bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A study on the Interdependence of TGA evaluation parameters and the Hardgrove Grindability Coal Index
Authors: Gaesenngwe Gaesenngwe , Danha Gwiranai , Mamvura Tirivaviri , RAGHUPATRUNI Prasad
Published: August 2024

This paper focuses on the determination of physio – chemical evaluation parameters of coal and their relative effects on physio – mechanical properties. Five different coal samples were acquired having an average particles size distribution which were grouped accordingly as run-of-mine coals (56.46mm), cobbles (70.86mm), nuts (41.38mm), peas (23.88mm) and fines (14.37mm). However, to estimate clear distinction in material composition, grade, rank, coal tenacity and presence of other microscopic lithotypes, the relative abundance of intrinsic species for each type were thus established using high-temperature tube furnace combustion chamber with infrared absorption instrument and other data acquire via Thermogravimetric Analysis testing equipment. Importantly, technological parameter that measure the relative hardness of coals and quality of product structure after comminution activity was done by using the ball – ring instrument that quantifies the Hardgrove grindability index (HGI) factor for each material type. The Ash content reflect the gross weight percentage of major and minor trace elements such as SiO 2 , CaO, Fe2O3, Al2O3, TiO2, K2O, Mn3O4, BaO, SrO, P2O5, SO3 etc., and our investigation revealed a strong interdependence to the HGI value that was increased from nuts, cobbles, run-of-mine samples, fines and lastly the Peas samples. The lower HGI factor indicates material resilience to fracture and the coal samples with high moisture content evaluation parameter increases the physio-mechanical properties of coal samples such as the compressive strength, tensile strength which are fracture toughness components. Nonetheless, production efficacy improvement, optimum processing parameter selection, metallurgical accounting on coal beneficiation performance, product quality pertaining to coal utilization and other assessments related to cost of production or energy of liberation etcetera are altogether valuable information drawn from the TGA and HGI independence coefficients.
Social inequities influencing diabetes self-management among persons with disabilities: A Cross-Sectional Study from rural Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Research Rajeswaran Thiagesan , Soundari Hilaria , Kosalram Kalpana , Gopichandran Vijayaprasad
Published: August 2024

Background
Self-management of diabetes is a crucial component of treatment. This involves diet, exercise, medications, blood sugar monitoring, reducing harmful behaviors like smoking and alcohol, and foot care. Persons with disabilities find it challenging to adopt self-management behaviors. Various social factors like age, gender, caste, and socioeconomic status further complicate this inequity in adoption of self-management behaviors.
Objectives
To study the social inequities influencing the adoption of diabetes self-management behaviors among persons with disabilities.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional comparative study of diabetes self-management behaviors among persons with and without disabilities in a rural block in Tamil Nadu, India. We used the Summary Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) tool to assess the diabetes self-management practices among the study participants. We also collected information on other social factors including age, gender, caste, and socioeconomic status as estimated by the Modified Kuppusamy Scale. To study the influence of these social factors on disability we applied multivariable logistic regression analysis in SPSS version 22. We also performed a path analysis to study the potential causal pathway of how disability influences physical exercises using JAMOVI software version 2.3.21.
Results
We interviewed 414 persons with diabetes of whom 190 (46%) were people with disabilities. There was no difference in diabetes self-management behaviors in any of the domains between people with and without disabilities except for physical activity. Disability (OR = 3.384 (C.I. 1.282–8.930, p = 0.014)) and lower socioeconomic status (6.617 (C.I. 3.151–13.895, p = 0.000)) are independently associated with poor physical exercise behavior. The path analysis revealed that among persons with disabilities, as the difficulty in performing activities of daily living worsens (β = 5.46; p < 0.001) it affects the quality of life (β=-1.31; p < 0.001) thereby reducing adoption of physical activity behaviors (β = 0.05; p < 0.001).
Conclusion
Disability and socioeconomic status strongly influence diabetes self-management, especially the physical activity component. There is a need for customized interventions for people with disability to improve their physical activity and improve their diabetes self-management behaviors.
Clinical-Epidemiological Characteristics of Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy and its Relationship With the Parkland Classification.
Authors: Cervantes Pablo Meneses , Portales Marisol Ramos , García Margarita García , Macías Monserrat Tapia , Hernández Juan Carlos Sainz
Published: August 2024

Introduction: Biliary stone disease is the most common condition that affects the gallbladder and biliary tree. The Parkland Cholecystitis Scale (PCS) is a tool for staging the severity of gallbladder disease using intraoperative imaging.
The main objective of this study is to describe the clinical-epidemiological characteristics of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in the period from March 2018 to December 2021, with the secondary objective being to investigate whether there is a relationship between the presence of presurgical leukocytosis and grades 3, 4 and 5 in the PCS.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional and single center study, which exhaustively analyze patients undergoing LC at the Institute of Security and Social Services of State Workers (ISSSTE by its acronym in Spanish) León Regional Hospital, in the period from March 2018 to December 2021.
Results: A total of 289 patients were included in the study of which 214 (74%) were female and 75 (26%) were male, with a mean age of 50 ± 5.7 years. It was identified that being male, type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as the presurgical presence of leukocytosis (≥ 10x 109/L), hyperbilirubinemia (total bilirubin ≥ 1.2 mg/dl), thickened gallbladder wall reported by ultrasound (≥ 4 mm), and bile duct dilation (> 6 mm) showed a statistically significant association with difficult cholecystectomies.
Conclusion: It is essential to use different rescue tools or even consider converting to open surgery when faced with a patient with these characteristics to avoid an unfavorable outcome in patients with difficult cholecystectomy.
Financial Risk Tolerance during a Major Negative Life Experience: The Case of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Hochman Guy , Ofir Moran , Ayal Shahar
Published: August 2024

This paper investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on risk-seeking behavior. Using Holt and Laury's (2002) risk tolerance measure, an online survey was conducted with 1643 participants at seven time points before the pandemic and during four restricted and two unrestricted periods. Results showed a significant reduction in financial risk-taking during the pandemic. Notably, the decrease was most evident in the first wave, despite no major differences across the restricted waves. Risk tolerance began to gradually return when restrictions were lifted but did not reach pre-pandemic levels. Subjective risk tolerance during the pandemic, which differed from the objective financial situation, influenced real-life investment decisions. These findings highlight the influence of contextual and emotional factors on risk tolerance. The results are discussed concerning risk-seeking behavior in commission-free online brokerages like Robinhood during the pandemic, with implications for policy guidelines.
SQLE promotes osteosarcoma progression via activating TGFβ/SMAD signaling pathway
Authors: Song Qi , He Lina , Feng Jing
Published: August 2024

The prognosis of advanced osteosarcoma (OS) has remained stagnant in last decades, requiring the identification of novel therapeutic targets. Recently, much attention was paid to the role of squalene epoxidase (SQLE), a rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol metabolism, in the field of oncology. Here, we found the upregulation of SQLE in OS samples than that in normal tissues through data mining of public resources. A notable rise in SQLE protein levels in OS cells in comparison to human osteoblast cells was confirmed by western blot assay. Survival analysis showed that individuals with high SQLE expression had a lower median overall survival time compared to those with low SQLE expression. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that SQLE might have the potency to serve as an independently prognostic biomarker in OS. Loss- and gain-of-function experiments indicated that silence of SQLE suppressed OS cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while overexpression of SQLE exerted the opposite effects. Mechanistically, TGF-β signaling pathway was identified as the downstream pathway of SQLE through bioinformatic methods, and the results of western blot assay showed that SQLE positively regulated the activity of TGFβ1/SMAD2/3 signaling in OS. Resue experiments demonstrated that SB431542, a small molecule that inhibits TGFβ/SMAD signaling, could partly reverse the promoting effects of SQLE on OS cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Together, our results provided preliminary evidences that SQLE was a tumor-promoting factor and prognosis predictor in OS. SQLE promoted OS cell proliferation, migration, and invasion via activating TGFβ/SMAD signaling and targeting SQLE might be a potential strategy for the treatment of OS.
Left atrial size and strain in hypertensive children compared to age-, sex- and race/ethnicity- matched controls
Authors: Kaplinski Michelle , Griffis Heather , Wang Yan , Mercer-Rosa Laura , Banerjee Anirban , Quartermain Michael D. , Natarajan Shobha S.
Published: August 2024

Introduction:
Left atrial (LA) volume and peak longitudinal strain (LA strain) are indicators of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in adults, but little is known about LA volume and strain in pediatric patients with hypertension (HTN). We evaluated LA volume and strain in pediatric cases with HTN compared to age-, sex- and race/ethnicity-matched controls.
Methods:
This was a retrospective matched case-control study of patients that presented to the HTN clinic at CHOP from 12/2011 to 9/2018. Coarctation of the aorta, cardiomyopathy or heart transplantation cases were excluded. HTN was defined by abnormal ambulatory blood pressure result. LA volume was measured by biplane area-length method and indexed to body surface area (BSA). LA strain and strain rate were measured using TOMTEC® software. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was measured by M-mode and the 5/6 area-length method indexed to height2.7. Measurements were compared using Chi-square, McNemar, or Wilcoxon signed rank tests.
Results:
We included 47 cases and 47 controls. There was no difference in LA volume z-scores (-1.9 vs. -0.9, p=0.068), LA strain (37.8% vs. 38.0%, p=0.735) or LA strain rate (1.4 vs. 1.5, p=0.852) in cases compared to controls. LVMI by M-mode and 5/6 area-length method was higher in cases compared to controls (40 vs. 33.7 g/m2.7, p<0.001 and 29.9 vs 24.4 g/m2.7, p=<0.001, respectively).
Conclusion:
There was no difference in LA volume or LA strain in cases compared to controls. LVMI was significantly elevated in our cases and may be the first response to HTN, prior to affecting LA size.
What child and adolescent psychiatry in France for the second quarter of the 21 st century? An AI-assisted qualitative action research study
Authors: Falissard Bruno , Espi Pauline , Rouquette Alexandra
Published: August 2024

French Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (CAP) faces significant issues, primarily due to an overwhelming increase in demand and insufficient capacity. In response, the French Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions (SFPEADA) initiated an action research project in June 2023 aimed at reimagining the future of CAP in France for the second quarter of the 21st century. Employing a holistic qualitative methodology that merges bottom-up and top-down approaches, the project progressed through four phases: interviews with informed individuals, consultations with trade unions or associations, synthesis of findings using thematic analysis and AI technologies, and public dissemination via a symposium at the ministry of health. The project identified 5 main themes: “CAP and Society”, “Knowledge Integration”, ”Healthcare Delivery”, “Caregivers”, ”System Organization”. This initiative underscores the importance of a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to address the important needs of child and adolescent mental health in France, advocating for significant systemic changes to enhance CAP's efficacy and accessibility.
Machine learnINg for the rElapse Risk eValuation in Acute biliary pancreatitis. The deep learning MINERVA Study Protocol.
Authors: Podda Mauro , Pisanu Adolfo , Pellino Gianluca , De Simone Adriano , Selvaggi Lucio , Murzi Valentina , Locci Eleonora , Rottoli Matteo , Calini Giacomo , Cardelli Stefano , Catena Fausto , Vallicelli Carlo , Bova Raffaele , Vigutto Gabriele , D'Acapito Fabrizio , Ercolani Giorgio , Solaini Leonardo , Biloslavo Alan , Germani Paola , Colutta Camilla , Occhionorelli Savino , Lacavalla Domenico , Sibilla Maria Grazia , Olmi Stefano , Uccelli Matteo , Oldani Alberto , Giordano Alessio , Guagni Tommaso , Perini Davina , Pata Francesco , Nardo Bruno , Paglione Daniele , Franco Giusi , Donadon Matteo , Martino Marcello Di , Bruzzese Dario , Pacella Daniela
Published: August 2024

Background
Mild acute biliary pancreatitis (MABP) presents significant clinical and economic challenges due to its potential for relapse. Current guidelines advocate for early cholecystectomy (EC) during the same hospital admission to prevent recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP). Despite these recommendations, implementation in clinical practice varies, highlighting the need for reliable and accessible predictive tools. The MINERVA study aims to develop and validate a machine learning (ML) model to predict the risk of RAP in MABP patients, enhancing decision-making processes.
Methods
The MINERVA study will be conducted across multiple academic and community hospitals in Italy. Adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of MABP who have not undergone EC during index admission will be included. Exclusion criteria encompass non-biliary aetiology, severe pancreatitis, and the inability to provide informed consent. The study involves both retrospective data from the MANCTRA-1 study and prospective data collection. Data will be captured using REDCap. The ML model will utilise convolutional neural networks (CNN) for feature extraction and risk prediction. The model includes the following steps: the spatial transformation of variables using kernel Principal Component Analysis (kPCA), the creation of 2D images from transformed data, the application of convolutional filters, max-pooling, flattening, and final risk prediction via a fully connected layer. Performance metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, and area under the ROC curve (AUC) will be used to evaluate the model.
Discussion
The MINERVA study addresses the gap in predicting RAP risk in MABP patients by leveraging advanced ML techniques. By incorporating a wide range of clinical and demographic variables, the MINERVA score aims to provide a reliable, cost-effective, and accessible tool for healthcare professionals. The project emphasises the practical application of AI in clinical settings, potentially reducing the incidence of RAP and associated healthcare costs. The study will disseminate findings through peer-reviewed publications, conferences, and a dedicated website, facilitating broad access and adoption.
Trial Registration:
ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06124989
Diversity and threats to large and medium-sized mammals in the northeastern part of the Mbangassina council forest, centre Cameroon
Authors: Kamgang Serge Alexis , Dongmo Ervis Manfothang , Tchoutezou Guy Herman Zanguim , Nanfack Steve Tassiamba , Ngankam Martin Tchamba
Published: August 2024

The purpose of this study was to assess the diversity, abundance, and major threats to large- and medium-sized mammal species in the Mbangassina Council Forest in Centre region of Cameroon. The purpose was to assist the municipality in implementing its local strategy for sustainable development. The data were collected between March 6 and April 22, 2022, using the line-transects distance sampling method and reconnaissance walks (recce). A total of 33 transects were covered, for a completion rate of 97.45% in the study area. The results of the study confirm the presence of nine species of large and medium mammals belonging to four orders, four families dominated by Artiodactyles. The large and medium-sized mammals recorded during our surveys included the black-backed duiker (Cephalophus dorsalis), yellow-backed duiker (Cephalophus silvicultor), pangolin (Manis sp.), moustached monkey (Cercopithecus cephus), sitatunga (Tragelphus spekii), civet (Civettictis civetta), blue duiker (Philantomba monticola), and red-flanked duiker (Cephalophus rufilatus). The diversity index was 0.99 for a total mammal Kilometric Abundance Index (KAI) of 0.51 indices/km. However, the study area recorded a total KAI of 0.31 individuals per kilometer for 21 indices of human presence.The high value of the observed diversity index reflects the ecological importance of this ecological entity for the Municipality of Mbangassina, and the authorities must intensify their protection effort to reduce illegal activities in these areas.
Role of the Indian Ocean dynamics in the Indonesian Throughflow variability and extremes
Authors: Li Yuanlong , Li Rui , Lyu Yilong , Sprintall Janet , Wang Fan
Published: August 2024

The Indonesian throughflow (ITF) regulates heat and freshwater distributions of the Indo-Pacific Oceans and fundamentally affects the climate. The past decade has witnessed acute interannual variations in the Makassar Strait – the main ITF inflow passage, reaching monthly extremes of 1.9 Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s-1) in 2015 and 16.6 Sv in 2017, compared with a mean transport of ~12 Sv. The Pacific Ocean dynamics dictated by El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cannot fully explain these variations and the role of the Indian Ocean (IO) dynamics remains uncertain. Here, we use a 0.1°, quasi-global ocean model to cleanly isolate the impact of the IO dynamics on the ITF. The wind-driven IO dynamics are found to play a significant role in either buffering or driving ITF variability. The buffering effect is commonly seen during strong ENSO events, while the driving effect arises from Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) events independent of ENSO. Notably, the IO dynamics buffered the weak ITF extreme of 2015 by ~35% and contributed to the strong ITF extreme of 2017 by ~23%. Our study aids in the prediction of regional climate extremes under the intensifying ENSO and IOD scenarios expected in the future.
Evaluating the Impact of DFT based Speckle Reduction Filter on T3 Matrix Elements in Polarimetric SAR Imagery
Authors: Jain Vijal , Shitole Sanjay , Rahman Musfiq , Dhruv Ajay
Published: August 2024

This paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of a novel speckle reduction framework tailored for polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (PolSAR) data. The study investigates the framework's performance across various polarization data configurations, including Full Polarimetry (Full Pol) and Single Polarization (Single Pol), operating across different frequency bands such as L, and S band. With a specific focus on T3 matrix elements (T11, T12, T13, T22, T33, and T23) and full polarimetric (full pol) data, the primary objective is to conduct an in-depth comparative analysis of the proposed framework against established speckle reduction techniques. To achieve this, the proposed framework is rigorously compared with well-known methods such as Refined Lee, Lopez, Lee Sigma, Non-Local Means, and IDAN filters across the aforementioned polarization and frequency configurations. Performance evaluation is conducted using a diverse set of metrics, including Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), Equivalent Number of Looks (ENL), Coefficient of Variation (CV), Speckle Suppression Index (SSI), Speckle Suppression and Mean Preservation Index (SMPI), and Structural Similarity Index Measure (SSIM). The results of this evaluation demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed framework, with significant improvements in speckle reduction and preservation of image detail compared to existing techniques. These findings highlight the potential of the proposed framework as a valuable tool for the processing and analysis of PolSAR data across different polarization configurations and frequency bands, providing a comprehensive solution to the challenges posed by speckle noise in SAR imagery.
Limited contamination by trace metals in city colonies of the ant Temnothorax nylanderi
Authors: Gressler Marie , Bultelle Angélique , Doums Claudie , Molet Mathieu
Published: August 2024

In urban environments, trace metals are a widespread class of pollutants that represents a major threat to organisms. Contamination levels in insects differ greatly among habitats, and a basic assumption is that individual contamination depends, at least in part, on environmental contamination. Ants are major actors in ecosystems, but surprisingly little information is available on trace metal contamination of ants in urban environments. Ants could be particularly sensitive to their local environment due to sedentary nesting but their social life could limit contamination. In this study, we assessed whether city colonies of the ant Temnothorax nylanderi differed from forest colonies in their trace metal contamination, and we tested whether larger colonies tolerate pollution better, then showing a lower level of contamination. We collected ant colonies and soil from five city parks in Paris and five forests around Paris, and we measured the concentration of five trace metals (cadmium, copper, iron, lead and zinc). We found that despite living in a more contaminated habitat for cadmium, copper, zinc and lead, city colonies were not more contaminated than forest colonies, except for lead. Interestingly, for lead, contamination decreased when colony size increased, suggesting that living in large groups limits pollutant contamination. Our results suggest that city colonies manage to cope with most trace metals. We argue that analysing whole colonies is important to take into account social life.
Association between lipid-lowering agents with intervertebral disc degeneration, sciatica and low back pain: A drug-targeted Mendelian randomized study and cross-sectional observation
Authors: Liu Chenxu , Chu Xinqiao , Biao Yaning , Jin Qiubai , Zhang Yufang , gao Ya , Feng Shuo , Ma Ji-zheng , Zhang Yixin
Published: August 2024

Background: Abnormal lipid metabolism is linked to intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD), sciatica, and low back pain (LBP), but it remains unclear whethertargeted interventions can prevent these issues. This study investigated the causal effectsof lipid-lowering drug use on IVDD, sciatica, and LBP development.
Methods: Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) linked to total cholesterol (TC), low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and non-high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) were obtained from the Global Lipids Genetics Consortium's genome-wide association study (GWAS). Genes near HMGCR, PCSK9, and NPC1L1 were selected to represent therapeutic inhibition targets. Using Mendelian randomization (MR) studies focusing on these drug targets, we identified causal effects of PCSK9, HMGCR, and NPC1L1 on the risk of developing IVDD, sciatica, and LBP, with coronary heart disease risk serving as a positive control. Additionally, a cross-sectional observational study was performed using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to further investigate the connection between LBP and statin use, with a sample size of 4343 participants. Odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the outcomes.
Results: The NHANES-based cross-sectional study indicated that non-statin use was associated with an increased risk of developing LBP (OR = 1.29, 95% CI [1.04, 1.59], P = 0.019). Moreover, Inverse-variance weighting(IVW) analysis revealedthat NPC1L1-mediated reductions in TC, LDL-C, and non-HDL-C concentrations were associated with a decreased risk of developing IVDD (P=9.956E-03; P=3.516E-02; P=1.253E-04). Similarly, PCSK9-mediated reductions in LDL-C and TC concentrations were linked to a lower risk of developing sciatica (P=3.825E-02; P=2.709E-02). However, the colocalization analysis did not reveal any significant associations. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability and reliability of the MR results.
Conclusion: The results of cross-sectional study suggested that non-use of statins was positively correlated with LBP. The results of Mendelian randomization study suggest that NPC1L1 could lower the risk of developing IVDD by reducing TC, LDL-C, and non-HDL-C levels. Additionally, PCSK9 may reduce the risk of developing sciatica by lowering LDL-C and TC levels. In contrast, HMGCR appears to have no significant effect on IVDD, sciatica, or LBP development. Nonetheless, further research is needed to verify these preliminary results.
Automated neonatal hip ultrasound system for diagnosing developmental dysplasia of hips using assistive AI
Authors: Lee Young Seop , Kim Young Jae , Ryu Jeong Won , Kim Kwang Gi
Published: August 2024

Children with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) joint often do not exhibit clinical symptoms, and diagnosis in some cases relies solely on hip joint examination. There are several methods to examine the hip joint, with ultrasound being the simplest and most convenient diagnostic method. The Graff algorithm is commonly used to diagnose hip dysplasia by measuring angles at different landmarks in the hip region. This study utilized the SONON 300L device developed by Hilserion to acquire ultrasound images of the hip joints in 18 infants and children. Following classification, the standard planes were aligned with the Graf’s landmarks using an artificial intelligence (AI) model, and the landmark regions were subsequently segmented. Significant findings were observed in the ultrasound images, with a maximum area-under-the-curve of 0.864 and a Dice coefficient of 0.660. The Graf algorithm was employed to develop an automated model for diagnosing DDH, resulting in a DDH-assisted AI model with an average Graf angle error rate of 0.21 compared to expert diagnostics
Isolation and functional analysis of the Larix olgensis LoNAC3 transcription factor gene
Authors: Cao Qing , Hao Junfei , Zhang Tiantian , Liu Lu , Xu Daixi , Wang Chen , Zhao Qingrong , Zhang Hanguo , Zhang Lei
Published: August 2024

Background
Larch is an important timber tree species. The traditional methods of tree genetic breeding have been progressing slowly. It is necessary to carry out gene function analysis and genetically modified breeding research. The NAC transcription factor family is a plant-specific transcription factor family with various biological functions, as shown in recent research. However, there are few studies on the NAC gene among gymnosperm coniferous species.
Results
LoNAC3 with complete cds was identified and isolated from the cDNA of Larix olgensis based on transcriptome data. The cDNA length of LoNAC3 is 1185bp, encoding 394 amino acids, with a conserved NAM domain located at the N-terminus, and subcellular localization in the nucleus. The results of real-time quantitative PCR analysis showed that the relative expression level of LoNAC3 was higher in the needles of L. olgensis, and the response to salt and drought treatment was more obvious. In addition, LoNAC3 was induced to express by methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and abscisic acid (ABA). By observing the phenotype of overexpressed LoNAC3 tobacco, it was found that overexpressed tobacco is shorter and blooms earlier than wild-type tobacco. Under abiotic stress, overexpressed tobacco has lower germination rates and poorer growth status. Transgenic tobacco under stress treatment has a higher malondialdehyde (MDA) content than wild-type tobacco, while peroxidase (POD) activity is lower than wild-type tobacco.
Conclusions
Through the analysis of LoNAC3 sequence and promoter expression, it can be concluded that LoNAC3 is involved in the drought and salt stress response processes of L. olgensis, and is induced by ABA and MeJA expression. Overexpression of LoNAC3 leads to stunted tobacco growth and negatively regulates its tolerance to drought and salt stress through the reactive oxygen species pathway. The preliminary analysis of the expression pattern and function of the LoNAC3 can provide a theoretical basis and high-quality materials for genetic improvement of larch in later stages.
Whole-brain functional photoacoustic/ultrasound localization (PAUL) imaging for monitoring blood-brain barrier modulation
Authors: Chen Yun-Sheng , Zhao Shensheng , Basu Sayantani , Shi Ji , Song Kewei , Siripun Pun , Huynh Huan , Zhao Yang , Campbell Roy
Published: August 2024

Focused ultrasound (FUS) represents an innovative, non-invasive method for modulating the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), allowing transient openings for therapeutic delivery. Yet, excessive BBB disruption risks cerebral damage and neurological symptoms. Current imaging techniques typically lack the ability to provide detailed hemodynamic data in tandem with BBB integrity assessments across whole brain regions. Here, we introduce a FUS-compatible, deep learning enhanced multi-parametric photoacoustic/ultrasound localization (PAUL) imaging method employing a clinical ultrasound linear array. This dual-modality technique enables comprehensive whole brain imaging through the intact skull, capturing brain microvasculature, changes in blood flow and oxygenation, as well as mapping the distribution of BBB permeability tracers. Our technology enables visualization of microvascular structures down to 22 µm and provides detailed tracking of blood flow dynamics at the single microvasculature level. Our results demonstrate that BBB modulation results in decreased blood flow and flow rate, especially in regions with high BBB permeable tracer retention. This indicates PAUL imaging can non-invasively monitor BBB disruption caused by FUS, offering a potential advancement in the management and understanding of BBB dynamics.
Evaluation and Prediction of the Ecological Environment Quality in the City Proper in Chongqing Based on the Improved Remote Sensing Ecological Index
Authors: Zhang Guolin , Kuang Honghai
Published: August 2024

In this study, the improved remote sensing ecological index (DRSEI) was utilized in the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform to assess and predict the ecological environment quality (EEQ) in the city proper of Chongqing from 2002 to 2022. The DRSEI was obtained by replacing the land surface temperature (LST) index in the remote sensing ecological index (RSEI) with the difference index (DI), which represents the PM2.5 concentration. It was found that the DRSEI outperformed the RSEI in terms of the contribution of the first principal component, average correlation, and proximity to the ecosystem status index (EI). Using the DRSEI for EEQ assessment, it was found that the overall trend of the EEQ in the study area exhibited initially improved and then deteriorated. In addition, the EEQ was categorized into five levels: excellent, good, moderate, fair, and poor. The regions with excellent EEQ were predominantly situated between the eastern and southern areas, while those categorized as poor were mainly concentrated in the central region. Moreover, the mean centers of each level underwent a series of changes and ultimately tended to regress towards the vicinity of the central region. The modeling and prediction performance of the DRSEI determined using stepwise regression was excellent. Additionally, this paper discusses the reasons for the changes in the regression coefficients of each indicator. The DRSEI has significant advantages in improving the accuracy of EEQ assessment. Based on our analyses, we suggest that the DRSEI may provide more accurate evaluations in large-scale regions above the county level and in areas with lighter air pollution.
Spin Hall Nano-Antenna
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Supriyo , Fabiha Raisa , Pal Pratap , Suche Michael , Mondal Amrit , Topsakal Erdem , Barman Anjan
Published: August 2024

A spin Hall nano-oscillator (SHNO) is a well-known device that delivers a high frequency alternating current or voltage to a load1 and has found many technological applications. Here, we report its analogue – a spin Hall nano-antenna (SHNA) that radiates a high frequency electromagnetic wave (alternating electric/magnetic fields) into the surrounding medium. It can also radiate an acoustic wave in an underlying substrate if the nanomagnets are made of a magnetostrictive material, which makes it a dual electromagnetic/acoustic antenna. The SHNA is made of an array of ledged magnetostrictive nanomagnets deposited on a substrate, with a heavy metal nanostrip overlying the ledges. An alternating charge current passed through the nanostrip generates an alternating spin-orbit torque in the nanomagnets via the spin Hall effect2, 3 which makes their magnetizations oscillate in time with the frequency of the current, producing confined spin waves (magnons), which radiate electromagnetic waves (photons) in space with the same frequency as the ac current. Despite being much smaller than the radiated wavelength, the SHNA surprisingly does not act as a point source which would radiate isotropically. Instead, there is clear directionality (anisotropy) in the radiation pattern, which is also frequency-dependent. This is due to the intrinsic anisotropy in the confined spin wave patterns generated within the nanomagnets.
Spatiotemporal evolutions of gas pressures in coal seam during gas extraction under mining disturbance
Authors: Chen Yuexia , Chu Tingxiang , Chen Xuexi , Jiang Boning , Chen Peng , Cao Jialin
Published: August 2024

A 3D geometric model is established based on a fluid‒solid coupling model for purpose of identifying the influences of mining disturbances on the distribution of gas pressures in front of a working face during gas extraction. Then, the stress distribution and gas extraction process are simulated using COMSOL software. The spatiotemporal evolutions of gas pressures in front of the working face are analyzed from the dimensions of point, line, surface, and volume. A comparative analysis has been conducted to explore the distribution patterns of gas pressure in fractures and pores. The results show that under mining disturbance, the stresses in front of the working face create a stress-relaxation area, a stress concentration area, and an original stress area. Moreover, a low stress concentration is located near the boreholes. In the early stage of gas extraction, corresponding to the stress distribution, the gas pressures present a depressurization area, pressure concentration area, and almost undisturbed area. As the time increases after mining, the effects of mining disturbances gradually decrease, and the range of the gas pressure concentration area steadily shortens and shifts toward the front of the working face. Under the same temporal conditions, the gas pressure in pores is higher than that in fractures. At the onset of mining, the pore gas pressure is even greater than the initial pressure. Furthermore, during the identical extraction period, the "concentration area" of pore gas pressure is situated farther away from the coal wall of the working face compared to the "concentration area" of fracture gas pressure. These results of the study provide theoretical support for arranging drainage boreholes, enhancing gas extraction efficiency, safeguarding against gas accidents.
Ball Grid Array Solder Joints Thermal Profile Prediction and Recipe Optimization with Physics-Informed Neural Network
Authors: Zhang Zhenxuan , Li Yuanyuan , Yoon Sangwon , Park Seungbae , Won Daehan
Published: August 2024

Based on comparable research studies, the reflow process has been iden- tified as the most critical process to ensure the quality of solder joints on printed circuit boards (PCBs) manufactured using surface mounting technology (SMT). An example of this is the ball grid array (BGA), which is a package that has one face partially covered by pins in a grid pattern that is connected to the pads on the PCB. It is important to note that the solder joints for BGAs are located at the bottom of the package, as opposed to passive components. Because the cover case of the BGA blocks the convection heat from the air, the BGA joints require a greater amount of parasite conduction heat from the boards and pack- age cover. During the manufacturing process, solder paste manufacturers provide specifications, along with temperature curves (i.e., thermal pro- files), to ensure the quality of the solder joints. In the context of the BGA thermal study, one of the significant challenges will be measuring the temperature under the package and predicting the temperature. Thus, a non-contact profile prediction model would help with predicting the BGA joint thermal profile. As part of this study, (1) a physics-informed artificial neural network (PINN) was proposed for temperature predic- tion for the BGA solder joints, and (2) an experiment was conducted 1 2 Thermal Profile Prediction and Recipe Optimization for BGAs to measure the solder joint temperature underneath the BGAs for con- firmation. The study also proposed (3) an optimization model based on mixed integer programming (MILP) to obtain the reflow recipe for the product that contains passive components and BGA packages, which have different heat capacities, by minimizing the difference of the ther- mal profiles. The prediction accuracy is higher than 96% in terms of the R2 fitness to the actual thermal profile. In the optimized recipe, there was a 50% reduction in the gap between the peak temperatures of the hottest (passive components) and the coldest (BGA center) joints.
Genes involved in DMSO-mediated yield increase of entomopathogenic nematodes
Authors: Liu Xingxin , Rao Zhongchen , Han Richou , Jin Linhong , Cao Li
Published: August 2024

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) associated with their symbiotic bacteria can effectively kill insect pests, in agriculture, forestry and floriculture. Industrial-scale production techniques for EPNs have been established, including solid and liquid monoculture systems. It is found that supplement of 0.01% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to the culture medium significantly enhances the recovery and infective juvenile yield of these nematodes. However, the specific nematode genes responding to DMSO is not yet clear. This study identified differentially expressed genes and associated enriched pathways by analyzing the transcriptomic response of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora H06 in the liquid medium containing 0.01% DMSO, and validated the function of the selected genes using RNA interference (RNAi). 11 upregulated and 295 downregulated genes were detected in the hermaphrodites of H. bacteriophora H06 at 3 days beforee egg formation, following DMSO treatment. The biological processes involved included regulation of biological processes, metabolism, binding, signal transduction, post-transcriptional modifications, metabolism, and protein folding. By using RNAi, knockdown of three genes, TRINITY_DN811_c0_g1 (Hint module), TRINITY_DN9784_c0_g1 (PAN domain protein), and TRINITY_DN4066_c0_g1 (Dpy-13), significantly regulated the egg load (at least a 17% increase in eggs per hermaphroditic adult) and the yield of infective juveniles (at least a 48% increase), in an optimized 96-well plates containing the medium with 1.6% nutrient broth, 1% corn oil and 1.2% agar, without DMSO. qRT-PCR results confirmed that the expression levels of the knockdown genes decreased significantly, compared to the control. These results demonstrate that DMSO regulates nematode gravidity by suppressing at least three selected genes, thereby enhancing IJ yield, providing molecular cues for understanding how DMSO regulates the EPN yield, and a new technology for enhancing nematode commercial production.
Experimental Investigation and Finite Element Modelling for Solid Warren Dowelled Timber Roof Truss
Authors: Dzulkifli Amira Ruzailin , Hidayat Rahmad , Hassan Rohana , Alisibramulisi Anizahyati , Anshari Buan , Zainal Azman , Jaya Ramadhansyah Putra
Published: August 2024

Timber trusses are available in various sizes and shapes and can be placed in situ or prefabricated. Unfortunately, the usage of solid timber as a structural material is limited in Malaysia compared to concrete and steel. Hence, this research investigates the structural experimental performance and finite element modelling for solid timber Warren dowelled connections roof trusses using Chengal species. The goals encompassed assessing flexural performance, establishing a correlation between strength and stiffness, and conducting a comparative study between finite element analysis and experimental findings. The experimental research entailed subjecting a Warren roof truss constructed entirely from solid wood under four-point bending load testing. The truss exhibited a linear response during both the application and removal of the load until it reached its elastic limit. Nonlinearity, resulting from the deformation and fracturing of timber at connections, was detected when the load reached 68.88 kN, ultimately leading to failure at 182.76 kN. The displacements of different components were measured, indicating ductile behaviour and failure of the joints. The objective of utilising the ABAQUS program for finite element modelling was to corroborate the experimental findings. The first model displayed a 42.91% disparity in modulus of rupture (MOR) compared to the experimental results. By meticulously calibrating material properties, the model updating process resulted in a significant 75.23% enhancement in stress. This adjustment successfully aligned the stress values obtained from the Finite Element Method (FEM) with the experimental findings. Comparisons between the experimental and Finite Element Method (FEM) results for the Modulus of Rupture (MOR) demonstrate significant enhancement after the updating process, resulting in a decrease of ΔS from 42.91–0.036%. Direct comparison of displacement values was not possible due to substantial discrepancies. This study provides significant findings on the performance of solid Warren-dowelled timber roof trusses, highlighting the crucial role of exact calibration of material properties for accurate finite element modelling.
FedAEF: Optimizing federated learning with mining and enhancing local data features
Authors: Zeng Yan , Huang Chengchuang , Teng Siyuan , Xue Meiting , Shi Yukun , Zhang Jilin , Wan Jian , Jia Gangyong
Published: August 2024

Federated learning is a distributed machine learning method for training models with data localization. However, data generated by local devices is often heterogeneous(non-independent and identically distributed, Non-IID), as it is influenced by time, geographical location, and sampling bias, which can lead to suboptimal performance and slower convergence of models. Most methods mitigate this issue by adjusting the optimization direction on the local device or leveraging shared datasets. However, they still can't work well for Non-IID data, due to the insufficient utilization of local high-quality data. For these problems, we propose an optimizing method, FedAEF. It trains autoencoders on local devices to extract local data features, and the server aggregates these features and generates independent and identically distributed (IID) data to fine-tune the global model. Experiments show that, compared to FedAVG, FedProx, and SCAFFOLD, FedAEF improves the accuracy by 2.5%, and the convergence performance of the model is improved by 55.9%.
Evidence for an evolutionary continuity in social dominance: Insights from non-human primates tractography
Authors: Royo Julie , Orset Thomas , Catani Marco , Pouget Pierre , de Schotten Michel Thiebaut
Published: August 2024

The dynamics of social dominance play a significant role in regulating access to resources and influencing reproductive success and survival in non-human primates. These dynamics are based on aggressive and submissive interactions which create distinct, hierarchically organized social structures. In humans, whose social behavior is similarly organized, the use of brain imaging based on tractography has identified key neuronal networks of the limbic system underlying social behaviour. Among them the uncinate fasciculus and the cingulum bundle which have been associated with conduct disorder and psychopathy.
In this study, we have used advanced tractography to study the anatomy of connections underlying social dominance in a colony of 15 squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus). We correlated biostructural properties of the uncinate fasciculus and cingulum with behavioral hierarchy measures while controlling for factors such as age, weight, handedness, brain size, and hormonal influences. The fornix, a limbic connection involved in memory was also included as control tract. Our findings indicate a significant correlation between the integrity of the right uncinate fasciculus and social dominance measures, including normalised David’s scores, aggressive behaviors, and withdrawal behaviors. Trends observed in the left uncinate fasciculus hint at potential bilateral involvement with a right hemispheric lateralisation. These results are consistent with human studies linking the uncinate fasciculus to social disorders, suggesting an evolutionary continuity in the neuro-anatomical substrates of social dominance back to at least 35 million years.
Degradation of biorefractory compounds by anodic oxidation on Magnéli phase and electro-Fenton process
Authors: Ouagued Imane , Lacour Stella , Petit Eddy , Djafer Abderrahmane , Ouagued Abdellah , Cretin Marc
Published: August 2024

The degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) was studied using advanced electrochemical oxidation processes (EAOP): electro-Fenton (EF), anodic oxidation (AO) and electro-Fenton coupled with anodic oxidation (EF/AO) on a carbon felt (CF) cathode paired with either a sub-stoichiometric titanium dioxide Magnéli phase (Ti4O7) anode or a platinized titanium (Ti/Pt) anode. The study revealed that operating conditions significantly impacted the kinetics of electrochemical reactions. Increasing the current density from 10 to 50 mA cm− 2 significantly accelerated the degradation of RhB, with 30 mA cm− 2 identified as the optimal current density, balancing energy consumption and degradation efficiency. The RhB concentration also influenced the degradation kinetics: higher concentrations required longer treatment times. The EF/AO coupling process proved particularly effective in degrading higher concentrations of RhB. Toxicity evaluation using the Microtox® bioluminescence inhibition test showed reduced toxicity during the electrochemical degradation of the pollutant, with EF/AO presenting the most significant reduction. The EF/AO coupling also demonstrated superior total organic carbon (TOC) removal, reaching 90% at pH 3 compared to EF and AO alone, suggesting efficient mineralization of RhB and its by-products. Energy consumption (EC) remained relatively stable across all processes during a 480 min electrolysis period. High-resolution mass spectrometry confirmed the degradation pathways of RhB, involving chain oxidation reactions leading to the formation of intermediate products and mineralization to CO2 and H2O. This study demonstrates the potential of EF, AO and EF/AO coupling as effective methods for mineralizing Rhodamine B (RhB) from wastewater, contributing to sustainable and environmentally friendly wastewater treatment strategies.