Growth Expansion Research Articles

Spheroid architecture strongly enhances miR-221/222 expression and promotes oxidative phosphorylation in an ovarian cancer cell line through a mechanism that includes restriction of miR-9 expression.

Tumor cell spheroids are organized multicellular structures that form during the expansive growth of carcinoma cells. Spheroids formation is thought to contribute to metastasis by supporting growth and survival of mobile tumor cell populations. We investigated how spheroid architecture affects OXPHOS activity, microRNA expression, and intraperitoneal survival of an ovarian carcinoma cell line using high resolution respirometry, quantitative RT-PCR, and a rodent intraperitoneal growth model. Rates of oxidative phosphorylation/respiration per cell of cells growing as spheroids were nearly double those of a variant of the same cell type growing in suspension as loosely aggregated cells. Further, inhibition of spheroid formation by treatment with CDH2 (N-cadherin) siRNA reduced the rate of OXPHOS to that of the non-spheroid forming variant. Cells growing as spheroids showed greatly enhanced expression of miR-221/222, an oncomiR that targets multiple tumor suppressor genes and promotes invasion, and reduced expression of miR-9, which targets mitochondrial tRNA-modification enzymes and inhibits OXPHOS. Consistent with greater efficiency of ATP generation, tumor cells growing as spheroids injected into the nutrient-poor murine peritoneum survived longer than cells growing in suspension as loosely associated aggregates. The data indicate that growth in spheroid form enhances the OXPHOS activity of constituent tumor cells. In addition, spheroid architecture affects expression of microRNA genes involved in growth control and mitochondrial function. During the mobile phase of metastasis, when ovarian tumor cells disperse through nutrient-poor environments such as the peritoneum, enhanced OXPHOS activity afforded by spheroid architecture would enhance survival and metastatic potential.

Sustainable urban expansion and human development in China: An analysis using an environmentally improved human development index

AbstractUrban expansion poses a substantial challenge to sustainable regional development, but the spatiotemporal relationship between urban expansion and human development remains unclear. This paper proposed an improved human development index (IHDI) incorporating an environmental dimension and analyzed the spatiotemporal correlation between urban expansion and IHDI growth in China from 1990 to 2020. Significant increases in both urban expansion and human development levels were observed, and environmental differences between Eastern and Western China were effectively detected based on the IHDI, which also well reflected the geographical patterns bounded by the Hu Huanyong Line. In 1990, a significant disparity existed in the IHDI between the provincial capital cities and the entire province; by 2020, this gap had narrowed, and the prioritized development of provincial capitals subsequently propelled regional growth. Although positive correlations between urban expansion and IHDI growth in China were found from 2010 to 2020, the percentage of expansive negative decoupling between urban expansion and IHDI growth gradually increased, indicating a less sustainable relationship involved in urban expansion and human development in China. This study contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the spatiotemporal correlation between urban expansion and human development, and provides valuable insights for achieving sustainable development goals in China.

The Impacts of Land-Use Changes on Ecosystem Service Value in the Yunnan–Kweichow Plateau, China

The Yunnan–Kweichow Plateau serves as a critical ecological security barrier in southwest China. The region has witnessed substantial transformations in land use patterns due to rapid urban expansion, economic development, and population growth. These changes have significantly impacted the structure and services of regional ecosystems. Conducting a quantitative analysis of the influence of land-use changes on ecosystem service value (ESV) proves to be invaluable for guiding regional land planning and environmental conservation efforts. Utilizing land use data, we calculated ESV variations linked to dynamic land-use changes spanning the period from 1980 to 2020. This comprehensive study delved into the spatiotemporal fluctuations and regional disparities in ESV. To enhance the reliability of our evaluation, we applied a regional coefficient to adjust the equivalent factor of ecosystem service value. Over the 40 years, the total ESV exhibited a decrease from USD 122,215.03 million to USD 121,838.82 million. Notably, water supply experienced the most significant decline, while hydrological regulation witnessed the largest increase. The continuous decline in water supply service capacity raises concerns about exacerbating water resource shortages in the region. Spatially, the ESVs in the study region primarily concentrated within the medium-low to medium-high value range. However, except for regions with medium values, the area of other level regions is expanding, and is particularly evident in the increase in low-value regions. The reduction of forestland, grassland, and cultivated land, coupled with the expansion of built-up land, emerged as the primary contributors to the overall ESV decrease. In particular, the negative ecological contribution rate of built-up land reached 37.97%, and the ESV decreased by USD 866.64 million, underscoring that the expansion of water bodies could not compensate for this loss. The study highlights the increasing sensitivity of ESV to land-use changes in the region. As a response, there is a pressing need for managers to reinforce the implementation of ecological engineering and engage in rational planning for production, living, and ecological spaces. This research serves as a crucial reference for establishing an ecological security pattern system and fostering the sustainable development and utilization of land resources in the region.

Examining the advantages and disadvantages of international franchising and licensing from both legal and business perspectives within GCC region

PurposeThis study aims to provides the insights on the advantages and disadvantages of international franchising and licensing from the perspectives of legal and business considerations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).Design/methodology/approachUsing a quantitative research approach, the authors conducted a survey with 150 business owners and franchisees in the GCC and analyzed the data using descriptive statistics, structural equation modeling and frequency analysis.FindingsThe findings reveal that while international franchising and licensing offer significant benefits for business expansion and revenue growth, they also pose risks related to legal compliance, cultural differences and intellectual property protection. Indeed, the results of this study provide valuable insights into the advantages and disadvantages of international franchising and licensing in the GCC from both legal and business perspectives.Originality/valueThere is limited research on the legal and business perspectives of international franchising and licensing in the GCC. This study contributes to the literature by providing a comprehensive analysis of the legal and business perspectives of international franchising and licensing in the GCC.

Đánh giá tác động của tiếp cận tài chính toàn diện đến tăng trưởng kinh tế: nghiên cứu thực nghiệm với dữ liệu cấp tỉnh ở Việt Nam

The impact of financial inclusion on economic growth has been researched and debated multi-dimensionally recently. Theoretical and empirical research results with cross-country data show that the relationship between inclusion financial expansion and economic growth exists quite closely and is highly significant. But whether this impact relationship is positive or negative, big impact or a small impact, is different depending on the context of each country. With the goal of researching the relationship between financial inclusion and economic growth for Vietnam in the period 2016 - 2020, household-level data and provincial-level data for Vietnam are selected. The results show that enhancing financial inclusion has a largely positive impact on GRDP per capita. In addition, increasing the proportion of trained workers in the workforce, enhancing digital infrastructure through the internet usage rate, reducing multidimensional poverty, while minimizing negative impacts from the Covid pandemic will improve economic growth in Vietnam in the period 2016 - 2020.

Association between pathological infiltrative tumor growth pattern and prognosis in patients with resected lung squamous cell carcinoma

IntroductionLung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) usually shows expansive growth with large tumor nests; few reports on invasive growth patterns (INF) in LUSC have been associated with poor prognosis in gastrointestinal and urothelial cancers. In this study, we examine the association between INF and the prognosis of LUSC. Materials and methodsWe analyzed INF as a potential prognostic factor in 254 consecutive patients with LUSC who underwent complete surgical resection at our hospital between 2008 and 2017. INF was classified into 3 categories based on the structure of the tumor other than the large round solid nest of tumor cells. ResultsINF was categorized as INFa in 59 patients (23 %) with only well-demarcated large solid tumor cell nests, INFb in 89 patients (35 %) with medium to small, alongside large solid nests, and INFc in 98 patients (39 %) with cord-like/small nests or isolated cells plus large or medium solid nests. No significant lymph node metastasis differences were observed between INFc and INFa/b tumors. However, in patients with p-stage I, INFc had a poorer prognosis with regard to recurrence-free survival (RFS), with a 5-year RFS rate of 53.3 %, compared to 74.9 % for INFa/b (p = 0.010). ConclusionOur study highlights a novel pathological concept of INF in LUSC, and contributed to the proposal that it is a factor indicating an unfavorable prognosis in patients with early-stage LUSC. A prospective multicenter study is warranted for INFc patients, as careful follow-up and adjuvant chemotherapy might lead to the early detection and prevention of recurrence.

Comparison of the Work of Wastewater Treatment Plant “Ravda” in Summer and Winter Influenced by the Seasonal Mass Tourism Industry and COVID-19

Mass tourism puts enormous pressure on wastewater treatment plants due to its expansive growth during the summer months. To adapt to the fluctuations, the Ravda wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) uses innovative methods and technologies, allowing for “shrinking” and “expanding” of the facilities according to the season. This has been built in stages over the years, with two separate biological treatment lines adapting to different numbers of tourists and to the quantity of influent wastewater. The aim of this study is to make a comparative assessment of the work of WWTP Ravda in the summer and winter seasons and its effectiveness, as well as to compare them. In addition, it examines the years of the COVID-19 pandemic, when a much higher consumption of water per person was noted. Data were analyzed for the period of 2018–2022 inclusive, comparing influent and effluent BOD5 and COD in the summer and winter. Nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiencies were also tracked. The study shows that municipal wastewater treatment is effective, but much higher values, close to the maximum permissible discharge values, are observed during the tourist season. With the continued growth of the tourism sector, the Ravda wastewater treatment plant would not be able to cope with the discharge standards set by the Ministry of Environment and Water, so measures need to be taken promptly.

Islamic banks and capital buffer behavior: A view from the Gulf cooperation council markets

This study explores the determinants of the capital buffer behavior (CB) of Islamic banks (IBs) using a sample of 42 IBs in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets during 2009–2018. We also investigate the transmission mechanism, efficacy of the macroprudential policies, relationships between these policies, and financial stability of these banks. Unlike previous research, this study considers certain peculiarities of IBs, including the effects of profit–loss-sharing investment accounts (PSIAs); the impact of capital adjustment costs; external factors such as market power and competition; and institutional influences such as the rule of law and the potential corruption perceptions index. Overall, our results show that CB is countercyclical, which is in line with Basel III requirements. Furthermore, CB is positively affected by bank size, level of profitability, and competition and negatively impacted by nonperforming loans, credit risk, and displaced commercial risk (DCR). The regulatory determinants are important as well, suggesting that strengthening the official macroprudential supervision encourages banks to strengthen their CBs. Conversely, although banks have adequate capital, regulatory tools increase the burden, increasing banks' capital costs and forcing them to limit risk-weighted asset expansion and credit growth. Furthermore, the regulatory pressure, proxied by a discretionary countercyclical buffer, is not binding and does not increase CBs as they are already moving countercyclically, making macroprudential tools redundant for IBs. Other important implications suggest that IBs do not require additional CBs to cover the DCR associated with PSIAs, as PSIAs' provisions, profit equalization reserves, and investment risk reserves already cover this risk. Additionally, the positive relationship between IB size and CB might indicate that the “too big to fail” hypothesis does not apply to large IBs in the GCC.

Assessing Forest Conservation for Finland: An ARDL-Based Evaluation

Deforestation is a central topic in the ongoing environmental degradation stemming from global economic expansion and population growth. This study delved into the effects of electricity production from renewable sources, GDP per capita, and urbanization on forest area growth in Finland during the over-three-decade research period, 1990–2022, using an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model. Both the ARDL bounds test and the Bayer–Hanck cointegration tests proved the existence of a long-term cointegrating relationship between the variables, and the constructed error correction model (ECM) evaluated short-term relationships. The results showed that: (i) forest area growth is positively connected with electricity production from renewable sources and urbanization; (ii) forest area growth is negatively connected with economic growth; (iii) in the short run, forest area growth is positively connected with all regressors. The utilized ARDL-ECM model, characterized by its robustness and appropriateness, validated the time-series dynamics. The obtained results were scrutinized, and their policy implications were thoroughly examined. Additionally, recommendations are provided to ensure the sustainability and success of forest conservation efforts.

A phytochrome/phototropin chimeric photoreceptor promotes growth of fern gametophytes under limited light conditions.

Many ferns thrive even in low-light niches such as under an angiosperm forest canopy. However, the shade adaptation strategy of ferns is not well understood. Phytochrome 3/neochrome (phy3/neo) is an unconventional photoreceptor, found in the fern Adiantum capillus-veneris, that controls both red and blue light-dependent phototropism and chloroplast photorelocation, which are considered to improve photosynthetic efficiency in ferns. Here we show that phy3/neo localizes not only at the plasma membrane but also in the nucleus. Since both phototropism and chloroplast photorelocation are mediated by membrane-associated phototropin photoreceptors, we speculated that nucleus-localized phy3/neo possesses a previously undescribed biological function. We reveal that phy3/neo directly interacts with Adiantum cryptochrome 3 (cry3) in the nucleus. Plant cryptochromes are blue light receptors that transcriptionally regulate photomorphogenesis; therefore, phy3/neo may function via cry3 to synchronize light-mediated development with phototropism and chloroplast photorelocation to promote fern growth under low-light conditions. Furthermore, we demonstrate that phy3/neo regulates the expression of the Cyclin-like gene AcCyc1 and promotes prothallium expansion growth. These findings provide insight into the shade adaptation strategy of ferns and suggest that phy3/neo plays a substantial role in the survival and growth of ferns during the tiny gametophytic stage under low-light conditions, such as those on the forest floor.

Anoectochilusroxburghii extract down-regulates METTL3 to reduce RNA m6A on WNT pathway and inhibit melanoma cancer cell metastasis.

Characterized by high invasiveness and expansive growth, melanoma progression is intricately regulated, with RNA m6A modifications playing a pivotal role. Among these regulators, METTL3 modulates the migratory capabilities of melanoma cells, specifically by modifying the RNA m6A of UCK2. The extract of Anoectochilusroxburghii, a plant known for its broad-spectrum antitumour properties, has been shown to effectively curb the invasion and migration of melanoma cells and impede tumour growth. The primary mechanism involves the downregulation of METTL3 expression. By doing so, the Anoectochilus roxburghii extract reduces the m6A level on the mRNA of UCK2, accelerating UCK2 mRNA degradation and, consequently, decreasing UCK2 expression. This process, in turn, suppresses gene expression within the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, contributing to its antimelanoma effects.

Antimicrobial Surface for Devices Used in Stem Culture Manipulation and In Vitro Biofabrication of Tissues.

Cell therapy and engineered tissue creation based on the use of human stem cells involves cell isolation, expansion, and cell growth and differentiation on the scaffolds. Microbial infections dramatically can affect stem cell survival and increase the risk of implant failure. To prevent these events, it is necessary to develop new materials with antibacterial properties for coating scaffold surfaces as well as medical devices, and all other surfaces at high risk of contamination. This chapter describes strategies for obtaining antibacterial blends for coating inert surfaces (polymethylmethacrylate, polycarbonate, Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP)). In particular, the procedures for preparing antibacterial blends by mixing polymer resins with two types of antibacterial additives and depositing these blends on inert surfaces are described.

Innervation density and types of nerves in prostate cancer.

Innervation of cancerous tissue represents an important pathway enabling the nervous system to influence the processes associated with the initiation, progression, and metastasis of a neoplastic process. In the context of prostate cancer, several papers report the presence of innervation and its modulating effect on the cancer prognosis. However, most of the data are experimental, with limited information on human prostate cancer innervation. Morphometric analysis of archival prostate specimen immunohistochemistry with neural markers PGP9.5 and S100 showed a significant decrease of nerve density in the prostate cancer (n=44) compared to the normal prostate tissue (n=18) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (n=28). Sympathetic nerves were detected with TH, parasympathetic with VAChT, and sensory nerves with SP and CGRP protein detection. Dual immunofluorescence revealed numerous sympathetic nerves in normal prostate and benign prostatic hyperplasia, especially in the peripheral parts. Only a few parasympathetic nerves were found between the glands and in the peripheral parts of the prostate and benign hyperplasia. Sporadic positivity for sensory innervation was present only in approximately 1/10 of nerve fibers, especially in the larger nerves. The pattern of innervation in prostate cancer was analogous to that in normal prostate gland and benign prostatic hyperplasia but there was a significantly lower amount of all nerve types, especially in high-grade carcinoma cases. Although not significant, there was a tendency of decreasing innervation density with increasing Gleason score. Regarding the low density of nerves in prostate carcinoma, the significantly lower PCNA counts in nerves of the cancer specimens cannot be ascribed to lower proliferation activity. Our data confirmed the lower nerve density in the prostate cancer compared to the benign prostate tissue. We could not approve an increased nerve proliferation activity in prostate cancer. All nerve types, most the sympathetic, less the parasympathetic, and the sensory nerves, are present in prostate cancer. The highest nerve density at the periphery of the cancer tissue implies this to be the result of an expansive tumor growth. It is evident that the results of experimental prostate cancer models can be applied to human pathology only to a certain extent. The relation between the range of innervation and the biology of prostate cancer is very complex and will require more detailed information to be applied in therapeutic solutions.

Science, technology and innovation driving urban land use and urban planning development: policy and practice

Abstract In an era where science, technology, and innovation are key drivers of urban transformation, this research addresses the critical influences of policy and practice on urban planning and land utilization, proposing efficacious planning strategies to navigate emerging challenges. The study offers a comprehensive examination of urban development trends by integrating methods such as fuzzy set urban planning models, multi-objective planning, fuzzy regression, and GIS-based land use analysis. Specifically, our analysis of Shenzhen’s expansion and agricultural land growth from 1998 to 2023 demonstrates the significant impacts of technological innovation on urban landscapes, notably in expanding built-up regions by 90.21 square kilometers and augmenting greenfield farmland by 17.83%, thereby markedly enhancing land designated for ecological purposes. These findings affirm the vital role of innovation in advancing environmental sustainability and sustainable urban planning practices.

High-areal capacity Si architecture as an on-chip anode for lithium-ion batteries

Silicon is one of the most promising anode materials for Li-ion batteries, especially to meet the growing demand for energy storage in the form of microbatteries for mobile and autonomous devices. However, the development of such batteries is hindered by mechanical and electrochemical failures resulting from massive Si volume expansion and continuous growth of the solid electrolyte interphase. In this study, we propose a novel on-chip anode architecture using rapid thermal annealing on porous silicon. The structure consists of a densified silicon layer on top of an isotropic structure of a porous layer. We demonstrate that this structure enhances both electrochemical and mechanical stabilities, achieving an areal capacity of 9 mAh cm−2 over more than 200 cycles with a high Coulombic efficiency near 100%.

Tasks, ways and approaches to improve service maintenance of machinery (on the example of Rostselmash)

The article is devoted to the issues of improving the system of service maintenance of machinery manufactured by Rostselmash Combine Plant LLC. The strategic objective is to develop the corporate service network in terms of its quantitative expansion and qualitative growth. The introduction lists the main points of the company’s service network strategy. The main body of the publication contains the main advantages of transitioning to a new system of guarantee fulfilment, as well as approaches to achieve such a transition. Potential difficulties and unresolved problems hindering the improvement of the service delivery system are outlined. Also, in the ‘Materials and Methods’ section of the publication, approaches to the improvement of machinery service are formulated, touching upon such areas of this work as: payment for warranty services, termination of warranty obligations, training of mechanics and specialists of service centers, etc. The main business objectives covering the following aspects of service improvement work are presented as the results of the research study: franchise development, increasing customer satisfaction, information gathering, and cost reduction. Each of the outlined aspects is given its extended description in the third section of the article.

Sistema de gestión energética usando un controlador difuso de velocidad optimizada con enjambre artificial de peces basado en un clasificador de aprendizaje neuronal recurrente profundo

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) must ensure power demand through minimum fuel consumption and a control strategy. Existing control methods were easy to implement, showing quick response and good performance. Power demand is linked to numerous factors such as level of social and economic expansion, industrialization, urbanization, and technological growth. However, power demand problems like higher energy waste, poor quality, less accuracy, lack of robustness, and limited operating range were not reduced in existing controller methods. This paper presents an Artificial Fish Swarm Speed Optimization Fuzzy PID Controller (AFSSOF-PIDC). AFSSOFPIDC-DRNLC includes different layers in drive train management. Initially, different vehicle data is considered in the input layer and then sent to hidden layer 1. Fitness is identified by improved Artificial Fish Swarm Speed Optimization to find optimal values that minimize the power demand, and then send it toward hidden layer 2. A Mamdani Fuzzy PID Controller is used in hidden layer 2. If the fitness value of the vehicle information is less than the threshold value, fuel consumption is minimized in the HEV. Otherwise, consumption of fuel is not minimized in the HEV. Finally, energy management is achieved through minimal power demand. The results indicate that the performance of the proposed AFSSOFPIDC-DRNLC technique minimizes fuel consumption by increasing the performance of the controller as compared with existing methods.

Effect of Agricultural Investments, Credit and Exports on Agricultural Growth in Nigeria (1981-2020)

This study evaluated the impact of agricultural investments, credit and exports on agricultural growth in Nigeria (1981-2020). Annual data were sourced from the CBN Statistical bulletins, FAO and World Bank websites. The Vecto Error Correction Model (VECM) and Single-Equation Error-Correction-Model (ECM) were used to examine the long-run and short-run relationships of the variables respectively. The VECM results shows that coefficients of agricultural export (AEXP) and public agricultural investment (PAI) significantly influenced agricultural expansion (growth) in Nigeria in the long run. While in the short run, only the coefficient of foreign direct investment (FDIA) was found to have significant impact on agricultural growth in Nigeria. The study recommended that the government at all levels should create a favourable investment climate in terms of policies to draw foreign investment to the agricultural sector and, Federal and State Governments should increase its level of budgetary allocation to the agricultural segment of Nigeria economy to boost the agricultural sector.

Evaluation of the Essential Oils Used in the Production of Biopesticides: Assessing Their Toxicity toward Both Arthropod Target Species and Beneficial Pollinators

Biopesticides, alongside the expansive growth of conventional agriculture, emerged as a hopeful avenue for mitigating the environmental impact of synthetic chemicals. Essential oils derived from various plant species are regarded as environmentally friendly and have been suggested by numerous researchers for combating the pest species. However, in addition to their detrimental effects on harmful species, these essential oils exert varying degrees of impact on non-target species with which they share ecological relationships. This review serves the dual purpose of updating data on the use of the essential oils as biopesticides, considering the substantial increase in research output in the recent years. Simultaneously, it aims to provide a focused synthesis on the essential oils currently approved for commercial use as biopesticides, and shedding light on their impact on beneficial pollinator species, which may inadvertently suffer from the application of substances deemed safe by most users.

The Sharing Economy Increases Social Network Activity and thus the Ability to Realize Traffic

The digital transformation of the 21st century has catalyzed the emergence of two dominant phenomena: the sharing economy and the expansive growth of social networks. This paper meticulously delves into the intricate relationship between these two transformative domains, offering a comprehensive exploration of their convergence and the profound impact this has on consumer behavior, evolving business models, and overarching societal norms. Presently, the landscape is distinctly marked by the democratization of resources, enabling greater access and utilization, coupled with a significant shift in communication paradigms. This shift is predominantly driven by innovative platforms such as Airbnb, Uber, and Facebook, which have redefined user engagement and economic transactions. Peering into the future, it becomes evident that technological advancements, stand at the forefront of refining this convergence. These technologies promise to address and offer robust solutions to prevailing challenges, especially those related to trust, transparency, and tailored personalization. Yet, this promising horizon is interspersed with challenges. Pressing issues such as regulatory frameworks, the imperative of data privacy, and the consistent demand for quality assurance necessitate astute navigation by all stakeholders involved. In summation, the dynamic interplay between the sharing economy and social networks heralds a transformative paradigm shift in the digital age. This shift places a spotlight on sustainability, fosters community collaboration, and champions the ethos of shared value. Stakeholders, ranging from businesses to end consumers, are emphatically encouraged to navigate this evolving digital terrain with adaptability, strategic foresight, and informed prudence.