bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Highly Resolved Speleothem δ13C Record from Central China and Its Manifestation on Multiple Time Scales during the Last Glacial
Authors: Chen Qingmin , Cheng Xing , Deng Li , He Kaikai , Zhang Wenshuo , Xue Gang , Zhang Zeke , Ma Le , Wang Gaohong , Cheng Hai , Edwards R. Lawrence
Published: April 2024

Speleothem δ13C in monsoonal China differs from speleothem δ18O, which is widely used as a climatic proxy for several complex control reasons. Nevertheless, δ13C records have the potential to reveal the implications of hydroclimatic changes. This study reports a speleothem δ13C record from Didonghe (DDH) Cave in central China spanning 34 to 13 kyr BP. After we investigated the factors that influence speleothem δ13C, we found that the δ13C record showed that DDH Cave can prompt directional shifts via local hydroclimatic changes, such as in vegetation types, biomass, and rock–water interaction processes, suggesting that δ13C is mainly controlled by the local hydroclimate. Ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) results revealed a coupling relationship between δ18O and δ13C on multiple timescales, which suggested that changes in precipitation caused by large-scale monsoonal circulation are controlled by regional hydrological conditions to a great extent. However, the hydrological conditions of the cave were relatively mild and humid during the last glacial maximum (LGM), which revealed the impact of evaporation on changes in the region’s hydrological conditions. We also found that the δ18O and δ13C profiles decoupled when δ13C changed with a shift in the location of the westerly during HS1. The δ13C record correlates well with other paleoclimate records, suggesting that regional hydrological conditions are also modulated by the Earth’s internal and external driving factors.
The Role of Oxidative Stress and Natural Products in Maintaining Human Health
Authors: Xiao Hui-Hui
Published: April 2024

Since 1985, when oxidative stress was first defined as the oxidative damage caused to cells and organs, a large number of studies have shown that oxidative stress is a significant risk factor for various diseases, including tumors [...]
The Antioxidant Power of a Diet May Improve the Quality of Life of Young Women with Acne Vulgaris
Authors: Zujko-Kowalska Kinga , Jankowska Beata , Zujko Małgorzata Elżbieta
Published: April 2024

Acne vulgaris (AV) significantly reduces the quality of life (QoL) of young people, so it is important to look for factors that can improve their QoL. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between dietary antioxidants measured using the new DAQI index and QoL measured using standardized tests. The DAQI included the following elements: antioxidant vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, polyphenols, phytosterols, lignans, and the total antioxidant capacity of the diet. The study involved 165 young women with AV, mainly students. A self-report survey was used to collect basic data on their sociodemographic status, anthropometric information, and lifestyle. The energy value of the diet and the content of vitamins, minerals, and carotenoids with antioxidant activity in the diet were estimated using 3-day food diaries and the Diet 6.0 program. The antioxidant potential of the diet and the content of polyphenols, phytosterols, lignans, and selenium were calculated based on the consumption of individual food products and available databases. The results of this study showed that the QoL of the young women with AV was impaired. However, greater adherence to an antioxidant diet reduces the risk of AV impact on the QoL by approximately 30–32% and the risk of depression by 33%. The DAQI may be used as a new indicator of diet quality in acne vulgaris.
Vitamin D3 Regulates Energy Homeostasis under Short-Term Fasting Condition in Zebrafish (Danio Rerio)
Authors: Du Qingyang , Shao Rui , Wang Wentao , Zhang Hui , Liao Xinmeng , Wang Zhihao , Yin Zhan , Ai Qinghui , Mai Kangsen , Tang Xiao , Wan Min
Published: April 2024

Vitamin D3 (VD3) is a steroid hormone that plays pivotal roles in pathophysiology, and 1,25(OH)2D3 is the most active form of VD3. In the current study, the crucial role of VD3 in maintaining energy homeostasis under short-term fasting conditions was investigated. Our results confirmed that glucose-depriving pathways were inhibited while glucose-producing pathways were strengthened in zebrafish after fasting for 24 or 48 h. Moreover, VD3 anabolism in zebrafish was significantly suppressed in a time-dependent manner under short-fasting conditions. After fasting for 24 or 48 h, zebrafish fed with VD3 displayed a higher gluconeogenesis level and lower glycolysis level in the liver, and the serum glucose was maintained at higher levels, compared to those fed without VD3. Additionally, VD3 augmented the expression of fatty acids (FAs) transporter cd36 and lipogenesis in the liver, while enhancing lipolysis in the dorsal muscle. Similar results were obtained in cyp2r1−/− zebrafish, in which VD3 metabolism is obstructed. Importantly, it was observed that VD3 induced the production of gut GLP-1, which is considered to possess a potent gluconeogenic function in zebrafish. Meanwhile, the gene expression of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1 (pcsk1), a GLP-1 processing enzyme, was also induced in the intestine of short-term fasted zebrafish. Notably, gut microbiota and its metabolite acetate were involved in VD3-regulated pcsk1 expression and GLP-1 production under short-term fasting conditions. In summary, our study demonstrated that VD3 regulated GLP-1 production in zebrafish by influencing gut microbiota and its metabolite, contributing to energy homeostasis and ameliorating hypoglycemia under short-term fasting conditions.
Usefulness of Opuntia spp. on the Management of Obesity and Its Metabolic Co-Morbidities
Authors: Gómez-García Iker , Fernández-Quintela Alfredo , González Marcela , Gómez-Zorita Saioa , Muguerza Begoña , Trepiana Jenifer , Portillo María
Published: April 2024

The plants of the Opuntia genus mainly grow in arid and semi-arid climates. Although the highest variety of wild species is found in Mexico, Opuntia spp. is widely distributed throughout the world. Extracts of these cacti have been described as important sources of bioactive substances that can have beneficial properties for the prevention and treatment of certain metabolic disorders. The objective of this review is to summarise the presently available knowledge regarding Opuntia ficus-indica (nopal or prickly pear), and some other species (O. streptacantha and O. robusta) on obesity and several metabolic complications. Current data show that Opuntia ficus-indica products used in preclinical studies have a significant capacity to prevent, at least partially, obesity and certain derived co-morbidities. On this subject, the potential beneficial effects of Opuntia are related to a reduction in oxidative stress and inflammation markers. Nevertheless, clinical studies have evidenced that the effects are highly contingent upon the experimental design. Moreover, the bioactive compound composition of nopal extracts has not been reported. As a result, there is a lack of information to elucidate the mechanisms of action responsible for the observed effects. Accordingly, further studies are needed to demonstrate whether Opuntia products can represent an effective tool to prevent and/or manage body weight and some metabolic disorders.
Performance Evaluation and Error Tracing of Rotary Rayleigh Doppler Wind LiDAR
Authors: Chen Jianfeng , Xie Chenbo , Ji Jie , Li Leyong , Wang Bangxin , Xing Kunming , Zhao Ming
Published: April 2024

In the study of atmospheric wind fields from the upper troposphere to the stratosphere (10 km to 50 km), direct detection wind LiDAR is considered a promising method that offers high-precision atmospheric wind field data. In 2020, Xie et al. of the Anhui Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, developed an innovative rotating Rayleigh Doppler wind LiDAR (RRDWL). The system aims to achieve single-LiDAR detection of atmospheric wind fields by rotating the entire device cabin. In 2022, the feasibility of the system was successfully validated in laboratory conditions, and field deployment was completed. Due to the structural differences between this system and traditional direct-detection wind LiDAR, performance tests were conducted to evaluate its continuous detection capability in outdoor environments. Subsequently, based on the test results and error analysis, further analysis was carried out to identify the main factors affecting the system’s detection performance. Finally, the error analysis and traceability of the detection results were conducted, and corresponding measures were discussed to provide a theoretical foundation for optimizing the performance of RRDWL.
WRKY22 Transcription Factor from Iris laevigata Regulates Flowering Time and Resistance to Salt and Drought
Authors: Fan Lijuan , Niu Zhaoqian , Shi Gongfa , Song Ziyi , Yang Qianqian , Zhou Sheng , Wang Ling
Published: April 2024

Iris laevigata Fisch. is an excellent ornamental plant in cold regions due to its unique ornamental ability and strong cold resistance. However, the flowering period of the population is only about 20 days, greatly limiting its potential uses in landscaping and the cutting flower industry. In addition, I. laevigata is often challenged with various abiotic stresses including high salinity and drought in its native habitats. Thus, breeding novel cultivars with delayed flowering time and higher resistance to abiotic stress is of high importance. In this study, we utilized sequencing data from the I. laevigata transcriptome to identify WRKYs and characterized IlWRKY22, a key transcription factor that modulates flowering time and abiotic stress responses. IlWRKY22 is induced by salt and drought stress. We cloned IlWRKY22 and found that it is a Group IIe WRKY localized in the nucleus. Overexpressing IlWRKY22 in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. and Nicotiana tabacum L. resulted in a delayed flowering time in the transgenic plants. We created transgenic N. tabacum overexpressing IlWRKY22, which showed significantly improved resistance to both salt and drought compared to the control plants. Thus, our study revealed a unique dual function of IlWRKY22, an excellent candidate gene for breeding novel Iris cultivars of desirable traits.
Shifting Mountain Tree Line Increases Soil Organic Carbon Stability Regardless of Land Use
Authors: Sushko Sofia , Ivashchenko Kristina , Komarova Alexandra , Yudina Anna , Makhantseva Victoria , Elsukova Ekaterina , Blagodatsky Sergey
Published: April 2024

Climate and land use changes are causing trees line to shift up into mountain meadows. The effect of this vegetation change on the partitioning of soil carbon (C) between the labile particulate organic matter (POM–C) and stable mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM–C) pools is poorly understood. Therefore, we assessed these C pools in a 10 cm topsoil layer along forest–meadow ecotones with different land uses (reserve and pasture) in the Northwest Caucasus of Russia using the size fractionation technique (POM 0.053–2.00 mm, MAOM < 0.053 mm). Potential drivers included the amount of C input from aboveground grass biomass (AGB) and forest litter (litter quantity) and their C/N ratios, aromatic compound content (litter quality), and soil texture. For both land uses, the POM–C pool showed no clear patterns of change along forest–meadow ecotones, while the MAOM–C pool increased steadily from meadow to forest. Regardless of land use, the POM–C/MAOM–C ratio decreased threefold from meadow to forest in line with decreasing grass AGB (R2 = 0.75 and 0.29 for reserve and pasture) and increasing clay content (R2 = 0.63 and 0.36 for reserve and pasture). In pastures, an additional negative relationship was found with respect to plant litter aromaticity (R2 = 0.48). Therefore, shifting the mountain tree line in temperate climates could have a positive effect on conserving soil C stocks by increasing the proportion of stable C pools.
A Set of Artificial Pollination Technical Measures: Improved Seed Yields and Active Ingredients of Seeds in Oil Tree Peonies
Authors: Sun Xihui , Zhang Qingyu , Zhang Huiwen , Niu Lixin , Zhang Maifang , Zhang Yanlong
Published: April 2024

The tree peony, a novel woody oil crop extensively cultivated in China, necessitates further investigation into artificial pollination technology to enhance seed yield. In this study, we conducted artificial pollination experiments with 6-year-old Paeonia ostii ‘Feng Dan’ seedings for suitable pollen sources, pollen concentration, pollination timing, and pollination frequency. By evaluating seed yields, active ingredients, and oil quality, we derived the following significant conclusions. Firstly, compared to natural pollination, artificial pollination could significantly increase the fruit diameter by 13.94–27.58%, seed yields by 35.17–58.99%, and oil content by 6.45–7.52% in tree peonies. In active ingredients, seeds produced by pollen from Hantai County significantly enhanced starch content (by 48.64%), total phenols (by 41.18%) and antioxidant capacity (by 54.39%). In oil quality, seeds produced by pollen from Heyang County exhibited the highest α-linolenic acid and total fatty acid content with enhancements of 1.68%, 7.41%, and 8.48%. Secondly, hand pollination with pure pollen significantly increased seed yield by 58.99%, total phenol content by 40.97%, antioxidant capacity by 54.39%, and oil content by 1.53% compared to natural pollination. Thirdly, pollination at 2/3 bloom range significantly increased seed number by 63.08% and yield by 45.61% compared to natural pollination. Finally, the effect of one, two, and three pollination events had no difference in seed yield. So, to summarize, applying a 100% concentration of allochthonous pollen once is recommended when the bloom range is more than two thirds.
Relation between Central European Climate Change and Eifel Volcanism during the Last 130,000 Years: The ELSA-23-Tephra-Stack
Authors: Sirocko Frank , Krebsbach Frederik , Albert Johannes , Britzius Sarah , Schenk Fiona , Förster Michael W.
Published: April 2024

The analysis of tephra layers in maar lake sediments of the Eifel shows 14 well-visible tephra during the last glacial cycle from the Holocene to the Eemian (0–130,000 yr b2k). These tephra were analyzed for their petrographic composition, which allows us to connect several tephra to eruption sites. All tephra were dated by application of the ELSA-20 chronology, developed using the late Pleistocene infilled maar lake of Auel and the Holocene lake Holzmaar (0–60,000 yr b2k). We extend the ELSA-20 chronology with this paper for the millennia of 60,000–130,000 yr b2k (ELSA-23 chronology), which is based on the infilled maar lake records from Dehner, Hoher List, and Jungferweiher. The evaluation of the tephra from the entire last glacial cycle shows that all 14 tephra were close to interstadial warming of the North Atlantic sea surface temperatures. In particular, phreatomagmatic maar eruptions were systematically associated with Heinrich events or C-events. These events represent times of warming of the Southern Hemisphere, global sea level rise, and CO2 increase, which predate the abrupt interstadial warming events of the Northern Hemisphere. This synchroneity indicates a physical relationship between endogenic and exogenic processes. Changes in the lithospheric stress field in response to changes in continental ice loads have already been suggested as a potential candidate to explain the exogenic forcing of endogenic processes. The chronology of volcanic activity in the Eifel demonstrates that intraplate mantle plumes are also affected by the exogenic forcing of endogenic processes.
Remote Quantification of Soil Organic Carbon: Role of Topography in the Intra-Field Distribution
Authors: Cutting Benjamin J. , Atzberger Clement , Gholizadeh Asa , Robinson David A. , Mendoza-Ulloa Jorge , Marti-Cardona Belen
Published: April 2024

Soil organic carbon (SOC) measurements are an indicator of soil health and an important parameter for the study of land-atmosphere carbon fluxes. Field sampling provides precise measurements at the sample location but entails high costs and cannot provide detailed maps unless the sampling density is very high. Remote sensing offers the possibility to quantify SOC over large areas in a cost-effective way. As a result, numerous studies have sought to quantify SOC using Earth observation data with a focus on inter-field or regional distributions. This study took a different angle and aimed to map the spatial distribution of SOC at the intra-field scale, since this distribution provides important insights into the biophysiochemical processes involved in the retention of SOC. Instead of solely using spectral measurements to quantify SOC, topographic and spectral features act as predictor variables. The necessary data on study fields in South-East England was acquired through a detailed SOC sampling campaign, including a LiDAR survey flight. Multi-spectral Sentinel-2 data of the study fields were acquired for the exact day of the sampling campaign, and for an interval of 18 months before and after this date. Random Forest (RF) and Support Vector Regression (SVR) models were trained and tested on the spectral and topographical data of the fields to predict the observed SOC values. Five different sets of model predictors were assessed, by using independently and in combination, single and multidate spectral data, and topographical features for the SOC sampling points. Both, RF and SVR models performed best when trained on multi-temporal Sentinel-2 data together with topographic features, achieving validation root-mean-square errors (RMSEs) of 0.29% and 0.23% SOC, respectively. These RMSEs are competitive when compared with those found in the literature for similar models. The topographic wetness index (TWI) exhibited the highest permutation importance for virtually all models. Given that farming practices within each field are the same, this result suggests an important role of soil moisture in SOC retention. Contrary to findings in dryer climates or in studies encompassing larger areas, TWI was negatively related to SOC levels in the study fields, suggesting a different role of soil wetness in the SOC storage in climates characterized by excess rainfall and poorly drained soils.
A Bio-Inspired Visual Perception Transformer for Cross-Domain Semantic Segmentation of High-Resolution Remote Sensing Images
Authors: Wang Xinyao , Wang Haitao , Jing Yuqian , Yang Xianming , Chu Jianbo
Published: April 2024

Pixel-level classification of very-high-resolution images is a crucial yet challenging task in remote sensing. While transformers have demonstrated effectiveness in capturing dependencies, their tendency to partition images into patches may restrict their applicability to highly detailed remote sensing images. To extract latent contextual semantic information from high-resolution remote sensing images, we proposed a gaze–saccade transformer (GSV-Trans) with visual perceptual attention. GSV-Trans incorporates a visual perceptual attention (VPA) mechanism that dynamically allocates computational resources based on the semantic complexity of the image. The VPA mechanism includes both gaze attention and eye movement attention, enabling the model to focus on the most critical parts of the image and acquire competitive semantic information. Additionally, to capture contextual semantic information across different levels in the image, we designed an inter-layer short-term visual memory module with bidirectional affinity propagation to guide attention allocation. Furthermore, we introduced a dual-branch pseudo-label module (DBPL) that imposes pixel-level and category-level semantic constraints on both gaze and saccade branches. DBPL encourages the model to extract domain-invariant features and align semantic information across different domains in the feature space. Extensive experiments on multiple pixel-level classification benchmarks confirm the effectiveness and superiority of our method over the state of the art.
Evaluation of Daily and Hourly Performance of Multi-Source Satellite Precipitation Products in China’s Nine Water Resource Regions
Authors: Gu Hongji , Shen Dingtao , Xiao Shuting , Zhang Chunxiao , Bai Fengpeng , Yu Fei
Published: April 2024

Satellite precipitation products (SPPs) are of great significance for water resource management and utilization in China; however, they suffer from considerable uncertainty. While numerous researchers have evaluated the accuracy of various SPPs, further investigation is needed to assess their performance across China’s nine major water resource regions. This study used the latest precipitation dataset of the China Meteorological Administration’s Land Surface Data Assimilation System (CLDAS-V2.0) as the benchmark and evaluated the performance of six SPPs—GSMaP, PERSIANN, CMORPH, CHIRPS, GPM IMERG, and TRMM—using six indices: correlation coefficient (CC), root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), probability of detection (POD), false alarm rate (FAR), and critical success index (CSI), at both daily and hourly scales across China’s nine water resource regions. The conclusions of this study are as follows: (1) The performance of the six SPPs was generally weaker in the west than in the east, with the Continental Basin (CB) exhibiting the poorest performance, followed by the Southwest Basin (SB). (2) At the hourly scale, the performance of the six SPPs was weaker compared to the daily scale, particularly in the high-altitude CB and the high-latitude Songhua and Liaohe River Basin (SLRB), where observing light precipitation and snowfall presents significant challenges. (3) GSMaP, CMORPH, and GPM IMERG demonstrated superior overall performance compared to CHIRPS, PERISANN, and TRMM. (4) CMORPH was found to be better suited for application in drought-prone areas, showcasing optimal performance in the CB and SB. GSMaP excelled in humid regions, displaying the best overall performance in the remaining seven basins. GPM IMERG serves as a complementary precipitation data source for the first two.
(Mis)Representing Ethnicity in UK Government Statistics and Its Implications for Violence Inequalities
Authors: Manzur Hannah , Blom Niels , Barbosa Estela Capelas
Published: April 2024

The question of how we measure, categorise, and represent ethnicity poses a growing challenge for identifying and addressing ethnic inequalities. Conceptual critiques and qualitative studies highlight the complexities and challenges of measuring ethnicity, yet there remains a lack of quantitative studies investigating the implications of these complexities for inequalities research. This paper addresses this gap by scrutinizing methodological processes and analysing the implications of measurement and categorisation in the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW), critiquing the UK’s standardised measurement of ethnicity in national survey data and government statistics. Based on our comparative quantitative analysis of standardised ethnicity categories and regional origins and our evaluation of the CSEW and census’ methodologies, we propose an alternative categorisation of ethnicity, focusing on the ‘Mixed’, ‘Asian’, and ‘Latinx/Hispanic’ ethnic groups. Using adjusted crosstabulations and logistic regression models, we found variations in ethnic patterns of violence based on standardised measures and our alternative recategorisation, particularly relating to the distinction between ‘Asian’ sub-groups, the recategorisation of ‘Mixed’ ethnicities, and the inclusion of ‘Latinx/Hispanic’ as a distinctive ethnic group. Our findings reveal valuable insights into the implications of ethnic categorisation for understanding violence inequalities, with significant implications for further policy and research areas.
Prediction and Feed-In Tariffs of Municipal Solid Waste Generation in Beijing: Based on a GRA-BiLSTM Model
Authors: Zhang Xia , Liu Bingchun
Published: April 2024

To cope with the increasing energy demand of people and solve the problem of a “Garbage Siege”, most cities have begun to adopt waste power generation (WTE). Compared to other WTE technologies, incineration has proven to be the most efficient technology for municipal solid waste (MSW) treatment. Therefore, to further explore the economic feasibility of MSW incineration plant construction, this study established a multi-factor prediction of MSW generation based on the GRA-BiLSTM model. By fully considering the relationship between the change in feed-in tariff (FIT) and the building of an incineration plant in Beijing, the economic feasibility of building an incineration plant is discussed based on the three scenarios set. The experimental results showed that (1) the combined model based on the GRA-BiLSTM showed good applicability for predicting MSW generation in Beijing, with MAE, MAPE, RMSE, and R2 values of 12.47, 5.97%, 18.5580, and 0.8950, respectively. (2) Based on the three scenarios set, the incineration power generation of Beijing MSW will show varying degrees of growth in 2022–2035. In order to meet future development, Beijing needs to build seven new incinerators, and the incineration rate should reach 100%. (3) According to setting different feed-in tariffs, based on the economic feasibility analysis, it is found that the feed-in tariff of MSW incineration for power generation in Beijing should be no less than $0.522/kWh. The government should encourage the construction of incineration plants and give policy support to enterprises that build incineration plants.
Detailed Land Use Classification in a Rare Earth Mining Area Using Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Data for Sustainable Agricultural Development
Authors: Li Chige , Li Hengkai , Zhou Yanbing , Wang Xiuli
Published: April 2024

In China, ion-adsorbing rare earth minerals are mainly located in the southern hilly areas and are important strategic resources. Extensive long-term mining has severely damaged the land cover in mining areas, caused soil pollution and terrain fragmentation, disrupted the balance between mining and agriculture, severely restricted agricultural development, and affected ecological development. Precise and detailed classification of land use within mining areas is crucial for monitoring the sustainable development of agricultural ecology in these areas. In this study, we leverage the high spatial and high spectral resolution characteristics of the Zhuhai-1 (OHS) hyperspectral image datasets. We create four types of datasets based on spectral, vegetation, red edge, and texture characteristics. These datasets are optimized for multifaceted features, considering the complex land use scenario in rare earth mining areas. Additionally, we design seven optimal combination schemes for features. This is performed to examine the impact of different schemes on land use classification in rare earth mining areas and the accuracy of identifying agricultural land classes from broken blocks. The results show that (1) the inclusion of texture features has the most obvious effect on the overall classification accuracy; (2) the red edge feature has the worst effect on improving the overall accuracy of the surface classification; however, it has a prominent effect on the identification of agricultural lands such as farmland, orchards, and reclaimed vegetation; and (3), following the combination of various optimization features, the land use classification yielded the highest overall accuracy, at 88.16%. Furthermore, the comprehensive identification of various agricultural land classes, including farmland, orchards, and greenhouse vegetables, yielded the most desirable outcomes. The research results not only highlight the advantages of hyperspectral images for complex terrain classification and recognition but also address the previous limitations in the application of hyperspectral datasets over wide mining areas. Additionally, the results underscore the reliability of feature selection methods in reducing information redundancy and improving classification accuracy. The proposed feature selection combination, based on OHS hyperspectral datasets, offers technical support and guidance for the detailed classification of complex land use in mining areas and the accurate monitoring of agroecological environments.
A Novel Multiepitope Fusion Antigen as a Vaccine Candidate for the Prevention of Enterotoxigenic E. coli-Induced Calf Diarrhea
Authors: Zhang Haoyun , Yuan Xinwei , He Yanfei , Chen Yingyu , Hu Changmin , Chen Jianguo , Zhang Lei , Chen Xi , Guo Aizhen
Published: April 2024

Calf diarrhea caused by enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) poses an enormous economic challenge in the cattle industry. Fimbriae and enterotoxin are crucial virulence factors and vaccine targets of ETEC. Since these proteins have complicated components with large molecular masses, the development of vaccines by directly expressing these potential targets is cumbersome Therefore, this study aimed to develop a multiepitope fusion antigen designated as MEFA by integrating major epitopes of FanC and Fim41a subunits and a toxoid epitope of STa into the F17G framework. The 3D modeling predicted that the MEFA protein displayed the epitopes from these four antigens on its surface, demonstrating the desired structural characteristics. Then, the MEFA protein was subsequently expressed and purified for mouse immunization. Following that, our homemade ELISA showed that the mouse antiserum had a consistent increase in polyclonal antibody levels with the highest titer of 1:217 to MEFA. Furthermore, the western blot assay demonstrated that this anti-MEFA serum could react with all four antigens. Further, this antiserum exhibited inhibition on ETEC adhesion to HCT-8 cells with inhibitory rates of 92.8%, 84.3%, and 87.9% against F17+, F5+, and F41+ ETEC strains, respectively. Additionally, the stimulatory effect of STa toxin on HCT-8 cells was decreased by approximately 75.3% by anti-MEFA serum. This study demonstrates that the MEFA protein would be an antigen candidate for novel subunit vaccines for preventing ETEC-induced diarrhea in cattle.
Combining Crop and Water Decisions to Manage Groundwater Overdraft over Decadal and Longer Timescales
Authors: Yao Yiqing , Lund Jay R. , Medellín-Azuara Josué
Published: April 2024

Coordinating management of groundwater, surface water, and irrigated crops is fundamental economically for many arid and semi-arid regions. This paper examines conjunctive water management for agriculture using hydro-economic optimization modeling. The analysis is integrated across two timescales: a two-stage stochastic decadal model for managing annual and perennial crops spanning dry and wet years and a far-horizon dynamic program embedding the decadal model into a longer groundwater policy setting. The modeling loosely represents California’s San Joaquin Valley and has insights for many irrigated arid and semi-arid regions relying on groundwater with variable annual hydrology. Results show how conjunctive water management can stabilize crop decisions and improve agricultural profitability across different water years by pumping more in dry years and increasing recharging groundwater in wetter years. Using groundwater as a buffer for droughts allows growing more higher-value perennial crops, which maximizes profit even with water-scarce conditions. Nevertheless, ending overdraft in basins with declining groundwater for profit-maximizing farming reduces annual crops to maintain more profitable perennial crops through droughts. Results are affected by economic discount rates and future climates. Operating and opportunity costs from forgone annual crops can reduce aquifer recharge early in regulatory periods.
World War I: Why Didn’t It Put an End to Belief in God?
Authors: Madison David
Published: April 2024

One of the greatest calamities in human history was the First World War. It was a world conflict that saw the use of machine guns, tanks, poison gas, flame throwers, and aircraft. It also stands as an immovable boulder in the path of Christian theologians who refuse to see World War I as a challenge to their faith in a good and caring god. If an all-powerful, caring, and competent god had been paying close attention to each soldier as suggested by the New Testament, then how can the inaction of this god be explained or excused? When the suffering is so horrible and so massive, compassion dictates that god must do something. Otherwise, god is a joke—and “free will” is no defense whatever.
International Trade in the Changing World: Economic and Statistical Analysis
Authors: Klupt M. A.
Published: April 2024

Based on an analysis of the time series of the ratios of export, import, and foreign trade turnover to GDP, the article periodizes the dynamics of world trade from 1970 to 2023. The features of these indices that require attention when interpreting their changes are shown. The growth in the intensity of foreign trade was followed in the 1970s by its stagnation in the 1980s and then by a new growth which, in turn, was stopped by the global financial and economic crisis of 2008–2009. After its end and until now, the growth in the intensity of international trade in the world as a whole has not resumed. Simultaneously, since 2014 there has been an increase in geopolitical fragmentation of the world trade. Nowadays, it manifests itself primarily in the rapid growth of turnover between Russia and China, further contraction of Russia’s turnover with EU countries, and a dramatic fall of China's share in the total U.S. import in 2023.Comparison of the ratios of export, import and foreign trade turnover to GDP with the KOF globalization index reveals synchroneity of changes in international trade and globalization as a whole. The common factor guiding the dynamics of both processes is a change in the world order, the breaking points of which are the crises generated by this change. The movement toward a multipolar world order is accompanied today by new strengthening of the barrier functions of state borders, resulting in a slowdown or reverse of globalization in its most vital domains, including international trade.
Archives Portal Europe, le moteur de recherche du patrimoine archivistique européen
Authors: Arnold Kerstin , Musso Marta
Published: April 2024

Cet article offre une description d’Archives Portal Europe (APE), le portail en ligne du patrimoine archivistique européen, en situant le projet dans le développement des ressources archivistiques en ligne. L’article décrit l’histoire d’APE, son fonctionnement, et les outils qu’il met à disposition du chercheur digital. APE a commencé à se développer il y a dix ans, dans le cadre des recommandations du Groupe européen des archives. Grâce à des normes d’archivage et d’organisation précises, que cet article présente, le portail permet la recherche en ligne et simultanée dans des centaines d’institutions d’archives de plus de trente pays. Cela induit de nombreux défis techniques et managériaux, mais aussi des possibilités inédites de collaboration entre Archives et institutions de recherche. De plus, le portail permet une nouvelle approche de la recherche en archives et favorise une nouvelle historiographie basée sur une comparaison de documents d’archives auparavant impossible.
Indexation : le « retour en grâce » ?
Authors: Silvestre Coline
Published: April 2024

Abandonnée un temps au profit de la recherche plein-texte, la pratique de l’indexation trouve pourtant son importance considérablement renouvelée dans un contexte de diffusion sur le web des instruments de recherche. Au-delà du potentiel de valorisation qu’elle représente, l’indexation constitue en effet un levier incontournable pour la maîtrise et l’accessibilité des données archivistiques. Si pour être opérante, elle nécessite une structure, des référentiels mais aussi une stratégie qui requièrent de l’investissement, le gain in fine est majeur pour la visibilité et l’exploitation optimales des instruments de recherche.
Un nouveau moteur de recherche étincelant pour les archives d’Ille-et-Vilaine ?
Authors: Le Clerc Jean-Yves , Thomas Romain
Published: April 2024

Cet article décrit la démarche des Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine pour aller vers une utilisation pratique du web sémantique à travers l’expérimentation d’une technologie développée par une toute jeune société rennaise, Askelys, qui convertit les bases de données documentaires classiques dans un format sémantique. À l’heure de l’évolution des normes archivistiques de description des archives vers le RiC (Records in Contexts)

et d’une réflexion sur l’accès à leurs fonds dans le cadre d’un projet de service, les Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine n’ont pas voulu manquer l’opportunité de pouvoir s’engager à tester pendant quelques mois la transformation de leur base de données, riche de centaines de milliers d’occurrences, vers l’eldorado promis d’un résultat précis et ciblé à toute question ou requête dont la réponse se trouverait dans leurs fonds archives. Cela étant rendu possible par le biais de fiches de description, rentrées patiemment dans leurs systèmes d’information successifs depuis plus de 25 ans. L’idée est donc ici de présenter à grands traits la technologie et le mode opératoire utilisés par Askelys pour troquer le laborieux cheval de trait breton qu’était le réservoir de données des Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine en un fougueux pur-sang, susceptible de répondre au doigt et à l’oeil à toutes les requêtes en rapport avec les innombrables ressources conservées dans leurs fonds. Le confinement et la liquidation de la société n’ont malheureusement pas permis de poursuivre l’expérimentation au-delà de l’intégration de la base de données des archives dans l’outil d’Askelys. L’apprentissage et l’utilisation du moteur de recherche ne reprendront donc pas comme prévu pour montrer ce qui pouvait fonctionner (ou pas), les espoirs, les limites ou les désillusions (s’il y en a !) liés au langage de requête SPARQL en usage dans d’autres portails tels que Persée. Ce test avait aussi pour objectif de nous donner des orientations sur les possibilités d’accès élargies à l’ensemble des corpus conservés par les archives, que ce soit par la description ou par la numérisation.
Des Archives municipales au Centre de la Mémoire urbaine d’agglomération, ou l’actualisation des missions à la dunkerquoise
Authors: Maufroy William
Published: April 2024

Dunkerque a vu aboutir au début du XXIe siècle un projet longtemps mûri pour ses archives. Le Centre de la mémoire urbaine d’agglomération, ambitieux équipement, y abrite aujourd’hui les archives de la ville centre, de l’EPCI et de ses communes au sein d’espaces dédiés à d’autres missions publiques avec lesquelles les archives partagent maintenant leurs perspectives. Si cette réalisation convainc par son rayonnement et sa qualité intellectuelle et architecturale, elle interroge aussi les modèles d’avenir des services d’archives : peuvent-ils connaître de tels développements en tant que tels ou leur combinaison à d’autres ambitions est-elle un impératif de mobilisation des moyens ? En filigrane, cette réalisation répond en outre -de façon dunkerquoise -à la vieille question de l’échelle territoriale adaptée aux responsabilités de gestion des archives publiques. Mais cela peut-il constituer modèle ?
Un nouveau lieu pour les archives de l’architecture : le déménagement du Centre d’archives d’architecture contemporaine (Cité de l’architecture et du patrimoine)
Authors: Peyceré David , Delorme Franck
Published: April 2024

La Cité de l’architecture et du patrimoine, installée au palais de Chaillot à Paris, gère deux collections d’architecture : une collection de musée (musée des Monuments français) et le Centre d’archives d’architecture contemporaine. Celui-ci, comme la plupart des œuvres du musée, est situé hors du palais de Chaillot. Une situation immobilière devenue peu satisfaisante (Centre d’archives progressivement inadapté, réserves muséales éclatées) a été en partie résolue par le déménagement du Centre d’archives et d’une partie des collections dans un immeuble de logistique situé porte d’Aubervilliers (Paris XVIIIe arr.) dans lequel collections du musée et fonds d’archives occupent des magasins communs. L’article détaille la recherche du site (2019-2020), l’équipement en mobilier compact en double hauteur et les modalités du déménagement des fonds d’archives (2021).
« Patrimoine du XXe siècle » ou « Architecture contemporaine remarquable » : les bâtiments d’archives labellisés
Authors: Vernus Isabelle
Published: April 2024

Huit bâtiments d'archives français sont déjà distingués par le label «Patrimoine du XX e siècle» ou «Architecture contemporaine remarquable». Ces édifices toujours prégnants dans le paysage, chacun marqueur de modernité pour leur époque, illustrent des périodes phares de l''histoire de la construction récente. Ce signalement a peu été mis en avant par les propriétaires et les utilisateurs. À leur décharge, ceux-ci ont rarement été associés à la démarche de labellisation. En outre, les contraintes que des bâtiments désormais obsolètes et la crainte que le label n''entrave les projets de réhabilitation ne favorisent guère une valorisation du signalement. La qualité et l''originalité des bâtiments d''archives édifiés ces vingt dernières années sont déjà largement reconnues : de nouvelles labellisations devraient venir consacrer leur caractère architectural remarquable et élargir le cercle trop restreint des édifices distingués par le ministère de la Culture.
La enseñanza del latín en España: una panorámica (II: La enseñanza universitaria)
Authors: Martín Ferreira Ana Isabel , Rosa Cubo Cristina de la , Recio Muñoz Victoria , Vellisca Gutiérrez Nelia Rosa
Published: April 2024

This paper outlines the development of university education in Spain from the educational reform program carried out in 2010 in order to be adapted to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) from the perspective of Latin and Classical Studies. We take the reform programs carried out in the University of Valladolid as a model, from 1982, when the degree in Classical Philology was implemented, to nowadays.
Haec nemora indigenae Fauni nymphaeque tenebant (En. VIII, 314) : Le chant VIII de l’Énéide comme archéologie poétique de l’épopée
Authors: Caltot Pierre-Alain
Published: April 2024

If antiquarianism of Aeneid VIII emphasized political, religious and folkloric stakes of the primordia Vrbis, Virgil also deals with a poetic archeology. He first summarizes, in a generic approach, the Homeric, Alexandrian and Latin stages of a literary history of the epic, particularly noticeable in the “ proem in the middle” (En. VII, 37-44) and in the ekphrasis of Aeneas’ Shield (En. VIII, 626-731). Then he underscores, in a ‘ poietic’ stake, his conception of uates (En. VII, 41 ; VIII, 627), through the archaic figure of Faunus / the Fauni (En. VIII, 314). Finally, a history of the major stages of the dactylic hexameter constitutes a metric approach in this archeology, inviting us to consider a bucolic color of Aeneid VIII.
Analysis of drug list used in E Hospital in 2021
Authors: Do The Khanh , Bui Thi Phuong Thao , Nguyen Tuan Quang , Nguyen Cam Van , Vu Thi Thu Huong
Published: April 2024

Objective: General analysis and analysis according to ABC/VEN of drugs list (DL) used at Hospital E (HE) from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021 by retrospective analysis.

Research subjects and methods: Descriptive and retrospective study of all DL used at Hospital E from January 1 to December 31, 2021, drug use report of Hospital E in 2021 and related documents regarding DL of Hospital E from January 1 to December 31, 2021. Exploiting data at the Faculty of Pharmacy Hospital E, combined with exploiting the DL management software of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Hospital E in 2021.

Results: The structure of DL HE in 2021 includes 566 drugs divided into 28 groups of pharmacological effects (PE), foreign drugs dominate over domestic drugs, single-component drugs account for a larger proportion, parenteral drugs, infusion predominates. According to ABC analysis: Group A accounted for 77.38% of value with 112 drugs divided into 19 groups of physical exercise. Group B accounted for 15.03% of value with 113 drugs divided into 22 groups PE. Group C accounted for 7.59% of value. According to VEN analysis: the vital drugs (V) have 105/566 drugs, accounting for 18.55% of the items. Essential drugs (E) have 401/566 drugs, accounting for 70.85% of items. Non-essential drugs (N) have 60/566 drugs, accounting for 10.60% of the items. According to the ABC/VEN matrix: The most important group (I): including AV, AE, AN, BV, CV: 35.87% items, 80.55% value. The important group (II): including BE, BN, CE: 58.65% items, 18.55% value. The less important group (III): CN: 5.48% items and 0.90% value.

Key words: Drugs List (DL); Hospital E (HE); ABC/VEN matrix; Original brand name medicine (OBNM).
Investigation of left ventricular strain by speckle-tracking echocardiography in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Phan Thi Thuy Van , Nguyen Thi Thuy Hang
Published: April 2024

Objective: To investigate the left ventricular strain parameters by speckle - tracking echocardiography in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with preserved ejection fraction. Find out the correlations and relationships between strain parameters with some conventional left ventricular echocardiographic indictors, Pulmonary artery pressure systolic, TAPSE index.

Materials and methods: A controlled cross-sectional descriptive study consisted of 51 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease diagnosed according to GOLD 2023. The control group consisted of 52 people with normal lung function.

Results: Values ​​of strain parameters on speckle - tracking echocardiography in patients with COPD: GLS (%): -13.52 ± 1.77; GLSR (1/s): -1.64 ± 0.28; GCS (%): -22.07 ± 2.27; GCSR (1/s): -2.70 ± 0.38; longitudinal - circumference index: -17.80 ± 1.71; EF STE (%): 54.21 ± 4.23. These parameters were all reduced compared with the control group with p < 0.05 while there was no statistically significant change of the indices on routine echocardiography. There was no correlation between the parameters of left ventricular systolic strain and the LVMI, FS and LVEF values ​​measured by M-Mode. Meanwhile, there is a positive correlation with PAPs (r = 0.499 - 0.629, p<0.001). There is a negative correlation between GLS and TAPSE index (r = -0.311, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Speckle - tracking echocardiography helps in early detection of cardiac dysfunction, especially left ventricular systolic function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease even when EF is normal.

Key words: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Speckle tracking echocardiography.