bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of N-Acetylcysteine on The Neurotoxicity of Sevoflurane in Developing Hippocampus Cells
Authors: Adiyeke Esra , Bakan Nurten , Uvez Ayca , Arslan Devrim Oz , KILIC Sima , Koc Berkcan , Ozer Samed , Saatci Ozlem , Armutak Elif Ilkay
Published: September 2023

Sevoflurane, a common pediatric anesthetic, has been linked to neurodegeneration, raising safety concerns. This study explored N-acetylcysteine's protective potential against sevoflurane-induced neurotoxicity in rat hippocampi. Four groups were examined: Control: Received 6 hours of 3 l/min gas (air and 30% O2) and intraperitoneal saline. NAC: Received 6 hours of 3 l/min gas and 150mg/kg NAC intraperitoneally. Sev: Exposed to 6 hours of 3 l/min gas and 3% sevoflurane. Sev+NAC: Received 6 hours of 3 l/min gas, 3% sevoflurane, and 150mg/kg NAC. Protein levels of NRF-2, NLRP3, IL-1β, caspase-1, Beclin 1, p62, LC3A, and apoptosis markers were assessed. Sevoflurane and NAC alone reduced autophagy, while Sev+NAC group maintained autophagy levels. Sev group had elevated NRF-2, NLRP3, pNRF2, Caspase-1, and IL-1β, which were reduced in Sev+NAC. Apoptosis was higher in Sev, but Sev+NAC showed reduced apoptosis compared to the control. In summary, sevoflurane induced neurotoxicity in developing hippocampus, which was mitigated by N-acetylcysteine administration.
Antifungal Susceptibility Pattern of Candida species Isolated from Pregnant Women in ‎Hajjah Governorate, Yemen
Authors: Edrees Wadhah
Published: September 2023

Background and Aims: Candida species, opportunistic yeast, are the second most common cause of female vulvovaginal candidiasis. This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal susceptibility profile of the isolated Candida species in pregnant women in Hajjah governorate, Yemen.
Materials and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 396 pregnant women attending Authority AL-Gumhorri Hospital Hajjah between February and July 2023. Vaginal swabs were collected, and Candida species were isolated and identified based on the standard laboratory method. Furthermore, the antifungal drug susceptibility of Candida species was determined by the Kirby-Bauer technique.
Results: The prevalence of vaginal Candida infection among pregnant women was 61.4%. Candida albicans and non-albicans Candida had prevalence rates of 59.26% and 40.74%, respectively. The highest rate of Candida infections was among women aged 24–30 years (71.9%) who finished primary school (77.8%), with the third trimester (80%), multigravida (66.1%), and recurrent infection (67.7%) showing significant differences (P ˂ 0.05). The isolated Candidaspecies revealed susceptibility to ketoconazole (89.7%), amphotericin B (84.8%), miconazole (84.8%), itraconazole (83.5%), and fluconazole (79%). In contrast,30.5% of Candidaspecies were resistant to clotrimazole. Additionally, approximately 46.2% of isolated Candida albicans exhibited one kind of antifungal drug resistance, whereas 38.7% of isolated non-albicans exhibited resistance to three different antifungal agents.
Conclusion: According to the above findings, Candida infection is highly prevalent in Yemen and quite widespread. Interventions in health education are advised to increase women's knowledge of vaginitis and its prevention. The antifungal susceptibility test may also be helpful in determining the best medication for each patient.
Improving childhood immunization service delivery in Cameroon: A synthesis of caregiver experiences and recommendations
Authors: Saidu Yauba , Gu Jessica , Ngenge Budzi Michael , Nchinjoh Sangwe Clovis , Adidja Amani , Edwidge Nnang Nadege , Muteh Nkwain Jude , Zambou Vouking Marius , Mbanga Clarence , Agbor Valirie Ndip , Ousmane Diaby , Njoh Andreas Ateke , Flegere Junie , Diack Demba , Wiwa Owens , Montomoli Emmanuele , Clemens Sue Ann Costa
Published: September 2023

Background: A ‘people-centered’ approach is one of the core principles of the immunization agenda (IA) 2030 and emphasizes the need for services to be organized around the needs and expectations of individuals and the community. A better understanding of the immunization experience from the client’s perspective is key to guiding design of policies and interventions aimed at improving immunization delivery and coverage.This study provides a synthesis of the immunization experiences of children’s caregivers in Cameroon, highlighting potential barriers for timely and complete immunization.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, targeting caregivers of children brought to selected health facilities for immunization in all ten regions of Cameroon. Using structured questionnaires, data were collected from caregivers and analyzed using STATA version 13.
Results: In total, 1,230 caregivers were interviewed in 265 health facilities. The median age of participants was 27 years and the median number of children per caregiver was two children. Most (87%) of the study participants reported to be satisfied with immunization service delivery. The median waiting time for vaccination was 1 hour 48 minutes, with regional median waiting times ranging from 18 minutes in the South region to 4 hours 6 minutes in the North region. About a quarter (24%) of surveyed participants reported to have presented to a health facility for immunization services and were turned away without achieving the purpose for which they came at least once. About half (48%) of the caregivers had never heard about planned vaccination activities in their communities
Conclusion: While most caregivers appeared to be satisfied with immunization service delivery in Cameroon, our study highlights some notable caregiver concerns which if addressed, may go a long way to enhance the immunization experience of caregivers in Cameroon, build trust in immunization services and thus improve vaccination uptake.
Experimental study on PDC single-tooth flexible vibration reduction effect
Authors: Haitao Ren , Zhou Sheng , Jia Xin , Yang Yingxin , Zhou Chunxiao , Zhan Qi
Published: September 2023

In oil and gas drilling engineering, when PDC bit is drilled into inhomogeneous strata, soft and hard alternating strata, and directional drilling and other complex working conditions, it often encounters frequent impact loads, resulting in abnormal failure accidents, which greatly reduces the performance of the bit. The technical concept of flexible cutting rock breaking is to reduce the stiffness by setting elastic elements, reduce the impact load amplitude suffered in the cutting process to a certain range, and achieve the purpose of extending the service life of the bit. The effects of cutting depth, rake angle and disc spring series combination on the damping effect of flexible damping unit are analyzed through experiments on limestone. The results show that the flexible vibration reduction cutting can effectively reduce the peak cutting load and load fluctuation by 20%~35%. When the flexible tolerance ratio is near 67.6%, the flexible vibration damping effect is the best. The effect of flexible vibration reduction is positively correlated with the combined stiffness of the disc spring and the rake angle. The optimum stiffness combination of the elastic elements is 2 A-type disc springs in series and the optimum rake angle is 15°.
Bouncing cosmology and dynamical analysis of stability with non-minimal kinetic coupled gravity
Authors: Amani Alireza , Kubeka A. S. , Mahichi E.
Published: September 2023

We model the bounce phase, stability and the reconstruction of the universe by non-minimal kinetic coupling. In the process, we obtained importance information about the energy density and the matter pressure of the universe in relation to the previous universe through the bounce quantum phase. The novelty of the work is that the scale factor is obtained directly from the model and is fitted with an exponential function, with this view we explore the process of the early universe even the bounce phase. After that, we plot the cosmological parameters in terms of time evolution. In what follows, we investigate the stability of the model by the dynamical system analysis in a phase plane. Finally, the phase space trajectories examine the stability of the universe, especially in the inflationary period.
Neuroprotective effect of a multistrain probiotic mixture in SOD1G93A mice by reducing SOD1 aggregation and targeting the microbiota-gut-brain axis
Authors: Xin Zikai , Xin Cheng , Huo Jia , Liu Qi , Dong Hui , Li Rui , Liu Yaling
Published: September 2023

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease characterized by the selective loss of motor neurons. A bidirectional communication system known as the “microbiota-gut-brain” axis has a regulatory function in neurodegenerative disorders. The impact of probiotics on ALS through the “microbiota-gut-brain” axis remains uncertain.
Methods: A longitudinal investigation was conducted to examine the alterations in the structure of the ileum and colon in SOD1G93A mice by using immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Subsequently, the mice were administered a multistrain probiotic mixture (LBE) or vehicle orally, starting from 60 days of age until the terminal stage of the disease. The effects of these agents on the behavior, gut microbiota, microbial metabolites, and pathological processes of the spinal and intestinal of SOD1G93A mice were analyzed, with a focus on exploring potential protective mechanisms.
Results: SOD1G93A mice exhibit various structural abnormalities in the intestine. Oral administration of LBE improved the proinflammatory response, reduced aberrant SOD1 aggregation, and protected neuronal cells in the intestine and spinal cord of SOD1G93A mice. Furthermore, LBE treatment resulted in a change in intestinal microbiota, an increase in short-chain fatty acid levels, and an enhancement in autophagy flux.
Conclusions: SOD1G93A mice exhibited various structural abnormalities in the intestine. LBE can improve the proinflammatory response, reduce aberrant SOD1 aggregation, and protect neuronal cells in the spinal cord and intestine of SOD1G93A mice. The positive effect of LBE can be attributed to increased SCFAs and enhanced autophagy flux.
Maternal behaviours disrupted by Gprasp2 deletion modulate neurodevelopmental trajectory in progeny
Authors: Pereira Marta , Laranjo Mariana , Gomes Marcos , Edfawy Mohamed , Peça João
Published: September 2023

Background
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are known to present sex-specific differences. Understanding how maternal behaviours are affected by pathogenic mutations is crucial to translate research efforts, since rearing may recursively modulate neurodevelopment phenotype of the progeny. In this work, we focused on the effects Gprasp2 deletion in females and its impact in progeny care and development.
Methods
Female mice, wild-type (WT), Gprasp2+/- (HET) or Gprasp2-/- (KO) mutants and their progeny were used. Behavioural paradigms targeting anxiety, memory, maternal care, and other social behaviours were performed. Analysis of communication was carried out through daily recordings of ultrasonic vocalizations in isolated pups. Cross-fostering experiments were performed to understand the effect of maternal genotype in pup development.
Results
We found that Gprasp2-/- females presented striking impairments in social and working memory. Females also showed disruptions in maternal care, as well as physiological and molecular alterations in the reproductive system and hypothalamus, such as the structure of the mammary gland and the expression levels of oxytocin receptor (OxtR) in nulliparous versus primiparous females. We observed alterations in pup communication, particularly a reduced number of calls in Gprasp2 KO pups, which resulted from an interaction effect of the dam and pup genotype. Cross-fostering mutant pups with wild-type dams rescued some of the early defects shown in vocalizations. This effect was not bidirectional, as rearing WT pups with Gprasp2-/- dams was not sufficient to induce significant phenotypical alterations.
Conclusions
Our results suggest Gprasp2 mutations perturb social and working memory in a sex-independent manner, but impact female-specific behaviours towards progeny care, female physiology, and gene expression. These changes in mutant dams contribute to a disruption in early stages of progeny development. More generally, our results highlight the need to better understand GxE interactions in the context of ASDs, when female behaviour may present a contributing factor in postnatal neurodevelopmental trajectory.
Leveraging Multi-Task Learning in Code-Switched setting
Authors: R Mithun Kumar S , Pitale Omkar , Malapati Aruna
Published: September 2023

Multilingualism is the ability to converse fluently in more than one language. In multilingual societies, code-switching, the practise of switching languages during a conversation, occurs often, creating a need for multilingual dialogue and voice recognition systems in natural language processing (NLP). However, interpreting code-switching utterances is extremely difficult for these NLP systems, as the model must adjust to code-switching patterns. In recent years, deep learning strategies have enabled natural language systems with massive volumes of training data to attain human-level performance in languages. However, they cannot accommodate a large number of low-resource languages, mostly mixed languages. Also, code-switching, despite being a common occurrence, is unique to spoken language and lacks the transcriptions necessary for training deep learning models. Our work in this paper, explores the usage of multi-task learning in code-switched setting to see if it can leverage from the training signals of related tasks and improve the generalizability as well as boost the performance and metrics of our model.
Neurodevelopmental Effects of Prenatal Bisphenol A Exposure on the Role of MicroRNA Regulating NMDA Receptor Subunits in the Rat Hippocampus
Authors: Nayan Norazirah Mat , Husin Andrean , Kadir Siti Hamimah Sheikh Abd , Siran Rosfaiizah , Ali Nur Faizah
Published: September 2023

Maternal BPA exposure is known to cause learning and memory deficits in born offspring. However, little is known that the impairment is potentially caused by epigenetic modification. This study investigates the effect of prenatal BPA exposure on the microRNA expression: miR-19a and miR-539 encoding NMDA receptor subunits in the developing hippocampus with learning and memory functions when reaching adolescence. Pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were orally exposed at 5 mg/kg/day while the control was without BPA. The expression of miRNAs and NMDA receptor subunits in the hippocampus were examined at different stages of age by conducting the RT-PCR and Western Blot. The behavior of rats was then evaluated at adolescence age. Prenatal BPA exposure at 5 mg/kg/day was revealed to significantly reduce the expression of miR-19a and miR-539 concurrently with GRIN2A and GRIN2B expression at all stages of age. Consequently, the rats experience impairment in spatial and fear memory assessments compared to the control. Further, protein analysis revealed that GluN2A and GluN2B were also reduced before and after the assessment. The findings showed epigenetics modification on miR-19a and miR-539 during early development has been identified as one of the root causes of memory and learning impairment in rats when reaching adolescence.
Management Practices and Costs Associated with Diabetes Clinical Metrics as Measured by Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS)
Authors: Alkhaddo Jamil , Rung Jillian M. , Khowaja Ameer , Yin Yue , Richards Shannon B. , Drury-Gworek Charlotte , Afreen Samina , Rossi Caitlan , Manzi Susan
Published: September 2023

Background The clinical outcomes of diabetes can be influenced by primary care providers’ (PCP) practices. This study explores the association between PCP practices and performance measured by established diabetes metrics and related costs.Methods Electronic medical records were used to gather diabetes metrics derived from the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set and to rank PCP practices into high- and low-performing groups. Allowed amounts in claim data were used to calculate total and diabetes-related costs, including emergency room and hospital utilization. Participants included diabetic patients who had office visits to 44 ranked PCP practices from April 2019 to March 2020, for a total of 19,059 clinic visits. We also analyzed costs related to diabetic patients having Highmark Health insurance plans in the same period, for a total of 3,170 patients. The main measures included management practices that lead to better diabetes outcomes and costs associated with outcomes.Results Comparing 10,834 visits in high-performing practice to 8,235 visits in low-performing practice, referrals to certified diabetes care and education specialists and provider-to-provider electronic consults (e-consults) were higher in high-performing practices (Z = 6.06, p < .0001), while traditional referrals were higher in low-performing practices (Z = -6.94, p < .0001). The patient-to-provider ratio was higher in the low-performing group (M = 235.23) than in the high-performing group (M = 153.26) (Z = -2.82, p = .0048). Claims data analysis included 1,787 and 1,383 patients from high- and low-performing providers, respectively. The patient-to-provider ratio was higher in the low-performing group (p = .009, V = 0.62). Patients receiving care from lower-performing practices were more likely to have had a diabetes-related hospital observation (5.8% vs. 4.1%, p = .02; V = .04) and higher diabetes-related care costs (p = .002; d = − .07), but after controlling for patients’ characteristics, these differences were not significant (p = .14). Patients seeing low-performing providers had higher Charlson Comorbidity Index scores (Mdn = 3) than those seeing high-performing providers (Mdn = 2).Conclusions Referrals to the CDCES and e-Consult were associated with better measured diabetes outcomes, but without significant cost or hospital utilization differences.
Identification and Verification of KEAP1-related genes and targets regulated by potential ingredients in KRAS mutant colorectal cancer
Authors: Wang Gang , Zhi-Min Zhu , Wang Kun , Xu Xiao-Na
Published: September 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common tumors with complex pathogenesis, and the recurrence leads to poor prognosis in patients with CRC. In the present study, we explored computational simulations through bioinformatics analysis and identified Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) in the crosstalk among KEAP1 oncogenic signatures of KRAS mutant that were associated with progression, metastasis, and poor clinical outcomes in CRC. The most recent TCGA data shows that the KRAS mutation is found in 44% of CRC patients. In total, 28 genes were identified as DEGs, and the hub genes such as CDKN2A, SPP1, FOS, BCL2L11 and HPSE were Verified. We further investigated the correlation between the clinical characteristics with prognostic gene expression levels among the KRAS and KEAP1-related key hub genes in COAD, which as predicted targets and demonstrated the anticancer activities of potential drugs in HERB database. Results indicated that SOX9, SPP1 significant correlation with the target predicition of the active herbal ingredients and molecular docking analysis of Key Genes. Furthermore, KEAP1, NFE2L2, SOX9 expression were decreased significantly with the treatment of potential ingredients. Furthermore, cyclopamine could enhance the sensitivity of HCT116 cells, up-regulated the expression of SPP1, and induced activation of KEAP1-NFE2L2 pathway, which cell death are characteristic features of apoptosis, and enhanced anticancer effect. Therefore, KEAP1-related genes might be important oncogenic signatures in KRAS mutant CRC cells and cyclopamine was identified as a potential ingredient and regulated the predict targets of SOX9 and SPP1, may be expand the efficacy and range of novel and effective therapeutics.
Cerebral microvascular endothelial cell-derived extracellular vesicles regulate blood−brain barrier function
Authors: Baharak Hosseinkhani , Gayel Duran , Cindy Hoeks , Doryssa Hermans , Melissa Schepers , Paulien Baeten , Joren Poelmans , Britt Coenen , Kübra Bekar , Isabel Pintelon , Jean-Pierre Timmermans , Tim Vanmierlo , Luc Michiels , Niels Hellings , Broux Bieke
Published: September 2023

Autoreactive T lymphocytes crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) into the central nervous system (CNS) play a crucial role in the initiation of demyelination and neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS). Recently, extracellular vesicles (EV) secreted by BBB endothelial cells (BBB-EC) have emerged as a unique form of cell-to-cell communication that contributes to cerebrovascular dysfunction. However, the precise impact of different size-based subpopulations of BBB-EC-derived EV (BBB-EV) on the early stages of MS remains unclear. Therefore, our objective was to investigate the content and function of distinct BBB-EV subpopulations in regulating BBB integrity and their role in T cell transendothelial migration, both in vitro and in vivo. Our study reveals that BBB-ECs release two distinct size based EV populations, namely small EVs (sEVs; 30-150nm) and large EVs (lEVs; 150-300nm), with a significantly higher secretion of sEVs during inflammation. Notably, the expression patterns of cytokines and adhesion markers differ significantly between these BBB-EV subsets, indicating specific functional differences in the regulation of T cell migration. Through in vitro experiments, we demonstrate that lEVs, which predominantly reflect their cellular source, play a major role in BBB integrity loss and the enhanced migration of proinflammatory Th1 and Th17.1 cells. Conversely, sEVs appear to protect BBB function by inducing an anti-inflammatory phenotype in BBB-ECs. These findings align with our in vivo data, where the administration of sEVs to mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) results in lower disease severity compared to the administration of lEVs, which exacerbates disease symptoms. In conclusion, our study highlights the distinct and opposing effects of BBB-EV subpopulations on the BBB, both in vitro and in vivo. These findings underscore the need for further investigation into the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of BBB-EVs in the context of MS.
Pharmacological blockade of 2-AG degradation ameliorates clinical, neuroinflammatory and synaptic alterations in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Guadalupi Livia , Mandolesi Georgia , Vanni Valentina , Balletta Sara , Caioli Silvia , De Vito Francesca , Fresegna Diego , Sanna Krizia , Vitiello Laura , Nencini Monica , Tartacca Alice , Rovella Valentina , Schippling Sven , Pavlovic Anto , Ruf Iris , Collin Ludovic , Centonze Diego , Musella Alessandra
Published: September 2023

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is critically involved in the pathophysiology of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Over the past decade, the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of the ECS have been studied, and inhibiting the degradation of the endocannabinoid 2-arachydonoylglycerol (2-AG) is emerging as a promising strategy to counteract brain damage in MS. In this study, a systemic and preventive in vivo treatment with MAGLi 432, the reversible inhibitor of monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGLi), was performed in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice. Clinical, biochemical, electrophysiological and immunofluorescence analyses were carried out to evaluate the impact of the drug on motor disability, neuroinflammation and synaptic damage. MAGLi 432 induced a less severe EAE disease, accompanied by an increase of 2-AG and a reduction of acid arachidonic (AA) and prostaglandins (PGs) brain levels. MAGLi 432 reversed the striatal synaptic hyperexcitability promoted by EAE neuroinflammatory insult. Furthermore, MAGLi 432 reduced both astrogliosis and microgliosis in EAE, as microglia/macrophages density was reduced, in parallel with a less reactive morphology. By flow cytometry analysis, we also observed less infiltrating CD45 + and CD3 + cells in the brain of MAGLi 432-treated EAE mice.
In conclusion, in vivo MAGL inhibition promotes a significant amelioration of EAE clinical disability and striatal inflammatory synaptopathy through potent anti-inflammatory effects, including an enhanced 2-AG tone and reduced PGs levels, gliosis, and lymphocyte infiltration. Overall, these data provide new mechanistic insights into the neuroprotective role of the ECS during neuroinflammation and reveal the therapeutic potential of MAGLi-based drugs in MS inflammatory and neurodegenerative brain damage.
Electronic regulation of Co confined on N-MXene for efficient electroreduction of CO2 to methanol
Authors: Xu Baomin , Hu Bihua , Chu Bingxian , Cao Hailin , Lei Zhiwei , Cui Shuyu , Wang Peizhi , Tang Jun , Wang Xingzhu
Published: September 2023

Molecular catalysts with well-designed structures and rich metal-nitrogen active sites have attracted tremendous attention for efficient electroreduction of carbon dioxide (ERCD) due to the benefits of its clearly defined active sites for mechanism studies. However, the catalytic efficiency and selectivity are strongly limited by this metal-nitrogen structure with a fixed electronic structure, resulting in a low production efficiency of more valuable products. In this work, we report an electronic regulated CoPc by in-situ anodic oxidation of the N-doped Ti3C2Tx (N-MXene) nanosheets with CoPc nanoparticles anchored (named as CoPc/o-N-MXene), exhibiting high activity and tailorable selectivity with a Faradic efficiency (FE) of methanol as high as 39.0% with a current density of 32.7 mA cm-2 at -1.0 V (vs. RHE) in CO2 saturated 0.5 M KHCO3 with H-type cell. A strong interaction between Co-N4 active sites and N-MXene after oxidation were confirmed with the formation of Co-N-MXene bond, contributing to the transformation of intermediate *CO into *HCO, and consequently, a high selectivity of ERCD to methanol. The as-obtained CoPc/o-N-MXene also reveals a dramatically stable ERCD performance over 20 h. Furthermore, by combining DFT calculations, it is proposed that the electronic regulation of Co-N4 by N-doped MXene promotes the formation of intermediate *HCO to facilitate the production of methanol in ERCD. Remarkably, our work provides a novel perspective on the mechanism of ERCD to methanol, and a new avenue for the synthesis of effective catalysts.
Antibiotic Resistance Profiles of Gut Microbiota Across Various Primate Species in Guangxi
Authors: Huang Hongli , Pang Xianwu , Que Tengcheng , Chen Panyu , Li Shousheng , Wu Aiqiong , He Meihong , Qiu Hong , Hu Yanling
Published: September 2023

Understanding the gut microbiota and antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) profiles in non-human primates (NHPs) is crucial for evaluating their potential impact on human health and the environment. In this study, we performed metagenomic analysis of 203 primate fecal samples, including nine NHP species and humans, to comprehensively characterize their gut microbiota and ARGs. Our study reveals the prevailing phyla in primates as Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Euryarchaeota, and Proteobacteria. The captive NHPs exhibited higher ARG abundance compared to their wild counterparts, with tetracycline and beta-lactam resistance genes prevailing. Notably, ARG subtypes in Trachypithecus leucocephalus (T. leucocephalus) residing in karst limestone habitats displayed a more dispersed distribution compared to other species. Interestingly, ARG profiles of NHPs clustered based on geographic location and captivity status. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed intricate correlations between ARG subtypes and bacterial taxa. Procrustes analysis unveiled a significant correlation between ARGs and microbial phylogenetic community structure. Taxonomic composition analysis further highlighted differences in microbial abundance among NHPs and humans. Our study underscores the impact of lifestyle and geographical location on NHP gut microbiota and ARGs, providing essential insights into the potential risks posed by NHPs to antibiotic resistance dissemination. This comprehensive analysis enhances our understanding of the interplay between NHPs and the gut resistome, offering a critical reference for future research on antibiotic resistance and host-microbe interactions.
Distributions and Bootstrap for Data-based Stochastic Programming
Authors: Chen Xiaotie , Woodruff David L.
Published: September 2023

In the context of optimization under uncertainty, we consider various combinations of distribution estimation and resampling (bootstrap and bagging) for obtaining samples used to estimate a confidence interval for an optimality gap. This paper makes three experimental contributions to on-going research in data driven stochastic programming: a) most of the combinations of distribution estimation and resampling result in algorithms that have not been published before, b) within the algorithms, we describe innovations that improve performance, and c) we provide open-source software implementations of the algorithms. Among others, three important conclusions can be drawn: using a smoothed point estimate for the optimality gap for the center of the confidence interval is preferable to a purely empirical estimate, bagging generally performs better than bootstrap, and smoothed bagging sometimes performs better than bagging based directly on the data.
Enhancing Innovation and Collaboration in the Leather Processing Industry: A Case Study of the KIWANGO Leather Cluster
Authors: China Cecilia R. , Mgumia Athman , Trojer Lena , Nungu Amos
Published: September 2023

In the era of Industry 4.0, fostering innovation through strong collaboration among universities, industry, and government is crucial. However, the Tanzanian economy has faced challenges due to weak links between these entities. To address this, Sida initiated the Innovation Systems and Cluster Development Program (ISCP-Tz) in partnership with the University of Dar es Salaam. This was followed by a program at COSTECH focused on fostering innovation for socioeconomic development. As part of these programs, 15 clusters, including KIWANGO Leather, were selected for documentation of their experiences. KIWANGO Leather exemplifies successful collaboration between cluster firms, the university, local government, and research institutions. Operationalizing guidelines for collaboration led to cooperative innovations, knowledge exchange, internships, and long-term partnerships established through Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The cluster's experiences highlight a non-linear, inclusive innovation process with positive outcomes. This paper aims to showcase this innovative approach and its results, encouraging actors in emerging innovation ecosystems in the Global South to adopt and scale up similar strategies for knowledge co-creation that can contribute to sustainable development. By adopting these approaches and fostering collaborative networks, countries can leverage their resources and expertise to drive innovation, create economic growth, and address societal challenges.
Eight-year survival and growth of Sakhalin fir (Abies sachalinensis) seedlings with one weeding operation: Impact of mechanical site preparation, vegetation release, summer planting, stock type, and forwarder trail
Authors: Harayama Hisanori , Tsuyama Ikutaro , Yamada Takeshi , Kitao Mitsutoshi , Furuya Naoyuki , Yazaki Kenichi , Sugai Tetsuto , Uemura Akira , Sasaki Shozo , Utsugi Hajime
Published: September 2023

In Hokkaido, northern Japan, bareroot Sakhalin fir seedlings are conventionally planted in short periods during spring and fall following strip site preparation that alternates managed and unmanaged strips to reduce labor requirements. Postplanting, seven years of weeding are imperative owing to the relentless encroachment of evergreen dwarf bamboo from unmanaged strips. Given diminishing forest labor availability, this protocol poses increasing challenges. We hypothesized that comprehensive mechanical site preparation (MSP) to eradicate dwarf bamboo across the entire site could reduce weeding frequency by delaying the regeneration of competing vegetation. Furthermore, using container seedlings could extend the planting season to summer. Over an eight-year period, we examined the survival and growth of summer-planted bareroot and container seedlings in a fully MSP-treated site, with a single weeding operation conducted in the fifth year. Whole-site MSP induced a shift from dwarf bamboo to deciduous woody and herbaceous species, fostering consistently high Sakhalin fir seedling survival and growth rates despite the lone weeding operation. Container seedlings exhibited superior establishment after summer planting and maintained higher survival rates over eight years relative to bareroot seedlings. Planting in the forwarder trail detrimentally impacted overall seedling growth and survival. These findings advocate for container seedling summer planting alongside comprehensive MSP as an effective Sakhalin fir reforestation technique, mitigating weeding frequency and broadening the planting timeframe.
Unravelling recharge mechanisms along the Guarani Aquifer System (SAG) outcrop in southern Brazil
Authors: Kuhn Isadora Aumond , Reginato Pedro Antonio Roehe , Rooyen Jared van , Kirchheim Roberto
Published: September 2023

Understanding recharge is an important step to quantify the sustainability of the groundwater reserve and promoting the adequate implementation of management policies. In southern Brazil, the Guarani Aquifer System (SAG) is increasingly utilised as a source of water for both rural/urban populations and agricultural activities. Being 90% confined, the regional SAG outcrop zones are generally considered the recharge areas, yet local system recharge mechanics have still to be constrained. Water table time series data over a two-year period from 21 monitoring wells in the southern outcrop zone were interrogated to assess local recharge of the SAG. Recharge estimates calculated using the Water Table Fluctuation (WTF) method were compared to the time series data in terms of auto- and cross-correlation factors. In turn, alluding to the memory effect of the water table that is controlled by the flow pathways to the well and its response to local rainfall events. It is apparent that the local conditions strongly affect water percolating through the unsaturated zone, with evidence of both matrix and preferential flow pathways feeding the monitoring sites. Matrix flow is broadly occurring within the study area and preferential flow has a more restricted occurrence yet is associated with the highest rate of recharge. Although future studies may quantify actual recharge amount related to each mechanism, this work explicitly shows that preferential flow mechanisms should not be disregarded, providing insight into aquifer sustainability and its vulnerability to modern contaminants.
Benchmarking and new generative methods for single-cell transcriptome data in bulk RNA sequence deconvolution
Authors: Nishikawa Toui , lee Masatoshi , Amau Masataka
Published: September 2023

Numerous methods for bulk RNA sequence deconvolution have been developed to identify cellular targets of diseases by understanding the composition of cell types in disease-related tissues. However, issues of heterogeneity in gene expression between subjects and the shortage of reference single-cell RNA sequence (scRNAseq) data remain to achieve accurate bulk deconvolution. In our study, we investigated whether a new data generative method named sc-CMGAN and benchmarking generative methods (Copula, CTGAN and TVAE) could solve these issues and improve the accuracy of bulk deconvolutions. We also evaluated the robustness of sc-CMGAN using three deconvolution methods and four public datasets. In almost all conditions, the generative methods contributed to improved deconvolution accuracy. Notably, sc-CMGAN outperformed the benchmarking methods and demonstrated higher robustness. This study is the first to examine the impact of data augmentation on bulk deconvolution. The new generative method, sc-CMGAN, is expected to become the gold standard for the preprocessing of bulk deconvolution.
Snail robots as a new paradigm for swarm robotics in unstructured environments
Authors: zhao Da , Luo Haobo , Tu Yuxiao , Meng Chongxi , LAM Tin Lun
Published: September 2023

Terrestrial robot swarms that can self-reconfigure offer adaptable solutions for various tasks and environments. However, most existing terrestrial robot swarms remain confined to controlled indoor environments. We introduce a novel 3D terrestrial snail robotic swarm system inspired by the morphological attributes of land snails, specifically engineered for unstructured environments. Contemporary reconfigurable terrestrial robotic swarms rely on free connections for adaptability and scalability. Unfortunately, these mechanisms often compromise stability or are time-intensive in reconfiguration. Addressing these limitations, we present a hybrid-connection system that integrates two distinct modes, drawing inspiration from the unique adhesive mechanisms of land snails. The free mode, mirroring a snail's routine locomotion, leverages magnet-embedded tracks to create a medium-stability connection with an iron spherical shell. This facilitates crucial movements such as sliding, yawing, and transitioning amongst other robots, thereby augmenting the swarm's configurational adaptability and operational efficiency. In contrast, the strong mode, analogous to a snail's enhanced suction response when disturbed, utilizes an active vacuum sucker with directional polymer stalks. This mode provides robust adhesion to the spherical shell, establishing high stability for fixed configurations. The system expertly balances mobility and secure connection needs by assigning specific functions to each mode. Our outdoor experiments highlight not only the advanced capabilities of individual snail robot units but also the exceptional synergy within the swarm, effectively demonstrating its proficiency in navigating diverse terrains and executing manipulative tasks. This research propels the evolution of terrestrial robotic swarms, widening the horizons for their real-world applications, particularly in unstructured outdoor environments.
Rapid detection of fetal compromise using input length invariant deep learning on fetal heart rate signals
Authors: Mendis Lochana , Palaniswami Marimuthu , Keenan Emerson , Brownfoot Fiona
Published: September 2023

Standard clinical practice to assess fetal well-being during labour utilises monitoring of the fetal heart rate (FHR) using cardiotocography. However, visual evaluation of FHR signals can result in subjective interpretations leading to inter and intra-observer disagreement. Therefore, recent studies have proposed deep-learning-based methods to interpret FHR signals and detect fetal compromise. These methods have typically focused on evaluating fixed-length FHR segments at the conclusion of labour, leaving little time for clinicians to intervene. In this study, we propose a novel FHR evaluation method using an input length invariant deep learning model to progressively evaluate FHR as labour progresses and achieve rapid detection of fetal compromise. Using a new performance metric called time to predict (TTP), we achieve a 25% reduction in the time taken to detect fetal compromise compared to the state-of-the-art multimodal convolutional neural network (MCNN), with equivalent sensitivity at a 20% false positive rate. A diagnostic system based on our approach could potentially enable earlier intervention for fetal compromise and improve clinical outcomes.
Enablers, Challenges, and Carbon Emissions of Green and Low-Carbon Building Practices in Chongqing, China
Authors: Bo Dong
Published: September 2023

The construction industry in China has embraced green construction evaluation standards, acknowledging the significance of addressing carbon emissions during the construction phase. This study provides an overview of the enablers, challenges, and carbon emissions associated with green and low-carbon building practices in Chongqing, China, highlighting key factors contributing to successful implementation and obstacles hindering progress. A questionnaire survey was conducted to understand these aspects better, distributing 420 questionnaires among individuals of different age groups, education levels, working units, and job experiences. Stakeholders from various sectors within the construction industry provided their perspectives. The study examines several enablers, including the development of building regulations, cost optimization for operation and maintenance, integration of renewable energy, planning policies, improvement of occupant comfort, lower project capital costs, and increased property value. The findings indicate that stakeholders generally agree on the positive contribution of these enablers to the implementation of green and low-carbon building practices. Energy and construction material optimization ranked the highest among the enablers, followed by government subsidies, tax breaks, environmentally friendly practices, and collaborative innovation. These enablers are crucial for achieving sustainability objectives and reducing carbon emissions in the built environment. The findings presented in this study offer valuable insights for policymakers, industry professionals, and stakeholders, enabling them to make informed decisions and take proactive measures to minimize carbon emissions in the construction sector. By addressing these challenges and leveraging the enablers, adopting green and low-carbon building practices can be accelerated, promoting sustainable development and reducing the environmental impact of the built environment in Chongqing, China.
Angiogenesis-related lncRNAs index: A predictor for CESC prognosis, immunotherapy efficacy, and chemosensitivity
Authors: Gou Siqi , Huang Xueyuan , Xu Jiayu , Teichmann Alexander Tobias , Zhang Jing , Wang Rui , Yang Guanhu , Chi Hao , Wang Qin
Published: September 2023

Cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma(CESC) is a common gynecologic tumor and patients with advanced and recurrent disease usually have a poor clinical outcome. Angiogenesis is involved in the biological processes of tumors and can promote tumor growth and invasion. In this paper, we created a signature for predicting prognosis based on angiogenesis-related lncRNAs(ARLs). This provides a prospective direction for enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy in CESC patients. We screened seven OS-related ARLs by univariate and multivariate regression analyses and Lasso analysis and developed a prognostic signature at the same time. Then, we performed an internal validation in the TCGA-CESC cohort to increase the precision of the study. In addition, we performed a series of analyses based on ARLs, including immune cell infiltration, immune function, immune checkpoint, tumor mutation load, and drug sensitivity analysis. Our created signature based on ARLs can effectively predict the prognosis of CESC patients. To strengthen the prediction accuracy of the signature, we built a nomogram by combining signature and clinical features.
Duodenal Malignant Melanoma：Primary and Metastatic
Authors: zhou Bing , Li Xiaohua , Liu Jincai , Peng Lizi , liu Xianwei
Published: September 2023

Background
Duodenal malignant melanoma is rare, and its early clinical symptoms are insidious, making it difficult to diagnose in its early stages.
Methods
We explored the clinicopathological characteristics of duodenal malignant melanomas and association with BRAF mutations. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemical marker detection, and BRAF V600E mutation inspection via Sanger sequencing for two clinical cases of duodenal malignant melanoma were performed. The relevant literature was reviewed, and the clinical pathology was analyzed.
Results
The two patients (a 63-year-old female [Patient 1] and a 54-year-old male [Patient 2]) experienced pain and discomfort in their upper abdomen; moreover, they had endoscopic space-occupying lesions in the second part of their duodenum and invasively growing solid sheets of round, oval, or polygonal microscopic atypical tumor. Additionally, one of them had skin malignant melanoma and pigmentation, whereas the other was positive for BRAF V600E mutation. Tumor cell immunohistochemical analysis detected Vim, HMB45, Melan-A, and S-100 positive expression. They both underwent surgical treatment; however, Patients 1 and 2 died after 1 and 28 months, respectively.
Conclusion
Primary and metastatic cases should be diagnosed through previous medical history analysis and detailed physical and auxiliary examinations. This would enable a diagnosis based on characteristic histomorphology and immunohistochemical markers. An early diagnosis and surgical treatment can prolong patient survival and the molecular inspection of BRAF mutations can guide follow-up treatment.
Effect of anthropogenic city noise on the vocalizations of four disparate forest birds
Authors: Bahía Rocío , Lambertucci Sergio A. , Speziale Karina L.
Published: September 2023

The impact of urbanization on biodiversity is often underestimated, as in the case of noise pollution generated by anthropic activities. Birds inhabiting urban and peri-urban areas are exposed to noisy environments that make communication difficult. We evaluate how anthropogenic sounds associated with urbanization (automobiles, airplanes, and helicopters) affect the song of four disparate bird species of the Andean-Patagonian Forest: The Thorn-tailed Rayadito(Aphrastura spinicauda), the White-crested Elaenia (Elaenia albiceps), the Green-backed Firecrown(Sephanoides sephanoides) and the Austral Parakeet (Enicognathus ferrugineus). Between October 2021 and February 2022 we placed audio recorders (AudioMoth v 1.2.0) in wooded areas of a city surrounded by a National Park, in Argentine Patagonia. We selected groups of recordings where an individual was vocalizing before, during and after the occurrence of anthropogenic noise. From each recording, we analyzed frequency (minimum, maximum and dominant frequency) and temporal bioacoustic parameters (duration of vocalization and pause length between syllables). We found that all birds were affected by anthropogenic noise, but bird responses varied between species. Frequency bioacoustic parameters changed during the disturbance in two of the species studied, and all the birds modified at least one of the temporal bioacoustic parameters during the anthropogenic noise. Our results showed how noise produced by human activities affected sound communication, and therefore the behavior of birds. Given the increase in urbanization over recent decades, and consequently in anthropogenic sound, noise pollution should be considered as a disruptor for bird communication and potentially a threat, even in low populated and protected areas.