bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bank Aceh Syariah Contribution in Supporting the Development of the Halal Tourism Sector In the City of Sabang
Authors: Amanatillah Dara Amanatillah , Isnaliana Isnaliana , Jalilah Jalilah
Published: December 2023

The presence of halal tourism does not only focus on halal products, which are life choices and follow Sharia rules for the community, but the involvement of the government and Islamic financial institutions, especially Islamic banking, is also a supporter of encouraging this sector, one of which is Bank Aceh Syariah. This research focused on contribution of Bank Aceh Syariah in supporting the development of the Halal tourism sector especially the MSME actors in the city of Sabang. This methodology used in this research is descriptive qualitative based on field research. The findings of the research stated that the contribution of Bank Aceh Syariah to supporting the development of the halal tourism sector in the city of Sabang is particularly carried out through fund distribution products, namely microfinance with murabahah and musyarakah schemes for MSME actors. However, Bank Aceh Syariah focuses not only on the financial aspect alone but also on assistance and supervision for MSME actors. In addition, the convenience of service facilities provided by Bank Aceh is also a supporting facility in facilitating transactions for business people and visiting tourists, such as the convenience of ATM facilities, Mobile ACTION, QRIS, and other facilities.
Financial Behaviour, Financial Self Efficacy and Intention to Invest in Cryptocurrency
Authors: Abadi M. Kurnia Rahman , Bin Annuar Hairul Azlan
Published: December 2023

The Theory of Planned Behaviour is used in this study to investigate the investment intentions of young potential investors in Indonesia. As supplementary dimensions, financial self-efficacy, risk-taking proclivity, and inclination for innovation are offered. A questionnaire-based survey was utilised to collect responses from 276 potential investors, and AMOS and SPSS were used to identify correlations between the components. Financial self-efficacy appears to play a dual function in the association between personality characteristics and investment intention, according to the data. The study only looks at investing intentions, not actual investment behaviour or demographic characteristics. The findings might help financial service providers create "behavioural portfolios" based on their clients' personality attributes, fostering financial confidence in individuals. This research is one of the first efforts in the Indonesian cryptocurrency market to introduce financial self-efficacy as a dual construct within the TPB framework.
Structural mechanisms of autoinhibition and substrate recognition by the ubiquitin ligase HACE1
Authors: Duering Jonas , Wolter Madita , Toplak Julia , Torres Camilo , Dybkov Olexandr , Fokkens Thornton , Bohnsack Katherine , Urlaub Henning , Steinchen Wieland , Dienemann Christian , Lorenz Sonja
Published: December 2023

Ubiquitin ligases (E3s) are pivotal specificity determinants in the ubiquitin system by selecting substrates and decorating them with distinct ubiquitin signals. Structure determination of the underlying, specific E3-substrate complexes, however, has proven challenging due to their transient nature. In particular, it is incompletely understood how members of the catalytic cysteine-driven class of HECT-type ligases position substrate proteins for modification. Here we report a cryo-EM structure of the full-length human HECT-type ligase HACE1, along with solution-based conformational analyses by small-angle X-ray scattering and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry. Structure-based functional analyses in vitro and in cells reveal that the activity of HACE1 is stringently regulated by dimerization-induced autoinhibition. The inhibition occurs at the first step of the catalytic cycle and is thus substrate-independent. We employ mechanism-based chemical crosslinking to reconstitute a complex of activated, monomeric HACE1 with its major substrate, RAC1, visualize its structure by cryo-EM, and validate the binding mode by solution-based analyses. Our findings explain how HACE1 achieves selectivity in ubiquitinating the active, GTP-loaded state of RAC1 and establish a framework for interpreting mutational alterations of the HACE1-RAC1 interplay in disease. More broadly, this work illuminates central unexplored aspects in the architecture, conformational dynamics, regulation, and specificity of full-length HECT-type ligases.
A Newborn Screening Programme for Inborn Errors of Metabolism in Galicia: 22 years of evaluation and follow-up
Authors: Couce Maria L. , Boveda Maria Dolores , Castiñeiras Daisy E. , Vazquez-Mosquera Maria-Eugenia , Barbosa-Gouveia Sofia , De Castro María Jose , Rodriguez Agustin Javier Iglesias , Colón Cristobal , Cocho Jose A. , Sanchez-Pintos Paula
Published: December 2023

Background
There is a notable lack of harmonisation in newborn screening (NBS) programmes worldwide. The Galician programme for early detection of inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) was one of the first NBS programmes in Europe to incorporate mass spectrometry (July 2000). This programme currently screens for 26 IEMs in dried blood and urine samples collected 24–72 hours after birth.
Results
In its 22-year history, this programme has analysed samples from 440,723 neonates and identified 326 cases of IEM with a prevalence of 1:1351. The most prevalent IEMs were hyperphenylalaninaemia (n = 118), followed by medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCADD, n = 26), galactosaemia (n = 20), and cystinurias (n = 43). Sixty-one false positives were detected and 18 related to maternal pathologies. Urine samples have been identified as a useful secondary sample to reduce the rate of false positives and identify new defects. There were 5 false negatives. The overall positive and negative predictive values were 84.23% and 99.99%, respectively. The fatality rate over a median of 12.1 years of follow-up was 2.76%. The intelligence quotient of patients was normal in 95.7% of cases, and school performance was largely optimal, with pedagogic special needs assistance required in < 10% of cases. Clinical onset of disease preceded diagnosis in 4% of cases. The age at which first NBS report is performed was reduced by 4 days since 2021.
Conclusions
This study highlights the benefits of collecting urine samples, reduce NBS reporting time and expanding the number of IEMs included in NBS programmes.
Exploring data analytics climate startups using BERTopic
Authors: Tea-makorn Pin Pin , Maitreenukul Punyanuch , Starita Stefano , Jindahra Pavitra
Published: December 2023

Data analytics has recently gained significant momentum in tackling various challenges, climate change included. This work explores the sector, funding, and innovation landscape of climate startups that leverage data analytics. It applies a recently developed natural language processing algorithm, BERTopic, to organically discover sectors from company descriptions and innovation categories from patent abstracts. We classified data analytics climate startups into 37 sectors, with agriculture being the most prolific. We found that the state of California alone has more of these startups than any other country in the world; most funding rounds were raised in the Seed stage, and most companies exited by acquisition; most of the innovations generated are related to automation security, while the electric vehicle sector is most prolific in creating innovation. Investors, analysts, and entrepreneurs can use these methods and results to process large datasets and aid decision-making in investments and climate-related policies.
Fast In-Line Failure Analysis of Sub-micron-sized Cracks in 3D Interconnect Technologies Utilizing Acoustic Interferometry
Authors: Brunner Roland , Paulachan Priya , Hammer Rene , Siegert Jörg , Wiesler Ingo
Published: December 2023

More than Moore technology is driving semiconductor devices towards higher complexity and further miniaturization. Device miniaturization strongly impacts failure analysis (FA), since it triggers the need for non-destructive approaches with high resolution in combination with cost and time efficient execution. Conventional scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) is an indispensable tool for failure analysis in the semiconductor industry, however resolution and penetration capabilities are strongly limited by the transducer frequency. In this work, we conduct an acoustic interferometry approach, based on a SAM-setup utilizing 100 MHz lenses and enabling not only sufficient penetration depth but also high resolution for efficient in-line FA of Through Silicon Vias (TSVs). Accompanied elastodynamic finite integration technique-based simulations, provide an in-depth understanding concerning the acoustic wave excitation and propagation. We show that the controlled excitation of surface acoustic waves extends the contingency towards the detection of nm-sized cracks, an essential accomplishment for modern FA of 3D-integration technologies.
Unravelling the complexities of DNA-PK activation by structure-based mutagenesis.
Authors: Meek Katheryn , Buehl Christopher , Goff Noah , Mikhova Mariia , Hardwick Steven , Blundell Tom , Modesti Mauro , Schmidt Jens , Chaplin Amanda
Published: December 2023

It has been known for decades that the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) is only an active serine/threonine protein kinase when it is bound to a DNA double-stranded end; still, the molecular details of how this activation is achieved have remained elusive. The recent surge in structural information for DNA-PK complexes has provided valuable insights into the process of DNA end recognition by DNA-PK. A particularly intriguing feature of this kinase is a region of the protein that can transition from a seemingly structurally disordered state to a single alpha-helix that traverses down the DNA binding cradle. The DNA-PK bound DNA end of the DNA substrate engages with and appears to split around this helix which has been named the DNA End Blocking helix (DEB). Here a mutational approach is utilized to clarify the role of the DEB, and how DNA ends activate the enzyme. Our data suggest two distinct methods of kinase activation that is dependent on the DNA end chemistry. If the DNA end can split around the helix and stabilize the interaction between the DNA end and the DEB with a recently defined Helix-Hairpin-Helix (HHH) motif, the kinase forms an end-protection monomer that is active towards DNA-PK's many substrates. But if the DNA end cannot stably interact with the DEB [because of the DNA end structure, for instance hairpins, or because the DEB has been disrupted by mutation], the kinase is only partially activated, resulting in specific autophosphorylations of the DNA-PK monomer that allows nucleolytic end-processing. We posit that mutants that disrupt the capacity to stably generate the DEB/HHH DNA end-interaction are inefficient in generating the dimer complex that is requisite for NHEJ. In support of this idea, mutations that promote formation of this dimer partially rescue the severe cellular phenotypes associated with mutation of the DEB helix.
Effect of postharvest edible coatings on quality and shelf life of pear fruit cv. Punjab Beauty
Authors: Chouhan Navneet Kaur , Singh Veerpartap
Published: December 2023

Pear is a climacteric fruit, due to which it exhibits short postharvest life. Therefore, the present investigation entitled “Beeswax coating to enhance the storage life of sodium nitroprusside treated fruit of pear cv. Punjab Beauty” was conducted in the PG Department of Agriculture, Khalsa College, Amritsar during 2022. Pear fruits cv. Punjab Beauty were harvested and treated with combined coatings of sodium nitroprusside and beeswax at different formulations and stored under low temperature conditions for 60 days, while control fruits were dipped in plain water. All the treated and untreated fruits were then stored at cold storage conditions for 60 days. Both coated and uncoated fruits were analyzed for various physico-biochemical characteristics on 0th, 10th, 20th, 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th day of cold storage. The results reflected that SNP @ 1 mmol + Beeswax @ 5% treatment showed a significant reduction in weight loss and spoilage loss while maintained highest firmness, TSS and titratable acidity as compared to other treatments as well as uncoated fruit. It was found that a postharvest application of SNP @ 1 mmol + Beeswax @ 5% was beneficial in delaying the ripening process and can be used to enhance the shelf life of pear fruit with acceptable fruit quality upto the 60th day of storage period.
Correlation of Sonographic Features with Prognostic Factors in Ductal Carcinoma In Situ: An Exploratory Study Using Ultrasound and Shear Wave Elastography
Authors: Shi Jianan , Yang Shiyun , Niu Qinghua , Zhao Lei , Jia Chao , Du Lianfang , Li Fan , Liu Yang
Published: December 2023

Objective
To investigate the correlation between sonographic features obtained from conventional ultrasound (Con-US) and shear wave elastography (SWE) with pathological prognostic factors in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and to evaluate the efficacy of combining these two modalities in predicting DCIS prognosis.
Methods
A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data, Con-US, and SWE imaging features of 83 DCIS patients who underwent surgical resection between June 2018 and December 2022. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the relationship between sonogram indices and pathological prognostic factors.
Results
The results revealed that microcalcification observed on Con-US was an independent risk factor for high-grade DCIS and comedonecrosis (odds ratio (OR) = 5.316 and 4.512). In SWE images, the Emax value was significantly different between the non-high-grade and high-grade DCIS groups (P = 0.006), with an Emax value greater than 75.03 kPa identified as an independent risk factor for high-grade DCIS (OR = 1.022 and the area under the curve (AUC) 0.682, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.555–0.808). Additionally, the Ecolor, Emax, Emean, and EmeanSD values were statistically different between the groups with and without comedonecrosis (P = 0.049, 0.006, 0.012, 0.022), with an Emean value exceeding 30.45 kPa identified as an independent risk factor for comedonecrosis (OR = 1.025, and the AUC 0.708, 95% CI 0.562–0.854). Furthermore, combining microcalcification on Con-US with specific SWE indicators demonstrated an improved predictive specificity for high-grade DCIS and comedonecrosis (results were 0.902 and 0.889, respectively). No significant difference was found in other indexes on SWE.
Conclusions
These findings suggest that integrating Con-US and SWE modalities can enhance the predictive performance of DCIS prognosis assessment.
A Case of MELAS Syndrome with Tuberculous Meningitis
Authors: Sun Zengxian , Liu Sheng , Fang Jing , Lan Juhong , Lan Junwei
Published: December 2023

Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with hyperlactatemia and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) is a multisystem metabolic disorder caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA or nuclear DNA. Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most common severe form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in children, presents with nonspecific clinical symptoms, poses challenges for early diagnosis, and has a high mortality rate. Neurologic sequelae are also common among surviving children. This article presents a case study of a patient with MELAS (caused by the mtDNA13513G > A mutation) combined with tuberculous meningitis. Our findings suggest that MELAS may be a risk factor for the development of TBM and provide valuable insights into the successful diagnosis and treatment of this combination.
Application of individualized teaching for postgraduate students of otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery
Authors: Ye Dong , Zhang Liping , Gong Mengdan , Xiang Yizhen , Shen Zhisen
Published: December 2023

Background
Otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery (ENT) is a highly practical field, characterized by intricate anatomy and complex structures that necessitate precise equipment utilization for clear identification. Consequently, postgraduate students often grapple with apprehension due to the perceived difficulties, which dampens their enthusiasm for learning and adversely impacts their academic performance.
Methods
To address the challenges faced by postgraduate students in comprehending theoretical knowledge, honing skills, and fostering comprehensive development, we implemented a standardized and individualized teaching approach in ENT for 64 students over a span of three years (from September 2019 to August 2022). This initiative aimed to enhance students’ proficiency in theoretical knowledge and practical skills within the field.
Results
Over the past 3 years, the theoretical test scores of students undergoing training at the ENT professional base have shown significant improvement, with an average score increase of more than 10 points. In clinical settings, all students received standardized training in operational skills, comprehended critical nuances, and adeptly applied their knowledge, understanding not just how and why but also successfully translating theory into practice. Moreover, in the realm of scientific research, students have acquired essential skills in planning, executing research, and generating their unique ideas for routine research programs. Each student has authored at least one professional article, demonstrating a strong foundation for future project submissions and high-quality paper composition.
Conclusions
The teaching methodology combining standardization and individualization serves as a cornerstone for nurturing innovative and proficient medical professionals while significantly enhancing students’ comprehensive skill set and abilities.
Revisiting the Agentic Shift: Obedience increases the Perceived Time Between Own Action and Results
Authors: Akyuz Nil , Marien Hans , Stok Marijn , Driessen Josi , de Wit John , Aarts Henk
Published: December 2023

The concept of 'agentic shift,' introduced by Stanley Milgram, suggests that obedience reduces the sense of agency. A recent study examined this idea in a financial harm context and showed that coercion increases the perceived time between action and outcomes – a marker of agency. Importantly, in this study, participants were agent and victim (relying on a reciprocal relationship) and first experienced free choices, followed by forced choices. This diverts from Milgram’s original study, where participants were no victims but only agents who were forced to harm. The current study replicates and extends these findings in an online meeting setting where participants only served as agents and the order of free vs. forced choice was counterbalanced. Substantiating earlier findings, forced choices reduced temporal binding (increased time interval estimations) compared to free choices independent of the order. We briefly discuss the importance of replications of coercion effects on the sense of agency, particularly in online decision-making settings.
miR-324 mediates bone homeostasis through the regulation of osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation and activity
Authors: Young David , Hayman Dan , Brito Francesca Johnson de Sousa , Lin Hua , Prior Amanda , Charlesworth Gemma , Hao Yao , Pearson Rachel , Soul Jamie , Clark Ian , Piróg Katarzyna , Hof Rob van 't , Barter Matt J.
Published: December 2023

microRNAs (miRNAs) modulate the expression of other RNA molecules. One miRNA can target many transcripts, allowing each miRNA to play key roles in many biological pathways. miR-324 is implicated in bone and cartilage maintenance, defects of which result in the common age-related diseases osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Here, in global miR-324-null mice cartilage damage was increased in both surgically and ageing-induced osteoarthritis, despite minimal changes to the cartilage transcriptome. However, in vivo micro-computed tomography and histology demonstrated that the mice showed increased bone mineral density and both trabecular and cortical thickness, with effect magnitudes increasing with age. The bone marrow of miR-324-null mice also had reduced lipid content while in vivo TRAP staining revealed a decrease in osteoclasts, with histomorphometry demonstrating an increased rate of bone formation. Ex vivo assays showed that the high bone mass phenotype of miR-324-null mice resulted from increased osteoblast activity and decreased osteoclastogenesis. RNA-seq analysis of osteoblasts, osteoclasts and bone marrow macrophages and target validation assays identified that the osteoclast fusion regulator Pin1 and the master osteogenic regulator were targets of miR-324-5p in osteoclast lineage cells and osteoblasts, respectively. Indeed, in vitro Runx2 overexpression recapitulated the increased osteogenesis and decreased adipogenesis phenotype observed in vivo by the loss of miR-324. Overall, these data demonstrate the importance of miR-324 in skeletal biology and that altered bone homeostasis is likely causal for the increased cartilage damage observed during osteoarthritis and ageing. Elucidation of pathways regulated by miR-324 offer promise for the treatment of bone diseases such as osteoporosis.
Diagnosis, treatment and long-term follow-up of neurocysticercosis complicated with hydrocephalus: a case report
Authors: Yu Xiujun , Li Man , Wang Liqing , Li Hui , Ma Liuchang , Meng Linghan , Li Yi , Tai Liwen , Zou Yueli , Liu Yue , Bu Hui , He Jun Ying , Liu Xiaopeng
Published: December 2023

Background
Neurocysticercosis (NCC) presents a wide range of complex clinical manifestations and various complications, which depend on factors such as the number and size of cysticerci, developmental stage, brain location, and immune response.This study reports the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of a patient with neurocysticercosis complicated with hydrocephalus for up to two years.
Case presentation:
This study describes the clinical, radiological, and immunological features of a patient who initially presented with recurrent episodes of unconsciousness over five months. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was employed to identify the pathogen, and DNA from the pork tapeworm was detected in the patient's cerebrospinal fluid. Insecticidal treatment with praziquantel was administered, and upon readmission, secondary hypothyroidism was diagnosed, indicating the presence of hypopituitarism. Hormone treatment and thyroid hormone supplementation were initiated, resolving the patient's clinical symptoms and restoring thyroid function.
Conclusions
The manifestations of cerebral cysticercosis are diverse, underscoring the importance of accurate diagnosis and proactive intervention. Given the intricate and varied nature of these complications, extended follow-up emerges as a critical component. Such prolonged monitoring plays a pivotal role in determining the prognosis and enhancing the overall quality of life for affected individuals.
Commonalities in systemic inflammation, oxidative damage and neurocognition predict telomere length in type 2 diabetes mellitus and severe mental disorders
Authors: Tabarés-Seisdedos Rafael , Sánchez-Ortí Joan Vicent , Correa-Ghisays Patricia , Balanzá-Martínez Vicent , Saint-Gerons Diego Macías , Berenguer-Pascual Ester , Romá-Mateo Carlos , Víctor Víctor , Forés-Martos Jaume , San-Martin Constanza , Selva-Vera Gabriel
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Epigenetic mechanisms contribute to the maintenance of both type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and psychiatric disorders. Emerging evidence suggests that molecular pathways and neurocognitive performance regulate epigenetic dynamics in these disorders. The current prospective and transdiagnostic study investigated whether inflammatory, oxidative stress and adhesion molecule biomarkers and neurocognitive performance are significant predictors of telomere dynamics.
Methods: Peripheral blood inflammatory, oxidative stress and adhesion molecule biomarkers and neurocognitive function were assessed twice over a 1-year period in 80 individuals, including 16 with schizophrenia (SZ), 16 with bipolar disorder (BD), 16 with major depressive disorder (MDD), 15 with T2DM, and 17 healthy controls (HCs). A posteriori, individuals were classified based on their global methylation score (GMS) at baseline into two groups: the below-average methylation (BM) and above-average methylation (AM) groups. Hierarchical and k-means clustering methods, mixed one-way analysis of variance and linear regression analyses were performed.
Results: Overall, the BM group showed a significantly higher leukocyte telomere length (LTL) than the AM group at both time points (p < 0.05; η²p = 0.06). Moreover, the BM group had significantly lower levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and C-reactive protein (CRP) than the AM group at the1-year follow-up (p < 0.05; η²p = 0.06). Across all participants, the regression models showed that inflammatory, oxidative stress and adhesion molecule biomarkers, together with neurocognitive performance, were significantly associated with LTL (p < 0.05). Moreover, the model predictive power was increased when tested in both groups separately, explaining 15.8% and 28.1% of the LTL variance at the 1-year follow-up for the AM and BM groups, respectively.
Conclusion: Heterogeneous DNA methylation in individuals with T2DM and severe mental disorders seems to support the hypothesis that epigenetic dysregulation occurs in a transdiagnostic manner. Our results elucidated the interplay between epigenetics, molecular processes and neurocognitive function in these disorders. DNA methylation and LTL are potential therapeutic targets for transdiagnostic interventions aimed at decreasing the risk of comorbidities.
Role of pterostilbene in the regulation of notch signaling pathway of pulmonary fibrosis; comprehensive bioinformatics analysis model and in vivo study
Authors: Peng Yanfang , Xu Xianqun , Zhang Yabin , Zhang Yingwen
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic progressive interstitial lung disease caused by a variety of factors. To investigate the role of the Notch pathway in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients and of pterostilbene in Notch pathway regulation employing systematic bioinformatic model followed by the analysis of pterostilbene role in alleviating the bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF) in rats.
METHODS
Bioinformatics analysis was performed to screen and analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to PF, and further narrowed to those associated with the Notch signaling pathway and explore the mechanism of Notch and related genes on the pathological process of PF involved in the differential gene expression in the human lung and pterostilbene interaction with relevant proteins. For further confirmation, we induced PF in mice using BLM. Moreover, the effect of pterostilbene on the proliferation phenotype of BLM-induced PF was probed employing qRT-PCR analysis.
RESULTS
Following a systematic bioinformatics analysis model followed by experimental validations, we observed that Notch was upregulated in IPF patients and induced mice. Moreover, the results revealed that pterostilbene had activated SOD1 in lung fibroblasts, which led to the inhibition of the Notch signaling pathway via the reduction of the ROS levels.
CONCLUSION
We demonstrated that Notch overexpression is a key factor in inducing PF. Interestingly, our observations showed that pterostilbene’s primary function on PF is to regulate the Notch signaling pathway via activation of SOD1, reducing the ROS levels.
A Two-Dimensional NMR Relaxometry Method for Pork Fat Quantification
Authors: Chen Ke , Xu Zhiyu , Liu Ziyi , Zhou Jun , Zhou Xinlong , Ni Zhonghua
Published: December 2023

An accurate method for non-destructive quantification of pork fat content was investigated using two-dimensional inversion-recovery Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (IR-CPMG) pulse sequences in time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance (TD-NMR). Pork samples with varied fat contents were analyzed using CPMG, IR, and IR-CPMG sequences to map relaxation properties and distinguish fat and muscle signals, revealing better separation along the longitudinal (T1) axis. Prediction models showed IR-CPMG achieved the highest accuracy with coefficient of determination (R2) over 0.98. Validation against Soxhlet extraction resulted in R2 approximately 0.9894 agreement, confirming IR-CPMG matches the reference standard. Therefore, the proposed IR-CPMG TD-NMR technique provides a robust and precise solution for non-invasive pork fat content determination with potential for industrial quality control through its ability to resolve overlapping signals by jointly examining two-dimensional relaxation behavior, demonstrating continued NMR innovation can generate powerful analytical methods addressing important applications.
Sustainable Mini-Grid Model as an Alternative Energy Source for Deprived Communities in Ghana
Authors: Arthur Jones Lewis , Acquaye Peter , Arthur Sonny Davis , Nsiah-Gyabaah Kwasi
Published: December 2023

The study focuses on strategies for mini-grid development in rural North Ghana, addressing the critical link between electricity access and overall development. It covers rural communities in the Drobonso District, Sekyere Afram Plains. The research, involving two communities with 156 participants, employs a cluster approach and SPSS analysis. The Ghanaian island communities' experience, reflecting wider sub-Saharan African contexts, underscores the potential of renewable energy resources like solar. However, research gaps persist in understanding the co-benefits and barriers to widespread renewable energy deployment in the region. The success of Ghanaian island communities reflects broader contexts, emphasizing the suitability of renewable energy solutions for rural electrification in SSA and contributing to sustainable development goals. Research gaps persist in understanding co-benefits and barriers to widespread renewable energy deployment. The study recommends increased resources for solar mini-grid implementation to address climate change and energy access challenges in the region.
The role of miR-21, miR-223, and CLDN8 detection in UC-associated colorectal cancer
Authors: Wang Huiling , Xie Qi , Liu Xiaoli , Zhao Shaohua , Li Hui
Published: December 2023

Background
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease that leads to UC-associated colorectal cancer (UC-CRC), causing high mortality. Understanding UC-CRC's molecular mechanisms is vital for early diagnosis and treatment. The sensitivity and specificity of traditional tumor markers such as CEA, CA199, and CA153 are poor, establishing the need for more sensitive detection markers. Here we describe the clinical application of miR-21 and miR-223 combined with CLDN8 as new UC-CRC biomarkers.
Methods
The expression of CLDN8, miR-21, and miR-223 were detected by immunohistochemistry and Q-PCR. The diagnostic values of miRNAs and CLDN8 were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves and the area under the curve. The optimal specificity and sensitivity were according to the Youden index, (Youden index = Sensitivity + Specificity − 1). The diagnostic panels were constructed using a stepwise logistic regression model. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were measured by the CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry.
Results
CLDN8 was downregulated in the tissues of UC-CRC, and the expression of miR-21 and miR-223 both in the serum and intestinal mucosa tissues of patients with UC-CRC was higher compared with that of the control group. miR-21 and miR-223 combined with CLDN8 as a molecular marker of UC-related CRC are superior to traditional tumor markers. Corresponding changes occurred in downstream signaling pathway proteins related to CLDN8 and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) after miR-21 and miR-223 transfection.
Conclusion
miR-21 and miR-223 can destroy tight junctions between intestinal epithelial cells by targeting CLDN8 and promoting the occurrence and development of UC-CRC through EMT. Therefore, the combination of serum miR-21 and miR-223 and tissue CLDN8 detection is expected to become a new biomarker for early diagnosis and prognostic monitoring of UC-CRC.
Human tendon-on-a-chip for modeling vascular inflammatory fibrosis
Authors: Awad Hani , Ajalik Raquel , Alenchery Rahul , Linares Isabelle , Wright Terry , Miller Benjamin , McGrath James
Published: December 2023

Understanding vascular inflammation and myofibroblast crosstalk is critical to developing therapies for fibrotic diseases. Here we report the development of a novel human Tendon-on-a-Chip (hToC) to model this crosstalk in peritendinous adhesions, a debilitating fibrotic condition affecting flexor tendon, which currently lacks biological therapies. The hToC enables cellular and paracrine interactions between a vascular compartment harboring endothelial cells and monocytes with a tissue hydrogel compartment containing tendon fibroblasts and macrophages. We find that the hToC replicates in vivo inflammatory and fibrotic phenotypes in preclinical and clinical samples, including myofibroblast differentiation and tissue contraction, excessive ECM deposition, and inflammatory cytokines secretion. We further show that the fibrotic phenotypes are driven by the transmigration of monocytes from the vascular to the tissue compartments of the chip. We demonstrate significant overlap in fibrotic transcriptional signatures in the hToC with human tenolysis samples, including mTOR signaling, a regulatory nexus of fibrosis across various organs. Treatment with rapamycin suppressed the fibrotic phenotype on the hToC, which validates the hToC as a preclinical alternative for investigating fibrosis and testing therapeutics.
An inversion problem for optical spectrum data via physics-guided machine learning
Authors: hwang jungseek , Park Jun , Park Hwiwoo
Published: December 2023

We propose the regularized recurrent inference machine (rRIM), a novel machine-learning approach to solve the challenging problem of deriving the pairing glue function from measured optical spectra. The rRIM incorporates physical principles into both training and inference and affords noise robustness, flexibility with out-of-distribution data, and reduced data requirements. It effectively obtains reliable pairing glue functions from experimental optical spectra and yields promising solutions for similar inverse problems of the Fredholm integral equation of the first kind.
PACS numbers: 74.25.Gz,74.20.Mn,74.25.-q
Application of a Bi-Directional Gated Recurrent Unit Combined with a Recurrent Neural Network Model Based on Fusion Attention Mechanism in Estimating Soil Salinity
Authors: Zhao Jiawei , Wang Huan , Zhang Lixin
Published: December 2023

Soil salinization is an important limiting factor for agricultural and environmental sustainable development. To achieve rapid and accurate identification of soil salt content, a classification model called Attention-bidirectional gate recurrent unit recurrent neural network (Att-BiGRU-RNN) is designed, incorporating the fusion of attention mechanism. In the encoding and decoding modules of the model, BiGRU and RNN structures are used, enabling the extraction of deep spectral features by leveraging the correlation between spectral information in different bands of hyperspectral data. The attention mechanism is introduced to dynamically allocate weight information based on the differences in spectral information, thereby increasing the contribution of important spectral features to the classification model and improving the accuracy of the model. The research area is initially set in Dinge County, Shaanxi Province, China. Field spectroscopy measurements of 120 samples of original and air-dried soils are conducted using a ground-based spectrometer. Different mixed models for estimating soil salt content, including FDT-SVR, FDT-CNN, BiGRU-RNN, and Att-BiGRU-RNN, are constructed and validated and compared. The results show that compared to other models, the Att-BiGRU-RNN model optimized by the attention mechanism exhibits the highest prediction accuracy, with a coefficient of determination R2 = 0.932 and root mean square error RMSE = 0.012. Additionally, the model's recall curve at different precision levels is obtained to meet the parameter selection requirements under different estimation demands. This method can effectively identify areas with high soil salt content or severe salinization based on portable hyperspectral sensors and unmanned aerial vehicle platforms, and statistically analyze the distribution of soil salt content.
Effect of Relaxation-Based Virtual Reality on Psychological and Physiological Stress of Substance Abusers under Detoxification: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Lotfinia Shahab , Yaseri Aram , Jamshidmofid Pardis , Nazari Fatemeh , Shahkaram Homa , Yaztappeh Jafar Sarani , Kianimoghadam Amir Sam
Published: December 2023

Substance abuse is a widespread problem, with high rates of treatment dropout. Stress plays a crucial role in this problem, so innovative interventions with stressed patients can assist them in completing treatment. This study is a randomized controlled trial with 60 participants who have substance abuse disorder undergoing detoxification at a residency facility in Tehran, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: watching a 360-degree video of nature, a 360-degree video of a city environment, or no virtual experience. The intervention was performed only for one session. Psychological stress was measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Scale and Perceived Stress Scale before and after the intervention. Physiological stress was assessed through respiratory rate, skin conductance, and heart rate recordings during the virtual reality experience. Data analysis was performed using R software (version 4.2). Paired t-test results indicated significant psychological differences before and after virtual nature experiences, but not in the control and city groups. The repeated measure ANOVA showed a significant reduction in skin conductance (p < 0.01) and respiratory rate (p < 0.01) scores in the nature group. The findings suggest that virtual reality relaxation could be potentially beneficial intervention for reducing stress in patients during detoxification.
Frailty Assessment Prior to Total Joint Arthroplasties Predicts Length of Hospitalization and Postoperative Discharge: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Yu Benjamin , Huang Reiping , Tanenbaum JT , Etkin Caryn D. , Saif Areeba , Sweitzer Bobbie Jean , Stulberg Bernard N. , Stulberg S. David , Naqvi Syed Hassan Abbas , Stulberg Jonah J.
Published: December 2023

Background:Individuals age 65 and older account for 59% of total hip (THA) and total knee (TKA) arthroplasties. It is understood that this patient demographic is more frequently found to be frail, predisposing them to significantly poorer health outcomes. We developed a brief preoperative assessment tool to determine whether preoperative frailty predicts patients’ health care utilization following total joint arthroplasty (TJA).Methods:In a prospective cohort study, we conducted preoperative in-person frailty assessment for all orthopedic patients aged 65 years or older undergoing THA or TKA at a large academic center between April 2017 and September 2019. Frailty was defined based on the validated Fried Phenotype, examining patients across five domains: Shrinkage, Weakness, Exhaustion, Physical Activity and Slowness. We then examined risks of extended hospital stay and discharge to a facility amongst frail, pre-frail, and non-frail patients.Results:Of 1,373 TJA patients, 63 (4.6%) were frail, 402 (29.3%) were pre-frail, and 908 (66.1%) were non-frail. In univariate analysis, frail and pre-frail patients were found to have significantly higher resource utilization than their non-frail counterparts. Patients who underwent a revision procedure were more likely to have a facility discharge and an extended stay than those undergoing a primary procedure. THA patients had a higher risk of an extended stay than TKA patients but a similar risk for being discharge to a facility. Age was positively associated with discharge to a facility for age 71-75 years, as well as with an extended stay vs. 65-70 years. Adjusting for age, procedure type, and primary vs. revision surgery, the relative risk of being discharged to a facility (vs. home) was greater than two-fold for pre-frail patients, and nearly four-fold for frail patients compared to non-frail patients. Pre-frailty also increased patients’ risk of extended stay by 43%, while frailty doubled the risk compared to non-frail status.Conclusion:Frailty status clearly demonstrates an increased risk of resource utilization and represents a hidden risk in most orthopedic programs. Our preoperative frailty assessment tool proved to be useful for optimizing TJA patients, improving efficiency and optimizing care for our patients.
The impact of cognitive distraction on gustatory perception in volunteers with obesity
Authors: Ruda Iryna , Chellapandian Deepak Charles , Freiherr Jessica
Published: December 2023

Background
Obesity is a global health issue, the causes of which are complex and multifactorial, including biological, behavioral, socioeconomical and environmental. In our increasingly multitasking and technology-driven world, cognitive distraction while eating or making food-related decisions is a prevalent phenomenon. Yet, current knowledge on the neurocognitive mechanism behind distracted eating is limited and controversial. To address this blind spot in research, the study focuses on people affected by overweight and obesity, a group with a high prevalence worldwide. By examining both intensity and hedonic values of taste stimuli under distraction, the study takes a more comprehensive approach to understand how distraction affects human taste perception.
Methods
In this study involving 58 participants, two distinct groups were formed based on their weight status, lean and obese. These participants were engaged in a computer-controlled experiment during which they received various gustatory stimuli while simultaneously playing a Tetris game set at different difficulty levels, low or high. Their primary task was to provide ratings for both the intensity and pleasantness of gustatory stimuli. We employed linear mixed models to analyze distraction-related effects on these ratings. Additionally, the study gathered subjective reports of trial difficulty and physiological data, specifically electrodermal activity, to validate the experimental setup.
Results
The results of this study confirmed the anticipated outcomes: high levels of distraction had a diminishing effect on both the intensity and pleasantness perception of different tastes. Furthermore, these effects were found to be influenced by gender and weight status. Specifically, individuals classified as obese demonstrated more substantial changes in intensity perception due to distraction compared to their lean counterparts. It was also observed that taste sensitivity increased with increasing Body Mass Index (BMI) and interacted with gender, highlighting the complex interplay between these factors.
Conclusion
This study emphasizes that cognitive distraction during consumption affects perception of taste in terms of both decreased intensity and pleasantness, which may have implications for food choices and overall dietary habits. The significance of BMI status and gender as potential influencing factors is specifically stressed.
Tensor Network Representation and Entanglement Spreading in Many-Body Localized Systems: A Novel Approach
Authors: Gholami Zahra , Noorinejad Zahra , Amini Mohsen , Ghanbari-Adivi Ebrahim
Published: December 2023

A novel method has been devised to compute the Local Integrals ofMotion~(LIOMs) for a one-dimensional many-body localized system. Inthis approach, a class of optimal unitary transformations is deducedin a tensor-network formalism to diagonalize the Hamiltonian of thespecified system. To construct the tensor network, we utilize theeigenstates of the subsystems' Hamiltonian to attain the desiredunitary transformations. Subsequently, we optimize the eigenstatesand acquire appropriate unitary localized operators that willrepresent the LIOMs tensor network. The efficiency of the method wasassessed and found to be both fast and almost accurate. In frameworkof the introduced tensor-network representation, we examine how theentanglement spreads along the considered many-body localized systemand evaluate the outcomes of the approximations employed in thisapproach. The important and interesting result is that in theproposed tensor network approximation, if the length of the blocksis greater than the length of localization, then the entropy growthwill be linear in terms of the logarithmic time. Also, it has beendemonstrated that, the entanglement can be calculated by onlyconsidering two blocks next to each other, if the Hamiltonian hasbeen diagonalized using the unitary transformation made by theprovided tensor-network representation.
Enhancing Big Data Clustering: The Improved K-Means - Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm with MapReduce
Authors: Banait Satish S. , Kaklij Tanuja B. , Bankar Gauri K. , Hire Srushti B. , Wagh Digvijay B.
Published: December 2023

The volume and diversity of data produced by scientific applications and the corporate world have increased drastically in the modern era. Large data is challenging to collect, store, transform, and analyze. Processing vast amounts of data is a challenging task, and one major problem with big data is that it takes longer to run typical algorithms. One of the most common data mining jobs is clustering. It is applied in several fields. The K-Means clustering algorithm is widely recognized as one of the prominent unsupervised learning techniques in machine learning. The advantages involve fundamental clarity, good effect, and ease of execution. As the online world grew quickly, the rise in data collection locations occurred simultaneously, marking the era of big data and an explosion of information. This research introduces the IK-ABC Algorithm (Improved K Means - Artificial Bee Colony) to tackle various challenges encountered in k-means clustering algorithms. These issues encompass limitations in global search capabilities, the sensitivity of cluster center selection, randomness in initialization, early-stage development, and sluggish convergence observed in the original artificial bee colony algorithm. To expedite computation and enhance the effectiveness of the iterative optimization process, a custom fitness function tailored for the K-means clustering technique and a position update formula relying on global guidance was created through the utilization of MapReduce.