bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of intraoperative cold solution irrigation to reduce postoperative pain in knee osteoarthritis patients who underwent unilateral primary total knee arthroplasty: A double-blinded randomized controlled trial
Authors: Charoenwisetsin Suwis , Jiranantarat Vorakran , Hirunyachoke Paphon , Udomkiat Pacharapol
Published: April 2024

Purpose
To compare the postoperative pain score, opioid consumption, and blood loss in knee osteoarthritis patients who underwent unilateral primary total knee arthroplasty with and without intraoperative cold solution irrigation.
Method
In total, 70 knee osteoarthritis patients were randomly included in the study and allocated into 2 groups. The first group was irrigated intraoperatively with a cold solution and the second group was irrigated intraoperatively with a room-temperature solution.
Results
The cold solution group showed significantly lower pain scores (numerical rating scale, NRS) at 28 hours postoperatively (p = 0.047). There were no significant differences in opioid consumption or blood loss between the groups.
Conclusions
Intraoperative cold solution irrigation in unilateral primary total knee arthroplasty patients may provide the benefit of early postoperative pain reduction for up to 28 hours but has no effect in terms of reducing opioid consumption or blood loss.
Fine Mapping and Identification of the Downy Mildew Resistance Gene BoDMR2 in Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata)
Authors: Wu Yuankang , Zhang Bin , Yang Limei , Zhuang Mu , Lv Honghao , Wang Yong , Ji Jialei , Hou Xilin , Zhang Yangyong
Published: April 2024

Background
Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata) is a crucial Brassica oleracea crop and is widely cultivated worldwide. In recent years, outbreaks of downy mildew caused by Hyaloperonospora parasitica have led to significant field losses in cabbage production. Thus far, there have been few reports on genes related to resistance to downy mildew in cabbage.
Results
In this study, sister lines exhibiting significant differences in disease resistance and susceptibility were identified. Using bulked segregant analysis followed by sequencing (BSA-seq) and linkage analysis, we precisely mapped the adult-stage cabbage resistance gene BoDMR2 to an ~ 300 kb interval on chromosome 7. Among the candidate genes, several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and a 3-bp insertion were discovered in the conserved domain of Bo7g117810 in susceptible materials. Furthermore, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‒PCR) analysis revealed that the expression level of the Bo7g117810 gene in resistant specimens was 2.5-fold greater than that in susceptible specimens. An insertion‒deletion (InDel) marker was subsequently designed based on the identified insertion in susceptible materials, facilitating the identification and selection of downy mildew-resistant cabbage cultivars.
Conclusions
This study identified BoDMR2 as a potential candidate gene associated with adult downy mildew resistance in cabbage, primarily based on differences observed in its gene sequence and expression levels. Additionally, an InDel marker was developed utilizing its mutation, thus offering valuable resources for cabbage resistance breeding
A Proteomic Study to Elucidate Molecular Relationships Between Iron, Oxidative Stress and Polyphosphate in Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2)
Authors: Yılmaz Şerif , Yeşilırmak Filiz , Tunca Sedef
Published: April 2024

Polyphosphate (polyP) is an important energy and phosphate storage polymer in all organisms. Deletion of the polyP synthesising enzyme, polyP kinase (PPK), resulted in an antibiotic overproducing phenotype in Streptomyces. However, the industrial use of overproducing Streptomyces strains without PPK activity (∆ppk) is hampered by their increased sensitivity to oxidative stress. Iron plays a key role in the bacterial response to oxidative stress, and it is also an essential element for various processes in the cell. Conversely, polyP can sequester iron, reducing its bioavailability. This study aimed to elucidate the metabolic relationship between oxidative stress, iron, and polyP metabolisms in Streptomyces coelicolor as an example of the communication of cellular regulatory signalling networks. Comparative proteomic analyses were performed on three biological replicates of wild-type and ∆ppk strains grown in iron-containing and iron-free media. Independent of iron, the results show that the absence of polyP significantly alters the total proteome, revealing the importance of this polymer in maintaining cellular metabolism. The mutant strain was found to have difficulties coping with the iron even in the nutrient-rich medium. Compared to the wild type in the iron-free medium, a general abundance of proteins related to energy metabolism, and protein folding was observed in ∆ppk. In the presence of iron, the expression of the proteins involved in translation, phosphate metabolism and the antioxidant system was increased in the mutant strain compared to the wild type. To our knowledge, this is the first study to clarify the relationship between iron, oxidative stress, and polyphosphate.
Music Communicates Social Emotions: Evidence from 750 music excerpts
Authors: Pring Elliot , Olsen Kirk N. , Mobbs Anthony E. D. , Thompson William Forde
Published: April 2024

Humans perceive a range of basic emotional connotations from music, such as joy, sadness, and fear, which can be decoded from structural characteristics of music, such as rhythm, harmony, and timbre. However, despite theory and evidence that music has multiple social functions, little research has examined whether music conveys emotions specifically associated with social status and social connection. This investigation aimed to determine whether the social emotions of dominance and affiliation are perceived in music and whether structural features of music predict social emotions, just as they predict basic emotions. Participants (n = 1513) listened to subsets of 750 music excerpts and provided ratings of energy arousal, tension arousal, valence, dominance, and affiliation. Ratings were modelled based on ten structural features of music. Dominance and affiliation were readily perceived in music and predicted by structural features including rhythm, harmony, dynamics, and timbre. In turn, energy arousal, tension arousal and valence were also predicted by musical structure. We discuss the results in view of current models of music and emotion and propose research to illuminate the significance of social emotions in music.
Screening of the lipid-lowering probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SDJ09 and its anti-obesity mechanism
Authors: Yang Baoxin , Wang Wenxuan , Jian Cuiwen , Lv Beibei , He Hailin , Wang Miao , Li Shubo , Guo Yuan
Published: April 2024

In this study, 39 strains of lactic acid bacteria were screened from several fermented foods. Based on the evaluation of functional and prebiotic properties, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SDJ09 was selected as a promising candidate. It gave a 48.16% cholesterol reduction and 33.73% pancreatic lipase inhibition in cells; exhibited high resistance to acid, bile salts, and gastrointestinal fluid; and had strong antibacterial activity and high adhesion capabilities. More importantly, the lipid-lowering effect of L. plantarum SDJ09 was also investigated using 3T3-L1 mature adipocytes and HepG2 nonalcoholic fatty liver disease models. L. plantarum SDJ09 effectively decreased triglyceride accumulation by more than 50% in both cell models, in which the expression of PPARγ, C/EBPα, aP2, and LPL in 3T3-L1 cells was significantly downregulated by L. plantarum SDJ09. L. plantarum SDJ09 also improved lipid metabolism by downregulating the expression of HMGCR, SREBP-1c, ACC, and FAS and upregulating the expression of CYP7A1 in HepG2 nonalcoholic steatohepatitis cells. Therefore, L. plantarum SDJ09 has the potential to effectively decrease obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by inhibiting lipid accumulation, providing a prospective probiotic agent for anti-obesity.
Amelioration of fat clay treated with cohesive and cohesion less soils
Authors: Farooq Khalid , Mujtaba Hassan , Ashiq Syed Zishan , Shah Mudassar Munir , Mohamed Abdullah
Published: April 2024

The present study is aimed to evaluate the amelioration of fat clay by blending it with cohesive non-swelling soil (CNS) and cohesionless silty sandy soil (termed as Kassu). Fat clay sample with liquid limit (LL) 50, plasticity index (PI) 26 was collected from a site located near Narowal city while CNS and Kassu samples were procured from sites located at outskirts of Lahore (Pakistan). Geotechnical parameters evaluated after conducting tests on virgin soil indicated it as unsuitable soil for construction purposes. A series of laboratory tests were performed after blending fat clay with CNS and Kassu in different proportions ranging between 0 ~ 35% with 5%intervals. The laboratory tests including modified Proctor compaction, unconfined compression, California bearing ratio (CBR)and one-dimensional consolidation tests in addition to classification tests were performed on virgin and blended samples. The LL decreased from 50–32% and PI reduced from 24 to 13 with 35% addition of CNS while for Kassu LL and PI reduced to 29% and 12, respectively. CBR value of blended samples increased from 4–7% making the blended soil an acceptable subgrade for roads and foundation construction. Also, swell potential reduced from 4–1.2% ~ 0.26% for blended samples. Regression models have been proposed to predict swell pressure and ultimate swell potential of CNS and Kassu-treated swelling clays. Based on the study, it was concluded that significant improvement in mitigating expansive characteristics of fat clay can be achieved by blending it with CNS and Kassu. Meanwhile, CNS is observed to be more effective as compared to Kassu in controlling the swell properties of the fat clay.
Cross-cultural adaptation of the Quebecois Patient-Centered Coordination by a Care Team Questionnaire for use in France
Authors: Piraux Arthur , Poitras Marie-Eve , Lemarchand Sandra , Sidorkiewicz Stephanie , Ramond-Roquin Aline
Published: April 2024

Background
The prevalence of chronic disease and multimorbidity is increasing and the associated disease and treatment burden is particularly heavy. Coordinated multidisciplinary, patient-centered care is particularly important for people living with chronic disease or multimorbidity. There was no valid tool to measure the quality of coordinated patient-centered care from the patient’s perspective until the Patient-Centered Coordination by a Care Team (PCCCT) questionnaire was recently developed in Canada (Quebec/Ontario). The Quebecois version has been validated but is not directly transferable to France due to linguistic, cultural and health system differences between the two countries. To perform cross-cultural adaptation of the Quebecois PCCCT questionnaire to obtain a new version adapted for use in France ensuring item and semantic equivalence between the two versions.
Methods
The adaptation process consisted of two stages, both of which were supervised by a scientific committee made up of five healthcare professionals. The first stage was a Delphi consensus involving a multidisciplinary healthcare professional panel to evaluate and harmonize the clarity and appropriateness of the questionnaire for patients in the French health system. During the second stage, adult patients with one or more chronic diseases, from various age, sex, socio-occupational categories assessed the comprehensibility and conformity of the adapted version of the questionnaire resulting from stage 1 and improved it if necessary. This was achieved using cognitive interviews.
Results
During Stage 1, two rounds were undertaken with 10 professional experts resulting in consensual reformulation of 10 out of the 14 items. These newly formulated items and the 4 remaining items were submitted to patients in Stage 2. Cognitive interviews were undertaken with 14 patients, testing 3 successively adapted versions of the questionnaire, until three consecutive patients did not find any ambiguity or misunderstanding. This final version resulting from the cross-cultural adaptation process is usable in France and has item and semantic equivalence to the original Quebecois version.
Conclusions
This French version is a useful resource for the health system reforms aimed at promoting more integrated and patient-centered care pathways. Measurement equivalence will be addressed in a future study.
Trial registration:
Not applicable.
I was like sh*t this is gonna hurt’: Implementing Self-Sampling of Dried Blood Spots to Measure HIV Viral Load
Authors: Chavez Jennifer V. , Ewart Leah Davis , Ilyas Ozair , Ghanooni Delaram , Diaz José E. , Atkins Lindsay , Ramos Richard , Garayua Adriana Hernandez , Stewart Alex , Horvath Keith J. , Hirshfield Sabina , Carrico Adam W.
Published: April 2024

Background
Sexual minority men (SMM) with HIV who use stimulants may experience greater difficulties with antiretroviral therapy adherence which amplifies risk for unsuppressed HIV viral load (VL). Remote monitoring of VL could support efforts to rapidly respond to sub-optimal adherence.
Methods
This qualitative study enrolled 24 SMM with HIV who use stimulants to examine experiences with two different dried blood spots (DBS) self-sampling devices (i.e., Tasso-M20 vs. HemaSpot HD) to measure VL. Participants were asked to complete self-sampling of DBS using both devices, and then participated in a 45-minute semi-structured interview. Interviews focused on ease of use, device preference, experiences with receiving and mailing kits, and barriers to participating in research. A thematic analysis was conducted to analyze interviews transcripts.
Results
Twenty-two participants (92%) returned the Tasso-M20 and 21 (88%) returned the Hemaspot HD devices. Among the 22 participants that completed qualitative interviews, twenty-three codes were identified and collapsed within seven themes. Preferences for devices were based on convenience, pain and prior experiences with finger-pricking technology. Participants emphasized that clearer instructions with contingency plans for self-sampling of DBS would improve the user experience with self-sampling of DBS. Intersectional stigma (e.g., HIV, sexual minority status, and substance use) was noted as an important consideration in implementing self-sampling of DBS. Promoting decision making, or the option to choose sampling method based on personal preferences, may improve engagement and likelihood of DBS completion.
Conclusions
Findings will guide the broader implementation of self-sampling of DBS to optimize VL monitoring in SMM with HIV who use stimulants.
Exploring the roles of paradoxical tensions, paradoxical thinking, and team psychological capital on the creativity of engineering university students
Authors: guo huifen , zhou zhen , ma fengqi
Published: April 2024

Background The multifaceted challenges encountered by engineering university students generate paradoxical tensions, which serve as catalysts for fostering creativity. Engaging in paradoxical thinking during academic pursuits enhances the ability of students to solve complex engineering problems. Despite this, the intricate interconnections among paradoxical tensions, paradoxical thinking, and the creativity of engineering university students remain ambiguous.
Methods This study sought to address this gap by surveying 1410 engineering university students in China, delving into how paradoxical thinking mediates the link between paradoxical tensions and creativity. Additionally, it investigated the moderating impact of team psychological capital on the associations between paradoxical tensions and both paradoxical thinking and creativity. SPSS 24.0 was initially used to convert the cleaned data into a “.csv” format, and Smart PLS (v.4.0.9.5) was then employed to assess the model.
Results The findings of the study reveal a positive influence of paradoxical tensions on both creativity and paradoxical thinking. Notably, paradoxical thinking emerges as a significant contributor to enhancing the creativity of engineering university students. Furthermore, the findings show that paradoxical tensions enhance creativity by influencing paradoxical thinking. While team psychological capital emerged as a significant factor in moderating the link between paradoxical tension and creativity, its role in moderating the association between paradoxical tension and paradoxical thinking was not statistically significant.
Conclusions This study revealed how paradoxical tensions among engineering university students influence creativity through paradoxical thinking, moderated by team psychological capital. The findings not only provide new insights for researchers to better understand paradoxical tensions, paradoxical thinking, team psychological capital and the underlying psychological mechanism for engineering university students' creativity, but also have practical implications for education administrators.
Functional assembly of surface microbiota of Ulva fasciata improves nutrient absorption efficiency and growth
Authors: han wang , Li De-hua , Liang Chang-li , Hu Zhong
Published: April 2024

Macroalgae growth depends on biologically available nitrogen, such as ammonium and nitrate. Therefore, nitrogen is the most common growth limiting factor of macroalgae. However, it is unclear how the surface microorganisms of marine macroalgae promote nitrogen transformation and improve the utilization of nitrogen by macroalgae. In this study, 228 strains of bacteria were isolated from the surface of U. fasciata. The composition and structure of U. fasciata surface epiphytes under different nitrogen concentrations were determined by high throughput sequencing. Network analysis was used to identify highly correlated strains and predict possible functions. The bacterial strains of microbiota were identified based on the presence of nitrogen-fixing genes involved in the production of growth hormones and the appearance of dissolving P genes. The characteristics of promoting plant growth and increasing plant biomass accumulation were further determined. The ability of beneficial microbial combinations to assist in the acquisition of N/P nutrients was tested using synthetic communities (SynCom). Finally, the expression levels of several key genes were used to elucidate the effect of SynCom on the nutrient acquisition of U. fasciata.
Clinical features and genetic analysis of 471 cases of fetal congenital heart disease: A systematic review
Authors: quan yulu , luo yan , li juan , wang tao , zhang pingping , li yali
Published: April 2024

Background
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a heterogeneous collection of structural abnormalities of the heart or great vessels that are present at birth. These birth defects are one of the leading causes of infant mortality and morbidity worldwide. The etiology and pathogenesis of CHD are unclear and largely considered to be multifactorial in nature. Since the chromosomal profile of CHD has not been analyzed in a large sample size, we aimed to summarize the clinical features, cytogenetics findings, and pregnancy outcomes of CHD to provide a clinical reference for prenatal diagnosis.
Methods
Among 21152 pregnant women, 471 showed fetal CHD on cordocentesis or amniocentesis. The number of cases showing simple CHD, simple CHD plus extracardiac abnormality, complex CHD, and complex CHD plus extracardiac abnormality was 128, 124, 89, and 130, respectively. For prenatal genetic diagnosis, rapid karyotyping was performed with single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and copy number variation (CNV) and BACs-on-Beads™ analyses. We also recorded the results of ultrasonography examinations and genetic analysis and the pregnancy outcomes.
Results
Ventricular septal defects were observed in 245 cases of fetal CHDs. Among the 471 cases of CHDs, 258 showed other ultrasound abnormalities. The most common ultrasound abnormalities were abnormalities of the central nervous system. The 471 cases included 93 cases with chromosomal abnormalities, and the incidence of these abnormalities increased with advanced maternal age or the presence of other ultrasound abnormalities. In eight cases, karyotype analysis showed normal results, while SNP-array or CNV-seq results were abnormal. Among the 453 cases that were followed-up, 166 involved pregnancy termination, 273 involved live births, seven involved fetus death in utero, and seven involved neonatal death after birth.
Conclusions
Fetuses with CHD showed higher rates of chromosomal abnormalities. In cases diagnosed with fetal CHD during fetal ultrasonic examination, the mothers should undergo a careful and comprehensive fetal ultrasound scan as well as prenatal genetic testing, including karyotype analysis and SNP-array or CNV-sequencing. The prognosis for simple fetal CHD is good, while the prognosis for complex fetal CHD and extracardiac anomalies is poor.
TPH-YOLOv7t : A Boosted YOLO Transformer Prediction Head for Search and Rescue with Drones
Authors: Kodipaka Vamshi , Marques Lino , Cortesao Rui , Araujo Helder
Published: April 2024

In recent years, drones have become a fundamental tool for searching for missing persons in the wild and at sea by collecting aerial images. Search and Rescue operators inspect these images in real-time, aiming to spot the missing persons. However, a tradeoff exists between using large area images to cover extensive regions quickly, risking missing the target, and flying at a lower altitude for easier detection but requiring processing of a larger image set. This work addresses automatic person detection in aerial images. We propose the TPH-YOLOv7t by holdout method, a new Transformer Prediction Head for YOLOv7-tiny with an Efficient Joint Attention Module and a Convolutional Block Attention Module. Results show our method’s robustness compared to YOLOv7-tiny, achieving a mean average precision (mAP50) of over 0.65 and an inference speed of 130fps on a single GPU Nvidia RTX2080Ti.
Pancreaticoduodenectomy with Pancreaticogastrostomy and an External Pancreatic Stent in Risky Patients without Clinically Relevant PostoperativePancreatic Fistula: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis
Authors: Abdelwahab Mohamed , Nakeeb Ayman El , Shehta Ahmed , Hamed Hosam , Elsabbagh Ahmed M , Attia Mohamed , El-wahab Reham Abd , Allah Talaat Abd , Ali Mahmoud
Published: April 2024

Background
There is a continuing argument on the most suitable method for reconstructing the pancreas after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). This research evaluated the impact of pancreaticogastrostomy (PG) with an external pancreatic stent on the postoperative outcomes after PD in risky patients.
Patients and methods:
This is a propensity score-matched analysis for risky patients who underwent PD with PG reconstruction. The postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) was the main outcome measure. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital time, re-exploration rate, and postoperative morbidity and mortality were among the secondary outcomes.
Results
Seventy-eight patients were included in the study; 26 patients underwent PD with PG and an external pancreatic stent while 52 patients underwent PG without pancreatic stent. There was no significant difference between both groups as regards blood loss and operative time. The overall postoperative morbidity was higher in the non-stented group than in the stented group (34.6% vs. 15.4%, P = 0.06). In the pancreatic stent group, no patient developed clinically relevant POPF while in non-stented PG 17.3% of patients developed POPF. No hospital mortality in the stented group while in the non-stented group, two hospital mortality happened (one case due to SIRS secondary to POPF grade C and the other case due to pulmonary embolism).
Conclusion
Pancreaticogastrostomy with an external pancreatic stent achieves zero clinically relevant pancreatic fistula, fewer postoperative morbidities, and no mortality rate in risky patients.
A novel root hair mutant, srh1, affects root hair elongation and reactive oxygen species levels in wheat.
Authors: Tsang Ian , Thomelin Pauline , Ober Eric , Rawsthorne Stephen , Atkinson Jonathan A , Wells Darren M , Percival-Alwyn Lawrence , Leigh Fiona J , Cockram James
Published: April 2024

Root hairs are single-celled projections on root surfaces, critical for water and nutrient uptake. Here, we describe the first short root hair mutant in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), identified in a mutagenized population and termed here short root hair 1 (srh1 ). While the srh1 mutant is able to initiate root hair bulges, lack of subsequent extension results in very short root hairs. Due to its semi-dominant nature, heterozygous lines displayed intermediate root hair lengths compared to wild type. Bulked segregant analysis in a BC1F3 segregating population genotyped via exome capture sequencing localized the genetic control of this mutant to a region on the long arm of chromosome 3A. Via RNA sequencing and bioinformatic analysis, we identified two promising candidate genes at the srh1 locus. The first is a respiratory burst oxidase homolog (RBOH) encoding gene TaNOX3-A, orthologous to RBOH genes controlling root hair elongation in rice (OSNOX3) and maize (ZmRTH5), that carries a missense mutation in a conserved region of the predicted protein. RBOHs are membrane bound proteins that produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) which trigger cell wall extensibility, allowing subsequent root hair elongation. Notably, reduced ROS levels were observed in srh1 root hair bulges compared to wild-type. The second candidate calreticulin-3 gene TaCRT3-A is located within the wider srh1 interval and is significantly downregulated in srh1 root tissues. The identification of a major effect gene controlling wheat root hair morphology provides an entry point for future optimization of root hair architecture best suited to future agricultural environments
Identification of two novel variants in NUS1 gene in two unrelated Chinese families with intellectual disorder and epilepsy
Authors: Kan Yuling , Zhao Haiyan , Li Hongxing , Rong Chunli , Su Nana , Zhu Yangyang , Gao Xueping , Jiang Jinghan , Hu Junji , Zhang Jian
Published: April 2024

Background
Mutations in the NUS1 gene, which encodes a Nogo-B receptor (NgBR), are related to congenital disorder of glycosylation, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease. However, due to the limited number of cases with genotype and detailed clinical features, more cases are needed to better understand the functional and phenotypic characteristics of NUS1 variants. In this study, we reported two unrelated Chinese individuals suffering from intellectual disorder and epilepsy.
Materials and methods
Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed on the two patients to identify pathogenic variants, and copy number variation sequencing (CNV-Seq) was conducted on the patients 2. The candidate variants were subsequently validated using Sanger sequencing. Additionally, bioinformatics analyses were used to investigate the deleteriousness of the identified variants.
Results
WES identified two novel variants in the NUS1 gene [NM_138459.5: c.640A > T/p.K214*, c.278delC/p.L94Wfs*11] in the two unrelated individuals with myoclonus, epilepsy, and intellectual disability. These variants resulted in truncated NgBR proteins, which lost the cis-PTase domain. According to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) classification, p.K214* was evaluated as likely pathogenic and p.L94Wfs*11 was evaluated as pathogenic. CNV-Seq analysis revealed a 0.4Mb duplication of Xq27.2q27.2 in patient 2, which was considered uncertain significance.
Conclusion
Our findings strongly suggest that the two novel variants in NUS1 gene may be the cause of the patient's clinical characteristics, possibly due to the loss of cis-PTase activity. Furthermore, our study expanded the genotype-phenotype spectrum of the NUS1 gene.
Estimating Soil Organic Carbon using Sentinel-2 data under Zero Tillage Agriculture: A Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Mango Lawrence , Narissara Nuthammachot , Som-ard Jaturong
Published: April 2024

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is the main component of soil organic matter (SOM) and constitutes the crucial ingredient of the soil. It supports key soil functions, stabilizes soil structure, aid in plant nutrients retention and release, and promote water infiltration and storage. Predicting SOC using Sentinel-2 images integrated with machine learning algorithms under zero tillage practice is inadequately documented for developing countries like Zimbabwe. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the integrated use of Sentinel-2 data together with machine learning (ML) algorithms for SOC estimation. The support vector machine (SVM), artificial neural network (ANN), and partial least square regression (PLSR) models were used with a cross-validation to estimate the SOC content based on 50 georeferenced calibration samples under a zero-tillage practice. The ANN model outperformed the other two models by delivering a coefficient of determination (R2) of between 55-60% of SOC variability and RMSE varies between 5.01-8.78%, whereas for the SVM, R2 varies between 0.53-0.57 and RMSE varies between 6.25-11.39%. The least estimates of SOC are provided by the PLSR algorithm (R2 = 0.44–0.49 and RMSE = 7.59-12.42% for the top 15cm depth SOC estimation. Results with RMSE, MAE and R2 for SVM, ANN and PLSR, show that the ANN model is able to capture SOC variability. Although the ANN algorithm provides more accurate SOC estimates than the SVM algorithm, the difference in accuracy is not significant. Results revealed a satisfactory agreement between the SOC and zero tillage practice (R2, coefficient of variation (CV), mean absolute error (MAE), and root mean square error (RMSE) using SVM, ANN and PLSR for the validation dataset using four predictor variables. The calibration results of SOC indicated that the mean SOC was 5.19% and the validation mean SOC was 5.02%. The calibration dataset had higher degree of variation (27.94%) around its mean compared to the validation dataset (24.30%). The accurate map results can be used as an important tool for informed decisions about soil health and productivity by the farmers, land managers and policy makers.
A New Evolutionary Algorithm Based on Interval index and Reference Vector for Many-objective Optimization
Authors: Qiu Fieyue , Chen Qi , Long Donghui , Hu Huizhen , Wang Liping
Published: April 2024

When solving multi-objective problems, domination-based and decomposition-based multi-objective evolutionary algorithms are the most widely used and have achieved good results. However, the effectiveness of these algorithms decreases when the optimization problem has a complicated Pareto front or the number of objectives increases. To better solve many-objective optimization problems, this paper combines the merits of dominance and decomposition and proposes an optimization algorithm that employs Interval index and reference vector guidance. The algorithm utilizes the proposed Interval index in environment selection to balance the convergence and diversity of populations. A reference vector optimization strategy based on population clustering is designed to adjust the reference vectors to fit different problems. In this paper, the proposed algorithm undergoes thorough evaluation across 72 cases of 18 benchmark problems and is experimentally contrasted against four advanced optimization algorithms. Experimental results establish that the algorithm proposed in this paper has good competitiveness and superiority in solving some of the many-objective problems.
Examining carotenoid metabolism regulation and its role in flower color variation in Brassica rapa L.
Authors: LIU Guomei , Lin YAO , SUN Xuan , Chen Wang , Chunfang DU
Published: April 2024

Carotenoids are crucial pigments that determine the color of flowers, roots, and fruits in plants, imparting them yellow, orange, and red hues. This study comprehensively analyses the Brassica rapas mutant “YB1,” which exhibits altered flower and root colors. Combining physiological and biochemical assessments, transcriptome profiling, and quantitative metabolomics, this study investigated carotenoid accumulation in different tissues of YB1 throughout its growth and development. The results revealed that carotenoid continued to accumulate in the roots and stems of YBI, especially in its cortex, whereas the carotenoid levels in the petals decreased upon flowering. A total of 54 carotenoid compounds, with 30 being unique metabolites, were identified across various tissues. Their levels correlated with the expression pattern of 22 differentially expressed genes related to carotenoid biosynthesis and degradation. Specific genes, including CCD8 and NCED in flowers and ZEP in the roots and stems, were identified as key regulators of color variations in different plant parts. Additionally, we identified genes in the seeds that regulated the conversion of carotenoids to abscisic acid. In conclusion, his study offers valuable insights into the regulation of carotenoid metabolism in B. rapas, which can guide the selection and breeding of carotenoid-rich varieties with diverse colors in the future.
IL-37 ameliorates acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury by limiting liver inflammation
Authors: Fu Juan , Sun Changfeng , Sheng Yunjian , You Zaichun
Published: April 2024

Objective: Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose can lead to necrosis of liver parenchymal cells, causing aseptic inflammation and potential liver injury or failure. While IL-37 is known as an anti-inflammatory cytokine, its role and novel mechanism in drug-induced liver injury (DILI) are still unknown.
Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to four groups (n=10 per group): Sham group, sham+IL-37 group, drug-induced liver injury model group (model group), and model+IL-37 group. The mice were injected with APAP and sacrificed after 4 or 24 hours to observe liver injury and assess related physiological and biochemical indicators.The serum levels of ALT, AST, and LDH were measured using an automated biochemical analyzer. The levels of IL-6, IL-10, TGF-β1, TNF-α and the content of p4502E1(CYP2E1) were detected by ELISA and fluorescence quantitative PCR, respectively. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expression levels of MPO and Ly-6G in liver tissues. Spectrophotometry was used to measure the levels of SOD, MDA, and T-GSH in order to investigate the potential protective effect and underlying mechanism of IL-37 against APAP-induced acute liver injury.
Results: Treatment with IL-37 significantly alleviated liver injury in the IL-37+ model group compared to the model group. The IL-37+ model group exhibited reduced neutrophil infiltration and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α), while anti-inflammatory factors (IL-10, TGF-β1) were upregulated. Moreover, the IL-37+ model group showed significant decreases in malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels compared to the model group. Our results indicated no significant difference in the relative expression level of CYP2E1 mRNA and GSH level between the model group and the therapy group, at both 4 and 24 hours after APAP exposure.
Conclusion: IL-37 serves a protective role in APAP-induced liver injury by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress.
Video-based markerless two-dimensional gait analysis with automated processing is feasible, provides objective quantification of gait and complements the evaluation of gait in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Pantzar-Castilla Evelina , Balta Diletta , Cereatti Andrea , Riad Jacques
Published: April 2024

Background
Gait analysis aids in evaluation, classification and follow-up of gait pattern over time in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The sagittal plane is of special interest to assess flexed knee gait and ankle joint deviations that commonly progress with age and indicate deterioration of gait. Although most children with CP are ambulatory, no objective quantification of gait is currently included in any of the known international follow-up programs.
Can video-based 2-dimensional markerless (2D ML) gait analysis with automated processing be feasible for evaluation and classification of gait in children with CP?
Methods
Twenty children with bilateral CP with Gross Motor Function Classification Scale (GMFCS) levels I–III, from five regions in Sweden, were included from the national CP registry. A single RGB-Depth video camera, sensitive to depth and contrast, was positioned laterally to a green walkway and background, with four light sources. A previously validated markerless method was employed to estimate hip, knee and ankle kinematics in the sagittal plane, together with foot orientation in relation to the room, gait speed and step length.
Results
Mean age was 10.4 (range 6.8–16.1) years. Eight children were classified as GMFCS level I, eight as II and four as III. Setup took 15 minutes, acquisition 5–15 minutes and processing 10–15 minutes per child. With the 2D ML method deviations from normal could be determined and used to implement the classification of gait pattern, proposed by Rodda et al. 2001.
Conclusion
2D ML assessment is feasible, since it is accessible, easy to perform and well tolerated by the children. The 2D ML adds consistency and quantifies objectively important gait variables. It is both relevant and reasonable to include 2D ML gait assessment in the evaluation of children with CP.
Rapid sloshing-free transport of liquids in arbitrarily shaped containers
Authors: Toth Florian , Scharner Andreas , Schirrer Alexander , Hametner Christoph , Jakubek Stefan
Published: April 2024

We present a model-based feedforward control strategy suitable for designing swift rest-to-rest maneu-vers for liquids in arbitrarily shaped containers. We employ the commonly used equivalent pendulummodel to represent the sloshing dynamics and suggest a novel parameter identification scheme suitablefor arbitrary container shapes and any number of sloshing modes. By computing natural modes andfluid reaction forces and torques for imposed harmonic container motions via a finite element model,we obtain data for the identification scheme. A fitting procedure then yields highly accurate parameters for a physical pendulum model, where each pendulum represents one sloshing mode. We alsoprovide a thorough analysis of parameter identifiability and guidelines for obtaining robust parameterestimates. The proposed feed forward control method uses a virtual tray pendulum on which we placethe container (in the form of its equivalent pendulum model). Designing the virtual tray such thatthe fluid’s dominant sloshing mode becomes uncontrollable for displacements of the tray pendulumpivot effectively zeros out any sloshing motion in this mode. We then exploit the flatness property ofthe resulting system to design rest-to-rest maneuvers where any residual sloshing motion (in highermodes) can be exactly stopped at the end of the maneuver. The effectiveness of the proposed methodis demonstrated through extensive simulations and experimental results using a Martini cocktail glass,whose shape is challenging in terms of sloshing. The experimental results show the successful, accurate suppression of sloshing, validating the efficacy of the proposed concept.
Separation of lysozyme-ovotransferrin complexes and the cooperative role of their components in egg white
Authors: Shimazaki Youji , Enomoto Shinya , Ishiko Saki
Published: April 2024

A complex of ovotransferrin and lysozyme was directly isolated from egg white using an anti-transferrin antibody-immobilized membrane after antiserum proteins were separated by non-denaturing two-dimensional electrophoresis and transferred onto a membrane. The complex retained lysozyme activity that catalyzes the breakdown of peptidoglycans in the bacterial cell wall at the β1–4 bond between N-acetylmuramic acid and N-acetylglucosamine residues. The activity of the purified lysozyme was suppressed to 6.4% in the presence of 1 µmol Fe2+, whereas that of the mixture of the purified lysozyme and ovotransferrin was maintained at 58%. The activity of the purified lysozyme was suppressed to 35% in the presence of 10 nmol Fe3+, whereas that of the mixture of the purified lysozyme and ovotransferrin was maintained at 66%. Furthermore, the bacteriolytic activity of egg white with reduced glycoproteins such as ovotransferrin was assessed, and the bacteriolytic activity was found to be suppressed in the presence of Fe2+ and Fe3+. This suppression was ions, thereby alleviating the inhibition of lysozyme activity by iron ions. A complex of ovotransferrin and lysozyme is efficient because ovotransferrin effectively capture iron ions near lysozyme. Thus, protein complexes containing enzymes can be applied to control their activity.
Patterns of Inconsistent Condom Use and Risky Sexual Behaviors among Female Sex Workers in Mozambique
Authors: Muleia Rachid , Banze Auria Ribeiro , Damião Shelsea Luís , Baltazar Cynthia Semá
Published: April 2024

Background
Female sex workers (FSWs) in Mozambique face significant health risks, including high HIV prevalence, due to inconsistent condom use and engagement in risky sexual behaviors. Understanding the determinants of these practices is crucial for developing targeted interventions.
Methods
This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the second round of Biobehavioral Survey (BBS) conducted from 2019–2020 in five urban areas to examine determinants of inconsistent condom use and risky sexual behaviors among FSWs. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association of various socio-demographic, economic, and behavioral factors with the outcomes, providing adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
Results
Among 2,570 FSWs reporting inconsistent condom use, the majority were younger (15–24 years old, 69.5%), single (68.2%), with secondary or higher education (69.9%), nationals (66.6%), and residents of Quelimane City (77.2%). Initiating sex work < 18 years (73.3%), having 5 + clients in the last month (61.8%), binge drinking (61.7%), and experiencing physical violence (82.9%) were significantly associated with this behavior. From the 2,514 FSWs reporting risky sexual behaviors, the majority aged 15–24 (83.0%) had secondary or higher education (84.2%), were nationals (82.5%), and resided in Quelimane (87.3%). Early sexual debut (< 15 years, 87.4%) and starting sex work < 18 years (86.4%) were linked to increased risks, as was drug use (86.8%). FSWs older > 25 years (aOR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.0–2.0, p = 0.034), from Tete (aOR = 5.8, 95% CI: 3.6–9.3, p < 0.001), with 5 + clients in the last month (aOR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.3–4.7, p = 0.003), were more likely to report inconsistent condom use. Additionally, FSWs aged 15–24 years (aOR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1–1.9, p = 0.011) with early sexual debut (aOR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1-2.0, p = 0.002).
Conclusion
The study highlights the complex interplay factors as individual characteristics, geographic location, client volume, early sexual debut, and substance use that influence sexual risks behaviour among FSWs in Mozambique. Tailored interventions addressing not only sexual health education and services, but also economic empowerment and substance use are imperative for mitigating these risks.
Intestinimonas butyriciproducens affects Eimeria tenella development and infection via regulating EtGFAT gene expression
Authors: Li Jun-Yi , Huang Hai-Bin , Shi Chun-Wei , Pan Tian-Xu , Li Ming-Han , Li Yan-Ning , Zhang Bo , Wang Nan , Wang Chun-Feng , Yang Gui-Lian
Published: April 2024

Chicken coccidiosis, caused by Eimeria, is a prevalent problem worldwide and results in significant economic losses to the poultry industry. The chicken cecum harbors a diverse and complex microbiota, with E. tenella exclusively parasitizing the cecum and thus engaging in complex interactions with the cecal microbiota. In the investigation, an antibiotic-induced cecal microbiota depletion model was used to study the relationship between E. tenella and the microbial community for the first time. It was revealed that the absence of cecal microbiota can disrupt E. tenella macrogametes development. Furthermore, the critical role of cecal microbiota integrity in E. tenella development was confirmed through fecal microbiota transplantation experiments. Notably, the study identified the genus Intestinimonas within the cecum as a primary factor influencing E. tenella development. Specifically, it was discovered that the genus Intestinimonas significantly affects macrogametes development through EtGFAT gene expression. In addition, transplantation of Intestinimonas butyriciproducens resulted in a significant reduction in clinical symptoms associated with E. tenella infection. Furthermore, Intestinimonas butyriciproducens promoted the secretion of high levels of IFN-γ from CD8 + T cells, which in turn exerts resistance to E. tenella. These findings offer valuable insights for developing innovative anti-coccidia agents.
Enhancing anaerobic degradation of corn stover residues and biogas production via rumen microorganisms
Authors: Makri Anastasia , Ntougias Spyridon , Melidis Paraschos
Published: April 2024

Corn is one of the most common cultivations in Greece and worldwide. Raw materials like corn stover contain a remarkable amount of organic content, which could be transformed anaerobically into biogas, using as an alternative energy source. The development of efficient methods to overcome the limitations arisen from the nature of lignocellulosic biomass is a challenge since pretreatment is required to break down its complex structure. An economically-feasible biological approach to disrupt the structure of lignocellulosic materials, like corn stover, is through the valorization of hydrolytic potential of microbial communities present in rumen. Rumen microbiota has demonstrated the ability to break down lignocellulosic biomass. Thus, this work aims to enhance biogas production from corn stover residues using rumen fluid microbiota. The anaerobic digestibility of corn stover in BMP (Biochemical Methane Potential) tests and CSTR (continuous stirring tank reactors) was examined using rumen fluid as inoculum, in presence of control. Three organic loading rates (OLR), i.e. 1, 2, and 3 g VS/L.d, were tested, to define the optimum OLR for corn stover digestion. Moreover, experiments to define the optimum corn stover to rumen fluid ratio to optimize biogas production were carried out. Addition of rumen inoculum into the anaerobic digester at daily basis was found to be essential to enhance biogas production from corn stover. The optimum corn stover residues concentration in rumen fluid for optimum biogas production was 4% w/v. Addition of rumen fluid microbiota in the CSTR operating under various OLRs enhanced biogas production by 2–6.3 times.