bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microscopic phage adsorption assay: High-throughput quantification of virus particle attachment to host bacterial cells
Authors: Antani Jyot D. , Ward Timothy , Emonet Thierry , Turner Paul E.
Published: December 2024

Phages, viruses of bacteria, play a pivotal role in Earth’s biosphere and hold great promise as therapeutic and diagnostic tools in combating infectious diseases. Attachment of phages to bacterial cells is a crucial initial step of the interaction. The classic assay to quantify the dynamics of phage attachment involves coculturing and enumeration of bacteria and phages, which is laborious, lengthy, hence low-throughput, and only provides ensemble estimates of model-based adsorption rate constants. Here, we utilized fluorescence microscopy and particle tracking to obtain trajectories of individual virus particles interacting with cells. The trajectory durations quantified the heterogeneity in dwell time, the time that each phage spends interacting with a bacterium. The average dwell time strongly correlated with the classically measured adsorption rate constant. We successfully applied this technique to quantify host-attachment dynamics of several phages including those targeting key bacterial pathogens. This approach should benefit the field of phage biology by providing highly quantitative, model-free readouts at single-virus resolution, helping to uncover single-virus phenomena missed by traditional measurements. Owing to significant reduction in manual effort, our method should enable rapid, high-throughput screening of a phage library against a target bacterial strain for applications such as therapy or diagnosis.
NPR1 promotes blue light–induced plant photomorphogenesis by ubiquitinating and degrading PIF4
Authors: Zhou Yangyang , Liu Pengtao , Tang Yaqi , Liu Jie , Tang Yaru , Zhuang Yumeng , Li Xiaoting , Xu Kaiqi , Zhou Zhi , Li Jigang , He Guangming , Deng Xing Wang , Yang Li
Published: December 2024

Light is a major determinant of plant growth and survival. NONEXPRESSER OF PATHOGENESIS-RELATED GENES 1 (NPR1) acts as a receptor for salicylic acid (SA) and serves as the key regulator of SA-mediated immune responses. However, the mechanisms by which plants integrate light and SA signals in response to environmental changes, as well as the role of NPR1 in regulating plant photomorphogenesis, remain poorly understood. This study shows that SA promotes plant photomorphogenesis by regulating PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 4 (PIF4). Specifically, NPR1 promotes photomorphogenesis under blue light by facilitating the degradation of PIF4 through light-induced polyubiquitination. NPR1 acts as a substrate adaptor for the CULLIN3-based E3 ligase, which ubiquitinates PIF4 at Lys129, Lys252, and Lys428, and leading to PIF4 degradation via the 26S proteasome pathway. Genetically,
PIF4
is epistatic to
NPR1
in the regulation of blue light–induced photomorphogenesis, suggesting it acts downstream of NPR1. Furthermore, cryptochromes mediate the polyubiquitination of PIF4 by NPR1 in response to blue light by promoting the interaction and ubiquitination between NPR1 and PIF4. Transcriptome analysis revealed that under blue light, NPR1 and PIF4 coordinately regulate numerous downstream genes related to light and auxin signaling pathways. Overall, these findings unveil a role for NPR1 in photomorphogenesis, highlighting a mechanism for posttranslational regulation of PIF4 in response to blue light. This mechanism plays a pivotal role in the fine-tuning of plant development, enabling plants to adapt to complex environmental changes.
Determination and Characterization of Optimum Non-Linear Damping in Vehicle Suspension System
Authors: Soong Ming Foong , Goh Kah Yin , Phang Swee King
Published: December 2024

Vehicle suspension system plays a crucial role in ensuring ride comfort, stability and safety of vehicle and passengers. Damping, a critical component of suspension system, attenuates vehicle vibrations and impacts onto the vehicle structure and passengers, thereby enhancing the overall vehicle performance, namely ride comfort and road holding. Traditionally, linear damping model has been employed, however the dynamic nature of real-world driving conditions often requires a more detailed understanding of damping behaviour, particularly in non-linear regime. This paper focuses on the determination and characterization of the optimum non-linear damping profile in vehicle suspension considering vehicle ride performance criteria using a 2 degree-of-freedom quarter vehicle model and then comparing them between linear and non-linear damping regimes. A comprehensive computational mathematical model is developed in MATLAB® environment to simulate the complex interactions between the vehicle, suspension components and road input. Multi-objective genetic algorithm optimization technique is then implemented to determine the optimum non-linear damping in the form of Pareto front using MATLAB® Global Optimization Toolbox by minimizing the two conflicting objectives which are vehicle body acceleration and dynamic tire load, which represents the ride comfort and road holding ability. Through computational simulation studies, the effects of non-linear damping on ride comfort and road holding ability can be evaluated and compared with linear damping model. In non-linear damping, the damping force does not increase linearly with the velocity of the suspension movement as in linear damping. Instead, the damping force changes at different rates depending on the velocity or displacement change. However, its non-linear profile remains unknown and need to be determined. Hence, the characteristic of non-linear damping is then determined through curve-fitting method, selecting a mathematical representation which best-fits the non-linear profile. As a result, the non-linear damping profile obtained is discovered to have low damping at the early velocity range, proceeding with an overall increasing trend, and then saturated towards the end of the velocity range, is a 5th order polynomial damping model.
Design and Development of an Automated PET Plastic Bottle 3D Printer Filament Making Machine
Authors: Meraj Muhammad , Ku Pei Xuan , Choo Hui Leng , Aung Phyi Phyo
Published: December 2024

The aim of this project is to develop an automated machine to make 3D printer filament using PET plastic bottle. The first part of the machine is a bottle cutter through which smoothed surface PET bottle is cut to strip ribbon like shape, and this goes into the second part of the machine which is a heating block with a nozzle to extrude filament of around 1.75mm diameter, powered using a power supply and its temperature automatically controlled using an Arduino Nano. Two experiments were also carried out using this system to study the effects of varying PET strip widths and heating temperature on the extruded filament, which showed that increased PET strip width requires higher temperature for extrusion and increased temperature results in thinner diameter of filament. A bottle cut to 10mm width strips and extruded at 240°C was found to be the best setting for an optimal filament extrusion. This was used to 3D print DIN 53504 tensile specimens which was tested to get the material properties, where the yield stress of recycled PET was found to be 32.93MPa, and its elastic modulus 2937.98MPa.
Analysis of measurement uncertainties in mechanical production and subsequent use for process stability control
Authors: Kubišová M , Pata V , Šuba O , Endlerová D
Published: December 2024

In the current industrial environment, where quality is a key factor in competitiveness, the measurement and control of the stability of production processes plays a vital role. This work focuses on the analysis of measurement uncertainties in mechanical production and their subsequent use for process stability control. Measurement uncertainties are an inherent part of any measurement system, and their understanding and proper management are necessary to ensure the accuracy and reliability of production processes. The MSA (Measurement Systems Analysis) method enables the assessment of the capability of measurement systems and the identification of sources of variability. Emphasis is placed on the standard uncertainties of types A and B and the ways in which they affect the measurement process. The work also includes a description of the implementation of statistical process control (SPC) and its importance in maintaining a stable production process. SPC makes it possible to continuously monitor production processes and quickly identify deviations, leading to timely corrections and minimization of defects. To achieve these goals, quality tools such as the Ishikawa diagram, histogram, and Pareto diagram are used. This work provides a comprehensive view of the importance of measurement and data analysis in ensuring stability and quality in manufacturing processes.
Ganoderma disease detection in oil palm plantations using C and L band SAR backscatter time series
Authors: Samitha Daranagama D.A. , Takeuchi Wataru
Published: December 2024

Ganoderma disease poses a significant threat to the oil palm industry in Malaysia and Indonesia, resulting in substantial economic losses. This study aims to utilize a time series of C-band and L-band backscatter information to identify Ganoderma-infected oil palm plants and compare the results within a designated region of Malaysia. The analysis incorporates γ0 backscatter coefficients, backscatter cross ratio, the coefficient of variation (CV) from 2019 to 2022, and second-order texture matrices using Gray Level Covariance Matrix (GLCM) as input features. Three classification algorithms were tested: random forest, XGBoost, and quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA) for both L-band and C-band backscatter coefficients separately. Results indicate that L-band backscatter information from ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 outperforms C-band backscatter information from Sentinel-1, with QDA achieving the best performance, resulting in an F1-score of 0.86 for infected trees and 0.88 for healthy trees.
Exploring intensity metrics in raw LiDAR data processing for tropical forests
Authors: Jamru Lindah Roziani , Hashim Mazlan , Phua Mui How , Jafar Adi , Sakke Nordin , Eboy Oliver Valentine , Imang Ubong , Natar Maslina , Ahmad Azizul , Mohd Najib Sumayyah Aimi
Published: December 2024

LiDAR sensing is an active sensor that can produce three-dimensional point clouds. This sensor offers the 3D acquisition and analysis of forest data, providing details on the vertical structures of the forest. This study delved into the processing of raw LiDAR data obtained through laser scanning, employing software tools such as Justin Javad, Pospac MMS, LMS, Terrascan and TerraMatch. The processes involved are mission planning, LiDAR data scanning, trajectory processing and data calibration. This is the crucial part of processing that defines the quality of the raw LiDAR data. The results showed that the standard error recorded for intensity metric ranged from 0.14 to 0.68. It is important to characterize the intensity metrics that provide useful information for identifying specific objects in a LiDAR point cloud. Foresters can leverage this information to interpret both the forest canopy and terrain, aiding in effective forest management. The precision achieved in intensity metrics enhances the utility of LiDAR technology in providing actionable data for forestry applications. This study has resulted in a data processing tool designed to optimize the advantages of utilizing intensity data for object recognition. This tool holds significant importance for users of LiDAR data.
Quantifying Vertical Land Motion and Underground Water Changes Using Space Geodetic Technique: Case Study in Kelantan, Malaysia
Authors: Azmi Shahrul Mardhiah , Din Ami Hassan
Published: December 2024

Geodetic methods are used to track the amount of vertical land displacement resulting from the extraction of surplus water from beneath. Excessive use of groundwater without recharge causes sediment deposition. It will bring a lower water level. When water has been pumped through the aquifer, the pore pressure can be reduced in the aquifer and will cause compaction of the aquifer. Excessive extraction of groundwater might result in land subsidence. The purpose of this study is to quantifying the vertical ground movement and underground changes in the area of Kota Bahru, and Tumpat in the state of Kelantan. The geodetic approach employed for quantifying land deformation involves the utilization of Persistent Scatterer InSAR (PS InSAR), while the monitoring of groundwater changes is accomplished by applying Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE). This analysis utilises 20 sentinel 1A scenes captured on the descending tracks between November 2015 and February 2021. In order to ascertain the rate of deformation in the research region, the GPS data obtained at the GETI station were compared. GRACE gravity data from 2003 to 2021 are used to calculate changes in terrestrial water storage (TWS) in the study region. GRACE offers temporal fluctuations in TWS, which includes soil moisture, surface water, and groundwater. According to the findings, the rate of land subsidence in Kota Bharu and Tumpat is around -0.6 mm/year, and -4.1 mm/year respectively. Results from GRACE shows that the equivalent water height at the study area is Kota Bharu -5.2336mm/yr and and Tumpat -4.0982 mm/yr. The findings indicate a correlation between changes in groundwater levels and vertical land movement as determined by various geodetic methods.
LiDAR’s role in advancing geological modelling and enhancing geotechnical design efficiency
Authors: Razli Mohamad Rashidi bin , Razali Ahmad Daniel bin , Ruhadi Nik Muhammad Rusyairie bin N , Aripin Mohamad Faruq Syahmi , Hellmy Muhammad Afiq Ariff Mohd , Hamat Muhammad Faris Qusyairi bin , Jaapar Abd Rasid bin
Published: December 2024

In Malaysia’s tropical climate region, dense vegetation and intense weathering processes obstruct the identification of geological features critical for modelling and geotechnical design. This study examines the capabilities and limitations of LiDAR technology in capturing terrain information in tropical climate regions, addressing challenges such as canopy cover and atmospheric conditions. By employing low-altitude flight missions below 100 meters with sufficient overlap, one can acquired 2 cm Ground Sample Distance (GSD) using UAV LiDAR. Manual and automated data classification was combined to enhance terrain determination. Simultaneously, the Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN) process improved terrain representation for Digital Surface Models (DSM) and Digital Terrain Models (DTM). The results revealed detailed geomorphological features, focusing on landslides, through a 3D terrain model. This method enhances geological hazard assessment by providing precise terrain cross-sections and accurate locations for geotechnical design mitigation. The study concludes that strategic data acquisition and processing methods are vital to overcome challenges posed by vegetation density and terrain complexity, maximizing LiDAR’s potential to enhance geological modelling and geotechnical design efficiency in tropical environments.
Enhancing Rice Crop Monitoring Through UAV Imagery And GIS Analysis
Authors: Halip Rowena Mat , Che’Ya Nik Norasma , Rosle Rhushalshafira , Ismail Mohd Razi , Berahim Zulkarami , Omar Mohamad Husni
Published: December 2024

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are becoming increasingly important in many industries, and agriculture is no exception. This study aimed to monitor rice fields by using UAV-based imagery to map rice fields thoroughly and using on-the-ground Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) data to evaluate crop health. A series of UAV-captured photos were analyzed as part of the inquiry, and the results included the creation of reclassification maps and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), which were reinforced by GIS analysis. The results show that during the 11-day post-sowing phase, a portion of the crop area has low vegetation value, with 44% showing lower vegetation values in the range of 0 to 0.32. During the vegetative stages, the NDVI trend shows a progressive increase from non-vegetation to lower vegetation values. Particularly, the NDVI score increases during the booting and blooming stages, reaching its maximum at 74 days after sowing (DAS) at around 53% coverage for higher vegetation. An examination of data from ground samples reveals a positive connection (r=0.7696) between the mean NDVI values and SPAD measurements. The research findings indicate that analysing the series of UAV images enables the evaluation of vegetation health through the examination of NDVI value trends across multiple flight sessions. This approach is valuable reference for identifying specific areas of interest to facilitate effective monitoring.
Assessing and addressing energy cooling demand in Malaysia’s buildings: a comprehensive review
Authors: Abdullah Wiliyan Ricky , Azri Suhaibah , Ujang Uznir
Published: December 2024

Cooling processes play a crucial role in addressing diverse societal needs, particularly in providing thermal comfort and mitigating overheating risks, especially in hot and humid climates like Malaysia. This paper explores the significant contribution of space cooling to peak electricity demand and reviews existing research methodologies for assessing and predicting energy cooling requirements. Various approaches have been employed, often tailored to specific applications and needs. Notably, Geographic Information System (GIS)-based procedures have emerged as effective tools for estimating energy demand profiles by integrating energy performance data with georeferenced building stock. Through a synthesis of current knowledge, this review underscores the importance of understanding the energy cooling demand in Malaysian buildings and emphasises the necessity of incorporating geospatial elements in assessing cooling needs. By identifying research gaps, this article contributes to advancing our understanding of cooling demand dynamics and informs future research directions in this crucial domain.
Environmental assessment of radionuclide exposure in packaged borehole water exploited from crystalline rocks in Ogbomoso
Authors: Oladipo A. E. , Aremu A. A. , Adeniji A. A. , Ayinla T. O. , Babarimisa I. O. , Morakinyo R. O. , Araka I. O. , James U. E.
Published: December 2024

The amounts of naturally occurring radionuclides (40K, 238U and 232Th) in packaged borehole water manufacture have been investigated in this work. Furthermore, the buildup of radioactive materials in drinking water presents a direct path for human population exposure to internal radiation. The amount of radioactivity in the processed and unprocessed water samples was measured using gamma spectrometry and a computer-resident quantum multichannel analyser (MCA 2100R) connected to a well-calibrated and shielded NaI (Tl) detector. From the results, it was revealed that the values of activity concentration of processed water ranges between 50.46 ± 3.14 Bq/L to 102.18 ± 14.07 Bq/L, 7.92 ± 4.46 to 16.71 Bq/L, and 10.00 ± 0.84 Bq/L to 14.87 ± 4.03 Bq/L for 40K, 238U and 232Th, respectively. Also, the results obtained for the activity concentration of unprocessed water ranges between 74.51 ± 3.51 Bq/L to 102.21 ± 7.23 Bq/L, 14.86 ± 1.91 Bq/L to 19.87 ± 3.10 Bq/L and 10.00 ± 3.36 Bq/L to 17.79 ± 4.43 Bq/L for 40K, 238U and 232Th, respectively. The results confirmed the presence of40K as a principal occurring radionuclide in the water samples. The annual effective dose for processed water ranges from 0.012 to 0.017 mSyr−1, while it ranges between 0.015 and 0.020 mSyr−1 for unprocessed water. Results in the present study fall below 0.1 mSyr−1, which is the acceptable limit recommended by International Commission on Radiological Protection standard value.
Object construction via the action-perception helix, Bayesian inference and metaphorisation
Authors: Valdés-Zorrilla Amaranta , Letelier Juan-Carlos , Soto-Andrade Jorge
Published: December 2024

Since von Uexküll we know that organisms are cognitive devices, which construct the objects in their Umwelt. Here, expanding on previous work, we show how this construction is carried out through the mechanism of Structural Coupling, which is a process linking an organism and its medium through a never ending sequence of concatenated perception ↺ action loops. Every perception triggers complex patterns of concentration changes of molecules (called internal signals) that select a specific action as the outcome of a Bayesian inference mechanism undergoing continuous Hebbian-like updating. The relation between perception and action is a complex and plastic one, and we put forward that a categorical approach in terms of stochastic mappings and functors would be most commendable to make sense of living systems as cognitive devices. We discuss the updating mechanism of stochastic mappings (conditional probability matrices). Finally, we elaborate on the process of metaphorising, from both a macro and a micro viewpoints. The former sees, from an eagle’s viewpoint, metaphors as functors between inferential categories; the latter sees the emergence of metaphorising as a biological mechanism in the unfolding of the never ending perception ↺ action helix by means of which a living system constructs its Umwelt. We illustrate our viewpoints with the help of various examples in mathematical cognition.
Identification of promising dipeptidyl peptidase-4 and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitors from selected terpenoids through molecular modeling
Authors: Ogunyemi Oludare M , Gyebi Gideon A , Olawale Femi , Ibrahim Ibrahim M , Iwaloye Opeyemi , Fabusiwa Modupe M , Omowaye Stephen , Oloyede Omotade I , Olaiya Charles O
Published: December 2024

Motivation

Investigating novel drug–target interactions is crucial for expanding the chemical space of emerging therapeutic targets in human diseases. Herein, we explored the interactions of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B with selected terpenoids from African antidiabetic plants.

Results

Using molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, molecular mechanics with generalized Born and surface area solvation-free energy, and density functional theory analyses, the study revealed dipeptidyl peptidase-4 as a promising target. Cucurbitacin B, 6-oxoisoiguesterin, and 20-epi-isoiguesterinol were identified as potential dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors with strong binding affinities. These triterpenoids interacted with key catalytic and hydrophobic pockets of dipeptidyl peptidase-4, demonstrating structural stability and flexibility under dynamic conditions, as indicated by dynamics simulation parameters. The free energy analysis further supported the binding affinities in dynamic environments. Quantum mechanical calculations revealed favorable highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy profiles, indicating the suitability of the hits as proton donors and acceptors, which likely enhance their molecular interactions with the targets. Moreover, the terpenoids showed desirable drug-like properties, suggesting their potential as safe and effective dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors. These findings may pave the way for the development of novel antidiabetic agents and nutraceuticals based on these promising in silico hits.

Availability and implementation

Not applicable.
Anaemia predicts iron homoeostasis dysregulation and modulates the response to empagliflozin in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: the EMPATROPISM-FE trial
Authors: Angermann Christiane E , Sehner Susanne , Gerhardt Louisa M S , Santos-Gallego Carlos G , Requena-Ibanez Juan Antonio , Zeller Tanja , Maack Christoph , Sanz Javier , Frantz Stefan , Ertl Georg , Badimon Juan J
Published: December 2024

Background and Aims

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) impact iron metabolism in patients with heart failure but mechanisms are incompletely understood. This post hoc analysis explored interrelations between iron homeostasis, cardiac structure/function, exercise capacity, haematopoiesis, and sympathetic activity at baseline, and the effects of 6-month treatment with empagliflozin vs. placebo by anaemia status in EMPATROPISM-FE study participants.

Methods

Myocardial iron content (MIC, estimated by cardiac magnetic resonance T2* imaging), left ventricular (LV) volumes and LV ejection fraction (LVEF), exercise capacity, laboratory iron markers (LIM), haemoglobin/haematocrit, erythropoietin, and plasma norepinephrine were determined at baseline and 6 months.

Results

At baseline, 24/80 participants (30%) had anaemia (haemoglobin < 13/<12 mg/dL in men/women). Patients with vs. without anaemia had higher T2* (indicating lower MIC, P < .001), lower peak oxygen consumption (VO2max, P = .024) and hepcidin (P = .017), and higher erythropoietin (P = .040) and norepinephrine (P = .016). Across subgroups, lower MIC correlated with higher LV volumes (P < .01) and norepinephrine (P < .001), and lower LVEF (P < .01), VO2max (P < .001) and haemoglobin/haematocrit (P < .001). Associations with LIM were poor (all P > .10). Empagliflozin increased MIC (P < .012), improved exercise capacity, and activated haematopoiesis. Changes in LIM and norepinephrine suggested progressive systemic iron depletion and sympatholysis. LV reverse remodelling was greater in individuals with anaemia.

Conclusions

Dysregulated cellular iron uptake/availability may be a shared mechanism in myocardial structural/functional impairment, reduced exercise capacity, and restricted haematopoiesis in heart failure, which are worse in patients with anaemia, and improve with empagliflozin. Empagliflozin increases MIC and decreases norepinephrine. Given this inverse association, sympatholysis may help explain the diverse cardiac and systemic benefits from SGLT2i therapy.

Clinical Trial Registration

NCT03485222 (www.clinicaltrials.gov).
The microbiome of a perennial cereal differs from annual winter wheat only in the root endosphere
Authors: Michl Kristina , Kanasugi Makoto , Förster Alena , Wuggenig Regina , Issifu Sulemana , Hrynkiewicz Katarzyna , Emmerling Christoph , David Christophe , Dumont Benjamin , Mårtensson Linda-Maria Dimitrova , Rasche Frank , Berg Gabriele , Cernava Tomislav
Published: December 2024

The intensification of agriculture has led to environmental degradation, including the loss of biodiversity. This has prompted interest in perennial grain cropping systems to address and mitigate some of these negative impacts. In order to determine if perennial grain cultivation promotes a higher microbial diversity, we assessed the endophytic microbiota of a perennial grain crop (intermediate wheatgrass, Thinopyrum intermedium L.) in comparison to its annual counterpart, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The study covered three sampling sites in a pan-European gradient (Sweden, Belgium, and France), two plant genotypes, three plant compartments (roots, stems, and leaves), and two sampling time points. We observed that the host genotype effect was mainly evident in the belowground compartment, and only to a lesser extent in the aboveground tissues, with a similar pattern at all three sampling sites. Moreover, intermediate wheatgrass roots harbored a different bacterial community composition and higher diversity and richness compared to their annual counterparts. The root bacterial diversity was influenced by not only several soil chemical parameters, such as the carbon:nitrogen ratio, but also soil microbial parameters, such as soil respiration and dehydrogenase activity. Consistent findings across time and space suggest stable mechanisms in microbiota assembly associated with perennial grain cropping, underscoring their potential role in supporting biodiversity within sustainable agricultural systems.
Low-frequency reconstruction of seismic data using stacked-BiLSTM networks
Authors: Na Daeun , Lee Dawoon , Kim Young Seo , Chung Wookeen
Published: December 2024

Seismic data is often contaminated with various low-frequency noises such as swell noise, instrumental noise, and tow noise. Typically, in the processing of seismic data, a high-pass filter is used to eliminate these unwanted low-frequency components. However, this filtering not only removes noise but also eliminates meaningful low-frequency signals essential for broadband seismic imaging. Numerous studies have been conducted to reconstruct low-frequency components by using machine learning techniques. However, most studies use convolutional neural networks and transform the data into image form rather than raw time-series data directly. In this study, we propose a low-frequency reconstruction method based on a recurrent neural network tailored to the sequence nature of seismic data. To improve the accuracy of the low-frequency component reconstruction network, we augment the feature information by incorporating envelope data, which provides additional aspects to seismic traces. Synthetic data tests confirm that our proposed method can reconstruct low-frequency components accurately. Furthermore, the validated network also successfully reconstructs low-frequency components in real dataset from the Arctic Sea.
Systematic review of interventions for dietary adherence in pediatric disease management
Authors: Towner Elizabeth K , Gibbs Heather D , Hu Ella , Patton Susana R
Published: December 2024

Objective

Though diet is important in the management of many pediatric chronic medical conditions, the last comprehensive review of interventions targeting dietary adherence was published over 20 years ago. This systematic review provides an update on efficacy and existing gaps for dietary adherence interventions in pediatric disease management.

Method

We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, PsychINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus up to July 1, 2023 for randomized controlled or clinical trials of interventions that targeted dietary adherence in youth 0–18 years old with a chronic medical condition (not obesity), included nutrition education and behavioral/psychological support, and reported dietary adherence outcomes. We identified manuscripts (N = 15) that spanned four broad diet types (healthy, carbohydrate-modified, elimination, single-nutrient modified), 10 pediatric chronic medical conditions, and 1,110 participants. Primary (dietary adherence) and secondary (disease metrics) outcome findings are organized by diet type; other descriptive information is collapsed across trials.

Results

Overall, interventions yielded moderate-high adherence for most diet types. Interventions used similar approaches for nutrition education (e.g., meal plans) and behavioral support (e.g., goal setting, monitoring, feedback). Risk of bias was assessed using the Quality Criteria Checklist for Primary Research (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Evidence Analysis Process) revealing bias may be present in five trials.

Conclusions

Interventions targeting dietary adherence remain sparse. Research is needed to examine adherence in all pediatric chronic conditions where diet is a component of disease management and to identify factors impacting dietary adherence and best practices for intervening on dietary adherence. This protocol is registered on April 5, 2024 at the Open Source Framework: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/46YNF
Subgroups and supergroups of point and space groups
Authors: Müller Ulrich , de la Flor Gemma
Published: December 2024

Group—subgroups relations between point groups and between space groups can be depicted in graphs where every connecting line corresponds to a maximal group—subgroup relation. A maximal subgroup of a space group can be either a translationengleiche subgroup having the same lattice, or a klassengleiche subgroup with fewer translations. Isomorphic subgroups are a special kind of klassengleiche subgroups that have the same Hermann—Mauguin symbol or that of the enantiomorphic space group. A layer group has translations in only two dimensions, a rod group in only one dimension.
Pitfalls when setting up group–subgroup relations
Authors: Müller Ulrich , de la Flor Gemma
Published: December 2024

Pitfalls can cause erroneous Bärnighausen trees. Examples are given for wrong origin shifts, missed subgroups on a par, wrong cell transformations, wrong settings of space groups, missing care when there are different paths of symmetry reductions, and forbidden additions of symmetry operations.
Symmetry relations at phase transitions
Authors: Müller Ulrich , de la Flor Gemma
Published: December 2024

According to Ehrenfest, a phase transitions in the solid state is of first order if the entropy or the volume change is discontinuous; if both are continuous, the phase transition is of second order. In a more recent classification, a phase transition is discontinuous if the entropy and an order parameter change discontinuously and it is continuous if the entropy and the order parameter change continuously. A discontinuous phase transition is accompanied by an exchange of latent heat and it exhibits hysteresis. In a reconstructive phase transition, chemical bonds are broken and rejoined and it involves considerable atomic motions. Phase transitions are driven by vibrational modes. According to the Landau theory, a continuous phase transition requires that the space group of the one phase is a subgroup of other phase. Twins are formed when it is a translationengleiche subgroup, and antiphase domains form when it is a klassengleiche subgroup.
Introduction
Authors: Snow Dean
Published: December 2024

John Hawkins set out on his third slaving voyage in 1567. Among the seamen were David Ingram, Richard Browne, and Richard Twide. They enslaved people in West Africa and sailed to the Caribbean to sell them illegally to Spanish colonists. After a deadly battle with the Spanish at modern Veracruz, 100 English survivors were put ashore near modern Tampico. Three of them, Ingram, Browne, and Twide walked and paddled over 3,600 miles to New Brunswick, where they were rescued by a French ship. In 1582, David Ingram, the only survivor of the three, was called in for interrogation by Francis Walsingham, the queen’s spymaster. He and leading investors were interested in colonizing eastern North America and needed information from Ingram, the only Englishman known to have traveled through the region’s interior. The event was conditioned by Elizabeth’s Tudor heritage, religious conflicts, and the competing interests of leading persons. Examination of three surviving records of the interrogation show that Richard Hakluyt, the editor of the 1589 “Relation of David Ingram of Barking,” incorrectly assumed that everything Ingram said in his testimony applied only to his long walk through North America. Ingram actually told the story of his entire journey, from England to Africa, the Caribbean, North America, and back. The editor’s scrambling of pieces of Ingram’s testimony has caused many generations of historians to dismiss Ingram as a travel liar. Evidence in three surviving 1582–1589 documents has allowed a reconstruction of Ingram’s truthful testimony.
Afterword
Authors: Sluga Glenda
Published: December 2024

This afterword provides a more general reflection on the struggles for sovereignty in the age of empire. It looks at some general conceptual and historiographical questions about the evolution of the world order, imperialism, and the distinction between ‘Europe’ and the ‘non-European world’ in the age of empire.
Fact-checks focus on famous politicians, not partisans
Authors: Greene Kevin T , Pisharody Nilima , Carroll Faelynn , Shapiro Jacob N
Published: December 2024

Does the fact-checking enterprise focus its attention on one party? If Republican or Democratic politicians were systematically more likely to have their statements evaluated, that would call into question both the impartiality of the fact-checking enterprise and the results of the many papers that rely on fact-checks to drive other measurements. Despite frequent claims that fact-checking organizations are biased against Republicans, there is little systematic evidence regarding political bias in this industry. We address these gaps using data on how often each member of Congress was fact-checked from 2018 to 2021. We construct measures to account for multiple factors theorized to influence fact-checking, including a member’s partisanship, prominence, and the quality of the news sites they link to. We find that Republican elected officials are not fact-checked more often than Democratic officials. Politician prominence predicts fact-checking, but partisanship does not. Our findings suggest it is unlikely that the selection approach used by fact-checking groups creates partisan bias in fact-check-derived measures.
The bust card: policing, race, welfare, drugs, and the counterculture in 1960s Britain
Authors: Bradley Kate , Spicer Ellis , Winder Jon
Published: December 2024

Bust cards first emerged in the late 1960s as a way of obtaining help following arrest, giving the user the number of a 24-h telephone line to call on arrival at the police station. In the 2020s, such cards were used by direct action groups involved in civil disobedience campaigns, but tracing bust cards back reveals that their original purpose was different. The bust card was a novel way of enabling an individual to push back against the immediate experience of hostile policing, while enabling organizers to collate information on what was happening. By foregrounding the object and examining its creation and development, this article explores how various influences, initiatives and imperatives intersected, and how activist ideas or tools spread across groups. As this article demonstrates, the bust card became part of wider activism to reform the criminal justice system. It was also about pushing to remake the relationship between the state and marginalized individuals, whether that was through an interaction with the police or through accessing public services.
Influence of Daily Temperature and Relative Humidity Durations on Lesion Development of Black Leaf Mold (Pseudocercospora fuligena) in Greenhouse-Grown Tomato
Authors: Furuya Hiromitsu , Shimizu Sachiko , Kamijima Hitoshi
Published: December 2024

The impact of duration of daily temperature and relative humidity (RH) on symptom development and leaf infection by the black leaf mold pathogen Pseudocercospora fuligena was studied on greenhouse-grown tomato over the 4-year period 2019–2022. The durations were expressed as the number of hours during the daytime, nighttime, or the whole day (i.e., 24-hour period) at a temperature or RH that exceeded a given threshold. Temperature thresholds were in 2°C increments between 18 and 34°C, and RH thresholds were in 10% increments between 50% and 90%. Infection severity was estimated by the number of lesions per leaf that developed each day after an incubation period that was assumed to be between 10 and 16 days, based on previous studies. Daytime, nighttime, and whole-day temperatures showed weak–moderate negative correlations with infection severity, and nighttime RH had a weak positive correlation (p < 0.005). Multiple regression detected no significant interaction between temperature and RH conditions, and the model reliability was insufficient to predict favorable conditions for infection (R2 ≤ 0.3106). Two-dimensional scatterplots, however, indicated the durations of conditions that were unfavorable for infection, such as >9.6 h at ≥30°C or >7.4 h at ≥32°C. Thus, a greenhouse environment that incorporates high temperatures discourages infection of tomato plants by P. fuligena, and the whole-day temperature and nighttime RH conditions affect the seasonal variation in disease incidence. The merit of our findings for knowledge-based feature engineering in machine learning to develop models for forecasting black leaf mold disease incidence is discussed.
PA scope of practice reform
Authors: White Ryan D. , Najmabadi Shahpar , Valentin Virginia
Published: December 2024

State-level physician associate/assistant (PA) practice regulations have evolved since the profession's inception. The conditions that influence states' adoption of PA regulatory reforms are not fully understood. As some states begin to adopt components of optimal team practice, PAs in other states continue to face significant legal and regulatory practice restrictions. This article describes state economic, demographic, and workforce characteristics and highlights important differences across states that may affect future reform adoption and shape reform outcomes.
Evaluating the Impact of an Interprofessional Poverty Virtual Simulation Game
Authors: Meyer Brittney A. , Zweifel Alyssa R.
Published: December 2024

The aim of the study was to compare the impact of a virtual simulation game to a poverty live interactive simulation with regard to perceptions of poverty. An interprofessional sample of pharmacy and nursing students completed pre/post surveys with 13 questions (total possible score: 39); the 395 responses were analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance and descriptive statistics. The virtual group had a score improvement of 3.17 points; the live simulation group improved by 3.52 points (both statistically significant). Both experiences positively impacted students and provided similar impact. Consideration of resources can determine the best modality for future use.
Finding Medicine’s Moneyball: How Lessons From Major League Baseball Can Advance Assessment in Precision Education
Authors: Kinnear Benjamin , Caretta-Weyer Holly , Lam Andrew C.L. , Tang Brandon , Ginsburg Shiphra , Wong Brian M. , Kelleher Matthew , Schumacher Daniel J. , Warm Eric J.
Published: December 2024

Precision education (PE) leverages longitudinal data and analytics to tailor educational interventions to improve patient, learner, and system-level outcomes. At present, few programs in medical education can accomplish this goal as they must develop new data streams transformed by analytics to drive trainee learning and program improvement. Other professions, such as Major League Baseball (MLB), have already developed extremely sophisticated approaches to gathering large volumes of precise data points to inform assessment of individual performance.

In this perspective, the authors argue that medical education—whose entry into precision assessment is fairly nascent—can look to MLB to learn the possibilities and pitfalls of precision assessment strategies. They describe 3 epochs of player assessment in MLB: observation, analytics (sabermetrics), and technology (Statcast). The longest tenured approach, observation, relies on scouting and expert opinion. Sabermetrics brought new approaches to analyzing existing data in a way that better predicted which players would help the team win. Statcast created precise, granular data about highly attributable elements of player performance while helping to account for nonplayer factors that confound assessment such as weather, ballpark dimensions, and the performance of other players. Medical education is progressing through similar epochs marked by workplace-based assessment, learning analytics, and novel measurement technologies. The authors explore how medical education can leverage intersectional concepts of MLB player and medical trainee assessment to inform present and future directions of PE.
Thyroid hormone and the Liver
Authors: Soares De Oliveira Lorraine , Ritter Megan J.
Published: December 2024

It is known that thyroid hormone can regulate hepatic metabolic pathways including cholesterol, de novo lipogenesis, fatty acid oxidation, lipophagy, and carbohydrate metabolism. Thyroid hormone action is mediated by the thyroid hormone receptor (THR) isoforms and their coregulators, and THRβ is the main isoform expressed in the liver. Dysregulation of thyroid hormone levels, as seen in hypothyroidism, has been associated with dyslipidemia and metabolic dysfunction–associated fatty liver disease. Given the beneficial effects of thyroid hormone in liver metabolism and the advances illuminating the use of thyroid hormone analogs such as resmetirom as therapeutic agents in the treatment of metabolic dysfunction–associated fatty liver disease, this review aims to further explore the relationship between TH, the liver, and metabolic dysfunction–associated fatty liver disease. Herein, we summarize the current clinical therapies and highlight future areas of research.
Hepcidin inhibits hepatocyte apoptosis through the PERK pathway in acute liver injury and fibrosis
Authors: Li Changying , Pang Guojin , Zhao Weihua , Liu Yingying , Huang Xiaoli , Chen Wei , Zhao Xinyan , Liu Tianhui , Wang Ping , Fan Xu , Gao Ming , Cong Min
Published: December 2024

Background:

Hepcidin, a peptide hormone primarily produced by the liver, regulates iron metabolism by interacting with its receptor, ferroportin. Studies have demonstrated that hepcidin participates in the progression of liver fibrosis by regulating HSC activation, but its regulatory effect on hepatocytes remains largely unknown.

Methods:

A carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis model was established in C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and hepcidin knockout (Hamp
−/−) mice. Liver injury and inflammation were assessed in WT and Hamp
−/− mice at 24 and 48 hours following acute CCl4 exposure. In addition, transcriptomic sequencing of primary hepatocytes was performed to compare gene expression profiles between WT and Hamp
−/− mice 24 hours after liver injury. The function of the identified molecule Eif2ak3/PERK (protein kinase R(PKR)-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase), was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo.

Results:

We found that serum hepcidin significantly increased during the progression of liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 and bile duct ligation. In addition, CCl4-treated Hamp
−/− mice developed more severe liver injury, liver fibrosis, and hepatocyte apoptosis, with elevated Bax and decreased Bcl-2 expression, compared to the WT mice. Transcriptomic analysis of primary hepatocytes revealed that PERK was upregulated in Hamp
−/− mice after CCl4 treatment, promoting apoptosis by regulating Bax and Bcl-2 expression. Subsequently, we demonstrated that hepcidin prevents hepatocyte apoptosis by inhibiting PERK both in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions:

Hepcidin inhibits hepatocyte apoptosis through suppression of the PERK pathway, highlighting its protective role in liver fibrosis and identifying a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of liver fibrosis.