bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Science Teaching Efficacy and Science Outcome Expectancy Among Early Childhood Preservice Teachers: Effects of Constructivist Beliefs vs. Traditional Beliefs
Authors: Kim Hyunjin
Published: August 2024

This study examined early childhood preservice teachers’ perceived science teaching efficacy and its association with their teaching beliefs (constructivist and traditional beliefs). The participants included 181 preservice teachers enrolled in an early childhood teacher education program at a university in the Midwestern United States. Information was collected using the Science Teaching Efficacy Beliefs Instrument – Preservice (STEBI-B) and Teaching Beliefs Survey (TBS). The results revealed that the preservice teachers were efficacious about their science teaching, showing a negative relation with traditional teaching beliefs and no statistically significant relation with constructivist teaching beliefs. The results of hierarchical regression analyses revealed that the preservice teachers’ traditional teaching beliefs was a significant negative predictor of their personal science teaching efficacy and of their science teaching outcomes expectancy, while there was no significant effect of constructivist beliefs on them. These results suggest that when preservice teachers adhere to traditional teaching methods, it can lower their confidence and expectations about their effectiveness in teaching science. This underscores the current trend in early childhood education towards promoting innovative, student-centered teaching practices. By moving away from traditional beliefs and embracing more constructivist and inquiry-based approaches, teacher education programs can better prepare preservice teachers to create dynamic, effective, and engaging science classrooms for young children. This approach aligns with contemporary educational practices that prioritize hands-on learning and critical thinking, laying a strong foundation for students' lifelong interest and involvement in STEM subjects.
Simulation of the Planetary Boundary Layer characteristics and its relation to air quality in the Metropolitan Area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: da Silveira Wilson William , Carvalho Vanessa Silveira Barreto , Araújo de Freitas Aline , Simões Reboita Michelle , Toledo de Almeida Albuquerque Taciana
Published: August 2024

Frequently in the Metropolitan Area of Rio de Janeiro (MARJ), air quality monitoring stations record concentrations of particulate matter (PM10) and ozone (O3) above the reference values proposed by the World Health Organization. In this region, weather conditions combined with high atmospheric pollutant emissions and complex topography favor the occurrence of high concentrations of pollutants such as PM10 and O3 for several consecutive days. Hence, this study evaluated 1) the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) conditions simulated by the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model and b) its relation to the air quality recorded during days with high concentrations of O3 and PM10 in the MARJ. Two episodes, one during summertime when high O3 concentrations were registered and one during the winter with high PM10 concentrations, were considered. The study used the WRF model to simulate conditions during those periods. Upper air and surface observations, synoptic charts, and satellite images were used to verify WRF results. In both periods, it was possible to identify the influence of the South Atlantic Subtropical Anticyclone associated with clear sky conditions, slight air subsidence, and weaker winds. The comparison with observations showed the model simulated coherently local weather conditions. Weaker winds and the performance of the sea breeze during the afternoon favored the maintenance of pollutants and their transport to the northeast/northwest of the region. In general, WRF consistently represented the height of the PBL and atmospheric stability. Therefore, this study shows that WRF results can be used to simulate PBL conditions and could be used as a source of upper air information in the MARJ.
Analisis Faktor-Faktor yang Mempengaruhi Pengungkapan Emisi Karbon pada Perusahaan BUMN
Authors: Lasmiati  , Pahala Indra , Khairunnisa Hera
Published: August 2024

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengaruh ukuran perusahaan, kinerja lingkungan, profitabilitas dan Leverage terhadap pengungkapan emisi karbon pada perusahaan Badan Usaha Milik Negara (BUMN). Tingkat pengungkapan emisi karbon diukur dengan menggunakan checklist carbon emission disclosure. Penelitian menggunakan data sekunder yang bersumber dari laporan keuangan, laporan keberlanjutan dan laporan peringkat PROPER dari perusahaan BUMN yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia (BEI) serta berpartisipasi pada program PROPER selama tahun 2016-2022. Sebanyak 98 sampel observasi terpilih melalui teknik purposive sampling yang diolah dengan analisis regresi data panel menggunakan Eviews 12. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian ditemukan adanya pengaruh positif ukuran perusahaan terhadap pengungkapan emisi karbon, sementara Leverage ditemukan memiliki pengaruh negatif terhadap pengungkapan emisi karbon. Namun, kinerja lingkungan dan profitabilitas tidak secara signifikan memiliki pengaruh terhadap pengungkapan emisi karbon.
 
Kata Kunci: Pengungkapan Emisi Karbon, Ukuran Perusahaan, Kinerja Lingkungan, Profitabilitas, Leverage
Bilateral Patellar Brown Tumors as Presenting Symptom of Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Meinerz Carolyn , Wooldridge Adam , King David
Published: August 2024

Case:

Osteolytic lesions have a broad differential. We present a 33-year-old man with bilateral patellar lytic lesions with unilateral pathologic fracture. Workup demonstrated hyperparathyroidism and isolated patellar lesions consistent with brown tumors. The patient underwent subtotal parathyroidectomy followed by curettage and cement augmentation with open reduction internal fixation of pathologic fracture and aspiration with injection of Pro-Dense to unfractured side. The patient is 2 years postoperatively and doing well.

Conclusion:

Multiple lytic lesions in bone should raise concern for possible metabolic derangements as the cause. Workup for brown tumors including hyperparathyroidism laboratory markers is an important differential diagnosis for orthopaedic surgeons.
Investigasi Keterkaitan Adiksi Internet, Kepuasan Hidup dan Depresi
Authors: Zaen Fifin Nur , Aulia Moch Agung , Aziz Raisya , Auliya Shefina , Saepullah Willy , Fuji Mita Deviani , Natanael Yonathan
Published: August 2024

The problem of internet addiction is very important to be explored further with scientific studies. Considering more frequency the use of internet in the pandemic covid-19 era, especially for college students. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between internet addiction, life satisfaction, and depression in college students. Homogenous sampling was used to obtain the same criterion for 467 participants. The research design used is correlational research to determine the effect of one variable on other variables. Demographic analysis shows that students use the internet more in their daily lives to play games and access social media, compare to accessing study material and browsing information. Inferential analysis with regression found that there was no effect of internet addiction on life satisfaction and depression in college students. The finding of this study support previous studies, where online games and access to social media are the student’s favorite choices when accessing the internet, and this study which states that there is no correlation between the three variables are tested.
Mesenteric lymph nodes involvement in advanced ovarian cancer patients after debulking surgery
Authors: CANDOTTI GIORGIO , PEIRETTI MICHELE , BERGAMINI ALICE , GALLI FEDERICA , FAIS MARIA LUISA , CIOFFI RAFFAELLA , RABAIOTTI EMANUELA , MANGILI GIORGIA , CANDIANI MASSIMO , BOCCIOLONE LUCA
Published: August 2024

Purpose: In literature only few studies investigated the role of mesenteric lymph nodes in the context of bowel resection during cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer (OC). Despite the lack of a consensus regarding the best surgical approach, data showed connection between depth of bowel infiltration, rectosigmoid lymph-vascular space infiltration with mesenteric lymph nodes involvement. This study investigates the incidence of mesenteric lymph nodes involvement in patients undergoing bowel resection during debulking surgery in advanced OC and its correlation with pathological factors.
Methods: This is a retrospective study collecting data from November 2018 to August 2022 in two Italian Institutions (IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Vita e Salute University Milan and Policlinico Monserrato, University of Cagliari). OC patients undergoing rectosigmoid resection during primary debulking surgery or interval debulking surgery were recorded. The characteristics of mesenteric node involvement were evaluated.
Results: Mesenteric lymph nodes were detected in 38/67 cases (57%); involvement rate was 53%. Metastatic mesenteric lymph nodes were associated with depth of bowel infiltration (p = 0.009). Significant correlation between positive mesenteric lymph nodes and pelvic lymph nodes (p = 0.022), aortic lymph nodes (p = 0.005) was found. No association was found between mesenteric lymph nodes involvement and pattern of relapse. BRCA status did not affect mesenteric lymph nodes involvement.
Conclusion: OC patients undergoing rectosigmoid resection during debulking surgery revealed metastatic mesenteric lymph nodes involvement in 53% of cases. This finding was related to a deeper infiltration of the bowel, rectosigmoid lymph-vascular space infiltration, pelvic and aortic lymph nodes metastases.
Application of single venous approach under echocardiographic without angiography in closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus
Authors: Xiong Pan , Chen Quan , He Yiwei
Published: August 2024

Background: The conventional arteriovenous approach closure of patent ductus arteriosus（PDA）may be associated with more complications especially in young infants. The objective is to explore the feasibility and clinical efficacy of interventional closure of PDA through single venous approach under echocardiographic without angiography.
Methods: 112 patients (32 males and 80 females) with PDA closed by different methods in Suining Central Hospital were enrolled, including 60 cases with single venous approach under echocardiographic without angiography and 52 cases with conventional arteriovenous approach. There were no significant differences in age and gender composition between the two groups. The success rate of operation, complete closure rate of 24 hours,Procedure time, X-ray fluoroscopic time, radiation dose, intraoperative contrast volume, preoperative and postoperative creatinine, preoperative and postoperative uric acid nitrogen, bed rest time, total hospital stay and incidence of vascular complications were compared between the two groups.
Results: There were no significant differences in the success rate of operation (100% vs 100%) and the complete closure rate of 24 hours (100% vs 100%) between the two groups (P>0.05). In the single venous approach group, the Procedure time was (50.05±4.78min vs 57.69±6.44min), the X-ray fluoroscopy time was (7.30±0.78min vs 10.23±1.58min), and the radiation dose was (79.57±15.18mGy vs 219.22±34.60mGy), contrast volume (0mL vs 62.22±22.69ml), bed rest time (4.03±0.99h vs 12.25±1.73h), total hospital stay (3.30±0.52 days vs 3.39±0.49 days) and the incidence of vascular complications (0% vs 13.9%) were significantly lower than those in the traditional angiography group (P<0.05). There were no significant changes in creatinine (51.86±12.75umol/L vs 53.09±10.27umol/L) and urea nitrogen (4.81±1.21mmol/L vs 4.98±0.93mmol/L) before and after operation in single venous group (P>0.05). Compared with preoperative creatinine level (68.23±8.66umol vs 59.23±22.12umol) and urea nitrogen level (5.98±1.13mmol/L vs 5.16±1.49mmol/L) in traditional angiography group after operation (24 hours) were significantly increased (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Compared with the conventional arteriovenous approach, the single venous approach has the outstanding advantage of reducing vascular complications, contrast volume, radiation dose,procedure time .Compared with the conventional arteriovenous approach, on the basis of obtaining the same efficacy, the PDA occlusion of the single venous approach under echocardiographic without angiography has the outstanding advantages of simplified operation, less X-ray radiation, no contrast agent injury, short bed rest time, and fewer vascular complications.It is a green and safe surgical method worth promoting for PDA patients with suitable anatomical conditions.
Research on Deduction of Social Media Public Opinion Based on UCIGR Model
Authors: Song Jinbao , Sun Xiangyu
Published: August 2024

As the number of Internet users grows, Internet public opinion spreads rapidly on social media, presenting significant challenges for government and related agencies in managing public sentiment. In light of this, it is crucial to propose a public opinion deduction method that aligns with the current era. This paper combines communication dynamics research with real-world observation and analysis of public opinion communication processes. Building upon the UCIR model, the study introduces the UCIGR (unknown-contact-infective-guided-recovered) communication model, incorporating the instructor-accepted state into the model. The model establishes a law of secondary propagation of public opinion based on this state. Compared to the UCIR model, the UCIGR model proposed in this research demonstrates a 27% improvement in performance, offering a more realistic restoration of the dissemination process of public opinion information. Furthermore, leveraging the rules of the UCIGR model, the study deduces and analyzes public opinion from two dimensions, providing a new framework for governments and related institutions to formulate effective public opinion guidance strategies.
Optimizing groundwater management to prevent drawdown and sustain agricultural production using machine learning model
Authors: Wang Sheng-Wei , Kao Yu-Hsuan , Chen Yen-Yu , Hsu Shu-Han , Kimura Masaomi , Chang Li-Chiu , Pan Tzi-Wen
Published: August 2024

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of groundwater level prediction and management using an extreme gradient boosting (XGB) model, optimized through Bayesian techniques. To address the challenge of unavailable accurate pumping volume data in high-density agricultural well areas, our approach leverages well power consumption as a key feature for the machine learning model. This innovative method enables accurate groundwater level predictions based on precipitation and power consumption data. To mitigate significant groundwater level declines during drought periods, the developed XGB model offers flexible design scenarios with varying degrees of groundwater extraction reduction. This capability allows for rapid predictions of groundwater levels, providing decision-makers with a powerful tool to adapt to hydrological uncertainties caused by future climate change. The results of model testing present that the increases in groundwater levels with a 25% reduction in power consumption range from 0.45 to 0.79 m during the wet season and from 0.45 to 0.99 m during the dry season. Interestingly, as the percentage of power consumption reduction increases, the elevations in groundwater levels do not increase proportionally, indicating that the non-linear characteristics among the interactions of precipitation, pumping behaviors, and groundwater level variations. In all three scenarios, the increases in groundwater levels during the dry season are significantly greater than those during the wet season. This implies that appropriate reductions in pumping volumes during drought periods can effectively prevent sharp groundwater level drawdowns. Furthermore, the XGB model plays a crucial role in formulating groundwater extraction reduction policies and agricultural fallow subsidy programs. When considering the opportunity cost of agricultural labor, the subsidies for the first and second crop periods meet only 30% and 59% of the economic profit, respectively. This economic shortfall is a major barrier to the adoption of fallowing practices by farmers during droughts. Therefore, it is crucial to enhance these subsidies to make fallowing a more viable and attractive option for farmers. In conclusion, while predictive modeling offers a robust tool for groundwater management and policy decision-making, there is a clear need for improved economic incentives and integrated management strategies.
Investigation of Climate Extremes in Jabalpur District of Madhya Pradesh: Trends and Future Implications
Authors: Thakur Pankaj Kumar , Gururani Dheeraj Mohan , Agrawal Abhishek , Varade Divyesh , Dubey Snehil , Kumari Pushpanjali
Published: August 2024

Climate change is a long-term change in hydro-meteorological conditions in a particular geographical region. In the present study, spatio-temporal long-term change in rainfall during 1961–2020 was analyzed using IMD 0.25°×0.25° resolution gridded dataset in the Jabalpur district. The non-parametric Mann–Kendall trend test and Sen’s slope estimator was applied to determine the trend and its magnitude, respectively in the precipitation time series. Extreme indices were employed to understand the risks and vulnerabilities associated with extreme weather events in the district. Mann-Kendall trend test showed an insignificant trend at 95% confidence interval with Sen’s slope value of -2.98 to 0.73 mm/year. CLIMPACT tool was used to study extreme indices and it revealed that, in the district, CDD, CWD, R10, R20, and RX5 were decreasing, whereas RX1 and SDII were found increasing. The study’s outcomes provide valuable inferences for future water resource planning and management in central India, particularly in Jabalpur district.
Alkaline-Enhanced Boehmite Catalysts for Catalytic Hydrolysis of Carbonyl Sulfide at Low Temperature
Authors: Lin Jia Yin , Wang Chih-Ying , Lee Jia-Yu
Published: August 2024

The removal of carbonyl sulfide (COS), a byproduct gas in the steel industry, is crucial due to its environmental impact, including acid rain formation and corrosion of chemical equipment. This study explores enhancing the catalytic performance for COS hydrolysis at low temperatures by loading potassium hydroxide (KOH) onto boehmite catalysts. The modified catalysts demonstrated significantly improved COS conversion rates and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) yields compared to untreated counterparts. At 40°C, K/Boehmite catalysts achieved approximately 80% COS conversion. As the temperature increased to 50°C, 60°C, and 70°C, COS conversion rates neared 100%, with H2S yields reaching up to 98% for K/Boehmite-3. Characterization results confirmed that KOH increased the number of active sites on the catalyst surface, enhancing COS adsorption and reaction. The KOH modification increases alkalinity and promotes the formation of surface hydroxyl groups, which play a key role in the hydrolysis reaction. These hydroxyl groups facilitate water adsorption and the breakdown of COS into H2S and CO2. This study presents a straightforward method for KOH impregnation on boehmite, marking the first use of boehmite as a COS hydrolysis catalyst, significantly boosting its efficiency and offering a viable solution for industrial COS removal while effectively generating H2S.
Intelligent Monitoring of Tool Wear and Quality Control of Roughness with Roundness in CNC Turning
Authors: Tangjitsitcharoen Somkiat
Published: August 2024

This paper integrates an in-process monitoring of tool wear with a quality control of roughness and roundness of machined parts in CNC turning, which are the critical parameters. The Daubechies wavelet transform has been applied to decompose the dynamic cutting forces in order to classify the signals of the tool wear, the average surface roughness, the surface roughness, and the roundness. The decomposed cutting forces are normalized to predict those parameters regardless of cutting conditions by taking the ratio of decomposed cutting forces. Firstly, the ratio of average variance of decomposed feed force to that of decomposed main force is proposed to estimate the tool wear. Secondly, the areas of those decomposed feed force and decomposed main force have been proposed and taken into the ratio to forecast the average surface roughness and the surface roughness concurrently. Lastly, the roundness error is calculated simultaneously by utilizing the ratio of average variance of decomposed redial force to that of decomposed feed force. The exponential function is adopted to represent the relations of the tool wear, the average surface roughness, the surface roughness, the roundness, and all proposed ratios of decomposed cutting forces, respectively. The new cutting tests are conducted to verify all obtained models. The experimentally obtained results showed that the tool wear declines as the ratio of average variance of decomposed feed force to that of decomposed main force increases. The average surface roughness and the surface roughness tend to decrease while the ratio of decomposed feed force to decomposed main force progresses. On the other hand, the roundness error becomes larger when the ratio of average variance of decomposed redial force to that of decomposed feed force escalates. It is concluded that the tool wear, the average surface roughness, the surface roughness, and the roundness can be monitored and controlled at the same time during the in-process CNC turning, which has never been done and developed before. The highest benefit of the proposed system can enhance the quality of machined parts and lead to the higher productivity.
Contrasting Tracheal, Bronchus, and Lung Cancer Burdens and Care Quality: A Comparative Analysis of China and Global Trends
Authors: Lin Xiuquan , Liu Shiwen , Ding Yating , Zhao Jianhui , He Fei , Zhong Wenling
Published: August 2024

Background
This study aims to explore the temporal trends of tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer burden in Fujian Province, China, and globally. Additionally, changes in attributable risk factors and the quality of care were evaluated.
Methods
Based on data from the Fujian Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Global Burden of Disease (GBD), the age-standardized rates (ASRs) of incidence, death, and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) were collected and analyzed. Joinpoint regression analysis and age-period-cohort models were used to estimate temporal trends, and principal component analysis is used to estimate the quality-of-care index (QCI).
Results
In 2019, the ASRs of incidence, death, and DALYs in 2019 were 39.08, 35.29, and 778.39 per 100,000 in Fujian Province, respectively. From 1990 to 2019, ASRs increased, with average annual percent changes (AAPCs) of 1.08 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.77 to 1.38), 0.65 (95% CI: 0.35 to 0.95), and 0.18 (95% CI: -0.07 to 0.42), respectively. When analyzed age, the burden sharply increased after age 50. By gender, the ASRs of male incidence, death, and DALY in Fujian Province were all over 3-folds higher than in females. However, females burden showed increasing trend from 2015 to 2019. While DALY ASRs attributed to ambient particulate matter pollution increased significantly, solid fuels in households decreased compared to 1990. Moreover, we founded that QCI increased with age. The temporal trends indicated decrease in QCI from 1990 to 2019.
Conclusion
The burden of tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer in Fujian Province remained significant. Smoking, secondhand smoke, and ambient particulate matter pollution were the main risk factors. The quality of care for patients needed improvement.
Association of platelet count with 28-day mortality in medical-surgical ICU patients with sepsis: a multicenter retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ma Yue-Lian , Chen Xiong , He Hai-Yang
Published: August 2024

Background
The association between platelet count and 28-day mortality in medical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU) patients with sepsis remains inconclusive. The aim of this study was to investigate whether platelet count is associated with 28-day mortality in these patients.
Methods
This retrospective cohort study extracted 6,122 adult patients with sepsis in medical-surgical ICU from the eICU Collaborative Research Database (eICU-CRD). The logistic regression models were used to estimate the covariates and investigate the relatioshiop between platelet count and 28-day mortality rate. Then, a generalized additive model (GAM) was used to investigate the dose-response relationship between the platelet count (every 10-unit change in platelet count) and 28-day mortality rate. Moreover, a two-piece-wise linear regression model was applied to assess the threshold effect of the platelet count and 28-day mortality rate.
Results
After adjustment for the covariates, the platelet count had a nonlinear relationship with 28-day mortality (P < 0.001). On the left side of the inflection point (platelet count < 127 x10ˆ9/L), an increase of 10 in the platelet count was associated with a 10% decreased risk 0f 28-day mortality rate (OR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.87–0.93, P < 0.001). Nevertheless, when the platelet count ≥ 127 x10ˆ9/L, every 10-unit increase in platelet count was not significantly associated with 28-day mortality rate.
Conclusion
The relationship between platelet count and 28-day mortality rate in medical-surgical ICU patients with sepsis was nonlinear. This indicates that low platelet count may receive attention in medical-surgical ICU patients with sepsis.
Safety and efficacy of pemetrexed for patients with non-small cell lung cancer in the setting of renal impairment: a retrospective study
Authors: Shima Yusuke , Yoshida Hironori , Suminaga Keiichiro , Yoshida Hiroshi , Hashimoto Kentaro , Ogimoto Tatsuya , Hosoya Kazutaka , Ajimizu Hitomi , Funazo Tomoko , Nomizo Takashi , Ozasa Hiroaki , Hirai Toyohiro
Published: August 2024

Background
Pemetrexed is a key treatment for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with its usage on the rise. However, due to treatment-related fatality in a patient with severe renal impairment observed during an initial clinical trial, such patients have been excluded from further studies. Consequently, there is limited data on the safety and efficacy of pemetrexed for these patients. This study aims to assess the use of pemetrexed in this patient group within a clinical setting.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective analysis of lung cancer patients treated with pemetrexed at Kyoto University Hospital from April 2008 to April 2023. Patients were categorized into groups receiving pemetrexed with platinum (n = 349) and pemetrexed-alone (n = 142) groups. Both groups were subdivided into creatinine clearance (CCr) > 45 and ≤ 45 subgroups, and safety and efficacy were compared between the subgroups. The chi-squared test was used to evaluate the correlation between renal impairment and adverse events. Univariate and logistic regression analyses identified independent risk factors for severe adverse events (SAEs) related to renal impairment. We also analyzed progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) using log-rank tests.
Results
A significant increase in the incidence of grade ≥ 3 anemia was observed in the CCr ≤ 45 subgroups of both the platinum-concomitant and the pemetrexed-alone groups (p = 0.03 and p < 0.01, respectively). No significant differences were noted for other SAEs. Multivariate analysis showed that baseline hemoglobin levels were an independent predictor of grade ≥ 3 anemia across both treatment groups, alongside a baseline CCr ≤ 45 mL/min in the pemetrexed-alone group. No significant differences were observed in overall response rates, PFS, or OS between the CCr > 45 and CCr ≤ 45 subgroups in either treatment group.
Conclusions
While severe anemia was more common in patients with renal impairment, the efficacy of treatment did not differ, indicating that pemetrexed remains a viable treatment option for this population with proper management.
Evaluation of Drought Tolerance of Rice Landraces in Mid-Hills of Nepal Using Drought Tolerant Indices
Authors: Shrestha Prabin , Kandel Bishnu Prasad , Dhakal Merina , Karanjit Ritika , Shrestha Prajwal , Poudel Ankur
Published: August 2024

Drought is a critical abiotic stress that affects rice yield. There is typically a limited and irregular pattern of rainfall in mid-hill regions, which leads to drought conditions that significantly impact rice production. Therefore, our study aimed to identify the best-performing landraces of rice and determine suitable drought indices. For these, 17 different rice landraces grown in the mid-hills were selected. A two-factorial (genotype and moisture stress) completely randomized design with two replications was carried out at the Lamjung Campus in the spring of 2023. Drought stress resulted in a wide range of yield reductions, from 10–69%. Our findings revealed significant differences in the agro morphological traits of rice. A strong and positive correlation was found between grain yield and drought indices, tolerance indices (TOLs), mean productivity indices (MPs), geometric mean productivity (GMP), harmonic means (HMs), yield indices (YIs), and stress tolerance indices (STIs) under various drought stress conditions. Among these indices, the Juhari landrace performed well in terms of MP, GMP, STI, HM, and YI. Principal component analysis (PCA) clustered drought indices into two groups (PC1 and PC2). Of these, PC2 was found to be better because of its high yield potential. Further screening using the ranking method and cluster analysis identified Juhari, Kathe, Manamure, and Pahele as high-quality drought-tolerant genotypes. Based on our findings, we recommend cultivating Juhari in drought-prone regions within the mid-hill region. In conclusion, our study highlights the importance of indices such as the MPI, STI, GMP, HM, and YI as important instruments for drought screening. Our study highlighted the importance of choosing suitable drought-tolerant landraces that exhibit improved yield and stability under adverse conditions.
Prompting large language models to extract chemical‒disease relation precisely and comprehensively at the document level
Authors: Chen Mei , Zhang Tingting , Wang Shibin
Published: August 2024

Currently, the intricate relationships between chemicals and diseases have increasingly been revealed and documented in many academic studies. However, constrained by the scarcity of high-quality annotated data, document-level relation extraction techniques based on deep learning are plagued by ambiguity and one-sidedness, severely impeding further automatic in-depth analysis of these relationships. In this study, we harness the advanced reading comprehension capabilities and extensive world knowledge of LLMs to innovatively construct precise and comprehensive zero-shot prompt workflows for extracting chemical‒disease relationships on the basis of the patterns of LLM-based relation extraction, the attributes of chemical‒disease relationships, and the linguistic features of biomedical literature. Evaluations of the enhanced chemical‒disease relation (CDR) datasets demonstrate that the F1 scores for the workflows in precise extraction can reach 87% and can reach 73% for comprehensive extraction. Additionally, we investigate the pivotal factors that influence LLMs' ability to extract complex relations, offering crucial insights for relation extraction across diverse fields.
A novel approach to the comprehensive evaluation of geology- engineering dual sweet spots in tight gas reservoirs in the LX area of China
Authors: Liu Yi , Liu Shanyong , Lou Yishan , Yin Biao , Zhang Yan
Published: August 2024

The LX tight gas reservoir displays significant heterogeneity, with a lack of alignment between engineering treatment and geological evaluation, leading to an unsatisfactory development outcome. Focusing on the Shihezi Formation of LX, a new comprehensive evaluation method is proposed for identifying sweet spots, taking into consideration both geological and engineering factors. The objective function utilized is post-frac production, and the grey correlation method was employed to quantitatively characterize the weight coefficients of geological and engineering parameters. The dual sweet spots index F was obtained through a normalized process. Utilizing the Petrel integrated exploration and development platform, the dual sweet spots index was incorporated into the geological model using coarse-interpolation. Subsequently, a dual sweet spots evaluation model was established to enhance the overall assessment process. The findings indicate the following: (1) There is a strong correlation between open flow production and the F-value, and the model's predicted value closely aligns with the actual value. (2) A section with an F-value greater than 0.5 is identified as the optimal sweet spot, prioritizing development in this area. Sections with F-values within the range of 0.3 to 0.5 may be considered for fracturing but are not the primary choice. Sections with an F-value below 0.3 are deemed inefficient areas. (3) Based on the dual sweet spots evaluation model, it is recommended to focus on single layers He2, He5, and He6 in the LX area due to their superior quality compared to other layers. The research results offer crucial technical support for assessing fracability in this region, and hold significant importance for the selection of fracturing wells and the optimization of frac design.
FEAtl: A Comprehensive web-based Expression Atlas for functional genomics in Tropical and Subtropical Fruit Crops
Authors: Roy Anupama , Chaurasia Himanshushekhar , Kumar Baibhav , Kumari Naina , Jaiswal Sarika , Srivast Manish , Iquebal Mir Asif , Angadi Ulavappa B , Kumar Dinesh
Published: August 2024

Background
Fruit crops, including tropical and subtropical fruits like Avocado (Persea americana), Fig (Ficus carica), Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera), Mango (Mangifera indica), Guava (Psidium guajava), Papaya (Carica papaya), Pineapple (Ananas comosus), and Banana (Musa acuminata) are economically vital, contributing significantly to global agricultural output, as classified by the FAO's World Programme for the Census of Agriculture. Advancements in next-generation sequencing, have transformed fruit crop breeding by providing in-depth genomic and transcriptomic data. RNA sequencing enables high-throughput analysis of gene expression, and functional genomics, crucial for addressing horticultural challenges and enhancing fruit production. The genomic and expression data for key tropical and sub-tropical fruit crops is currently lacking a comprehensive expression atlas, revealing a significant gap in resources for horticulturists who require a unified platform with diverse datasets across various conditions and cultivars.
Results
The Fruit Expression Atlas (FEAtl), available at http://backlin.cabgrid.res.in/FEAtl/index.php, is a first-ever extensive and unified expression atlas for tropical and subtropical fruit crops developed using 3-tier architecture. The expressivity of coding and non-coding genes, encompassing 2,060 RNA-Seq samples across 91 tissue types and 177 BioProjects, it provides a comprehensive view of gene expression patterns for different tissues under various conditions. FEAtl features multiple tabs that cater to different aspects of the dataset, namely, Home, About, Analyze, Statistics, and Team and contains seven central functional modules: Transcript Information, Sample Information, Expression Profiles in FPKM and TPM, Functional Analysis, Genes Based on Tau Score, and Search for Specific Gene. The expression of a transcript of interest can be easily queried by searching by tissue ID and transcript type. Expression data can be displayed as a heat map, along with functional descriptions as well as Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes.
Conclusions
This atlas represents a groundbreaking compilation of a wide array of information pertaining to eight distinct fruit crops and serves as a fundamental resource for comparative analysis among different fruit species and is a catalyst for functional genomic studies.
OZ-001 suppresses the growth of triple-negative breast cancer and pancreatic cancer via targeting STAT3 phosphorylation and calcium signaling pathway
Authors: Kim Jisun , Kim Hyun-Kyoung , Lee SunHye , Yu Young-Jin , Ullah Ahsan , Kim Eui Yun , Yoo Ho , Chae Han-Jung
Published: August 2024

Background
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are characterized by uncontrolled tumor growth, high risk of recurrence and resistance to chemotherapy, and poor prognosis. OZ-001 is a small molecule that exhibits a unique dual mechanism of action by blocking T-type Ca2+ channels and targeting signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3) activation. This characteristic shows promise in addressing the urgent need for effective treatments in TNBC and PDAC. The study aimed to elucidate the anticancer characteristics, efficacy, and underlying mechanism of action of OZ-001. The finding could provide valuable insights into its therapeutic potential for treating aggressive and poor-prognosis malignancies.
Methods
The anticancer activities of OZ-001 were evaluated using MDA-MB-231 human TNBC cells and MIA PaCa-2 PDAC cells. In this study, cell viability, apoptosis, protein characterization, and cell cycle analysis were done to understand the influence of OZ-001 on MDA-MB-231 and MIA PaCa-2 cells. Additionally, protein affinity and intracellular calcium measurements were measured to evaluate the functional mechanism of OZ-001 targeting STAT3 and T-type calcium channels. Further, TNBC and PDAC animal models were developed using MDA-MB-231 and MIA PaCa-2 xenograft mice to assess the anticancer effects of OZ-001.
Results
The study observations revealed that the OZ-001 molecule induced caspase-dependent MDA-MB-231 and MIA PaCa-2 cell death via B-cell lymphoma 2(BCL-2) family proteins. OZ-001 selectively regulated cell viability by suppressing STAT3 phosphorylation-linked genes such as survivin, Mcl-1, and Cyclin D1. Specifically, OZ-001 blocked the T-type calcium channels, which reduced intracellular calcium levels and activated cell death pathways in TNBC and PDAC. Further, oral administration of OZ-001 suppressed tumor growth in MDA-MB-231 and MIA PaCa-2 xenograft mice, which could be attributed to reduced STAT3 phosphorylation and decreased tumor growth.
Conclusion
The study findings revealed that OZ-001 inhibits the phosphorylation of STAT3 and T-type calcium channels against TNBC and PDAC. These findings suggest the potential therapeutic application of OZ-001 as an alternative anticancer molecule.
A parameter recovery assessment of a wide class of evidence accumulation models of decision-making
Authors: Murrow Matthew , Holmes William
Published: August 2024

Computational modeling has become indispensable in investigating the dynamics of decision making processes. A prominent category of models in this domain are Evidence Accumulation Models (EAMs), which model both the decisions people make and the time they take. Many variations have been proposed which modify the drift rate, diffusion rate, and decision thresholds, encoding increasingly complex dynamics into the EAM framework. However, adding model features complicates parameter recovery, making model interpretation more difficult. In this work, we perform a parameter recovery study to a variety of common binary choice EAMs, identify the specific challenges for each, and explore how to improve their parameter recoverability. Though previous studies have addressed this question, they have been piecemeal in nature, with different groups applying different computational methods to study different models. We aim to unify this body of literature using the best currently available computational methods. Further, we present the first, to our knowledge, Bayesian analysis of diffusion conflict models. Our purpose here is to be thorough, not exhaustive or comprehensive. With this in mind, this article catalogues a number of results, some previously shown and some new. Further, it illustrates different approaches to model analysis. This article is intended to be a resource for researchers interested in utilizing EAMs for studying decision-making processes, providing insights into the challenges associated these models, how to analyze them in light of those challenges, and examples of how to address those challenges.
A Novel Fuzzy Forest Health Index (FFHI) for Standardizing Stochastic Forest-Smart Mining, Case Study of 30 All-Around the World Mining-Engaged Forests
Authors: Sarkheil Hamid , Rostamian Emad , Rahbari Shahrokh , Lak Razieh
Published: August 2024

The pressing concerns associated with climate change underscore the critical need for environmental conservation and sustainable resource management. As technological and industrial advancements continue to drive an escalating demand for materials, the extraction of which often involves mining, the imperative to explore novel methodologies for assessing and mitigating the environmental impact of such operations becomes evident. This study proposes a novel approach utilizing fuzzy logic to calculate the Forest Health Index (FHI), introducing both a Fuzzy Constructive FHI and a Fuzzy Destructive FHI index, each ranging from 0 to 100. The disparity between these indices, ranging from − 100 to 100, elucidates the overall forest health index. The study employs the Sungun copper mine as a case study, situated within the Arasbaran environmental protected area, which necessitates the application of forest-smart mining regulations and policies. To examine the impact of mining operations on forest health, remote sensing is employed to identify potential porphyry copper mineralization areas and to visualize deforestation trends at the Sungun copper mine from 2008 to 2023. Vegetation indices are utilized to estimate the Forest Health Index (FHI) through remote sensing methodologies, incorporating a combination of expert opinions and guest numbers to assess variables influencing the FHI (Forest Health Index). Results indicate that the Forest Health Index (FFHI) for Sungun is 2.1 (interpreting as rather low constructive fuzzy forest health index). For broader case studies, maximum and minimum FFHIs (Fuzzy Forest Health Index) were observed in Merian (37.92 interpreting as rather average constructive fuzzy forest health index) and Nimba Range Mineral Province (NRMP) (-25.7 interpreting as rather low/average destructive fuzzy forest health index), respectively. The outcomes emphasize the importance of implementing forest-smart mining practices to mitigate the adverse effects of mining activities on the Arasbaran forest and promote conditions conducive to forest health. It is better to diminish high road density, forest fragmentation and total deforestation along with improve forest core, forest connectivity and secondary forestry.
Direct bonding and debonding of 2D semiconductors
Authors: Zhang Guangyu , Liu Jieying , Zhao Jiaojiao , Li Lu , Wei Zheng , Li Jiawei , Wang Qinqin , Yu Hua , Zhou Lanying , Li Tong , Wu Fanfan , Zhu Mingtong , Sun Huacong , Chen Yutong , Li Yun , Zhang Songge , Tian Jinpeng , Bai Xuedong , Lu Nianpeng , Cao Zexian , Lin Shenghuang , Wang Shuopei , Du Luojun , Yang Wei , Shi Dongxia , Li Na
Published: August 2024

Two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors are regarded as promising building blocks for next-generation electronics. However, the fabrication of high quality 2D semiconductor wafers with engineered layers remains a significant challenge. Here, we develop a direct wafer bonding and debonding method for monolayer epitaxial semiconductors to overcome this challenge. The direct bonding/debonding process is operated in vacuum/glove-box and requires no intermediate layer assistance, yielding stacked 2D semiconductor wafers with ultra-clean surfaces/interfaces, wafer-scale uniformity, and control in layer numbers and interlayer twist angles. We also demonstrate the direct bonding of monolayer 2D semiconductors onto dielectric substrates (e.g., HfO2 and Al2O3) and the preserved intrinsic electronic properties is verified. The direct bonding-debonding process is fully compatible with the standard semiconductor fabrication process, propelling the lab-to-industry journey of 2D semiconductors.
Relationship between Obesity Severity and Helicobacter pylori Eradication in patients undergoing bariatric surgery: A Post hoc analysis
Authors: Laudanno Oscar , Ahumarán Gabriel , Thomé Marcelo , Gollo Pablo , Gonzalez Patricia , Khoury Marina
Published: August 2024

Background
The global prevalence of obesity is increasing and represents a major public health challenge. However, there is a paucity of data regarding Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) eradication in obese populations.
Aim
To examine the influence of obesity degree on H. pylori eradication in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.
Methods
A Post hoc analysis was conducted in a cohort of 204 adults patients (129 obese, 75 normal-weight) H. pylori positive included in two multicenter, prospective studies. Patients underwent a 14-day quadruple concomitant treatment, and H pylori eradication was assessed using the 13C-Urea Breath Test. The cohort was stratified according to Body Mass Index (BMI), and statistical analyses were performed using Chi-squared test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Logistic regression.
Results
Eradication rates were significantly lower in patients with obesity compared to normal-weight individuals (68.2% vs. 88.0%, OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.13–0.63, p < 0.01). Furthermore, within the obesity group, the degree of obesity correlated with decreased eradication rates, with Class 3 (BMI 40.0-49.9) and Class 4 (BMI ≥ 50.0) obesity showing the lowest rates (67% and 51%, with an OR 0.28 and 0,15 respectively, P < 0.01).
Conclusions
Our results indicate that obesity significant influence H pylori eradication especially among severe obesity patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Tailored eradication strategies may be necessary to improve treatment efficacy in this population.
Merging Subgroup Information to Supplement Personal Information for Personal Federated Learning via Model Clustering
Authors: Cai Xuan , Zhou Wenan
Published: August 2024

Personalized federated learning represents a pivotal strategy for addressing the challenges posed by statistical heterogeneity in federated learning. Clients optimize their models by leveraging information from other clients through a global model. Despite clients' expectations of acquiring requisite information from global aggregation, this process inevitably leads to a loss of personalized information, particularly impacting clients with limited dataset. Consequently, the acquisition of sufficient personalized information to enhance local models becomes arduous, thereby compromising the efficacy of model personalization. In response to this challenge, we propose the Federal Merging Subgroup Information (FedMSI) method to augment personalized information in personalized federated learning. FedMSI leverages model clustering to delineate subgroup divisions of akin personalized models, aggregates cluster center models based on these divisions and enriches personalized information by incorporating subgroup information from the cluster center models. Experimental findings demonstrate that FedMSI surpasses nine state-of-the-art methods by 7.89% in terms of accuracy under identical data heterogeneity conditions, while exhibiting a 20.34% enhancement when the client data volume is small. Finally, through ablation experiments, this study reaffirms that the augmentation of personalized information through subgroup information significantly enhances the classification performance of personalized models.