bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Keto-enol tautomerism as transformative electron/hole traps to promote charge carrier separation for record-high H2O2 photosynthesis in real world
Authors: Ma Tianyi , Ma Fang , Sun Xiaodong , Ye Liqun , Han Chunqiu , Wang Yongye , Jiang Anqiang , Zhou Ying , Liang Guijie , Wang Huiqing , Wang Li , Jia Binbin , Huang Yingping , Huang Hongwei , Kong Xin Ying , Li Hui , Huang Niu
Published: December 2024

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are excellent photocatalysts for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) photosynthesis, but are often limited by retarded charge carrier separation. Presently, donor-acceptor (D-A) type COFs are commonly used to enhance the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes at the molecular level by promoting the migration of electrons towards the acceptor and the movement of holes towards the donor. However, the significantly slower kinetics of the synchronous water oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions (WOR and ORR) often result in the accumulation of photogenerated carriers, which induces strong Coulomb forces, in turn adversely affecting the carrier separation efficiency of D-A type COFs. Herein, it is observed that keto-enol tautomerism can function as dynamic traps for both electrons and holes, alternately capturing them, while the counterpart holes and electrons participate in and are consumed during asynchronous oxidation and reduction reactions. This represents the first example of T-C type COFs (T denotes traps units; C denotes catalytic active units), which can effectively weaken the Coulomb force by reducing charge carrier accumulation, resulting in rapid charge transfer and prolonged lifetimes of free charge carriers for efficient alternating photocatalytic WOR and ORR. Our in-depth research indicates that imine COFs based on 2,4,6-trihydroxybenzaldehyde-1,3,5-tricarbaldehyde (Tp series) exhibit enhanced photocatalytic activity compared to those based on 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxaldehyde (BT series), which can be attributed to the occurrence of keto-enol tautomerization. Notably, the optimal Tp imine COF (TpBpy) displays an ultrafast rate for H2O2 photosynthesis, reaching 3.79 mM h-1, surpassing all previously reported photocatalysts. More importantly, when employed in a flow-reactor system, TpBpy also showcases exceptional effectiveness for continuous photocatalytic H2O2 synthesis, achieving a solar-to-chemical conversion (SCC) efficiency of 0.038%, representing the highest performance recorded to date under natural sunlight conditions. This work offers molecular-level guidance for designing efficient photocatalysts for H2O2 photosynthesis and proposes standardized criteria for obtaining reliable SCC values.
Characteristics of Boreal Summer Compound Hot-Drought Events in the Yangtze River Valley and Relationships with Indian Ocean Sea Surface Temperature
Authors: Zhang Yifang , An Xuehua , Sun Shanlei , Ma Qianrong , Yan Pengcheng , Zhou Botao
Published: December 2024

Compound hot-drought events (CHDEs) have drawn widespread attention for their severe impacts on ecosystems and human livelihoods. This study investigated the characteristics and driving mechanisms of boreal summer CHDEs in the Yangtze River Valley (YRV) during 1961–2022. Results showed that the most intense events were concentrated in Sichuan Province, with both the affected area and event severity exhibiting significant upward trends during the study period. A strong relationship was identified between CHDEs in the YRV and sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the Indian Ocean, independent of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) influences. Cold SST anomalies cooled the tropical troposphere, triggering easterly winds over East Asia subtropical regions. Concurrently, increased precipitation over north-central India induced an upper-tropospheric anticyclone over the northwestern Tibetan Plateau. In turn, the propagated Rossby waves promoted anticyclonic conditions over East Asia and maintained a meridional dipole circulation pattern. Anomalous high-pressure systems over the North Atlantic and Europe-West Siberia amplified these patterns, which further altered surface radiation budgets, drying the land and enhancing sensible heat flux. The resulting land-atmosphere interaction sustained anticyclonic circulation, intensifying CHDEs in the YRV. Projections under the high-emission SSP5-8.5 scenario suggested that the frequency of these atmospheric circulation patterns was likely to increase, exacerbating CHDEs in the YRV and posing heightened risks to the environment and society.
Enhancing Real-time Heading Estimation for Pedestrian Navigation Via Deep Learning and Smartphone Embeded Sensors
Authors: Ye Junhua , Huang Fenghua
Published: December 2024

The accurate smartphone-based pedestrian navigation significantly depends on the precise heading estimation. However, heading estimation is still a challenging problem in most pedestrian navigation applications because of the bias of low-cost smartphone sensors, thermal drift with long-term operation, and the unexpected changes in the carrying mode of handheld devices. To address these challenges, many existing methods based on pervasive resources encounter severe errors. Conversely, auxiliary resources-based approaches may hinder ubiquitous and seamless indoor-outdoor navigation experiences. This research aims to enhance heading estimation by leveraging pervasive measurements such as LVGOs and straight-line features self-recognized from camera images. The proposed method mitigates the accumulated gyro drift using the absolute heading angle estimated by LVGOs. However, these absolute angles are highly prone to false estimation while navigating near areas with high electric and magnetic activities due to stable geomagnetism anomalies. Encouraged by the pervasiveness of straight-line features in indoor and outdoor environments, we developed a deep learning method-based visual tracking of these features to enhance the gyroscope and magnetic field fusion-based heading estimation. A convolutional neural network was developed using a U-Net network to accurately and quickly recognize these features, then leverage them as heading constraint to overcome long-term gyro drift and short-term compass heading bias. The proposed method superiorly ensured the balance between recognition time delay and precision, which enabled smooth real-time performance. The achieved results improved the heading estimation and could provide significant help, especially for visually impaired people, as they mostly track tactile paving. This encourages future tests and assessments using visually impaired people to reliably include the proposed method in their applications.
Inhibiting CSF1R signaling reduces disc degeneration and discogenic back pain
Authors: Lu Yi , Liu Lei , Zhang Jingdong , Yao Yizheng , Yan Weixuan , Zhou Songlin , Bernstock Joshua , Chalif Joshua , Li Zhimin , Tian Feng , Chen Bo , Guo Hong
Published: December 2024

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is one of the major causes of low back pain. Inflammation has been implicated in discogenic back pain and disc degeneration, however, the detailed molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Herein we demonstrate that Colony Stimulating Factor 1 Receptor (CSF1R) signaling plays an essential role in the development of IVD degeneration and discogenic back pain. Genetic deletion of CSF1R from microglia/macrophages or oral administration of a CSF1R competitive inhibitor, GW2580, decreased IVD degeneration as evidenced by serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histopathological analyses in adult mice following disc injury. CSF1R deletion or GW2580 administration inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokine release from injured discs and blocked dorsal root ganglion (DRG) macrophage and spinal cord dorsal horn microglia activation and in so doing, eliminated neuropathic pain secondary to disc injury. These results suggest a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of chronic low back pain secondary to IVD degeneration.
Immune and Metabolic Pathways in Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy: Insights from Bioinformatics and Animal Models
Authors: Liu Wu , Jiang Hanxue , Zhao Qihan , Rui Hongliang , Liu Baoli , Dai Haoran
Published: December 2024

Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) is an autoimmune disease primarily driven by immune mechanisms. Recent studies have highlighted the involvement of metabolic pathways, particularly lipid metabolism and immune response, in IMN pathogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the interplay between immunity and metabolism in IMN through bioinformatic analyses of immune infiltration patterns and differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with validation using a passive Heymann nephritis (PHN) rat model. Our findings revealed a disrupted immune microenvironment in IMN patients compared to healthy controls. Single-cell analysis of kidney tissue from IMN patients identified significant activation of the steroid biosynthesis pathway in monocytes. Among the DEGs linked to both immunity and metabolism, INPP5D was notably upregulated in IMN, with monocytes exhibiting the highest expression levels. Additionally, PHN rats demonstrated increased iNOS expression, indicative of M1 macrophage recruitment, alongside elevated SHIP1 expression. These results underscore the potential role of SHIP1 in modulating immune responses and influencing IMN prognosis. Focusing on SHIP1’s involvement in IMN pathogenesis and its impact on immune regulation may enhance the understanding of IMN risk factors and support the development of targeted therapeutic strategies.
Assessing shoreline dynamics in southwestern Madagascar, using DSAS tools
Authors: Ramarokoto Sitrakiniaina , Raharijaona Léa , Ravonjimalala Rijasoa , Ramahandrisoa Rina , Randriamalala Josoa
Published: December 2024

The phenomenon of shoreline erosion may cause significant ecological and economic losses, including the degradation of biodiversity and the deterioration of infrastructure. The majority of studies on shoreline dynamics have focused on the description of its temporal evolution. This paper aims to identify the principal factors influencing shoreline dynamics, with a focus on the coasts of southwestern Madagascar, which encompass extensive mangrove areas. In order to observe the processes of coastal retreat (erosion) and advance (accretion), satellite images from different dates (1990/2000/2010/2020) were analysed using Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) tools. These processes were also associated with a set variables that have the potential to act as drivers of shoreline dynamics. These included coastal land use (presence/absence of mangroves), distance to the nearest river mouth, Bouguer anomaly, which serves as a proxy for tectonic subsidence risk, and foreshore slope. The variables were derived from three distinct sources: the 2020 vegetation map of the study site, the digital topographic map of Madagascar, and the Bouguer gravity anomaly map of Madagascar. Ultimately, a co-inertia analysis was employed to determine the relative importance of the four variables in shoreline dynamics. The shoreline of the study site is predominantly subject to erosion, which appears to be worsening over time. The occurrence of shoreline erosion was found to be significantly linked to proximity to river mouths and high Bouguer anomaly. The presence of mangroves along the shoreline of the study site does not appear to have impeded the process of shoreline erosion.
Branched chain amino acids and major depressive disorder in a sample of healthy, non-obese people.
Authors: Liu Keyuan , Borreggine Rebecca , Gallart-Ayala Hector , Ivanisevic Julijana , Marques-Vidal Pedro
Published: December 2024

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most prevalent neurological condition and a significant global public health challenge. Existing pharmacological treatments often have limited efficacy and are associated with substantial side effects. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) have emerged as a potential novel intervention for MDD. However, there is limited research on the relationship between plasma BCAA concentrations and MDD in population-based studies, and the sample sizes of these studies are typically small.
Method: This cross-sectional study utilized data from the CoLaus|PsyCoLaus cohort (Lausanne, Switzerland). BCAA concentrations were measured using stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. MDD status was assessed via questionnaire and categorized as “Current” “Remitted “and “No”.
Result: Data from 2,182 participants (mean age 53.25 ± 8.5 years, 58.07% women) were analyzed. Bivariate analysis revealed a significant difference in BCAA levels between the "Remitted" and "No" MDD groups. However, after multivariable analysis with adjustment for gender, all associations disappeared.
Conclusion: There is no significant association between BCAA levels and MDD in healthy, non-obese and old people.
Social Determinants of Health and Healthcare Access among Latina/x/o Sexual and Gender Minority Adults
Authors: Mathur Priya , Serrano Pedro Alonso , II Gregory Phillips , Shah Harita S.
Published: December 2024

Purpose: This study aims to identify current social determinants of health (SDOH) and healthcare access barriers impacting health outcomes among Latina, Latinx, and Latino (Latina/x/o) sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals.
Methods: We conducted cross-sectional surveys of 521 Latina/x/o adults with a focus on SGM individuals from November 2022 to June 2023 in Cook County, IL. We recruited using social media groups and in person community venues geared towards Latina/x/o and/or Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Questioning (LGBTQ+) individuals. We examined associations between demographic predictors and SDOH (housing, food, and job insecurity) or healthcare access outcomes (insurance status, access to primary care, and time since last provider visit) using multivariable logistic regression.
Results: Respondents included 68.8% (n=329) SGM individuals, of whom 48.6% (n=157) identified as gay or lesbian, 42.7% (n=138) identified as bisexual, pansexual, or queer, and 15.8% (n=48) identified as transgender. Across sexual and gender identities, our study population had a high burden of housing insecurity (n=286, 56.9%), food insecurity (n=177, 35.3%), and job insecurity (n=90, 27.8%). There were also a high proportion of uninsured individuals (n=120, 25.2%) and people who had not seen a provider in the last year (n=188, 36.2%).
Conclusion: Public health interventions and policy reform are urgently needed to address the SDOH and healthcare barriers that drive health disparities for the diverse groups within Latina/x/o SGM populations.
Role of ALDH3A1 in Maintaining the Balance between Alveolar Type 1 and Type 2 Cells in Emphysema: From Patient to Organoid Model
Authors: Cui Jiajing , Han Shuai , Li Jiachen , Li Xiaobo , Liang Lirong
Published: December 2024

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by alveolar destruction, which is called emphysema. Alveoli are mainly composed of alveolar type 1 (AT1) and alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells; however, the specific mechanisms regulating AT1 and AT2 during the development of emphysema remain unclear.
Methods: This study performed single-cell sequencing (scSeq) and pseudo-time analysis on primary human alveolar cells exposed to cigarette smoke extract (CSE). Subsequently, a cigarette smoke (CS)-induced emphysema mouse model was established using a nasal-oral exposure system, and an intervention model was created by intraperitoneal injection of dexamethasone (DEX) solution. Pulmonary function tests, H&E staining, immunochemistry, and immunofluorescence staining were conducted in mice. Additionally, using alveolar organoids, in vitro models of CSE-induced emphysema model, DEX intervention model, and ALDH3A1 overexpression model were established, followed by flow cytometry, RT-qPCR, and western blot assays.
Results: Analysis of scSeq data showed that primary human lung cells exposed to CSE exhibited an imbalance in the ratio of AT1 to AT2 cells, with decreased expression of ALDH3A1 in alveolar cells. In the in vivo emphysema model, pulmonary function was significantly reduced, and the alveolar structure was severely damaged with a significantly increased mean linear intercept. The ratio of aquaporin 5 (AQP5)+ AT1 cells to surfactant protein C (SFTPC)+ AT2 cells was significantly decreased, accompanied with the development of emphysema; further, DEX treatment protected lungs against CS-induced emphysema. Using the alveolar organoid, gene expression levels of ALDH3A1 were decreased with CSE in a dose-dependent manner with decreased AT1 to AT2 ratio. DEX intervention could not rescue ALDH3A1 completely. More critically, overexpression of ALDH3A1 effectively protects alveolar organoids against CSE-induced imbalance between AT1 and AT2 cells.
Conclusion: This study confirms the crucial role of ALDH3A1 in maintaining alveolar structure; however, DEX protected alveolar cells in an ALDH3A1-independent manner. More importantly, the murine alveolar organoid successfully resembles the alteration in human lungs, providing a useful in vitro model for the mechanism study of emphysema.
Seismic collapse capacity analysis of degrading SDOF system with negative-positive-uncoupled stiffness mechanism
Authors: Liu Yue , Sun FeiFei , Xu DeFeng , Yang JiaQi
Published: December 2024

The negative-positive-uncoupled stiffness device (NPUSD) is a novel variable stiffness system recently proposed by the authors, which can efficiently and economically achieve the structural multi-level seismic fortification. The main objective of this research is to combine the NPUSD with the viscous damper in parallel to form an innovative negative-positive-uncoupled stiffness amplifying damper (NPUSAD), and to establish the collapse capacity spectra of a degrading single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) with additional NPUSAD under three different record sets. The study investigates the influence of parameters of the SDOF structural element and NPUSAD on the collapse capacity spectra of this system. The results indicate that the NPUSAD-SDOF system significantly enhances the collapse resistance of long-period structures, with improvements of 30%, 40%, and 50% under far-field non-impulsive, near-field non-impulsive, and near-field impulsive seismic record sets, respectively. Among the parameters of structural element, the ductility ratio, soften stiffness coefficient, and stability coefficient have a significant impact on the collapse capacity spectra, while for the NPUSAD parameters, the transition displacement ratio has a greater influence than the positive-to-negative stiffness ratio, which in turn has a greater influence than the connecting stiffness ratio.
Comparison of Metatranscriptomics and Targeted-sequencing Approaches for Comprehensive Microbiome Profiling
Authors: Destras G , Sabatier M , Bal A , Simon B , Semanas Q , Regue H , Boyer T , Ploin D , Gillet Y , Lina B , Anani H , Josset L
Published: December 2024

Targeted-sequencing approaches, such as 16S gene profiling, viral metagenomics, and human mRNA sequencing are commonly performed for the exploration of the microbiome, yet their combination can be expensive and time-consuming. Metatranscriptomics provides a snapshot of the entire active microbiome trough bulk RNA sequencing in a single test, but lacks adequate comparisons with targeted-sequencing approaches. We compared metatranscriptomics and targeted sequencing methods focusing on bacterial, viral, and human components, from 20 nasopharyngeal aspirates from infants under 1 year old and hospitalized for bronchiolitis at the Hospices Civils de Lyon. RNA microbiome concordance reached 86% and 78% for RNA viruses and human coding genes, respectively. Patient clustering was comparable regarding 2650 host transcripts sequenced with metatranscriptomics and mRNA-Seq. Metatranscriptomics detected RNA of eukaryotic and prokaryotic DNA viruses, indicating potential for discerning replicative from latent DNA microbiome. Transcriptionally active bacteriome corresponded to 82% of bacteria exceeding 0.5% relative abundance, showing different transcriptional profiles depending on bacterial species. Multi-omics technologies enhance epidemiology, investigate trans-kingdom interactions, and provide opportunities to establish microbiome biomarkers. With sufficient depth of sequencing, metatranscriptomics complements and aligns with various aspects of targeted-sequencing approaches. Further clinical studies are essential to establish the position of metatranscriptomics in critical acute situations and cases of diagnostic uncertainty.
Malaria among febrile patients suspected of Yellow fever during an outbreak in Ghana
Authors: Mensah Lidiwan , Abdulai Anisa , Amegatcher Gloria , Pratt Deborah , Aduhene Evans , Ofori Magdalene Sarah Nketia , Sabtiu Abdul Rahim Mohammed , Adams Patience , Ketorwoley Prince , Owusu-Asenso Christopher Mfum , Eyeson Nana Aba Setorwu , Sagoe Kwamena William Coleman , Bonney Joseph Humphrey Kofi , Afrane Yaw Asare
Published: December 2024

Introduction Between October 2021 and February 2022, there was an outbreak of Yellow fever that spread within several districts in the northern part of Ghana. Febrile illnesses such as Yellow fever are often misdiagnosed as malaria and vice versa, which delays appropriate management and treatment. Hence, the true burden of Yellow fever and malaria are mostly underestimated. This study investigated the epidemiology of malaria in febrile patients suspected of Yellow fever in and around the epicenter of a Yellow fever outbreak in Ghana.Methods The study was a cross-sectional study conducted in two outbreak sites (Wenchi and Damongo) and two non-outbreak sites (Kumbungu and Tamale). A total of 498 febrile patients from healthcare facilities were recruited in the rainy and dry seasons. A structured questionnaire was administered to collect patients’ demographic information. Venous blood was collected from consented study participants for malaria parasite detection via microscopy and PCR. Total RNA was extracted from serum samples for the detection of yellow fever virus using Reverse Transcriptase PCR.Results None of the patients tested positive for Yellow fever virus. Out of the 498 participants tested for plasmodium parasites, 98 (19.7%) were microscopy positive while 92 (29.7%) were PCR positive. Plasmodium prevalence via microscopy was significantly higher in the dry season, 42 (18.67%) compared to the rainy season, 12 (4.4%) (P < 0.001). However, the difference in malaria prevalence via PCR in the rainy and dry seasons was not significant (P > 0.05). Kumbungu had the highest parasite prevalence by PCR during the dry (78.38%) and rainy (27.18%) seasons. Higher Plasmodium falciparum prevalence was observed using PCR compared to microscopy across all age groups. The age groups with the highest prevalence of P. falciparum were under five years (34.69%) and 5 to 9 years (35.56%). The differences in P. falciparum prevalence across the age groups were significant (P < 0.05).Conclusion High malaria prevalence was found in the study sites, affecting preschool and the school-aged children the most. Although Yellow fever was not detected, its overlap with malaria in Ghana, suggests the importance of enhancing surveillance for both diseases to better prevent and control
Exploring the association between Preeclampsia and antiphospholipid antibodies. New insights on the clinical criteria of APS. A prospective study
Authors: Grand Beatriz , Udry Sebastián , Avigliano Andrea , Alcántara Mónica González , Latino José Omar , Voto Liliana S.
Published: December 2024

Objectives: to study prospectively the presence aPL on pregnant women at time of preeclampsia (PE) diagnosis in comparison with normal pregnant controls (I), to determine the association between aPL and diagnosis of severe preeclampsia and (II) to evaluate the association between the presence of aPL and severe preeclampsia before and after 34 weeks of gestations.
Study Design: This prospective, interventional, and analytical study included one hundred forty women who were tested for aPL during pregnancy and separated in 2 groups based on their diagnostic status of PE. Group 1: forty normal pregnant women studied for aPL beyond 20 weeks of pregnancy, followed until the birth of a full-term new-born baby and Group 2: one hundred women studied for aPL at the time of PE onset/diagnosis. We evaluated and compared rates of aPL positivity between Group 1 and 2.
Results: We compared the presence of aPL between group 1 10,0% (4/40) and group 2 34,0% (34/100). We found an association between severe PE and aPL positivity [OR= 4.63 (95% CI: 1.523 – 14.107), p=0.005]. We also found an association between LA and severe PE [OR= 6.0 (95% CI: 1.3466 – 26.7335), p=0.01].
We confirmed an association between early severe PE and the presence of aPL positivity [OR= 4,384 (95% CI: 1.3615 – 14.1206), p= 0.01]. We also found an association between late severe PE and the presence of aPL positivity [OR= 5.0 (95% CI: 1.4901 – 16.777), p= 0.008].
We compared the presence of aPL between patients with early severe PE 25,9% (19/58) and patients with late severe PE 23,8% (15/42). No significant association was found between the 2 groups. These results suggest that the positivity of aPL and gestational age are independent, and both related to their severity.
Conclusion: These results suggest that the presence of aPL is associated to the severe PE. The positivity of aPL is associated to the severity of PE, independently from gestational age. We suggest including the study aPL in women with severe PE independently of prematurity.
Imaging Features of Epithelial Lacrimal Gland Tumors: A Retrospective MRI Analysis of Benign and Malignant Lesions
Authors: You Cixing , Shrestha Palpasa , Ruan Xia , Chen Jun
Published: December 2024

Objective
Lacrimal gland tumors are uncommon and encompass a diverse array of entities, including benign epithelial and lymphoid lesions, high-grade carcinomas, lymphomas, and sarcomas. Each presents significant variations in prognosis and clinical management. Our study aims to analyze the imaging signs of MRI examination of epithelial tumors of the lacrimal gland and their differential diagnostic value.
Method
A retrospective study enrolled 42 patients with confirmed epithelial tumors of the lacrimal gland who had surgery at Wuhan University People's Hospital from October 2015 to June 2024. Patients were categorized into benign pleomorphic adenoma and malignant tumor groups based on factors such as tumor size, morphology, boundary, signal, enhancement pattern, bone destruction, cystic change, and cuneiform sign Results
Benign pleomorphic adenoma (57.1%) was more common than malignant epithelial tumors (42.9%). The benign group had a lower age of onset and was more prevalent in females, while the malignant group showed the opposite pattern. Significant differences existed in size, morphology, borders, bone destruction, and cuneiform sign (P < 0.05). The malignant tumors often surpassed 3 cm, displayed irregular morphology and unclear borders, and were prone to bone destruction and cuneiform signs. The T2WI signal difference was also significant (P < 0.05), with malignant tumors primarily showing a mixed T2WI signal with a heterogeneous isometric signal.
Conclusion
MRI examination reveals the internal structure and relationship of epithelioid tumors in the lacrimal gland. It aids in the localization and diagnosis of benign pleomorphic adenoma and malignant epithelial tumors.
A Systematic Review of Structural Health Monitoring Using Artificial Neural Networks: From Traditional Neural Networks to Deep Learning Algorithms.
Authors: Atia Ahmed Eid Shible Mohamed , Vafaei Mohamedreza , Tee Kong Fah , Aliah Sophia C
Published: December 2024

With recent advances in neural network models and computational performance, structural health monitoring studies have shifted their methods from feature engineering or manual feature extraction to the use of machine learning models, especially neural networks and deep learning. The neural networks have been used for damage classification, feature extraction, dimensionality reduction, and image and 3D video-based inspection. Deep learning neural networks have shown a higher performance and accurate prediction and classification of the damage severity and location. This paper presents a detailed literature review of existing neural network-based applications in structural health monitoring and their main types, mathematical models, definitions, applications and feature extraction methods. This paper also surveyed the current literature in the context of implementation methods, quantification levels, neural network types, and mechanisms. A comparison of the performance of different deep learning neural networks and traditional neural networks is presented to help determine the neural network techniques for specific applications. It highlights the performance of deep learning algorithms and hybrid neural networks in terms of accuracy, data storage, and time complexity. The challenges facing structural health monitoring-based neural network applications can be summarized in main points, including but not limited to fully automated approaches, generalization of new data sets for population-based damage detection, model-associated problems, interpretability of the ANNs model, and real-time deployment.
Isolated ANCA-associated Scleritis Successfully Treated with Systemic Rituximab; a Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Tahavvori Mohammadreza , Fekri Sahba , Hassanpour Kiana , Sadoughi Mohammad-Mehdi , Javadi Mohammadali
Published: December 2024

Background
Necrotizing scleritis is one of the most destructive ocular manifestations of underlying systemic diseases that can lead to a variety of severe complications, including globe perforation or vision loss. Necrotizing scleritis can occur in various conditions, such as systemic vasculitis like Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA) Associated vasculitis (AAV), systemic autoimmune disorders, infections, or as a result of surgical procedures.
Case presentation
In this case report, we present a patient with acute bilateral isolated necrotizing sclerokeratitis associated with positive c-ANCA without any manifestation of other organ involvement. A 52-year-old man with acute anterior bilateral necrotizing scleritis with diffuse areas of necrosis, thinning of the sclera, and the choroidal show was observed which was impending perforation on both sides. Systemic medications, including intravenous methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide, and topical medications were administered. However, due to an incomplete response to these drugs, intravenous rituximab was initiated. Significant improvements in clinical manifestations were initiated after treatment with Rituximab.
Conclusion
Our case highlights the importance of systemic rituximab therapy in treating isolated ANCA-associated necrotizing scleritis when initial immunosuppressive treatments are not fully effective.
Patenting Propensity in Italy: A Machine Learning Approach to Regional Clustering
Authors: Leogrande Angelo , Drago Carlo , Mallardi Giulio , Costantiello Alberto , Magaletti Nicola
Published: December 2024

This article focuses on the propensity to patent across Italian regions, considering data from ISTAT-BES between 2004 and 2019 to contribute to analyzing regional gaps and determinants of innovative performances. Results show how the North-South gap in innovative performance has persisted over time, confirming the relevance of research intensity, digital infrastructure, and cultural employment on patenting activity. These relations have been analyzed using the panel data econometric model. It allows singling out crucial positive drivers like R&D investment or strongly negative factors, such as limited mobility of graduates. More precisely, given the novelty of approaches applied in the used model, the following contributions are represented: first, the fine grain of regional differentiation, from which the sub-national innovation system will be observed. It also puts forward a set of actionable policy recommendations that would contribute to more substantial inclusive innovation, particularly emphasizing less-performing regions. By focusing on such dynamics, this study will indirectly address how regional characteristics and policies shape innovation and technological competitiveness in Italy. Therefore, it contributes to the debate on regional systems of innovation and their possible role in economic development in Europe since the economic, institutional, and technological conditions are differentiated between various areas in Italy.
JEL CODE: O3, O31, O32, O33, O34.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Routine and Recommended Adult Vaccination Rates Among US Adults, National Health Interview Survey 2018
Authors: Jamal Armaan , Jamal Shanaiya
Published: December 2024

Reducing racial/ethnic disparities in vaccination rates is a significant goal of Healthy People 2030. This study aims to examine adult vaccination rates by race/ethnicity and sex in the United States. We evaluated the vaccination rate of influenza, tetanus-diphtheria (Td), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, pneumococcal, shingles, and human papillomavirus (HPV) using 2018 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data by race/ethnicity. Our sample included 53,647 participants, and we categorized race/ethnicity as White (n = 36,245), Black (n = 5,861), Hispanic (n = 8,219), and Asian (n = 3,322). Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the association between race/ethnicity and vaccination coverage, controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related variables. We also stratified the multivariate logistic regressions by race/ethnicity and sex. Influenza, Td, hepatitis A, pneumococcal, and shingles vaccination coverage differed by race/ethnicity. After adjusting for key covariates, racial/ethnic disparities in vaccination persisted for all vaccines examined. Racial disparities in vaccination coverage persisted when stratifying by sex for all vaccines. Black males had lower odds of receiving the HPV and Td vaccine than White males (OR range: 0.53–0.78). Black females had lower odds of receiving the HPV, pneumococcal, and Td vaccine than White females while Hispanic and Asian females had lower odds of receiving the Td vaccine than White females (OR range: 0.52–0.76). Racial/ethnic and sex differences in vaccination levels narrow when adjusting for factors analyzed in the NHIS but are not eliminated, suggesting the need for efforts to achieve equity in immunization rates as well as increasing vaccination rates across all populations.
The Impact of SEC Comment Letters on Stock Returns: A Comprehensive Analysis
Authors: Hassan Amira , Greenman Cindy , Olsen David
Published: December 2024

This study investigates the impact of SEC comment letters on stock returns, focusing on their informational value and influence on investor behavior. SEC comment letters, issued to publicly traded companies, serve as regulatory tools to address deficiencies in corporate disclosures, enhancing transparency and compliance. By leveraging advanced natural language processing models, including FinBERT, VADER, and LMSentimentScore, this research evaluates the sentiment and thematic classifications of comment letters to assess their effect on market dynamics. The analysis encompasses thousands of SEC comment letters categorized into 11 distinct themes, paired with stock performance metrics to quantify their impact on returns. Findings reveal that sentiment scores, particularly from financial-specific models, exhibit a measurable but limited effect on stock price movements. Thematic content, such as issues related to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Legal and Regulatory Compliance, demonstrates significant correlations with market reactions, highlighting the contextual relevance of specific categories. Additionally, the frequency of SEC filings is shown to moderate stock return volatility, with high-frequency filers experiencing reduced market sensitivity. This research contributes to the literature on financial regulation and market efficiency by integrating sentiment analysis and thematic categorization, offering insights into the nuanced effects of regulatory disclosures on stock performance. The findings underscore the role of SEC comment letters as critical instruments in maintaining market integrity and guiding investor expectations.
Production, Exports, and R&D Strategies: A Dynamic and Heterogeneous Analysis
Authors: Wu Ruohan
Published: December 2024

This paper develops a dynamic model of firms with heterogeneous production levels making optimal decisions regarding exports and R&D investment, and both choices endogenously affect firms’ production growth. In a closed economy, firms determine how much to invest in one of two R&D strategies: independent innovation or dependent imitation. In an open economy, firms decide not only on R&D investment but also on whether and how much to export. To comprehensively capture firm-level growth dynamics, the model incorporates both self-selection and learning-by-exporting mechanisms. Our model identifies production thresholds which determine whether firms choose to export, and whether to imitate or to innovate. As expected, only sufficiently productive firms choose to export. Notably, the most productive non-exporters choose to innovate, while the most productive exporters prefer imitation. Additionally, as firms become more productive, they tend to reduce both their R&D investment and the proportion of production they export. This paper then moves further to seek for support from the empirical evidence. Based on panel data of global firms observed from 2011 to 2019, multiple tests robustly support these theoretical findings, confirming that complex multilateral relationships exist among firms’ production, exports, and R&D strategies. The paper concludes with a discussion of findings and policy implications.
JEL codes: F14; F17; O12; O33; D22
Effect of ahfad2 genes on oil profile of advanced breeding lines in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
Authors: Paul P. Jashuva , Srivid Akkareddy , Pandey Manish K , Spandana B. , Gundrathi Sree Vidya , Killada Girish Kumar
Published: December 2024

Background
Groundnut oil is a popular and important cooking oil, known for its good taste and health benefits. One of the key factors determining the quality of groundnut oil is its fatty acid composition, particularly the levels of oleic acid (a healthy monounsaturated fat) versus linoleic acid (a polyunsaturated fat). Increasing oleic acid in groundnut oil improves its nutritional value and helps the oil stay fresh longer by reducing rancidity. This study focuses on understanding how mutations in two key genes, ahFAD2A and ahFAD2B, affect the levels of oleic and linoleic acid in groundnut. The goal is to identify new groundnut lines with higher oleic acid content, which could benefit both consumers and farmers.
Materials and Methods
We examined 100 F6 Recombinant Inbred Lines (RILs) of groundnut, chosen from 350 lines created in a high oleic acid breeding initiative at RARS, Tirupati, ANGRAU Three common groundnut varieties—TAG 24, Dheeraj, and Visishta—were crossed with ICGV 181024, a donor with a high oleic acid content, to create these lines. Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS), a sensitive and effective method, was used to analyze the oil content and fatty acid profiles (oleic acid, linoleic acid, and others). We tracked changes in the ahFAD2A and ahFAD2B genes using Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS) to comprehend the genetic basis of oil composition.
Results
Our results showed that genetic variations in the ahFAD2 genes play a key role in determining the oil’s fatty acid composition. Out of all the RILs, 24 lines had oleic acid levels above 70%, which is considered high for groundnut. The ahFAD2B mutation had the most significant impact, with lines carrying this mutation averaging 53.42% oleic acid, compared to 37.92% for lines with the ahFAD2A mutation. This suggests that ahFAD2B is more effective at boosting oleic acid. Interestingly, selecting for the ahFAD2B mutation alone was just as effective as selecting for both genes, making the breeding process quicker and easier. Four lines—RIL 16, RIL 18, RIL 71, and RIL 86—stood out with oleic acid levels above 70% and an oleic/linoleic acid ratio over 9. These lines hold great potential for producing stable, long-lasting oils that benefit both the industry and consumers.
Asymmetric effects of Indian Ocean dipole on surface chlorophyll variability in the Indian Ocean
Authors: Abeywickrama Thivin , Pathirana Gayan , Noh Kyung-Min , Dissanayake Kushlani , Wang Dongxiao , Lee Dong-Geon
Published: December 2024

The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is a dominant climate mode in the Indian Ocean, characterized by oscillating sea surface temperature anomalies between the western and southeastern equatorial regions. The IOD influences surface circulation, affecting coastal upwelling (downwelling), thereby increasing (decreasing) surface nutrients. These changes alter surface phytoplankton populations, measurable through their photosynthetic pigment, chlorophyll-a. The positive (pIOD) and negative (nIOD) phases of the IOD affect surface chlorophyll differently, particularly along the west of Sumatra (WS) and southwest of the Indian subcontinent (SWI). While changes in surface chlorophyll occur oppositely during each IOD phase, it is unclear how the intensity of surface chlorophyll changes during the positive and negative IOD phases. Given its importance, we investigate this question using observational data and historical simulations from a Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) model. Our findings reveal that although the chlorophyll response follows a dipole pattern, the pIOD phase exerts a dominant influence, with chlorophyll intensity during pIOD exceeding that during nIOD. Specifically, during pIOD, chlorophyll concentrations increase in the WS region and decrease in the SWI region, showing pronounced asymmetry in the intensity of IOD-induced chlorophyll changes. This disparity is driven by anomalous southeasterly winds during pIOD, which enhance nutrient upwelling in the WS and suppress it in the SWI, leading to variations in surface chlorophyll blooms. Thus, our results emphasize the asymmetric nature of IOD-induced changes in surface chlorophyll in the Indian Ocean, with important implications for marine food webs, fisheries, ocean biogeochemical cycles, and global climate systems.
MSU-Mamba: Multi-Scale Defocus Blur Detection Using Cross-Scale Fusion and State Space Models
Authors: Wang Xijun , Zhou Xin , Wang Yi , Zeng Songto , Liu Xinyu , Shen Haobo , Fei Song , Zhu Lei
Published: December 2024

Defocus blur detection (DBD) plays a pivotal role in computer vision, serving as a fundamental step to enhance the performance of various downstream applications, such as image refocusing, depth estimation, and saliency detection. Despite recent advancements, existing methods often struggle in complex scenes with homogeneous regions, subtle blur transitions, and cluttered backgrounds. In this paper, we develop a novel approach (MSU-Mamba) to combine a multi-scale feature extraction with state-space modeling for boosting defocus blur detection. To do so, we develop a Multi-Scale Fusion (MSF) Block to integrate long-range dependency features across multiple scales to enhance feature representation. Moreover, in our MSF block, we devise a cross-scale token scanning mechanism into the original Mamba to better distinguish blurred and sharp regions. Comprehensive experiments conducted on benchmark datasets show that our MSU-Mamba outperforms state-of-the-art methods in terms of F-measure and MAE. The results validate our approach as a promising solution to the challenges of defocus blur detection and its application to downstream tasks.
Antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: A systematic review of prevalence, patterns, and public health implications in Bangladesh (2006–2024)
Authors: Tayef Md. Sheikh , Sikder Rushafi , Shahiuzza Munsi Md , Hossain Md. Sazzad , Sikder Mashfi , Shaon Md. Akeruzzaman
Published: December 2024

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a critical global public health threat, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa emerging as a formidable MDR pathogen. This systematic review examines the prevalence and patterns of antibiotic resistance in P. aeruginosa within Bangladesh from 2006 to 2024. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Science.gov, and ResearchGate, yielding 12 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Most of these studies were conducted in Dhaka between 2021 and 2024, utilizing the disk diffusion method following CLSI guidelines. Findings indicate alarmingly high resistance rates to several commonly used antibiotics, including vancomycin (100%), cefoxitin (100%), amoxicillin (96.37%), erythromycin (95.48%), and ampicillin (91.43%). Notably, lower resistance was observed for colistin (19.05%) and piperacillin/tazobactam (28.70%), suggesting these antibiotics remain viable treatment options. The resistance mechanisms of P. aeruginosa, such as low outer membrane permeability, active efflux pumps, and biofilm formation, contribute to its resilience against antimicrobial agents. Comparative analysis reveals that resistance rates in Bangladesh are significantly higher than those reported in other regions, exacerbating the challenge of managing infections effectively. This review recommends implementing nationwide surveillance systems, stringent antimicrobial stewardship programs, and enhanced infection control measures to address the escalating AMR crisis. Furthermore, there is an urgent need for research into novel therapeutic strategies and the development of new antibiotics. By synthesizing current evidence, this study aims to inform policymakers, guide clinical practices, and support public health initiatives to mitigate the impact of antibiotic-resistant P. aeruginosa in Bangladesh.
Lunar satellite analytic theory with complete gravity and third-body perturbations Part-I: Gravity harmonics and their coupling effects
Authors: Mahajan Bharat
Published: December 2024

Artificial satellite theories for the Moon differ in important aspects from the similar theories for Earth because of more uneven nature of lunar gravity, strong third-body perturbations, and no atmospheric drag. The existing lunar satellite theories include only a few gravity spherical harmonics along with Hill’s approximation of the third-body disturbing function. Despite such simplifications, they provide semi-analytical solutions and require numerical propagation, thus limiting their applications. In this work, a fully analytic theory for lunar satellites is developed using generalized formulae that enable inclusion of spherical harmonics up to an arbitrary degree and order. The complete gravity and third-body disturbing functions are together considered as the dominant perturbation to the Keplerian Hamiltonian, which is then fully normalized up to second order by constructing three canonical transformations for averaging out the short-, medium-, and long-period terms. The gravity harmonics are fully treated in Part-I of this paper with the short- and medium-period terms developed up to first order and the long-period and secular terms up to second order. These second-order terms capture the coupling effects of the gravity harmonics. For the third-body perturbation, the secular terms are developed up to first order here. The periodic effects (including those originating from the coupling of gravity and third-body terms) will be explicitly treated in Part-II of this paper. The significance of the coupling effects from the gravity harmonics is assessed by comparing the analytically-propagated ephemerides of low-altitude lunar satellites with the numerically-propagated results.