bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical and mechanical properties of composite material produced from waste plastic furniture and waste beverage boxes.
Authors: Bal Bekir Cihad , Narlıoğlu Nasır
Published: June 2024

Plastic-containing waste causes significant environmental pollution because it remains in nature for a long time without degrading. This waste includes polyolefin-based containers, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) water bottles, and cardboard-polyethylene-aluminium beverage boxes. In recent years, important steps have begun to be taken to eliminate the environmental effects of plastic-containing solid waste. These have the goal of reducing these wastes by using them to produce new composite products. In this study, composite sheets were produced by mixing polypropylene (PP) obtained from recycling waste plastic furniture as a polymer matrix and waste Tetra Pak® boxes (TPBs) as a filler in different mixing ratios. Then, the density, thickness swelling, water absorption, flexural strength, flexural modulus, deformation at bending, tensile strength, tensile modulus, elongation at break, and hardness values of the produced sheets were determined. According to the data obtained, it was determined that as the amount of filler in the composite increased, the density, thickness swelling, water absorption, flexural modulus, tensile modulus and hardness values increased, whereas the flexural strength, deformation at bending, tensile strength, and elongation at break values decreased. According to the results obtained from the study, it can be said that new composites can be successfully produced using a waste PP-based polymer matrix and waste TPBs as filler.
Psychometric validation of the Arabic version of the GAD-7 among Lebanese Adolescents
Authors: Khoury-Malhame Myriam El , Hallit Souheil , Sanchez-Ruiz Maria-Jose , Hajj Sleiman El , Doumit Rita
Published: June 2024

Introduction.
Anxiety is one of the major global mental health concerns, particularly amidst accumulating adversities. It is the leading cause of distress in adolescents worldwide and has a profound deleterious impact on their mental and physical health and wellbeing. This paper seeks to identify and validate the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the GAD-7 in Lebanon, aiming to improve the much-needed overall mental health screening in Middle Eastern countries.
Methods.
This study includes a cross-sectional design including 638 adolescents in Lebanese public schools. Participants aged 15–18 years were assessed using GAD-7 (anxiety), PCL-5 (post-traumatic stress disorder), and PTGi (post-traumatic growth) in their Arabic versions at two-time points, spaced three months apart.
Results.
Our analyses revealed that the 7 items of the GAD-7 converged into a single factor. Composite reliability of scores was adequate in the total sample (ω = .88 / α = .87). The convergent validity for this model was satisfactory. Results showed invariance across gender at the configural, metric, and scalar levels, with males showing a higher level of wellbeing compared to females. The pre-posttest assessment for the GAD-7 scale was conducted on 359 participants; the intraclass correlation coefficient was adequate 0.83 [95% CI .79; .86]. Our analyses also show that anxiety symptoms were significantly correlated with higher PTSD (r = 0.68; p < .001) and lower PTG (r = − .12; p = .004).
Conclusion
The Arabic GAD-7 among Lebanese adolescents displayed highly satisfactory psychometric properties, underscoring its validity. This scale could be valuable for educators and clinicians as a screening tool to rapidly detect anxiety among this vulnerable age group as GAD-7 is easy-to-use, easy to understand, culturally sensitive for Arab population and age appropriate for 15–18-year-old students.
Air Quality in different urban Hotspots in a Metropolitan City in India and the environmental implication
Authors: Diya M , Kuppili Sudheer Kumar , Nagendra S M Shiva
Published: June 2024

This research study investigates hourly data on concentrations of five major air pollutants such as particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5) and gaseous pollutants (SO2, NO2, CO) measured during 2022 at four hotspot sites (Industrial site, traffic site, commercial site, harbour and one residential site) in Chennai, India. The analysis encompasses temporal variations spanning annual, seasonal, and diurnal variations in the pollutants. Notably, PM10 and CO emerge as the predominant pollutants, with the highest concentrations at industrial and traffic sites (PM10: 67.64 ± 40.77 µg/m³, CO: 1.41 ± 0.84 mg/m³; Traffic site: PM10: 58.67 ± 20.05 µg/m³, CO: 0.99 ± 0.57 mg/m³).Seasonal dynamics reveal prominent winter spikes in Particulate Matter (PM10, PM2.5) and carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations, while nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) levels peak during the summer season, particularly in the harbour area. The proximity to roadways exerts a discernible influence on diurnal patterns, with traffic sites showcasing broader rush hour peaks compared to sharper spikes observed at other sites. Furthermore, distinct bimodal patterns are evident for PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations in residential and harbour areas. A common Lognormal distribution pattern is identified across the studied sites, suggesting consistent air quality trends despite contrasting locations. The Conditional Probability Function (CPF) is used in conjunction with local meteorological conditions for identifying key pollution sources in each location. The implementation of polar plots emphasizes industries as principal local sources of pollution, at industrial sites significantly contributing to PM10, SO2, and NO2 concentrations under specific wind conditions. The main objective of the present study is to facilitate a good understanding of pollutant dynamics, pollution sources, and their intricate interplay with meteorological factors, thereby contributing to the formulation and implementation of effective air pollution control and mitigation strategies.
A case of EBV+ DLBCL diagnosed after COVID-19 infection and literature review
Authors: Junxiang Li , Fangyuan Cheng , Xiaoqing Zhang , Jianwei Gu , Juhua Liu
Published: June 2024

Objective
To describe the clinical characteristics and treatment course of a patient diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (EBV + DLBCL) after past pulmonary lesions regressed and contracting COVID-19.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics and treatment course of a patient diagnosed with EBV + DLBCL, who had previously exhibited pulmonary lesions on PET-CT examination more than 7 years ago, which spontaneously regressed without specific treatment, and subsequently developed COVID-19 infection. Relevant literature was also reviewed.
Results
The patient's PET-CT examination more than 7 years ago suggested pulmonary lesions suspicious of malignancy, but further treatment was not pursued. Subsequent follow-up CT scans revealed gradual regression of the pulmonary lesions. Three months ago, the patient presented with symptoms of fever, chills, and limb weakness, and was diagnosed with EBV + DLBCL based on cervical lymph node biopsy following COVID-19 pneumonia. After treatment with the Rituximab-mini Cyclophosphamide Doxorubicin Vincristine Prednisone (R-miniCHOP) regimen, the patient's condition improved and was discharged.
Conclusion
Primary pulmonary lymphoma (PPL) may progress to EBV-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after regression, potentially influenced by COVID-19. Diagnosis of PPL remains challenging in clinical practice, and timely pathological tissue biopsy is the most effective method for identification.
Extreme Mediterranean cyclones and associated variables in an atmosphere-only vs an ocean-coupled regional model
Authors: chericoni marco , Fosser Giorgia , Flaounas Emmanouil , Sannino Gianmaria , Anav Alessandro
Published: June 2024

Complex air-sea interactions play a major role in both the variability and the extremes of the Mediterranean climate. This study investigates the differences between an atmosphere-only and an ocean-coupled model in reproducing Mediterranean cyclones and their associated atmospheric fields. To this end, two simulations are performed using the ENEA-REG regional Earth system model at 12 km atmospheric horizontal resolution over the Med-CORDEX domain, both driven by ERA5 reanalysis, for a common 33-year period (1982–2014). The atmosphere stand-alone simulation uses the WRF model with prescribed ERA5 SST, while in the second WRF is coupled to the MITgcm ocean model at horizontal resolution of 1/12°. A cyclone track method, based on sea level pressure, is applied to both simulations and to the ERA5 reanalysis to assess the model capability to reproduce the climatology of intense, potentially most impactful, cyclones. Results show that the seasonal and spatial distribution of the 500 most intense cyclones is similarly reproduced between WRF and ERA5, regardless the use of the coupling. The two simulations are then compared in terms of sub-daily fields at the cyclones' maximum intensity. Differences in SST distribution between the models primarily control variations in atmospheric variables throughout the boundary layer. Additionally, the research investigates the cyclone effects on ocean properties in the coupled simulation, revealing that strong winds enhance surface heat fluxes and upper ocean mixing, while lowering SST. The analysis shows the effectiveness of the coupled model in representing dynamic and thermodynamic processes associated with extreme cyclones across both the atmosphere and the ocean.
Effect of Helicobacter pylori Infection on Survival Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Radical Gastrectomy after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: A Multicenter Study in China
Authors: He Qi-Chen , Huang Ze-Ning , Lv Chen-Bin , Wu Yong-He , Qiu Wen-Wu , Ma Yu-Bin , Wu Ju , Zheng Chang-Yue , Lin Guo-Sheng , Li Ping , Wang Jia-Bin , Lin Jian-Xian , Lin Mi , Tu Ru-Hong , Zheng Chao-Hui , Huang Chang-Ming , Cao Long-Long , Xie Jian-Wei
Published: June 2024

Background
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has been confirmed to improve the prognosis of patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC). However, no study has investigated whether Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection affects the postoperative survival of patients who receive NAC.
Methods
This retrospective cohort study included 307 patients with AGC who underwent laparoscopic radical gastrectomy after NAC at three hospitals in China between January 1, 2016, and April 31, 2020. Cox regression was used to assess prognostic factors for survival. Kaplan-Meier was used for survival analysis.
Results
The HP + and the HP- group included 141 and 166 cases. The 3-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of the HP + group were significantly better than the HP- group (3-year OS: 75.9% vs. 60.2%, 3-year DFS: 70.2% vs. 52.3%; All P < 0.001). For the HP + group, ypTNM Stage III (HR, 4.00; 95% CI, 1.11–14.39; P = 0.034), NAC ≥ 4 cycles (HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.20–0.90; P = 0.026), and adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) ≥ 4 cycles (HR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.09–0.48; P < 0.001) are independent prognostic factors for OS. In the cohort of HP + patients who received ≥ 4 cycles of NAC, the prognosis of patients who received ≥ 4 cycles of AC after surgery was better than that of patients who received < 4 cycles of AC (3-year OS: 92.5% vs 71.4%; P = 0.042).
Conclusions
Following NAC, HP + patients with AGC exhibit better prognosis than that of HP- counterparts. For potentially resectable HP + AGC patients, radical surgery following ≥ 4 cycles of NAC with ≥ 4 cycles of sequential AC might be recommended to improve survival.
The Synergistic Effect of Clay Minerals on the Photodegradation of Humic
Authors: Bao Hao-Ran , Du Yan-Yun , Qu Jia-Zhuo , Luan Zhe-Xi , Sun Xiao-Long , Xiong Hao-Qin
Published: June 2024

The study systematically analyzes the photodegradation processes of humic in the plateau lake Erhai Lake and their interactions with clay minerals. The experiments simulate photodegradation reactions under natural conditions, comparing the changes before and after photodegradation reactions. The reduction in total organic carbon (TOC) and changes in the functional groups of organic matter in the photodegradation products of humic are recorded. Aromatic and aliphatic compounds have a key role in humic photodegradation. The photodegradation rate of humic shows a nonlinear change, and The presence of clay minerals accelerates the photodegradation process of humic. The adsorption effects of clay minerals significantly alter the photochemical behavior of humic. Under the influence of clay minerals, the adsorption of humic by clay minerals increases their contact with photons, thereby enhancing the photodegradation efficiency of humic. The continuous photodegradation reaction continuously reduces the particle size of humic adsorbed on the surface of clay minerals, further increasing the adsorption of humic on the surface of clay minerals, accelerating the entire system.
Oncologic Outcomes for Robotic Versus Laparoscopic Colectomy for Colon Cancer: An ACS-NSQIP Analysis
Authors: Leite Rodrigo Moisés de Almeida , Araújo Sérgio Eduardo Alonso , Callado Gustavo Yano , Bossie Hannah , Ricciardi Rocco
Published: June 2024

Introduction: Robotic colectomy has been associated with comparable or improved short-term morbidity and mortality when compared to laparoscopic colectomy, including shorter length of stay. In this study, we sought to understand oncologic advantages for robotic as compared to laparoscopic colectomy in colon cancer.
Methods: We analyzed the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) participant user files for all elective colon cancer cases from 1/2016 through 12/2021 performed with minimally invasive surgical techniques (robotic and laparoscopic). We calculated relative risks (RR) through Poisson Regression models and treatment effect coefficients by propensity-score match, after adjusting for age, BMI, ASA scores, mechanical and antibiotic bowel preparation, emergency surgery, race, gender, smoking status, hypertension and diabetes mellitus.
Outcomes: Analyzed outcomes included rate of chemotherapy initiation within 90-days of surgery, number of harvested lymph nodes, any occurrence of intraoperative or postoperative blood transfusion, and the need for ostomy.
Results: During the study period, 44,745 patients underwent minimally invasive colectomy for colon cancer; 39,614 in the laparoscopic cohort and 7,831 in the robotic cohort. After adjusting for confounders, robotic colectomy was associated with a significant increase in the likelihood for initating chemotherapy within 90-days (RR: 1.98, 95%CI {1.86 - 2.10}, p<0.001). The robotic-treated patients had a significantly more lymph nodes harvested, a significant decrease in the need for intraperative or postoperative blood transfusion (RR: 0.64 , 95%CI {0.57 - 0.71}, p<0.001) and a significant reduction in the need for ostomy formation (RR: 0.26, 95%CI {0.22 - 0.30}, p<0.001).
Limitations: As a retrospective and non-randomized study, residual bias and confouding variables are likely to exist. The study is also subject to coding incompleteness and inaccuracies. We also do not have additional context on potential factors that might influence time to chemotherapy. Additionally, there is no information on surgeon or hospital volume, which can be associated with outcomes.
Conclusions: Robotic colectomy for colon cancer was associated with significant improvement in the rate of chemotherapy initiation within 90 days, a significant reduction in need for blood transfusions, and a lower likelihood of receiving an ostomy when compared to laparoscopic colectomy procedures. The data reveal substantial short term gains in oncologic outcomes for colon cancer performed with robotic techniques.
Complete de novo assembly of Wolbachia endosymbiont of Drosophila willistoni using long-read genome sequencing
Authors: Jacobs Jodie , Nakamoto Anne , Mastoras Mira , Loucks Hailey , Mirchandani Cade , Karim Lily , Penunuri Gabriel , Wanket Ciara , Russell Shelbi L
Published: June 2024

Wolbachia is an obligate intracellular 𝛼-proteobacterium which commonly infects arthropods and filarial nematodes. Different strains of Wolbachia are capable of a wide range of regulatory manipulations in many hosts and modulate host cellular differentiation to influence host reproduction. The genetic basis for the majority of these phenotypes is unknown. The wWil strain from the neotropical fruit fly, Drosophila willistoni, exhibits a remarkably high affinity for host germline-derived cells relative to the soma. This trait could be leveraged for understanding how Wolbachia influences the host germline and for controlling host populations in the field. To further the use of this strain in biological and biomedical research, we sequenced the genome of the wWil strain isolated from host cell culture cells. Here, we present the first high quality nanopore assembly of wWil, the Wolbachia endosymbiont of D. willistoni. Our assembly resulted in a circular genome of 1.27 Mb with a BUSCO completeness score of 99.7%. Consistent with other insect-associated Wolbachia strains, comparative genomic analysis revealed that wWil has a highly mosaic genome relative to the closely related wMel strain from Drosophila melanogaster.
Characterizing Fashion Influencers' Behavior on Instagram
Authors: Cruz João Paulo Oliveira , Passaro Lucia C. , Almeida Jussara M. , Marques-Neto Humberto Torres
Published: June 2024

In recent years, the growth of social media platforms has led to an increase in the number of influencers who work in/for the fashion industry. These individuals have become attractive marketing partners for fashion brands. As a result, understanding how to measure the performance of fashion influencers (and what kinds of behavior lead to better performance) is paramount. This paper presents a methodology for characterizing fashion influencers' behavior on Instagram. Using a preexisting dataset, we analyze Instagram fashion influencers exploring behavioral patterns, engagement metrics, and content dynamics.
Our analyses uncover insights about influencer behavior, gender-based performance, and correlations between engagement metrics and posts' metadata (such as caption sentiment, length, and hashtag usage). Additionally, our research highlights the impact of early engagement and post comments on overall engagement rates, highlighting the role of community interaction. Though focused on Instagram influencers, our proposed methodology could be adapted to diverse datasets and social media platforms. In sum, we present here a preliminary study for understanding and decoding the complex dynamics of fashion influencer culture on social media, offering actionable insights for marketers, brands, aspiring influencers, scholars, and regular social media users.
Uncovering Organisational Pride and Psychological Safety from Glassdoor Reviews
Authors: Septiandri Ali , Šćepanović Sanja , Constantinides Marios , Capra Licia , Quercia Daniele
Published: June 2024

Understanding employee experiences and attitudes is crucial for promoting a positive work environment, and enhancing engagement, satisfaction, productivity, and innovation. Organisational culture, represented by constructs like organisational pride (OP) and psychological safety (PS), captures these experiences. OP reflects employees' emotional attachment and dedication to an organisation, while PS embodies the collective perception of safety for risk-taking and open communication. Together, these constructs offer a rich perspective, providing a top-to-bottom view of employee experiences and attitudes. To evaluate OP and PS, we developed a deep-learning framework utilising language embeddings and applied it on 430,000 employee reviews spanning 2008 to 2020, encompassing 318 major U.S. companies. Our analysis revealed significant sector-specific variations in these constructs, highlighting the unique strengths and challenges within each sector. We identified four distinct types of companies based on their scores that we termed: ''Company and Teams Leadership'' demonstrated high levels of OP and PS, ''Company Leadership'' excelled in OP but lagged behind in PS, ''Teams Leadership'' exhibited high levels of PS but lacked in OP, and ''No Designated Leadership'' scored low in both metrics. Our automatic rationalisation of these organisational constructs paves the way towards the development of automated psychometric assessments at the workplace.
Seas of Renewal: Turning Sea Urchin Waste into Polyhydroxynaphtoquinone-Collagen Biomaterials for Skin Regeneration
Authors: Martinelli Giordana , Marzorati Stefania , Roncoroni Margherita , Magro Luciano , Brilli Matteo , Soave Raffaella , Trioni Mario Italo , Sugni Michela
Published: June 2024

Chronic wounds and skin ulcers pose significant challenges to healthcare systems globally, necessitating innovative approaches to expedite healing processes. Biomaterial-based therapies have emerged as promising solutions for tissue regeneration. This study focuses on valorization of sea urchin waste towards the development and characterization of collagen-based scaffolds added with polyhydroxynaphthoquinones (PHNQs) antioxidants, successfully incorporated into biomaterials at optimal ratio, enhancing scaffold stability and integrity. Mechanical properties, water uptake, and degradation kinetics of the composite scaffolds were evaluated and compared with controls. Results indicate that composite scaffolds exhibit superior mechanical stability and slower degradation rates, attributed to strong interactions between collagen and PHNQs. This aspect was explored also through in silico investigations by means of Tight Binding Molecular Dynamics methods. It has been found that a covalent bond forms between the selected collagen representative and one PHNQ. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of PHNQs was retained in the composite scaffolds, providing additional therapeutic benefits. Overall, these findings underscore the potential of collagen-based composite scaffolds as advanced wound healing therapeutics, combining regenerative properties with antioxidant effects for improved clinical outcomes.
Seismic Behavior of the Welded-Flange-Plate Moment Connection to Built-up Battened Columns
Authors: FakhriGhasrAhmadi Milad , Broumand Pooyan , Shamim Iman
Published: June 2024

In this paper, the seismic behavior of the welded-flange-plate (WFP) moment connection for the I-shaped beams to the built-up battened columns is numerically studied and different modifications to the connection configuration are investigated. To fulfill this goal, a comprehensive parametric study is performed on several variations of WFP connection to the built-up columns while stiffened with vertically positioned ribs. The study reveals that the connection undergoes severe states of strain/strain concentration at the beam connecting end-plate that attaches the beam’s top and bottom flange connecting plates to the flanges of the built-up column, and the cyclic behavior of the connection quite noticeably deteriorates due to undesirable out-of-plane deformation of the end-plate having low to moderate thickness. Hence, three retrofitting methods are suggested to improve the seismic behavior of the WFP connection with an end plate including (1) insertion of trimmed rectangular continuity plates inside the panel zone, (2) welding the end-plate interior face to the column flanges, and (3) fastening the end-plate to column flange with a welded T-section profile. A parametric study on the modified specimens indicates that the proposed modifications could remove observed weaknesses from the behavior of the conventional connection successfully and upgrade its seismic performance to the extent of becoming a reasonably adequate candidate for usage in the seismically resistant intermediate and special steel moment frames.
Mechanism of Qingwei San in Treatment of Chronic Gastritis Disease Based on Network Pharmacology and experimental validation
Authors: Yongguang Han , Yuexin Chen , Yalan Tan , Xing Lv , Ma Qiong
Published: June 2024

Chronic gastritis (CG) is a type of chronic inflammatory response of the gastric mucosa. Qingwei San is mainly used to treat accumulation of heat in the stomach and the upward attack of fire, which has the effect of clearing the stomach and cooling the blood. This prescription is clinically effective in the treatment of chronic gastritis. However, its mechanism of action is not fully understood and needs further study. To explore effective compounds and the potential targets and molecular mechanism of Qingwei San (QWS) on chronic gastritis, the main active components of QWS were obtained through the TCMSP, ETCM and HERB databases. The target prediction of QWS was carried out through Swiss Target Prediction database. The related genes of Chronic gastritis were obtained through Genecards, OMIM and DisGeNet databases. The Cytoscape 3.8.1 software was used to draw drug-component-target network. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by String database. Based on Metascape database, GO and KEGG Pathway were enriched and analyzed to obtain the action pathway of QWS. The prediction results were verified by Western blotting. The 43 main active components and 175 targets were obtained from QWS. It can regulate epithelial cell infected Helicobacter pylori signal transduction, JAK-STAT signal pathway, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), TRP pathway and other inflammatory mediators through SRC, STAT3, PIK3CA, MAPK1 to treat chronic gastritis. QWS significantly reduced the TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β and increased the level of IL-10 in rats with CG. QWS could clearly reduce the mRNA level of JAK1, AKT1, VEGFA and EGFR. The result of Western blotting confirmed that QWS plays a role in the treatment of chronic gastritis by down regulating the expression levels of SRC and STAT3.The treatment of QWS for chronic gastritis has the characteristics of multi-component, multi-target and multi-channel effects, which provides a basis for further exploring the mechanism of QWS in the treatment of chronic gastritis.
Sequential Semi-Supervised Classification Considering Core Clustering: A Hyper-Heuristic Based Approach
Authors: Mojarad Musa
Published: June 2024

The current models for learning from streaming data with limited labeling have several drawbacks. One major issue is that the algorithms struggle to adapt to changes in the data, known as concept drift. Therefore, it becomes crucial for the algorithm to tackle the hurdle of dynamically updating internal parameters or managing concept drift. Nonetheless, relying solely on neural network-based semi-supervised learning proves inadequate in promptly adapting to changes in data distribution and characteristics, while also avoiding the influence of outdated knowledge retained in neural networks (NN). This paper presents a comprehensive framework that amalgamates neural networks, a genetic algorithm-based meta-heuristic, and an online-offline clustering approach. The framework trains the neural network on labeled data and leverages its knowledge to compute the error of the clustering block. The genetic optimization process is tasked with selecting the optimal model parameters to minimize this error, with the aim of effectively addressing concept drift. This model is termed the hyper-heuristic framework for semi-supervised classification (HH-F). Experimental findings underscore the superiority of this framework over existing methods when applied to sequential classification data characterized by an evolving nature.
Characterization of quartz sand deposits from Al Qaryatyien area in Syria
Authors: Dayoub Rami , Al-Masri Mohammad Said , Ghafar Muhammad , Abazli Muhammad Hicham
Published: June 2024

A spectroscopic, physiochemical, and radioactivity characterization of quartz sand samples from Al Qaryatyien area in Syria has been carried out. XRF analysis showed the dominance of SiO2 in the chemical composition of the sand (95.10% on average) with a tiny portion of other minerals. The index of XRD spectrum revealed the quartz structural for SiO2 in the sand where the calculated unit constants (acal=4.9070, ccal=5.3539) were so close to those found in the references (aref=4.91120, cref=5.4040), which refer to a high degree of purity. Moreover, the good crystallinity of quartz was confirmed by FTIR analysis where the calculated crystal Index was (CIcal=1.415). Thermal analysis manifested the stability of the sample almost, the TGA curve indicated slight changes in mass (1.45%), and most of those changes were due to losing both moisture and crystalized water. The DTA curve showed stability in slope with no changes except the characteristic endothermic peak of the phase transition of quartz from α to β. On the other hand, the natural radioactivity of the decay chains of 238U, 232Th, and 235U was measured using HPGe spectrometry and the mean values of radionuclide activity concentrations were below the limit of detection.
A Simulated Two-Stream Network via Multi-levelDistillation of Reviewed Features and DecoupledLogits for Video Action Recognition
Authors: Gao Zitao , Liu Xiangjian , Lin Liyu , Wang Anna K
Published: June 2024

Video-based action recognition, which models human activities and classifiesactions from video frame sequences, offers significant utility in computer visionand computer graphics applications. The methods based on two-stream architectureare commonly used, which consist of an appearance stream for RGBvideo frames and a motion stream for optical flow frames. Due to the highcomputational complexity of optical flow, recent studies have attempted to useoptical flow only in the training phase and avoid computing optical flow in thetesting phase. However, these approaches fail to fully leverage the benefits ofoptical flow during training, leading to limited improvements in accuracy. Toaddress this issue, we introduce a Simulated Two-Stream Network (STS-Net),utilizing a multi-level knowledge distillation approach to capture motion representations.First, we try to distill motion feature of optical flow across variouslevels through a review mechanism, thereby capturing both low-level feature andhigh-level semantic information. Second, we apply a decoupled logit distillationloss to obtain a more comprehensive knowledge transfer. Additionally, we analyzethe role of the activation function in fusing the two streams, and propose aneffective fusion strategy named “ActivNo”. The experimental results on benchmarkdatasets (i.e., HMDB51, UCF101, and Kinetics400) demonstrated that theexploited model STS-Net achieves superior performance, surpassing comparable methods in terms of both efficiency and accuracy. The code is openly availableat https://github.com/BiBiKo219/STS-Net.
Cross-polarized stimulated Brillouin scattering empowered photonics
Authors: Huang Shu-Wei , Nie Mingming , Musgrave Jonathan
Published: June 2024

This paper explores the integration of cross-polarized stimulated Brillouin scattering (XP-SBS) with Kerr and quadratic nonlinearities in lithium niobate (LN) to enhance photonic device performance. Three novel applications are demonstrated: (i) a reconfigurable stimulated Brillouin laser (SBL) with 0.7-Hz narrow linewidth and 40-nm tunability, enabled by XP-SBS’s thermo-optic phase matching; (ii) an efficient coherent mode converter achieving 55% conversion efficiency via intracavity Brillouin-enhanced four-wave mixing; (iii) a Brillouin-quadratic laser and frequency comb operational in near-infrared and visible bands, benefiting from the interaction between XP-SBS and quadratic nonlinearity. These advancements promise significant improvements in photonic technologies, including narrow-linewidth laser, microcomb generation, precision metrology, and optical signal processing, paving the way for more robust and versatile applications.
Crystalline Cyclic (Alkyl)(Amino)Stannylene via Transient Stannyne
Authors: Wang Xin-Feng , Hu Chaopeng , Lu Zhihao , Liu Liu Leo
Published: June 2024

We demonstrate that a bulky cyclic amino ligand, specifically 1,1,3,3-tetraphenylisoindolinyl, can facilitate the formation of a transient stannyne, endowed with adjacent ambiphilic carbon and tin centers. This stannyne, manifesting carbene-like behavior, engages in an unprecedented sequence of reactions, including Buchner ring expansion, [1,3]-sigmatropic, and [1,5]-sigmatropic shifts, culminating in the synthesis of a stable cyclic (alkyl)(amino)stannylene. This compound represents the first tin analogue of the well-known cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbenes. Both the bonding configuration and the formation process of this stannylene are thoroughly analyzed through quantum chemical computations. Our findings pave the way for further synthesis of unusual main group species using bulky isoindolinyl substituents, emphasizing their potential as a versatile tool in synthetic chemistry.
Determining the Elemental Compositions in the trichome of five sampled herbarium species in the genus Solanum (Solanaceae) using SEM-EDS
Authors: Ojo Funmilola Mabel , Benedito Vagner A.
Published: June 2024

Trichomes, specialized epidermal structures on plant surfaces, are integral to plant defense and adaptation. However, their elemental composition in Solanum species remains understudied. This research investigates the trichomes' elemental compositions from five Solanum species—Solanum berthaultii, Solanum galapagense, Solanum lycopersicum, Solanum pennellii, and Solanum tuberosum—using herbarium samples from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Samples were prepared using standard coating techniques with a Quorum-Q150T ES series and imaged under a Hitachi Regulus 8230 SEM with a 5 kV electron beam. Elemental compositions were analyzed using SEM-EDS with an Oxford EDS detector and BSE detector. EDS spectra were acquired from the base, midsection, and tip of the trichomes and processed using AZtech software. Results revealed significant variations in elemental content among the five Solanum species. S. berthaultii trichomes showed high potassium levels, especially at the tips, indicating a role in osmoregulation and defense. S. galapagense exhibited notable chlorine and calcium presence, suggesting ionic balance and pest deterrence. S. lycopersicum and S. pennellii had higher silicon concentrations in midsections and tips, enhancing structural integrity and herbivory resistance. S. tuberosum displayed significant variability in calcium, particularly at the base, highlighting its role in cellular structure and rapid damage response. This study provides detailed insights into the elemental strategies of Solanum species trichomes, contributing to our understanding of their ecological and physiological roles. The findings underscore the importance of elemental composition in plant adaptation and evolution, offering a foundation for future research in plant defense mechanisms and environmental interactions.
Improving Learning Efficiency in Large Language Models through Shortcut Learning
Authors: Meibuki Amane , Nanao Renshu , Outa Mugen
Published: June 2024

Large-scale neural networks have demonstrated remarkable capabilities in natural language processing tasks, yet they often face challenges related to computational efficiency and scalability. The introduction of shortcut learning mechanisms offers a novel and significant advancement by enhancing information flow and reducing computational overhead, thereby improving model performance and training speed. This research explores the integration of shortcut learning into the GPT-Neo architecture, resulting in a model that exhibits faster convergence, higher accuracy, and improved resource management. Through meticulous architectural modifications, such as residual connections, skip layers, and gating mechanisms, the modified model achieved superior performance across various benchmarks, including GLUE, SQuAD, and WMT, demonstrating its proficiency in complex linguistic tasks. The experimental results underscored the model's robustness and generalization capabilities, making it a competitive alternative to existing state-of-the-art models. Comprehensive evaluation metrics, including accuracy, F1 score, and BLEU score, were used to validate the effectiveness of the proposed modifications, highlighting substantial improvements in training efficiency and model accuracy. This study contributes significantly to the field of artificial intelligence by providing a scalable and efficient framework for the design and training of advanced LLMs, ultimately paving the way for more effective and accessible AI technologies.
Computational Discovery of AngiomiRs and Evaluating the Synergistic Effects of Target miRNA with Tranexamic Acid in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Ahmadizad Firouzjaei Ali , Sharifee Kazem , Khazaei Majid , Mohammadi-Yeganeh Samira , Aghaee-Bakhtiari Seyed Hamid
Published: June 2024

Introduction:

microRNA (miRNA) levels are dysregulated in many cancers,
suggesting that miRNA-based therapy may be effective. The molecular pathways of colorectal
cancer (CRC) development are unknown.

Method:

Understanding miRNAs implicated in CRC formation may reveal new diagnostic
and therapeutic targets. Angiogenesis is a key mechanism in tumor growth. CRC
treatment may involve inhibiting angiogenesis, but existing drugs can cause negative effects.
Tranexamic acid, an FDA-approved medication, may reduce the adverse effects of
angiogenesis inhibitors. This work examined miRNAs implicated in CRC angiogenesis
and how miR-16 and tranexamic acid may synergistically decrease CRC cell migration
and angiogenesis. We identified miRNAs targeting CRC angiogenesis genes using bioinformatic
databases. Proteins were docked with tranexamic acid utilizing the PyRx software.
Quantitative Real-time PCR was used to analyze the effects of overexpressed miRNA
and tranexamic acid on the expression of target genes. Scratch, transwell migration,
and Chicken Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) assays were used to evaluate the effect
of selected miRNA and tranexamic acid on the invasion and angiogenesis of CRC cells.
in silico studies identified hsa-miR-16-5p, -101-3p, and 34a-5p as possible CRC angiogenesis
modulators.

Results:

The study found that miR-16 and tranexamic acid influence the expression of
VEGFA, ANGPT2, MMP9, and HIF1A. miR-16 and tranexamic acid influenced CRC
cell movement in scratch tests and transwell migration assays. Furthermore, the CAM assay
results demonstrated that miR-16 and tranexamic acid can alter angiogenesis in
CRC.

Conclusion:

These findings highlight the potential of miR-16 and tranexamic acid as
combination therapeutic agents for CRC, with the ability to simultaneously target tumorigenesis
and angiogenesis.
In vitro Effect of Cannabidiol on Red Blood Cells: Implication in Long-Lasting Pathology Treatment
Authors: Gómez Claudia Taborda , Borda Natalia , Moscovicz Franco , Fernandez Florencia , Lazarowski Alberto , Auzmendi Jerónimo
Published: June 2024

Background:

Cannabidiol (CBD) is the principal non-hallucinogenic compound of Cannabis plants
with high clinical interest because CBD has been described as having anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anticonvulsant
properties. CBD is considered a multitarget compound as it can interact with a wide range of targets,
explaining their multiplicity of effects. Some clinical studies have indicated certain side effects of CBD, including
somnolence, anemia and diarrhea, while the elevation of transaminases is considered as an exclusion
criterion from the trial. Since the red blood cells (RBCs) are a source of transaminase, we assayed in vitro effect
on RBCs stability.

Methods:

We performed in vitro experiments with RBCs obtained from human peripheral blood with normal
hematological parameters exposed to CBD in the range of therapeutic uses. We evaluated RBCs morphological
changes, membrane fragility and hemoglobin release as a reflection of hemolysis.

Results:

CBD induced an increase in the hemoglobin release (3.27 μg/106 RBC), without altered RBC osmotic
fragility. When RBCs suspensions were incubated with CBD the initial number of elements (RBCs + vesicles)
was increased up to 65% after 20 min and returned to basal level after 40 min of incubation. In the first 20
min, the accounts of elements were enriched in the smaller vesicles that disappeared after the remaining 20
minutes.

Conclusion:

These results suggest that CBD affects the indemnity of erythrocytes in vitro, inducing the formation
of hemolytic vesicles that can provide the basis for the development of anemia, transaminase elevation
and underlying tissular iron overload in patients chronically treated with CBD.
The Potential Radioprotective Effect of Piperine against Radiation-induced Lung Injury in Mice: Histopathological and Biochemical Evaluations
Authors: Safarbalou Asal , Ebrahimi Fatemeh , Talebpour Amiri Fereshteh , Hosseinimehr Seyed Jalal
Published: June 2024

Introduction:

It has been hypothesized that piperine, the main alkaloid component of black pepper,
possesses a unique radioprotective effect. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of piperine
against Radiation-Induced Lung Injury (RILI) in mice.

Methods:

Firstly, eighty male mice were divided into eight groups; the control group did not receive any
dosage of piperine and radiation (6 Gy), and the other groups received piperine alone at doses 10, 25, and 50
mg/kg, radiation, and radiation-piperine combination (6 Gy + 10, 25, and 50 mg/kg). Animals received
piperine by gavage for 7 consecutive days. To investigate the effect of piperine pretreatment in mice that were
exposed to radiation, histopathological and biochemical evaluations (markers of oxidative stress) were performed.
Irradiation led to an increase in oxidative stress (increase in MDA and PC). Pretreatment of piperine
in all three doses in irradiated mice was able to reduce oxidative stress compared to mice that were only exposed
to radiation.

Results:

Piperine at a dose of 25 mg/kg exhibited the highest protective effect as compared to other doses. Also,
in the histopathological examination, it was seen that pretreatment with piperine was able to improve the infiltration
of inflammatory cells and reduce the thickness of the alveolar septum and air sac damage.

Conclusion:

The outcomes completely proved significant lung protection by piperine in mice through reducing
oxidative stress. This natural compound could be considered a protective agent against lung injury induced
by ionizing radiation.
Prostate Segmentation in MRI Images using Transfer Learning based Mask R-CNN
Authors: Shabbir Maryam , Suhail Zobia , Hafeez Nida , Saqib Najmus , Farooq Muhammad , Guizani Sghaier , Ur Rehman Ateeq , Hamam Habib
Published: June 2024

Introduction:

The second highest cause of death among males is Prostate Cancer (PCa) in America. Over the globe, it’s the usual case in men, and the annual
PCa ratio is very surprising. Identical to other prognosis and diagnostic medical systems, deep learning-based automated recognition and detection
systems (i.e., Computer Aided Detection (CAD) systems) have gained enormous attention in PCA

Methods:

These paradigms have attained promising results with a high segmentation, detection, and classification accuracy ratio. Numerous researchers
claimed efficient results from deep learning-based approaches compared to other ordinary systems that utilized pathological samples.

Results:

This research is intended to perform prostate segmentation using transfer learning-based Mask R-CNN, which is consequently helpful in prostate
cancer detection

Conclusion:

Lastly, limitations in current work, research findings, and prospects have been discussed.
Enhancing Alzheimer's Disease Classification with Transfer Learning: Finetuninga Pre-trained Algorithm
Authors: Boudi Abdelmounim , He Jingfei , El Kader Isselmou Abd
Published: June 2024

Objective:

The increasing longevity of the population has made Alzheimer's disease (AD) a significant public health concern. However, the challenge of
accurately distinguishing different disease stages due to limited variability within the same stage and the potential for errors in manual
classification highlights the need for more precise approaches to classifying AD stages. In the field of deep learning, the ResNet50V2 model stands
as a testament to its exceptional capabilities in image classification tasks.

Materials:

The dataset employed in this study was sourced from Kaggle and consisted of 6400 MRI images that were meticulously collected and rigorously
verified to assure their precision. The selection of images was conducted with great attention to detail, drawing from a diverse array of sources.

Methods:

This study focuses on harnessing the potential of this model for AD classification, a task that relies on extracting disease-specific features.
Furthermore, to achieve this, a multi-class classification methodology is employed, using transfer learning and fine-tuning of layers to adapt the
pre-trained ResNet50V2 model for AD classification. Notably, the impact of various input layer sizes on model performance is investigated,
meticulously striking a balance between capacity and computational efficiency. The optimal fine-tuning strategy is determined by counting layers
within convolution blocks and selectively unfreezing and training individual layers after a designated layer index, ensuring consistency and
reproducibility. Custom classification layers, dynamic learning rate reduction, and extensive visualization techniques are incorporated.

Results:

The model's performance is evaluated using accuracy, AUC, precision, recall, F1-score, and ROC curves. The comprehensive analysis reveals the
model's ability to discriminate between AD stages. Visualization through confusion matrices aided in understanding model behavior. The rounded
predicted labels enhanced practical utility

Conclusion:

This approach combined empirical research and iterative refinement, resulting in enhanced accuracy and reliability in AD classification. Our model
holds promise for real-world applications, achieving an accuracy of 96.18%, showcasing the potential of deep learning in addressing complex
medical challenges.
Upaya Kampanye Save The Children dalam Menangani Masalah Pernikahan Anak di Bangladesh Tahun 2020-2023
Authors:   Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jawa Timur, Maharani Farah , Dwi Hapsari Renitha ,   Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jawa Timur
Published: June 2024

The issue of child marriage is a socio-economic problem that has existed for a long time in Bangladesh. Due to factors such as the economic crisis and prolonged school closures, the number of child marriage cases in Bangladesh has increased during the pandemic. The existing legal framework also cannot slow down the child marriage rates in Bangladesh. So this research tries to explain the efforts of Save The Childrenas an international non-governmental organization in dealing with the problem of child marriage in Bangladesh. This research explains how the Save The Childrencampaign is trying to deal with the problem of child marriage in Bangladesh in 2020-2023. The theory explained in this research is Brown's theory of international organizational campaign efforts. The research method uses qualitative data analysis techniques with descriptive research type. Primary data collection techniques from interviews with Rahamat Ullah from Save The Childrenin Bangladesh regarding the research topic. Research findings show that the Save The Childrencampaign's efforts to address the problem of child marriage are realized in the form of online campaigns via social media and offline campaigns. Apart from that, Save The Childrenalso emphasizes children's participation in campaign efforts to address child marriage in Bangladesh.