bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First human case of avian influenza A (H10N3) in Southwest China
Authors: Liu Guiming , Dai Jingyi , Zhao Jun , Xia Jiawei , Zhang Pei , Ding Yadi , Li Qiujing , Hou Min , Xiong Xianhui , Jian Qianqi , Liu Yanyan
Published: April 2024

In recent years, the avian influenza virus has emerged as a significant threat to both human and public health. Despite this, only two cases of human infection with the H10N3 strain have been documented. Here, we present the initial instance of human infection with avian influenza virus H10N3 in Yunnan Province, Southwest China. The patient, a previously healthy 51-year-old male, presented with recurrent fever peaking at 39℃, accompanied by symptoms such as cough, expectoration, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Diagnosis revealed severe pneumonia, type I respiratory failure, and infection with avian influenza virus H10N3. Additionally, the patient experienced complications from Candida albicans and Staphylococcus epidermidis infections. Following treatment with appropriate antiviral drugs and antibiotics, the patient's condition improved. Molecular analysis of the viral strain identified four mutations potentially hazardous to human health. This underscores the importance of continuous and vigilant monitoring of the dynamics surrounding the H10N3 subtype of avian influenza virus.
Recombinant human gelatin: expression and characterization
Authors: Song Xiaoping , Chu Tao , Shi Wanru , He Jingyan
Published: April 2024

Gelatin is a product obtained through partial hydrolysis and thermal denaturation of collagen, belonging to natural biopeptides. It possesses irreplaceable biological functions in the field of biomedical science and tissue engineering, and has been widely applied. The amino acid sequence of recombinant human gelatin was constructed using a newly designed hexamer composed of six protein monomer sequences in series, with the minimum repeating unit being the characteristic Gly-X-Y sequence found in type III human collagen α1 chain. The nucleotide sequence was subsequently integrated into the genome of Pichia pastoris, leading to successful expression through fermentation. As a result, a recombinant human collagen with a purity exceeding 95% and an expression level of 0.95mg/mL was achieved. Molecular weight determination and amino acid analysis confirmed that the obtained recombinant gelatin had an identical amino acid composition to the one of theoretically designed. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy revealed that the water-based gel formed by recombinant gelatin exhibited a porous structure. After culturing cells continuously within these gel microspheres for two days followed by fluorescence staining and observation using confocal laser scanning microscopy, it was observed that cells clustered together within the gel matrix, exhibiting three-dimensional growth characteristics while maintaining good viability. This research presents promising prospects for developing recombinant human gelatin as a
Increasing loneliness among children and adolescents from 2018 to 2022: A representative survey before and after the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Schütz Raphael , Bilz Ludwig
Published: April 2024

Background: Loneliness is an increasingly present topic in scientific and public discourse, and has gained relevance, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, there is a lack of representative studies examining the prevalence of loneliness among children and adolescents before and after the pandemic. Accordingly, the present study aimed to determine the prevalence of loneliness among 11- to 15-year-old students before (2018) and after (2022) the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and to investigate subgroup differences.
Methods: In this cross-sectional Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, the prevalence of loneliness was compared in representative samples in the German federal state of Brandenburg from 2018 and 2022. In 2018, data were collected from 3,057 (51.8% girls, Mage= 13.1, SD = 1.7) and, in 2022, from 3,801 (52.6% girls, Mage= 13.5, SD = 1.6) students in general education schools in grades 5, 7, and 9. Loneliness was assessed using a single item from the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). The chi-square test was used to determine bivariate correlations. To validate the bivariate results, we performed a logistic regression in which we also added interaction effects to test whether loneliness developed differently depending on gender, grade, and family affluence.
Results: In total, 11.8% of the students reported being lonely in 2018, and 19.3% reported being lonely in 2022. Loneliness was more prevalent among girls, nonbinary students, older adolescents, and students with lower family affluence. The increase in loneliness did not differ depending on age, gender, or family affluence.
Conclusion: The findings highlight that loneliness among German children and adolescents is a widespread phenomenon that has increased significantly since 2018. The sharp increase in loneliness clarifies the need for prevention measures and further research into health-related associations of loneliness.
Implications of TP-positive CAFs as a possible inducer of bone invasion in the pathogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Gao Aihua , Kim Dong Wook , Pei Meiling , Kim Ki-Yeol , Park Young-Jin , Nam Woong , Kim Hyung Jun , Cha In-Ho , Zhang Xianglan
Published: April 2024

Objectives Recently, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have been suggested as key cellular components of bone invasion in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms, as well as the subtypes related to their bone invasive function, are largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the implications of thymidine phosphorylase (TP)-positive CAFs (TP+CAFs) in OSCC bone invasion.Materials and Methods TP expression was determined in 116 patients with OSCC using immunohistochemistry. The influence of TP expression on the biological behavior of CAFs was investigated in vitro. The possible impact of TP+CAFs on bone invasion in OSCC was further evaluated using patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse models.Results In bone-invasive OSCC tissues, we found that TP+CAFs were mainly distributed on the surface of resorbed bone tissue rather than on the tumor side. High TP+CAFs were significantly associated with higher T-stage (p = 0.002) and bone invasion (p < 0.001), as well as worsened overall survival (p = 0.013) and recurrence-free survival (p = 0.029), in our study cohort. Multivariate analysis using variable clinicopathologic factors—with tumoral TP and TP+CAFs as cofactors—revealed that high TP+CAFs (hazard ratio: 3.140; p = 0.005) had independent impacts on worsened recurrence-free survival. Recombinant human TP promoted the proliferative and invasive abilities of CAFs and increased matrix metalloproteinase-9 mRNA expression in vitro, which is related to bone resorption. In the PDX mouse models, TP+CAFs were found in early bone resorption on the surface of resorbed bony tissues. Moreover, bone resorption occurred more frequently in the PDX models with TP+CAFs than in those without.Conclusion TP+CAFs were significantly associated with bone invasion and the prognosis of OSCC. This study provides information about cellular and molecular targets for the early diagnosis and treatment of bone-invasive OSCC.
PCR-positive meningococcal CSF infection without pleocytosis but high IL-6 and IL-8
Authors: Dyckhoff-Shen Susanne , Pfister Hans-Walter , Koedel Uwe , Klein Matthias
Published: April 2024

Background
Meningococcal meningitis is still a severe disease causing high mortality and morbidity rates. Early diagnosis is crucial to ensure prompt antibiotic therapy. However, identification of the pathogen can be challenging.
Case presentation
: A 32-year-old male patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presented to the emergency room with fever, nausea, vomiting, headache and lower back pain as well as multiple petechial bleedings. On suspicion of meningococcal infection, the emergency doctor had already administered one dose of ceftriaxone before arrival to the clinic. Blood works showed massive inflammation due to bacterial infection. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis showed normal cell count, protein and glucose levels but PCR was positive for Neisseria meningitis and IL-6 as well as IL-8 were elevated. On antibiotic therapy with ceftriaxone, the patient’s condition improved quickly.
Conclusions
We present a rare case of meningococcal infection of the CSF in a SLE patient without further CSF abnormalities. We discuss the involvement of early antibiotic treatment and the role of the patient’s immune status in the normal CSF findings of this case. Moreover, this case demonstrates the importance of early antibiotic therapy in bacterial meningitis for the clinical outcome.
Assessing the relationship between gut microbiota ( family, orders, classes,and phyla) and gestational diabetes mellitus : a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Tong Yan , liu zhao xia , weng shiqi , zhou yan , wu bo , wang xiaohong , hu hui , xiao qin , tan xiao , lai zhiqing
Published: April 2024

Background
Previous studies have shown that gut microbiota (GM) are associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Although it is unclear if the association is causative. This study used Mendelian randomization (MR) to systematically examine whether the gut microbiota was causally linked to GDM .There have been numerous Mendelian randomization (MR) studies that between the gut microbiota abundance (genus) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, the gut microbiota abundance(family, orders, classes,and phyla)have yet to be fully investigated.This study used Mendelian randomization (MR) to systematically examine whether several gut microbiota taxa was causally linked to GDM.
Methods
Genetic instrumental variables for the gut microbiota were identified from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) involving 14306 participants. Summary statistics for gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)were drawn from another GWAS, which included 6033 cases and 110330 controls.Maximum likelihood (ML), MR-Egger regression, weighted median, inverse variance weighted(IVW), and weighted model were used to investigate the causal association between gut microbiota and GDM. To examine the causal association, several methods were utilized, including inverse variance weighted, maximum likelihood, weighted median, MR-Egger, and MR.RAPS. We further conducted a series of sensitivity analyses to confirm the robustness of the primary results of the MR analyses.Reverse MR analysis was performed on the bacterial taxa that were reported to be causally linked to GDM risk in forwarding MR analysis to evaluate the possibility of reverse causation. Furthermore, sensitivity analyses were performed to identify any potential heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy.
Results
MR analysis revealed that phylum Tenericutes (OR: 0.717 95%CI: 0.573–0.896, P = 0.003), class Mollicutes (OR: 0.717, 95%CI: 0.573–0.896, P = 0.003)were related to a lower risk of GDM, and family Lactobacillaceae(OR: 1.303, 95%CI: 1.001–1.697, P = 0.049)were positively associated with the risk of GDM. Additional sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the association between specific gut microbiota composition and GDM. In the reverse Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, we did not find evidence that these was statistically significant associations between GDM and these three bacterial traits.
Conclusions
Our systematic analysis provides evidence to explore the causal associations among GM and GDM. More studies are needed to clarify how the gut microbiota(family, orders, classes,and phyla) affects the development of GDM.
Drivers of carbon stocks in Araucaria forests
Authors: Cysneiros Vinicius Costa , Pelissari Allan Libanio , Filho Afonso Figueiredo
Published: April 2024

Background Understanding the drivers of variations in carbon stocks is essential for developing the effective management strategies that contribute to mitigating climate change. Although a positive relationship between biodiversity and the aboveground carbon (AGC) has been widely reported for various Brazilian forest types, representing a win–win scenario for climate change mitigation, this association has not been commonly found in Brazilian subtropical forests. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effects ofAraucaria angustifoliapopulations, stand structure and species diversity in shaping AGC stocks in Brazilian subtropical mixed forests. We hypothesized that the effects on the AGC of stand structure and diversity would be mediated byA. angustifolia. We also evaluated the expectation of higher carbon stocks in protected forests as a result of their positive correlation with biodiversity conservation. Results We found that stand structure, followed byA. angustifoliapopulation, played the most important role in shaping the AGC stock. Our hypothesis was partially confirmed, the direct and indirect effects ofA. angustifoliaon stand structure being found to have shaped the AGC. Similarly, our expectation was partially supported, with the higher AGC in the protected area being related not to diversity, but rather to the presence of larger trees, denser stands, and a greater abundance ofA. angustifolia. Conclusion Although the win–win strategy between diversity conservation and carbon storage is not a peculiarity of Araucaria forests, we highlight the potential of these forests as a nature-based climate solution, maintaining high levels of carbon storage in harmony with the provision of keystone resources.
Cell Escape Probabilities for Markov Processes on a Grid
Authors: Ingelaere T. , Maes V. , Samaey G.
Published: April 2024

Kinetic equations describe physical processes in a high-dimensional phase space and are often simulated using Markov process-based Monte Carlo routines. The quantities of interest are typically defined on the lower-dimensional position space and estimated on a grid (histogram). In several applications, such as the construction of diffusion Monte Carlo-like techniques and variance prediction for particle tracing Monte Carlo methods, the cell escape probabilities, i.e., the probabilities with which particles escape a grid cell during one step of the Markov process , are of interest. In this paper, we derive formulas to calculate the cell escape probabilities for common mesh elements in one, two, and three dimensions. Deterministic calculation of cell escape probabilities in higher dimensions becomes expensive and prone to quadrature errors due to the involved high-dimensional integrals. We therefore also introduce a stochastic Monte Carlo algorithm to calculate the escape probabilities, which is more robust at the cost of a statistical error. The code used to perform the numerical experiments and accompanying GeoGebra tutorials are openly available at https://gitlab.kuleuven.be/numa/public/escape-probabilities-markov-processes.
Robust Visual-based Method and New Datasets for Ego-lane Index Estimation in Urban Environment
Authors: Wang Dianzheng , Liang Dongyi , Li Shaomiao
Published: April 2024

Correct and robust ego-lane index estimation is crucial for autonomous in the absence of high-definition maps, especially in urban environments. Previous ego-lane index estimation approaches rely on feature extraction, which limited the robustness. To overcome these shortages, this study proposes a robust ego-lane index estimation framework upon only the original visual image. After optimization of processing route, the raw image was randomly cropped in height direction and then input into double supervised LaneLoc network to obtain the index estimations and confidences. A post process was also proposed to achieve the global ego-lane index from the estimated left and right indexes with total lane number. To evaluate our proposed method, we manually annotated the ego-lane index of public datasets which can work as an ego-lane index estimation baseline for the first time. The proposed algorithm achieved 96.48%/95.40% (precision/recall) on CULane dataset and 99.45%/99.49% (precision/recall) on TuSimple dataset, demonstrating the effectiveness and efficiency of lane localization in diverse driving environments. The code and datasets annotation results will be exposed publicly on https://github.com/haomo-ai/LaneLoc.
Post-earthquake rapid seismic demand estimation at unmonitored locations via Bayesian networks
Authors: Mesbahi Pooria , García-Macías Enrique , Breccolotti Marco , Ubertini Filippo
Published: April 2024

Post-earthquake safety assessment of buildings and infrastructure poses significant challenges, often relying on time-consuming visual inspections. To expedite this process, safety criteria based on a demand-capacity model are utilized. However, rapid assessment frameworks require accurate estimations of intensity measures (IMs) to estimate seismic demand and assess structural health. Unfortunately, post-earthquake IM values are typically only available at monitored locations equipped with sensors or monitoring systems, limiting broader assessments. Simple spatial interpolation methods, while possible, struggle to consider crucial physical factors such as earthquake magnitude, epicentral distance, and soil type, leading to substantial estimation errors, especially in areas with insufficient or non-uniform seismic station coverage. To address these issues, a novel framework, BN-GMPE, combining a Bayesian network (BN) and a ground motion prediction equation (GMPE), is proposed. BN-GMPE enables inference and prediction under uncertainty, incorporating physical parameters in seismic wave propagation. A further novelty introduced in this work regards the separation of the near and far seismic fields in the updating process to attain a clearer understanding of uncertainty and more accurate IM estimation. In the proposed approach, a GMPE is employed for the estimation, and the bias and standard deviation of the prediction error are updated after any new information is entered into the network. The proposed method is benchmarked against a classic Kriging interpolator technique, considering some recent earthquake shocks in Italy. The proposed BN framework can naturally extend for estimating the probability of failure of various structures in a targeted region, which represents the ultimate aim of this research.
Research on the revenue prospect for energy storage participation in electricity spot and FM auxiliary service markets —Considering capacity market mechanisms
Authors: Hu Junfeng , Zhao Qianqian , Zhang Deyu , Chang Mingxuan
Published: April 2024

The vigorous development of energy storage is significant in supporting new energy consumption and enhancing the power system regulation capability. The spot and auxiliary service markets are the core ways for energy storage to realize commercial value. This paper establishes a revenue prediction model for energy storage participation in the electricity spot and FM auxiliary service market from the perspective of the revenue outlook of energy storage investment, including electric energy spot revenue, spot response incentive revenue considering capacity market price, and FM capacity revenue and FM mileage revenue. Specifically, the BP neural network prediction model, the FM clearing prediction model, and the capacity market supply and demand model are used to combine a variety of influencing factors to predict the spot price spread of electric energy, the FM mileage price, and the capacity price, which are then solved by substituting other parameters into the model. The results show that the method proposed in this paper is favorable for energy storage investment cost recovery and has good economics.
Is the isolated bone change in advanced colorectal cancer a necessarily malignant metastasis? A case series
Authors: Sun Xin , Yang Xiaomei , Chen Wenjuan , Chen Juan , Qu Xiujuan , Qu Jinglei , Chen Ying
Published: April 2024

Radiation osteitis (RO) is one of the bone complications arising after radiotherapy (RT). Limited to atypical manifestation in imaging. RO is difficult to diagnose, and sometimes, it could be considered as an early bone metastasis (BM), resulting in improper treatment. Thus, it’s vital to provide reliable evidence to clarify the isolated bone changes. Herein, we reported two advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with atypical, isolated bone change in imaging, and both had underwent postoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy. After medical imaging and clinical laboratory tests, the isolated bone change was finally confirmed to be RO rather than BM. The case series presented precision assessment for differentiating RO from BM, which may change the treatment strategy of this subgroup of patients.
Keywords: Radiation osteitis, radiotherapy, pelvis, diagnosis, bone metastasis.
Identification and Track Improvement of Transmission Line Faults Using One Dimensional Complicated Neural Networks
Authors: Dhara Saumen , Shrivastav Alok Kumar , Sadhu Pradip Kumar , Datta Rudrajit , Naskar Shantanu
Published: April 2024

This paper focuses one dimensional-convolution neural networks (1D-CNN) with a snappy adaptive architecture to prevent fault removal complications and categorization into a computational analytics system by introducing a fast and consistent algorithm for fault identification, categorization, and instructions for transmission networks. The proposed algorithm can be implemented directly to source data, eliminating the need for a separate removal step and leading in a more powerful protected approach. The proposed approach related to the 3-phase voltages and currents at the relay position within the electric power line framework is considered as feedback for the recommended 1D-CNN algorithm. In order to provide the training and test statistics for the anticipated 1D-CNN approach, a 133 kV grid connected line is simulated using MATLAB/SIMULINK software. The suggested algorithm's test precision is contrasted with two additional neural and fuzzy neural network (FNN) standard techniques. The numerical outcomes of the test show that, in comparison to other conventional methods under several fault situations, the suggested diagnostic device is fast and efficient for categorizing and controlling the discrepancy of transmission line fault with greater accuracy.
Molecular investigation of ticks and tick-borne protozoan parasites (Apicomplexa: Cytauxzoon and Hepatozoon spp.) from Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in northwestern China: first identification of Cytauxzoon manul in this host species
Authors: Cui Nannan , Su Lixin , Wang Ziqi , Hornok Sándor , Tang Lijuan , Yang Meihua , Zhang Yujiang , Zhao Guoyu , Wang Yuanzhi
Published: April 2024

Background: Multiple species of the genera Cytauxzoon and Hepatozoon can infect wild felines, but the diversity of these and other apicomplexan parasites in Eurasian lynx is scarelyknown. The aim of this study was to detect Cytauxzoon and Hepatozoon species with molecular methods in Eurasian lynxes and their ticks in northwestern China.
Methods: DNA was extracted from the heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney samples of three Eurasian lynxes as well as from their five ixodid ticks. These DNA samples were screened with PCRs for Cytauxzoonwith the partial cytochrome b gene (CytB), cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) and small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (18S rRNA), and Hepatozoon with three different fragments of small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (18S rRNA). PCR products were sequenced, aligned and phylogenetically analyzed.
Results: One adult female of Eurasian lynx (#1, adult female) was co-infected with Cytauxzoon manul and Hepatozoon felis genotype I, while an adult male lynx (#2) was infected with C. manul. Interestingly, H. felis genotype I was both detected in a male cub (#3) and two out of five infesting Hyalomma asiaticum ticks.
Conclusion: For the first time, Cytauxzoon manul is reported here from Eurasian lynx. In addition, H. felis has not been known to occur in this host species in China and Central Asia. Thus, findings of this study extend our knowledge on the geographical distribution and host range of these haemoprotozoan parasites. Moreover, this is also the first evidence of C. manul and H. felisco-infection in Eurasian lynx.
Global research trends and hotspots between pancreatic cancer and diabetes from2004 to 2024: A bibliometric analysis
Authors: Wang Yuxin , Xu Chenshan , Xu Yubo , Gu Weigang , Lu Lei , Jin Hangbin , Jin Zheng , Zhang Xiaofeng
Published: April 2024

Background
Pancreatic cancer is one of the malignant tumors of digestive tract. In recent years, more and more studies have shown that there is a close and complex relationship between diabetes and pancreatic cancer. However, there is no bibliometric analysis of pancreatic cancer and diabetes.
Methods
Literature on pancreatic cancer and diabetes was retrieved and downloaded from the Web of science (WoSCC) database between January 1, 2004 and March 6, 2024. Using Microsoft Excel2021, CiteSpace, VOSviewer, Bibliometrix Package, and the bibliometric online analysis tool (ww.bibliometric.com), we analyze published literature, countries, authors, institutions, journals, co-citations, and keywords to visualize research trends and hotspots.
Results
A total of 2264 articles meeting both inclusion and exclusion criteria were retrieved. The trend of publications has been fluctuating. The United States (= 816,36.04%), China (= 411,18.15%) and Japan (= 203,8.97%) are the top three countries with the highest number of published articles. There is close cooperation between European and American countries. NIH is the organization that publishes the most articles. CHARI ST (n = 41) was the most prolific author. CANCER RESEARCH is the most popular journal in this field."Early prediction of Pancreatic cancer" is the main research topic at present. "molecular mechanisms", "prediction" and "chemotherapy" are top keywords in recent years.
Conclusion
This study shows that the early prediction of pancreatic cancer is an important topic in the study of the association between pancreatic cancer and diabetes. There are few In-depth studies of molecular mechanisms between diabetes and pancreatic cancer, which will provide new insights .
Does Terminology Matter When Measuring Stigmatizing Attitudes About Weight? Validation of a Modified Attitudes Toward Obese Persons Scale
Authors: Martin-Wagar Caitlin A , Melcher Katelyn A , Attaway Sarah E , Bennett Brooke L , Thompson Connor J , Kronenberger Oscar , Penwell Taylor E
Published: April 2024

Commonly used medical terms like “obesity” and “overweight” have been identified as stigmatizing. Thus, this study sought to revise a commonly used measure of weight stigmatizing attitudes, the Attitudes Toward Obese Persons (ATOP) scale. We compared the original terminology in the ATOP (e.g., “obese”)to a modified version using neutral terms (e.g., “higher weight”). We randomized participants (N = 599) to either receive the original or modified ATOP and compared their scores. There was no significant difference between the scores of participants who received the original ATOP and the modified ATOP, t(597) = -2.46, p = .550. Through principal component analysis, we found the modified ATOP is best used as a 13-item unidimensional measure. Findings suggest a modified version of the ATOP with neutral language is suitable for assessing negative attitudes about higher-weight people without sacrificing psychometric properties. Further examination of the terminology used in weight stigma measures is needed to determine how to best assess weight stigma without reinforcing stigmatizing attitudes. The findings of the present study suggest that the use of neutral terms in measures of anti-fat bias is a promising solution that warrants further investigation.
Systematic comparison of genotype imputation strategies in aquaculture: a case study in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) populations
Authors: Ye Shaopan , Zhou Xiyi , Lai Zhuojian , Ikhwanuddin Mhd , Ma Hongyu
Published: April 2024

Genotype imputation is an attractive approach to obtain whole genome sequencing (WGS) data at low cost. However, the availability of imputed WGS data was mainly depending on imputation accuracy. How to balance influencing factors to improve the imputation accuracy is highly necessary, especially in aquaculture. In the present study, we downloaded 361 whole genome re-sequencing data of Nile tilapia to construct different reference panel for genotype imputation and systematically determined the impact of several key factors on imputation accuracy, including the reference panel type, the haplotype phasing and imputation software, the reference panel size, the key individual selection strategies, and the composition of the combined reference panel. Results showed that the imputation accuracy has no significant difference (P = 0.3) using pre-phasing data obtained from Beagle5, Eagle2, and Shapeit4, but Beagle5 has the highest computational efficiency. But for imputation software, both Beagle5 and Impute5 were more suitable for combined and external reference panel with large reference size, and Minimac4 was suitable for internal reference panel, especially for small reference size. Furthermore, it would always improve the imputation accuracy increasing reference panel size, but larger reference size does not necessarily result in a higher imputation accuracy. When the number of external individuals increased from 5 to 250, the average imputation accuracy of combined reference panel was descending from 0.942 to 0.899 for Minimac4 but always higher than internal reference panel (0.866). Compared with minimizing the average distance to the closest leaf (ADCL) and randomly selecting individuals (RAN), it always had slightly higher accuracy using maximizing the expected genetic relationship (REL) method to select key individuals to construct internal reference panel for imputation. However, it has zero or negative growth on imputation accuracy when using selection strategies to select internal or external individuals to construct a combined reference panel for imputation. In conclusion, using a combined reference panel provided greater imputation accuracy, but the optimal genotype imputation strategy needs to balance the actual situation carefully and comprehensively. This work sheds light on how to design and execute genotype imputation in aquaculture.
Impact on export structure upgrading of China: Does "the Belt and Road Initiative" matter?
Authors: Wang Chenyu , Zhou Xiaowei , Huang Xin
Published: April 2024

This paper investigates the Belt and Road Initiative's effect on China's export structure upgrading using a country panel dataset from 2003 to 2017. The empirical strategy combines a propensity score matching procedure with a difference-in-difference estimator to address the potential selection bias inherent in the analysis. The results indicate that China's export structure upgrading was associated with the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative. When taking the time lag into consideration, the initiative plays a positive role in export structure upgrading after 2015. In contrast, further analysis shows that China's exports to developing and transition countries along the Belt and Road routes have no export structure promotion effect.
“Chinese Worker in Russia Takes the Rifle”: Formation and Development of the Image
Authors: Авдашкин А.А.
Published: April 2024

Статья посвящена изучению образа китайца-красноармейца на фронтах Гражданской войны в России. Внимание фокусируется на следующих ключевых сюжетах: создание образа, его постепенное «умолчание» в 1930-е гг. на фоне внутриполитических преобразований и обострения военно-политической ситуации на восточных рубежах, активное использование в условиях сближения СССР и КНР в 1950-е гг., переосмысление в современной России. Применение исторической имагологии как основного методологического подхода позволяет увидеть, как на примере китайцев, участвовавших в военных действиях, работали механизмы социальной инклюзии и эксклюзии. Источниковую базу составили материалы советской периодической печати, агитационные плакаты белого движения, произведения художественной литературы о Гражданской войне и современные российские киноленты, содержащие упоминания о китайцах в России того времени. Ключевой аргумент автора в том, что динамика репрезентации образа китайца красноармейца отражает амбивалентное отношение российского общества не только к китайским мигрантам, но и применительно к проблемам миграции в целом. В зависимости от состояния российско-китайских отношений и этапов присутствия китайцев в России происходит переосмысление образов «китайских красноармейских интернациональных отрядов».

The article is devoted to the formation and development of the image of the Chinese Red Army soldier on the fronts of the Civil War in Russia. The author's attention is focused on the following key subjects: the creation of the image, its gradual “silence” in the 1930s against the background of internal political transformations and the aggravation of the military-political situation on the eastern borders, active use in the context of rapprochement between the USSR and China in the 1950s, rethinking in modern Russia. The main methodological approach is historical imagology. This scientific approach allows us to see how the mechanisms of social inclusion and exclusion worked in the example of the Chinese. The source base consisted of materials from Soviet periodicals, propaganda posters of the white movement, works of fiction about the Civil War and modern Russian films. The author’s key argument is that the dynamics of representation of the image of a Chinese Red Army soldier reflects the ambivalent attitude of Russian society not only towards Chinese migrants, but also towards migration problems. Rethinking the images of the “Chinese Red Army international detachments” at a turning point in Russian history depends on the state of Russian-Chinese relations and the stages of the presence of the Chinese in Russia.
Şeflerin Yerel Yiyeceğe İlişkin Davranışlarının İncelenmesi (An Analysis of Chefs Behaviors Towards Local Food)
Authors: GÜN Serkan , KILIÇ Gül Damla
Published: April 2024

Son zamanlarda yerel gıda tüketimi dünya genelinde popüler bir trend haline geldi. Restoran ve otellerin yerel yiyeceklere menülerinde yer vermesi, turizmde farklılık ve avantaj sağlamaktadır. Yapılan araştırmalara rağmen, özellikle şeflerin yerel yiyeceklere yaklaşımı hakkında sınırlı bilgi bulunmaktadır. Bu çalışma, şeflerin yerel yiyecek algısını, menüdeki kullanımını ve satın alma niyetlerini belirlemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Araştırmada karma araştırma yöntemlerinden sıralı açıklayıcı desen kullanılmıştır. Sıralı açıklayıcı desen nicel araştırmayla başlamakta ve nitel araştırmayla devam etmektedir. Elde edilen bulgulara göre; iş gücünün şeflerin yerel yiyecek kullanımını istatistiki olarak anlamlı bir şekilde etkilediği, popülerliğin şeflerin yerel yiyecek kullanımını istatistiki olarak anlamlı şekilde etkilemediği ve yerel yiyecek satın alma niyetinin menüde yerel yiyecek kullanımını istatistiki olarak etkilemediği sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.
Aşçıların İş Yükünün İşten Ayrılma Niyetine Etkisi: İstanbul daki Alakart Restoran İşletmelerinde Bir Araştırma (The Impact of the Workload of Chefs on Their Intention to Leave the Job: A Research on Ala Carte Restaurants in Istanbul)
Authors: DEMİR Özkan
Published: April 2024

Yiyecek içecek işletmelerinde çalışanları işletmelerin hedeflerine ulaşmasında önemli etkiye sahiptir. Bu araştırmanın amacı İstanbul’daki alakart restoranlarda çalışan mutfak personelinin iş yükünün işten ayrılma niyetine olan etkisinin belirlenmesidir. İstanbul ilinde faaliyetlerini sürdüren alakart restoranlarının mutfak çalışanları araştırmanın evrenini oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmada hedeflenen verilerin toplanmasında anket veri toplama aracı kullanılmış olup 401 kişiye ulaşılmış ve katılımcılardan elde edilen veriler istatistiki program aracılığıyla analiz edilmiştir. Araştırmada kullanılan her bir ölçeğin yapı geçerliliği test edebilmek amacıyla faktör analizi uygulanmıştır. Araştırmada farklı grupların arasında bir farklılık olup olmadığı test etmek için Anova analizi yapılmıştır. Ayrıca araştırma değişkenleri arasındaki etkinin yönünün ve niteliğinin açıklanması amacıyla da regresyon analizi uygulanmıştır. Yapılan Anova testleri sonucunda farklı gruplar arasında anlamlı bazı farklılıklar tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca araştırmada iş yükünün işten ayrılma niyetini pozitif yönde istatistiki açıdan anlamlı olarak etkilediği belirlenmiştir.
Growth and Digestion Level of Baronang Fish (Siganus sp.) Fed with the Addition of Alstonia acuminata Plants
Authors: Malik Serang Abdul , Ismail Irwan , Latar Dullah Irwan
Published: April 2024

One of the main challenges in cultivation is the availability of feed made from local raw materials. Artificial feed with good nutritional value is known to increase fish growth and feed digestibility. Therefore, we must look for cheaper raw materials so that we can reduce feed prices. One approach that can be used is to use natural ingredients, both vegetable and animal, based on local raw materials, as energy providers for fish growth. The use of the Alstonia acuminata plant as a local raw material component for feed is aimed at increasing growth, feed digestibility, and resistance to disease. This research aims to determine the addition of A. acuminata plants at different doses in feed to increase the growth, survival, and feed efficiency of rabbitfish fry. This research used a completely randomized design consisting of four treatments and three replications. A. acuminata plants at doses of 0, 1, 2, and 3% were mixed into isoprotein feed. The test fish used were rabbitfish fry with an initial weight of around 10–20 g, kept in an aquarium measuring 50 cm x 40 cm x 40 cm with a stocking density of 10 fish per aquarium. Fish were given test feed twice a day at 07.00 and 17.00 at satiation. Maintenance was carried out for 42 days. Growth measurements were carried out at the beginning and end of the experiment. The results showed that treatment C provided absolute growth, the highest specific growth rate, a 100% survival rate, as well as high feed efficiency.
La búsqueda de la objetividad sin perspectiva. Apuntes histórico-epistemológicos en torno al juicio clínico en medicina
Authors: Estrada-Mesa Diego Alejandro
Published: April 2024

El juicio clínico se ha convertido en un tópico capital para la filosofía de la medicina y la profesión médica desde los sesenta. Tras el desarrollo de la medicina basada en la evidencia en los noventa, se espera una mayor sensibilidad en el juicio clínico frente a las necesidades y preferencias de los pacientes ante las amenazas de enfoques positivistas, que, se considera, descuidan la individualidad. Este artículo aborda este problema a la luz de una filosofía de la medicina más sensible a los componentes históricos de la epistemología, la ontología y la ética. Se dirige la mirada al siglo XIX para dilucidar las tensiones en torno al lugar de los conocimientos médicos y la apuesta por dotar al juicio clínico de nuevos métodos para la mejora profesional. Este retorno al pasado ayuda a comprender las transformaciones actuales del campo de la medicina, especialmente en cuanto a cómo ayudan a constituir nuevos tipos de pacientes, nuevos tipos de ethos profesional y nuevas formas de relación entre dichos actores.
Acid curd (Karish) cheese supplemented with ashwagandha and/or probiotics: Modulatory efficiency on induced behavioral and neurochemical changes in rats
Authors: Salama Heba H. , Abdel-Wahhab Khaled G. , Khalil Heba M. A. , Abdelhamid Samy M. , Hassan Laila K.
Published: April 2024

Neurodegenerative disorder leads to a progressive memory loss that has only limited known medications. The use of ashwagandha, probiotics, or their combination may improve cholinergic activity, consequently providing therapeutic potency against amnesia and neuroplasticity disorders. We aimed to explore the modulatory benefits of ashwagandha extract and probiotics against induced behavioral and neurochemical retardations.

Acid curd (Karish) cheese samples were supplemented with ashwagandha extract and/or probiotics and subjected to chemical, microbiological, rheological, sensorial, and biological investigations by standard techniques.

The supplementation of Karish cheese with ashwagandha never deteriorated its chemical composition or rheological parameters. On the contrary, it exerted high antioxidant and phenolic potentials. Also, ashwagandha extract performed antimicrobial action against the tested pathogenic bacteria and showed better prebiotic effects with Lactobacillus plantarum. The biological study revealed that treating dementia-modeled rats with Karish cheese supplemented with ashwagandha and/or probiotics resulted in a detectable improvement in the behavioral and neurochemical measurements. However, the cheese supplemented with a formula of ashwagandha and probiotics had the greatest regenerating effect.

The supplementation of Karish cheese with ashwagandha and/or probiotics exhibited a modulatory efficiency against experimentally induced behavioral and neurochemical disorders.
Operational effect of green roof systems with a modified substrate adding soda residue soil
Authors: Wang Huiteng , Luo Hui , Yang Jing , Qin Teng , Chen Limin , Yang Mingyu , He Bao-Jie
Published: April 2024

To investigate whether soda residue soil could be used as a green roof substrate, this paper setup six green roof systems with four materials (peat soil, coconut bran, perlite, and soda residue soil) mixed in different volume proportions. The effect of soda residue soil content on Sedum lineare growth and pollutant removal from the stormwater runoff was analyzed and the runoff quality index (RQI) was calculated. Results showed that the relative growth rate of S. lineare height in system B with 10% soda residue soil was about 21.5–53.2% higher than the other systems. The outflow of system B with 10% soda residue soil had the lowest mass concentration of NH4+-N and TN, which were 2.2 and 3.2 mg/L, respectively. The average repetitive rainfall retention rate of system A without soda residue soil was the lowest at 82.6%. System B had the highest RQI at about 0.71. It confirmed that soda residue soil can be a material with practical application value, and when the volume ratio of peat soil, coconut bran, perlite, and soda residue soil was 4:3:2:1, the green roof would have the best performance in regulating and purifying the initial rainwater runoff.
Development of a user-friendly hydraulic model for simulating hybrid water distribution networks: a transition toward sector sustainability
Authors: Obura Denis , Nabifo Vivian , Akamushaba Obed , Apiny Immaculate , Dadebo Derrick
Published: April 2024

The conventional computational approach for modeling and simulating drinking water distribution networks (WDNs) is time-consuming and prone to human errors. Therefore, this study developed and implemented a hydraulic modeling tool, the ‘Kyema-Net model’, based on the modified Hardy Cross algorithm in Visual Basic, to simulate a hybrid WDN with the inclusion of pipe cost assessment. The model's accuracy was validated by comparing its outputs with those of EPANET 2.2 software. The Kyema-Net model and EPANET 2.2 simulation results were comparable. Considering the WDN case study, the proposed model initialized nodal inflows in proportions of 60 and 40% for any two pipes exiting the node, reducing the computational steps. The model executed three trials to achieve the final solution against four trials for EPANET 2.2. The mean absolute percentage error, coefficient of determination (R2), and root mean square error metrics for flow velocity were ∼0.00%, 1.00, and ∼0.00 m, respectively. The modified resilience index values ranged between 0.30 and 1.09. Implementing the proposed hydraulic modeling tool in designing and/or rehabilitating WDNs demonstrated compliance with numerous social-, economic-, and technological-related Sustainable Development Goals. This would assist various water sector stakeholders in the sustainable planning, operation, and management of WDNS globally.
Neuroimaging Marker-CT Perfusion of Early Neurological Deterioration
in Patients with Minor Stroke and Large Vessel Occlusion after Intravenous
Thrombolysis
Authors: Zhang Hongli , Bao Wanli , Yu Meiyan , Li Xiang , Gui Yongkun , Cui Hongkai , Zhang Ping
Published: April 2024

Objective:

Early Neurological Deterioration (END) is one of the complications in
Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and relates to prognosis. However, the reason why it occurs is still
unclear. Our study is to investigate if CT perfusion (CTP) can predict END in patients with Minor
Stroke and Large Vessel Occlusion after Intravenous Thrombolysis (IVT).

Methods:

Patients who underwent IVT with Large Vessel Occlusion were enrolled continuously
from January 2021 to August 2023. After evaluating the National Institutes of Health Stroke
Scale (NIHSS) score, they were divided into the END group (n=21) and the Non-END group
(n=20). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the factors of END.
Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was also used to assess the discriminative
ability of CTP in predicting END.

Results:

A total of 41 patients (mean age, 62.34 ± 10.82 years, 27 male) were finally included in
the analysis; 21 patients had END, and 9 patients underwent Endovascular thrombectomy
(EVT). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that rCBV (OR=0.081, 95%CI=0.009-
0.721, p = 0.024) and admission-NIHSS (OR=1.990, 95%CI=1.049-3.772, p = 0.035) were significantly
associated with END. The area under the curve (AUC) of rCBV and NIHSS to discriminate
END were 0.708 and 0.758. We found patients with END had a higher modified Rankin
Scale (mRS) in 3 months.

Conclusions:

The rCBV and NIHSS were associated with post-thrombolysis END and may become
reliable markers to predicate END. END might predict a poor 3-month functional outcome.
Modulation of Solid-state Thermal Reaction of Iron(III)Citrate by a
Co-precursor Studied using Thermogravimetry: Evaluation of Kinetic and
Thermodynamic Parameters and Nucleation Rate
Authors: Kundu Sani , Chakraborty Manisha , Bhattacharjee Ashis
Published: April 2024

Background:

Solid state reaction of iron(III)citrate leads to a range of ironbased
oxides by varying the reaction conditions, e.g., the presence of co-precursor. The
influence of reaction conditions on the kinetics of the solid-state reaction of
iron(III)citrate needs to be investigated.

Objective:

Kinetic analysis of the solid-state reaction of iron(III)citrate in the presence of
a co-precursor has been explored to realize the influences of the co-precursor on the reaction
process as well as decomposed material.

Method::

Non-isothermal thermogravimetry profiles are deconvoluted to individual reaction
steps. The model-free kinetic methodology is utilized to estimate step-wise activation
energy and, hence, the reaction mechanism along with the reaction rate. Conversiondependent
thermodynamic parameters and nucleation rate are estimated. XRD analysis
has been used to characterize the decomposed material.

Results:

Thermogravimetry profiles obtained for an iron(III)citrate and malonic acid
mixture are deconvoluted into six steps. The decomposed nanomaterial is identified as
magnetite (size 10 nm). The observed reaction mechanisms associated with each step are
different, where the activation/reaction rate is conversion-dependent. A good fit between
the experimental and reverse-constructed conversion profiles is obtained. The nucleation
rate at higher temperatures is affected by both the extent of conversion and the heating
rate. A possible reaction pathway is proposed. The study elucidates the role of malonic
acid as a co-precursor in modifying the thermal reaction of iron(III)citrate and product
formation.

Conclusion:

This investigation proposes the applicability of suitable co-precursors as a
potential controlling factor for preparing iron oxides from iron-based compounds.