bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regional Earthquake Likelihood Models (RELMs) for Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis (PSHA) around The Southern off-coast of Sumatra - West Java
Authors: Triyoso Wahyu
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the application of time-independent models for the Regional Earthquake Likelihood Models (RELMs) earthquake forecast testing based on the modified probability gain (mG) for seismic hazard study and analysis (SHA) in the southern off-coast of Sumatra-West Java utilizing a 15 years Region Time Length (RTL). This study used a declustered catalog of shallow earthquakes, dividing it into two observation periods: 1978–1992 and 1993-June 2006. Two rate models were developed to estimate earthquake occurrence probability for a given magnitude and time window. The normalized probability gain between these two observation periods was then calculated, leading to the mG estimation. The mG, in turn, provides insights into seismicity patterns for the SHA. The SHA model was constructed using a uniform background seismicity rate model based on the declustered earthquake with Mw ≥ 5.0, weighted by the mG. The Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) vs. exceedance probability over 50 years was estimated and evaluated for several sites. They are Bengkulu, Liwa, and Kota Agung. They incorporated an amplification factor derived from the horizontal-vertical Spectral Ratio method, which allows for the estimation of surface PGA values. This research suggested a better understanding of future seismic hazards and informs mitigation efforts before large earthquakes.
White Light-Emitting Electrochemical Cells Based on Metal-Free TADF Emitters
Authors: Edman Ludvig , Tang Shi , Tsuchiya Youichi , Wang Jia , Adachi Chihaya
Published: November 2024

The attainment of broadband white emission from a light-emitting electrochemical cell (LEC) is important, since white light enables illumination and facile color conversion and because LEC devices can be cost-efficient, conformable and sustainable. However, a drawback with current white-emitting LECs is that they either employ non-sustainable metals as a critical emitter constituent or are intrinsically efficiency limited by that the emitter only converts singlet (and not triplet) excitons to photons. Organic compounds that emit by the process of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) can address these issues since they can harvest all the electrically generated excitons for light emission while being metal free. Here, we report on the first white LEC that utilizes solely metal-free TADF compounds for the emitting species. This was accomplished through systematic design, investigation and tuning of the energy-transfer processes and the electrochemically formed doping structure within the metal-free LEC active material, which comprises two color-complementary blue and orange TADF emitters, a blend host and an ionic-liquid electrolyte. The tuned TADF-LEC emits white light with a high color rendering index of 88 and CIE coordinates of (0.36, 0.38), and this broadband emission, which can be delivered at an external quantum efficiency of 2.11% and a luminance of 350 cd/m2, is demonstrated to be highly invariant to both viewing angle, operational time and current density.
A Novel Approach to Detect CD4 T-Lymphocytes Using a Microfluidic Chip and Compact Signal Processing Circuit
Authors: Huong Phi Thi , Phu Nguyen Van , Thanh Pham Van , Huy Hoang Van , Quynh Luu Manh , Thien Nguyen Duy , Huong Pham Thi Thu , Van Nguyen Thi Thanh , Luong Nguyen Hoang , Hong Tran Thi , Nam Nguyen Hoang
Published: November 2024

CD4 T-lymphocytes (CD4 cells) are a type of T lymphocyte that plays an important role in the immune system, helping to fight germs and protect the body from disease. Accurate enumeration of CD4 T cells is crucial for assessing immune health and diagnosing various diseases. This study presents the development and validation of a novel microfluidic biochip system designed for the detection and counting of CD4 T cells using impedance measurements. The proposed system integrated a cell detection chip with a cost-effective signal processing circuit, which included an instrumental amplifier and a highly sensitive lock-in amplifier. The sensing structure, created using advanced microfabrication technology, consists of three microelectrodes and a 50 µm × 50 µm measurement aperture. The detection principle relied on the impedance imbalance caused by the presence of CD4 T cells in the fluidic flow between adjacent sensing electrodes. The system's performance was validated through extensive experiments, demonstrating high accuracy in detecting and counting CD4 T cells separated from whole blood based on their magnetic properties. The experimental results indicate that the proposed system was simpler, faster, and more cost-effective compared to traditional laser flow cytometry. Furthermore, the system’s portability and ease of use made it highly suitable for point-of-care diagnostics and on-site cell analysis. The utilization of microfabrication technology and impedance measurement not only enhanced efficiency and accuracy but also offered a reliable solution for rapid biological cell detection. Future work will focus on enhancing the throughput and miniaturizing the sensing structure to align with the high standards of conventional flow cytometry while maintaining cost-effectiveness and simplicity. This research lays a solid foundation for the development of advanced lab-on-a-chip technologies for biological cell detection and analysis, promising significant improvements in healthcare diagnostics and monitoring.
Artificial Feature Maps using Fractals: A New Data Augmentation Strategy for Deep Learning-based Whole-Slide Image Analysis
Authors: Robles Willmer Rafell Quiñones , Noree Sakonporn , Ko Young Sin , Yi Mun Yong
Published: November 2024

Background:
A histopathological analysis of whole-slide images is essential for deep learning based cancer diagnosis. However, the large amount of annotated data required for training Deep Convolutional Networks (DCNs) is costly and time-consuming to obtain. This study proposes a novel method to artificially augment data for cancer classification using DCNs, aiming to address the challenges associated with limited annotated data.
Methods:
We introduce a novel approach that leverages prior knowledge of actual data to generate Artificial Class Activation Maps, using tissue-resembling fractals and assigning patch-level scores based on a known probability distribution. This method contrasts with existing approaches that rely on generative adversarial networks to create synthetic images. The proposed method was evaluated on real-world datasets of stomach cancer and validated on colorectal cancer whole-slide images.
Results:
The results demonstrate that adding artificially generated activation maps significantly enhances the performance of DCNs for whole-slide image classification. The most significant performance gains are observed in scenarios where the number of real maps is low. Notably, with only 25 real maps, adding 150 fractals boosts accuracy from 62.86% to 92.35%, and the Area Under the ROC Curve from 82.34% to 96.92%. This approach effectively reduces the dependence on real data and improves the generalization performance of deep convolutional networks.
Conclusion:
The proposed method provides a robust solution for accurate and efficient cancer classification in histopathology images, especially when annotated data is scarce. This advancement could lead to more reliable diagnostic tools in clinical settings where data availability is constrained.
Synergy between SDGs 12.3 and 2.1 in lower-middle-income countries through the lens of food waste and energy imbalance
Authors: Okadera Tomohiro , Tsuchiya Kazuaki , Hanaoka Tatsuya , Nishina Kazuya
Published: November 2024

Halving food wastage at retail and consumer levels by 2030 is a target for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3. Although previous studies have indicated that the food wastage extent differs with the national income level, the relevance between them is debatable owing to the controversial quantification of food wastage, usually performed using two methods based on actual generation or gaps for human calorific requirements. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate this issue by analyzing the correlation between food energy imbalance and per capita income using food wastage generation data for 51 comparable counties. The results revealed possible practical synergy between SDG 12.3 and improvement of food security (SDG 2.1) in certain lower-middle-income countries, because the per capita food wastage in countries facing food energy deficit is remarkably higher than that in countries that have resolved their food energy deficit. Additionally, it is presumed that prolonging food shelf-life could be the key factor. Furthermore, as the lack of reliable data in lower-middle-income countries hinders the verification of the synergy, we propose 19 lower-middle-income countries for future investigation to verify the synergy between SDGs 12.3 and 2.1.
Layer-By-Layer-Structured Silicon-Based Electrode Design for Ultrafast Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Ko Keun-Young , Sung Ki-Wook , Ahn Hyo-Jin
Published: November 2024

Silicon has attracted attention as a high-capacity material capable of replacing graphite as a battery anode material. However, silicon exhibits poor cycling stability owing to particle cracking and unstable SEI formation owing to large volume changes during charging and discharging. Therefore, we report the electrode design of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) anode structure composed of laminated layers of silicon and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which significantly increases the cycling life and delivers ultrafast performance. Unlike previously commercialized casting methods that use ultrasonic spraying, the Si- and CNT-layered architecture aims to solve engineering limitations that include non-uniform coatings, unclear active materials, conductive materials, and binder distribution. The laminated-Si/CNT electrode exhibited an excellent specific capacity of 157.58 mAh/g after 500 cycles at an ultrafast current density of 2000 mA/g; it also exhibited a cycling stability of 20.02% after 10 cycles at a current density of 100 mA/g and 190 cycles at 200 mA/g. This performance is due to the following effects that complement the shortcomings of the Si electrode through CNT-layer stacking. Firstly, the top CNT-layer coating prevents direct contact between the Si-active material and the electrolyte, thereby reducing side reactions. Secondly, the laminated-Si/CNT electrode with its layer-by-layer structure suppresses the overall volume expansion of the electrode owing to the buffering effect of the CNT layer. Thirdly, the CNT layers are highly electrically and ionically conductive, unlike silicon layers, thereby enhancing ultrafast cycling performance.
The association between Plant-Based Diets and Diabetic Polyneuropathy: a case-control study
Authors: Aminianfar Azadeh , Haghighat_Lari Mohammad Mehdi , Asoudeh Farzaneh , Mirzae Khadijeh , Qorbani Mostafa , Asadi Sara
Published: November 2024

Aim: DSPN is a common complication of diabetes mellitus, contributing to significant morbidity. This study investigates the relationship between adherence to a PBD and the prevalence of DSPN.
Methods: A total of 185 subjects with DSPN and 185 sex- and age-matched controls were selected in this case-control study. PBD was calculated based on FFQ. Binary logistic regression was used to estimate the ORs and 95% CIs of PBD in relation to DSPN.
Results: Three dietary score were obtained from the analysis including: plant-based diet index (PDI), healthy plant-PDI (hPDI) and unhealthy-PDI (uPDI). First, all participants were categorized based on the quantiles of the PDI, hPDI and uPDI. Based on our results, participants in the highest adherence to hPDI had significantly 85% lower odds for DSPN (95% CI: 0.07, 0.33) compared to people with the lowest adherence. In addition, participants in the highest quintile of uPDI had significantly seven-fold increase odds to have DSPN (OR: 7.19; 95% CI: 3.32, 15.5) compared to lowest quintile.
Conclusion: This study provides robust evidence supporting an inverse relationship between adherence to hPDI and the odds of DSPN. In addition, uPDI patterns revealed a positive association to DSPN.
Analysis of the performance of the GCM-ACCESS-CM2 model under different shared socioeconomic trajectories (SSPs), using climate variables in the city of Quelimane, on the coast of Mozambique, from 1970 to 2040
Authors: João Cristécio Eduardo Mundulai , de Paulo Sergio , Alves Keylyane Santos da Silva , Sanches Luciana
Published: November 2024

The research focuses on analyzing of GCM-ACCESS-CM2 model in different socioeconomic pathways trajectories (SSPs) through climate variables from 1970 to 2040 in the city of Quelimane, located on the coast of Mozambique. Statistical variables such as p-value, RMSE, median, and confidence interval were used to compare temperature and rainfall data from ERA5-Land (2000 to 2020) and WorldClim version 2 (1970 to 2000) with predictions of the GCM-ACCESS-CM2 model under four scenarios SSPs. The results of the first comparison indicated a temperature range of 12.66°C and a median rainfall of ≥ 77 mm, aligning closely with the SSP3 scenario, which suggests high CO2 emissions. In the second comparison, the temperature range was 5.8°C, and the median rainfall was ≥ 39.9 mm, aligning with the SSP1 scenario, indicating low CO2 emissions. Rainfall estimates showed errors of 10% and 3.3%, suggesting good accuracy, despite limitations in forecasting extreme events, highlighting the need for improvements to enhance precision in regions vulnerable to such events. In contrast, temperature estimates showed moderate correlation and lower reliability, with errors of 14% and 10%, indicating challenges in simulating thermal variations. It was concluded that the GCM-ACCESS-CM2 model, under the four projection scenarios SSPs, performed well in estimating rainfall when compared to reference data from ERA5-Land and WorldClim version 2.1. However, temperature estimates were less accurate, with greater discrepancies relative to ERA5-Land and acceptable accuracy compared to WorldClim version 2.1. From 1970 to 2000, the patterns of rainfall and temperature were closer to the SSP3 scenario, indicating high emissions. Between 2000 and 2021, the patterns aligned more with the SSP1 scenario, which suggests low CO2 emissions. From 2021 to 2041, the trends are expected to approach the SSP2 scenario, characterized by intermediate emissions. Given the region’s vulnerability to unpredictable climate events, there is an urgent need to implement effective global climate change adaptation and mitigation policies.
Acoustic Emission Characteristics and Damage Constitutive Model of Fractured Sandstone under Uniaxial Compression
Authors: Liu Qiang , Pan Chao , Li Shujian , Cao Juncai , Wang Xuguang , Yan Lin
Published: November 2024

To investigate the statistical laws of acoustic emission energy (AEE) avalanche dynamics of sandstone under varying fracture lengths and dip angles, as well as to determine the relationship between acoustic emission (AE) parameters and damage variables, we studied the mechanical properties and AE characteristics of sandstone with a single fracture subjected to uniaxial compression with the aid of the Shimadzu AG-IS test system and the PCI-2 AE system. The AEE characteristics of fractured sandstone under load were analyzed based on the statistical method of avalanche dynamics, with emphasis on AEE distribution, aftershock sequence, and waiting time distribution. The Weibull distribution function that incorporates a correction coefficient β was employed to optimize the Weibull parameters based on the strain equivalent hypothesis theory, which led to the establishment of a statistical damage constitutive model for fractured rock. The results indicated that the peak strength of rock samples initially decreases and then increases with increasing fracture dip angle, and decreases with increasing fracture length. The AEE of the rock sample followed a power-law distribution, with a power-law index ranging from 1.62 to 1.81, which was independent of fracture length and dip angle. The aftershock sequence also adhered to a power-law distribution, whereas the waiting time exhibited a multi-power-law distribution. The proposed statistical damage constitutive model aligned more closely with the experimental curves compared to previous models that normalizes AEE.
Role of Non-ionic surfactant on the interaction of drugs with Bovine serum albumin (BSA)
Authors: Karunanithi Prakash , Senthilkumar M.
Published: November 2024

Serum albumins are the soluble protein part in the circulatory system. They have a significant role in transport and delivery of drug in blood. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) is generally used as model protein which is structurally similar to human serum albumin (HSA). Interaction of drug at the protein binding level can induce many changes like distribution rate, elimination of drug or most importantly solubilization of a hydrophobic drug. Protein-surfactant interaction employed to cause conformational changes in protein by change of polarity and on many occasions help in stabilization of protein. Generally, nonionic surfactants are used for these purposes and hence are widely studied. The studies on drug binding with BSA in presence of nonionic surfactant are however, rare in literature. In this study, we have taken four drugs for analyzing their binding with BSA in presence of a nonionic, hydrophobic surfactant, pluronic L-81 and investigate their role in the system. The drugs are Tinidazole (TNZ), Piroxicam (PY), Methylparaben (MP) and Propylparaben (PP). The characterizations were done using UV-visible spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. The UV-spectroscopic measurements were conducted for BSA-drug mixtures without and with pluronic L-81. The absorbance values were used for determining the binding constant values using Benesi-Hildebrand (B-H) plot. Fluorimetry studies of the BSA + L-81 + drug mixtures were carried out at room temperature which showed that there was quenching effect on addition of drug to BSA + L-81 mixture. Further, the quenching was of dynamic nature. The fluorescence data were analyzed using Stern-Volmer and Lineweaver-Burk equations. With the data, association constant KA for all the systems were determined. The docking studies confirmed the binding of the drugs with BSA.
The Exploration of Anti-Hyperlipidemic Potential of Jasminum sambac (L.) Aiton Leaves: Analysis of Serum-Accessible Ingredients, Machine Learning Predictions, and Pharmacodynamic Validation
Authors: Yao Lihao , Yang Qi , Zhan Yuanfei , Wang Xiaodong , Lin Cuiying , Jia Fang , He Yaoyao , Deng Jiagang , Hou Xiaotao , Fan Lili
Published: November 2024

Hyperlipidemia is a prevalent chronic metabolic disorder typically treated with statins, which have significant limitations. Jasminum sambac (L.) Aiton Leaves (Jasmine Leaves), a traditional Chinese medicine, are known for their heat-clearing and analgesic properties. Given these traditional uses and recent research, we hypothesize their potential in treating hyperlipidemia. To develop a machine learning model based on structure-activity relationships to predict the efficacy of chemical components in treating hyperlipidemia. The study also aims to identify key active components in Jasmine Leaves through serum-accessible ingredients and efficacy validation. Machine Learning Model Development: An AI-based model predicting the anti-hyperlipidemic potential of chemical components was developed using the ChEMBL database. In Vivo Component Analysis: UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS was used to qualitatively analyze the serum-accessible ingredients in the ethanol extract of Jasmine Leaves in rats. Efficacy Validation: Mice were administered Jasmine Leave ethanol extract at 6.5g×kg⁻¹ and 13.0g×kg⁻¹ doses, followed by a 75% egg yolk emulsion to induce acute hyperlipidemia. The lipid profile was then measured to assess the extract’s anti-hyperlipidemic effects. All four predictive models performed well, with the RF model achieving the highest accuracy at 0.89. Six serum-accessible ingredients, including Betaine and L-Malic acid, were identified. The efficacy validation showed that the Jasmine Leave extract significantly countered changes in TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C levels in hyperlipidemic mice, confirming its therapeutic potential. Jasmine Leaves have shown efficacy against acute hyperlipidemia in mice. Key pharmacophores contributing to this effect include short chains and carboxyl groups, while closed six-membered rings may reduce efficacy.
Ultrathin 3R-MoS2 metasurfaces with atomically
precise edges for efficient nonlinear nanophotonics
Authors: Shegai Timur , Zograf George , Kücüköz Betül , Polyakov Alexander , Bancerek Maria , Agrawal Abhay , Wieczorek Witlef , Antosiewicz Tomasz
Published: November 2024

Dielectric metasurfaces that combine high-index materials with optical nonlinearities
are widely recognized for their potential in various quantum and classical
nanophotonic applications. However, the fabrication of high-quality metasurfaces
poses significant material-dependent challenges, as their designs are often susceptible
to disorder, defects, and scattering losses, which are particularly prone
to occur at the edges of nanostructured features. Additionally, the choice of the
material platforms featuring second-order optical nonlinearities, χ(2), is limited
to broken-inversion symmetry crystals such as GaAs, GaP, LiNbO3, and various
bulk van der Waals materials, including GaSe and NbOCl2. Here, we use
a combination of top-down lithography and anisotropic wet etching of a specially
stacked van der Waals crystal – 3R-MoS2, which exhibits both a high
refractive index and exceptional χ(2) nonlinearity, to produce metasurfaces consisting
of perfect equilateral triangle nanoholes with atomically precise zigzag
edges. Due to the geometry of the triangle, the etching process is accompanied
by a transition from an in-plane C4 symmetric structure to a broken-in-plane
symmetry configuration, thereby allowing for the realization of the quasi-bound-state-
in-the-continuum (q-BIC) concept. The resulting ultrathin metasurface (∼20-25 nm) demonstrates a remarkable enhancement in second-harmonic generation (SHG) – over three orders of magnitude at specific wavelengths and linear
polarization directions compared to a host flake.
Phase-1 study of vamotinib (PF-114), a 3rd generation BCR::ABL1 tyrosine kinase-inhibitor, in chronic myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Turkina Anna , Vinogradova Olga , Lomaia Elza , Shatokhina Evgeniya , Shukhov Oleg , Chelysheva Ekaterina , Shikhbabaeva Dzhariyat , Nemchenko Irina , Petrova Anna , Bykova Anastasiya , Siordiya Nadiya , Shuvaev Vasily , Mikhailov Ilya , Novikov Fedor , Shulgina Veronika , Hochhaus Andreas , Ottmann Oliver , Cortes Jorge , Gale Robert , Chilov Ghermes
Published: November 2024

Vamotinib (PF-114) is a 3rd-generation, ATP-competitive oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) active against wild-type and mutated BCR::ABL1 isoforms including BCR::ABL1T315I. We present final results of a phase-1 vamotinib dose-escalation study to identify maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) followed by expansion cohorts. 51 subjects with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) failing ≥ 1 2nd generation TKI or with BCR::ABL1T315I were enrolled. Subjects received vamotinib, 50-750 mg/d, continuously. Median exposure was 6 months (range, <1 - 52 months). Median CML duration pre-study was 10 years (range, <1 - 23 years). 36 subjects received ≥ 3 prior TKIs and 16 had BCR::ABL1T315I. The MTD was 600 mg with the Grade-3 psoriasis-like skin toxicity as the DLT. There were no vascular occlusive events nor deviations of ankle-brachial index. Complete haematologic response (CHR) was achieved in 14 of 30 subjects, major cytogenetic response (MCyR) in 14 of 44 subjects, complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) in 10 of 50 and major molecular response (MMR) in 7 of 51 subjects who did not have a CHR, MCyR, CCyR or MMR at enrollment. The best safety/efficacy dose was 300 mg with MCyR achieved in 6 of 7 subjects, CCyR in 5 of 9 and MMR in 4 of 9 subjects who did not have a MCyR, CCyR or MMR at enrollment. 5 of 16 subjects with BCR::ABL1T315I responded including 3 achieving a CHR, 1, a MCyR, and 1,a CCyR. 2 of 5 subjects failing ponatinib achieved a CHR. Vamotinib dose for further phase-3 study is 300 mg/d.
CTR: NCT02885766, August 26, 2016
Analysis of Fatigue Among the Older Adult Based on the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: WEI Qian , ZHANG Huaguo , SONG Mi , WU Hongyi , HE Yudi
Published: November 2024

Background: Given the high prevalence and health hazards of fatigue in older adults, its importance is increasingly recognized and research on fatigue is accumulating. Therefore, we aimed to explore how fatigue, influencing factors and lower limb function interact with each other in older adults.
Methods：A sample of older adults was surveyed between September 2020 and March 2021 in grade A tertiary hospitals in China. Older adults completed a series of questionnaires. Hypothesized models were constructed using the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms (TOUS) as a guide, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the hypothesized models.
Results: Bodily Pain, depressed mood, anxious mood and social support all had a direct impact on fatigue. Both depressed mood and fatigue had a direct effect on lower limb function. Bodily pain, depressed mood, anxious mood and social support each had an indirect effect on lower limb function through fatigue. The structural model results were χ2 = 14.534 (df = 11, P =0.205), χ2/df= 1.321, GFI = 0.990, AGFI = 0.968, CFI = 0.983, NFI=0.937, RMSEA = 0.030 and SRMR = 0.023.
Conclusions:Healthcare professionals should enhance the management of fatigue symptoms in older adults, and the order of concern may be psychological, social, and physical factors. Meanwhile, as an important mediator, fatigue may provide new ideas for improving lower limb function in the elderly.
Interleukin-6 and Interferon-gamma Ratio as a Predictor of Immune State and Viral Suppression in HIV-1 Infection
Authors: Emunyu Jude , Ankunda Collins , Ssemugenze Patrick , Nabbanja Vivien , Bakunda Angela , Muhanguzi John Bosco , Wamutu Samuel , Nerima Barbara
Published: November 2024

Introduction:
Cytokine dysregulation is a key feature of HIV-1 infection with plasma Interleukin 6 (IL-6) largely observed to enhance HIV-1 replication whereas Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) inhibits it. Notably, IL-6 inhibits IFN-γ secretion through the STAT3 pathway to support HIV-1 survival. High IL-6: IFN-γ ratios may thus be linked to HIV-1 persistence. Although these cytokines are often evaluated separately, we assessed IL-6: IFN-γ ratio as a predictor of HIV-1 immune state and viral suppression.
Methodology:
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 240 people living with HIV on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). Assessments included viral load, CD4 T-cell counts, IL-6, and IFN-γ, followed by the calculation of IL-6: IFN-γ ratios. Participants were categorized into viral suppressing (< 1000 copies) and non-suppressing (> 1000 copies) groups, as well as severe immune suppression (< 200 CD4 T-cells) and non-severe (> 200 CD4 T-cells). Correlations among HIV-1 viral load, CD4 counts, and cytokine levels were analyzed, and Welch’s T-test was used for comparisons.
Results
No significant correlations were found between HIV-1 viral load, CD4 counts, and the cytokine levels or ratios. However, IL-6 and IL-6: IFN-γ ratios were higher in viral suppressing patients (p = 0.024 and p = 0.017, respectively), while IFN-γ levels did not vary significantly. Among patients on ART for six months, IL-6 was elevated in viral non-suppressing individuals (p = 0.005). The classification accuracy of IL-6, IFN-γ, and their ratio varied, identifying 59%, 41%, and 65% of patients as viral suppressing or non-suppressing.
Conclusion
The IL-6: IFN-γ ratio enhances the classification accuracy of individuals living with HIV-1 compared to independent tests, though it is not a direct replacement for viral load or CD4 counts. Understanding IL-6 secretion patterns and their impact on IFN-γ may require a comprehensive cytokine profile and comparison with ART-naïve HIV-1 infected individuals.
An indefinite proximal Peaceman-Rachford splitting method with a convex combination technique for separable convex programming
Authors: Jian Jinbao , Tang Xianke , Yin Jianghua , Han Daolan
Published: November 2024

In this paper, we consider the linearly constrained separable convex optimization problem, where the objective function is the sum of two individual extended real-valued functions without coupled variables. Based on the popular convex combination technique and with the help of the indefinite proximal regularization technique, we propose a novel Peaceman-Rachford splitting method (PRSM). The convex combination technique is integrated into the proximal term of the first subproblem, where the proximal matrix could be positive semidefinite so as to ensure the solution existence of the just-mentioned subproblem, while we allow the proximal term in the second subproblem to be indefinite but still guaranteeing the convergence of the proposed method theoretically. It is worth to mention that the range of the convex combination coefficient can be extended from $[0.618,1)$ to $(-1,1)$. Under some mild conditions, we establish the global convergence and ergodic $\mathcal{O}(\frac{1}{N})$ sublinear convergence rate measured by the function value residual and constraint violation, where $N$ denotes the number of iterations. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the convex combination technique has been used to accelerate the convergence of PRSM-based methods. Finally, numerical experiments are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in solving LASSO and total variation image restoration problems.
Mathematics Subject Classification 65K10 · 90C25 · 90C06
Use of physical fitness tests for remotely measuring physical fitness: a systematic review
Authors: Klein Thorsten , Worth Annette , Niessner Claudia , Hanssen-Doose Anke
Published: November 2024

Physical fitness is a critical marker of overall health across all age groups, influencing longevity and quality of life. This systematic review assessed the use of remote physical fitness assessments, a crucial adaptation during the COVID-19 pandemic that broadened access to health monitoring outside traditional settings. The review included 35 studies, covering various age groups and health conditions, and evaluated 48 physical fitness tests across eight physical fitness dimensions. Balance, muscular strength, and endurance were the most frequently assessed, with tests like the 30-second sit-to-stand (30s-STS) showing strong validity, reliability, and feasibility for remote use. However, the study population was mainly adults and older adults, with nearly no focus on children, revealing a significant gap in research for younger populations. Additionally, the review identified gaps in assessing dimension such as body composition, reaction time, and agility, which are crucial for a comprehensive assessment of physical fitness. These gaps underscore the need for further research and development of reliable and valid remote assessment tools. The findings of this review emphasize the importance of standardizing remote physical fitness assessments to ensure their validity, reliability, and feasibility making them effective tools for health monitoring across diverse populations and settings.
Genome-wide Analysis of the Cotton COBRA-like Gene Family and Functional Characterization of GhCOBL22 in Relation to Drought Tolerance
Authors: Fu Wanwan , Wang Ziyu , Liusui Yunhao , Zhang Xin , Han Aixia , Zhong Xinyue , Zhang Jingbo , Guo Yanjun
Published: November 2024

Background
The COBRA-like (COBL) gene family is a group of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins that participate in various biological processes in plants by regulating the arrangement of cell wall microfibrils. While the functions of COBL genes have been analyzed in several plant species, their roles in cotton's response to abiotic stress remain unexplored.
Results
This study identified and characterized the COBL gene family in Gossypium hirsutum, revealing a total of 39 COBL family members classified into five subgroups. Transcriptome analysis indicated that the transcription levels of several GhCOBL genes were upregulated following PEG treatment, with GhCOBL22 being significantly induced. Further silencing of the GhCOBL22 gene through virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) technology demonstrated that this gene's silencing decreased cotton's drought stress tolerance. Under drought stress conditions, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and Catalase (CAT) enzymes, along with proline (PRO) content, were lower in GhCOBL22-silenced plants compared to control plants, while the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA)was significantly higher. Moreover, silencing the GhCOBL22 gene also led to reductions in cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin levels in cotton.
Conclusion
A systematic survey of gene structure, chromosomal location, motif composition, and evolutionary relationships of the COBL gene family was conducted in Gossypium hirsutum. Subsequent expression and functional studies indicated that GhCOBL22 plays a significant role in cotton’s drought tolerance. These findings enhance our understanding of the biological functions of the COBL family and highlight the critical role of the GhCOBL22 gene in cotton’s response to drought stress.
WITHDRAWN: 3D Simulation of Thermo-hydraulic Performance in a SAH Duct having Trapezoidal Rib With Semicircular Tip’s Roughness
Authors: Kumar Mukesh , Kumar Arun
Published: November 2024

The THP of a trapezoidal rib with semicircular tips roughened SAH is investigated in this numerical simulation using CFD approaches. The 3-D geometry of the SAH is precisely modelled using ANSYS 18 including absorber plate with roughness characteristics. For Reynolds numbers ranging from 4,000 to 16,000, we study the effects of rib height and spacing on the SAH's pressure loss and heat transfer characteristics in turbulent flows. The simulated findings for the smooth SAH contrast with the well-known Blasius equation for fluid friction and the Dittus-Boelter equation for heat transfer. Mean percent variation of the simulated outcomes, reported at 1.83 and 4.32 for f and Nu respectively, shows the numerical technique's accuracy. According to the detailed modeling results, the THP of the SAH is substantially increased by reducing the rib gap and increasing the rib height. Thermo-hydraulic performance has a optimum value indicated by 2.34 at e = 2.5 mm and Re = 16000. The large-scale simulation findings provide insightful information that direct the best design and development of SAH with rough surfaces.
The Impact of Digital Literacy in Enhancing Individuals’ Health in China
Authors: Yang Jing , Shen Qianyu , Tong Xi , Mukhopadhaya Pundarik
Published: November 2024

Background
Health is the cornerstone of individual well-being and a vital factor in socioeconomic development. In an increasingly digitalized world, digital literacy has emerged as one of the indispensable abilities, which not only pertains to an individual’s capacity to acquire, analyze, evaluate, and utilize information but also profoundly influences their health behaviors, health decisions, and overall well-being. This paper uses the 2020 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) data to explore digital literacy’s impact on individuals’ health.
Methods
By using the Entropy-TOPSIS method, this paper calculates digital literacy and adopts Ordered Probit and OLS models to analyze the impact of digital literacy on physical and mental health. Additionally, this paper employs the Two-Stage Least Squares (2SLS) to address endogeneity issues. The indirect effects of income, employment quality, and informal social support on individual’s digital literacy and health nexus are also examined by the mediation effect model.
Results
The results indicate that digital literacy positively impacts individuals’ physical and mental health, which was confirmed by several robustness tests. The heterogeneity analysis shows that digital literacy is more effective in enhancing the health of middle-aged and older groups as well as rural individuals in China. According to mechanism analysis, digital literacy can enhance the individuals’ health by boosting income, improving employment quality, and expanding informal social support.
Conclusion
Several policy suggestions emanate from the findings. To enhance the positive impact of digital literacy on individuals’ health the policy makers should emphasize on enhancing digital literacy particularly in rural areas and older age group, bridging the digital divide, refining employment services and embracing a healthy concept of online social networking.
In silico investigation and expression analysis of two-component regulatory systems in Proteus mirabilis
Authors: Gmiter Dawid , Omelaniuk Aleksndra , Sasal Wanesa , Petruńko Leon , Musial Klaudia , Nawrot Sylwia , Pacak Ilona , Wiesław Kaca
Published: November 2024

Background. Proteus mirabilis,
a Gram-negative bacterium from the Morganellaceae family, exists in various habitats, ranging from natural environmental sources to animal and human host. Therefore, it requires precise tuning of its metabolisms. Bacteria sense and respond to changes in their environment using two-component regulatory systems (TCSs).
Methods and Results.
In the presented work, a comparative in silico analysis of TCSs proteins encoded by the genome sequences of P. mirabilis strains obtained from public databases was performed. Additionally, the expression of genes encoding regulatory proteins in response to polymyxin B and H2O2 was analyzed using RT-qPCR. Obtained results revealed relative conservatisms of TCSs among P. mirabilis isolates, indicating, however, differences that might result in strains phenotypic diversity. Moreover, constitutive expression of genes coding regulatory proteins from studied TCSs conditions was observed under laboratory conditions.
Conclusions.
Presented study shed light on the role of TCSs in P. mirabilis. Further deepen research in this area might provide more effective means for controlling P. mirabilis infections.
Mapping Fifteen Years of Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) Model Applications in Higher Education
Authors: Zou Rong , Jiang Leilei , Cao Yixiao , Muthukrishnan Priyadarshini , Fauzi Muhammad Ashraf , Zhang Huan
Published: November 2024

This study presents a bibliometric analysis of the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) model’s evolution in higher education from 2007 to 2023, with 332 publications in WoS. Employing co-citation, bibliographic coupling, and co-word analyses, it examines key trends, thematic clusters, and the role of professional development and institutional support in TPACK integration. Results indicate that while TPACK’s foundational components—technology, pedagogy, and content—are essential, recent trends emphasize adaptability, self-efficacy, and digital competence as crucial for effective technology use. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated TPACK’s adoption, underscoring the importance of hybrid learning models and targeted training for educators. This study highlights areas of concentrated research within TPACK while identifying gaps that could inform future studies, providing insights for educators, researchers, and policymakers aiming to foster technology-enhanced teaching. Future directions suggest integrating emerging technologies like AI and virtual reality into TPACK and exploring region-specific factors affecting technology adoption in educational contexts.
A cross-sectional study of Mpox Knowledge, Attitudes toward Mpox Vaccination and Mpox Vaccine Hesitancy Among Teachers in Kenya
Authors: M.Mutua Patrick , Gicheru Micahel M. , Mutiso Joshua , Serem Erick
Published: November 2024

Background: Sixteen African countries, including Kenya, reported mpox cases in July and August, prompting the Africa Centers for Disease Control to declare the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security on 13th August 2024. The World Health Organization issued an advisory for mpox-related prevention in schools whereby teachers are expected to support mpox-infected students. There is a dearth of information of mpox knowledge and attitudes toward mpox vaccination among teachers in Kenya.
Method: An online survey involving 1139 teachers was conducted from 21st August to 3rd October, 2024 to determine the level of mpox knowledge and attitudes toward mpox vaccine and hesitancy factors.
Results: The teachers’ mean mpox knowledge score was 8.2 out of 12 whereas the mean mpox attitude score was 3.7 out of 6. At the time of the survey, more than 34 % of the respondents were not aware of mpox cases in the country. The hesitancy rate for vaccination was 49.78 %. More than 62 % of participants cited concerns about vaccine side effects as the main reason for hesitancy. However, participants with certificate and diploma were more likely to accept to be vaccinated against mpox. Only 1.23 % of the participants received mpox information from the Teachers Service Commission. This study identifies gaps in mpox knowledge and attitudes toward mpox vaccination. It suggests that collaboration between the Teachers Service Commission and healthcare providers can ensure effective school community-based prevention strategies by improving mpox knowledge and attitudes toward mpox vaccination among teachers in Kenya.
The zero-carbon target for vehicle traffic in 2050: A pipe dream?
Authors: Lieven Theo
Published: November 2024

To achieve the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C, 2050 was declared the year of zero carbon. For global road traffic with passenger cars, the goal is to lower CO2 emissions by 3,200,000 tons (3.2 Mt) annually. In this study, 30 countries were examined to see whether and how the zero-carbon target can be achieved by 2050 through the promotion of electric vehicles and/or the decarbonization of electricity generation. While an extrapolation of historical data only leads to the target in a few countries by 2050, a combination of replacing all combustion engines with electric drives and switching to CO2-free electricity could lead to zero-carbon traffic. However, this is contradicted by the enormous number of electric vehicles to be sold until 2050, which the market cannot absorb due to saturation tendencies. The limit to the growth of electric drives hampers limiting the detriment of the prior unlimited growth of carbon drives.
Non-ordinary states of consciousness evoked by breathwork correlate with improved heart-rate variability
Authors: Canello Tiziano , Tlaie Alejandro , Chalise Kamlesh , Schölvinck Marieke L. , Pia Lorenzo , Havenith Martha N.
Published: November 2024

High ventilation breathwork is a breathing practice that involves deep, accelerated breathing over a prolonged duration (> 15 minutes). This basic practice underpins a wide range of traditions, from Pranayama to Holotropic and Conscious-Connected breathwork. Anecdotal reports suggest that it can benefit physical and mental health, often by evoking altered states of consciousness. However, scientific research on breathwork is still in its infancy. This study examines the physiological and experiential effects of Conscious-Connected Breathwork (CCB). Specifically, we characterize subjective breathwork experiences using Natural Language Processing analyses of semi-structured phenomenological interviews, and relate them to changes in Heart-Rate Variability (HRV). Finally, to disentangle the effects of the breathing technique itself from context effects, we tested whether the presence of evocative music modified the impact of the session. Our findings indicate that CCB consistently triggers altered states of consciousness, accompanied by increased emotional intensity and decreased HRV during the session, but increased baseline HRV following the session. This increase was larger for subjects who experienced a wider range of emotions during the session, but was not predicted by peri-session HRV. This suggests that post-session improvements of HRV might be a product of emotional catharsis rather than purely physiological hormesis. Finally, none of these effects was significantly modulated by music, indicating that they largely rely on the breathing practice itself.
RETRACTED: Optimizing Resource-Efficient Offloading in Multi-Edge Systems Using Advanced Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Zhang Junjie , Chen Zheyi , Cheng Hongju , Li Jie , Min Geyong
Published: November 2024

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Development of a Self-Cleaning Mechanism for Torque-Flow Pumps
Authors: Kondus Vladyslav , Ciszak Olaf , Zhukov Andriy , Mushtai Maksym , Polkovnychenko Vadym , Krugliak Andrii
Published: November 2024

The design of reliable and durable pumping units is consistent with the achievement of a number of the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDG), in particular, “Clean water and proper sanitation” (SDG 6), “Affordable and clean energy” (SDG 7), and “Industry, innovation and infrastructure” (SDG 9). Notably, the use of torque-flow pumps is associated with the need to transport liquids of various types. Such an operating process can cause clogging of the flowing part of the pump (primarily the impeller) by pumping products, mainly wet wipes, solids, and inclusions. As a result of scientific research, an effective self-cleaning mechanism for the torque-flow pump was developed, which was the primary goal. The authors proved that the flow of actual fluid in the interblade channels of the impeller is characterized by an uneven distribution of absolute pressure and relative speed, which is a prerequisite for forming an uneven pulsating nature of motion (the key hypothesis of the study). To implement the proposed hypothesis, an impeller with uniform and non-uniform distribution of blades was developed, and the movement of actual fluid flow in their interblade channels was considered. As a result of the research, it was established that in the expanded interblade channels, there is a pulsation of the absolute (total) pressure value, which is more than 2 times higher than the indicator of an impeller with a uniform distribution of blades. This creates prerequisites for self-cleaning of the developed impeller of the torque-flow pump.
Malunguinho e a Jurema: um olhar histórico e sagrado a partir de um documentário sob as perspectivas do passado, do presente e do futuro
Authors: Santos Júnior José Bartolomeu dos
Published: November 2024

Este artigo aborda a import�ncia dos di�logos nas tradi��es de cultura dos pactos entre as configura��es sociais e religiosas, que mostram uma mem�ria dos conflitos sociais entre o passado e o presente na materialidade dos ritos. S�o apresentadas interpreta��es hist�ricas e religiosas presentes no filme 'Malunguinho: o guerreiro de Catuc�, o rei da Jurema', produzido pela Universidade Cat�lica de Pernambuco (UNICAP), em 2008, tendo como objetivo realizar um estudo anal�tico baseado em fatos que est�o fundamentados na hist�ria local/regional e tamb�m nas dimens�es sagradas da Jurema, religi�o afro-ind�gena. Na quest�o metodol�gica, foram seguidos os par�metros de argumenta��es qualitativas e bibliogr�ficas, com vi�s descritivo/explicativo, tendo por fundamento as falas dos participantes/entrevistados no audiovisual estudado, bem como em livros e artigos anteriormente pubicados. O campo de estudos das Ci�ncias das Religi�es favorece os entrecruzamentos e a interdisciplinaridade de conhecimentos, para que o debate do passado esteja no presente, propondo media��es dos contextos de repress�o �s religiosidades afro-amer�ndias, mediante o processo de decoloniza��o dos pensamentos e a��es, intencionando equidade, toler�ncia e respeito.