bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Analysis of the Unity of Existence (Wahdat al Wujud) in Hikmah Mutā‘ālīyah (Transcendental philosophy of Molla Sadra) and Advaita Vedanta Philosophy
Authors:   Al-Mustafa International University (MIU), Jaun Abdi Syed Mohammad
Published: June 2024

The concept of the unity of existence finds resonance in both Islamic philosophy, particularly in the Transcendental philosophy of Molla Sadra, and the Advaita Vedanta school of Indian philosophy, notably championed by the mystic philosopher Sankara. Molla Sadra's philosophical framework is rooted in the intertwining principles of Multiplicity within Unity and Unity within Multiplicity, (Kathrat fil Wahdat, Wahdat fil Kathrat) elucidated through two key theories: (I) Gradational unity of existence, (Al Wujud Al Tashkiki) and (II) Individual unity of existence. (Wahadat al Shkaksi) Sankara, a mystic philosopher within the Vedanta tradition, expounds upon the unity of existence through non-dualism, positing that Atman (individual soul) is identical to Brahman (universal consciousness). His philosophical stance involves dismantling the perceived realm of multiplicity by invoking the concept of cosmic illusion, referred to as the doctrine of Maya. This paper delves into an exploration of the perspectives of Molla Sadra and Sankara regarding the unity of existence. While both thinkers share the notion that a singular reality is concealed by a metaphorical veil, they each draw inspiration from their respective sacred texts-the Quran for Molla Sadra and the Vedas for Sankara. Consequently, they have formulated comprehensive systems of thought grounded in principles and assertions that invite scrutiny. However, it is essential to note that some disparities exist in their ideas. This paper aims to elucidate the commonalities and divergences between Molla Sadra's and Sankara's philosophies, shedding light on the similarities and polarities inherent in their conceptualizations of the unity of existence.
The Relationship between Gnostic Experience (Shohud/Witnessing) and Reason
Authors:   Al-Mustafa International University, Mammadov Orkhan , Kiyashimshaki Abulfazl ,   Amirkabir University of Technology
Published: June 2024

The relationship between gnostic experience and reason is a crucial issue in gnostic philosophy. Opinions are varied on this issue. Basically these various opinions can be summarized into two one of which sees the gnostic experience and the reason contradictory, that is, according to this perspective gnostic experiences cannot be explained by reason as they are outside the boundaries of the latter. What comes out of this standpoint is that gnostic experience is not real. The other perspective is that gnostic experiences are not irrational. In contrast, reason can entirely account for these experiences, that is, it regards gnostic experience to be real. The first perspective is denied. For, the stories narrated by gnostic people living in different times and areas on their mystical experiences are the same. In order to solve the issue related to the second view, a couple of solutions are presented. Among them are the theories of multiplicity of viewpoints and that of meanings, which Walter Terence Stace does not accept. Finally, the author, it seems to also find himself in controversy. Thus, he believes that gnostic experiences are contradictory in spite of being real. That is, gnostic experiences are both contradictory and real. Apparently, there are two things that make Stace reach such a conclusion: misunderstanding of the statements that picture Gnosticism as something beyond reason (logic) and rationality, and inadequacy of the foundation of Western philosophy. Considering these issues, this research aims to: 1) determine the role of reason in Islamic sciences; 2) explore the function of theoretical reason in empirical, abstract, and intuitive sciences; 3) present and critically analyse Stace’s theory; 4) clarify the reason behind Stace’s regarding gnostic experiences contradictory to reason after acknowledging them as real; and 5) demonstrate the inadequacy of the foundation of Stace’s philosophy, clarifying the relationship between gnostic experience and reason based on the principles of Mulla Sadra’s transcendental philosophy.
Conseptual Approaches to the Essence of the Political Elite
Authors:   Baku State University, Gasimov Tural , Nasirov Elman ,   Academy of Public Administration
Published: June 2024

The concept of political elite has been the subject of discussion by many researchers in different periods of history. Various theories and concepts have been put forward about this phenomenon. Today, we cannot imagine any society without a political elite. In both democratic and non-democratic states, power is concentrated in the hands of an organized minority-the political elite. The article basically tries to clarify questions that interest many scientists, such as the essence and content of the political elite, as well as the role of elite groups forming the political elite in the management of the community and decision-making. The political elite theories and concepts of thinkers such as G. Mosca, V. Pareto, R. Michels were investigated, and an extensive comparative analysis was conducted between these concepts. In-depth study of different approaches plays an exceptional role in understanding the basic nature of the political elite.
Evolution of Theoretical Perspectives on Military Conflicts
Authors:   Institute of Military Management of the National Defense University, Najafov Zafar
Published: June 2024

The article deals with the origin, historical development features, and scientific approaches to military conflicts. The place and role of armed conflicts and wars in human history, their dualistic nature, and the explanation of the understanding apparatus play a key role in the study of the problem. Noticeable radical changes in socio-economic formations had a serious impact on the nature, methods, and means of military conflicts and created a basis for the emergence and development of scientific research in this direction. The "revolution in military affairs" has resulted in the transformation of armed struggle and the emergence of the "generations of war" division. The explanation of military conflicts in the context of various schools and approaches indicates that this social phenomenon has a multifaceted and complex nature and is closely related to other scientific fields.
Iravani Hadith Narrators
Authors:   Al-Mustafa International University, Seyfullayev Tarlan
Published: June 2024

Some of the Hadith narrators who narrated Hadiths from Ahl al-Bayt (p) lived in historical Azerbaijani territories. Those narrators who lived in Azerbaijani territories were mainly the disciples of imams such as Imam al-Sadiq (p), Imam al-Kadhim (p), Imam al-Rida (p), Imam al-Jawad (p), Imam al-Hadi (p), and Imam Hasan al-Askari (p), and they were spreading these imams’ teachings throughout the Caucasus. They continued their activities until the Minor and Major Occultation of the Twelfth Imam (p). During the Minor Occultation period, the masters of Ahmad ibn Mahammad ibn Khalid Barqi and Sheikh al-Kuleyni, and during the Major Occultation, the masters and disciples of Sheikh Saduq, Sheikh Tusi, and Sheikh Mufid were living in this region.
“Haqq al-Nas” (The Rights of Mankind) and Its Social Impacts
Authors:   AcademyGate Publishing (ISNI: 0000000514175052), Yahyazadeh Nijat
Published: June 2024

In addition to individual duties, each person is responsible for fulfilling public duties. The main reason for this is that human beings are social beings. Therefore, everyone’s actions and attitudes have positive and negative effects not only on themselves but also on society. In this regard, the rights of mankind are a significant issue in the daily life of every society. Islam, especially the Quranic verses, attaches great importance to the question of the rights of mankind. Haqq al-Nas means protecting people’s property, not harming their lives, and respecting people’s honor and dignity. The aim of this research is to explore the impact of conforming to the rights of mankind on society. According to the findings, issues such as public safety, moral development, social compassion, and psychological balance, which society always needs, are the most significant effects of abiding by the rights of mankind. A society with these characteristics is considered healthy and ideal. This paper is based on religious texts and follows the descriptive-analytical method in content analysis. It may also be considered interdisciplinary research as it deals with issues related to ethics, law, sociology, and Quranic studies.
Seismic landslide susceptibility evaluation model based on historical data and its application to areas with similar environmental settings
Authors: Liu Xuemei , Yang Xianhe , Yuan Renmao , Xu Rui , Liu Chaohai
Published: July 2024

Seismic landslide susceptibility evaluation models are usually built on the basis of historical sample data; however, the evaluation results are often unsatisfactory when the environmental settings differ between the historical sample data region and application region. Therefore, similarity between the environmental settings is important for the application of such models. In this paper, a seismic landslide susceptibility evaluation model was first built using data from the 2008 Ms 8.0 Wenchuan earthquake-induced landslide, and the model was then used to evaluate the 2022 Ms 6.8 Luding earthquake area. In addition, the grade of susceptibility is typically represented by the landslide density, which is insufficient for capturing the details of landslides, such as their sizes, frequencies, and spatial distribution patterns. The authors therefore use a large and concentrated landslide as the susceptibility grade for the Luding earthquake area. The test results demonstrate that these two areas have similar background environments. The area under the curve (AUC) value of the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve of the evaluation accuracy for the model applied to the Luding earthquake area is 0.889, which indicates relatively high accuracy. Besides, the results also demonstrate that the evaluations are consistent with the disaster situation of the Moxi Platform, Wandong Village, as well as the Dagangshan Hydropower Station area. Therefore, it is reliable to apply the susceptibility evaluation model based on the Wenchuan earthquake data to the Luding earthquake area. These results show that better evaluations can be obtained based on environmental similarity tests between the areas used for historical data modeling and areas to which the models are applied.
Voltage stability analysis considering dynamic interaction for power systems integrated with multi-PMSGs
Authors: Cheng Lin , Wang Jili , Ke Xianbo , Han Zhiyong , Ai Dongping
Published: July 2024

This paper presents the dynamic voltage stability index based on the voltage oscillation loop for power systems integrated with multiple permanent magnet synchronous generators (PMSGs) to assess the dynamic interaction on voltage stability. First, the model of power systems integrated with multi-PMSGs using a Q–V sensitivity matrix as feedback to connect all PMSGs is established. The transfer function model between voltage and reactive power is derived, and the voltage oscillation loop can be derived, which exists in each PMSG. Next, the dynamic voltage stability index is theoretically derived and given, the impact of dynamic interaction among multi-PMSGs on voltage stability can be quantified, and the source of voltage oscillation can be identified and determined. Then, the voltage stability is recovered by shedding the trouble-making PMSG. The parameters of PMSGs could be tuned with the guidance of the dynamic voltage stability index to reduce the risk of voltage oscillation. Finally, the example of a test system with PMSGs is used to validate the correctness of the dynamic stability index.
Potential value and research frontiers of virus in neuroinflammation: a bibliometric and visualized analysis
Authors: Li Danyang , Wu Minghua
Published: July 2024

Background

Neuroinflammation represents the immune response of the central nervous system to nerve injury, infection, toxin stimulation, or autoimmunity and is implicated in a wide range of neurological disorders. Viruses play a pivotal role as extrinsic biological drivers in neuroinflammation; however, numerous aspects remain unexplored. In this study, we employed bibliometric analysis to assess the current status of viral research in neuroinflammation and anticipate future research directions and emerging trends.

Methods

Conduct a comprehensive search for scholarly publications within the Web of Science Core Collection database, with search terms on neuroinflammation and virus. Apply Microsoft Excel Office, Hiplot, R (version 4.3.1), VOSviewer (version 1.6.20) and CiteSpace (6.2.R6, advanced) software for the bibliometric analysis and visualization.

Results

A total of 4230 articles and reviews on virus and neuroinflammation were identified, demonstrating a consistent upward trend over time. The United States was the country that contributed the most publications. Approximately 22274 authors from 4474 institutions contributed to the research. Johns Hopkins University leads with the highest number of publications and citations. The top three authors with the most published articles on this field are Power, C., Lane, T. E., and Buch, S. The Journal of Neuroinflammation is the most authoritative choice for researchers. The main research focuses in this field include multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, blood-brain barrier, COVID-19, Alzheimer’s disease, gene therapy. In recent years, stress have emerged as hot keywords, particularly depression, human immunodeficiency virus-associated neurocognitive disorders, blood-brain barrier, gut microbiota related directions, indicating a potential shift in research focus.

Conclusion

Research on the virus and neuroinflammation has attracted increasing attention in the past decade. European and American countries have been pivotal in conducting research on virus and neuroinflammation, while China has produced a significant number of publications, its impact is still limited. Stress is likely to emerge as the next area of focus in this field. The association and regulation between viral infection and psychiatric disorders are not fully understood, and further research is needed to explore the role of neuroinflammation caused by different types of viral infection and psychiatric disorders.
Case report: Gait-induced palilalia in a patient with hemiplegia due to cerebral infarction
Authors: Kaneko Yoshiyuki , Suzuki Takahiro , Nakajima Hideto , Kanamori Tadashi , Suzuki Masahiro
Published: July 2024

Background

Palilalia is a type of speech characterized by compulsive repetition of words, phrases, or syllables. Several reports have noted that palilalia can occur in response to external verbal stimuli. Here, we report, for the first time, a patient with palilalia induced by gait, which we call “movement-related palilalia.”

Case presentation

Eleven months after the onset of cerebral infarction sparing the right precentral gyrus and its adjacent subcortical regions, a 63-year-old, left-handed Japanese man was referred for psychiatric consultation because of a complaint of irritability caused by the stress of compulsive repetition of a single meaningless word, “wai.” The repetition of a word, palilalia, in this case, was characterized by its predominant occurrence during walking and by its melodic tones. The palilalia during walking disappeared almost completely after 5 months of treatment with carbamazepine 600 mg.

Conclusion

Palilalia induced by gait can occur in patients with a history of cerebral infarction. This palilalia during walking may be due to the reorganization of networks in areas nearby or surrounding cerebral infarcts.
Exploring genetic diversity and population structure in Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J.Presl germplasm in China through phenotypic, chemical component, and molecular marker analyses
Authors: Han Panpan , Chen Jinfang , Chen Zeyu , Che Xiaoying , Peng Ziqiu , Ding Ping
Published: July 2024

Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J.Presl, a tropical aromatic evergreen tree belonging to the Lauraceae family, is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is also a traditional spice used worldwide. However, little is currently known about the extent of the genetic variability and population structure of C. cassia. In this study, 71 individuals were collected from seven populations across two geographical provinces in China. Nine morphological features, three chemical components, and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were used in an integrated study of C. cassia germplasm variations. Remarkable genetic variation exists in both phenotypic and chemical compositions, and certain traits, such as leaf length, leaf width, volatile oil content, and geographic distribution, are correlated with each other. One-year-old C. cassia seedling leaf length, leaf width, elevation, and volatile oil content were found to be the main contributors to diversity, according to principal component analysis (PCA). Three major groupings were identified by cluster analysis based on the phenotypic and volatile oil data. This was in line with the findings of related research using 1,387,213 SNP markers; crucially, they all demonstrated a substantial link with geographic origin. However, there was little similarity between the results of the two clusters. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that the genetic diversity of C. Cassia populations was low, primarily among individuals within populations, accounting for 95.87% of the total. Shannon’s information index (I) varied from 0.418 to 0.513, with a mean of 0.478 (Na=1.860, Ne =1.584, Ho =0.481, He =0.325, and PPB =86.04%). Genetic differentiation across populations was not significant because natural adaptation or extensive exchange of seeds among farmers between environments, thus maintaining the relationship. Following a population structure analysis using the ADMIXTURE software, 71 accessions were found to be clustered into three groups, with 38% of them being of the pure type, a finding that was further supported by PCA. Future breeding strategies and our understanding of the evolutionary relationships within the C. cassia population would benefit greatly from a thorough investigation of phenotypic, chemical, and molecular markers.
The auditory stimulus facilitates memory guidance in distractor suppression in males with substance use disorder
Authors: Cai Biye , Wang Jinjin , Sang Hanbin , Zhang Zonghao , Wang Aijun
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Representations in working memory can affect distractor suppression in human visual search, and this process is modulated by a separate top-down cognitive control. An increasing body of research has demonstrated that patients with substance use disorder (SUD) have deficits in cognitive control over filtering interference by perceptual distractors. However, their ability to resist proactive interference from working memory has received comparatively less attention.

Methods

Here, we investigate this issue by employing a working memory/visual search dual-task paradigm. An intervening gap-location search task was instructed to be performed while participants memorized a written color word, with congruent auditory information present during the memory encoding phase on half of the trials.

Results

Results showed that there was a reliable response time (RT) advantage when the meaning of the memory sample agreed with the color of one of the distractors under the visual alone condition. However, such a result was only found in the control group. More importantly, both groups exhibited comparable facilitation under the audiovisual condition, with the facilitation effect appearing later in the SUD group. Furthermore, the facilitation effect was superior in magnitude and time course under the audiovisual condition to the visual alone condition.

Discussion

These findings highlight how patients with SUD resist distractor interference at the memory level and extend our understanding of how working memory, selective attention, and audiovisual enhancement interact to optimize perceptual decisions in patients with SUD.
Molecular detection of transcriptionally active ovine papillomaviruses in commercial equine semen
Authors: Cutarelli Anna , De Falco Francesca , Brunetti Roberta , Napoletano Michele , Fusco Giovanna , Roperto Sante
Published: July 2024

Virological evaluation was performed on equine semen to detect the presence of papillomaviruses (PVs) using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) as the aim of this study was to investigate whether the sperm from asymptomatic stallions harbors ovine papillomaviruses (OaPVs). Twenty-seven semen samples were analyzed, 18 of which were commercially acquired. The remaining nine samples comprising semen and peripheral blood, were collected from nine stallions with no apparent signs of PV-related diseases during clinical examination at the Didactic Veterinary University Hospital (DVUH) of Naples. OaPV was detected in 26 semen samples. OaPV1 was the most prevalent virus infecting equine semen. OaPV1 infected 21 semen samples (~80.8%) and showed a high number of DNA and RNA copies per microliter. qPCR was used to detect OaPV1 DNA in the 18 semen samples. ddPCR was used to detect and quantify the expression of OaPV2, OaPV3, and OaPV4. qPCR failed to detect DNA for these genotypes. Additionally, ddPCR was used to detect the transcriptionally active OaPV1 in six blood and semen samples from the same stallion. ddPCR failed to detect any nucleic acids in OaPVs in peripheral blood samples from the three stallions. In one semen sample, ddPCR detected OaPV1 DNA but failed to detect any nucleic acid in the remaining two semen samples, and peripheral blood from the same animals of the remaining 18 semen samples was not available, OaPV1 and OaPV4 were responsible for nine and five single infections, respectively. No single infections with either OaPV3 or OaPV4 were seen.
Discrete Adjoint Optimization Method for Low-Boom Aircraft Design Using Equivalent Area Distribution
Authors: Ma Chuang , Huang Jiangtao , Li Daochun , Deng Jun , Liu Gang , Zhou Lin , Chen Cheng
Published: July 2024

This paper introduces a low-boom aircraft optimization design method guided by equivalent area distribution, which effectively improves the intuitiveness and refinement of inverse design. A gradient optimization method based on discrete adjoint equations is proposed to achieve the fast solution of the gradient information of target equivalent area distribution relative to design variables and to drive the aerodynamic shape update to the optimal solution. An optimization experiment is carried out based on a self-developed supersonic civil aircraft configuration with engines. The results show that the equivalent area distribution adjoint equation can accurately solve the gradient information. After optimization, the sonic boom level of the aircraft was reduced by 13.2 PLdB, and the drag coefficient was reduced by 60.75 counts. Moreover, the equivalent area distribution adjoint optimization method has outstanding advantages, such as high sensitivity and fast convergence speed, and can take both the low sonic boom and the low drag force of the aircraft into account, providing a powerful tool for the comprehensive optimization design of supersonic civil aircraft by considering sonic boom and aerodynamic force.
ChatGPT Code Detection: Techniques for Uncovering the Source of Code
Authors: Oedingen Marc , Engelhardt Raphael C. , Denz Robin , Hammer Maximilian , Konen Wolfgang
Published: July 2024

In recent times, large language models (LLMs) have made significant strides in generating computer code, blurring the lines between code created by humans and code produced by artificial intelligence (AI). As these technologies evolve rapidly, it is crucial to explore how they influence code generation, especially given the risk of misuse in areas such as higher education. The present paper explores this issue by using advanced classification techniques to differentiate between code written by humans and code generated by ChatGPT, a type of LLM. We employ a new approach that combines powerful embedding features (black-box) with supervised learning algorithms including Deep Neural Networks, Random Forests, and Extreme Gradient Boosting to achieve this differentiation with an impressive accuracy of 98%. For the successful combinations, we also examine their model calibration, showing that some of the models are extremely well calibrated. Additionally, we present white-box features and an interpretable Bayes classifier to elucidate critical differences between the code sources, enhancing the explainability and transparency of our approach. Both approaches work well, but provide at most 85–88% accuracy. Tests on a small sample of untrained humans suggest that humans do not solve the task much better than random guessing. This study is crucial in understanding and mitigating the potential risks associated with using AI in code generation, particularly in the context of higher education, software development, and competitive programming.
Calculation of a Reference Interval for Rectal Temperature in Adult Dogs Presenting for Veterinary Care Using an Algorithm for Mixed Data
Authors: Dorn Elisabeth , Bogedale Kirsten , Pankraz Alexander , Neiger Reto
Published: July 2024

Veterinarians rely on the measurement of canine body temperature to define the health status of dogs, but no studies exist defining a reference range for rectal temperature on a large group of dogs. The aim of this study was to define the rectal body temperature of dogs based on a large data set of diseased and healthy animals and to evaluate the capability of the employed algorithm to calculate reference intervals of numerical clinical data. Out of 24,013 recorded measurements, statistical analysis was applied to data from 9782 adult dogs that underwent clinical examination at a university clinic between 2008 and 2017. The reference interval was calculated using an algorithm developed by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Klinische Chemie und Laboratoriumsmedizin e.V. as part of its Reference Limit Estimator software (version 1.40.36.07). The following values were excluded: multiple measurements in a given dog, samples without assigned age or dogs younger than one year, and values <30.0 °C and >43.0 °C. Out of 9782 adult dogs, 665 temperature measurements were identified as outliers, and 9117 were used for further statistical analysis. The mean rectal temperature was 38.6 °C (90% CI: 38.6–38.6 °C) with a reference interval of 37.7 °C (90% CI: 37.7–37.7 °C) to 39.5 °C (90% CI: 39.5–39.5 °C). Validation according to CLSI guidelines showed the results to be valid. The determination of a reference interval for rectal temperatures in dogs using an algorithm for mixed datasets yielded results comparable to the existing reference intervals. This demonstrates that the calculation of reference intervals from mixed datasets of clinical numerical data can be used to confirm existing reference intervals or establish such de novo.
First Report of Porcine Parvovirus 8 in Europe: Widespread Detection and Genetic Characterization on Commercial Pig Farms in Hungary and Slovakia
Authors: Igriczi Barbara , Dénes Lilla , Schönhardt Kitti , Balka Gyula
Published: July 2024

Porcine parvovirus 8 (PPV8), a novel virus in the Parvoviridae family, was first identified in 2022 in lung samples of domestic pigs from China. Retrospective analyses showed that it had been circulating in China since 1998, but no other countries had reported its presence so far. A recent study conducted in South America did not detect any PPV8-positive samples in that region. Here, we report the detection of PPV8 in Hungarian and Slovakian pig farms and the estimated prevalence of the virus in Hungary. Altogether, 2230 serum, 233 oral fluid, and 115 processing fluid samples were systematically collected from 23 Hungarian and 2 Slovakian pig farms between 2020 and 2023. A real-time quantitative PCR method was developed to detect the viral genome. Our results revealed the presence of PPV8 on 65% of the Hungarian farms and both Slovakian farms included in our study, marking its first detection in Europe. Oral fluid samples showed the highest positivity rates, reaching up to 100% in some herds. The viral genome was successfully detected in serum and processing fluid samples too, but with significantly lower prevalence rates of 4% and 5%, respectively. Genetic analysis of 11 partial VP2 sequences demonstrated high similarity to the original Chinese strain but with unique amino acid mutations, suggesting possible local evolution of the virus. Our study presents the first scientific evidence of PPV8 infection outside of China and offers a comprehensive assessment of its prevalence in the Hungarian pig population. Further research is required to understand its potential impact on swine health.
Quantifying the Impacts of Density-Dependent Flow on Surface Water–Groundwater Interaction in a Riparian Setup
Authors: Doulabian Shahab , Shadmehri Toosi Amirhossein , Alaghmand Sina
Published: July 2024

Surface Water–Groundwater (SW–GW) interaction is a crucial aspect of the hydrological cycle and requires accurate modeling for reliable predictions. In many basic hydrological models and calculations, it is common to assume that the water density is constant. However, density-dependent flow, which accounts for changes in water density, plays a significant role in various hydrological processes. This study aims to quantify the effects of density-dependent flow on SW–GW interaction and evaluate the sensitivity of dominant hydrological drivers to density-dependent flow. Our simulations using the HydroGeoSphere model revealed that neglecting density-dependent flow in SW–GW interaction can lead to inaccurate estimations of water and solute balances. In particular, including density-dependent flow in the model yielded more realistic salinity distributions under gaining river scenarios and captured the gradual expansion of freshwater lenses under losing river scenarios. The results also indicated that under non-density-dependent flow, more saline groundwater is exposed to evapotranspiration, resulting in higher solute mass storage and a more saline unsaturated zone. Further, surface recharge and pumping rates played crucial roles in salinity distribution. This study highlights the critical importance of incorporating density-dependent flow in simulations, providing valuable insights for improving the accuracy of predictions and effectively managing water and solute balances in floodplain aquifers.
City-Scale Air Quality Network of Low-Cost Sensors
Authors: Masic Adnan
Published: July 2024

In this paper, we present a city-scale (possibly global) air pollution network made of low-cost sensors for particulate matter concentration in the air. The components of the presented system are based on our research and experience from previous studies focused on air quality instruments and sensors for addressing urban air pollution. Sensor nodes are produced locally and distributed over Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The system collects, calibrates, and displays particulate matter concentrations in real-time. In comparison to the available measurements from governmental institutions, our system demonstrated good agreement of measured parameters, with several advantages including, higher resolution in space and time, lower costs, both horizontal and vertical measurements. One of the capabilities of the system is the real-time air pollution city map with animations. By installing multiple sensor nodes over a slope, we receive vertical measurements of temperature, humidity, and particulate matter concentration in real time, which gives a valuable insight into the dynamics of temperature inversion episodes and air pollution below the inversion layer.
Utilizing a Pathomics Biomarker to Predict the Effectiveness of Bevacizumab in Ovarian Cancer Treatment
Authors: Gilley Patrik , Zhang Ke , Abdoli Neman , Sadri Youkabed , Adhikari Laura , Fung Kar-Ming , Qiu Yuchen
Published: July 2024

The purpose of this investigation is to develop and initially assess a quantitative image analysis scheme that utilizes histopathological images to predict the treatment effectiveness of bevacizumab therapy in ovarian cancer patients. As a widely accessible diagnostic tool, histopathological slides contain copious information regarding underlying tumor progression that is associated with tumor prognosis. However, this information cannot be readily identified by conventional visual examination. This study utilizes novel pathomics technology to quantify this meaningful information for treatment effectiveness prediction. Accordingly, a total of 9828 features were extracted from segmented tumor tissue, cell nuclei, and cell cytoplasm, which were categorized into geometric, intensity, texture, and subcellular structure features. Next, the best performing features were selected as the input for SVM (support vector machine)-based prediction models. These models were evaluated on an open dataset containing a total of 78 patients and 288 whole slides images. The results indicated that the sufficiently optimized, best-performing model yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.8312. When examining the best model’s confusion matrix, 37 and 25 cases were correctly predicted as responders and non-responders, respectively, achieving an overall accuracy of 0.7848. This investigation initially validated the feasibility of utilizing pathomics techniques to predict tumor responses to chemotherapy at an early stage.
Exploring the Practical Applications of Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning, and Machine Learning in Maxillofacial Surgery: A Comprehensive Analysis of Published Works
Authors: Czako Ladislav , Sufliarsky Barbora , Simko Kristian , Sovis Marek , Vidova Ivana , Farska Julia , Lifková Michaela , Hamar Tomas , Galis Branislav
Published: July 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI), deep learning (DL), and machine learning (ML) are computer, machine, and engineering systems that mimic human intelligence to devise procedures. These technologies also provide opportunities to advance diagnostics and planning in human medicine and dentistry. The purpose of this literature review was to ascertain the applicability and significance of AI and to highlight its uses in maxillofacial surgery. Our primary inclusion criterion was an original paper written in English focusing on the use of AI, DL, or ML in maxillofacial surgery. The sources were PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, and the queries were made on the 31 December 2023. The search strings used were “artificial intelligence maxillofacial surgery”, “machine learning maxillofacial surgery”, and “deep learning maxillofacial surgery”. Following the removal of duplicates, the remaining search results were screened by three independent operators to minimize the risk of bias. A total of 324 publications from 1992 to 2023 were finally selected. These were calculated according to the year of publication with a continuous increase (excluding 2012 and 2013) and R2 = 0.9295. Generally, in orthognathic dentistry and maxillofacial surgery, AI and ML have gained popularity over the past few decades. When we included the keywords “planning in maxillofacial surgery” and “planning in orthognathic surgery”, the number significantly increased to 7535 publications. The first publication appeared in 1965, with an increasing trend (excluding 2014–2018), with an R2 value of 0.8642. These technologies have been found to be useful in diagnosis and treatment planning in head and neck surgical oncology, cosmetic and aesthetic surgery, and oral pathology. In orthognathic surgery, they have been utilized for diagnosis, treatment planning, assessment of treatment needs, and cephalometric analyses, among other applications. This review confirms that the current use of AI and ML in maxillofacial surgery is focused mainly on evaluating digital diagnostic methods, especially radiology, treatment plans, and postoperative results. However, as these technologies become integrated into maxillofacial surgery and robotic surgery in the head and neck region, it is expected that they will be gradually utilized to plan and comprehensively evaluate the success of maxillofacial surgeries.
Decellularized Umbilical Cord as a Scaffold to Support Healing of Full-Thickness Wounds
Authors: Kondratenko Albina A. , Tovpeko Dmitry V. , Volov Daniil A. , Kalyuzhnaya Lidia I. , Chernov Vladimir E. , Glushakov Ruslan I. , Sirotkina Maria Y. , Zemlyanoy Dmitry A. , Bildyug Natalya B. , Chebotarev Sergey V. , Alexander-Sinclair Elga I. , Nashchekin Alexey V. , Belova Aleksandra D. , Grigoriev Alexey M. , Kirsanova Ludmila A. , Basok Yulia B. , Sevastianov Victor I.
Published: July 2024

The umbilical cord is a material that enhances regeneration and is devoid of age-related changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM). The aim of this work was to develop a biodegradable scaffold from a decellularized human umbilical cord (UC-scaffold) to heal full-thickness wounds. Decellularization was performed with 0.05% sodium dodecyl sulfate solution. The UC-scaffold was studied using morphological analysis methods. The composition of the UC-scaffold was studied using immunoblotting and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The adhesion and proliferation of mesenchymal stromal cells were investigated using the LIVE/DEAD assay. The local reaction was determined by subcutaneous implantation in mice (n = 60). A model of a full-thickness skin wound in mice (n = 64) was used to assess the biological activity of the UC-scaffold. The proposed decellularization method showed its effectiveness in the umbilical cord, as it removed cells and retained a porous structure, type I and type IV collagen, TGF-β3, VEGF, and fibronectin in the ECM. The biodegradation of the UC-scaffold in the presence of collagenase, its stability during incubation in hyaluronidase solution, and its ability to swell by 1617 ± 120% were demonstrated. Subcutaneous scaffold implantation in mice showed gradual resorption of the product in vivo without the formation of a dense connective tissue capsule. Epithelialization of the wound occurred completely in contrast to the controls. All of these data suggest a potential for the use of the UC-scaffold.
Regional Differences in Microbial Infiltration of Brain Tissue from Alzheimer’s Disease Patients and Control Individuals
Authors: Jones T. Bucky , Chu Ping , Wilkey Brooke , Lynch Leigha , Jentarra Garilyn
Published: July 2024

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by cognitive decline and neuropathology including amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (tau). Factors initiating or driving these pathologies remain unclear, though microbes have been increasingly implicated. Our data and others’ findings indicate that microbes may be common constituents of the brain. It is notable that Aβ and tau have antimicrobial properties, suggesting a response to microbes in the brain. We used 16S rRNA sequencing to compare major bacterial phyla in post-mortem tissues from individuals exhibiting a range of neuropathology and cognitive status in two brain regions variably affected in AD. Our data indicate that strong regional differences exist, driven in part by the varied presence of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. We confirmed our data using ELISA of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid in the same brain tissue. We identified a potential association between the composition of phyla and the presence of neuropathology but not cognitive status. Declining cognition and increasing pathology correlated closely with serum LPS, but not brain levels of LPS, although brain LPS showed a strong negative correlation with cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Collectively, our data suggest a region-specific heterogeneity of microbial populations in brain tissue potentially associated with neurodegenerative pathology.
Firing Patterns of Mitral Cells and Their Transformation in the Main Olfactory Bulb
Authors: Wang Ze-Jun , Sun Liqin , Heinbockel Thomas
Published: July 2024

Mitral cells (MCs) in the main olfactory bulb relay odor information to higher-order olfactory centers by encoding the information in the form of action potentials. The firing patterns of these cells are influenced by both their intrinsic properties and their synaptic connections within the neural network. However, reports on MC firing patterns have been inconsistent, and the mechanisms underlying these patterns remain unclear. Using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in mouse brain slices, we discovered that MCs exhibit two types of integrative behavior: regular/rhythmic firing and bursts of action potentials. These firing patterns could be transformed both spontaneously and chemically. MCs with regular firing maintained their pattern even in the presence of blockers of fast synaptic transmission, indicating this was an intrinsic property. However, regular firing could be transformed into bursting by applying GABAA receptor antagonists to block inhibitory synaptic transmission. Burst firing could be reverted to regular firing by blocking ionotropic glutamate receptors, rather than applying a GABAA receptor agonist, indicating that ionotropic glutamatergic transmission mediated this transformation. Further experiments on long-lasting currents (LLCs), which generated burst firing, also supported this mechanism. In addition, cytoplasmic Ca2+ in MCs was involved in the transformation of firing patterns mediated by glutamatergic transmission. Metabotropic glutamate receptors also played a role in LLCs in MCs. These pieces of evidence indicate that odor information can be encoded on a mitral cell (MC) platform, where it can be relayed to higher-order olfactory centers through intrinsic and dendrodendritic mechanisms in MCs.
The Barrier Disruption and Pyroptosis of Intestinal Epithelial Cells Caused by Perfringolysin O (PFO) from Clostridium perfringens
Authors: Liu Zhankui , Mou Shuang , Li Liang , Chen Qichao , Yang Ruicheng , Guo Shibang , Jin Yancheng , Liu Lixinjie , Li Tianzhi , Chen Huanchun , Wang Xiangru
Published: July 2024

Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens), a Gram-positive bacterium, produces a variety of toxins and extracellular enzymes that can lead to disease in both humans and animals. Common symptoms include abdominal swelling, diarrhea, and intestinal inflammation. Severe cases can result in complications like intestinal hemorrhage, edema, and even death. The primary toxins contributing to morbidity in C. perfringens-infected intestines are CPA, CPB, CPB2, CPE, and PFO. Amongst these, CPB, CPB2, and CPE are implicated in apoptosis development, while CPA is associated with cell death, increased intracellular ROS levels, and the release of the inflammatory factor IL-18. However, the exact mechanism by which PFO toxins exert their effects in the infected gut is still unidentified. This study demonstrates that a C. perfringens PFO toxin infection disrupts the intestinal epithelial barrier function through in vitro and in vivo models. This study emphasizes the notable influence of PFO toxins on intestinal barrier integrity in the context of C. perfringens infections. It reveals that PFO toxins increase ROS production by causing mitochondrial damage, triggering pyroptosis in IPEC-J2 cells, and consequently resulting in compromised intestinal barrier function. These results offer a scientific foundation for developing preventive and therapeutic approaches against C. perfringens infections.
2D/2D Heterojunctions of Layered TiO2 and (NH4)2V3O8 for Sunlight-Driven Methylene Blue Degradation
Authors: Aliaga Juan , Alegria Matías , Donoso J. Pedro , Magon Claudio J. , Silva Igor D. A. , Lozano Harold , Molins Elies , Benavente Eglantina , González Guillermo
Published: July 2024

Photocatalysis based on titanium dioxide (TiO2) has become a promising method to remediate industrial and municipal effluents in an environmentally friendly manner. However, the efficiency of TiO2 is hampered by problems such as rapid electron–hole recombination and limited solar spectrum absorption. Furthermore, the sensitization of TiO2 through heterojunctions with other materials has gained attention. Vanadium, specifically in the form of ammonium vanadate ((NH4)2V3O8), has shown promise as a photocatalyst due to its ability to effectively absorb visible light. However, its use in photocatalysis remains limited. Herein, we present a novel synthesis method to produce lamellar (NH4)2V3O8 as a sensitizer in a supramolecular hybrid photocatalyst of TiO2–stearic acid (SA), contributing to a deeper understanding of its structural and magnetic characteristics, expanding the range of visible light absorption, and improving the efficiency of photogenerated electron–hole separation. Materials, such as TiO2–SA and (NH4)2V3O8, were synthesized and characterized. EPR studies of (NH4)2V3O8 demonstrated their orientation-dependent magnetic properties and, from measurements of the angular variation of g-values, suggest that the VO2+ complexes are in axially distorted octahedral sites. The photocatalytic results indicate that the 2D/2D heterojunction layered TiO2/vanadate at a ratio (1:0.050) removed 100% of the methylene blue, used as a model contaminant in this study. The study of the degradation mechanism of methylene blue emphasizes the role of reactive species such as hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and superoxide ions (O2•−). These species are crucial for breaking down contaminant molecules, leading to their degradation. The band alignment between ammonium vanadate ((NH4)2V3O8) and TiO2–SA, shows effective separation and charge transfer processes at their interface. Furthermore, the study confirms the chemical stability and recyclability of the TiO2–SA/(NH4)2V3O8 photocatalyst, demonstrated that it could be used for multiple photocatalytic cycles without a significant loss of activity. This stability, combined with its ability to degrade organic pollutants under solar irradiation, means that the TiO2–SA/(NH4)2V3O8 photocatalyst is a promising candidate for practical environmental remediation applications.