bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The risk of developing acute myeloid leukaemia in patients with Ewing’s sarcoma and trend analysis: A SEER-based study
Authors: Zahed Mohamed , Ellaithy Asmaa , Alesawy Alzahraa Faris , Ali Nahla Ahmed , Zreigh Sofian Mohamed M , Eleisawy Mahmoud , Al-Shaikh Bushra , Hasanin Ekram Hassan , Elsahli Saifaleslam Jamal
Published: October 2024

Background Ewing sarcoma is a neoplasm of neuroectodermal origin arising from bone or soft tissue. The annual incidence of Ewing sarcoma is 2.93 children per 1,000,000. Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is one of the most described second malignancies as a complication of primary cancer therapy. There is a lack of recent studies elaborating on the incidence rates of such complications. So, our aim is to quantify the risk of developing AML in Ewing sarcoma patients and provide an updated evidence to the literature.Methods We extracted the data from the surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program statistical analysis software package (SEER*Stat, version 8.4.1.2). We used the MP-SIR session to identify patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia as a second primary malignancy after Ewing sarcoma as a first primary malignancy between 2000 and 2020. We assessed the SIR as Observed/Expected(O/E) and Excess Absolute Risk (EAR) per 10,000 with a 95% confidence Interval (CI) and statistical significance at P < 0.05.Results A total of 2631 patients with Ewing sarcoma were recorded in the SEER database, with a median follow-up of 120 + months. Patient with Ewing sarcoma had an increased risk to develop AML with O/E of 145.98 (95% CI:101.68 -203.03, P < 0.05, EAR = 21.79). The total cohort of patients had a PC of 32.7, APC of 1.3 (95% [CI] 0.6 -2.0) (P < 0.05). Female patients had a PC of 46.5, APC of 1.7 (95% [CI] 0.5–2.9; P < 0.05). Of relevance, 35 patients developed ANLL with O/E 130.92 (95% [CI] 91.19 -182.08; P < 0.05, EAR 21.77).Conclusion Patients treated for a primary Ewing sarcoma have significant high risk of adeveloping Acute myeloid leukaemia, among other second primary malignancies. We would recommend screening for AML from 2 to 11 months after beginning of Ewing sarcoma treatment.
The potential of bioethanol production in marine yeasts and investigation of the optimal conditions of production in the selected isolates
Authors: Khajeh Banafsheh , Zolgharnein Hossein , Zamani Issac , Ghanemi Kamal
Published: October 2024

Factors such as energy consumption, population growth, and anticipated increases in fuel prices are driving the world towards transitioning to cleaner sources of energy. One promising alternative is the production of bioethanol from marine microorganisms, which is gaining attention due to its economic viability and minimal environmental impact. The objective of this study was to isolate and identify yeast strains from the water and sediments of the Bushehr coast that have the ability to produce bioethanol. Furthermore, the study aimed to determine the optimal production conditions for the most effective strain. 18 yeast strains were isolated and identified using morphological and molecular methods. The results of the molecular analyses showed that the isolated yeasts belonged to the genera Pichia and Candida. After assessing the amount of CO2 produced during the fermentation process, the following strains were selected as the top bioethanol producers: Pichia sp. isolate BK10, Pichia kudriavzevii isolate BK40, Pichia kudriavzevii isolate BK50, Pichia fermentans isolate MK20, and Candida parapsilosis isolate BK30. In our study, we produced bioethanol using the microfermentation method and experimented with different carbon sources like glucose, fructose, lactose, and sucrose. We found that the highest alcohol yield of 12.73% was achieved when glucose was used as the carbon source. Additionally, when we induced mutations with UV-30W light in the superior strain, bioethanol production increased to 15.2%. These marine yeasts have great potential for industrial use in the future, and they could potentially cover alcohol production at the level of small bioreactors.
The Role of Cow Dung in Modulating Soil Water Dynamics: A Comparative Analysis Different Soil Types
Authors: Jadav Gaurav , Dodia Sandhya , Kher Pradhumansinh , Tank Jignesh , Dhurav D K , Kataria Bharat , Markna J H , Bhatt V D
Published: October 2024

Water scarcity is a critical worldwide problem that is worsened by causes such as increasing population, climate change, and unsustainable agriculture methods. The depletion of water resources in several areas presents a substantial risk to the security of food, the advancement of the economy, and the sustainability of the environment. Tackle water shortage, it is necessary to implement inventive solutions in several sectors, particularly agriculture since it is responsible for most water use worldwide. This study investigates the impact of cow dung amendment on soil water dynamics across twelve different soil types. The Relative Water Content (RWC), Gravimetric Water Content (GWC), field capacity (FC), and porosity were tested for different soil types at different levels of cow dung addition expressed as a percentage of the total weight (D1(0%), D2(5%), D31(10%), D4(15%), and D5(30%)). Results show significant variations in soil water characteristics among different soil types and dung concentrations. Higher levels of cow dung led to increased RWC, GWC, and porosity with notable shifts in FC. The findings provide insights into the complex interactions between soil properties and organic amendments, offering valuable implications for sustainable soil management practices and agricultural productivity optimization.
The ASCEND technique - A modified direct aspiration first pass technique for a faster and cost-effective mechanical thrombectomy
Authors: lewis martin , siddiqui juveria , sciacca sara , singh vishwajeet , lynch jeremy , booth thomas , kandasamy naga , balasundaram parthiban
Published: October 2024

Purpose:
Direct aspiration first pass technique (ADAPT) has been the standard for aspiration thrombectomy (AT) in anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (AC-LVO) with modifications of the technique based on devices used and difficulties encountered. We introduce the ASCEND technique (Aspiration with Steam-shaped Catheter, Excluding additioNal Devices), and hypothesize that it improves catheter navigation, leading to time and cost savings in MT.
Methods:
This is a single institute, retrospective, pre-post intervention study, including consecutive patients with AC-LVO who underwent AT as first-pass technique. Patients were divided into two groups based on the first-pass technique attempted (ASCEND vs conventional ADAPT). Baseline characteristics, primary outcomes (first pass time, total procedure time, total additional devices and device cost) and secondary outcomes (recanalization, complications) were compared between groups. Multiple linear regression models were built for primary outcomes to look for the effect of steam-shaping when covariates are present to reflect real-world setting. Multi-national survey performed to introduce the technique and feedback obtained.
Results:
ASCEND (n=39) and cADAPT (n=40) groups were similar in baseline clinical characteristics. Anterior genu and ophthalmic segment were crossed in 94.9%, clot reached in 84.6%, and entire MT procedure completed in 59.0% of patients of the ASCEND group without use of additional materials. Groups were similar in performance and safety indicators. ASCEND technique was superior to conventional ADAPT with less first-pass time (8.9 vs 14.7 minutes), total procedure time (20.2 vs 35.4 minutes), additional devices used (0 vs 3) and cost involved (2083 vs 5830 £) per procedure (all P<0.05). Multiple linear regression models maintained improved primary outcomes with steam-shaping (all P<0.05). Neurointerventionalists who tried ASCEND (n=11) affirmed that it was safe and likely to save time and cost involved.
Conclusion:
ASCEND technique, involving a simple step of steam-shaping the aspiration catheter during MT can provide huge benefits in time and cost savings, without compromise of performance or safety.
WITHDRAWN: Compact Two Elements MIMO Antenna: Isolation and Gain Enhancement by Using FSS for Ultra-wideband Applications
Authors: Azharuddin Mohd , Mondal Kalyan , Singh Shougaijam Chinglemba
Published: October 2024

This work presents a two-element compact multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna for ultra wideband (UWB) applications. The antenna is fabricated on FR4 substrate with compact size of 20 × 28 ×1.6 mm3 (0.26λ0×0.37λ0×0.022λ0, where λ0 the free space wavelength at 4.2 GHz). Two tree-shaped radiators are used for implementing the MIMO antenna. The modified ground structure is used between two antennas to enhance the isolation. A pair of additional rectangular ground stubs are employed to further enhance the isolation and the impedance bandwidth as well. The gain and isolation of the MIMO antenna are further enhanced by incorporating a polarization insensitive angularly stable frequency selective surface (FSS) structure. The proposed model acquires an impedance bandwidth of 3.6 – 10.6 GHz with the accomplishment of isolation more than 20 dB and peak gain of 9.85 dBi. The MIMO ability of the antenna integrated with FSS is demonstrated in terms of standard envelop correlation coefficient (ECC), diversity gain (DG), TARC and time domain analysis. The measured ECC and DG are <0.005 and > 9.87dBi with the phase response executing the linear variation. All the characteristics values confirm that the proposed MIMO antenna is fit to be implemented as a good candidate for UWB applications.
Comparison between the effect of the preoperative localization by carbon nanoparticles and the patient's own blood of the Gastric cancer with uninvaded serous membranes
Authors: 邓 忠权 , Wu Jiaming , Zhu Yi
Published: October 2024

Objective
To compare the clinical value of endoscopically carbon nanoparticles localization and patients’ own blood localization in laparoscopic radical resection of non-invasive serosal gastric cancer.
Methods
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 90 patients with gastric cancer who underwent gastroscopic carbon nanoparticles or the patient's own blood localization followed by laparoscopic surgery at the Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University between January 2019 and January 2023.
Results
In laparoscopic surgery, the lesions' location was identified using local positioning markers on the stomach's serosal surface. Intraoperative exploration and evaluation of staining resolution, observation of the failure of injection on the operation and other conditions. All patients were located under gastroscopy, and postoperative pathology proved that the incision margin of specimens was negative.
Conclusions
Different positioning methods can be selected according to different requirements.
Cycles of snow algal blooms and snowmelt intensify Antarctic ice shelf melting
Authors: Liang Dong , Zhang Lu , Cheng Qing , Zhu Qi , Liu Yiming , Bashir Barjeece , Kong Weidong , Kong Lingyi
Published: October 2024

Antarctic ice shelves play a pivotal role in global sea-level regulation, yet their sensitivity to temperature variations, freeze-thaw cycles, and biotic factors such as snow algae remains under-explored. This study addresses the critical question: how do snow algae influence the melting dynamics of Antarctic ice shelves under changing climatic conditions? To answer this question, the study applies time-lag adjusted Pearson correlation and Granger causality tests to high-resolution Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 time-series data in Google Earth Engine. The findings demonstrate that algae biomass significantly influences subsequent melting, underscoring snow algae’s pivotal role in accelerating the melting of Antarctic ice shelves. This research emphasizes the need to integrate biotic factors in models of polar ice dynamics and climate change projections. The study also provides a workflow for snow algae and snowmelt analysis at high resolution over large areas, contributing to a deeper understanding of snowmelt and global sea-level rise.
Mode switchable quantum well infrared detector with rectangular plasmonic microcavity structure
Authors: Zhao Jun , You Tongtong , Jiang Hengrui , Xiong Dayuan
Published: October 2024

In this paper, a quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) using a rectangular plasmonic microcavity structure is proposed. Based on the fact that different side lengths of the rectangular patch responding to different TM waves during surface plasmon resonance, the device has three operating modes. In the case of TM10 and TM01 waves being incident alone, the response peaks of the device are located at 6.48 µm and 7.38 µm, which correspond to the two single-peak modes of Ex and Ey polarisation, respectively. The two response wavelengths generated by the two polarisation modes are independently regulated within a certain range and are not affected by each other. In the case of simultaneous incidence of TM10 and TM01 waves, the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the device's responsivity spectrum reaches 1.56 µm, which is broadband response mode. The simulation study reveals that the average electric field enhancement |EZ|/|E0| in all three modes is more than 5 times, while the single-peak and broadband response mode responsivities reach 3 A/W and 2 A/W, respectively. Our findings indicate that the average energy inside the microcavity is positively correlated with the microcavity volume within a certain range. Moreover, the coupling structure exhibits favourable incident angle compatibility, and the device performance in each mode is insensitive to the incident angle in the range of ~ 45°.
Modeling Hierarchical Functional Brain Networks via L2 -Normalized Fully Convolutional Recurrent Attention Autoencoder for Multi-task fMRI Data
Authors: Cui Puwang , Liu Huan , Li Li
Published: October 2024

Modeling functional brain networks is essential for revealing the functional mechanisms of the human brain. Deep Neural Network (DNN) models have widely been employed for extracting multi-scale spatiotemporal features from functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data. Nonetheless, existing DNN approaches often struggle with capturing generic temporal features across diverse tasks due to their reliance on fully connected layers. To overcome this limitation, this paper introduces a novel framework based on a L2 -Normalized Fully Convolutional Recurrent Attention Autoencoder (L2-FCRAAE), designed to model hierarchical functional brain networks (FBNs). The L2-FCRAAE framework is engineered with fully convolutional recurrent layers that notably exclude any fully connected layers. This design choice ensures adaptability to variable-length fMRI data, facilitating the acquisition of temporal dependencies within sequential data. Consequently, it effectively models temporal dynamics and helps in recognizing brain states from fMRI data. Moreover, the incorporation of normalized temporal and channel attention blocks into the encoder can prevent model overfitting during training, thereby enhancing the model's representation capacity. Experimental outcomes showcase that the proposed L2-FCRAAE exhibits superior capability and generalizability in capturing spatial and temporal patterns of FBNs. It robustly identifies task-related components and resting-state brain networks (RSNs) in a hierarchical manner. Overall, this study presents a novel approach for understanding the hierarchical organization of functional brain architecture. If this paper is accepted and the code is published.
Transcriptomic responses of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbioses with negative growth phenotypes
Authors: Diao Fengwei , Liu Ke , Wu Wenjing , Shi Xiangyuan , Wang Xiuhong
Published: October 2024

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can play important roles in sustainable agriculture, given that they provide multiple benefits for numerous plant species. Conversely, negative plant growth effects induced by AM fungi are also commonly observed. At present, however, comparatively little information is available regarding the effects of AM fungi at the molecular level. In this study, compared with an absence of AM fungus inoculation, tomato seedlings grown in soil inoculated with Funneliformis mosseae or Rhizophagus intraradices were characterized by reduced shoot and root growth. To gain further insights into the underlying mechanisms at the molecular level, we performed transcriptomic analyses. We accordingly identified 190 and 870 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the F. mosseae vs. control and R. intraradices vs. control comparisons, respectively. KEGG enrichment analysis of the former 190 DEGs revealed significant enrichment of the “Protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum,” “Flavonoid biosynthesis,” “Flavone and flavonol biosynthesis,” and “Stilbenoid, diarylheptanoid, and gingerol biosynthesis” pathways, whereas “DNA replication,” “Photosynthesis - antenna proteins,” “Cutin, suberine, and wax biosynthesis,” “Protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum,” and “Glycerophospholipid metabolism” were identified as pathways significantly enriched with the latter 870 DEGs. GO functional analysis revealed that among both groups of DEGs, many genes were assigned the “Response to stimulus” term. Moreover, we established that many of the enriched terms were associated with stimulus and stress response processes, including response to salt stress, heat, and reactive oxygen species. Collectively, our findings in this study indicate that under the experimental conditions assessed, AM fungi may trigger defense-related responses in hosts, even though the symbioses were characterized by negative growth phenotypes. These findings will contribute to advancing our current understanding of AM fungi and highlight the fact that AM fungi should not be unthinkingly applied in agricultural production without due consideration of the prevailing conditions.
Engineered extracellular vesicles promote the repair of acute kidney injury by modulating regulatory T cells and the immune microenvironment
Authors: Xie Lulu , Zhang Kaiyue , Pan Kai , Su Xiaomin , Zhao Xiaotong , Rui Li , Wang Yixin , Pang Haotian , Fu Enze , Li Zongjin
Published: October 2024

Background
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and severe clinical condition. However, the underlying mechanisms of AKI have not been fully elucidated, and effective treatment options remain limited. Studies have shown that immune cells play a critical role in AKI, with regulatory T cells (Tregs) being one of the most important immunosuppressive lymphocytes. Tregs proliferation can attenuate AKI, whereas depletion exacerbates kidney injury. Given that endothelial cells (ECs) are the initial cells that interact with immune cells when they invade the tissue parenchyma, ECs are closely associated with immune reactions.
Methods and Results
In this study, P-selectin binding peptide-extracellular vesicles (PBP-EVs) that target and repair ECs are engineered. Transcriptome sequencing reveals that PBP-EVs reduce the expression of inflammatory genes in AKI mice. Using high-resolution intravital two-photon microscopy (TPM), an increased recruitment of Tregs in the kidneys of AKI Foxp3-EGFP transgenic mice following PBP-EVs treatment is observed, as well as significant Lgr5+ renal stem cell proliferation in AKI Lgr5-CreERT2; R26mTmG mice. Additionally, PBP-EVs treatment result in reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells, pathological damage and fibrosis of AKI mice. Upon depletion of Tregs in Foxp3-DTR transgenic mice, we observe diminished therapeutic effect of PBP-EVs on AKI.
Conclusions
The experimental results indicate that PBP-EVs can promote the repair and regeneration of AKI by mitigating endothelial cell damage and subsequently modulating Tregs and the immune microenvironment. These findings provide novel insights and strategies for the treatment of AKI.
Transcriptome and metabolome changes uncover the potential mechanism of high-fat diet induced obesity under hypoxia condition
Authors: Fan Mingming , Chen Qingqing , Xu Zhiying , Fang Yimu , Cong Zhuangzhi
Published: October 2024

Aim: We aimed to investigated the key genes and metabolites in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity model in hypoxia condition to uncover the potential mechanism.
Method: Mice model in control, HFD, CIH, and HFDCIH were established through diet and hypoxia treatment. Then liver tissue samples were collected for transcriptome and metabolome analysis. Following, differential analyses were conducted to selected the unique genes and metabolites in HFD-induced obesity in hypoxia condition. Finally, functional analysis and correlation analysis were used to investigated the pathways and potential mechanism in obesity under hypoxia.
Results: A total of 448 unique genes (like CD44, FCGR4, and COL6A1) and 36 unique metabolites were identified to be affected by obesity in hypoxia condition. The function of these key genes and metabolites indicated that these genes and metabolites may be related to metabolism-related function and pathways. The interaction between these genes and metabolites may be involved in Glutathione metabolism, Arachidonic acid metabolism, Histidine metabolism, Drug metabolism-cytochrome P450.
Conclusion: The study uncovered the key genes and metabolites in obesity under hypoxia in mice model, and indicated the potential mechanism, providing indicator for the following focus.
A Machine Learning Model for Algorithmic Optimization of Superannuation Schemes
Authors: MUKUNZI Winfred Katile , MUGANDA Brian Wesley , KASAMANI Bernard Shibwabo
Published: October 2024

This paper sought to address the challenge of designing a superannuation pension scheme by developing a machine learning-based recommendation model for optimal asset portfolio selection and allocation. Pension schemes face challenges in dealing with the uncertainties associated with financial markets, especially in selecting an appropriate assets portfolio that can optimize the Return-on-Investment. This study used various machine learning algorithms to build optimal portfolios, which were evaluated based on the portfolio’s return and Sharpe ratio. Data used was obtained from the annual financial reports on pension assets’ cost and market value as well as asset income for the period of July 2013 to June 2023. The Genetic Algorithm, Particle Swarm Optimization, K-means clustering, and Mean-Variance Optimization techniques were employed to construct optimal portfolios. Evaluation based on portfolio return and Sharpe ratio revealed the K-means cluster focused on government securities as a high-performing, low-risk option with 11.16% return and 7.11 Sharpe ratio. Conversely, the genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimized portfolio demonstrated a more diversified conservative asset allocation, leading to a mean return of 7.63% with a Sharpe ratio of 3.91, and a mean return of 6.61% with a 3.16 Sharpe ratio respectively. Comparing these constructed portfolios with OECD (2022) which reported that Kenya achieved a real investment return of 2.9% in 2021, signifies that 7/10 of the constructed optimal superannuation portfolios would have resulted in better performance.
The association between serum sodium variation during Pediatric Intensive Care Unit admission and the risk of clinical outcomes in critically ill children: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Pournasiri Zahra , Nikparast Ali , Bakhtiary Mahsa , Hashemi Masumeh , Ahmadizadeh Seyyedeh Narjes , Behzad Azita , Asghari Golaleh
Published: October 2024

This study evaluates sodium variation during Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) admission and its association with prolonged PICU stay (≥7days) and PICU mortality. Data from 966 critically ill pediatrics (2019-2022) with at least two sodium values available during their PICU admission were analyzed. Patients were categorized based on all recorded sodium values into normonatremia, hyponatremia, hypernatremia, and mixed dysnatremia. The difference between the highest and lowest sodium values during PICU admission was used to identify sodium fluctuation. The statistical method used was Logistic regression model. During the PICU admission, 542 patients developed dysnatremia. The PICU-acquired dysnatremia was independently associated with higher prolonged PICU stay odds after controlling for major confounders. The PICU-acquired hypernatremia (OR:5.23;95%CI:1.72-15.92) and mixed dysnatremia (OR:2.89;95%CI:1.14-7.29) had significantly higher odds of PICU mortality. However, no significant association was found between PICU-acquired hyponatremia and odds of PICU mortality. Even mild sodium fluctuations (4-8mmoL/L) during PICU admission were significantly associated with higher prolonged PICU stay odds. The highest (≥15mmol/L) fluctuations in serum sodium levels during PICU admission were also significantly associated with higher odds of PICU mortality (OR:2.74;95%CI:1.11-6.79). Our findings underscore the importance of closely monitoring serum sodium during PICU admission to improve clinical outcomes.
AAGS: Appearance-Aware 3D Gaussian Splatting with Unconstrained Photo Collections
Authors: Zhang Wencong , Guo Zhiyang , Zhou Wengang , Li Houqiang
Published: October 2024

Reconstructing 3D scenes from unconstrained collections of in-the-wild photographs has consistently been a challenging problem. The main difficulty lies in different appearance conditions and transient occluders of uncontrolled image samples. With the advancement of Neural Radiance Fields (NeRF), previous works have developed some effective strategies to tackle this issue. However, limited by deep networks and volumetric rendering techniques, these methods generally require substantial time costs. Recently, the advent of 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) has significantly accelerated the training and rendering speed of 3D reconstruction tasks. Nevertheless, vanilla 3DGS struggles to distinguish varying appearances of in-the-wild photo collections. To address the aforementioned problems, we propose Appearance-Aware 3D Gaussian Splatting (AAGS), a novel extension of 3DGS to unconstrained photo collections. Specifically, we employ an appearance extractor to capture global features for image samples, enabling the distinction of visual conditions, \eg, illumination and weather, across different observations. Furthermore, to mitigate the impact of transient occluders, we design a transient-removal module that adaptively learns a 2D visibility map to decompose the static target from complex real-world scenes. Extensive experiments are conducted to validate the effectiveness and superiority of our AAGS. Compared with previous works, our method not only achieves better reconstruction and rendering quality, but also significantly reduces both training and rendering overhead. Code will be released at https://github.com/Zhang-WenCong/AAGS.
Hemodynamics of Asymmetrically Stenotic Vertebral Arteries Based on Fluid-solid Coupling
Authors: zheng yilin , feng Haiquan , He Chen , Su Juan
Published: October 2024

Stenosis in the vertebral artery, often associated with atherosclerosis, presents complexities regarding the relationship between internal resistance, shear stress and the geometric characteristics of stenosis lesions. This study aims to elucidate these relationships through computational simulations utilizing medical imaging data of human vertebral arteries. Various models representing different stenotic configurations were constructed, allowing for comprehensive analysis via Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) methods. Hemodynamic parameters such as blood flow velocity, time-averaged wall shear stress (TWASS), oscillation shear index (OSI), relative retention time (RRT), and solid mechanics indicators including total deformation and vascular Von-Mises stress were evaluated. Our findings revealed that different lesion modes had different impacts on the blood flow field in the vertebral artery. Upon comparing the mathematical model with CFD and FSI results, it was found that an augmented stenosis rate led to the creation of a watershed environment within the blood vessel, thereby expediting the onset of atherosclerosis. In cases where the vertebral artery experienced complete narrowing due to a consistent stenosis rate, there was a substantial rise in blood flow velocity. Neglecting timely intervention to alter the blood flow environment heightened the peril of triggering vascular dissection or even puncturing the blood vessel wall directly.
A Hybrid Prediction Model for International Crude Oil Price Based on Variational Mode Decomposition with BiTCN-BiGRU-Attention Deep Learning Techniques
Authors: Bi Mengyu , Liu Ziyun , Yang Xiaozhong
Published: October 2024

Predicting the price and volatility of international crude oil futures is a complex task. This paper presents a novel hybrid prediction model, the VMD-BiTCN-BiGRU-Attention, which integrates variational mode decomposition (VMD) and advanced deep learning techniques to forecast the nonlinear, non-stationary, and time-varying characteristics of crude oil price sequences. Initially, the price sequence is decomposed into multiple modes using VMD, enabling the capture of different frequency components. Each mode is independently predicted using a bidirectional time convolutional network (BiTCN), which captures temporal sequence information and enhances long-term dependencies through dilated convolution. Subsequently, a bidirectional gated recurrent unit (BiGRU) models the temporal dependencies more effectively, while an attention mechanism adjusts the weights of the BiGRU outputs to emphasize critical information. The model’s predictions are optimized with the Adam algorithm. Empirical results demonstrate that the model is adept at forecasting non-stationary and nonlinear international crude oil prices. Furthermore, the Diebold-Mariano (DM) test confirms that this model surpasses 15 other models regarding accuracy and performance, achieving optimal results with key metrics: R² = 0.9953, RMSE = 1.4417, MAE = 0.7973, and MAPE = 1.5213%. These findings underscore its potential for enhancing crude oil price prediction.
Spatial Analysis of Fire Incidents and Urban Vulnerabilities in the Accra Metropolis of Ghana
Authors: Amoako Richard Dickson
Published: October 2024

Fire incidents in the Accra Metropolis have caused significant damage to property and human lives over the years. However, spatial data on the distribution and causes of these incidents are inadequate in Ghana. This study analyzes the spatial distribution of fire occurrences in the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) from 2010 to 2022, classifying land uses into commercial, industrial, residential, and institutional categories. Data from the Ghana National Fire Service were analyzed using Geographic Information System (GIS) tools, including ArcMap, Getis-Ord hotspot analysis, and Moran's I autocorrelation. The study found that the Central Business District (CBD), primarily serving commercial functions, was the hotspot zone for fire incidents. Poorly planned residential areas also suffered from frequent fire outbreaks. The study attributes fire incidents in the CBD to inadequate urban planning, characterized by unapproved structures serving as squatter settlements. Illegal electricity connections associated with these unregulated buildings were identified as a proximate cause of fires in and around the CBD. The spatial analysis revealed changing patterns of fire incidents over time, with some well-planned areas experiencing unexpected increases in fire cases in recent years. This research highlights the critical relationship between urban planning and fire risk management in the Accra Metropolis. It emphasizes the need for targeted interventions in high-risk areas and comprehensive urban renewal projects to minimize fire hazards. The findings provide valuable insights for urban planners, policymakers, and fire management authorities to develop more effective strategies for fire prevention and response in rapidly growing African cities.
Changes in Micropolar Thermoelastic Behavior in the 3PHL Framework due to Rotation and Nonlocality
Authors: Fathy Rania A. , Eraki Ebtesam E. M. , Othman Mohamed I. A.
Published: October 2024

The main objective of this paper is to explore the effect of the nonlocal parameter on a two-dimensional micropolar thermoelastic isotropic rotating medium using the three-phase-lag (3PHL) framework. Through application of normal mode method, exact expressions for the temperature, microrotation, displacement, stress components have been obtained. Numerical solutions for these physical quantities were calculated and visually represented with MATLAB 2013, taking into account the material characteristics of magnesium crystal. The study's findings shed important light on how nonlocal thermoelastic media behave with the combined influence of micro-polarity and rotation, which could lead to improvements in material design and performance for various applications. The findings reveal significant differences between three theories, particularly with or without of the nonlocal parameter and different angular velocity values. Additionally, under rotational influence, the predictions made by the 3PHL model tend to fall between the results from the theories of L-S and G-N III.
Overexpression of miR-192 in Fibroblasts accelerates wound healing in diabetic rats
Authors: Karam Forouzan , Sayadi Mahtab , Dadi Saeedeh , Sarab Gholamreza Anani
Published: October 2024

Background: Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) is a severe diabetic complication.Transplantation of skin substitutes, stem cells, and Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) treatments are promising tools to promote ulcer healing in diabetes. An important aspect of the remodelling phase of wound healing is collagen deposition. miR-192 increases the expression of COL1A2 by specifically targeting Smad-interacting protein 1 (SIP1). This study was designed to investigate the impact of combined treatment with platelet-rich plasma and fibroblast cells expressing miR-192 on the healing process of wounds using an experimental diabetic animal model.
Methods: After transfection of HDF cells and induction of increased miR-192 expression, relative changes in COL1A2gene expression were determined by the RT-PCR method. Rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: non-diabetic control group, diabetic control, backbone, PRP, miR-192, and PRP+miR-192 groups. Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats of all treated groups except non-diabetic control through a 21-day high-fat diet and an intraperitoneal injection of 40 mg/kg streptozotocin. A 10mm skin biopsy punch was used to create two full-thickness wounds on the dorsal part of the upper body in all six groups of animals. Hematoxylin-Eosin and Mason's trichrome staining were used to evaluate the wounds and analyze histological changes.
Results: The overexpression of miR-192 in HDF cells resulted in a significant increase in COL1A2 gene expression, which was 15.77-fold higher than the control group. PRP and pLenti-III-miR-192-GFP-expressing cells significantly increased wound closure rates, granulation tissue area, and collagen fiber density in rats, according to a histological examination.
Conclusion: The combined use of PRP and HDFs expressing pLenti-III-miR-192-GFP speeds up the healing of wounds by increasing collagen expression, demonstrating the efficacy of this approach in improving wound healing results.
Characterization of the overexpressed recombinant human α11 integrin I domain in Escherichia coli for functional analysis
Authors: Tavili Elaheh , Dabirmanesh Bahareh , Amanlou Massoud , Khajeh Khosro
Published: October 2024

Integrins are crucial adhesion receptors involved in cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions. Integrin α11β1 has been linked to tumor progression, metastasis, angiogenesis, fibrotic diseases, and wound healing. The I domain of integrin α11 plays a vital role in ligand binding, integrin activation, and cell signaling. In this study, we focused on expressing the I domain of integrin α11 in E. coli C41 (DE3) using lysis buffers like Triton X-100, sarkosyl, and urea. We also examined the effect of osmolytes on protein stability. A solid-phase assay assessed the binding of the recombinant I domain to type I collagen. Our findings showed that expression condition changes did not affect the I domain's solubility. We successfully obtained a soluble I domain using sarkosyl lysis buffer and purified it via nickel affinity chromatography, optimizing its stability with 40 mM mannitol. The binding of the I domain to type I collagen is concentration-dependent. This study outlines a method for expressing, purifying, and stabilizing the recombinant I domain of integrin α11, which may facilitate further investigations into this protein.
Is there only one species of flowerpot snake around the world? Phylogenetic position of a specimen from Italy (Ischia) (Serpentes: Typhlopidae)
Authors: Castiglia Riccardo , Annesi Flavia , Grano Mauro
Published: October 2024

The flowerpot blindsnake ( Indotyphlops braminus ), native to India, nowadays holds the widest global distribution among the snakes, due to passive transport by humans. Previous genetic analysis showed that two geographically separated mtDNA clades occur in India, one confined to the wetter parts of Western Ghats (“wet zone” clade), while the other distributed in the drier parts of central and eastern peninsular India (“dry zone” clade). All the so far studied flowerpot specimens found all over the world belong to the “wet zone” clade and are characterized by a very low mtDNA diversity. In this paper, the phylogenetic position, based on two mtDNA markers (16S and cytb) was assessed for one specimen of flowerpot blindsnake found in Ischia Island (Italy), one of the two localities where the species has been introduced in the country. The results showed an elevated divergence between the Ischia specimen and all other specimens from different worldwide non-native location (7.9% for 16S and 14.1 % for cytb). Moreover, the specimen unequivocally clusters within the Indian "dry zone" clade. In literature it has been suggested that the “dry zone” clade represents the nominal I. braminus , while the other clade represents a different and yet unnamed species. In this perspective, our results indicate that the Ischia specimen would be the first true I. braminus found outside its range of origin. Finally, the results of this study reinforce the necessity to continue studying the flowerpot snake populations outside their range of origin also from a chromosomal and morphological point of view.
A multimethodological approach for vertebrate endemicity and potential priority regions for conservation in the state of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil
Authors: Vieira-Guimarães Felipe , Malheiro de Oliveira André Luis , Gadelha de Almeida André Luiz , Peres Pereira Araiene , Foerste Brenda , Malavazi Dell’ Antonio Bruna , Pinheiro Gomes Bruno , Frechiani de Oliveira Carla , Pérez-Castillo Carlos David , Elias Franco Erica , Ortolane Medeiros Gabriela , Brandão Garcia Gustavo , Jabour e Silva Isabela , Pasinato Silva João Vitor , Damásio Lucas , Nunes Rodrigues Leydiane , Freitas Silva Marcos Vinícius , Tavares de Souza Maryana , Quadros de Menezes Paulo , dos Santos Melotti Ricieire , Targino da Silva Thassiane , Pereira Quirino Welton , Sarmento-Soares Luisa Maria
Published: October 2024

The selection of strategic conservation areas is a complex undertaking that requires the integration of various elements, including planning, indicators, and mapping. An extensive evaluation of vertebrate distribution patterns in Espírito Santo state, southern Brazil, revealed the existence of four consensus areas defined by two endemicity methods that can be designated as priority regions for multitaxa conservation. A brief remark is made regarding the importance of endemic areas and biogeographic units in the definition of priority areas for conservation.
Single-gap isotropic $s-$wave superconductivity in single crystals AuSn$_4$
Authors: Ghimire Sunil , Joshi Kamal R. , Krenkel Elizabeth H. , Tanatar Makariy , Konczykowski Marcin , Grasset Romain , Canfield Paul , Prozorov Ruslan
Published: October 2024

London, \lambda_L (T)λL(T), and Campbell, \lambda_{C} (T)λC(T), penetration depths were measured in single crystals of a topological superconductor candidate AuSn_44. At low temperatures, \lambda_L (T)λL(T) is exponentially attenuated and, if fitted with the power law, \lambda(T) \sim T^nλ(T)∼Tn, gives exponents n>4n>4, indistinguishable from the isotropic single s-s−wave gap Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) asymptotic. The superfluid density fits perfectly in the entire temperature range to the BCS theory. The superconducting transition temperature, T_c = 2.40 ± 0.05Tc=2.40±0.05 K, does not change after 2.5 MeV electron irradiation, indicating the validity of the Anderson theorem for isotropic s-s−wave superconductors. Campbell penetration depth before and after electron irradiation shows no hysteresis between the zero-field cooling (ZFC) and field cooling (FC) protocols, consistent with the parabolic pinning potential. Interestingly, the critical current density estimated from the original Campbell theory decreases after irradiation, implying that a more sophisticated theory involving collective effects is needed to describe vortex pinning in this system. In general, our thermodynamic measurements strongly suggest that the bulk response of the AuSn_44 crystals is fully consistent with the isotropic s-s−wave weak-coupling BCS superconductivity.
Codebase release 1.3 for QArray
Authors: van Straaten Barnaby , Hickie Joseph , Schorling Lucas , Schuff Jonas , Fedele Federico , Ares Natalia
Published: October 2024

Semiconductor quantum dot arrays are a leading architecture for the development of quantum technologies. Over the years, the constant capacitance model has served as a fundamental framework for simulating, understanding, and navigating the charge stability diagrams of small quantum dot arrays. However, while the size of the arrays keeps growing, solving the constant capacitance model becomes computationally prohibitive. This paper presents an open-source software package able to compute a 100 × 100100×100 pixels charge stability diagram of a 16-dot array in less than a second. Smaller arrays can be simulated in milliseconds - faster than they could be measured experimentally, enabling the creation of diverse datasets for training machine learning models and the creation of digital twins that can interface with quantum dot devices in real-time. Our software package implements its core functionalities in the systems programming language Rust and the high-performance numerical computing library JAX. The Rust implementation benefits from advanced optimisations and parallelisation, enabling the users to take full advantage of multi-core processors. The JAX implementation allows for GPU acceleration.
ADULT ADHD, SELF-EFFICACY, AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN LANGUAGE LEARNING: THE CASE OF FRESHMEN IN THE FACULTY OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES
Authors:   Moulay Ismail University, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Meknes, Morocco., Oulaich Soukaina
Published: October 2024

The prevalence of ADHD in Morocco is still unknown. The paper sought to determine the extent to which this disorder may be prevalent in university students along with whether it would differ significantly among males and females. It also aimed to identify whether there would be a significant difference in both academic performance and self-efficacy among the ADHD and non-ADHD group. Three questionnaires were used to achieve this purpose. Cronbachs alpha was run followed by a chi-square test for independence and two independent-samples t-tests. There was no significant association between gender and ADHD symptoms (p = .12). In addition, there was no significant difference in academic performance (p = .39) and in self-efficacy scores (p = .46) for the ADHD and non-ADHD students. The study emphasized on the importance of a formal ADHD diagnosis as it could have provided insightful findings.
INFLUENCE OF CLIMATIC ACCIDENTS ON THE FREQUENCY OF CROP REGROWTH IN THE KABOUA DISTRICT (SAVE COMMUNE), BENIN
Authors:   School of Agribusiness and Agricultural Policies (EAPA)., Ayedegue Biaou Philippe Chabi ,   Laboratory of Rural Economics and Social Sciences for Sustainable Development (LERSSoDD), National University of Agriculture.,   Pierre Pagney Laboratory Climate, Water, Ecosystem, and Development (LACEEDE), University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC).
Published: October 2024

The Kaboua arrondissement is facing increasing challenges related to climate incidents, such as droughts, floods, and temperature variations. These events disrupt not only traditional cropping cycles but also affect the frequency of crop regrowth, which is essential for food security and the income of local farmers. The general objective of this research is to analyze the influence of climate incidents on crop regrowth in the study area. The data used include rainfall heights from 1928 to 2018, as well as maximum and minimum temperatures from 1961 to 2018, all sourced from the SavÃ¨ meteorological station. This data was collected from Meteo-Benin. Additionally, a survey was conducted among the population of the Kaboua arrondissement to correlate meteorological data with local field observations. The results of this research showed that climate change alters the rainy seasons and growing periods, leading to crop losses and difficulties in maintaining sustainable crop regrowth. It is essential to emphasize that regrowth plays a key role in helping producers cope with food insecurity during the lean season. Furthermore, according to 95% of the surveyed producers, it also helps meet their financial needs. Regrowth is also crucial in the soil fertility cycle, serving as a vital link in the conservation and regeneration of nutrients necessary for crop growth. Its impact on soil health and quality is fundamental to maintaining long-term agricultural productivity.
Experimental study on the treatment of high COD metal degreasing cleaning wastewater by coagulation and two-stage Fenton oxidation
Authors: Ai Shengshu , Yang Siwen , Sun Xuejian , Wang Fan , Zhang Ying , Zhang Haigang , Bian Dejun
Published: October 2024

In this study, based on the water quality characteristics of metal degreasing cleaning wastewater , wastewater treatment by coagulation combined with two-stage Fenton oxidation was proposed. The results showed that when the dosage of PAC was 5 g/L and the dosage of CPAM was 8 mg/L, with an initial pH of 8, rapid stirring at 350 rpm for 3 min followed by slow stirring at 200 rpm for 15 min, the optimal removal rate of chemical oxygen demand (COD) reached 74.08%. Primary Fenton oxidation is mainly aimed at decomposing macromolecular long-chain pollutants and removing some pollutants. The highest COD removal rate was achieved at 95.07% when the dosage of H2O2 was 4 mol/L, the dosage of FeSO4 was 40 g/L, the oxidation lasted for 60 min, the initial pH was 2, the effluent pH was 8, and the settling time was 90 min. The two-stage Fenton oxidation process provided further advanced treatment. With a reagent ratio of 1:0.5, the effluent COD concentration was reduced to 457 mg/L, meeting the third class standard of the `Integrated Wastewater Discharge Standard' (GB 8978 1996).