bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Roles of TALE Gene Family in Maize Drought Stress Responses
Authors: Qian Buxuan , Wang Qi , Zhang Chuang , Guo Jia , Yu Zhijia , Han Jiarui , Xia Hanchao , Zhao Rengui , Yin Yuejia
Published: June 2024

The TALE gene family plays a crucial role in regulating growth, development, and abiotic stress responses in plants. However, limited studies have been conducted on the functions of the ZmTALE gene family in maize under drought stress. This study identified 40 members of the ZmTALE family within the maize genome through Blast comparisons, distributed unevenly across the first nine chromosomes. Intraspecific collinearity analysis revealed 13 linked pairs. By constructing a phylogenetic tree with Arabidopsis AtTALE members as references, maize members were divided into two subfamilies, KNOX and BEL1-Like, with KNOX further divided into three branches (KNOX Class I, KNOX Class II, and KNOX Class III). The gene structure and motifs of ZmTALE genes within the same subfamily or branch showed similarities, as did their encoded proteins, which possess similar motifs and conserved domains. Analysis of the physicochemical properties of the ZmTALE proteins revealed that the proteins encoded by this family are stable. Expression analysis of ZmTALE genes in maize demonstrated their varied roles in development and drought stress regulation, confirmed through qRT-PCR. The identification, characterization, and expression analysis of ZmTALE genes provide a reference for future gene function research and aid in the genetic enhancement of maize to withstand drought stress.
Performance of ACCase-Resistant and ACCase-Susceptible Phenotypes of Sterile Oat Avena sterilis subsp. ludoviciana (Durieu) Nyman under Drought Conditions in the Greenhouse
Authors: Naderi Ruhollah , Bijani Farzad , Chauhan Bhagirath S. , Mueller-Schaerer Heinz
Published: June 2024

Climate change might benefit water-stress-adapted weeds, further impairing their management. To evaluate the impact of soil moisture regimes on the growth and reproductive behaviour of ACCase-resistant and ACCase-susceptible phenotypes of sterile oat (Avena sterilis subsp. ludoviciana (Durieu) Nyman), a greenhouse experiment was carried out in 2020 and 2021. The factors were soil moisture regimes (100% field capacity (FC) as well-watered, 75% FC, 50% FC, and 25% FC) and ACCase-resistant and ACCase-susceptible phenotypes of sterile oat. Increased drought stress conditions reduced the number of tillers per plant by 34, 55, and 83% and the number of seeds per plant by 36, 61, and 89% in the 75% FC, 50% FC, and 25% FC conditions, respectively, compared to the well-watered treatment. Notably, both phenotypes reacted similarly to water stress, with no interactions between the two factors. Regardless of water stress, the resistant phenotypes produced fewer seeds per plant, indicating fitness costs. However, due to their high plasticity, both phenotypes will still produce seeds even when facing severe water stress conditions. Thus, sterile oat is expected to continue infesting crop fields in the near future, but with ACCase-resistant phenotypes being less successful than susceptible ones in the absence of herbicide application.
Inside Production Data Science: Exploring the Main Tasks of Data Scientists in Production Environments
Authors: Schmetz Arno , Kampker Achim
Published: June 2024

Modern production relies on data-based analytics for the prediction and optimization of production processes. Specialized data scientists perform tasks at companies and research institutions, dealing with real data from actual production environments. The roles of data preprocessing and data quality are crucial in data science, and an active research field deals with methodologies and technologies for this. While anecdotes and generalized surveys indicate preprocessing is the major operational task for data scientists, a detailed view of the subtasks and the domain of production data is missing. In this paper, we present a multi-stage survey on data science tasks in practice in the field of production. Using expert knowledge and insights, we found data preprocessing to be the major part of the tasks of data scientists. In detail, we found that tackling missing values, finding data point meanings, and synchronization of multiple time-series were often the most time-consuming preprocessing tasks.
Assessing the Current Landscape of Reptile Pet Ownership in Hong Kong: A Foundation for Improved Animal Welfare and Future Research Directions
Authors: Chan Sze-Wing , Fang Wei-Ta , LePage Ben , Wang Shun-Mei
Published: June 2024

We investigated the evolving landscape of reptile pet ownership in Hong Kong. Employing a quantitative approach, a self-administered survey was distributed and over 200 reptile pet owners residing in Hong Kong responded. The survey instrument captured demographic data on pet ownership history, species preferences, husbandry practices, and veterinary care utilization. The findings revealed a strong interest in pet reptiles, with lizards being particularly popular (67%) among new owners. Turtles remain common (35%), likely due to cultural factors and perceived ease of care. However, a gap was noted between the awareness and the implementation of proper husbandry practices, with 51% of respondents expressing concerns about enrichment and 21% uncertain about appropriate enclosure size. Veterinary care utilization also showed a disconnect, with 50% of the respondents reporting no regular check-ups were performed, despite acknowledging its importance. Reptile behavior served as a well-being indicator. Over 90% of the respondents observed normal behaviors like locomotion and breathing. Interestingly, a positive correlation emerged between reptile behavior scores and duration of ownership (r = 0.200, p < 0.01), suggesting improved well-being for reptiles that were in long-term care. These findings emphasize the need for educational initiatives promoting responsible pet ownership practices and fostering collaboration between reptile owners, veterinarians, and animal welfare organizations. By addressing these knowledge gaps and promoting a collaborative approach, our results aim to contribute to enhanced reptile welfare in the context of Hong Kong’s evolving pet ownership trends.
Characterization of the Temperament and Reactivity of Nelore Cattle (Bos indicus) Associated with Behavior Scores during Corral Management in the Humid Tropics
Authors: da Silva Welligton Conceição , da Silva Jamile Andréa Rodrigues , Martorano Lucieta Guerreiro , da Silva Éder Bruno Rebelo , Belo Tatiane Silva , Neves Kedson Alessandri Lobo , Camargo Júnior Raimundo Nonato Colares , de Araújo Cláudio Vieira , Vilela Luís Gustavo Paixão , Joaquim Leonel António , de Carvalho Rodrigues Thomaz Cyro Guimarães , Lourenço-Júnior José de Brito
Published: June 2024

The evaluation of the reactivity and distress of cattle during corral management, by means of subjective scores, aims at the standardization of behavioral indicators, through non-invasive methods, in addition to enabling the development of more appropriate management practices, thus promoting the comfort and well-being of these animals. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to characterize the temperament and distress of cattle managed in a corral using behavioral indicators during the rainiest period. For this, the experiment was conducted on a property located in the municipality of Mojuí dos Campos, during the rainiest quarter (February–April). Thus, 30 male cattle, not castrated, approximately 29 months of age, clinically healthy, and weighing 310 + 20 kg, were divided into three rearing systems: silvopastoral (SP), traditional (SS), and integrated (SI) systems. There were 10 animals per system. Physiological parameters were collected to evaluate rectal temperature (RT) and respiratory rate (RR), as well as body surface temperature (BST), through thermal windows (head and flank infrared temperature and rump infrared temperature). To evaluate temperament and reactivity, scores indicative of corral behavior were used, namely escape speed (ES), tension score (SS_1), tension score (SS_2), reactivity scale (RS), movement score (MS), and temperament scale (TS). The results showed that there was a thermal amplitude of 5.9 °C on average and 8.6 °C at maximum when comparing the structure of the corral and the trees. In addition, the comparisons between the production systems for the behavioral variables did not differ at the 5% significance level, except for ES, where the traditional system differed from the integrated system and the silvopastoral system, showing intermediate average values for both. In addition, there was a positive correlation between the variables RT and RR (r = 0.72; p < 0.01), RR and SS_2 (r = 0.38; p = 0.04), flank infrared temperature and MS (r = 0.47; p = 0.01), rump infrared temperature and RS (r = 0.37; p = 0.04), SS_1 and RS (r = 0.41; p = 0.02), SS_1 and SS_2 (r = 0.39; p = 0.03), RS and SS_2 (r = 0.58; p = 0.00), RS and MS (r = 0.50; p = 0.01), RS and TS (r = 0.61; p = 0.00), SS_2 and MS (r = 0.51; p = 0.00), SS_2 and TS (r = 0.47; p = 0.01), and MS and TS (r = 0.44; p = 0.02), and a negative correlation between ES and TS (r = −0.42; p = 0.02). The rainy season had a major influence on the evaluation of temperature and distress levels during handling in the corral, as evidenced by the association between physiological and behavioral parameters.
Urinary Tract Infections among Febrile Infants in Qatar: Extended-Spectrum-Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-Producing Versus Non-ESBL Organisms
Authors: Qusad Mohammad , Elhalabi Ihsan , Ali Samer , Siddiq Khaled , Loay Lujain , Aloteiby Abdallah , Al Ansari Ghada , Moustafa Bassem , Olukade Tawa , Al Amri Mohammed , Soliman Ashraf , Khalil Ahmed
Published: June 2024

Background: The escalating prevalence of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Qatar’s pediatric population, especially in community-onset febrile urinary tract infections (FUTIs), necessitates a comprehensive investigation into this concerning trend. Results: Over the course of one year, a total of 459 infants were diagnosed and subsequently treated for UTIs. Cases primarily occurred in infants aged over 60 days, predominantly non-Qatari females born from term pregnancies. Notably, E. coli and K. pneumoniae were the most frequently identified organisms, accounting for 79.7% and 9.8% in the ESBL group and 57.2% and 18.7% in the non-ESBL group, respectively. Interestingly, hydronephrosis emerged as the most prevalent urological anomaly detected in both ESBL (n = 10) and other organism (n = 19) groups. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study conducted in Qatar, we meticulously evaluated the prevalence of pediatric FUTIs. Our study focused on febrile infants aged less than 1 year, excluding those with urine samples not obtained through a catheter. Conclusions: E. coli and K. pneumoniae prevailed as the predominant causative agents in febrile children in Qatar, with hydronephrosis being identified as the most common urological anomaly. Moreover, our findings suggested that gentamicin served as a viable non-carbapenem option for hospitalized ESBL cases, while oral nitrofurantoin showed considerable promise for uncomplicated ESBL UTIs.
Scutellarein Suppresses the Production of ROS and Inflammatory Mediators of LPS-Activated Bronchial Epithelial Cells and Attenuates Acute Lung Injury in Mice
Authors: Li Ximeng , Zhang Xiaoyu , Kang Yuan , Cai Min , Yan Jingjing , Zang Chenchen , Gao Yuan , Qi Yun
Published: June 2024

Scutellarein is a key active constituent present in many plants, especially in Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and Erigeron breviscapus (vant.) Hand-Mazz which possesses both anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities. It also is the metabolite of scutellarin, with the ability to relieve LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI), strongly suggesting that scutellarein could suppress respiratory inflammation. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of scutellarein on lung inflammation by using LPS-activated BEAS-2B cells (a human bronchial epithelial cell line) and LPS-induced ALI mice. The results showed that scutellarein could reduce intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation through inhibiting the activation of NADPH oxidases, markedly downregulating the transcription and translation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL) 8 in LPS-activated BEAS-2B cells. The mechanism study revealed that it suppressed the phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα, consequently hindering the translocation of p65 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus and its subsequent binding to DNA, thereby decreasing NF-κB-regulated gene transcription. Notably, scutellarein had no impact on the activation of AP-1 signaling. In LPS-induced ALI mice, scutellarein significantly decreased IL-6, CCL2, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, attenuated lung injury, and inhibited neutrophil infiltration. Our findings suggest that scutellarein may be a beneficial agent for the treatment of infectious pneumonia by virtue of its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities.
Emerging Roles of Xanthine Oxidoreductase in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Korsmo Hunter W. , Ekperikpe Ubong S. , Daehn Ilse S.
Published: June 2024

Xanthine Oxidoreductase (XOR) is a ubiquitous, essential enzyme responsible for the terminal steps of purine catabolism, ultimately producing uric acid that is eliminated by the kidneys. XOR is also a physiological source of superoxide ion, hydrogen peroxide, and nitric oxide, which can function as second messengers in the activation of various physiological pathways, as well as contribute to the development and the progression of chronic conditions including kidney diseases, which are increasing in prevalence worldwide. XOR activity can promote oxidative distress, endothelial dysfunction, and inflammation through the biological effects of reactive oxygen species; nitric oxide and uric acid are the major products of XOR activity. However, the complex relationship of these reactions in disease settings has long been debated, and the environmental influences and genetics remain largely unknown. In this review, we give an overview of the biochemistry, biology, environmental, and current clinical impact of XOR in the kidney. Finally, we highlight recent genetic studies linking XOR and risk for kidney disease, igniting enthusiasm for future biomarker development and novel therapeutic approaches targeting XOR.
Effects of Vertical Motion on Uplift of Underground Structure Induced by Soil Liquefaction
Authors: Chou Jui-Ching
Published: June 2024

The uplift of underground structures induced by soil liquefaction can damage underground structure systems. Numerical simulations have shown that uplift is positively correlated with the energy of horizontal input motion. However, the effects of vertical input motion on uplift have not been studied comprehensively in the past. Previous studies on the vertical motion concluded that the effects of vertical motion on uplift depend on the overall characteristics of earthquake motion. These motion characteristics have only been studied separately in previous studies. A comprehensive study to explore the interactions and overall effects of these characteristics on the uplift of underground structures is essential. In this study, the FLAC program with the PM4Sand model was used as a numerical tool to explore the effects of vertical input motion on the uplift of underground structures. The numerical model was calibrated using centrifuge test results, and 48 earthquake motions were selected as input motions to study the effects of the overall characteristics of earthquake motions on the uplift of underground structures. The simulation results show that the frequency content characteristics of horizontal and vertical motion are the major factors affecting the uplift magnitude and the responses of liquefiable soils. However, most simulation cases show that the inclusion of vertical motion causes a 10% difference in the tunnel uplift, compared to cases without vertical motion.
Deciphering the Role of the Nucleus Accumbens Shell Area on Spatial Memory Deficits Induced by Neuropathic Pain in Rats
Authors: Cerqueira-Nunes Mariana , Monteiro Clara , Galhardo Vasco , Cardoso-Cruz Helder
Published: June 2024

The nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh) is a major structure associated with distinct aspects of reward and mnemonic information encoding, relying on spatial data to define optimal behavioral strategies. Chronic pain-derived striatal plasticity is considered one underpinning cause of working memory (WM) impairments. However, it is unclear how the NAcSh is involved in these spatial deficits. To address this, we evaluated the impact of unilateral local NAcSh electrical lesions during the execution of a food-reinforced eight-shaped spatial alternation WM task. Behavioral performance was assessed in rats after the onset of the neuropathic pain model—spared nerve injury (SNI). Our findings indicate that the induction of SNI and/or NAcSh lesions did not significantly impact the animals’ performance accuracy or motor activity during the execution of the behavioral task, but altered their response latency patterns. In addition, these manipulations did not induce significant antinociceptive effects. Collectively, these results suggest that the NAcSh may participate in specific aspects of spatial information integration and processing under neuropathic pain conditions.
Machine Learning for Global Bioclimatic Classification: Enhancing Land Cover Prediction through Random Forests
Authors: Sparey Morgan , Williamson Mark S. , Cox Peter M.
Published: June 2024

Traditional bioclimatic classification schemes have several inherent shortcomings; they do not represent anthropogenic impact, they contain a bias for global north representation, and they lack flexibility regarding novel climates that may arise due to climate change. Here we present an alternative approach, using a machine learning approach. We combine European Space Agency Land Cover Classification data with traditional bioclimate classification climate variables, and additional variables; latitude, elevation, and topography. We utilise a random forest algorithm to create a classification system that overcomes the limitations and biases of the traditional schemes. The algorithm produced is able to predict land cover classification globally at 0.5-degree resolution with 93% accuracy. The resulting classifications account for human impact, particularly via agriculture, are informed by the topography of a region, and avoids the biases that traditional bioclimatic schemes contain. The algorithm can provide insights into the drivers of land cover change, the spatial distribution of land cover change, the potential impacts on ecosystem services and human well-being. Furthermore, the random forest model serves as a novel approach to the prediction of future land cover, and can be used to identify regions at risk of a land cover transition. Our data-based machine learning approach produces larger land-cover changes due to climate change than a traditional bioclimatic scheme, especially in sensitive regions such as Amazonia. Overall, our new approach projects approximately 17.4 million square kilometre of land-cover change per degree celsius of global warming.
The Osteogenic Peptide P-15 for Bone Regeneration: A Narrative Review of the Evidence for a Mechanism of Action
Authors: Cheng Cooper T. , Vyas Praveer S. , McClain Edward James , Hoelen Thomáy-Claire Ayala , Arts Jacobus Johannes Chris , McLaughlin Colin , Altman Daniel T. , Yu Alexander K. , Cheng Boyle C.
Published: June 2024

Bone regeneration is a complex multicellular process involving the recruitment and attachment of osteoprogenitors and their subsequent differentiation into osteoblasts that deposit extracellular matrixes. There is a growing demand for synthetic bone graft materials that can be used to augment these processes to enhance the healing of bone defects resulting from trauma, disease or surgery. P-15 is a small synthetic peptide that is identical in sequence to the cell-binding domain of type I collagen and has been extensively demonstrated in vitro and in vivo to enhance the adhesion, differentiation and proliferation of stem cells involved in bone formation. These events can be categorized into three phases: attachment, activation and amplification. This narrative review summarizes the large body of preclinical research on P-15 in terms of these phases to describe the mechanism of action by which P-15 improves bone formation. Knowledge of this mechanism of action will help to inform the use of P-15 in clinical practice as well as the development of methods of delivering P-15 that optimize clinical outcomes.
Utilizing Immunoinformatics for mRNA Vaccine Design against Influenza D Virus
Authors: Oladipo Elijah Kolawole , Adeyemo Stephen Feranmi , Akinboade Modinat Wuraola , Akinleye Temitope Michael , Siyanbola Kehinde Favour , Adeogun Precious Ayomide , Ogunfidodo Victor Michael , Adekunle Christiana Adewumi , Elutade Olubunmi Ayobami , Omoathebu Esther Eghogho , Taiwo Blessing Oluwatunmise , Akindiya Elizabeth Olawumi , Ochola Lucy , Onyeaka Helen
Published: June 2024

Background: Influenza D Virus (IDV) presents a possible threat to animal and human health, necessitating the development of effective vaccines. Although no human illness linked to IDV has been reported, the possibility of human susceptibility to infection remains uncertain. Hence, there is a need for an animal vaccine to be designed. Such a vaccine will contribute to preventing and controlling IDV outbreaks and developing effective countermeasures against this emerging pathogen. This study, therefore, aimed to design an mRNA vaccine construct against IDV using immunoinformatic methods and evaluate its potential efficacy. Methods: A comprehensive methodology involving epitope prediction, vaccine construction, and structural analysis was employed. Viral sequences from six continents were collected and analyzed. A total of 88 Hemagglutinin Esterase Fusion (HEF) sequences from IDV isolates were obtained, of which 76 were identified as antigenic. Different bioinformatics tools were used to identify preferred CTL, HTL, and B-cell epitopes. The epitopes underwent thorough analysis, and those that can induce a lasting immunological response were selected for the construction. Results: The vaccine prototype comprised nine epitopes, an adjuvant, MHC I-targeting domain (MITD), Kozaq, 3′ UTR, 5′ UTR, and specific linkers. The mRNA vaccine construct exhibited antigenicity, non-toxicity, and non-allergenicity, with favourable physicochemical properties. The secondary and tertiary structure analyses revealed a stable and accurate vaccine construct. Molecular docking simulations also demonstrated strong binding affinity with toll-like receptors. Conclusions: The study provides a promising framework for developing an effective mRNA vaccine against IDV, highlighting its potential for mitigating the global impact of this viral infection. Further experimental studies are needed to confirm the vaccine’s efficacy and safety.
The Influence of Cognitive and Emotional Factors on Social Media Users’ Information-Sharing Behaviours during Crises: The Moderating Role of the Construal Level and the Mediating Role of the Emotional Response
Authors: Lu Yanxia
Published: June 2024

Understanding the intricate dynamics of social media users’ information-sharing behaviours during crises is essential for effective public opinion management. While various scholarly efforts have attempted to uncover the factors influencing information sharing through different lenses, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Building upon the heuristic–systematic model (HSM) and construal level theory (CLT), this study explores the complex mechanisms that govern social media users’ information-sharing behaviours. The results indicate that both cognition and emotion play crucial roles in shaping users’ information-sharing behaviours, with systematic cues having the most significant impact on information-sharing behaviours. In terms of heuristic cues, positive emotions are more influential on information-sharing behaviours than primary cognition and negative emotions. Furthermore, spatial distance emerges as a key moderator, influencing individuals’ levels of engagement in information sharing. Emotion also acts as a mediator, connecting cognition to information sharing. This study provides insights into the sophisticated mechanisms of information sharing during crises, offering valuable implications for emergency management agencies to utilise social media for targeted public opinion guidance.
Biological Activities of Citrus-Derived Extracellular Vesicles on Human Cells: The Role of Preservation
Authors: Karamanidou Theodora , Krommydas Konstantinos , Karanikou Maria , Tsamos Dimitrios , Michalakis Konstantinos , Kletsas Dimitris , Tsouknidas Alexander , Pratsinis Harris
Published: June 2024

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been identified as important mediators for cell-to-cell communication. Citrus-based EVs in particular offer an excellent platform for nutraceutical delivery systems, as their endemic cargo includes micronutrients (e.g., ascorbic acid), which contribute to their antioxidant capacity. Despite being extensively investigated as to their therapeutic and diagnostic potential, their cargo is inherently unstable and thus directly affected by their storage and preservation. In this study, EVs were isolated from citrus fruit using tangential flow filtration and evaluated for their physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant activity and effects on human cells. To assess how their isolation and preservation methods affect these properties, the EVs were tested immediately after isolation (from fresh and freeze-thawed juices) or following freeze-drying. A measurable biological effect of cryoprotection on citrus-derived EVs was evident, whether during or after isolation. This was more pronounced in the cell-based assays, ranging from −4% to +32% in human skin fibroblast proliferation. Nevertheless, the effects on human cancer cells varied depending on the cell line. Although these results should be considered preliminary observations, subject to further investigation, it is safe to state that any type of preservation is expected to impact the EVs’ biological activity.
Development of the Home Environmental Scale of Accessibility Instrument for Spain
Authors: Jiménez-Arberas Estíbaliz , Varela Gemma Ruíz , Ordoñez Fernández Feliciano Francisco , Méndez María Isabel Fernández
Published: June 2024

Background: Universal accessibility is one of the most active lines of intervention for people with disabilities and older adults. This accessibility has become a topic of growing interest regarding home access and use. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to create and validate a home assessment tool: the HESA II. Methods: The study was conducted in four phases: (1) agreement on variables by an expert panel; (2) development of 90 items according to the AOTA framework; (3) pilot test with n = 20; and (4) final study with 156 subjects where confirmatory factor analysis was performed. Results: The tool consisted of 85 items divided into five subscales related to each of the main spaces of Spanish homes: living room; kitchen; bedroom; and bathroom. Conclusions: The tool demonstrates good psychometric properties of reliability. The HESA II assesses home accessibility based on limitations in activity and participation restriction of the evaluated person as per the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health rather than on a diagnosis, making it applicable to a wide range of groups.
Organic–Inorganic Composite Antifouling Coatings with Complementary Bioactive Effects
Authors: Kong Huixian , Fu Jinhui , Yu Rentong , Wang Mingyu , Tu Jinchun , Wu Qiang , Zhang Xuewei , Niu Lina , Zhang Kexi
Published: June 2024

Traditional antifouling coatings are toxic to marine life, which makes developing new environmentally friendly marine antifouling coatings imperative. Antifouling coatings that are nonadhesive and antimicrobial may provide an effective approach to achieving this goal. In this study, an organic–inorganic composite coating consisting of fluorinated polyurethane (FPU) and carboxymethyl chitosan–zinc oxide (CMC–ZnO) was prepared to achieve antifouling. The coating took advantage of the complementary bioactive effects of the low surface energy of FPU and the antimicrobial properties of CMC–ZnO. The coating showed good antifouling performance, with a survival rate for Escherichia coli of 3.15% and that for Staphylococcus aureus of 3.97% and an anti-protein adsorption rate of more than 90%. This study provides a simple method for preparing antifouling coatings using nonpolluting raw materials with minimal adverse effects on marine environments.
How Do Artificial Intelligence, Social Media Platforms and Photo Editing Applications Influence Cosmetic Surgery Choices—Literature Systematic Review and Prospective Study
Authors: Benamor Malek , Luca Stefana , Bouguila Jed , Grosu Oxana Madalina , Avadani Bianca Maria , Moraru Dan Cristian , Pertea Mihaela
Published: June 2024

Background: In recent years, social media and AI have indirectly taken control of our daily lives. We bring attention to the impact that social networks, photo-editing applications, and artificial intelligence have on potential patients when they are looking for a surgeon for a possible cosmetic surgery, as well as the criteria they consider in relation to the interest in the use of the internet by surgeons. Methods: A systematic review of the past 10 years (2014–2024) was conducted following the PRISMA structure. PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for articles containing the following terms: plastic/esthetic surgery, social media, AI, filters, dysmorphia. All articles were saved using Zotero software version 6.0.37. We reported a prospective study including a 141 patients applying for esthetic surgical interventions in the time interval between February and October 2021. It also involved 44 esthetic surgeons from Tunisian clinics. The influence of social media was evaluated using questionnaires made based on the literature. Results: Using the keyword search, 71 articles were found. A total of 19 articles were selected for data extraction. It was observed that in the last 3 years, the literature has focused on photo-editing and AI in the cosmetic surgery field. A total of 107 patients chose their surgeon based on a surgeon’s social medias rather than their reputation and their website. Conclusions: The increased advancements of the internet have clearly influenced decision making in the field of cosmetic surgery.
The Annealing Kinetics of Defects in CVD Diamond Irradiated by Xe Ions
Authors: Kotomin Eugene A. , Kuzovkov Vladimir N. , Lushchik Aleksandr , Popov Anatoli I. , Shablonin Evgeni , Scherer Theo , Vasil’chenko Evgeni
Published: June 2024

The radiation-induced optical absorption at 1.5–5.5 eV (up to the beginning of fundamental absorption) has been analyzed in CVD diamond disks exposed to 231-MeV 132Xe ions with four fluences from 1012 to 3.8 × 1013 cm−2. The 5 mm diameter samples (thickness 0.4 mm) were prepared by Diamond Materials, Freiburg (Germany); the average grain size at growth site was around 80 μm; and the range of xenon ions was R = 11.5 μm. The intensity of several bands grows with ion fluence, thus confirming the radiation-induced origin of the defects responsible for these bands. The recovery of radiation damage has been investigated via isochronal (stepwise) thermal annealing procedure up to 650 °C, while all spectra were measured at room temperature. Based on these spectra, the annealing kinetics of several defects, in particular carbon vacancies (GR1 centers with a broad band ~2 eV) and complementary C-interstitial-related defects (~4 eV), as well as impurity-related complex defects (narrow bands around 2.5 eV) have been constructed. The experimental kinetics have also been analyzed in terms of the diffusion-controlled bimolecular reactions. The migration energies of tentatively interstitial atoms (mobile components in recombination process) are obtained, and their dependence on the irradiation fluences is discussed.
Investigations on the Carrier Mobility of Cs2NaFeCl6 Double Perovskites
Authors: Xing Jiyuan , Zhao Yiting , Cong Wei-Yan , Guan Chengbo , Wu Zhongchen , Liu Dong , Lu Ying-Bo
Published: June 2024

Double perovskite materials have gradually become widely studied due to their potential applications in solar cells and other optoelectronic devices. We take Cs2NaFeCl6 as an example to investigate the carrier mobility with respect to the acoustic phonon and the optical phonon scattering mechanisms. By considering the deformation potential, carrier effective mass, and bulk modulus, the longitudinal acoustic (LA) phonon-determined mobilities for electrons and holes in Cs2NaFeCl6 are found to be μe = 2886.08 cm2 v−1 s−1 and μh = 39.09 cm2 v−1 s−1, respectively. The optical scattering mechanism involves calculating the Fröhlich coupling constant, dielectric constant, and polaron mass to determine the multiple polar optical (PO) phonon-scattering-determined mobilities, resulting in μe = 279.25 cm2 v−1 s−1 and μh = 21.29 cm2 v−1 s−1, respectively. By combining both interactions, the total electron mobility and hole mobility are determined to be 254.61 cm2 v−1 s−1 and 13.78 cm2 v−1 s−1, respectively. The findings suggest that the polarization of both electrons and ions, small coupling constant, and bulk modulus in Cs2NaFeCl6’s lattice make PO scattering a significant contribution to carrier mobility in this specific double perovskite, highlighting the importance of considering this in enhancing the optoelectronic properties of Cs2NaFeCl6 and other double perovskites.
Comparative Efficacy of Different Therapeutic Interventions in Eustachian Tube Dysfunctions: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
Authors: Alshehri Sarah , Musleh Abdullah
Published: June 2024

Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) affects a significant portion of the population, manifesting symptoms that impact the quality of life. Despite the prevalence of ETD, there remains a notable gap in comprehensive studies exploring the condition’s dynamics within specific demographic contexts, particularly within Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of ETD across different demographic groups, to evaluate the efficacy of various treatment modalities, and to identify key predictors of treatment response in a Saudi Arabian cohort. A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2022 to May 2023 in tertiary care hospitals in the Aseer region, Saudi Arabia. Participants included adults diagnosed with ETD, assessed through clinical symptoms, otoscopic examinations, audiometric evaluations, tympanometry, and the ETDQ-7 questionnaire. The study incorporated advanced diagnostics such as nasopharyngoscopy and pressure equalization tube function tests and involved 154 participants, revealing significant variations in ETD severity, with the 46–60 age group exhibiting the highest mean ETDQ-7 score of 4.85, and urban residents displaying lower severity scores compared to rural counterparts. Pharmacological interventions were most effective, achieving the highest symptom relief and audiological improvement rates of 87.78%. Multivariate regression highlighted age, geographic location, and treatment modality as key predictors of treatment efficacy, with notable interaction effects between climate conditions and treatment types influencing outcomes. The findings underscore the heterogeneity in ETD presentation and the differential efficacy of treatment modalities.
Cholesterol Gallstones and Long-Term Use of Statins: Is Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis Bridging over Uncertainties?
Authors: Georgescu Doina , Lighezan Daniel-Florin , Ionita Ioana , Hadaruga Nicoleta , Buzas Roxana , Rosca Ciprian-Ilie , Ionita Mihai , Suceava Ioana , Mitu Diana-Alexandra , Ancusa Oana-Elena
Published: June 2024

A total of 300 research participants—200 consecutive patients diagnosed with dyslipidemia (100 statin (+), treated for at least five years, and 100 statin (−)) and 100 healthy controls—were included in this observational study. The aim of the study was to deliver insights into the relationship between the long-term use of statins for dyslipidemia and gallstone disease (GSD), as well as insights into the background particularities of the gut microbiota. All study participants underwent clinical examination, laboratory workups, stool microbiology/stool 16S r RNA, next-generation sequencing, and abdominal ultrasound/CT exams. Results: The research participants presented with similarities related to age, gender, and location. Patients displayed comparable heredity for GSs, metabolic issues, and related co-morbidities. Gut dysbiosis (DB) was present in 54% of the statin (−) patients vs. 35% of the statin (+) patients (p = 0.0070). GSs were present in 14% of patients in the statin (−) group vs. 5% of patients in the statin (+) group (p = 0.0304). Severe dysbiosis, with a significant reduction in biodiversity, an increase in LPS (+) bacteria, and a notable decrease in mucin-degrading bacteria, mucosa-protective bacteria, and butyrate-producing bacteria were observed in the statin (−) group. Strong positive correlations between GSD and diabetes/impaired glucose tolerance (r = 0.3368, p = 0.0006), obesity (r = 0.3923, p < 0.0001), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (r = 0.3219, p = 0.0011), and DB (r = 0.7343, p < 0.0001), as well as significant negative correlations between GSD and alcohol use (r = −0.2305, p = 0.0211), were observed. The multiple regression equation demonstrated that only DB (95% CI: 0.3163 to 0.5670; p < 0.0001) and obesity (95% CI: 0.01431 to 0.2578; p = 0.0289) were independent risk factors predicting GSD in the group of patients treated with statins. Conclusion: The long-term use of statins in dyslipidemic patients was associated with a low risk of developing GSs. The gut microbiota associated with a long-term use of statins in dyslipidemic patients was characterized by a low risk of developing an imbalance of various functional bacteria and alterations in the metabolic microbiota. DB and obesity were found to be independent risk factors predicting GSD in statin (+) patients.
Attitudes and Recommendations of Physicians towards Alcohol Consumption and Cardiovascular Health: A Perspective from Argentina
Authors: Lopez Santi Ricardo , Haseeb Sohaib , Alexander Bryce , D′Ovidio Adrian , Gimenez Sergio , Secotaro Carlos , Martinez Demaria Diego , Pupi Luis Maria , Costantini Sonia , Piskorz Daniel , Amarilla Alejandro , Lorenzatti Alberto , Gutierrez Narcisa , Hopman Wilma , Baranchuk Adrian
Published: June 2024

Despite epidemiological findings of improvements in cardiovascular risk factors with a light-to-moderate intake of alcohol, many misconceptions remain regarding alcohol intake and the risks and benefits of consumption. We sought to examine physician attitudes and recommendations regarding alcohol intake in a cohort of Argentine physicians and to establish their sources of knowledge. An online national survey was distributed through the Argentine Federation of Cardiology (FAC) to cardiologists, internal medicine specialists, general and other subspecialty physicians in Argentina. The survey was completed by 745 physicians, of whom 671 (90%) were cardiologists. In total, 35% of physicians viewed moderate alcohol intake to be beneficial for cardiovascular health, 36% believed only wine offered such benefits, 24% viewed any intake to be harmful, and 5% had other opinions. More than half (57%) self-reported their knowledge came from academic sources. Regarding knowledge of drinking guidelines, only 41% of physicians were aware of the concept of “standard drink”. Physicians were generally not comfortable converting standard drinks into other metric units, however men tended to be more comfortable than women (p = 0.052). Physicians were not satisfied with their knowledge of drinking guidelines (3.01 ± 2.73, on a 0–10 scale). Physicians were generally comfortable in counselling patients regarding safe limits of consumption (6.22 ± 3.20, on a 0–10 scale). Argentine physicians were not satisfied with their knowledge of alcohol consumption guidelines or their understanding of the reported metrics. Only one-third of study participants viewed moderate alcohol intake as beneficial for cardiovascular health. This study shows the necessity to optimize the sources of knowledge.
An Architecture as an Alternative to Gradient Boosted Decision Trees for Multiple Machine Learning Tasks
Authors: Du Lei , Song Haifeng , Xu Yingying , Dai Songsong
Published: June 2024

Deep networks-based models have achieved excellent performances in various applications for extracting discriminative feature representations by convolutional neural networks (CNN) or recurrent neural networks (RNN). However, CNN or RNN may not work when handling data without temporal/spatial structures. Therefore, finding a new technique to extract features instead of CNN or RNN is a necessity. Gradient Boosted Decision Trees (GBDT) can select the features with the largest information gain when building trees. In this paper, we propose an architecture based on the ensemble of decision trees and neural network (NN) for multiple machine learning tasks, e.g., classification, regression, and ranking. It can be regarded as an extension of the widely used deep-networks-based model, in which we use GBDT instead of CNN or RNN. This architecture consists of two main parts: (1) the decision forest layers, which focus on learning features from the input data, (2) the fully connected layers, which focus on distilling knowledge from the decision forest layers. Powered by these two parts, the proposed model could handle data without temporal/spatial structures. This model can be efficiently trained by stochastic gradient descent via back-propagation. The empirical evaluation results of different machine learning tasks demonstrate the the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Environmental Stressors of Mozambique Soil Quality
Authors: Pereira Mario J. S. L. , Esteves da Silva Joaquim
Published: June 2024

Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world. However, it has natural resources, and if they are managed under sustainable development principles, it can overcome its current problems. In the present socio-economic status, soil is one of its most important resources and must be protected from pollution and degradation. This review identifies and discusses the main soil quality stressors, namely soil fertility; deforestation and its sources: agriculture, timber harvesting, charcoal production, and uncontrolled fires; mining activities, manly gold artisanal explorations, and industrial open-pit coal mining; and solid wastes management. The sustainable use of natural resources is mandatory for future generations to continue to profit from this nature-based wealth.
CFD Simulation to Assess the Effects of Asphalt Pavement Combustion on User Safety in the Event of a Fire in Road Tunnels
Authors: Caliendo Ciro , Russo Isidoro
Published: June 2024

This paper presents a specific 3D computational fluid dynamics model to quantify the effects of the combustion of asphalt road pavement on user safety in the event of a fire in a bi-directional road tunnel. Since the consequences on tunnel users and/or rescue teams might be affected not only by the tunnel geometry but also by the type of ventilation and traffic flow, the environmental conditions caused by the fire in the tunnel under natural or longitudinal mechanical ventilation, as well as congested traffic conditions, were more especially investigated. The simulation results showed that the combustion of the asphalt pavement in the event of a 100 MW fire, compared to the case of a non-combustible road pavement, caused (i) an increase in smoke concentrations; (ii) a greater number of users exposed to the risk of incapacity to escape from the tunnel; (iii) a more difficult situation for the firefighters entering the tunnel upstream of the fire source in the case of natural ventilation; (iv) a higher probability of the domino effect for vehicles queued downstream of the fire when the tunnel is mechanically ventilated.
Dynamic Behavior and Optical Soliton for the M-Truncated Fractional Paraxial Wave Equation Arising in a Liquid Crystal Model
Authors: Luo Jie , Li Zhao
Published: June 2024

The main purpose of this article is to investigate the dynamic behavior and optical soliton for the M-truncated fractional paraxial wave equation arising in a liquid crystal model, which is usually used to design camera lenses for high-quality photography. The traveling wave transformation is applied to the M-truncated fractional paraxial wave equation. Moreover, a two-dimensional dynamical system and its disturbance system are obtained. The phase portraits of the two-dimensional dynamic system and Poincaré sections and a bifurcation portrait of its perturbation system are drawn. The obtained three-dimensional graphs of soliton solutions, two-dimensional graphs of soliton solutions, and contour graphs of the M-truncated fractional paraxial wave equation arising in a liquid crystal model are drawn.
Shared Lightweight Autonomous Vehicles for Urban Food Deliveries: A Simulation Study
Authors: Genua Cerviño Ainhoa , Coretti Sanchez Naroa , Wang Elaine Liu , Grignard Arnaud , Larson Kent
Published: June 2024

In recent years, the rapid growth of on-demand delivery services, especially in food deliveries, has spurred the exploration of innovative mobility solutions. In this context, lightweight autonomous vehicles have emerged as a potential alternative. However, their fleet-level behavior remains largely unexplored. To address this gap, we have developed an agent-based model and an environmental impact study assessing the fleet performance of lightweight autonomous food delivery vehicles. This model explores critical factors such as fleet sizing, service level, operational strategies, and environmental impacts. We have applied this model to a case study in Cambridge, MA, USA, where results indicate that there could be significant environmental benefits in replacing traditional car-based deliveries with shared lightweight autonomous vehicle fleets. Lastly, we introduce an interactive platform that offers a user-friendly means of comprehending the model’s performance and potential trade-offs, which can help inform decision-makers in the evolving landscape of food delivery innovation.