bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved genetic algorithm based on greedy and simulated annealing ideas for vascular robot ordering strategy
Authors: Wang Zixi , Huang Yubo , Zhang Yukai , Sheng Yifei , Lai Xin , Lu Peng
Published: February 2025

This study presents a comprehensive approach for optimizing the acquisition, utilization, and maintenance of ABLVR vascular robots in healthcare settings. Medical robotics, particularly in vascular treatments, necessitates precise resource allocation and optimization due to the complex nature of robot and operator maintenance. Traditional heuristic methods, though intuitive, often fail to achieve global optimization. To address these challenges, this research introduces a novel strategy, combining mathematical modeling, a hybrid genetic algorithm, and ARIMA time series forecasting. Considering the dynamic healthcare environment, our approach includes a robust resource allocation model for robotic vessels and operators. We incorporate the unique requirements of the adaptive learning process for operators and the maintenance needs of robotic components. The hybrid genetic algorithm, integrating simulated annealing and greedy approaches, efficiently solves the optimization problem. Additionally, ARIMA time series forecasting predicts the demand for vascular robots, further enhancing the adaptability of our strategy. Experimental results demonstrate the superiority of our approach in terms of optimization, transparency, and convergence speed from other state-of-the-art methods. The source code is available at https://github.com/ybfo/improved-GA.
Muscle growth and anabolism in intensive care survivors (GAINS 2.0): Protocol for a multi-centre randomised; placebo controlled clinical trial of nandrolone in deconditioned adults recovering from critical illness
Authors: Anstey Matthew , Litton Ed , Habibi Maryam , Van der Lee Lisa , Palmer Robert , Tran Natalie , Mammana Bianca , Scheepers Stacey , Palermo Annamaria , Fiorilla Xavier , Mevavala Bhaumik , Regli Adrian , Jacques Angela , Wibrow Bradley
Published: February 2025

Background

Intensive care patients can experience significant long-term impairment in mobility and function caused by their critical illness. A potential contributory factor apart from critical illness polymyoneuropathy is the low levels of anabolic hormones in these patients. Testosterone levels in critically ill patients are extremely low, even in the latter recovery phase. A potential solution to critical illness myopathy may be to provide anabolic support in addition to standard care (early physiotherapy) to further improve gains in strength.

Research question

This project aims to test whether a synthetic testosterone (nandrolone) improves muscle strength in ICU survivors compared to placebo.

Methods

GAINS 2.0 is a multicentre, randomised, double blinded placebo-controlled trial which will allocate ICU patients in a 1:1 ratio to nandrolone compared to placebo which commenced recruitment in July 2023. Adult patients admitted to the ICU, receiving nutrition for a minimum of 24 hours with an ICU stay of at least 5 days, or patients with significant weakness as result of their ICU stay (such that they are unable to mobilise independently) will be eligible to participate. Sample size will be 54 patients. Patients will be randomised to receive nandrolone 100mg (males) / 50mg(females) weekly for 3 weeks in addition to standard care. The co-primary outcomes are the time to walking with one person assisting (Intensive Care Mobility scale = 8 or more, in days from randomisation), change in muscle strength measured by the Medical Research Council (MRC) muscle strength sum score from enrolment to hospital discharge and number of days out of hospital up to day 90 post-discharge. Secondary outcomes are grip strength measured by hand-held dynamometry. SF-36 scores (quality of life and functional domains), and days to return to work, for those working pre-ICU, will be collected via a 3-month phone follow-up.

Conclusions

A previous pilot feasibility trial showed that nandrolone is safe and feasible. We hypothesize nandrolone will improve muscle strength and physical functioning at hospital discharge and at follow-up. The results of this trial may have significant interest to clinicians and patients considering the large and increasing number of patients surviving intensive care but with physical impairment. This trial may have significant implications on lowering hospital costs and daily adjusted life years.

Trial registry

anzctr.org.au; No.: ACTRN12623000729628 URL: anzctr.org.au.
A hybrid multi-panel image segmentation framework for improved medical image retrieval system
Authors: Gul Faqir , Shah Mohsin , Ali Mushtaq , Hussain Lal , Sadiq Touseef , Abbasi Adeel Ahmed , Khan Mohammad Shahbaz , Alkahtani Badr S.
Published: February 2025

Multi-panel images play an essential role in medical diagnostics and represent approximately 50% of the medical literature. These images serve as important tools for physicians to align various medical data (e.g., X-rays, MRIs, CT scans) of a patient into a consolidated image. This consolidated multi-panel image, represented by its component sub-images, contributes to a thorough representation of the patient’s case during diagnosis. However, extracting sub-images from the multi-panel images poses significant challenges for medical image retrieval systems, especially when dealing with regular and irregular image layouts. To address these challenges, this paper presents a novel hybrid framework that significantly enhances sub-image retrieval. The framework classifies medical images, employs advanced computer vision and image processing techniques including image projection profiles and morphological operations, and performs efficient segmentation of various multi-panel image types including regular and irregular medical images. The hybrid approach ensures accurate indexing and facilitates fast retrieval of sub-images by medical image retrieval systems. To validate the proposed framework, experiments were conducted on a set of medical images from publicly available datasets, including ImageCLEFmed 2013 to ImageCLEFmed 2016. The results show better performance compared to other methods, attaining an accuracy of 90.50% in image type identification and 91% and 92% in regular and irregular multi-panel image segmentation tasks, respectively. By achieving accurate and efficient segmentation across diverse multi-panel image types, our framework demonstrates significant potential to improve the performance of medical image retrieval systems.
Editors-in-chief in social sciences: Mapping the institutional, geographical, and gender representation between academic fields
Authors: Goyanes Manuel , de-Marcos Luis , Durotoye Timilehin , Kurniasari Triwik , Gil de Zúñiga Homero
Published: February 2025

This study systematically maps the network structure of the editors-in-chief in social sciences journals, focusing on their gender representation, geographical distribution, and institutional composition. Drawing upon large-scale data from 3,320 JCR-ranked journals of 57 different fields in the social sciences (4,868 editors-in-chief from 1,485 affiliations of 71 countries), the study aims to illustrate the current connections of editorial leadership in social sciences. Findings reveal that two countries—the U.S. and the U.K.—and their institutions shape almost all fields of the social sciences, with institutions from other geographies, particularly non-English-speaking countries, being substantially underrepresented. However, there is no central institution that dominates across all fields, but within dominant geographies, a reduced number of different affiliations prevail in the most important intellectual terrains. In terms of gender representation, there is a significant imbalance across all dimensions under study. Male editors-in-chief outnumber females across most fields (66.67%), countries (76.60%), and affiliations (63.16%). All in all, by critically mapping the connections of editors-in-chief in social sciences journals, this study seeks to advance our understanding of the current structure of editorial governance and, in turn, stimulate initiatives aimed at fostering a more representative leadership in social science, keeping levels of scientific excellence constant.
Optimal two-stage group sequential designs based on Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon
test
Authors: Park Yeonhee
Published: February 2025

The Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test, often referred to as the Mann-Whitney U test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test, is a non-parametric statistical test used to compare two independent groups when the dependent variable is ordinal or continuous but not normally distributed. It’s particularly useful for small sample sizes or when the assumptions of parametric tests, such as the t-test, are violated, including cases where the data is skewed. This study focuses on the Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test for ordinal data, which frequently arises in biomedical research when the proportional odds assumption does not hold. Currently, there are no optimal two-stage randomized clinical trial designs utilizing the Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test. To address this research gap, our study proposes optimal two-stage designs based on the Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test. We demonstrate the application of these designs through illustrative examples and evaluate their operating characteristics.
Seroprevalence and associated factors for hepatitis B and hepatitis C viral infection among patients with diabetes mellitus in Northern Tanzania
Authors: Eliah Doreen T. , Chamba Nyasatu G. , Sadiq Abid M. , Mwasamwaja Amos O. , Kimondo Faustini C. , Matay Cuthbert D. , Nziku Eliada B. , Mirai Tumaini E. , Muhina Ibrahim Ali Ibrahim , Said Fuad H. , Gharib Sarah K. , Lyamuya Furaha S. , Mkwizu Elifuraha W. , Kilonzo Kajiru G. , Maro Venance P. , Shao Elichilia R.
Published: February 2025

Background

The coexistence of viral hepatitis with diabetes mellitus (DM) significantly escalates the risk of severe outcomes. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and associated factors of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) viral infections among DM patients in northern Tanzania.

Materials and methods

Conducted between February 2023 and May 2023, this hospital-based cross-sectional study enrolled 189 patients with DM from the Diabetic Clinic of Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre. A structured questionnaire captured relevant clinical information, and plasma blood sample was assessed for hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-hepatitis C antibody seropositivity. Data analysis employed SPSS v26, and a chi-square test was used to determine the statistical difference of HBV and HCV among patients with DM. Logistic regression was performed to determine factors associated with HBV and HCV.

Results

Among the 189 patients with DM, the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV infections stood at 2.1% and 0.5%, respectively. Males constituted a significant majority (80%) of those affected by viral hepatitis. Furthermore, 60% of affected patients were in non-union relationships (single, widowed, or divorced), and 40% reported multiple sexual partners. However, the study found no significant association between traditional associated factors and viral infection acquisition.

Conclusion

The study’s findings reveal a relatively low prevalence of HBV and HCV infections among patients with DM compared to the general population, with no significant association among factors. Nonetheless, the results underscore the importance of early screening and vaccination for HBV and HCV in patients with DM. Such efforts are crucial for curbing infection spread and reducing the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma development in this vulnerable population.
Association of the abbreviated burn severity index with mortality in severely burned patients: A meta-analysis
Authors: Deng Guangrong , Tang Ling , Yang Qian , Li Zhengyong
Published: February 2025

Background and purpose

The ability of the abbreviated burn severity index (ABSI) to predict death among patients with severe burns remains unclear. This meta-analysis aimed to identify the association between the ABSI and mortality in severely burned patients.

Methods

The PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science databases were searched up to September 15, 2024. The odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were combined, and a subgroup analysis was conducted on the basis of age, ABSI grouping method and OR source. All the statistical analyses were performed with STATA version 15.0.

Results

Sixteen studies with 4011 cases were included in the analysis. The pooled results demonstrated that an elevated ABSI was significantly related to an increased risk of mortality (OR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.48–2.00; P < 0.001). In addition, subgroup analysis by age (adult: OR = 1.35, P < 0.001; child: OR = 68.40, P < 0.001), ABSI grouping method (dichotomous: OR = 16.14, P < 0.001; continuous: OR = 1.59, P < 0.001) and OR source (univariate: OR = 11.42, P = 0.015; multivariate: OR = 1.51, P < 0.001) yielded similar results.

Conclusion

The ABSI serves as a reliable prognostic indicator in severely burned patients, and patients with an elevated ABSI are at increased risk of death.
Evolution of the organizer and the chordate body plan.
Authors: Gerhart J
Published: February 2025

The discovery of the organizer by Spemann and Mangold in 1924 raised two kinds of questions: those about the means of patterning the chordate body axis and those about the mechanisms of cell determination by induction. Some researchers, stressing the second, have suggested over the years that the organizer is poorly named and doesn't really organize because inducers act permissively, because they are not unique to the organizer, and because multipotent responsive cells develop complex local differentiations under artificial conditions. Furthermore, with the discovery of meso-endoderm induction in 1969, the possibility arose that this earlier induction generates as much organization as, or more than, does the organizer itself. Evidence is summarized in this article that the organizer does fulfill its title with regard to pattern formation: it adds greatly to embryonic organization by providing information about time, place, scale, and orientation for development by nearby members of the large multipotent competence groups surrounding the organizer. Embryos having smaller or larger organizers due to experimental intervention develop defective axial organization. Without an organizer the embryo develops no body axis and none of the four chordate characters: the notochord, gill slits, dorsal hollow nerve chord, and post-anal tail. For normal axis formation, the organizer's tripartite organization is needed. Each part differs in inducers, morphogenesis, and self-differentiation. The organizer is a trait of development of all members of the chordate phylum. In comparison to hemichordates, which constitute a phylum with some similarities to chordates, the chordamesoderm part is unique to the chordate organizer (the trunk-tail organizer). Its convergent extension displaces the gastrula posterior pole from alignment with the animal-vegetal axis and generates a new anteroposterior axis orthogonal to this old one. Once it has extended to full length, its signaling modifies the dorsoventral dimension. This addition to the organizer is seen as a major event in chordate evolution, bringing body organization beyond that achieved by oocyte organization and meso-endoderm induction in other groups.
Formation of a functional morphogen gradient by a passive process in tissue from the early Xenopus embryo.
Authors: McDowell N , Gurdon J B , Grainger D J
Published: February 2025

In early development much of the cellular diversity and pattern formation of the embryo is believed to be set up by morphogens. However, for many morphogens, including members of the TGF-beta superfamily, the mechanism(s) by which they reach distant cells is unknown. We have used immunofluorescence to detect, at single cell resolution, a morphogen gradient formed across vertebrate tissue. The TGF-beta ligand is distributed in a gradient visible up to 7 cell diameters (about 150-200 microm) from its source, and is detectable only in the extracellular space. This morphogen gradient is functional, since we demonstrate activation of a high response gene (Xeomes) and a low-response gene (Xbra) at different distances from the TGF-beta source. Expression of the high affinity type II TGF-beta receptor is necessary for detection of the gradient, but the shape of the gradient formed only depends in part on the spatial variation in the amount of receptor. Finally, we demonstrate that the molecular processes that participate in forming this functional morphogen gradient are temperature independent, since the gradient forms to a similar extent whether the cells are maintained at 4 degrees C or 23 degrees C. In contrast, TGF-beta1 internalisation by cells of the Xenopus embryo is a temperature-dependent process. Our results thus suggest that neither vesicular transcytosis nor other active processes contribute to a significant extent to the formation of the morphogen gradient we observe. We conclude that, in the model system used here, a functional morphogen gradient can be formed within a few hours by a mechanism of passive diffusion.
The Spemann-Mangold organizer: the control of fate specification and morphogenetic rearrangements during gastrulation in Xenopus.
Authors: Bouwmeester T
Published: February 2025

Vertebrate embryonic development is controlled by sequentially operating signalling centres that organize spatial pattern by inductive interactions. The embryonic body plan is established during gastrulation through the action of the Spemann-Mangold or gastrula organizer, a signalling source discovered 75 years ago by Hans Spemann and Hilde Mangold. Transplantation of the organizer to a heterotopic location in a recipient embryo results in the formation of a secondary embryonic body axis, in which several tissue types, most notably somites and the neural tube, are derived from ventral host cells. Because of these non-cell autonomous recruiting or inducing activities the organizer has become a paradigm for studying intercellular communication in the vertebrate embryo. Here, I review some of the recent advances in understanding 1) the initiation of the Spemann-Mangold organizer, 2) its function in pattern formation along the dorsal-ventral and anterior-posterior axes and 3) the integration of cell fate specification events and downstream execution of morphogenetic movements during gastrulation in Xenopus laevis.
Spemann's influence on Japanese developmental biology.
Authors: Asashima M , Okada T S
Published: February 2025

The discovery of the organizer by H. Spemann and Hilde Mangold, prompted a number of studies of embryonic induction in Japan. C.O. Whitman, N. Yatsu, T. Sato, H. Oka, T. Yamada, and Y.K. Okada were the pioneers in the field of embryonic induction. T. Yamada postulated the double potential theory for embryonic induction. O. Nakamura has modified the fate map of Vogt using newt and Xenopusblastulae. T.S. Okada and G. Eguchi proposed the new concept of "transdifferentiation" based on in vitro experiments in the retina and lens. T.S. Okada is not only an excellent scientist, but he has also nurtured many active developmental biologists. M. Takeichi, from his school, discovered the cell adhesion molecle, cadherin. Nakamura and colleagues tried to determine the origin and formation of the organizer. They performed recombination experiments using the ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm, and concluded that the phenomenon in which various mesoderm tissues are formed by the recombination of the presumptive ectoderm with endoderm was "regulation of the vegetal-animal gradient". Some groups have also tried to purify specific inducing factors. T. Yamada and colleagues isolated two different types of ribonucleoproteins. I. Kawakami and colleagues showed that the ribosome fraction has neural inducing capacity, and that the extracellular matrix contains mesodermal inducing factors. Finally Asashima and colleagues isolated and identified activin A as a MIF factor. This finding had a great influence not only in the field of developmental biology, but also in molecular biology. Using activin, Asashima's group has successfully generated various organs, tissues, trunk-tail and head structures in vitro using animal caps (undifferentiated cells). Some other important molecules such as BMP, chordin and bFGF are also being studied by young Japanese scientists.
Local control mechanisms in the testis.
Authors: Tahka K M
Published: February 2025

The gonads are unique organs in that they harbor the cells of the germline and consequently provide the local environment necessary for the normal development and differentiation of gametes. Since the local requirements for germ differentiation differ considerably from those of somatic cells the structural and physiological organization of the gonad is complex and compartmentalized. An elaborate network of local paracrine interactions between the somatic and gametogenic elements appears to be essential for normal germ cell development in mammals. This is especially true for the testis where meiosis is continuous throughout adulthood and where the spermatogenic cycle of the seminiferous epithelium is strictly controlled in time and space. The present paper reviews briefly the rapidly expanding field of testicular paracrinology. Special emphasis is given to the role of intra- and intercompartmental paracrine communication in the development of the male gamete.
On the etiopathogenesis and therapy of Down syndrome.
Authors: Antila E , Westermarck T
Published: February 2025

The etiopathogenesis of Down syndrome is reviewed concentrating on the possible consequences of over-expression of cytoplasmic superoxide dismutase gene located in chromosome 21. Increased superoxide dismutase activity may generate free radical stress through overproduction of hydrogen peroxide. The significance of inadequate adaptive responses, i.e. increase of the selenoenzyme glutathione peroxidase activity in the central nervous system and in the thyroid gland is discussed. Suggestions are made for prevention of the progress of Down syndrome and intervention studies with antioxidant supplementation are proposed.
Spermatogenesis in Drosophila.
Authors: Hennig W
Published: February 2025

A short summary on the present knowledge on spermatogenesis in Drosophila is given which also points out particular questions of interest in the context of this morphogenetic process. Such points of interest are the formation of lampbrush loops in primary spermatocytes, the chromosomal events during meiosis, the occurrence of chromatin rearrangements and the regulation of gene activities at the posttranscriptional level. The activities and some major conclusions from my laboratory are subsequently described. They include studies of the expression of histone variants, the structure and function of lampbrush loops and the expression of genes participating in sperm morphogenesis.
Allatotropin released by the brain controls larval molting in Galleria mellonella by affecting juvenile hormone synthesis.
Authors: Bogus M , Scheller K
Published: February 2025

Monoclonal antibodies were raised against a protein fraction which was purified from larval brains of Galleria mellonella and which was shown to stimulate the corpora allata to synthesize juvenile hormone in vivo as well as in vitro. Immunoblot analysis revealed that one polypeptide band of 20 kDa was specifically recognized. Two pairs of median neurosecretory cells of the brain and the cells of the corpus cardiacum were demonstrated to be immunoreactive to the antibodies. Our results sustain the hypothesis that the larval brain directly governs insect larval molting by controlling JH synthesis via an allatrophic factor.
Targeted inactivation of myogenic factor genes reveals their role during mouse myogenesis: a review.
Authors: Arnold H H , Braun T
Published: February 2025

The role of the four myogenic regulating genes Myf-5, myogenin, MyoD, and MRF4 (herculin, Myf-6) during mouse embryogenesis has been investigated by targeted gene inactivation. Null mutations for the MyoD gene generate no skeletal muscle phenotype due to a compensatory activation of the Myf-5 gene. Mice carrying a homozygous Myf-5 mutation exert considerably delayed myotome formation with unexpected consequences. While skeletal myogenesis in these mutant mice resumes normally at the onset of MyoD expression, a skeletal defect of the ribs persists. Apparently, Myf-5 and MyoD individually are not absolutely essential for skeletal muscle development, most likely because they have overlapping or redundant functions. In fact, double mutants lacking both, MyoD and Myf-5, fail to develop skeletal musculature and the muscle forming regions seem to be devoid of myoblasts. Homozygous inactivation of the myogenin gene leads to drastically reduced myofiber formation. These mice accumulate apparently normal numbers of myoblasts which are arrested in their terminal differentiation program. Myf-6 null mutant mice exhibit drastically reduced expression of Myf-5 for reasons presently unknown. The phenotype is very similar to Myf-5 mutants with an additional reduction of deep back muscles and minor alterations in sarcomeric protein isoforms. Based on the phenotypes obtained from these various gene "knock-out" mice, we now begin to understand the regulatory network and the homostatic relationship of genes which are critically involved in myogenesis of vertebrates.
Analisis Dampak ENSO terhadap Presipitasi dan Evaporasi di Selat Makassar
Authors: Alamsyah M. Zanugera , Rizqullah Fairus Jamil , Sulhana Baiq Lista Azkia , Maulana Refaldi Rizky , Cahyaningtyas Annisa Dianti , Rahmalia Fahri , Mustaqim Ikhsan , Fadhillah Shafa Nur , Baskara Ganesha Lagas , Kunarso Kunarso
Published: February 2025

Penelitian ini menganalisis pengaruh ENSO terhadap presipitasi dan evaporasi di Selat Makassar. Data yang digunakan berupa data presipitasi dan evaporasi diperoleh dari The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) serta data ONI (Oceanic Niño Index) dari National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) selama 15 tahun dari 2008 - 2022. Analisis korelasi pearson digunakan untuk mengukur kekuatan dan arah hubungan linier variabel ENSO terhadap presipitasi dan evaporasi. Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa secara klimatologis dan spasial, presipitasi  maupun evaporasi mengalami maksimum minimum yang sama. Pengaruh ENSO sendiri terhadap presipitasi dan evaporasi di Selat Makassar secara umum menunjukkan pola korelasi yang kompleks dan bervariasi sepanjang  tahun, dengan perbedaan yang signifikan di tiga wilayah, yaitu Selatan, Tengah, dan Utara. Keadaan presipitasi dan evaporasi di Selat Makassar selama 15 tahun terakhir tidak secara signifikan dipengaruhi oleh El Niño dan La Niña. Hal tersebut diduga karena letak Selat Makassar sendiri berada di wilayah yang  dipengaruhi oleh beberapa fenomena atmosfer global lainnya seperti munsonal, MJO, dan IOD.
Penilaian Kondisi Ekologi Perairan Untuk Pengembangan Budidaya Tiram (Moluska: Ostreidae) di Selat Cunda Kota Lhokseumawe
Authors: Ekamaida Ekamaida , Hariyadi Sigid , Nurilmala Mala , Kusmana Cecep , Krisanti Majariana , Syahrial Syahrial
Published: February 2025

Kajian dilakukan bulan Oktober 2023 pada 5 stasiun pengamatan yang bertujuan untuk menilai kondisi ekologi perairan Selat Cunda dalam upaya pengembangan budidaya tiram. Parameter diukur secara in situ dan ex situ, selanjutnya dibandingkan dengan baku mutu lingkungan serta dianalisis menggunakan Principal Component Analysis. Oksigen terlarut tertinggi ditemukan pada Stasiun 3 (7.66 ± 0.08 mg/L), pH pada Stasiun 2 (7.95 ± 0.02), salinitas pada Stasiun 1 (27.00 ± 1.00‰), kecerahan pada Stasiun 5 (79.00 ± 4.00 cm), kedalaman dan suhu pada Stasiun 2 (62.33 ± 8.33 cm dan 30.80 ± 0.62⁰C), kekeruhan dan kelimpahan Escherichia coli pada Stasiun 1 (2262.42 ± 1613.32 NTU dan 1020.00 ± 113.00 MPN/100 ml), logam berat Cd air pada Stasiun 3 dan 4 (masing-masing 0.01 ± 0.00 mg/L), logam berat Pb air pada Stasiun 3 (0.07 ± 0.01 mg/L), kecepatan arus pada Stasiun 2 (0.20 ± 0.01 m/s), tekstur pasir pada Stasiun 5 (88.00 ± 1.73%), tekstur debu pada Stasiun 4 (46.00 ± 22.52%), tekstur liat dan C-organik pada Stasiun 1 (9.67 ± 1.15% dan 0.85 ± 0.68%), logam berat Cd serta Pb pada Stasiun 3 (0.03 ± 0.01 mg/L dan 7.60 ± 0.58 mg/L) dan N-total pada Stasiun 4 (0.12 ± 0.33%). Hasil analisis PCA memperlihatkan bahwa parameter suhu, tekstur debu, kecepatan arus, Cd air, N-total dan tekstur pasir merupakan pembeda utama variasi di PC pertama; sementara parameter salinitas, kelimpahan E. coli, kekeruhan, tekstur liat dan kedalaman merupakan pembeda utama variasi di PC kedua. Untuk mewujudkan kesuksesan budidaya tiram di Selat Cunda Kota Lhokseumawe harus ditingkatkan nilai kecerahan dan kedalaman perairan serta menurunkan kekeruhan serta logam berat Pb.
Perubahan Garis Pantai Rawan Gempabumi di Lokasi Terabrasi Menggunakan Data Geofisika
Authors: Priscilla Viona Azhari , Farid Muchammad , Lidiawati Liza , Al Ansory Andre Rahmat
Published: February 2025

Kabupaten Bengkulu Utara mempunyai garis pantai yang panjangnya sekitar 262,63 km dan berada di wilayah rawan Gempabumi yang ditunjukkan dengan besarnya nilai Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA > 300). Salah satu sumber daya pesisir di Kabupaten Bengkulu Utara yang memberikan manfaat bagi masyarakat setempat adalah kawasan di sepanjang pantai. Namun, manfaat bagi masyarakat sekitar terancam akibat fenomena abrasi di wilayah pesisir. Kabupaten Bengkulu Utara merupakan kabupaten ke-70 di indonesia yang rentan terhadap bencana abrasi pantai, sehingga masuk dalam kategori kabupaten yang sangat rentan terhadap bencana jenis tersebut. Desa Urai merupakan salah satu wilayah yang rentan terhadap abrasi pantai di Kabupaten Bengkulu Utara. Berdasarkan keadaan yang terjadi di Desa Urai, maka perlu dilakukan penelitian untuk mengetahui kecepatan perubahan garis pantai menggunakan data Citra Satelit dan data Seismik Pasif dalam bentuk kecepatan gelombang geser ( ) dengan menggunakan metode HVSR (Horizontal to Vertical Spectral Ratio). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan daerah yang mengalami abrasi memiliki kecepatan perubahan garis pantai pada rentang antara 1,41-5,04 m/tahun, dengan kecepatan gelombang geser ( ) antara 176,30-237,12 m/s. Daerah yang mengalami abrasi memiliki nilai kecepatan perubahan garis pantai yang tinggi yang didukung dengan nilai  rendah yang mengindikasikan klasifikasi tanah berada pada jenis tanah lunak sampai sedang.
Nucleoli in Human Early Erythroblasts (K2, K1, K1/2 Cells)
Authors: Smetana Karel , Jirásková I. , Klamová H.
Published: February 2025

Human early erythroid precursors classified according to the nuclear size were studied to provide information on nucleoli in these cells using simple cytochemical procedures for demonstration of RNA and proteins of silver-stained nucleolar organizers. K2 cells with nuclear diameter larger than 13 µm and K1 cells with nuclear diameter larger than 9 µm corresponding to proerythroblasts and macroblasts (large basophilic erythroblasts) mostly possessed large irregularly shaped nucleoli with multiple fibrillar centres representing “active nucleoli”. K1/2 cells with nuclear diameter smaller than 9 µm corresponding to small basophilic erythroblasts were usually characterized by the presence of micronucleoli representing “inactive nucleolar types”. On the other hand, a few K1/2 cells contained large nucleoli with multiple fibrillar centres similar to those present in K2 cells and thus appeared as “microproerythroblasts”. The nucleolar asynchrony expressed by the presence of large irregularly shaped nucleoli with multiple nucleoli (active nucleoli) and ring-shaped nucleoli (resting nucleoli) in one and the same nucleus of K2 or K1 cells was not exceptional and might reflect a larger resistance of these cells to negative factors influencing the erythropoiesis. The intranucleolar translocation of silver-stained nucleolus organized regions was noted in K2 cells and might indicate the premature aging of these cells without further differentiation. More studies, however, are required in this direction.
Unravelling the biochemical and phytochemical responses of sapota (Manilkara zapota L.) P. Royen cv. DHS-1 on foliar feeding of plant growth regulators
Authors: Gautam D , Acharya G C , Swain S C , Samal S , Samant D , Bhat N V , Sandeep  , Mohapatra S
Published: February 2025

Foliar application of plant growth regulators (PGRs) is one of tactic for plant nourishment which directly enhances nutrient uptake, leading to a more balanced nutrient supply and improved accumulation in plant ultimately improving quality and yield. The current research covers to see the response of biochemical and phytochemical parameters of sapota cv. DHS-1; to the pre-harvest spray of the PGR i.e. naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (50 and 100 ppm), 2-chloro-4-pyridyl) N'-phenyl urea (5 and 7.5 ppm), salicylic acid (SA) (150 and 300 ppm) and homo brassinolide (10 and 15 ppm); sprayed at flowering, pea stage and marble stage of plant growth. Treatments were imposed on 24-years-old, uniformly grown, sapota trees, planted at 10m x 10m spacing, at Central Horticultural Experiment Station, (ICAR-IIHR), Bhubaneswar during 2022 and 2023. In general, application of PGRs were foundaffecting the fruit quality significantly over control. However, application of NAA and CPPU performed better at higher dose. The treatment NAA at 100 ppm resulted in highest total soluble solids (°Brix), TSS: acid, ascorbic acid content, sugar content and minimum titratable acidity (%). Further, application of NAA at 100 ppm found to be most effective in boosting total flavonoids content, total phenol content and antioxidant activity. The possible correlations among these parameters were discussed which showed that the bio-active compounds such as vitamin C, phenol and flavonoid contributed towards the anti-oxidant capacity of fruit. Therefore, application of PGRs showed to effectively augment fruit quality by improving both biochemical and phytochemical properties when compared to control.
Metabolic disorders and their impact on retinal blood flow in patients with age-related macular degeneration and diabetes mellitus: data from optical coherence tomography angiography
Authors: Lutsenko N. S. , Kyrylova T. S.
Published: February 2025

Aim – to examine the impact of metabolic disorders on retinal blood flow in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetes mellitus using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A).
Materials and methods. The study included 98 eyes (62 patients) with early dry AMD. OCT-A examinations assessed retinal blood flow density in different areas with manual segmentation to define superficial (SCP), intermediate (ICP), and deep (DCP) capillary plexuses. Laboratory tests evaluated glucose and lipid profiles and homocysteine. Morphometric measurements were also conducted: waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI). Patients were grouped based on carbohydrate metabolism impairment: Group 1 (no abnormalities), Group 2 (insulin resistance (IR)), and Group 3 (type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM)).
Results. The study has identified higher glucose levels in the type 2 DM group (10.67 ± 5.11 mmol/L, p = 0.05) and elevated HOMA index in both IR (4.48 ± 2.17, p = 0.03) and diabetes groups (4.89 ± 1.13, p = 0.04). Homocysteine levels were lower in DM patients (6.36 ± 2.57 µMol/L, p = 0.02). No significant differences have been found in lipid profiles or morphometric parameters (p > 0.05). WC and BMI were strongly correlated with reduced blood flow in the SCP middle / far periphery (r = -0.747, p = 0.001). Elevated blood glucose (r = -0.606, p = 0.017) and HOMA index (r = -0.664, p = 0.013) were associated with reduced macular blood flow in the SCP macular region. Triglycerides have shown the most significant negative effect on the blood flow, especially in the SCP macular area (r = -0.883, p = 0.0001). Homocysteine and cholesterol have also been linked to reduced blood flow in the DCP, while high-density lipoprotein has been found to be protective.
Conclusions. The results suggest that glucose metabolism abnormalities, IR, and elevated lipid and homocysteine levels significantly impair retinal blood flow, particularly in the macula and peripheral regions, emphasizing the importance of metabolic control in patients with AMD and DM.
Parental Investments During Labor Shocks: Evidence from Vietnam’s Marine Disaster
Authors: Chan Eric W. , Nguyen Luong
Published: February 2025

We examine the impacts of a marine environmental disaster on parents’ educational investments in the context of Vietnam. Previous research finds that the disaster caused a labor shock in the fishing industry, a primary source of income for workers in the area studied. Using administrative data and a difference-in-differences framework, we find that parents in affected provinces decreased educational investments by 29 % during the four years after the disaster. In households with male and female children of compulsory schooling age, we estimate that affected families spent approximately 5–6 % less on educational expenditures for girls than boys in affected provinces after the disaster.
High Throughput Characterization of Mechanical Properties of Electron Beam Additive Manufactured High-Speed Steel
Authors: Kahlert M. , Hübner L. , Wegener T. , Vollmer M. , Niendorf T.
Published: February 2025

Additive manufacturing of metals by electron beam-based powder bed fusion (PBF-EB/M) is widely used for processing of numerous alloy systems. However, up to now there have been only a few studies investigating tool steels using PBF-EB/M. Due to high build chamber temperatures during processing, PBF-EB/M provides advantages for such steels. These conditions, for example, help to avoid cracks. In the present study, the high-speed steel (HSS) Böhler S390 Microclean (similar to M42, 1.3247) has been processed using PBF-EB/M. As a first step, two different parameter sets, i. e., two different resulting line energies and their effect on the resulting network-like cell structure, were investigated. Nanoindentation measurements revealed strong differences in hardness and elastic modulus between the network-like cell structures and the martensitic matrix, which could be attributed to the formation of carbides during solidification, which were probed by scanning electron microscopy. In addition, monotonic tensile properties were characterized on specimens built with a parameter set adapted to the geometry in order to consider one of the most critical loading scenarios for the tool steel in focus. The investigations reveal a high tensile strength with relatively low elongation at fracture.
Influence of aerogel powder on the mechanical and stability properties of photocurable resin composites produced by stereolithography (SLA)
Authors: Acar Yavuz Gizem , Gören Kıral Binnur , Kıral Zeki
Published: February 2025

This study looked into how adding aerogel affected the dynamic stability, mechanical, and damping characteristics of 3D-printed specimens made using SLA technology. Using the mechanical properties discovered via experimental research, a computer algorithm based on finite element theory was developed to calculate the dynamic instability zones of the composite specimens with varying weight ratios of the aerogel particles. The investigations revealed that as the aerogel content increases, the specimens’ compressive strength increases as well. However, when the aerogel content was more than 1 wt.%, the specimens’ tensile properties were unable to improve continually due to the difficulty of dispersion of aerogel in the resin. A similar tendency has also been seen for the damping property of specimens reinforced by the aerogel particles. The results show that the proper amount of aerogel improves mechanical properties and damping properties of the resin, which has brittle characteristics. Furthermore, it has been determined that when the aerogel weight ratio rises, the instability region gets wider as the dynamic load parameter rises. Conversely, when aerogel contribution increases, so do parametric resonance frequency values.
The crystal structure of 1,4-diazepane-1,4-diium potassium trinitrate, C5H14KN5O9
Authors: Wu Jun-Ying , Shang Yi-Ping , Li Jun-Jian , Liu Dan-Yang , Chen Lang
Published: February 2025

C5H14KN5O9, monoclinic, P21/c, a = 9.3820(3) Å, b = 9.3372(3) Å, c = 14.1593(5) Å, β = 98.916°, V = 1225.39 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt
(F) = 0.0249, wRref
(F
2) = 0.0640, T = 100 K.
Request for confirmation sequences in Castilian Spanish
Authors: Ehmer Oliver
Published: February 2025

This article analyzes request for confirmation (RfC) sequences in spoken Castilian Spanish. RfCs are conversational turns that present a proposition for which the speaker claims some knowledge but at the same time asks for an informed co-participant’s (dis)confirmation. Adopting an Interactional Linguistics perspective, the article examines the linguistic resources used to design RfCs and their responses. The analysis is based on a collection of 250 sequences extracted from spontaneous face-to-face conversations. The article reveals that RfCs in Spanish frequently lack explicit modalization markers. It is proposed that lower epistemic access is also indexed by the use of inference markers and the sequential positioning of the request. Furthermore, the article shows that Castilian Spanish RfCs are frequently prefaced by connectives that establish links to prior talk in various ways. Responses to RfCs in Spanish are predominantly confirming. While responding by using a response token alone is possible, responses are typically expanded and do additional interactional work apart from mere (dis)confirmation. The findings of the study demonstrate that RfCs are sensitively designed to answer to local requirements in interaction, and that further (crosslinguistic) research is needed on the functional potential of specific resources and their interplay.
An introduction to quantitative systems pharmacology for chemical engineers
Authors: Abbiati Roberto A. , Pichardo Cesar
Published: February 2025

Quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) is a discipline that integrates experimental and mathematical modelling practice to perform a variety of analysis in the pharmaceutical research and development space. As the pharma industry strives for leaner product development, reduction of time and costs, and the implementation of the personalized medicine ambition, modeling and simulation approaches are recognized as pivotal components to achieve these goals. Since there are notable similarities between chemical engineering modelling approaches and those of QSP, our aspiration for this chapter is setting the stage for further contribution by engineers in this space. To this end, we provide a concise overview of the various modelling applications currently employed across the pharmaceutical research and development value chain. We then focus on QSP, detailing specific research areas that benefit from its use, the relevant mathematical modelling techniques, and emphasizing its parallels with chemical engineering modelling. Finally, we illustrate two concrete examples of QSP applications in oncological drug development.
Rapport-building in extreme environments: the case of astronauts in space and support crew on the ground
Authors: Frederiksen Dennis Jim
Published: February 2025

This paper explores the ways in which conversation partners demonstrate and develop familiarity and rapport with each other from a distance when one partner, an astronaut, works in the isolated, confined, and extreme environment of a spacecraft. Employing methodologies of pragmatics and pragmatic act theory, I explore radio communication between astronauts on missions in space and support crews on the ground. The audio-recorded conversations (189 h) took place between mission control centers on earth and astronauts on board the International Space Station. The findings reveal that rapport-building in space-to-ground communication occurs through a range of strategies, including stylistic playfulness, recognition of familiarity between speakers, reassurance, and self-deprecating humor. What distinguishes this exploration from existing research is its focus on the coexistence and intertwining of rapport-building with task-oriented communication in the extreme environment of human space flight.
Southerly High-Wind Events in Southern New England: Climatology and Synoptic Setting
Authors: Barker Cameron A. , Van Den Broeke Matthew S.
Published: February 2025

Southern New England is frequently affected by cold season windstorms, in which primarily southerly winds can cause extensive damage. These events do not fuel the extensive media coverage that nor’easters and tropical events do, despite often being more destructive and disruptive. To gain understanding of the climatology and role of the synoptic-scale environment, we explore the behavior and characteristics of the 96 events with the highest magnitude observed surface wind (maximum gust, fastest mile, and hourly sustained wind) from 1965 to 2022. Results indicate that the highest frequency and magnitude of events is associated with a due southerly wind. In addition, anomalously mild, near-record breaking temperatures often coincide with these wind events. Composite plots show a synoptic pattern favoring a deep digging trough to the Gulf Coast and anomalous ridging over the East Coast of the United States, extending offshore into the western Atlantic. Several soundings from representative events show an anomalous low-level jet just above the surface and a well-mixed boundary layer, indicating the importance of downward momentum transport.
ULTRASES İLE MODİFİYE EDİLEN AQUAFABA PROTEİN KONSANTRATININ VEGAN MAYONEZ ÜRETİMİNDE KULLANIMI
Authors: Esendemir Yaren Didem , Yıldız Semanur , Sıçramaz Hatice
Published: February 2025

Bu çalışma, aquafaba proteinlerinin ultrases (US) teknolojisiyle fonksiyonel özelliklerinin geliştirilerek vegan mayonez üretiminde emülgatör olarak kullanımını incelemektedir. Doğal formdaki aquafaba protein konsantratına (AQ) %80 genlikte 5, 15 ve 25 dakika US uygulanmış ve en yüksek emülsiyon stabilitesi (%9.28) 5 dakikalık sonikasyonla elde edilmiştir (AQUS-5). FTIR ve SEM analizleri, yapısal ve fiziksel değişiklikleri ortaya koymuştur. %70 yağ ve %10 emülgatör (AQ/AQUS-5 ve nohut unu) içeren formülasyonla M-AQ (doğal aquafaba içerikli) ve M-AQUS-5 (modifiye aquafaba içerikli) mayonezler üretilmiş olup kontrol grubu mayonezinde (M) %80 yağ ve %10 yumurta sarısı kullanılmıştır. Depolamanın başlangıcında M mayonezinin sertlik (91 g) ve emülsiyon stabilitesi (5.19%) değerleri M-AQ (78.3 g ve 3.87%) ve M-AQUS-5 (74.5 g ve 4.44%) örneklerinden daha yüksek olduğu belirlenmiştir. Depolama sonunda ise, emülsiyon stabilitesi açısından M-AQ (6.31%) ve M-AQUS-5 (5.53%) örnekleri M mayonezine (3.70%) göre daha istikrarlı bulunmuştur. Bu çalışmada, modifiye aquafaba proteinlerinin yağ oranı azaltılmış vegan gıda ürünü geliştirme potansiyeli ortaya konulmuştur.
The Beaux-Arts System and the Construction of Iranian Architectural Modernism in the Twentieth Century
Authors: Akhgar Peyman , Moulis Antony
Published: February 2025

From the early twentieth century, the Franco–Iranian cultural relationship and the desire of Pahlavi governments to modernize the Iranian built environment led to the enrollment of a significant number of Iranians at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Upon their return home, these diplômés worked for successive governmental regimes, contributing to the expression of Iranian modernism by designing some of the country’s most nationally significant buildings. By accessing archival materials in Tehran and Paris, this article reveals the substantial role of Beaux-Arts training in the expression of Iranian twentieth-century modernism, delving into the works of three prominent Iranian graduates: Mohsen Foroughi, Houshang Seihoun, and Amirali Sardar-Afkhami. The expression of Iranian modern identity was not simply a matter of the importation of the Beaux-Arts method; it was also the outcome of a special cultural-political relationship between France and Iran that provided the ground for the transfer of such expression and techniques.