bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biome type and availability of natural vegetation dictate whether farmland intensification or expansion is worse for biodiversity
Authors: Ceausu Silvia , Leclère David , Newbold Tim
Published: May 2024

To reduce the biodiversity impact of agriculture, increasing yields on existing farmland has been proposed as an alternative to farmland expansion. However, the relative effects of yield increases versus agricultural expansion have mostly been examined regionally, and measured in terms of species persistence—a metric relevant to extinction risk but limited in describing ecological communities and their support for ecosystem services. Without a thorough analysis, the lower biodiversity impacts of agricultural intensification remain largely speculative. This study provides a global assessment of biodiversity responses to land conversion and yield increases, including closing yield gaps. We also compare the biodiversity impacts of expanding farmland versus intensifying yields in agricultural landscapes to achieve a 1% increase in total production. Utilizing a large biodiversity database, natural vegetation data, and agricultural yield estimates at the landscape scale, we assess three biodiversity metrics: species richness, total abundance, and relative community abundance-weighted average range-size (RCAR), which provides a proxy for biotic homogenisation. Our models highlight that land conversion is associated with significant biodiversity loss at both local and landscape scales, emphasizing the importance of avoiding farmland expansion into new landscapes. However, yield also lead to significant biodiversity loss; closing yield gaps is associated with a median species loss of nearly 11%, and median abundance loss of almost 13%, with some agricultural landscapes losing almost 90% of species and more than 90% in abundance. Additionally, 30% of global agricultural landscapes, predominantly in the tropics, are likely to experience increased biotic homogenization. Neither expansion nor intensification is consistently better for biodiversity, with biome type, crop, biodiversity metric, and percentage of natural vegetation influencing which approach is less harmful. Our results suggest that minimising the biodiversity cost of agriculture requires a context-dependent balance between intensification and expansion in agricultural landscapes.
Lithofacies architecture of Middle-Upper Jurassic succession of the Ler Dome, Kachchh, western India: implications for depositional environments and palaeogeography
Authors: Ghaznavi Asma A. , Singh B. P , Alam Mohammad Masroor
Published: May 2024

Facies associations of the Middle-Upper Jurassic (Callovian-Oxfordian) sequences of the Ler Dome, Kachchh, western India are studied to determine suitable depositional environments and fluctuations in the sealevel during their deposition. In the present study, nine lithofacies are recognized that are grouped into four facies associations. The facies associations are tide-dominated estuarine facies, foreshore-offshore facies, onshore-offshore facies and lagoonal-tidal flat facies. These facies associations in ascending order suggest at least two transgressive and two regressive phases in a cyclic manner. During Callovian- Oxfordian, India belonged to the Indo-East African Province where shallow water of the Indo-Malagasy or Indo-East African Gulf was present, including the Kachchh Basin.
Tribological Analysis of Ti6Al4V Using Machine Learning to Determine Coefficient of Friction and Wear Rate
Authors: Parlak İsmail Enes , Kaykılarlı Cantekin , Eken Taha Yasin
Published: May 2024

Random Forest and AdaBoost, machine learning (ML) models are applied in this paper to predict friction coefficient (COF) and wear rate based on experimental datasets collected from the literature. Suboptimal classification performance for some models is one challenge faced by this study due to limitation in the number of experiments available in the literature. Therefore, this research considered the problem as a binary classification task through employment of threshold value instead of regression problem. Even with these limitations, both Random Forest and AdaBoost demonstrated significant success in classifying data sets with or without reduction dimensionality using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). These models were useful for binary classification, specifically when considering pre-defined thresholds for COF and wear rate. The conclusion suggests that future work could improve ML model performance by comparing their regression capabilities in augmented datasets from real lab experiments. Additionally, it advocates for an inverted application of ML approaches to obtain input parameters corresponding to desired COF and wear rate values.
Enhancement of W nanoparticles synthesis by injecting H 2 in a magnetron sputtering gas aggregation cluster source operated in Ar
Authors: Acsente Tomy , Stoica Silviu Daniel , Craciun Cristina , Mitu Bogdana , Dinescu Gheorghe
Published: May 2024

Synthesis of W nanoparticles by magnetron sputtering combined with gas aggregation operated in Ar suffers from a continuous decrease of the synthesis rate, ceasing in a finite time interval, in the range of minutes to tens of minutes. Experimentally, we noticed that the addition of small amounts of H2 to Ar (5–20%) increases the synthesis rate, which remains constant over time, at a value dependent on the amount of injected hydrogen. Mass spectrometry investigations revealed, in the hydrogen presence, a dominance of the ArH+ ions over the Ar+ ones, associated also with an increased number of W+ and WH+ species in plasma, sustaining a substantial increase in the nucleation rate.
Uncalibrated camera approach for vehicle speed estimation using detection and tracking
Authors: MOUAFO Donald , BIAOU Ulrich
Published: May 2024

The availability of cheap and high-quality digital cameras has fostered their deployment on the roads for traffic monitoring as part of Intelligent Transport System. Implementing accurate vehicle speed estimation solution exploiting traffic surveillance footage from such widespread camera represents a credible and cost-effective alternative to traditional methods. In this work, we present an uncalibrated camera approach for vehicle speed estimation based on detection and tracking using YoloV8 and ByteTrack. The proposed method considers an average speed over a given distance by means of intrusion lines and the implementation of vector product to monitor the arrival of the traveling vehicle at expected reference locations. The experimental results demonstrated average Root Mean Squared Error and Mean Absolute Error of respectively 1.78 km/h and 1.41 km/h for vehicles traveling in the range 10 km/h – 60 km/h. These are well below the legal tolerance values for actual speed estimation systems and demonstrate the potentiality of the presented method that paves the way toward future improvement for deployment as a simple and robust solution of vehicle speed estimation.
From Allegations to Actions: Examining the Impact of Fraud Reporting Mechanisms in Healthcare
Authors: Amponsah Isaac Asamoah
Published: May 2024

Introduction:
The U.S. healthcare sector is characterized by a diverse mix of public and private funding and provision, resulting in a lack of a singular governing philosophy. Both the public and private sectors are known for providing high-quality medical services. However, since 1980, healthcare spending in the U.S. has substantially increased. The immense size and financial resources of the healthcare sector make it a prominent target for fraudulent activities.
Aim
This study investigated the impact of collaborative efforts between managed care organizations (MCOs) and oversight agencies on the detection and reduction of healthcare fraud within the Illinois Medicaid program.
Method
This study examines how collaboration between MCOs and oversight agencies impacts healthcare fraud in Illinois Medicaid. A FOIA request for complaint data was sent to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. The Illinois Medicaid Office of the Inspector General oversees program integrity and maintains e database to prevent the enrollment of excluded providers.
Results
As of September 20, 2023, 2,741 providers were sanctioned, including 857 physicians, 679 waiver service providers, 159 pharmacies, and 157 Medicare providers. Over the period from September 2022 to August 2023, 1,059 fraud referrals were recorded, with internal data mining contributing the most (448) and County Care being the top-referring MCO (260 cases). The collaborative efforts between MCOs and the Medicaid – Office of Inspector General led to the identification of $23,830,110 in questioned costs, resulting in a recovery of $13,441,726 in fiscal year 2021.
Conclusion/Recommendation:
The findings emphasize the significance of data sharing and transparency in the fight against fraud. The imposition of sanctions on errant healthcare providers has emerged as a key deterrent against fraudulent activities. To combat fraud and information gaps, a comprehensive strategy is needed. This includes empowering patients, improving communication, using advanced analytics, and enforcing regulations. User-friendly digital platforms provide reliable information, enabling informed decisions and reducing disparities. Strengthened collaboration and advanced analytics are crucial for early fraud detection, preserving healthcare integrity, and preventing financial losses.
Multi-tier Fog Network Planning in Internet of Things Infrastructure for Delay Sensitive Applications
Authors: Maiti Prasenjit , Sahoo Bibhudatta , Turuk Ashok Kumar
Published: May 2024

Fog computing is a promising approach for enhancing processing and storage capabilities in end devices and edge networks. This paper aims to address the challenges of planning fog nodes, allocating resources, and implementing offloading techniques in this networking paradigm. The authors propose a mathematical framework that optimizes the trade-off between capital expenditure and network delay, considering constraints such as device capacity, workload offloading, and range. To achieve this optimization, the authors present an integer programming model that formulates the deployment of gateways, fog nodes, and fog controllers. They employ a weighted sum approach and two hybrid meta-heuristic algorithms (Particle Swarm Optimized Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm and Discrete Monkey Genetic Algorithms) to solve the multi-objective optimization problem and obtain benchmark values. Additionally, they suggest a hybrid Non-dominated Sorting Sine-Cosine Genetic Algorithm as an effective method to tackle the problem. The simulations conducted in this paper demonstrate that the proposed model and methods can aid network designers in deploying fog networks to complement their existing computing and storage infrastructure. The methodology also takes into account traffic prioritization and considers the delay sensitivity of priority traffic. The suggested approach is thoroughly discussed in the paper, offering a comprehensive solution for handling priority traffic while optimizing network performance.
In Vitro Evaluation of the Virulence Attributes of Oropharyngeal Candida Species Isolated from People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus with Oropharyngeal Candidiasis on Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Musinguzi Benson , Akampurira Andrew , Derick Hope , Mwesigwa Alex , Mwebesa Edson , Mwesigye Vicent , Kabajulizi Immaculate , Sekulima Tahalu , Ocheng Francis , Itabangi Herbert , Mboowa Gerald , Sande Obondo James , Achan Beatrice
Published: May 2024

Background
Oropharyngeal Candida species are part commensal microflora in the the oral cavity of health individuals. Commensal Candida species can become opportunist and transition to pathogenic causes of oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) in individuals with impaired immunity through ecological cues and expression of virulence factors. Limited studies have evaluated virulence attributes of oropharyngeal Candida species among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) with OPC on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Uganda.
Objective
Evaluation of the Virulence Attributes of Oropharyngeal Candida Species Isolated from People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus with Oropharyngeal Candidiasis on Antiretroviral Therapy
Methods
Thirty-five (35) Candida isolates from PLHIV with OPC on ART were retrieved from sample repository and evaluated for phospholipase activity using the egg yolk agar method, proteinase activity using the bovine serum albumin agar method, hemolysin activity using the blood agar plate method, esterase activity using the Tween 80 opacity test medium method, coagulase activity using the classical tube method and biofilm formation using the microtiter plate assay method in vitro.
Results
Phospholipase and proteinase activities were detected in 33/35 (94.3%) and 31/35 (88.6%) of the strains, respectively. Up to 25/35 (71.4%) of the strains exhibited biofilm formation while esterase activity was demonstrated in 23/35 (65.7%) of the strains. Fewer isolates 21/35 (60%) of the strains produced hemolysin and coagulase production was the least virulence activity detected in 18/35 (51.4%).
Conclusion
Phospholipase and proteinase activities were the strongest virulence attributes of oropharyngeal Candida species.
Assessing the Impact of Family Practice Nursing on Enhancing the Health Status of Acute Care Patients
Authors: monfared zeinab
Published: May 2024

Introduction:
Family practice nursing plays a crucial role in the healthcare system, particularly in acute care settings, where patients require comprehensive and continuous care. This review aims to assess the impact of family practice nursing interventions on enhancing the health status of acute care patients.
Methods:
A systematic review of relevant literature was conducted, utilizing databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library. Studies focusing on family practice nursing interventions in acute care settings were identified and analyzed to evaluate their impact on patient health outcomes.
Results:
The review findings highlight the significant positive impact of family practice nursing interventions on the health status of acute care patients. These interventions encompass a wide range of activities, including patient assessment, care coordination, health education, and psychosocial support.Improved patient outcomes observed include reduced hospital readmissions, enhanced medication adherence, better symptom management, and overall satisfaction with care received.
Conclusion:
Family practice nursing interventions have shown promising results in enhancing the health status of acute care patients. These findings underscore the importance of integrating family practice nursing into acute care settings to optimize patient outcomes and promote holistic healthcare delivery. Further research is warranted to explore the effectiveness of specific nursing interventions and their long-term impact on patient health status.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Associated with Groundwater Over-Exploitation Vulnerability: Geographic Information System-Based Multi-criteria Decision Analysis
Authors: Saqr Ahmed M.
Published: May 2024

Groundwater overexploitation is related to various environmental, economic, and social aspects that should be comprehensively addressed to support sustainable water supply globally. This is the first study to delineate the sustainable development goals (SDGs) associated with the groundwater management practices for minimizing the overexploitation episodes. Ten thematic maps of the hydrologic, geologic, and topographic layers for the Wadi El-Natrun basin, Egypt, were weighted by multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). The layers were integrated by geographic information system (GIS) to obtain an overall vulnerability map, showing a high validation accuracy with field measurements of piezometric water levels (R2: 0.87). Based on the sensitivity analysis, groundwater overexploitation was highly influenced by distance from the feeding fault (DFF), followed by the soil’s hydraulic conductivity (HC) and land surface elevation (ELE). The western and southern zones of the basin were “Highly” vulnerable to groundwater overexploitation, assigning to the far DFF, low HC, and the dominance of upland plains, steep slopes, and elevated surface with an increased groundwater depth. The interaction between all thematic criteria and vulnerability indices showed strong correlations with SDGs and associated targets, regarding end poverty and hunger, provide safe and affordable water utilization, support economic growth, and protect land and water ecosystems. Defining the SDGs interlinkages would assist in sustainable water resource utilization, planning, and management worldwide, particularly in water-stressed areas.
Impact of Alpha Rays on the Optoelectronic Properties of Epoxy Resin Thick Films
Authors:   Department of Physics, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, P. O. Box 14022, Palastine St, Baghdad, Iraq, Rasheed Zahraa S. , Raoof Lamyaa Mohammed ,   Department of Physics, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, P. O. Box 14022, Palastine St, Baghdad, Iraq, Alrakabi Muhanad ,   Department of Physics, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, P. O. Box 14022, Palastine St, Baghdad, Iraq
Published: May 2024

Irradiated epoxy thick films are important for optical properties and may be used in many optical applications. This study aims to evaluate the effect of alpha irradiation on the optical and structural properties of epoxy thick films. Epoxy resin films were prepared by mixing epoxy resin (A) with hardener (B) at a mixing ratio of 3:1. Thus, specific thick films with thicknesses of 0.7 mm,0.8 mm and 1 mm were manufactured. Using visible and ultraviolet spectroscopy is one of the most important methods for studying polymers band gaps and electrical properties. The absorbance and transmittance spectra were used to investigate the optical properties of epoxy coatings of different thicknesses over a wavelength range of 300 nm–900 nm. Optical properties, such as absorption coefficient, refractive index, extinction coefficient, real dielectric constant, imaginary dielectric and optical band gap, were measured. The results show that the epoxy thick films have good optical transparency in the low-wavelength region. The results showed that increasing the thickness of the resin films decreased the optical energy gap and refractive index while increasing the absorption and extinction coefficients. In comparison, the effect of irradiation on an epoxy film of thickness 1 mm leads to an increase in the transmittance spectrum and energy gap and a decrease in the optical constants. The Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum of the films was examined and showed the types of chemical bonds of the epoxy films before and after irradiation.
Digitalisation and Economic Inclusion: Lessons from Rural Women in Umguza District Zimbabwe
Authors: Kudiwa Ashley Eve
Published: May 2024

This article explores the usefulness of digitalisation in the economic inclusion of rural women in the Umguza district of Zimbabwe. An inductive approach was used, and information was collected through semi-structured interviews with 250 rural women in the 19 wards of Umguza district between the ages of 16 and 65, as well as reviewing secondary data in the form of government, non-governmental, industry reports and scholarly articles. Thematic analysis was used to draw insights on pertinent themes and patterns related to the role of digitalisation in the economic inclusion of rural women. The key findings indicated that the lives of rural women who accessed and used digital technology improved through active participation in economic activities and had greater, faster access to information and skills resulting in higher productivity. The findings highlight the necessity of adopting a gender-sensitive approach in rolling out technology-based initiatives to ensure the sustainable economic inclusion of rural women, ultimately contributing to the broader goals of gender equality and economic development. The study concluded that access to and usage of digital technologies opens up economic prospects for rural women, enriches their financial status, increases their access to education, and nurtures social connectivity. The findings also show that when elements like the provision of cheaper broadband solutions and low-cost smartphones are not attended to, digitalisation has the potential to adversely affect rural women resulting in the widening of the digital gender divide. The recommendations from this study provide insights to government, private sector, and civil society seeking to drive women's economic inclusion through digitalisation and contribute to the body of research on digitalisation and rural women’s economic inclusion.
https://www.texilajournal.com/public-health/article/2527-guardians-of-liver
Authors: V S Rakshitha , Priya Veeraraghavan Vishnu , Jayaraman Selvaraj , Gayathri R. , S Kavitha.
Published: May 2024

Glyphosate is used as an herbicide in agriculture. At sub-agriculture concentrations, glyphosate-based herbicide inhibits cell proliferation. Glyphosate is a chelating agent that interferes with the metabolic activities in plants thereby adversely affecting its metabolism. The study aimed to determine the glyphosate-induced detrimental changes in SREBP-1c and PPAR-γ mRNA expression in adipose tissue of adult male rats. Adult male Wistar albino rats were divided into 4 groups, each consisting of 6 animals. Group I served as normal control rats; Group II-IV consisted of rats exposed to glyphosate at different concentrations (50, 100, and 250 mg/kg body weight respectively) orally for 16 weeks. After 16 weeks of treatment, the animals were sacrificed, and adipose tissue was dissected out for the assessment of SREBP-1c and PPAR-γ mRNA by real-time PCR using gene-specific down-regulated primers. The results with the p<0.05 level were considered to be statistically significant. The results showed a significant dose-dependent increase (P <0.05) in the expression of SREBP-1c in all the glyphosate-exposed rats compared to control rats and PPAR-γ mRNA expression was found to be significantly reduced in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05) compared to normal control animals. The current findings for the first time report that glyphosate had detrimental changes in the expression of transcription factors such as SREBP-1c and PPAR-γ mRNA in adipose tissue and thereby glyphosate may lead to the development of type-2 diabetes or insulin resistance.
Awareness of Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Events Among Undergraduate Healthcare Professionals
Authors: Kumar Raja , Vishnu Priya Veeraraghavan , R Gayathri , Jayaraman Selvaraj
Published: May 2024

The word atherosclerosis consists of two parts: atherosis (accumulation of fats accompanied by several macrophages) and sclerosis (fibrosis layer comprising smooth muscle cells. The presence of hyperlipaemia is the major risk issue factor for coronary artery disease. In 2016 advances in atherosclerosis research were focused on the discovery and validation of newly targeted genetics and mechanistic connection to atherothrombotic heart diseases. The Survey on awareness about the risk factors and complications of liver cirrhosis among college students was conducted using a Google form link. We have distributed our survey among 100 college students. Pie charts and Bar diagrams were used to represent output variables. Results showed that the knowledge of cardiovascular 54.00 % said No and 46.00 % said yes. Stroke caused due to lack of blood supply to 44.00 % said heart, 50.00 % said brain, and 6.00 % said I don’t know. These findings conclude that the majority of the population is unaware of the risk factors such as obesity, LDL, and family history, which lead to the development of atherosclerosis, but only a few populations are aware of stress, smoking, coronary heart attack, cholesterol, sleep apnea, HDL, work pressure, physical activity, heart disease, and coronary disease that leads to atherosclerosis.
Investigating Solid-State Luminescent Properties of New Cadmium(II) and Lead(II) Oxamato-Based Coordination Polymers
Authors: Maciel Jhonny , Junior S. de Souza Jackson , Valdo Ana , Martins Felipe , Guimarães Freddy , de Santana Ricardo , Maia Lauro , Cangussu Danielle
Published: May 2024

Two novel coordination polymers were synthesized through the reaction of the Hpcpa2− ligand (H3pcpa = N-(4-carboxyphenyl)oxamic acid) with cadmium(II) and lead(II) metal ions, yielding [Cd2(Hpcpa)2(H2O)6]n⋅H2O (1) and [Pb(Hpcpa)(H2O)]n (2). Structural analysis by single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that 1 consists of one-dimensional zigzag polymeric chains, while 2 is a three-dimensional polymer network. Additionally, investigations of their optical properties were carried out in a comparative study involving the previously reported pcpa-based coordination polymers {[Zn(Hpcpa)(H2O)3]·0.5H2O}n and {[Gd2(Hpcpa)3(H2O)5]·H2O}n], called here as 3 and 4, respectively. Under 330 nm excitation wavelength, all compounds exhibited broad emission bands spanning from 350 to 650 nm. Particularly, 1 and 3 displayed notable external quantum yields of 15.4 and 12.8%, respectively, highlighting their potential in luminescent applications.
A novel deep learning rainfall–runoff model based on Transformer combined with base flow separation
Authors: Wang Shuli , Wang Wei , Zhao Guizhang
Published: May 2024

Precise long-term runoff prediction holds crucial significance in water resource management. Although the long short-term memory (LSTM) model is widely adopted for long-term runoff prediction, it encounters challenges such as error accumulation and low computational efficiency. To address these challenges, we utilized a novel method to predict runoff based on a Transformer and the base flow separation approach (BS-Former) in the Ningxia section of the Yellow River Basin. To evaluate the effectiveness of the Transformer model and its responsiveness to the base flow separation technique, we constructed LSTM and artificial neural network (ANN) models as benchmarks for comparison. The results show that Transformer outperforms the other models in terms of predictive performance and that base flow separation significantly improves the performance of the Transformer model. Specifically, the performance of BS-Former in predicting runoff 7 days in advance is comparable to that of the BS-LSTM and BS-ANN models with lead times of 4 and 2 days, respectively. In general, the BS-Former model is a promising tool for long-term runoff prediction.
Appraisal of groundwater suitability and hydrochemical characteristics by using various water quality indices and statistical analyses in the Wadi Righ area, Algeria
Authors: Asma Bettahar , Şener Şehnaz
Published: May 2024

This assessment research focuses on the hydrochemical characteristics and groundwater suitability in the Wadi Righ region, in southern Algeria. The statement of the problem revolves around determining water quality using various indices including Permeability Index (PI), Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC), Water Quality Index (WQI), Sodium Percentage (Na%), Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment's Water Quality Index (CCME WQI), Magnesium Hazard (MH), Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI), and Kelly Index (KR). Additionally, statistical methods were utilized to establish correlations between these indices and chemical elements. The working method involved investigating hydrochemical parameters in Wadi Righ's groundwater and analyzing 52 samples. The results indicate that water quality, as assessed by the water quality indices, was categorized as very poor and unsuitable overall, with lower quality observed particularly in the central and southern regions. However, groundwater demonstrated excellence and suitability for irrigation purposes. Qualitatively, the findings suggest that there are significant relationships among irrigation suitability indices, as indicated by Pearson correlation analysis. These relationships stem from shared inputs and hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater. This analysis reinforces the quantitative findings and provides insights into the underlying factors influencing groundwater quality and suitability for irrigation in the Wadi Righ region.
Optimal determination of valve setting coefficient for the multi-tank water feeder system
Authors: Ramakrishnan Boopathi , Ganesan G. Madhavi
Published: May 2024

Filling up water to several water distribution service tanks equitably needs a proper valve setting in the operation. Setting by trial and error requires considerable time which could invite more labour-level exercise. This study addresses the issue of unequal water distribution to elevated service tanks (ESTs). It is possible to achieve an optimal valve loss coefficient, which ensures equal water supply to all ESTs. Throttle and control valves play a crucial role in regulating the flow rate and pressure of water. An optimization framework for the valve setting coefficient is proposed. The genetic algorithm is used as an optimization model and hydraulic simulation is performed using EPANET 2.0 software through its toolkits. The proposed model is applied to a hypothetical system and illustrated. The obtained valve setting coefficients make equitable distribution of water to all the ESTs.
Prediction of flood sensitivity based on Logistic Regression, eXtreme Gradient Boosting, and Random Forest modeling methods
Authors: Wu Ying , Zhang Zhiming , Qi Xiaotian , Hu Wenhan , Si Shuai
Published: May 2024

Floods are one of the most destructive disasters that cause loss of life and property worldwide every year. In this study, the aim was to find the best-performing model in flood sensitivity assessment and analyze key characteristic factors, the spatial pattern of flood sensitivity was evaluated using three machine learning (ML) models: Logistic Regression (LR), eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), and Random Forest (RF). Suqian City in Jiangsu Province was selected as the study area, and a random sample dataset of historical flood points was constructed. Fifteen different meteorological, hydrological, and geographical spatial variables were considered in the flood sensitivity assessment, 12 variables were selected based on the multi-collinearity study. Among the results of comparing the selected ML models, the RF method had the highest AUC value, accuracy, and comprehensive evaluation effect, and is a reliable and effective flood risk assessment model. As the main output of this study, the flood sensitivity map is divided into five categories, ranging from very low to very high sensitivity. Using the RF model (i.e., the highest accuracy of the model), the high-risk area covers about 44% of the study area, mainly concentrated in the central, eastern, and southern parts of the old city area.
Solution one-dimensional problems of heat conduction with convection using Poisson integral
Authors: Ganopolskij Rodion M.
Published: May 2024

There is the relevant problem of developing high-viscosity oil in the oil and gas industry. One of the ways increasing its production is the thermal method. It is necessary to combine hydrodynamic equations with the thermal conductivity equation for simulation of filtration processes. The resulting mathematical models are solved by using different numerical methods. The accuracy and convergence of such algorithms is rarely tested. One way to carry out this check is to simulate problems that can be solved analytically in particular cases. For example, Fourier series are used for simple boundary conditions. Another method is usage the Poisson integral. This method is more convenient for comparing results than the Fourier method, because with the same accuracy requires significantly less calculations. But the Poisson method requires knowledge of the initial condition over the entire space, and in real problems it is usually given in a limited area. In this paper we propose an algorithm for extending the initial conditions to the entire space. In this way, two heat conduction problems are solved taking into account convection using the Poisson integral. It is shown that the accuracy is comparable to the Fourier method, but with fewer calculations.
Simulation of the thermal field in reservoir during the filtration of live oil and water with considering the heat of oil degassing and thermodynamic effects
Authors: Sharafutdinov Ramil F. , Valiullin Rim A. , Babanazarov Dilshot I. , Kanafin Ildar V.
Published: May 2024

In the process of water invasion of reservoir under conditions of pressure decrease below the bubble point pressure of oil with dissolved gas, when oil degasses, an area of three-phase flow of oil, water and gas appears in the reservoir. In this case, each of the phases makes a certain contribution to the formation of the thermal field in the reservoir, due to the thermodynamic effects shows and the heat of oil degassing. The thermal field forming is influence many parameters, for example, the initial water cut of formation, gas oil ratio, the ratio of reservoir pressure and bubble point pressure of oil with dissolved gas, the ratio of reservoir pressure and bottomhole pressure, etc.
The thermohydrodynamic processes occurring in this case carry information about the formation and the near wellbore zone. One of the directions for using the features of the formation of the temperature field in this case is the use of thermometric studies of wells to diagnose the condition of the well and formation. Reservoir water invasion under the condition of oil degassing leads to a change in the temperature distribution in the formation, which can be used in diagnosing the identifying sources of water invasion.
Using a numerical method for solving the equations of mass conservation and heat influx during non-isothermal three-phase filtration, in this work are studied the features of the formation of the temperature field in an oil-saturated reservoir with an initial water cut during oil degassing. As a result of calculations for various ratios of the initial water cut of the formation and the gas oil ratio, temperature dependences were obtained for different of well operation times. The obtained dependences of temperature on water cut and gas oil ratio can be used as palettes for quantitative evaluation of water inflow rates from formations.
Vaccine for Targeted Therapy of Lung Cancer: Advances and
Developments
Authors: Kumar Suraj , Malviya Rishabha , Uniyal Prerna
Published: May 2024

:

Considering that lung cancer is a leading global perpetrator, novel treatment approaches
must be investigated. Due to the broad spectrum of lung cancer, conventional therapies including
chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgeries, are not always effective and can have adverse
consequences. The present study's overarching objective was to enhance the development of a personalized
vaccine for targeted lung cancer therapy. Vaccination functions by eliciting a strong and
targeted immune response defense by taking advantage of the specific antigens that are expressed
by lung cancer cells. Crucial antigens associated with tumor cells have been identified with the
recognition of the genetic and immunological circumstances of lung cancer in this review. The
vaccine includes these antigens to prime the immune system, directing it toward recognizing and
attacking cancerous cells. In this review, we have addressed the possible benefits of a targeted
vaccine strategy, which include a reduction in off-target effects and an improvement in health outcomes
for patients. These studies highlight the promise of a tailored vaccine in a novel way for the
treatment of lung cancer. The integration of molecular profiling and immunological insights offers
a rationale for the design and implementation of personalized vaccines. While challenges exist,
the promise of improved treatment outcomes and reduced side effects positions targeted vaccine
therapy as a compelling avenue for advancing lung cancer treatment.
Heterologous DNA Prime/Protein Boost Immunization Targeting Nef-Tat
Fusion Antigen Induces Potent T-cell Activity and in vitro Anti-SCR
HIV-1 Effects
Authors: Sadeghi Leila , Bolhassani Azam , Mohit Elham , Baesi Kazem , Aghasadeghi Mohammad Reza
Published: May 2024

Background:

Heterologous combinations in vaccine design are an effective approach
to promote T cell activity and antiviral effects. The goal of this study was to compare the homologous
and heterologous regimens targeting the Nef-Tat fusion antigen to develop a human immunodeficiency
virus-1 (HIV-1) therapeutic vaccine candidate.

Methods:

At first, the DNA and protein constructs harboring HIV-1 Nef and the first exon of Tat
as linked form (pcDNA-nef-tat and Nef-Tat protein) were prepared in large scale and high purity.
The generation of the Nef-Tat protein was performed in the E. coli expression system using an
IPTG inducer. Then, we evaluated and compared immune responses of homologous DNA prime/
DNA boost, homologous protein prime/ protein boost, and heterologous DNA prime/protein boost
regimens in BALB/c mice. Finally, the ability of mice splenocytes to secret cytokines after exposure
to single-cycle replicable (SCR) HIV-1 was compared between immunized and control
groups in vitro.

Results:

The nef-tat gene was successfully subcloned in eukaryotic pcDNA3.1 (-) and prokaryotic
pET-24a (+) expression vectors. The recombinant Nef-Tat protein was generated in the E. coli
Rosetta strain under optimized conditions as a clear band of ~ 35 kDa detected on SDS-PAGE.
Moreover, transfection of pcDNA-nef-tat into HEK-293T cells was successfully performed using
Lipofectamine 2000, as confirmed by western blotting. The immunization studies showed that
heterologous DNA prime/protein boost regimen could significantly elicit the highest levels of Ig-
G2a, IFN-γ, and Granzyme B in mice as compared to homologous DNA/DNA and protein/protein
regimens. Moreover, the secretion of IFN-γ was higher in DNA/protein regimens than in DNA/DNA
and protein/protein regimens after exposure of mice splenocytes to SCR HIV-1 in vitro.

Conclusion:

The chimeric HIV-1 Nef-Tat antigen was highly immunogenic, especially when applied
in a heterologous prime/ boost regimen. This regimen could direct immune response toward
cellular immunity (Th1 and CTL activity) and increase IFN-γ secretion after virus exposure.
Bioinformatics to Identify Biomarkers of Diabetic Nephropathy based on Sphingolipid Metabolism and their Molecular Mechanisms
Authors: Ning Yaxian , Zhou Xiaochun , Wang Gouqin , Zhang Lili , Wang Jianqin
Published: May 2024

Background:

Diabetes mellitus (DM) frequently results in Diabetic Nephropathy
(DN), which has a significant negative impact on the quality of life of diabetic patients. Sphingolipid
metabolism is associated with diabetes, but its relationship with DN is unclear. Therefore,
screening biomarkers related to sphingolipid metabolism is crucial for treating DN.

Methods:

To identify Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) in the GSE142153 dataset, we
conducted a differential expression analysis (DN samples versus control samples). The intersection
genes were obtained by overlapping DEGs and Sphingolipid Metabolism-Related Genes
(SMRGs). Furthermore, The Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) and
Support Vector Machine Recursive Feature Elimination (SVM-RFE) algorithms were used to
filter biomarkers. We further analyzed the Gene Set Enrichment analysis (GSEA) and the immunoinfiltrational
analysis based on biomarkers.

Results:

We identified 2,186 DEGs associated with DN. Then, five SMR-DEGs were obtained.
Subsequently, biomarkers associated with sphingolipid metabolism (S1PR1 and SELL) were
identified by applying machine learning and expression analysis. In addition, GSEA showed that
these biomarkers were correlated with cytokine cytokine receptor interaction’. Significant variations
in B cells, DCs, Tems, and Th2 cells between the two groups suggested that these cells
might have a role in DN.

Conclusion::

Overall, we obtained two sphingolipid metabolism-related biomarkers (S1PR1 and
SELL) associated with DN, which laid a theoretical foundation for treating DN.
Complex Deposit Slope Excavation Deformation Mechanism and Seismic Reinforcement Effect Evaluation
Authors: Dong Yin , Anrun Li
Published: May 2024

Background

To further investigate the excavation deformation mechanism and remedial strategies for slope reinforcement in the southwest mountain area, the Baihetan-Jiangsu (Zhejiang) UHV transmission project deposit slope deformation reinforcement was used as a case study.

Methods

Deep displacement monitoring, on-site testing, and FLAC3D numerical simulation techniques were employed. The assessment of the deposit slope excavation deformation mechanism and the effectiveness of seismic reinforcement for different design options and pile parameters are conducted while analyzing the seismic reinforcement mechanism.

Results and Discussions

The results showed that (1) The deposit slope composed of “multi-genetic type soil” in the converter station is prone to deformation, where the dominant instability mode is “traction creep and tension failure mode.” (2) Both circular and rectangular anti-slide piles significantly reduce the amount of slope body deformation; employing circular anti-slide piles for addressing this type of deposit slope provides enhanced anti-slide retention and economic benefits. (3) Under the influence of an earthquake, the shear force and bending moment of the anti-slide pile first increase and then decrease with the increase of seismic intensity.

Conclusion

The distribution law of shear force and bending moment in a pile should be considered comprehensively in slope support design.
Ginsenoside Rh2 Reduced Neurogenesis Dysfunction to Alleviate Depression-like Behaviour in CSDS-induced Mice
Authors: Guan Wei , Jin Xiang , Yang Yang
Published: May 2024

Background:

Depression is a mental health disorder with high morbidity and disability
rates that has harmful effects on public health worldwide. Despite many hypotheses about its mechanism have been put forward, its deeper mechanism is still unclear. Nowadays, there are many antidepressants developed by pharmaceutical companies, such as fluoxetine, ketamine, and paroxetine used
in clinical practice, but the therapeutic effects are not satisfactory, with serious adverse reactions and
drug addiction.

Objective:

Ginsenoside Rh2 (G-Rh2) is one of the major bioactive ginsenosides extracted from
Panax ginseng that has been conducted for the treatment of many inflammatory diseases. However,
the possible mechanisms of G-Rh2 involved in these neuroprotective effects on neuroinflammation
are currently unclear.

Methods:

We established a CSDS depression model in normal mice, and then the depressive symptoms of mice were evaluated by a series of behavioral testing. Finally, molecular biology experiments were conducted to demonstrate that G-Rh2 had anti-inflammatory and antidepressant effects.

Results:

We showed that G-Rh2 (30 mg/kg) significantly relieved depressive behavior in mice via
attenuating oxidative stress injury and release of proinflammatory cytokines. Moreover, G-Rh2 reduced impaired neurogenesis in the hippocampus of CSDS-induced mice.

Conclusion:

We demonstrated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of G-Rh2 to alleviate
depression through improved neurogenesis in depressive mice for the first time. What's more, we
aimed to verify the protective effects of G-Rh2 on neuroinflammation and provide novel insights for
understanding the roles of G-Rh2 in the treatment of depression
Livelihood Assets Analysis of Freshwater Stingray Fishermen in Musi River, Palembang City, South Sumatera
Authors:   Department of Resources and Environmental Economics, Faculty of Economics and Management, Institut Pertanian Bogor, Dramaga Bogor, Septiani Nabila Nur , Wijayanti Pini , Azzahra Sahaya Aulia ,   Department of Resources and Environmental Economics, Faculty of Economics and Management, Institut Pertanian Bogor, Dramaga Bogor, Nikmah Lailatun ,   Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Management, Institut Pertanian Bogor, Dramaga Bogor
Published: May 2024

Freshwater stingrays play a crucial role in the ecological and economic functions of the Musi River. Their existence in the Musi River is threatened by both natural and human factors. The livelihoods of fishermen in the Musi River depends on the sale of freshwater stingrays. This study aims to analyze the livelihood assets of freshwater stingray fishermen and their relation to natural, human, financial, physical, and social aspects. The research was conducted from February 2023 to March 2023 in the district of Seberang Ulu II, Plaju, Kertapati, and Gandus in Palembang City, South Sumatra Province. Livelihood asset analysis was performed using the livelihood asset method. The results indicate that the livelihood assets of fishermen in these districts have a moderate sustainability status, ranging from 0.48 to 0.50. Physical and natural assets have the lowest sustainability status index, averaging 0.31 across the four districts. Social assets in the four districts have the highest sustainability status index, averaging 0.88. These scores demonstrate the dependence of fishermen's livelihoods on the assets they possess. Recommendations from this study include the need to enhance financial and capital assets to reduce the sale of freshwater stingrays.
Shrimp Farmer’s Perceptions and Adaptation Strategies to the Threat of Climate Change in Bangil District, East Java
Authors:   Faculty of Agriculture, Brawijaya University, Veteran Street, Malang, Fatahullah Fatahullah , Toiba Hery , Sujarwo Sujarwo ,   Faculty of Agriculture, Brawijaya University, Veteran Street, Malang
Published: May 2024

As one of the main stakeholders in the fishing industry, shrimp farmers are directly affected by climate change that causes changes in seawater temperature, rainfall, and unpredictable weather patterns. Related to the issue, the threat to income may be felt by shrimp farmers. Therefore, in this study, we highlight two objectives as a basis for drawing up this article, namely (1) to understand shrimp farmers’ perceptions of climate change, and (2) to identify factors that influence farmers’ decisions in implementing adaptation strategies. There are two types of analysis that we use, namely descriptive analysis and logit regression analysis. Our findings show that the majority of shrimp farmers consider climate change manifested in the form of changes in rainfall patterns (96.21%), increases in pond water temperatures (98.71%), decreases in yield production (95.41%), and increases in shrimp pests and diseases (96.23%). The results of our logit regression analysis show that the decision-making factors of shrimp farmers are significantly influenced. These results indicate that the implementation of adaptation strategies in the fisheries sector can generate significant growth and reduce the risks posed by climate change. As a result, the government needs to encourage the development of more suitable climate change adaptation strategies for small-scale shrimp farmers in Indonesia.