bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between glycemic variability and 28-day all-cause mortality in patients with ARDS: A retrospective study based on the MIMIC-IV database
Authors: Chen Yubiao , Lu Lifei , Liu Baiyun , Deng Xiumei , Zheng Yongxin , Zeng Yuan , Wang Ke , Guo Xueyan , Zhou Ton , Ye Weiyan , Ji Huaishu , Huang Yongbo , Li Yimin
Published: October 2024

Introduction:
Despite glycemic variability (GV) being a recognized strong independent predictor of mortality in critically ill patients, its association with the prognosis of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a common critical condition in the intensive care unit (ICU), remains poorly understood. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between GV and all-cause mortality in patients with ARDS.
Material and methods
In this retrospective study using the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV database version 2.2 (MIMIC IV v2.2), we evaluated the impact of GV on 28-day all-cause mortality among patients with ARDS admitted to ICU. Patients were included based on the new global definition of ARDS within two days of ICU admission. GV was quantified using the Glycemic Coefficient of Variation (GluCV) calculated within the first three days post-admission. Participants were categorized into three tertiles based on their GluCV (Low: ≤13.88%, N = 1288; Moderate: 13.88%-22.80%, N = 1291; High: >22.80%, N = 1289). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were constructed to analyze the association between GluCV and 28-day all-cause mortality in patients with ARDS. Non-linear correlations were explored using restricted cubic splines (RCS). Subgroup analyses were conducted o further investigate the relationship in patient groups defined by age, sex, the severity of ARDS, mean glucose levels with 3 days admission, and history of diabetes.
Results
A total of 3,868 adult ARDS patients were included in this study. Compared to the Low and Moderate groups, the patients in High GluCV group exhibited a higher prevalence of diabetes, more use of insulin and glucocorticoids treatment, and higher levels of mean glucose, CCI, SAPS II and SOFA scores. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses revealed a significant association between GluCV and 28-day all-cause mortality in ARDS patients [continuous GluCV, HR:1.006, 95% CI: 1.002–1.010; tertiles of GluCV, High vs Low GluCV, HR:1.21, 95%CI: 1.03–1.43]. Three-knots RCS curve showed that the risk of mortality increased linearly with higher GluCV. Subgroup analysis revealed that compared with Low GluCV, High GluCV was associated with a higher risk of 28-day all-cause mortality in subgroups defined by male, mild severity of ARDS, mean glucose < 140 mg/dl within the first 3 days admission and without a diabetes history.
Conclusions
GluCV is independently associated with increased 28-day all-cause mortality in ARDS patients and could be used as a valuable tool for mortality risk stratification and guiding the treatment strategies of ARDS in the ICU. Further large prospective clinical studies are needed to evaluate the association between GluCV and mortality in ARDS patients.
Why are Hindu Scheduled Caste/Tribe Children Still Prone to Higher Risk of Undernutrition than Upper Caste in India? A Chronological Study (2005-06 to 2019-21)
Authors: Ghosh Pritam
Published: October 2024

Background & Objectives: Socioeconomic deprivation among marginalized communities in India before independence necessitates further investigation into the inequality in undernutrition prevalence between upper caste and marginalized children within the framework of SDGs 2, 3, and 10. This study aims to estimate the gap in overall undernutrition prevalence, between upper caste (UC) and Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) children in traditional Hindu society during the periods 2005–06, 2015–16, and 2019–21. Additionally, it seeks to quantify the contributions of various factors—including child, maternal, household, and regional backgrounds—in explaining the CIAF gap between UC and marginalized children over the past 15 years.
Design: The study employed 3 rounds of the National Family Health Survey Data (NFHS-3, 4, and 5). The Fairlie decomposition method was utilized to estimate persisting inequality and quantified contributions of different background variables in explaining the inequality between UC and SC/ST children in the prevalence of CIAF.
Results: The findings reveal a notable gap in the prevalence of CIAF between Hindu UC and SC/ST children from 2005–06 to 2019–21. Moreover, there has been a gradual reduction in these inequalities over the same period. The influence of background variables in explaining the CIAF gap between Hindu UC and SC/ST children has declined from 2005–06 to 2019–21, indicating an increasing impact of unmeasured determinants over time. This study also highlights the substantial roles of household socioeconomic status, maternal education, household WASH conditions, child anaemia levels, and birth order in explaining the CIAF gap between Hindu UC and SC/ST children over the past decade.
Conclusions: The outcome of the study suggests innervations to reduce socioeconomic inequality between UC and SC/ST sections and adequate measures to improve mothers’ education level, household WASH condition and childhood anaemia among marginalized sections for reducing inter-group difference in the prevalence of childhood undernutrition in India.
Formulation and Characterization of Caesalpinia decapetala Seed Oil Nanoemulsion: Physicochemical Properties, Stability, and Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Ashagrie Yenework Nigussie , Tadesse Mesfin Getachew , Bachheti Archana , Nijhawan Ginni , Tyagi Sheetal , Bachheti Rakesh Kumar
Published: October 2024

Nanoemulsions contain acceptable O/W or W/O dispersions, with droplet sizes ranging from 100 to 500 nm. In the current study, we formulated O/W nanoemulsion using Caesalpinia decapetala seed oil, Tween 20, and Tween 80 surfactant through ultrasonic and spontaneous emulsification methods. C. decapetala is a climbing shrub thorny tree. C. decapetala seed oil contains different chemical constituents predominantly unsaturated fatty acid and has antibacterial, and antioxidant activity. Then physicochemical properties of the prepared nanoemulsion were evaluated using different methods. As a result, the prepared nanoemulsion came to be 132.56 ± 0.49 - 290.033 ± 1.95nm average particle size, 0.028 ± 0.038 - 0.3006 ± 0.04 polydispersive index, -32.27 to -58 mV zeta potentials, 1.334 - 1.380 refractive index, 75 - 90.81% percent of transmittance, 4.38 - 6.5 pH value, 3.922 – 5.2468 mPa.s viscosity value with spherical shape, excellent physical stability and also had good oxidative stability of the molecule. Subsequently, gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains were employed to assess the nanoemulsion's antibacterial efficacy. Therefore, the results indicate that C. decapetala seed oil nanoemulsion has excellent antibacterial activity on both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria strains. This nanoemulsion that was formulated using Tween 80 had higher inhibition zones like 13.5,13, 12, and 11 mm than the other methods on S.aureus E.coli S.pyogenes P. aeruginosa resepectively. Generally, smaller particle size, polydispersive index, stable surface charge, and low value of viscosity indicate that formulated nanoemulsion had better stability and bioavailability activity for antibacterial activity.
Contrasting responses of three tropical hardwood saplings species to a short-term drought experiment in Bahia, Brazil
Authors: Sampaio-Filho Israel de Jesus , Jardine Kolby J. , Gimenez Bruno Oliva , Souza Cacilda Adélia Sampaio , Santos Aline Pinto dos , Souza Daisy C. , Higuchi Niro , Chambers Jeffrey Q.
Published: October 2024

The global demand for tropical hardwood continues to rise. However, exacerbated by a warming climate, high temperatures, and drought conditions during the dry season in many tropical regions is likely a contributing factor in the low survival rates of some planted hardwood tree seedlings grown under natural field conditions without watering. Here, we present a leaf-gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence experiment with tree seedlings of three species (Astronium fraxinifolium - AF, Cariniana legalis - CL, and Handroanthus serratifolius - HS) under well-watered and water stress conditions. Following the cessation of watering, leaf temperatures increased as soil water content and transpiration rates decreased. A gradual reduction of soil water content over 4-days negatively impacted assimilation net CO2 rates (Anet), stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration (E) with CL showing the greatest reduction in Anet (94%), HS (90%), and AF the smallest reduction (77%). Moreover, the decline in Anet was not solely attributed to partial stomatal closure, as Fv/Fm photosynthetic parameters derived from chlorophyll fluorescence also declining throughout the drought. While HS did not show detectable emissions of volatile isoprenoids, AF and CL maintained leaf isoprene emissions in the light throughout the drought. Drought induced the leaf accumulation of absiscic acid in HS, although an unknown interference following ABA leaf extraction prevented its quantification in AF and CL. The results indicate that common tropical hardwood species in Brazil are highly sensitive to water stress, with partial stomatal closure and isoprenoid synthesis playing an important role in the thermotolerance of photosynthesis during moisture stress.
Predictive methods for CO 2 emissions and energy use in vehicles at intersections
Authors: Mądziel Maksymilian
Published: October 2024

This study examines CO₂ emissions and vehicle energy consumption at high-traffic intersections in urban areas. Existing emission models at the macro, meso, and microscales often fail to accurately represent real traffic conditions, especially at intersections with frequent stop-and-go maneuvers. New predictive models were developed using methods such as linear regression, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), Ridge regression, Random Forest, and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), with XGBoost providing the highest accuracy. The density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) algorithm was used to group data specific to intersection areas, enabling targeted analysis. Real-world driving data were collected using portable emissions measurement systems and the Hioki 3390 power analyzer. The developed models were validated and applied in simulations, including Vissim software, to improve road infrastructure planning and traffic management. These methods offer a refined approach to reducing emissions and optimizing energy use in urban transportation networks.
Terahertz photonic heterodyne spectral analysis with (sub-) kHz resolution and 6.5 THz frequency coverage
Authors: Krause Benedikt , Müller Sebastian , Puppe Thomas , Liebermeister Lars , Schwanke Garrit , Deumer Milan , Kohlhaas Robert , Wilk Rafal , Vieweg Nico , Preu Sascha
Published: October 2024

Spectrum analyzers and spectrometers are essential for exploring extended spectral ranges, designing sources, analyzing material properties, layer structures and fingerprinting substances. We present an ultra-wideband, continuous-wave photonic receiver with kHz-level spectral resolution in the terahertz domain (100 GHz-10 THz) for both heterodyne and homodyne detection. Employed as a spectrum analyzer front end, it records the emitted spectrum of a source under test assessing spectral purity, spectral shape and undesired frequency components. It outperforms state-of-the-art electronic systems in terms of frequency coverage and system cost with a competitive noise floor and spectral resolution. It covers the important frequencies above 1.5 THz, that are not yet commercially accessible, where sources like quantum cascade lasers operate. When combined with a comb-based photonic source, we demonstrate hetero- and homodyne spectroscopy over an unprecedented frequency range from below 100 GHz to 6.5 THz. The presented setups offer the broadest frequency coverage of their kinds combined with extremely sharp resolution, enabling diverse applications ranging from fast non-destructive testing, astronomic high-resolution spectroscopy, to frequency-modulated RADAR.
Numerical Simulation Analysis of Stress-Seepage Coupling in Surrounding Rock of Loess Tunnels under Water Migration
Authors: Xuan Junjie , Li Ming , Du Yaohui , Lin Jia-qi , Gao Yue , Mao Yun-cheng , Zhang Kun
Published: October 2024

This paper relies on the Tuanjie Tunnel project of the Tongwei-Dingxi Expressway, employing field monitoring, laboratory experiments, and numerical simulations to establish a coupled numerical model of the stress-seepage field for the shallow-buried segment of loess tunnels. The study analyzes the seepage-stress field in loess tunnels, it reveals the variation patterns of pore water pressure around the tunnel and the deformation of surrounding rock during construction while considering the impact of water migration. The results indicate that when the groundwater level is 10 meters from the tunnel crown, the pressure of pore water at various measurement points follows an order of tunnel invert > arch springing > arch waist > arch haunch > tunnel crown. Within the pipe roof reinforcement zone, pore water pressure increases with distance from the tunnel perimeter, while above the zone, it decreases with distance. When considering water migration, excavation of the upper bench significantly impacts the vertical effective stress at all points. Based on these insights, addressing the challenges encountered during the construction of water-rich loess tunnels, the implementation of pipe roof reinforcement measures for surrounding rock has played a positive role in enhancing the stability of loess tunnels during construction.
Synergistic effects of Rossellomorea marisflavi spp. DAS-SCF02 and Agrococcus spp. RKDAS1 as a probiotic functional feed (PFF) in Nile tilapia: Insights into growth, hemato-biochemical, and immune responses in the face of Vibrio challenges
Authors: Paramashivan Bhavani , Thamarai Rajkumar , Prabhakaran Rajkumar , Subramaniam Kalidass , Al-Ghanim Khalid A. , Kamaraj Chinnaperumal
Published: October 2024

Probiotics offer significant health advantages as they enter the digestive system via diet or water intake, playing a crucial role in enhancing immunity, growth, gastrointestinal microbiota, and feed attribute. The main objective of study to focusing in the impact of Probiotic Functional Feed (PFF) on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) exposed to challenges from Vibrio harveyi and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. The investigation aims to analyze the genes linked to immunity, hemato-biochemical indices, and the immunological response in tilapia. PFF is a vital component of fish feed production, providing suitable nutrition for various ages and stages to promote healthy growth. The study comprises five treatments: Negative Control (NC), Positive Control (PC), Rossellomorea marisflavi sp. DAS-SCF02, Agrococcus sp. RKDAS1, and a dual probiotic mix. A total of 150 Nile tilapia juveniles, weighing 2.56 ± 1.26 g, were administered PFF in triplicates. Significant improvements were observed in hematological indices, encompassing white blood cells (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBC), hematocrit (Htc), and blood performance (BP) in probiotic-treated groups compared to control. Biochemical analysis revealed lower levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in fish fed with probiotics, accompanied by increased total protein, albumin, and globulin levels. Furthermore, probiotic-fed fish exhibited heightened blood glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Immunological assessments demonstrated increased lysozyme activity, intracellular superoxide anion production, reactive nitrogen species synthesis, and myeloperoxidase activity in probiotic-fed groups. Immune gene expression analysis revealed up-regulation of stress response, cytokine signaling, and immune defense-related genes (HSP70, IL-1β, I C3, IFN-α, IFN-γ, GF1, GH, IL-1, and Lyz). In a Vibrio challenge study, probiotic-fed fish exhibited improved survival rates, underscoring the protective effects of probiotics against bacterial infections. Overall, this research underscores the multifaceted benefits of probiotic supplementation in enhancing the health and immunity of tilapia.
A Unified Framework for Crime Prediction Leveraging Contextual and Interaction-Based Feature Engineering
Authors: E Monika , T Rajesh Kumar
Published: October 2024

The prediction of crime holds significant importance in the realm of law enforcement and public safety endeavors. This research paper presents a framework aimed at improving crime prediction models through the integration of contextual and interaction feature engineering methodologies. This study presents a novel methodology that uses minimal spanning trees (MST) within a directed graph to depict the relationships between crime incidents and specific locations. This approach identifies significant correlations between instances of criminal activity, enabling the creation of more intricate crime forecasting models. The suggested framework's effectiveness is assessed by employing diverse classifiers and performance metrics, such as accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score. The findings indicate that the suggested technique outperforms current methodologies, highlighting its effectiveness in properly forecasting crime incidents and enabling evidence-based decision-making in law enforcement endeavours. The integration of contextual and interaction feature engineering with dimensionality reduction and graph-based modelling in this research helps the progress of crime prediction approaches.
Detecting the occurrence of extreme precipitation events in Southeastern South America from synoptic-scale patterns
Authors: Martinez Daiana M. , Solman Silvina
Published: October 2024

This study is focused on the development, implementation and evaluation of a methodology to detect the frequency of occurrence of extreme precipitation events in southeastern South America based on the associated prevailing synoptic scale conditions. The approach is based on the use of synoptic patterns that allow the identification of different large-scale atmospheric conditions associated with local-scale extreme precipitation events. Synoptic patterns were identified after applying a principal component analysis to the 850 hPa geopotential height for extreme precipitation days using ERA5 reanalysis over the period 1979-2013. Two detection criteria were applied to the daily standardized anomaly circulation fields to identify an extreme precipitation day based on the spatial correlation coefficient between the daily standardized anomaly fields and the circulation patterns identified and the consistency over a selected region between the sign of the anomalies of various meteorological variables and the sign of the anomalous patterns identified. The method is capable of capturing the number of observed events and the observed interannual variations in the seasonal frequency of extreme precipitation events. This methodology also allowed understanding the mechanisms leading to higher or lower frequency of extreme precipitation events at the interannual timescales.
CUT&Tag in Bacteria Reveals Unconventional G-Quadruplex Landscape in Mycobacterium tuberculosis: A Novel Defense Mechanism Against Oxidative Stress
Authors: Richter Sara , Maurizio Ilaria , Ruggiero Emanuela , Conflitti Marta , Zanin Irene , Nicoletto Giulia , Provvedi Roberta
Published: October 2024

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis, remains a global health threat due to increasing drug resistance and high mortality rates. To combat tuberculosis effectively, novel therapeutic targets are urgently needed. G-quadruplexes (G4s) represent promising candidates for this purpose. In this study, we successfully applied the cleavage under targets and tagmentation (CUT&Tag) technique for the first time in bacteria, mapping the G4 landscape in Mtb under standard and oxidative stress conditions, the latter mimicking the environment Mtb faces within macrophages. We validated the CUT&Tag protocol using an antibody against the RNA polymerase β-subunit, confirming its association with actively transcribed genes. Employing the anti-G4 antibody BG4, we discovered that Mtb G4s, unlike their eukaryotic counterparts, predominantly localize within gene coding sequences and consist of two-guanine tract motifs. Notably, oxidative stress increased G4 formation, correlating with reduced gene expression. Our findings provide the first evidence of G4 formation in Mtb cells and suggest their potential role in bacterial survival within macrophages. This study demonstrates the successful application of CUT&Tag in bacteria and unveils an unconventional G4 landscape in Mtb, offering new insights into bacterial stress response mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.
Autocrine fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 signaling activates lactate dehydrogenase A-aerobic glycolysis for human prostate cancer DU145 cell growth
Authors: Xu Xiaoming , Peng Tianjun , Wang Li , Pan Jiaren , Pan Huafeng , Gu Tingitng , Cheng Zhongliang , Zhang Jianting
Published: October 2024

Purpose
Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) signaling is activated by fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) during prostate cancer (PCa) progression. However, the mechanisms by which FGFR1 signaling regulates PCa progression are not fully understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the crosstalk between autocrine FGF/FGFR1 loop and aerobic glycolysis in progression of advanced PCa.
Methods
DU145 cells were used as an advanced PCa model. FGFR1 expression was knockdowned by stable expression of anti-FGFR1 shRNA, and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) levels were rescued by ectopic expression of LDHA cDNA. Protein expression was determined using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Tumorigenicity of DU145 cells was defined by cell growth, invasion and survival in both cultures and xenografts in mice.
Results
DU145 cells in cultures expressed both FGF2 and FGFR1, and knockdown of FGFR1 expression or inactivation of FGFR1 signaling reduced LDHA expression or aerobic glycolysis, which was correlated with suppression of both cell proliferation and invasion and promotion of apoptosis. Ectopic expression of LDHA cDNA rescued LDHA levels in FGFR1 deficient cells, restoring their aerobic glycolysis, cell growth and survival. Similarly, the growth rates of xenografted DU145 cells in mice were decreased by the loss of FGFR1 expression but were rescued by the ectopic expression of LDHA.
Conclusion
Our data indicate autocrine FGF/FGFR1 signaling regulates aerobic glycolysis in PCa DU145 cells via LDHA, suggesting the potential of targeting FGFs/FGFRs-LDHA for the management of advanced PCa. The regulation of aerobic glycolysis by other growth factors in PCa remains further investigation.
Exploring intraspecific morphological variations in Parvocalanus crassirostris (F. Dahl, 1894) (Copepoda: Paracalanidae) in the Gulf of Oman
Authors: Fattahi Razieh , Sari Alireza , Nazari Fatemeh , Attaran-Fariman Gilan , Naderloo Reza
Published: October 2024

In this study, morphological characters instability in adult females of Parvocalanus crassirostris (F. Dahl, 1894) is evaluated. This species shows differences in shape, segmentation, spine size, and presence or absence of spines on 5th legs and serration of outer edge of exopod 2 and 3 in legs 2–4. Accordingly, in female individuals of P. crassirostris more than 28 and five types were observed in P5 and ornamentation of P2–4, respectively. In this study, all observed morphs are described to provide informative data for evaluating diverse characters types. These variations seem to be density-dependent. Among state-of-the-art methods, the confocal laser scanning microscope was used to examine this unresolved phenotypic diversity and refer to the main patterns and hypotheses related to the factors affecting morphological traits inconsistencies in this species.
The impact of ISO 26000 implementation and corporate governance on financial performance of socially responsible firms
Authors: Bakir Emna , wali Senda , khoufi walid
Published: October 2024

Purpose: This study aims to test the effect of the commitment of companies to corporate social responsibility (CSR) via the implementation of the ISO 26000 framework on their financial performance and the moderating effect of corporate governance (CG).
Methodology: A number of European socially-responsible listed companies were observed over the period ranging from 2014 to 2020 based on the GLS (Generalized Least Squares) method.
Results: our findings indicated that the individual impacts of CSR and CG on financial performance, measured by the Return on assets and Tobin’s Q, were significant and negative. However, the combined effect of CSR and governance index on financial performance was found to be significant and positive, highlighting an important moderating effect of CG. Overall, this work addresses the discrepancy between the negative individual effect of CSR commitment and CG on the financial performance of the sampled firms despite being recognized as socially responsible and their positive combined effect.
Originality: The results question the validity of CSR engagement in companies operating in European context and call for a differentiated approach to measure CSR engagement based on ISO 26000s. This study also enhances the existing literature on CSR–CFP and makes it more relevant to firms with effective CG system.
JEL classification: M14, G30, L25
Enhancing Surface Quality in Micro End-Milling of Ultrafine-Grained Low Carbon Steel Micromolds Through Strategic Toolpath Selection
Authors: De Assis Cleiton Lazaro Fazolo , Mecelis Guilherme Rosatti , Coelho Reginaldo Teixeira , Rodrigues Alessandro Roger
Published: October 2024

Surface quality in micromachining significantly affects the performance and functionality of high-precision components, especially in fields such as aerospace, medical devices, and microelectronics. The selection of toolpath strategy, cutting speed, and feed per tooth determines both surface roughness and texture characteristics, which influence wear resistance, fluid dynamics, and overall part behavior. This study explores the impact of three toolpath strategies—Helical, Offset, and Raster—on the surface quality of micromilled ultrafine-grained low carbon steel micromolds, using cutting speeds of 40 m/min and 100 m/min, and feed per tooths of 2 µm/tooth and 8 µm/tooth. Surface roughness parameters (Sa, Sq, Sz) and texture descriptors (Sal, Str) were examined under these varying cutting conditions. The Helical toolpath consistently produced smoother and more isotropic surfaces at lower feed per tooth, making it suitable for applications requiring high surface uniformity, such as optical components and tribological parts. In contrast, the Raster toolpath generated finer, anisotropic features at higher feed per tooths, beneficial for directional flow applications like microfluidic devices. The Offset toolpath offered a balanced outcome between the two, providing moderate roughness and texture uniformity. Statistical analysis (ANOVA) confirmed the significant influence of feed per tooth and cutting speed on texture. These results highlight the importance of optimizing machining parameters to achieve tailored surface characteristics for advanced engineering applications.
A microfluidic investigation unveils the role of gravity and shear stress on Pseudomonas fluorescens motility and biofilm growth
Authors: Marra Daniele , Rizzo Moreno , Caserta Sergio
Published: October 2024

Biofilms proliferation in confined environments poses a recurring challenge across several fields, ranging from contamination in biomedical devices to fouling of industrial equipment, to potential system loss of function in long term human space missions. It's crucial to note that surfaces in contact with the fluid, where submerged biofilm develops, experience different bulk stresses resulting from the combination of flow and gravity, a factor often overlooked in biofilm studies. In our research, we aim to quantify the synergistic effect of gravity and shear stress on monotrichous bacteria motility and biofilm growth, considering Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 as model organisms. Role of gravity was investigated by comparing top and bottom surfaces of rectangular microfluidic channels under controlled laminar flow. Results proved gravity induces asymmetric distribution of bacterial cells along the channel resulting in different cell density and surface contamination. We report for the first time also the evolution of cell distribution over time during spatial reorganization, providing a detailed quantitative analysis and classification of cell motility under flow. Both bacteria motility and biofilm morphology development are affected by external mechanical stresses, resulting in different biocontamination under flow, depending on flow intensity and direction of gravity vector.
Cross-modal Feature Fusion via Mutual Assistance: A Novel Network for Enhanced Object Detection
Authors: Jin Xuebo , Li Jiaxi , Ma Huijun , Su Tingli , Kong Jianlei , Bai Yuting
Published: October 2024

This paper presents Mutual Feature Fusion Network (MFFNet), a novel cross-modal object detection framework that leverages infrared and visible light images to enhance detection accuracy. MFFNet employs a dual-stream backbone network based on YOLOv5 to extract features from both modalities independently. The proposed Interassisted Fusion Block (IFB) integrates within the network's intermediate layers, facilitating complementary fusion of features by enabling mutual assistance between the two modalities. To address the issue of uneven sample difficulty, we introduce the Generalized Efficient Intersection over Union (EIOU) loss function, which adaptively adjusts weights to prioritize high-quality anchor boxes. Extensive experiments on two public datasets, M3FD and LLVIP, demonstrate that MFFNet achieves state-of-the-art performance in terms of detection accuracy and efficiency. By effectively exploiting the complementary strengths of infrared and visible light modalities, MFFNet significantly improves detection accuracy, especially for small objects and in challenging lighting conditions. The code for this study is available on GitHub: GitHub Repository.
Carrier communication module detection method based on improved genetic BP algorithm network
Authors: Yang Lei , Liu Qiming , Wang Guohui , Li Huadong , Li Lei , Yang Lei
Published: October 2024

In order to improve the detection ability of carrier communication module, an improved genetic BP algorithm network model is constructed, which includes BP algorithm model, genetic algorithm model, fitness evaluation module and communication anomaly diagnosis module, and can realize the comprehensive factor evaluation in the process of carrier communication. And through the point cloud registration algorithm based on machine learning to detect carrier communication anomalies, in the face of various factors such as power line conditions, signal transmission distance, signal interference, channel conditions, carrier communication equipment, system design and implementation, can quickly detect carrier communication conditions, greatly improving the detection capability of carrier communication module. Point Cloud Registration (PCR) algorithm is used to detect anomalies in real time, and the carrier communication anomaly diagnosis can be judged. Through the experiment, the error rate of carrier communication is greatly reduced, which lays a foundation for the next research.
Multi-Task Faces (MTF) Data Set: A Legally and Ethically Compliant Collection of Face Images for Various Classification Tasks
Authors: Haffar Rami , Sánchez David , Domingo-Ferrer Josep
Published: October 2024

Human facial data offer valuable potential for tackling classification problems, including face recognition, age estimation, gender identification, emotion analysis, and race classification. However, recent privacy regulations, particularly the EU General Data Protection Regulation, have restricted the collection and usage of human images in research. As a result, several previously published face data sets have been removed from the internet due to inadequate data collection methods and privacy concerns.
While synthetic data sets have been suggested as an alternative, they fall short of accurately representing the real data distribution. Additionally, most existing data sets are labeled for just a single task, which limits their versatility. To address these limitations, we introduce the Multi-Task Face (MTF) data set, designed for various tasks including face recognition and classification by race, gender, and age, as well as for aiding in training generative networks.
The MTF data set comes in two versions: a non-curated set containing 132,816 images of 640 individuals, and a manually curated set with 5,246 images of 240 individuals, meticulously selected to maximize their classification quality. Both data sets were ethically sourced, using publicly available celebrity images in full compliance with copyright regulations.
Along with providing detailed descriptions of data collection and processing, we evaluate the MTF data set's effectiveness in training five deep learning models across the aforementioned classification tasks. Both MTF data sets can be accessed through the following link. \url{https://github.com/RamiHaf/MTF_data_set}
Misperception of non-Happy Facial Features: Overshadowing and Priming by a Smiling Mouth
Authors: Gutiérrez-García Aida , Fernández-Martín Andrés , Alguacil Sonia , Calvo Manuel G.
Published: October 2024

A smile underlies the well-known recognition advantage of prototypical happy faces in expression categorization tasks. However, a smiling mouth also has ‘side effects’: It biases a tendency to incorrectly judge as “happy” blended expressions with non-happy eyes (neutral, sad, etc.). This reveals interference with the accurate processing of such mixed-smile expressions, which are otherwise ubiquitous in social settings. To account for this effect, we investigated two mechanisms: Perceptual overshadowing driven by the smile visual saliency, and categorical priming driven by the smile diagnostic value. In Experiment 1, we obtained diagnostic values for the mouth and eye regions of facial expressions of emotion. In Experiment 2, facilitation and interference effects of prime mouths on probe eyes were examined as a function of diagnostic values. In Experiment 3, overshadowing and priming were compared. Results showed, first, a high diagnostic value of the smiling mouth, followed by disgusted, sad, and angry mouths. Second, in accordance with the diagnostic values, the mouth expressions, especially the smile, facilitated the recognition of congruent eye expressions and interfered with the recognition of incongruent eye expressions. This supports the categorical priming hypothesis. And, third, the smiling mouth still caused some (albeit limited) interference with the processing of facial information unrelated to expression (masculine/feminine appearance of the expresser). This would be consistent with an overshadowing-inattentional blindness hypothesis. An alternative affective priming hypothesis is discussed.
Effect of nano- and micro-polystyrene particles on intestinal epithelial functions and enteric neuronal activity in vitro
Authors: Elfers Kristin , Benz Pascal , Burmester Marion , Hein Silja , Hansen Kathrin , Sieg Holger , Böhmert Linda , Paul Maxi B , Mazzuoli-Weber Gemma
Published: October 2024

Based on their ubiquitous distribution in various ecosystems, plastic particles of different origin and sizes enter the (human) food chain, are ingested and reach the gastrointestinal tract, where they interact with the intestinal (epithelial) tissue. To a certain extent, they may enter or cross the intestinal epithelium, getting into contact with enteric neurons. Therefore, a potential risk for the gastrointestinal health has been suggested early on. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the effect of polystyrene particles of nano- (100 nm) and micro-size (1.0 µm), firstly, on intestinal epithelial electrophysiological processes using the Ussing chamber technique and, secondly, on enteric neuronal properties using neuroimaging on primary cultured enteric neurons. The results indicate a size-dependent impairment of epithelial integrity and electrogenic glucose transport upon particle application. Additionally, both sizes of particles induced a change in neuronal response parameters to nicotinergic stimulation after a 24 h incubation. Taken together, these results emphasise the potential of nano- and micro polystyrene particles to interact and affect intestinal epithelial as well as enteric neuronal functionality and stress the need for more detailed investigations of the effect of plastic particles present in the (human) diet on intestinal physiology and involvement of the enteric nervous system.
The bacterial microbiome and pathogen reservoir potential of Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks in South Africa
Authors: Ackermann Rebecca E. , Gall Cory A. , Brayton Kelly A. , Collins Nicola E. , Wyk Ilana , Wentzel Jeanette , Kolo Agatha O. , Oosthuizen Marinda C.
Published: October 2024

Background: Tick-borne bacterial pathogens from both domestic and wild animals play a significant role in the (re)emergence of human diseases. Primary tick endosymbionts have considerable influence on tick fitness and pathogen acquisition or transmission, while secondary endosymbionts are more likely to be pathogens. Rhipicephalus sanguineus is one of the most widespread tick species as they predominantly parasitise domestic dogs, though they have also been documented to feed on domestic animals and humans. This makes them ideal vectors of bacterial pathogens that can pose a significant threat to human health. Rhipicephalus sanguineus is host to a species-specific Coxiellaendosymbiont. Tick-borne pathogens and endosymbiotic bacteria can be studied through a targeted microbiome approach.
Methods: We utilised a 16S rRNA microbiome and amplicon sequence variant (ASV) approach to study the bacterial groups present in the midgut and salivary gland tissues of R. sanguineus ticks collected from dogs in a rural community in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, South Africa, from 2016 to 2019.
Results: Post processing, we obtained 43,161 total sequence reads which were clustered into ASVs by sample year. After contaminants were removed there were ASVs belonging to seven genera: Coxiella, Anaplasma, Escherichia/Shigella, Ehrlichia, Borrelia, Rickettsia and Wolbachia. Coxiella endosymbionts dominated the microbiome. In 2017 Anaplasma was introduced to the microbiome and increased at the 2019 sampling. All other genera were present at low levels.
Conclusions: Our study highlights the changes in the microbiome of the R. sanguineus ticks over time. We found high numbers of two pathogenic Anaplasma species, A. platys and A. centrale, which cause disease in dogs and cattle, respectively, although A. platys infections in humans have been documented. With the exclusion of Wolbachia, the other detected genera could have pathogenic potential. Given our findings of pathogenic bacterial species, our study highlights the role that R. sanguineusmight play as a reservoir of pathogens.
DAGShare: A Secure and Efficient Distributed Personal File Sharing System
Authors: Arshad Hira , Fatima Sumbal , Mian Adnan Noor
Published: October 2024

Many approaches have been proposed to share data in a decentralized manner using blockchain, which solves many security and data management issues but has some limitations, such as transaction fees, mining time, power consumption, etc. The alternative to a traditional blockchain is using IOTA, a directed acyclic graph (DAG) based system, but this also has the limitation of on-chain storage. To address these challenges we propose DAGShare, a DAG-based system with off-chain storage on an interplanetary file system (IPFS), a content-based addressable system. The DAGShare combines the IOTA network and IPFS to provide a secure and scalable personal file-sharing system in which members can create new groups and join other groups. The system inherits blockchain features and resolves its limitations. The system also provides an access control mechanism to grant system access rights by using IPFS-cluster-service that is not present in the IPFS server and IOTA. We provide a security evaluation of our system using the AVISPA tool and show that it is not only secure but also scalable as compared with IOTA using file sharing and retrieval experiments.
Application of 3D printing model of linear accelerator machine to enhance the learning and apprentice performance for the radiological technology student
Authors: Tochaikul Gunjanaporn , moonkum Nutthapong
Published: October 2024

The teaching of instrumentation has consistently been the subject of undergraduate program in radiological technology (RT). However, opportunities for students to engage in face-to-face operation of linear accelerator machine (LINAC) during their education and training processes have been limited by financial and timeframe considerations. So, the aim of this study is to integrate a 3D-printed model and assess its effectiveness in teaching LINAC to RT undergraduate students. For this purpose, a LINAC physical model was developed using a fused deposition modeling 3D printer, with access through free online software. Color coding was implemented alongside with explanatory color cards to enhance understanding. A total of 114 participants were randomly divided into two groups: a control group and a 3D model group. Compare the theoretical scores of the 3D model group were found to be significantly higher than those of the control group, with p-value < 0.05. Moreover, the increase in student opportunity for hand-on training prior to their apprenticeships allowed participants in the 3D model group to reduced anxiety and better performance in clinical situation. To summarize participant feedback regarding the integration of this novel 3D technology in the context of LINAC learning and training. Results indicated that over 94% of students perceived the alternative teaching method as essential for enhancing both of their understanding and practical performance. In conclusion, the use of modern 3D-printed models technology, presents a potential tool for stimulating teaching and training activities, thereby improving overall educational outcomes in RT programs.
In vitro study of the effects of diode laser on dentin hypersensitivity and evaluation of intra-pulpal temperature variation
Authors: Rodriguez Christian Giancarlo Bernal , Manna Maria Paula Novaes Camargo , Tarrilo Fiorella Elizabeth Arévalo , Zezell Denise Maria , Eduardo Carlos de Paula
Published: October 2024

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of different wavelengths of high-power diode lasers for the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity by analyzing morphological changes and temperature variation.Methods Human third molars were irradiated with four different wavelengths from five commercial brands. Temperature variation was measured using thermocouples, and morphological changes were assessed using scanning electron microscopy.Results Lasers with wavelengths of 940 nm, 976 nm, and 980 nm, used without a photoinitiator (1 Watt in continuous mode, applied in two 30-second irradiation phases with a 30-second interval), promoted dentinal tubule obliteration without causing thermal damage. Lasers with wavelengths of 808 nm, 940 nm, 976 nm, and 980 nm, when combined with a photoinitiator, resulted in even lower temperature variation compared to the non-photoinitiator groups, although no regular fused surface was observed.Conclusion Diode laser parameters, with the exception of Group 1, are potentially safe for dentinal tubule obliteration. However, the use of a photoinitiator may be necessary to achieve a more regular fused dentin surface, although this may increase temperature variation.
Optimizing Large Language Models with Randomized Multimodal Data Injection: A Novel Enhancement Methodology
Authors: Howie Donald , Montague Ezekiel , Barros Ludovic , Kostandinov Raphael , Stanhope Gregory
Published: October 2024

The rapid scaling of language models has resulted in improved performance across a wide array of linguistic tasks, but challenges remain in integrating non-textual data and adapting to complex, multimodal environments. Introducing a novel technique that integrates random multimodal data streams into language model architectures presents a significant leap forward in addressing the limitations of current models. This approach leverages stochastic injections of visual and auditory data during both pre-training and fine-tuning phases, enabling the model to generalize more effectively and produce contextually richer outputs. Experiments show marked improvements in contextual understanding, generalization to unseen tasks, and adaptability, while maintaining computational efficiency. The methodology’s randomization element, combined with multimodal integration, ensures that the model develops a more robust, flexible framework for handling complex multimodal data in real-world applications, paving the way for more advanced machine learning architectures.
Trichomonas vaginalis adhesion protein 33 (TvAP33) promotes HPV infection by upregulating the expression of HPV membrane receptor molecules
Authors: Sheng Wanxin , Zhou Jingwei , zhang Han , Tian Wenjie , Zhang Yani , Yang Zhenke , Tian Xiaowei , Wang Shuai , Mei Xuefang , Zhang Zhenchao
Published: October 2024

Background: An increasing number of studies have identified Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) as a risk factor for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, yet experimental data and the mechanisms involved are still lacking.
Methods: Wild-type and T. vaginalis adhesion protein 33 (TvAP33) knockdown T. vaginaliswere used to infect HaCaT cells and the vaginal tissue of mice, while HaCaT cells were also transfected to overexpress TvAP33. The effects of TvAP33 on the expression of HPV membrane receptor molecules and HPV infection were assessed. Infection of HaCaT cells with low expression of HPV membrane receptor molecules by T. vaginalis with reduced TvAP33 expression was conducted to analyze whether TvAP33 influences HPV infection through HPV membrane receptor molecules.
Results: In this study, we found that T. vaginalissignificantly enhances HPV invasion into HaCaT cells and the mouse vagina, and increases the expression of HPV membrane receptor molecules CD151 and HSPG2. Reducing the expression of TvAP33 led to a significant decrease in both HPV invasion rate and CD151/HSPG2 expression. Conversely, overexpressing TvAP33 in HaCaT cells resulted in a notable increase in HPV invasion and CD151/HSPG2 expression. Furthermore, simultaneous reduction of the expression of TvAP33 in trophozoites and CD151/HSPG2 in HaCaT cells further decreased HPV invasion rates. These findings suggest that TvAP33 promotes HPV infection by upregulating CD151 and HSPG2 expression.
Conclusions: This study not only confirms that T. vaginalis can facilitate HPV infection through both in vivo and in vitro experiments but also explores the mechanism by which TvAP33 enhances HPV infection by upregulating HPV receptor expression. These results provide a theoretical basis for understanding the mechanisms of T. vaginalis co-infection with HPV.