bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intravenous leiomyomatosis presenting as Budd-Chiari syndrome: a case report and literature review
Authors: Gan jingwen , Ma Xiao , shao jiang , wang jinhui , Cao Dongyan
Published: November 2024

Background
Budd-Chiari Syndrome (BCS) caused by Intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) is a rare and uncommon. Further reports and thorough evaluation are needed to identify and manage this disease.
Method
We described the case of a 49-year-old lady, exhibiting features of Budd-Chiari syndrome secondary to intravenous leiomyomatosis, and reviewed other three previous cases of BCS caused by IVL.
Results
The mean onset age of these four patients was 54.8 years. All but one (patient No.2) had a history of myoma, myomectomy, or hysterectomy. Abdominal pain, bloating or increasing abdominal birth, and bilateral lower extremity edema were common symptoms. The establishment of clinical diagnoses of IVL and BCS mainly depends on clinical presentations and imaging like ultrasonography, CT (with vascular reconstruction), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Surgical intervention to alleviate the hepatic veins outflow obstruction is the most important treatment.
Conclusions
BCS caused by IVL should be considered when inferior vena cava (IVC) and right atrium (RA) lesions occur in a patient with characteristics of BCS and a history of uterine myoma or hysterectomy. Complete tumor resection with TAHBSO is the only curative treatment and should be performed as soon as possible.
Influence of biochar amendment on the binding characteristics of dissolved organic matter from chicken manure compost with Cu(II): an integrated analysis using EEM-PARAFAC, 2D-COS, and HPSEC
Authors: Liu Xiaolong , Cheng Ao , Yu Xufang , Zhang Nan , Li Ting , Chen Dan , Ji Wenchao , Fan Xingjun
Published: November 2024

The addition of biochar (BC) during composting significantly influences the concentration and chemical structure of dissolved organic matters (DOM), thereby affecting its binding properties with heavy metals (HMs). This study examines the co-composting of chicken manure with varying BC dosages, specifically 0 wt% (CK), 1 wt% (T1), and 2 wt% (T2), and comparatively analyzes the binding characteristics between compost-derived DOM and copper ions (Cu(II)). EEM-PARAFAC analysis identified three primary components in the DOM: fulvic acid-like (C1), humic acid-like (C2), and protein-like (C3) components, each exhibiting distinct Cu(II) binding properties. The complexation constants (logK) for these components with Cu(II) increased with the BC addition, whereas the fraction of bound sites (f values) decreased, indicating that BC-amended compost DOM forms more stable DOM-Cu(II) complexes but with fewer available binding sites. 2D-COS analysis of synchronous fluorescence spectra revealed that the fulvic-like peaks were more sensitive to Cu(II) concentration variations across all DOM types, while humic-like substances exhibited a stronger preference for Cu(II) binding. HPSEC results showed broad molecular weight (MW) distributions (100–300,000 Da) in BC-amended compost DOM, with a significant decrease in medium MW regions (1000-30,000 Da) as Cu(II) concentration increased, suggesting that medium MW DOM fractions are particularly sensitive to Cu(II) binding, leading to higher weight-averaged MW values with increased Cu(II) concentrations. This study provides new insights into how BC addition to compost can influence the binding behavior of DOM with HMs, highlighting its potential for enhancing HMs immobilization in compost-amended soils.
WITHDRAWN: Polycaprolactone Electrospun Nanofibers Embedded with Phosphorus-Doped g-Carbon Nitride for Rapid Detection of Xanthine
Authors: Akhtar Hafsah , Hanif Sehrish , Alhamoudi Fahad Hussain , Zulfiqar Anam , Khan Ather Farooq , Akhtar Naeem , Khalid Hamad , Adil Nosherwan , Yu Cong
Published: November 2024

The full text of this preprint has been withdrawn by the authors as it was submitted and made public without the full consent of all the authors. Therefore, the authors do not wish this work to be cited as a reference. Questions should be directed to the corresponding author.
An Animal Model of Osteoarthritis: Mono-injection induced in the jaw joint of zebrafish
Authors: Xiao Gongyi , Qin Jin , Yang Huiping , Song Qizhi , Zhang Ruobin , Huang Junlan , Mou Yuexi , Liu Wen , Sun Xianding , Nie Mao
Published: November 2024

Background
Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by the progressive degeneration of the synovial joint, leading to irreversible damage to articular cartilage and subchondral bone. While animal models have advanced our understanding of OA, numerous unresolved issues still remain. The zebrafish, known for its transparent body, rapid developmental, and impressive regenerative capabilities, offers substantial potential for osteoarthritis research. This study seeks to establish a new OA model utilizing the zebrafish jaw joint, acting as a supplement to traditional animal models. In the future, this model could serve as a valuable platform for delving deeper into the mechanisms of this disease, as well as for advancing drug discovery and therapeutic interventions.
Materials and Results:
Leveraging the skeletal structure of zebrafish, we targeted the largest jaw joint for our research. A custom fixation device was crafted, and a microinjection system was utilized to inject mono-iodoacetate (MIA) or collagenase type II (CTII) into the joint cavity of zebrafish. Subsequent analyses included histological staining, immunohistochemistry, OA research society international (OARSI) scoring, and real-time in vivo imaging were performed at 7, 14, and 28 days post injection. Our results effectively demonstrated the presence of synovial inflammation and cartilage damage within the zebrafish mandible, affirming the feasibility of inducing OA in zebrafish.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the local injection of chemical agents into the joint cavity of zebrafish effectively induced the occurrence of OA. Establishing the zebrafish OA model enhances the array of animal models available for OA research. Moreover, zebrafish present distinct advantages, including robust regenerative abilities, genetic editing simplicity, and efficient drug screening. Consequently, this offers a fresh avenue for investigating the pathogenesis, prevention, and potential therapeutic approaches for human OA.
Sunlight-driven photocatalytic degradation of industrial dyes using Withania Somnifera decorated MnO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Chaudhary Mahi , Kumar Chetan , Raghav Sapna , Pawar Medha , Pandey Shivam , Painuli Ritu
Published: November 2024

The level of pollution in water bodies has recently increased to a concerning degree due to the expansion of industrial activities. The consumption of organic dyes in textile industries has also set up an alarming situation worldwide for their side-effects. These pigments are typically persistent and challenging for traditional wastewater treatment methods to break them down. The present study reports a novel, rapid, and green method for the synthesis of MnO2 nanoparticles using the Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha) extract. The techniques such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, FESEM, FTIR, EDX were employed to confirm the synthesis of the prepared nanoparticles. Bromocresol green and Bromothymol blue were set up as benchmark for measuring the photocatalytic efficacy of the prepared nanoparticles. It was observed that the prepared nanocatalyst on the sunlight exposure displayed excellent removal effectiveness for both the dyes i.e. 92% for Bromothymol blue and 95% for Bromocresol green respectively for a time period of 1 h. The effect of parameters such as time, dose of photocatalyst, and photodegradation kinetics was also systematically investigated for evaluating the effectiveness of the developed photocatalyst. The developed method is easy to implement, is environment friendly and does not require any chemical agents or sophisticated instrumentation for synthesis. This opens a novel avenue for the development of green photocatalyst which can emerge as an exceptional nanomaterial for the waste water remediation.
Talbot effect-based sensor measuring grating period change in subwavelength range
Authors: Sarkar Saumya J , Ebrahim-Zadeh Majid , Samanta Goutam K
Published: November 2024

Talbot length, the distance between two consecutive self-image planes along the propagation axis for a periodic diffraction object(grating) illuminated by a plane wave, depends on the period of the object and the wavelength of illumination. This property makes the Talbot effect a straightforward technique for measuring the period of a periodic object (grating) by accurately determining theTalbot length for a given illumination wavelength. However, since the Talbot length scale is proportional to the square of the grating period, traditional Talbot techniques face challenges when dealing with smaller grating periods and minor changes in the grating period. Recently, we demonstrated a Fourier transform technique-based Talbot imaging method that allows for controlled Talbot lengths of a periodic object with a constant period and illumination wavelength. Using this method, we successfully measured periods as small as a few micrometers and detected sub-micrometer changes in the periodic object. Furthermore, by measuring the Talbot length of gratings with varying periods imaged through the combination of a thick lens of short focal length and a thin lens of long focal length and large aperture, we determined the effective focal length of the thick lens in close agreement with the theoretical effective focal length of a thick lens in the presence of spherical aberration. These findings establish the Talbot effect as an effective and simple technique for various sensing applications in optics and photonics through the measurement of any physical parameter influencing the Talbot length of a periodic object
Three-Dimensional Digital Model of the Facial Nerve Assisted in the Excision of Benign Parotid Tumors Based on 3D-DESS-WE-MRI
Authors: Tong Chunshi , Luo Shuwen , Li Zhonglin , Dong Yonghui , Liu Zhenhui , Meng Xin , Zou Zhi , Peng Liwei
Published: November 2024

Objective: This study proposes a novel surgical technique for the excision of benign parotid tumors, utilizing a extracapsular dissection guided by a three dimensional digital model of the facial nerve(3DFN-ECD) and compares its clinical efficacy with the extracapsular dissection (ECD) method.
Methods: This prospective study included 68 patients with benign parotid tumors. The control group (40 patients) received the ECD treatment, while the experimental group (28 patients) , underwent the 3DFN-ECD approach proposed in this study. Preoperative three-dimensional double-echo steady-state water excitation sequence (3D-DESS-WE) of MRI was employed to visualize the tumor and facial nerve, and the Mimics software was used to reconstruct a three-dimensional digital model of the facial nerve and parotid tumor. The surgical incision and facial nerve dissection were planned based on the relationship between the tumor and the facial nerve. Postoperative facial nerve function and aesthetic outcomes of the incisions were compared between the two surgical techniques.
Results: There was no significant difference in the postoperative complications between the two groups. Postoperative facial nerve function scores in the 3DFN-ECD group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The incidence of temporary facial nerve paralysis was significantly lower in the 3DFN-ECD group, and the visual analogue scale score for aesthetic outcomes of the surgical incision was significantly improved.
Conclusion: The novel 3DFN-ECD surgical approach proposed in this study significantly reduces the risk of facial nerve injury and improves the aesthetic outcomes of the parotid tumor surgical incision.
Impact of Race and Ethnicity on Glaucoma Progression Detection by Perimetry and Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Beniz Luiz A. F. , Jammal Alessandro A. , Costa Douglas R. da , Mariottoni Eduardo B. , Swaminathan Swarup S. , Medeiros Felipe A.
Published: November 2024

This study assessed the impact of race and ethnicity on longitudinal test variability and time to detect glaucoma progression using standard automated perimetry (SAP) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). The sample consisted of 47,003 SAP tests from 5,402 eyes and 25,480 OCT tests from 4,125 eyes, with 20% of participants self-identifying as Black or African American and 80% as White; 29% as Hispanic or Latino and 71% as Not Hispanic or Latino. Variability was measured using standard deviations of residuals from linear regression models for SAP mean deviation (MD) and OCT retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness over time. Results showed significantly greater SAP variability in Black or African American (1.80±1.30dB) compared to White participants (1.56±1.21dB; P<0.001) and in Hispanic or Latino (1.81±1.46dB) compared to Not Hispanic or Latino individuals (1.52±1.10dB; P<0.001). OCT variability was higher in Black or African American (2.3±1.5μm) compared to White (2.1±1.3μm; P<0.001) and in Not Hispanic or Latino (2.2±1.3μm) compared to Hispanic or Latino (2.1±1.2μm; P=0.029). Increased SAP variability delayed progression detection, while OCT showed minimal differences. These findings suggest that higher perimetric variability in Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino may affect glaucoma progression detection using SAP.
18F-FET PET/CT Can Aid in Diagnosing Patients with Indeterminate MRI Findings for Brain Tumors: A Prospective Study
Authors: Chan Sheng-Chieh , Chiu Tsung-Lang , Ng Shu-Hang , Tsai Sheng-Tzung , Kao Hung-Wen , Liu Shu-Hsin
Published: November 2024

Objective
This prospective study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of fluorine-18-labeled fluoroethyltyrosine (18F-FET) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) in diagnosing brain tumors within an Asian patient population.
Methods
Patients suspected of having primary or recurrent brain tumors were prospectively recruited. Each patient underwent 18F-FET and fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT on separate days within one week. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy to compare the diagnostic performance of the two PET scans. The standardized uptake value (SUV) and tumor-to-background ratio (TBR) of the lesions were determined using static images. Additionally, time-activity curves (TACs) and time-to-peak (TTP) were generated from the dynamic PET images.
Results
From September 2019 to December 2023, 33 subjects were enrolled for reasons including suspected brain tumors (n = 20) or suspicious glioma recurrence (n = 8) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and restaging for glioma (n = 5). Among the patients with suspected brain tumors or glioma recurrence on MRI, 25% had false-positive results. 18F-FET PET/CT accurately identified 86% of these false positives. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of visual interpretation of 18F-FET PET/CT were 96.15%, 85.71%, 96.15%, 85.71%, and 93.90%, respectively. The corresponding 18F-FDG PET/CT values were 73.08%, 71.42%, 90.48%, 41.67%, and 72.70%. 18F-FET PET/CT demonstrated significantly higher sensitivity and accuracy than 18F-FDG PET (p = 0.031 and p = 0.030, respectively). Using TBRmean as an adjunct reference index enhanced the diagnostic accuracy of 18F-FET PET/CT, achieving a sensitivity and NPV of 100%. Wash-out TAC or TTP < 20 min was associated with a PPV of 100% for brain tumors.
Conclusions
18F-FET PET/CT appears to be a valuable tool for assessing brain tumors with indeterminate MRI findings in this Asian cohort. 18F-FET PET/CT offers benefits over 18F-FDG PET in differentiating brain tumors from nontumor brain lesions, particularly when using semiquantitative analysis with TBR.
Surgical Outcomes of Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome in Patients with Normal Conus Medullaris and Filum Terminale without Urologic Symptoms
Authors: TABANLI Alper , AKCAY Emrah , YILMAZ Hakan , OZDEMIR Seymen , METE Mesut , SELCUKI Mehmet
Published: November 2024

Purpose: In this study, surgical results of tethered spinal cord patients without urologic symptoms with conus medullaris terminating at normal level and filum terminale with normal appearance are presented. Our hypothesis is that patients operated for tethered spinal cord syndrome without urologic symptoms do not develop urologic symptoms during the follow-up period.
Methods: This retrospective study included 59 operated patients with tethered spinal cord syndrome who had a normal level terminating conus medullaris and a normal looking filum terminale without urologic symptoms. Of these patients, 38 were female and 21 were male. All patients underwent somatosensory-evoked potentials (SSEPs), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The surgical technique used was flavotomy, which involves cutting the filum terminale without performing a laminectomy.
Results: The mean age of the patients included in the study was 22.5 years and SD(13.2). The operated patients did not develop urinary incontinence during a mean postoperative follow-up period of 2.5 years. SSEP also revealed block in 39 (66.1%) patients, a low amplitude in 12 (20.3%) patients and a delayed N22 wave latency, which was observed in 8 patients (13.5%). There is no surgical morbidity and mortality. Postoperatively, the significant improvements were seen in SSEP.
Conclusion: Although filum terminale looks normal in MRI, it may stil cause tethered cord syndrome because of its defective development of the inner structure. Our study concludes that SSEPs are valuable in diagnosis and that urological symptoms do not develop in the long-term follow-up of patients who were operated on without initial urological symptoms.
Interference of Solution Constituents on Corrosion Inhibition of Phosphate Species on Grade 202 Stainless Steel
Authors: Revon M.H.N. , Priyantha Namal
Published: November 2024

Strong corrosion resistance of Grade 202 Stainless Steel (SS) in mild acidic conditions is attributed to the presence of chromium which is responsible for the formation of a passive surface film of chromium oxide which inhibits corrosion. Additionally, the deposition of polymer coatings, polymer composites with nanomaterials as well as organic compounds containing hetero atoms such as N, O, S, and P on SS, or other metallic objects leads to high corrosion inhibition efficiency. Nevertheless, the corrosion stability of SS in certain environments, especially under aggressive conditions, is questionable. Investigation of the impact of different chemical constituents under moderate and aggressive acidic conditions on the corrosion of SS, however, has not received sufficient attention despite the widespread use of SS-based machinery in industrial applications. Although the corrosion-inhibitory action of phosphate species on SS has been documented, detailed investigation, especially in the presence of interferents, has not been given due consideration. As such, variation of corrosion inhibition efficiency of HNO3 and H3PO4 on SS at different concentrations, and the impact of HNO3 and H3PO4 in the presence of chloride ions along with the effect of various phosphate species were investigated in this study. Despite the pitting corrosion promotion action of chloride species, mass loss measurements of rectangular stainless-steel specimens immersed separately in HNO3 and H3PO4 acid solutions at different concentrations in the presence of HCl, under ambient conditions, conclusively demonstrate the superior corrosion inhibitory behavior of H3PO4 over HNO3 on SS, even in chloride-rich environments under low acidic conditions. Polarization resistance determined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy further supports the corrosion inhibitory action of H3PO4 on SS, while open circuit measurements indicate the strong correlation between H3O+ and surface characteristics. The order of corrosion inhibition ability of phosphate species on SS, as determined by mass loss measurements, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Tafel slope analysis follows the order, Na3PO4 > Na2HPO4 ~ NaH2PO4 > H3PO4.
N-Dimensional Non-Degenerate Chaos Based on Singular Value Estimation with Application in Dynamic DNA Image Encryption
Authors: Wang Xiaotong , Dai Xu , Wang Yang , Wang Erfu
Published: November 2024

Due to the truncation effects inherent in implementing chaotic systems on digital circuits, the limited precision reduces the sensitivity of chaotic systems to initial conditions. This ultimately leads to the overlap of adjacent trajectories, causing the system to transition from a chaotic state to a periodic state or fixed point state. The Lyapunov exponent is a quantitative measures of chaotic characteristics, quantifying the average degree of convergence and divergence among chaotic trajectories. This paper proposes a Ndimensional non-degenerate chaotic construction algorithm based on singular value estimation (NC-CSVE) from the perspective of controlling the Jacobian matrix of system, achieving indirect control of the Lyapunov exponents (LEs). Experimental analyses using lyapunov spectrum, joint entropy, sample entropy, and NIST tests indicate that compared to existing nondegenerate chaos construction methods, the system constructed by our method demonstrates superior performance in terms of chaotic dynamic characteristics, algorithm complexity, and construction time expenditure, meeting the needs of practical application scenarios. Additionally, to validate the effectiveness and reliability of this method, this paper proposes a dynamic DNA color image encryption algorithm based on NC-CSVE.
The encryption techniques include three-dimensional six-direction bit diffusion (TDSBD), bit-plane global shift and local rotation scrambling (B-GSLR), DNA calculation rule extension (DNA-CRE) and DNA dynamic mutation (DNA-DM), achieving fast encryption of color images. Statistical test results show that the algorithm exhibits higher efficiency and excellent resistance to attacks. The encrypted images approach ideal values in terms of information entropy, histograms and pixel correlation, confirming the effectiveness and reliability of the algorithm.
Monitoring March 2024 solar and geomagnetic storm using broad-band seismometers
Authors: Diaz Jordi
Published: November 2024

The abrupt variations in the magnetic field due to the May 2024 geomagnetic storm have been recorded by broadband seismometers distributed around the world for a time interval of more than 55 hours. Signals related to magnetic field variations can be identified in seismic data for frequencies below 10 mHz, but are clearer between 1.5 and 5 mHz, the frequency band corresponding to Pc5 magnetic pulsations. The number of seismological stations that detect these signals varies significantly between the various seismic networks analyzed, but in general they do not exceed 50–60%. The origin of these signals appears to be related to the interaction between telluric currents induced by magnetic field disturbances associated with the geomagnetic storm and the detection systems in broadband sensors, which measure the current intensity necessary to keep the mass of the seismometer fixed. Although detailed calibration of each seismometer will be necessary to use the seismic data to model the waveforms and amplitudes of the magnetic pulsations, the analysis of this data provides a significant densification with respect to the magnetic observatory data, as is of interest to analyze the temporal and regional evolution of the magnetics disturbances associated to the May 2024 solar storm.
Italian Translation and Cultural Adaptation of the FACE-Q Skin Cancer Module
Authors: Cozzi Silvia , Cherubino Mario , Garutti Leonardo , Paganini Ferruccio , Vecchio Giulia Del , Corsini Beatrice , Matarazzo Sara , Carminati Marcello , Valdatta Luigi
Published: November 2024

Background. The concept of health-related quality of life (QOL) captures the patient's perspective on how the illness and its treatment affect their well-being. The FACE-Q Skin Cancer Module represents a validated patient-reported outcome (PRO) instrument, specifically developed for patients undergoing facial skin cancer surgery.
Methods. Upon authorization and licensing from the Q-Portfolio® team, the authors engaged the process of translation and cultural adaptation of this questionnaire into Italian, in accordance with the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.
Results. In the first step, two Italian translations are produced and reconciled into one. In the second step, the reconciled Italian version is reverse-translated into English. As third step, the back-translation was reviewed and approved by the Q-Portfolio team. A representative sample of the questionnaire’s potential target was interviewed, and final refinements were made in the fourth and final step. At the end of these phases, a validated and conceptually equivalent Italian version of the FACE-Q Skin Cancer Module was achieved.
Conclusions. This tool is currently ready and available for clinical and research purposes. The introduction of an Italian version marks a significant step towards enhancing its accessibility and relevance, ensuring tangible benefits for both clinicians and patients.
High Performance Dual-Core Bilateral Surface Optimized PCF SPR Biosensor for Early Detection of Six Distinct Cancer Cells
Authors: Nagavel B , Dagar Hitesh , Krishnan Prabu
Published: November 2024

This work presents a Photonic Crystal Fiber (PCF) based Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) biosensor with dual cores and bilateral-surface detection capability to enhance the early identification of cancerous cells. The biosensor processes cell samples with varying refractive indices, including both malignant and healthy samples. Due to its dual-side detection capabilities, enhanced sensitivity and identification accuracy in terms of resolution are achieved. The bilateral-surface precision SPR biosensor allows for continuous tracking of dynamic biomolecular interactions by detecting changes in resonance conditions. This biosensor can distinguish between MCF-7, PC12, Basal, MDAMB-231, HeLa, and Jurkat malignant cell types. The suggested biosensor is evaluated numerically using the Finite Element Method (FEM). Its performance is assessed for several malignant cells over a refractive index range of 1.360 to 1.401. The MCF7, MDAMB-231, PC12, HeLa, Jurkat, and Basal cells had wavelength sensitivities of 5714.28, 5714.28, 4285.72, 4285.71, 3333.33, and 3000 nm/RIU, respectively. The maximum wavelength sensitivity is 5714.28 nm/RIU, and the maximum amplitude sensitivity is 899.248 RIU´1 for the MCF7 cell. The greatest sensor resolution is 3.33 × 10´5 RIU, achieved by the Basal cell.
Anti-leishmanial activity of Hypericum Scabrum extract against Leishmania major
Authors: Saberi Reza , zad Zaynab Jamshid , Karimi Elaheh , Abdi Jahangir , Naserifar Razi , Mirzaei Asad
Published: November 2024

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease and one of the most significant neglected tropical diseases. Current anti-leishmanial treatments are often ineffective over extended periods and are associated with toxic side effects, highlighting the urgent need for new, effective, and safe alternative treatments for this infectious disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-leishmanial effects of a hydroalcoholic extract of Hypericum scabrum (H. scabrum), comparing its efficacy to that of the control drug glucantime against the standard strain of Leishmania major. The H. scabrum plants were collected from the western regions of Iran. A hydroalcoholic extract was prepared from the flower and stem of the plant using a maceration method. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis was conducted to identify the chemical compounds present in the extract. Promastigotes of L. major were cultured, and the anti-leishmanial activity of the extracts was assessed at concentrations ranging from 12.5 to 800 µg/ml using the MTT [3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide] assay. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for the H. scabrum plant extract at 24, 48, and 72 hours were 2245.47, 141.25 and 85.11 µg/ml, respectively. The IC50 values for glucantime (the control drug) at 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours were 30.19, 21.37, and 12.58 µg/ml, respectively. While the H. scabrum extract exhibited a lower effect compared to the control drug, it still demonstrated a significant inhibitory effect on the promastigote form of L. major. Given that the plant extract of H. scabrum has demonstrated promising anti-leishmanial effects against L. major promastigotes, further studies are warranted to evaluate the efficacy of these extracts in animal models of leishmaniasis.
Forecasting the soil microbiome at a continental scale
Authors: Werbin Zoey , Averill Colin , Bhatnagar Jennifer , Dietze Michael
Published: November 2024

Despite the critical role of soil microorganisms in ecosystem processes, it is unclear how well we can anticipate changes in the Earth's microbiome before they occur. To test this, we integrated continental-scale, standardized soil genomic and environmental surveys to develop the first forecasts of soil microorganisms across biomes and time. We find that the abundance of fungi and bacteria can be predicted with 50% and 91% accuracy, respectively, for up to a year ahead of time, by simulating seasonal cycles in taxon abundances. Forecasts perform best for microbes grouped at broad taxonomic ranks or by ecological groups, such as decomposers and plant symbionts, and the presence of plant-associated seasonal cycles increases the predictability of microbial groups. We highlight strengths and weaknesses in our capacity to predict the future of microorganisms on Earth and propose future directions to improve longer-term projections of soil organisms and the processes they drive.
Data reconstruction from machine learning models via inverse estimation and Bayesian inference
Authors: Hartoyo Agus , Ciupek Dominika , Malawski Maciej , Crimi Alessandro
Published: November 2024

This study explores the task of data reconstruction from machine learning models via inverse estimation and Bayesian inference, with the goal of recovering the original dataset solely based on the trained model. We introduce a novel theoretical framework that investigates the factors affecting the data reconstruction quality. Specifically, we derive expressions that quantify how variations in key variables influence the divergence between true and estimated posteriors by examining the concurrent behavior of their partial derivatives with respect to independent variables. This derivative-based approach establishes theoretical correlations between the variables, demonstrating that the fidelity of the recovered data is governed by two primary factors: (1) the accuracy of the assumed prior, and (2) the accuracy of the machine learning model. Empirical results across multiple benchmark datasets and machine learning algorithms corroborate these theoretical predictions, reinforcing the validity and robustness of our theoretical framework. Practically, our data reconstruction method enables the creation of synthetic models that closely replicate the performance of the original models. This work contributes to advancing the theoretical understanding and practical techniques for data reconstruction and model introspection within the context of machine learning.
WITHDRAWN: Peripheral Venous Pressure Measurements to Evaluate Congestion in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Coşkun mükremin , Evlice Mert , yıldırım abdullah , çetin abdullah eren , paçacı emre , sezici emre , coşkun halil , kurt ibrahim halil
Published: November 2024

The full text of this preprint has been withdrawn by the authors due to author disagreement with the posting of the preprint. Therefore, the authors do not wish this work to be cited as a reference. Questions should be directed to the corresponding author.
Estimation of Genetic Parameters, Heritability and Genetic Advance for Yield Related Traits in Black cumin (Nigella sativa) Genotypes in South Wollo Ethiopia
Authors: Endris Adem , Gedamu Yohannes
Published: November 2024

Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) is an annual spice valued for its use in flavoring food, cosmetics, and various industrial products. One of the main issues affecting the productivity of black cumin is the lack of improved varieties, which stems from limited information regarding the genetic diversity of Ethiopian black cumin populations. To address this gap, A study was carried out to assess the genetic variability and the interrelationships among traits associated with seed yield in various black cumin genotypes. A total of 25 genotypes were tested using a 5x5 simple lattice design in Hara, Tehuledere woreda during the 2022/2023 growing season. The broad-sense heritability (H2) and genetic advance as a percentage of the mean (GAM) varied significantly, with values ranging from 8.24% for days to 90% maturity to 89.56% for the number of tertiary branches per plant, and 4.51% for days to 90% maturity to 84.85% for the number of tertiary branches per plant, respectively. Notably, high to moderate estimates of genetic and phenotypic coefficients of variation (GCV and PCV), heritability, and GAM were observed for the number of tertiary branches per plant, number of flowers, number of capsules, biological yield, seed yield, and harvest index. The study concluded that there is significant variability among the black cumin genotypes, highlighting a substantial opportunity to utilize existing genetic variations for targeted selection to enhance specific traits.
SemFE:A Feature Matching Method for Learnable Local Semantic Feature Enhancement in Multimodal images
Authors: Teng Rongrui , Liao Yun , Wang Wei , Duan Qing , Liu Junhui , Jin Fangwei , Li Yunpeng , Qian Xu
Published: November 2024

Multimodal image matching has been a critical challenge within the field of computer vision over an extended period. In recent years, detector free methods have received widespread attention for achieving high matching accuracy. However, these methods often fail to fully exploit the semantic information within images, which is crucial for achieving accurate matching. To overcome this limitation, we propose SemFE, a multimodal image matching framework that leverages learnable local semantic feature enhancement. In SemFE, we designed a dynamic semantic feature extraction module to capture semantic information, along with a semantic information enhancement module to refine semantically related features. Additionally, we developed a multi-scale feature fusion backbone integrated with a transformer to further enhance feature extraction. Comprehensive experimental results demonstrate that SemFE consistently outperforms competing methods across various multimodal image datasets.
Disease burden and attributable risk factors of major depressive disorder in China, Japan, and South Korea from 1990 to 2021 and its prediction to 2035
Authors: Wang Yifan , Zhu Jingwen , Zhou Jihong
Published: November 2024

To analyze the disease burden of major depressive disorder (MDD) and risk factors associated with MDD in China, Japan, and South Korea(CJK) from 1990 to 2021, to explore the effects of age, period, and cohort on the disease burden of MDD, and to predict the burden of MDD in CJK from 2021 to 2035. The Global Burden of Disease 2021 (GBD) database was searched to collect the incidence rate, prevalence rate, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and risk factors of MDD in CJK. Trends in MDD burden from 1990-2021 were analyzed using Joinpoint 4.9.1.0. Age-period-cohort(APC) analyses were performed using the APC Web Tool. Bayesian age-period-cohort analyses(BAPC) were performed using R4.4.1. From 1990 to 2021, Japan had the highest burden of MDD, followed by South Korea, and China had the lowest burden of MDD; The average annual percentage change(AAPC) of MDD burden indicators in China was less than 0, while in Japan and South Korea, it was greater than 0. The analysis of age and gender differences showed that the MDD disease burden of middle-aged and elderly people over 55 years old in China increased most significantly from 1990 to 2021, while the MDD disease burden of young people aged 20-29 years old in Japan and South Korea increased most significantly. The MDD disease burden of females in CJK was higher than that of men from 1990 to 2021; APC analysis showed that the changes in the net drifts, local drifts, and rate ratio (RR) value of MDD incidence rate in CJK were closely related to the economic form and population aging in the three countries in terms of age, period, and cohort effect. Risk factor analysis showed that MDD had 3 levels and 5 risk factors; BAPCs showed that the burden of MDD in China would be a decreasing trend between 2021 and 2035, and the burden of MDD in Japan and South Korea would be a decreasing trend between 2021 and 2022, and an increasing trend between 2022 and 2035. There are both commonalities and differences in the burden of MDD in CJK, while the current burden of MDD in CJK is lower than the global average. Compared with Japan and South Korea, China has a lower burden of MDD, but all three countries still face enormous challenges in the prevention and control of MDD.
Internet of Things-based Intelligent Environmental Monitoring and Alert System
Authors: Enam Rabia Noor , Rizvi Huma Hasan , Khan Muzammil Ahmad , Bacarra Rex , Tahir Muhammad , Khan Abdullah Ayub , Alsayaydeh Jamil Abedalrahim Jamil
Published: November 2024

Usage of the Internet of Things (IoT) is rapidly rising worldwide as the technology can perform sophisticated tasks in every field of life. The proposed IoT-based Smart Environmental Monitoring and Alert System (SEMAS) is designed to measure multiple atmospheric parameters and if the system observes any weather or environmental changes then it can notify the user via text or any other notification method over the internet. Moreover, the system will be able to collect a very detailed database with more detailed information on weather and infrastructure per head region and can provide the solution to the worst-case scenarios. In the proposed experiments, data collection from different sensors have shown different behaviors in terms of variations from one node to another. We have developed symmetric variation fields and analyzed these behaviors, and have proposed different sensing plane types of Low Range Low Variation (LRLV) data plane, Low Range High Variation (LRHV) data plane, High Range Low Variation (HRLV) data plane and High Range High Variation (HRHV) data plane that can overlap the target fields. In this paper, we have proposed SEMAS that can achieve its purpose by adopting the “smart monitoring approach” using the virtual sensing plane patterns. Furthermore, the placement of nodes according to the proposed sensing planes can optimize the deployment strategy of IoT/sensor nodes in the network.
Human beta cells become dysfunctional prior to type 1 diabetes diagnosis
Authors: Teitelman Gladys
Published: November 2024

Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease that leads to beta cell death. To test whether beta cell defects precede diagnosis we surveyed the expression of pCREB in human islet cells. pCREB is a transcription factor produced by islet alpha cells that is regulated by the incretin Glucagon-Like Peptide (GLP-1). Since levels of GLP-1 rise during diabetes development, we asked whether this increase would be deleterious to islet cells. This analysis indicated that while islet cells of control donors display pCREB in the nucleus, the transcription factor was also found in the cytoplasm of insulin cells of normoglycemic prediabetic donors and of beta and alpha cells of recently diagnosed donors. The translocation of pCREB, which decreases its activity, was correlated with reduced or absent expression of insulin and of a protease. These changes suggest an alteration in protein homeostasis. The cytoplasmic localization of pCREB is transient, since the transcription factor moves to the nuclei of insulin and glucagon cells of donors with longer standing disease. The present observations suggest a possible correlation between the known increase in GLP-1 during diabetes development, and early islet cell defects due to alteration in the cellular localization of pCREB.
A Review on Air Traffic Flow Management Optimization: Trends, Challenges, and Future Directions
Authors: Aditya Verma , Aswin Dande Sureshkumar , Dhaneesh Somasundaram Vanitha , Chakravarthy Sakthivelan , Kumar Bhukya Shanmuk , Venkadavarahan Marimuthu
Published: November 2024

Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) is the backbone of modern aviation and ensures that aircraft move safely and efficiently through increasingly congested skies. As global air travel grows, managing air traffic has become more pressing than ever. This review assesses ten years of the ATFM literature, the period between 2014 and 2024, and discusses 162 studies published in peer-reviewed journals. Employing VOSViewer and Biblioshiny, this review analyzes the history of ATFM research. It explores the trends and gaps in research, which suggest there is room for improvement for more sound approaches. While optimization techniques have significantly improved efficiency and eased bottlenecks, the future lies in real-time solutions that can handle unpredictable events, from weather disruptions to technical failures. The review identified key areas for optimizing ATFM, categorized by primary focus: delay minimization, airspace congestion, and scheduling. It suggests ways in which more dynamic ATFM systems are possible in the growing global aviation network. By synthesizing the current research landscape, this review addresses the progress made. It offers a roadmap for future innovations that will enhance the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of air traffic management.
Dynamic Competitiveness, Firm Performance and the Regulatory Role of Government Policies in Industry 5.0
Authors: My Sang Tang , Tien Hung Nguyen
Published: November 2024

Industry 5.0 poses many challenges for insurance companies. This article explores the impact of sustainable competitive advantage on firm performance under the regulatory effect of government policies in Vietnamese insurance companies. The study surveyed 248 leaders at insurance companies and used the PLS-SEM method to analyze the data in two steps. The research results show that sustainable competitive advantage is positively influenced by infrastructure capacity, digital orientation, market orientation, and innovation capacity. Sustainable competitive advantage has a strong effect on firm performance. The results also confirm the mediating role of sustainable competitive advantage and the regulatory role of government policy. From there, the implication of a solution for insurance companies has been proposed. This study provides further empirical evidence from the insurance industry for dynamic resource theory and stakeholder theory. Furthermore, the results are also the basis for managers to plan sustainable business strategies.
Attitude and behavior of health care providers towards provision of drug information services at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital: A prospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Tekle Masho Tigabe , Sema Faisel Dula , Gebremariam Saron Naji , Worku Minichil Chanie , Ayenew Mulugeta Endalamaw , Jara Abdisa Gemedi
Published: November 2024

Background
Providing appropriate drug information (DI) to an individual patient promote rational drug use and reduces non-adherence, drug interactions, adverse drug reactions, and medical costs which might be caused by poly-pharmacy and complex drug treatment regimens. Healthcare providers play a vital role in improving patient outcomes, through provision of appropriate drug information service (DISs). This study aimed to assess the attitude and behavior of healthcare providers towards the provision of DISs and its associated factors at the University of Gondar Comprehensive specialized Hospital (UOGCSH), Northwest Ethiopia, 2024.
Methods
From May 1, 2024 to July 30, 2024 a prospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 242 healthcare providers at UOGCSH. Data was entered in to EPI DATA software (4.6.0.2) and analyzed by SPSS version 26. Multivariable binary logistic regression was used to identify predictors of attitude and behavior of healthcare providers towards provision of DISs. P-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant and reported as 95%CI.
Results
The overall median (IQR) attitude score was 65.96 (IQR: 61–71) and majority, 176 (72.7%) respondents had favorable attitude and behavior. Statistical significance difference were observed in terms of profession (p = 0.013), receiving of DI question (p = 0.023), source of DI; conference (p = 0.011), training (p = 0.008), database (p = 0.003), and barriers for providing DISs; lack of fund to run DICs (p = 0.020), lack of team spirit among healthcare providers (p = 0.007), lack of transparency and accountability in running government affair (0.042), and lack of motivation from health providers (p = 0.030). Source of DI; training (AOR = 0.474, 95% CI = 0.237– 0.948, p = 0.035), database (AOR = 2.054, 95% CI = 1.022–4.127, p = 0.043), receiving DI question from healthcare provider (AOR = 0.389, 95% CI = 0.203–0.748, p = 0.005), and barriers for DISs provision; lack of fund to run DICs (AOR = 2.163, 95% CI = 1.020–4.584, p = 0.044) were significantly associated with favorable attitude and behavior.
Conclusions
Majority of health care providers had favorable attitude and behaviors towards provision of DIS. Training, database, receiving DI question from healthcare provider, and lack of fund to run DICs were predictors of favorable attitude and behavior.
Vitamin D levels in postmenopausal women diagnosed with Central Retinal Vein Occlusion: a case-control study
Authors: Kazantzis Dimitrios , Machairoudia Genovefa , Theodossiadis Panagiotis , Chatziralli Irini
Published: November 2024

Purpose
To compare Vitamin D levels in postmenopausal women diagnosed with Central Retinal Vein occlusion (CRVO) and investigate if vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for CRVO in this population.
Methods
This was a case-control study. Participants in this study were 32 postmenopausal women diagnosed with CRVO, and 32 age- and sex- matched controls. Peripheral blood samples were taken to evaluate vitamin D along with Calcium, magnesium and phosphate concentrations.
Results
Mean age in women with CRVO was 69.03 ± 8.14 years and 69.41 ± 8.06 years in controls. Women with CRVO were more likely to have elevated blood pressure compared to controls. (p = 0.04, chi-square test). 19 out of 32 women with CRVO had vitamin D deficiency compared to 6 out of 32 controls (p = 0.0008, chi-square test) using the 20ng/ml cutoff. Mean calcium, magnesium and phosphate levels were comparable between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for hypertension and diabetes showed that vitamin D deficiency was associated with increased odds for CRVO (OR = 2.06, 95%CI = 1.10–3.86, p = 0.024).
Conclusion
Vitamin D deficiency is common in women with CRVO. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, vitamin D deficiency was proven to be associated with a 2-fold increased risk for CRVO in postmenopausal women. Further studies are needed to validate this result in other populations.