bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a rapid and reliable surveillance method for Ornithodoros turicata americanus in gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) burrows in the southeastern United States
Authors: Canino Nicholas , Torhorst Carson , Botero‐Cañola Sebastian , Beati Lorenza , O'Hara Kathleen C. , James Angela , Wisely Samantha M.
Published: September 2024

The soft tick Ornithodoros turicata Duges (Acari: Argasidae) is a potential vector of African swine fever virus (ASFV). We evaluated the efficacy of two methods to collect soft ticks rapidly and efficiently from gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) burrows, which are ubiquitous throughout large regions of the southeastern United States and their burrows are a known microhabitat of O. turicata. Burrow vacuuming was an effective and efficient tick collection method; no tick was captured employing CO2 trapping. Using an occupancy modelling framework, we estimated that the probability of detecting ticks from an infested burrow each time a sample was taken with this method was 58% and increased with the average relative humidity. With the occupancy model, we estimated that 70% of the burrows in the study area were infested with O. turicata. Manual sifting of the burrow material yielded more ticks (6.6 individuals/sample) than using a set of three sieves (2.9 individuals/sample), yet the probability of detecting the species was not different between the two methods (Pval = 0.7). These methods can inform the development of ASF vector surveillance and outbreak response plans in areas of high risk for ASFV introduction in the region.
5q14.3 Microdeletion Syndrome With Simultaneous Involvement of MEF2C and RASA1. Clinical Case and Review of the Literature
Authors: González Rodríguez José , de‐la‐Rosa Fernández Eduardo , Loizate Sarrionandia Irene , Benítez García Elsa , Herrero Moyano Maria , Morales Moreno Héctor Juan , Suárez Hernández José
Published: September 2024

5q14.3 microdeletion syndrome is a rare condition involving multiple genes such as MEF2C and RASA1 and is potentially classified as a neurocutaneous syndrome. Deletion of the MEF2C gene accounts for the majority of clinical manifestations, including global developmental delay, intellectual disability, seizures, and behavioral disorders. RASA1 deletion is linked to capillary malformations with arteriovenous malformations (CM‐AVM). Until now, only 17 cases have been described with deletions of both genes. We present the first case described in Spain with the microdeletion in the 5q14.3 cytoband simultaneously affecting both MEF2C and RASA1, exhibiting the typical manifestations of this entity, and review the published cases to date.
Constructing the meaning of human–AI romantic relationships from the perspectives of users dating the social chatbot Replika
Authors: Pan Shuyi , Mou Yi
Published: September 2024

With the increasingly emerging human–artificial intelligence (AI) romantic relationships throughout the world, it is important to understand its meaning from the perspective of users who are dating virtual lovers. This study uses relational dialectics theory 2.0 and its corresponding method of contrapuntal analysis to examine the discursive tensions of what it means to have an AI partner. Specifically, this study focused on users of the social chatbot Replika and analyzed posts shared by Replika users in an online community. Findings revealed two discourses: the discourse of idealization (DI) and the discourse of realism (DR) that interplayed through both contractive and expansive practices. This study contributes to the field by introducing the DI and the DR discourse framework, which lays the groundwork for future research on human–AI relationships. Additionally, the pivotal role of communication is highlighted, which serves as the cornerstone for constructing, framing, and negotiating the meaning of human–AI romantic relationships.
Decolonizing the Muslim mind: A philosophical critique
Authors: Faruque Muhammad U.
Published: September 2024

The crises of the Islamic world revolve around “epistemic colonialism.” So, in order to decolonize the Muslim mind, we must be able to deconstruct the Western episteme, and this involves dissociating ourselves from the Eurocentric knowledge system that gradually became ascendent since the Renaissance through such ideas as progress and modernity. However, this does not mean we need to discontinue dialog with Western thought. Rather it means retrieving and reviving our own intellectual heritage and being able to think with the categories and concepts derived from that heritage. But in light of the postcolonial situation where the intellectual and linguistic connection with one's own tradition is severed, this is a tremendous challenge. What is more, many Muslim intellectuals simply think that Islamic heritage has little relevance to address contemporary challenges. Yet unless Muslims are able to ground their self‐identity in their own intellectual tradition, they will be held captive to the web of epistemic colonialism. They might be comfortable offering their prayers as Muslims, but their mental ambience will be permeated by devastating, Eurocentric ideas. They will hardly be able to overcome their fragmented self‐image.
Governance and policy constraints of natural forest regeneration in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Vieira Ima C. G. , Giles André , do Espírito Santo Mário M. , Mesquita Rita C. G. , Vieira Daniel L. M. , Massoca Paulo , Rosenfield Milena F. , Albernaz Ana L. M. , de Almeida Danilo R. A. , Vieira Gil , Schietti Juliana , Ferreira Marciel , Brancalion Pedro H. S. , Jakovac Catarina C.
Published: September 2024

Environmental legislation requires well‐defined concepts, criteria, and indicators to support its effective implementation and provide legal security to the diverse stakeholders involved. The Native Vegetation Protection Law (NVPL) establishes the obligation to restore native vegetation in protected areas within rural properties. This federal law is regulated and implemented by each state through its own Environmental Compliance Program (Programa de Regularização Ambiental [PRA], in Portuguese). Landowners must register their land, indicate whether native vegetation needs to be restored (i.e. if there is an environmental debt), and submit a restoration plan to the state government for analysis, validation, and approval. Due to the high cost of forest restoration, natural regeneration has most likely become a viable strategy for Amazonian landowners to meet their environmental debts. However, according to disturbance intensity, frequency, and duration, natural regeneration will not always succeed. In this context, we analyzed the PRAs of the seven main Amazonian states to assess the status of their implementation, identify how natural regeneration is defined and approached in the law, and evaluate whether improvements in the law are needed to ensure effective restoration to accomplish the NVPL.
The development of resilience research in critical infrastructure systems: A bibliometric perspective
Authors: Wang Feng , Tian Jin , Xu Zhengguo
Published: September 2024

Critical infrastructure systems (CISs) are the cornerstone of modern cities. Substantial economic losses and social impacts are caused once natural disasters or man‐made disruptions attack the CISs. As a “resilient city” has become an essential theme of communities’ sustainable development, research on resilience and its practice in industries boost the CISs’ capacity to respond and adapt to changing environments. From the Web of Science (WOS) Core Collection, this study screened 1,247 scientific articles related to resilience in CISs and conducted a bibliometric analysis to investigate the evolution and future potential in this field. Topic visualized networks were constructed for CIS resilience using CiteSpace, a dedicated tool for visualizing and analyzing trends and patterns in scientific literature. The results demonstrate collaborative research networks among countries, institutions, main scholar/group networks, and leading journals publishing CIS resilience work. This study also explained how the research interest evolved over the last 20 years and found the current frontiers pointing to “power systems resilience” and “supply chain resilience.” The reasons were discussed subsequently from the perspectives of the influence that natural hazards (based on the EM‐DAT data) and government policies have upon CISs’ resilience work.
Two‐phase magma flow with phase exchange: Part II. 1.5D numerical simulations of a volcanic conduit
Authors: Burgisser Alain , Collombet Marielle , Narbona‐Reina Gladys , Bresch Didier
Published: September 2024

In a review paper in this same volume, we present the state of the art on modeling of compressible viscous flows ranging from single‐phase to two‐phase systems. It focuses on mathematical properties related to weak stability because they are important for numerical resolution and on the homogenization process that leads from a microscopic description of two separate phases to an averaged two‐phase model. This review serves as the foundation for Parts I and II, which present averaged two‐phase models with phase exchange applicable to magma flow during volcanic eruptions. Part I establishes a two‐phase transient conduit flow model ensuring: (1) mass and volatile species conservation, (2) disequilibrium degassing considering both viscous relaxation and volatile diffusion, and (3) dissipation of total energy. The relaxation limit of this model is then used to obtain a drift‐flux system amenable to simplification. Here, in Part II, we summarize this model and propose a 1.5D simplification of it that alleviates three issues causing difficulties in its numerical implementation. We compare our model outputs to those of another steady‐state, equilibrium degassing, isothermal model under conditions typical of an effusive eruption at an andesitic volcano. Perfect equilibrium degassing is unreachable with a realistic water diffusion coefficient because conduit extremities always contain melt supersaturated with water. Such supersaturation has minor consequences on mass discharge rate. In contrast, releasing the isothermal assumption reduces significantly mass discharge rate by cooling due to gas expansion, which in turn increases liquid viscosity. We propose a simplified system using Darcy's law and omitting several processes such as shear heating and liquid inertia. This minimal system is not dissipative but approximates the steady‐state mass discharge rate of the full system within 10%. A regime diagram valid under a limited set of conditions indicates when this minimal system captures the ascent dynamics of effusive eruptions. Interestingly, the two novel aspects of the full model, diffusive degassing and heat balance, cannot be neglected. In some cases with high diffusion coefficients, a shallow region where porosity and velocities tend toward zero develops initially, possibly blocking an eventual steady state. This local porosity loss also occurs when a steady‐state solution is subjected to a change in shallow permeability. The resulting shallow porosity loss features many characteristics of a plug developing prior to a Vulcanian eruption.
Know your place: Fractured epistemic privilege among women in state organizations
Authors: Karazi‐Presler Tair
Published: September 2024

Based on 67 in‐depth interviews, this article explores how women in positions of power in two major organizational fields in Israel—the military and government ministries—develop different types of gender knowledge. In the military, an extremely and publicly gendered organization, the interviewees demonstrate gender reflexivity and pragmatic literacy of power relations. In the government ministries, which tend to conceal and even repress gendered power, the interviewees demonstrate (neoliberal) feminist consciousness and a limited ability to conceptualize power relations. The contribution of this article is threefold. First, it challenges the common view that gender reflexivity and feminist consciousness are causally related by emphasizing fractured epistemic privilege among women in different organizational contexts. Second, it demonstrates that women's survival practices produce gender knowledge, which in turn produces gender practices in organizational contexts. Third, it argues that different types of gender knowledge develop as a byproduct of the gendered power‐relation characteristics of each specific organizational context. Accordingly, this article offers a framework for analyzing emerging forms of gender sociopolitical knowledge in organizations as an additional dimension of gender inequality and a possible basis for transforming it.
Country, cattle and cooperation: On the potential of Kila in Warmun, Western Australia
Authors: Massola Catherine
Published: September 2024

Gija people in the East Kimberley community of Warmun (Western Australia) negotiate their engagement with pastoralism with varying degrees of primacy. Through ethnography and oral histories, I explore how Gija people manage pastoralism and its effects through acts of accommodation, adoption, refusal and innovation. I begin by outlining the development of the colonial pastoral industry in Western Australia, state and federal legislation that withheld and underpaid wages to Aboriginal pastoral workers and cattle‐killing practices and protective measures. I use ‘Kila’, the bovine species killed for local consumption, as an entry point to explore intercultural relations and Gija relative autonomy within this context. Analysing Kila etymologically and through an ethnographic case study involving its procurement, dissection, and distribution, I find that cooperation is implemented to enable the Kila event. Kila emerges as both a nexus for intercultural mutuality and as a facilitator of distinct opportunities for Gija social and cultural maintenance and recreation.
Impact of a 12‐week high‐intensity interval training intervention on cardiac structure and function after COVID‐19 at 12‐month follow‐up
Authors: Rasmussen Iben Elmerdahl , Løk Mathilde , Durrer Cody Garett , Lytzen Anna Agnes , Foged Frederik , Schelde Vera Graungaard , Budde Josephine Bjørn , Rasmussen Rasmus Syberg , Høvighoff Emma Fredskild , Rasmussen Villads , Lyngbæk Mark , Jønck Simon , Krogh‐Madsen Rikke , Lindegaard Birgitte , Jørgensen Peter Godsk , Køber Lars , Vejlstrup Niels , Pedersen Bente Klarlund , Ried‐Larsen Mathias , Lund Morten Asp Vonsild , Berg Ronan M. G. , Christensen Regitse Højgaard
Published: September 2024

In patients previously hospitalised for COVID‐19, a 12‐week high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) intervention has previously been shown to increase left ventricular mass (LVM) immediately after the intervention. In the present study, we examined the effects of the same HIIT scheme on LVM, pulmonary diffusing capacity, symptom severity and functional capacity at 12‐month follow‐up. In this investigator‐blinded, randomised controlled trial, 12 weeks of a supervised HIIT scheme (4 × 4 min, three times a week) was compared to standard care (control) in patients recently discharged from hospital due to COVID‐19. At inclusion and at 12‐month follow‐up, LVM was assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI, primary outcome), while pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCOc, secondary outcome) was examined by the single‐breath method. Symptom severity and functional status were examined by the Post‐COVID‐19 Functional Scale (PCFS) and King's Brief Interstitial Lung Disease (KBILD) questionnaire score. Of the 28 patients assessed at baseline, 22 completed cMRI at 12‐month follow‐up (12.4 ± 0.6 months after inclusion). LVM was maintained in the HIIT but not the standard care group, with a mean between‐group difference of 9.68 [95% CI: 1.72, 17.64] g (P = 0.0182). There was no differences in change from baseline to 12‐month follow‐up between groups in DLCOc % predicted (−2.45 [−11.25, 6.34]%; P = 0.578). PCFS and KBILD improved similarly in the two groups. In individuals previously hospitalised for COVID‐19, a 12‐week supervised HIIT scheme resulted in a preserved LVM at 12‐month follow‐up but did not affect pulmonary diffusing capacity or symptom severity.
COMPARATIVE GENETIC ANALYSIS OF CARDIAC ION CHANNEL GENES IN SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH VICTIMS AND CARDIAC PATIENTS USING TARGETED NEXT-GENERATION SEQUENCING
Authors: Chamoieva A. , Zhalbinova M , Mirmanova Zh. , Rakhimova S. , Polyakova T. , Imambayeva N. , Zhakupova T. , Kairov U. , Akilzhanova A.
Published: September 2024

Mutations in genes encoding cardiac ion channels can cause dangerous cardiac conditions.  Channelopathies are disorders that occurs due to dysfunction of ion channels. Cardiac channelopathies affect at least 1:1000 people, clinically appearing in various cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, syncope, sudden cardiac death (SCD), etc. The purpose of our study is to compare ion channel genes mutations found in SCD victims and cardiac patients by using targeted Next-generation sequencing (NGS).
Thirty-six individuals who died from SCD and 9 patients with cardiac disorders: primary electrical diseases (PED) and cardiomyopathies (CMP) were included in our study. We sequenced all coding regions of 174 cardiac risk genes by targeted NGS on Illumina MiSeq platform. Illumina TruSight Cardio panel was used for genetic screening. The clinical significance of variants classified by ACMG/AMP guidelines. In addition, InterVar and ClinVar databases were applied for variant interpretation.
A total of 43 variants associated with ion flux were identified in our study group. Annotated data demonstrated 2.3% and 4.6% likely pathogenic, 32.5% and 16.3% variants of uncertain significance (VUS), 13.9% and 2.3% likely benign, also 30.2% benign variants according to ACMG classification for SCD cases verse cardiac patients, respectively. Mostly ion channel mutations detected in genes SCN5A, RYR2, CACNA1C, SCN1B, KCNH2, KCND3, KCNE1, KCNA5 and KCNJ2. Notably, KCND3 (p.D150H) variant is likely pathogenic, identified in SCD victim who was diagnosed with secondary cardiomyopathy postmortem. Another missense-mutation SCN5A (p.E1596K) belongs to likely pathogenic variant, detected in cardiac patients’ group. Likely pathogenic variant KCNH2 (p.A221V) identified in patients with cardiac disorders.
In our research we found out clinically significant variants within 174 cardiac genes associated with cardiac disorders. Genetic screening revealed a high rate of variants of uncertain significance in ion flux, underscoring the need for further clinical and functional studies. Nevertheless, targeted NGS screening in ion channel genes contribute further evaluation of forensic investigation.
Study was supported by Committee of Science of  the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (AP14869903) and Nazarbayev University, CRP (211123CRP1608).
Open access is shaping scientific communication
Authors: McCabe Mark J. , Mueller-Langer Frank
Published: September 2024

Funders and publishers should roll out policies in ways to support their evaluation
Offsets, carbon markets, and climate and economic justice
Authors: Pande Rohini
Published: September 2024

Today,
682 million people
, or 8.5% of the world’s population, live in extreme poverty, which the World Bank defines as subsisting on less than $2.15 per day. The majority
live in low-income and lower-middle-income countries
. The traditional pathway for economic development available to these countries has historically required a lot of energy; the world’s richest countries frequently have the
highest per capita historical greenhouse gas emissions
and are also primarily responsible for anthropogenic climate breakdown. Lower-income countries today confront very reduced emissions budgets if catastrophic warming is to be prevented, and they are
more vulnerable
to climate change–related damage.
Restoration of grasping in an upper limb amputee using the myokinetic prosthesis with implanted magnets
Authors: Gherardini Marta , Ianniciello Valerio , Masiero Federico , Paggetti Flavia , D’Accolti Daniele , La Frazia Eliana , Mani Olimpia , Dalise Stefania , Dejanovic Katarina , Fragapane Noemi , Maggiani Luca , Ipponi Edoardo , Controzzi Marco , Nicastro Manuela , Chisari Carmelo , Andreani Lorenzo , Cipriani Christian
Published: September 2024

The loss of a hand disrupts the sophisticated neural pathways between the brain and the hand, severely affecting the level of independence of the patient and the ability to carry out daily work and social activities. Recent years have witnessed a rapid evolution of surgical techniques and technologies aimed at restoring dexterous motor functions akin to those of the human hand through bionic solutions, mainly relying on probing of electrical signals from the residual nerves and muscles. Here, we report the clinical implementation of an interface aimed at achieving this goal by exploiting muscle deformation, sensed through passive magnetic implants: the myokinetic interface. One participant with a transradial amputation received an implantation of six permanent magnets in three muscles of the residual limb. A truly self-contained myokinetic prosthetic arm embedding all hardware components and the battery within the prosthetic socket was developed. By retrieving muscle deformation caused by voluntary contraction through magnet localization, we were able to control in real time a dexterous robotic hand following both a direct control strategy and a pattern recognition approach. In just 6 weeks, the participant successfully completed a series of functional tests, achieving scores similar to those achieved when using myoelectric controllers, a standard-of-care solution, with comparable physical and mental workloads. This experience raised conceptual and technical limits of the interface, which nevertheless pave the way for further investigations in a partially unexplored field. This study also demonstrates a viable possibility for intuitively interfacing humans with robotic technologies.
SIV infection in sooty mangabeys does not impact survival but changes the relative frequency of the main cause of death
Authors: Ceriani Cristina , Beisner Brianne , Crane Maria , Cohen Joyce , Moore Ian N. , Kulpa Deanna A. , Hahn Beatrice H. , Silvestri Guido
Published: September 2024

Sooty mangabeys (SMs) are natural hosts of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and do not progress to AIDS despite high viral replication. The main factors involved in the benign nature of this infection are (i) low level of immune activation, (ii) relative preservation of specific CD4+ T-cell subsets from direct virus infection, and (iii) absence of microbial translocation from the gut to the systemic circulation. To determine the impact of SIV infection on underlying cause of death, we retrospectively analyzed data from 307 SMs (219 SIV infected and 88 uninfected) housed at the Emory Primate Center that have died between 1986 and 2022. Interestingly, we found that SIV-infected SMs live ~4 years longer than SIV-uninfected SMs, although this result is hard to interpret due to differences in how animals were housed and assigned to specific experimental studies. While the causes of death were not different between SIV-infected and uninfected SMs that died before age 15 (i.e., adult), we found significant differences in the relative frequency of specific causes of death in the elderly population (≥15 years old). Specifically, we observed that SIV-infected SMs were more likely to die from infections but less likely to die from cardiovascular disease (and diabetes in female animals) as compared to uninfected SMs. While confirming the non-pathogenic nature of SIV infection in SMs, these data reveal, for the first time, a qualitative impact of SIV infection on the host physiology that induces a significant change in the mortality pattern in these natural SIV hosts.

IMPORTANCE

In this study, we demonstrate, for the first time, that the natural, non-pathogenic SIV infection of the African monkey SM has a clinical impact which is revealed in terms of main causes of mortality, which are significantly different in the infected animals as compared to the uninfected ones. Indeed, SIV-infected SMs are at higher risk of dying of infectious diseases but appear to be somewhat protected from cardiovascular causes of death. The identification of a specific pattern of mortality associated with the infection suggests that the host-pathogen interaction between SIV and the SM immune system, while non-pathogenic in nature, has a detectable impact on the overall health status of the animals.
Reduction cheiloplasty with lateral wedge excisions in cheilitis granulomatosa
Authors: Bjarnesen Mølstrøm Anna Pilegaard , Chakari Wahida , Thomsen Jørn Bo
Published: September 2024

This case presents a method of reductive cheiloplasty: Conway’s method with lateral and bilateral wedge excisions contained to the vermillion. It was performed on a female patient with cheilitis granulomatosa after 4 years of trying different medical therapies without effect. The surgery successfully reduced the increased volume, facilitating improved aesthetics and function while preserving oral function, muscle strength as well as sensitivity with no recurrence at the 15-month follow-up. We encourage early collaboration between dermatologists and plastic surgeons regarding the timing of a potential surgery when treating cheilitis granulomatosa.
$$\Lambda $$ polarization in very high energy heavy ion collisions as a probe of the quark–gluon plasma formation and properties
Authors: Palermo Andrea , Grossi Eduardo , Karpenko Iurii , Becattini Francesco
Published: September 2024

We have studied the spin polarization of $$\Lambda $$
Λ
hyperons in heavy ion collisions at center-of-mass energies $$\sqrt{s_\textrm{NN}}= 200$$

s
NN

=
200

GeV and $$\sqrt{s_\textrm{NN}}= 5.02$$

s
NN

=
5.02

TeV carried out at RHIC and LHC colliders. We have calculated the mean spin vector at local thermodynamic equilibrium, including all known first-order terms in the gradients of the thermo-hydrodynamic fields, assuming that the hadronization hypersurface has a uniform temperature. We have also included the feed-down contributions to the polarization of $$\Lambda $$
Λ
stemming from the decays of polarized $$\Sigma ^*$$

Σ
∗

and $$\Sigma ^0$$

Σ
0

hyperons. The obtained results are in good agreement with the data. In general, the component of the spin vector along the global angular momentum, orthogonal to the reaction plane, shows strong sensitivity to the initial longitudinal flow velocity. Furthermore, the longitudinal component of the spin vector turns out to be very sensitive to the bulk viscosity of the plasma at the highest LHC energy. Therefore, the azimuthal dependence of spin polarization can effectively constrain the initial hydrodynamic conditions and the transport coefficients of the quark gluon plasma.
Bohr and von Neumann on the universality of quantum mechanics: materials for the history of the quantum measurement process
Authors: Laudisa Federico
Published: September 2024

The Bohr and von Neumann views on the measurement process in quantum mechanics have been interpreted for a long time in somewhat controversial terms, often leading to misconceptions. On the basis of some textual analysis, I would like to show that—contrary to a widespread opinion—their views should be taken less inconsistent, and much closer to each other, than usually thought. As a consequence, I claim that Bohr and von Neumann are conceptually on the same side on the issue of the universality of quantum mechanics: hopefully, this might contribute to a more accurate history of the measurement problem in quantum mechanics.
Role Orientation of Counselors in Student Employment Guidance Based on Deep Learning Algorithm
Authors: Yanli Xie
Published: September 2024

Currently, the employment prospects of college graduates have garnered significant attention in higher education research. Counselors occupy a pivotal position in guiding students toward suitable employment opportunities. Consequently, this paper introduces a deep learning approach to enhance the counselors’ role in employment guidance. It categorizes diverse student characteristic information, constructs a student employment classification model leveraging deep learning techniques, identifies the most informative student data characteristics based on information gain rate, predicts future student employment trends accordingly, and utilizes these insights to establish a predictive model for student employment rates, analyzes the role judgment and role positioning of the organization support in the instructor’s innovative employment guidance teaching, and complete the research content. The experimental research shows that the research method can effectively cluster student employment information, recommend reasonable enterprise positions for students, improve the completion rate of enterprise recruitment and estimate the overall effectiveness of student employment rate.
Deep Ensemble Model for Brain Age Prediction in MRI with Hybrid Optimal Feature Selection
Authors: Vishnupriya G. S. , Rajakumari Brintha S.
Published: September 2024

Deep learning (DL) has a tremendous deal of potential for accurate brain age prediction using neuroimaging data, but its performance is frequently limited by the size of the training dataset and the computer’s memory needs. Under this circumstance, a unique brain age prediction model with the following five phases of development. The input image is first pre-processed via median filtering, which keeps the edges of the raw image while removing the noise. The pre-processed images are segmented using the improved Balanced Iterative Reducing and Clustering employing Hierarchies (BIRCH) algorithm. Then, features including statistics (Mean, Median, Standard Deviation), Improved Median Robust Extended LBP (MRELBP), and sharpness score are extracted from these segmented images. The suggested coot interfaced Archimedes with Gaussian Map Estimation (CIAGME) optimization approach, which combines the Archimedes and coot optimization techniques, will select the optimal features from those extracted features. The deep ensemble approach, which includes deep classifiers like CNN, Bi-LSTM, and Deep maxout, will provide a prediction based on the optimal features that have been chosen. Lastly, the recommended CIAGME-based predictions model’s outperformance is evaluated, and the result is effectively evaluated.
Resistive switching of Pt/Nb: SrTiO3 and La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/Nb:SrTiO3 structures
Authors: Dong Chengang , Han Xiaowei , Wang Zhiquan , Liu Dongqing
Published: September 2024

The barrier-type resistive switching (RS) effect has important potential applications in data storage, memristors and artificial intelligence. However, the mechanism of oxygen-ion (Ö) migration that occurs during the RS process is still controversial. In recent years, considerable advances have been achieved in improving the preparation methods of conductive oxides. Due to their structural characteristics, conductive oxides usually contain oxygen vacancies (V0), which provide suitable conditions for the migration of Ö in the RS process. Based on this, here, a conductive-oxide La[Formula: see text]Sr[Formula: see text]MnO3 (LSMO) film was prepared on an (00[Formula: see text])− oriented Nb:SrTiO3 (NSTO, 0.7 wt.%) substrate. Furthermore, a Pt/NSTO structure was also prepared for comparison. The RS effect of both heterogeneous structures was studied in pure N2, air, and pure O2 environments. In the N2 environment, the two structures exhibit a pronounced RS effect, while the intensity of the RS effect is reduced in both air and the O2 environment. Due to the presence of V0 in LSMO itself, Ö is more likely to migrate into/out of LSMO under the action of a bias electric field, which causes the LSMO/NSTO structure to be less sensitive to oxygen atmosphere and to exhibit lower Set/Reset voltages than the Pt/NSTO structure. As the interface barrier of Pt/NSTO is higher than that of LSMO/NSTO, the resistance ratio of the high- and low-resistance states is higher under a negative bias voltage. These results provide an experimental reference to select suitable electrodes for the RS effect and study the RS mechanism.
Insect Mitochondrial Genomics: A Decade of Progress
Authors: Cameron Stephen L.
Published: September 2024

The past decade has seen the availability of insect genomic data explode, with mitochondrial (mt) genome data seeing the greatest growth. The widespread adoption of next-generation sequencing has solved many earlier methodological limitations, allowing the routine sequencing of whole mt genomes, including from degraded or museum specimens and in parallel to nuclear genomic projects. The diversity of available taxa now allows finer-scale comparisons between mt and nuclear phylogenomic analyses; high levels of congruence have been found for most orders, with some significant exceptions (e.g., Odonata, Mantodea, Diptera). The evolution of mt gene rearrangements and their association with haplodiploidy have been tested with expanded taxonomic sampling, and earlier proposed trends have been largely supported. Multiple model systems have been developed based on findings unique to insects, including mt genome fragmentation (lice and relatives) and control region duplication (thrips), allowing testing of hypothesized evolutionary drivers of these aberrant genomic phenomena. Finally, emerging research topics consider the contributions of mt genomes to insect speciation and habitat adaption, with very broad potential impacts. Integration between insect mt genomic research and other fields within entomology continues to be our field's greatest opportunity and challenge.
Instabilities and Mixing in Inertial Confinement Fusion
Authors: Zhou Ye , Sadler James D. , Hurricane Omar A.
Published: September 2024

By imploding fuel of hydrogen isotopes, inertial confinement fusion (ICF) aims to create conditions that mimic those in the Sun's core. This is fluid dynamics in an extreme regime, with the ultimate goal of making nuclear fusion a viable clean energy source. The fuel must be reliably and symmetrically compressed to temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius. After the best part of a century of research, the foremost fusion milestone was reached in 2021, when ICF became the first technology to achieve an igniting fusion fuel (thermonuclear instability), and then in 2022 scientific energy breakeven was attained. A key trade-off of the ICF platform is that greater fuel compression leads to higher burn efficiency, but at the expense of amplified Rayleigh–Taylor and Richtmyer–Meshkov instabilities and kinetic-energy-wasting asymmetries. In extreme cases, these three-dimensional instabilities can completely break up the implosion. Even in the highest-yielding 2022 scientific breakeven experiment, high-atomic-number (high-Z) contaminants were unintentionally injected into the fuel. Here we review the pivotal role that fluid dynamics plays in the construction of a stable implosion and the decades of improved understanding and isolated experiments that have contributed to fusion ignition.
B Cell Responses to the Placenta and Fetus
Authors: Rizzuto Gabrielle
Published: September 2024

Pregnancy has fascinated immunologists ever since Peter Medawar's observation that reproduction runs contrary to the founding tenets of immunology. During healthy pregnancy, maternal B cells interact with antigens of the foreign conceptus (placenta and fetus) yet do not elicit rejection. Instead, robust and redundant fetomaternal tolerance pathways generally prevent maternal B cells and antibodies from harming the placenta and fetus. Fetomaternal tolerance is not absolute, and unfortunately there exist several pregnancy complications that arise from breaks therein. Here, important historic and recent developments in the field of fetomaternal tolerance pertaining to maternal B cells and antibodies are reviewed. General rules from which to conceptualize humoral tolerance to the placenta and fetus are proposed. Significant but underexplored ideas are highlighted and topics for future research are suggested, findings from which are predicted to provide insight into the fundamental nature of tolerance and bolster efforts to combat immune-mediated pregnancy complications.
Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling in Liver Pathobiology
Authors: Carson Matthew D. , Nejak-Bowen Kari
Published: September 2024

The liver has a critical role in regulating host metabolism, immunity, detoxification, and homeostasis. Proper liver function is essential for host health, and dysregulation of hepatic signaling pathways can lead to the onset of disease. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is an important regulator of liver homeostasis and function. Throughout life, hepatic Wnt/β-catenin signaling contributes to liver development and growth, metabolic zonation, and regeneration. Extensive research has demonstrated that aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling drives liver pathologies, including cancers, steatohepatitis, and cholestasis. In this review, we discuss the Wnt/β-catenin pathway as it pertains to liver function and how disruptions in this pathway contribute to the onset and progression of liver diseases. Further, we discuss ongoing research that targets the Wnt/β-catenin pathway for the treatment of liver pathologies.
Malignant Airway Stenosis Successfully Treated Using a Combination of Interventional Pulmonology, Chemotherapy, and Radiotherapy
Authors: Sancho-Chust Jose N. , Torba Anastasiya , Chiner Eusebi
Published: September 2024

Interventional pulmonology can be helpful in cases of malignant airway stenosis. We present a 73‐year‐old man diagnosed with lung cancer who presented with symptomatic airway stenosis caused by a large endobronchial tumor. Oncological treatment was started with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and a multimodality bronchoscopic approach using balloon bronchoplasty, electrosurgery, and argon plasma coagulation. Response evaluation showed relief of symptoms, disappearance of the endobronchial tumor, and complete resolution of the airway stenosis.
Vitamin D Deficiency Affects the Sex Hormones and Testicular Function in Mice
Authors: Abasi Sina , Safari Hengameh , Hajian Mehdi , Dehghan Shahreza Fatemeh , Tanhaevash Nima , Razi Mazdak , Drevet Joël R. , Nasr-Esfahani Mohammad Hossein
Published: September 2024

This study aims to evaluate the genomic effects of vitamin D (VitD) on steroidogenesis, sperm structure, and function in mice models with artificially induced vitamin D deficiency (VDD), while maintaining calcium and phosphorus homeostasis. qRT‐PCR was utilized to measure the steady‐state RNA levels of key steroidogenic genes, including CYP11A1, CYP19A1, 17βHSDH1, 3βHSDV1, and CYP24A1, involved in VitD metabolism, in testicular extracts from mouse models with varying degrees of VDD severity. Estradiol, testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were also assessed. Furthermore, testicular histomorphometric analysis and evaluation of sperm structural and functional parameters were conducted. The study reveals a linear decrease in the expression of monitored steroidogenic genes with increasing severity of VDD. Moreover, in cases of mild and moderate VDD, testicular extracts exhibited significantly reduced levels of LH, estradiol, and testosterone. VDD has substantial effects on testicular steroidogenesis, which directly impacts spermatogenesis, independent of its established role in calcium regulation. Consequently, the reduction in steroidogenesis due to VDD contributes to the diminished efficiency of testicular spermatogenesis in individuals experiencing VDD, a prevalent condition worldwide.
Determination of PV Module Potential Using Estimates of Hourly Irradiance and Temperature for Bambili
Authors: Yungho Edickson Bobo , Nfah Eustace Mbaka , Ecladore Tchahou Tchendjeu Achille
Published: September 2024

The amount of irradiance incident on a photovoltaic module and the module temperature are essential parameters to estimate its performance and forecast its energy output. These data are often available only where there are meteorological stations. Consequently, other methods are required to estimate these data. The objective of this work was to estimate the irradiance and temperature from different models and further estimate the annual energy output for Bambili, Cameroon. To this effect, mathematical models such as Angstrom–Prescott (A‐P), Kaplanis, Duffie and Beckman, and Collares‐Pereira and Rabl were employed for the estimation of irradiance, while the WAVE, SOYGRO, and Parton and Logan models were used for temperature computations. Collares‐Pereira and Rabl irradiance models showed a lower percentage root mean square error (RMSE) value of 6.71 with respect to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), while for temperature models, Parton and Logan performed better from 6 a.m. to noon and SOYGRO from 1 to 6 p.m. with percentage RMSE values of 7.17 and 9.86, respectively. With the estimated irradiance and temperatures from the models, the monthly and annual energy outputs were computed using mathematical models of the PV module. The percentage RMSE of the annual energy estimated with respect to the Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS) was found to be 1.95 and 4.40 for BP3125 and BP3180 modules, respectively, while the percentage RMSE of the annual energy estimated with respect to Photovoltaic Software (PVsyst) was found to be 2.14 and 4.22 for BP3125 and BP3180 modules, respectively. In conclusion, the results showed that Collares‐Pereira and Rabl, SOYGRO, and PV model equations can be employed with BP3125 and BP3180 PV modules for the estimation of energy output for Bambili and other locations with no meteorological stations or internet services.
Tailoring the Morphological Properties of PVA Nanofibrous Mats by Manipulating Working Planes
Authors: Hale Aygün Hayriye
Published: September 2024

Despite the process, solution, and ambient parameters of the electrospinning technique have been intensely studied, the effects of different setup orientations have not been thoroughly investigated. In many research studies, the attempts on electrospinning of polyvinyl alcohol have been performed with a horizontal electrospinning or researchers have not even mentioned the setup orientation. This paper examines the morphological properties of polyvinyl alcohol‐based fibrous mats electrospun with the same apparatus and identical process and solution parameters but with different working planes, namely, (x)‐axis, (+y) axis, and (−y) axis. From the test results, it is concluded that the (−y) axis is the most versatile working plane because fibrous mats have the finest nanofiber diameters with the lowest diameter variation, the medium‐level pore area with the smallest pore sizes. Besides, the highest packing density and highly deposited structure with the longest fibers with a high aspect ratio are constructed in this setup orientation. (−y) axis electrospinning is more favorable than that of other working planes for polyvinyl alcohol‐based permeable membranes and biostructures.
Deep Learning Algorithms for Traffic Forecasting: A Comprehensive Review and Comparison with Classical Ones
Authors: Afandizadeh Shahriar , Abdolahi Saeid , Mirzahossein Hamid
Published: September 2024

Accurate and timely forecasting of critical components is pivotal in intelligent transportation systems and traffic management, crucially mitigating congestion and enhancing safety. This paper aims to comprehensively review deep learning algorithms and classical models employed in traffic forecasting. Spanning diverse traffic datasets, the study encompasses various scenarios, offering a nuanced understanding of traffic forecasting methods. Reviewing 111 seminal research works since the 1980s, encompassing both deep learning and classical models, the paper begins by detailing the data sources utilized in transportation systems. Subsequently, it delves into the theoretical underpinnings of prevalent deep learning algorithms and classical models prevalent in traffic forecasting. Furthermore, it investigates the application of these algorithms and models in forecasting key traffic characteristics, informed by their utility in transport and traffic analyses. Finally, the study elucidates the merits and drawbacks of proposed models through applied research in traffic forecasting. Findings indicate that while deep learning algorithms and classic models serve as valuable tools, their suitability varies across contexts, necessitating careful consideration in future studies. The study underscores research opportunities in road traffic forecasting, providing a comprehensive guide for future endeavors in this domain.
The Function of RhoA/ROCK Pathway and MYOCD in Airway Remodeling in Asthma
Authors: Cui Yunfei , Yu Chendi , Lu Qinghua , Huang Xiao , Lin Weinan , Huang Ting , Cao Lichao , Yang Qin
Published: September 2024

Introduction: Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease characterized by chronic airway inflammation and abnormal airway remodeling. The RhoA/ROCK pathway and myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A) demonstrate significant associations with the proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells (ASCMs), which tightly correlates with the process of airway remodeling. MYOCD, which is homologous to MRTF-A but specifically expressed in smooth muscle cells, potentially regulates RhoA/ROCK activated cell proliferation and subsequent airway remodeling. Methods: The RhoA/ROCK overexpression and silencing cell lines were constructed in vitro, as well as MYOCD overexpression/silencing. The cytoskeleton alterations induced by RhoA/ROCK pathway were identified by the measuring of globular actin and filamentous actin. Results: The comparison between controls for overexpression/silencing and ROCK overexpression/silencing revealed that MYOCD presented consistent change trends with cytoskeleton and RhoA/ROCK pathway. The ROCK1 facilitates the proliferation and migration of ASCMs. The MYOCD enhanced the proliferation and migration of HASMCs. Conclusion: Our study indicates that Rho/ROCK/MYOCD is a key pathway involved in the migration and proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells. Inhibition of Rho/ROCK may be an effective approach to breaking the vicious cycle of asthmatic ASCMs proliferation, providing a novel strategy in treating asthma airway remodeling.
JAK 2-Positive Diseases and Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection: Case Series
Authors: Yasin Ahmed K.A. , Mohamed Shehab Fareed , Abdalla Elmustafa , Rao Girish , Alkhulaifi Abdulaziz M. , Yassin Mohamed A. , Mudawi Deena , Al-Mashdali Abdulrahman Fadhl , Kohla Samah , Ibrahim Feryal A. , Soliman Dina , Carr Cornelia S.
Published: September 2024

Introduction: Chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) such as polycythaemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocytosis are associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events, especially if JAK2 mutation is there. In rare cases, also spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) can be seen. Case Presentation: This case series describes two case reports of MPNs in which SCAD was found in both of them in addition to standard atherosclerosis. First one was about a 42-year-old man who was admitted for acute myocardial infarction (MI) and was later found to have PV and SCAD. The second one was about a 52-year-old man who was also admitted for acute MI and was later found to have SCAD and essential thrombocythemia. JAK2V617F missense mutation was found in both cases. Conclusion: MPNs with JAK2 mutations are associated with SCAD in addition to usual atherosclerosis. This association needs further research.