bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization and Performance Analysis of CAT Method for DNA Sequence Similarity Searching and Alignment
Authors: Gancheva Veska , Stoev Hristo
Published: February 2024

Bioinformatics is a rapidly developing field enabling scientific experiments through computer models and simulations. Considering the vast databases of biological data available, it is extremely important to develop efficient methods and algorithms for their processing. Sequence comparison is the best method for studying the evolutionary interaction be-tween genes. It is based on alignment – the process of arranging two or more sequences to achieve the maximum level of identity and degree of similarity. The paper presents a new algorithm for aligning DNA sequences based on a new method called CAT, using trilateration method. The generation of CAT profiles is done once data is entered into the database, allowing the profiles to be used as metadata for the sequences. It consists of an algorithm to calculate a CAT profile against the selected reference sequences and an algorithm to compare two sequences based on the calculated CAT profiles. Experiments have been carried out with different datasets to align DNA sequences based on the CAT method. Experimental results in terms of collisions, speed, and efficiency of the proposed solutions are presented. An analysis of the performance of CAT against Knuth–Morris–Pratt algorithm was performed. The addition of previous match dependencies over uniqueness for generated CAT profiles is investigated. The analysis of the experimental results obtained by sequence alignment shows a small deviation of the proposed algorithm based on the CAT method, which can be ignored if this deviation is acceptable at the expense of performance. The time efficiency of the CAT algorithm remains constant, regardless of the length of the sequences. Therefore, the advantage of the proposed method is its fast processing in the alignment of large sequences, for which the execution of the exact algorithms takes a long time.
School of Nursing Climate Commitment: Nursing Faculty Bring Climate to the Classroom
Authors: Demorest Shanda , Cook Cara , Schenk Elizabeth , Whitfield Harris Lisa , Earley Andrea
Published: February 2024

In 2021, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) added “the impact of climate change on environmental and population health” into The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education. Presently, little guidance exists for nursing faculty new to climate education.

The year prior, the Nurses Climate Challenge (NCC) - a campaign to educate 50,000 health professionals about health impacts of climate change - launched the School of Nursing Commitment through a series of focus groups and collaborative content development. With an aim of increasing access to knowledge and tools to support education about the health impacts of climate change, the NCC Commitment partners with nursing schools and provides a community of practice. Partner schools use NCC resources in courses and report the number of students educated.

Within three years, 61 nursing schools in 30 states joined the Commitment. Participants included academic health centers, research institutions, multi-state schools, and small private colleges, and programs ranged from AD to PhD. Faculty 1) integrated resources into didactic and clinical settings such as population or organ-system content, leadership, and policy and 2) used resources to support assignments. In four years, faculty reported educating over 37,700 students using NCC resources in 439 educational sessions.

The Commitment may be valuable for faculty fulfilling AACN Essentials by bringing climate change to the classroom, community, and bedside. Furthermore, the Commitment may be a replicable model for health professional education and inspiring action on climate change.
The Neuroprotective and Cognitive-Enhancing Effects of Bacopa monnieri: A Systematic Review
Authors: Neto Luiz José Valotto , Reverete Matheus , Junior Renato Cesar Moretti , Machado Nathalia Mendes , Joshi Rakesh Kumar , Buglio Daiane dos Santos , Lamas Caroline Barbalho , Direito Rosa , Laurindo Lucas Fornari , Tanaka Masaru , Barbalho Sandra Maria
Published: February 2024

The aging of the global population has increased the prevalence of neurodegenerative conditions. Bacopa monnieri (BM), an herb with active compounds, such as bacosides A and B, betulinic acid, loliolide, asiatic acid, and quercetin, demonstrates the potential for brain health. Limited research has been conducted on the therapeutic applications of BM in neurodegenerative conditions. This systematic review aims to project BM's beneficial role in brain disorders. BM has anti-apoptotic and antioxidant actions and can repair damaged neurons, stimulate kinase activity, restore synaptic function, improve nerve transmission, and increase neuroprotection. The included twenty-two clinical trials demonstrated that BM can reduce Nuclear Factor-κB phosphorylation, improve emotional function, cognitive functions, anhedonia, hyperactivity, sleep routine, depression, attention deficit, learning problems, memory retention, impulsivity, and psychiatric problems. Moreover, BM can reduce the levels of pro-inflammatory biomarkers and oxidative stress. Here, we highlight that BM provides notable therapeutic benefits and can serve as a complementary approach for the care of patients with neurodegenerative conditions associated with brain disorders. This review adds to the growing interest in natural products and their potential therapeutic applications by improving our understanding of the mechanisms underlying cognitive function and neurodegeneration and informing the development of new therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.
Pérdida y desperdicio de alimentos: Uno de los grandes retos de la economía circular
Authors: Del Río Anguita José Luis , Ortiz Esther , Domínguez-Pérez Irene , Ortiz-Somovilla Víctor , Cantos-Villar Emma
Published: February 2024

En un planeta dónde más de 800 millones de personas pasan hambre, alrededor de un tercio de los alimentos producidos se pierden o desperdician a lo largo de la cadena agroalimentaria, produciendo un gasto innecesario de agua y la emisión de gases de efecto invernadero que revierte en una situación de cambio climático irreversible.
Este estudio presenta las principales dificultades que los agentes sociales del sistema agroalimentario encuentran al abordar la reducción del desperdicio alimentario: un marco conceptual difuso, nula estandarización en los métodos de cuantificación, escasa atención en la prevención y un encaje normativo aún por precisar en casos como España. Entre los proyectos internacionales de investigación implementados actualmente destacaremos el proyecto ZeroW, que desarrolla soluciones innovadoras contra la pérdida y desperdicio de alimentos para implementarlas transversalmente a lo largo de toda la cadena agroalimentaria.
Mediante este artículo se pretende clarificar la situación de partida de España y Andalucía para reducir la pérdida y desperdicio de alimentos en el contexto europeo y evidenciar la necesidad de avanzar hacia un sistema agroalimentario circular y más sostenible que promueva, desde la innovación, la producción y consumo responsables sin generar.
Mushrooms for enhanced agriculture sustainability – the MUSA concept
Authors: Martín Medina Carlos , Xiong Shaojun , Passoth Volkmar , Põldmaa Kadri , Solberg Svein Ø. , Hultberg Malin , Strætkvern Knut O. , Golovko Oksana , Pilotto Francesca , Müller Bettina , Pent Mari , Klausen Sarah J. , Romero-Soto Luis A.
Published: February 2024

The project MUSA – MUshrooms for Sustainable Agriculture is an effort to use mushroom-based processes to enhance agriculture sustainability in Nordic and Baltic countries. The project covers both the production of fruitbodies of edible fungi and the upgrading of the exhausted substrate from mushroom cultivation. The suitability of residues generated locally for producing edible mushrooms is investigated. Residues from Nordic agriculture and sub-utilized streams from forestry management, as well as wood processing by-products, are evaluated as the substrate base for producing shiitake (Lentinula edodes) and oyster (Pleurotus spp.) mushrooms. The project explores the potential of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) to support food production. SMS prospective as source of bioactive compounds and sugars is evaluated. MUSA investigates the suitability of SMS hydrolysates as carbon sources for cultivating oleaginous yeast to produce microbial oil suitable for human consumption. Using SMS for substituting mineral fertilizers and providing wastewater bioremediation solutions is also assessed.
EDITORIAL
Authors: Berbel Vecino Julio
Published: February 2024

Editorial del Nº4 de la Revista C3-Bioeconomy realizado por el Director Científico Julio Berbel Vecino
Composición de la dieta de la raya águila Myliobathis chilensis Philippi, 1892 en la caleta de San José - Región Lambayeque
Authors:   , Segura Cobeña Eduardo Andres
Published: February 2024

La raya águila chilena (Myliobatis chilensis), es un elasmobranquio que se distribuye en la zona Sur del Océano Pacífico. Se conoce poco sobre la dinámica de sus hábitos alimenticios en términos espaciales y temporales, lo cual limita la administración en la pesquería de esta especie llegando a ser clasificada como Especie con Información Deficiente por la IUCN. Este estudio tiene como objetivo determinar la composición dietaria de la raya águila chilena en función de la estación, el estadio de madurez, la talla y el sexo, mediante el análisis de contenido estomacal. Las muestras fueron colectadas en la caleta de San José con apoyo de pescadores artesanales en el 2015. Se obtuvo un total de 77 muestras entre los meses enero y diciembre, de los cuales 72 (93.5%) presentaron contenido estomacal. Se identificó un total de 24 ítems presas de los cuales los más relevantes fueron teleósteos no identifcados, gastrópodos no identificados, anchoveta peruana (Engraulis ringens), jaiba paco (Mursia gaudichaudii), jaiba puñete (Hepatus kossmanni) y cangrejo violáceo (Cancer porteri). Los resultados indican que la raya águila chilena es un depredador especializado (Bi = 0.2) con un nivel trófico alto (NT= 4.1). Se encontraron diferencias significativas en la dieta entre estaciones y rangos de talla. Las presas más importantes en el verano (de enero a marzo) fueron los peces con mayor relevancia de la anchoveta, probablemente relacionado al evento El Niño de ese año, siendo también la estación con mayor nivel trófico (NT = 4.4). En otoño (de abril a junio) no se lograron obtener muestras. Para invierno (de julio a setiembre) los crustáceos fueron muy importantes en la dieta, con mayor relevancia de la jaiba paco y el nivel trófico fue el más bajo (NT = 3.7). Durante la primavera...
Efectos del Covid-19 en el desempeño de las exportaciones peruanas de pijamas al mercado de Reino Unido durante el periodo 2018-2021
Authors:   , Bazan Gabino Andrea Araceli , Ponce Monar Fiama Alessandra
Published: February 2024

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo explicar los efectos del Covid- 19 en el desempeño de las exportaciones de pijama de las empresas de confecciones peruanas al mercado del Reino Unido durante el periodo 2020 - 2021; ello debido a que se ha visto un incremento en las exportaciones peruanas, sin embargo, se aprecia que otros países poseen un mejor desempeño exportador. Para ello se realizó un análisis retrospectivo, sin intervenir en su curso, a través de un enfoque cuantitativo de diseño no experimental. Se empleó el análisis documental para la recolección de datos y la técnica de procesamiento de datos se realizó mediante el estadístico no paramétrico como la T de Wilcoxon en el software SPSS. Los resultados obtenidos por la prueba no paramétrica Wilcoxon en las variables señalan que existe una significancia mayor al 5% rechazando así la hipótesis alterna y aceptando la hipótesis nula; concluyendo de esta manera que el Covid-19 no influyo en el desempeño de las exportaciones de pijamas de las empresas de confecciones peruanas al mercado del Reino Unido durante el periodo 2018 al 2021.
Application of Mode Superposition Method in the Recoil Response of Deepwater Drilling Risers after Emergency Disconnection
Authors: Wang Yanbin , Luan Tian , Gao Deli , Li Rui
Published: February 2024

How to effectively control the recoil response after an emergency disconnection is one of the core technical problems in ensuring the safe and reliable operation of a deepwater drilling riser. Currently, the theoretical analysis is based on a discretization model or numerical simulation, which ignores the continuity of the riser system and the coupling effects of load acting on the riser. To address this problem further, in this paper, we establish a mechanical model and control equation with infinite degree of freedom for riser recoil response, where the heave motion of the floating drilling platform, seawater damping, and the viscous resistance of drilling fluid discharge were taken into account. In addition, the correctness of the model and solving approach are verified against the Orcaflex software. On this basis, the influence of wave period, wave height, initial phase angle, and tension coefficient on the recoil characteristics are discussed. The success of riser emergency disconnection is related to the clearance between the lower marine riser package (LMRP) and the blowout preventer (BOP) and the axial force distribution of the riser. The influence of the above-mentioned factors on the riser recoil response is also complicated. On the basis of the assumptions put forward and the model established, some quantitative conclusions are drawn. This study is of reference significance for safety control of riser emergency disconnection operation.
WITHDRAWN: Insight into Genetic × Epidemiological factors in male infertility: synergistic effect of AZFc partial deletions and habits of smokeless-chewing tobacco
Authors: Dutta Saurav , Paladhi Pranab , Pal Samudra , Srim Souvik , Bose Gunja , Ghosh Papiya , Chattopadhyay Ratna , Ghosh Sujay
Published: February 2024

The full text of this preprint has been withdrawn by the authors while they make corrections to the work. Therefore, the authors do not wish this work to be cited as a reference. Questions should be directed to the corresponding author.
Estimating elastic properties of sediments by pseudo-wells generation utilizing simulated annealing optimization method
Authors: Khah Nasser Keshavarz Faraj , Salehi Bahare , Kianoush Pooria , Varkouhi Shahab
Published: February 2024

The hydrate concentration model considerably affects elastic properties, including bulk and shear modulus. Defining seismic properties of sediments, such as compressional and shear wave velocity and density, provides valuable information to identify rock facies and fluid types. This information commonly results from pre-stack seismic inversion, while post-stack seismic information provides acoustic impedance as a layer-based property. Traditionally, seismic inversion requires well logs to produce an initial guess of inversion routines and provide a low-frequency part of the amplitude spectrum. Eventually, seismic inversion methods could not be performed in the areas without well-log data, such as deep sea areas. In such cases, pseudo-well logs derived from pre-stack seismic data are a solution. Pseudo-well generation is a title used to estimate the elastic parameters of sediments in areas, such as deep marine environments, where drilled wells are absent or sparse. Metaheuristic optimization algorithms are suitable tools for minimizing the cost function as they best match real and synthetic seismic data. In this study, the SEAM earth model has been used as a reference to investigate the quality of pseudo-well generation utilizing a simulated annealing (SA) algorithm as an optimization method of property model change, which minimizes the cost function of seismic inversion. As a result, considering an initial model type of the SEAM model, simultaneous seismic inversion introduced the best compressional and shear wave velocities and density logs, which provide the best real and synthetic seismic data match when synthetic data is calculated from the simplified Zoeppritz equation.
WITHDRAWN: Medical Student Perspectives on Safe Use of Non-English Language Skills in Patient Care: Effects of an Educational Intervention to Teach Self-Assessment Tools
Authors: Coto Maria Gabriela Valle , Pena Liset Garcia , Iñiguez Reniell X. , Giraldo Tatiana Betancur , Park Yoon Soo , Ortega Pilar
Published: February 2024

The full text of this preprint has been withdrawn, as it was submitted in error. Therefore, the authors do not wish this work to be cited as a reference. Questions should be directed to the corresponding author.
Survival and Reproduction Tests using Springtails Reveal Weathered Petroleum Hydrocarbon Soil Toxicity in Boreal Ecozone
Authors: Roy Prama , Rutter Allison , Gainer Amy , Haack Elizabeth , Zeeb Barbara
Published: February 2024

Survival and reproduction tests were conducted using two native springtail (subclass: Collembola) species to determine the toxicity of a fine-grained (< 0.005–0.425 mm) soil from an industrial site located in the Canadian boreal ecozone. Accidental petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC) release continuously occurred at this site until 1998, resulting in a total hydrocarbon concentration of 12,800 mg/kg. Subfractions of the PHC-contaminated soil were characterized using Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Fractions, which are based on effective carbon numbers (nC). Fraction 2 (> nC10 to nC16) was measured at 8,400 mg/kg and Fraction 3 (> nC16 to nC34) at 4,250 mg/kg in the contaminated soil. Age-synchronized colonies of Folsomia candida and Proisotoma minuta were subject to 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% relative contamination mixtures of the PHC-contaminated and background site soil (< 100 mg/kg total PHCs) for 21 and 28 days, respectively. Survival and reproduction decreased significantly (Kruskal-Wallis Tests: p < 0.05, df = 4.0) in treatments of the contaminated site soil compared to the background soil. In both species, the most significant decline in survival and reproduction occurred between the 0% and 25% contaminated soil. Complete mortality was observed in the 100% contaminated site soil and no progenies were observed in the 75% contaminated soil, for both species. This study showed that 25 + years of soil weathering has not eliminated toxicity of fine-grained PHC-contaminated soil on two native terrestrial springtail species. Adverse effects to springtail health were attributed to exposure to soils dominated by PHC Fraction 2.
Boosting the cost competitiveness of low-carbon ammonia by expanding emission trading system coverage in China
Authors: Li Dan , Li Jiashuo , Sun Qianhui , Yang Fan , Wang Chen , Feng Kuishuang , Xin Yu , Wang Wenxin
Published: February 2024

Transitioning to low-carbon ammonia is vital for China’s carbon neutrality goal; however, the economic viability of large-scale deployment remains uncertain. Here, we combined a prospective life-cycle assessment with an integrated assessment model to evaluate the impact of emission trading system (ETS) on the levelized cost of ammonia (LCOA) for six production technologies across 30 provinces in China between 2018 and 2060. Our results indicate that in the absence of ETS or with ETS coverage limited to the electricity grid, photovoltaic hydrogen-derived ammonia emerges as the only cost-competitive low-carbon option, projected to achieve cost parity with conventional ammonia by 2050 in 25 provinces. Expanding ETS coverage to the life cycle of ammonia production would accelerate the timeline of cost parity by 8-37 years across all 30 provinces. Northwestern China, which benefits from the abundant renewable resources or favorable fossil energy costs, stands out as the most cost-effective region.
Combined extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support and patent ductus arteriosus ligation following surgical correction for congenital diaphragmatic hernia, a case report and literature review
Authors: Hong Kun-Yao , Zheng Zhi , Zheng Yi-Rong , Liang Hong , Gao Liang , Lin Yu-Cong , Chen Qiang , Lin Xin-Zhu
Published: February 2024

Background: Therapeutic measures regarding combined extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support and arterial ductus arteriosus ligation after surgical correction of congenital diaphragmatic hernia are rare in clinical practice.
Case presentation: In this case, the patient was diagnosed at 24 weeks with a right-sided diaphragmatic hernia. He was the firstborn, delivered at 37 weeks via cesarean section due to fetal distress. Due to severe hypoxemia and pulmonary hypertension, the patient underwent right-sided thoracic diaphragmatic hernia repair surgery at 22 hours post-birth. Perioperatively, the patient exhibited severe respiratory and circulatory failure. Consequently, ECMO support was initiated one hour after the surgery (24 hours post-birth). Due to the high left to right shunt, bedside patent arterial duct ligation was successfully performed under ECMO support four hours later (28 hours post-birth). During the second day on ECMO, the patient developed intracranial hemorrhage, leading to the performance of a lateral ventriculostomy. Fortunately, the patient was successfully weaned off ECMO.
Conclusions: Treatment strategies for CDH must be tailored to each patient’s unique clinical situation, encompassing aspects such as ventilation tactics, surgical timing, anesthesia choices, and surgical techniques. The detailed analysis of this case in this report illustrates the critical importance of tailoring CDH management to optimize patient prognosis.
Connecting plant, animal, and human health using untargeted metabolomics.
Authors: Fleming Anita , Provenza Fred D. , Leroy Frederic , Vliet Stephan van , Hamlin Michael , Elliot Catherine , Garrett Konagh , Marshall Cameron Joel , Gregorini Pablo
Published: February 2024

Consumers of meat and milk products are interested in the connection between agricultural practices and the wellbeing of livestock. Consumers are also concerned about the impact of livestock products on their own health and wellbeing, with some turning to alternative plant-based protein sources. The connection between agricultural practice and consumer metabolism has previously been tenuous, but the development of untargeted metabolomic processes offers the opportunity to reconcile and connect opposing spectrums of the food-chain. We performed a cattle grazing study which compared the performance and metabolomic profiles of beef finished on three forage mixtures of either perennial ryegrass x white clover (PRG), a complex multispecies mixture (n = 22 species) grasses, legumes, and forbs (CMS), and adjacent monocultures of perennial ryegrass, chicory, plantain, lucerne and red clover, which were sown longitudinally across the paddock and all available to cattle throughout the four-month finishing period. Cattle were then processed in a commercial abattoir and the tenderloin collected from each animal for metabolomic analyses. The remaining meat was minced (5mm plate), homogenised and processed into 250 g meat patties. A double-blind randomized cross-over clinical trial was then performed with 23 individuals that consumed a single meal of the meat. Metabolomic analyses were performed using a combination of GCMS/MS, lipidomics and LC-qToF-on plasma samples collected from all participants before meat consumption, 3-, and 5-h post prandial, in addition to meat and pasture samples. Metabolomic profiles of plant, meat and plasma were altered by the three forage mixtures. Metabolomic profiles of plant were different across all three sward mixtures, although CMS and AMS shared more similarities then PRG. However, metabolomic and lipidomic profiles of meat and plasma indicated the greatest differences were observed between AMS and CMS and PRG, which indicates grazing management may provide the greatest opportunity to manipulate metabolomics as opposed to maximising the plant species diversity of a pastoral diet. Gamma-tocopherol (Vitamin E) was elevated in plant material of the AMS diet and the plasma of those consuming AMS meat, compared with PRG or CMS. Fatty acid metabolism was also altered in meat and plasma of the AMS diet as eicosapentaenoic acid was elevated compared with PRG or CMS. Additional differences were also detected in untargeted analyses although features were unable to be matched to the in-house metabolite library. While many features were not able to be identified, these results are the first evidence that metabolomic profiles of the human consumer reflect not only the beef finished from different forages, but also meat and plasma reflect metabolomic profiles of the different sward mixes.
Enhancing Efficiency Assessment of Egyptian Pharmaceutical Companies through the Usage of Two-Stage Uncertainty Data Envelopment Analysis Algorithm
Authors: El-Demerdash Basma E. , Ming Ruixing , Abelrahman Osama Mohamad
Published: February 2024

Evaluating the performance of pharmaceutical manufacturing companies is crucial for their success and competitiveness in the rapidly evolving Egyptian market. However, traditional data envelopment analysis (DEA) approaches often overlook the inherent uncertainty in the data, which can significantly impact efficiency assessments. To address this issue, this paper proposes a novel integrated DEA model to enhance the efficiency assessment of Egyptian pharmaceutical manufacturing companies. This two-stage framework effectively handles imprecise and ambiguous data, accommodating various forms of uncertainty, including fuzzy, stochastic, and neutrosophic data, alongside deterministic data. The results demonstrate that the proposed model outperforms traditional DEA models in capturing data uncertainty and providing more accurate efficiency evaluations.
Improve zebra optimization algorithm with adaptive oscillation weight and golden sine operator
Authors: He Wenmin , Ma Songyang , Wang Cunsong , Zhang Quanling
Published: February 2024

The Zebra Optimization Algorithm (ZOA) is a newly proposed heuristic algorithm, which simulates the foraging behavior and defense strategy of zebras in nature. Like other optimization algorithms, ZOA also has some limitations. In this paper, an improved Zebra Optimization Algorithm (IZOA) was proposed. An adaptive oscillation weight is used to replace the random operator of ZOA , enabling the algorithm to adaptively adjust the search space and avoid falling into local optima. Additionally, this paper designs an improved golden sine operator added to ZOA. By using the search characteristics of the sine function and the golden ratio in GoldSA, the algorithm's convergence and optimization accuracy are further improved. The last replacement strategy was formulated to mimic the survival status of zebras in nature, improving the algorithm's search capabilities in complex scenarios. Finally, to assess the optimization performance of IZOA, this paper utilized the 30 benchmark functions in CEC-2017 and three common engineering problems for experiments, and the results clearly demonstrated the significant advantages of IZOA.
AIDElong - Acute Illness and Depression in Elderly: Sustained improvement after group psychotherapy in geriatric patients, a follow-up of longterm effects in a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hummel Jana , Weisbrod Cecilia , Boesch Leila , Himpler Katharina , Dutzi Ilona , Baldauf Benito , Oster Peter , Kopf Daniel
Published: February 2024

Objectives: Comorbid depression is highly prevalent in very old adults hospitalized for acute medical illness. It is associated with poorer physical and functional outcome. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective in independent living older adults, but data on very old patients with acute illness and effects on functional status are missing.
Design: Randomized, controlled cross-over trial of group CBT
Setting and Participants: We recruited in-patients of a geriatric university department >65 years with depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale HADS >7). Intervention took place after hospital discharge in a day care setting.
Methods:
Patients were randomized to an immediate active intervention group (IG) or a waiting list control group (CG). IG patients were invited immediately after discharge to 10 to 15 weekly behavioral group therapy sessions. After 4 months (T1), CG patients switched to active intervention, while IG were followed under control conditions. Final evaluation took place after 12 months (T2).
Results: 56 patients (82.0±6.2 years, HADS 18.8+7.0) were randomized to IG, 99 patients (81.9+5.9 years, HADS 18.1+8.3) to CG. IG patients improved significantly at T1 (HADS 10.4+5.2). Improvement was sustained under control conditions at T2 (11.9+7.8). CG patients did not improve on waiting list (T1 22.9+8.3), but after initiation of active treatment (T2 16.0+8.5) (ANOVA: F=3.75, p=0.026). Concomitantly, functional parameters such as Barthel Index and Timed-Up-and-Go differed significantly between groups with better courses in IG patients. Among IG patients, 4 (7.1%) deceased and 2 (3.6%) were newly admitted to a nursing home, among CG, 15 (15.2%) and 10 (10.1%) respectively.
Conclusions and Implications: Cognitive behavioral group therapy yields sustained improvement of depressive symptoms in very old geriatric patients, if administered in a multimodal approach immediately following hospitalization for acute medical illness. Concomitant with improvement of depressive symptoms, patients benefit in terms of functional status and medical outcome.
Clinical Trial Registration: www.germanctr.de ; DRKS 00004728
Immune and Neural Response to Acute Social Stress in Adolescent Humans and Rodents
Authors: Gabbay Vilma , Ely Benjamin , Vileisis Julia , Petrovic Zorica , Cicvaric Ana , Asnis Gregory , Kim-Schulze Seunghee , Radulovic Jelena
Published: February 2024

Studies in adults have linked stress-related activation of the immune system to the manifestation of psychiatric conditions. Using a translational design, this study aimed to examine the impact of social stress on immune activity in adolescents and on neuronal activity in a preclinical mouse model. Participants were 31 adolescents (ages 12–19), including 25 with mood and anxiety symptoms. Whole-blood samples were collected before and after the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), a stress-inducing public speaking task, then cultured for 6 hours in the presence and absence of the inflammatory endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Effects of TSST and LPS on 41 immune biomarkers were examined using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Separately, juvenile (8-week-old) male mice were non-stressed or exposed to reminder social defeat then intraperitoneally injected with saline or LPS (n = 6/group). Brains were perfused and collected for immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy at 0, 1, 6, and 24 hours post-injection. Activity was determined by the density of cFos-positive neurons in the paraventricular hypothalamus, paraventricular thalamus, and basolateral amygdala, regions known to show sustained activation to immunological challenge. Analyses in the adolescent study indicated a strong effect of LPS but no effects of TSST or TSST×LPS interaction on immune biomarkers. Similarly, reminder social defeat did not induce sustained neuronal activity changes comparable to LPS immunological challenge in juvenile mice. Our convergent findings across species suggest that the acute immune response to stress documented in adults is not present in youth. Thus, aging and chronicity effects may play an important role in the inflammatory response to acute psychosocial stress.
Stochastic optimal control analysis for HBV epidemic model with vaccination
Authors: Shah Sayed Murad Ali , Nie Yufeng , Din Anwarud , Alkhazzan Abdulwasea
Published: February 2024

Several classes are discussed in this paper, including susceptibles, vaccinates, acutes, chronics, hospitalized, and recovered. In terms of dynamic behaviour, the model provides a substantial description of Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B transmission dynamics and infection risk can be predicted using the model. A vaccine strategy or intervention can also be identified using it. Given the initial positive data, the model possesses a bounded, unique, and positive solution. Furthermore, we have established the model's stability through the application of stochastic Lyapunov functional theory. The examination of an infection's stationary distribution and potential extinction is conducted under specific conditions. Both stochastic and deterministic control problems were scrutinized, with optimal control theory employed to manage the external control measures for the disease's containment. The analytical findings have been elucidated through graphical representations.
4AC-YOLOv5: An improved algorithm for small target face detection
Authors: Jiang Bin , Jiang Hongbin , Zhang Huanlong , Zhang Qiuwen , Li Zuhe , Huang Lixun
Published: February 2024

In real scenes, small target faces often encounter various conditions such as intricate background, occlusion and scale change, which leads to the problem of omission or misdetection of face detection results. To solve this puzzle, an improved algorithm of small target face detection 4AC-YOLOv5 is proposed. Firstly, the algorithm by introducing a new layer to detect faces at a much smaller size, through the fusion of more shallow information, enhance the network perception of small objects, the accuracy of small target detection is improved; The second, to improve the neck structure, to add the adaptive feature fusion network AFPN to replace FPN + PAN, to prevent the large information gap between non-adjacent Level to some extent, and to fully retain and integrate different scale characteristic information; At last, improve the C3 module and propose a new multiscale residual module C3_MultiRes. Improving the expressive power of the network by introducing a multibranched structure and gradually increasing resolution somewhat reduces the complexity of the model calculation. The experimental results show that the precision of the improved model reached 94.54%, 93.08% and 84.98% in Easy, Medium and Hard levels of WiderFace data set, respectively, and the results of detection are better than the original network. 4AC-YOLOv5 can meet the requirements of small target face detection in complex environment.
Strain engineering the spin-valley coupling of the R-stacking sliding ferroelectric bilayer H-VX2 (X = S, Se, Te)
Authors: Luo Xin , Ma Jiayu , Zheng Yue
Published: February 2024

The emergence of magnetic transition metal dichalcogenides has significantly advanced the development of valleytronics due to the spontaneous broken of time reversal symmetry and space inversion symmetry. However, the lack of regulation method has preventing researchers from exploring their potential applications. Herein, we propose to use the strain engineering to control the spin-valley coupling in the sliding ferroelectric bilayer H phase VX2 (X = S, Se, Te). Four multiferroic states are constructed by combining the sliding ferroelectricity and antiferromagnetism in the R-stacking bilayer VX2, where the spin and valley polarizations are coupled together from the layer-dependent spin-polarized band structures. By applying a small external strain or pressure on the out-of-plane van der Waals direction, we predicted that there is an antiferromagnetic to magnetic transition in the bilayer VX2, leading to interesting spin-polarized chiral circularly polarized radiation at K+ and K− valley, similar to those found in the magnetic monolayer. To comprehend the coupling between various degrees of freedom in these multiferroic systems, we have developed an effective k·p model. This model unveils a linear relationship between the electric polarization generated by interlayer sliding and the valley energy difference at the valence band maximum. Thus, providing an alternate method to measure the electric polarization in the sliding ferroelectrics. Based on the strong coupling between the strain, spin-valley and electric polarization, it is likely to use the strain to control the interesting emerging properties of H phase VX2 such as the anomalous valley Hall effect.
Rapid and Sustained Antidepressant Effects of Intravenous Ketamine in Treatment-Resistant Major Depressive Disorder and Suicidal Ideation: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Zolghadriha Ahmad , Anjomshoaa Afagh , Jamshidi Mohammad Reza , Taherkhani Farnaz
Published: February 2024

Background
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most disabling and burdensome mental disorder, negatively affecting an individual's quality of life and daily functioning. the current study was conducted with the aim of investigating the clinical effects of intravenous ketamine on symptoms of MDD and suicidal ideation
Methods
The current randomized clinical trial was carried out on 64 patients diagnosed with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder between April and August 2022. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups: the intervention group received a dose of 0.5 mg/kg of ketamine, while the control group received normal saline. The Montgomery-Asberg Depression Scale and Beck's Suicidal Ideation Scale were utilized to assess depression and suicidal ideation, respectively.
Results
One hour after the administration of ketamine treatment, there was a notable and significant improvement in both depression symptoms (35.16 ± 8.13 vs. 14.90 ± 10.09) and suicidal ideation (6.74 ± 6.67 vs. 0.42 ± 1.52). Moreover, there were statistically significant differences in depression scores between the two groups at one hour, four hours, one day, three days, one week, one month, and two months after the administration of ketamine (p-value < 0.001). However, ketamine recipients frequently experienced side effects such as increased heart rate, headache, dizziness, and dissociative syndrome symptoms.
Conclusion
The observed rapid onset of action and sustained effect demonstrate the potential of ketamine to provide relief from depressive symptoms in a shorter timeframe compared to traditional treatment approaches. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of ketamine as a valuable therapeutic option for patients with treatment-resistant depression.
Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) induces resistance to ferroptosis in gastric cancer by targeting GPX4 Author：
Authors: Shi Shiqi , Wang Hanyu , Li Huiyao , Liang Shuai , Hua Dong , Yu Xiaolu
Published: February 2024

Gastric cancer, a prevalent gastrointestinal tumor, experiences limited efficacy with conventional surgery and chemotherapy. Hence, the imperative to identify additional therapeutic targets is underscored. Numerous studies have reported heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) for its antioxidant and protective attributes on organs and tissues. In the present study, the role of HO-1 in stimulating the proliferation of gastric cancer cells was explored. The hypothesis posited that HO-1 facilitates gastric cancer progression by regulating GPX4 and ferroptosis. Analysis through bioassay and immunohistochemistry revealed a significant augmentation in HO-1 expression within gastric cancer tissues. Mechanistically, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and protein immunoblotting confirmed that HO-1 modulates the protein expression of GPX4, a pivotal player in ferroptosis regulation. Through the upregulation of mRNA expression for GPX4, HO-1 inhibits ferroptosis, thereby fostering gastric cancer progression. This is achieved by elevating GPX4 protein levels and diminishing intracellular reactive oxygen species in gastric cancer cells. In summary, our results elucidate the protective role of high HO-1 expression against ferroptosis in gastric cancer cells, thereby promoting their malignant progression. The upsurge in HO-1 expression emerges as a potential tumor marker and therapeutic target for gastric cancer, offering a novel avenue for intervention.
Determinants of Acute Malnutrition among Children 6-59 Months of Age Visiting Public Health Facilities in Dawe Kachen District, East Bale Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia: A Case Control Study
Authors: Mohammed Seifu , Seyoum Meron , Ayane Abera , Girma Derara , Hussein Dursa , Oyato Befekadu Tesfaye
Published: February 2024

Background:
Acute malnutrition in children is a life-threatening condition caused by a lack of nutrients and/or illness. Although a large number of acute malnutrition cases are reported in pastoral communities, only a few studies have been conducted on the determinants of acute malnutrition, especially during the drought season.
Objectives
The aim of this study was to identify determinants of acute malnutrition among children aged 6–59 months visiting public health facilities in the Dawe Kachen district, East Bale zone.
Methods
An institutional based, unmatched case‒control study was conducted from May to June 2022. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 294 (98 cases and 196 controls) children aged 6–59 months. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Anthropometric data were analysed using the World Health Organization (WHO) Anthro version 3.2.2 tool. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify factors independently associated with acute malnutrition. Finally, an adjusted odds ratio (OR) at a P value < 0.05 was considered to indicate an independent predictor of acute malnutrition.
Results
In this study, 294 children (98 patients and 196 controls) with mothers/caregivers were recruited, for a response rate of 100%. Family size ≥ 6(AOR = 3.117; 95% CI: 1.415–6.863), child age (6–11 months) (AOR = 4.945; 95% CI: 1.754–13.943), low dietary diversity score (AOR = 2.765; 95% CI: 1.479–5.168), children whose mother/caregivers have not received infant and young child feeding (IYCF) counselling (AOR = 7.911; 95% CI: 3.680–17.003), children who were initiated complementary feeding before or after six months of age (AOR = 1.966; 95% CI: 1.029–3.758), children who were late initiated breastfeeding after birth (AOR = 2.881; 95% CI: 1.510–5.499), children from household with poor wealth status and medium wealth status (AOR = 2.273; 95% CI: 1.064–4.857), (AOR = 4.057; 95% CI: 1.808–9.105), respectively, and children who had diarrhea two weeks prior to the survey (AOR = 2.519; 95% CI: 1.326–4.783) were found to be the independent predictors of acute malnutrition.
Conclusion
In the present study, family size ≥ 6, low dietary diversity score, child age (6–11 months), lack of IYCF counselling, late initiation of breastfeeding after birth, starting complementary feeding before and after 6 months, household wealth status, and diarrheal disease were identified as determinants of acute malnutrition in the study area. Nutritional education should be provided to the community continuously, based on nutritional activities that were previously incorporated into health extension packages. Creating awareness of family planning methods and the accessibility of methods at the HH level
Plant traits and soil properties confer stability of black spruce-Kalmia shrub savannah of eastern Canada.
Authors: James Colin St. , Mallik Azim U.
Published: February 2024

Scope
: In eastern Canada, black spruce-Kalmia forests turn to either spruce forest, Kalmia heath, or Kalmia-spruce shrub savannah (SS) depending on fire severity. Patchy distribution of high and low severity fires convert closed canopy forest to SS. Our objective was to identify the plant and soil mediated mechanisms of stability of SS. We hypothesized that traits of dominant plants and microhabitat conditions in island and heath of SS confer stability.
Methodology
: We compared species composition, habitat condition, and dominant species functional traits in SS island and heath with a multivariate approach. We determined functional hypervolumes of four most abundant species in island and heath using four functional traits of resource acquisition and use.
Results
We found higher tree cover, cryptogamic species, and organic matter depth in island and incident light, soil moisture, and shrub cover were higher in heath. Soil pH was higher in island than in heath and black spruce litter decomposed faster than Kalmia litter. Heath soil had higher total N, but lower total C, and K than island soil. Kalmia hypervolume was lower in island than in heath but other ericaceous species’ hypervolumes were greater in island than in heath. Ericaceous species showed a tradeoff between resource conservation to resource acquisition traits.
Conclusions
We conclude that SS persists due to distinct vegetation and soil processes in island and heath conferring its stability. Distinct microhabitat conditions, soil biogeochemical processes, and functional niche utilization act as stabilizing forces to maintain SS structure.
Clinicopathological characteristics and predictors of renal outcomes in diffuse crescentic glomerulonephritis : a retrospective single-center study from Western China study
Authors: Wen Shan , Chen Shasha , Lin Yingying , Li Guisen , Ping Zhang , Wang Wei
Published: February 2024

Aim: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis among various types of diffuse crescentic glomerulonephritis(DCGN) and especially type II DCGN and to identify predictive factors for renal outcomes in these patients.
Methods: This study retrospectively examined 107 patients diagnosed with diffuse crescentic glomerulonephritis through biopsy at the Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, spanning from January 2012 to July 2022. The investigation primarily aimed to identify the occurrence of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) as the primary endpoint. Analytical methods included Cox regression models and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis to assess the data.
Results: Among the 107 enrolled patients, 12 (11.2%) patients had Type I diffuse crescentic glomerulonephritis, 70 (65.4%) patients had Type II (including immunoglobulin A [IgA] nephropathy, 40%; lupus nephritis, 38.6%), and 25 (23.4%) patients had Type III. Thirty-seven (34.6%) patients received kidney replacement therapy (KRT) at presentation, while 17 (15.9%) received plasmapheresis. In the follow-up cohort, 46 (47%) patients progressed to ESKD. For patients with diffuse crescentic glomerulonephritis (DCGN), the 5-year cumulative renal survival rates were markedly different across the three types: Type I had a rate of 0%, Type II had a rate of 57.5%, and Type III had a rate of 18.6%. Furthermore, among Type II patients, IgA nephropathy emerged as the most prevalent condition. The cumulative 5-year kidney survival rates were 50% for patients with IgA nephropathy, 64% for lupus nephritis, and 70% for Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis. A significant association between the risk of ESKD development and several factors was revealed by a multivariate Cox regression analysis: baseline serum creatinine level (P=0.001), initial kidney replacement therapy (KRT) at presentation (P=0.003), interstitial inflammation (P=0.023), global glomerulosclerosis (P=0.009), and the presence of fibrous crescents over 50% (P=0.033).
Conclusion: Type II diffuse crescentic glomerulonephritis was the most prevalent type in DCGN, and favors better renal prognosis than type I and III DCGN, in which IgA nephropathy was the most common entity of Type II DCGN in western China. The prognosis for IgA nephropathy was worse than that for patients with lupus nephritis or Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis. Additionally, baseline serum creatinine level, initial KRT at presentation, interstitial inflammation, global glomerulosclerosis, and fibrous crescents >50% were identified as predictors of renal outcomes in diffuse crescentic glomerulonephritis .