bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shedding light on bacterial fitness in a tug-of-war with liquid
crystal emulsions
Authors: Kolle Mathias , Vijayamohanan Harikrishnan , Feldstein Hannah , Totz Jan , Concellon Alberto , Li Jie , Swager Tim
Published: March 2024

Rapid and reliable quantification of bacterial dynamics at the cellular level is critical for pathogen sensing, live-dead bacterial assays, and monitoring of bacteria fitness and viability. Here, we demonstrate bacterial fitness quantification by capturing individual cells on topological defects of micro-scaleliquid crystal emulsion droplets. The emulsion droplets are composed of phase-separated nematic liquid crystal and fluorocarbon components and exhibit an asymmetric mass distribution. A topological singularity in the director field of the liquid crystal phase localizes tailormade surfactants that tether a single bacterium per droplet. Active motion of the bacterium induces a tilt and azimuthal rotation of the droplet trap, which is counteracted by gravity acting on the droplet center of mass. By comparing the observed dynamics of a tethered bacterium’s stochastic movement to a computational model of bacterial motion on spherical surfaces that is based on the classical Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process, we quantify the fitness of bacteria subjected to starvation over several days. This pathogen fitness sensing concept, which relies on the scalable chemical design of single bacterial cell traps, a robust optical readout, and a theoretical understanding of bacterial dynamics on spherical surfaces, offers opportunities for rapid pathogen activity assessment, micro-biological sensing, and biologically
powered micro-actuator systems.
OTULIN-related conditions: Report of a new case and review of the literature using GenIA
Authors: Caballero-Oteyza Andrés , Crisponi Laura , Peng Xiao P. , Wang Hongying , Mrovecova Pavla , Olla Stefania , Siguri Chiara , Marnissi Farida , Jouhadi Zineb , Aksentijevich Ivona , Grimbacher Bodo , Proietti Michele
Published: March 2024

OTULIN encodes an eponymous linear deubiquitinase (DUB), which through the regulation of M1-Ub dynamics, is essential for controlling inflammation as a negative regulator of the canonical NF-𝛋B signaling pathway. Biallelic loss-of-function (LOF) mutations in OTULIN cause an autosomal recessive condition named Otulin-Related Autoinflammatory Syndrome (ORAS), also known as Otulipenia or AutoInflammation, Panniculitis, and Dermatosis Syndrome (AIPDS). Monoallelic OTULIN LOF, also known as OTULIN Haploinsufficiency (OHI) or Immunodeficiency 107 (IMD107), has been linked to an incompletely penetrant, dominantly inherited susceptibility to invasive Staphylococcal infections. At the same time, a recent novel ORAS-like inflammatory syndrome was described in association with a heterozygous missense mutation that appears to exert dominant negative effects. In this manuscript, we report the identification of a novel homozygous missense mutation, c.595T>A; p.(Trp199Arg), in a Moroccan infant with an ORAS phenotype. We go on to systematically review the literature for OTULIN-related human disease phenotypes by using the GenIA databaseto collect, extract and harmonize all clinical, laboratory and functional data for published patients and variants. Our comprehensive synthesis of genotypic, phenotypic, and mechanistic data enables a more in-depth view of the diverse mechanisms and pathways by which the OTULIN pathogenic variants may lead to human immune disease. This review may help variant classification activities and the drafting of diagnostic and management guidelines; but it also identifies outstanding knowledge gaps and raises additional questions for future investigation.
The role of adsorbent microstructure and itspacking arrangement in optimising theperformance of an adsorption column
Authors: Salamanca Abel Valverde , Griffiths Ian M.
Published: March 2024

Physical adsorption takes place inside narrow pores where the attractive interac-tion between the surface of the adsorbent and the contaminant molecules is strongenough to retain the molecules. Adsorption columns involve a range of mass-transport mechanisms: advection through the free spaces between the adsorbentpellets, diffusion through the wider pores of the adsorbent, and adsorption at thesurface, where the narrower pores exist. The adsorbent specifications along withits assembly within the sorption column are key factors when optimizing the fil-tration of pollutants. In this work we present a mathematical model based onadvection–diffusion equations coupled with Langmuir kinetics that accounts fora geometrical approach to the porosity structure inside the adsorbent and thechannels through which the fluid flows. The model is tested using typical lab-scalevalues, and we use it to identify potential design optimisation of the adsorbentmass and its assembly.
Air conditioning of an off-grid remote school with an earth to air heat exchanger coupled indirectly to a solar cooling system
Authors: Ríos Juan , Velázquez Nicolás , Aguilar-Jiménez J.A. , Corona J.A. , Islas S. , Reyes-López J.A. , Luna A.
Published: March 2024

This work presents the results of indirectly coupling an Earth to Air Heat Exchanger to a 35 kW absorption cooling system. The study considers the weather, building, and soil conditions of a school located in the off-grid remote community of Puertecitos, Baja California, Mexico. TRNSYS simulation software was used to analyze the thermal behavior of the Earth to Air Heat Exchanger under different operation modes, in order to reduce the thermal load of the classrooms. The results show that during the months of May and June an Earth to Air Heat Exchanger with a diameter of 0.15 m, operating from Mondays to Fridays with and mass flow of 715 kg/h, is capable to reduce the thermal load of each classroom by 268.4 kWht, equivalent to 25% of the energy to be removed for maintaining the classrooms at 25°C, which is reflected in a reduction of 12.89% and 18.25% of the electrical energy and water consumption, respectively. For the period from August to October, the thermal load was reduced by 225.2 kWht, equivalent to 15.4% of the energy to be removed for maintaining the classrooms temperature at 25°C, causing an increase of 1.33% in electrical energy consumption, but reducing the consumption of auxiliary heat and water by 94.82% and 11.07%, respectively. The annual savings in auxiliary heat, electrical energy and water are 513.52 kWht, 136.05 kWhe and 6,084.03 kg, which represent 94.82%, 4.61% and 14.3% of the annual consumption of these resources.
Association of TYR Gene Polymorphisms with Coat Colors in Chinese Raccoon Dog
Authors: Guo Ruonan , Yang Yahan , Wang Yuanyuan , Liu Jiahui , Qu Xinyu , Huang Qingkun , Yang Tong’ao
Published: March 2024

Background
The TYR gene has been documented to exhibit an association with the dominant white coat color in certain mammalian species. To understand the genotypic profile underlying coat color in Chinese wild-type raccoon dogs and white mutant raccoon dogs, TYR gene was amplified and variations in them were analyzed by DNA sequencing.
Results
In this study, Sequence analysis revealed that 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms SNPs were detected, and four of them were missense mutations (c.329A > G、c.479A > G、c.1497G > C、c.1523A > C) resulting in amino acid mutations (Cln110Arg, Asn160Ser, Cys1497Phe, His1523Pro). These four SNPs showed a low-to-moderate PIC value ranging from 0 to 0.351. The genotype distribution of all mutations in two raccoon populations of different coat color not reached significant level (p>0.05).
Conclusion
Overall, the results of this study suggest that TYR gene may lead to a mutation in raccoon dogs fur color to white.
Optimizing the proportion of GGBS, fly ash, and nano silica in the replacement of SCGC
Authors: Mallia Bhanu Priya , Garanayak Lasyamayee , Basa Bidyadhar , Tiadi Narayan
Published: March 2024

This study aims to investigate and optimize the proportion of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS), fly ash, and Nano silica in the replacement of Self-Compacting Geo-Polymer Concrete (SCGC) to enhance its performance in terms of strength, workability, and durability. The research focuses on evaluating the fresh properties of Normal Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) and Self-Compacting Geo-Polymer Concrete (GPC) using NaOH and Na2SiO3 as activating agents. Tests such as slump flow, slump flow T50 cm, J-ring, v-funnel, v-funnel at t5 min, and L-box were conducted to assess the flow ability, passing ability, and workability of the concrete mixes. The results of the tests indicate that the concrete mixes largely satisfy the EFNARC Guidelines, with the optimized mix designs showing promising results. The slump flow values, T500mm slump flow time, V-funnel values, and L-box test results were within the specified range, demonstrating the suitability and effectiveness of the optimized mixes. The findings highlight the impact of GGBS content and Nano Silica addition on the flow and passing ability of the concrete mixes.
The progeny production from a single Myzus persicae was dependent on aphid density on Arabidopsis thaliana’s foliage
Authors: Mondal Hossain Ali , Paul Bablu , Ahmad Farzana , Gurung Albina , Mallick Moumita
Published: March 2024

A rapid colony formation on crop foliage is a highly relevant issue on agricultural and horticultural yield loss. Arabidopsis thaliana-Myzus persicae interaction model was explored for monitoring of the progeny production from a single aphid from an elevated level of an initial aphid densities like five, ten and twenty aphids’ release. The hypothesis was that each aphid contributed an equal number of progenies from every inoculum. The progeny production per aphid is also linked to host resistance and inversely corelated. To test this hypothesis, three different aphids’ density like five, ten and twenty adult aphids were inoculated with six biological replications on Arabidopsis thaliana foliage to monitor progeny proliferation from a single aphid in temporal scale like 0-, 12-, 24-, 36-, 60- and 108-hours’ time points after release. From the result, it was found that progeny contribution from a single aphid was dependent on aphid density on foliage. Another parameter, the marginal progeny production from a single aphid was also aphid density dependent. Thus, host resistance response was dependent on aphid density. In another perspective, aphids on host foliage were not independent, rather they communicated to each other through vascular sap. Therefore, the aphid density mediated herbivore on vascular sap was ‘footprinted’ in a density dependent manner and may be treated as molecular language among aphids.
Superiority of neutrophil count over other inflammatory markers in predicting gestational diabetes: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Hashemipour Sima , kalantarian Seyedeh Sareh , Panahi Hamidreza , Kelishomi Sara Esmaeili , Ghasemi Amirabbas , Chopani Sarah Mirzaeei , Kolaji Sepideh , Badri Milad , Ghobadi Arefeh , khairkhahan Seyyed Mohammad Reza Hadizadeh , Lalooha Fatemeh , Movahed Farideh , Abbasi Mahnaz , Elmizadeh Khadijeh
Published: March 2024

Background: To investigate the predictive values of blood cell components and blood cells-derived inflammatory indices for predicting gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
Methods: This study is part of the Qazvin Maternal and Neonatal Metabolic Study (QMNMS) in Iran (2018-2021. The association of blood cells and blood cell-derived inflammatory indices including neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), systemic immune inflammation index (SII), and aggregate systemic inflammatory response index (AISI) in early pregnancy with early insulin resistance and development of GDM in following months was investigated using univariate and multivariate statistical analysis.
Results: The final analysis was performed on 612 participants. GDM developed in 96 participants (15,7%). In univariate analysis, neutrophil quartiles had the highest predictive value for GDM development. Lymphocytes and monocytes quartiles were not associated with GDM development. In the fully adjusted model, neutrophil quartiles remained the strongest predictors of GDM development with relative risks of 3.7, 4.2, and 8.3 for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th neutrophil quartiles compared to the first quartile (P<0.001). Other inflammatory indices including NLR, SIRI, SII, and AISI had no additional yield to predict GDM. Despite the strong associate of neutrophil quartiles with GDM, there was no association between neutrophil counts and early pregnancy insulin resistance assessed by Homeostasis of Model Assessment -Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR).
Conclusion: Neutrophil count is the best predictor of GDM development among blood cell components and blood cell-derived inflammatory indices. The role of neutrophils in GDM development is independent of early pregnancy insulin resistance.
Aquaponic growth of basil (Ocimum basilicum) with African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in standard substrate combined with a Humicacid Fiber-Substrate (HFS)
Authors: Knaus Ulrich , Hübner Hyo-Dschung Dirk , Küchenmeister Christian , Appelbaum Samuel , Iten Walter , Palm Harry W.
Published: March 2024

A major challenge in agriculture, horticulture and aquaponics practices is the reduction of mineral fertilisers and peat to reduce CO2 emissions and increase sustainability. This study used a three-phase-natural fertiliser, the Humicacid Fiber-Substrate (HFS), made from natural regenerative organic and mineral-fractions (Humus-Mineral-Complex), to reduce the peat content in plant pots for aquaponics farming. Basil (Ocimum basilicum) growth was compared with i) 100% standard media substrate ("Einheitserde", white peat 80%, clay 20%), and ii) 85% "Einheitserde" and 15% of HFS under irrigation with aquaculture process waters from an extensive and intensive production of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) under coupled aquaponic conditions. The substitution with 15% HFS and use of intensive fish water resulted in comparable plant growth to a fertiliser solution as control, and in higher leaf width and leaf green weight and lower root dry weight compared with the standard media substrate "Einheitserde". Basil leaf chlorophyll content from the aquaponics was higher compared with local market plants. This suggests the possible substitution of the peat substrate "Einheitserde" with at least 15% HFS to reduce the natural peat fraction. Further studies on crop-specific substrates are needed to reduce peat in aquaponics farming plant cultivation.
Contribution of ice dynamics along Nares Strait to the stability of ice arches
Authors: Moore G.W.K. , Howell Stephen , Ballinger Thomas , McNeil Kaitlin , Brady Mike
Published: March 2024

Nares Strait, situated between northwest Greenland and Ellesmere Island, is an important conduit for exporting sea ice from the Arctic, especially thick multi-year ice undergoing an accelerated loss compared to other ice types. This export is impacted by ice arches that can form along the Strait and remain stable for months at a time resulting in a reduction in ice export. Arch stability is a function of sea ice thickness and there is a concern that the thinning of Arctic sea ice may weaken the arches resulting in an accelerated export of sea ice. However, little is known about the spatial and temporal variability of sea ice thickness along the Strait. Here we show that before arch formation, there is a local maximum in ice thickness where arches typically form, which is related to ice convergence. Furthermore, we demonstrate that ice motion continues north of the arch after it forms, resulting in convergence and a dynamic thickening of the sea ice. We propose that, even though thinning ice is a cause for concern, the dynamics of sea ice transport along Nares Strait lead to localized thickening of sea ice that may contribute to continued arch formation and stability.
Competition between Kardar-Parisi-Zhang and Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless kinetic roughening on (001) singular surface: nucleation-limited steady crystal growth
Authors: Akutsu Noriko , Kangawa Yoshihiro
Published: March 2024

Kinetic roughening of the (001) singular surface for nucleation-limited steady crystal growth is studied on the basis of a lattice model using the Monte Carlo method. At a sufficiently low temperature, there are two kinetic roughening points as the driving force for crystal growth Δμ increases. At a low driving force ΔμKPZ(001), there is the Karder-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) roughening transition point. On the KPZ rough surface, elementary steps around islands are well defined though the surface is thermodynamically rough, with a roughness exponent α of 0.3869. At a relatively large driving force, the Berezinskii-Kosteritz-Thouless (BKT)-type kinetically rough region was found for ΔμBKT(001) < Δμ. Around the middle driving force between the two kinetic roughening points, the crossover area that starts from the driving force ΔμKtoT(001) was found. For ΔμKtoT(001) < Δμ, the surface grows linearly as the driving force increases (adhesive growth). The points ΔμKPZ(001), ΔμKtoT(001), and ΔμBKT(001) decrease with increasing temperature because the step free energy decreases.
Direct and lagged climate change effects strongly intensified the widespread 2022 European drought
Authors: Bevacqua Emanuele , Rakovec Oldrich , Schumacher Dominik , Kumar Rohini , Thober Stephan , Samaniego Luis , Seneviratne Sonia , Zscheischler Jakob
Published: March 2024

In 2022, Europe faced an extensive summer drought with severe socio-economic consequences. By combining observations and climate model outputs with hydrological and land-surface simulations, we show that central and southern Europe experienced the highest observed total water storage deficit since satellite observations began in 2002, likely representing the highest and most widespread soil moisture deficit in the last six decades. While precipitation deficits primarily drove the soil moisture drought, human-induced global warming contributed to over 30% of the drought intensity and its spatial extent via enhancing evaporation. We identify that 14-41% of the climate change contribution was mediated by the warming that started to dry out the soil before the hydrological year 2022, indicating the importance of considering lagged effects of climate change to avoid underestimating associated risks. Qualitatively similar effects were observed in river discharges. These results highlight that global warming effects on droughts are already underway, widespread and long-lasting, and that drought risk may escalate with further human-induced warming in the future.
Possible extinction of Eversmannia subspinosa in Eastern Alborz by 2060 due to climate change: A MaxEnt study
Authors: Zaheri Amir , Naderi Reza , Amirahmadi Atefe
Published: March 2024

Climate change has altered ecosystems by affecting the suitability of environments for different species. Species distribution models provide insights regarding these changes, which could be valuable in conservation planning. In this study, we model the current and projected future distribution of Eversmannia subspinosa, a shrub from the Fabaceae family, across the Eastern Alborz area. This plant is endangered in Iran and is only found in the study area.We used the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) method and trained the model with the least correlated and most important bioclimatic and topographic variables. CMCC-ESM2 and HadGEM3 climate models, in conjunction with IPCC Representative Concentration Pathways RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5, were used to predict the distribution of the species in 2040 and 2060. Our results suggest that the current habitats of E. subspinosa are mainly in southern parts of Eastern Alborz. Elevation (54.9%) and annual mean temperature (24.5%) were the main contributors to the model. CMCC-ESM2 model predicts significant habitat loss up to 2040 and almost complete disappearance of high probable habitats (0.5 ≤ probability of presence) up to 2060. It also suggests a distribution shift toward higher elevations in Northern and North-Eastern areas of the study area. The model trained by HadGEM3 predicts extinction of E. subspinosa across the study area up to 2040. Filling the gaps between protected areas and national parks and limiting road construction, which blocks its migration to higher elevations in response to global warming, could delay the extinction of this rare species in Iran.
Sensory dysfunction in SMA type 2 and 3 - adaptive mechanism or concomitant target of damage?
Authors: Koszewicz Magdalena , Ubysz Jakub , Dziadkowiak Edyta , Wieczorek Malgorzata , Budrewicz Slawomir
Published: March 2024

The motor neuron survival protein performs numerous cellular functions; hence, SMA is considered to be a multi-organ disease with possible concomitant sensory system damage. Standard elec-trophysiological studies of the sensory nerves and assessments of the sensory thresholds for different modalities in adults with SMA types 2 and 3 were conducted. The study group consisted of 44 adult SMA patients. All patients underwent neurological examination using the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale – Expanded (HFMSE). Standard sensory electrophysiological studies in the ulnar nerve and the estimation of vibratory, temperature, and warm-and cold-induced pain thresholds were performed using quantitative sensory testing (QST) with the assessment of high and low temperature dispersion. The most reproducible result was the high amplitude of the sensory nerve action potentials (SNAP) in SMA patients compared to controls. This was higher in type 2 patients compared to type 3a and 3b patients and patients with low HFSME scores. Patients with SMA, especially type 3b presented a longer sensory latency and slower conduction velocity than did controls. Cold pain threshold was higher and warm dispersion larger in SMA. The vibra-tory limit was higher in patients with high HFSME scores. A high SNAP amplitude suggests sensory fibre hyperactivity, which may be based on overactivation of metabolic pathways as an adap-tive mechanism in response to SMN protein deficiency with additionally coexisting small C-and A-delta fibre damage. SMA patients seem to have a concomitant, mild demyelinating process present at the early SMA stage.
The effect of probiotics oral administration during gestation on infant gut microbiota in early life
Authors: Lin Yongchuang , Chai Yang , Wu Lulu , Li Yimi , Long Qilian , Gong Xuan , Luo Huijuan , Xiao Xiaomin
Published: March 2024

Background
Probiotics have been widely used by pregnant women, but the effect of probiotics on the infant gut microbiota has not been clearly confirmed.This study aimed at investigating the effects of probiotics oral administration during the third trimester on infants' gut microbiota within the first 6 months following vaginal delivery.
Methods
Healthy Chinese pregnant women were recruited and randomly divided into the probiotic group and the control group. The first-pass meconium samples and the fecal samples of infants were collected by trained personnel on 3 days, 14 days, 6 months following vaginal birth. The 16SrRNA gene sequencing technology was applied to analyze the infants' gut microbiota.
Results
1. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the most dominant phyla in both control and probiotic groups within the first 6 months of life. 2. The diversity of the infants gut microbiota had no difference between the two groups at any time points during the first 6 months of life. 3. There was a lower relative abundance of Bacteroidetes of the probiotic group infants compared with that of the control group infants on 0 day, 14 days as well as 6 months. 4. The probiotic group infants displayed a higher Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio(F/B ratio) than the control group during the neonatal period.
Conclusion
The probiotics oral administration during the third trimester may decreased the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes of their 6 months infants gut microbiota, and increased the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio. But the effect on the diversity of infants gut microbiota was limited.
The Multi-decadal Collapse of East Antarctica’s Conger-Glenzer Ice Shelf
Authors: Walker Catherine , Millstein Joanna , Miles Bertie , Cook Sue , Fraser Alexander , Colliander Andreas , Misra Sidharth , Trusel Luke , Adusumilli Susheel , Fricker Helen Amanda
Published: March 2024

Antarctica is losing net mass to the ocean; most of this loss has occurred in West Antarctica and the Antarctic Peninsula, which together hold ~5.5 m of sea level rise (SLR) potential. The East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) stores almost 10x more ice, and contributes the largest uncertainty to SLR projections, primarily due to insufficient process-scale observations. While EAIS has largely remained stable, it has recently started showing signs of change around its margins. We report the first-ever major ice shelf collapse observed in EAIS, culminating with the March 2022 disintegration of the Conger-Glenzer Ice Shelf, formerly comprising the eastern portion of Shackleton Ice Shelf (SIS) on Knox Coast. Overall, the collapse had four stages spanning several decades starting 1997-2000 when small calving events isolated it from SIS; in 2011, it retreated from a central pinning point, followed by relative quiescence for a decade; the remaining ~1200 km2 area disintegrated over a few days in mid-March 2022. While the pace of most previous ice shelf collapses has prevented detailed sampling, this long-term, multi-stage event provided the opportunity to sample and isolate processes involved in ice shelf collapse, enabling crucial data for early warning indicators and enhancing our understanding of EAIS dynamics and response to future ocean and atmospheric forcing.
Multigenerational hybridisation results in heterosis and facilitates adaptive introgression, with no evidence of outbreeding depression in a pair of marine gastropods
Authors: Cummins Deanne , Johnson Michael , Tomkins Joseph , Kennington Jason
Published: March 2024

Anthropogenic environmental changes continue to threaten species globally. On the one hand, anthropogenic movement of species has caused unintentional hybridisation, which has contributed to species declines. On the other hand (more recently), hybridisation has been viewed as a way to increase the evolutionary potential of species vulnerable to rapid environmental change. However, the benefits of mixing genetically divergent lineages do not come without risks to individual fitness and the long-term viability of populations. Here, we use a combination of genome-wide Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers, mitochondrial DNA sequencing and measurements of growth rate to determine the long-term genetic consequences of hybridisation between two congeneric marine gastropods. Multigeneration hybridisation resulted from the introduction of the intertidal periwinkle Bembicium vittatum (a direct developer) into the native range of its congener Bembicium auratum (a species with planktotrophic larval dispersal). Despite significant genetic divergences between the species, we found no direct evidence of outbreeding depression in the admixed population. Instead, we found evidence for heterosis, which dissipated over time. After an initial lag, the frequency of introduced B. vittatum alleles declined dramatically in the hybrid population, however, a few B. vittatum alleles (3.18%) increased significantly in frequency against the overall trend, providing evidence of adaptive introgression. In the context of hybridisation as a conservation management tool, our results provide some evidence of the potential benefits that can be gained and suggest that the costs due to outbreeding depression can be small.
Dividend Tax Capitalization and Firm Valuation: Insights from Taiwan's Capital Markets
Authors: Wang Chuan-San
Published: March 2024

This study investigates the impact of comprehensive personal income taxes on capital markets using the market model estimated by seemingly unrelated regressions. Focusing on the repeal of Article 238 of the Companies Act in Taiwan in 2001, which allowed companies to choose whether to transfer capital reserves to retained earnings, we explore how this decision affected firm valuation. While theoretically, such a transfer does not alter firm value, it enhances a company’s ability to distribute cash dividends. We examine whether shareholders discount stock prices due to anticipated increases in comprehensive personal income tax associated with dividend payments. Our findings reveal negative abnormal returns following the repeal of Article 238, particularly pronounced for companies with larger amounts of transferable capital reserves. Moreover, investors assign lower valuations to capital reserves eligible for transfer into retained earnings. These results carry implications for understanding the impact of dividend taxes on stock prices and broader considerations regarding the effects of similar tax burdens on capital markets.
Enhancing Spatial Query Processing Efficiency in IoT Environments Through a Mobile Agent Paradigm
Authors: Ameur Imane , Lagraa Nasreddine , Ameur Mazene
Published: March 2024

Many applications and protocols in IoT Environments are based on spa-tial query processing. Spatial queries are often submitted by users toextract and derive information from sensor nodes and get the resultof the query on a particular area in a monitored region using locationinformation. In this paper, we are particularly interested in Windowqueries, because it is one of the most important types of spatial queries,and retrieve the physical data detected from nodes in a two-dimensionalzone of interest. The current research fits within the framework ofstudying the problem of spatial query processing in the context ofIoT Environments. Our objective is to propose a Window query pro-cessing approach for IoTs based on different performance trade-offs,namely energy efficiency, latency, and accuracy. In this regard, a newapproach, based on the paradigm of mobile agents, for spatial queryprocessing in IoT Environments is proposed, which responds to the con-straints of sensor networks to enhance the efficiency of spatial queryprocessing in a geographic area. Finally, the simulation results obtainedfrom the NS-2 simulator showed the effectiveness of our approachfor several simulation parameters and in different environments.
Moment estimates and well-posedness of the binary-ternary Boltzmann equation
Authors: Ampatzoglou Ioakeim , Gamba Irene , Pavlović Natasa , Tasković Maja
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we show global well-posedness as well as the generation and propagation of polynomial and exponential moments for the binary-ternary Boltzmann equation with integrable angular kernel. We show that the homogeneous binary-ternary equation behaves like the better of the two - the purely binary or purely ternary equation - in the sense that it exhibits the generation of moments corresponding to the part of the kernel with the highest potential rate. An important consequence of this is establishing, for the first time, generation of moments of solutions even if one of the potentials corresponds to Maxwell molecules (something that is not known for purely binary or purely ternary equation with Maxwell type interactions). To address these questions, we develop compact manifold angular averaging estimates for the ternary collision operator. This is the first paper which discusses this type of questions for the binary-ternary Boltzmann equation and opens the door for studying moments properties of gases with higher collisional density.
Changes in the soil and rhizosphere microbiomes associated with bacterial wilt decline in the tomato monoculture field
Authors: Peng Junwei , Hou Jinfeng , Liu Hong , Mavrodi Dmitri V. , Mavrodi Olga V. , Sun Feifei , Shen Minchong , Wang Xia , Dang Keke , Zhou Jiawen , Dong Yuanhua , Li Jiangang
Published: March 2024

Background
Monoculture farming increases the efficiency of planting and harvesting, but at the same time, exacerbates the severity of soilborne diseases. Disease-suppressive soils are an effective and sustainable resource for managing soilborne diseases in monoculture systems. However, the abiotic and biotic factors contributing to the emergence and function of specific suppressiveness remain elusive, limiting the broader acceptance of suppressive soil in agriculture. Here, we investigated changes in the belowground tomato microbiome during long-term monoculture leading to an outbreak and subsequent suppression of bacterial wilt. We also conducted greenhouse experiments to examine the differences in rhizosphere community and plant performance between disease-suppressive soil and disease-conductive soil. Moreover, we used metagenomics to assess the functional profiles of rhizosphere communities in response to suppressive soil.
Results
In our long-term tomato monoculture system, wilt incidence steadily increased, culminating in the most severe outbreak in the fifth cropping cycle. Surprisingly, in the seventh crop, wilt symptoms spontaneously declined, signifying a transition toward the disease-suppressive state. Greenhouse disease assays confirmed that the suppressive soil had significantly lower wilt incidence, compared to its disease-conductive counterpart. Drenching tomato seedlings planted in infested soil with rhizosphere soil suspensions from disease-suppressive plots significantly improved the plant growth and physiological characteristics compared to seedlings treated with a conducive soil suspension. The monocropping and disease reduction were associated with shifts in the diversity and abundance of multiple bacteria associated with plant roots, including an enrichment of Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Streptomyces. Isolates of Pseudomonas and Bacillus from plants growing in suppressive soil antagonized R. solanacearum and significantly decreased the incidence of bacterial wilt in greenhouse trials. Another important change that accompanied the transition towards the disease-suppressive state involved the enrichment of Streptomyces and trace elements (Mn, Ni) in bulk soil. Functional analysis of the suppressive soil metagenome revealed enrichment of genes for the synthesis of antibiotics, polysaccharides, nitrogen metabolism, mineral absorption, and energy production.
Conclusions
This study is among the first to directly demonstrate that long-term tomato monoculture can induce specific soil suppressiveness against Ralstonia wilt, while also revealing the key changes in soil and rhizosphere microbiomes and their function associated with this phenomenon.
The triglyceride paradox: a retrospective analysis based on the MIMIC-Ⅳ database
Authors: Huang Yujie , Sun Zhengjie
Published: March 2024

Background
Previous studies suggest that sepsis patients often have elevated triglyceride levels due to various factors, and higher levels may indicate a poorer prognosis. However, few studies have investigated whether lower triglycerides are associated with a better prognosis.
Methods
The Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database provided all the data. To assess the association between triglycerides and prognosis, we used logistic regression analysis (LR) and Cox proportional hazards models. We further controlled for confounders using propensity score matching (PSM).
Results
Inclusion criteria were met by a total of 804 patients with a mean triglyceride of 103. We found that patients had a higher risk of 30-day ICU mortality and 30-day in-hospital mortality when triglycerides were in the second percentile (74 mg/dL-103 mg/dL). Interestingly, this group of patients seems to benefit more from the use of atorvastatin.
Conclusion
The relationship between triglyceride levels and prognosis in patients with sepsis is complex. Our study indicates that a poor prognosis is often associated with triglyceride levels in the range of 74 mg/dL-103 mg/dL.
Curvature Guided Color Image Restoration by Saturation Value Total Variation
Authors: Wang Wei , Wang Jingjie , Ng Michael
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we propose a novel curvature guided saturation value total variation model for color image restoration. Specifically, we incorporate the curvature prior into the traditional variational model to guide the evolution in the direction that maintains the curvature information. Theoretically, we investigate the properties of the proposed model, and give a detailed discussion based on the mathematical foundation about the existence of the solution. Numerically, we formulate an effective and efficient algorithm to solve the proposed minimization problem based on the framework of alternating direction method of multipliers. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate that the performance of the proposed model is better than that of other testing methods for several testing color images.
AMS subject classifications. 65K10, 65J22, 68U10, 90C25,
Socioeconomic Inequalities in Out of Pocket and Catastrophic Health Expenditures in Pakistan
Authors: Bashir Saima , Kishwar Shabana , Nasir Muhammad , Ali Shehzad
Published: March 2024

In Pakistan, health care utilization is linked to out-of-pocket (OOP) payments which has inequitable impact on household finances, leading to a vicious cycle of debt and repayments. In this study, we investigated socioeconomic inequality in OOP and catastrophic health expenditure (CHE), and the contribution of sociodemographic determinants to inequality. Three latest rounds of the Household Integrated Economic Survey (2007-08, 2011-12, and 2018-19) conducted by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics were used. National and provincial-level socioeconomic inequalities were measured using concentration index (CI), and the slope (SII) and relative (RII) indices of inequality. Decomposition analyses were conducted using the approach proposed by Wagstaff (2005) and Erreygers (2009). We found that OOP payments increased from PKR 127 (2007-8) to PKR 250 (2018-19), with the largest increase observed in Punjab province. The gap in mean OOP payment between socioeconomic quintiles was also the largest in Punjab (2018-19). The percentage experiencing CHE in the most deprived quintile (Q1) changed from 8.3% (2007-8) to 13.7% (2018-9), and for the least deprived quintile (Q5) changed from 5.1% (2007-8) to 8.4% (2018-19). The OOP CI increased from 0.028 to 0.051 between 2007-8 and 2019-18, while SII and RII increased from 0.89 to 1.32 and 1.18 to 1.36, respectively. The CHE CI remained unchanged between 2007-8 and 2018-19, while SII become more positive and RII values became more negative. These findings suggest that the OOP expenditures increased over time for the least deprived group while CHE increased for the most deprived groups. The inequality decomposition analysis found that family size, socioeconomic position, dependency ratio and employment status were key contributing factors. We conclude that poor households should be protected from CHE by decoupling utilization from financing and extending financial risk protection through health insurance.
Identifying Rice Field Weeds from Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Remote Sensing Imagery Using Deep Learning
Authors: Guo Zhonghui , Cai Dongdong , Zhou Yunyi , Xu Tongyu , Yu Fenghua
Published: March 2024

Background
Rice field weed object detection can provide key information on weed species and locations for precise spraying, which is of great significance in actual agricultural production. However, facing the complex and changing real farm environments, traditional object detection methods still have difficulties in identifying small-sized, occluded and densely distributed weed instances. To address these problems, this paper proposes a multi-scale feature enhanced DETR network, named MS-DETR. By adding multi-scale feature extraction branches on top of DETR, this model fully utilizes the information from different semantic feature layers to improve recognition capability for rice field weeds in real-world scenarios.
Methods
Introducing multi-scale feature layers on the basis of the DETR model, we conduct a differentiated design for different semantic feature layers. The high-level semantic feature layer adopts Transformer structure to extract contextual information between barnyard grass and rice plants. The low-level semantic feature layer uses CNN structure to extract local detail features of barnyard grass. Introducing multi-scale feature layers inevitably leads to increased model computation, thus lowering model inference speed. Therefore, we employ a new type of Pconv (Partial convolution) to replace traditional standard convolutions in the model, so as to reduce memory access time and computational redundancy.
Results
On our constructed rice field weed dataset, compared with the original DETR model, our proposed MS-DETR model improved average recognition accuracy of rice field weeds by 2.8%, reaching 0.792. The MS-DETR model size is 40.8M with inference time of 0.0081 seconds. Compared with three classical DETR models (Deformable DETR, Anchor DETR and DAB-DETR), the MS-DETR model respectively improved average precision by 2.1%, 4.9% and 2.4%.
Discussion
This model has advantages such as high recognition accuracy and fast recognition speed. It is capable of accurately identifying rice field weeds in complex real-world scenarios, thus providing key technical support for precision spraying and management of variable-rate spraying systems.
Trivalent outer membrane vesicles-based combination vaccine candidate induces protective immunity against Campylobacter and invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella in adult mice
Authors: Banerjee Soumalya , Halder Prolay , Das Sanjib , Maiti Suhrid , Withey Jeffrey H. , Mitobe Jiro , Chowdhury Goutam , Kitahara Kei , Miyoshi Shin-ichi , Mukhopadhyay Asish Kumar , Dutta Shanta , Koley Hemanta
Published: March 2024

Campylobacter and non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) are among the most common causative agents of gastroenteritis worldwide. As of now, no single combination licensed vaccine is available for public health use against both NTS and Campylobacterspecies. Outer-membrane vesicles (OMVs) are nanoscale proteoliposomes released from the surface of gram-negative bacteria during log phase and harbor a variety of immunogenic proteins. Based on epidemiology of infections, we formulated a novel trivalent outer membrane vesicles (TOMVs)-based vaccine candidate against Campylobacter jejuni (CJ),Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) andSalmonella Enteritidis (SE). Isolated OMVs from CJ, ST and SE were combined in equal ratios for formulation of TOMVs and 5 µg of the developed vaccine candidate was used for intraperitoneal immunization of adult BALB/c mice. Immunization with TOMVs significantly activated both the humoral and cellular arm of adaptive immune response. Robust bactericidal effect was elicited by TOMVs immunized adult mice sera. TOMVs immunization induced long-term protective efficacy against CJ, ST and SE infections in mice. The study illustrates the ability of TOMVs-based combination immunogen in eliciting broad-spectrum protective immunity against prevalent Campylobacter and NTS pathogens. According to the findings, TOMVs can work as a potent combination-based acellular vaccine candidate for amelioration of Campylobacter and NTS-mediated gastroenteritis.
Partial cardiopulmonary bypass through left thoracotomy for coarctation repair in children
Authors: Joo Kunihiko , Ochiai Yoshie , Motomatsu Yuma , Hashizumi Yuki , Maniwa Yutaka , Sugitani Yuichiro , Watanabe Mamie , Muneuchi Jun , Tokunaga Shigehiko
Published: March 2024

Background
A left thoracotomy approach is anatomically appropriate for childhood aortic coarctation; however, the pediatric femoral arteriovenous diameters are too small for cardiopulmonary bypass cannulation. We aimed to determine the safety of a partial cardiopulmonary bypass through the main pulmonary artery and the descending aorta in pediatric aortic coarctation repair.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed 10 patients, who underwent coarctation repair under partial main pulmonary artery-to-descending aorta cardiopulmonary bypass with a left thoracotomy, between January 2006 and July 2023.
Results
The median age and weight at surgery were 3.1 years (range, 9 days to 17.9 years) and 14.0 (range, 2.8–40.7) kg, respectively. Indications for the partial cardiopulmonary bypass with overlap were as follows: age > 1 year (n = 7), mild aortic coarctation (n = 3), and predicted ischemic time > 30 min (n = 5). Coarctation repair using autologous tissue was performed in seven cases and graft replacement in three. The mean partial cardiopulmonary bypass time, descending aortic clamp time, and cardiopulmonary bypass flow rate were 73 ± 37 min, 57 ± 27 min, and 1.6 ± 0.2 L/min/m2, respectively. Urine output (mean: 9.1 ± 7.9 mL/kg/h) was observed in most cases during descending aortic clamping. The median ventilation time was 1 day (range, 0–15), and the intensive care unit stay duration was 2 days (range, 1–16) with no surgical deaths. No major complications, including paraplegia or recurrent coarctation, occurred postoperatively during a median observation period of 8.1 (range, 3.4–17.5) years.
Conclusions
Partial cardiopulmonary bypass through the main pulmonary artery and descending aorta via a left thoracotomy is a safe and useful option for pediatric aortic coarctation repair.
Amphiphilic fibers based on polypropylene-g-poly(acrylic acid) by sequential photo-induced metal-free ATRP and electrospinning
Authors: Acik Gokhan
Published: March 2024

Undoubtedly, with the increasing awareness of the scientific community and the public, current trends are directing research to implement effective and combined yet nature friendly methodologies. Due to advantages such as adaptability and versatility, the combination of electrospinning and light is increasingly intriguing. This study proposes a new strategy for producing amphiphilic fibers from graft copolymer of polypropylene (PP) and poly (acrylic acid) (FPP-g-PAA). The first step includes the synthesis of copolymer containing PP main chain and poly (tertiary butyl acrylate) pendant groups (PP-g-PAA) via photo-induced metal-free ATRP (PIMF-ATRP) of tertiary butyl acrylate (t-BA) monomer with chlorinated polypropylene (PP-Cl) as a macro photo-initiator followed by acidolysis of t-BA units to acrylic acid moieties. In the second step, the PP-g-PAA is successful electrospun to fabricate the ultimate amphiphilic fibers. The chemical steps are monitored and confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) and proton magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopies, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Following the structural characterization, morphological and wetting properties are systematically determined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and water contact angle (WCA) measurement by depending on surface characteristics of the samples. Thermal behaviour of precursors and synthesized electrospun fibers has also been evaluated and compared by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The SEM images display that the achieved fibers were smooth and circular with the average diameters ranging from 3.3 µm up to 3.9 µm. After WCA measurements, it was elucidated that the hydrophobic nature of electrospun PP-g-PtBA was transformed into amphiphilic structure by hydrolysis of PtBA pendant groups. The reported approach is very encouraging and expected to trigger further development for scientists preparing various types of amphiphilic polyolefin fiber based materials.