bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Engineering and Optimization of Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles: A Multimodal Approach to Glucocorticoid-Based Rheumatoid Arthritis Management
Authors: Dwivedi Shradha Devi , Singh Deependra , Singh Manju Rawat
Published: November 2024

Introduction:
The primary purpose of the present work was to formulate folic acid (FA) conjugated biogenic sliver nanoconstructs (AgNPs) loaded with dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DSP) for the management of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). DSP is the potent glucocorticoids (GCs) which reduce the inflammatory cytokines but its application is restricted due its unfavorable pharmacokinetics and significant adverse effects.
Method:
Biogenic AgNPs were prepared from Piper nigrum (Pn@AgNPs) with chitosan as a stabilizing agent and loaded with DSP (DSP-Pn@AgNPs). DSP-Pn@AgNPs was optimized using response surface methodology, which was further modified with FA (FA-DSP-Pn@AgNPs).
Results:
The conjugation of FA with DSP-Pn@AgNPs was verified by 1H-NMR. FTIR and EDX analyses identified certain functional groups and quantified the presence of silver ions in the nanoconstructs, respectively. The XRD pattern of FA-DSP-Pn@AgNPs revealed its crystalline structure, whereas spherical shape has been confirmed via images of SEM and TEM. The in vitro release of DSP from FA-DSP-Pn@AgNPs showed 94% release at pH 6.5 within 48 h, through Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic model. FA-DSP-Pn@AgNPs show antioxidant capacity by inhabiting DPPH, H2O2, OH, and NO radicals, along with anti-inflammatory properties such as anti-proteinase, lipoxygenase, collagenase, and elastase. The study also found no significant cytotoxic effect on non-LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, confirming systemic drug toxicity reduction. On the other hand, it significantly reduces LPS-stimulated cell line implies a probable anti-inflammatory action in RA.
Conclusion:
Thus, this study presents a synergistic action to guide the rational design of multifunctional anti-RA nanoconstructs, which show promise for clinical use.
The role of the social network in the study of adherence to diabetic retinopathy screening programs
Authors: Pereira Andreia Penso , Afonso Ana , Laureano Raul M. S. , Neto Fernando Buarque Lima
Published: November 2024

Diabetic retinopathy screenings are a vital strategy to avoid the severe consequences of this disease. However, their success depends on the adherence of the target population. The present work aims to analyse the influence of the diabetics’ social network (contacts between diabetics) on their screening behaviour. The used data set comprises information of 75.921 diabetics, distributed by 20 Primary Health Centre Groups of the Portuguese North Region. Diabetics of the same Group were organized in an N-by-N matrix, resulting in 20 social networks. Network metrics were calculated and its relationship with the adherence to screening was analysed using two perspectives: correlation between global network metrics and adherence rate; cluster analyses based on node level metrics. The results obtained show that: (1) Less connected networks, strongly divided into communities and with a great number of connected components, present the highest adherence rates. (2) The node level metrics allow the identification of groups where the problem of non-adherence is especially high. (3) The non-adherence phenomenon is especially evident in a small group of highly connected individuals. We believe that these results are of utmost relevance as a starting point for future research and as support to the planning of interventions related to diabetic retinopathy screening adherence.
Relief and elevation set limits on mountain size
Authors: Draebing Daniel , Mayer Till , McColl Samuel , Schlecker Martin , Jacobs Benjamin
Published: November 2024

The complex interplay between rock strength and topo-climatic stress hampers a simple understanding of mountain shape, erosion rates, and the ability to forecast climate change impacts to topography and landslide hazard. Regional and catchment-averaged erosion studies often blur these complexities, which are best revealed with studies that directly measure erosion, strength, and stress at the source. Here, we present direct measurements from two catchments in the Northern Calcareous Alps. The data suggest that topographic relief and rock mass strength, in combination with elevation and aspect, can explain the pattern of rockwall erosion in deglaciated and permafrost-free alpine terrain. Regardless of their elevation, taller rockwalls experience faster erosion and appear to have lower rock mass strength than shorter rockwalls. Superimposed on this, elevation regulates climatic stresses, which leads to more intense frost weathering at summits, explaining the increase in erosion with elevation and the maintenance of sharp topography. Combined, these factors keep mountain peaks in check and help explain the variability in rockwall erosion and associated hazard across the European Alps. Our findings update the understanding of existing relief-limiting hypotheses, and reveal their own limits applicability.
Impacts of fireworks and firecrackers on urban air quality during the Chinese Spring Festivals of 2022-2024 in Shandong Province, China
Authors: Xie Jun , Wang Guixia , Bi Yalian , Ding Chun , Qiao Jing , Wang Lumin , Wang Changwei , Qiu Xiaoguo
Published: November 2024

Based on monitoring data of urban air quality and meteorological conditions during the Spring Festival period (SFP) in 2022, 2023 and 2024, this paper used various analysis methods such as CO ratio method, PM2.5 component analysis, and PMF source apportionment to deeply study the impact of fireworks and firecrackers (F&F) discharge on air quality in Shandong Province. The results showed that: (1) the average daily PM2.5 concentration in Shandong Province during the Spring Festival in 2024 was 164µg/m3, which was significantly higher than that in 2022 (71µg/m3) and 2023 (77µg/m3) due to the influence of the concentrated discharge of F&F (FCDP) and adverse meteorological conditions. During the FCDP in 2024, the provincial average hourly peak concentration of PM2.5 is 423µg/m3, which is 2.2 times and 12.1 times of those in the same period of the lunar calendar in 2022 and 2023. (2) On the Spring Festival's Eve (SFE) and the day of Spring Festival (DSF) of 2024, the concentration range of contribution of F&F to PM2.5 in 16 cities was 0-109µg/m3 and 34–209µg/m3, which accounted for 0–54% and 27–60%, respectively. F&F had a significant impact on the number of days with heavy and severe air pollution in cities. (3) During the FCDP in 2024, NO3− and NH4+ in PM2.5 decreased by 21.5% and 10.7% respectively in 14 cities, while the proportion of characteristic components of F&F, such as K+, Cl−, SO42− and Mg2+, increased by 17.2%, 7.7%, 5.9% and 1.7%, respectively. The mass concentration and increasing range of SO42−, Cl− and K+ in Weifang, Zibo, Linyi and Liaocheng were impacted by F&F more significantly. (4) The results of PMF source apportionment of Linyi City showed that the main sources of PM2.5 during the benchmark period (BP) were secondary sources (34.6%) and motor vehicle sources (21.2%), but were F&F discharge (59.3%) during the FCDP .
Elevated Serum level of soluble Programmed Death-1 and C-Reactive Protein as biomarkers of Immune Dysregulation in Preeclampsia: Implications for Early Detection
Authors: Wondmagegn Tadelo , Sisay Biruk , Abere Aberham , Worede Abebaw , Tegegegne Yalewayker , Fetene Getnet , Alemu Bewuketu Belete , Lemma Mulualem
Published: November 2024

Background
Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy related hypertensive condition with potentially life-threatening complications for the mother and fetus. its immunopathogenesis involves complex immune responses characterized by systemic inflammation and immune dysregulation. Soluble Programmed Death-1 (sPD-1) is an immune checkpoint has been implicated in immune exhaustion, and C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory marker associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Monitoring the levels of serum sPD-1 and CRP in preeclamptic pregnancies may be used as biomarkers for disease severity, immune dysregulation, and early detection of preeclampsia.
Objective
This study aimed to determine the levels of sPD-1 and CRP in preeclamptic patients, explore their association with proteinuria, and determine their potential as diagnostic markers for preeclampsia and disease severity.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Gondar specialized hospital. 79 pregnant women were included; of these, 39 had preeclampsia and 40 were age matched normotensive controls. Levels of CRP and sPD-1 were measured using enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA)and Quick read go CRP analyzer, and proteinuria was categorized using urine dipstick tests into three levels (+ 1, + 2, +3). Statistical analysis was performed to examine the median difference in sPD-1 and CRP level between preeclamptic women and normotensive controls, as well as across different proteinuria levels of preeclamptic women
Results
Preeclamptic women have higher median sPD-1 (5616 pg/L, IQR: 4592–7422 vs 4347 pg/L, IQR: 3885–4939) and CRP levels (4.5 mg/L, IQR: 3.8–5.3) than normotensive controls (4347 pg/L, IQR: 3885–4939 and 2.6 mg/L, IQR: 2.2–3.0 respectively). But there was no significant difference in sPD-1 and CRP levels across different categories of proteinuria levels in preeclamptic women.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Preeclamptic women have higher median sPD-1 and CRP levels than normotensive control, indicating a potential link between these biomarkers and the pathology of preeclampsia. However, sPD-1 and CRP levels does not differ across different proteinuria categories in preeclamptic women.
Reliability of fire danger forecasts for Czech agricultural and forestry landscapes
Authors: Kudláčková Lucie , Linda Rostislav , Balek Jan , Štěpánek Petr , Zahradníček Pavel , Poděbradská Markéta , Možný Martin , Hlavsová Monika , Žalud Zdeněk , Trnka Miroslav
Published: November 2024

Background: The increasing threat of fire caused by ongoing climate change requires accurate and timely prediction for the effective management of extreme fire situations. The limited research on the connection between fire danger metrics and the occurrence of wildfires in the forested and agricultural landscapes of the Czech Republic underscores the need to better understand how to properly quantify fire danger in the context of Central Europe. This study focused on assessing the accuracy of fire danger prediction with respect to the number of wildfires in different geographic regions of the Czech Republic and provided new insights into central European fire ecology.
Results: We found that the fire season in the Czech Republic has two peaks, in spring and summer, with regional differences in the total number of wildfires. Analyses of fire danger via the Canadian Fire Weather Index (FWI) and Australian Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI) for the years 2018–2022 revealed that the IFS numerical weather prediction model is the most suitable for conditions in the Czech Republic. A linear regression model showed a high predictive capability for the total number of wildfires in the Czech Republic, with an observed R-squared value of 0.81 and a mean absolute error (MAE) of 5.19 wildfires with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 4.94–5.44. Additionally, the second model, which utilized a linear model with random effects to account for regional variability, had an R-squared value of 0.34 and an MAE of 1 wildfire (95% CI ±3), indicating that the inclusion of regional correction coefficients (random effects) enhanced the prediction accuracy.
Conclusions: This study provides key insights into fire danger prediction in relation to the number of wildfires. With this model, it is possible to predict how many wildfires may occur at specific values of the FWI and FFDI in individual regions (NUTS 3) of the Czech Republic. This information can be used for more effective readiness planning for human resources and fire equipment while also contributing to the enhancement of general knowledge in the field of fire science in the context of central Europe.
Dulaglutide ameliorates chronic stress-induced cognitive impairment via regulating gut microbiota and serum metabolites in mice
Authors: Zhang Shipan , Jin man , Huang Boya , Hou Zhaowei , Fei Di , Zhang Xueru , Gao Chenyang , Lv Peiyuan , Shi Haishui , Wang Tianjun
Published: November 2024

Chronic stress may lead to cognitive impairment. Prolonged use of dulaglutide could potentially alleviate cognitive impairment in individuals with type 2 diabetes, although its role in cognitive impairment induced by chronic stress remains elusive. This study aimed to explore the effect of dulaglutide on cognitive impairment caused by chronic stress and the underlying mechanisms. Forty-five mice were randomly divided into the following 3 groups (n = 15 per group): the CON group (the normal control group), the CMS-V group (mice treated with chronic mild stress and vehicle) and the CMS-D group (mice treated with chronic mild stress and 0.6 mg/kg dulaglutide). We found chronic mild stress resulted in cognitive impairment and anxiety-like behaviors in mice. Three weeks of dulaglutide treatment significantly alleviated cognitive impairment but had no effect on anxiety-like behaviors. Dulaglutide treatment induced alterations in gut microbiome homeostasis, particularly affecting the levels of f_Bacteroidaceae, f_Caulobacteraceae and f_ Helicobacteraceae. Meanwhile, dulaglutide had an effect on metabolic changes, especially in glycerophospholipids. Further analysis showed a correlation between gut microbiota and metabolite alterations following dulaglutide treatment. These results suggest that dulaglutide may potentially reverse cognitive impairment induced by chronic stress, possibly through its influence on the gut microbiota and metabolomic pathways.
Quantitative methodology for poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) microplastic detection in soil and compost
Authors: Hernandez-Charpak Yvan D. , Kansara Harshal J. , Lodge Jeffrey S. , Eddingsaas Nathan C. , Lewis Christopher L. , Trabold Thomas A , Diaz Carlos A
Published: November 2024

With the increasing use of biodegradable plastics in agriculture and food packaging, it has become increasingly important to assess the effects of their fragmentation and mineralization in the environment (i.e. soil, compost). PBAT is a biodegradable polyester widely used in biodegradable mulch films that are intended to fragment and mineralize in soil. To study these effects, novel methodologies are needed to quantify PBAT microplastics in these diverse environments. This work seeks to answer whether Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) can be used as a tool to assess PBAT microplastics in soil. A method was developed that allows PBAT soil extraction by ultrasonication and GCMS quantification after a fatty acid methyl ester derivatization. To validate the method, an industrial compost degradation experiment was carried out to evidence the weight loss of PBAT film and quantify the micro- and nano-plastic generated from them. The presented method improved the existing resolution by, at least, one order of magnitude compared to reported methods. In conclusion, a novel, simple, affordable, and reproducible methodology for PBAT microplastics detection was developed improving the limits of detection and quantification. The method was tested on an industrial compost experiment, demonstrating the ability to trace the totality of the plastic over time, evidencing that PBAT is consumed in the industrial compost environment.
Childhood Antecedents of Current Place Satisfaction in Adults: A Cross-National Analysis of 22 Countries
Authors: Counted Victor , Weziak-Bialowolska Dorota , Cowden Richard G. , Johnson Byron R. , VanderWeele Tyler J.
Published: November 2024

We examine how childhood predictors, including retrospectively reported familial relationships, socioeconomic status, health, and religious activities, potentially influence satisfaction with the area or city where one lives (i.e., place satisfaction) in adulthood across 22 countries, using data from the Global Flourishing Study (N = 202,898). The random effects meta-analysis reveals significant associations between childhood factors and adult place satisfaction. Strong relationships with parents during childhood were associated with a slight decrease in the likelihood of place satisfaction, while parental divorce and being raised by a single, never-married parent slightly increased satisfaction. Financial comfort during childhood was linked to a decreased likelihood of place satisfaction, whereas those who experienced severe financial hardship were more likely to be satisfied with their living environment as adults. Negative childhood experiences, such as abuse and feeling like an outsider, were paradoxically associated with an increased likelihood of place satisfaction, potentially indicating that place serves as a compensatory attachment in the face of disrupted interpersonal bonds. Excellent childhood health was linked to a decreased likelihood of place satisfaction, while fair health was associated with a slight increase. Regular religious service attendance during childhood generally predicted a slight decrease in likelihood of place satisfaction, possibly due to the prioritization of spiritual fulfilment over physical comfort. These associations exhibited considerable cross-national variation in effect sizes; for instance, the impact of growing up in financial comfort decreased the likelihood of place satisfaction by 3% in the United States, while in the Philippines, financial difficulty was associated with a 13% increased likelihood of place satisfaction. Sensitivity analyses using E-values indicated some robustness to potential unmeasured confounding, lending additional credibility to the observed relationships. These findings highlight the importance of creating urban environments that are not only responsive to the diverse backgrounds and experiences of residents, but also recognize the nuanced ways in which some positive childhood experience may paradoxically decrease place satisfaction possibly due to discrepancies between expectation and experienced reality in adulthood.
Pan-caspase inhibitors induce secretion of HIV-1 latency reversal agent lymphotoxin-alpha from cytokine-primed NK cells
Authors: Domselaar Robert van , Hajikhezri Zamaneh , Zygouras Ioannis , Sönnerborg Anders
Published: November 2024

The persistence of HIV-1 latency reservoirs in CD4+ T cells is a significant obstacle for curing HIV-1. Shock-and-kill strategies, which aim to reactivate latent HIV-1 followed by cytotoxic clearance, have shown limited success in vivo due to insufficient efficacy of latency reversal agents (LRAs) and off-target effects. Natural killer (NK) cells, with their ability to mediate cytotoxicity independent of antigen specificity, offer a promising avenue for enhancing the shock-and-kill approach. Previously, we observed that pan-caspase inhibitors induce NK cells to secrete an LRA in vitro. Here, we aimed to identify this LRA using a targeted proteomic approach. We identified lymphotoxin-α (LTα) as the key LRA secreted by NK cells following pan-caspase inhibitor treatment. LTα was shown to significantly induce HIV-1 LTR promoter activity, a hallmark of viral reactivation. Neutralization of LTα effectively abolished the observed LRA activity, confirming its central role. Moreover, cytokine-primed but not resting human primary NK cells exhibited LRA activity that could be neutralized with LTα neutralizing antibodies. Finally, pan-caspase inhibitor treatment did not decrease the ability of the cytokine-primed NK cells to kill target cells. These findings demonstrate that cytokine-primed NK cells, through LTα secretion, can effectively reactivate latent HIV-1 following pan-caspase inhibitor treatment, without compromising NK cell cytotoxicity. This highlights a potential enhancement strategy utilizing NK cells for shock-and-kill approaches in HIV-1 cure research.
NTPGR: A Lightweight and Efficient Gesture Recognizer for Traffic Police Commands Using Spatiotemporal Feature Fusion
Authors: Xiao Jun , Li Honghan , Zhao Ji
Published: November 2024

In response to the demand for efficient and accurate recognition of traffic police gestures by driverless vehicles, this paperintroduces a novel traffic police gesture recognition framework (Novel Traffic Police Gesture Recognizer, NTPGR). Initially,keypoints related to traffic police gestures are extracted using the Efficient Progressive Feature Fusion Network (EPFFNet),followed by feature modeling and fusion to enable the recognition network to better learn the temporal characteristics ofgestures. Additionally, a convolution network branch and a hybrid attention branch are incorporated to further extract skeletoninformation from the traffic police gesture data, assign different temporal weights to key frames, and enhance the focuson important channels. Finally, in conjunction with Long Short Term Memory (LSTM), a multi-branch gesture recognitionnetwork, termed the Multi-Sequence Gesture Recognition Network (MSNet), is proposed to facilitate the integration of threebranches of gesture features, thereby enhancing the targeted extraction of temporal characteristics in traffic police gestures.Experimental results indicate that NTPGR achieves 97.56% accuracy with an average response time of 0.76 seconds. It notonly recognizes traffic police gestures in real-time with high efficiency but also demonstrates strong robustness in recognizinggestures in complex environments and dynamic scenarios.
Abnormalities in EEG microstates among individuals with major depression and obsessive- compulsive disorder
Authors: Proshina Ekaterina , Portnova Galina , Khayrullina Guzal , Bainbridge Emily , Martynova Olga
Published: November 2024

Electroencephalogram microstate analysis is a valuable tool for studying the rapid dynamics of large-scale brain networks. Research has shown that microstate changes are associated with mental disorders, particularly major depressive disorder (MDD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Despite their frequent comorbidity and symptomatic overlap, MDD and OCD often require different treatment approaches. By analyzing the patterns of microstates in individuals with OCD, MDD and a control group, we aim to improve our understanding of the neural pathways involved in these disorders. Resting state EEG data were collected from 32 individuals diagnosed with MDD, 26 individuals with OCD and 40 healthy controls. The results showed that the duration, occurrence and coverage of microstate C were significantly higher in the OCD group than in the MDD group. Conversely, both the duration and coverage of microstate D were lower in the OCD group than in MDD and controls. A negative correlation was found between Beck Depression Inventory scores and the duration and coverage of microstate A specifically within the OCD group. Our study revealed that the microstate patterns observed in MDD and OCD were markedly distinct, with microstates A, C, and D emerging as the most indicative in the context of OCD.
FedECA: A Federated External Control Arm Method for Causal Inference with Time-To-Event Data in Distributed Settings
Authors: du Terrail Jean Ogier , Klopfenstein Quentin , Li Honghao , Mayer Imke , Loiseau Nicolas , Hallal Mohammad , Debouver Michael , Camalon Thibault , Fouqueray Thibault , Castro Jorge Arellano , Yanes Zahia , Dahan Laëtitia , Taieb Julien , LAURENT-PUIG Pierre , Bachet Jean-Baptiste , Zhao Shulin , Nicolle Rémy , Cros Jérôme , Gonzalez Daniel , Carreras-Torres Robert , Velasco Adelaida Garcia , Abdilleh Kawther , Doss Sudheer , Balazard Félix , Andreux Mathieu
Published: November 2024

External control arms (ECA) can inform the early clinical development of experimental drugs and provide efficacy evidence for regulatory approval. However, the main challenge in implementing ECA lies in accessing real-world or historical clinical trials data. Indeed, regulations protecting patients' rights by strictly controlling data processing make pooling data from multiple sources in a central server often difficult. To address these limitations, we develop a new method, 'FedECA' that leverages federated learning (FL) to enable inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) for time-to-event outcomes on separate cohorts without needing to pool data. To showcase the potential of FedECA, we apply it in different settings of increasing complexity culminating with a real-world use-case in which FedECA provides evidence for a differential effect between two drugs that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. By sharing our code, we hope FedECA will foster the creation of federated research networks and thus accelerate drug development.
Entity Matching with Quantum Neural Networks
Authors: Bischof Lukas , Teodoropol Stefan , Füchslin Rudolf M. , Stockinger Kurt
Published: November 2024

Modern technology and scientific experiments increasingly generate larger and larger amounts of data. This data is sometimesredundant, incomplete or inaccurate and needs to be cleaned and merged with other data before becoming useful for scientificexploration. Hence, entity matching, i.e. the process of linking data about a given entity gathered from multiple data sets, is amajor problem in artificial intelligence with applications in science and industry. Typical methods for entity matching either usespecialized algorithms or supervised machine learning. While the problem is well studied on classical computers, it is unclearhow quantum approaches would tackle these challenges. In this paper, we evaluate quantum machine learning algorithmsfor entity matching on a handcrafted data set and compare them to similar classical algorithms. We do this by implementinga neural network with a classical embedding layer and extending it with quantum layers. Our experimental results suggestthat our hybrid quantum neural network can improve the performance of some classical approaches while requiring fewerparameters than its classical counterpart. Furthermore, we also show that a model trained on a quantum simulator is portableand thus transferable to a real quantum computer.
T-DNAreader: Fast and precise identification of T-DNA insertion sites in plant genomes using RNA-sequencing data
Authors: Lee Hongwoo , Seo Pil Joon
Published: November 2024

Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation, which enables the delivery of DNA using transfer DNA (T-DNA) binary vectors, is an essential technique in plant research. T-DNAs randomly integrate into the host genome, and multiple T-DNAs can integrate during a single transformation, necessitating the development of tools to elucidate the T-DNA insertion sites (TISs). Here, we developed T-DNAreader to identify TISs from RNA-sequencing data with high precision, sensitivity, and speed, outperforming existing tools. Notably, T-DNAreader detected previously unknown TISs in characterized mutant plants. Overall, T-DNAreader enables the efficient and reliable identification of TISs within transcribed regions and standardizes the characterization of T-DNA-containing transgenic plants.
Multiple effects of modified biochar in saline-alkali soil: reducing salinity, providing nutrition, and promoting root colonization by beneficial bacteria
Authors: Wang Jiyuan , Riaz Muhammad , Babar Saba , El-Desouki Zeinab , Li Yuxuan , Wang Xiangling , Xia Xiaoyang , Jiang Cuncang
Published: November 2024

Aims
Soil salinization is a serious problem worldwide that restricts agricultural production and sustainability. Biochar modification is a novel method to enhance its amelioration effect of on saline-alkali soil.
Methods
We carried out a pot experiment to compare the effects of four different biochar, including pristine biochar (PBC), acid-modified biochar (HBC), iron-modified biochar (FBC), and acid-iron-modified biochar (HFBC), on the plant growth, chemical properties of saline-alkali soil, and the communities of soil bacteria and endophytic bacteria.
Results
The results showed that FBC had the best effect on promoting cotton growth and reducing soil salinity and alkalinity among four biochar materials. Compared to the CK (non-biochar) treatment, the application of FBC improved the biomass of cotton seedlings by 2.9 folds. Meanwhile, the lowest Na+ content in the 0–15 cm depth of soil was discovered in FBC treatment followed with HBC, PBC, and HFBC treatments, which were decreased by 36.5%, 33.5%, 27.1%, and 15.1%, respectively, compared to the CK. Importantly, we found that the FBC amendment significantly increased the soil available Fe content and Fe content in cotton shoot. Additionally, the application of FBC enhanced the soil bacterial diversity and increased the abundance of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota. Moreover, FBC addition facilitated the colonization of beneficial endophytes (e.g., Alcaligenaceae) in roots.
Conclusions
Our results indicate that FBC is a promising and novel material for improving saline-alkali soil due to its multiple effects, including reducing salinity, providing nutrition, and promoting root colonization by beneficial bacteria.
The “ins and outs” of electropolymerized PEDOT organic electrochemical transistors
Authors: Cicoira Fabio , Wang Mejing , Fan Jiaxin , Calame Michel Bilodeau , Kim Chihyeong , Chiang Cheng-Ling , Segura Ademar Fabricio Chaverri , Vurro Vito , Bargigia Ilaria , Mauzeroll Janine
Published: November 2024

Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) using poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) film as the channel material have been widely studied. However, OECTs based on electropolymerized PEDOT, doped with either large or small ions, have received comparatively limited attention, leaving the ionic dynamics during doping and dedoping insufficiently understood. In this work, we report stable OECTs using electropolymerized PEDOT that exhibit minimal drain current degradation after 1,000 cycles in NaCl aqueous solution. Compared to inkjet-printed OECTs, electropolymerized devices show significantly enhanced cycling stability, with the addition of the small anion dopant (ClO4⁻) further increasing PEDOT stability and cycling performance. Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance measurements reveal unique ionic transport behavior in PEDOT:ClO4, where dopant ion movement plays a more prominent role compared to PEDOT:PSS. This study highlights the advantages of electropolymerization and small anion incorporation, providing valuable insights into the functional mechanisms of OECTs across different PEDOT systems.
Enhanced Chinese Mural Face Generation via FreqSplitAttention and Dual Mask Discriminator
Authors: Huang Qiangying , Cheng Liangfei , Li Xiayong , Zhong Weikang , Wu Hao , Yuan Guowu
Published: November 2024

As an important part of traditional art, Chinese murals embody rich historical and cultural connotations, especially the facial images, which reflect the political, cultural, and religious aspects of ancient society. However, the erosion caused by natural environments and human factors poses significant threats to the protection and inheritance of this cultural heritage. Therefore, the application of digital technology to protect mural faces is particularly urgent. Currently, the research on mural face digital generation faces numerous challenges, including the lack of standardized datasets, inadequate detail retention in generated images, inconsistent styles, and a tendency to overfit. These issues directly impact the effectiveness of mural face digitization. To address these challenges, we propose an improved StyleGAN2 generation architecture based on FreqSplitAttention. This method leverages Fourier transforms to separate high-frequency and low-frequency components of images, achieving simultaneous attention and optimization for both the global structure and local details of mural faces, thereby significantly enhancing the quality and structural consistency of the generated images. Additionally, we introduce a dynamic masking training strategy, employing a Dual Mask Discriminator (DMD) in both spatial and spectral domains to suppress the discriminator's shortcut learning, effectively alleviating overfitting issues during GAN training on limited datasets. Furthermore, we construct a high-quality digital Dunhuang mural face dataset named DMF containing 9552 images with a resolution of 256×256. Experimental results demonstrate that our method excels in generating high-quality and diverse Chinese mural face images. On the DMF dataset, our model achieved the lowest FID score of 27.74, the lowest KID score of 10.22, and the highest IS score of 2.19, all outperforming existing state-of-the-art models. Our method not only preserves the cultural essence of traditional murals but also infuses them with new vitality, providing important theoretical and practical references for the digital preservation and cultural inheritance of murals. Additionally, the DMF dataset we constructed offers a valuable resource for the study of mural art.
Rapid Aerogel Fabrication Facilitates a Range of Applications
Authors: Anderson Ann M. , Carroll Mary K.
Published: November 2024

Rapid supercritical extraction (RSCE) methods for the preparation of aerogel materials have advantages over other methods of aerogel fabrication, including significantly shorter timescales from mixing chemicals to obtaining aerogels and lower chemical waste; however, they are not employed widely. In this retrospective article, three RSCE methods that have been used for preparation of monolithic silica aerogel are described. Each involves placing a gel precursor mixture into a contained mold and bringing the temperature and pressure inside the mold above the critical point of the solvent in the pores of the wet gel. The RSCE method that uses a contained mold and a hydraulic hot press has also been employed for preparation of a variety of types of aerogel. Its use in development of aerogel-based windows, in applications in which dopants are readily incorporated into aerogels, and in preparation of aerogels with curvilinear shapes are emphasized. Advantages as well as limitations of RSCE methods are discussed.
The future is fully defined: recombinant fragment E8 of laminin-511 is a viable xenofree alternative to Matrigel for hiPSC culture and differentiation into neurovascular cell types
Authors: Ferreira Laís A. , Nascimento Denise Fabiano do , Tandon Ishita , Cordes Lance , Balachandran Kartik
Published: November 2024

Matrigel remains the gold standard substrate for culture of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). However, its highly variable composition, animal origin and unpredictable effects on biological activity have been discussed for more than 3 decades. In this study, we comparatively explored the use of fragment E8 of recombinant laminin 511 (iMatrix) only as an alternative for iPSC maintenance and differentiation, aiming to demonstrate whether other known and unknown components of Matrigel played a critical role in relevant cell behavior and responses. iPSCs were cultured on either iMatrix or Matrigel and assessed for cell growth and viability, pluripotency, genetic stability, and ability to differentiate into isogenic brain microvascular endothelial cells (iBMECs) and brain pericytes. It was observed that iMatrix facilitated iPSC growth and viability comparable to Matrigel while maintaining a higher number of more consistently sized colonies. Additionally, like Matrigel, iMatrix maintained the expression of pluripotency markers SSEA-4 and OCT-3/4 over 15 passages without inducing DNA damage. iMatrix also supported the differentiation of these iPSCs into isogenic iBMECs and pericytes, which were successfully co-culture for generation of a simplified blood-brain barrier model. Overall, we showed that iMatrix, which is a cost effective, fully defined, and xenofree alternative can be used as a substitute for Matrigel for maintenance and differentiation of iPSCs yielding equivalent results.
WITHDRAWN: Housing price prediction using numeric and textual data in Karachi
Authors: KHAN MUHAMMAD KASHIF , KIRCHBERGER MARTINA
Published: November 2024

The study explores the critical issue of housing price estimation in Karachi, Pakistan which is a rapidly growing megacity with significant housing demand. The study highlights the challenges faced by potential homebuyers and sellers, emphasizing the importance of accurate price predictions for effective real estate transactions and policy making by organizations like the House Building Finance Corporation (HBFC). Karachi, with a population of approximately 24 million, experiences a housing deficit, requiring around 100,000 new units annually while only 60,000 are supplied. This gap has led to the proliferation of illegal settlements, exacerbating socio-economic issues, particularly among the 75 percent of the population classified as poor. The study underscores the societal perception of homeownership as a status symbol, driving individuals to prioritize savings to achieve this goal despite rising property taxes and inflation that affects affordability. This research also highlights the limitations of traditionally used numeric feature based models that often overlook the significance of textual data. Moreover, this study aims to enhance the capability of housing price prediction models by integrating both numeric features (e.g., location, size, number of bedrooms) and textual descriptions of properties. The study employs three word embedding techniques that are BERT, TF-IDF, and Word2Vec to analyze the textual data. Additionally, four regression machine learning algorithms namely, gradient boosting, random forest, support vector machines, and deep neural networks are utilized to predict property values based on the collected dataset of approximately 18,000 properties from a prominent Pakistani real estate website.The methodology includes three experimental setups: one focusing solely on numeric data, another on textual data, and a third combining both to identify the most effective model. The study's practical contribution is the development of a housing price prediction code, accessible via GitHub, which provides users with estimated property prices based on comprehensive data analysis. Although the model based on descriptive data alone gives better results than traditional numeric data based models, the concatenation of both numeric and descriptive data provides even better outcomes based on gradient boosting algorithm. Thus, the document concludes with emphasizing the integration of qualitative and quantitative data to improve prediction accuracy. Overall, this research addresses a vital need for robust housing price prediction tools in Karachi, aiming to facilitate informed decision making for buyers, sellers, and policymakers alike.
Reproductive performance of mangrove crab broodstock, Scylla serrata in a recirculating aquaculture system with polychaete-assisted sand biofilter
Authors: Calunod Charles Van , Maceren-Pates Mercedes , Pates Gaudioso , Nemeño Derly , Quinitio Emilia , Estepa Fe Dolores , Arcilla Mark , Añasco Leny
Published: November 2024

The increasing global demand for mangrove crabs (genus Scylla) and threats to the wild populations highlight the urgency of fully rearing them in captivity. The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center/Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD) has developed the basic larval rearing and nursery protocols for mangrove crab. However, the supply of hatchery seedstock is still inadequate to meet the requirements for farming. One of the major causes is the inconsistent larval quality in the hatchery which appears to be due to poor broodstock performance. The present study determined the efficiency of two broodstock holding systems, the Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) with polychaete-assisted biofilter and the conventional system with regular water replacement or non-RAS (NRAS, control) based on survival rate, spawning, and hatching of Scylla serrata captive broodstock. The percentage survival of mangrove crab broodstock was similar in the RAS (54.00 ± 10.00) and NRAS (50.84 ± 3.89) systems. However, significantly higher mean percentage of spawning (28.61 ± 6.65) and hatching (28.61 ± 6.65) was observed in the RAS compared to the NRAS (15.18 ± 7.41 and 15.18 ± 7.41 respectively). Temperature levels were recorded in the RAS, ranging from 27.7–29.3°C compared to 26.7–28.5°C in the NRAS. Salinity in the RAS ranged from 33.7–35.2 ppt, while in the NRAS it ranged from 33.5–34.7 ppt. Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations ranged from 5.8–7.3 mg/L in RAS and 5.5–7.3 in NRAS. Additionally, pH values in the RAS ranged from 7.8–8.6, compared to 7.8–8.5 in the non-RAS. Moreover, ammonia levels were significantly lower in the RAS, ranging from 0.11–0.25 mg/L, compared to 0.31–1.18 mg/L in the NRAS. Similarly, nitrite concentrations were significantly lower in the RAS (0.001–0.007 mg/L) than in the NRAS (0.013–0.026 mg/L). The present study suggests that RAS with polychaete-assisted biofilter offers a less stressful environment thereby enhancing the reproductive performance of Scylla serrata broodstock in captivity.
Leisure Satisfaction as a Predictor of Job Satisfaction and Performance Among Male Police Officers
Authors: Akçakese Andaç , Tükel Yalçın , Demirel Mehmet , Çalış Murat
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the correlation between leisure satisfaction and job performance among male police officers in Turkey. Utilizing a cross-sectional survey design, it targets 352 male police officers with a minimum of seven years of professional experience. It employs the Leisure Satisfaction Scale (LSS), Job Satisfaction Scale, and Job Performance Scale to measure physical and psychological dimensions of leisure satisfaction, job satisfaction, and job performance. The findings reveal that both physiological and psychological leisure satisfaction significantly influence job satisfaction and performance. Specifically, physiological leisure satisfaction is a strong predictor of job satisfaction, while both types of leisure satisfaction contribute positively to job performance. These results underscore the importance of promoting diverse leisure activities within law enforcement agencies to enhance officers' well-being and job effectiveness. This study recommends implementing policies that encourage participation in varied leisure activities to improve job satisfaction and performance, ultimately leading to better policing outcomes and enhanced community service.
Female UK leaders and mentoring and the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles in the UK financial sector.
Authors: Babafemi Elizabeth
Published: November 2024

Background: Despite the efforts of governments and organizations, there remains a severe problem with the underrepresentation of women in UK finance. There are several structural barriers to female career progression in the sector. Mentoring is among the strategies that may help females secure more senior roles. This study examines if the current practice of mentoring is beneficial to women. It is a qualitative study based on the views of current female finance leaders who have been both mentors and mentees.
Methodology: This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to collect primary data from a sample of 14 women. The primary data was analyzed using thematic analysis.
Findings. The findings included that any type of mentoring was beneficial and that both males and females could successfully support women who aspired to financial leadership roles. However, some women could not secure mentors. There was a perceived shortage of mentors in some sectors and a need for access to this support. No preference was found for male or female mentors.
Discussions: The study found that women were in favour of mentoring. However, mentoring was limited and inflexible. Many women needed the support they needed, and the provision of mentoring needed to be uniform in UK finance. Many female mentors focused on performances that unintentionally reinforced barriers to women. Moreover, mentors expected females to accept male working styles and practices that many would find unacceptable.
Conclusion: Mentoring was found to be important and helped women advance their careers. However, the provision of this support and the way it was provided were not helpful enough for women and perpetuated their representation in UK Finance. The study recommends further research and changes to workplace practices.
Berberine: A dual anti-HIV and anti- cervical cancer compound
Authors: Okeoma Chioma M. , Naushad Wasifa , Okeoma Bryson C. , Islam Humayun K , Wang Zhen Zhen , Yang Nan , Li XiuMin
Published: November 2024

We report the effects of berberine (BBR), a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid small molecule on inhibition of HIV infection of cervical cancer cells. We used HeLa cell-derived TZM-bl cell line as a model of cervical cancer and HIV infection. BBR significantly inhibits viral and cancer processes, including expression of cell-associated HIV RNA, secretion of HIV reverse transcriptase, and HIV Tat-mediated LTR promoter transactivation. BBR significantly inhibits HIV-induced cancer cell viability and cell clustering. Besides its ability to inhibit HIV-induced cancer cell viability, BBR inhibits migration and matrix invasion of cervical cancer cells that are infected with HIV or treated with HIV Tat protein. The ability of BBR to inhibit cell clustering, collective cell migration, and cell invasion may have an effect in controlling progression of cervical cancer and HIV since collective migration and invasion are strategies for local tissue infiltration, as well as metastatic invasion in epithelial cancers. Interestingly, molecular docking and dynamic stimulation show that BBR binds HIVIIIB Tat amino acid residues through non-covalent interactions that occurs at multiple sites including LYS71, providing mechanistic insights into BBR regulation HIV infection. The results of the present study suggest that BBR has the potential to inhibit HIV infection and comorbid cervical cancer progression.
Navigating Climate Challenges: Kiribati’s Food Security and Public Health Resilience
Authors: De Garibay Daniel Ruiz
Published: November 2024

Purpose: This research investigates the efficacy of government policies and initiatives in mitigating food insecurity and health issues exacerbated by climate change in Kiribati. The study aims to identify gaps and challenges in policy implementation, evaluate existing government strategies, and propose improvements to address the identified shortcomings. Methods: The study employs a mixed-methods approach, incorporating participant interviews and secondary data analysis. Participants' insights were gathered through interviews, focusing on their experiences, perceptions, and observations regarding the effectiveness of government plans. Secondary data encompassed policy documents, reports, and scholarly articles to corroborate and augment participant insights.
Implications:The research findings reveal critical gaps in policy implementation, including coordination discrepancies between government sectors, delayed policy approvals, and limitations in healthcare infrastructure and community-based project efficacy.
The study emphasizes the need for enhanced policy execution, inter-ministerial coordination, and reduced dependency on external aid. Additionally, the research underscores the importance of addressing issues related to imported food quality and the impact of climate change on water salinity affecting food production. Overall, the study's implications suggest the necessity of refining existing policies, fostering greater collaboration among sectors, and implementing proactive measures to combat food insecurity and health challenges posed by climate change in Kiribati.