bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Character Formation and Islamic Knowledge through Recitation Teaching at TPA Darussalam Negeri Ureng, Maluku Tengah, Indonesia
Authors: Latumahina Fransina , Latupono Mahudin Akbar , Talaohu Made Alim , Lukaraja Asmita , Kerubun Anisa
Published: March 2024

This research article explores the implementation of a recitation teaching movement at TPA Darussalam Negeri Ureng in the Leihitu sub-district of Central Maluku, Indonesia. The study aims to foster empathy and concern for community issues while providing additional religious education to children in the region. The teaching methodology employed includes memorization techniques, focusing on Juz Amma and the Quran as well as understanding Quranic verses and stories. KKN students serve as assistant instructors, supporting the ustadzah in teaching recitation activities. The recitation classes take place daily from 14:00 to 16:00 WIT. The article outlines the steps involved in the implementation process, including the methods, techniques, and materials used. The results indicate that this initiative has positively influenced various aspects of the children's lives, such as increased Quranic reading and practice, improved public speaking skills during religious events, and enhanced discipline and respectful behavior in worship and social interactions. The findings suggest that recitation teaching at TPA Darussalam Negeri Ureng contributes to character formation and Islamic knowledge among the youth in the community. The implications of this research highlight the importance of incorporating such initiatives into educational programs to further promote moral values, Islamic teachings, and community engagement among young individuals.

Highlight:

Unique approach: The implementation of KKN at Darussalam Negeri Ureng TPA offers a distinctive approach to community development, focusing on religious education and character formation beyond formal schooling.

Method and technique: The teaching methodology at TPA includes memorization and understanding of Quranic verses, fostering a deeper understanding of Islamic knowledge among children.

Community involvement: The active participation of Ureng State KKN students in teaching recitation activities at TPA fosters community engagement and socialization opportunities for the children, creating a supportive learning environment.

Keyword:

KKN Implementation, Darussalam Negeri Ureng Al-Qur'an Study Place (TPA), Religious Education, Community Engagement, Character Formation
Rethinking 'Res Judicata Pro Varitate Habetur' in Indonesian Judiciary
Authors: Fathor Fathorrahman , Widiarto Aan Eko
Published: March 2024

This research explores the principle of "Res Judicata Pro Varitate Habetur," a legal doctrine asserting that a judicial decision with legal authority must be considered correct and binding. Focusing on its application in the decisions of the Constitutional Court (MK) and the Supreme Court (MA) of Indonesia, the study emphasizes the authority and differences in the finality of their rulings. It proposes a conceptual update to "Res Judicata Pro Varitate Habetur" aimed at enhancing public access to legal truth, considering the need to balance legal certainty with judicial system improvements. The research employs a Juridical-Normative method, incorporating conceptual, juridical, and case study approaches. The conceptual approach underscores the importance of understanding legal concepts as a preliminary step in analyzing legal norms. This approach involves the analysis of legal texts, the objectives of the law, and the relevant legal system. The juridical approach involves understanding and analyzing law by referring to the applicable written norms, while the case study approach involves analyzing court decisions or relevant legal cases. The findings highlight the role of this principle in maintaining legal certainty, and suggest that its conceptual update could enhance public access to legal truth and contribute to legal thought on future judicial system reform.

Highlights:

Conceptual Reevaluation: The study emphasizes rethinking the 'Res Judicata Pro Varitate Habetur' principle to better balance legal certainty and judicial fairness in Indonesia.

Methodological Approach: Employing a Juridical-Normative method, the research integrates conceptual analysis, legal norms study, and case examination for comprehensive insights.

Implications for Judicial Reform: Findings suggest potential improvements in public access to justice and contribute to broader discussions on reforming the Indonesian judicial system.

Keywords: Res Judicata Pro Varitate Habetur, Indonesian Judiciary, Legal Certainty, Judicial Reform, Public Access to Justice
Sarcasm Detection in News Headline Dataset with Ensemble Deep Learning Method
Authors: Mochamad Alfan Rosid  , Siti Nur Haliza  , Yulian Findawati  , Uce Indahyanti
Published: March 2024

Sarcasm, a prevalent linguistic device, is frequently used in public discourse, often causing offence and distress to the listener. The complexity inherent in detecting sarcasm is a significant and ongoing challenge in the field of sentiment analysis research. The widespread use of this phenomenon in diverse conversational contexts further complicates its identification in data sets full of human interactions. Deficiencies in methodologies for distinguishing such statements adversely affect the performance of sentiment analysis, especially in distinguishing negative, positive or neutral sentiments. Inaccuracies in sarcasm detection can affect the classification results of sentiment analysis. Therefore, sentiment analysis seeks to categorise sarcastic sentences that, despite appearing positive, actually contain negative meanings. This research aims to build a deep learning ensemble stack model. The basic deep learning methods used are Bidirectional Gated Recurrent Unit (BiGRU) and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). LightGBM is used to perform stack ensemble of deep learning methods. The dataset used comes from the Kaggle website and consists of English headlines. The findings show that the stack ensemble method outperforms BiGRU and CNN, evidenced by an accuracy rate of 91.2% and an F1 score of 90.2%. Therefore, from the above discussion, it can be concluded that the LightGBM method emerges as the optimal solution for sarcasm detection
Facial Human Emotion Recognition by Using YOLO Faces Detection Algorithm
Authors: Hasan Mustafa Asaad
Published: March 2024

Deep emotions have gained importance recently because they constitute a form of interpersonal nonverbal communication that has been demonstrated and used in a variety of real-world contexts, including human-machine interactions, safety, and health. The best elements of a human face must be extracted in order to forecast the proper emotion expression, making this method extremely difficult. In this work, we provide a brand-new structural model to forecast human emotion on the face. The human face is found using the YOLO faces detection technique, and its attributes are extracted. These features then help to classify the face image into one of the seven emotions: natural, happy, sad, angry, surprised, fear, or disgust. The experiment demonstrated the robustness and speed of the suggested structure. This paper made use of the FER2013 dataset. The experimental findings demonstrated that the proposed system's accuracy was 94%.
Decomposition methods for multi-horizon stochastic programming
Authors: Zhang Hongyu , Grossmann Ignacio E. , Tomasgard Asgeir
Published: March 2024

Multi-horizon stochastic programming includes short-term and long-term uncertainty in investment planning problems more efficiently than traditional multi-stage stochastic programming. In this paper, we exploit the block separable structure of multi-horizon stochastic linear programming, and establish that it can be decomposed by Benders decomposition and Lagrangean decomposition. In addition, we propose parallel Lagrangean decomposition with primal reduction that, (1) solves the scenario subproblems in parallel, (2) reduces the primal problem by keeping one copy for each scenario group at each stage, and (3) solves the reduced primal problem in parallel. We apply the parallel Lagrangean decomposition with primal reduction, Lagrangean decomposition and Benders decomposition to solve a stochastic energy system investment planning problem. The computational results show that: (a) the Lagrangean type decomposition algorithms have better convergence at the first iterations to Benders decomposition, and (b) parallel Lagrangean decomposition with primal reduction is very efficient for solving multi-horizon stochastic programming problems. Based on the computational results, the choice of algorithms for multi-horizon stochastic programming is discussed.
A clustering approach identifies an Autism Spectrum Disorder subtype more responsive to chronic oxytocin treatment
Authors: Kendrick Keith , Zhao Weihua , Le Jiao , Liu Qi , Zhu Siyu , Lan Chunmei , Zhang Qianqian , Zhang Yingying , Li Qin , Kou Juan , Yang Wenxu , Zhang Rong , Becker Benjamin , Zhang Lan
Published: March 2024

Over the last decade, a number of clinical trials have reported effects of chronic treatment with intranasal oxytocin on autistic symptoms but with inconsistent findings. Autism is a heterogeneous disorder and one factor which may influence treatment outcome is whether a subtype of individuals is more sensitive to oxytocin. In a recent cross-over trial on 41 young autistic children we reported that 44% showed a reliable improvement in clinical symptoms (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, ADOS-2) after a 6-week intervention. In the current re-assessment of the data, we used an unsupervised data-driven cluster analysis approach to identify autism subtypes using 23 different demographic, social subtype, endocrine,eye-tracking and clinical symptom measures taken before treatment and this revealed an optimum of two different subtypes. We then assessed the proportion of identified responders to oxytocin and found that while 61.5% of one subtype included responders only 13.3% of the other did so. This oxytocin-sensitive subtype also showed overall significant post-treatment clinical and eye-tracking measure changes. The oxytocin-sensitive subtype was primarily characterized at baseline by lower initial clinical severity (ADOS-2) and greater interest in the eye-region of emotional faces. These features alone were nearly as efficient in identifying the two subtypes as all 23 baseline measures and this easy-to-conduct approach may help rapidly and objectively screen for oxytocin responders. Future clinical trials using oxytocin interventions may therefore achieve greater success by focusing on children with this specific autism subtype and help develop individualized oxytocin intervention.
Epicardial placement of human placental membrane allografts in coronary artery bypass graft surgery is associated with reduced post-operative atrial fibrillation
Authors: Khalpey Zain , Kumar Ujjawal , Hitscherich Pamela , Aslam Usman , Chnari Evangelia , Long Marc
Published: March 2024

Background
Post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) occurs in up to 40% of patients following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and is associated with higher risk of stroke and mortality. This study investigates how POAF may be mitigated by epicardial placement of aseptically processed human placental membrane allografts (HPMAs) before pericardial closure in CABG surgery.

Methods
This retrospective observational study of patients undergoing CABG surgery excluded patients with pre-operative heart failure, chronic kidney disease, 1 or a history of atrial fibrillation. The “treatment” group (n = 24) had three HPMAs placed epicardially prior to partial pericardial approximation and chest closure; the control group (n = 54) did not receive HPMA.

Results
HPMA-treated patients saw a significant, greater than four-fold reduction in POAF incidence compared to controls (35.2% to 8.3%, p = 0.0136). Univariate analysis demonstrated that HPMA treatment was associated with an 83% reduction in POAF (OR = 0.17, p = 0.0248). Multivariable analysis yielded similar results (OR = 0.07, p = 0.0156) after controlling for other covariates. Overall length of stay (LOS) between groups was similar, but ICU LOS trended lower with HPMA treatment (p = 0.0677). Post-operative inotrope and pressor requirement were similar among groups. There was no new-onset post-operative heart failure, stroke or death reported up to thirty days in either group.

Conclusions
Epicardial HPMA placement can be a simple intervention at the end of CABG surgery that may provide a new approach to reduce post-operative atrial fibrillation by modulating local inflammation, possibly reducing ICU and hospital stay, and ultimately improving patient outcomes
Using Structural Equation Model (SEM) to analyse global student mobility programs in higher education in India.
Authors: Kumar Bhawna , Singh Gurinder , Dwivedi Yogesh , Nanda Shweta
Published: March 2024

India, the acknowledged crown jewel of international strategy for higher education institutions, has a vision to adopt best transnational education (TNE) practices and robust frameworks that make it a hub of quality education with brain circulation rather than brain drain. There are many questions and concerns amidst the changing scenario brought about by National Education Policy (NEP), and the higher education sector is actively reviewing its plans to include international student mobility programs in their portfolio. A nation that has thought itself to be proudly self-sufficient with the premier Indian Institutes of Technology & Management, is now brainstorming how the world has been driving international student mobility with tangible & effective outcomes across all parameters of excellence. This study focuses on effective strategies and concerns for short term international student mobility within Internationalization of higher education in India, by using a structural equation modelling (SEM) method to determine the effect of institutional intervention between push, pull and fulfilment factors. A questionnaire was self-designed and administered to a group of Indian students who had undertaken a 5-week study abroad program to London, customized by their higher education institution. Reliability, factor, and SEM analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS and AMOS (Analysis of Moment Structure). The findings highlight the importance of having structured institutional policies & best practices that promote internationalization at home & abroad. The results are important for Indian Higher Education Institutions aspiring for understanding and applying suitable strategies for effective global positioning & outreach.
A hierarchical atlas of the human cerebellum for functional precision mapping
Authors: Nettekoven Caroline , Zhi Da , Shahshahani Ladan , Pinho Ana Luisa , Saadon-Grosman Noam , Buckner Randy , Diedrichsen Jörn
Published: March 2024

The human cerebellum is activated by a wide variety of cognitive and motor tasks. Previous functional atlases have relied on single task-based or resting-state fMRI datasets. Here, we present a functional atlas that integrates information from 7 large-scale datasets, outperforming existing group atlasses. The new atlas has three further advantages: First, the regions are hierarchically organized across 3 levels, allowing analyses at the appropriate level of granularity. Second, we provide both asymmetric and symmetric versions of the atlas. The symmetric version, which is obtained by constraining the boundaries to be the same across hemispheres, is especially useful in studying functional lateralization. Finally, the atlas allows for precision mapping in individuals: The integration of the probabilistic group atlas with an individual localizer scan results in a marked improvement in prediction of individual boundaries. Overall, the new atlas is an important resource for the study of the interdigitated functional organization of the human cerebellum in health and disease.
Risk factors associated with equine infundibular caries
Authors: Wattle Ove , Lundström Torbjörn , Egenvall Agneta , Birkhed Dowen
Published: March 2024

Background
Bacteria, diet and host factors play important roles for caries in humans. Streptococcus devriesei has been associated with infundibular caries in horses, a bacterial species that has similar properties to Streptococcus mutans that is associated with caries in humans. We investigated differences between two groups of horses, one with and one without maxillary P2 caries, to elucidate the relationship of caries to feeding regimes and environmental factors.
Of all 71 horses included, 39 had the diagnoses of caries in the infundibula of the second maxillary molars (P2), and were presented at an animal dental clinic during a 6-month period. Matched by region, usage, discipline and date of examination controls (n=32), i.e. horseswith no signs of infundibular caries, were used as a comparison group. All owners filled in a questionnaire on feeding, type of use and environmental factors.
Results:
Significant differences between the two groups were found for four factors: In the caries group there was a higher presence of excessive tooth abrasion caused by the bit on P2s, and higher proportion of feed concentrate given to the horses; in the non-caries group, more horses spent time on pasture in the summer, and there was a higher proportion of horses with a post normal occlusion. There was no difference between groups regarding other types of forage.
Conclusions:
Tooth abrasion caused by the bit and too little time eating roughage were found to be risk factors connected with P2-infundibular caries in horses. These finding indicates that caries constitute a “multifactorial disease” in horses, as is the case in humans.
Durable superhydrophobic cotton fabrics with electromagnetic wave absorption based on MoS2 /RGO composites
Authors: Cai Yangfang , Xu Lihui , Pan Hong , Zhao Hong , Yao Chengjian , Yang Qun , Shen Yong , Wang Liming , Dou Meiran , Teng Yi , Zhang Yingxiu , Hu Lei , Wang Yihong
Published: March 2024

Durable superhydrophobic fabrics with electromagnetic wave absorption were highly valuable in practical applications. In this work, durable superhydrophobic cotton fabrics with electromagnetic wave absorption were successfully prepared by modifying the cotton fabrics with polydopamine (PDA) and then depositing MoS2/RGO (MR) composites and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The surface morphology, crystal structure, and thermal degradation properties of the obtained products were estimated. The PDA modification enhanced the affinity and adsorption saturation between the fabrics and the MR composites. Here, the MR composites provided the fabrics with wave-absorbing components and rough micro/nanostructure, and the PDMS offered lower surface energy for the treated fabrics. Utimately, the water contact angle (WCA) of the obtained cotton fabrics could reach 157.2±0.4 ° and the minimum reflection loss (RLmin) was -45.3 dB at 11.1 GHz, which showed excellent superhydrophobicity and microwave absorption properties. In addition, the obtained cotton fabrics displayed excellent robustness against rubbing and bending and satisfactory chemical stability. This research showed promising prospects for the development of wearable materials with durable electromagnetic wave absorption.
Assessing Methane Emissions from Paddy Fields Through Environmental and UAV Remote Sensing Variables
Authors: Velez Andres Felipe , Alvarez-Mendoza Cesar I. , Navarro Fabian , Guzman Diego , Bohorquez Martha Patricia , Selvaraj Michael Gomez , Ishitani Manabu
Published: March 2024

Concerns about methane (CH4) emissions from rice, a staple sustaining over 3.5 billion people globally, are heightened due to its status as the second-largest contributor to greenhouse gases, driving climate change. Accurate quantification of CH4 emissions from rice fields is crucial for understanding gas concentrations. Leveraging technological advancements, we present a groundbreaking solution that integrates machine learning and remote sensing data, challenging traditional closed chamber methods. To achieve this, our methodology involves extensive data collection using drones equipped with a Micasense Altum camera and ground sensors, effectively reducing reliance on labor-intensive and costly field sampling. In this experimental project, our research delves into the intricate relationship between environmental variables, such as soil conditions and weather patterns, and CH4 emissions. Utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and evaluating over 20 regression models, we achieved remarkable results, emphasizing an R2 value of 0.98 and 0.95 for the training and testing data, respectively. This outcome designates the Random Forest regressor as the most suitable model with superior predictive capabilities. Notably, phosphorus, GRVI median, and cumulative soil and water temperature emerged as the fittest variables for predicting these values in the model. Our findings underscore an innovative, cost-effective, and efficient alternative for quantifying CH4 emissions, marking a significant advancement in the technology-driven approach to evaluating rice growth parameters and vegetation indices, providing valuable insights for advancing gas emissions studies in rice paddies.
In Silico Protein Investigation and Correlation Analysis of Growth Hormone Gene and Growth Traits in European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)
Authors: Özcan-Gökçek Emel , Işık Raziye , Karahan Bilge , Gamsız Kutsal , Sürmeli Yusuf
Published: March 2024

The growth hormone (GH) gene plays a regulatory role in postnatal somatic growth, metabolism, and development in vertebrates and fish. The genetic variations in a partial region of the GH gene and its associations with growth traits were studied using DNA sequencing in 200 European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) individuals. We identified 5 haplotypes (HAP1-5) and 10 novel SNPs (g.1557 A > T, g.1611 T > C, g.1663 C > G, g.1799 T > C, g.1824 T > C, g.1912 T > A, and g.2052 G > C) in the GH gene in European sea bass. The genotypes of g.1611 T > C locus of the GH gene were found to be significantly associated with total weight, filet weight, and head length). The association between the GH g.1557A > T genotypes and preanal and abdominal length was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Similarly, the genotypes of g.1857 C > T loci having the synonymous mutation in phenylalanine amino acid were significantly associated with standard length (p < 0.05). HAP4 reported the highest weight and length traits than the other haplotypes (p < 0.05). It is suggested that HAP4 should be used as a potential marker to improve the accuracy of selection in European sea bass in Mediterranean conditions.
Chickpea production restored through upscaling crowdsourcing winner varieties and planting date adjustments in the Ada’a district, East Shoa zone, Ethiopia
Authors: Mengistu Dejene K. , Terefe Hailu , Teshome Tadesse , Garamu Talila , Lakew Basazen Fantahun , Fadda Carlo
Published: March 2024

Chickpea is an important cash crop for Ada’a farmers as it does for farmers in Ethiopia and elsewhere in the world. Its production, however, has been dwindling due to biotic and abiotic stresses. According to participant farmers from Ada’a district, the production of chickpea in some Kebeles of Ada’a such as Gubasaye has been abandoned because of root rot and foliar diseases such as fusarium wilt. This paper presents the evaluation of upscaled varieties' performance assessed by metric data as well as through beneficiary farmers' self-assessment data. Recognizant to the problem, five varieties of chickpea tested in the Goro district of the Southwest Shoa zone, were introduced as part of the upscaling of crowdsourcing winner crop varieties in Ethiopia. The introduction of the winner varieties and adjustment of the planting time was found effective in the Ada’a district. Higher grain yield was obtained from the upscaled winner varieties in the range of 2.4–2.53 t/ha, with slight variations over varieties. Habru variety showed slightly higher performance than the others. Survey participant farmers have reported an increase in GY due to growing the winner varieties compared with varieties they used to grow before and gained higher annual income due to higher productivity, marker demand of the upscaled varieties, and premium market price with 6–25 Ethiopian birr (ETB) per kilogram of sold grain of these varieties. High productivity is attributed to the genetic potential of the varieties, their response to farm management, and better adaptation to the local growing conditions. Participant farmers perceived that their livelihood has been improving because of the adoption of the upscaled varieties' productivity and market demand. The annual income of participant farmers is estimated to be 2500 to 181,000 ETB for growing the winner varieties. The results indicate that upscaling pre-tested chickpea varieties and delaying their planting time to early September are effective mechanisms for reducing yield loss to fusarium wilt and root rot diseases. It can be inferred that using the crowdsourcing approach for variety evaluation and selection for upscaling is a robust approach to improve the adoption and dissemination of improved agricultural technologies.
Semantic Enrichment of Data through Knowledge Graph Generation
Authors: Sundaram Shyam , Khalaf Osamah Ibrahim , Regunathan Rajeshkannan , Rajasekaran Rajkumar , verma Animesh , Fuladi Siddhesh , Balaji Prateek , Algburi Sameer , Hamam Habib
Published: March 2024

As the Python ecosystem grows, developers encounter a daunting range of open-source packages, often leading to analysis paralysis. A Python Pip package recommender system is proposed that employs a knowledge network and Natural language processing to make customized suggestions, addressing this problem. The study introduces a system to simplify package selection and enhance developer efficiency.The approach relies on a detailed knowledge tree that explains Python package-function relationships. Important features and dependencies are identified by carefully evaluating package information and documentation, resulting in a well-structured network of package interdependencies. The recommendation engine relies on this graph to personalize suggestions based on the user's project needs.The system employs multiple methods to analyze user input and identify project needs using natural language processing. Entity recognition and sentiment analysis are used to understand user intent and goals to make better suggestions. The NLP component dynamically integrates user feedback to improve suggestions and enhance system precision.The system utilizes Python modules like NetworkX for knowledge graph creation, Natural Language Toolkit(NLTK) for NLP processing, and Fast for the web interface. A user-friendly web application allows developers to enter project details and receive Python application recommendations.To evaluate the system's effectiveness, automated testing and user feedback are used. Recommendations are compared against carefully curated package lists for various project categories to assess their accuracy. User happiness is measured by providing extensive input on usability, suggestion quality, and user experience.Finally, the Python Pip package recommender system offers a novel way to enhance developer productivity. Developers are provided with an efficient and accurate package discovery and selection mechanism using a knowledge graph and NLP. The aim is to improve software quality and facilitate Python package adoption with the system.
Genome-wide Scans Reveal Selection Signatures and Cross- Population Variation in South African and European Beef Cattle Breeds
Authors: Modiba Mamokoma Cathrine , Magoro Aletta Matshidiso , Nephawe Khathutshelo Agree , Ngcobo Jabulani Nkululeko , Hadebe Khanyisile , Mpofu Takalani Judas , Teske Peter R. , Mtileni Bohani
Published: March 2024

Background
In genetics and evolutionary biology, the concept of selection signatures is used to describe specific patterns in the genome that are associated with the process of natural selection. This natural selection can leave distinct genetic footprints of signatures, such as changes in allele frequencies, the presence of specific mutations, or patterns of genetic variation. Selection signatures provide information about the evolutionary forces that have shaped a population over time.
Methods
In this study, a total of 96 samples from four different cattle breeds, namely Nguni (n = 28), Bonsmara (n = 21), Angus (n = 22), and Simmental (n = 25) were subjected to quality control, following quality control, a total of 105,675 SNPs from 73 individuals remained for further analysis. Genomic signatures of positive selection within each breed were identified using the Integrated Haplotype Score (iHS) method, and cross-population comparison analysis was conducted using XP-EHH, Rsb, and Fst methods to assess the genetic differences between breeds.
Results
For the iHS analyses of individual breeds, two genomic regions identified signatures of selection for Bonsmara, six for Simmental, four for Nguni, and one for Angus. Ten regions were identified as being under selection, with BTA 12 shared between Nguni and Bonsmara. Cross-population comparisons using XP-EHH, Rsb, and FST methods revealed specific genomic regions differentially selected between breeds. Gene annotation analyses revealed candidate genes associated with several Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL). For instance, in Simmental cattle, the gene FAM110B was associated with carcass weight and body confirmation score. Bonsmara cattle had fewer candidate genes, including CDK8 and FLT1, while Angus revealed no candidate genes on BTA 18. Nguni cattle revealed the following candidate genes CRB1, PLAG2GA, and VASH2, with CDK8 shared between Bonsmara and Nguni on BTA 12. Cross population comparisons further revealed candidate genes associated with specific traits. For Bonsmara vs Nguni, genes including PLCXD3, FAM149B1, and GRIK2 were identified, whereas, for Simmental vs Angus, SLIT2 and TSPAN9 genes were identified. Furthermore, the study highlighted gene functions, revealing associations with meat quality traits, reproduction, health, diseases, fertility, and body conformation score. Gene interaction analysis using the STRING database identified a network of 63 candidate genes, revealing the structure of genetic interactions. Some genes had multiple functions, indicating multiple roles in various biological processes.
Conclusion
This extensive genomic study can assist in highlighting the importance of the genetic background of breed-specific traits, and in this way contributes to selective breeding and trait improvement in cattle populations.
Muscle Quality Index Comparisons Between Hispanics and Non-hispanic Caucasians Using Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry and Handgrip Strength
Authors: Nickerson Brett , Mehra Ayush , Snarr Ronald , Park Kyung-Shin , Czerwinski Stefan
Published: March 2024

Background & Aims: Muscle quality index (MQI) can be computed in various ways. Also, many studies have evaluated MQI in older adults and non-Hispanic populations. The aim of this study was to compare various muscle quality indexes between Hispanics and non-Hispanic Caucasians when stratifying grip strength and appendicular lean mass measurements.
Methods: 235 participants (aged 25.5±9.5 for males and 26.4±9.9 for females) completed a DXA scan to assess appendicular lean mass (ALM). Handgrip strength (HGS) was assessed using a handheld dynamometer. MQI was computed using four different models: 1). MQIRA: ALM and HGS of right arm and hand, respectively; 2). MQILA: ALM and HGS of left arm and hand, respectively; 3). MQIARMS: ALM and HGS of both arms and hands, respectively; and 4). MQITOTAL: ALM of upper and lower-limbs and HGS of left and right hand.
Results: Hispanic males and females exhibited lower HGS compared to Caucasians with effect sizes ranging from trivial (d=0.17) to moderate (d=0.80). Females demonstrated higher MQI values compared to males for MQIARMS (d=0.69), MQIRA (d=0.75), and MQILA (d=0.57). However, MQITOTAL yielded a small practical effect (d=0.33) in favor of males (3.2±0.5 kg/kg vs. 3.1±0.5 kg/kg). After factoring by sex and ethnicity, Hispanic males and females, compared to non-Hispanic Caucasians males and females, showed trivial-to-small practical differences (d values ranging from 0.03 to 0.39).
Conclusions: These results demonstrate MQI models vary across sex, particularly when utilizing models that account for upper extremity strength and ALM (i.e., MQIARMS, MQIRA, and MQILA). Lastly, to establish consistency in future research, the present study recommends using MQI models that account for ALM of upper- and lower-limbs (i.e., MQITOTAL). However, research measuring muscular strength via one upper-limb (e.g., left hand) might consider measuring ALM of the corresponding arm (e.g., left arm) when computing muscle quality (e.g., MQILA).
The prognostic significance of FoxM1 and its immune regulatory function in Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Li Changyou , Qi Yao , Chen Cunhai , Bu Xiaocui , Ma Xuezhen , Zhao Peng
Published: March 2024

Liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world with a poor prognosis. FoxM1, a known transcription factor, plays a principal role in the progression and development of multiple tumors. However, the relationships between FoxM1 expression, tumor immunity, and prognosis in LIHC remain unclear. Here we investigated the expression of FoxM1, its prognostic value and immune cell infiltration in LIHC via Oncomine, TIMER, GEPIA, HCCDB and Kaplan-Meier plotter databases. FoxM1 expression was significantly higher in LIHC and correlated with tumor stage, grade, and TP53 mutation status. The high expression of FoxM1 was related to the poor prognosis of LIHC patients, which was influenced by the abundance of immune infiltrates including B cells, CD4+T cells, CD8+T cells and Tregs. FoxM1 showed strong correlations with the infiltrating levels of different immune cell subtypes including B cells, CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, macrophages, neutrophils and dendritic cells. FoxM1 expression was also significantly positively correlated with the expression of immune checkpoint molecules such as PD-1, CTLA-4, LAG3 and HAVCR2. What’s more, we found that inhibition of FoxM1 enhanced T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity against liver cancer cells via modulating PD-L1 expression. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that FoxM1 could be a potential prognostic target involved in its immune regulatory function in LIHC.
Higher Charlson Comorbidity Index is Associated with Increased Risk of Erectile Dysfunction: Evidence from NHANES Data
Authors: Xie Ruoyun , Chen Xiaobao , Liu Binhong , Zhou Junkai , Jiang Wei , lin Junwei
Published: March 2024

Background The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) is a tool used to assess the presence and severity of various coexisting conditions in an individual, providing a predictive value for mortality. However, the relationship between CCI and Erectile Dysfunction (ED) has not been clearly established. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between CCI and ED, with the goal of offering valuable insights to improve the quality of life.Methods We used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to explore the association between CCI and ED. The primary statistical methods employed included weighted multivariate regression analyses, subgroup analyses, restricted cubic spline (RCS) analyses, and propensity score matching (PSM) analyses.Results Out of the 2295 adults that participated in this study, 863 (37.6%) were diagnosed with ED. The results of weighted multivariate regression analyses demonstrated a positive correlation between the CCI and the incidence of ED. For each additional point on the CCI, the risk of ED increased by 32% (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.18–1.47). When the CCI was divided into two groups (CCI = 0 and CCI > = 1), the risk of ED significantly increased, particularly for those with CCI > = 1, indicating a 122% higher risk of ED compared to those with CCI = 0 (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.62–3.05). Sensitivity analyses such as subgroup analyses and PSM confirmed the robust positive correlation between CCI and ED.Conclusion Our study suggests that a higher CCI is positively correlated with an increased risk of ED, and decreasing CCI can help reduce the risk of ED.
Inhibition of phosphodiesterase 10A by MP-10 rescues behavioral deficits and normalizes microglial morphology and synaptic pruning in a mouse model of FOXP1 syndrome
Authors: Froehlich Henning , Wang Jing , Althammer Ferdinand , Schubert Tim , Kluck Nina , Grinevich Valery , Schmitteckert Stefanie , Schaaf Christian , Rappold Gudrun
Published: March 2024

FOXP1 syndrome is caused by FOXP1 haploinsufficiency and characterized by intellectual disability, speech and language impairment, autistic features and neuropsychiatric abnormalities such as anxiety and hyperactivity. Behavioral changes of respective patients are mirrored in Foxp1+/− mice. In this report, we demonstrate that decreased levels of Foxp1 in the Foxp1+/− striatum result in a significant decrease in phosphodiesterase 10a (Pde10a). Predominantly expressed in medium spiny neurons, Pde10a is involved in basal ganglia circuitry and cyclic nucleotide signalling. We also observed microglial activation and reduced synaptic pruning in the striatum of Foxp1+/− mice accompanied by an overexpression of inflammatory and microglia-associated genes (Rhoa, Cd74, Ifi30 and Fcgr2b). This suggests that neuroinflammation contributes to the observed cognitive and behavioral deficits. Interestingly, treatment of Foxp1+/− mice with the specific PDE10A/Pde10a antagonist MP-10 (PF-2545920) immediately after birth not only corrected the behavioral abnormalities, including decreased ultrasonic vocalization, hyperactivity, and increased anxiety but also normalized the changes in microglial morphology and synaptic pruning. Since FOXP1 and its signaling pathway are highly conserved, we hypothesize that administration of MP-10 or other Pde10a antagonists may also alleviate the neurological dysfunction seen in humans with FOXP1 syndrome. We also discuss how altered FOXP1 expression may be responsible for the reduced PDE10A levels in Huntington’s disease.
Hollow carbon fiber wrapped by regular rGO wave-like folds for efficient solar driven interfacial water steam generation
Authors: Yang Jie , Liu Peiqi , Fan Zhiyuan , Li Yingying , Qiao Hong-tao , Xu Xingyu , Han Sheng , Suo Xidong
Published: March 2024

Fresh water is an indispensable precious resource for human and industrial development. Although about 71% surface of the Earth is covered by seawater, many people, especially for remote areas, still suffer from water scarcity. Efficient seawater desalination is an effective way to solve the shortages of fresh water and energy. In this paper, hollow carbon fiber (HCF) wrapped by regular reduced graphene oxide (rGO) wave-like folds (rGO@HCF) is prepared according to the differences in thermal shrinkage performance between graphene oxide (GO) and willow catkins fiber (WCF). Under one sun light irradiation (1 kW m− 2), the dry surface temperature and wet surface temperature of the resulting evaporator reached up to 119.1 ℃ and 61.7 ℃, respectively, and the water steam production rate reached 3.42 kg m− 2 h− 1. Also, for the outdoor experiment, the rGO@HCF exhibits good evaporator performance which reach up 27.8 kg m− 2 day− 1. Additionally, rGO@HCF not only shows good seawater desalination performance, but also shows excellent durability for longtime work of the outdoor. This research results not only provide a new method for fiber-like agricultural or forestry by-products utilization, but also provide necessary theoretical basis for the surface structure modification of carbon fiber.
Dynamic Correction of Forest Fire Spread Prediction using Observation Error Covariance Matrix Estimation Technique based on FLC-GRU
Authors: Wu Tianyu , zhang qixing , Zhu Jiping , Wu Jinhong , Dai Jinyang , Zhang Yongming
Published: March 2024

Background Data assimilation (DA) techniques have played a significant role in improving the prediction accuracy of forest fire spread. This dynamic correction technique enhances the analytical values that better reflect the fire situation by weighting the predicted values and observed values. The weighted importance of each contribution is determined by the magnitude of its associated error. However, as a crucial parameter affecting prediction accuracy, the covariance matrix of observation errors is often inaccurate and neglects its own temporal correlation. This is unfriendly to spread prediction results. To address this issue, we proposed a targeted technique for estimating the observation error covariance matrix (R matrix) based on the Fire Line Convolutional Gated Recurrent Unit (FLC-GRU).
Results We integrated this method into the DA framework and validated its applicability and accuracy using Observing System Simulation Experiment (OSSE). Through comparisons with traditional methods, the results indicate that using the FLC-GRU estimated R matrix for correction calculations leads to wildfire prediction locations that are closer to the true values.
Conclusions The proposed approach learns the covariance matrix directly from time-series observed fire line data, without requiring any prior knowledge or assumptions about the error distribution, in contrast to classical posterior tuning methods. The proposed method significantly improves the rationality and accuracy of R matrix estimation, enhances the utility of observational data, and thereby improves the correction accuracy of forest fire spread predictions. Moreover, the study also demonstrates the applicability of the proposed method within the DA framework.
Visualizing Conformance Control Mechanisms in High-Temperature Reservoirs: A Microfluidic Analysis of Pickering Emulsified Gel Systems
Authors: Saikia Tinku , Mejia Lucas , Sultan Abdullah , Balhoff Matthew , Hamad Jafar Al
Published: March 2024

In the context of mature oil fields, the management of conformance control and water shut-off stands out as a formidable challenge. Our prior research endeavors (Saikia et al., 2021, 2020) have introduced an innovative Pickering emulsified gel system tailored for the precise adjustment of relative permeability in high-temperature reservoirs. To optimize the efficiency of this system, a comprehensive comprehension of the underlying conformance control mechanism is deemed imperative. Traditionally, the exploration of conformance control mechanisms leans on empirical data culled from core flooding experiments, computerized tomography (CT) scans, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and analogous methodologies. Nevertheless, these conventional avenues often fall short in delivering real-time visual analyses, thereby raising doubts about their reliability in predicting conformance mechanisms. In our research study, we have harnessed the capabilities of microfluidics to unlock real-time visual insights into the mechanisms governing conformance control. Employing two distinct glass micromodel geometries, we have conducted Pickering emulsified gel treatments at a scorching 105°C to achieve the targeted conformance control within these micromodels. By synergizing image and video analysis with injection pressure measurements, our findings have cast doubt on the previously posited Thin Film conformance control mechanism, revealing a more nuanced perspective on this intricate process.
Coating effect of Al2O3 on ZnMn2O4 cathode surface for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Liu Guangfu , Han Qing , Liu Kuiren
Published: March 2024

Zinc manganate (ZnMn2O4) with cluster spherical structure is prepared by low temperature coprecipitation method, and then coated with nano-sized Al2O3 via a wet chemical process. The as-prepared ZnMn2O4(ZMO), Al2O3-coated ZnMn2O4(ZMO-AlO) are characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The scanning electron microscopy shows both the ZMO and ZMO-AlO form cluster spherical structure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confrms that ZMO-AlO covered with a layer of Al2O3 particles. The ZMO and ZMO-AlO exhibit improved electrochemical performance. The initial discharge capacity is enhanced to 1228 mAh·g− 1 after the Al2O3 coating compared to the ZMO material that has an initial discharge capacity of 1140 mAh·g− 1. During the second charging and discharging process, the specific capacities of ZMO-AlO samples were 763 and 788 mAh·g− 1 respectively, with a coulombic efficiency of 96.8%. The charge-discharge specific capacities of ZMO samples are 760 and 715 mAh·g− 1 respectively, with a coulombic efficiency of 94.1%. By comparing the first and second charge discharge performance of ZMO and ZMO-AlO at a current density of 100 mA·g− 1, it can be found that ZnMn2O4 modified by Al2O3 coating has better electrochemical lithium storage performance.
Ameloblastic fibrosarcoma of the maxilla arising in an old woman, a rare case report and literature review
Authors: Liu Shiyue , Li Hong , Dong Youhong , Zhang Dongdong
Published: March 2024

Background
Ameloblastic fibrosarcoma (AFS) is a rare malignant odontogenic tumor, commonly occurring in adolescents and typically affecting the mandibular region. We report an exceptionally rare and highly atypical case of AFS in an elderly female patient originating from the maxillary bone.
Case presentation:
A 66-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital due to a left upper molar lump felt for two weeks. A CT scan suggested a maxillary bone cyst possibility.An incisional biopsy identified a spindle cell neoplasm within the soft tissues. Following an MRI, abnormalities were revealed in the left maxilla and its adjacent tissues, raising concerns about a tumorous lesion.The patient underwent subtotal maxillectomy, wide excision of the malignant tumor, intraoral epithelial flap transplantation, and dental extraction on June 15, 2023. Post-surgery histology exhibited atypical tumor cells arranged in bundles or woven patterns, with visible nuclear mitotic figures. Immunohistochemistry results indicated that tumor cells exhibited negative expression levels for PCK and CD34, while being positive for Vimentin and SMA. Additionally, the Ki-67 proliferation index ranged from 30–50% These findings suggested a potential malignant soft tissue tumor in the left maxilla, leaning towards AFS diagnosis. However, additional consultation was recommended due to the case's rarity, but the patient declined due to financial limitations. The patient received postoperative radiotherapy one month after surgery. She recovered well, with no recurrence recorded during a 6-month follow-up.
Conclusion
Based on repeated pathological evidence, we report a rare case of an elderly female with AFS originating from the maxillary bone. The patient underwent surgery and postoperative radiotherapy, resulting in a favorable treatment outcome.