bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cytotoxic KLRG1+ IL-7R- effector CD8+ T cells distinguish kidney transplant recipients controlling cytomegalovirus reactivation
Authors: Sun Yumeng , Sen Subha , Parmar Rajesh , Arakawa-Hoyt Janice , Cappelletti Monica , Rossetti Maura , Gjertson David W. , Sigdel Tara K. , Sarwal Minnie M. , Schaenman Joanna M. , Bunnapradist Suphamai , Lanier Lewis L. , Pickering Harry , Reed Elaine F.
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) viremia remains a major contributor to clinical complications in solid organ transplant (SOT) patients, including organ injury, morbidity and mortality. Given their critical role in antiviral defense, CD8+ T cells are essential for protective immunity against CMV.

Methods

Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we investigated the transcriptional signatures and developmental lineages of CD8+ T cells in eight immunosuppressed kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) who received organs from CMV-seropositive donors. Results were validated in a cohort of 62 KTRs using immunophenotyping.

Results

Our data revealed a significant influence of CMV serostatus on transcriptional variance of CD8+ memory T cells, associating with the first principal component from a global analysis of CD8+ T cells (p =0.0406), forming a continuum with five principal differentiation trajectories driven by CMV primary infection or reactivation. Following CMV primary infection, CD8+ T cells were hallmarked by restrained effector-memory differentiation. CD8+ T cells during CMV reactivation diverged non-linearly into senescent-like cells with signatures of arrested cell cycle, diminished translational activity and downregulated ZNF683 and longitudinally expanding effector cells with robust cytotoxic potential and upregulated ZNF683, acting as a reservoir for long-lived effector cells supporting long-term protection. Notably, CD28lo KLRG1hi IL-7R (CD127)lo HLA-DRhi CD8+ T cells present prior to the detection of viremia in CMV-seropositive patients emerged as a key feature distinguishing patients who did or did not undergo CMV reactivation after prophylaxis discontinuation (p =0.0163). Frequencies of these cells were also positively correlated with CMV-stimulated secretion of IFN-γ (p =0.0494), TNF-α (p =0.0358), MIP-1α (p =0.0262), MIP-1β (p =0.0043).

Discussion

These results provide insights into the transcriptional regulation that influences the generation of CD8+ T cell immunity to CMV and may inform strategics for monitoring host immune response to CMV to better identify and introduce therapeutic intervention to patients at risk of developing clinically significant CMV viremia.
Carbon and nitrogen stocks in sediment at Península Valdés Biosphere Reserve: novel insights into the potential contribution of large marine vertebrates to carbon sequestration
Authors: Jiménez-Ramos Rocío , Egea Luis G. , D’Agostino Valeria C. , Degrati Mariana , Loizaga Rocío
Published: February 2025

Although policymakers and stakeholders are beginning to acknowledge the importance of the marine biosphere in blue carbon services, the role of large marine vertebrates in the marine carbon and nitrogen cycle and especially in carbon sequestration has not yet been fully understood. Large marine vertebrates store only a small percentage of total oceanic carbon in their bodies, but they can provide important and lasting contributions to the oceanic carbon flux. The Península Valdés Biosphere Reserve in southwestern Argentina was partially established to conserve these large marine vertebrates, including the South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) and southern right whale (Eubalaena australis). Three locations in Peninsula Valdés were sampling for the proximity of marine vertebrate populations in the area and the presence of salt marshes to assess the organic carbon (OC) and total nitrogen (TN) stocks in the top 1 m of sediment. Our work provides the first quantitative data on the OC and TN sequestered in the coastal sediments of Península Valdés and shows that this protected area contributes significantly to blue carbon by storing relevant quantities of OC (140 to 317 Mg OC ha-1) and nitrogen (7.3 to 22.9 Mg TN ha-1). Specifically, we found that salt marshes and terrestrial plants were the main C sources in each sediment core, but a non-negligible proportion (from 0.8 to 6.8% dry weight) of the OC stocks showed an isotopic signal from the large vertebrates that usually inhabit the area. Therefore, our results provide novel hypotheses about the potential contribution of large marine vertebrates as an OC vector in coastal systems and may serve as a basis for further investigation about their role into coastal blue carbon.
Stools from a human APOEe2 donor reduces amyloid and tau pathology and increases neuroinflammation in a 3xTg AD mouse model
Authors: Marizzoni Moira , Tournier Benjamin B. , Chevalier Claire , Saleri Samantha , Lathuilière Aurélien , Ceyzériat Kelly , Paquis Arthur , Park Rahel , Troesch Emma , Cattaneo Annamaria , Millet Philippe , Frisoni Giovanni B.
Published: February 2025

Background

The mechanisms underlying the protective effect of the e2 variant of the APOE gene (APOEe2) against Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have not been elucidated. We altered the microbiota of 3xTgAD mice by fecal microbiota transplantation from a human APOEe2 donor (e2-FMT) and tested the effect of microbiota perturbations on brain AD pathology.

Methods

FMT of bacteria isolated from stools of untreated 3xTgAD mice (M-FMT) or e2-FMT were transplanted in 15-month-old 3xTgAD mice. FMT was done alone or in combination with antibiotic and proton-pump inhibitor following the Microbiota Transfer Therapy protocol (MTT). The effect of donor (M or e2) and transplantation protocol (FMT or MTT) on hippocampal amyloid, tau pathology and neuroinflammation were assessed at the end of the treatment.

Results

e2-FMT reduced amyloid, and tau pathology as well as increased neuroinflammation as compared with M-FMT. MTT was associated with reduced number of Aβ40+ plaques and tau pathology. Low levels of amyloid were associated with high levels of pro-inflammatory molecules in e2-FMT mice. These associations were partially attenuated by MTT.

Conclusion

Bacteria from a human APOEe2 donor reduced AD pathology and increased neuroinflammation in mice suggesting that the gut microbiota may be a mediator of the protective effect of APOEe2.
Identification of Codonopsis Radix from different origins based on odor information
Authors: Guo Xingyu , Yang Ruiqi , Wang Jiayu , Wang Yushi , Yu Shulin , Zou Huiqin , Yan Yonghong
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Codonopsis Radix, a natural plant with edible and medicinal functions, is in high demand and cultivated in different regions. The place of origin affects the quality. However, environmental factors such as soil, climate, and altitude all have an impact on its quality. Therefore, identification of geographical origins of Codonopsis Radix is very important.

Methods

This study used High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint and Electronic Nose (E-nose) technology to identify the origin information of Codonopsis Radix. HPLC fingerprint can fully reflect characteristics of chemical components in Codonopsis Radix and provide a reliable chemical basis for identification of origins, while E-nose technology captures and analyzes volatile odor of Codonopsis Radix by simulating human olfactory system, which realizes rapid identification of origin information. In order to reveal origin of special aroma of Codonopsis Radix in a deeper way, we further employed Solid Phase Micro-extraction Gas Chromatography-mass Spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) technique to elucidate the volatile substances of unique aroma.

Results

Odor information could replace chemical components to achieve the identification of Codonopsis Radix geographical origins and Hexanal might be a key volatile compound in Codonopsis Radix from different geographical origins.

Discussion

This research indicated that Codonopsis Radix from different origins can be identified by odor information, which not only enriched index system for quality evaluation of Codonopsis Radix, but also provided new ideas and methods for origin identification of same type of plants.
The impact of multiple myeloma drugs treatments on autologous stem cell transplantation in the era of new drugs
Authors: Wan Xixi , Yu Tian , Yu Tao , Cai Huili
Published: February 2025

Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is the standard treatment recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients who are eligible for transplantation. This procedure follows response achieved through induction therapy. The key to the success of ASCT lies in the quantity and quality of hematopoietic stem cells collected after mobilization. Studies have shown a positive correlation between the number of hematopoietic stem cells collected and the engraftment time of absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and platelet count (PLT). However, the advent of novel therapeutic agents that have significantly improved the survival of MM patients has also impacted hematopoietic stem cell mobilization, potentially delaying hematopoietic recovery, a process referred to as hematopoietic remodeling. In this paper, we will retrospectively analyze and summarise the research progress related to the effects of previous chemotherapeutic agents on hematopoietic stem cell mobilization and hematopoietic remodeling, to further improve the prognosis and quality of survival of MM patients who are eligible for transplantation.
Develop a prognostic and drug therapy efficacy prediction model for hepatocellular carcinoma based on telomere maintenance-associated genes
Authors: Zheng Jian-Hao , Shi Ding , Chen Yun-Jie , Liu Jian-Ping , Zhou Zheng
Published: February 2025

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) poses a substantial global health challenge because of its grim prognosis and limited therapeutic options. Telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMM) significantly influence cancer progression, yet their prognostic value in HCC remains largely unexamined. This research aims to establish a telomere maintenance-associated genes(TMGs)-based prognostic model using transcriptomic and clinical data to evaluate its effectiveness in predicting patient outcomes in HCC.

Methods

The identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were derived from the analysis of transcriptomic and clinical information sourced from the database of the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and were cross-referenced with TMGs. Candidate risk factors were initially assessed using univariate Cox regression, subsequently followed by LASSO, and then refined through multivariate Cox regression to establish a risk prediction model. This model’s predictive accuracy was validated through Kaplan-Meier(K-M) survival analysis, with external validation in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset. Additionally, a nomogram incorporating age and tumor stage was developed. Tumor mutation burden (TMB), immune profile, and drug sensitivity in HCC were also analyzed. Furthermore, we employed RT-PCR to confirm the expression levels of the genes related to TMGs in HepG2 cell lines.

Results

A prognostic model comprising 3 core genes was constructed, with high-risk individuals showing significantly lower overall survival (OS). The association between elevated TMB and diminished survival in high-risk patients was uncovered through TMB analysis. Immune profiling indicated notable disparities in immune infiltration among these groups, with high-risk patients displaying elevated Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) scores, suggesting potential immune evasion.

Conclusion

In short, our prognosis model based on TMGs effectively categorized HCC patients using risk scores, enabling dependable prognostic forecasts and identification of potential therapeutic targets for personalized treatment in HCC management. Future studies should explore integrating this model into clinical practice to improve patient outcomes.
The effect of cannabinoid type Ⅱ receptor on the excitability of substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons
Authors: Zhao Sha , Liu Shunfeng , Gong Yongxin , Ma Zegang
Published: February 2025

The biological effects of cannabinoids are mainly mediated by two members of the G-protein-coupled-receptor family: cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R) and cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB2R). Unlike CB1R, CB2R is considered a “peripheral” cannabinoid receptor. However, recent studies have found that CB2R is widely expressed in the central nervous system and is involved in dopamine related behavioral regulation, including dietary behavior, weight regulation, anxiety, and schizophrenia like behavior. Our previous laboratory research demonstrated that activating CB2R on dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area can regulate addictive behavior in animals by inhibiting neuronal excitability. However, it is currently unclear whether CB2R on dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra compacta (SNc) has similar therapeutic potential. Brain patch clamp results have shown that the CB2R agonist JWH133 significantly inhibits the discharge of SNc dopamine neurons in a concentration dependent manner. The pharmacological blocker AM630 of CB2R can reverse this inhibitory effect, indicating that the expression of CB2R in SNc dopaminergic neurons is functional. After treatment with JWH133, the number of induced action potentials decreased, and the peak potential interval time, action potential start time, and potential amplitude after hyperpolarization amplitude all increased. In addition, synaptic current results showed that JWH133 can significantly reduce the frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents, indicating that activating CB2R to some extent inhibits the release of presynaptic glutamate and indirectly excites postsynaptic neurons.
Advances in hydrogel for diagnosis and treatment for Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Zhu Peining , Zhao Zenghui , Gao Yufei
Published: February 2025

Currently, few symptomatic and palliative care options are available for patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Interdisciplinary research in materials engineering and regenerative medicine has stimulated the development of innovative therapeutic strategy for patients with PD. Hydrogels, which are versatile and accessible to modify, have garnered considerable interests. Hydrogels are a kind of three-dimensional hydrophilic network structure gels that are widely employed in biological materials. Hydrogels are conspicuous in many therapeutic applications, including neuron regeneration, neuroprotection, and diagnosis. This review focuses on the advantageous applications of hydrogel-based biomaterials in diagnosing and treating the patients with PD, including cell culture, disease modeling, carriers for cells, medications and proteins, as well as diagnostic and monitoring biosensors.
Mapping of quantitative trait loci and mining of candidate genes for seed viability in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]
Authors: Saini Manisha , Yadav Raju R. , Kumar Rahul , Chandra Subhash , Rathod N. Krishna Kumar , Taku Meniari , Yadav Manu , Basu Sudipta , Rajendran Ambika , Lal S. K. , Talukdar Akshay
Published: February 2025

Global oilseed crop soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] contains 18%–20% oil, 40%–45% protein, and countless nutrients vital for human health. It is grown worldwide for food, feed, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications. However, inherent loss of seed viability during ambient storage poses serious bottleneck in the production and maintenance of quality seeds. Understanding inheritance and mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for seed viability would help in designing breeding program for developing varieties with higher viability of the seeds. In this study, attempt was made to map QTLs and identify candidate genes for seed viability in soybean. A high-viable genotype EC1023 (>90% germination after 1 year of storage) was hybridized with VLS61, a poor storing genotype (<70% germination after 1 year of storage), and the F1 seeds were advanced to the next generation. The F2:3 seeds were subjected to accelerated ageing (AA) by exposing it to 41°C at 100% RH for 72h followed by viability testing through germination test. After AA test, the germination of the parental genotypes EC1023 and VLS61 were 40% and 14%, respectively, and that of the F2:3 seeds ranged from 4.16% to 71.42% indicating wide variability in the viability of the seeds. Genetic polymorphism studied with 517 SSR markers indicated the polymorphism between the parental genotypes to be 20.35%; however, distribution of the polymorphism was not uniform across the chromosomes; Chr. 14 had 30.00% polymorphism as against 7.14% on Chrs.12. Through inclusive composite interval mapping approach, 8 QTL for seed viability, namely, qSv-6.1 and qSv-6.2, qSv-7.1, qSv-8.1, and qSv-8.2, qSv-10.1, qSv-13.1, and qSv-17.1 were mapped on Chrs. 6, 7, 8, 10, 13 and 17, respectively. The phenotypic variation explained (PVE) by the QTL were 1.97%–11.10%. Two QTL, namely, qSv-7.1 (PVE = 11.10%) and qSv13.1 (PVE = 11.08%) appeared to be major QTLs for seed viability and rest minor ones. All QTL except qSv8.2 appeared to be novel. The mapped QTLs were validated in 40 inter-specific RILs with varying level of seed viability. The SSR marker Satt538 linked to the QTL qSv8.2 could successfully (70%) separate the highly viable RILs from the poor-viable RILs. Similarly, SSR markers Sat_316 and Sat_173 were 80%–85% successful in separating the high and poor viable RILs. Based on Protein Analysis Through Evolutionary Relationships (PANTHER), gene annotation information, and literature search, more than 500 candidate genes for seed viability underlying the mapped QTL were identified. The mapped QTL and the identified candidate genes will pave the way for marker-assisted breeding of soybean to generate genotypes with improved seed viability.
Academic performance, self-reported motivation, and affect in higher education: the role of basic psychological need satisfaction
Authors: González-Arias Mauricio , Dibona Paula , Soto-Flores Benjamín , Rojas-Puelles Andrés , Amato Massimo , Álvarez-Trigo Diego , Castillo Rodrigo
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Higher education is a milestone in students’ lives; however, it often comes with various challenges. In this context, Basic Psychological Needs Theory emerges as a framework to understand a series of significant factors that influence students’ academic experiences, such as motivation and affect. Although there are studies that assess the association between basic psychological needs (BPN), motivation, affect and academic performance separately, there is a lack of research integrating all these variables in a higher education context. The first objective of the study was to evaluate the differences in BPN satisfaction, positive and negative affect, and academic performance between the courses perceived as the most motivating and those perceived as the least motivating. The second objective of the study was to examine the relationship between the studied variables.

Methods

This non-experimental cross-sectional study included a sample of 148 higher education students from Chile. Paired sample t-tests were performed to compare the levels of the study variables between the courses, followed by structural equation modeling (SEM).

Results

Findings for the t-tests reveal that courses considered the most motivating showed higher positive affect, lower negative affect, higher BPN satisfaction, and better academic performance. Results obtained through the SEM show that BPN satisfaction has an indirect effect on academic performance, mediated by affect and self-reported motivation. In addition, a direct effect from negative affect to academic performance was found.

Discussion

These results contribute to a better understanding of how BPN satisfaction influences the academic performance of university students, and reinforce the usefulness of Self-determination Theory (SDT) in explaining motivational and affective phenomena in higher education.
Advanced machine learning techniques reveal multidimensional EEG abnormalities in children with ADHD: a framework for automatic diagnosis
Authors: Mao Ying , Qi Xuchen , He Lingyan , Wang Shan , Wang Zhaowei , Wang Fang
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder that affects attention, impulse control, and multitasking abilities in children and adults. Understanding electroencephalography (EEG) characteristics of children with ADHD can provide new diagnostic tools and personalized treatment plans. This study aims to explore potentially promising EEG features using advanced machine learning techniques and feature selection technique (i.e., SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) algorithm) to reveal brain function abnormalities between pediatric children with ADHD and healthy controls (HC) in a data-driven manner.

Methods

Multidimensional EEG characteristics were extracted from multiple domain (including power spectral density (PSD), fuzzy entropy (FuzEn), and functional connectivity features of mutual information (MI)) using a publicly-available dataset. Then, four widely-employed machine learning algorithms (including random forest (RF), XGBoost, CatBoost, and LightGBM) were used for classification calculations, and the SHAP algorithm was then used to assess the importance of the contributing features to interpret the model’s decision process.

Results

The results showed that the highest classification accuracy of 99.58% for pediatric ADHD detection was obtained with the CatBoost model based on the optimal feature subset of 206 features (PSD/FuzEn/MI = 53/5/148). According to the optimal feature subset statistics, there is an increase in the power of theta, alpha, and beta rhythms, an elevated power ratio between theta and beta (theta/beta ratio, TBR), and reorganization of whole-brain functional connectivity across all frequency bands in children with ADHD, primarily characterized by enhanced functional connectivity.

Discussion

We showed that EEG features was effectively extracted by machine learning methods, which could play a critical role in classification between pediatric ADHD and HC. These findings provide strong evidence for revealing the electrophysiological mechanisms through multidimensional EEG characteristics and move a step forward towards future automatic diagnosis of ADHD.
Age-period-cohort analysis and prediction of tuberculosis trends in China—based on the Global Burden of Disease 2021 data
Authors: Chen Zhifei , Chen Xiaodie , Chang Minli , Lu Dongmei , Zhang Liping , Zheng Yanling
Published: February 2025

Background

This study explores the epidemic trend of tuberculosis (TB) in China from 1990 to 2021, analyzes its relationship with age-period-cohort factors from 1992 to 2021, and predicts the development trend of TB in China from 2022 to 2046.

Methods

Annual Percent Change (APC), Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated by Joinpoint regression model to describe the epidemic trend of TB in China. The Age-Period-Cohort (APC) model was used to explore the effects of age, period and cohort effects on the trend of TB incidence rate, mortality and DALYs rate. APC model and Bayesian Age-Period-Cohort (BAPC) model were used to predict the epidemic trend of TB in China from 2022 to 2046.

Results

In 2021, it is estimated that there are 617,700 incidence cases of TB, 37,300 deaths and 1,375,500 DALYs cases in China, and the corresponding number of male cases is higher than that of female cases. From 1990 to 2021, the number of TB incidence, deaths and DALYs, as well as ASIR, ASDR and ASR of DALYs in China decreased year by year. The AAPC of ASIR, ASDR and ASR of DALYs were −3.33, −7.28% and −6.77%, respectively, all p < 0.05, indicating that the overall trend showed a significant decrease. With the increase of age, the incidence rate of TB first decreased, then increased and then decreased, while the mortality and DALYs rate first decreased rapidly and then decreased slowly, and both reached the highest value in the <5 years age group. The period effect showed that the risk of the total population, male and female population decreased overall. The cohort effect showed that the risk of TB incidence rate, mortality and DALYs rate decreased significantly. The ASIR, ASDR and ASR of DALYs of TB in China are predicted to decrease year by year from 2022 to 2046. The BAPC model predicts that the number of incidence, deaths and DALYs will reach 177,100,077,000 and 181,700 in 2046, respectively.

Conclusion

The APC model shows that the earlier the contemporary people are born, the older the age, the higher the risk of disease. APC and BAPC models predict that the ASR of TB in China will decrease year by year, but men and the older adult are still at high risk of TB burden in China. It is recommended to strengthen the screening of TB patients in key populations, especially in the older adult.
Adaptive formation learning control for cooperative AUVs under complete uncertainty
Authors: Jandaghi Emadodin , Zhou Mingxi , Stegagno Paolo , Yuan Chengzhi
Published: February 2025

Introduction

This paper addresses the critical need for adaptive formation control in Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) without requiring knowledge of system dynamics or environmental data. Current methods, often assuming partial knowledge like known mass matrices, limit adaptability in varied settings.

Methods

We proposed two-layer framework treats all system dynamics, including the mass matrix, as entirely unknown, achieving configuration-agnostic control applicable to multiple underwater scenarios. The first layer features a cooperative estimator for inter-agent communication independent of global data, while the second employs a decentralized deterministic learning (DDL) controller using local feedback for precise trajectory control. The framework's radial basis function neural networks (RBFNN) store dynamic information, eliminating the need for relearning after system restarts.

Results

This robust approach addresses uncertainties from unknown parametric values and unmodeled interactions internally, as well as external disturbances such as varying water currents and pressures, enhancing adaptability across diverse environments.

Discussion

Comprehensive and rigorous mathematical proofs are provided to confirm the stability of the proposed controller, while simulation results validate each agent’s control accuracy and signal boundedness, confirming the framework’s stability and resilience in complex scenarios.
A mini-review on mobile manipulators with Variable Autonomy
Authors: Contreras Cesar Alan , Rastegarpanah Alireza , Chiou Manolis , Stolkin Rustam
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a mini-review of the current state of research in mobile manipulators with variable levels of autonomy, emphasizing their associated challenges and application environments. The need for mobile manipulators in different environments, especially hazardous ones such as decommissioning and search and rescue, is evident due to the unique challenges and risks each presents. Many systems deployed in these environments are not fully autonomous, requiring human-robot teaming to ensure safe and reliable operations under uncertainties. Through this analysis, we identify gaps and challenges in the literature on Variable Autonomy, including cognitive workload and communication delays, and propose future directions, including whole-body Variable Autonomy for mobile manipulators, virtual reality frameworks, and large language models to reduce operators’ complexity and cognitive load in some challenging and uncertain scenarios.
Artificial intelligence-produced radiographic enhancements in dental clinical care: provider and patient perspectives
Authors: Slashcheva Lyubov D. , Schroeder Kelly , Heaton Lisa J. , Cheung Hannah J. , Prosa Brenda , Ferrian Nicole , Grantz Jesse , Jacobi Deborah , O’Malley John J. , Helgeson Michael , Tranby Eric P.
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Artificial intelligence (AI)-based software can be used with dental radiographs to facilitate dental providers’ diagnoses and to educate patients about their oral health conditions. The goal of this study was to survey dental providers and patients about the use of AI-enhanced radiographs in the diagnostic and patient education processes.

Methods

Within their Community Collaborative Practice model, Apple Tree Dental in Minnesota implemented the use of an AI software platform that annotates carious lesions and periodontal measurements on dental radiographs. Before and after implementation of this software, providers (dentists, dental hygienists, dental therapists, and dental assistants) were surveyed about what benefits and challenges they anticipated and experienced in using the AI software. A small-scale study of patients who viewed AI-generated annotations on their own radiographs examined patient perspectives on the use of this software.

Results

Dental therapists reported using the software most often, with 57.2% using the software at least 50% of their clinical time; 79% of dental assistants reported using the software 25% of the time or less. While the majority of providers (n = 70 for Survey I; n = 53 for Survey II) said that AI enhancements would help facilitate patient education efforts, providers’ confidence in the ability of the AI software to improve diagnosis of dental caries and periodontal disease and its ability to improve the efficiency of their work was mixed. Patients (n = 25) found reviewing the AI-produced visual aids used by their dental provider to be helpful in understanding their oral health, and a large proportion (92%) said they planned to follow through on recommended treatment.

Discussion

While provider and patient perceptions of the use of AI software in dental care were positive overall, attitudes among providers were mixed regarding its effectiveness in diagnosing dental disease and improving work efficiency. More research is needed to determine whether use of AI software in clinical dental practice produces changes in treatment recommendations by providers or in patient adherence to these recommendations.
Case report: Successful surgical resection of an intracranial frontal lobe dermoid cyst in a cat
Authors: Nakano Yukiko , Nozue Yuta , Hazeyama Hiromi , Matsunami Tokio , Chambers James , Uchida Kazuyuki , Kobatake Yui
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Intracranial dermoid cysts (IDCs) are rarely observed in veterinary medicine, and reports regarding treatment strategies for feline IDCs are severely lacking. This report describes the surgical management of epileptic seizures caused by IDCs in a cat.

Case presentation

An 8-year-old, spayed, female American Shorthair cat presented with epileptic seizures. The epileptic seizures, which had developed at the age of 5 years, had been controlled by phenobarbital administration. At 8 years old, the cat contracted acute hepatitis, prompting a switch from phenobarbital to other antiseizure medications. This drug switch caused an increase in the frequency of epileptic seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a dermoid cyst as a heterogeneous intensity mass on T2-weighted images, without falx cerebri displacement. The preoperative seizures occurred more than three times a day (cluster seizures), even though the cat was administered multiple antiseizure medications. The seizures ceased after surgical removal of the dermoid cyst. The cat did not experience seizures for 14 months after surgery, even with discontinuation of antiseizure medications.

Conclusion

In cats, surgical removal of frontal lobe IDCs may effectively control epileptic seizures without fatal complications, thus potentially leading to a great prognosis.
Strategies for mitigating heat stress and their effects on behavior, physiological indicators, and growth performance in communally managed feedlot cattle
Authors: Slayi Mhlangabezi , Jaja Ishmael Festus
Published: February 2025

Heat stress poses a significant challenge in communal feedlot systems, affecting cattle welfare and productivity. This study evaluated the impact of shade and water-cooling interventions on thermophysiological stress reduction and growth performance in 60 cattle from communal feedlots. Physiological indicators (rectal temperature, skin temperature, respiration rate) along growth metrics (feed intake, average daily gain [ADG]) were analyzed using regression and principal component analysis (PCA) to identify key drivers of performance. The results showed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in rectal temperature, respiration rate, and skin temperature in cattle subjected to shade and water cooling compared to the control group. Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) values frequently exceeded the heat stress threshold of 72, with peak mid-day values surpassing 80, indicating severe thermal stress. Cattle in the treated groups experienced lower THI values, reduced panting scores, and improved homeostasis under high thermal loads. Breed-specific differences were evident, with Bos indicus cattle (Nguni) maintaining lower physiological stress indicators than Bos taurus (Bonsmara), highlighting superior heat tolerance. Growth performance, measured by average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR), significantly improved in the treated groups, with ADG increasing by 18% and FCR improving by 12% relative to the control. Blood metabolite analysis revealed lower cortisol levels (p < 0.05) and improved electrolyte balance in the cooled groups, indicating reduced chronic stress and better metabolic function. Behavioral observations, recorded at 10-min intervals every 30 min, showed increased resting time and reduced panting frequency in cooled cattle, confirming enhanced thermal comfort. These findings underscore the importance of integrating cooling interventions into cattle management strategies to improve productivity and welfare in heat-stressed environments.
Improving Low-Frequency Vibration Energy Harvesting of a Piezoelectric Cantilever with Quasi-Zero Stiffness Structure: Theory and Experiment
Authors: Hua Chunli , Zou Donglin , Cao Guohua
Published: February 2025

In this study, a novel cantilever piezoelectric energy harvester is constructed by using a quasi-zero stiffness (QZS) structure. The QZS structure consists of a classic piezoelectric cantilever beam combined with some accessories that include two pre-compression springs, rolling bearings, slideways and a cylindrical cam. The purpose of the QZS structure is to reduce the natural frequencies of the harvester, so that it can more efficiently collect low-frequency vibration energy. In this study, firstly, the extended Hamilton variational principle is used to establish the dynamic equations of the continuous system. Secondly, the Galerkin method is used to discretize the partial differential equation, and then the analytical solutions of the output voltage, current, power and vibration response of the harvester are obtained. Finally, the influence of the QZS structure on energy harvesting characteristics is studied. Theoretical research shows that the QZS structure can effectively reduce the fundamental natural frequency of the cantilever beam and improve its energy harvesting efficiency. When the spring stiffness is about half of the bending stiffness of the cantilever beam, the uncoupled fundamental natural frequency of the harvester is quasi-zero. For the experimental device considered here, experiments show that the QZS structure can reduce the fundamental natural frequency from 76.4 Hz to 54.1 Hz, decreasing by 22.3 Hz. The maximum output power is increased from 1.43 mW/g2 to 1.95 mW/g2, an increase of 36.4%. The experimental results validate the theoretical model. In short, this paper provides a new idea for the design of energy harvesters suitable for low-frequency vibration.
Fungicidal Effect of Strong Oxidative Free Radicals Against Fusarium graminearum and Their Impact on Wheat Growth and Yield
Authors: Zhang Huanhuan , Zhang Bo , He Huagang , Zhang Lulu , Hu Xinkang , Wu Chundu
Published: February 2025

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium graminearum, is a significant fungal disease that adversely affects wheat production and food security. This study systematically evaluated the fungicidal efficacy of strong oxidative radicals (SORs) against F. graminearum and their effects on wheat growth and yield through a combination of in vitro and field experiments. In vitro experiments revealed that solutions containing different concentrations of radicals effectively suppressed the fungus. The results suggested that SOR solutions exhibited potent fungicidal activity against F. graminearum. At a concentration of 4.0 mg/L, the spore mortality rate was 96.8%, and at 5.0 mg/L, the rate reached 99.4%. The optimal concentration for the elimination of F. graminearum spores was determined to be 2.5 × 105 CFU/mL. The optimal treatment duration for SORs was 10 min. Furthermore, field trials investigated the effects of SORs on wheat growth, and agronomic traits were assessed, along with their efficacy in controlling FHB in field trials, both as a standalone treatment and in combination with commercial pesticides. The results indicated that the application of SORs alone achieved an 87.9% control efficacy, demonstrating significant potential for disease control. Furthermore, SORs positively influenced wheat agronomic traits such as plant height, spike length, grain weight per plant, grain number per plant and grain yield, providing a promising new approach for the green control of FHB.
Survival Strategies and Color Preferences of Mandarin Fish (Siniperca chuatsi) and Mud Carp (Cirrhinus molitorella): Implications for Aquaculture
Authors: Xiang Miao , Wei Nian , Liu Haoran , Liao Mulan , Meng Zihao , Li Xuemei
Published: February 2025

This study evaluated the habitat coloration preferences of Siniperca chuatsi and Cirrhinus molitorella in both solitary (n = 1) and group (n = 3) settings across six colors. The results indicated that both individual and group S. chuatsi spent the majority of their time in and made frequent visits to the black area, followed by the blue area. While individual C. molitorella spent the majority of their time and visits in the blue region, groups showed a preference for the blue and white regions. These findings highlight the distinct habitat coloration preferences of S. chuatsi and C. molitorella in different group states, suggesting that habitat coloration has an important effect on fish behavior and environmental adaptation. From a behavioral ecology perspective, these preferences may be closely related to the survival strategies of fish. Notably, C. molitorella’s strong preference for blue and white backgrounds may reflect anti-predator behavior, helping C. molitorella avoid predators, such as S. chuatsi, in natural environments, thereby improving its chances of survival. This study provides a scientific basis for optimizing aquaculture environments, emphasizing the importance of considering habitat coloration and substrate type in designing environments to enhance fish welfare.
Development of Serum-Free Culture Systems for an Immortalized Porcine Kidney-Derived Macrophage Cell Line
Authors: Haraguchi Seiki , Takenouchi Takato , Masujin Kentaro , Suzuki Shunichi , Kokuho Takehiro , Uenishi Hirohide
Published: February 2025

The immortalized porcine kidney-derived macrophage (IPKM) cell line is an excellent resource that has proven to be an effective for the production of various strains of African swine fever virus (ASFV). In this study, we developed a serum-free medium to replace the standard serum-containing medium and established the long-term subculture of IPKM cells. We used KnockOut serum replacement instead of serum. As the expression of several cytokines and their receptors were observed in IPKM cells, we examined their effect and found that porcine colony stimulating factor 1 (pCSF1) and pCSF2 were essential for the proliferation of IPKM cells. Furthermore, the addition of 2% polyvinylpyrrolidone K90 to the medium improved cell adhesion and allowed for the stable long-term subculture of IPKM cells. The proportion of cells with a normal number of chromosomes (2n = 38) was similar to that of IPKM cells cultured in a serum-containing medium. Moreover, we investigated the spinner flask suspension culture without using microcarrier beads. Finally, we developed a modified serum- and calcium-free medium in which IPKM cells could be successfully cultured for an extended period. Whether grown in adherent or suspension culture, the expression of the macrophage-specific markers, CD172a, CD203a, and Iba1, remained positive, indicating that IPKM cells retained their macrophage properties.
A Mobile LiDAR-Based Deep Learning Approach for Real-Time 3D Body Measurement
Authors: Jeong Yongho , Noh Taeuk , Lee Yonghak , Lee Seonjae , Choi Kwangil , Jeong Sujin , Kim Sunghwan
Published: February 2025

In this study, we propose a solution for automatically measuring body circumferences by utilizing the built-in LiDAR sensor in mobile devices. Traditional body measurement methods mainly rely on 2D images or manual measurements. This research, however, utilizes 3D depth information to enhance both accuracy and efficiency. By employing HRNet-based keypoint detection and transfer learning through deep learning, the precise locations of body parts are identified and combined with depth maps to automatically calculate body circumferences. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method exhibits a relative error of up to 8% for major body parts such as waist, chest, hip, and buttock circumferences, with waist and buttock measurements recording low error rates below 4%. Although some models showed error rates of 7.8% and 7.4% in hip circumference measurements, this was attributed to the complexity of 3D structures and the challenges in selecting keypoint locations. Additionally, the use of depth map-based keypoint correction and regression analysis significantly improved accuracy compared to conventional 2D-based measurement methods. The real-time processing speed was also excellent, ensuring stable performance across various body types.
The Influence of the Number of Pistons on the Pressure Pulsations and Vibration of the Axial Piston Pump Housing
Authors: Radosavljević Milan , Stošić Lazar , Mihajlović Slavica R. , Đorđević Nataša G. , Petrović Radovan , Lozanović Jasmina
Published: February 2025

The number of pistons in axial piston pumps plays a significant role in determining the performance characteristics of the pump. While increasing the number of pistons can improve capacity, stability, and flow, it also requires careful consideration of design complexity and operational efficiency. The optimal number of pistons will depend on the specific requirements of the application and the trade-offs that can be effectively managed. With multiple pistons operating together, the resulting pressure profile is smoother, reducing fluctuations that can affect system performance. This is crucial in applications where stable pressure is necessary, as it can improve the reliability and efficiency of the hydraulic system. Each piston contributes to the total displacement, resulting in an increase in flow rate. However, this must be balanced against the potential for increased internal friction and the complexity that can arise from multiple moving parts. The effect of the number of pistons on vibration and operating balance is another important factor. A well-balanced multi-piston pump can minimize pulsations and vibrations, resulting in smoother operation. This is essential for applications where excessive vibrations can lead to wear or system instability. To perform fast Fourier transforms (FFTs) on the measured signals, each signal was sampled at 4096 points per revolution (cycle). With five measured signals (four pressures and one vibration), this resulted in a total of (4 + 1) × 4096 = 20,480 data points per revolution and 204,800 data points for 10 consecutive revolutions.
DRST-Net: A Dual-Branch Feature Fusion Network Combining ResNet50 and Swin Transformer for Welding Light Strip Recognition
Authors: Lu Yuan , Huang Qingjiu
Published: February 2025

To address the challenges of strong arc light noise, metal spatter, and smoke interference in weld seam recognition, we propose DRST-Net, a dual-branch cross-attention feature fusion network. The encoder of DRST-Net consists of two branches: ResNet50 for detailed feature extraction and Swin Transformer for global semantic modeling. The network also incorporates a cross-attention feature fusion (CaFF) module, which utilizes the self-attention mechanism to dynamically integrate local features from ResNet50 with global semantic information from Swin Transformer. This design allows DRST-Net to effectively merge both detailed and global features, enhancing the accuracy and robustness of weld seam recognition. The experimental results show that DRST-Net outperforms the current leading models, achieving a mIou of 86.17%, mPre of 92.32%, and F1_score of 91.68%. The model performs especially well in complex environments with noisy backgrounds and intricate details. Ablation experiments confirm the effectiveness of the dual-branch structure and the cross-attention fusion module. This approach provides a practical and reliable solution for automated welding tasks, offering significant improvements in both accuracy and robustness.
Exploration of Generative Neural Networks for Police Facial Sketches
Authors: Sádaba-Campo Nerea , Gómez-Moreno Hilario
Published: February 2025

This article addresses the impact of generative artificial intelligence on the creation of composite sketches for police investigations. The automation of this task, traditionally performed through artistic methods or image composition, has become a challenge that can be tackled with generative neural networks. In this context, technologies such as Generative Adversarial Networks, Variational Autoencoders, and Diffusion Models are analyzed. The study also focuses on the use of advanced tools like DALL-E, Midjourney, and primarily Stable Diffusion, which enable the generation of highly detailed and realistic facial images from textual descriptions or sketches and allow for rapid and precise morphofacial modifications. Additionally, the study explores the capacity of these tools to interpret user-provided facial feature descriptions and adjust the generated results accordingly. The article concludes that these technologies have the potential to automate the composite sketch creation process. Therefore, their integration could not only expedite this process but also enhance its accuracy and utility in the identification of suspects or missing persons, representing a groundbreaking advancement in the field of criminal investigation.
Commercial Plant-Based Functional Beverages: A Comparative Study of Nutritional Composition and Bioactive Compounds
Authors: De La Fuente-Carmelino Luciana , Anticona Mayra , Ramos-Escudero Fernando , Casimiro-Gonzales Sandra , Muñoz Ana María
Published: February 2025

Plant-based beverages, commonly referred to as functional beverages, have the potential to improve health since they contain bioactive components. A study was conducted to analyze the nutritional and bioactive profiles of functional beverages marketed in the United States and Peru, based on the different ingredients utilized. The determination of the nutritional content and bioactive compounds was carried out according to validated methods. The antioxidant activity of the beverages was assessed according to the DPPH and FRAP assays. The results showed that the beverages have a low caloric contribution, while they were characterized by a high content of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, anthocyanins, carotenoids, and Vitamin C, associated with strong antioxidant activity. Significant differences were also found between the samples tested according to the ingredients used in the beverages. In conclusion, this research indicates that the plant beverages under investigation could potentially provide a noteworthy quantity of bioactive compounds linked to the various constituent types, hence catering to consumer preferences.