glioma tumors, and these findings will provide novel insights into glioma disease progression and development of new therapy. Citation Format: Yingbo Huang, Yuting Shan, Weijie Zhang, Christina Printzis, Lorenzo Pesce, Barbara Elaine Stranger, R. Stephanie Huang. Identification of sex-specific molecular features in glioma transcriptome [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Brain Cancer; 2023 Oct 19-22; Minneapolis, Minnesota. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(5 Suppl_1):Abstract nr B039.

(277) A Symbol of Masculinity: Is there a Correlation Between Men's Lower Body and Serum Testosterone Levels?

Abstract Introduction While a robust lower body and strong lower body strength are regarded as symbols of masculinity, the actual relationship with testosterone is not clear. Previous studies have shown a significant correlation between serum testosterone levels and body fat components, but not with skeletal muscle mass. Objective This study aimed to determine if there is any correlation between male lower body strength, lower body size, and testosterone. Methods Serum testosterone levels, waist circumference, weight and BMI measurement, Body composition tests (skeletal muscle mass, body fat mass, body fat percentage, abdominal fat percentage, visceral fat percentage), and physical fitness tests (cardiorespiratory, flexibility, endurance, strength, agility, power, balance) were conducted in 95 men (aged over 40) who visited the hospital for erectile dysfunction. For understanding the lower body size, the circumference of the thigh and calf was measured, and to measure lower body strength, the muscle strength of the knee joint was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer. Patients with serum testosterone levels below 250ng/dL were defined as group I, and those with levels above 350ng/dL were classified as group II. Differences in body composition, physical fitness, adjusted calf and thigh circumference (by weight), and bilateral knee extension and flexion strength (adjusted by weight) were verified using an independent t-test. Pearson's Chi-square test was used to check for differences in lifestyle habits and underlying diseases, and a simple correlation test was conducted to understand the association between serum testosterone levels and lower body size and strength. Results Age did not significantly differ between the groups. Group I had a significantly higher proportion of alcohol consumption and number of underlying diseases. In body composition, Group I had a significant increase in weight, BMI, and waist circumference compared to Group II. The body fat percentage, abdominal fat percentage, and visceral fat percentage were also significantly higher in Group I than in Group II. In physical fitness, cardiorespiratory function, agility, power, and balance showed significantly better results in Group II than in Group I. The comparison of thigh circumference adjusted by weight showed that Group II was significantly larger than Group I, but there was no difference in calf circumference adjusted by weight. Both left and right knee extension strength showed significantly better power in Group II than in Group I, while there was no difference in flexion strength between the two groups. The simple correlation test showed a significant positive correlation between the adjusted values of thigh and calf circumference and serum testosterone levels, and the calf/thigh circumference value showed a significant negative correlation with serum testosterone levels. Left and right knee extension strength also showed a significant positive correlation with serum testosterone levels. Conclusions The circumference of a male's lower body, particularly the thigh, showed a correlation with serum testosterone levels, and in terms of lower body strength, knee extension strength showed a correlation with serum testosterone levels. A robust thigh and strong lower body strength were found to be closely related to testosterone, a symbol of masculinity. Disclosure No.

Review in application of blast furnace dust in wastewater treatment: material preparation, integrated process, and mechanism.

Blast furnace dust (BFD) is the solid powder and particulate matter produced by dust removal process in ironmaking industry. The element composition of BFD is complex, and a direct return to sintering will lead to heavy metal enrichment and blast furnace lining corrosion. In recent years, the application of BFD in wastewater treatment has attracted widespread attention. Based on the mechanisms of action of BFD in wastewater, this paper discusses in detail the application of BFD in iron-carbon micro-electrolysis, biological enhancement, adsorption, flocculation, and Fenton/Fenton-like reactions. Iron oxides and carbon in BFD are key substances. Thus, BFD has great potential as a raw material in wastewater treatment, and the waste utilization of BFD can be realized. However, the difference in elements and composition of BFD limits its large-scale application. We can classify BFD according to different proportions of elements. In the future, it is necessary to focus on the service life of BFD in water and whether it shall bring secondary pollution to water.

Abstract IA021: Mutational processes as determinants of immune evasion in ovarian cancer

Abstract IA021: Mutational processes as determinants of immune evasion in ovarian cancer