bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intravenous dexamethasone does not prolong the duration of pudendal nerve block in infants and children undergoing hypospadias surgery: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Joe Young‐Eun , Lee Jae‐Hoon , Eum Darhae , Kim Ji‐Ho , Lee Jeong‐Rim
Published: December 2023

Background

The administration of intravenous dexamethasone increases the duration of neuraxial block and improves the quality of analgesia. However, little is known about these effects of dexamethasone on peripheral nerve blocks in children.

Aims

In this study, we aimed to investigate the benefit of intravenous dexamethasone for enhancing the effect of pudendal block on postoperative analgesia in children who underwent hypospadias surgery.

Methods

In total, 46 children aged 6–36 months who underwent hypospadias surgery were randomly allocated to either a control group (normal saline, group C) or dexamethasone group (0.5 mg/kg, group D). Pudendal block was performed before the surgery using 0.3 mL/kg of 0.225% ropivacaine on both sides. Parents were instructed to press the patient‐controlled analgesia bolus button when their children's pain score was >4 points. The primary outcome measure was the time at which the first patient‐controlled analgesia by proxy bolus dose was administered. The secondary outcome measures were pain score, number of patient‐controlled analgesia administration by proxy bolus attempts, number of rescue analgesics required, total amount of fentanyl administered, and overall parental satisfaction.

Results

The time of first patient‐controlled analgesia bolus administration by proxy was not different between the control and dexamethasone groups (5.6 [5.2, 8.8] h versus 6.5 [5.4, 8.1] h, hazard ratio 0.8, 95% confidence intervals 0.43 to 1.47, p = .46). There were no statistically significant differences among the secondary outcomes.

Conclusions

Administration of intravenous dexamethasone did not enhance the duration of pudendal nerve block in infants and children aged 6–36 months who underwent hypospadias surgery.
PbHsfC1a‐coordinates ABA biosynthesis and H2O2 signalling pathways to improve drought tolerance in Pyrus betulaefolia
Authors: Zhang Feng , Wang Chunmeng , Yao Jia‐Long , Xing Caihua , Xu Kang , Zhang Zan , Chen Qiming , Qiao Qinghai , Dong Huizhen , Han Chenyang , Lin Likun , Zhang Shaoling , Huang Xiaosan
Published: December 2023

Abiotic stresses have had a substantial impact on fruit crop output and quality. Plants have evolved an efficient immune system to combat abiotic stress, which employs reactive oxygen species (ROS) to activate the downstream defence response signals. Although an aquaporin protein encoded by PbPIP1;4 is identified from transcriptome analysis of Pyrus betulaefolia plants under drought treatments, little attention has been paid to the role of PIP and ROS in responding to abiotic stresses in pear plants. In this study, we discovered that overexpression of PbPIP1;4 in pear callus improved tolerance to oxidative and osmotic stresses by reconstructing redox homeostasis and ABA signal pathways. PbPIP1;4 overexpression enhanced the transport of H2O2 into pear and yeast cells. Overexpression of PbPIP1;4 in Arabidopsis plants mitigates the stress effects caused by adding ABA, including stomatal closure and reduction of seed germination and seedling growth. Overexpression of PbPIP1;4 in Arabidopsis plants decreases drought‐induced leaf withering. The PbPIP1;4 promoter could be bound and activated by TF PbHsfC1a. Overexpression of PbHsfC1a in Arabidopsis plants rescued the leaf from wilting under drought stress. PbHsfC1a could bind to and activate AtNCED4 and PbNCED4 promoters, but the activation could be inhibited by adding ABA. Besides, PbNCED expression was up‐regulated under H2O2 treatment but down‐regulated under ABA treatment. In conclusion, this study revealed that PbHsfC1a is a positive regulator of abiotic stress, by targeting PbPIP1;4 and PbNCED4 promoters and activating their expression to mediate redox homeostasis and ABA biosynthesis. It provides valuable information for breeding drought‐resistant pear cultivars through gene modification.
Epidemiology, clinical characteristics and outcomes of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children
Authors: Chun‐Ern Ng David , Liew Chuin‐Hen , Tan Kah Kee , Lim Hui Yi , Zailanalhuddin Nur Emylia binti , Tan Shir Fong , Chandra Mohan Vishnu Arvindran a/l , Mahendran Sindu a/p , Tan Yuong Chie , Chin Ling , Ong Song‐Quan , Siew Yin Eng  Caroline
Published: December 2023

Background

We describe the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS‐C) among children from Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.

Methods

A retrospective, multicentre, observational study was performed among children ≤15 years old who were hospitalized for MIS‐C between January 18, 2021 and June 30, 2023. The incidence of MIS‐C was estimated using reported SARS‐CoV‐2 cases and census population data. Descriptive analyses were used to summarize the clinical presentation and outcomes.

Results

The study included 53 patients with a median age of 5.7 years (IQR 1.8–8.7 years); 75.5% were males. The overall incidence of MIS‐C was approximately 5.9 cases per 1,000,000 person‐months. Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission was required for 22 (41.5%) patients. No mortalities were recorded. Children aged 6–12 years were more likely to present with cardiac dysfunction/shock (odds ratio [OR] 5.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.67–17.66), whereas children below 6 years were more likely to present with a Kawasaki disease phenotype (OR 5.50, 95% CI 1.33–22.75). Twenty patients (37.7%) presented with involvement of at least four organ systems, but four patients (7.5%) demonstrated single‐organ system involvement.

Conclusion

An age‐based variation in the clinical presentation of MIS‐C was demonstrated. Our findings suggest MIS‐C could manifest in a spectrum, including single‐organ involvement. Despite the high requirement for PICU admission, the prognosis of MIS‐C was favorable, with no recorded mortalities.
Coffee wilt disease: The forgotten threat to coffee
Authors: Peck Lily D. , Boa Eric
Published: December 2023

Coffee is attacked by several highly damaging pests and diseases, which include coffee wilt disease (CWD). Despite a devastating impact in recent years, CWD receives little attention and its importance is downplayed or simply ignored. Memories are short and knowledge of past outbreaks fragmentary. Nearly two decades after the last major outbreaks, CWD has quietly faded into the background. This review describes a series of outbreaks of CWD across Africa, from Uganda to Guinea, from the first discovery in the 1920s to a hugely damaging recurrence that began in the 1970s and lasted through to the 2000s. This second wave had devastating impacts on growers and communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in Uganda. This review examines the origins of the disease, how and why it spread, and attempts to manage the outbreaks. Recent work on new pathogen variants is also considered. This review aims to recount these events and to evaluate the strategic successes and failures at national, regional and international levels in tackling the second wave of CWD.
Weather‐based models for forecasting Fusarium head blight risks in wheat and barley: A review
Authors: Matengu Taurai T. , Bullock Paul R. , Mkhabela Manasah S. , Zvomuya Francis , Henriquez Maria A. , Ojo E. RoTimi , Fernando W. G. Dilantha
Published: December 2023

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is one of the most devastating crop diseases worldwide, significantly reducing the yield and quality of small‐cereal crops such as wheat and barley when favourable weather conditions exist during anthesis. Additionally, FHB‐associated mycotoxins significantly impact global food and feed safety. Controlling FHB with fungicides applied near anthesis reduces visual FHB symptoms and associated mycotoxin production, thereby lowering disease‐related costs. However, when weather conditions are unfavourable for FHB occurrence, fungicide application can be costly and environmentally undesirable. Thus, fungicides should be used sparingly only when the pathogen is present and weather conditions are favourable. Modelling of FHB risk using weather data has grown rapidly in recent decades and plays an essential role in integrated crop disease management. In this review, several weather‐based FHB models are selected and described in detail. The models were developed globally for assessing the real‐time risk of FHB epidemics in various regions/countries. Most of these models are site‐specific and predict FHB visual observations such as the incidence and severity of FHB, Fusarium‐damaged kernels (FDK), and also deoxynivalenol (DON) levels. The review also highlights the limitations of these existing models, including their narrow applicability, low accuracy for high‐risk contamination situations, and omissions of certain factors. Also discussed are potential avenues for improvement and enhanced predictive capabilities including consideration of additional disease risk factors as well as a broader range of varieties. These predictive models can assist producers, regulatory agencies, and industry to mitigate potential food and feed security and safety concerns.
Enhancing the Biological Control of Mite Species Infesting Olive Trees through Application of Predatory Mite Agistemus exsertus Gonzalez (Acari: Stigmaeidae) and Eco‐Friendly Natural Compounds
Authors: El‐Esawi Mohamed A. , Alayafi Aisha A.
Published: December 2023

Olive (Olea europaea L.) is a subtropical tree cultivated in arid, dry and temperate regions. Olive orchards in Al‐Jouf of Saudi Arabia are the largest worldwide and currently face harmful pest infestation. The present study aimed at evaluating the efficiency of the predatory mite Agistemus exsertus Gonzalez (Acari: Stigmaeidae) and the exogenously applied melatonin (MT), glycine betaine (GB) and 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA) as eco‐friendly approaches for enhancing the biological control of four mite species (Tegolophus hassani, Oxycenus niloticus, Aceria olivi and Tetranychus urticae) infesting olive trees in Al‐Jouf under laboratory and field conditions. Field experiment was conducted on 6‐year‐old Manzanillo olive trees grown in a private orchard farm in Al‐Jouf during two seasons, 2020 and 2021. Results revealed that A. exsertus developed successfully from egg to adult. The females of T. hassani, O. niloticus, A. olivi, and T. urticae required 7.36, 8.89, 9.98 and 8.38 days, respectively, to develop from egg to adult at 28°C and 65 ± 5% relative humidity. O. niloticus was the most preferred prey of A. exsertus. The net reproductive rate (R0) was 42.1, 38.7, 34.6 and 36.8 females/female/generation, the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was 0.27, 0.26, 0.23 and 0.20 females/female/day, and the mean generation time (T) was 16.2, 17.1, 18.6 and 17.2 days when a predator consumed T. hassani, O. niloticus, A. olivi and T. urticae, respectively. The adult female consumed daily about 114 O. niloticus, 105 A. olivi, 95 T. hassani and 15.2 T. urticae individuals, respectively. A. exsertus proved to be an effective biocontrol agent against mites infesting olive trees. In addition, the exogenous application of 1 mM MT, 15 mM GB and 25 mg/L ALA, alone or in combination, caused significant mortality for the four mites. Application of these natural compounds, alone or in combination, also significantly enhanced the growth, relative water content, relative chlorophyll, content of flavonoid and nutrients, antioxidant enzymes activities, stress‐related genes expression and fruit yield and quality of the infested olive trees compared to non‐treated infested trees. This study is the first that demonstrates the efficiency of these eco‐friendly approaches for controlling mites infesting olive trees, and could be used as a replacement for the harmful chemical acaricides.
Evolutionary analysis of MID homologs during the transition from homothallic species to heterothallic species in Volvox sect. Volvox (Chlorophyceae)
Authors: Yamagishi Shion , Yamamoto Kayoko , Takahashi Kohei , Kawai‐Toyooka Hiroko , Suzuki Shigekatsu , Matsuzaki Ryo , Yamaguchi Haruyo , Kawachi Masanobu , Higashiyama Tetsuya , Nozaki Hisayoshi
Published: December 2023

The diversity and the evolution of mating systems have been studied in various eukaryotes. Volvox sect. Volvox of the volvocine green algae is suitable for evolutionary studies of the transition from homothallic to heterothallic mating systems because this transition is recognized in distal lineages within Volvox sect. Volvox. MID homologs are important in determining the mating type minus and male in heterothallic species of the volvocine algae. However, MID homologs have not been studied within the entire Volvox sect. Volvox. Here, we analyzed MID homologs from almost all taxa of Volvox sect. Volvox and found no significant differences in MID sequences between homothallic species and males of heterothallic species. Furthermore, MID of the male genotype of the heterothallic Volvox rousseletii showed an expression pattern that was almost identical to that of a closely related homothallic species, Volvox ferrisii. Therefore, the function of MID might have been conserved within the ancestral homothallic lineage of Volvox sect. Volvox and during the evolutionary transition of the heterothallic male genotype from the ancestral homothallic species, possibly related to male gametogenesis.
Presidential candidates nobody wants?
Authors: Fazekas Zoltán , Hatemi Peter K.
Published: December 2023

In a nationally representative study, we explore the public's views of the 2016 presidential nominees. Current measures generally focus on approval of given candidates with closed‐ended questions, but much can be learned by soliciting the public's unconstrained candidate preferences—not only in the direction of how they feel, but the depth of their views and who they really want to see in office. Employing open‐ended questions, we find that more than 75% of the voting public preferred an option other than what was offered. Even when constraining choices to politicians, the Democratic and Republican nominees were not preferred by the majority of the public, and this held true when restricting the analyses to partisans only. We further asked voters to express, in their own words, what they thought of the two candidates for president. The majority of the public described both candidates in negative terms. They spoke with deep disdain for the opposition's candidate, as well as their own party's candidate. The results add support to the view that US primary elections are failing to produce candidates who represent the public's interests and signal the potential for further instability in US government.
Modified CMIS Factors Predicting Chinese Women's Mental Health Information Seeking in Douyin
Authors: Zhang Xin , Kamarudin Syafila , Tang Qingqing
Published: December 2023

The popularity of Douyin (known as TikTok overseas) could provide additional mental health information services to Chinese women. However, the factors that influence women to seek mental health information services in Douyin are still understudied. The study applied the Comprehensive Model of Information Seeking (CMIS) to Chinese women's mental health information seeking behaviors on Douyin to examine this. The study used a questionnaire (N=505), and the data analysis was conducted using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). SmartPLS 4.0 was the primary data analysis technology. Results showed that direct experience, beliefs, salience, and characteristics of mental health information could significantly affect the utility of mental health information on Douyin. In addition, utility, social support, and characteristics directly affect Chinese women's mental health information seeking. Moreover, utility partially mediates the relationship between direct experience, beliefs, salience, characteristics, and mental health information seeking. Rather than targeting specific diseases or pan-health information, this study demonstrates the possibility of applying CMIS to mental health information seeking. This insight could contribute to Douyin and government health interventions to better meet the mental health information needs of Chinese women.
Droplet Combustion Behavior and Spray Characteristics of Diesel–Ethanol–Jatropha Oil Ternary Fuel Blends Under High-Pressure Evaporating Conditions
Authors: Pamuluri Vinod Kumar Naidu , Boggavarapu Prasad , Ravikrishna R. V. , Avulapati Madan Mohan
Published: December 2023

This study investigates the behavior of a single droplet exposed to high-temperature ambient air and macroscopic spray characteristics of various ternary blends of diesel–ethanol–jatropha oil. The experiments on single droplet are performed at ambient pressure and high temperature. The spray experiments are performed under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions, similar to those of a diesel engine in-cylinder air at the time of fuel injection for three blends. The D50E35J15 has exhibited micro-explosion behavior; D50E30J20, which has shown puffing, and D60E20J20, which has demonstrated both micro-explosion and puffing during single droplet experiments, are selected for spray experiments. A constant volume spray chamber with optical access equipped with an electric heater was used to study evaporating spray characteristics of the blends at 5 MPa and 900 K. The spray experiments have shown that the ternary fuel blends have higher liquid penetration as compared to that of diesel due to the higher boiling point of jatropha oil. The variation in the spray cone angle between the different blends was found to be insignificant and within the measurement’s uncertainty limits. Thus, the blends which have exhibited micro-explosion and puffing in droplet experiments have not affected the macroscopic spray characteristics at higher ambient pressures.
Fatigue-Life Estimation of Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine Composite Blades Using Modal Analysis
Authors: Ghoneam Sobhy M. , Hamada Ahmed A. , Sherif Taha S.
Published: December 2023

Vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) have gained significant impact due to their belief in sustainable wind energy solutions. The primary challenge with VAWTs is complicated structural dynamics and incorporating the optimal composite blade configuration. This article presents an integrated study of the dynamic performance and fatigue-life characteristics of modern VAWT composite blades. Considering the VAWT’s design parameters, the impact of variables such as stress level, loading conditions, fiber type, laminate stacking sequences, and lamina ply angles on the dynamic behavior and fatigue life of VAWTs is investigated. Stress-life curves are generated for glass/carbon-polyester VAWT composite blade configurations. Multi-response optimization using the Taguchi technique combined with the response surface methodology is employed to model, propose, and elect the optimal VAWT composite blade configurations. Finite element analyses (FEAs) are conducted within the solidworks simulation software to simulate and predict the dynamic performance and fatigue-life characteristics of VAWT composite blades. The results show that the composite blades significantly enhance the dynamic and fatigue-life characteristics of VAWTs. Furthermore, a small damage percentage of 2.5% characterized by the FEA for the optimal VAWT composite blade configuration validated the sustainability of the VAWT composite blades in dynamic loading conditions.
Harnessing T cell exhaustion and trogocytosis to isolate patient-derived tumor-specific TCR
Authors: Manfredi Francesco , Stasi Lorena , Buonanno Silvia , Marzuttini Francesca , Noviello Maddalena , Mastaglio Sara , Abbati Danilo , Potenza Alessia , Balestrieri Chiara , Cianciotti Beatrice Claudia , Tassi Elena , Feola Sara , Toffalori Cristina , Punta Marco , Magnani Zulma , Camisa Barbara , Tiziano Elena , Lupo-Stanghellini Maria Teresa , Branca Rui Mamede , Lehtiö Janne , Sikanen Tiina M. , Haapala Markus J. , Cerullo Vincenzo , Casucci Monica , Vago Luca , Ciceri Fabio , Bonini Chiara , Ruggiero Eliana
Published: December 2023

To study and then harness the tumor-specific T cell dynamics after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant, we typed the frequency, phenotype, and function of lymphocytes directed against tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) in 39 consecutive transplanted patients, for 1 year after transplant. We showed that TAA-specific T cells circulated in 90% of patients but display a limited effector function associated to an exhaustion phenotype, particularly in the subgroup of patients deemed to relapse, where exhausted stem cell memory T cells accumulated. Accordingly, cancer-specific cytolytic functions were relevant only when the TAA-specific T cell receptors (TCRs) were transferred into healthy, genome-edited T cells. We then exploited trogocytosis and ligandome-on-chip technology to unveil the specificities of tumor-specific TCRs retrieved from the exhausted T cell pool. Overall, we showed that harnessing circulating TAA-specific and exhausted T cells allow to isolate TCRs against TAAs and previously not described acute myeloid leukemia antigens, potentially relevant for T cell–based cancer immunotherapy.
Nanomotor-enhanced transport of passive Brownian particles in porous media
Authors: Shi Anni , Wu Haichao , Schwartz Daniel K.
Published: December 2023

Artificial micro/nanomotors are expected to perform tasks in interface-rich and species-rich environments for biomedical and environmental applications. In these highly confined and interconnected pore spaces, active species may influence the motion of coexisting passive participants in unexpected ways. Using three-dimensional super-resolution single-nanoparticle tracking, we observed enhanced motion of passive nanoparticles due to the presence of dilute well-separated nanomotors in an interconnected pore space. This enhancement acted at distances that are large compared to the sizes of the particles and cavities, in contrast with the insignificant effect on the passive particles with the same dilute concentration of nanomotors in an unconfined liquid. Experiments and simulations suggested an amplification of hydrodynamic coupling between self-propelled and passive nanoparticles in the interconnected confined environment, which enhanced the effective energy for passive particles to escape cavities through small holes. This finding represents an emergent behavior of confined nanomotors and suggests new strategies for the development of antifouling membranes and drug delivery systems.
Endogenously produced H
2
O
2
is intimately involved in iron metabolism in
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Womack Edroyal , Alibayov Babek , Vidal Jorge E. , Eichenbaum Zehava
Published: December 2023

In the presence of molecular oxygen, the human pathogen
Streptococcus pneumoniae
produces and secretes large amounts of hydrogen peroxide (H
2
O
2
), which can readily interact with free and heme-bound iron. Here, we investigated the role of the endogenously produced H
2
O
2
in iron acquisition. The data revealed that
S. pneumoniae
uses H
2
O
2
to liberate iron from met-hemoglobin (Hb-Fe
3+
) extracellularly, allowing the bacterium to import and grow on free iron even when cultivated on met-hemoglobin as the only iron source. The loss of H
2
O
2
production leads to a dramatic pneumococcal intake of heme and is associated with a robust upregulation of most iron uptake machinery (indicating an iron starvation signal). These and other data reveal a close and previously unexplored relation between H
2
O
2
production and iron metabolism in
S. pneumoniae
. The data also show that, in addition to extracellular degradation, pneumococci are armed with H
2
O
2
-independent mechanisms for intracellular heme catabolism.

IMPORTANCE

Heme degradation provides pathogens with growth essential iron, leveraging on the host heme reservoir. Bacteria typically import and degrade heme enzymatically, and here, we demonstrated a significant deviation from this dogma. We found that
Streptococcus pneumoniae
liberates iron from met-hemoglobin extracellularly, in a hydrogen peroxide (H
2
O
2
)- and cell-dependent manner; this activity serves as a major iron acquisition mechanism for
S. pneumoniae
. Inhabiting oxygen-rich environments is a major part of pneumococcal biology, and hence, H
2
O
2
-mediated heme degradation likely supplies iron during infection. Moreover, H
2
O
2
reaction with ferrous hemoglobin but not with met-hemoglobin is known to result in heme breakdown. Therefore, the ability of pneumococci to degrade heme from met-hemoglobin is a new paradigm. Lastly, this study will inform other research as it demonstrates that extracellular degradation must be considered in the interpretations of experiments in which H
2
O
2
-producing bacteria are given heme or hemoproteins as an iron source.
An infected chronic expanding haematoma treated with hip disarticulation
Authors: Mizutani Yasushi , Nagao Tsuyoshi , Sato Kenji , Ito Kaori
Published: December 2023

This is a report of an anticoagulated patient with septic shock caused by an infected chronic expanding haematoma (CEH) that required hip disarticulation as a means of definitive surgical source control. As far as we know, we did not find any report of an infected giant CEH in the lower extremity as large as in the present patient.
Anaesthetic management of caesarean section in a patient with myofibrillar myopathy
Authors: Fernandes Diana Carolina Lastra , Freitas Ana Catarina Fernandes , Zenha Sérgio , Freitas Sara Cristina Cabral
Published: December 2023

Myofibrillar myopathies (MFMs) are a group of rare genetic disorders that affect the function of skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle.

MFM exhibits a considerable degree of clinical heterogeneity. In numerous instances of MFM, muscle weakness is the predominant manifestation. Certain MFM subtypes are distinguished by respiratory and cardiac impairment.

There is little information available about anaesthetic management in MFM, and even less is known about obstetric anaesthesia.

A successful case of a patient with MFM undergoing a caesarean section under combined neuraxial anaesthesia is reported. The patient experienced no complications, and functional recovery was swift.
Abnormal uterine bleeding due to uterine arteriovenous malformation in an early adolescent with intrauterine contraceptive device in situ
Authors: Tan Ilka , Toh Luke
Published: December 2023

We report a case of uterine arteriovenous malformation in an early adolescent who presented with heavy vaginal bleeding 2 months after termination of pregnancy with copper intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) insertion. The patient was admitted and had medical treatment, including blood transfusion and subsequently transcatheter embolisation of the arteriovenous malformation to control her bleeding. The IUCD was left in situ. Her symptoms completely resolved by 4 months post-procedure.
The misplaced embryo: legal parenthood in ‘embryo mix-up’ cases
Authors: Simana Shelly , Ravitsky Vardit , Cohen I Glenn
Published: December 2023

Recently in Israel, a woman was mistakenly implanted with an embryo that is genetically related to another couple. Unfortunately, this case is not an isolated occurrence, as other cases of embryo mix-ups have been reported in several countries, including the USA, China, the UK and various other countries within the European Union. Cases of mixed-up embryos are ethically and legally complex: the woman who carried the pregnancy and the woman who is genetically related to the resulting child—both of whom endured emotionally and physically demanding infertility treatments—along with their partners, may be unwilling to relinquish parental rights over the child.

This article explores four possible approaches, found in numerous common law jurisdictions, which can be used to address cases involving embryo mix-ups. Our analysis reveals several avenues through which legal parentage can be established. It can be done through gestation and the marital presumption, genetic connections, by adhering to the principle of the best interests of the child, or by recognising multiple individuals as legal parents. We review the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, but we have one clear recommendation: resolving embryo mix-up cases should be done proactively through the establishment of legislation and guidelines, rather than relying on post hoc individual court decisions. Such legislation and guidelines should guarantee the consistency of values throughout diverse reproductive contexts and mandate that fertility clinics and medical professionals provide individuals with comprehensive information regarding the potential risks associated with assisted reproductive treatments.
Critical branching dynamics in excitable network without refractory periods
Authors: Tao Lei , Wang Sheng-Jun , Huang Zi-Gang
Published: December 2023

Critical state plays an important role in emerged behavior of neural networks. Excitable networks are widely used in simulation studies. However, the simulation of critical state is sophisticated because the state sensitively depends on dynamical and topological features. We study the effect of refractory period of dynamical units and connection symmetry on the excitable network with critical branching ratio. In bidirectional random networks with refractory period, the critical branching ratio is well known. Here, we show that the collective behavior changes from critical state into ceaseless activity, when refractory period vanishes. Instead of mean degree of all nodes, we show that the control parameter is determined by the mean degree of active nodes which is larger than the average degree and induces the transition. When refractory period is present, the number of effective links connected to resting nodes is equal to average degree. The mechanism ensures the critical branching ratio is unity. In directed networks, collective behavior keeps the critical state when refractory period vanished. However, a few reciprocal links make the network without refractory period becoming ceaseless.
Fractional modeling and analysis of Hepatitis B virus using fixed-point approach
Authors: Garg Prachi , Gonder Surjeet Singh Chauhan
Published: December 2023

In this paper, we delve into the analysis of the Hepatitis B model, specifically the [Formula: see text] model, within the scope of the Caputo–Fabrizio fractional operator. A new state variable the number of vaccinated individuals is also added to the model. This addition enriches the scope of the hepatitis B model inviting a deeper exploration of the subject matter. Our study proves the existence of a disease-free fixed point within the proposed compartmental model. To ensure the existence and uniqueness of the fixed point, we employ a fixed-point result in the b-complete b-dislocated quasi-metric space, utilizing a Geraghty-type contraction mapping. This approach establishes the fixed point of a disease-free state within the model. Furthermore, we employ a two-step Adams–Bashforth numerical scheme, serving as a validation of both the significance of fractional-order derivatives and the validity of our obtained theoretical results. Together our research presents an innovative perspective on the [Formula: see text] hepatitis B model pushing the boundaries of understanding and shedding light on the dynamics of disease transmission with the impact of vaccine.
A space-time spectral approximation for solving two dimensional variable-order fractional convection-diffusion equations with nonsmooth solutions
Authors: Amin A. Z. , Abdelkawy M. A. , Soluma E. M. , Babatin M. M.
Published: December 2023

The study focuses on the numerical solutions of two-dimensional variable-order fractional convection-diffusion equations, which combine the principles of diffusion and convection to describe the movement of particles, energy, other physical quantities within a system. The numerical solution is obtained using shifted Legendre Gauss–Lobatto and shifted Chebyshev Gauss–Radau collocation techniques. The convection-diffusion equation is transformed into a system of algebraic equations utilizing shifted Chebyshev Gauss–Radau and shifted Legendre Gauss–Lobatto nodes. Additionally, numerical test examples are presented to demonstrate the method’s efficacy to handle nonsmooth solutions to the given problems.
EXAMINATION OF THE WEAR BEHAVIOR OF CU-BASED BRAKE PADS USED IN HIGH-SPEED TRAINS AND PREDICTION THROUGH STATISTICAL AND NEURAL NETWORK MODELS
Authors: EKİNCİ ŞERAFETTİN , ASILTÜRK İLHAN , AKKUŞ HARUN , MAHAMMADZADE AKSHIN
Published: December 2023

The aim of this study is to provide insights into the performance of copper-based brake pads used in high-speed trains and contribute to a more predictable braking system by leveraging mathematical and artificial intelligence (AI) models. The wear behavior of Cu-based brake pads in high-speed trains was investigated using a pin-on-disc test setup under different speeds, temperatures, and loads with a constant sliding distance. Additionally, mathematical and AI models were developed to predict the friction coefficient and wear rate values obtained from the experiments. This innovative approach initiates a significant discussion in line with a current need, and the sharing and publication of the obtained results are currently essential to address the knowledge gap in this field. The results revealed that an increase in temperature led to an increase in both the friction coefficient and wear rate. Conversely, an increase in load resulted in a decrease in both the friction coefficient and wear rate. The transition from abrasive wear to adhesive wear occurred due to the softening of copper between friction surfaces, leading to material transfer. According to the results obtained from the models, both the artificial neural network (ANN) and multiple regression models demonstrated comparable accuracy, predicting the friction coefficient with approximately 94% accuracy in both cases, indicating reliable predictions. For the wear rate, the models achieved approximately 90% and 92% accuracy, respectively.
Some combinatorial identities
Authors: Kumar Pankaj , Riddhi
Published: December 2023

In this paper, it is shown that a positive integer [Formula: see text] can be written as [Formula: see text]. It is also proved that the two expressions for number of codewords of weight [Formula: see text], obtained in Theorem 1[P. Kumar, M. Sangwan and S. K. Arora, The weight distributions of some irreducible cyclic codes of length [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], Adv. Math. Commun. 9 (2015) 277–289] and in Theorem 1 Case (i)[G. Vega, The weight distribution for any irreducible cyclic code of length [Formula: see text], Appl. Algebra Eng. Commun. Comput. 29(4) (2018) 363–370] are same.
A dual-emission ratiometric luminescence probe based on Zr-MOFs for the efficient detection of Cu2+ in aqueous solutions
Authors: Chen Zezhi , Zhang Wenjun , Wen Xue
Published: December 2023

A novel dual-emission ratio luminescent probe (Eu(DPA)3@UIO-66-NH2) for the detection of Cu[Formula: see text] in an aqueous solution was successfully prepared by linking the Zr-MOFs material UIO-66-NH2 with the lanthanide complex Na3[Eu(DPA)3] through the interaction between functional groups. The synthesized Eu(DPA)3@UIO-66-NH2 inherits the advantages of MOFs and lanthanide complexes, and it not only has excellent luminescence performance but also shows good dispersion and structural stability in aqueous solution. The characteristics of dual-emission light can achieve specific ratiometric luminescence detection of Cu[Formula: see text]. In addition, the probe exhibited high sensitivity for the detection of Cu[Formula: see text]with a detection limit as low as 0.89 [Formula: see text]M. It can provide an efficient and stable platform for the convenient and rapid detection of Cu[Formula: see text] in aqueous solutions and has the potential for development applications.
Data Augmentation for Genetic Programming-Driven Late Merging of HOG and Uniform LBP Features for Texture Classification
Authors: Hazgui Mohamed , Ghazouani Haythem , Barhoumi Walid
Published: December 2023

The categorization of texture images requires the identification and extraction of meaningful keypoints, a crucial step in ensuring the precise representation of textured images. The literature has introduced numerous descriptors in order to detect and capture both local and global texture characteristics. These descriptors vary in their effectiveness depending on the specific application. However, it is generally accepted that they complement each other by compensating for their strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, many approaches focused on combining different types of image descriptors generating robust features that are invariant to image transformations. These solutions mostly focused on one way to deal with information and faced more problems as they need human intervention and a large set of data. The acknowledged benefits of combining multiple types of descriptors are accompanied by challenges specially. These challenges arise due to differences in properties, such as locality and sparsity, as well as the heterogeneity exhibited by generated features. To address this issue comprehensively, we present an approach that benefits from genetic programming techniques to generate and combine two distinct texture classifiers. It incorporates histograms of oriented gradients and local binary patterns descriptors, which capture different textures. To effectively fuse the results of both classifiers, the proposed approach employs a late fusion process along with data augmentation methods while using a limited amount of training data. To evaluate the performance of the proposed approach in texture image classification tasks, we have conducted extensive experiments on six challenging datasets encompassing various variations. We have also investigated its performance in a cross dataset problem where the model has been trained on instances of a dataset before being tested on samples of another dataset. The obtained results clearly demonstrate that the proposed approach surpasses other relevant low-level approaches, as well as existing GP-based and CNN methods specifically designed for describing and classifying textures. Thanks to its ability to simultaneously leverage multiple descriptors, the suggested solution shows a high potential for real-world applications, particularly in handling various image changes with robustness.
Text Classification of Modern Mongolian Legal Documents Using BERT Models
Authors: Khaltarkhuu Garmaabazar , Batjargal Biligsaikhan , Maeda Akira
Published: December 2023

This paper investigates the application of deep learning-based natural language processing techniques in modern Mongolian legal documents. In particular, we explore several methods that apply Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) models for classifying modern Mongolian legal documents. Based on our findings, we propose BERT-based models called LEGAL-BERT-Mongolian. We demonstrated two variants of LEGAL-BERT-Mongolian, i.e., uncased-LEGAL-BERT-Mongolian and cased-LEGAL-BERT-Mongolian, for classifying modern Mongolian legal documents. The uncased-LEGAL-BERT-Mongolian model achieved the best results, with a precision of 0.91, recall of 0.87, and F1 score of 0.89, whereas the cased-LEGAL-BERT-Mongolian model achieved a precision of 0.87, recall of 0.83, and F1 score of 0.85.
A Study on the Sources Identification in the Dependency Structure Annotation for Modality in Chinese News Articles
Authors: Liu Zhifu , Li Lijuan , Xue Nianwen
Published: December 2023

This paper discusses source identification in the dependency structure annotation for modality in Chinese news articles. We updated the annotation scheme and decomposed the modal dependency structure annotation into four subtasks: event identification, source identification, modal superstructure construction and modal strength annotation. One-hundred-thirty documents containing 544 sources have been annotated by three annotators with high levels of agreement. The disagreements that arose between annotators in the past include mislabeling, missing labeling, labeling scope and sources that are not easy to determine. Given the four types of issues, this paper analyzes and concludes the main factors that affect the identification of sources, including the type of sources, the location of sources, and the type of source introducing predicates.
I Know This Looks Bad, But I Can Explain: Understanding When AI Should Explain Actions In Human-AI Teams
Authors: Zhang Rui , Flathmann Christopher , Musick Geoff , Schelble Beau , McNeese Nathan J. , Knijnenburg Bart , Duan Wen
Published: December 2023

Explanation of artificial intelligence (AI) decision-making has become an important research area in human–computer interaction (HCI) and computer-supported teamwork research. While plenty of research has investigated AI explanations with an intent to improve AI transparency and human trust in AI, how AI explanations function in teaming environments remains unclear. Given that a major benefit of AI giving explanations is to increase human trust understanding how AI explanations impact human trust is crucial to effective human-AI teamwork. An online experiment was conducted with 156 participants to explore this question by examining how a teammate’s explanations impact the perceived trust of the teammate and the effectiveness of the team and how these impacts vary based on whether the teammate is a human or an AI. This study shows that explanations facilitate trust in AI teammates when explaining why AI disobeyed humans’ orders but hindered trust when explaining why an AI lied to humans. In addition, participants’ personal characteristics (e.g., their gender and the individual’s ethical framework) impacted their perceptions of AI teammates both directly and indirectly in different scenarios. Our study contributes to interactive intelligent systems and HCI by shedding light on how an AI teammate’s actions and corresponding explanations are perceived by humans while identifying factors that impact trust and perceived effectiveness. This work provides an initial understanding of AI explanations in human-AI teams, which can be used for future research to build upon in exploring AI explanation implementation in collaborative environments.
Fibroblasts and immune cells: at the crossroad of organ inflammation and fibrosis
Authors: Smolgovsky Sasha , Theall Brandon , Wagner Noah , Alcaide Pilar
Published: December 2023

The immune and fibrotic responses have evolved to work in tandem to respond to pathogen clearance and promote tissue repair. However, excessive immune and fibrotic responses lead to chronic inflammation and fibrosis, respectively, both of which are key pathological drivers of organ pathophysiology. Fibroblasts and immune cells are central to these responses, and evidence of these two cell types communicating through soluble mediators or adopting functions from each other through direct contact is constantly emerging. Here, we review complex junctions of fibroblast-immune cell cross talk, such as immune cell modulation of fibroblast physiology and fibroblast acquisition of immune cell-like functions, as well as how these systems of communication contribute to organ pathophysiology. We review the concept of antigen presentation by fibroblasts among different organs with different regenerative capacities, and then focus on the inflammation-fibrosis axis in the heart in the complex syndrome of heart failure. We discuss the need to develop anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic therapies, so far unsuccessful to date, that target novel mechanisms that sit at the crossroads of the fibrotic and immune responses.
Luteolin Pretreatment Ameliorates Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by lncRNA‐JPX/miR‐146b Axis
Authors: Xu Tongda , Zhang Yuanyuan , Liao Gege , Xuan Haochen , Yin Jie , Bao Jieli , Liu Yang , Li Dongye
Published: December 2023

Background. In the present study, we aimed to find out whether luteolin (Lut) pretreatment could ameliorate myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury by regulating the lncRNA just proximal to XIST (JPX)/microRNA‐146b (miR‐146b) axis. Methods. We established the models in vitro (HL‐1 cells) and in vivo (C57BL/6J mice) to certify the protection mechanism of Lut pretreatment on myocardial I/R injury. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay was utilized for validating that JPX could bind to miR‐146b. JPX and miR‐146b expression levels were determined by RT‐qPCR. Western blot was utilized to examine apoptosis‐related protein expression levels, including cleaved caspase‐9, caspase‐9, cleaved caspase‐3, caspase‐3, Bcl‐2, Bax, and BAG‐1. Apoptosis was analyzed by Annexin V‐APC/7‐AAD dualstaining, Hoechst 33342 staining, as well as flow cytometry. Animal echocardiography was used to measure cardiac function (ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) indicators). Results. miR‐146b was demonstrated to bind and recognize the JPX sequence site by dual luciferase reporter gene assay. The expression level of miR‐146b was corroborated to be enhanced by H/R using RT‐qPCR (P < 0.001 vs. Con). Moreover, JPX could reduce the expression of miR‐146b, whereas inhibiting JPX could reverse the alteration (P < 0.001 vs. H/R, respectively). Western blot analysis demonstrated that Lut pretreatment increased BAG‐1 expression level and Bcl‐2/Bax ratio, but diminished the ratio of cleaved caspase 9/caspase 9 and cleaved caspase 3/caspase 3 (P < 0.001 vs. H/R, respectively). Moreover, the cell apoptosis change trend, measured by Annexin V‐APC/7‐AAD dualstaining, Hoechst 33342 staining, along with flow cytometry, was consistent with that of apoptosis‐related proteins. Furthermore, pretreatment with Lut improved cardiac function (EF and FS) (P < 0.001 vs. I/R, respectively), as indicated in animal echocardiography. Conclusion. Our results demonstrated that in vitro and in vivo, Lut pretreatment inhibited apoptosis via the JPX/miR‐146b axis, ultimately improving myocardial I/R injury.
Research on the Coupled Relationship of Factors Influencing Construction Workers’ Unsafe Behaviors: A Hybrid DEMATEL-ISM-MICMAC Approach
Authors: Liu Qing , Liang Yanxiang , Jiang Hui , Gao Tao
Published: December 2023

The unsafe behavior of construction workers is the most direct reason of frequent construction site accidents. In order to improve the safety management of construction sites and figure out the causal relationship among the influencing factors in the field of construction workers’ unsafe behaviors, literature research, questionnaire survey, decision-making trial, and evaluation laboratory—interpretive structural modeling—crossimpact matrix multiplication applied to classification (DEMATEL-ISM-MICMAC) methods were used in combination in this thesis. The analysis of collected data was carried out in three dimensions: individual, organizational environment, and safety management. A framework about influencing factors of construction workers’ unsafe behaviors was constructed. DEMATEL-ISM was used to construct the explanatory structural model, which to analyze the influence relationships and hierarchical relationships among factors. MICMAC method was used to analyze the driving dependency. ISM model consists of six parts, the bottom of which includes three influencing factors: work environment, safety supervision, and concernment of superior. With characteristics of high drive and low dependence, the bottom layer are the root causes of construction workers’ unsafe behaviors. Work environment and concernment of superior are the core indicators of it. The intermediate layer with a low drive and low dependence covers six factors: psychological status, physical health, professional skills, organizational climate, work quota, and safety plan. It is the indirect factor to influence construction workers’ unsafe behaviors. The top layer is composed of safety awareness, safety education, and technical delivery. Safety awareness is the core of individual dimension, showing the characteristics of low drive and high dependence, is the direct factor to influence construction workers’ unsafe behaviors. Based on the DEMATEL-ISM-MICMAC method, the methodology to reduce construction workers’ unsafe behaviors was proposed.