bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biometric and keratometry parameters after intracorneal ring segments implantation: A comparison between Pentacam AXL and IOL Master 700
Authors: bamdad shahram , fathian amirmohammad , khalili mohammadreza , attar alireza
Published: December 2024

Purpose:
This study aims to compare eye biometrics data obtained from Pentacam AXL and IOL Master 700 in patients who underwent intracorneal ring segments implantation. The focus is on assessing the interchangeability of these devices for intraocular lens power calculations, crucial for effective cataract surgery in individuals with corneal ectasia.
Method:
Twenty-one eligible patients, post intracorneal ring segments implantation at Khalili Hospital, underwent pre-surgery examinations and biometrics measurements using Pentacam AXL and IOL Master 700. The devices were employed randomly and expert operators, blinded to each other's results, conducted the measurements. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 with statistical analysis performed using parametric and non-parametric tests based on the distribution of quantitative variables.
Result:
Significant differences were observed in anterior chamber depth (ACD), mean keratometry (KM), K2, and white-to-white (WTW) measurements between Pentacam AXL and IOL Master 700, particularly in the left eye. While ACD and K2 showed significant differences in both male and female groups; similar results have been reported for KM and K1 only in the female group.
Conclusion:
Despite the differences, the study concludes that the clinical impact on intraocular lens power calculation is negligible. Eye biometric data from both devices can be interchangeably used for determining intraocular lens numbers in patients with intracorneal ring segments implantation undergoing cataract surgery. The study emphasizes caution in considering parameter-specific variations and calls for broader studies to enhance generalizability.
Synthesis of Graphene Nanosheets Containing Ultra-Narrow Nonplanar Nanopores on Surfaces
Authors: Zhu Junfa , Qin Tianchen , Gao Fei , Wu Yulun , Liang Baiyao , Hu Lei , Yang Weishan , Ding Honghe , Hu Jun , Xu Qian , Guo Dezhou , Wang Tao
Published: December 2024

Introduction of twisted structures into low-dimensional graphene-based nanostructures has important ramifications on their inherent physical behavior. The fabrication of graphene derivatives with nonplanar characteristics remains challenging, especially for extended two-dimensional (2D) structures. Herein, we report the synthesis of a novel nonplanar porous [32]annulene graphene nanosheet that contains narrowest periodic nanopores and exhibits the highest negative curvature among one-dimensional (1D) and 2D graphene-based nanostructures synthesized up to date. The success is driven by the dissymmetrical debromination and regioselective coupling reactions of precursor molecules on a Au(111) surface, as corroborated by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and synchrotron radiation photoemission spectroscopy (SRPES). We characterize electronic properties of the porous [32]annulene graphene nanosheets with the aid of scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS), and demonstrate the generation of a low-energy state resulting from the hole doping at the interface.
Effective evaluation of traditional airway assessment for tracheal intubation with video laryngoscope: a primary, single center, prospective clinical trial
Authors: Liu Minqiang , Liu Yong , Wang Song , Zeng Manfei , Qiu Liping , He Renliang , Liu Li , Wu Qiang
Published: December 2024

Background
With the popularisation of video laryngoscopy, the difficulty of tracheal intubation has greatly reduced. This study explored the suitability of traditional airway assessment methods for tracheal intubation using video laryngoscopy.
Methods
A total of 1047 patients undergoing general anaesthesia were enrolled. Before anaesthesia, body mass index (BMI) was measured. Traditional airway assessment methods such as the modified Mallampati classification (MMC), upper lip bite test (ULBT), thyromental distance (TMD), mouth opening (MO), and neck movement (NM) been rigorously evaluated. During tracheal intubation, the grading of glottis exposure (Cormack-Lehane) was recorded, along with the intubation duration and one-time intubation success rate. Additionally, the use of other improvement methods, such as applying pressure to the laryngeal node or utilising alternative intubation positions, was observed.
Results
The proportion of Cormack-Lehane ≤ 2 in MMC with 1 or 2, ULBT with 1, TMD with 1, and NM with 1 were much higher than that of Cormack-Lehane ≥ 3 (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in MO or BMI between different glottic exposure grades (P > 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that MMC, ULBT, TMD, and NM were independent risk factors for glottic exposure grading (P < 0.05). With the increase in variable grading, the intubation duration prolonged, and there were significant differences in MMC with 1 or 2 vs. 3 or 4, ULBT with 1 vs. 2 or 3, TMD with 1 vs. 2 or 3, MO with 1 vs. 2 or 3, and NM with 1 vs. 2 (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Traditional airway assessment indicators continue to provide guidance for tracheal intubation under video laryngoscopy, and there is currently no necessity to develop new methods for airway evaluation.
Trial registration
Chinese Clinical Trial Register: ChiCTR2200057603) on 15 March 2022.
Replaced right posterior cerebral artery associated with ipsilateral superior cerebellar artery type persistent trigeminal artery variant diagnosed by magnetic resonance angiography
Authors: Uchino Akira , Tokushige Kazuo
Published: December 2024

Purpose To describe a case in which a right replaced posterior cerebral artery (PCA) was associated with an ipsilateral superior cerebellar artery (SCA) type persistent trigeminal artery (PTA) variant.Methods A 53-year-old man who had been diagnosed with chronic dissection of the left vertebral artery (VA) 4 months previously underwent follow-up magnetic resonance (MR) angiography using a 3-Tesla scanner.Results MR angiography showed a slightly dilated left VA at the terminal segment without interval change. An artery arising from the cavernous segment of the right internal carotid artery (ICA) and continuing to the right SCA without connection to the basilar artery is indicative of the SCA type PTA variant. There was also a large artery arising from the supraclinoid segment of the right ICA and continuing to the right PCA. In addition, a tiny artery arose from the right ICA proximal to the origin of the large artery. There were no tiny arteries arising from the right ICA distal to the origin of the large artery. Therefore, the tiny artery is considered to be a hypoplastic posterior communicating artery and the large artery is considered to be a replaced PCA.Conclusion A replaced PCA is an extremely rare variation, from which all branches of the PCA arise from the anterior choroidal artery. The SCA type PTA variant is also rare. This is the first report of a case of a combination of these two variations; however, they had no developmental relationship. Thus, our patient incidentally had two extremely rare ipsilateral variations.
Nuclear basket nucleoporin MoNup50 is essential for fungal development, pathogenicity, and autophagy in Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Cai Ying-Ying , Zhu Xue-Ming , Noman Muhammad , Wang Jing , Hao Zhong-Na , Wang Yan-Li , Li Lin , Liu Xiao-Hong , Lu Jian-Ping , Wang Jiao-Yu , Lin Fu-Cheng
Published: December 2024

Autophagy is crucial for appressorium development and host invasion by phytopathogenic fungi, including Magnaporthe oryzae. During appressorium maturation, many organelles, such as nuclei, in the conidia need to be degraded through autophagy to be recycled in the appressorium. However, the interplay between autophagy and nuclear membrane systems remains poorly understood. In this study, we functionally characterized MoNup50, a nuclear pore-associated protein. Despite sharing limited sequence identity with human and yeast Nup proteins, MoNup50 contains conserved domains typical of nuclear pore complex proteins. Observation under fluorescence microscopy revealed that MoNup50 localizes to the nuclear membrane in M. oryzae. Deletion of MoNUP50 resulted in reduced hyphal growth, spore production, appressorium formation, and pathogenicity, while increasing sensitivity to osmotic stress and cell wall disruption. Notably, MoNup50 interacts with the key autophagy protein MoAtg7, which regulates MoAtg8-PE synthesis during autophagy. Moreover, MoNUP50 deletion led to elevated autophagy levels and increased phosphorylation of the MAPKs Osm1 and Mps1. These findings suggest that MoNup50 is involved in appressorium morphogenesis and pathogenicity by modulating autophagy and MAPK pathways, highlighting the critical role of nuclear pore proteins in M. oryzae pathogenicity and their potential cross-talk with autophagic and MAPK signaling.
MXene-Based Perfect Absorber Design and Refractive Index Sensing Performance
Authors: Korkmaz Huseyin
Published: December 2024

In this study, a MXene-based electromagnetic absorber with a simpledesign at terahertz frequencies is proposed. An absorber that has aMXene layer drilled into with square and circular cavities and thin alu-minum layer as a reflector was examined. With the proper design ofthe structure dimensions, a MXene-based refractive index sensor with adual-band at THz frequency and 99.93% and 97.85% absorption lev-els were obtained. The proposed design achieved 1983 and 1935 Q-factorvalues at frequencies of 0.446 THz and 0.583 THz, respectively. Theproposed sensor with fractional bandwidth of 0.050% and 0.052% hassensitivity values of 686.2 and 557.6 (GHz/RIU). The figure of meritof the proposed sensor is calculated as 3049.8 and 1852.5 (1/RIU) andthe proposed sensor is compared with sensor available in the litera-ture. Since the designed absorber can detect refractive index changes, italso has potential applications in the identification of biological samples.
From Shock to Strategy: Post-Pandemic Lessons on Household Financial Adaptation in India
Authors: Sharma Deepti , Mukherji Arnab
Published: December 2024

This study leverages real-time panel data capturing the incidence of COVID-19-induced lockdowns in India over two years to analyze the effects on household financial decisions. Our findings unveil distinct impacts on consumption patterns, savings, and borrowing behaviors among households, particularly in districts witnessing higher inward labor migration. Notably, our analysis confirms the theoretical premise of the standard economic consumption smoothing model, observing the most pronounced effects in the short to medium term following the income shock due to the lockdown. This effect is notably significant amongst households with relatively limited access to financial markets, contributing to partial consumption smoothing mechanisms such as readjustment in consumption patterns and borrowings from limited sources. Furthermore, our study highlights a notable decline in household expenditures on education and health, signifying the nuanced impact of income shocks on household developmental outcomes.
JEL codes: D14, E21, G51, G18
On process-based granular reconstruction of life cycle inventories: sustainably coherent planning of primary battery-grade nickel
Authors: Roy Sophia , Moustafa Hossam , Vaidya Ketan , Harvey Jean-Philippe , Fradette Louis
Published: December 2024

Batteries are essential to transition to a fossil-free energy system, but only if coherently planned will their manufacturing generate minimal environmental impacts. Available inventories for battery-grade nickel suffer from many layers of aggregation, preventing life cycle analysts from easily pinpointing key contributors to its potential environmental impacts. The present work reconstructs life cycle inventories for nickel via disaggregation of current and emerging processing routes. Our proposed process-based method for inventory modelling demonstrates high variability in impacts from increased process granularity. Only considering nickel sourcing for an NMC-811 cell, climate impacts may vary by 74 kgCO2eq/kWh produced. It is also found that the global ecoinvent v.3.9.1 dataset for battery-grade nickel sulfate could gravely underestimate climate impacts by more than 120 kgCO2eq/kg Ni equivalent. Major contributors to climate impacts are readily identified for six nickel processing pathways, spanning two mineral families – laterite and sulfide- and three main processing routes – hydrometallurgy, bioleaching and pyrometallurgy. Furthermore, a preliminary assessment of all impact categories is performed and highlights the need for both improved fate models and further data collection on inventory parts such as tailings management which are often neglected in previous studies assessing carbon only.
A Multi-Criteria Test Case Prioritization Technique for Regression Testing of Multitenant SaaS
Authors: Mangwani Poonam , Tokekar Vrinda
Published: December 2024

Regression testing is used to validate modified source code. Multitenant SaaS applications need to continuously evolve due to the various configuration needs of multiple tenants. Due to time and resource constraints, traditional regression testing is inefficient, that re-executes the entire test suite when an application undergoes change. This study introduces a novel multi-criteria test case prioritization approach for multitenant SaaS applications. Test case prioritization orders the test cases to achieve a certain goal, such as optimizing the fault detection. Traditional prioritization methods often rely on single factors, limiting their effectiveness in complex multitenant SaaS applications. The proposed multi-criteria prioritization technique integrates dependency-based and risk-based prioritization techniques to effectively prioritize the test cases. Dependency-based prioritization focuses on prioritizing the test cases by identifying the modules dependent on modified modules of an application. Risk-based prioritization prioritizes the test cases by assigning the risk levels. A prioritization matrix is built, with each test case receiving a priority score based on its dependency-priority level and risk-priority level. This priority score defines the sequence of the execution of test cases where all test cases are executed in descending order of their priority score. The effectiveness of the approach is measured using a metrics Average Percentage of Faults Detected (APFD) metric. The proposed approach is empirically evaluated with a multitenant SaaS MtBookTrip application in terms of its fault detection rate. The results demonstrate that proposed multi-criteria approach achieved an APFD value of 0.9, while the random order technique resulted in an APFD of 0.61. The prioritized test suite has a higher APFD value than the random technique, indicating faster fault discovery during regression testing.
Pantothenic acid-mediated inhibition of microglial inflammation via the JAK2/STAT3 pathway enhances motor function recovery after Spinal cord injury
Authors: Fang Yuepeng , Zhang Ce , Yang Zhijie , Zhao Xiangrui , Yin yongcheng , Jin zhengxin , Zhu Pengchong , Ning Bin
Published: December 2024

This study employed transcriptome sequencing and targeted metabolomics to delve into the molecular alterations in mouse spinal cords following spinal cord injury (SCI). Notably, a significant depletion of pantothenic acid (PA) was observed in the injured spinal cord, exhibiting an inverse correlation with microglial inflammation and activation. To further elucidate this relationship, experimental interventions using PA were conducted in SCI mouse models. The results demonstrated that PA administration effectively inhibited microglial inflammation via modulation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. This inhibition not only mitigated the neuroinflammatory milieu but also fostered an environment conducive to axonal growth and neuronal regeneration. Consequently, SCI mice treated with PA exhibited improved motor function recovery compared to untreated controls. Our findings not only deepen the understanding of the relationship between PA and neuroinflammatory processes in SCI but also highlight the therapeutic potential of PA in promoting neuronal regeneration and functional recovery.
Ticagrelor inhibits the growth of lung adenocarcinoma by downregulating SYK expression and modulating the PI3K/AKT pathway
Authors: Song Yuanhong , He Suwei , Zeng Lanhui , He Yuanqiao , Huang Ling
Published: December 2024

Background
Lung cancer is one of the malignant tumors with the highest morbidity and mortality in China.Despite the use of some targeted therapies in lung cancer treatment, the prognosis remains suboptimal, highlighting the urgent need for new, effective drugs to enhance outcomes.. Ticagrelor, a marketed anti-platelet drug, has been reported to have anti-tumor effects. This study primarily investigates the inhibitory effect of Ticagrelor on lung adenocarcinoma in both in vivo and in vitro models, as well as its molecular mechanisms.
Methods
Firstly, the effects of ticagrelor on the proliferation (CCK-8 and Edu staining), migration (scratch test), and invasion (Transwell chamber) of lung adenocarcinoma cells were evaluated using a variety of lung adenocarcinoma cell models. Secondly, the efficacy of ticagrelor on lung adenocarcinoma in vivo was evaluated by A549, H1975 and Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) tumor-bearing mouse models. Finally, transcriptomic sequencing (RNA-Seq) and immunohistochemistry were used to explore the molecular mechanism of the intervention effect of ticagrelor on lung cancer.
Results
Ticagrelor significantly inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion of various lung cancer cells in vitro, and markedly suppressed tumor growth in A549 and NCI-H1975 CDX model in vivo. The pathological results showed that the number of tumor cells in the intervention group was significantly reduced, with large area necrosis, and the expression of Ki-67 in the intervention group was significantly decreased by immunohistochemistry. RNA-seq sequencing results from NCI-H1975 xenograft showed that several integrin-related pathways were down-regulated in the Ticagrelor treatment group, along with a significant reduction in spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK), a pivotal protein related to integrin signaling. Furthermore, we demonstrated that ticagrelor inhibits lung adenocarcinoma by down-regulating SYK and regulating PI3K/AKT pathway using WB
Conclusion
Ticagrelor has obvious inhibitory effect on a variety of lung adenocarcinoma cell lines and cell line transplanted tumors, and its antitumor effect may be related to the inhibition of SYK signaling pathway and PI3K/AKT pathway.
Differential Diagnosis of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension via Deep Multimodal Modeling of Noninvasive Measurements
Authors: Zheng Siqiang , Zheng Enkuo , Guo Liang , Xie Lei , Zhao Bin , Hong Qi , Hu Xuefei , Tao Bo
Published: December 2024

Background
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a rare yet progressive disorder characterized by elevated blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs, often presenting without an evident cause. The distinction between pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and PH due to left heart disease (PH-LHD) is crucial due to differences in treatment approach and prognosis. A correct diagnosis is essential to ensuring that patients receive the appropriate treatment. However, the current diagnosis of PAH and PH-LHD faces clinical limitations due to its reliance on invasive hemodynamic measurements or the limits of data modeling.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective study involving 905 PH patients from Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, incorporating CT images and clinical textual data. A heterogeneous graph neural network was constructed on multimodal data. We developed and validated a heterogeneous network to predict the probability of PAH and PH-LHD. The new method exhibits strong discrimination between PAH and PH-LHD.
Findings
In the multiple cross-validations, it achieved a 0.943 AUC when using a combination of image and textual data, a 0.869 AUC for only textual variables, and a 0.715 AUC for only images. It also evaluated the type-dependent performances, yielding the best AUC (0.896) when using a subgroup of variables. The best performance (AUC=0.809) can be achieved by using only ECG variables in our model.
Interpretation
Our study provides a quantitative rationale for modulating multimodal data to enhance differential diagnosis of PAH and PH-LHD with only noninvasive measurements.
Identifying cell-type-specific spatially variable genes with ctSVG
Authors: Zhuang Haotian , Shang Xinyi , Hou Wenpin , Ji Zhicheng
Published: December 2024

Spatially variable genes (SVGs) reveal the molecular and functional heterogeneity of cells across different spatial regions of a tissue. We found that sample-wide SVGs, identified by previous methods across the whole sample, largely overlap with cell-type marker genes derived from single-cell gene expression, leaving the spatial location information largely underutilized. We developed ctSVG, a computational method specifically tailored for Visium HD spatial transcriptomics at single-cell resolution. ctSVG accurately assigns Visium squares to cells and identifies cell-type-specific SVGs. We show that cell-type-specific SVGs identified by ctSVG include many new genes that do not overlap with sample-wide SVGs or cell-type marker genes, and that these genes reveal important biological functions in real spatial datasets.
Interpreting DETR with Respect to Object Queries
Authors: Farahani Morteza Shahrabi , Haghighi Mohammad Javad Mirshekari , Mohammadi Mohammad Reza
Published: December 2024

In recent years, understanding the decision-making processes of neural network models has become increasingly important. This paper is focusing on this concern and addresses this issue on DETR model which is an object detection framework based on transformers. We explore ways to improve the interpretability and efficiency of this model by proposing and applying new methods for representing this model. A key focus of this research is on object queries specifically analyzing their behavior during the model's validation process. We identify and remove less active object queries from the model, subsequently, measuring the impact on the training time and also the model accuracy. By eliminating 10% of these inactive object queries, we reduce validation time by 3.3% and lower the model’s required FLOPS by 36.25 G. The GitHub repository for this project is available at https://github.com/morteza-shahrabi-farahani/Interpreted-DETR-model
WITHDRAWN: A Systematic Approach to Demulsifier Selection for Crude Oil Dehydration Using Fuzzy TOPSIS
Authors: Mohammad Suleiman Ibrahim Shelash , Vasudevan Asokan , Koka Nisar Ahmad , H. Malathi , Kazmi Syeda Wajida , Chahar Mamata , Ghazaly Nouby M. , Kumar Abhinav , Esanmurodova N. , Shafieezadeh M. Mehdi
Published: December 2024

This study applies the Fuzzy TOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) method to evaluate and select the optimal demulsifier for crude oil dehydration. Four demulsifiers—Alcopol 500, Polymer-based Demulsifier, Nalco Champion EC7135A, and Schlumberger’s ClearPhase—were assessed based on criteria including separation efficiency, environmental impact, cost-effectiveness, and ease of application. The decision matrix was constructed using fuzzy numbers to account for uncertainty and imprecision in expert evaluations. Nalco Champion EC7135A emerged as the top-ranked demulsifier, with the highest closeness coefficient of 0.751, indicating superior separation efficiency and minimal environmental impact. Alcopol 500 ranked second with a closeness coefficient of 0.708, followed by the Polymer-based Demulsifier (0.692), and Schlumberger’s ClearPhase (0.619). The results validate FTOPSIS as a robust multi-criteria decision-making tool for selecting demulsifiers, offering a systematic and transparent approach to addressing the complex trade-offs between performance, cost, and sustainability. This study highlights the potential of integrating FTOPSIS into industrial decision-making frameworks, recommending further research to incorporate real-time data for more accurate and adaptable selection processes.
Where are my nematodes? Labelling and visualising entomopathogenic nematodes In Vivo using carbon quantum dots
Authors: San-Blas Ernesto , Cornejo María José , Guerra Mayamarú , Olivares Macarena , Faundez Sebastian , Bastidas Brynelly , Morales-Montero Patricia , Pizarro Lorena , Aponte Humberto , Castaneda-Alvarez Carlos , Lankin Gabriela
Published: December 2024

Identifying single or groups of animals has significantly advanced our understanding of animal biology and ecology. However, labelling is extremely difficult in small animals, like soil invertebrates. Due to the complexity of current methods, the dynamics and interactions of these populations are often studied indirectly. Labelling nematodes or microarthropods such as collembolans or soil acari has been challenging due to the high cost, potential toxicity, genetic modification requirements, cellular processes interference, and photobleaching. In this scenario, no methods can be applied to large numbers of microorganisms at once due to their mentioned practical and biological limitations and cost. In this work we show that quantum carbon dots (Cdots) are effective for labelling infective juveniles (IJs) of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN). In in vitro assays the IJs gradually acquired fluorescence, as Cdots accumulated in the lysosome-related organelles from their intestine cells, peaking at day 14, and with no lethal or sub-lethal effects on IJs. Fluorescence was clearly distinguishable from the natural auto-fluorescence of non-labelled IJs and persisted for months in IJs transferred to water. We and non-experts easily differentiated between similar species of EPNs and between two strains of S. feltiae placed in the same matrix (soil or water). We demonstrated for the first time the feasibility of labelling large numbers of IJs (hundreds of thousands/millions) with Cdots at minimal cost without any adverse effects for over a year. Our findings could be the starting point for detailed and large-scale field investigations on nematodes and other small organisms, allowing deeper understanding of their roles in soil ecosystems. This method provides a cost-effective and reliable tool for advancing research in the ecology of soil invertebrates, such as the interactions occurring in communities or between specific organisms, movement and dispersal, population dynamics or ecosystem services in a cryptic environment difficult to study.
On a class of selection rules without group actions in field theory and string theory
Authors: Kaidi Justin , Tachikawa Yuji , Zhang Hao Y.
Published: December 2024

We discuss a class of selection rules which i) do not come from group actions on fields, ii) are exact at tree level in perturbation theory, iii) are increasingly violated as the loop order is raised, and iv) eventually reduce to selection rules associated with an ordinary group symmetry. We start from basic field-theoretical examples in which fields are labeled by conjugacy classes rather than representations of a group, and discuss generalizations using fusion algebras or hypergroups. We also discuss how such selection rules arise naturally in string theory, such as for non-Abelian orbifolds or other cases with non-invertible worldsheet symmetries.
The Effectiveness of Modified Conceptual Model-Based Problem-Solving in Teaching Word Problem-Solving Skills to Students with Specific Learning Disabilities
Authors: Özlü Ünlü Özge , Yıkmış Ahmet
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Word problem-solving skills require the correct and appropriate use of cognitive and metacognitive strategies. Individuals with specific learning disabilities (SLD) use these strategies less than their peers and experience significant difficulties employing the strategies they have in appropriate contexts and choosing the right strategy. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to determine the effect of Modified Conceptual Model-Based Problem-Solving (COMPS) on the word problem-solving skills of students with specific learning disabilities.
Method: The study used the multiple probe design with probe trials across subjects, one of the single-subject research methods. Three students aged 10-11 years who were diagnosed with learning disabilities and studying in the fourth and fifth grades constituted the study subjects.
Findings: The findings showed that Modified COMPS was effective in improving the performance of students with learning disabilities in comparison word problems including one-step addition or subtraction and the subjects maintained their performance two, four, and six weeks after the instruction was completed and could generalize this performance and the strategies they employed to the real classroom environment. Furthermore, the students could generalize the strategy they learned to part-whole, separating, and joining word problems including one-step addition or subtraction. The data obtained from the think-aloud protocols demonstrated that the cognitive and metacognitive strategies the students used before the instruction increased and diversified significantly for all problem types after the instruction. According to the social validity findings, the students, their teachers, and parents expressed positive opinions about the study.
Discussion: The findings of the current study, which taught different cognitive and metacognitive strategies to students with learning disabilities, support and generalize the findings of the research conducted with students with special needs in the literature.
La carga dinámica de la prueba: una regla de juicio para garantizar el equilibrio de las cargas probatorias en el proceso de responsabilidad civil por producto defectuoso
Authors: Ordoñez Herrera Maria Alicia , Ortega Caicedo Johana Elizabet
Published: December 2024

La responsabilidad por producto defectuoso se ha consolidado como un tema de gran trascendencia dentro del derecho de protección al consumidor, puesto que, a partir de este régimen especial se busca salvaguardar los derechos esenciales de los consumidores, buscando, además, garantizar una adecuada reparación de ser necesario. Para su configuración será indispensable que el consumidor demuestre el defecto del bien, el daño y el nexo causal, pues así se ha consignado en el ordenamiento jurídico colombiano; no obstante, en ocasiones el interesado no contará con el conocimiento técnico para su demostración, por lo cual el juez deberá analizar la posibilidad de aplicar la regla de carga dinámica de la prueba con el fin de aminorar la desigualdad de cargas existente entre las partes y contribuir a la garantía efectiva de sus derechos; además, a partir de los pronunciamientos de las Altas Cortes se ha previsto la evolución jurisprudencial relacionada con el derecho de consumo, misma que ha aportado a la materialización del Estado democrático.
A review of secondary contamination of drinking water quality in distribution systems: sources, mechanisms, and prospects
Authors: Wang Zhi , Yang Xiaozhou , Fu Lei , Li Manjie
Published: December 2024

Drinking water that complies with established standards at treatment plants inevitably undergoes secondary contamination upon entering distribution systems. A bibliometric analysis highlights the expanding body of research on drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs), emphasizing the paramount importance of safeguarding drinking water quality and mitigating secondary contamination within these networks. This study delves into the sources, health implications, and mitigation strategies pertaining to three predominant forms of secondary contamination, namely metal release, microbial regrowth, and disinfectant by-product (DBP) formation, as well as the intricate interactions among these contaminants. The release of heavy metals is inherently linked to the corrosion process of metallic components of pipelines, which is affected by water quality and hydraulic dynamics. Microbial regrowth within DWDSs is potentially associated with the reproduction of waterborne pathogens, which can lead to significant health outcomes including acute gastroenteritis and diarrhea. Consequently, disinfection is commonly employed to prevent pathogen proliferation in DWDSs, whereas the residual disinfectants can react with natural organic matter or halogen ions in waters, resulting in the formation of DBPs. To mitigate the adverse effects of DBPs, various practical interventions are implemented at distinct stages of water distribution, encompassing source control, process control, and end control.
Using Nemerow's Pollution Index to investigate correlations between land use and water quality across a sample of South African catchments
Authors: Locke Kent
Published: December 2024

Water quality indices (WQIs) enable researchers to combine the measurements of multiple parameters into a single unitless score of overall water quality. Nemerow's Pollution Index (NPI) is a flexible and intuitively simple index that uses an ascending scale to indicate overall levels of impairment. This study demonstrates the utility of the NPI, when used in combination with site-specific water quality guidelines, to investigate correlations between land use and water quality across a sample of 58 sub-catchments located along the western, southern, and south-eastern coast of South Africa. NPI scores for 2013–2014 were calculated for each sub-catchment using data from South Africa's National Chemical Monitoring Programme. Land use metrics for urban, agricultural, and natural land cover were estimated from a contemporaneous national land cover map. Correlation analysis revealed statistically significant positive correlations across the sample between pollution levels and proportions of urban and agricultural land (Spearman's ρ = 0.333 and 0.621, respectively), and strong negative correlations between pollution levels and proportions of natural land cover (Spearman's ρ = –0.729). The study concludes that, when used in concert with site-specific water quality standards, the NPI is a useful tool for evaluating overall levels of impairment across a sample of water bodies.
Antibiotic Exposure and Childhood Overweight/Obesity: Evidence from
Epidemiological and Experimental Studies
Authors: Wang Junya , Geng Shijie , Yao Xiaodie , Wen Juan , Lu Renjie
Published: December 2024

Childhood overweight and obesity are nutritional disorders in which children's energy intake exceeds
energy consumption for a long period, resulting in the excessive accumulation of body fat and weight
that exceeds a certain range. It is one of the most serious public health issues. In recent years, its prevalence
has shown a significant upward trend, and 41-80% of childhood obesity can persist into adulthood. Scholars
are now more interested in researching this further. Since antibiotics have been used extensively since their discovery,
more focus has been paid to the possible risks these medications pose to children who are exposed to
them. Recently, some studies have explored the possible link between antibiotic exposure and the prevalence
of overweight and obesity in children. However, their findings are inconsistent. Therefore, this review aims to
synthesize and summarize the studies related to the effects of antibiotics on childhood obesity, elucidate the
possible associations between the two, and provide an in-depth discussion of the potential biological mechanisms
by which antibiotics exposure may contribute to childhood obesity.
Understanding and using Animal Models of Hepatotoxicity
Authors: Verma Jyoti , Preeti  , Annu  , Sharma Rahul Kumar , Chopra Shivani , Chopra Hitesh , Shin Dong Kil
Published: December 2024

Hepatotoxicity is a critical health hazard, primarily contributing to the increased incidence of deaths
globally. The liver is one of the major and extremely vital organs of the human body. Autoimmune diseases,
viruses, exposure to toxicants such as carcinogens, and changes in eating habits can all cause liver problems,
among other things. Free radical generation, together with raised enzyme levels including SGOT, SGPT, and
total bilirubin, are among the pathological changes set off by liver injury. Hepatotoxicity causes changes in
cells, such as eosinophilic cytoplasm, nuclear pyknosis, fatty degeneration, too many liver lesions, and hepatic
centrilobular necrosis due to lipid peroxidation. Researchers have used animal models to investigate liver diseases
and toxicities. Drugs such as azathioprine, alcoholism, paracetamol intoxication, and anti-tuberculosis
drugs are some of the most common causes of liver toxicity. These toxins cause calcium ions (Ca2+), reactive
oxygen species (ROS), and inflammatory mediators to be released inside cells. This activates immune cells
like NK cells, NKT cells, and Kupffer cells. These signaling pathways also play roles in hepatotoxicity. Due to
its pathogenesis, no effective drug is currently available for hepatotoxicity due to a lack of understanding related
to the signaling factors involved in it. The paper primarily examines different experimental models of hepatotoxicity,
including non-invasive and invasive methods, as well as genetic models. As such, these models are
crucial tools in advancing our understanding of hepatotoxicity, thus paving the way for new therapeutic interventions.
Immunotherapy for Type 1 Diabetes: Mechanistic Insights and Impact of
Delivery Systems
Authors: Agrawal Nishi , Kumar Ganesh , Pandey Sree Prakash , Yadav Shweta , Kumar Manoj , Sudheesh M.S. , Pandey Ravi Shankar
Published: December 2024

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease characterized by the destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic
β-cells, leading to hyperglycemia and various complications. Despite insulin replacement therapy,
there is a need for therapies targeting the underlying autoimmune response. This review aims to explore the
mechanistic insights into T1D pathogenesis and the impact of delivery systems on immunotherapy. Genetic
predisposition and environmental factors contribute to T1D development, triggering an immune-mediated attack
on β-cells. T cells, particularly CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, play a central role in β-cell destruction. Antigen-
specific immunotherapy is a unique way to modify the immune system by targeting specific antigens (substances
that trigger the immune system) for immunotherapy. It aims to restore immune tolerance by targeting
autoantigens associated with T1D. Nanoparticle-based delivery systems offer precise antigen delivery, promoting
immune tolerance induction. Various studies have demonstrated the efficacy of nanoparticle-mediated delivery
of autoantigens and immunomodulatory agents in preclinical models, and several patents have been
made in T1D. Combining antigen-specific immunotherapy with β-cell regeneration strategies presents a
promising approach for T1D treatment. However, challenges remain in optimizing delivery systems for targeted
immune modulation while ensuring safety and efficacy.
Network Pharmacology and In silico Elucidation of Phytochemicals Extracted from Ajwa Dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.) to Inhibit Akt and PI3K Causing Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)
Authors: Bashar Md Abul , Hossain Md Arju , Kavey Md Reduanul Haque , Shazib Rayhanuzzaman , Islam Md Shofiqul , Ansari Siddique Akber , Rahman Md Habibur
Published: December 2024

Background:

About 10-15% of all breast cancers comprise triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC),
defined as cancer cells that lack ER, PR, and HER2 protein receptors. Due to the absence of these receptors,
treating TNBC using conventional chemotherapy is challenging and, therefore, requires the discovery of novel
chemotherapeutic agents derived from natural sources.

Objective:

The current work was intended to study the potential phytochemicals of Ajwa dates (Phoenix
dactylifera L.) with the predicted potential targets (namely, Akt and PI3K) to determine possible TNBC inhibitors.

Methods:

We harnessed network pharmacology, molecular docking, drug-likeness studies, Molecular Dynamics
(MD) simulation, and binding free energy (MM-GBSA) calculation to get phytochemicals with potential
effects against TNBC. Firstly, molecular docking was performed on 125 phytochemicals against the Akt and
PI3K proteins utilizing PyRx. Then, the phytochemicals with the highest binding affinity (≤ -8.1 kcal/mol)
were examined for in silico drug-likeness and toxicity profiles. Finally, phytochemicals with optimal druglikeness
and toxicity profiles were studied by Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation and binding free energy
(MM-GBSA) to identify compounds that can form stable complexes.

Results:

The results of the network pharmacology revealed that the Akt and PI3K proteins are potential targets
of TNBC for the phytochemicals of Phoenix dactylifera L. used in this study. The outcomes of molecular
docking displayed that among 125 phytochemicals, 42 of them (with a binding affinity ≤ -8.1 kcal/mol) have
potentially inhibiting effects on both proteins PI3K and Akt expressed in TNBC. Then, the results of in silico
drug-likeness identified seven phytochemicals with optimal pharmacokinetic profiles. Furthermore, toxicity
studies showed that three phytochemicals (namely, Chrysoeriol, Daidzein, and Glycitein) did not cause any
toxicities. Finally, the Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation studies and binding free energy (MM-GBSA)
verified that Daidzein stayed within the binding cavities of both proteins (Akt and PI3K) by establishing a
stable protein-ligand complex during simulation.

Conclusion:

Taken together, the current work emphasizes the potential effects of Daidzein from Phoenix dactylifera
L. against TNBC, and it can be further studied to establish it as a standard chemotherapy for TNBC.
Prognostic and Immunologic Significance of SH2B2 in Colon Adenocarcinoma and its Relationship to Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion
Authors: Bai Nan , Liu Minyan , Li Qinghuai
Published: December 2024

Background:

SH2B adaptor protein 2 (SH2B2, also named APS) is an adaptor protein
implicated in the modulation of insulin signaling pathways and glucose metabolism. Its role
in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) is unknown.

Methods:

Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus database were
utilized to assess SH2B2 expression and its clinical significance in COAD. We investigated the
associations between SH2B2 expression with genomic instability, tumor mutational burden
(TMB), DNA methylation, alternative splicing, immune infiltration, and drug sensitivity. A
SH2B2 knockdown model was developed to examine its impact on COAD cellular functions.

Results:

Highly expressed SH2B2 is associated with a poorer prognosis in COAD. SH2B2 expression
in COAD is associated with copy number variations, microsatellite instability, methylation
patterns, and alternative 5’ splicing events, but not with TMB. SH2B2 is positively correlated
with mostly immune cells and the expression of PD-1 and CTLA4. The IC50 values of ten
drugs were significantly correlated with SH2B2 expression. BI-2536_1086 had a strong binding
affinity with SH2B2. Furthermore, the knockdown of SH2B2 reduced the proliferation, migration,
and invasion of COAD cells.

Conclusion:

SH2B2 appears to act as an oncogene in COAD and may serve as a pivotal prognostic
and therapeutic target, deserving further exploration.
Botanical Bounty: Exploring Aphrodisiac Drug Discovery and Development from Nature's Pharmacy
Authors: Bilal Mohd , Jain Divya , Chaitanya M.V.N.L. , Khurrana Navneet , Singh Shivam Kumar , Mazumder Avijit , Singh Kuldeep
Published: December 2024

Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani are some important traditional healing systems of India
having long back evidence-based rejuvenation therapies addressing various infertility and reproductive
disorders. Surprisingly, the United Nations has revealed data on infertility that show that
it affects around one in every six individuals, highlighting the utmost importance of actively
questioning and confronting the misunderstanding and lack of discussion related to infertility.
Even though allopathic drugs like Clomiphene citrate, Anastrozole, Letrozole, Human Chronic
Gonadotropin (hCG), and Human Menopausal Gonadotropin (hPG) are available on the market,
there are a range of traditional and indigenous medical techniques that have been used for millennia
to promote and cure health, including Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani to deliver safe and potent
drugs having reproductive rejuvenation with proven evidence. Various botanicals are proven to
heal both male and female infertility issues with clinical evidence due to the presence of various
potent phytochemicals. Hence this review critically assesses the evidence-based literature focused
on the mapping of botanical sources, phytochemicals, reproductive pharmacology, and their clinical
evidence.
Improved Alzheimer's Detection with a Modified Multi-Focus Attention Mechanism using Computational Techniques
Authors: Pandey Purushottam Kumar , Pruthi Jyoti , Khan Surbhi Bhatia , Alkhaldi Nora A. , Saraee Daniel
Published: December 2024

Alzheimer disease is a common type of dementia which shrinks the brain cells and
eventually causes death. It disturbs the life quality of patients with progressive symptoms such as
memory loss, conversation, etc. It is vital to identify the disease earlier to get precise treatment.
Besides, it is significant to locate the forms of Alzheimer's such as AD (Alzheimer Disease), CN
(Cognitive Normal), and MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment). Traditionally, manual screening of
Alzheimer's is carried out by qualified physicians, which is a time-consuming mechanism, expensive,
and prone to human error. To resolve the issue, several conventional researches attempted to
attain better efficiency in the Alzheimer classification but were limited through accuracy, speed,
and inefficacy. To address the challenge of classifying Alzheimer's in its various forms (AD, CN,
and MCI), the proposed system utilizes the Modified Multi-Focus Attention and Hierarchical
Scalerated Convolutional Neural Network (HSCN) mechanisms within the ResNet-101 model.
The system undergoes testing with custom datasets such as OASIS, AIBL, and ADNI, and the
classification performance is assessed using efficiency factors to gauge the effectiveness of the research.

Background:

Alzheimer is a century-old disease, still there is no concrete method to diagnose the
disease. Many time diagnosis takes large time and the patient has been referred to many doctors.

Objective:

The objective of the study is to create a prediction model using deep learning which
will be able to classify the patient into three different classes, CN, MCI,, and AD. The model is
trained on hetero dataset, ADNI, AIBL,, and OASIS.

Method:

For the deep learning model, we have used Resnet 101 in which the convolution layer is
changed to Hierarchical Scalerated CNN and the bottleneck layer is changed to modified multi-focus
attention. The preprocessing of the image is also done as the initial step of process.

Results:

Our model accuracy is more than 99% for all three datasets used for the research.

Conclusion:

The model is trained for MRI from different datasets, the same model should be used
for PET scans for Alzheimer's diagnosis, and the same model can be used to diagnose other disease
patients which will be very useful for mankind.