bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing perceptual chromatic equiluminance using a reflexive pupillary response
Authors: Ye Liu , Mahony Bridget W. , Wang Xiaochun , Daye Pierre , Wang Wei , Cavanagh Patrick , Pouget Pierre , Andolina Ian Max
Published: October 2023

Equiluminant stimuli help assess the integrity of color perception and the relationship of color to other visual features. As a result of individual variation, it is necessary to calibrate experimental visual stimuli to suit each individual’s unique equiluminant ratio. Most traditional methods rely on training observers to report their subjective equiluminance point. Such paradigms cannot easily be implemented on pre-verbal or non-verbal observers. One alternative, optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) of the eye in response to motion, is partially compromised by recent observations that changes in attentional fixation affect the OKN. Here, we present a novel Pupil Frequency-Tagging Method (PFTM) for detecting a participant’s unique equiluminance point without verbal instruction and with minimal training. PFTM analyzes reflexive pupil oscillations induced by slow (< 2 Hz) temporal alternations between colored stimuli. Two equiluminant stimuli will induce a similar pupil dilation response regardless of color; therefore, an observer’s equiluminant point can be identified as the luminance ratio between two colors for which the oscillatory amplitude of the pupil at the tagged frequency is minimal. We compared pupillometry-based equiluminance ratios to those obtained with two established techniques in humans: minimum flicker and minimum motion. In addition, we estimated the equiluminance point in non-human primates, demonstrating that this novel technique can be successfully employed in non-verbal subjects.
Accelerating antibiotic discovery by leveraging machine learning models: application to identify novel inorganic complexes
Authors: Nedyalkova Miroslava , Demirci Gozde , Cortat Youri , Schindler Kevin , Rhamani Fatlinda , Horner Justine , Crochet Aurelien , Pavic Aleksandar , Steiner Olimpia Mamula , Zobi Fabio , Lattuada Marco
Published: October 2023

The expanded prevalence of resistant bacteria and the inherent challenges of complicated infections highlight the urgent need to develop alternative antibiotic options. Through conventional screening approaches, the discovery of new antibiotics has proven to be challenging. Anti-infective drugs, including antibacterials, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics, have become less effective due to the spread of drug resistance. In this work, we helped define the design of next-generation antibiotic analogs based on metal complexes. For this purpose, we used artificial intelligence (AI) methods, demonstrating superior ability to tackle resistance in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains. The existing AI approaches' bottleneck relies on the current antibiotics' structural similarities. Herein, we developed a machine learning approach that predicts the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Re-complexes towards two S. aureus strains (ATCC 43300 - MRSA and ATCC 25923 - MSSA). A Multi-layer Perceptron (MLP) was tailored with the structural features of the Re-complexes to develop the prediction model. Although our approach is demonstrated with a specific example of rhenium carbonyl complexes, the predictive model can be readily adjusted to other candidate metal complexes. The work shows the application of the developed approach in the de novo design of a metal-based antibiotic with targeted activity against a challenging pathogen.
Identification of hub fatty acid metabolism-related genes and immune infiltration in IgA nephropathy
Authors: Qian Xiaoqian , Bian Shuyang , Guo Qin , Zhu Dongdong , Bian Fan , Li Jingyang , Jiang Gengru
Published: October 2023

Aims: To identify the potential mechanism of fatty acid metabolism (FAM)-related genes in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and to explore its immune cell infiltration feature.
Methods: IgAN datasets and FAM-related genes were respectively downloaded from GEO and MSigDB database. Differential expression analysis and WGCNA were used to identify overlapping genes. GO and KEGG analysis were conducted to explore the differences between IgAN and control. Furthermore, we utilized LASSO logistic regression to select a FAM-related gene predictive model. ROC was utilized to assess the efficacy of prognostic model. Immune cells and immune-related functions were analysed using CIBERSORT tool. Finally, the screened key genes were confirmed in blood derived IgAN and control patient, as well as in human mesangial cells (HMCs) after Gd-IgA stimulation by Real-time PCR.
Results: A total of 12 hub genes associated with FAM were obtained in IgAN. A 4 gene predictive model was conducted via LASSO regression analysis and the AUC values showed that the model had a relatively good diagnostic performance. The immune infiltration results revealed that several immune cells are significantly associated with IgAN. Real-time PCR assay further confirmed that the expression of hub genes were significantly lower in IgAN patients and Gd-IgA treated HMCsthan those in control.
Conclusion:
This study utilized bioinformatics tools to unveiled immune cell infiltration that occurred in IgAN and investigate the potential genetic link between FAM and IgAN. It may predict the risk of IgAN and improve the diagnosis and prognosis of this condition.
The Use of End-Tidal CO2 and Integrated Pulmonary Index to Predict Postspinal Hypotension in Cesarean Section
Authors: ASLANLAR Emine , ALHARACH Camille. Kamel , ASLANLAR Durmuş ali , KARA İnci , ÖNAL Özkan
Published: October 2023

Purpose
Postspinal hypotension (PSH) is one of the most important complications in obstetric anesthesia, and early diagnosis and treatment reduces the risk of maternofetal complications.
Integrated pulmonary index (IPI) is an algorithm that uses real-time measurements of four parameters: end tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2), respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR) and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2).
In this study, the effect of EtCO2 and IPI in predicting PSH was investigated.
Methods
Patients scheduled for cesarean section under spinal anesthesia under elective conditions were included in the study.
A capnography device (Capnostream 35; Medtronic, Inc.) was used for IPI assessment. A decrease of 20% or more in the baseline blood pressure value or a decrease in systolic blood pressure below 100 mmHg after spinal anesthesia was considered postspinal hypotension. The correlation between developing hypotension and EtCO2 and IPI measurements was analyzed.
Results
PSH developed in 63.4% of the 82 patients included in the study. EtCO2 and IPI values decreased significantly compared to baseline values in patients who developed PSH. While IPI difference was not found to be an independent risk factor in predicting PSH, the amount of change in EtCO2 was found to be diagnostic (AUC: 0.90 (0.83-0.97; p<0.001).
According to the cut-off value of 2.5 for the amount of change in EtCO2, sensitivity was 80.8%, specificity 90.0%, positive predictive value 93.3% and negative predictive value 73.0%.
Conclusion
EtCO2 monitoring can be used as a reliable new technique for early diagnosis and treatment of postspinal hypotension in cesarean section.
ClinicalTrials Registration: NCT05237856
Lean subjects compared to obese with NAFLD have better beta cell function, similar insulin resistance and less fibrosis.
Authors: Das Kausik , Barik Anamitra , Mitra Souveek , Ghosh Ranajoy Ghosh , Rai Rajesh K , Hembram Jabaranjan , Dhali Gopal K , Mukherjee Partha S , Santra Amal , Chowdhury Abhijit
Published: October 2023

Background:
Heterogeneous information on Insulin resistance (IR), adiposity and histological severity in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) in lean individuals (NAFLD-L) continues to confound the clinical approach and therapy targets for NAFLD-L, despite its’ growing public health significance, unlike NAFLD in overweight/obese individuals (NAFLD-O).
Method:
NAFLD-L was evaluated against NAFLD-O in a community cohort (CC) and Tertiary cohort (TC), simultaneously. Leanness was defined as normal BMI with absence of abdominal obesity, using cut-offs for Asians. CC (n=6134), selected from a population project (https://www.shds.co.in/about-birpop/), underwent noninvasive evaluation (HOMA2-IR, Transient Elastography and Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry). TC (n=305), selected from two tertiary institutes belonging to the referral hierarchy for the said community, underwent additional evaluation for IR/beta-cell function (BCF) by ‘Frequently Sampled Intravenous Glucose Tolerance Test (FSIVGTT) and histology.
Results:
NAFLD-L had more android fat than gynoid compared to NAFLD-O [Android to Gynoid Fat mass ratio: median(IQR); 1.38(1.33, 1.39) vs 1.22(1.12, 1.40) in NAFLD-L and NAFLD-O of CC, respectively, p=0.032]. NAFLD-L and NAFLD-O had comparable IR [Median(IQR); 2.47(1.19, 14.80) vs 2.18(1.29, 3.29) mM.mu/l*2 in NAFLD-L and NAFLD-O, respectively, p=0.76] and Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) prevalence. BCF was better in NAFLD-L [Median(IQR); 90.46(59.90, 272) vs 86.63(53.22, 138.15) mu/mM in NAFLD-L and NAFLD-O, respectively, p=0.034]. Cirrhosis was detected only in NAFLD-O.
Conclusion:
NAFLD-L has IR and NASH prevalence similar to NAFLD-O underscoring uniform pathophysiology and IR as potentially common therapeutic target. Metabolic advantage of having lower prevalence of MS and better BCF is negated by preferential accumulation of more insulin resistant android fat in NAFLD-L.
Middle-age abolishes cardioprotection conferred by thioredoxin-1 in mice
Authors: Perez Virginia , Zaobornyj Tamara , Vico Tamara , Vanasco Virginia , Marchini Timoteo , Eugenia Godoy Olazar , Alvarez Silvia , Evelson Pablo , Donato Martin , Gelpi Ricardo J , D'Annunzio Veronica
Published: October 2023

Thioredoxin-1 (Trx1) has cardioprotective effects on ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, although its role in ischemic postconditioning (PostC) in middle-aged mice is not understood. This study aimed to evaluate if combining two cardioprotective strategies, such as Trx1 overexpression and PostC, could exert a synergistic effect in reducing infarct size in middle-aged mice. Young or middle-aged wild-type mice (Wt), transgenic mice overexpressing Trx1, and dominant negative (DN-Trx1) mutant of Trx1 mice were used. Mice hearts were subjected to I/R or PostC protocol. Infarct size, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production, protein nitration, Trx1 activity, mitochondrial function, and Trx1, pAkt and pGSK3β expression were measured. PostC could not reduce infarct size even in the presence of Trx1 overexpression in middle-aged mice. This finding was accompanied by a lack of Akt and GSK3β phosphorylation, and Trx1 expression (in Wt group). Trx1 activity was diminished and H2O2 production and protein nitration were increased in middle age. The respiratory control rate dropped after I/R in Wt-Young and PostC restored this value, but not in middle-aged groups. Our results showed that Trx1 plays a key role in the PostC protection mechanism in young but not middle-aged mice, even in the presence of Trx1 overexpression.
The therapeutic effects of anti-target and target injections on osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture
Authors: Xu Chaojian , Chen Yun , Feng Yi , Zhao Bin , Liu Yixin , Hou Fushan
Published: October 2023

Objective
To assess the clinical efficacy of anti-target and target injections on osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF).
Method
A total of 104 OVCF cases, treated via target or anti-target injections, between Jun 2015 and Mar 2022, in the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University (the same team), were retrospectively analyzed. The gender, age, bone density, operation time, and percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP )injection volume of all cases were carefully recorded, and the percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) permeability was compared. Next, we investigated the VAS scores before the operation, as well as 24 h, 3 months, and at the last follow-up after the operation, and compared the vertebral compression relief (anterior vertebral compression relief, central vertebral compression relief, and kyphosis correction degree), based on the acquired X-ray data.
Results
In the anti-target injection group, the average age was 68.77 ± 5.96 years old, the PVP injection volume was 4.646 ± 0.404 mL, and the operation time was 40.55 ± 5.615 min. We observed no significant difference in the VAS score between the target and anti-target injection groups at 24 h, 3 months, and at the last follow-up after the operation. However, the kyphosis correction degree, as well as the anterior and central vertebral compressions relief of the anti-target and target injection groups exhibited statistically significant differences. In particular, the injected PVP permeability was significantly lower in the anti-target injection group (1.8%), compared to the target injection group (22%) (P = 0.001).
Conclusions
Both anti-target and target injection groups demonstrated consistent OVCF clinical efficacy. However, the anti-target injection group had drastically reduced PVP permeability and enhanced safety.
The intervention of OPG/RANKL/RANK signaling pathway by QGYKL mediated complement C3 and succinylation process on osteoporosis
Authors: Tong Minghao , Meng Shilong , Yu Yang , Yinkai Zhang , Shi Xiaolin , Liu； Kang
Published: October 2023

Introduction:
Qiangguyin Keli(QGYKL)is a traditional Chinese medicine formula used in the clinical treatment of osteoporosis for over 20 years. The specific protective mechanism of QGYKL against osteoporosis is still unclear. Previous studies have found that silencing complement C3 can improve osteoporosis.
Objective
This study aims to investigate the effect of QGYKL on complement C3-related osteoporosis and explore its potential mechanisms.
Results
Researchers performed bilateral oophorectomy or sham surgery on female mice as a control, and then orally administered QGYKL (20 ml/kg/day) for 8 consecutive weeks, And found that oral administration of QGYKL can reduce complement C3, affect the succinylation key protein SIRT5, and improve osteoporosis; In cell experiments, researchers found that C3 levels increase when osteoclasts or osteoblasts differentiate. Among them, the C3 content changes more significantly during the differentiation process of osteoclasts. Inhibiting the expression of the C3 gene can upregulate the expression of OPG in BM-MSC cells, promote the expression of succinylation key protein SIRT5, and reduce the expression of RANKL.
Conclusion
These results indicate that QGYKL may improve osteoporosis by affecting the content of complement C3 and the succinylation process of complement C3, and subsequently intervening in the expression of OPG and RANKL.
Customizing ICU Patient Monitoring: A User-Centered Approach Informed by Nurse Profiles
Authors: Bostan Idil , Egmond René van , Gommers Diederik , Özcan Elif
Published: October 2023

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses are burdened by excessive number of false and irrelevant alarms generated by patient monitoring systems. Nurses rely on patient monitoring systems for timely and relevant information about patients. However, systems currently in place are not sensitive to nurse capabilities and fail to communicate information efficiently. Ensuring efficient communication and effective collaboration between patient monitoring systems and ICU nurses is possible through improving system design to be sensitive to nurse capabilities and preferences. Recognizing nurses as users of patient monitoring systems, we aim to gain in-depth understanding of the user group. We conducted a survey study involving nurses from two IC units to reveal their individual characteristics. Subsequently, we performed hierarchical cluster analysis to develop data-driven nurse profiles. We discuss the implications of nurse characteristics on system use. We suggest design recommendations tailored to four distinct user profiles to address their unique needs through system design. By optimizing the system interactions to match the natural tendencies of nurses, our we aim to alleviate the cognitive burden induced by system use to ensure that healthcare providers receive relevant information, ultimately improving patient safety.
Ambient mass spectrometry imaging of banana (Musa spp.) tissue with infrared laser-based selected reaction monitoring
Authors: Nizioł Joanna , Misiorek Maria , Krupa Zuzanna , Ruman Tomasz
Published: October 2023

In this study, for the first time we present the application of an infrared (IR) laser ablation-remote-electrospray ionization (LARESI) platform coupled to a tandem mass spectrometer (MS/MS) operated in selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode for targeted metabolite imaging in intact plant tissues. We examined the distribution of specific metabolites in two banana varieties: Red Dacca and Cavendish. To support MSI results, an extensive analysis of banana tissue extracts was conducted using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography and ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-UHRMS). In the Cavendish banana, 12 metabolites were successfully identified, while Red Dacca Bananas were found to contain 16 amino acids. The spatial distribution of some of these compounds found in bananas was presented for the first time. This approach eliminates the need for high vacuum conditions and the pretreatment of biological materials, making it an efficient and promising tool for studying metabolites in plant tissues.
Collisional broadening of absorption line of carbon dioxide using nitrogen as a buffer gas at a specific wavelength
Authors: Essa Monjed , ALJALALI SINAN
Published: October 2023

This study is an exploratory study to assess the possibility to further development of the global HITRAN database, in near future, through examines the collisional broadening of absorption Linewidth of carbon dioxide by nitrogen as a buffer gas (regardless line shifts) as well as to estimate experimentally the coefficient of that broadening at infrared region around a wavelength of 1639.78 nm, employing both Direct Laser Absorption (DLAS), and long optical path spectroscopies with an experimental setup consisting of a tunable diode laser, Herriott multipass cell with an optical path of 30 m, and compatible photodetectors. The obtained results were within the expected range, which confirms the accuracy of our measurements.
Incorporation of Nanofillers in Gel Polymer Electrolyte Systems Based on PMMA/PLA Doped with LiBOB: Correlation of Structural and Ionic Conduction Properties
Authors: Khan N. M. , Kufian M. Z. , Samsudin A.S.
Published: October 2023

In this study, 2 wt.% to 12 wt.% of silica nanofiller (SiO2) compositions were incorporated into PMMA/PLA-20%LiBOB gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) systems and were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and transference number measurement (TNM). FTIR analysis showed slight changes in wavenumber shifting and intensity at the highlighted peaks, indicating molecular interactions have occurred in the present GPE. From the TGA analysis, the sample with 6 wt.% of SiO2 exhibited the least mass loss, confirming that it is the most thermally stable sample in this current study. The increasing ionic conductivity in samples up to 6 wt.% (2.19 × 10− 3 S cm− 1) after SiO2 was added might be due to the properties of SiO2 that act as a bridge to promote more ions complexation towards the polar polymeric chains. Through this study, it can be deduced that the sample with 6 wt.% of SiO2 has the most optimum behavior and it was chosen for TNM testing. Based on the TNM analysis, a high lithium-ion transference number (tLi+=0.79) was observed, indicating that this composition is practical for application in lithium-ion batteries.
The prognostic and immune significance of KIF3C in pan-cancer and its relationship with malignant progression of gastric cancer
Authors: Zhong Qiangqiang , Zhu Mengpei , Huang Yumei , Wang Ziwen , Xiong Zhifan , Xiong Lina
Published: October 2023

Background
Kinesin Family Member 3C (KIF3C) assumes a crucial role in various biological processes and has been engaged in the initiation and deveopment of specific human cancers. Nevertheless, there exists a paucity of systematic assessments pertaining to the contribution of KIF3C in human malignancies. Furthermore, the significance of KIF3C in the context of diagnosing and prognosticating gastric cancer (GC) has yet to be thoroughly investigated. As a result, this study endeavors to undertake a comprehensive analysis of KIF3C and assess its potential diagnostic and prognostic value in GC.
Methods
We conducted an extensive analysis of Kinesin Family Member 3C (KIF3C), covering its expression profile, prognostic relevance, molecular function, tumor immunity, and drug sensitivity. Functional enrichment analysis was also carried out for gastric cancer using publicly accessible databases. In addition, we conducted in vitro experiments to substantiate the role of KIF3C in gastric cancer (GC).
Results
KIF3C expression demonstrated consistent elevation in various tumors in comparison to their corresponding normal tissues. Our study further unveiled that heightened KIF3C expression served as a prognostic indicator, and its elevated levels correlated with unfavorable clinical outcomes, encompassing reduced OS, DSS, and PFS in several cancer types. Notably, KIF3C expression exhibited positive associations with the pathological stages of BLCA, BRCA, COAD, COADREAD, KIRP, LIHC, LUNG, and THCA. Furthermore, KIF3C expression displayed distinct associations with 60 immune checkpoints, immunoregulators, TMB, and MSI. Moreover, KIF3C demonstrated varying relationships with the infiltration of various distinct immune cell types in gastric cancer. Functional analysis outcomes indicated that KIF3C played a role in the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. Our analysis of drug sensitivity unveiled a positive relationship between KIF3C in gastric cancer and the IC50 values of the majority of identified anti-cancer drugs. Additionally, our cellular experiments demonstrated that KIF3C knockdown reduced the proliferation, migration, and invasion capabilities, increased apoptosis, and led to alterations in the cell cycle of gastric cancer cells.
Conclusion
Our research has revealed the significant and functional role of KIF3C as an tumorigenic gene in diverse cancer types. Additionally, we observed elevated KIF3C level in gastric cancer cells, and this upregulation was notably linked to an unfavorable prognosis among gastric cancer patients. These findings indicate that KIF3C may serve as a promising target for the treatment of gastric cancer.
Association between gut microbiota and osteoporosis from 2012 to 2023: Bibliometric analysis and global trends
Authors: Hou Wenyuan , Xiao Fangjun , Tian Jiaqing , He Xianshun , lu Shun , Lin Kun , Wei Tengfei , He Mincong , Wei Qiushi
Published: October 2023

Background
Osteoporosis (OP) is a chronic systemic metabolic bone disease. As the population ages, the prevalence of OP is gradually increasing, making it one of the significant public health problems worldwide. The gut microbiota (GM) is a complex microbial ecosystem that can affect bone metabolism through multiple pathways. Therefore, understanding the potential pathogenesis of the GM is crucial for preventing and treating OP.
Methods
We conducted a literature search encompassing English-language studies on the relationship between GM and OP published from 2012 to 2023 in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. We employed bibliometric analysis tools, including VOSviewer, CiteSpace, Scimago Graphica, and R Studio, to analyze global trends and research hotspots.
Results
We analyzed 647 eligible publications, comprising 426 articles and 221 reviews. Over the past 11 years, there has been a consistent exponential growth in the number of articles addressing GM and OP. The top three contributing countries (China, USA, and Japan) collectively accounted for 75.53% of all published articles. Chinese scholars have demonstrated remarkable academic productivity in this field, while American scholars have exhibited substantial academic impact. Furthermore, the University of Gothenburg emerged as the institution with the most significant number of papers related to the GM and OP relationship (n = 16), and the University of Pennsylvania boasted the highest average citation rate (value = 64.56). Among authors, Narayanan Parameswaran and Laura R. McCabe from the USA stood out for having the highest number of publications and the highest average citation value, respectively. Future research directions can be classified into five primary categories: "GM and OP," "immune regulation," "endocrine signaling factors," "GM metabolites," "brain-gut-bone," and "intestinal mucosal barrier."
Conclusion
Recent years have witnessed substantial progress in research on the role of the GM in OP. A comprehensive review of the published literature underscores the pivotal role of the GM in the pathogenesis and treatment of OP.
WITHDRAWN: The protective action of antioxidant and nitrogen fixation systems in soybean–Bradyrhizobium symbiosis under varying water conditions
Authors: Nyzhnyk Tetiana , Kiedrzyński Marcin , Kiedrzyńska Edyta , Kots Sergii , Zalewski Maciej
Published: October 2023

Background and Aims
Legumes can be supplied with environmental nitrogen and protected against climate change by the formation of effective symbiotic relationships with nodule bacteria. To create effective stress-resistant symbiotic systems with optimal nitrogen fixation potential and high tolerance to water stress, it is important to understand the roles of key pro-oxidant and antioxidant systems in the response to different water supplies.
Methods
Various symbiotic systems of soybean with Bradyrhizobium strains, differing in activity and virulence, were subjected to microbiological, biochemical and physiological testing.
Results
While antioxidant enzyme activity generally increased with length of water stress, it varied according to the enzyme complex and symbiotic system. Soybeans inoculated with effective rhizobia strains demonstrated effective regeneration after stress, with enzyme levels quickly recovering to control levels. All systems exhibited lipid peroxidation activation as a universal reaction to water deficit; however, the intensity varied with the level of antioxidant protection in the symbiosis. The less-effective and non-effective systems had less antioxidant protection, and thus high hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation levels. The effective symbiotic systems exhibited minimal differences in nodulation between control and stressed plants, and efficient nitrogen fixation after re-watering.
Conclusions
The soybean-rhizobial systems that effectively used key antioxidant enzymes to regulate oxidative processes were able to more effectively maintain their optimal prooxidant-antioxidant balance and better tolerate poor water supply. However, the coordinated participation of both the macrosymbiont and microsymbiont was needed to maximize nitrogen fixation and support their protective mechanisms in conditions of water stress.
Effects of Soil Solarization and Grafting on Tomato Yield and Southern Root-knot Nematode Population Densities
Authors: Rudolph Rachel E. , Bajek Victoria , Munir Misbakhul
Published: October 2023

High tunnel production has increased in the past 10 years in Kentucky with more than 1500 high tunnels constructed across the state. Tomato is the most popular and most valuable high tunnel crop per square foot. This has contributed to a lack of rotation and increased pressure from root-knot nematodes (RKN; Meloidogyne spp.). Infection by RKN leads to root galling and reduces the host plant’s ability to take up water and nutrients. Sustainable strategies are needed to manage increasing RKN populations for long-term health of high tunnel soils. Soil solarization is a nonchemical management strategy that has shown promise in other regions and in open field systems. Because tunnels are primarily used to produce high-value crops and are often used for season extension, solarizing during the off-season would be the most beneficial for growers because solarizing would require taking the tunnel out of production. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether springtime soil solarization in Kentucky high tunnels followed by use of resistant tomato cultivars is a viable and effective management strategy for RKN populations. Soil solarization was performed in two commercial high tunnels naturally infested with southern RKN (Meloidogyne incognita) for 2, 4, and 6 weeks and compared with a nonsolarized control. Soil temperatures reached during solarization were assessed at 7.6-, 15.2-, and 22.8-cm soil depth. After solarization, tomato was transplanted, including ‘Cherokee Carbon’ grafted onto RKN-resistant rootstocks ‘Fortamino’ and ‘Estamino’, RKN-resistant nongrafted ‘Caimon’, and susceptible ‘Cherokee Carbon’ as the control. The highest soil temperature achieved was 50 °C during 6 weeks of solarization at 7.6-cm soil depth compared with 38 °C reached in nonsolarized soil. Soil population densities of RKN increased each month after solarization and were generally lower after solarization with resistant tomato cultivars. The interaction of soil solarization and tomato cultivars was significant with respect to RKN densities in soil and roots. The mean RKN soil and root population densities in the nonsolarized, nonresistant treatment combination was significantly greater compared with all other treatments (P < 0.0001). Population densities of RKN were significantly higher in the nonsolarized control compared with solarized treatments (P = 0.0002). Nongrafted ‘Cherokee Carbon’ had significantly more RKN in surrounding soil compared with all other tomato treatments. Tomato yield was unaffected by soil solarization, but there were significant differences based on tomato cultivars alone; nongrafted ‘Cherokee Carbon’ yielded less than the resistant ‘Caimon’. Together, solarization and resistant cultivars reduced RKN population densities in soil and roots, which can provide growers with a nonchemical approach for long-term RKN management and high tunnel resiliency.
Real-Time Monitoring of Nitrogen Oxides Emission Factors Using Sensors in the Exhaust Pipes of Heavy Vehicles in the Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Silva Luis , De La Cruz Alex , Nunes André , Gioda Adriana
Published: October 2023

The Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro is one of the most populous in Brazil, besides being one of the most important routes for marketing goods through heavy vehicles. This type of vehicle is the main source of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emission into the atmosphere. To assess NOx emission factors, this pilot study used sensors to monitor in real-time the exhaust of 9 trucks from July to September 2022. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study carried out in the city using low-cost sensors. Although there is legislation to reduce the emission of pollutants from the vehicle fleet, the results showed that 7 out of 9 trucks, exceeded the stipulated limits, reaching 6 g kWh-1. Furthermore, carrying out the maintenance of the engine of one of the vehicles decreased 60% of the NOx emission, even being an old vehicle. Thus, with this data, it was verified that the sensor performed excellently in monitoring NOx, demonstrating robust performance. This pilot study is part of a project that aims to make a long-term study of NOx emissions factors from heavy-duty diesel vehicles using sensors and other parameters.
Monthly precipitation prediction based on the EMD–VMD–LSTM coupled model
Authors: Guo Shaolei , Sun Shifeng , Zhang Xianqi , Chen Haiyang , Li Haiyang
Published: October 2023

Precipitation prediction is one of the important issues in meteorology and hydrology, and it is of great significance for water resources management, flood control, and disaster reduction. In this paper, a precipitation prediction model based on the empirical mode decomposition–variational mode decomposition–long short-term memory (EMD–VMD–LSTM) is proposed. This model is coupled with EMD, VMD, and LSTM to improve the accuracy and reliability of precipitation prediction by using the characteristics of EMD for noise removal, VMD for trend extraction, and LSTM for long-term memory. The monthly precipitation data from 2000 to 2019 in Luoyang City, Henan Province, China, are selected as the research object. This model is compared with the standalone LSTM model, EMD–LSTM coupled model, and VMD–LSTM coupled model. The research results show that the maximum relative error and minimum relative error of the precipitation prediction using the EMD–VMD–LSTM neural network coupled model are 9.64 and −7.52%, respectively, with a 100% prediction accuracy. This coupled model has better accuracy than the other three models in predicting precipitation in Luoyang City. In summary, the proposed EMD–VMD–LSTM precipitation prediction model combines the advantages of multiple methods and provides an effective way to predict precipitation.
Caminos de la mar: tensiones por la apropiación del maritorio en Taganga, un pueblo indígena del Caribe colombiano
Authors: Prado Anghie , Cantillo Matos Ayrton David
Published: October 2023

El presente artículo corresponde a un reporte de caso realizado en el territorio ancestral de Taganga, Santa Marta, entre el periodo 2020 a 2023. En el texto se evidencia la relación de los taganga, un pueblo de indígenas pescadores que habita en el norte del Caribe colombiano, con la mar. Es decir, se muestra la mar y la vida que se hace junto al agua como parte del ethos taganguero. Así mismo, se retoma la categoría local de los caminos de la mar para describir la conceptualización que los taganga hacen de la fuente hídrica y el proceso de resistencia y lucha por la defensa y el acceso al litoral costero. El texto está escrito a través de ventanas o imágenes etnográficas que se entrelazan con un registro visual. La metodología aplicada para el presente reporte corresponde a un trabajo colaborativo y un acompañamiento en diferentes escenarios, tanto íntimos y públicos con los taganga.
Common Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Alzheimer’s Disease, Mild
Cognitive Impairment, and Subjective Memory Complaints: A Unified
Framework
Authors: Warren Samuel L. , Hamza Eid Abo , Tindle Richard , Reid Edwina , Whitfield Paige , Doumit Adam , Moustafa Ahmed A.
Published: October 2023

The Alzheimer’s disease (AD) continuum is a unique spectrum of cognitive impairment that typically involves the stages of subjective memory complaints (SMC), mild cognitive
impairment (MCI), and AD dementia. Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), such as apathy, anxiety, stress, and depression, are highly common throughout the AD continuum. However, there is a
dearth of research on how these NPS vary across the AD continuum, especially SMC. There is also disagreement on the effects of specific NPS on each stage of the AD continuum due to their collinearity with other NPS, cognitive decline, and environmental factors (e.g., stress). In this article,
we conduct a novel perspective review of the scientific literature to understand the presence of
NPS across the AD continuum. Specifically, we review the effects of apathy, depression, anxiety,
and stress in AD, MCI, and SMC. We then build on this knowledge by proposing two theories of
NPS’ occurrence across the AD continuum. Consequently, we highlight the current landscape, limitations (e.g., differing operationalization), and contentions surrounding the NPS literature. We also outline theories that could clear up contention and inspire future NPS research
Potential Neuroprotective Strategies using Smart Drug Delivery Systems
for Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Khan Javed , Yadav Shikha , Alam Md. Aftab
Published: October 2023

Background:

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurological disorder, affecting more than 50 million individuals worldwide and causing gradual but progressive cognitive
decline. The rising cost of medical treatment is mostly attributable to AD. There are now mainly a
few slightly symptomatic therapeutic options accessible. Although this is not the primary reason,
the failure to develop effective treatments for AD is often attributed to the disease's complicated
pathophysiology and the wide range of underlying ideas.

Objective:

Studies undertaken over the past decade have aimed to find novel methods of overcoming these barriers and effectively delivering drugs to the central nervous system. As a result, nanotechnology provides a promising alternative to the standard means of administering anti-amyloidosis drugs, enhancing expectations for a successful treatment of Alzheimer's disease. These therapeutic implications of using nanoparticle-based approaches for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease are discussed in this paper.

Methodology:

Published articles from PubMed, SciFinder, Google Scholar, ClinicalTrials.org,
and the Alzheimer Association reports were carefully examined to compile information on the
various strategies for combating AD. That has been studied to summarize the recent advancements and clinical studies for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Statistics is the study and
manipulation of data, including ways to gather, review, analyze, and draw conclusions from data.

Conclusion:

The biology of the BBB and its processes of penetration must be carefully taken into
account while creating DDSs. If we have a better grasp of the disease's mechanism, we might be
able to overcome the shortcomings of current treatments for AD. Different DDSs show interesting
properties for delivering medication tailored to the brain. This review paper examines the recent
applications of DDSs in diverse domains. By selecting the best targeting vectors and optimizing
the combination of carriers, multifunctionalized DDS may be produced, and these DDS have a significant impact on AD therapy potential. To develop DDSs with the best therapeutic efficacy and
manageable side effects, experts from a variety of fields may need to contribute their efforts. Currently, the therapeutic use of nanotechnology-based DDSs appears to be a promising prospect for
AD therapy, and as the pathophysiology of AD is better understood, this strategy will develop
over time.
Food Waste Valorization for Bioplastic Production
Authors: Umesh Mridul , Sarojini Suma , Dutta Choudhury Debasree , Sankar Santhosh Adhithya , Kariyadan Sapthami
Published: October 2023

The alarming concern over the environment created due to the uncontrolled
use of based petrochemical-based synthetic plastic created a research thrust on
bioplastics. Bioplastics, in general, refers to the polymers derived from plants, animals,
and microorganisms that have close material properties to their synthetic counterparts.
Despite having good biodegradability, their commercialization still faces hurdles
majorly contributed by the high production cost involved. An integrated strategy of
waste valorization with bioplastic production was a sustainable approach toward their
cost-effective production and commercialization. Food waste represents a continuous
and rapidly available substrate containing high-value nutrients that can be exploited for
the production of bioplastics through microbial fermentation and chemical treatment
methods. This chapter describes the biotechnological strategies for valorizing food
waste into commercially important biopolymeric components like chitosan,
polyhydroxyalkanoates, HAp, and cellulose-based polymers. It presents a
comprehensive outlook on their chemical nature, production strategy, and application
in various fields.
Exact solutions of classes of second order nonlinear partial differential equations reducible to first order
Authors: Mhadhbi Noureddine , Gana Sameh , Alharbi Hamad Khalid
Published: October 2023

This paper illustrates the successful implementation of the method of variation of parameters in combination with the method of characteristics and other techniques to obtain exact solutions for a wide range of partial differential equations. The proposed approach reduces partial differential equations (PDEs) to first-order differential equations, referred to as classical equations, including Bernoulli, Ricatti, and Abel equations. In addition, the techniques proposed have the ability to produce precise solutions for nonlinear second order PDEs. For each PDE class, the method's effectiveness is demonstrated through illustrative examples.
The Impact of Climate Change on Older Adults’ Mental Health: A Primer for Clinicians
Authors: Seritan Andreea
Published: October 2023

Climate change is a major public health emergency. Natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, landslides, wildfires, and volcanic eruptions) have been increasing in frequency and severity and can cause lasting psychological sequelae. Older adults are highly vulnerable to the physical and mental health impacts of extreme weather and natural disasters. A narrative review was conducted to identify and summarize English-language articles focusing on the impact of climate change on older adults’ mental health. Sixty sources were identified. This review summarizes age-specific risk factors, clinical presentations (including anxiety, depressive, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and sleep disturbances), and management of psychiatric symptoms linked to climate change in the geriatric population. Older adults are highly vulnerable and can experience multiple mental health symptoms as a result of climate change. Clinicians should be aware and educated regarding the mental health impacts of climate change on older adults, so they can best support their patients.
The Exploration of the Experience of Expressive Therapies in a Pediatric Medical Setting in the COVID-19 Pandemic through Arts-Based Research
Authors: Lahue Katie , Rivera Eliana , Schmidt Sara
Published: October 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic presented a host of issues for hospitalized patients including increased anxiety, fear, isolation, and depression [1]. Expressive Therapies have been used in the pediatric medical setting for decades to support patients and families with coping, expression, processing, and rehabilitation [2-5]. Additionally, some studies suggest that Expressive Therapies were effective in helping ease the increase in mental health symptoms that occurred during the pandemic. During the pandemic the expressive therapies team at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah had to drastically shift their care to meet the increased safety requirements needed to prevent infection. This brought significant barriers and opportunities for learning [6]. There is a lack of research to understand the experience of expressive therapists during the pandemic. The authors aimed to understand this experience through an arts-based research lens using art to reflect on a patient relationship during the COVID-19 pandemic [7]. The authors then engaged in a witnessing process that was recorded and transcribed by the authors to search for themes [8-10] that described the authors’ experience of being an expressive therapist during that time. The six themes derived from the transcriptions were Extremes, Space, Back and Forth, Together, Exploration, and Unknown.
The Easy and Versatile Neural Recording Platform (T-REX): Design and Development Study (Preprint)
Authors: Amigó-Vega Joaquín , Ottenhoff Maarten C , Verwoert Maxime , Kubben Pieter , Herff Christian
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND

Recording time in invasive neuroscientific research is limited and must be used as efficiently as possible. Time is often lost due to a long setup time and errors by the researcher, driven by the number of manually performed steps. Currently, recording solutions that automate experimental overhead are either custom-made by researchers or provided as a submodule in comprehensive neuroscientific toolboxes, and there are no platforms focused explicitly on recording.

OBJECTIVE

Minimizing the number of manual actions may reduce error rates and experimental overhead. However, automation should avoid reducing the flexibility of the system. Therefore, we developed a software package named T-REX (Standalone Recorder of Experiments) that specifically simplifies the recording of experiments while focusing on retaining flexibility.

METHODS

The proposed solution is a standalone webpage that the researcher can provide without an active internet connection. It is built using Bootstrap5 for the frontend and the Python package Flask for the backend. Only Python 3.7+ and a few dependencies are required to start the different experiments. Data synchronization is implemented using Lab Streaming Layer, an open-source networked synchronization ecosystem, enabling all major programming languages and toolboxes to be used for developing and executing the experiments. Additionally, T-REX runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS.

RESULTS

The system reduces experimental overhead during recordings to a minimum. Multiple experiments are centralized in a simple local web interface that reduces an experiment’s setup, start, and stop to a single button press. In principle, any type of experiment, regardless of the scientific field (eg, behavioral or cognitive sciences, and electrophysiology), can be executed with the platform. T-REX includes an easy-to-use interface that can be adjusted to specific recording modalities, amplifiers, and participants. Because of the automated setup, easy recording, and easy-to-use interface, participants may even start and stop experiments by themselves, thus potentially providing data without the researcher’s presence.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed a new recording platform that is operating system independent, user friendly, and robust. We provide researchers with a solution that can greatly increase the time spent on recording instead of setting up (with its possible errors).