bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Cotton Stalk Biochar Use Efficiency on Cotton Yield in Zambia
Authors: Simasiku Martin Lubinda , Abdelmoghny Ahmed M. , Kranthi Keshav R. , Kranthi Sandhya
Published: July 2024

Growing cotton in acidic soils under drought conditions is a critical issue for Sustainable Agricultural Development in Arid Regions. The Biochar is a soil amendment to enhance soil properties like; water-holding capacity and as a source of nutritional elements. Therefore, the prime focus is improving soil health without decreasing yield productivity from a unit area in a sustainable manner. The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of Biochar application on the cotton yield of the commercial variety CDT V in comparison with other fertilizers such as manure and synthetic fertilizers under combined acidity, high temperature and drought stresses in Magoye, Zambia during the two growing seasons of 2021/22 and 2022/23. The results indicated that the acidic soils under drought stress had a negative effect on cotton productivity. The analysis of variance showed highly significant differences for treatment, years and their interaction for plant height and cotton yield. The observed results showed that the highest seed cotton yield and lint was 1888.92 and 868.90 kg/ha obtained from Biochar plus synthetic fertilizer treatment followed by Biochar plus manure produced 1691.85 and 778.25 kg/ha for seed cotton and lint yield, respectively. The highest partial fertilizer productivity decreased with increasing fertilizer dose. Also, the Principle Componet Analysis ( PCA ) showed acute angle between variables with long arms, which indicated highly significant positive correlation between five traits. Generally, Biochar combined with synthetic fertilizers could improve soil fertility leading to increased cotton productivity in arid and semi-arid regions.
Analyzing the Correlation Between Serum IgM Levels and Rituximab's Therapeutic Efficacy in Adult Nephrotic Syndrome：A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Song Haiying , Liao Yuheng , Cheng Yuan , Chen Jia , Qi Dongli , Guan Mijie , Hu Haofei , Wan Qijun
Published: July 2024

Objective
To investigate the relationship between serum IgM level and the efficacy of rituximab (RTX)in the treatment of adult patients with nephrotic syndrome(NS).
Methods
This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 68 NS patients who received RTX treatment in Shenzhen Second People's Hospital from September 2018 to August 2023. This study employed Cox proportional hazards model, Kaplan-Meier survival curves and other statistical methods to analyze the correlation between IgM level and the efficacy of RTX in NS treatment.
Result
This study involving 68 patients, 45 were male (66.18%). The Patients were divided into two groups according to the cutoff value of ROC curve analysis. There were 29 cases in the low level group (< 0.81 g/L) and 39 cases in the high level group ( > = 0.81 g/L). Complete remission was achieved in 23 cases (33.82%). Univariate analysis revealed that in the low IgM level group, eGFR was a significant factor influencing the effectiveness of Rituximab treatment for nephrotic syndrome (HR = 1.03, 95%CI 1.01 ~ 1.04).In the Cox regression model, serum IgM levels were positively correlated with the likelihood of complete remission in adults with NS treated with rituximab (HR = 3.080, 95% CI 1.552–6.110).Even after adjusting for age, gender, BMI, albumin, eGFR, urine protein quantification, D-dimer, serum IgG, and complement C3, this relationship remains significant (HR = 3.041, 95%CI 1.242–7.447, P < 0.05). However, we went further and found that serum IgM levels are negatively correlated with the efficacy of patients with membranous nephropathy treated with rituximab, but positively correlated with the complete remission of patients with minimal change disease.In the low and high serum IgM level groups, the median time to remission is 27 months and 11 months, respectively.The possibility of complete remission of nephrotic syndrome in patients with high levels of IgM was 1.967 times higher than that in patients with low levels of IgM.
Conclusion
Baseline IgM levels significantly correlate with the effectiveness of Rituximab treatment in adult patients with nephrotic syndrome. Specifically, serum IgM levels negatively correlate with treatment outcomes in patients with membranous nephropathy receiving Rituximab, while positively correlating with complete remission in patients with minimal change disease.
Trial registration:
This is a retrospective cohort study, we temporarily did not apply for clinical trials number.
Targeted blood metabolomics in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Authors: Sun Huiqing , Yu Muchun , He Lu , Cheng Ping , Wang Yanxi , Yan Weiling , Huangpu Jiaxin , Yang Wei , Mao Huijuan , Hu Qingnan , Li Shaohua , Li Na , Song Wangbao , Li Lifeng
Published: July 2024

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is associated with profound changes in lung microcirculation and metabolic status. This study aimed to investigate changes in significant blood metabolites and metabolic pathways in infants with BPD. Very preterm infants who underwent ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry testing at a corrected gestational age of 36 weeks were included. Infants with similar gestational ages were divided into two groups: those with BPD and those without BPD. Targeted metabolites were analyzed using the orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis model. Metabolic pathways were identified through Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. The study included 170 infants in the BPD group and 177 infants in the control group. C6DC, C16OH, Met, Ala, C0, C5, C5DC, C4, C2, C14OH, C18:2, Orn, and Tyr were identified as significant and the top metabolites. Met, Ala, Leu, C0, and C2 levels were lower, and C6DC, C16OH, C5, C5DC, and C4 levels were higher in the BPD group than the control group (all p < 0.05). Correlation heat map analysis and Mantel test revealed relationships between specific metabolites and BPD grade. The Mantel test revealed that the BPD grade was related to C0, C2, C4, and C5DC, brain natriuretic peptide related to C0. KEGG enrichment analysis indicated the involvement of these metabolites in five metabolic pathways. The findings suggest that amino acid and carnitine metabolites may play a role in BPD development, providing valuable insights into the effects of these metabolites on the condition
A comparative study on the efficacy of synthetic organic ligands on functional iron status in plants
Authors: Gupta Roshani , Kumar Vijay , Verma Nikita , Tewari Rajesh Kumar
Published: July 2024

Improving functional Fe status through the application of Fe with synthetic organic ligands is a strategy to overcome the Fe-deficiency problem. The study emphasizes on the potential efficiency of different selected synthetic organic ligands (Fe-EDTA, Fe-EDDHA, Fe-Citrate) and compare their effectiveness in improving functional Fe status by biochemical means and how wheat responds to different Fe ligands at a lower supply of Fe supply, 25 µM (c.f. 150 µM in maize) under hydroponics. Wheat (Triticum aestivum) and maize (Zea mays) plants grown under a hydroponic system. Fe was supplied as either FeCl3 or in complex with organic ligands, viz., EDTA, EDDHA, and citrate. Wheat plants exhibited improved functional Fe status, as indicated by high chlorophyll and carotenoids concentrations, lipid peroxidation, and ferric chelate reductase activity in Fe-EDTA and Fe-Citrate-supplied plants. Interveinal chlorosis along with mildly increased superoxide dismutase activity was observed in FeCl3, and Fe-EDDHA-supplied plants. Chlorotic leaves of Fe-EDDHA show a decrease in lipid peroxidation, highlighting the role of Fe in chlorophyll biosynthesis and lipid peroxidation in wheat plants. Fe-EDDHA was found to be an inefficient Fe supplier for wheat too, as indicated by decreased growth with a low shoot Fe concentration (c.f. maize at 150 µM supply). Both maize and wheat are strategy II plants, but wheat is more efficient than maize plants. Fe-EDTA and Fe-Citrate have been proven to be effective Fe-suppliers in comparison to Fe-EDDHA and FeCl3 in wheat plants. Fe-EDDHA is a poor Fe supplier in hydroponic systems as EDDHA forms a strong complex with Fe and its aromatic and hydrophobic nature.
Research on Wing Impact Damage Detection Based on FBG Smart interlayer and BAS-LSSVM
Authors: Dong Xiaoma , Chen Lifei
Published: July 2024

This paper reports research on wing impact damage detection based on a smart FBG interlayer and an SVM. The research results show that the embedding of intelligent interlayers has minimal impact on the strength performance of composite structures. The wavelength shift and strain of FBG sensors in intelligent interlayers exhibit a favorable linear relationship, and the interlayers can be embedded inside composite structures. Smart FBG interlayers are very suitable for nondestructive testing and evaluation of composite materials. After calibrating the strain load characteristics of FBG sensors in a smart interlayer, these sensors can be embedded in composite materials not only for monitoring structural stress and strain, but also for use in combination with advanced information processing technology to establish an active, online, and real-time monitoring system for sensing structural damage.
3D Modeling of Electrofacies from Seismic and Well-log Data Using a Geostatistical Algorithm
Authors: Hasan Reda Al , Saberi Mohammad Hossein , Riahi Mohammad Ali , Manshad Abbas Khaksar
Published: July 2024

Facies analysis represents a major part of reservoir characterization studies. The present study examines reservoir electrofacies (EFs) based on seismic and well-log data using several intelligent clustering methods. Results of the clustering were then evaluated using geostatistical algorithms for static modeling of the reservoir facies. The facies were classified based on logs by the multi-resolution graph-based clustering (MRGC) and self-organizing map (SOM) methods to obtain the porosity, as a petrophysical parameter, for 3D modeling. By means of a geostatistical approach to facies modeling via the sequential indicator simulation (SIS), well and seismic data were combined to come up with an accurate 3D model, which was then generalized to the whole reservoir. Application of the SOM and MRGC methods led to identification of 7 facies. In both methods, facies 1 exhibited the best reservoir properties. Upon the modeling, a 3D facies model was established for the depth interval ranging from the Frontier (second well creek) to the Crow Mountain horizons in the Teapot Dome. This model is of help in well planning and nomination of new well locations for drilling.
Dynamical mechanisms of how an RNN keeps a beat, uncovered with a low-dimensional reduced model
Authors: Zemlianova Klavdia , Bose Amitabha , Rinzel John
Published: July 2024

Despite music’s omnipresence, the specific neural mechanisms responsible to perceive and anticipate temporal patterns in music are unknown. To study potential mechanisms for keeping time in rhythmic contexts, we train a biologically constrained RNN on seven different stimulus tempos (2–8Hz) on a synchronization and continuation task, a standard experimental paradigm. Our trained RNN generates a network oscillator that uses an input current (context parameter) to control oscillation frequency and replicates key features of neural dynamics observed in neural recordings of monkeys performing the same task. We develop a reduced three-variable rate model of the RNN and analyze its dynamic properties. By treating our understanding of the mathematical structure for oscillations in the reduced model as predictive, we confirm that the dynamical mechanisms are found also in the RNN. Our neurally plausible reduced model reveals an E-I circuit with two distinct inhibitory sub-populations, of which one is tightly synchronized with the excitatory units.
Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions Liberalization on Air Quality: A Case Study of Chongqing, Southwest China
Authors: Wang Haozheng , Zhang Liuyi , Chen Yuanjun , Shi Guangming , Huang Chentao , Yang Fumo , Li Weihao
Published: July 2024

To mitigate the societal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, China implemented long-term restrictive measures. The sudden liberalization at the end of 2022 disrupted residents’ daily routines, making it scientifically intriguing to explore its effect on air quality. Taking Chongqing City in Southwest China as an example, we examined the impact of restriction liberalization on air quality, identified potential sources of pollutants, simulated the effects of abrupt anthropogenic control relaxation using a Random Forest Model, and applied an optimized model to predict the post-liberalization pollutant concentrations. The results showed increases in PM2.5 (72.3%), PM10 (67.7%), and NO2 (21.9%) concentrations while O3 concentration decreased by 20.5%. Although potential pollution source areas contracted, pollution levels intensified with northeastern Sichuan, interior Chongqing, and northern Guizhou being major contributors to pollutant emissions. Anthropogenic emissions accounted for 26.7% ~ 33% changes in PM2.5、PM10 concentrations while meteorological conditions contributed to 40.2% ~ 43.3% variations observed during the period. The optimized model demonstrated correlation between predicted and observed values with R2 ranging from 0.70 to 0.89, enabling accurate prediction of post-liberalization pollutant concentrations. This study can enhance our understanding regarding the impact of sudden social lockdown relaxation events on air quality while providing support for urban air pollution prevention.
Genome-Wide Investigation of the PIF Gene Family in alfalfa (Medicago sativa) Expression Profiles during Development and Stress
Authors: Liu Qianning , Wang Baiji , Xu Wen , Yuan Yuying , YU Jinqiu , Cui Guowen
Published: July 2024

Background Phytochrome-interacting factors (PIFs) plays an important role in plants as hubs for intracellular signaling regulation. The PIF gene family has been identified and characterized in many plants, but alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), an important perennial high-quality legume forage, has not been reported on the PIF gene family. Results In this study, we presented the identification and characterization of five MsPIF gene family in alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Phylogenetic analysis indicated that PIFs from alfalfa and other four plant species could be divided into three groups supported by similar motif analysis. The collinearity analysis of the MsPIF gene family showed the presence of two gene pairs, and the collinearity analysis with AtPIFs showed three gene pairs, indicating that the evolutionary process of this family is relatively conservative. Analysis of cis-acting elements in promoter regions of MsPIF genes indicated that various elements were related to light, abiotic stress, and plant hormone responsiveness. Gene expression analyses demonstrated that MsPIFs were primarily expressed in the leaves and were induced by various abiotic stresses. Conclusion This study conducted genome-wide identification, evolution, synteny analysis, and expression analysis of the PIFs in alfalfa. Our study lays a foundation for the study of the biological functions of the PIF gene family and provides a useful reference for improving abiotic stress resistance in alfalfa.
Xenograft of bio-3D printed scaffold-free cartilage constructs derived from human iPSCs to regenerate articular cartilage in immunodeficient pigs
Authors: Nakayama Koichi , Nonaka Toshihiro , Nakamura Anna , Murata Daiki , Yoshizato Hiromu , Kashimoto Shohei , Nagaishi Yukiko , Itoh Manabu , Zujur Denise , Ikeya Makoto , Toguchida Junya , Mawatari Masaaki , Zhao Chengzhu , Inada Yoshiko
Published: July 2024

Arthroplasty is currently the only option for reconstruction of large articular cartilage defects, mainly due to osteoarthritis. However, reconstruction with artificial materials has several issues such as deterioration, foreign body reaction, and bacterial infection. This study established a new method for articular cartilage reconstruction that fundamentally solves the problems associated with artificial materials by creating scaffold-free cartilage constructs and implanting them into extensive osteochondral defects without artificial materials. Tubular cartilage constructs were fabricated using a completely scaffold-free Kenzan bio-three-dimensional printing method with chondrogenic spheroids generated from human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (iPSC-MSCs). The constructs were partially cut open to form a patch and implanted into osteochondral defects in the femoral trochlear groove of immunodeficient miniature pigs. The cartilage constructs were elastic and easy to handle, and abundant glycosaminoglycans and collagens were observed in the grafted site after implantation as well as in the articular cartilage. Cells at this site were positive forhuman vimentin, indicating that the cartilage constructs were successfully engrafted onto the host subchondral bone. Scaffold-free human iPSC-MSC-derived cartilage constructs implanted into osteochondral defects contributed to the regeneration of extensive osteochondral defects in the absence of artificial materials.
Decision making for rehabilitation of the atrophic maxillary arch with tilted implants through TTPHIL:ALL TILT® Protocol: A proposed classification of various situations
Authors: Nag Venkat Ratna , Puppala Sarika , Lokwani Bhavna , Ramanathan Manikandhan
Published: July 2024

Purpose
Majority of classifications for implant placement is based on the morphology of the available bone. The entry and exit points of implant in all forms of atrophy are not emphasized. The purpose of this article is to classify the entry points, angulations and exit points for 6 tilted maxillary implants in anterior-posterior distribution for prompt decision making, the ease of surgery and to capitalize on the available bone width.
Methods
Retrospective radiographic analysis was done for 150 maxillary arch edentulous patients restored with fixed prosthesis supported by six tilted implants between April 2021 to April 2023. Post operative Orthopantomograph (OPG) tracings were done for maxillary sinus borders to classify the sinus pneumatization and the entry and exit points of implants were noted with respect to the prosthetic teeth, basal anchoring bone and implant angulations.
Results
Of the arches treated, 63 were SP1, 34 were SP2, 16 were SP3 in the maxilla. Many combination arches were encountered as well including 32 cases of SP1 + SP2 and 5 of SP2 + SP3 combinations. The common preferred entry points were canine, second premolar and second molar areas.
Conclusions
A functional surgical classification aids in placing all-6 tilted bicortcal implants for immediate function while being versatile enough to be used in delayed cases as well. The knowledge of this classification helps to visualise the entry/fixation points minimising unpredictable and morbid grafting surgical procedures. It also aids in efficiently delivering patient-centric minimally invasive, predictably stable, biomechanically sound, fixed implant treatments without cantilever in complete edentulism.
Induction of labour with cervical ripening balloon associated with oral misoprostol: an observational study comparing sequential and concurrent administration
Authors: Mancarella Matteo , Attianese Daniela , Moggio Giulia , Novara Lorenzo , Pecchio Silvia , Ambrogio Alessia , Covino Roberta , De Chiesa Francesca , Fuso Luca , Sgro Luca Giuseppe , Ferrero Annamaria , Bounous Valentina Elisabetta
Published: July 2024

Purpose. The association of cervical ripening balloons (CRB) and misoprostol for induction of labour (IoL) is frequently used, although there is poor evidence about the optimal timing and protocol for their combination. The aim of this study was to compare a concurrent and a sequential scheme for administration of oral misoprostol in association with CRB, in terms of mode and timing of delivery and rate of adverse events.Methods. This was an observational study comparing two consecutive cohorts of women with unfavourable cervix undergoing IoL by means of CRB combined with oral misoprostol, with either a sequential scheme (retrospective cohort, N = 36) or a concurrent administration (prospective cohort, N = 30). Primary outcome was the rate of vaginal delivery (VD); secondary outcomes included the interval of time to labour and delivery and the incidence of maternal or perinatal complications.Results. The concurrent administration of misoprostol combined with CRB resulted in a similar rate of VD compared to the sequential scheme (63.9% vs 76.7%, p = 0.29). Both time to active labour (32.7 +/- 10.9 vs 21.8 +/- 9.6hours, p = 0.001) and to vaginal delivery (34.0 +/- 12.6 vs 25.3 +/- 10.2 hours, p = 0.016) were shorter for concurrent misoprostol administration, resulting in a higher rate of VD within 24 hours (13.9 % vs 43.3%, p = 0.01). The rate of maternal and perinatal adverse outcomes did not differ significantly between the two groups.Conclusion. A concurrent use of CRB and oral misoprostol might be preferable due to similar results in terms of mode of delivery, achieved in a shorter time with no increase in complications; futher studies on larger populations will be needed to verify potential differences in CS rates and rare adverse events.
Constitutive overexpression of a nicotianamine synthase gene in bread wheat and in vivo assessment of iron and zinc bioavailability
Authors: Tako Elad , Cheng Jacquelyn , Beasley Jesse T. , Kolba Nikolai , Jackson Cydney , Dugan Eliot , Johnson Alexander A.T.
Published: July 2024

Iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) deficiencies affect over two billion people globally. Biofortification of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum), a crop that supplies approximately 20% of calories and protein consumed by humans worldwide, represents a sustainable strategy for increasing micronutrient intakes. We employed constitutive overexpression (OE) of an endogenous nicotianamine synthase gene (TaNAS2A) in bread wheat cultivar Gladius to increase biosynthesis of the metal-chelating molecule nicotianamine (NA). Field evaluation of three independent OE-TaNAS2A events found normal growth and consistently increased NA concentration in whole wheat flour relative to controls. Extracts prepared from whole wheat flours were functionally characterized in vivo (Gallus gallus) using the intraamniotic administration approach and alterations in markers of Fe and Zn transport, inflammation, and intestinal functionality and morphology were observed in treatment groups that received OE-TaNAS2A extracts.
Robust low threshold full-color upconversion lasing in rare-earth activated nanocrystal-in-glass microcavity
Authors: Dong Guoping , Gao Zhigang , Cui Lugui , Chu yushi , Niu Luyue , Wang Lehan , Zhao Rui , Yang Yulong , Liu Xiaofeng , Ren Jing
Published: July 2024

Visible light microlasers are essential building blocks for wide-ranging applications from integrated photonics to quantum computing. However, achieving low-threshold (µW), continuous-wave (CW) visible light lasing at room temperature (RT) has been a challenge because of the formidable requirement of population inversion at short wavelengths. Rare-earth (RE)-activated microcavities, featuring the merits of high-quality factor (Q) and small mode volume of whispering gallery modes, offer the great opportunity for achieving infrared-to-visible upconversion (UC) lasing. Here, nano-glass composite (GC) microspheres are fabricated incorporating RE-doped fluoride nanocrystals with highly efficient UC emissions. These multi-phase composite microspheres exhibit a high Q value (≥ 105), comparable to that of conventional multi-component glass microspheres. The UC lasing at pure red, green and blue (RGB) are demonstrated from a tapered fiber-microsphere system, and the RGB color gamut covered by the lasing is 106.26% of the standard of national television system committee. The superiority of the GC microspheres is clearly manifested by the reduced (by 45%) lasing threshold and enhanced (more than four times) slope efficiency. This, together with the excellent long-term stability suggests a promising solution to achieving highly robust, low-threshold and versatile UC microlasers.
Long-term Treatment Outcomes of Complicated Acute Diverticulitis in Immunocompromised Patients.
Authors: Sancho-Muriel Jorge , Cholewa Hanna , Millán Mónica , Quevedo David , Alvarez Eduardo , Nieto-Sanchez Marta , Blasco Raquel , Giner Francisco , Gomez Maria Jose , Primo-Romaguera Vicent , Frasson Matteo , Flor-Lorente Blas
Published: July 2024

Purpose
The main aim of this study was to determine the short- and long-term outcomes of the non-operative management of acute left-sided complicated diverticulitis (ALCD) in severely immunocompromised patients (IMS group) and compare them with immunocompetent patients (IC group). The secondary aim was to assess the necessity of an elective surgery following a successful prior non-operative management in the IMS group after a non-operative management of the first episode of ALCD.
Methods
Patients presented with their first episode of ALCD between 2012 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Only severely immunosuppressed patients were considered for the analysis, including: long-term oral or intravenous steroid intake; current malignancy undergoing chemotherapy; chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis or solid organ transplant with immunosuppressive medication. For each group, demographic data, severity of the episode, management decisions (conservative or operative), and short- and long-term outcomes were recorded and compared. A subanalysis of patients with ALCD associating and abscess (modified Hinchey classification Ib/II) was performed.
Results
A total of 290 patients were included in the study: 50 among the IMS and 240 among the IC group. The rate of emergent surgery was higher in the IMS group (50.0% vs. 22.5%, p < 0.001) and was associated with increased morbidity (72.4% vs. 50.0%, p = 0.041) and mortality (24.1% vs. 4.3%, p = 0.003). The duration of the hospital stay was significantly longer in the IMS group (15 vs. 8 days, p < 0.001). The final stoma rate was significantly higher in the IMS group (82.1% vs. 22.9, p < 0.001), with a median follow-up of 51.4 months. 141 patients presented ALCD with an abscess; 25 in the IMS and 116 in the IC group. There was a higher rate of surgical intervention among the IMS group as the initial treatment approach (24.0% vs. 5.2%, p = 0.002), even though the conservative treatment had a similar rate of success (81.3% vs. 92.0%, p = 0.178). The recurrence rate following a non-operative approach was similar (IMS: 31.2% vs. 35.4% in the IC group, p = 0.169). Furthermore, 81.2% of non-operatively managed IMS patients (13 out of 16) did not require a surgical intervention at the end of the follow-up, with similar findings in the IC group (78/96, 81.2%, p = 0.148).
Conclusion
Medical treatment of immunosuppressed patients during their first ALCD episode associating an abscess is feasible, with a high success rate and results comparable with the IC group. Moreover, taking into account the readmission rates, the need of emergent surgery of the recurrence, as well as the perioperative mortality and morbidity in the IMS group, conservative management with no differed scheduled surgery seems to be a safe option in this subgroup of patients.
Sexuality of adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus in comparison with their healthy peers.
Authors: Kakleas Kostas , Kandyla Betina , Tsitsika Artemis , Tzavara Chara , Karanasios Spyros , Karavanaki Kyriaki
Published: July 2024

Purpose
Adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) may differ from their healthy peers with respect to sexual behavior. The aim of this study was to explore sexual behaviors of T1DM adolescents in comparison with healthy peers.
Methods
The study population included 174 adolescents, of whom 58 T1DM adolescents (mean ± SD age 16.3 ± 2.0 years, disease duration 6.7 ± 3.5 years and HbA1c:8.0 ± 1.3%) and 116 healthy controls (matching 1:2 for school, class and gender). Anonymous, self-reported questionnaires were used to evaluate sexual education and behaviour.
Results
T1DM adolescents had a sexual experience at a significantly lower percentage than healthy peers (74.1% vs 87.4%, p = 0.033). The average age of first sexual intercourse was similar for both groups (15.9 ± 1.8 years vs 15.2 ± 1.5 years for T1DM and controls respectively). In the control group boys had sexual intercourse twice more frequently than girls and in the T1DM group three times more frequently. Maternal education level (β=-1.47, p = 0.014) and HbA1c (β=-0.63, p = 0.49) were independently negatively associated with the age at 1st sexual experience and 1st sexual intercourse (maternal education: β=-1.53, p = 0.003, HbA1c: β=-0.92, p < 0.001) respectively.
Conclusion
A significant percentage of the T1DM adolescents had sexual experience or intercourse. However, fewer T1DM adolescents had sexual experience compared to their healthy peers with girls having less frequently sexual intercourse than boys. Maternal education level and glycaemic control were negatively associated with age at sexual debut. The above findings underline the need for early sexual education of adolescents with or without diabetes for the prevention of unfavourable outcomes.
T Lymphocytes induce the expression of Coronin-1A in breast cancer cells enabling the transmigration through a blood- brain-barrier model.
Authors: Kros Johan M. , Zeneyedpour Lona , Pedrosa Rute M.S.M. , Belcaid Zineb , Dik Willem A. , Luider Theo M. , Mustafa Dana
Published: July 2024

Background:
In previous work we discovered that T lymphocytes play a prominent role in the rise of brain metastases of ER-negative breast cancers. In the present study we explored how T lymphocytes promote breast cancer cell penetration through the blood brain barrier (BBB).
Methods:
An in vitro BBB model was employed to study the effects of T lymphocytes on BBB trespassing capacity of three different breast carcinoma cell lines. Differential protein expression was explored by comparing the proteomes of the breast cancer cells before and after co-culture with activated T lymphocytes using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). siRNA was used to silence protein expression in the breast cancer cells to study contribution to in vitro BBB passage. Furthermore, protein expression in primary breast cancer tissues was explored and related to brain-metastatic potential.
Results:
Co-culturing with activated T lymphocytes or their conditioned medium (CM) resulted in increased passage through the in vitro BBB. The effects were less for cell line MDA-MB-231-B2M2 (brain affinity) as compared to MDA-MB-231 and SK-BR-7. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics revealed significant alterations in the expression of 35 proteins by the breast cancer cell lines upon T cell contact. Among the proteins is coronin-1A, a protein related to cell motility. Knockdown of CORO1A in the breast cancer cells reduced their ability to cross the artificial BBB to 60%. The effects were significantly less for the cell line derived from breast cancer with affinity for brain. The expression of coronin-1A was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR of 52 breast cancer samples of patients with metastasized breast cancers, with and without brain locations. Lastly, CORO1A upregulation was validated in a publicly available mRNA expression database from 204 primary breast cancers with known metastatic sites.
Conclusions:
We conclude that T lymphocytes trigger cancer cells to express proteins including coronin-1A that enable the cancer cells to cross an in vitro BBB. In addition, a prominent role of coronin-1A in the formation of cerebral metastases in breast cancer patients is strongly suggestive by its upregulation in tissue samples of breast cancer patients with brain metastases.
Effects of glacier retreat on plant–soil relationships
Authors: Charles Cecile , Khelidj Nora , Mottet Lucia , Tu Bao Ngan , Adatte Thierry , Bomou Brahimsamba , Faria Micaela , Monbaron Laetitia , Reubi Olivier , de Vere Natasha , Grand Stéphanie , Losapio Gianalberto
Published: July 2024

Background and Aims
An emblematic symptom of climate change is the retreat of glaciers worldwide. As glaciers retreat, new ice-free terrains allow the development of plant communities and soil. However, little is known about how plant–soil relationships change with glacier retreat over space-time.
Methods
We examined the direct and indirect relationships between structure of plant communities (life-forms composition, richness, ecological indicators) and soil properties (pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, C/N ratio, texture, available and major elements) along a 120-years glacier foreland chronosequence.
Results
Plant diversity increases with soil nitrogen content shortly after glacier retreat. In turn, soil stabilization and nutrient availability further increases plant diversity, reaching a maximum value around 60 years since glacier retreat. After 120 years, soil pH becomes very acidic as it acidifies at a rate of 0.02 units per, and plant communities shift from herbaceous to a coniferous forest. Such shift is accompanied by an increase in soil carbon and relative decrease in soil nutrients as C/N ratio increases by five folds. As a result, biodiversity decreases in our study area while organic matter accumulation and soil acidity become more pronounced.
Conclusion
Plants enrich soil nitrogen in pioneer stages while carbon accumulates in the soil and nutrients become scarcer in late stages. As climate is warming and glaciers are retreating at increasing rates, local plant–soil interactions should be the target of biodiversity conservation efforts and landscape management plans aimed at mitigating the impact of glacier retreat on biodiversity and soil functioning.
A Multi-level Multi-attention Mechanism Millimeter-Wave Radar and Camera Fusion Method
Authors: Miao Zehua , Li Yinbei , Wu Zizhuo , Yang Jiaqiang , Ma Yuliang
Published: July 2024

In the field of autonomous driving, a commonly employed method to enhance detection accuracy and robustness is the fusion of multi-sensor perception. The fusion of millimeter-wave radar and camera can effectively complement each other, providing sufficient semantic information while ensuring robustness against varying illumination and weather conditions, at a lower cost. In this paper, we focus on the fusion of millimeter-wave radar point cloud features and image features, proposing a multi-level multi-attention feature-level fusion method. By improving the DLA34 backbone network to expand the model's receptive field, we fuse point cloud features at multiple levels with image features and utilize an improved feature pyramid to handle features of both modalities, ensuring good cross-channel information capture capability. Our model leverages the advantages of multi-level multi-attention, achieving an accuracy of 34.3% in the challenging nuScenes dataset, demonstrating promising performance.
Analysis of the Relationship of Age, Gender, Education, Type of Cancer With the Level of Satisfaction and Compliance of One Day Care Chemotherapy Cancer Patients at Dr. Moewardi General Hospital Surakarta
Authors: Hadi Cahyono , Isa Muzakar , Sutrisna EM
Published: July 2024

Background Patient satisfaction is an indicator of a hospital's standards and is a measure of service quality. One day care (ODC) chemotherapy service is one of the service updates at Dr. Moewardi General Hospital facilitates chemotherapy patients to be treated in the recovery room without requiring an inpatient room so that time and costs become more efficient. Cancer patient compliance with chemotherapy requires collaborative efforts between medical personnel providing services and patients regarding the level of compliance with treatment. Cancer patient compliance is relatively low, namely only 50% -70%. One measure of success in providing quality patient care is looking at the satisfaction level of chemotherapy patients and encouraging patients to complete their chemotherapy sessions.Objective To determine the level of satisfaction and compliance of cancer patients with one day care chemotherapy services at Dr. Moewardi General Hospital and its relationship with age, gender, education and type of cancer.Methods This research is descriptive research with a quantitative approach. The sample in this study was 100 patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data collection technique used was a questionnaire.Results The satisfaction level of chemotherapy patients assessed from the five main quality dimensions of tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy was found to be 53% very satisfied, 37% satisfied and 10% quite satisfied. Cancer patient compliance with one day care chemotherapy services has reached 99%. There is a relationship between the level of satisfaction and compliance of cancer patients with one day care chemotherapy services which is significant and has a positive value. The variables age, gender, education and type of cancer do not have a significant relationship with the level of satisfaction and compliance of cancer patients.Conclusion The quality of one day care chemotherapy services at Dr. Moewardi General Hospital is classified as very good in terms of the level of satisfaction and compliance of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Efforts to increase patient satisfaction will have an impact on increasing the level of cancer chemotherapy patient compliance.
Origin-Destination Demand Prediction for Shared Mobility Service Using Fully Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Phithakkitnukoon Santi , Patanukhom Karn , Demissie Merkebe
Published: July 2024

Emerging on-demand shared mobility services face the difficulty of effectively balancing demand. Influx of these mobility services urges for more precise prediction of origin-destination demand becomes essential and urgent. Our previous work addressed this issue with a Masked Fully Convolutional Network (MFCN) model for short-term pick-up/drop-off demand prediction. In this study, we present a predictive modeling framework designed for short-term origin-destination demand prediction. This framework harnesses the capabilities of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), integrates our previously developed MFCN model, and introduces novel prediction fusion and scaling methodologies. Furthermore, a new loss function is developed and designed to effectively train the model with demand and location information. We evaluated the proposed framework using shared e-scooter trip data from Calgary, Canada. Our evaluation encompasses two prediction scenarios: next-hour and next-24-hour predictions. The performance of our framework is benchmarked against baseline models including the naïve predictor, linear regression, GCN, and variant models. Our model shows the best performance regarding the true positive and F1-score values. The results suggest a high degree of regularity in the daily demand as the next-24-hour predictor performs better than the other scheme. Nonetheless, when a spatial error is considered, the performances of the two prediction schemes are comparable.
Novel Design of Low-Cost Composite Shell and Backfill Tool for Stamping of HSS 590 Sheet Metal
Authors: Athale Madhura , Park Taejoon , Hahnlen Ryan , Pourboghrat Farhang
Published: July 2024

Sheet metal stamping uses hardened steel tools, due to their advantages in hardness, resistance to deformation, and resistance to abrasion. However, these tools have limitations when it comes to prototype production volumes, due to the high cost and time required for tool fabrication. Forming tools fabricated with polymers using additive manufacturing (AM) offer an inexpensive alternative suitable for low volume production and prototyping. For successful implementation of polymer AM tooling in sheet metal forming, tool cost, tool life, and part accuracy are important metrics. A novel composite tool design concept consisting of two distinct components – an outer polymer AM shell, and inner backfill – to make up the composite tool is proposed. Experimental and numerical investigation of stamping of high strength steel sheets with the new tool design is presented. It is shown that the new composite tool design concept improves performance and is more economical compared with fully dense or solid AM polymer tools.
Developing EFL Preservice Teachers' Oral Communicative Competence and Autonomy Utilizing Literature Circles and Process Drama Design
Authors: Nasr Nesma , El-Naggar Bahaa Eldin El-Sayed
Published: July 2024

This research investigated the impact of literature circles and process drama design on developing EFL preservice teachers’ oral communicative competence, strategic and sociolinguistic competence, and autonomy. Employing a quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design with 32 junior EFL preservice teachers, the study revealed significant improvements post-intervention. Data were collected using a communicative competence test and rubric, and a learner autonomy scale. Paired sample t-tests in SPSS indicated a significant difference at the 0.01 level in mean scores favoring post-intervention, highlighting enhanced levels of both communicative competence learner autonomy. The intervention fostered a shift from teacher-centered to student-centered approaches, providing opportunities for independent learning and collaborative discussions. During the literature circles phase, students took on roles such as discussion director, literary luminary, connector, and summarizer, which developed autonomy. Participants monitored their learning, interacted in groups, exchanged roles, and evaluated the learning process through literature circles’ evaluative forms. This phase also enhanced strategic competence, enabling students to speak without hesitation using paraphrasing, description, antonyms, and synonyms. In the process drama phase, students' sociolinguistic competence improved as they engaged in performing role-playing, story dramatization, improvisation, human slideshow, and tableaux after reading stories. These activities facilitated oral engagement and reflection, resulting in improved expression characterized by continuous, confident, and appropriately intoned speech. The findings underscored the positive effect of the design on teaching English literature novels, emphasizing student-centered and collaborative methods while prioritizing learning processes over outcomes. This research significantly contributed to developing active, orally competent, and autonomous EFL learners.
Security enhancement of remote user authentication schemes based on biometrics
Authors: Kim Hyunseok
Published: July 2024

Remote authentication has been extensively studied over the past few decades, with password-based authentication being a common approach since Lamport's 1981 proposal of a password-based remote authentication scheme. Despite numerous advancements, including the introduction of biometric and smart card-based schemes by Li and Hwang, as well as Chen et al.'s claims of robustness against various attacks, these protocols continue to exhibit vulnerabilities. These weaknesses include susceptibility to attacks such as replay, man-in-the-middle, user impersonation, and offline password guessing, among others. In this study, we conduct a comprehensive analysis of several existing biometric-based authentication protocols, identifying critical vulnerabilities and areas for improvement. To address these issues, we propose a novel authentication protocol that leverages the biometrics of mobile devices. Our protocol incorporates a collision-free one-way hash function to enhance security. We conduct a thorough security analysis of the proposed protocol using the Automated Validation of Internet Security Protocols and Applications (AVISPA) tool, alongside both formal and informal security evaluations. The results of these analyses indicate that our proposed scheme significantly improves security by effectively mitigating common attacks that have compromised previous protocols. Additionally, our protocol demonstrates superior computational efficiency, making it practical for real-world applications. By addressing the security flaws inherent in existing protocols and optimizing for performance, our scheme provides a robust and efficient solution for secure remote authentication using mobile device biometrics.
Predictive modeling of ICU-AW inflammatory factors based on machine learning
Authors: Guo Yuanyuan , Shan Wenpeng , Xiang Jie
Published: July 2024

Background
ICU-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) is a common complication among ICU patients, and we used machine learning techniques to construct an ICU-AW inflammatory factor prediction model to predict the risk of disease development and reduce the incidence of ICU-AW.
Methods
The Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) technique was used to screen key variables related to ICU-AW. Eleven indicators, such as the presence of sepsis, glucocorticoids(GC), neuromuscular blocking agents(NBAs), length of ICU stay, the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Score II (APACHE II), as well as the levels of albumin(ALB), lactate(LAC), glucose(GLU), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-10 (IL-10), were used as variables to establish the prediction model. We divided the data into a dataset that included inflammatory factors and a dataset that excluded inflammatory factors. Separately, 70% of the participants in both datasets were used as the training set, and 30% of the participants were used as the test set. Three machine learning methods, logistic regression (LR), random forest (RF), and extreme gradient boosting (XGB), were used in the 70% participant training set to construct six different models, which were validated and evaluated in the remaining 30% participants as the test set. The optimal model was visualized for prediction using nomograms.
Results
The logistic regression model including the inflammatory factor demonstrated excellent performance on the test set with the area under the curve (AUC) of 82.1% and the best calibration curve fit, outperforming the other five models. The optimal model is represented visually in nomograms.
Conclusion
This study used easily accessible clinical characteristics and laboratory data that can help early clinical recognition of ICU-AW. inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 have high predictive value for ICU-AW.
Trial registration
The trial was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry with the registration number: ChiCTR2300077968.