bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of artificial intelligence models for detecting the pterygium that requires surgical treatment based on anterior segment images
Authors: Gan Fan , Chen Wan-Yun , Liu Hui , Zhong Yu-Lin
Published: December 2022

Background and aim

A pterygium is a common ocular surface disease, which not only affects facial appearance but can also grow into the tissue layer, causing astigmatism and vision loss. In this study, an artificial intelligence model was developed for detecting the pterygium that requires surgical treatment. The model was designed using ensemble deep learning (DL).

Methods

A total of 172 anterior segment images of pterygia were obtained from the Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital (China) between 2017 and 2022. They were divided by a senior ophthalmologist into the non-surgery group and the surgery group. An artificial intelligence model was then developed based on ensemble DL, which was integrated with four benchmark models: the Resnet18, Alexnet, Googlenet, and Vgg11 model, for detecting the pterygium that requires surgical treatment, and Grad-CAM was used to visualize the DL process. Finally, the performance of the ensemble DL model was compared with the classical Resnet18 model, Alexnet model, Googlenet model, and Vgg11 model.

Results

The accuracy and area under the curve (AUC) of the ensemble DL model was higher than all of the other models. In the training set, the accuracy and AUC of the ensemble model was 94.20% and 0.978, respectively. In the testing set, the accuracy and AUC of the ensemble model was 94.12% and 0.980, respectively.

Conclusion

This study indicates that this ensemble DL model, coupled with the anterior segment images in our study, might be an automated and cost-saving alternative for detection of the pterygia that require surgery.
Astragaloside IV improves the pharmacokinetics of febuxostat in rats with hyperuricemic nephropathy by regulating urea metabolism in gut microbiota
Authors: Zhao Zhen Xiong , Tang Xiao Hui , Jiang Sheng Lu , Pang Jia Qian , Xu Yu Bin , Yuan Dan Dan , Zhang Ling Ling , Liu Hui Min , Fan Qing
Published: December 2022

Hyperuricemic nephropathy (HN) is a common clinical complication of hyperuricemia. The pathogenesis of HN is directly related to urea metabolism in the gut microbiota. Febuxostat, a potent xanthine oxidase inhibitor, is the first-line drug used for the treatment of hyperuricemia. However, there have been few studies on the pharmacokinetics of febuxostat in HN animal models or in patients. In this study, a high-purine diet-induced HN rat model was established. The pharmacokinetics of febuxostat in HN rats was evaluated using LC-MS/MS. Astragaloside IV (AST) was used to correct the abnormal pharmacokinetics of febuxostat. Gut microbiota diversity analysis was used to evaluate the effect of AST on gut microbiota. The results showed that the delayed elimination of febuxostat caused drug accumulation after multiple administrations. Oral but not i. p. AST improved the pharmacokinetics of febuxostat in HN rats. The mechanistic study showed that AST could regulate urea metabolism in faeces and attenuate urea-ammonia liver-intestine circulation. Urease-related genera, including Eubacterium, Parabacteroides, Ruminococcus, and Clostridia, decreased after AST prevention. In addition, the decrease in pathogenic genera and increase in short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) producing genera also contribute to renal function recovery. In summary, AST improved the pharmacokinetics of febuxostat in HN rats by comprehensive regulation of the gut microbiota, including urea metabolism, anti-calcification, and short-chain fatty acid generation. These results imply that febuxostat might accumulate in HN patients, and AST could reverse the accumulation through gut microbiota regulation.
An all metasurface-based fiber needle probe for Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Shuyan , Bi Renzhe , Zhang Ruochong , Qi Yi , Salim Rasyiqah Bte Shaik Mohamed , Olivo Malini
Published: December 2022

Optical fiber-based spectroscopy sensors are widely used for industrial and biomedical applications. They normally consist of at least one excitation fiber and one collection fiber. However, the excitation and collection fibers are placed side by side, so the focal spots do not coincide. In addition, Raman probes whose excitation and emission span a wide wavelength range are limited by wavelength-dependent focal length variation, low sensitivity, and bulky size impeding their clinical adoption. To overcome the challenges, we propose an all metasurface integrated fiber solution. The metasurface technology is well suited for this application because it relies on specially designed nanostructures to manipulate light properties in an ultrathin footprint. Here we used our earlier demonstrated dual-wavelength excitation Raman probe as an example. The two excitation fibers at 671 nm and 785 nm feature a hybrid metasurface lens (metalens) including a narrow band pass filter and an off-axis focusing metalens. The collection fiber at 810—910 nm features an achromatic broadband on-axis focusing metalens. Simulation results show that by integrating the metalenses, the focal spots of the excitation beams and the collection beam coincide with a beam size of 4.6 µm, 4.6 µm, and 11.3 µm in the x-, y-, and z-axis, respectively. Moreover, the probe size shrinks by 100 times and becomes a needle probe. The needle probe will enable new applications such as small animal in vivo experiments, medical endoscopy experiments, and neonatal skin analysis for hard-to-reach areas. Furthermore, the proposed solution can be applied to work with any optical fiber-based spectroscopy sensors because the designs can be readily fabricated and put into practical use.
Sick or rich: Assessing the selected soil properties and fertility status across the tea-growing region of Dooars, West Bengal, India
Authors: Malakar Harisadhan , Timsina Gagan , Dutta Jintu , Borgohain Arup , Deka Diganta , Babu Azariah , Paul Ranjit Kumar , Yeasin Md. , Rahman Feroze Hasan , Panja Saumik , Karak Tanmoy
Published: December 2022

Harnessing the potential yields of evergreen perennial crops like tea (Camellia sinensisL.) essentially requires the application of optimum doses of nutrients based on the soil test reports. In the present study, the soil pH, organic carbon (OC), available potassium as K2O (AK), and available sulphur (AS) of 7300 soil samples from 115 tea estates spread over the Dooars ranging from 88°52’E to 89°86’E longitude and 26°45’N to 27°00’N latitude of West Bengal, India have been documented. About 54% of soil samples were found within the optimum range of soil pH (4.50-5.50) for tea cultivation. The overall range of OC was found from 0.28% to 6.00% of which, 94% of the analyzed samples were within the range of satisfactory to excellent level of OC i.e. (>0.80% to 6.00%). Around 36.3% of soil samples were found to have high AK (>100 mg kg-1) but 37.1% of soils were found to have high AS content (>40 mg kg-1). The nutrient index status of soil pH was low in Dam Dim, Chulsa, Nagrakata, Binnaguri, and Jainti sub-districts. Soils from five sub-districts had a high nutrient index (2.47 to 2.83) for soil organic carbon. However, it existed in the medium index (1.69 and 2.22) for Dalgaon and Kalchini sub-districts. Only Nagrakata sub-district soil samples were in the high nutrient index (2.65) for AK. All analyzed samples showed a medium nutrient index (1.97 to 2.27) for AS. The result indicated that soil pH was significantly negatively correlated with soil OC (-0.336) and AK (-0.174). However, the soil OC was significantly positive correlated with AK (0.258) and AS (0.100). It could be concluded that a balanced fertilizer application would be needed as a part of the soil improvement program through soil chemical tests for sustainable tea cultivation.
The calcium cyanamide and polyethylene blocks the secondary transmission and infection of vegetable leaf diseases
Authors: Xie Xuewen , Chen Lida , Shi Yanxia , Chai Ali , Fan Tengfei , Li Lei , Li Baoju
Published: December 2022

Continuous cropping obstacles, especially soil-borne diseases can cause serious harm to agricultural production and limit the sustainable development of modern agriculture. However, Corynespora blight is an important air-borne disease on cucumber leaves caused by Corynespora cassiicola. The pathogen also could survive in air-dried soil or plant residue for at least one month. However, it is not clear whether soil Corynespora blight residues can infect plants. We detected the dynamic change of C. cassiicola content in soil and air after returning the diseased and residual straw to the field in real time by PMA-qPCR detection method. In this study, we reveal for the first time a new mode of transmission in which leaf blade disease residues in soil can spread again into the air and infect plants. In polyethylene (PE) treatment, cucumber plants grew healthily without disease. However, the content of C. cassiicola in the soil still existed in the PE treatment at 103 spore·g−1. The disease index (DI) of cucumber was less than 3 in calcium cyanamide (CaCN2). After fumigation and film removal and the whole growth period was controlled at a safe level. In addition, the PMA-qPCR detection method of Corynespora blight of cucumber was established for the first time in this study. In summary, CaCN2 and PE treatments are effective ways to block the infection of cucumber leaves by Corynespora blight residues in soil. These treatments are considered to comprise a feasible and sustainable technique for vegetable leaf residues in greenhouses.
At the roots of attribution of human rights to migrants
Authors: Albarello Flavia , Rubini Monica
Published: December 2022

Introduction

This study (N = 141, Mage = 20.15) aimed at deepening knowledge on the factors that can lead young adults to deny the inalienability of human rights to migrants by examining whether, under realistic and symbolic intergroup threat (versus no-threat), the denial of human rights to migrants increases. In doing so, the role of fraternalistic relative deprivation in mediating this relation was examined. Also, two potential positive factors were considered: in-depth exploration of personal identity in the educational domain and identification with the human group. Intergroup threat was expected to enhance perceived relative deprivation, thus reducing the attribution of human rights to migrants. Such relation was expected to be mediated by those factors expressing complex views of self and others (in-depth exploration of identity in the educational domain and identification with the human group).

Method

Realistic and symbolic threat were experimentally manipulated through a written scenario. In the no-threat condition, no scenario was presented.

Results

Showed significant effects of intergroup threat on the attribution of human rights to migrants, on perceived fraternalistic relative deprivation, on in-depth exploration of identity in the educational domain and identification with the human group. More specifically, intergroup realistic threat, but not symbolic threat, reduced the attribution of human rights to migrants and identification with the human group. Symbolic threat, but not realistic threat, increased the perception of fraternalistic relative deprivation, whereas both realistic and symbolic threat reduced in-depth exploration of identity in the educational domain, and identification with the human group. As shown by the sequential mediation analysis, and as expected, the effect of intergroup threat in reducing attribution of human rights to migrants was mediated by in-depth exploration of identity in the educational domain, identification with the human group, and fraternalistic relative deprivation. Implications of findings concerning the processes underlying identification with the human group and its beneficial effects in terms of humanization of a stigmatized outgroup were highlighted by stressing the intertwined nature of personal identity and social identity processes. The importance of complex views of self and others in helping to create inclusive generations of adults was also highlighted.
Awareness of meaning and quest for meaning: The mechanisms between future orientation and prosociality among youth during pandemic
Authors: Lui Wai-Kin , Chan Chi-Keung , Ng Kai-Hang , Chui Chi-Fai Raymond , Siu Nicolson Yat-Fan , Yung Chui-Shan , Lau Ka-Wing
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The positive relationship between future orientation and prosocial tendency has been consistently reported. However, the possible mechanism has not been examined yet. Previous research revealed the positive relationship between future orientation and meaning in life, as well as between meaning in life and prosocial tendency. Hence, it is hypothesized that the two components of meaning in life (presence of meaning and search for meaning) possibly mediate the relationship between future orientation and prosocial tendency.

Methods

During the first half of 2020, 430 Hong Kong youths aged 15–35 (male: 30.5%; female: 69.5%) were recruited to participate an online cross-sectional survey. The survey included three scales: (1) The Scale for Measuring Adult’s Prosocialness, (2) Consideration of Future Consequence Scale, and (3) Meaning in Life Questionnaire.

Results

The key findings showed that: (1) females had higher level of prosocial tendency than males, and (2) significant partial mediating effects of both presence of meaning and search for meaning on the relationship between future orientation and prosocial tendency. Nevertheless, the multi-group mediation model did not show significant gender difference.

Discussion

These findings implied that future-oriented and meaning-focused interventions could possibly enhance youth’s sense of meaning in everyday life and foster their meaning searching tendency, which further strengthen the positive effect of their future orientation on prosocial tendency, even during life adversities.
Motivational mediation between coping and post-traumatic growth in previously bullied college students
Authors: Ravelo Yennifer , Alegre Olga M. , Marrero Hipólito , Gonzalez-Mendez Rosaura
Published: December 2022

Research has consistently shown that experiences of peer victimization may have long lasting negative consequences on health and academic achievement. Less attention has been paid to the association between past bullying and post-traumatic growth in college students. This cross-sectional study aims to examine the role of different motivational orientations (The Behavioral Inhibition and Behavioral Activation Systems (BIS/BAS) and regulatory focus) as potential mediators between cognitive strategies (rumination and resilient coping) and post-traumatic growth (PTG). Using a large sample of 1,134 college students, 85 were selected who were in their first year of college and had reported having previously experienced bullying. After classifying the participants acording to their the 33rd and 66th percentile scores on post-traumatic growth, a univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated significant differences between the low and high groups, with those highest in PTG showing the highest scores on drive approach, focus on promotion, and resilient coping. Conditional process analysis with these significant variables revealed that regulatory focus on promotion mediates between resilient coping and post-traumatic growth, whereas drive moderates the link between both variables. The findings shed light on the motivational mechanisms underlying PTG, which may be useful to guide interventions to prevent the consequences of bullying.
Research on the formation mechanism of information cocoon and individual differences among researchers based on information ecology theory
Authors: Yuan Xiaofang , Wang Chunyun
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Choosing to only retrieve and read academic information related to their own research field is conducive to researchers’ in-depth understanding of their own research issues, and also reduces the pressure of researchers’ information retrieval, but may bring about the effect of information cocoon.

Methods

Based on the information ecology theory, a theoretical model is built from the aspects of information people, information, information environment and information technology, and relevant data is collected through questionnaires to verify assumptions. To explore the formation path of information cocoon for scientific researchers and the differences between different types of scientific researchers.

Results

Different gender, education background, identity, age and team size of scientific researchers will lead to different dimensions in the process of producing information cocoon; Community influence, information homogeneity and value identification are important factors influencing the formation of information cocoon room for scientific researchers; Community influence and information homogeneity positively affect value identification.

Discussion

In the future research work, researchers should pay attention to the influence of information homogeneity, community influence and value identification.
Visualization analysis on the research topic and hotspot of online learning by using CiteSpace—Based on the Web of Science core collection (2004–2022)
Authors: Shen Youhua , Huang Lehui , Wu Xueshi
Published: December 2022

The objective of this research is to establish a better understanding of the current landscape of online learning research and development. Data were collected from the Web of Science (including SCI-EXPANDED, SSCI, and AHCI), which contains articles published from 2004 to 2022. A total of 25,382 pieces of data were collected. The data were visualized and analyzed using Citespace. The results show that the USA, China, and England are the main research countries in online learning; the Open University, Nanyang Technology University, and Monash University are the main research institutions; and Hwang Ggo-Jen, Huang Yueh-Min, and Chen Nian-Shing were the lead researchers. Major research topics in the field of online learning include MOOCs, flipped classrooms, COVID-19, computer-supported collaborative learning, the technology acceptance model, communities of inquiry, and distance learning. Meanwhile, each topic includes some classical literature. Computers & Education, Educational Technology Research and Development, the Internet, and Higher Education are three highly cited journals. Research hotspots mainly include three types of terms: student-related, learning-system-related, and teacher-related. Finally, we proposed further study ideas for future paths.
Intellectual capital and property tax reassessment performance of local authorities: The interrelationships analysis
Authors: Senawi Asma , Osmadi Atasya
Published: December 2022

Malaysia’s property tax reassessment practices have recently revealed a previously hidden phenomenon that insufficient numbers of local authorities had undertaken a revaluation. The situation raises the question of what causes variations in property tax reassessment performance and which factors contribute to these variations. Hence, this study investigates the role of intellectual capital (IC) and its components in property tax reassessment performance among Malaysian local authorities. Data were collected using structured questionnaires from a sample of 155 officers from local authorities operating in West Malaysia. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed to examine the hypotheses using the SmartPLS 4.0.8.2 version of the partial least squares technique. The analysis results demonstrate that only relational capital significantly affects property tax reassessment performance, whereas human and structural capital have no equivalent relationship. Intriguingly, significant interrelationships were observed among the components of IC. The research model adds theoretical value to the discourse of organizational psychology, knowledge management, and property tax reassessment management. The significant positive relationship on relational capital resulting from this research indicates that the multiple stakeholder’s behaviours impacted reassessment work. This study offers practical managerial implications for the related parties: local authorities, public institutions and other stakeholders. The findings will change the manager’s behaviour in realizing the importance of IC and making effective strategies to improve their property tax reassessment performance.
Timing of head turns to upcoming talkers in triadic conversation: Evidence for prediction of turn ends and interruptions
Authors: Hadley Lauren V. , Culling John F.
Published: December 2022

In conversation, people are able to listen to an utterance and respond within only a few hundred milliseconds. It takes substantially longer to prepare even a simple utterance, suggesting that interlocutors may make use of predictions about when the talker is about to end. But it is not only the upcoming talker that needs to anticipate the prior talker ending—listeners that are simply following the conversation could also benefit from predicting the turn end in order to shift attention appropriately with the turn switch. In this paper, we examined whether people predict upcoming turn ends when watching conversational turns switch between others by analysing natural conversations. These conversations were between triads of older adults in different levels and types of noise. The analysis focused on the observer during turn switches between the other two parties using head orientation (i.e. saccades from one talker to the next) to identify when their focus moved from one talker to the next. For non-overlapping utterances, observers started to turn to the upcoming talker before the prior talker had finished speaking in 17% of turn switches (going up to 26% when accounting for motor-planning time). For overlapping utterances, observers started to turn towards the interrupter before they interrupted in 18% of turn switches (going up to 33% when accounting for motor-planning time). The timing of head turns was more precise at lower than higher noise levels, and was not affected by noise type. These findings demonstrate that listeners in natural group conversation situations often exhibit head movements that anticipate the end of one conversational turn and the beginning of another. Furthermore, this work demonstrates the value of analysing head movement as a cue to social attention, which could be relevant for advancing communication technology such as hearing devices.
Populism in Peru: Populist attitudes and perception of the populist offer and its relationship with political cynicism and attitudes toward democracy
Authors: Espinosa Agustin , Janos Erika , Pacheco Manuel , Juárez Juan , Chaparro Hernán
Published: December 2022

Populism is a phenomenon that is gaining attention in Political Psychology. The goal of the current study was to determine the relationship between populist attitudes, based on the populist demand and the perception of the populist offer, and several indices of political cynicism and attitudes toward democracy in Peru. To do this, a quantitative correlational study including 391 participants from diverse Peruvian locations was carried out. Both populist attitudes and critical perception of the populist offer are found to be directly related to Political Cynicism in its dimensions of Political Distrust, Political Hopelessness, and Political Moral Laxity, and inversely related to the dimension of Political System Change. Similarly, both dimensions of populism are directly related to Democratic Support and inversely related to Democratic Satisfaction. The findings support the notion that populist attitudes emerge in the context of distrust of the system and express an ambivalent relationship with democracy. Furthermore, the various approaches developed by the social sciences to address the populist phenomenon are discussed in terms of their strengths and limitations.
Khmer Girls in Action and healing justice: Expanding understandings of anti-Asian racism and public health solutions
Authors: Lin May
Published: December 2022

This community case study highlights how Khmer Girls in Action (KGA), a Southeast Asian young women-led organizing group in Long Beach, California, enacts healing justice. Healing justice is a framework for both transforming structures at the crux of health inequities and healing emotional, spiritual, and psychological wounds inflicted by structural violence. KGA also anchors the cross-racial and intersectional Invest in Youth (IIY-LB) coalition. IIY-LB youth leaders have successfully fought to increase the city's investments in the social determinants of health, especially young people's well-being. Meanwhile, the coalition has critiqued over-investments in criminalization and policing as devastating Black, Brown, queer, low-income, immigrant, and refugee youth and communities. This case study highlights how KGA's work expands understandings of both anti-Asian racism and public health solutions in the following ways: First, KGA cultivates youth leaders' critical analyses to define root causes of health inequities impacting Southeast Asian refugees as rooted in imperialism, disinvestment, and increased criminalization. Furthermore, youth leaders come to understand how their communities' struggles and liberation necessitate intersectional and cross-racial coalitions. Second, youth leaders forge public health solutions that involve divesting from criminalization and institutionalizing an Office of Youth Development, as co-created with young people. Third, KGA and other IIY-LB organizations cultivate youth's leadership skills and community's political power to move hearts and minds of decision-makers and community members. For example, youth leaders have passed a ballot measure funding youth, climate, and health programs in addition to the city-based Office of Youth Development. Fourth, KGA engages in a wide range of “inward” healing practices to salve wounds caused by intergenerational trauma. This case study contributes to Asian American health equity by highlighting the specific importance of organizing, while illuminating abolitionist perspectives on public health solutions- both of which are under-discussed in discourse about anti-Asian racism. KGA's work thus illustrates the importance of centering critical analyses and leadership of communities most impacted by structural violence in forging transformative public health solutions to anti-Asian racism.
Access of new systemic therapies for Genito-urinary cancers in low-middle income countries
Authors: Herchenhorn Daniel , Freire Vinicius
Published: December 2022

The availability of new systemic therapies associated with better outcomes and survival for GU tumors is a major obstacle for most LMIC. Strategies to improve access are necessary and depend not only on drug availability, but from public health care system organization, discussion and priorities as well as strategies to decrease cost by rational treatment decision and individualize use of systemic therapies in limited resource countries. Efforts should be implemented to provide more real-world data coming from LMIC and studies focusing in strategies to decrease drug costs are urgently needed.
Effect of Dietary Urea in Gestating Beef Cows: Circulating Metabolites, Morphometrics, and Mammary Secretions
Authors: Prezotto Ligia D. , Thorson Jennifer F.
Published: December 2022

Prolific use of supplementation strategies, including the utilization of urea, are practiced in beef cattle production systems. Unfortunately, the influence of urea supplementation on metabolics, adipose tissue mobilization, and mammary secretions is limited in beef cows. Therefore, the objectives of this experiment were to assess the influence of urea supplementation on metabolic profiles, morphometrics, and mammary secretions. Pregnant, multiparous beef cows were fed individually and assigned to treatment (n = 4/treatment) as Control or Urea Supplementation. Blood samples and body weight were collected every 28 d throughout gestation. Backfat thickness was measured via ultrasonography on days 28 and 280 of gestation. Total mammary secretions were sampled for composition. Concentrations of beta-hydroxybutyrate, non-esterified fatty acids, glucose, and plasma urea nitrogen did not differ by treatment. Body weight and backfat thickness changed in response to the progression of gestation, but did not differ between treatments. Finally, concentration of urea nitrogen increased in mammary secretions of cows fed urea, but total content of urea nitrogen in mammary secretions did not differ between treatments. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that the pregnant beef cow undergoes metabolic adaptation during gestation. However, urea supplementation failed to improve any of the morphometric parameters of the dams assessed.
The Lipidomics of Spermatozoa and Red Blood Cells Membrane Profile of Martina Franca Donkey: Preliminary Evaluation
Authors: Prasinou Paraskevi , De Amicis Ippolito , Fusaro Isa , Bucci Roberta , Cavallini Damiano , Parrillo Salvatore , Caputo Maurizio , Gramenzi Alessandro , Carluccio Augusto
Published: December 2022

Fatty acid-based lipidomic analysis has been widely used to evaluate health status in human medicine as well as in the veterinary field. In equine species, there has been a developing interest in fertility and sperm quality. Fatty acids, being the principal components of the membranes, play an active role in the regulation of the metabolic activities, and their role on spermiogenesis seems to be of great importance for the resulting quality of the sperm and, thus, fertility. With the application of widely used lipidomic techniques, the aim of this study was to evaluate: (a) the fatty acid content of the spermatozoa’s membranes of 26 healthy male Martina Franca donkeys and its possible correlation with sperm parameters, and (b) the evaluation of the composition of the red blood cells’ membrane. PUFA omega-6 are the principal components (40.38%) of the total PUFA content (47.79%) in both types of cells; however, DPA is the predominant one on the spermatozoa’s membrane (27.57%) but is not present in the erythrocyte’s membrane. Spermatozoa’s motility (%) is positively correlated with stearic acid and EPA, and progressive motility (%), with oleic acid. These findings offer information on the composition of both types of cells’ membranes in healthy male MF donkeys and reflect the metabolic transformations of the spermatozoa’s membrane during the maturation period, providing a better perception of the role of fatty acids in sperm parameters and fertility.
A Comparative Study of Vetiveria zizanioides Leaf Segmentation Techniques Using Visible, Infrared, and Thermal Camera Sensors in an Outdoor Environment
Authors: Soetedjo Aryuanto , Hendriarianti Evy
Published: December 2022

A camera vision system is a fast and effective approach to monitoring leaves. It can be used to monitor plant growth, detect diseases, and conduct plant phenotyping. However, due to the outdoor environment of plants, it becomes challenging to use. This paper addresses the problems of Vetiveria zizanioides leaf segmentation by comparing different camera types and segmentation techniques. Visible, no infrared filter (NoIR), and thermal cameras interfaced in an embedded device were used to capture plants during the day and at night. Several popular thresholding techniques and the K-Means algorithm were employed for leaf segmentation, and their performance was measured using Recall, Precision, and F1 score. The comparison results show that the visible camera achieved the best performance on daytime images, with the highest Recall of 0.934 using Triangle thresholding, the highest Precision of 0.751 using K-Means (K = 3), and the highest F1 score of 0.794 using Multi-Otsu thresholding. For nighttime images, the highest Recall of 0.990 was achieved by the thermal camera using Isodata and Otsu thresholding, the highest Precision of 0.572 was achieved by the NoIR camera using K-Means (K = 3), and the highest F1 score of 0.636 was achieved by the NoIR camera using K-Means (K = 3). To compare the leaf segmentation performance of the thresholding techniques and the K-Means algorithm between our image dataset and the well-known plant image dataset, we also evaluated the methods using the Ara2012 image dataset. The results showed that K-Means (K-3) achieved the best performance. The execution time of K-Means was about 3 s, which was longer than the thresholding techniques. However, it is still acceptable for the real-time plant monitoring system.
Effect of Sample Interval on the Parameter Identification Results of RC Equivalent Circuit Models of Li-ion Battery: An Investigation Based on HPPC Test Data
Authors: Zhang Hehui , Deng Chang , Zong Yutong , Zuo Qingsong , Guo Haipeng , Song Shuai , Jiang Liangxing
Published: December 2022

The validity of the equivalent circuit model (ECM), which is crucial for the development of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and state evaluation, is primarily dependent on the precision of the findings of parameter identification. In this study, the commonly used first-order RC (1-RC) circuit and second-order RC (2-RC) circuit models were selected for parameter identification. A time series of voltage with different sample intervals were used for function fitting based on the least square method, which were extracted from the hybrid pulse power characteristic (HPPC) test data of a commercial square punch LIB, and the sample intervals were set to be 0.1 s, 0.2 s, 0.5 s, and 1.0 s to evaluate the effect of sample interval on the parameter identification results. When the sample interval is more than 0.5 s, the results reveal that the 2-RC circuit model’s goodness of fit marginally declines, and for some data scenarios, the bias between the fitted terminal voltage curve and test curve increases obviously. With all of the sample intervals under consideration, the 1-RC circuit model’s imitative effect is satisfactory. This work demonstrates that the sample interval of data samples, in addition to the method itself, affects the accuracy and robustness of parameter identification, with the 1-RC circuit model showing larger advantages under low sample frequency compared to the 2-RC circuit model.
Comparative Proteomic and Transcriptomic Analysis of the Impact of Androgen Stimulation and Darolutamide Inhibition
Authors: Nevedomskaya Ekaterina , Sugawara Tatsuo , Baumgart Simon J. , Lesche Ralf , Hahne Hannes , Mumberg Dominik , Haendler Bernard
Published: December 2022

Several inhibitors of androgen receptor (AR) function are approved for prostate cancer treatment, and their impact on gene transcription has been described. However, the ensuing effects at the protein level are far less well understood. We focused on the AR signaling inhibitor darolutamide and confirmed its strong AR binding and antagonistic activity using the high throughput cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA HT). Then, we generated comprehensive, quantitative proteomic data from the androgen-sensitive prostate cancer cell line VCaP and compared them to transcriptomic data. Following treatment with the synthetic androgen R1881 and darolutamide, global mass spectrometry-based proteomics and label-free quantification were performed. We found a generally good agreement between proteomic and transcriptomic data upon androgen stimulation and darolutamide inhibition. Similar effects were found both for the detected expressed genes and their protein products as well as for the corresponding biological programs. However, in a few instances there was a discrepancy in the magnitude of changes induced on gene expression levels compared to the corresponding protein levels, indicating post-transcriptional regulation of protein abundance. Chromatin immunoprecipitation DNA sequencing (ChIP-seq) and Hi-C chromatin immunoprecipitation (HiChIP) revealed the presence of androgen-activated AR-binding regions and long-distance AR-mediated loops at these genes.
Epigenetic Insights on PARP-1 Activity in Cancer Therapy
Authors: Pinton Giulia , Boumya Sara , Ciriolo Maria Rosa , Ciccarone Fabio
Published: December 2022

The regulation of chromatin state and histone protein eviction have been proven essential during transcription and DNA repair. Poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) and poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation) are crucial mediators of these processes by affecting DNA/histone epigenetic events. DNA methylation/hydroxymethylation patterns and histone modifications are established by mutual coordination between all epigenetic modifiers. This review will focus on histones and DNA/histone epigenetic machinery that are direct targets of PARP-1 activity by covalent and non-covalent PARylation. The effects of these modifications on the activity/recruitment of epigenetic enzymes at DNA damage sites or gene regulatory regions will be outlined. Furthermore, based on the achievements made to the present, we will discuss the potential application of epigenetic-based therapy as a novel strategy for boosting the success of PARP inhibitors, improving cell sensitivity or overcoming drug resistance.
Identification of CD203c as a New Basophil-Specific Flow-Marker in Ph+ Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Sadovnik Irina , Ivanov Daniel , Smiljkovic Dubravka , Stefanzl Gabriele , Degenfeld-Schonburg Lina , Herndlhofer Susanne , Eisenwort Gregor , Hauswirth Alexander W. , Sliwa Thamer , Keil Felix , Sperr Wolfgang R. , Valent Peter
Published: December 2022

Basophilia is a crucial prognostic variable in Ph-chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The ectoenzyme CD203c is an activation-linked surface antigen that is expressed specifically on basophil-committed progenitor cells and mature basophils. We examined the expression of CD203c on progenitors and/or basophils in 21 healthy donors and 44 patients with CML. As expected, the numbers of CD203c+ blood leukocytes were significantly higher in CML patients compared to controls (percentage of CD203c+ cells among viable cells in CML at diagnosis: 4.19 ± 3.68% vs. controls: 0.53 ± 0.23%, p < 0.05). Moreover, CML basophils expressed higher levels of CD203c compared to normal basophils (median staining-index in CML at diagnosis: 29.41 ± 19.14 versus controls: 20.44 ± 13.45). We also found that the numbers and percentage of circulating CD203c+ cells at diagnosis correlate with the disease-related risk-profile. Incubation of CML basophils with an anti-IgE-antibody resulted in further upregulation of CD203c. After successful treatment with imatinib and/or other BCR::ABL1 inhibitors leading to major or complete molecular responses, the numbers of CD203c+ basophils decreased substantially in our CML patients compared to pre-treatment values. Together, CD203c is overexpressed on CML basophils, is further upregulated by IgE receptor cross-linking, and may serve as a biomarker to quantify basophilia in patients with CML at diagnosis and during therapy.
100 Important Questions about Bitcoin’s Energy Use and ESG Impacts
Authors: Rudd Murray A.
Published: December 2022

Bitcoin critics have argued that energy-intensive Bitcoin production and adoption will exacerbate global warming. Conversely, Bitcoin advocates have been dismayed by critics’ apparent lack of willingness to scrutinize Bitcoin’s potential role in helping to improve the economics of renewable energy investments, reduce net emissions from methane venting and flaring, increase electricity grid efficiency, and provide higher-order environmental, social, and governance (ESG) benefits. Given the disparate views, there is a pressing need to identify key knowledge needs regarding Bitcoin’s net energy use, carbon emissions, and direct and indirect ESG impacts. I used a variation on the ‘key questions’ horizon scanning approach to identify 100 questions that, if answered, could help provide credible evidence to support policymakers’, investors’, and research funders’ decision-making on issues relating to the impact of Bitcoin production and adoption. The questions are distributed across 13 themes (ranging from energy use to social impacts). The breadth of knowledge required to answer key questions highlights the need to build research capacity, encourage collaborative cross-sectoral and -disciplinary research, and develop a prioritized research agenda. Defensible evidence for investors, regulators, and policymakers needs to consider Bitcoin’s complex net impacts on energy use and environmental, social, and governance benefits.
Gene Expression Datasets for Two Versions of the Saccharum spontaneum AP85-441 Genome
Authors: López-Rozo Nicolás , Ramirez-Castrillon Mauricio , Romero Miguel , Finke Jorge , Rocha Camilo
Published: December 2022

Sugarcane is a species of tall grass with high biomass and sucrose production, and the world’s largest crop by production quantity. Its evolutionary environment adaptation and anthropogenic breeding response have resulted in a complex autopolyploid genome. Few efforts have been reported in the literature to document this organism’s gene co-expression and annotation, and, when available, use different gene identifiers that cannot be easily associated across studies. This data descriptor paper presents a dataset that consolidates expression matrices of two Saccharum spontaneum AP85-441 genome versions and an algorithm implemented in Python to mechanically obtain this dataset. The data are processed from the allele-level information of the two sources, with BLASTn used bidirectionally to suggest feasible mappings between the two sets of alleles, and a graph-matching optimization algorithm to maximize global identity and uniqueness of genes. Association tables are used to consolidate the expression values from alleles to genes. The contributed expression matrices comprise 96 experiments and 109,050 and 35,516 from the two genome versions. They can represent significant computational cost reduction for further research on, e.g., sugarcane co-expression network generation, functional annotation prediction, and stress-specific gene identification.
Utilization of Ashes from Biomass Combustion
Authors: Odzijewicz Joanna Irena , Wołejko Elżbieta , Wydro Urszula , Wasil Mariola , Jabłońska-Trypuć Agata
Published: December 2022

Biomass is one of the most important sources of renewable energy in the energy industry. It is assumed that by 2050 the global energy deposit could be covered in 33–50% of biomass combustion. As with conventional fuels, the combustion of biomass produces combustion by-products, such as fly ash. Therefore, along with the growing interest in the use of biomass as a source of energy, the production of ash as a combustion by-product increases every year. It is estimated that approximately 476 million tons of ashes per year can be produced from biomass combustion. For example, the calorific value of dry wood mass tends to be between 18.5 MJ × kg−1 and 19.5 MJ × kg−1, while the ash content resulting from thermal treatment of wood is from 0.4 to 3.9% of dry fuel mass. However, biomass ash is a waste that is particularly difficult to characterize due to the large variability of the chemical composition depending on the biomass and combustion technology. In addition, this waste is, on the one hand, a valuable fertilizer component, as it contains significant amounts of nutrients, e.g., calcium (Ca), potassium (K) and microelements, but on the other hand, it may contain toxic compounds harmful to the environment, including heavy metals and substances formed as a result of combustion, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or volatile organic compounds (VOCs). PAHs and VOCs are formed mainly in the processes of incomplete combustion of coal and wood in low-power boilers, with unstable operating conditions. However, it is important to remember that before the fly ash is used in various industries (e.g., zeolite synthesis, recovery of rare earth metals or plastic production) as an additive to building materials or fertilizers for cultivation, a number of analyses are to be conducted so that the by-products of combustion could be used to allow the by-product of combustion to be used. It is important to conduct tests for the content of heavy metals, chlorides, sulphates, microelements and macroelements, grain and phase composition and organic compounds. If such ash is characterized by low pollution levels, it should be used in agriculture and reclamation of degraded land and not directed to landfills where it loses its valuable properties. The purpose of this review is to present the properties of ashes generated as a result of biomass combustion in Poland and the world, to discuss factors influencing changes in its composition and to present the possibilities of their reuse in the environment and in various branches of industry.
Forecasting the Crude Oil Spot Price with Bayesian Symbolic Regression
Authors: Drachal Krzysztof
Published: December 2022

In this study, the crude oil spot price is forecast using Bayesian symbolic regression (BSR). In particular, the initial parameters specification of BSR is analysed. Contrary to the conventional approach to symbolic regression, which is based on genetic programming methods, BSR applies Bayesian algorithms to evolve the set of expressions (functions). This econometric method is able to deal with variable uncertainty (feature selection) issues in oil price forecasting. Secondly, this research seems to be the first application of BSR to oil price forecasting. Monthly data between January 1986 and April 2021 are analysed. As well as BSR, several other methods (also able to deal with variable uncertainty) are used as benchmark models, such as LASSO and ridge regressions, dynamic model averaging, and Bayesian model averaging. The more common ARIMA and naïve methods are also used, together with several time-varying parameter regressions. As a result, this research not only presents a novel and original application of the BSR method but also provides a concise and uniform comparison of the application of several popular forecasting methods for the crude oil spot price. Robustness checks are also performed to strengthen the obtained conclusions. It is found that the suitable selection of functions and operators for BSR initialization is an important, but not trivial, task. Unfortunately, BSR does not result in forecasts that are statistically significantly more accurate than the benchmark models. However, BSR is computationally faster than the genetic programming-based symbolic regression.
Predicting Sex-Related Transcripts in the Chinese Giant Salamander (Andrias davidianus): A Transcriptomics Study, Selection Gender for Preservation, Breeding and Reintroduction
Authors: Zhao Hu , Huang Jiqin , Fang Cheng , Ma Hongying , Zhang Han , Deng Jie , Jiang Wei , Kong Fei , Zhang Hongxing , Liu Hong , Wang Qijun
Published: December 2022

The Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus) is the biggest extant and endangered amphibian, which has an incongruous sex ratio during the artificial breeding process and is sex indistinguishable in appearance. The sex development mechanism of this rare species thus needs to be explored. We therefore conducted this study to explore the molecular mechanisms of sex hallmarks or gonad maintenance genes for CGS. In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the sexually mature male and female gonads of Chinese giant salamanders (CGSs) using RNA-seq technology and found a total of 15,063 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the testicular and ovarian tissues, of which 7973 (52.93%) were expressed in testicular and 7090 (47.07%) in ovarian tissues. Thirteen gonad DEGs were selected based on gene expression abundance and quantified in the muscle and skin tissues of both male and female CGSs. The results showed that these 13 DEGS, out of the 20 analyzed DEGs, were expressed in both the muscle and skin tissues and only two of them (Bmp15 and ZP3) were consistent in the muscle and skin compared to the gonads of CGSs of the two sexes. Overall, our study should provide an important reference for the sex-characteristics-related genes in this type of species, shedding new light on future research on this topic.