bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PICOT questions and search strategies formulation: A novel approach using artificial intelligence automation
Authors: Gosak Lucija , Štiglic Gregor , Pruinelli Lisiane , Vrbnjak Dominika
Published: November 2024

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare artificial intelligence (AI)‐based large language models (LLMs) (ChatGPT‐3.5, Bing, and Bard) with human‐based formulations in generating relevant clinical queries, using comprehensive methodological evaluations.

Methods

To interact with the major LLMs ChatGPT‐3.5, Bing Chat, and Google Bard, scripts and prompts were designed to formulate PICOT (population, intervention, comparison, outcome, time) clinical questions and search strategies. Quality of the LLMs responses was assessed using a descriptive approach and independent assessment by two researchers. To determine the number of hits, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL Ultimate search results were imported separately, without search restrictions, with the search strings generated by the three LLMs and an additional one by the expert. Hits from one of the scenarios were also exported for relevance evaluation. The use of a single scenario was chosen to provide a focused analysis. Cronbach's alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were also calculated.

Results

In five different scenarios, ChatGPT‐3.5 generated 11,859 hits, Bing 1,376,854, Bard 16,583, and an expert 5919 hits. We then used the first scenario to assess the relevance of the obtained results. The human expert search approach resulted in 65.22% (56/105) relevant articles. Bing was the most accurate AI‐based LLM with 70.79% (63/89), followed by ChatGPT‐3.5 with 21.05% (12/45), and Bard with 13.29% (42/316) relevant hits. Based on the assessment of two evaluators, ChatGPT‐3.5 received the highest score (M = 48.50; SD = 0.71). Results showed a high level of agreement between the two evaluators. Although ChatGPT‐3.5 showed a lower percentage of relevant hits compared to Bing, this reflects the nuanced evaluation criteria, where the subjective evaluation prioritized contextual accuracy and quality over mere relevance.

Conclusion

This study provides valuable insights into the ability of LLMs to formulate PICOT clinical questions and search strategies. AI‐based LLMs, such as ChatGPT‐3.5, demonstrate significant potential for augmenting clinical workflows, improving clinical query development, and supporting search strategies. However, the findings also highlight limitations that necessitate further refinement and continued human oversight.

Clinical Relevance

AI could assist nurses in formulating PICOT clinical questions and search strategies. AI‐based LLMs offer valuable support to healthcare professionals by improving the structure of clinical questions and enhancing search strategies, thereby significantly increasing the efficiency of information retrieval.
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosomes Therapy for Acquired Trichorrhexis Nodosa: A Case Series
Authors: Chen Xi , Pang Jing , Li Jianke , Wang Xiuhuan , Mi Zihao , Hu Zhenbo , Liu Guoyan
Published: November 2024

Background

Recent preclinical studies have demonstrated the potential efficacy of stem cell exosomes in the treatment of hair loss. However, there is a paucity of clinical studies investigating the application of exosomes for this purpose. This case series presents three patients treated with exosomes for acquired trichorrhexis nodosa (ATN), a condition characterized by hair shaft abnormalities and breakage.

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of utilizing mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) exosomes as a novel therapeutic approach for the management of ATN.

Methods

A standardized process was employed to prepare 0.1 mL of exosomes, which were subsequently injected into bilateral regions of the patients' scalps at 0.5–1 cm intervals on a monthly basis. Each injection comprised a total volume of 5 mL, and all three patients underwent a minimum of four treatment sessions. The comparative efficacy of the treatment was evaluated using clinical photographs, dermatoscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for all three patients post‐intervention.

Results

The hair condition of the three patients demonstrated significant improvement, characterized by increased length and density, enhanced pigmentation with a reduced presence of dusty white dots, and the disappearance of dermoscopic black dots and broken hairs. SEM analysis revealed a remarkable recovery in the hair cuticle layers. At the 1‐year follow‐up, hair growth essentially remained normal.

Conclusion

Exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells demonstrate efficacy in treating ATN, presenting a novel therapeutic approach for this condition.
A critical race culture cycle study of class inequities in higher education
Authors: Valle Ibette , Covarrubias Rebecca
Published: November 2024

The culture cycle details how cultural ideas, institutional practices, daily interactions, and psychological processes mutually reinforce (and disrupt) social class inequities in U.S. education contexts. Attending to how the intersections of classism, racism, and sexism shape culture cycle processes unearths nuances in social class inequities and their consequences. In this paper, we argue that by taking a critical race perspective to the culture cycle framework, or a critical race culture cycle lens for short, we can more fully interrogate interrelated power structures in educational contexts that dynamically influence each other over time to shape students’ unique psychological realities of marginalization and, importantly, their acts of resistance. To build our argument, we first describe the utility of a culture cycle study of social class inequities. We then illustrate how a critical race culture cycle lens sharpens psychological investigations of these inequities. We offer cultural mismatch theory as an illustrative example for our argument and showcase how such a lens provokes a different set of research questions that attend to power, intersectionality, and resistance. Finally, we discuss how a critical race culture cycle lens offers new opportunities for theory and research in the study of social class inequities more broadly.
Protective Activity of Melatonin Combinations and Melatonin‐Based Hybrid Molecules in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Galvani Francesca , Cammarota Mariarosaria , Vacondio Federica , Rivara Silvia , Boscia Francesca
Published: November 2024

The identification of protective agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases is the mainstay therapeutic goal to modify the disease course and arrest the irreversible disability progression. Pharmacological therapies synergistically targeting multiple pathogenic pathways, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation, are prime candidates for neuroprotection. Combination or synergistic therapy with melatonin, whose decline correlates with altered sleep/wake cycle and impaired glymphatic “waste clearance” system in neurodegenerative diseases, has a great therapeutic potential to treat inflammatory neurodegenerative states. Despite the protective outcomes observed in preclinical studies, mild or poor outcomes were observed in clinical settings, suggesting that melatonin combinations promoting synergistic actions at appropriate doses might be more suitable to treat multifactorial neurodegenerative disorders. In this review, we first summarize the key melatonin actions and pathways contributing to cell protection and its therapeutic implication in Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). We remark the major controversies in the field, mostly generated by the lack of a common consensus for the optimal dosing, molecular targets, and toxicity. Then, we review the literature investigating the efficacy of melatonin combinations with approved or investigational neuroprotective agents and of melatonin‐containing hybrid molecules, both in vitro and in animal models of AD, PD, and MS, as well as the efficacy of add‐on melatonin in clinical settings. We highlight the rationale for such melatonin combinations with a focus on the comparison with single‐agent treatment and on the assays in which an additive or a synergistic effect has been achieved. We conclude that a better characterization of the mechanisms underlying such melatonin synergistic actions under neuroinflammation at appropriate doses needs to be tackled to advance successful clinical translation of neuroprotective melatonin combination therapies or melatonin‐based hybrid molecules.
Minimally invasive technique to facilitate ultrasound‐guided removal of migrating foreign bodies: eight cases (2022)
Authors: Brincin C. , Anderson O. J. , Field E. J. , Howes C. , Reeve E. , Sutton D.
Published: November 2024

Objectives

Migrating foreign bodies is common in cats and dogs and can be challenging to retrieve. The aim of this study is to describe a minimally invasive ultrasound‐guided technique for the removal of migrating foreign bodies.

Materials and Methods

Cases were retrospectively recruited from a single referral hospital. Soft tissue swelling with suspected abscessation was identified on CT and the presence of migrating foreign material was confirmed on ultrasound. Foreign body retrieval was performed under ultrasound guidance: a large bore cannula (14G) was placed in direct contact with the foreign body. A pair of 16G flexible grasping forceps was passed through the sheath of the cannula and the foreign material was grasped and removed. Follow‐up was obtained via patient records or telephone conversation.

Results

Seven dogs and one cat were included in this series. This technique was successful in removing foreign material from the neck (n = 4) and retro‐bulbar area (n = 3). One retro‐bulbar foreign body could not be safely removed due to its proximity to the globe. Median procedure duration was 20 minutes (range 5 to 35 minutes). Follow‐up was available for seven cases at a median of 6 months (range 0.5 to 6 months). There was no recurrence of clinical signs in six out of seven cases. The swelling recurred at a different location in one case and no further foreign material was identified.

Clinical Significance

This technique enabled retrieval of migrating foreign material from the retro‐bulbar and cervical regions. This was an efficient and minimally invasive technique that spared the need for surgical exploration.
Cosmogony and rights of Rarámuri community in the face of forced migration
Authors: Corona Luis Gerardo Ortiz
Published: November 2024

The article addresses Rarámuri cosmogony and the causes of forced migration within this community. It is a descriptive essay that integrates ius‐historical, documentary, and phenomenological techniques. The main arguments revolve around the threat posed by the destruction of the Rarámuri traditions and natural environment, which affects their sense of belonging and their right to self‐determination. These factors, exacerbated by violence and forced displacement, result in the migration of the communities to nonindigenous territories. The research highlights the need to recognize and protect the rights of this community to prevent their cultural and territorial disappearance.
Mitigating the Impact of Intergenerational Risk Factors on Stunting: Insights From Seven of the Most Food Insecure Districts in South Africa
Authors: Rich Kate , Engelbrecht Liezel , Wills Gabrielle , Mphaphuli Edzani
Published: November 2024

A large body of research investigates the determinants of stunting in young children, but few studies have considered which factors are the most important predictors of stunting. We examined the relative importance of predictors of height‐for‐age z‐scores (HAZ) and stunting among children under 5 years of age in seven of the most food‐insecure districts in South Africa using data from the Grow Great Community Stunting Survey of 2022. We used dominance analysis and variable importance measures from conditional random forest models to assess the relative importance of predictors. We found that intergenerational and socioeconomic factors—specifically maternal height (HAZ: Coef. 0.02, 95% CI 0.01–0.03; stunting: OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94–0.98), birth weight (HAZ: Coef. 0.3, 95% CI 0.16–0.43; stunting: OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.35–0.72) and asset‐based measures of socioeconomic status (HAZ: Coef. 0.17, 95% CI 0.10–0.24; stunting: OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.67–0.89)—were the most important predictors of HAZ and stunting in these districts. We explored whether any other factors moderated (weakened) the relationship between these intergenerational factors and child height using conditional inference trees and moderation analysis. We found that being on track for vitamin A and deworming, adequate sanitation, a diverse diet and good maternal mental health moderated the effect of birth weight or mother's height. Though impacts are likely to be small relative to the impact of intergenerational risk factors, these moderating factors may provide promising avenues for helping to mitigate the intergenerational transmission of stunting risk in South Africa.
Genetic Architecture of Immune Cell DNA Methylation in the Rhesus Macaque
Authors: Costa Christina E. , Watowich Marina M. , Goldman Elisabeth A. , Sterner Kirstin N. , Negron‐Del Valle Josue E. , Phillips Daniel ,   Cayo Biobank Research Unit, Platt Michael L. , Montague Michael J. , Brent Lauren J. N. , Higham James P. , Snyder‐Mackler Noah , Lea Amanda J.
Published: November 2024

Genetic variation that impacts gene regulation, rather than protein function, can have strong effects on trait variation both within and between species. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, are often an important intermediate link between genotype and phenotype, yet genetic effects on DNA methylation remain understudied in natural populations. To address this gap, we used reduced representation bisulfite sequencing to measure DNA methylation levels at 555,856 CpGs in peripheral whole blood of 573 samples collected from free‐ranging rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) living on the island of Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico. We used allele‐specific methods to map cis‐methylation quantitative trait loci (meQTL) and tested for effects of 243,389 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on local DNA methylation levels. Of 776,092 tested SNP–CpG pairs, we identified 516,213 meQTL, with 69.12% of CpGs having at least one meQTL (FDR < 5%). On average, meQTL explained 21.2% of nearby methylation variance, significantly more than age or sex. meQTL were enriched in genomic compartments where methylation is likely to impact gene expression, for example, promoters, enhancers and binding sites for methylation‐sensitive transcription factors. In support, using mRNA‐seq data from 172 samples, we confirmed 332 meQTL as whole blood cis‐expression QTL (eQTL) in the population, and found meQTL–eQTL genes were enriched for immune response functions, like antigen presentation and inflammation. Overall, our study takes an important step towards understanding the genetic architecture of DNA methylation in natural populations, and more generally points to the biological mechanisms driving phenotypic variation in our close relatives.
Toward understanding how cross‐kingdom ecological strategies interactively influence soil carbon cycling
Authors: Kane Jennifer L. , Hu Jie , Tripathi Binu
Published: November 2024

This article is a Commentary on Zhang et al. (2025), 245: 2467–2479.
Deficits in Pre‐ and Post‐transplant Functional, Motor, and Cognitive Deficits Associated With Graft Failure and Mortality in Pediatric Heart Transplant Recipients
Authors: Donnelly Conor , Patel Suhani S. , Chiang Teresa Po‐Yu , Liyanage Luckmini , Long Jane J. , Levan Macey L. , Varma Manu R. , Singh Rakesh K. , Segev Dorry L. , Massie Allan B.
Published: November 2024

Background

Pretransplant functional, motor, cognitive, and academic deficits are common in pediatric patients requiring heart transplantation (HT); some persist post‐HT. We assessed the association between these quality of life (QoL) deficits and post‐HT outcomes.

Methods

Using SRTR data 2008–2023, we evaluated the functional, motor, cognitive, and academic status of pediatric HT recipients from listing to 15 years post‐HT. We compared all‐cause graft survival among patients with vs. without pre‐HT deficits using Cox regressions. Among patients with a functioning graft at 1 year, we assessed the association between deficits at that time and subsequent graft failure.

Results

In 6153 HT recipients, 85.3% had pre‐HT functional status ≤ 80%, 53.1% of patients could not tolerate a full academic load; this decreased to 15.2% and 15.0% postoperatively, and was sustained. Definite or probable cognitive deficits were seen in 17.4% of patients and motor delays in 18.6%; both remained stable post‐HT at 18.0% and 16.4%, respectively. Graft survival was worse in those with either pre‐ or post‐HT deficits in functional status. Worse pre‐HT functional status was associated with risk of graft failure (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] per 10% decrease = 1.03 1.06 1.08, p < 0.001); worse 1‐year post‐HT functional status was much more strongly associated with risk of graft failure (aHR = 1.13 1.18 1.23, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Pediatric HT recipients with decreased functional status are at higher risk for graft failure and mortality. These patients may benefit from early intervention aimed at improving functional status.
“China” and the Emergence of Religious Toleration in Enlightenment Philosophers, Part I: The Early Jesuit Mission and Bayle's Conception of “Reciprocal Toleration”
Authors: Hui Xianzhe , Wenning Mario
Published: November 2024

This article reconstructs the influence of Jesuit missionary writings focusing on China on the emergence of a distinctive conception of toleration. The article highlights the often neglected contributions of Pierre Bayle. After a brief reconstruction of key elements of the Sino‐European encounter, such as the Kangxi Emperor's edict of toleration, the paper describes how Bayle's interpretation of the China Mission contributed to a critique of religious persecution in France and enabled him to develop a defense of a rationalist approach to toleration. The article demonstrates that Bayle's knowledge of China and his methodology of intercultural changes in perspective contributed to the development of an original conception of reciprocal toleration.
Associations of demyelination in the right middle temporal gyrus and right praecuneus with visuospatial cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Ohnishi Hiroki , Matsuoka Kiwamu , Takahashi Masato , Yoshikawa Hiroaki , Minami Akihiro , Ueda Kazuya , Fujimoto Yuka , Kiuchi Kuniaki , Ochi Tomoko , Miyasaka Toshiteru , Tanaka Toshihiro , Matsumoto Ryohei , Makinodan Manabu , Okada Takashi
Published: November 2024

Background

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with impairments in not only memory but also visuospatial cognitive function. Despite its adverse effects on the quality of life, patients with early‐stage AD are often neglected. Emerging evidence suggests that patients with AD exhibit increased vulnerability of myelin, a crucial component for neuronal conduction and survival. To test our hypothesis that myelin damage was associated with cognitive deficits in AD, we examined correlations of myelin integrity, quantified by T1‐weighted/T2‐weighted (T1w/T2w) ratios, with visuospatial cognitive abilities and compared them between patients with AD and cognitively normal (CN) individuals.

Methods

Fifty‐seven patients with AD and 22 CN subjects were enrolled in this study. To assess subjects' visuo‐constructive abilities, we employed the Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure Copy Test (ROCFT‐c) paired with analysis of T1‐ and T2‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging brain images. Voxel‐based associations between T1w/T2w ratios and ROCFT‐c scores in the AD group were assessed, controlling for age and handedness (voxel threshold uncorrected P < 0.001, cluster threshold uncorrected P < 0.05). Additionally, we compared the T1w/T2w ratios of these identified brain regions between the AD and CN groups.

Results

The voxel‐based analysis demonstrated positive correlations between T1w/T2w ratios and ROCFT‐c scores in the right middle temporal gyrus and right praecuneus in patients with AD who exhibited significantly lower T1w/T2w ratios in the right middle temporal gyrus (P = 0.038) and a trend toward lower T1w/T2w ratios in the right praecuneus (P = 0.055).

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated a strong association between reduced myelin integrity in the right middle temporal gyrus and right praecuneus and visuospatial cognitive dysfunction in patients with AD. These findings are believed to shed light on the neural basis of visuospatial processing in patients with AD, underlining the necessity for developing objective biomarkers for assessing patients' visuospatial cognitive function.
Production of novel peptide‐targeting antibodies for anti‐Müllerian hormone receptor 2 and induction of cytotoxicity in ovarian cancer cells
Authors: Şakalar Çağrı , Kurt Büşra , Sezen Sedat , Kaya Savaş
Published: November 2024

Ovarian cancer is generally diagnosed at late stages. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) targeting antigens in ovarian cancer are used in the clinic. Anti‐Müllerian hormone receptor type 2 (AMHR2) is a receptor highly expressed in ovarian cancer and it is a potential target antigen for immunotherapy. Extracellular domain of AMHR2 was analysed in terms of 3D structure and physicochemical properties, and 3 peptide sequences (Peptides 1, 7 and 11) were determined as targets. MAb production protocol was performed, and 6 MAb clones showing high affinity for peptides were obtained. P3B1, P10A10, P10B6 and P2A6 clones were for peptide 11 (P11), P2C9 was for P7, and P6C5 was for P1. Antibody isotype of P2A6 was IgG2a and the others were of IgG1 isotype. MAb binding to the native recombinant protein (AMHR2‐Fc) was analysed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and MAb binding to AMHR2 expressed by SKOV‐3 ovarian cancer cells was analysed by western blot and immunofluorescent staining. P3B1 showed strong, P10A10, P10B6 and P2C9 showed medium affinity for the native protein (AMHR2‐Fc). P3B1 and P2C9 showed strong binding in western blot analysis. Clones showed moderate binding in immunoflorescent staining. A complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) experiment was conducted using MAbs and transfected SKOV‐3 cells. P3B1 induced a significant CDC. Variable regions of P3B1 MAb were sequenced. In conclusion, MAbs for three different regions of AMHR2 were produced. One clone was shown to induce cytotoxicity in ovarian cancer cells and its sequence was determined for future use as a humanised therapeutic MAb.
Does trade facilitation contribute to export product quality upgrading in China?
Authors: Li Chunying , Shen Hao
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the effect of trade facilitation in export destination countries on the export product quality of Chinese firms. As a key factor in the rapid development of China's foreign trade, it is still unclear whether trade facilitation has helped to upgrade the quality of firm export products. This study fills this gap by constructing a theoretical framework of the endogenous quality selection model. Using export trade data from the China Customs database from 2007 to 2015, we find a significant U‐shaped relationship between trade facilitation and export product quality. When the degree of trade facilitation is low, the low‐price substitution effect causes the quality of export products to decrease as the level of trade facilitation increases. When the degree of trade facilitation is high, the income feedback effect promotes the quality of export products to increase as the level of trade facilitation increases. This result is confirmed across different income countries and technology products, highlighting the importance of trade facilitation affecting the quality of export products through the low‐price substitution effect and the income feedback effect.
Significance of incidentally identified bullae and blebs on thoracic computed tomography and prevalence of subsequent pneumothorax in dogs
Authors: Healy Donough , Ballarini Laura , Agthe Petra , Cantatore Matteo , Moores Alison L.
Published: November 2024

Objective

To determine the prevalence of incidentally found pulmonary bullae and blebs (PBBs) in a population of dogs undergoing thoracic computed tomography (CT) for reasons other than presence of pneumothorax and to determine the prevalence of subsequent spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) development.

Study design

Retrospective study.

Animals

A total of 30 dogs.

Method

A total of 2221 CT studies of the sample population were retrospectively assessed for the presence of incidental PBBs between April 2013 and April 2019. Inclusion criteria were complete thoracic CT studies from dogs obtained from the hospital database. Exclusion criteria were concurrent presence of a pneumothorax or severe pulmonary disease preventing assessment for PBBs, an air‐filled space related to a pathological process, for example, neoplasm, incomplete CT studies, or no available follow‐up. Long term outcome was evaluated using a questionnaire to determine the occurrence of SP post CT examination.

Results

Incidental PBBs were identified in 30 out of 2178 (1.4%) CT studies that met the inclusion criteria. None of the dogs subsequently developed clinical evidence of SP (median follow‐up time 1255 days, range: 147 to 2363 days). One dog died suddenly of unknown cause and as no post‐mortem was performed SP could not be ruled out.

Conclusion

There was a low prevalence of incidentally found PBBs in dogs. None of the dogs followed over a long period subsequently developed SP.

Clinical significance

Based on this study, prophylactic removal of lung tissue containing incidentally found PPBs is not justified.
Manual para el desarrollo de la creatividad en la educación universitaria
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Gómez Hernández Félix Antonio , Gomati de la Vega Isabella , Granados Manjarrés Maritza , Manzi Puertas Mario Andrés
Published: November 2024

Este manual proporciona a los docentes las herramientas necesarias para fomentar la creatividad en el aula. A través de estrategias prácticas y autoevaluación, los educadores podrán transformar sus clases en espacios innovadores que estimulan el pensamiento crítico y la resolución de problemas en los estudiantes.
Silicon-air nanofilm based on the ⟨110⟩ projection of a diamond lattice to enhance radiative cooling
Authors: Kortge David , Zhu Jie , Vaughan Mary , Huang Sheng-Wen , Bermel Peter
Published: November 2024

Photonic crystals built with 3D diamond structures have potentially large bandgaps, which can benefit a wide range of applications, such as daytime radiative cooling, where emissivity needs to be targeted at certain wavelengths in the infrared. However, building simple and low-cost 3D diamond-lattice photonic crystals remains a challenge. In this work, we develop a new processing technique to fabricate a 3D diamond-lattice photonic crystal based on a ⟨110⟩ surface-terminated structure to ease the creation of a deep lattice structure through reactive ion etching through the surface. This fabrication results in a significant amount of broadband selectivity, characterized by relatively high reflection in the visible wavelength range, as well as low reflection and high emissivity in the mid- to long-wavelength infrared range. Simulations performed in the Stanford Stratified Structure Solver indicate a reasonable agreement with experimental measurements, while suggesting approaches for further improvement.
Florfenicol administration in piglets co-selects for multiple antimicrobial resistance genes
Authors: Holman Devin B. , Gzyl Katherine E. , Kommadath Arun
Published: November 2024

Antimicrobial use in food-producing animals such as pigs is a significant issue due to its association with antimicrobial resistance. Florfenicol is a broad-spectrum phenicol antibiotic used in swine for various indications; however, its effect on the swine microbiome and resistome is largely unknown. This study investigated these effects in piglets treated intramuscularly with florfenicol at 1 and 7 days of age. Fecal samples were collected from treated (
n
= 30) and untreated (
n
= 30) pigs at nine different time points up until 140 days of age, and the fecal metagenomes were sequenced. The fecal microbiomes of the two groups of piglets were most dissimilar in the immediate period following florfenicol administration. These differences were driven in part by an increase in the relative abundance of
Clostridium scindens
,
Enterococcus faecalis
, and
Escherichia
spp. in the florfenicol-treated piglets and
Fusobacterium
spp.,
Pauljensenia hyovaginalis
, and
Ruminococcus gnavus
in the control piglets. In addition to selecting for florfenicol resistance genes (
floR
,
fexA
, and
fexB
), florfenicol also selected for genes conferring resistance to the aminoglycosides, beta-lactams, or sulfonamides up until weaning at 21 days of age. Florfenicol-resistant
Escherichia coli
isolated from these piglets were found to carry a plasmid with
floR
, along with
tet
(A),
aph(6)-Id
,
aph(3″)-Ib
,
sul2
, and
bla
TEM-1
/
bla
CMY-2
. A plasmid carrying
fexB
and
poxtA
(phenicols and oxazolidinones) was identified in florfenicol-resistant
Enterococcus avium
,
Enterococcus faecium
, and
E. faecalis
isolates from the treated piglets. This study highlights the potential for co-selection and perturbation of the fecal microbial community in pre-weaned piglets administered florfenicol.

IMPORTANCE

Antimicrobial use remains a serious challenge in food-animal production due to its linkage with antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistance can reduce the efficacy of veterinary treatment and can potentially be transferred to humans through the food chain or direct contact with animals and their environment. In this study, early-life florfenicol treatment in piglets altered the composition of the fecal microbiome and selected for many unrelated antimicrobial resistance genes up until weaning at 21 days of age. Part of this co-selection process appeared to involve an
Escherichia coli
plasmid carrying a florfenicol resistance gene along with genes conferring resistance to at least four other antimicrobial classes. In addition, florfenicol selected for certain genes that provide resistance to multiple antimicrobial classes, including the oxazolidinones. These results highlight that florfenicol can co-select for multiple antimicrobial resistance genes, and their presence on mobile genetic elements suggests the potential for transfer to other bacteria.
Evolution of copper resistance in
Xanthomonas euvesicatoria
pv.
perforans
population
Authors: Kaur Amandeep , Minsavage Gerald V. , Potnis Neha , Jones Jeffrey B. , Goss Erica M.
Published: November 2024

The widespread use of antimicrobials that target bacterial pathogens has driven evolution of resistance, compromising the efficacy of these bactericides. Understanding the emergence and spread of resistance genes via mobile genetic elements is crucial for combating antimicrobial resistance. Copper resistance (CuR) in
Xanthomonas euvesicatoria
pv.
perforans
has severely affected the efficacy of copper-based bactericides for controlling bacterial leaf spot disease of tomato and pepper. Here, we investigated the evolutionary pathways of CuR acquisition and dissemination in
X. euvesicatoria
pv.
perforans
using an extensive collection of strains. We determined that chromosomally encoded CuR predominates over plasmid-borne CuR in multiple distinct phylogenetic groups of
X. euvesicatoria
pv.
perforans
. Our analysis revealed a single site of chromosomal integration by a CuR genomic island, although the genomic island showed sequence variation among phylogenetic groups. While chromosomal CuR was more prevalent, strains with plasmid-borne resistance conferred greater copper tolerance. Additionally, we identified strains carrying two copies of CuR genes, on plasmid and chromosome, that exhibited increased copper tolerance. Strains of
X. euvesicatoria
pv.
perforans
from the USA shared identical CuR gene sequences whether on plasmids or chromosome while different alleles were found in strains from other countries. In contrast to
X. euvesicatoria
pv.
perforans
, plasmid-borne CuR predominated in closely related pathovar,
X. euvesicatoria
pv.
euvesicatoria
. Overall, these findings contribute to a better understanding of the evolution and persistence of CuR in
X. euvesicatoria
pv.
perforans
and its closest relatives.

IMPORTANCE

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance is a significant threat to agricultural production as it reduces the efficacy of various antimicrobials including copper-based bactericides that are widely used to control plant diseases. The challenge of increasing antimicrobial resistance entering a production system necessitates a deeper understanding of the dynamics and mechanisms by which pathogens acquire resistance. As a result of this research, we have identified different mechanisms of copper resistance acquisition as well as levels of copper resistance in a devastating plant pathogen,
X. euvesicatoria
pv.
perforans
. The evolution and dissemination of copper resistance in strains through plasmid or chromosomally integrated genomic island or both presents barriers to current management approaches, where growers rely heavily on copper-based bactericides to manage disease outbreaks. This knowledge is crucial when considering the continued use of existing antimicrobials or adopting alternative antimicrobials in efforts to implement enhanced antimicrobial stewardship strategies in agriculture.
Mediating effect of working conditions on the association between education and early labour market exit: a cohort study of Swedish men
Authors: Carlsson Emma , Hemmingsson Tomas , Almroth Melody , Falkstedt Daniel , Kjellberg Katarina , Thern Emelie
Published: November 2024

Objectives

It is not fully known what explains educational inequalities in early labour market exits. This study aims to examine the mediating effect of exposure to unfavourable working conditions, measured by low job control and high physical workload, on the association between education and early labour market exit among men.

Methods

This register-based study included all men born 1951–1953, who underwent Swedish military conscription in late adolescence and had a registered educational level in 2005 (n=115 998). These men were followed from ages 53–55 to 64 regarding early labour market exit (disability pension, long-term sickness absence, long-term unemployment, early old-age retirement with and without income). Mediation analysis was used to examine the role of job control and physical workload in explaining the educational differences in early exit. Factors measured in childhood and late adolescence were included as confounders.

Results

The proportion mediated by job control was around 17% and for physical workload around 22% for the least educated men for exit through disability pension, long-term sickness absence and long-term unemployment. For early old-age retirement with and without income, working conditions were not mediating factors, except for job control mediating up to 18% for exit through early old-age retirement with income.

Conclusions

Job control and physical workload seem to be important factors explaining the educational differences in most early exit routes, also after accounting for early life factors. These results indicate the importance of improving working conditions to decrease inequalities in early labour market exit and prolong working life.
Implications of $$B \rightarrow K \nu {\bar{\nu }}$$ under rank-one flavor violation hypothesis
Authors: Marzocca David , Nardecchia Marco , Stanzione Alfredo , Toni Claudio
Published: November 2024

We study the implications of the observed excess in $$B^+ \rightarrow K^+ \nu \bar{\nu }$$

B
+

→

K
+

ν

ν

¯

under the assumption of Rank-One Flavour Violation, i.e. that New Physics couples to a single specific direction in flavour space. By varying this direction we perform analyses at the level of the low-energy EFT, the SMEFT, and with explicit mediators such as leptoquarks and colorless vectors ($$Z^\prime $$

Z
′

and $$V^\prime $$

V
′

). We study correlations with other flavour, electroweak and collider observables, finding that the most interesting ones are with $$K \rightarrow \pi \nu \bar{\nu }$$

K
→
π
ν

ν

¯

, $$B_s \rightarrow \mu ^+ \mu ^-$$

B
s

→

μ
+

μ
-

, meson mixing and the LHC searches in $$\tau ^+ \tau ^-$$

τ
+

τ
-

high-energy tails. Among the various mediators, the scalar leptoquarks $$\tilde{R}_2$$

R
~

2

and $$S_1$$

S
1

offer the best fits of the Belle-II excess, while being consistent with the other bounds. On the other hand, colorless vectors are strongly constrained by meson mixing and resonance searches in $$p p \rightarrow \tau ^+ \tau ^-$$

p
p
→

τ
+

τ
-

. In all cases we find that a flavour alignment close to the third generation is generically preferred.
A new quantum solution to blind millionaires’ problem without an honest third party
Authors: Du Gang , Zhang Yu , Mao Xinyue , Sun Hongwei , Wang Lei
Published: November 2024

The quantum blind millionaires’ (QBM) problem is an expanded version of the millionaires’ problem in a quantum environment. For any two sets with different members, the QBM problem represents the quantum solution of the private summation in each set and the private comparison of the results simultaneously. During it, the secrets of any participant should be protected. As a new topic in quantum secure multiparty computation (QSMC), current solutions to QBM problems usually require an honest third party to resist some potential attack strategies. However, the assumptions will affect their applicability in practical cooperative security systems. In this paper, we propose a new solution to the quantum blind millionaires’ (QBM) problem without the help of an honest third party for the first time. In our solution, the shift operations are applied to the d-dimensional 2-particle entangled states to encode the secrets of the participants. According to our analysis, the proposed solution can effectively resist typical internal and external attacks by applying the detection methods generated by the participants. We hope that the research will make positive developments for QSMC.
Research on Intelligent Screening of International Communication Information and National and Regional Communication Strategies Based on Deep Learning Algorithm
Authors: Wang Jia , Zheng Weiming , Zhang Lingli
Published: November 2024

In the context of globalization, the importance of international communication has become increasingly prominent. However, in the face of massive international communication information, how to effectively select and formulate communication strategies has become a big challenge. The traditional manual screening method is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive but also easy to be affected by subjective factors. This study aims to address the efficiency and accuracy issues in current international communication information screening and dissemination strategy formulation through the application of deep learning algorithms. It is of great theoretical and practical value to use deep learning algorithms to conduct intelligent screening of international communication information and research on national and regional communication strategies. To explore the application of deep learning algorithms in the intelligent screening of international communication information and the research of national and regional communication strategies, first, we will introduce the basic principles and methods of deep learning, as well as its applications in natural language processing (NLP), image recognition, and other fields. Then, we will explore how to use deep learning algorithms for intelligent screening of international dissemination information, including information classification, clustering, topic modeling, etc. Combined with practical cases, the application of deep learning algorithms in national and regional communication strategies will be studied, including communication content generation, communication channel selection, and communication effect evaluation.
Optimization of College Music Teaching Mode Based on Embedded Neural Network
Authors: Lin Pei-Han
Published: November 2024

The traditional teaching mode is difficult to fully meet the diversity of modern music education. This paper focuses on exploring new paths to optimize university music teaching models using advanced data algorithm technologies such as embedded neural networks. This exploration is not only an innovation of traditional teaching models, but also a key practice to promote students’ comprehensive development, enhance their overall quality, and stimulate innovative thinking. This paper deeply analyzes the urgency and importance of optimizing the music teaching mode in universities, and points out that in the rapidly changing digital age, music education must keep pace with the times to achieve a comprehensive upgrade of teaching content, methods, and evaluation system through technological means, in order to meet the diverse and high-quality demands of society for music talents. These technological advancements not only provide strong support for the integration of teaching resources and the design of personalized learning paths, but also open up vast space for the implementation of innovative teaching models. This paper introduces a new concept of spectral regression rationality. This concept aims to conduct in-depth analysis of music works through embedded neural networks to ensure the accuracy of music expression. At the same time, guide students to master scientific data analysis methods and cultivate their rational thinking and aesthetic abilities in music creation.
Emotion Recognition and Regulation in English Teaching Based on Emotion Computing Technology
Authors: Jiao Wang
Published: November 2024

In order to effectively and accurately recognize students’ emotions in English teaching, and timely regulate students’ emotions, a method of emotion recognition and regulation in English teaching based on emotion computing technology is proposed. Through the skin color model, students’ facial images in the English teaching classroom obtained by the camera are searched for skin color regions, and students’ facial expression images in English teaching are detected, to carry out size normalization and grayscale normalization on the detected facial expression image, preprocess the facial expression image, use the binary method to locate the main facial organs of eyes and mouth that affect emotion in the preprocessed facial expression image, extract the edge features of facial expression image and the features of eyes and mouth, and take all the extracted features as the input of the model, output students’ emotion categories, and make corresponding teaching strategy adjustment and students’ emotion regulation according to students’ emotion categories, so as to finally realize English teaching emotion recognition and regulation. Experiments show that this method can effectively and fully detect the facial expression images of students learning English, and it is efficient for English teaching emotion recognition.
Research and Optimization of Audit Risk Assessment Model Based on Regression Algorithm
Authors: Fang Li , Sun Hui
Published: November 2024

Recently, auditors have used audit risk models’ conceptual tools to assess and control the many risks that could occur during an audit. The tool guides the auditor in determining the necessary evidence for each relevant allegation and the required categories of evidence. The importance of refining audit risk assessment models depends on the crucial role that these models perform in allocating resources and reducing financial disparities. The challenging characteristic of such an audit risk assessment model is that inaccurate information can lead to incorrect risk assessments, legal frameworks and failure to detect material misstatements in financial statements. Hence, in this research, BP neural network-enabled machine learning (BPNN-ML) technologies have been improved for the audit risk assessment model. In that financial disparity, the regression algorithm was used to establish the audit risk assessment for data processing and entirely monitor it. The suggested method provides a flexible framework that may be utilized by a wide range of organizations, including global enterprises and financial institutions, to optimize audit processes and ensure regulatory compliance. This research adds to advancing auditing procedures and regulatory compliance efforts in contemporary company contexts by addressing the issues inherent in traditional methods and proposing a practical approach to these concerns. The experimental analysis of BPNN-ML outperforms physical monitoring in terms of feature importance ranking analysis, contextual adaptability analysis, sensitivity analysis, performance analysis and optimized risk assessment analysis.
Evaluation of Urbanization Quality Based on Deep Learning and Intelligent Algorithms
Authors: Qi Yifan
Published: November 2024

The phenomena of urbanization is multi-faceted and impacts numerous societal domains such as infrastructure, environment, and quality of life. Assessing urbanization’s quality is crucial for long-term planning and sustainable growth. Nevertheless, traditional methods employed in assessing the quality of urbanization are usually inaccurate and inefficient due to their dependency on manual approaches and simplistic models. This paper eliminates the drawbacks associated with the current methods by introducing a unique procedure referred to as Urban Growth Forecast using Deep Learning (UGF-DL). The main problem made in these papers is lack of precise and timely evaluation for urbanization quality. UGF-DL applies approaches to deep learning, with a focus on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to predict correctly the patterns of city growth unlike other papers that do not make substantial improvement upon prediction. To train CNN models for predicting future urban expansion, UGF-DL uses large-scale datasets like satellite imagery, socio-economic indicators, and historical urbanization data among others. UGF-DL incorporates intelligent algorithms to capture intricate spatial–temporal relationships within cities this allows for more precise forecasting than is possible with more traditional methods. Among the many advantages of the proposed method are real-time monitoring of dynamics in urbanization; identification of prospective areas for infrastructure development; and assessment of effects caused by urban policies among others. Moreover, UGF-DL helps policymakers and city planners make proactive decisions that lead to sustainable cities with more resilience. Assessment criteria have been used to evaluate the effectiveness of UGF-DL: these include; accuracy prediction analysis, range distribution study, ground truth comparison, etc., which have been highlighted in this paper.
Fermion mass hierarchy in modular flavor symmetry
Authors: Tanimoto Morimitsu
Published: November 2024

The modular flavor symmetry is studied to explain the mass hierarchy of quarks and leptons. In this review, at first, we introduce briefly the framework of the modular symmetries and its residual symmetries, and then, present the general framework of generating the mass hierarchy close to the symmetric points of modulus without fine-tuning. Finally, we present a minimal [Formula: see text] modular invariant model of quarks. We then describe how to obtain the hierarchical quark mass patterns in the vicinity of [Formula: see text] and investigate the flavor structure of the quark mass matrices. The results of our study show that describing correctly the quark mass hierarchies without severe fine-tuning and the CP violation is remarkably challenging within the modular invariance approach to flavors.