bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ramsay hunt syndrome: A case report
Authors: sabouri Reza
Published: September 2024

Background:
Ramsay-Hunt syndrome (RSH) is a rare clinical condition characterized by herpes zoster oticus and ipslilateral facial nerve paralysis caused by reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus( VZV ) in the sensory root of geniculate ganglia. This syndrome must be distinguished from other causes of facial palsy such as Bell’s palsy, stroke, Lyme disease and malignancies.
Accurate dignosis and treatment in the first 72 hours of are crucial to improve the prognosis and to prevent later complications including postherpetic neuralgia and corneal damage.
Case Report:
A 72-year-old female without any past medical history was admitted to emergency center of Vali Asr Hospital in Zanjan with hearing loss, ererythematous papules on the right external ear, otalgia, vertigo and dysgeusia. One day after hospitalization, the patient developed unilateral right-sided facial palsy and crusted erythematous papules on the right external ear.
Conclusion:
Ramsay-Hunt syndrome is an uncommon peripheral neuropathy of the facial nerve caused by reactivation of VZV in the geniculate ganglion. Most cases occur in immunocompromised and elderly. Pharmacological interventions can reduce recovery time and prevent complications. Specialists are not unanimous on the choice of medication, dosage and the duration of therapy, thus more research is warranted.
Integrated Network Pharmacology and Transcriptomics to Explore the Mechanism of Compound Dihuang Granule (CDG) Protects Dopaminergic Neurons by Regulating the Nrf2/HMOX1 Pathway in the 6-OHDA/MPP+ -Induced Model of Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Sun Xue , Yang Shuai , He Zhuqing , Wang Li , He Jiancheng
Published: September 2024

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a degenerative neurological disease that worsens over time. Ferroptosis has been proven to contribute to PD pathogenesis. CDG exhibits neuroprotective effects. However, CDG's potential mechanism in PD therapy remains uncertain.
Purpose: The purpose of this investigation is to ascertain the specific molecular mechanisms of CDG against neuronal ferroptosis and present an alternative option for PD management.
Methods: Network pharmacology along with LC-MS were used to identify possible targets and candidate pathways. Then RNA-sequencing combined in vitro and in vivo experiments were utilized to validate these findings.
Results: According to network pharmacology prediction, NFE2L2, HMOX1, PTGS2 may be the key genes for ferroptosis in PD. In vivo experiments, CDG improved the neurobehavior of PD rats, alleviated the damage of dopamine neurons, decreased the levels of MDA, ROS and Fe2+, increased the GSH level, and inhibited ferroptosis by decreasing ACSL4, TF, and PTGS2 expression levels, increased the GPX4, FTH, Nrf2, and HMOX1 levels. RNA-seq analysis showed the differential genes in Model and CDG group were all enriched in Nrf2 and HMOX1, and the enrichment analysis of these differential genes showed they were closely related to the ferroptosis. Subsequently, in vitro experiments, the CDG, OE-Nrf2 and OE-HMOX1 group showed more active cell vitality, decreased MDA, ROS, Fe2+, ACSL4, TF, PTGS2 levels, and increased GSH, GPX4, FTH, Nrf2, HMOX1 levels.
Conclusion: CDG has a neuroprotective involvement in alleviating ferroptosis by regulating the Nrf2/HMOX1 pathway. Moreover, this research offers pharmacological evidence supporting the applications of CDG for treating PD.
Attitude of patients with liver cancer toward clinical drug trials: Empirical Qualitative Research
Authors: Lu Wen , Li Juan , Gu Shanzhi , Li Jinhua
Published: September 2024

Aims
To explore the attitude of patients with liver cancer toward clinical drug trials and promote the development of clinical drug trials in patients with liver cancer.
Design:
Qualitative study
Methods
In this study conducted in a tertiary hospital, we conducted in-depth interviews in 19 patients with liver cancer, including those who were: 1. diagnosed with primary liver cancer according to the “Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Liver Cancer (2022 Edition)”; 2. without cognitive or language impairment and were able to express their thoughts; and 3. willing to participate in the study and provided written informed consent. We excluded those with serious physical diseases or other malignant tumors and mental disorders. The attitudes of patients with liver cancer toward clinical drug trials were evaluated along with the awareness of clinical drug trials and factors affecting their participation in order to promote the development of clinical drug trials for this population.
Results
We summarized the attitude of patients to clinical drug trials into two themes. The first involved differences in patients' awareness of clinical drug trials, which comprised lack of awareness, doubts and worries, blind trust in authoritative sources, and rational participation. The second highlighted factors influencing participation in clinical drug trials, which included: 1. positive factors such as a doctor’s recommendation, expectations, peer effect, economic burden, desire to contribute to medical research, and family support, and 2. negative factors consisting of the side effects of drugs, drug safety, and problems guaranteeing patients’ rights and interests.
Conclusion
There were differences in the attitudes of liver cancer patients toward clinical drug trials.
Implications for the Profession and Patient Care:
Researchers should improve the awareness of liver cancer patients with regard to clinical drug trials and understand the factors that affect their participation.
Patient or public contribution
: The patients had no contributions in the design or conduct of the study, analysis or interpretation of the data, or in the preparation of the manuscript
Hydraulic conductivity of Horizontal Layered Porous Media: An Experimental and simulation study
Authors: Kafi Mohammad , Alam Javed , Muzzammil Mohd.
Published: September 2024

The hydraulic conductivity of layered porous media has been a cause of concern to the hydraulic engineers to investigate the recharge of confined aquifers. In earlier studies conducted on two layered soils, subjected to flow parallel to bedding plane, permeabilities calculated based on Darcy's approach were observed to be deviating as compared to their experimentally observed values. In the present study the work has been extended to three and four layered soils. The study shows that when fine grained soils are overlain with relatively coarse grained soils, the observed hydraulic conductivity values of the layered porous media are found to be less than their theoretical values calculated based on their individual hydraulic conductivities. Whereas when the order of layers is reversed, the observed hydraulic conductivity values of the layered porous media show a rising trend as compared to their theoretical values calculated based on their individual hydraulic conductivities. The values of hydraulic conductivity of layered porous media have also been determined using the CFD software FLUENT 14.0. The deviation between observed and theoretical values was found to range from 18.9 to 48.9 percent whereas, the deviation between observed and simulated values was found within the percentage range of 16.9 to 48.1.
Executive dysfunction is associated with altered hippocampal-prefrontal functional connectivity in male 3xTg Alzheimer’s model mice
Authors: Gigg John , Cunliffe Grace , Tan Li Yang , Jung Sangyong , Turner Jonathan
Published: September 2024

Executive function depends on connectivity between the ventral hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). How abnormalities in this pathway lead to cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have yet to be elucidated. Here, male 3xTg AD mice at 6-months displayed maladaptive decision-making in the rodent 4-Choice Gambling Task measure of executive function. Extracellular field recordings in the infralimbic cortex at this age showed layer-specific reductions in response amplitude and paired-pulse ratio following activation of hippocampal input fibres, indicating changes to short-term hippocampal-prefrontal synaptic plasticity. Bulk RNA sequencing of the mPFC in 6-month-old mice identified differential gene expression changes associated with calcium ion transport, glutamatergic, GABAergic, and dopaminergic neurotransmission. Seven of these genes (Gpm6b, Slc38a5, Ccr5, Kcnj10, Ddah1, Gad1, Slc17a8) were also differentially expressed in 3-month mice. These results reveal a pre-clinical deficit in executive function correlating with synaptic plasticity and gene expression changes in the mPFC of male 3xTg mice.
Translation and psychometric evaluation of the Persian version of the Cambridge Friendship Questionnaire in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Shahrbabaki Mahin Eslami , Farsangi Habibeh Ahmadipour , Jahanbakhsh Farzaneh , Fallahpourbami Fatemeh
Published: September 2024

Background
The Cambridge Friendship Questionnaire (FQ) was used to evaluate the extent to which participants enjoy close relationships and value interacting with friends. This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the FQ in patients with schizophrenia.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted on 175 patients with schizophrenia who were selected from Shahid Beheshti Hospital and Golestan Salamat Center, Kerman. Data were collected via the Persian version of the FQ and the Relationships with Friends and Peers Questionnaire. The Persian FQ was evaluated for construct and content and criterion validity, internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), and test-retest reliability. The data were analyzed via SPSS version 26 and Lisrel version 8.8 software.
Results
The Persian version of the FQ exhibited acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.649). There was a direct and significant correlation between the average scores of the two Cambridge friendship questionnaires and the scores of the relationships with friends and peers questionnaire (P = 0.028, r = 0.310). None of the goodness of fit indices were within the acceptance range, indicating that the construct validity of the single-factor model of the Persian version of the Cambridge Friendship Questionnaire was not confirmed.
Conclusion
The Persian translation of the FQ score demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties, in terms of reliability and concurrent validity but its construct validity needs to be investigated in other populations of patients with schizophrenia.
Predictive role of three hematological inflammatory markers for all-cause mortality and CVD mortality in US individuals with obstructive sleep apnea symptom: A population-based study from the NHANES
Authors: Liao Huai , Hu Jingdi , Tang Songwen
Published: September 2024

This study aimed to investigate the potential correlation between three haematological inflammatory markers – the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), and the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) – and both all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) symptoms. In this longitudinal study, data from the 2005-2008 and 2015-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were collected. During a median follow-up of 96.33 months, 808 cases of all-cause mortality and 180 cardiovascular-related deaths were documented within the cohort of 7,621 participants with OSA symptoms. The results of the weighted Cox proportional hazard models indicated that both the NLR and the SII were significantly associated with an increased risk of both all-cause mortality and CVD mortality. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed the superior prognostic value of the NLR for 1-year, 3-year and 5-year all-cause mortality. Stratified analyses further revealed significant interactions between the NLR and diabetes and smoking status. Our results suggest that the NLR and the SII were independently associated with all-cause and CVD mortality in patients with OSA symptoms. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte had the strongest prognostic value for mortality in this population.
Mesoporous SiO2-chitin/MoO3 Nanocomposite: Synthesis, Surface Investigation, Uptake Potential for Pb(II) and Cu(II), and Future Outlook
Authors: Heiba Hany Fathy , Taha Asia A. , Mostafa Alaa R. , Elsaharty Abeer , Mahmoud Manal G. , Mohamed Laila A.
Published: September 2024

A highly mesoporous SiO2-chitin supported MoO3 nanocomposite was synthesized and characterized for immobilizing Pb(II) and Cu(II) from water. This composite combines MoO3 for interactions, chitin for chelation, and silica for stability. XPS and FTIR and zeta potential investigations showed alterations in binding energies, metal-oxygen coordination bonds and surface charge highlighting an interplay in the removal mechanism between electrostatic attraction and surface complexation. The composite's features include a high surface area (266.95 m2/g), pore volume (0.48 cm3/g), and well-defined mesoporous structure (mean pore diameter: 7.192 nm). S-TEM confirmed uniform distribution of Si, O, and Mo with localized Mo concentration. XRD confirmed well-crystallized MoO3 nanoparticles in an amorphous SiO2-chitin matrix. Metal removal was affected by pH, time, concentration, and dose. Kinetics followed a pseudo-second-order model, with intraparticle diffusion and multilayer heterogeneous adsorption per Freundlich isotherm. Langmuir capacities were 16.05 mg/g for Cu(II) and 27.30 mg/g for Pb(II). Thermodynamic data suggested endothermic, spontaneous adsorption with stronger Pb(II) affinity. Activation energy values (Cu(II): 15.36 kJ/mol, Pb(II): 20.48 kJ/mol) supported chemisorption as the primary mechanism. The study highlights the nanocomposite's potential for Cu(II) and Pb(II) removal.
Phytochemical compositions and Adulticidal Effectiveness of Indian Borage, Coleus amboinicus Lour, against Maize Weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky [Coleoptera: Curculionidae]
Authors: Ashamo Michael Olufemi , Ileke Kayode David , Yesufu Opeyemi Sarah
Published: September 2024

The use of synthetic chemical insecticides in the management of food grains pest have a serious adverse effect on consumer’s health and the environment. Public awareness of the adverse effects of the synthetic chemical insecticides has called for the urgent need to replace this method with safer and cheap method. This research evaluated the adulticidal effects of Coleus amboinicus leaf, stem and root powders and crude extracts against Sitophilus zeamais. The plant powders were tested at dosage 0.1, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9 and 1.5 g per 20 grams, while extracts were tested at concentration 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 ml per 20 grams of maize seeds. The results revealed that Coleus amboinicus leaf powder at dosage 1.5g caused 63% mortality of adult S. zeamais after a day of treatment. This followed by C. amboinicus stem that evoked 56% weevil mortality. This research showed that C. amboinicus extracts were more toxic than powders of the tested Coleus amboinicus parts. The lethal concentration of leaf, stem and root extracts which caused 50% mortality in the population of S. zeamais response after 96 hours of exposure were 0.13 ml, 0.27ml and 0.48ml respectively. Coleus amboinicus leaf proved to be the most toxic to maize weevil, followed by stem powder and extract. The study established C. amboinicus leaf, stem, and root contain varying levels of phytochemicals, such as alkaloids, saponin, flavonoids, and tannin, which are responsible for the adulticidal toxicity to the maize weevil.
Graph convolutional network for predicting abnormal grain growth in Monte Carlo simulations of microstructural evolution
Authors: Holm Elizabeth , Cohn Ryan
Published: September 2024

Recent developments in graph neural networks show promise for predicting the occurrence of abnormal grain growth, which has been a particularly challenging area of research due to its apparent stochastic nature. In this study, we generate a large dataset of Monte Carlo simulations of abnormal grain growth. We train simple graph convolution networks to predict which initial microstructures will exhibit abnormal grain growth, and compare the results to a standard computer vision approach for the same task. The graph neural network outperformed the computer vision method and achieved 73% prediction accuracy and fewer false positives. It also provided some physical insight into feature importance and the relevant length scale required to maximize predictive performance. Analysis of the uncertainty in the Monte Carlo simulations provides additional insights for ongoing work in this area.
A power analysis framework to aid the design of robust semi-field vector control experiments
Authors: Kipingu Andrea M. , Lwatoejera Dickson W. , Ng’habi Kija R. , Kiware Samson S. , Viana Mafalda , Johnson Paul C. D.
Published: September 2024

Background Semi-field experiments are an efficient way of assessing the impacts of potential new vector control tools (VCTs) before field trials. However, their design is critically important to ensure their results are unbiased and informative. An essential element of the design of semi-field experiments is power analysis, which empowers researchers to ensure that only designs with adequate statistical power are adopted. In this study, a methodology was developed, and its use was demonstrated in a tutorial, to determine the required number of semi-field chambers, sampling frequency and the number of mosquitoes required to achieve sufficient power for evaluating the impact of a single VCT or two in combination.Methods By analysing data simulated from a generalized linear mixed-effects model, power was estimated for various experimental designs, including short- (24 hours) vs. long-term (3 months) experiments and single vs. combined application of interventions (e.g., insecticide-treated nets combined with pyriproxyfen autodissemination).Results Although power increased with increasing number of chambers, sampling frequency and the number of mosquitoes, the number of chambers and variance between chambers were the dominant factors determining power relative to all other design choices. High variance between chambers decreased power, highlighting the importance of making conditions similar among chambers, by reducing variation if possible and by rotating variables if not. As compared to a single intervention, an additional intervention required an increase in the number of chambers, while short and long experiments were similar in terms of key aspects such as the number of chambers per treatment.Conclusion Determining the most efficient experimental design for a semi-field experiment will depend on a balance of design choices and resource constraints. The power analysis framework and tutorial provided here can aid in the robust design of these widely used experiments and ultimately facilitate the development of new vector control tools (VTCs).
Topical delivery of human single-domain antibody targeting IL-33 for inhibiting mucosal inflammation
Authors: Ying Tianlei , Huang Keke , Wu Yuqing , Kong Yu , Xu Qingyuan , Zhang Yirou , Li Quanxiao , Li Cheng , Song Wenping , Zhu Xiaoyi , Yang Zhenlin , Xin Changchang , Zhou Xujiao , Wu Yanling , Hong Jiaxu
Published: September 2024

Addressing mucosal inflammatory disorders in the ocular surface or respiratory system remains a formidable challenge due to limited penetration of biological therapeutics across epithelial barriers. In this study, we explored the potential of human single-domain antibodies (UdAbs) as topical therapeutics for the targeted modulation of interleukin-33 (IL-33) in two mucosal-associated inflammatory disorders. The anti-IL-33 UdAb, designated A12, demonstrated potent inhibition of the IL-33-mediated signaling pathway, despite not blocking IL-33 receptor interaction. The topical delivery of A12 achieved significantly elevated corneal concentrations in vivo compared to anti-IL-33 control IgG Itepekimab, which exhibited negligible ocular penetration. Meanwhile, A12 ameliorated the dry eye disease severity considerably by exerting anti-inflammatory effects. Furthermore, in another murine model of allergic asthma, inhaled A12 substantially reduced overall lung inflammation. Our findings revealed the capacity of UdAbs to penetrate mucosal barriers following non-invasive localized delivery, highlighting their potential as an innovative therapeutic strategy for modulating mucosal inflammation.
Holocene paleoenvironmental reconstruction based on the lacustrine evolution of three Cameroonian lakes (SW, Africa)
Authors: Bessa Armel Zacharie Ekoa , Kołaczek Piotr , Ndjigui Paul-Désiré , Adatte Thierry , Bomou Brahimsamba , Armstrong-Altrin John S.
Published: September 2024

Lakes are the most attractive and expressive characteristics of a landscape. Lacustrine sediments provide a historical record of the conditions of the surrounding catchment area. The aim of this study is to reconstruct the Holocene lacustrine evolution of 3 lakes located in Yaoundé, Dizangué and Ngaoundéré regions (Cameroon, SW-Africa) using a multiproxy approach including analysis of sediments, diatoms, pollen, with absolute chronologies based on radiocarbon dates. Sediment cores were recovered from a raft using polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe. Sediment grains are generally sub-rounded and rounded indicative of both aeolian and fluvial transportation. Pollen and diatom data revealed major hydrological changes and strong fluctuations between wet conditions during the "Medieval Warm Period" (1100 − 800 yrs BP), and dry conditions during the "Little Ice Age" (500 − 300 yrs BP). Four distinct paleoclimatic phases were identified from the diatom assemblage of lakes from Yaoundé and Dizangué (South) and Ngaoundéré (North). The diatom assemblages in Simbock Lake (southern Cameroon) indicate high water levels initially, followed by a transition marked by increased aerophilic species, potentially indicating episodic drying or reduced water supply. Furthermore, a pH and trophic inversion suggests eutrophication due to nutrient influx. In the Ossa Lake complex (southern Cameroon), four phases reveal changes from oligotrophic to eutrophic conditions, with Aulacoseira species dominating, and the evolution of acidic to clear waters. Lake Ngaoundaba in the Adamawa (northern Cameroon) exhibits three phases, indicating stable oligotrophic conditions, episodic drying, and a rise in lake level with increased tychoplanktonic species, particularly Aulacoseira distans. These hydrological changes have controlled the dynamics of tropical rainforests during the Little Ice Age (LIA) and the Medieval Warming (MW) in this part of Africa, resulting in their expansion during periods of heavy rainfall and contraction during periods of reduced rainfall.
Bayesian Geo-Additive Model to Analyze Spatial Pattern and Determinants of Maternal Mortality in Ethiopia
Authors: Eshetu Yitagesu , Getachew Tigist
Published: September 2024

Background and Aims: Maternal mortality is defined as the death of a woman from any cause associated to or made worse by her pregnancy, either during her pregnancy or within 42 days of the pregnancy's termination, regardless of the length of the pregnancy or its location. The objective of this study is to determine the factors influencing maternal mortality as well as to examine the regional distribution of maternal deaths in Ethiopia.
Method:This study was conducted in Ethiopia and the data was basically secondary which is
obtained from 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health survey (EDHS). The Bayesian Geo-additive regression model is used to identify the major risk factors and spatial effects (spatial
pattern) on maternal death in Ethiopia.
Result:Pregnancy-related problems or childbirth were the cause of death for 1.43% of the 10,009 women in the research, whose ages ranged from 15 to 49. In contrast to the semi-parametric and generalized linear models, the Bayesian Geo-additive regression model is based on the DIC and better fits the data. According to the Bayesian Geo-additive regression model's results, maternal death is significantly affected by the place of delivery, the number of prenatal care visits, marital status, wealth index, mother's age and the number of birth orders. The Afar, Somali, Benishangul Gumuz, and Gambela regions have higher rates of maternal death, according to evidence of geographic variation in a model.
Conclusion:The findings of the study revealed that maternal mortality is influenced by numerous social, demographic, and geographic variables. Geographic variations exist in the patterns of maternal mortality.
Local-structure insight into the improved superconducting properties of Pb-substituted La(O,F)BiS2: A photoelectron holography study
Authors: Li YaJun , Hashimoto Yusuke , Kataoka Noriyuki , Sun ZeXu , Kawamura Sota , Tomita Hiroto , Setoguchi Taro , Takeuchi Soichiro , Koga Shunjo , Yamagami Kohei , Kotani Yoshinori , Demura Satoshi , Noguchi Kanako , Sakata Hideaki , Matsushita Tomohiro , Wakita Takanori , Muraoka Yuji , Yokoya Takayoshi
Published: September 2024

Pb-substituted La(O,F)BiS2 (Pb-LaOFBiS2) exhibits improved superconducting properties and a resistivity anomaly around 100 K that is attributed to a structural transition. We have performed temperature(T)-dependent photoelectron holography (PEH) to study dopant incorporation sites and the local structure change across the anomaly. PEH study of Pb-LaOFBiS2 provided evidence for the dominant incorporation sites of Pb and F: Pb atoms are incorporated into the Bi sites and F atoms are incorporated into the O site. No remarkable difference in the local structures around Pb and Bi atoms were observed. Across the temperature of the resistivity anomaly (T*), photoelectron holograms of Bi 4f changed. Comparison of holograms with those of non-substituted LaOFBiS2 sample, as well as simulated holograms, suggested that (1), above T*, the tetragonal structure of Pb-LaOFBiS2 are different from the tetragonal structure of LaOFBiS2 and (2), below T*, the tetragonal structure still remains in Pb-LaOFBiS2. We discuss possible origin of the difference in the structure above T* and implication of the result below T*, which are necessary ingredients to understand the physical properties of Pb-LaOFBiS2.
Novel syntheses of wide-band gap semiconducting Cdx Znx-1 Co2O4 of spinel nanostructure: Characterization and optical properties
Authors: Abd-Elrahman M. I. , Rashad Latifa , Mohamed H. A. , Taya Y. A. , El-Fadl A. Abu
Published: September 2024

Cadmium doped zinc cobaltite spinel structure in the form of CdxZnx-1Co2O4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) are synthesized by sol-gel method. A good crystallinity of the ZnCo2O4 and its dopants samples are indicated by the sharpness and strong peaks of X-ray diffraction patterns. The particle size is independent of the ratio of incorporated Cd into the ZnCo2O4 matrix. The FT-IR transmission spectrum of each Cdx Zn1-xCo2O4 complex shows two strong vibration peaks that are ascribed to the spinel structure's octahedral and tetrahedral. The occurrence of light absorption by Cdx Znx-1 Co2O4 is due to the photoexcitation of electrons from O 2p to Co 3d transitions and d-d transition of Co 3d. The obtained values of the optical band gap (Eg) for Cdx Zn1-xCo2O4 varies from 2.93 eV for ZnCo2O4 (x = 0) to 2.15 eV for CdCo2O4 (x = 1).
SWIPT enabled UAV-RIS network using AI
Authors: Shrivastava Shriyanshu , Swami Pragya
Published: September 2024

The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has grown significantly in various fields, including surveillance, communication, and environmental monitoring. However, their flight endurance is restricted by the limitations of on-board batteries. To address this challenge, UAVs are integrated with reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) to implement energy harvesting (EH) using simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT). This scheme facilitates the simultaneous transfer of both information and power to the UAV’s battery. A reliable deep reinforcement learning (DRL) based method has been used to enhance the performance of the proposed EH-RIS system in dynamic wireless environments. Results from the simulations demonstrated the superiority in the EH efficiency of the DRLbased EH-RIS system, achieving similar performance attained by exhaustive search. Softmax Deep Double Deterministic Policy Gradient (SD3) and Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) are the different techniques used. Notably, the proposed PPO emerged as standout candidates, demonstrating superior performance in comparison to the others.
Modeling and field validation of the gravimetric composition of municipal solid waste disposed of in landfills
Authors: Bezerra Daniel Epifânio , Neto Cláudio Luis de Araújo , Ribeiro Libânia da Silva , Martildes Jéssica Araújo Leite , de Paiva William , Monteiro Veruschka Escarião Dessoles , de Melo Márcio Camargo
Published: September 2024

Gravimetric analysis of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) stands as a fundamental procedure in landfill waste management. The characteristics of MSW are intricately shaped by various factors within a municipality, encompassing economy, climate, culture, education, and degree of urbanization. While the field implementation of gravimetric determination follows a relatively straightforward operational protocol, it remains a labor-intensive and financially demanding procedure. Additionally, it presents potential hazards of contamination to individuals involved in the screening process. Based on the foregoing, this research aims to compare the gravimetric composition of waste within a landfill situated in the semi-arid region of Brazil with its theoretical counterpart, derived from modeling through Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). Field characterization of the waste adhered to established technical standards, complemented by statistical planning for MSW collection and sampling. The assessment of theoretical composition was conducted using ANN models, with socioeconomic data serving as input variables and the gravimetric fractions of waste as outputs across various Brazilian municipalities. Multiple topologies were explored to identify an optimal configuration that yielded appropriate statistical validations. In general, the examination of both the empirical and theoretical gravimetric composition of MSW indicated a notable congruence between the datasets, thus emphasizing the effectiveness of mathematical modeling substantiated by statistical validations. Consequently, the utilization of mathematical modeling with ANN holds significant potential as a methodology for predicting the gravimetric composition of MSW. This approach efficiently mitigates environmental and health hazards while reducing financial expenditures and time constraints inherent in traditional methods.
Evaluation of endophytic bacteria for enhancing plant growth and its effect on the growth and productivity of betel leaf plants
Authors: Shabong Khamtilin , Kayang Highland
Published: September 2024

The aim of this research is to identify potent strains of endophytic bacteria from Piper betle L. that exhibit a wide range of in vitro plant growth-promoting (PGP) characteristics and to assess their effectiveness in promoting plant growth in vivo through greenhouse experiments. A total of 27 endophytic bacteria isolated from betel leaves were screened for PGP traits using both qualitative and quantitative methods. All bacterial isolates demonstrated positive results for IAA production, phosphate solubilization, ammonia production, siderophore production, pectinase activity, and HCN production. Specifically, the bacteria produced IAA in the range of 1.7 to 224.7 µg/ml, solubilized phosphate between 17.8 and 35.17 µg/ml, produced ammonia in concentrations of 0.14 to 0.51 µmol/ml, and exhibited siderophore production ranging from 38.92–71.9%. Four bacterial isolates, selected for their superior PGP traits, were identified through 16S rRNA gene analysis as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus velezensis, Enterobacter cloacae, and Serratia marcescens. Among these, Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed the most significant enhancement of all growth parameters in betel plants under greenhouse conditions.
Potent and Selective SETDB1 Covalent Negative Allosteric Modulator Reduces Methyltransferase Activity in Cells
Authors: Frye Stephen , Uguen Melanie , Shell Devan , Silva Madhushika , Deng Yu , Li Fengling , Szewczyk Magdalena , Yang Ka , Zhao Yani , Stashko Michael , Norris Jacqueline , Waybright Jarod , Beldar Serap , Rectenwald Justin , Mordant Angie , Webb Thomas , Herring Laura , Arrowsmith Cheryl , Ackloo Suzanne , Gygi Steven , McGinty Robert , Barsyte-Lovejoy Dalia , Liu Pengda , Halabelian Levon , James Lindsey , Pearce Kenneth
Published: September 2024

A promising drug target, SETDB1, is a dual Kme reader and methyltransferase, which has been implicated in cancer and neurodegenerative disease progression. To help understand the role of the triple Tudor domain (3TD) of SETDB1, its Kme reader, we first identified a low micromolar small molecule ligand, UNC6535, which occupies simultaneously both the TD2 and TD3 reader binding sites. Further optimization led to the discovery of UNC10013, the first covalent 3TD ligand targeting Cys385 of SETDB1. UNC10013 is potent with a kinact/KI of 1.0 x 106 M-1s-1 and demonstrated proteome-wide selectivity. In cells, negative allosteric modulation of SETDB1-mediated Akt methylation was observed after treatment with UNC10013. Therefore, UNC10013 is a potent, selective and cell-active covalent ligand for the 3TD of SETDB1, demonstrating negative allosteric modulator properties and making it a promising tool to study the biological role of SETDB1 in disease progression.
A Bibliometric Taxonomy of Virtual Reality in Education: Global Trends and Key Challenges Across Multiple Indices and Leading Publishers
Authors: Samala Agariadne Dwinggo , Rawas Soha , Rahmadika Sandi , Criollo-C Santiago , Fikri Ryan , Sandra Randi Proska
Published: September 2024

The integration of technology in education has driven significant innovation, with virtual reality (VR) emerging as a powerful tool to enhance the learning experience. VR allows students to engage in immersive and interactive environments that go beyond traditional teaching methods, supporting visualization of complex concepts and experiential learning. Although VR has shown success in various disciplines such as medicine, engineering, and design, its applications in other fields remain unexplored. This study addresses this gap by conducting a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of VR in education, following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines and utilizing multiple indexes in the Web of Science Core Collection and data from leading publishers. The analysis revealed key trends, such as Springer Nature's dominance in publishing VR-related research and the geographical distribution of VR studies, with the United States, China, and the United Kingdom as major contributors. Despite VR's potential, challenges such as high hardware costs, integration difficulties, and educator training needs hinder widespread adoption. The study also identifies potential solutions, including the development of affordable VR tools and better curriculum integration. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and technology developers, helping to guide more effective implementation and wider adoption of VR in diverse educational contexts.
A prospective study on the neonatal compications associated with prolonged premature rupture of membranes at a tertiary care hospital: A comperative analysis
Authors: Marzban Asghar , Moktari Samira , karamitanha Farzaneh , Sabouri Reza
Published: September 2024

Background: Premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) is a common complication during pregnancy, which leads to adverse effects in both mothers and newborns. The management of premature rupture of the amniotic sac is still controversial among physicians, which is associated with a wide range of maternal and neonatal complications. Expectant management might increase the risk of infection in both mothers and neonates. Therefore, in this study we aimed to investigate neonatal outcomes following prolonged PROM(PPROM).
Methods and material: This study is a prospective cross-sectional descriptive study. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 65 neonates with premature rupture of membranes longer than 18 hours and 65 neo-nates with premature rupture of membranes less than 18 hours were selected through random sam-pling.and included in the study through simple random sampling. After recording the demographic charac-teristics of the mothers and the neonates and the outcomes of the neonates, it was entered into the SPP version 22 software for statistical analysis. A significance level (p.value) less than 0.05 was considered significant
Results: Out of 130 neonates, 57.7% were male and 42.3% were female. 62.3% of the neonates were born by cesarean section and the rest by vaginal delivery. In the studied population, 43% were pre-term neonates and the rest were term. The mean birth weight was 2825.35 ±572.34 grams and The mean Apgar score at fifth minute was 8.8 ± 1.19. The incidence rate of early neonatal infection (EOI) was 26.2% (34 cases) and the in-hospital death rate was 3.8% (5 cases). Based on our findings, the association between the duration PROM with early onset infection and resuscitation was statistically significant (p.value<0.05). The mean Apgar score at 5th minute was significantly higher in neonates with PROM longer than 18 hours than neonates with PROM less than 18 hours. Moreover, no significant association was observed between the duration of PROM and in-hospital mortality of neonates.
Conclusion: Based on the findings of our study, it can be concluded that the increase in the duration of rupture of the amniotic sac until the onset of labor is associated with an increase in the rate of early onset neonatal infection, a low Apgar score in the fifth minute, and the need for higher levels of resuscitation. However, it is not associated with in-hospital mortality of newborns.
RPE Differentiation is a Selective Barrier Against Aneuploid hESC
Authors: Spits Claudia , de Deckersberg Edouard Couvreu , Lei Yingnan , Krivec Nusa , Delbany Diana Al , Huyghebaert Anfien , Janssens Charlotte , Regin Marius , Verhulst Stefaan , Grunsven Leo van , Movahedi Kiavash , Sermon Karen , Tsuiko Olga
Published: September 2024

In this study, we show that undirected differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) to retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) acts as a selective barrier against aneuploid cells. Large-scale omics analysis reveals that 3–6% of cells of genetically normal hESC cultures are aneuploid, none of which progresses through RPE differentiation except for cells with a gain of 1q. We show that while all homogeneously aneuploid hESC lines carrying an array of different abnormalities have impaired RPE differentiation, co-culture with genetically normal cells specifically rescues the differentiation of cells with a gain of 1q. In turn, these aneuploid cells have an in vitro growth advantage, and progressively take over the differentiating culture. Time-course analysis shows that, only when co-cultured, cells with a gain of 1q follow the same differentiation path as genetically normal cells, which support the mutant cells by secreting extracellular matrix and ligands promoting differentiation.
Excess Proton Diffusion in Bulk and Interfacial Water: Profound Anomalies Beneath Surface Normality
Authors: Laage Damien , Puente Miguel de la , Gomez Axel
Published: September 2024

Guiding the diffusion of excess protons in liquid water is a significant challenge in fields ranging from electrocatalysis to energy conversion in biological systems. Interfaces have been proposed to provide kinetically favored pathways for channeling protons between their source and sink. However, the mechanism and kinetics of proton diffusion at aqueous interfaces are far less understood compared to the bulk. Here, we use density functional theory-based deep potential molecular dynamics simulations to reveal that the interface exerts opposing effects on the diffusion coefficients of water and excess protons. We show that unlike their anomalously fast diffusion in the liquid, protons at the interface diffuse at the same rate as water. At the air/water interface, the excess proton remains localized on one water molecule at a time, but with a different surrounding hydrogen-bond arrangement than in the bulk. This facilitates fast back-and-forth proton rattling within a pair of water molecules but causes the slowdown of the proton hops which govern proton diffusion. We explain why the reduced hydrogen-bond coordination of interfacial water enhances water diffusion while hindering the proton transport rate-limiting formation of a hydrogen bond on the proton donor. Finally, we show how bulk-enhanced surface diffusion of excess protons exhibits different limiting regimes with important implications for aerosol chemistry, electrocatalysis and biochemistry.
Penalty Learning for Optimal Partitioning through Deep Learning Techniques
Authors: Nguyen Tung Lam
Published: September 2024

Changepoint detection or partitioning, a technique for identifying significant shifts within data sequences, is crucial in various fields such as finance, genomics, medicine, etc. Dynamic programming changepoint detection algorithms are employed to effectively identify the locations of changepoints within a sequence, which rely on a penalty parameter to regulate the number of changepoints. To estimate this penalty parameter, previous work uses simple models such as linear or tree-based models. This study introduces a novel deep learning method for predicting this penalty parameter, leading to demonstrably improved changepoint detection accuracy on large benchmark supervised labeled datasets compared to previous methods.
Neurofilament Light Chain- und Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor-Konzentrationen im Serum und Liquor als Prädiktoren für die Dynamik neurologischer und kognitiver Defizite bei Multiple Sklerose-Patienten
Authors:   , Anschütz Victoria Alisa
Published: September 2024

Aufgrund der vielfältigen Vorteile von Biomarkern stehen diese seit einiger Zeit im Fokus der Forschung bei Multipler Sklerose (MS). Bisher existieren vorwiegend Daten zu Markern, die eine Verschlechterung der Krankheit anzeigen – Kenntnisse zu Markern für eine Verbesserung sind begrenzt. Mit dieser Studie sollte der Frage nachgegangen werden, ob veränderte Konzentrationen von Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) und Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) im Serum (sNfL/sBDNF) und Liquor (cNfL/cBDNF) einer neurologischen und kognitiven Veränderung bei MS vorausgehen. Es wurde vermutet, dass NfL eine Verschlechterung und BDNF eine Verbesserung der Funktionen prognostiziert. Im Rahmen einer monozentrischen prospektiven Kohortenstudie wurden bei insgesamt 50 Patienten mit MS-Phänotyp (klinisch isoliertes Syndrom, schubförmigremittierende MS und primär progrediente MS) zu Studienbeginn (Messzeitpunkt T1) Serum- und Liquorproben abgenommen sowie eine neurologische und kognitive Testung durchgeführt. Nach zwölf Monaten (Messzeitpunkt T2) wurden die neurologische (n = 36) und die kognitive (n = 34) Testung wiederholt. Anhand der Dynamik ihrer Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)- und globalen z-Werte wurden die Patienten vier Gruppenpaaren zugeordnet: Keine neurologische Verschlechterung versus Neurologische Verschlechterung (Anstieg EDSS ≥ 0.5), Keine kognitive Verschlechterung versus Kognitive Verschlechterung (Abfall globales z ≥ 0.5), Keine neurologische Verbesserung versus Neurologische Verbesserung (Abfall EDSS ≥ 0.5) und Keine kognitive Verbesserung versus Kognitive Verbesserung (Anstieg globales z ≥ 0.5). Die NfL- und BDNF-Konzentrationen der Patienten aus den jeweiligen Gruppen wurden anhand von Kovarianzanalysen unter Berücksichtigung von Kovariaten verglichen. Hinsichtlich der Prognose einer Verschlechterung präsentierten sich keine signifikanten Ergebnisse. Zur Prognose einer Verbesserung ergab sich Folgendes: Patienten mit einer neurologischen Verbesserung wiesen einen höheren sBDNF-Spiegel bei Studienbeginn auf im Vergleich zu Probanden mit keiner neurologischen Verbesserung (q = 0.04). Patienten mit einer kognitiven Verbesserung hatten zu Beginn höhere cBDNF-Konzentrationen als Patienten ohne kognitive Verbesserung (q = 0.004). In post-hoc durchgeführten Korrelationsanalysen stellten sich signifikante Korrelationen zwischen sBDNF und EDSS-Wert-Veränderung (q = 0.036), cBDNF und globaler z-Wert-Veränderung (q = 0.04) und cBDNF und Anzahl an kognitiven Tests mit Verbesserung (q = 0.04) dar. Diese Ergebnisse deuten auf eine mögliche Rolle von BDNF als Biomarker zur Prognose von neurologischen und kognitiven Verbesserungen bei MS hin. Es bedarf jedoch weiterer Studien mit einer größeren Stichprobe und methodischen Anpassungen, um diese Schlussfolgerung zu untermauern.
Ornamental Patterns of Contemporary Indonesian Batik: Clothing for Strengthening the Articulation of Appearance Characteristics
Authors: Setyo Budi  , Tiwi Bina Affanti  , Sayid Mataram
Published: September 2024

Batik is a significant aspect of Javanese and Indonesia culture, celebrated for its complex motifs, rich history, and deep cultural values. The research method used is qualitative research based on exploration and explanation supported with Iconographical Analysis and Elegant Design Theory. UNESCO’s recognition of batik as a world culture heritage, has led to a revival in interest and respect for this art form in Indonesia. Historically, batik was reserved for the nobility, but nowadays, it has evolved into national attire with contemporary significance. The focus of this study is to position batik as not only a traditional work of art that has developed into contemporary fashion, but also contains various ethical and aesthetic boundaries as a reflection of the intelligence of clothing culture. Contemporary batik is seen as a medium that can enhance the wearer’s appearance. Several characteristics of a person’s appearance that can be strengthened based on batik ornamental patterns are authoritative, openness, responsible, dynamic, and simplicity. This pattern is actualised in fashion design with a format resembling the letters or punctuation marks of Y, +, \, Z, and I.
The Female Body and the Body Politic in Sex Scenes of Lou Ye’s Film: A Multimodal Discourse Analysis of Summer Palace
Authors: Xiaoling Zhan  , Norfarizah Mohd Bakhir
Published: September 2024

This article discusses the body politic of Yu Hong in the postsocialist Chinese film–Summer Palace (2006). Director Lou Ye places Yu Hong’s body in the sex scenes that metaphorically expresses a traumatic and sensitive political event, the “June Fourth Incident.” The portrayal of sexual intercourse, nudity, and this historical event is the unspeakable “secret” in mainland Chinese media. Therefore, the authors raise the question that, when sexual intercourse and the female body enter political discourse, how do we deal with the complex and dynamic power structures behind bodily attributes and the “anachronistic” historical objects that do not fit into the mainstream narrative and epistemological spaces? Drawing on body politic theory, feminist film theory, and a semiotic framework, we adopt multimodal critical discourse analysis to assess power relations and ideologies behind Yu’s body attributes in the sex scenes. The findings indicate that Lou constructs a complex communication system, using her body as a carrier of communication to express self-consciousness, constructing female subjectivity through the writing of feminine discourse, with the political purpose of seeking the freedom of the written word. Sexual liberation is sought by establishing a transgressive body that is not accepted by the mainstream and opposes the inherent power of government. Yu’s bodily pleasure is set up as an expression of narcissistic individualism through love, producing a vision of political ecstasy. Her melancholy body metaphor for the discomfort and confusion that preceded the student movement and the post-traumatic ambivalence. Using the female body as a site of political discourse and sexual liberation offers a new reading strategy for analysing the representation of the female body in film and other forms of media. In making the argument, the study contributes valuable scholarship to the film studies focused on sexual, gender, and political marginalised discourse.