bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Failure of adhesive bonding unveiled by in-situ strain testing in high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy
Authors: Horiuchi Shin , Saito Noriyuki , Hanada Takeshi , Shimamoto Kazumasa , Akiyama Haruhisa
Published: March 2024

The nano-scale failure behaviors of adhesive interfaces were investigated through in-situ straining testing to observe real-time crack propagations under a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM). Two different loading modes were applied to thin sections of adhesive interfaces: crack-opening mode applied to pre-cracks made at the interface and shear mode. The failure of aluminum alloy (Al6061) and a second-generation acrylic adhesive (SGA) was examined, enabling observation of the growth of crazing in the adhesive layer, which has a phase-separated structure, preceding the macroscopic failure of the interfaces. Furthermore, the failure of a direct joint of thermoplastic and Al was investigated, with a comparison made to that observed in the adhesive interface. The generation and propagation of cracks near the interface, attributed to the adhesive's phase separation, contribute to the toughness of the adhesive interface. Both the direction of stress acting on the interface and the interface's strength influence the initiation and growth of cracks throughout the adhesive layer.
Effect of autophagy on EMT in alveolar epithelial cells induced by pyocyanin
Authors: Li Zhuoyue , Wang Jiali , Ye Huan
Published: March 2024

Objective
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) plays an important role in the occurrence and development of pulmonary fibrosis, which can cause severe cell damage. Autophagy is a process of maintaining cell balance through degradation and reuse of damaged organelles, proteins, invading pathogens and other substances. Autophagy can protect cells to a certain extent, while uncontrolled and defective autophagy will further aggravate cell damage. At present, it has been reported that autophagy can reduce the level of apoptosis and mesenchymal transformation caused by certain pathogenic factors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of autophagy on EMT in alveolar type II epithelial cells stimulated by pyocyanin (PCN).
Methods
After stimulating human alveolar type II epithelial cell line A549 with different concentrations of PCN in vitro, EMT changes were detected by Western blot and Real-time PCR, and autophagy levels were detected by immunofluorescence and Western blot. Then autophagy was inhibited and EMT marker protein levels and nucleic acid levels were detected. Finally, the changes of TGF-β/Smad pathway markers were detected after the addition of autophagy inhibitor 3-MA.
Result
After stimulating A549 cells with PCN (5ug/ml, 10ug/ml, 25ug/ml, 50ug/ml) for 24h, The expression levels of epithelial marker E-cadherin protein and mRNA were significantly decreased compared with the control group, and the expression levels of mesenchymal marker α-SMA protein and mRNA were increased compared with the control group (p < 0.05), suggesting that EMT phenomenon occurred after PCN stimulated A549 cells. At the same time, the expression of autophagy marker LC3 in protein level and immunofluorescence level was significantly higher than that in control group (p < 0.05), suggesting that PCN induced autophagy in A549 cells. After inhibition of autophagy with 3MA, the protein and nucleic acid expression levels of autophagy marker LC3 and epithelial marker E-cadherin were significantly decreased compared with control group, while the protein and nucleic acid expression levels of mesenchymal marker α-SMA were increased compared with control group (p < 0.05), indicating that the EMT phenomenon was enhanced after inhibition of autophagy. Further study showed that TGF-β1 nucleic acid level and p-Smad2/3 protein expression level in the addition of autophagy inhibitor 3MA group were significantly increased compared with the control group and PCN group (p < 0.05), indicating that inhibition of autophagy may enhance EMT by affecting TGF-β/Smad pathway.
Conclusion
PCN can induce EMT and autophagy in alveolar epithelial cells, and autophagy can inhibit the further development of EMT, which may inhibit the occurrence of EMT by reducing the activity of TGF-β/Smad pathway. These results suggest that autophagy may prevent pulmonary fibrosis.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Point Prevalence and Risk Factors Among Sudanese Children and Adolescents During Sudan Army Conflict: A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Awad Mohammed Haydar , Abbas Maram Mutasim , Mohamed Rahaf Salah , Mohamed Hanin Osman
Published: March 2024

Background
Suffering from war, living in conflict area, and forced displaced all have the impact to lead or increase the risk to a lot of physical and mental health, especially for children and their parents. The most common disorder that people survived from war zones is posttraumatic stress Disorder. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder in Sudanese children and adolescents during Sudan army conflict that have been started in 2023.
Methods
A descriptive cross-sectional community-based study was carried out among all Sudanese children and adolescents between 8 and 18 years old and residents in Sudan at the start of the conflict, by using a self-administrated questionnaire under parent's guide, if necessary. The questionnaire was adapted from the Child Posttraumatic stress disorder Symptoms Scale Self Report (CPSS-5-SR) for the assessment of PTSD symptoms. The questionnaire was translated into Arabic and its validity and reliability were confirmed. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 software, descriptive analysis, and any appropriate statistical tests were done.
Results
Out of 1078 participants, the mean age was 15.18 ± 2.98 years, 64.1% were female, and 44.6% had posttraumatic stress disorder. There was a significant relationship between PTSD, sex, age, current residency, and traumatic event exposure with a P value less than 0.001 in all of them.
Conclusion
PTSD was highly prevalent among the Sudanese children and adolescents featured in the study. The findings will given to the government to provide proper mental health interventions for the affected people.
Ocean-Atmosphere Interrelation of Bjerknes Feedback Loop Associated with Indian Ocean Dipole Retrieved from Altimeter Radar and Microwave Radiometer of Satellite Altimetry
Authors: Abdullah Noor Nabilah , Wijaya Dudy D. , Meilano Irwan , Kuntjoro Wedyanto , Tanuwijaya Zamzam Akhmad Jamaluddin , Abdillah Muhammad Rais , Nurzaman Fathin
Published: March 2024

In the past few decades, satellite altimetry has surpassed tremendous achievements in examining the mesoscale of ocean dynamics. Recently, new potential of the satellite in observing the variability of climate phenomena through atmospheric medium been unlocked. As it has been ascertained that satellite altimetry not only outstanding in monitoring ocean dynamic, but also in observing atmospheric variability, we intuitively propose a hypothesis that satellite altimetry is reliable in monitoring Bjerknes feedback; a feedback loop involving interaction between atmosphere and oceans. Thus, the aim of this study is to determine the capability of satellite altimetry in observing Bjerknes feedback through Precipitable Water Vapour (PWV) and Sea Level Anomaly (SLA) during the anomalous climate mode of Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). The results signify the convincing arguments as both PWV and SLA indexes have high correlation with Dipole Mode Index (DMI), particularly in the west region of Indian Ocean; 0.67 and 0.62, respectively. The correlation of PWV and SLA indexes are also significantly high; 0.73 and 0.69 in west and east region, respectively. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) results are also convincing as the spatial pattern of primary (PC1) and secondary (PC2) components of both PWV and SLA are associated with positive and negative IOD, respectively. The temporal pattern of PC1 for PWV and SLA have relatively high correlation with positive IOD. The substantially high temporal correlation (0.81) between PWV and SLA PC1 has reinforce the confidence in the capability of satellite altimetry in observing the Bjerknes feedback.
Parental Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis Drives Transgenerational DNA Methylation Transmission and Autism-like Behaviors in Offspring
Authors: Chen Bin , Xue Xinxin , Jiang Xin , Li Ning , Liu Yanan , Zhao Changying , Jin Chuandi , Yue Kaile , Zhao Guoping , Li Ziyun , Wang Qinghua , Zhang Lei
Published: March 2024

Background
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents a complex neurodevelopmental disorder whose origins remain elusive. Emerging research underscores the potential impact of parental environmental exposures on ASD risk in offspring. While the interplay between the "microbiota-gut-brain axis" and epigenetics is increasingly acknowledged in ASD pathogenesis, their comprehensive effects and regulatory mechanisms have not yet been fully revealed. Our hypothesis posits that parental dysbiosis in gut microbiota may engender transgenerational transmission of DNA methylation abnormalities to offspring, consequently modulating their gut microbiota composition, gene expression profiles, and metabolites levels through the "microbiota-gut-brain axis". This multifaceted interplay potentially triggers ASD-like behaviors.
Results
We conducted fecal microbiota transplantations (FMT) from human donors diagnosed with ASD or typically developing (TD) controls into antibiotic-treated mice, revealing that colonization with ASD microbiota triggered distinct autistic-like behaviors in both male and female offspring. These offspring exhibited pathological changes in both the brain and intestines, alongside significant alterations in their gut microbiota, serum metabolome, and brain transcriptome. Notably, colonization with ASD microbiota induced changes in methylation levels of ASD-related genes in parental mice, with some methylation sites being transmitted transgenerationally to the offspring. Employing a multi-omics sequential mediation network, we elucidated potential mechanisms underlying behavioral differences in mice across genders.
Conclusions
Our findings delineate a link between parental gut microbiota dysbiosis, transgenerational DNA methylation, and the emergence of ASD-like traits, uncovering an epigenetic basis for the clinical observation that parents of children with ASD are typically asymptomatic.
Development of a simple turbulent diffusivity expression in the context of relative turbulent dispersion
Authors: Aranciaga Joaquín , López Ezequiel J. , Nigro Norberto M.
Published: March 2024

Modeling turbulent fluxes in RANS (Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes) equations is a nontrivial task. Unlike molecular diffusion, turbulent scales are tipically not well separated from those over which mean properties vary, and therefore the very common analogy between them is a poor one. When the interest lies in simulating the initial stage of a process (e.g. the zone close to a nozzle discharging material) some modifications to the diffusion coefficients must be done in order to represent the process adequately. Moreover, when the turbulent dispersion of a puff of material or a burning kernel needs to be predicted, it is necessary to consider that not all of the turbulent eddies are effective in diffusing the material. Eddies much larger than the puff primarily convect it in a random way, and this must also be included in the diffusion process if the puff growth is to be computed accurately. In this work, lagrangian simulations are performed in a simplified turbulence configuration. Then, dispersion statistics are used to obtain an expression for the turbulent diffusivity appropriate for simulating the growth of a puff and related phenomena, such as the kernel produced after a spark discharge.
Artificial nano platform for controlling bone microenvironment to reduce bone loss
Authors: Gao Jinpeng , Guo Zeyu , Chen yang , Zhou Zixuan , Lin Sen , Mei Xifan , Chen ShuRui
Published: March 2024

Treatment on the regeneration of osteoporosis (OP) remains a challenge due to the severe dysregulation of the bone microenvironment. With the continuous development of nano-platform technology, new nanomaterials have become a hot topic in recent years. In recent research reports, Prussian blue, characterized by its diversity and high-cost performance, has gained attention. Therefore, we synthesized and developed a new Prussian blue particle, Pb-Fe-Cs, which has ability to clear reactive oxygen species (ROS) and specific regulatory effect on the inflammatory micro-environment. As a class of active metal ions, both Fe and Cs have specific antioxidant capacities. In summary, the combination of these two elements can significantly reduce the occurrence of bone loss. The constructed Pb-Fe-Cs nanase has the ability to induce bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) to differentiate into osteoblasts, minimizing damage, osteoclast formation, and bone loss when oxidative stress occurs in the bone microenvironment. In vivo experiments confirmed that Pb-Fe-Cs promotes the formation of osteoblasts, reduces osteoclasts. These results suggest that the microenvironmental regulatory effect of these artificial biodegradable nanoplatforms is beneficial for treating OP. This study opens up an exciting prospect for applying OP therapy and supports the clinical significance of Pb-Fe-Cs.
Cadmium activates the innate immune system through the AIM2 inflammasome
Authors: Zhao Letian , Liao Mingxing , Li Lianbing , Chen Linbo , Zhang Tianfeng , Li renyan
Published: March 2024

Cadmium (Cd) is a widely used heavy metal and has recently been recognized as a possible source of human toxicity due to its ability to accumulate in organs. Accumulation of heavy metals has several adverse effects, including inducing inflammation, in multiple organs, including the testis. However, how Cd ions are sensed by host cells and how tissue inflammation eventually occurs remains unclear. Here, we show that Cd activates the AIM2 inflammasome by mediating genomic DNA release into the cytoplasm after DNA damage via oxidative stress to trigger IL-1 beta secretion and pyroptosis. Specifically, the toxicity effects induced by Cd in cells were prevented by melatonin, which served as an antagonist of oxidative stress. Accordingly, in a mouse model, Cd-induced inflammation in the testis and consequential male reproductive dysfunction were effectively reversed by melatonin. Thus, our results suggest a function of AIM2 in Cd-mediated testis inflammation and identify AIM2 as a major pattern recognition receptor in response to heavy metal Cd ions.
Failure envelope and bearing capacity of a rigid ring footing on sand layer overlying stiff clay under eccentric loads
Authors: Kitchah Fethi
Published: March 2024

In this paper, numerical calculations in axisymmetry based on the finite difference method are carried out to calculate the bearing capacity of a rigid ring footing on sand overlying stiff clay subjected to eccentric loading. The verification of the model accuracy is examined after an initial analysis by comparing the bearing capacity factor Nγ of a rough and smooth circular footing loaded vertically and placed on the surface of the soil. To show the effect of eccentricity, sand layer thickness and friction angle, the results are presented in graphs and normalized failure envelopes in the V-M loading plane. The results indicate on one hand that the eccentricity of the load has little effect on the reduction of the bearing capacity as long as this eccentricity remains less than the third of footing width, on the other hand, that the influence of the clay layer on the increase of the bearing capacity is negligible if the thickness of the sand layer exceeds twice of the footing width. Moreover, the friction angle makes a significant difference to the size of the standardized failure envelope.
Evolution beats random chance: Performance-dependent network evolution for enhanced computational capacity
Authors: Yadav Manish , Sinha Sudeshna , Stender Merten
Published: March 2024

The quest to understand structure-function relationships in networks across scientific disciplines has intensified. However, the optimal network architecture remains elusive, particularly for complex information processing. Therefore, we investigate how optimal and specific network structures form to efficiently solve distinct tasks using a novel framework of performance-dependent network evolution, leveraging reservoir computing principles. Our study demonstrates that task-specific minimal network structures obtained through this framework consistently outperform networks generated by alternative growth strategies and Erdős-Rényi random networks. Evolved networks exhibit unexpected sparsity and adhere to scaling laws in node-density space while showcasing a distinctive asymmetry in input and information readout nodes distribution. Consequently, we propose a heuristic for quantifying task complexity from performance-dependently evolved networks, offering valuable insights into the evolutionary dynamics of network structure-function relationship. Our findings not only advance the fundamental understanding of process-specific network evolution but also shed light on the design and optimization of complex information processing mechanisms, notably in machine learning.
Oral Dextrose Gel for Hypoglycemia in a well baby nursery: a baby friendly initiative
Authors: Zayek Michael , Batra Mansi , Ikeri Kelechi , Bhat Ramachandra , Blake Michelle , Mantell Genevieve
Published: March 2024

Objectives
To assess the impact of oral dextrose gel (ODG) treatment on NICU admission rates for hypoglycemic infants in a well-baby nursery.
Study Design
We retrospectively compared newborn infants, at risk for hypoglycemia, born during the intervention period (n=3775) with historical controls (n=655). Rates of the primary outcome (NICU admission) and secondary outcomes (exclusive breastfeeding, hospital costs) were compared between the groups.
Results
Following the implementation of ODG supplementation, the NICU admissions rates dropped from 4 % to 2 %, p <0.05, for at-risk infants and from 15 % to 7 %, p <0.05, for hypoglycemic infants in the baseline and intervention periods, respectively. Additionally, the ODG protocol sustained rates of exclusive breastfeeding in contrast to the institutional protocol.
Conclusion
The adoption of an ODG protocol fosters a more nurturing and baby-friendly environment through reduced NICU transfers, support for exclusive breastfeeding, and decreased hospital costs.
Estimating the impact of physician risky-prescribing on the network structure underlying physician shared-patient relationships
Authors: O'Malley A James , Meara Ellen , Morden Nancy , Moen Erika , Rockmore Daniel , Ran Xin
Published: March 2024

Social network analysis and shared-patient physician networks have become effective ways of studying physician collaborations. Assortative mixing or "homophily" is the network phenomenon whereby the propensity for similar individuals to form ties is greater than for dissimilar individuals. Motivated by the public health concern of risky-prescribing among older patients in the United States, we develop network models and tests involving novel network measures to study whether there is evidence of geographic homophily in prescribing and deprescribing in the specific shared-patient network of physicians linked to the US state of Ohio in 2014. Evidence of homophily in risky-prescribing would imply that prescribing behaviors help shape physician networks and could inform interventions to reduce risky-prescribing (e.g., should interventions target groups of physicians or select physicians at random). Furthermore, if such effects varied depending on the structural features of a physician's position in the network (e.g., by whether or not they are involved in cliques -- groups of actors that are fully connected to each other -- such as closed triangles in the case of three actors), this would further strengthen the case for targeting of select physicians for interventions. Using accompanying Medicare Part D data, we converted patient longitudinal prescription receipts into novel measures of the intensity of each physician's risky-prescribing. Exponential random graph models were used to simultaneously estimate the importance of homophily in prescribing and deprescribing in the network beyond the characteristics of physician specialty (or other metadata) and network-derived features. In addition, novel network measures were introduced to allow homophily to be characterized in relation to specific triadic (three-actor) structural configurations in the network with associated non-parametric randomization tests to evaluate their statistical significance in the network against the null hypothesis of no such phenomena. We found physician homophily in prescribing and deprescribing in both the state-wide and multiple HRR sub-networks, and that the level of homophily varied across HRRs. We also found that physicians exhibited within-triad homophily in risky-prescribing, with the prevalence of homophilic triads significantly higher than expected by chance absent homophily. These results may explain why communities of prescribers emerge and evolve, helping to justify group-level prescriber interventions. The methodology could be applied to arbitrary shared-patient networks and even more generally to other kinds of network data that underlies other kinds of social phenomena.
Heat transfer characteristics of cascade phase change energy storage composite pipeline
Authors: XU Ying , Wei Chenguang , Wang Qiong , MA Chuan , ZHANG YuQi , LIU XiaoYan
Published: March 2024

In the context of dual-carbon strategy, the insulation performance of the gathering and transportation pipeline affects the safety gathering and energy saving management in the oilfield production process. PCM has the characteristics of phase change energy storage and heat release, combining it with the gathering and transmission pipeline not only improves the insulation performance of collecting and transporting pipes,but also extends the safe shut time during the shutdown. Proposed a thermal model of a PCM-based composite energy storage pipeline combining the character of phase transformation between PCM and crude oil has been established. The heat preservation performance of the combined energy storage pipeline was evaluated by numerical simulation.This paper analyses the heat transfer performance of complex energy storage pipes, and considers the influence of natural convection and variable temperature zone on insulation performance.On this basis, the structure design of cascade phase transition was proposed,the optimized cascading composite pipe was presented, and the performance of different insulation structures was compared.
GEE based soil loss estimation in Eastern Tigray Zones, Ethiopia
Authors: Tekulu  , Islam Zubairul , Gebre Haftom , Hadgu Tadesse
Published: March 2024

Soil loss and its geostatistical analysis was studied at the kebele level in Tigray. The method applied to estimate soil loss was the revised universal soil loss equation. Earth Engine's public data archive was used for data collection. The R factor was developed from the SM2RAIN-ASCAT (2007–2021) global daily satellite rainfall data, the K-factor was developed from USDA-3A1A1A_M/v02 soil data, the C-factor was derived from MODIS/006/MOD13A2, and LS factor was derived from WWF Hydro SHEDS Hydrologically Conditioned DEM. By integrating all factor, the soil loss was obtained by the RUSLE model. Spatial Autocorrelation (Morans I) statistic was used to identify the pattern of soil loss and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) linear regression was used to model a soil loss in terms of its relationships to R, K, LS, C, and P factors. The grouping analysis tool was used to Group kebele based on soil loss. The results indicate that the estimated average soil erosion is 82760 t ha − 1 y − 1. The pattern of soil loss at the kebele level was found highly clustered with a z-score of 23.39. The groping analysis tool divides the kebele into five categories to identify the cause of spatial variation of the soil loss in Tigray. Groups 1, 4 & 5 were found as in the outlier positions due to the high LS factor. The results deliver valuable information for decision-makers and planners to take suitable land administration measures to minimize the soil loss. It, therefore, indicates google earth engine is a significant platform to analyse the RUSLE model for evaluating and mapping soil erosion quantitatively and spatially.
Software Vulnerability Detection under Poisoning Attacks using CNN-based Image Processing
Authors: González-Manzano Lorena , Garcia-Alfaro Joaquín
Published: March 2024

Design flows, code errors, or inadequate countermeasures may occur in software development. Some of them lead to vulnerabilities in the code, opening the door to attacks. Assorted techniques are developed to detect vulnerable code samples, making artificial intelligence techniques, such as Machine Learning (ML), a common practice. Nonetheless, the security of ML is a major concern. This includes the the case of ML-based detection whose training process is affected by data poisoning. More generally, vulnerability detection can be evaded unless poisoning attacks are properly handled. This paper tackles this problem. A novel vulnerability detection system based on ML-based image processing, using Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), is proposed. The system, hereinafter called IVul, is evaluated under the presence of backdoor attacks, a precise type of poisoning in which a pattern is introduced in the training data to alter the expected behavior of the learned models. IVul is evaluated with more than three thousand code samples associated with two representative programming languages (C# and PHP). IVul outperforms other comparable state-of-the-art vulnerability detectors in the literature, reaching 82% to 99% detection accuracy. Besides, results show that the type of attack may affect a particular language more than another, though, in general, PHP is more resilient to proposed attacks than C#.
A Time-Frequency Analysis and Modal Decomposition Method for Power Harmonics Based on Multisynchrosqueezing Transform
Authors: Tao Tong , Chu Yanli
Published: March 2024

Time-frequency analysis (TFA) is an essential tool in power harmonic analysis. However, the traditional TFA method tends to generate a fuzzy time-frequency distribution. In order to enhance the energy aggregation of harmonic time-frequency distribution, the multisynchrosqueezing transform (MSST) is introduced to analyze the time-frequency and mode decomposition of power harmonics. Firstly, the result of the synchrosqueezing transform of a harmonic signal is calculated iteratively. Subsequently, the time-frequency distribution energy of the harmonic signal is compressed further to obtain a more accurate time-frequency graph of the harmonic signal. Secondly, MSST's powerful reconstruction ability is utilized to decompose the harmonic signal mode, resulting in a series of intrinsic mode type functions (IMT) of varying frequencies to extract each harmonic component. An improved multisynchrosqueezing transform (IMSST) was proposed to solve the problems of non-rearranged points and endpoint effects in MSST. Simulation experiments and measured data demonstrate that the proposed method can achieve more accurate time-frequency analysis and mode decomposition of harmonic signals. It also reveals the time-frequency characteristics and variations of harmonic waves in power grids, which is crucial for harmonic control in power grids.
Development and validation of a predictive model for PACU hypotension in elderly patients undergoing painless gastrointestinal endoscopy
Authors: Wang Zi , Ma Juan , Liu Xin , Gao Ju
Published: March 2024

Background
Hypotension, characterized by abnormally low blood pressure, is a frequently observed adverse event in painless gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures. Although the examination time is typically short, hypotension during and after gastroscopy procedures is frequently overlooked or remains undetected. This study aimed to construct a risk nomogram for post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) hypotension in elderly patients undergoing painless gastrointestinal endoscopy.
Methods
This study involved 2919 elderly patients who underwent sedated gastrointestinal endoscopy. A preoperative questionnaire was used to collect data on patient characteristics; intraoperative medication use and adverse events were also recorded. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the risk of PACU hypotension in these patients. To achieve this, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis method was used to optimize variable selection, involving cyclic coordinate descent with tenfold cross-validation. Subsequently, multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to build a predictive model using the selected predictors from the LASSO regression. A nomogram was visually developed based on these variables. To validate the model, a calibration plot, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used. Additionally, external validation was conducted to further assess the model’s performance.
Results
The LASSO regression analysis identified predictors associated with an increased risk of adverse events during surgery: age, duration of preoperative water abstinence, intraoperative mean arterial pressure (MAP) < 65 mmHg, decreased systolic blood pressure (SBP), and use of norepinephrine (NE). The constructed model based on these predictors demonstrated moderate predictive ability, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.710 in the training set and 0.778 in the validation set. The DCA indicated that the nomogram had clinical applicability when the risk threshold ranged between 20% and 82%, which was subsequently confirmed in the external validation with a range of 18–92%.
Conclusion
Incorporating factors such as age, duration of preoperative water abstinence, intraoperative MAP < 65 mmHg, decreased SBP, and use of NE in the risk nomogram increased its usefulness for predicting PACU hypotension risk in elderly patient undergoing painless gastrointestinal endoscopy.
Infrared quantum ghost imaging of living and undisturbed plants
Authors: Ryan Duncan , Meier Kristina , Seitz Kati , Hanson David , Morales Demosthenes , Palmer David , Hanson Buck , Goodwin Peter , Newell Raymond , Holmes Rebecca , Thompson David , Werner James
Published: March 2024

Quantum ghost imaging (QGI) is a method that measures absorption images at extremely low light intensities. Non-degenerate QGI probes a sample at one wavelength while forming an image with correlated photons at a different wavelength. This relieves spectral sensitivity requirements on detectors for near-infrared (NIR) imaging and, as a result, less illumination intensity is required. Using NCam, a novel single-photon detector, we demonstrate non-degenerate QGI with unprecedented sensitivity and contrast, obtaining images of living plants with less than 1% light transmission. Plants experience 3 aW/cm2 of light during imaging, orders of magnitude below starlight. This realization of QGI expands the method to extremely low light bioimaging applications and imaging of light sensitive samples.
Chondrocyte harvest viability of auricular and nasal septal cartilage in a sheep model
Authors: Lee Michael Fook-Ho , Posniak Steven , Chung Johnson HY , Liu Xiao , Maruf DS Abdullah Al , Cheng Kai , Clark Jonathan , Steffens Daniel , Wallace Gordon , Mukherjee Payal
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Autologous techniques for reconstruction of cartilaginous structures of the head and neck are limited by donor cartilage volume, donor site morbidity and inconsistent results. Bioprinting combines “bioinks” consisting of living cells, supporting structures and biological motifs with a scaffold to create customised implantable constructs. This animal study reports on the digestion and proliferation results of auricular and nasal septal chondrocytes with the aim of understanding the behavior of different donor sites for chondrocytes and its impact on clinical practice. Methods: Cartilage was harvested from the ear and nasal septum of six sheep. The cartilage was digested utilising a 0.15% w/v type II collagenase solution, then seeded at cell densities of 1.5x104 for 14 day proliferation, with cell counts calculated and recorded at days 1, 3, 7, 10 and 14. Results: Auricular and septal chondrocytes yielded an average of 6.09x106 and 5.48x106 cells per gram of cartilage respectively, with no statistically significant difference between total or viable chondrocyte counts between the sources. Septal chondrocyte cell counts expanded at a faster rate than auricular chondrocytes, though this rate plateaued and mean cell counts were not significantly different at day 14. Conclusion: Auricular and septal chondrocytes can be harvested without contamination. There was no significant difference between chondrocytes from the two sources following digestion and 14 day proliferation. Both auricular and septal cartilage are comparable cell sources for use in bioinks. It is important to consider the intended properties of the formed cartilage when deciding which donor source to utilise.
k-Nearest Neighbour machine method for predicting resistance gene against Magnaporthe oryzae in rice using proteomic markers
Authors: Villikudathil Angelina Thomas , K Jayachandran , K. Radhakrishnan E.
Published: March 2024

Rice blast disease, caused by the fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae, poses a severe threat to global rice cultivation, impacting over 3.5 billion people and the livelihoods of 200 million. Despite challenges in achieving sustainable resistance, our study focuses on identifying proteomic signatures in blast disease-resistant and susceptible genes using amino acid and dipeptide compositions. Leveraging machine learning, particularly a k-NN model, we identified 20 molecular markers distinguishing between resistant and susceptible genes with 90% accuracy. This research highlights the potential of protein sequence-based machine learning for predicting blast disease resistance, providing valuable insights for disease-resistant breeding programs and enhancing global food security through sustainable rice cultivation.
A new afforestation method can accelerate nutrient return from litterfall compared with natural regeneration— a 17-year observation in subalpine region on the eastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhou Zhiqiong , Chen Xiaoxia , He Qihua , Li Xiaoming , Ding Jianlin , Bao Weikai , Shi Fusun
Published: March 2024

Restoring degraded ecosystems to be mixed-species plantations is an important strategy to address the land degradation problem worldwide, for its advantage in recovering ecosystem functions over monoculture plantations. However, few studies have evaluated the ecological functions of mixed-species plantations, especially mixtures with indigenous trees. The general objective of our study was to assess carbon and nutrient return from litterfall production in the high indigenous-species diversity plantation (HISD plantation) with a new strip-cutting shrubs method compared with which in the secondary forest with natural regeneration over 17 years. The results clearly showed that the annual litterfall production was 47% higher, resulting in higher C (50%), P (31%), and N (8%) return from litterfall in the HISD plantation over the secondary forest. Specifically, leaves (52%), twigs (36%) and reproductive (28%) litter production were also higher in the HISD plantation than which in the secondary forest. Annual litterfall production was collectively regulated by tree community parameters (basal area), soil fertility (N, P and available P), and climatic variables (annual mean temperature and precipitation). Higher basal area of canopy trees and soil fertility (C, N, P and available P) resulted in higher litterfall production in the HISD plantation relation to the secondary forest. The results suggest that strip-cutting shrubs restoration can be a useful technique to accelerate litterfall production, and carbon and nutrient return from litter compared with natural regeneration by recovering soil fertility in this region.
Effectiveness of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Self-Compacting Concrete at High Temperatures
Authors: Sultan Hussein Kareem
Published: March 2024

In this work, the properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) and SCC containing 0.5 and 1% glass fibers (with lengths of 6 and 13 mm) were experimentally investigated, as well as their performance at high temperatures. With a heating rate of 5°C/min, high-temperature experiments were conducted at 200, 400, 600, and 800°C to examine mass loss, spalling, and remaining mechanical properties of SCC with and without glass fibers. According to the results of the flowability and passing ability tests, adding glass fibers would not affect how workable and self-compacting were. These findings also demonstrated that the mechanical properties of samples with and without glass fibers rose up to 200°C but then decreased at 400°C, whereas the mixture contains 0.5% glass fibres length of 13 mm (SCC-L2) displayed better mechanical properties. Both SCC samples with and without glass fibers remained intact at 200°C. Some SCC samples displayed some corner and edge spalling when the temperature reached about 400°C. Above 400°C, a significant number of microcracks started to form. SCC samples quickly spalled and were completely destroyed between 600 and 800°C. According to the results, glass fibers cannot stop SCC from spalling during a fire. Between 200 and 400°C, there was no discernible mass loss. At 600°C, mass loss starts to accelerate quickly, and it has increased more than ten times since 200°C. The UPV of SCC samples with glass fibers increased between room temperature and 200°C, and SCC-L2 showed a somewhat higher UPV than other SCC mixtures until it started to decline at about 400°C.
Neonicotinoids and Varroa mites force the extending of longevity in a bee colony during overwintering to forget
Authors: Yamada Toshiro , Yamada Yasuhiro
Published: March 2024

A mathematical model that can estimate the apparent longevity of bee-colony proposed previously to clarify that the longevity normally changes with seasons as follows: The longevity maintains almost constant at 20–30 days from late spring to late autumn, thereafter, it continues to extend till late spring up to 160–200 days. Just after overwintering, the longevity is shortened almost vertically from one sixth to one tenth. Such normal seasonal changes in longevity are shown when a pesticide-free food is administered to the bee-colony and when pesticide-containing sugar syrup is. However, abnormal seasonal changes in longevity, which does not extend even if winter approaches, are shown for the bee-colony ingesting neonicotinoid-containing pollen and for the colony infested with Varroa mites. Judging from the fact that pollen is the main food for the bee-brood, that mites parasitize larvae and pupae, and that the vital functions and organs of honeybees are created during the larval and pupal stages, it can be inferred that a neonicotinoid-containing pollen paste and parasitic mites cause serious damage to the bee ability to detect the arrival of winter. Such dysfunction in the larval and pupal stages probably interferes with extending the longevity of adult bees even as winter approaches.
Parasocial relationships and identification with fictional characters in adolescents and adults: a systematic review
Authors: Mula-Márquez Y. , Nava-Arquillo Begoña , Matías-García J. A.
Published: March 2024

Parasocial relations and identification are phenomena linked to the consumption of any mass media. Existing literature indicates that they can satisfy attachment needs and play a role in the construction of personal identity. The purpose of this systematic review is to examine the development of parasocial relationships and identification with fictional characters in adults and adolescents, as well as the impact of these processes on social relationships, attachment, personality, and personal identity. On 23 January 2023, a search was conducted in two databases (Scopus and Web of Science) that included articles in the field of Psychology, written in English or Spanish, and published between 2008 and 2022, inclusive. Of the 355 articles that were identified, only 12 studies were selected after application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data was then extracted and synthesized using a type of thematic analysis known as template analysis. The results shed light on the variables involved in the development of parasocial relationships and identification, as well as the positive impact of these processes on identity formation and mental health, but also on potential problems such as stigma. An integrative model is proposed. In conclusion, this systematic review compiles and interprets evidence on the psychological significance of individuals' engagement with fictional characters and the relationships they form with them. This information may prove useful in therapy and personal development. Suggestions for future research related to the findings and limitations are provided.
Quantum Metrology with Superposition of GHZ state and Twin-Fock state
Authors: Li Yan , Ren Zhihong
Published: March 2024

We study the metrological performance of the superposition of Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger state and Twin Fock state (SGT) in quantum phase estimation. We have derived the analytical quantum Fisher information (QFI) of an $N$-qubit SGT state in noninteracting environment and it emerges a turning point at the critical $\beta_t=\sqrt{1-\frac{1}{N}}\cdot\sqrt{\frac{2}{3}}$. Working in the Mach-Zehnder interferometry, we have provided the optimal metrology schemes saturated by quantum CRLB for all kinds of SGT states, including the specified phase generator and measured parity operator. Moreover, the decoherence effects are also considered and with the increasing decay the QFI in amplitude damping and phase damping channel decreases to the number of qubits involved, implying the standard quantum limit. Specially, the $4$-qubit SGT state ($\beta=\sqrt{3}/2$) is found to perform better than GHZ state in phase damping channel. Our work enriches the metrological useful quantum resources.
Trunk symmetry indices can affect the risk of falling in older adults (Correlational study)
Authors: ardekani Mohammad karimizadeh , hemasi Kimiya
Published: March 2024

Background
According to the statistics of the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of aging people is increasing. Paying attention to the issues, needs and diseases of this stage is a social necessity to maintain health and functional ability. Falling is one of the most common causes of injury in aging people and affects their health. In this regard, it is necessary to diagnose and evaluate aging patients at risk of falling with noninvasive and low-cost methods. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between trunk symmetry indices and the risk of falling in aging men.
Methods
In the present study, 50 elderly men between 75 and 85 years old were selected. Then, height and weight were measured, and anatomical points were marked on the subjects in three views. To assess the risk of falling, time up and go and functional reach tests were used. Then, with the Photoshop program, the measurements of each line and the markings of each subject were calculated with the formula for each index. The data were analyzed in the SPSS program, and the normality of the data was considered for the relationships between the variables according to the Pearson correlation coefficient at a significance level of 95% (P ≤ 0.05), which was used to evaluate the ability of the indicators to predict the risk of falling. Simple linear regression was used.
Results
Finally, the anterior and posterior trunk symmetry indices and body posture indices were significantly related to the fall risk, except for the anterior trunk symmetry index, which was significantly related to the time up and go test (P ≤ 0.05), and the ability to predict the risk of falling.
Conclusion
The results of the present study show that the presence of asymmetries and structural changes in the posture of the trunk in all three anterior, posterior and lateral views during aging causes disturbances in the balance system of people and increases the risk of falling.
Targeted Protest and Affective Polarization
Authors: Sato Yuko
Published: March 2024

Political protests increasingly play a critical role in shaping politics in democracies. What political consequences did the growing global protest cycle bring about within democratic countries with unrest? Drawing on social identity theory, I argue that protest events, which targeted specific parties or leaders, would serve as a focal event that enhances voters’ attachment to partisan identity. Targeted protests provide open information containing a specific political message about targeted candidates or parties to the public. Accordingly, exposure to protests may activate and reinforce pre-existing partisan identities and ultimately trigger affective polarization at the mass level. To examine this argument, I use cross-national survey data to test whether protests targeting ruling parties increased the level of mass polarization among 38 democracies between 1996 and 2021. The findings have implications for understanding the impact of protests on voting behavior and the process of polarization in democracies.
The Influence of Brief Papers on Clinical Decision-Making Skills among College Nursing Students in Tanzania
Authors: Mvandal Samson Peter
Published: March 2024

Clinical decision-making and critical thinking represent pivotal competencies essential for the progression of undergraduate nursing students. Within nursing education, clinical faculty, particularly those engaged in direct patient care instruction, play a vital role in fostering the cultivation of these skills. This study aimed identify the influence of brief paper on clinical decision making among college nursing students in Tanzania. While conventional assessment methods encompass lengthy case studies, concept mapping, and participation in discussion boards, the introduction of clinical short paper assignments offers a novel avenue to challenge students in refining their critical thinking and clinical decision-making proficiencies. Although no statistically significant variance was discerned in the perceived level of clinical decision-making pre- and post-implementation of short written assignments, there was an observable elevation in the overall mean score of clinical decision-making abilities subsequent to the integration of clinical short papers.
Intact Amazon forests hit a record low gross primary productivity level in 2023-2024
Authors: Meunier Felicien , Boeckx Pascal , Botía Santiago , Bauters Marijn , Cherlet Wout , Ciais Philippe , De Hertog Steven , Dietze Michael , Peaucelle Marc , Sibret Thomas , Sitch Stephen , Li Wei , Verbeeck Hans
Published: March 2024

In the Amazon, the dry season of 2023 as well as the beginning of the wet season in 2024 were marked by unprecedented high temperatures and large precipitation deficits. While the tropical forests in the Amazon play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle and are a biodiversity hotspot, they were also shown to suffer from El-Niño related droughts in the past, leading to legitimate concerns about the ecological consequences of the recent climate conditions. To this day, the tools that we have in hand to determine those ecological consequences have lagged behind the present due to the complexity to acquire and process new remote sensing data or run land surface models. In this study, we employed advanced machine learning models trained on state-of-the-art remote sensing and dynamic global vegetation model estimates of gross primary productivity (GPP). The models provide near real-time GPP estimates, revealing significant productivity reductions during the 2023/2024 drought, unmatched in at least the past 30 years. Negative GPP anomalies were more widespread across the Amazon than during any other recent major drought event. The Climate-GPP relationships that emerged from the models suggest that future temperature increases and changes in precipitation will severely challenge Amazon forest resilience.