bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical study of cavitation shock wave emission in the thin liquid layer by power ultrasonic vibratory machining
Authors: Gong Tai , Zhu Xijing , Ye Linzheng , Fu Yingze
Published: June 2024

In the field of power ultrasonic vibration processing, the thin liquid layer nestled between the tool head and the material serves as a hotbed for cavitation shock wave emissions that significantly affect the material's surface. The precise manipulation of these emissions presents a formidable challenge, stemming from a historical deficit in the quantitative analysis of both the ultrasonic enhancement effect and the shock wave intensity within this niche environment. Our study addresses this gap by innovatively modifying the Gilmore-Akulichev equation, laying the groundwork for a sophisticated bubble dynamics model and a pioneering shock wave propagation model tailored to the thin liquid layer domain. Firstly, our study investigated the ultrasound enhancement effect under various parameters of thin liquid layers, revealing an amplification of ultrasound pressure in the thin liquid layer area by up to 7.47 times. The mathematical model was solved using the sixth-order Runge-Kutta method to examine shock wave velocity and pressure under different conditions. our study identified that geometric parameters of the tool head, thin liquid layer thickness, ultrasonic frequency, and initial bubble radius all significantly influenced shock wave emission. At an ultrasonic frequency of 60 kHz, the shock wave pressure at the measurement point exhibited a brief decrease from 182.6 MPa to 179.5 MPa during an increase. Furthermore, rapid attenuation of the shock wave was found within the range of R0-3R0 from the bubble wall. This research model aims to enhance power ultrasonic vibration processing technology, and provide theoretical support for applications in related fields.
Longitudinal Assessment of Coronary Plaque Regression Related to Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitor Using Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography
Authors: Zhang Tianhao , Gao Xuelian , Chen Tianlong , Zhang Hongkai , Zhang Xiaoming , Xin Yu , Shi Dongmei , Du Yu , Xu Lei , Zhou Yujie
Published: June 2024

Background:
Sodium-dependent glucose transporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) is a novel oral drug for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with demonstrated cardiovascular benefits. Previous studies in apolipoprotein E knockout mice have shown that SGLT2i is associated with attenuated progression of atherosclerosis. However, whether this effect extends to T2DM patients with coronary atherosclerosis in real-world settings remains unknown.
Methods:
In this longitudinal cohort study using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), T2DM patients who underwent ≥ 2 CCTA examinations at our center between 2019 and 2022 were screened. Eligible patients had multiple study plaques, defined as non-obstructive stenosis at baseline and not intervened during serial CCTAs. Exclusion criteria included a CCTA time interval < 12 months, prior SGLT2i treatment, or initiation/discontinuation of SGLT2i during serial CCTAs. Plaque volume (PV) and percent atheroma volume (PAV) were measured for each study plaque using CCTA plaque analysis software. Patients and plaques were categorized based on SGLT2i therapy and compared using a 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) analysis.
Results:
The study included 236 patients (mean age 60.5 ± 9.5 years; 69.1% male) with 435 study plaques (diameter stenosis ≥ 50%, 31.7%). Following SGLT2i treatment for a median duration of 14.6 (interquartile range: 13.0, 20.0) months, overall, non-calcified, and low-attenuation PV and PAV were significantly decreased, while calcified PV and PAV were increased (all p < 0.001). Meanwhile, reductions in overall PV, non-calcified PV, overall PAV, and non-calcified PAV were significantly greater in SGLT2i-treated compared to non-SGLT2i-treated plaques (all p < 0.001). PSM analysis showed that SGLT2i treatment was associated with higher reductions in overall PV (-11.77 mm3 vs. 4.33 mm3, p = 0.005), non-calcified PV (-16.96 mm3 vs. -1.81 mm3, p = 0.017), overall PAV (-2.83% vs. 3.36%, p < 0.001), and non-calcified PAV (-4.60% vs. 0.70%, p = 0.003). These findings remained consistent when assessing annual changes in overall and compositional PV and PAV. Multivariate regression models demonstrated that SGLT2i therapy was associated with attenuated progression of overall or non-calcified PV or PAV, even after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors, medications, and baseline overall or non-calcified PV or PAV, respectively (all p < 0.05). The effect of SGLT2i on attenuating non-calcified plaque progression was consistent across subgroups (all p for interaction > 0.05).
Conclusions:
In this longitudinal CCTA cohort of T2DM patients, SGLT2i therapy markedly regressed coronary overall PV and PAV, mainly result from a significant reduction in non-calcified plaque.
Long-time behaviour of supercritical finite circular mechanism branching processes
Authors: Li Junping , Hou Mixuan
Published: June 2024

Let {Zna*b:n≥ 0} be a discrete-time branching process with circular mechanism a*b. For mechanism a, the offspring distribution is {aj:j≥ 0}. For mechanism b, the offspring distribution is {bj:j ≥0}. Let ma=∑j≥0 jaj and mb=∑j≥0 jbj . The extinction property of such branching processes is first studied. It is proved that Wn=Zna*b/γn ( γn=(mamb)k for n=2k and γn=(mamb)kma for n=2k+1) is an integrable martingale and hence converges to some random variable W. Then, under assumption that a0=b0=0, a1,b1>0 and aj,bj≠1 for any j≠ 1, we study the rates of convergence to zero as k→∞ of P(|Z2k+1a*b/Z2ka*b-ma |>ε), P(|Z2ka*b/Z2k-1a*b-mb |>ε),
P(|Wk-W|>ε)
P(|Z2k+1a*b/Z2ka*b-ma |>ε|W>δ),
P(|(Z2ka*b/Z2k-1a*b-mb |>ε|W>δ)
for ε>0 and δ>0 under various moment conditions on {aj} and {bj}. It is shown that the rates for the first two are geometric while the last three rates are always supergeometric under a finite moment generating function hypothesis.
Synthesis, in vitro activity, and molecular docking of caffeic acid and resveratrol derivatives against Alzheimer's disease-related enzymes
Authors: Martinez Alberto
Published: June 2024

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia affecting about 40 million people around the world. The number of people living with this ailment is expected to triple in the next 50 years due to the aging population and the lack of any effective treatment. In this work we have synthesized a group of three hybrid caffeic acid and a resveratrol derivatives (1-4), and we have tested their ability to inhibit in vitro the enzymatic activity of beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving protein enzyme 1 (BACE 1) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The inhibitory activity was compared to that of parent compounds caffeic acid and resveratrol, as well as related chlorogenic acid. Clinically tested LY2811376 and tacrine were used as positive controls. All three caffeic acid derivatives displayed better inhibitory activity than parent caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid. In particular, the in vitro IC50 for compound 4 against BACE 1 fell in the nanomolar range (69 ± 5 nM), comparable or better than LY2811376 (173 ± 8 nM), a BACE 1 inhibitor that reached Phase I clinical trials against AD. On the other hand, compound 3 showed a remarkable AChE inhibitory potency in the low micromolar range (1.93 ± 0.16 μM). Molecular docking was performed to gain valuable insights into the interactions between compounds 1-4 and the active sites of both BACE 1 and AChE. Calculated binding affinities generally correlated well with experimental in vitro inhibition. Experimental and molecular docking results validated the proposed drug design, since the most active compounds 3 and 4 established interactions with relevant amino acid residues of the BACE 1 and AChE active sites through the different pharmacophore features of the hybrid structures. Overall, the results presented in this work could potentially have important implications in the rational design of compounds with potential anti-AD properties.
Optimization of Classifiers Performance for Node Embedding on Graph Based Data
Authors: Yadav Neha , Gopinathan Dhanalekshmi
Published: June 2024

The Publications regarding the research of embedding the large-scale information that helps in getting networks utilizing neighborhood-aware node representations and low-dimensional communities cover a wide area of research. In graph mining applications, these classification models, and embedding performed better than the conventional approaches. When using different conventional machine learning and data analysis approaches, the display of graphs and their relationship is highly useful in describing features present. Many different embedding approaches are used in machine learning, and a literature review was conducted to determine the best techniques for comparison. This study examines the accuracy scores of different classifiers using the approach on a single dataset. The dataset which is used in this study is CORA, and it is used to import it. After the network has been formed using the dataset, the nodes are embedded since the result of this node embedding will be used as a training set. The machine learns through training of model, for which the Node2vex method is applied in this work. The classifiers are used to train the model. Gradient Boosting, Logistic Regression, Random Forest, K-Neighbors, Decision Tree, Gaussian, and SVC are the classifiers utilized to solve this model's classification problem. To assess performance, the model makes use of two classifiers: Gradient Boosting, Logistic Regression, Random Forest, K-Neighbors, Decision Tree, Gaussian, and SVC. Through experimentation, the accuracy score is used to compare the classifier’s levels of efficiency. From the study, it was clearly observed that for the dataset, it was only the Support Vector Classifier that performed best in the testing and training of dataset for getting desired result. This was achieved by achieving an accuracy of 0.7706 and an MCC score of 0.7200. The optimum classifier for model training tasks and node classification can be chosen with the aid of this paper.
1mΨ influences the performance of various positive-stranded RNA virus-based replicons
Authors: Miyazato Paola , Noguchi Takafumi , Ogawa Fumiyo , Sugimoto Takeshi , Fauzyah Yuzy , Sasaki Ryo , Ebina Hirotaka
Published: June 2024

Self-amplifying RNAs (saRNAs) are versatile vaccine platforms that take advantage of a viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) to amplify the mRNA of an antigen of interest encoded within the backbone of the viral genome once inside the target cell. In recent years, more saRNA vaccines have been clinically tested with the hope of reducing the vaccination dose compared to the conventional mRNA approach. The use of N1-methyl-pseudouridine (1mY), which enhances RNA stability and reduces the innate immune response triggered by RNAs, is among the improvements included in the current mRNA vaccines. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of this modified nucleoside on various saRNA platforms based on different viruses. The results showed that different stages of the replication process were affected depending on the backbone virus. For TNCL, an insect virus of the Alphanodavirus genus, replication was impaired by poor recognition of viral RNA by RdRp. In contrast, the translation step was severely abrogated in coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), a member of the Picornaviridae family. Finally, the effects of 1mΨ on Semliki forest virus (SFV), were not detrimental in in vitro studies, but no advantages were observed when immunogenicity was tested in vivo.
Telomere length in relation to fecundability and use of assisted reproductive technologies: the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study
Authors: Skåra Karoline Hansen , Lee Yunsung , Jugessur Astanand , Gjessing Håkon K. , Aviv Abraham , Brumpton Ben , Naess Øyvind , Hernáez Álvaro , Hanevik Hans Ivar , Magnus Per , Magnus Maria C.
Published: June 2024

In women, shorter telomeres have been reported to be associated with conditions such as endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome, whereas other studies have reported the opposite. In men, studies mostly report associations between shorter telomeres and sperm quality. To our knowledge, no studies have thus far investigated the associations between TL and fecundability or the use of ART.
This study is based on the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort (MoBa) Study and uses data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway (MBRN). We included women (24,645 with genotype data and 1,054 with TL measurements) and men (18,339 with genotype data and 965 with TL measurements) participating between 1998 and 2008. We investigated the associations between leukocyte TL and fecundability, infertility, and the use of ART. We also repeated the analyses using instrumental variables for TL, including genetic risk scores for TL and genetically predicted TL.
Approximately 11% of couples had experienced infertility and 4% had used ART. TL was not associated with fecundability among women (fecundability ratio [FR], 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.92-1.04) or men (FR, 0.99; CI, 0.93-1.06), nor with infertility among women (odds ratio [OR], 1.03; CI, 0.85-1.24) or men (OR, 1.05; CI, 0.87-1.28). We observed an increased likelihood of using ART with increasing TL among men (OR, 1.22; CI, 1.03-1.46), but not among women (OR, 1.10; CI, 0.92-1.31). No significant associations were observed using the instrumental variables.
Our results indicate that TL is a poor biomarker of fecundability, infertility and use of ART in MoBa. Additional studies are required to replicate the association observed between TL and ART in men.
The ostracod distribution in the Sea of Galilee (Levant): species distribution and post-mortem dispersal of valves and carapaces
Authors: Mischke Steffen , Braun Paul , Ito Emi , Almogi-Labin Ahuva
Published: June 2024

The Sea of Galilee is the one and only large freshwater or slightly oligohaline natural lake in the Levant, and it therefore represents an important aquatic habitat in the region that also provides invaluable ecosystem services for the local communities. To improve our knowledge of the lake’s ecosystem and the use of disarticulated ostracod valves and preserved carapaces, micro-crustacean remains commonly used in palaeolimnology and palaeoceanography, as proxies for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions, and to examine the post-mortem dispersal of ostracod remains, 68 surface-sediment samples were collected from the lake floor in 2012 and analysed for the ostracod assemblages. Both, the noded and smooth, forms of Cyprideis torosa dominate in the Sea of Galilee, with the former more abundant than the latter. Relatively abundant and found at half of the 68 sampling locations or more, are also Ilyocypris hartmanni, I. cf. nitida, Darwinula stevensoni and Neglecandona angulata. In addition, ten less abundant ostracod taxa were recorded in the lake. Of all 15 taxa recorded in our study, ten were apparently also recorded in a study of the Sea of Galilee’s ostracod fauna conducted already in the 1960s. The newly recorded five taxa are relatively rare, and they were mostly found in the region of the Jordan River delta or near the southeastern shore of the lake which were not included in the survey of the 1960s. Thus, there is no evidence for a significant change in the ostracod fauna of the lake over the last half-century. In comparison to the ostracod assemblage from a late Pleistocene archaeological excavation site at the southwestern margin of the lake, the assemblage from the recent survey is slightly less diverse, probably as a result of the long duration of ca. 5000 years integrated by the sedimentary section of the archaeological site and also due to nearby freshwater inflows from which valves and carapaces were probably washed to the site’s location. Our study also shows that ostracod valves and carapaces are typically relatively abundant in most of the surface-sediment samples collected from locations at 18 m or shallower. In contrast, very few valves and carapaces were recorded at depths greater than 18 m, which is a zone affected by seasonal anoxia in the Sea of Galilee. These few ostracod remains were apparently transported by currents and waves to the central, deeper part of the lake, but their low number shows that such post-mortem dispersal of ostracod remains is insignificant in the deeper part of the lake. Thus, our study provides support for palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimate reconstructions based on ostracod records from single sediment cores obtained from depths unaffected by post-mortem transport and seasonal or permanent anoxia.
CCR5 Decorated Rilpivirine Lipid Nanoparticles Build Myeloid Drug Depots Which Sustains Antiretroviral Activities
Authors: Gendelman Howard (E) , Patel Milankumar , Panja Sudipta , Zaman Lubaba A. , Yeapuri Pravin , Bhattarai Shaurav , Gorantla Santhi , chang Linda , Heredia Alonso , Walczak Piotr , Cohen Samuel , Kevadiya Bhavesh
Published: June 2024

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) improves the quality of life for those living with the human immunodeficiency virus type one (HIV-1). However, poor compliance reduces ART effectiveness and leads to immune compromise, viral mutations, and disease co-morbidities. A novel drug formulation is made whereby a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) carrying rilpivirine (RPV) is decorated with the C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5). This facilitates myeloid drug depot deposition. Particle delivery to viral reservoirs is tracked by positron emission tomography. The CCR5-mediated RPV LNP cell uptake and retention reduce HIV-1 replication in human monocyte-derived macrophages and infected humanized mice. Focused ultrasound allows the decorated LNP to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and reach brain myeloid cells. These findings offer a role for CCR5-targeted therapeutics in antiretroviral delivery to optimize HIV suppression.
Comparing Hospitalized Adult Patients with Chronic Anorexia Nervosa with versus without Prior Hospitalizations
Authors: Martinelli Mary K. , Schreyer Colleen , Guarda Angela S.
Published: June 2024

Background
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder, for which recovery is often a protracted process, such that a proportion of individuals with AN experience a chronic illness course. The role of prior specialized inpatient treatment on subsequent treatment attempts for those with chronic AN remains unclear. Research examining predictors of treatment response for severe and enduring AN is urgently needed to improve outcomes.
Method
Participants (N = 135) with chronic AN (ill ≥7 years) admitted to an integrated inpatient-partial hospitalization eating disorders (ED) unit with prior ED hospitalization(s) (+ PH; n = 100) were compared to those without prior ED hospitalizations (-PH; n = 35) on admission characteristics (BMI, length of illness, outpatient ED treatment history, symptomatology (ED, anxiety and depressive), treatment motivation, history of suicide attempts or non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI)), and discharge outcomes (discharge BMI, rate of weight gain, length of stay, clinical improvement).
Results
At admission, groups were similar in age, prolonged length of illness, and BMIs. The + PH group however had lower desired weight, lower lifetime nadir BMI, lower self-efficacy for normative eating, and higher state and trait anxiety compared to the -PH group. The + PH group was also more likely to endorse history of NSSI and suicide attempt. Regarding discharge outcomes, the + PH group spent more days inpatient, but groups did not differ on rate of weight gain, likelihood of attending partial hospital, partial hospital length of stay, program discharge BMI, or likelihood of clinical improvement (p’s > .05).
Conclusions
Participants with chronic AN + PH exhibited more severe psychiatric comorbidity and lower self-efficacy for normative eating, but had similar short-term discharge outcomes to chronic AN -PH. Results suggest that targeting comorbidities may be important for patients who did not respond to prior intensive treatment. Although both groups had similar illness duration, those with chronic AN -PH may be distinct in terms of prognosis. For example, they may be able to transition to partial hospital earlier than those with chronic AN + PH. Longer-term data comparing these groups is needed to best individualize care and determine prognosis including relapse risk following intensive treatment and weight restoration.
Synthesis and properties of multi-porous multi-doped nano-Na 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 @C materials from electroless nickel plating wastewater
Authors: Zeng Sisha , Xu Wen , Liu Wanmin , Tang Zexun , Xu Lv , Qin Mulan , Shen Bin , Wang Weigang
Published: June 2024

Electroless nickel plating technology displays exuberant vitality in the field of surface treatment, nevertheless accompanying with its spent plating solution for environmental pollution and resource waste. Therefore, it is of great significance how to realize the high efficient utilization of various waste ions in the electroless nickel plating wastewater (ENPW). Herein, after transforming nickel and sulfur elements in ENPW into nickel hydroxide and barium sulfate, the remaining elements serve as primary raw materials for the synthesis of multi-porous multi-doped nano-Na3V2(PO4)3@C materials (D-NVP). This is achieved by integrating the sol-gel method with the carbon thermal reduction method. The as-synthesized D-NVP displays a 3D porous skeleton structure, where the pores with different nano-micron sizes are interlinked by the skeletons with the thickness of 40–200 nm. The unique structure, combined with Mg-Ca-Fe doping, contributes to D-NVP’s excellent electrochemical properties, with the initial discharge capacities of 108, 107, 104.3, 101.5, 98.6 and 95.3 mAh·g− 1 at 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 5 and 10 C, and the capacity retention rates of 99.2% and 98.9% at 1 and 5 C after 200 cycles, respectively.
A virtual species study to establish baseline for assessing the predicted current and future distribution ranges of real species in mountainous areas
Authors: LIAO Chi-Cheng , CHEN Yi-Huey , LIN Huan-Yu
Published: June 2024

Simulation and model prediction of virtual species aim to establish baseline for assessing the projected contemporary and future distribution ranges of real species in mountainous areas. Fundamental niches and geographic ranges of 5 virtual species were defined in the diagram of principal components analysis based on a high-resolution climate dataset generated from meteorological data. Heterogeneity of the climate dataset had been validated to influence the relationships between species responses and suitable environments, consequently affecting the geographical distributions of virtual species. The performances of 11 algorithms were evaluated by the extracted fraction of shared presences (ESP), instead of TSS and AUC. ESP calculates the overlap between simulated suitable ranges and predicted current potential ranges of virtual species. According to ESP, ensemble modeling outperformed the 11 algorithms. A small sample size has significant effects on model performance due to the extremely low value of ESP, and the presence of only 5 sample points was evidently a limitation of model predictions. Furthermore, geographical distance among sample points provide signals of niches that will be identified through accurate predictions of ensemble modeling in our analyses. By the 2050s and 2090s, climate change may drive the range expansion of real species currently distributed in inland areas or on leeward slopes, while causing range restriction or local extinction of real species in coastal areas or on windward slopes. Our study can inform application of species distribution models to provide scientific support for conservation planning in mountainous areas and forecasts of species distributions under climate change.
Calibrating lower-middle Miocene mammal faunas and unravelling climate change during the Miocene Climate Optimum; the Bardenas Reales de Navarra record (Ebro basin, NE Iberian Peninsula)
Authors: Gorosquieta Juan Cruz Larrasoaña , Suarez-Hernando Oier , Beamud Elisabet , Garcés Miguel , Pérez-Landazábal José Ignacio , Gómez-Polo Cristina , Ruiz-Sánchez Francisco Javier , Mata Maria Pilar , Murelaga Xabier
Published: June 2024

The chronology of lower Miocene Iberian small mammal faunas is still poorly constrained given the scarcity of well dated sedimentary successions including small mammal fossil localities. Such scarcity has prevented also an accurate understanding of the response of European terrestrial ecosystem to global changes across the Miocene Climate Optimum (MCO), one of the best analogues of present-day global warming. Here we present an updated fossil small mammal record of the Bardenas Reales de Navarra (western Ebro basin, Spain), where an expanded lower to middle Miocene continental succession is superbly exposed. Previous and new magnetostratigraphic results from this succession have enabled us to propose, along with additional magnetostratigraphically-dated Iberian faunas, a new chronology for local zones Y to D (Mammal Neogene zones MN2 to MN5). In addition to that, the studied small mammal faunas point to a gradual increase in temperature and humidity conditions in SW Europe between 20 and 15.5 Ma, which appears to be coupled with the progressive shift towards warmer regional (Atlantic) and global conditions across the MCO, thereby pointing to gradual changes in oceanic circulation as the main driver of this period of global warmth. The evolution of sedimentary facies appears to indicate a threshold response of the Ebro basin hydrological balance to the MCO, whereas pedogenic formation of magnetic minerals seems to be linked to periods of enhanced climate variability. These results highlight the need of combining different paleoenvironmental indicators in order to obtain a reliable view of the response of continental ecosystems to global warming.
Infrared and visible video fusion method based on inter-frame feature association and PID control
Authors: Tnag Xiaolin , Wang Jun
Published: June 2024

The purpose of infrared and visible video fusion is to combine the complementary features of videos from different modalities. Most fusion algorithms ignore the feature associations of adjacent frames and the guidance of the source frames to the fusion process. Therefore, this paper proposes a new fusion method. First, a spatial-domain multi-attribute detail feature extraction model is proposed, which is capable of extracting the base layer, the bright detail layer and the dark detail layer of the source frames separately. Then, we propose an associated feature extraction model for adjacent frames, which improves the spatial continuity of the fused video. Furthermore, an exponential homomorphic filter is proposed, which simultaneously increases the dynamic range and contrast of the source infrared frames to obtain a general salient target extraction model. In the feature fusion stage, a weighted fusion rule based on edge intensity is used in the detail layer. Then we design the controller, transfer function and measurement function separately, so as to construct a closed-loop proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control system to fuse the base layer, which ensures that the fused video maintains more information of the source video. Experiments on public datasets demonstrate that our fusion method outperforms some state-of-the-art algorithms. Code: https://github.com/Tang2956/Infrared-and-visible-video-fusion-method-based-on-inter-frame-feature-association-and-PID-control
Development and Performance Evaluation of a Hybrid Fractional Order Proportional Integral Controller for Grid-Connected Inverters
Authors: BEDDAR ANTAR , ABADLIA ISSAM
Published: June 2024

This article proposes the development of a Hybrid Fractional Order Proportional Integral (HFOPI) controller for decoupled active (P) and reactive (Q) power control to improve grid-connected inverter performances. The proposed controller gains are numerically tuned using the isodamping feature, which is a frequently used frequency method. The system under study is a grid-connected inverter system that contains a DC source, a three-phase inverter connected to the grid through an L filter. The proposed controller HFOPI combines a Variable Gain PI (VGPI) controller work in alternative with a Fractional Order PI (FOPI) controller and a selection algorithm that organize the two controller’s interventions. The performance and robustness of the proposed HFOPI controller is examined and assessed under various scenarios such as suddenly step change in active and reactive power references and compared with the simple structure based on FOPI or PI controller. The simulation is carried out using MATLAB/Simulink. Moreover, the grid-connected inverter test bench is set up in the laboratory. Where, the experimental results are consistent with the simulation and prove that the proposed HFOPI controller provides an important amelioration in term of maximum first overshoot/undershoot, tracking settling time and lower injected current Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) compared to the simple structure based on the PI/FOPI controllers.
CCPTNet: A Crowd Counting Model Based on Point Prediction with Transformers
Authors: Chen Zhouxuan , Cen Gang , Lin Xuefeng
Published: June 2024

In the process of rapid development of urbanization, the role of people flow monitoring technology in ensuring public safety, optimizing urban management and helping to prevent and control epidemic situation has become increasingly prominent. However, when facing the congested environment of high-density crowd, such as subway stations and large-scale events, traditional methods encounter major difficulties in automatic counting, especially due to target overlap and shape distortion caused by dense crowds and inaccurate counting caused by the changing lighting conditions and the diversity of observation angles. Therefore, this study proposes a novel network model - CCPTNet. This model is based on the point prediction model, which not only improves the counting performance and positioning accuracy, but also makes full use of the pyramid vision transformer trunk to enhance the capture of global data features and effectively reduce the risk of over-fitting of the model. At the same time, in order to reduce the light change and the interference to the crowd count from different perspectives, the author uses the conventional random cropping and horizontal flip, and introduces the methods of random rotation and color jitter to enhance the data. In addition, the function of prediction and counting is realized by point coordinate regression and proposal classification through two parallel branches. The experimental results on the Shanghai science and technology data set show that the CCPTNet model has a good accuracy performance.
Entomological Effects of Attractive Targeted Sugar Bait Station Deployment in Western Zambia: Vector Surveillance Findings from a Two-arm Cluster Randomized Phase III Trial
Authors: Wagman Joseph , Chanda Benjamin , Chanda Javan , Saili Kochelani , Orange Erica , Mambo Patricia , Muyabe Rayford , Kaniki Tresford , Mwenya Mwansa , Ng’andu Mirabelle , Sakala Jimmy , Ngulube Willy , Miller John , Arnzen Annie , Silumbe Kafula , Mwaanga Gift , Simubali Limonty , Mungo Alice , Mburu Monicah M. , Simulundu Edgar , Mambwe Brenda , Kasaro Racheal , Mulube Conceptor , Mwenda Mulenga , Hamainza Busiku , Ashton Ruth A. , Eisele Thomas P. , Harris Angela F. , Entwistle Julian , Yukich Joshua , Slutsker Laurence , Burkot Thomas R. , Littrell Megan
Published: June 2024

Background
Attractive targeted sugar bait (ATSB) stations are a novel tool with potential to complement current approaches to malaria vector control. To assess the public health value of ATSB station deployment in areas of high coverage with standard vector control, a two-arm cluster-randomized controlled trial (cRCT) of Sarabi ATSB® stations (Westham Ltd., Hod-Hasharon, Israel) was conducted in Western Province, Zambia, a high-burden location were Anopheles funestus is the dominant vector. The trial included 70 clusters and was designed to measure the effect of ATSBs on case incidence and infection prevalence over two, 7-month deployments. Reported here are results of the vector surveillance component of the study, conducted in a subset of 20 clusters and designed to provide entomological context to guide overall interpretation of trial findings.
Methods
Each month, 200 paired indoor-outdoor human landing catch (HLC) and 200 paired light trap (LT) collections were conducted to monitor An. funestus parity, abundance, biting rates, sporozoite prevalence, and entomological inoculation rates (EIR).
Results
During the study 20,337 female An. funestus were collected, 11,229 from control and 9,108 from intervention clusters. A subset of 3,131 HLC specimens were assessed for parity: The mean non-parous proportion was 23.0% (95% CI 18.2% − 28.7%, total n = 1,477) in the control and 21.2% (95%CI 18.8% − 23.9%, total n = 1,654) in the intervention arm, an OR = 1.05 (95%CI 0.82–1.34; p = 0.688). A non-significant reduction in LT abundance (RR = 0.65 [95%CI 0.30–1.40, p = 0.267]) was associated with ATSB deployment. HLC rates were highly variable, but model results indicate a similar non-significant trend with a RR = 0.68 (95%CI 0.22–2.00; p = 0.479). There were no effects on sporozoite prevalence or EIR.
Conclusions
An. funestus parity did not differ across study arms, but ATSB deployment was associated with a non-significant 35% reduction in vector LT density, results that are consistent with the epidemiological impact reported elsewhere. Additional research is needed to better understand how to maximize the potential impact of ATSB approaches in Zambia and other contexts.
Trial Registration:
This trial was registered with Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04800055, 16 March 2021).
Magnetic Laponite/poly(AA-AM) composite hydrogels for efficient removal of heavy metals
Authors: Huang Zhenggen , Wan Tao , Chen Yongmei , Li Dongmei , Xu Hao , Liu Bingjun , Zhao Yang
Published: June 2024

Heavy metal wastewater contamination has become one of the greatest global environmental problems. In this study, magnetic Laponite/poly(AA-AM) composite hydrogels (mLap/(AA-AM)) with multi-level three-dimensional networks were for the first time synthesized by radical copolymerization based on poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid), Laponite and PEI-magnetic nanoparticles. mLap/(AA-AM) with porous and uneven structure has the target structure and composition confirmed by FTIR, FESEM, EDX and XRD results. FTIR and XRD results show that mLap/(AA-AM) has been successfully prepared without destroying high crystallinity of magnetic Fe3O4 and Laponite is dispersed in the polymer matrix with amorphous structure. mLap/(AA-AM) have high adsorption capacities of Cu(II) (238mg/g), Cd(II) (259mg/g) and Pb(II)(466mg/g). The endothermic, entropy increasing and spontaneous nature of heavy metal ion adsorption is revealed from thermodynamic study. Heavy metal ions adsorption isotherms and kinetics are in agreement with the Langmuir model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model, respectively. In addition, mLap/(AA-AM) has good magnetic response and magnetic solid-liquid separation property, high gel strength and reusability, which can solve the disadvantage of insufficient gel strength and complicated recovery process of conventional hydrogels and has thus huge potential in removing heavy metal ions from the contaminated wastewater.
Causal Spatio-Temporal Graph Foresting Against Confounding Bias
Authors: Luo Xinxin , Yin Wei , Wu Fan , Xiao Bo
Published: June 2024

Time series analysis plays a pivotal role in our daily lives, exerting a profound impact on our everyday activities. Traditional time series prediction models focus on analyzing temporal and spatial correlations but often overlook the underlying causal relationships. Integrating causal reasoning into models allows for a deeper understanding of the data generation mechanisms. Our paper proposes an innovative causal spatiotemporal graph neural network against confounding bias (CSTCB), which approaches the problem of time series prediction from the perspective of causal relationships. By applying the front-door criterion, we can calculate the causal effect of input variables on the prediction outcome, effectively eliminating the bias introduced by hidden confounders. Furthermore, we propose counterfactual reasoning methods, analyzing the causal link between predictions and inputs by setting different input scenarios, thereby reducing the interference of environmental factors. Finally, we evaluate our method on four public transportation datasets, and the experimental results show that CSTCB not only has better interpretability but also outperforms 11 baseline methods, with a 2% improvement in MAE metrics for the PeMSD8 dataset.
Improved MobileNetv3 lightweight dynamic expression recognition algorithm for classroom scenarios
Authors: 顾 梅花 , 丁 梦玥 , 冯 婧
Published: June 2024

Aiming at the proplem of high difficulty and low real-time in dynamic expressions recognition under classroom scenes, a lightweight dynamic expression recognition algorithm based on improved MobileNetv3 is proposed. Firstly, through embedding a feature extraction module of GRU (Gate Recurrent Unit) in the MobileNetv3 network, the corresponding space vector of each expression image is processed, the temporal feature among expression image sequences is extracted, and the expression characteristics over time are fully explored. Then, a new hybrid loss LMCF (Large Margin Cosine Focal Loss) is proposed to build the hypersphere of facial expression features, and the inter-class distance of expressions is increased by enlarging the cosine distance, while the blurring problem of inter-class feature boundaries caused by unbalanced expression data is alleviated. Finally, a sparsely connected Pointwise Group Convolution is adopted to optimize the depthwise separable convolution in MobileNetv3 network, the model complexity is reduced, and the model speed is improved. The experimental results show that the accuracy and speed of the proposed algorithm are better than those of the other algorithms in the classroom scene test set, the mean average precision (mAP) can be improved by up to 2.88%, and the recognition rate can be improved by up to 12 FPS.
The Correlation Between Motivation and IELTS Reading Achievement Among Chinese Students
Authors: Fang Minghui
Published: June 2024

This study investigates the impact of motivational factors on IELTS reading test performance among Chinese learners. It aims to assess the level of motivation, examine its correlation with IELTS reading achievement, and identify the most influential predictor among intrinsic and extrinsic motivations. Using a quantitative research design and a sample of 242 students from 12 IELTS training institutions in southwest China, data were collected via the Motivation in English Reading Questionnaire (MERQ) and Cambridge Practice Tests for IELTS. Results indicate a significant positive correlation between motivation and IELTS reading scores. Multiple regression analysis revealed that intrinsic motivation (efficacy and engagement) is the strongest predictor of reading achievement. These findings highlight the importance of motivation in standardized English proficiency assessments.
Serum Trace Metallic Element of Copper is Associated with Overweight and Obesity
Authors: Yang Xiuwen , Liu Zhaoyi , Feng Huaili , You Ting , Wang Jiao , Duan Xinhao , Chen Chengzhi , Qiu Jingfu
Published: June 2024

The relationship between serum trace metallic elements and overweight and obesity is unclear, and few studies have evaluated the relationship between serum trace metal elements and overweight and obesity. Nine serum trace metallic elements of Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Se, V and Zn were detected in people with obesity and normal adults. Then 1865 adults from 2011–2016 cycles of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was included for a large sample analysis. Serum Cu is highly expressed in the people with obesity. The third quartile (Q3) (OR: 1.898, 95% CI: 1.173–3.071, P = 0.012) and fourth quartile (Q4) (OR: 2.047, 95% CI: 1.201–3.489, P = 0.011) of Cu were related to an increased likelihood of people with overweight and obesity. Subgroup analysis showed that high levels of serum Cu (OR: 1.011, 95% CI: 1.004–1.018, P = 0.002) were found may be a risk factor for overweight and obesity in females and in the 20–39 years old (OR: 1.010, 95% CI: 1.002–1.019, P = 0.020). The RCS models detect non-linear relationships between serum trace metallic elements and overweight and obesity. The study provides insights into the relationship between trace metallic elements and overweight and obesity, providing an opportunity for further investigation in this area.
A novel type IV pili inhibitor protects broilers from Clostridium perfringens infection
Authors: Chen Tingting , Zhang Qiaoling , Wang Xinyu , Liu Shui , Zhou Yonglin , Xu Lei , Wang Jianfeng , Deng Xuming , Qiu Jiazhang , Lv Qianghua
Published: June 2024

C. perfringens is a zoonotic pathogen that causes NE, enterotoxemia, food poisoning and gas gangrene in animals and humans and thus seriously endangers public safety and the development of animal husbandry. Overcoming this health risk requires new approaches for antibiotic discovery and the screening of unique bacterial targets. In this work, we identified an active natural compound inhibitor targeting C. perfringens TFP. Based on the TFP-mediated gliding motility phenotype, we screened of numerous natural compounds and identified galangin as a nonantibacterial compound that inhibits C. perfringens cell adhesion and other functions. Galangin inhibits the formation of TFP by reducing the transcription of related genes, such as pilA, pilC, pilT, and pilM, disrupting the pathogenicity of C. perfringens mediated by TFP. The cell adhesion test and broiler model showed that galangin significantly inhibited C. perfringensvirulence in vivo and in vitro and exerted a comprehensive protective effect on infected broilers. Inhibition of TFP function is an effective strategy for the development of drugs targeting C. perfringensinfection. Our evidence proves that galangin can inhibit C. perfringensTFP in vivo and in vitro.
Attraction to water and polarization in dragonflies and damselflies along a light pollution gradient
Authors: Sandoval-Granillo Valentina , Ensaldo-Cárdenas Angélica S. , Robertson Bruce , Villalobos-Jimenez Giovanna , Córdoba-Aguilar Alex
Published: June 2024

Aquatic insects, like odonates, rely on light polarization as a visual cue to locate water bodies for reproduction, but artificial polarization from light pollution can lead them into ecological traps. This study investigates odonate preference for polarized light cues compared to other sensory cues associated with water perception, as well as the effects of exposure to artificial polarization on their sensitivity to these cues. We hypothesized that artificial polarized light acts as a selective pressure, modifying odonate behavior and resulting in a reduced preference for anthropogenic polarizing traps in odonate species in areas with higher light pollution and an increased preference for natural water bodies. Our multiple-choice experiment revealed interspecific differences in cue attraction, with some species preferring polarizing traps while others favored water or color cues. Species attracted to the ecological light traps were always a subset of the total species present in each site, suggesting that some species evade ecological traps. Surprisingly, we found few significant differences in odonate behavior between polarization exposure categories, suggesting either weak selective pressure, prioritization of other sensory cues, or existing adaptations to avoid ecological traps. We observed sex disparities in susceptibility to traps, with males showing greater attraction, potentially due to differences in habitat selection criteria. While evidence of strong selective pressure from light pollution is lacking, our results emphasize the importance of reducing light pollution near water bodies to conserve odonates and aquatic insect populations in a changing environment.
The quantum version of Kolmogorov-Arnold Network ( KAN ) : Variational Quantum Kolmogorov-Arnold Network.
Authors: Wakaura Hikaru , Suksmono Andriyan B.
Published: June 2024

We implemented a quantum version of the Kolmogorov-Arnold Network (KAN) on a quantum circuit. It optimizes the weight of each synaptic connection to enhance the overall performance of the neurons. This approach offers a significant boost in efficiency over traditional neural networks, as it can be optimized more accurately and requires only a few neurons to solve complex problems. The KAN is a multi-layer network, similar to a traditional neural network, with each layer represented as a matrix containing parameters and feedback. This structure is linear and mirrors the form of Variational Quantum Algorithms. Thus, we propose the Variational Quantum Kolmogorov-Arnold Network (VQKAN) as a quantum version of the Kolmogorov-Arnold Network. We demonstrated the optimization of VQKAN for the fitting of the given function in some ways, such as by using ansatzes and comparisons.
Archean Cratons: Time Capsules of the Early Earth
Authors: Frost Carol D. , Mueller Paul A.
Published: June 2024

Studies of Archean cratons, and the rocks and minerals they contain, help us understand the processes that occurred on the early Earth, our place in the Solar System, and how the planet we live on today came to be. The articles in this issue examine different aspects of early Earth evolution from multiple perspectives relying on both theory and observation. We hope they will encourage you to investigate further this most fascinating time in Earth history. Here we introduce the basic characteristics of cratons, the challenges of inferring Earth evolution from the sparse Archean rock record, the concept of cratonic clans, the development of supercratons, and, by the end of the Archean, continents, supercontinents, and plate tectonics.
Earth’s Earliest Crust
Authors: O’Neil Jonathan , Rizo Hanika , Reimink Jesse , Garçon Marion , Carlson Richard W.
Published: June 2024

The scarcity of rocks preserved from the first billion years (Gy) of Earth’s history hinders our ability to study the nature of the earliest crust. Rare >4.0-Gy-old zircons confirm that felsic crust was present within 500 million years of Earth’s formation. Given that most of that ancient crust has been destroyed, geochemical and isotopic tracers applied to rocks from the oldest sections of continents can be used to provide insights into the nature of the predecessor crust. Evidence from Earth’s oldest rocks and minerals suggests multiple early mantle depletion episodes, possibly linked to the formation of an initial, dominantly mafic, crust. This early crust was the precursor to evolved rocks that now constitute considerable portions of Earth’s oldest surviving crust.
CDMFT+HFD: An extension of dynamical mean field theory for nonlocal interactions applied to the single band extended Hubbard model
Authors: Kundu Sarbajaya , Sénéchal David
Published: June 2024

We examine the phase diagram of the extended Hubbard model on a square lattice, for both attractive and repulsive nearest-neighbor interactions, using CDMFT+HFD, a combination of Cluster Dynamical Mean Field theory (CDMFT) and a Hartree-Fock mean-field decoupling of the inter-cluster extended interaction. For attractive non-local interactions, this model exhibits a region of phase separation near half-filling, in the vicinity of which we find islands of d-wave superconductivity, decaying rapidly as a function of doping, with disconnected regions of extended s-wave order at smaller (higher) electron densities. On the other hand, when the extended interaction is repulsive, a Mott insulating state at half-filling is destabilized by hole doping, in the strong-coupling limit, in favor of d-wave superconductivity. At the particle-hole invariant chemical potential, we find a first-order phase transition from antiferromagnetism (AF) to d-wave superconductivity as a function of the attractive nearest-neighbor interaction, along with a deviation of the density from the half-filled limit. A repulsive extended interaction instead favors charge-density wave (CDW) order at half-filling.