bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Daily consumption of ultra-high hydrostatic pressurized brown rice improves cognitive, mental, and bone health in the elderly: A 12-month, single blind, parallel-group randomized trial
Authors: Matsuzaki Kentaro , Yano Shozo , Kuroda Yoko , Tanabe Yoko , Nakahata Hiroko , Matsuda Tatsushi , Kinoshita Hitoshi , Yoshino Katsumi , Shido Osamu , Kishi Hiroko , Hashimoto Michio
Published: June 2024

Purpose
Age-related cognitive and psychiatric impairments are related to bone fragility. We reported that ultra-high hydrostatic pressurized brown rice (UBR) consumption helps maintain cognitive function and bone mineral density (BMD), but their association remains unexplored. This study evaluated the effects of UBR consumption for 12 months on cognitive and mental function and their association with BMD in the elderly.
Methods
Fortyfour participants (65–85 years) were randomly assigned to either the white rice (WR) (n = 22) or UBR (n = 22) group, and received 200 g of WR or 100 g of UBR and 100 g of WR daily for 12 months, respectively. At baseline and 12-month, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Cognitive Assessment for Dementia, iPad version (CADi) measured cognitive function. Apathy and depression were assessed using the Starkstein apathy scale and Zung’s self-rated depression scale (SDS), respectively. Calcaneal BMD was measured using an ultrasound bone densitometer and converted to percentage of the Young-Adult Mean (%YAM).
Results
Twenty participants in each of the WR and UBR group completed the 12-month trial with high adherence. Twelve-month of UBR intake significantly improved MMSE, CADi, Starkstein apathy scores, and %YAM in the elderly compared to WR intake. In addition, CADi, apathy, and SDS scores were significantly correlated with bone health index %YAM. No adverse events were attributed to the intervention.
Conclusion
These results suggest that daily UBR consumption may improve age-related cognitive and mental impairments, and retained BMD; potentially combating dementia and osteoporosis in the elderly.
Clinical trials registration:
This study was retrospectively registered in Februaly 9th 2024, at UMIN Clinical Trials Registry as UMIN000053587.
Bacterial composition changes in canine plaque over periodontal disease severity and daily care practices
Authors: WATANABE Ayano , OKADA Junichi , NIWA Ryo , INUI Yukiko , ITO Kohei , SHIMOKAWA Yutaka , KIHIRA Miho
Published: June 2024

Background
Periodontal disease (PD) is a common oral disease in dogs and humans. Dogs have distinctly different oral environments from humans. Although common bacteria are observed in both species, profiling of the causative bacteria for the progression of PD in dogs is limited compared to humans. Our study examined the shifts in the bacterial community within canine plaque as PD intensifies, analyzing plaque samples from 48 dogs at various PD stages. Additionally, we examined the impact of a tooth-brushing regimen using a dental gel on twelve dogs.
Results
We revealed a correlation between the age of the dogs and the severity of PD. As PD advanced, we noted a marked increase in Porphyromonas abundance, a key pathogenic genus. Conversely, Conchiformibius prevalence diminished in higher PD levels. Furthermore, a regimen of two week brushing with a dental gel resulted in a notable decrease in Porphyromonas levels and five of the twelve dogs improve severity.
Conclusions
Our findings suggest the potential efficacy of daily brushing with dental gels, incorporating compounds proven effective in humans, for managing PD in dogs. This study demonstrate a distinct disease progression in dogs compared to humans, underscoring the need for continued research and innovation in veterinary oral healthcare.
USP19 potentiates autophagic cell death via inhibiting mTOR pathway through deubiquitinating NEK9 in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Lu Zipeng , Wang Guangfu , Dai Shangnan , Chen Jin , Zhang Kai , Huang Chenyu , Zhang Jinfan , Gao Yong , Yin Lingdi , Jiang Kuirong , Miao Yi
Published: June 2024

The ubiquitin-specific protease (USP) family is the largest and most diverse deubiquitinase (DUBs) family and plays a significant role in maintaining cell homeostasis. Dysregulation of USPs has been associated with carcinogenesis of various tumors. We identified that USP19 was downregulated in pancreatic tumor tissues and forced expression of USP19 diminished tumorigenicity of pancreatic cancer. Mechanistically, USP19 directly interacts with and stabilized NEK9 via inhibiting K48-specific poly-ubiquitination process on NEK9 protein at K525 site through its USP domain. Moreover, NEK9 phosphorylates the regulatory associated protein of mTOR (Raptor) at Ser792 and links USP19 to the inhibition of mTOR signaling pathway, which further leads to autophagic cell death of pancreatic cancer cells. Inhibition of autophagy by Atg5 knockdown or lysosome inhibitor bafilomycin A1 abolished the decreased malignant phenotype of USP19 and NEK9 overexpressed cancer cells. Importantly, USP19 expression exhibits a positive correlation with NEK9 expression in clinical samples, and low USP19 or NEK9 expression is associated with a worse prognosis. This study revealed that USP19-mediated NEK9 deubiquitylation is a regulatory mechanism for mTORC1 inhibition and provides a therapeutic target for diseases involving mTORC1 dysregulation.
Upper urinary tract obstruction from cystitis glandularis with intestinal metaplasia, on a background of radical prostatectomy and adjuvant radiation therapy: A case report
Authors: Shen Angela , Chow Ken , Gyomber Dennis
Published: June 2024

Background
Cystitis glandularis refers to a metaplastic change in the bladder urothelium. It is a common phenomenon, and the literature has yet to reach a consensus on whether this is a premalignant lesion. Cystitis glandularis with intestinal metaplasia, a rarer subtype, has been hypothesised to be a precursor to adenocarcinoma. The purpose of this report is to explore this connection and its potential relationship with prostate cancer and radiotherapy.
Case presentation
A 60-year-old male presented with biochemical recurrence following a radical prostatectomy and adjuvant external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). Investigations showed right sided hydroureteronephrosis and renal impairment. Imaging revealed right-sided posterolateral bladder wall thickening with involvement of the right vesicoureteric junction (VUJ). A bladder lesion was found via cystoscopy and the patient underwent a transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT). Histopathology revealed cystitis glandularis with intestinal metaplasia.
Discussion and Conclusions
Some studies have demonstrated an association between cystitis glandularis with intestinal metaplasia and adenocarcinoma, including genetic changes suggestive of oncogenic variants. While the history of prostatic adenocarcinoma with EBRT in this patient is a risk factor for developing bladder carcinoma, it has not been demonstrated that upper urinary tract obstruction has greater premalignant potential, and the absence of dysplastic features in this patient confers a lower risk. Although limited therapeutic advances have been made, the current treatment recommendations for cystitis glandularis with intestinal metaplasia include endoscopic resection and ongoing cystoscopic surveillance.
Effect of maturity stage on sorghum silage production: intake, digestibility, energy partition, and methane production in sheep
Authors: Moura Marielly Maria Almeida , Roseira João Paulo Santos , Alves Wagner Sousa , Neto Otaviano de Souza Pires , Mizobutsi Edson Hiydu , Pires Daniel Ananias de Assis , Costa Renê Ferreira , Carvalho Cinara da Cunha Siqueira , Sousa Irisléia Pereira Soares , Fernandes Martielle Batista , Almeida Luciele Barboza , Castro Sabrina Gonçalves Vieira , Jayme Diogo Gonzaga , Gonçalves Lúcio Carlos
Published: June 2024

The objective of the study was to evaluate the intake, digestibility, energy partition, and methane production of sheep fed with BRS 610 sorghum silage produced from plants harvested at different stages of maturity. Sorghum was harvested at the milk, soft mass, hard mass, and mature stages of development, corresponding to 100, 107, 114, and 121 days after planting, respectively. Twenty uncastrated adult rams were utilized, with five rams per treatment. There was a linear increase in voluntary intake expressed as a function of metabolic weight for dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC), and the NDF/CP ratio. The apparent digestibility of DM and OM increased linearly with increasing plant maturity at harvest. The energy content in sorghum silage exhibited a quadratic effect. No significant effect was observed on methane losses, caloric increment (CI), and enteric methane production. BRS 610 sorghum is recommended to be harvested for silage production when the plants reach the hard dough stage. This results in silage with higher energy values, improved voluntary intake, digestibility, and nitrogen use efficiency, without impacting methane production by animals.
Prenatal Genetic Detection and Clinical Characteristics of Fetuses with Mosaic Trisomy 2
Authors: Zhang Tong , Cong Xiaoyi , Cao Xianzhen , Liu Yanan , Hu Liang , Luo XiaoJin , Li Zhenming , Li Shuangwu , Liu Weiqiang , Wei Fengxiang
Published: June 2024

Objective: To evaluate the clinical characteristics, pregnancy outcomes, and sensitivity of different prenatal diagnosis methods in four prenatal cases of mosaic trisomy 2.
Methods: From November 2022 to March 2024, three fetuses and one aborted sample were detected with mosaic trisomy 2. Down syndrome serum screening, prenatal screening (NIPS), G-banding karyotype, and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) were performed for genetic screening and diagnosis.
Results: Case 1 was a miscarriage tissue sample, CMA results indicated that it was a mosaic triomy 2 with 16% of trisomy cells. In three prenatal cases, Down syndrome serum screening results showed that case 2 was at low risk, while cases 3 and 4 were at high risk for triomy 21 (T21) and T18. NIPS was performed for case 2 and case 3 and the results showed that case 2 was low risk while case 3 was T2 high risk with a Z value of 10.846. Karyotype of cultured amniotic fluid cells showed negative results for all three prenatal cases, while CMA showed that they all had mosaic triomy 2, with a mosaic ratio of 35% to 43%. After genetic counseling, case 2 and case 4 were terminated , while case 3 continued to term.
Conclusions: For prenatal chromosome 2 trisomy cases, there is a risk of underdiagnosis by karyotype alone, and the combined use of CMA will facilitate the detection of chromosome 2 trisomy.
Efficacy and Safety of Endoscopic Super-Hemorrhoidal Banding for Mixed Hemorrhoids with Prolapse
Authors: Huang Xiu-jiang , Xu Wen , Lin Hao , Jiang Ping , Yang Hong-jing , Chen Li-juan , Yang Kai-xi , Huang Yu-ji , Zhu Ying , Tang Shou-jiang
Published: June 2024

Objective
Traditional miligan-organ hemorrhoidectomy (MMH) has disadvantages for mixed hemorrhoids with prolapse. Strategies to further improve the therapeutic effect, reduce postoperative anal pain, and decrease the complication rate are urgently required. We investigated the efficacy and safety of endoscopic superhemorrhoidal banding (ESHB) for mixed hemorrhoids with prolapse.
Methods
The clinical data of 130 consecutive patients with mixed hemorrhoids and prolapse at the People's Hospital of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture from June 2021 to June 2023 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Sixty-five patients who underwent MMH and 65 who underwent ESHB were categorized into MMH and ESHB groups, respectively. The outcomes, length of the procedure, hospitalization time, postoperative pain (evaluated using the visual analog scale [VAS]), and incidence of urinary retention were compared.
Results
The efficacy was 100% in both groups, with no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). Operation length and hospitalization time were significantly shorter in the ESHB group than in the MMH group (P < 0.01). The VAS scores for postoperative pain and incidence of urinary pain were significantly lower in the ESHB group than in the MMH group (P < 0.01).
Conclusions
ESHB can effectively restore the weakened anal cushion and protect its structural and functional integrity, improve symptoms related to mixed hemorrhoids with prolapse, shorten operative time and hospital stay, and reduce the incidence of postoperative complications. It is a safe and simple minimally invasive endoscopic treatment with an efficacy similar to that of MMH.
Trial registration
: The clinical trial registration was completed (registration no.: NCT06250140; registration date: January 31, 2024).
Genome architecture evolution in an invasive copepod species complex
Authors: Du Zhenyong , Wirtz Johannes , Zhou Yifei , Jenstead Anna , Opgenorth Taylor , Puls Angelise , Meyer Cullan , Gelembiuk Gregory , Lee Carol
Published: June 2024

Chromosomal fusions are hypothesized to facilitate evolutionary adaptation, but empirical evidence has been scarce. Here, we analyze chromosome-level genome sequences of three clades within the copepod Eurytemora affinis species complex, known for its remarkable ability to rapidly colonize novel habitats. Among three genetically distinct clades, we discover remarkable patterns of chromosomal evolution, with independent fusions in two different clades. Genomes of this species complex show expansions of ion transport-related gene families, likely related to adaptation to varied salinity habitats. Notably, for the highly invasive Atlantic clade (E. carolleeae), chromosomal fusion sites, especially the centromeres, are significantly enriched with signatures of selection between saline and freshwater populations. These chromosomal fusions join functionally related ion transporter genes, forming “supergenes” at the centromeres, where recombination is low. This study uncovers novel patterns of genome architecture evolution with potentially important implications for mechanisms of adaptive evolution in response to radical environmental change.
Avian malaria in a feral-pet pigeon: a case report
Authors: Muchaamba Gillian , Venugopal Kannan , Gaechter Bettina , Vogler Barbara , Hetzel Udo , Albini Sarah , Marti Matthias
Published: June 2024

Background
Avian malaria is caused by diverse parasite species of the genus Plasmodium, and it affects various bird species. The occurrence of this disease in wild birds is understudied due to the scarce availability of samples. Hence the pathogenicity in these hosts is not completely known. In addition, feral birds may act as reservoirs bridging the transmission cycle from wild migratory birds to domestic and zoo-kept bird species. We report here the occurrence of P. relictum in a feral pigeon.
Case presentation:
The bird died unexpectedly, and necropsy revealed an anaemic carcass, with pale organs and hydropericardium. Histopathologic analysis revealed inflammatory infiltrates in lung and liver, and monocytes and Kupffer cells contained hemozoin pigment indicative of phagocytosis of Plasmodium infected erythrocytes. A high erythrocytic infection rate of 18% was evident in tissues and blood vessels in various organs. Furthermore, the thyroid had masses classified as thyroid carcinomas. Immunohistochemistry with anti-P. falciparum HSP70 antibody revealed positive signals in erythrocytes and intravascular leucocytes. Further analysis using Giemsa-stained blood smears revealed a high parasitaemia with an asynchronous infection showing all erythrocytic stages. Molecular diagnosis by PCR identified P. relictum, lineage GRW11 as the etiological agent. The bird presented died most likely due to an acute infection as evidenced by the high blood parasitaemia, leading to major erythrocyte destruction. Further analyses of feral pigeons (n = 22) did not reveal any additional cases with Plasmodium infections.
Conclusion
While our study suggests that Plasmodium infections are rare in pigeons, host conditions like immunosuppression may have influenced the infection outcome in this fatal case due to the tumour.
A Multi-Scale Coupled Relationship Activation-Based Few-Shot Detection Method for Endangered Wildlife
Authors: Feng Wen , Cao Congjun , Shao Yunlong , Wang Xusheng , Xiong Wu
Published: June 2024

In the domain of monitoring and conservation of rare and endangered wildlife, traditional object detection methods fail to operate effectively due to overfitting caused by limited image data. To address this issue, this paper proposes a small-sample object detection method that utilizes limited support information to achieve accurate detection of endangered wildlife images. Firstly, we introduce the Feature Pyramid Network (FPN) to adapt to foreground targets at various scales. Secondly, we propose a Coupled Relationship Activation (CRA) module that aggregates features from the support set into a comprehensive feature vector and utilizes it to activate similar regions in the query feature. Furthermore, to balance the differences between support and query features, we incorporate cosine similarity and short-circuit structures before and after the activation process, thereby mitigating the impact of activating dissimilar features erroneously. During the above process, we construct a balanced dataset, CRBAD, which comprises images of both endangered and common animal categories, and employ it to conduct practical testing of the proposed method. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model achieves state-of-the-art performance in detecting endangered wildlife images.
How does physical activity affect multimorbidity in China middle-aged and older adults? A propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Fan Bingbing , Ren Kexin , Li Lang
Published: June 2024

In the context of an aging population, older adults increasingly face the challenge of managing multiple chronic conditions simultaneously. This study utilized analytical methods such as propensity score matching (PSM) and multivariate logistic regression, to explore the relationship between physical activity and the number of chronic diseases as well as the risk of developing co-morbidities among middle-aged and elderly Chinese individuals using data from the 2020 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey. The PSM results showed that physical activity decreased the number of chronic diseases in middle-aged and elderly people by 0.050 (p<0.05). The multivariate logistic regression results the odds ratio (OR) for the risk of multimorbidity in the moderate and high intensity physical activity groups compared to the group with inadequate physical activity were 0.845 (95% CI 0.729-0.980) and 0.847 (95% CI 0.727-0.988), which means that moderate-intensity physical activity is more effective in preventing the risk of multimorbidity. As a result, it is advised that middle-aged and older adults actively engage in physical activities to reduce the number of chronic diseases. Moreover, moderate physical activity intensity should be targeted to lower the risk of multimorbidity.
Comparison of wall paintings at Ostia Antica by NMR depth profiling
Authors: Urbanek Matea , Bader Jan , Krüger Daniel , Yong Alissa , Becker Hilary , Frick Jürgen , Anders Jens , Federico Eleonora Del , Tomassini Paolo , Blümich Bernhard
Published: June 2024

Painted walls were analyzed at Ostia Antica, the ancient port of Rome, with the aim to trace the evolution of the buildings in the city. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) depth profiles were acquired from walls and mortar fragments to image the stratigraphy of the mortar-layer preparations for the painted surfaces produced over more than five centuries from the 2 nd century BC to the 3 rd century AD. The profiles are compared to identify similar workmanship and contemporaneous origin, and to retrace the transformations of execution technique in time.
Double ring resonator shared bus structure
Authors: EL-SABBAN SALWA , IBRAHIM SALAH , KHALIL DIAA
Published: June 2024

In this work, we present an integrated optical structure containing 2 ring resonators with a shared optical bus. The structure allows for controlling the coupling in one ring resonator by controlling the refractive index of the second resonator. The structure is based on the use of a 3-waveguide coupler. Thus, by controlling the effective refractive index of one resonator we can actually control the quality factor of the second resonator although each of the two ring resonators is still working as a single resonator, however, one of them is acting as a load on the second ring and hence it allows controlling its quality factor. With a simple heating mechanism applied to one ring, we show the control of the resonator quality factor of the other ring.
Assessment of the efficacy of a gonadotropin releasing factor (GnRF) analog to suppress ovarian function in gilts under pre-clinical and clinical conditions
Authors: Genís Sandra , King Vickie , Aluwé Marijke , Broeke Alice , Descamps Frédéric , Aldaz Álvaro , Wuyts Niels , Reixach Alícia , Balasch Mònica
Published: June 2024

Background
The administration of a gonadotropin releasing factor (GnRF) analog to pigs has proven to induce antibodies against endogenous GnRF. In gilts (young female pigs), the subsequent blocking of GnRF activity by specific antibodies results in a temporary suppression of ovarian activity and sexual maturation. One pre-clinical and two clinical studies were conducted to assess the ability of the GnRF analog to produce immunologically suppression of the ovarian function, preventing gilts from reaching puberty before harvest, at 27 weeks of age.
Results
In the three studies, a significant reduction of size and weight of reproductive organs and gilts in oestrus was demonstrated in vaccinated gilts compared with intact gilts. A significant increase in anti-GnRF antibody levels in sera was observed after the second dose, which lasted until the end of the study in each of the protocols used. Progesterone levels were significantly reduced from 6 and 8 weeks after 2nd vaccination in clinical studies 2 and 1 respectively, and from 6 weeks after 2nd vaccination in the pre-clinical study. Estradiol levels were below the limit of detection for clinical study 2 and significantly reduced in vaccinated gilts at the end of the pre-clinical study and the clinical study 1.
Conclusions
Vaccination of gilts with a GnRF analog with two different protocols (first dose from 10 or 14 weeks of age, and a second dose 8 weeks or 4 weeks later) was effective in reducing the development of puberty for at least 9 weeks post 2nd dose. These results confirm the flexibility of vaccination programs for veterinarians and producers which can be adapted to pig management practices in commercial farms.
Research on The Design of Quasi-Passive Variable Stiffness Assisted Exoskeleton with Ankle
Authors: Tang Xinyao , Yang Jiayin , Wang Xupeng , Yin Rong , Liu Xiaoyi
Published: June 2024

In order to reduce the torque generated during plantar flexion of the human ankle and alleviate leg muscle fatigue, a quasi-passive variable stiffness ankle assisted exoskeleton was designed. By using plantar pressure signals to control the electromagnetic clutch, energy storage and release of the energy storage unit were achieved. Firstly, the variable stiffness mechanism adjusts the preload force of the assist spring through geometric structure, achieving non-linear joint output stiffness and reducing energy consumption during human walking. Secondly, a simulation model of human ankle exoskeleton wearing was established, and dynamic simulation was conducted to verify the rationality of the exoskeleton mechanical structure and its good assistance effect. Finally, an experimental platform for testing the function of ankle assisted exoskeletons was established, and the performance of the variable stiffness energy storage mechanism was tested. The results showed that the average EMG signals of the tibialis anterior muscle and gastrocnemius muscle decreased by 12.29% and 39.26% after wearing exoskeletons, indicating that wearing exoskeletons effectively reduces muscle fatigue and provides a new method for the design of wearable exoskeletons.
Cultivating Security: Debug Authentication for Ensuring the Security of SoC's Root of Trust
Authors: Vafaei Arash , Farahmandi Farimah
Published: June 2024

Hardware-assisted debugging provides the necessary infrastructure for developers, testers and many other teams to closely monitor program behaviors at the microarchitectural level in a system-on-chip (SoC). However, debug infrastructure jeopardizes the security of the design by providing a backdoor for accessing crucial assets embedded in the system because of the inevitable increase in observability. While trusted execution environments (TEE) provide an extra level of security and isolate design assets, the security implication of hardware debug integration on TEEs has not been investigated. In this paper, we introduce a multi-level bidirectional access authentication mechanism over the debug module that defines the minimum number of privilege levels needed and the access details at each level so that debug users are authorized and blocked from accessing assets private to other entities. Trust is established by exchanging certificates both from the debugger and SoC sides to implement a bidirectional authorization platform to restrict the debugger's access to SoC assets as well as prevent the debugger's test data from being accessed by an SoC impersonator through emulation. We provide a prototype of the debug authentication platform on RISC-V architecture that proves the small overhead of the approach while staying compatible with traditional RISC-V debug specifications. Our platform ensures SoC's assets' security while providing authorized users with necessary access.
Glutamate Gradually Elevates [Zn2+]i via the CaM−CaMKII−NOS Cascade in Primary Cultured Rat Embryonic Cortical Neurons
Authors: Tseng Hui-Chiun , Wang Yong-Sheng , Pan Chien-Yuan
Published: June 2024

Zn2+ is essential for neuronal signaling, but imbalance cause cell death and neurodegenerative disorders. While the buffering system maintains low cytosolic Zn2+ concentration ([Zn2+]i), the details on physiological stimuli elevating [Zn2+]i for neuronal processes remain limited. Our previous reports have demonstrated that dopamine elevates [Zn2+]i through the cAMP-NO pathway, activating autophagy and inflammation in neurons. In this study, we adopted the Zn2+ imaging technique to verify how glutamate elevated [Zn2+]i in cultured cortical neurons and examined the inflammatory response. Our results showed that glutamate elevates the [Zn2+]i, by activating ionotropic glutamate receptors. Inhibitors of calmodulin (CaM), CaM-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), and NO synthase (NOS) blocked the glutamate-induced Zn2+ response. High-K+ buffer induced-membrane depolarization significantly elevated the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) but only slightly increased [Zn2+]i and NO production. Glutamate also transiently increased NOS phosphorylation at Ser1417 within 15 min. The Zn2+ chelator, TPEN suppressed glutamate-induced inflammasome formation. These results indicate that glutamate-induced local increment in [Ca2+]i via the ionotropic glutamate receptors activates the CaM-CaMKII-NOS complex to produce NO and elevate [Zn2+]i. which trigger inflammation in cultured neurons. Henceforth, this novel glutamate-Zn2+ signaling pathway after glutamate depolarization elevates [Ca2+]i indicates the involvement of Zn2+ in modulating long-term neuronal activities.
TCBGY-Net : Ferrography wear particle detection network based on self-attention mechanism and multi-scale feature fusion
Authors: He Lei , Wei Haijun , Sun Cunxun
Published: June 2024

The intelligent identification of wear particles in ferrography is a critical bottleneck that hampers the development and widespread adoption of ferrography technology. To address challenges such as false detection, missed detection of small wear particles, difficulty in distinguishing overlapping and similar abrasions, and handling complex image backgrounds, this paper proposes an algorithm called TCBGY-Net for detecting wear particles in ferrography images. Firstly, we integrate a Transformer module based on self-attention mechanism with the C3 module at the end of the backbone network to form a C3TR module. This integration enhances the global feature extraction capability of the backbone network and improves its ability to detect small target wear particles. Secondly, we introduce CBAM attention mechanism into the neck network to enhance salience for detecting wear particles while suppressing irrelevant information interference. Furthermore, multi-scale feature maps extracted by the backbone network are fed into BiFPN feature fusion network to enhance the model's ability to detect wear particle feature maps at different scales. Lastly, Ghost modules are introduced into both the backbone network and the neck network to reduce their complexity and improve detection speed. Experimental results demonstrate that TCBGY-Net achieves outstanding accuracy in detecting wear particles against complex backgrounds with an mAP@0.5 value of 98.3%, which is 10.2% higher than YOLOv5s; moreover it also outperforms most current mainstream algorithms in terms of detection speed with up to 89.2FPS capability; thus providing conditions for subsequent real-time online monitoring of changes in wear particles and fault diagnosis in ship power systems.
Time junior middle school students invested to sports and their cognitive skill development: perspective of time economics
Authors: MA Hongmei , Liu Yan
Published: June 2024

great importance is attached to physical exercise and health of students, yet the precise manner in which time devoted to sports contributes to students' cognitive development remains inconclusive. Based on the two-wave panel data of China Education Panel Survey, this paper empirically examines the impact of daily physical exercise duration on junior high school students’ cognitive abilities by using two-way fixed-effect estimation. The findings reveal a nonlinear relationship, specifically an "inverted U" pattern, between daily physical activity time and students' cognitive performance. The cognitive return rates of time investment to sports reach the peak around 48 minutes per day. Sports enhance cognitive abilities by bolstering students' emotional stability, resilience, and physical well-being. Furthermore, the daily time allocated to physical activities affects students' cognitive performance differentially, with those of poorer physical fitness and those attending non-urban schools deriving greater benefits. Consequently, this study offers policy implications for educational governance, urging school administrators to devise schedules that optimize the efficiency and utility of students' time invested in sports.
DeepMethyGene: a deep-learning model to predict gene expression using DNA methylations
Authors: yan yuyao , Li Wenran , Wang Sijia , Huang Tao
Published: June 2024

Gene expression influences various physiological functions and plays a critical role in disease progression. One of the key mechanisms governing gene expression is DNA methylation, an epigenetic modification that serves as a crucial regulator of gene expression. In this study, we proposed a ResNet-based adaptive regression convolutional neural network model, DeepMethyGene, to predict gene expression using DNA methylation information. We compared the performance of DeepMethyGene with the state-of-the-art prediction model, geneEXPLORE. Results showed that our DeepMethyGene outperformed geneEXPLORE in predicting the expression of most genes. Furthermore, our research revealed that the number of methylation sites and the average distance between these sites and the gene transcription start sites (TSS) significantly affect prediction accuracy. By gaining a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between methylation and gene expression, we can better predict disease progression and provide a theoretical basis for clinical interventions. The data and code of DeepMethyGene are available at https://github.com/yaoyao-11/DeepMethyGene.
Design and investigation of Symmetric Bidirectional VCSEL Laser incorporated Extensive Reach OWC System using considering channel impairments for beyond 5G application
Authors: Kumari Meet , Mishra Satyendra K.
Published: June 2024

Optical wireless communication (OWC) is recognized as a promising technology for future fifth generation (5G) networks. However, limited research efforts have been dedicated to the development of symmetric and bidirectional OWC systems using vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs). In this study, we design and investigate a bidirectional 4×10 Gbps VCSEL-incorporated OWC system with an extensive reach, taking into account channel impairments. VCSELs offer high operating power and high reliability, making them suitable for this application. Simulation analyses have been conducted to evaluate the system performance in both the downlink and uplink directions, considering various factors such as noise, geometric losses, and attenuation losses. The results indicate that a maximum OWC range of over 130 km in the downlink direction and 128 km in the uplink direction can be achieved with a link loss of 0.001 dB. The system can tolerate a maximum link attenuation of 2.25 dB/km in the downlink direction and 2.2 dB/km in the uplink direction while maintaining a bit error rate (BER) within the acceptable limit of 10^-9. Additionally, the system demonstrates robust performance at a maximum operating temperature of 348K for VCSELs over a 10 km range at a data rate of 40/40 Gbps. The results further indicate that the maximum values of signal, noise, gain, noise figure, and optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) are-69.68 dBm,-87.65 dBm,-21.14 dB, 21.14 dB, and 82.13 dB, respectively, at a total input power of-69.61 dBm. Comparative analysis with existing studies highlights the superiority of this work over previous efforts, demonstrating significant improvements in system performance and range. This research underscores the potential of bidirectional OWC systems using VCSELs for enhancing future 5G networks.
Comparative analysis of faecal bacterial microbiome between semi-captive and wild mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus crooki) in northern Mexico
Authors: Pacheco-Torres Irene , Hernández-Sánchez David , Peña Cristina García-De la , Tarango-Arámbula Luis A. , Crosby-Galván María M. , Sánchez-Santillán Paulino
Published: June 2024

The mule deer in arid regions of northern Mexico hold ecological and hunting significance. Their gastrointestinal microbiota plays a key role in health and energy extraction. This study characterises and compares the faecal bacterial profile and function of semi-captive (DS) and wild (DW) mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus crooki) populations. This was achieved by sequencing the V3–V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Functional bacterial predictions were evaluated based on Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt2) analysis. The phyla Firmicutes (DS, 63.8%; DW, 40.4%), Bacteroidetes (DS, 25.4%; DW, 35.5%), and Proteobacteria (DS, 8.8%; DW, 10.7%) were more abundant in all samples, where Firmicutes was more abundant in the DS and Bacteroidetes in DW. Differences were observed in beta diversity between populations, with Firmicutes, Planctomycetes, Christensenellaceae and other taxa, contributed to the dissimilarity. A total of 352 metabolic pathways were identified, where cellular metabolism, unsaturated fatty acid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism were the enriched pathways. There were no significant differences in functional pathways between DS and DW populations. Bacterial communities in mule deer are mainly diet-associated, contributing to wildlife microbiome research. These insights have the potential to improve conservation efforts and promote deeper research into the cervid microbiota worldwide.
Understanding HIV Vulnerability Among Women Who Inject Drugs in Mozambique, 2023
Authors: Banze Áuria Ribeiro , Botão Carlos , Muamine Elídio , Condula Manuel , Craveirinha Stélio , Boothe Makini , Seabra Sofia Gonçalves , Craveiro Isabel , Baltazar Cynthia Semá
Published: June 2024

Background
Women who inject drugs (WWID) belong to a group of people with high-risk behaviors for contracting HIV. In Mozambique there is still limited coverage of combined HIV prevention strategies among WWIDs. These actions, however, are hampered by the scarcity of data. This study offers a better opportunity to inform the wide range of social, contextual, and individual factors that play a role in the HIV epidemic. At the same time, it will provide crucial explanations about how these diverse factors affect the vulnerability of WWID to HIV in Mozambique.
Methods
A qualitative study was carried out, based on interviews with 18 key informants and 30 others participants in discussions in focus groups totalizing 48 women in representation of five cities in Mozambique in 2023. The study utilized semi-structured interviews, to collect data on the demographic characteristics of the WWID and open-ended questions that explored information regarding stigma, discrimination, challenges in accessing health services, and gender-based violence. Data was analyzed thematically using NVivo.
Results
WWIDs engage in common practices of sharing and renting syringes for injecting drugs. Sex work combined with unprotected sex was identified as a frequent risk behavior. WWIDs encounter stigma and discrimination in the family, street encounters, interactions with police and health facilities. Awareness of harm reduction services varies among WWIDs, with some having limited or no knowledge. Accessing harm reduction services is considered a challenge for some participants. WWIDs face violence from men, including the police, often involving extortion of monetary amounts. Incidents of sexual violence are mentioned, with underreporting being a prevalent problem.
Conclusion
WWIDs engage in HIV-risk practices, driven by financial constraints and often turning to sex work. Stigma affects various aspects of their lives, hindering access to healthcare. Urgent government action is essential to address these challenges, reduce HIV infections, and ensure equitable service access.
Predictors of the Timing of First Antenatal Clinic Attendance among Women of Reproductive Age: Tanzania Demographic Health Survey and Malaria Indicators-2022
Authors: Senga Fausta , Mwalupani Nsajigwa , Magesa Rehema
Published: June 2024

Background
Reducing maternal mortality and improving women's healthcare are crucial objectives of the third Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), which aims to lower the global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) to 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030. The study examined the predictors of Timing of the First ANC Visit among pregnant women.
Methods
This study used TDHS data, the study analyzed descriptive statistics to showcase the distribution of women who booked Antenatal Care (ANC) across different trimesters, followed by a log rank to identify variables to include in the multivariate model. Lastly, the multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression was used to examine factors associated with the timing of the first ANC visits.
Results
The study found that most (66%) of women had initiated their first ANC visits over 3 months while 34% initiated within the recommended 3 months. the timing of the first antenatal care (ANC) visit showed variations based on several factors. the results of the Multivariate Cox-Proportional Hazard Regression analysis model found that Women aged 35–49 took 43.7% longer to initiate ANC than younger women aged 15–24. women with primary (AHR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.08–1.49, p < 0.003), secondary (AHR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.07–1.58, p < 0.007), and higher (AHR: 1.80 95% CI: 1.16–2.080 p < 0.008) had shorter timings for their first ANC visits compared to those with no education. For women who did not perceive distance to the health facility as a significant issue, the timing of their first ANC visit was (AHR: 1.111, 95% CI: 0.98–1.25, p < 0.001) shorter than those who considered distance a big problem. Working women also had a shorter (AHR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.988–1.23, p < 0.08) timing for their first ANC visit than non-working women. Women who listened to the radio at least once a week had a (AHR: 1.13, 95% CI: 0.99–1.28, p < 0.067) higher hazard ratio for the timing of the first ANC visit compared to those who did not listen at all. Similarly, women who watched television less than once a week had (AHR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.01–1.38, p < 0.028) shorter timing for their first ANC visit than non-watchers.
Conclusion
These findings highlight the influence of age, education, perceived distance, employment status, and media habits on the timing of the first ANC visit. The study recommends that the government and stakeholders should continue to Promote Health Literacy by Educating women about the importance of ANC during pregnancy and Utilizing television and radio as powerful tools for disseminating information about ANC.
Effects of neonicotinoid residues in Apis cerana indica bees and bee products: LC-MS/MS analysis and dietary risk assessment in a sunflower field study
Authors: Chandrasekar Sowmiya , Marimuthu Murugan , Angappan Suganthi , Pernamallur Saravanan Ayyaswami , Kaithamalai Bhuvaneswari , Pagalahalli Shanmugam Sankaran
Published: June 2024

Colony decline has been a global challenge in recent years among the honey bee population, and no exception is Apis cerana indica F., a widely domesticated bee in India. Of the many reasons and factors suggested behind the issue, the use of insecticides is also the most linked. Insecticide residues in honey and pollen endanger honey bees and humans above a specific concentration, thus warranting our establishment of their critical daily pesticide residue exposure levels. This study developed a simple multi-residue method for analyzing neonicotinoids in honey, pollen, and bees using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). This method had better linearity (0.005 to 0.5 µg mL− 1), the limit of detection (LOD) (0.002–0.008 µg g− 1), the limit of quantification (LOQ) (0.025 µg g− 1) and recovery (70 to 120%) for the five neonicotinoid analytes. A survey among farm colonies and a controlled field experiment detected neonicotinoid residues (0.025 to 0.456 µg g− 1) in bee products. Field experiments in sunflowers indicated that foraging neonicotinoid-contaminated food increased bee mortality in the descending order of clothianidin > thiamethoxam > imidacloprid > thiacloprid. Neonicotinoids influenced bees' foraging behavior, resulting in lower colony growth measurements (food, brood area, and bee population). Poor-quality seed sets and decreased yield in sunflower due to neonicotinoid-exposed bee colonies' poor field performance. The dietary risk evaluation of neonicotinoid residues in bees and bee products showed moderate to high risk (hazard quotient > 5) for brood and foragers and less than 1 for humans, indicating unacceptable risk to Indian bee colonies but tolerable by humans. Neonicotinoid effects must be further investigated through risk analysis in order to ensure native bees safety while following crop protection activities.
Boolean Byzantine Fault Tolerant Algorithm for Light Weight IoT Consensus
Authors: Sarker Kamal Uddin
Published: June 2024

Nowadays consensus algorithms are the backbone of fault tolerant systems, communication protocols, and distributed blockchain services though it is initiated to ensure reliable service in the presence of Byzantine faults of a distributed infrastructure. Real time automation system is highly depended on the reliability of IoT devices which are lightweight resource constrained components that demands a computationally faster algorithm within minimum number of steps. This research proposed a Boolean Byzantine Fault Tolerant (BBFT) algorithm that completes a consensus process by 3 steps only. It makes consensus by bitwise logical operations where all nodes get same decision after steps 3. It is proposed for static and predefined nodes of an agreement system that can detect malicious and anomaly nodes at the earlier stage than existing Byzantine Fault Tolerant (BFT) algorithms. BBFT is designed for resource constrained (limited memory and processing power) IoT devices where limited number of similar nodes can make an agreement. Boolean operations of the algorithm make it simple, easier for mathematical modeling, and suitable to express by vector notations of quantum computing applications. Though time complexity (O(n) = n2) of the BBFT is same as other classical BFT algorithms, it saves resources and reduces information processing delay due to the implementation of Boolean operations.
Ethnic inequalities in the use of contraceptive methods among Peruvian women: a propensity score matching study
Authors: Intimayta-Escalante Claudio , Ccami-Bernal Fabricio , Salvador-Oscco Edison
Published: June 2024

Objective
This study aimed to evaluate how ethnicity generated inequalities in contraceptive method use among Peruvian women.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study using 2019–2023 data from Peru's Demographic and Family Health Survey. Women aged 18–49 were evaluated on contraceptive use and sociodemographic factors. Statistical analysis in R Studio described variables and used propensity score matching to compare ethnic groups' contraceptive use, employing quasibinomial regression for prevalence ratios.
Results
Among 57277 women aged 18–49, 67.23% used contraception, mainly injections and condoms. Ethnic disparities were noted, with Quechua, Aymara, and Afro-Peruvian women using contraceptives, especially hormonal methods, less than Mestizo women. These inequalities were influenced by first intercourse age, number of children, and decreased use over time.
Conclusion
Ethnic inequalities in contraceptive use were found, with Quechua, Aymara, and Afro-Peruvian women facing greater disparities than Mestizo or White women, especially if they had first intercourse before 18.
All-Silicon Non-Volatile Optical Memory Based on Photon Avalanche-Induced Trapping
Authors: Peng Yiwei , Yuan Yuan , Cheung Stanley , Sorin Wayne , Hooten Sean , Huang Zhihong , Liang Di , Fiorentino Marco , Beausoleil Raymond
Published: June 2024

Implementing on-chip non-volatile optical memories has long been an actively pursued goal, promising significant enhancements in the capability and energy efficiency of photonic integrated circuits. Here, we achieve this milestone by demonstrating optical memory exclusively using the most common semiconductor material, silicon. By manipulating the photon avalanche effect, we introduce a trapping effect at the silicon-silicon oxide interface, which in turn demonstrates a non-volatile reprogrammable optical memory cell with a record-high 4-bit encoding, robust retention and endurance. This silicon avalanche-induced trapping memory provides a distinctively cost-efficient and high-reliability route to realize optical data storage in standard silicon foundry processes. A proposed in-memory computing system achieves image recognition from the MNIST database with an inference accuracy of 94.8% and energy efficiency of 1.64×1013 MAC/J.