bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three-Dimensional Cell Spheroid Culture and Proliferation Activity Study of Uveal Melanoma Cell Line C918
Authors: yu jinhai , Yunxiu Chen , Qi Jin , Jiancheng Gan , Zhida Peng , Sha Wu , Hongfei Liao , Qi Xia
Published: August 2024

Objective: This study aims to investigate the morphological and histological characteristics of three-dimensional cell spheroids derived from the uveal melanoma (UM) cell line C918 and assess the impact of luteolin on their proliferation.
Methods:C918 cells were cultured in ultra-low adsorption 96-well plates, and morphological changes in C918 three-dimensional cell spheroids were observed over varying time intervals. Histological features of C918 multicellular spheroids cultured in ultra-low adsorption 6-well plates were examined using both HE staining and immunohistochemical staining. The CCK8 reagent was employed to measure the optical density at a 450nm wavelength after 72-hour treatments with varying luteolin concentrations in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional cultured C918 cells. The IC50 values were compared between the two culture conditions.
Results: Over time in culture, the volume of C918 three-dimensional cell spheroids gradually increased, and an ischemic and hypoxic region became evident within the spheroids on days 4 to 6 of culture. Histological staining demonstrated positive expression of proliferation marker antibodies (Ki67) and melanoma marker antibodies (MelanA, HMB45, S-100) in the multicellular spheroids from three-dimensional culture. CCK-8 experiments revealed that the IC50 values for luteolin in C918 cells were 183.50μmol/L in three-dimensional culture and 16.19μmol/L in two-dimensional culture after 72 hours. Three-dimensional cultured C918 cells, treated with varying luteolin concentrations for 72 hours, were observed under a microscope. The maximum cross-sectional area showed no statistically significant differences between the groups, but it was reduced in comparison to the control group.
Conclusion: Three-dimensional cultured C918 cell spheroids exhibit histological characteristics similar to real tumors and are less responsive to luteolin than their two-dimensional counterparts. They offer a valuable model for anti-tumor drug screening.
Pregnancy Related Worry and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women Attending Ante Natal Care At Abebech Gobena MCH Hospital 2023; A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: AH Berasa , GE Bekele , SH Berasa , BM Woldie , Lakew
Published: August 2024

Background
Pregnancy and childbirth are major developmental periods in a woman’s life that adds many sources of concerns to women’s daily life worries. Pregnant women should be provided with relevant and useful information to cope up with this specific period of their lives. Excessive worry can affect maternal physiological and psychological state that influences the pregnancy outcomes. Access to reliable pregnancy related information from the right sources reduces pregnancy related worries. This study assessed pregnancy related worry and associated factors among pregnant women attending ante natal care.
Methods
A cross-sectional study using a systematic random sampling method was conducted on 422 pregnant women who came for antenatal care follow up at Abebech Gobena MCH hospital from June 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023. The socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics, health information status, health care service utilization and social factors were obtained and pregnancy related worries were measured using Cambridge Worry Scale. Descriptive statistics was used to see frequency of independent variables. Simple logistic regression analysis was computed and all independent variables with p-value less than 0.25 were entered in multivariate logistic regression. Multivariate logistic regression was fitted to identify the factors associated with pregnancy related worries.
Result
From total of 422 pregnant women using Cambridge worry scale, 54.7% of the respondent women had pregnancy related worries and the rest 45.3% had no worries. The odds of pregnancy related worry among pregnant women were higher in women from rural area [AOR = 2.78; 95% CI: 1.24, 6.25], who were unable to read and write [AOR = 0.30 95% CI: 0.10, 0.92], who had previous pregnancy complication [AOR = 0.39; 95% CI: 0.16, 0.96], women living in more than five km distance [AOR = 2.45; 95% CI: 1.22, 4.90], who used digital source of information [AOR = 6.98; 95% CI: 2.00, 24.40] and low social support [AOR = 0.08; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.44].
Conclusion and recommendation
pregnancy related worries were prevalent in women attending ante natal care and significantly associated with women’s place of residence, educational status, previous pregnancy complication, distance from the health facility, source of trusted source of information, and social support.
Influence of Alloy 625 Manufacturing Process on 950˚C Oxidation Behavior in Air and Post-Oxidation High-Cycle Fatigue Performance
Authors: Nope Grace de Leon , Wang Guofeng , Gleeson Brian
Published: August 2024

This study investigates the effect of the Alloy 625 manufacturing process on the high-cycle fatigue (HCF) performance of oxidized samples. Conventional manufacturing processes (wrought and casting) and additive manufacturing (AM) processes (laser powder bed fusion and direct energy deposition) were studied. Results of Alloy 625 isothermal oxidation at 950°C in air revealed that AM samples showed faster oxidation kinetics and enhanced intergranular oxidation (IGO) with associated voids; the latter two were attributed partially to the alloy's greater amount of interstitial oxygen compared to conventional manufacturing processes. The HCF results showed that oxidized AM samples have a shorter life than oxidized wrought counterparts, where the earlier crack initiation in the oxidized AM samples is attributed to greater oxidation-induced subsurface degradation. This subsurface degradation includes the enhanced IGO and associated voids.
Random Forest-Based NIDS: Advancing Network Threat Detection
Authors: Darweesh M. Saeed , Abdelaziz Mohammed Tarek , Radwan Abdelrahman , Mamdouh Hesham , Saad Adel Saeed , Abuzaid Abdulrahman Salem , AbdElhakeem Ahmed Ayman , Zakzouk Salma , Moussa Kareem
Published: August 2024

Network Intrusion Detection Systems (NIDS) are critical for protecting computer networks from unauthorized activities. Traditional NIDS rely on rule-based signatures, which can be limiting in detecting emerging threats. This study investigates the effectiveness of the random forest classifier in advancing NIDS capabilities through machine learning. Using the CICIDS-2017 dataset, the data is preprocessed to enhance its quality by removing redundancies. The methodology involves rigorous testing and analysis of the random forest classifier's performance, focusing on accuracy and detection rates compared to other machine learning models. Results demonstrate that by optimizing class weights and leveraging 15 key features, the random forest classifier achieves an outstanding 99.8% accuracy across various attack types. This research highlights the potential of machine learning to significantly enhance NIDS effectiveness, offering a robust defense mechanism against evolving cybersecurity threats in modern networks.
Ultra-Lightweight YOLOv8n for PCB Defect Detection: An Adaptive Approach with Enhanced Feature Extraction and Efficient Model Embedding
Authors: Zhou Zhuguo , Lu Yujun , Lv Liye
Published: August 2024

To address the issues of missed and false detections caused by numerous tiny objects and complex background textures in printed circuit boards (PCBs), as well as the difficulty of embedding detection models into portable devices, this paper proposes an ultra-lightweight YOLOv8n defect detection method. Firstly, the method introduces an Uncertainty-driven Adaptive Training Sample Selection (UATSS) strategy during training to optimize model training and enhance detection accuracy. Secondly, it incorporates Details-Enhanced Convolution (DEConv) to improve the model's ability to extract detailed features of small PCB defects. Then, it employs a Sharing Lightweight Details-Enhanced Convolutional Detection Head (SLDECD) to replace the original Decoupled Head, reducing model complexity while enhancing network detection accuracy. Lastly, the Exponential Moving Average-Slide Loss (EMA-SlideLoss) function is introduced to provide more precise evaluation results during model training and enhance generalization capability. Comparative experiments on public PCB datasets demonstrate that the improved algorithm achieves an mAP of 97.6% and an accuracy of 99.6%, representing increases of 3.8% and 1.9%, respectively, compared to the original model. The model size is 4.1 MB, and the FPS reaches 144.1, meeting the requirements for portable embedded devices and real-time applications.
Physicochemical and Microbiological Evaluation of Yoghurt Sold in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Frew Mihret , Wolkaro Takele , Galmassa Ulfina
Published: August 2024

Background
Increase in demand for yoghurt in Addis Ababa, in recent times has led to proliferation of different kinds of commercially produced (branded) yoghurt in line with the traditional (unbranded) one in the market. However, limited/ no available data for the quality of gradually increase different kinds of commercially produced (branded) yoghurt in line with the traditional (unbranded) one in the market. There is therefore vital to evaluate the physicochemical property and microbial quality of yoghurt sold in Addis Ababa in order to determine its quality and perhaps safeguard the health and wellbeing of the numerous people consuming yoghurt products.
Methods
A total of 40 yoghurt samples consisted of 20 traditionally (unbranded) and 20 commercially produced (branded) were analysis for physicochemical property (pH, moisture, ash, fat, Total Solid (TS) and Solid Not Fat (SNF)) and microbial quality (Coliform Count (CC) and Yeast and Mould Count (YMC) were performed using TEMPO system whereas; Total Viable Count (TVC) was performed according to standard culture method).
Results
In traditionally produced (unbranded) yoghurt samples, fat content (4.44%), pH (3.99), TS content (10.12%), SNF content (7.18%), moisture content (89.88%) and ash content (0.53%) were found. The respective parameters for the commercially produced (branded) yoghurt samples were 5.02%, 3.88, 10.66%, 8.10%, 89.29% and 0.62%. The TVC in traditionally (unbranded) and commercially produced (branded) yoghurt samples was found to be 10.72 and 10.35 log 10 cfu/mL, respectively. Besides, 20%, 55% and 25% and 40%, 35% and 25% of traditionally (unbranded) and commercially produced (branded) yoghurt samples were found to be < 10 cfu/mL, 10 - <4.9x104 cfu/mL and > 4.9 x104 cfu/mL of CC with overall mean count of 3.72 and 2.81 log10 cfu/mL, respectively but not significant (P > .005). Regarding to YMC 0, 35%, and 65% and 30%, 50% and 20% of traditionally(unbranded) and commercially produced (branded) yoghurt samples were found to be < 100 cfu/mL, 100-<4.9x104cfu/mL and > 4.9x104 cfu/mL with overall mean count of 4.48 and 3.92 log10 cfu/mL, respectively but not significant (P > .005).
Conclusion
Based on the indicators considered in the present study, it is essential to improve yoghurt quality.
What’s in a Watt? Interpreting nightlights satellite data via citizen science observations
Authors: Nachtlichter Team , Tegeler Achim , Marz Aleksander , Gokus Andrea , Hänel Andreas , Rienow Andreas , Ruby Andreas , Glinka Anja , Kyba Anna Marie , Dröge-Rothaar Arne , Schwiesow Axel , Gillen Benno , von Heereman Bettine , Kuechly Brita , Altıntaş Burhan , Brock Christian , Kyba Christopher , McNally Cormac , Fischer Daniel , Dell’Osbel Daniele , Gruber David , Weiß Eva , Distelrath Florian , Vohla Frank , Heine Friedrich , Sulzer Georg , MacMillan Georgia , Esqu Gilbert , Anton Gisela , Altıntaş Hatice , Kuechly Helga , von Brandis Henning , von Maravić Irina , Wuthenow Isabell , Koglin Jacob , Degen Jacqueline , Mattern Janina , Schultz Johannes , Veh Johannes , Barentine John , Schreibweis Jonas , Leiter Katharina , Modersitzki Kilian , Klein Lena , Langejahn Marcus , Zschorn Maria , Pavić Marijana , Blaschke Maximilian , Köcher Maximilian , Brauchler Melanie , Leipold Michaela , Küppers Nathalie , Schulte-Römer Nona , Naboulsi Normän , Stumpf Peter , Bilela Petra , Binder Reinhart , Curwy René , Kyba Russell , Frank Sabine , Falkner Sebastian , Bauer Sicco , Liese Steffen , Rom Tamara , Kunzemann Thomas , Altıntaş Yiğit , Tičinović Vita
Published: August 2024

The image of Earth at Night from space has become iconic, but we are still in the dark when it comes to the question of to what extent different light source types contribute to city light emissions. Our team of citizen scientists used the Nachtlichter app to count and classify 234,044 light sources over a total area of 22 km2 during 2021. We find that a space-based radiance observation of 1 nW/cm2sr in the 500-900 nm range corresponds to 219 lights/km2 on the ground at midnight. This suggests that 78.0±1.6 million individual light sources are still turned on at midnight in Germany. We additionally examined the properties of the lights, and their relation to land cover. We find that private windows are the most abundant light type, and that for every streetlight in German urban areas, there is an illuminated sign and shop window.
SwinUNeCCt: Bidirectional Hash-based Agent Transformer for Cervical Cancer MRI Image Multi-task Learning
Authors: Chongshuang Yang , Tianliang Shi , jing Yang , chao Huang , peng Jiang , Xiangyang Fu , Tan Zhuoyi
Published: August 2024

Background: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common malignant tumor among women globally, posing a significant threat to women's health. In 2022, approximately 600,000 new cases were reported, and 340,000 deaths occurred due to cervical cancer. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred imaging method for diagnosing, staging, and evaluating cervical cancer. However, manual segmentation of MRI images is time-consuming and subjective. Therefore, there is an urgent need for automatic segmentation models to identify cervical cancer lesions in MRI scans accurately.
Methods: All magnetic resonance images in our research are from cervical cancer patients diagnosed by pathology at Tongren City People's Hospital. Strict data selection criteria and clearly defined inclusion and exclusion conditions were established to ensure data consistency and accuracy of research results. The dataset contains imaging data from 122 cervical cancer patients, with each patient having 100 pelvic dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI scans. Annotations were jointly completed by medical professionals from Universiti Putra Malaysia and the Radiology Department of Tongren City People's Hospital to ensure data accuracy and reliability. Additionally, a novel computer-aided diagnosis model named SwinUNeCCt is proposed. This model incorporates: i) A bidirectional hash-based agent multi-head self-attention mechanism, which optimizes the interaction between local and global features in MRI, aiding in more accurate lesion identification. ii) Reduced computational complexity of the self-attention mechanism.
Results: The effectiveness of the SwinUNeCCt model has been validated through comparisons with state-of-the-art 3D medical models, including nnUnet, TransBTS, nnFormer, UnetR, UnesT, SwinUNetR, and SwinUNeLCsT. In semantic segmentation tasks without a classification module, the SwinUNeCCt model demonstrates excellent performance across multiple key metrics: achieving a 95HD of 6.25, an IoU of 0.669, and a DSC of 0.802, all of which are the best results among the compared models. Simultaneously, SwinUNeCCt strikes a good balance between computational efficiency and model complexity, requiring only 442.7 GFLOPs of computational power and 71.2M parameters. Furthermore, in semantic segmentation tasks that include a classification module, the SwinUNeCCt model also exhibits powerful recognition capabilities. Although this slightly increases computational overhead and model complexity, its performance surpasses other comparative models.
Conclusions: The SwinUNeCCt model demonstrates excellent performance in semantic segmentation tasks, achieving the best results among state-of-the-art 3D medical models across multiple key metrics. It balances computational efficiency and model complexity well, maintaining high performance even with the inclusion of a classification module.
Systematic attribution of heatwaves to the emissions of carbon majors
Authors: Quilcaille Yann , Gudmundsson Lukas , Schumacher Dominik , Gasser Thomas , Heede Richard , Heri Corina , Lejeune Quentin , Nath Shruti , Thiery Wim , Schleussner Carl-Friedrich , Seneviratne Sonia
Published: August 2024

Extreme event attribution assesses how anthropogenic climate change affected an extreme climate event, but typically focuses on individual events. Here, we systematize this approach, and apply it to 187 historical heatwaves reported over the period 2000-2022. We show that climate change has made all these heatwaves more likely and more intense. In particular, 33% of these heatwaves were virtually impossible without anthropogenic influence. Furthermore, this influence rises over time, both in intensity and in likelihood: climate change made the median heatwaves 24 times more likely over 2000-2009, 293 times more likely over 2010-2019 and 1355 times more likely over 2020-2022. We also extend the attribution to the contribution of emitters, by quantifying how much these heatwaves were affected by the emissions of 122 carbon majors (fossil fuel and cement producers), assessed through their full value chain. Our best estimate shows that, depending on the carbon major, between 28 and 62 heatwaves have been made 10,000 times more likely. Even small carbon majors enable heatwaves with their sole contribution.
Protective or potentially harmful? Altering drug consumption behaviors in response to xylazine adulteration
Authors: Eger William H. , Plesons Marina , Bartholomew Tyler S. , Bazzi Angela R. , Hauschild Maia H. , McElrath Corbin C. , Owens Cyrus , Forrest David W. , Tookes Hansel E. , Crable Erika L.
Published: August 2024

Background
Xylazine is an increasingly common adulterant in the North American unregulated drug supply that is associated with adverse health outcomes (e.g., skin infections, overdose). However, there are significant knowledge gaps regarding how xylazine was initially identified and how syringe services program (SSP) staff and clients (people who use drugs) responded to its emergence.
Methods
From June–July 2023, we conducted qualitative interviews with medical (e.g., clinicians) and frontline SSP staff (e.g., outreach workers) and adult clients with a history of injection drug use at a Miami-based SSP. Inductive memos identified emergent codes; thematic analysis involving team consensus established final themes.
Results
From interviews with SSP staff (n = 8) and clients (n = 17), xylazine emergence was identified at different times, in various ways. Initially, during summer 2022, clients identified a “tranquilizer-like substance” that worsened sedation and withdrawal and caused wounds. SSP medical staff later identified this adulterant as xylazine by treating new medical cases and through diverse information-sharing networks that included professional societies and news sources; however, frontline SSP staff and clients needed additional educational resources about xylazine and its side effects. With limited guidance on how to reduce harm from xylazine, SSP clients altered their drug consumption routes, reduced drug use, and relied on peers’ experiences with the drug supply to protect themselves. Some individuals also reported preferring xylazine-adulterated opioids and increasing their drug use, including the use of stimulants to avoid over sedation.
Conclusions
Xylazine’s emergence characterizes the current era of unprecedented shifts in the unregulated drug supply. We found that xylazine spurred important behavioral changes among people who use drugs (e.g., transitioning from injecting to smoking). Incorporating these experiences into early drug warning surveillance systems and scaling up drug-checking services and safer smoking supply distribution could help mitigate significant health harms caused by xylazine and other emergent adulterants.
Daytime-restricted feeding reshapes the gut microbiota to achieve intestinal radioprotection through creatine-mediated ferroptosis inhibition
Authors: Wang Cheng , He Yingjuan , Zhao Gaomei , Ouyang Xue , Wang Shaobo , Chen Yin , Li Chenwenya , Jiang Yiyi , Xiong Tainong , He Yongwu , Gao Jining , Han Songling , Zhao Jinghong , Wang Junping
Published: August 2024

Ionizing radiation-induced intestinal injury (IRIII), a catastrophic disease that occurs after tumor radiotherapy or accidental nuclear radiation, is lack of sufficient medical countermeasures currently. The gut microbial composition affects the intestinal radiosensitivity, and regulation of the gut microbiota through dietary adjustments is a potential solution for mitigating IRIII. Time-restricted feeding (TRF) is an emerging behavioral nutrition intervention with pleiotropic health benefits. Whether this dietary pattern influences the pathogenesis of IRIII remains vague. We evaluated the impact of TRF on intestinal radiosensitivity in this study and discovered that only daytime TRF (DTRF), not nighttime TRF, could ameliorate intestinal damage in mice that received a high dose of IR. Faecal metagenomic and metabolomic studies revealed that the intestinal creatine level was increased by approximate 9 times by DTRF, to which the Bifidobacterium pseudolongum enrichment contribute. Further investigations showed that creatine enable to activate the energy sensor AMP-activated protein kinase in irradiated enterocytes and induce phosphorylation of the downstream effector acetyl-CoA carboxylase, resulting in reduced production of unsaturated fatty acidsand reduced ferroptosis after IR. The administration of creatine mitigated IRIII and reduced bacteraemia and proinflammatory responses. Blockade of creatine import compromised the ferroptosis inhibition and mitigation of DTRF on IRIII. Our study demonstrates a radioprotective dietary mode functioning by reshaping the gut microbiota to suppress IR-induced ferroptosis, thereby providing effective countermeasures for IRIII prevention.
Factors Influencing the Intention of Doctors to Emigrate: A Cross-sectional Study of Ghanaian Doctors
Authors: Wutor Baleng Mahama , Sarfo Francisca Nyarko , Nkrumah Louisa Afia , Bakuoru Luki Daniel , Amanze Chinenye N. , Osei Isaac
Published: August 2024

Background
The migration of healthcare professionals from developing countries to more developed nations poses a significant challenge to healthcare systems in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to determine the proportion of doctors in Ghana who intend to migrate abroad and to identify the sociodemographic and "pull and push" factors that influence their intention.
Methodology
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among doctors in Ghana between March 1, 2024, and March 15, 2024, via an online-based semi-structured questionnaire. Doctors working in Ghana, regardless of nationality, were included. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with the intention to emigrate. Statistical significance was set at a p-value of < 0.05.
Results
Almost all the doctors who responded to the questionnaire consented to participate (99.4%, 641/645). More than half (53.8%, n=345) of the respondents were medical officers. Most respondents intended to migrate to practice abroad (71.8%, n=460). The United States (59.7%), the United Kingdom (39.1%), and Canada (34.8%) were the most preferred destinations. After adjusting for covariates, male doctors [(Adjusted Odd Ratios) AOR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.02-2.35], doctors who had been practising for 6-10 years (AOR = 2.30, 95% CI = 1.02-5.19), and doctors in lower professional ranks (House officers AOR = 10.10, 95% CI = 1.89-54.01) had significantly higher odds of intending to migrate. In descending order of magnitude, the respondents strongly agreed that better remuneration (1.22 ± 0.63), better quality of life (1.22 ± 0.67), better working conditions (1.26 ± 0.69), and better postgraduate training (1.41 ± 0.80) were pull factors. The push factors were economic challenges (1.17 ± 0.49), a lack of a conducive working environment (1.56 ± 0.86), slow career progression (1.95 ± 1.07), excessive workload (2.07 ± 0.12), personal circumstances (2.26 ± 1.19), and poor postgraduate training (2.48 ± 1.22).
Conclusion
A substantial proportion of doctors in Ghana are considering emigration, driven by a combination of attractive opportunities abroad and challenging conditions in Ghana. Addressing these issues through improved remuneration, better working environments, and enhanced career development and training opportunities is crucial to retaining healthcare professionals.
Co-selection of low cadmium accumulation and high yield during tomato breeding
Authors: Zhang Yuyang , Zhang Xingyu , Qing Mei , Xu Haobo , Tao Jinbao , Li Fangman , Ge Pingfei , Yang Yang , Wang Wenqian , Grierson Donald , Ye Zhibiao
Published: August 2024

Enhancing crop production and yield is necessary to feed an increasing population but cadmium (Cd) accumulation in crops poses a serious threat to human health. We found that there has been a trend during domestication for co-selection of improved tomato yield and reduced Cd accumulation. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 506 tomato accessions identified a natural allele, SlF3’HAA, which confers low Cd accumulation in the shoots of tomato. The linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis revealed a tight linkage between
SlF3’HAA and a fruit weight gene fw3.2. Evolution analysis showed that fw3.2 and SlF3’H experienced similar selection pressure. These findings indicate that the widespread presence of low Cd accumulating types in cultivated tomato is due to genetic hitchhiking and co-selection of SlF3’H with fw3.2 during yield breeding.
Molecular Borromean links based on metallocages
Authors: Jin Guo-Xin , Zhang Hai-Ning
Published: August 2024

The Borromean link, which is characterized by structural integrity and aesthetic beauty, represents one of the most intriguing entanglements. However, the vast majority of Borromean links consist of three identical macrocycles, and there are very few examples of links constructed from dimeric cages. Here, facilitated by multiple aromatic stacking interactions between components, we demonstrate that two molecular cage-based Borromean links containing more than 1100 nonhydrogen atoms, especially 24 rhodium(III)/iridium(III) and six sodium(I) ions, can be constructed in high yield through the strategic selection of a tetrapyridyl ligand based on dibenzo-18-crown-6 and two binuclear building units, as demonstrated by X-ray crystallographic analysis, detailed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electrospray ionization-time-of-flight/mass spectrometry (ESI-TOF/MS), and elemental analysis.
Leveraging Single Tasks for Better Generalization of Multitask Gaussian Process on Multivariate Time Series
Authors: Sun Zhongkui , Chen Kai
Published: August 2024

By leveraging the knowledge of separate single tasks, we propose a simple and principled algorithm for multitask Gaussian process (GP), known as stochastic hyperparameter averaging (SHA), to obtain better generalization. Specifically, we focus on multivariate time series learning to improve the generalization of extrapolation and interpolation. The knowledge of a single task is extracted by a GP separately trained on one task-specific dimension of a multivariate time series. The single task GP (STGP) has the same kernel with the latent functions in multitask GP. By averaging hyperparameters of separate STGPs to initialize the latent functions of multitask GP,SHA identifies solutions that are significantly better than those found by popular training methods, but with only a few training steps of STGPs. SHA is kernel agnostic, remarkably straightforward to implement, and enhances generalization performance. Our SHA attains a significant boost in test accuracy across various diverse multivariate time series tasks, including interpolation, extrapolation, robustness with varying model complexities, and insensitivity to different hyperparameter initializations.
Global metagenomic survey identifies sewage-derived hgcAB+ microorganisms as key contributors to riverine methylmercury production
Authors: Jiang Feng , Xia JunTao , Yuan ZhiGuo
Published: August 2024

Methylmercury (MeHg) in aquatic systems poses a serious threat to public health through the aquatic food web. In recent years, MeHg has been observed to increase to concerning levels globally in rivers near cities; however, the causes of this elevation are not well understood. Here, we reveal the significant impact of sewage contamination by analyzing over 1,300 publicly available metagenomes in urban rivers worldwide, and conducting experiments with water samples across China. We find that sewage contamination significantly increases the abundance of mercury (Hg)-methylating microorganisms in urban rivers globally. This increase is mainly attributed to the high abundance of active Hg-methylating microorganisms in sewage, which migrate to rivers through either direct discharge or combined sewer overflows (CSOs), thereby affecting riverine MeHg production. Our findings suggest that effectively eliminating Hg-methylating microorganisms from sewage is crucial for mitigating public health risks associated with MeHg in urban rivers.
Advancing Rainfall Prediction in Sindh Province, Pakistan: A Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Memon Bilawal
Published: August 2024

Rainfall represents a formidable threat to both lives and livelihoods, particularly in regions predisposed to inundation, such as Province Sindh, Pakistan. In response to this pressing challenge, this paper undertakes a comprehensive exploration of machine learning techniques aimed at revolutionizing rainfall prediction in Sindh. Our overarching goal is to inaugurate an era of precision forecasting by harnessing the rich reservoir of historical rainfall data in conjunction with meteorological and geographical insights. Through rigorous analysis, we endeavor to craft predictive models endowed with unparalleled accuracy, affording communities the vital foresight, resilience, and proactive capacity necessary for mitigating the toll of disasters. Our methodology is based on a detailed analysis of several machine learning techniques, such as decision trees, random forests, support vector machines, and neural networks. This paper has a set of testing that work popular machine learning techniques to form simulations the predict, created on climate information for that precise day, whether or not it will rain in major cities in Pakistan's Province of Sindh tomorrow. Three areas are the focus of this comparison study: pre-processing approaches, modeling methodologies, and modeling inputs. By comparing several evaluation measures, the results show how reliable these machine learning approaches are at predicting rainfall based on weather data analysis. Sindh comprises Badin, Hyderabad, Jhudo, Golarchi, Talhar, Matli, Tando Ghulam Ali, and Tando Bago. Our research aims to offer detailed information specific to each location's distinctive features.
Students’ transition experiences: positioning FYE interventions in a student transition model
Authors: Samosamo Mothusi , Chili Muntuwenkosi , Madzimure Jeremiah
Published: August 2024

The transition from high school to university can be a challenging and overwhelming experience for many students. As such, it is imperative for higher education institutions to implement effective interventions to support students during this critical period. This article examines the positioning of First-Year Experience (FYE) interventions within a student transition model. The study was conducted by reviewing existing studies, articles, and books related to FYE interventions and their impact on students' transition experiences. The researchers utilised various academic databases, such as EBSCO, JSTOR, and Google Scholar to gather relevant literature on the topic. The methodology used in this study involved systematically searching for and critically evaluating existing literature on FYE interventions and their role in students' transition experiences. The researchers then synthesized and analyzed the findings from the selected literature to identify trends and gaps in the existing research. Through a review of existing literature, this article explores the various factors that influence students’ transition experiences, the role of FYE interventions, and recommendations for future research and practice. The findings of this research indicate that students’ transition experiences are multifaceted, encompassing academic, social, and personal adjustments. Academic stress, social integration, and identity development are identified as key challenges, faced by students during their transition to university life. The role of FYE interventions in addressing these challenges is perceived to be crucial, highlighting the importance of academic support, mentorship, and opportunities for social connection, provided by these programs. The implications of this research suggest the need for a holistic student transition model that encompasses academic, social, and personal dimensions of the transition experience. FYE interventions are positioned within this model as a key component in supporting students through their transition to university life. The findings also emphasize the importance of tailoring FYE programs to meet the diverse needs of students, taking into account factors, such as cultural background, socioeconomic status, and individual learning styles. In conclusion, this research contributes to the understanding of students’ transition experiences and the positioning of FYE interventions within a comprehensive student transition model. It highlights the diverse challenges, faced by students during their transition to university, and underscores the importance of tailoring FYE programs to meet these challenges. The findings of this research have implications for the design and implementation of effective FYE interventions, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach that addresses the academic, social, and personal dimensions of students’ transition experiences.
Antimicrobial resistance as a global public health threat: the way forward
Authors: Tizhe Daniel Thakuma , Ogra Israel Ogwuche , Apollos Shadrack Dangabar , Enesi Katumi Ohunene , Yohanna Afiniki , Aminu Raphael , Kwaga Jacob Kwada Paghi
Published: August 2024

Increased antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of bacterial and fungal pathogens pose a significant threat to public health, as it reduces the effectiveness of antibiotic and other antimicrobial drugs, making the control of infections difficult or almost impossible. This condition arises when microorganisms evolve and develop adaptive mechanisms to withstand the effects of the drugs which are designed to kill them. The emergence and spread of these antimicrobial pathogens that have acquired new resistance mechanisms continue to endanger and undermine efforts to treat common infections. As a result, an increase in morbidity and mortality due to bacterial and fungal infections has been observed with a ripple effect of economic hardship. The primary drivers of AMR include misuse and abuse in human, animal and the environment. To address this threat, it is important to have a good understanding of the cause, consequences, as well as the potential control strategies. Due to the cause and nature of AMR, a multidisciplinary approach is necessary in combating the threat posed by this condition. Some of the strategies through which AMR can be combatted include public health awareness, proper antibiotic use, accurate diagnosis, and research into the development of newer antimicrobial agents and alternative treatments. Additionally, the use of improved surveillance and monitoring systems are important in tracking patterns of resistance and provide guide towards the development of effective intervention strategies. Hence, this review focused on bacterial and fungal resistance to increase awareness and the way forward on this growing threat to human existence
Conceituação e aplicação do conceito de equidade por professores do Ensino Fundamental
Authors: Silva Vivian Marinho da , Lautert Sintria Labres , Utsumi Miriam
Published: August 2024

O estudo investiga como 27 professores do Ensino Fundamental conceituam equidade, igualdade social e justiça social, e como eles aplicam a noção de equidade diante de uma situação fictícia que mobiliza conhecimentos estatísticos. Os professores preencheram um questionário sociodemográfico online e um instrumento com questões sobre equidade, igualdade social e justiça social, além de responderem a questões sobre conceitos estatísticos envolvendo média, mediana e moda. Os resultados revelam três tipos de respostas para a definição dos conceitos: respostas amplas que não explicitam a compreensão, respostas que tangenciam os conceitos buscando contextualizá-los com desafios e problemas; e as respostas que procuram conceituá-los de forma específica e individual. Em relação à equidade, os professores chamam atenção para oferecer diferentes oportunidades, apoiar aqueles que necessitam, respeitar os ritmos de aprendizagem, elementos que fazem parte dos princípios de equidade. Entretanto, outros termos emergem como ser justo que não se refere a equidade, mas sim a igualdade. Na situação fictícia, as decisões foram pautadas no conceito de justiça, de modo que cada professor agiu segundo o que julgou ser mais justo. Resultados apontam dificuldades em evidenciar as diferenças entre os conceitos, o que reforça a necessidade de ampliar as discussões sobre equidade no contexto escolar.
Palavras-chave:  Equidade; Ensino Matemática; Justiça Social; Conceitos Estatísticos.
O Pibid como um espaço de formação do desenvolvimento profissional docente no ensino de Estatística
Authors: Evangelista Hávila Said Silva , Nunes Célia Barros , Santos Junior Clovis Lisbôa dos
Published: August 2024

Este texto pretende apresentar um relato de experiência acerca de como sucedeu o processo da formação inicial de futuros professores de Matemática, atuantes como  bolsistas de Iniciação à Docência, ao decorrer do Programa  Institucional de Bolsas de Iniciação à Docência (PIBID), a partir do ensino de Estatística nas turmas dos 3° anos do Ensino Médio com base na aplicação do Ciclo Investigativo PPDAC (Problema, Planejamento, Dados, Análise e Conclusão), buscando associar reflexões entre a relação universidade-escola-licenciando e na incorporação de saberes necessários ao futuro docente de Matemática. Além disso, a fundamentação teórica teve como bases orientadoras o PIBID como um programa mediador do processo da formação docente, o Ciclo Investigativo PPDAC, o Desenvolvimento Profissional Docente e o Ensino de Estatística. Como resultado deste estudo, podemos deduzir que o processo da formação inicial desses futuros professores por meio do PIBID possibilitou-lhes vivenciarem práticas em sala de aula que contribuíram para o seu desenvolvimento profissional, bem como para o processo de construção de suas identidades profissionais devido ao contato direto dos bolsistas no âmbito escolar da instituição parceira, além de fortalecer a análise crítica e reflexiva, no que se refere às intervenções em sala de aula e as aplicações das práticas pedagógicas.
Palavras-chave: Desenvolvimento Profissional; Ciclo Investigativo PPDAC; Ensino de estatística; Formação inicial de professores.
Majorana zero-modes in a dissipative Rashba nanowire
Authors: Ghosh Arnob Kumar , Black-Schaffer Annica M.
Published: August 2024

Condensed matter systems are continuously subjected to dissipation, which often has adverse effects on quantum phenomena. We focus on the impact of dissipation on a superconducting Rashba nanowire. We reveal that the system can still host Majorana zero-modes (MZMs) with a finite lifetime in the presence of dissipation. Most interestingly, dissipation can also generate two kinds of dissipative boundary states: four robust zero-modes (RZMs) and two MZMs, in the regime where the non-dissipative system is topologically trivial. The MZMs appear via bulk gap closing and are topologically characterized by a winding number. The RZMs are not associated with any bulk states and possess no winding number, but their emergence is instead tied to exceptional points. Further, we confirm the stability of the dissipation-induced RZMs and MZMs in the presence of random disorder. Our study paves the way for both realizing and stabilizing MZMs in an experimental setup, driven by dissipation.
POROKERATOSE ACTINIQUE SUPERFICIELLE DISSEMINEE: A PROPOS D UN CAS
Authors: El Azhari Jawad , El Bakali Elkhalil , Zemmez Youssef , Azzakhmam Mustapha , El Amraoui Mohamed , Frikh Rachid , Hjira Naoufal
Published: August 2024

Les porokeratoses sont un groupe de maladies rares et d etiologie inconnue, caracterisees par un trouble de la keratinisation, avec des presentations cliniques differentes ayant toutes en commun histologiquement la presence d une lamelle cornoide. Elles sont souvent mal diagnostiquees et mal traitÃ©es. La forme actinique superficielle disseminee etant la plus frequente. Nous rapportons le cas d un adolescent de 18 ans, chez qui le diagnostic de porokeratose actinique superficielle disseminee (PASD) a ete suspecte par la clinique et la dermoscopie, et confirme par l histologie. Un traitement doit etre instaure afin de diminuer le prurit et dâ€™ameliorer les lesions cutanees, et une photo-protection rigoureuse et une surveillance reguliere sont necessaires.
BEYOND LESIONS: EXPLORING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL DIMENSIONS OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
Authors:   M.Phil in Clinical Psychology Trainee, 2nd Year, Department of Clinical Psychology, Rashtriya Raksha University., Hardas Sharmishtha , Themse Shamli ,   Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Rashtriya Raksha University.
Published: August 2024

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, neurological condition that affects individuals within the age group of 20-40 years. Patients with MS experience a wide range of symptoms including physical and psychological. The common psychiatric conditions in MS are depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and psychosis. The existing literature focuses on depression and its prevalence quite extensively. While the current management of MS focuses on relieving the visible symptoms, the psychological symptoms arent taken into account during treatment. Multiple studies have shown that ignorance of the psychological symptoms of MS can lead to exacerbation of symptoms of MS. Invisible symptoms of MS like fatigue, insomnia, pain and depression can be effectively managed by psychotherapy. Cognitive Behavior Therapy is useful in managing fatigue, insomnia, pain and depression in the MS population. Other psychotherapies like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness-based approaches are useful in the MS population too. The purpose of this paper is to explore the existing literature on the prevalence of psychiatric conditions in MS and various psychotherapies that can be used in the management of MS.
COMPARAISON DES RESULTATS A LONG TERME DE LA TRANSPLANTATION RENALE ENTRE CONJOINTS ET DONNEURS VIVANTS APPARENTES: EXPERIENCE MONOCENTRIQUE AU MAROC
Authors:   Service de Transfusion,dImmunologie etBanque de Tissuset de Cellules, CHU Ibn Sina Rabat, Maroc., Oumayma Ratbi ,   UPR dImmunologie, Faculte de Medecine et de Pharmacie, Universite Mohamed V Rabat, Maroc., Sanae Ouadghiri ,   Service de Transfusion,dImmunologie etBanque de Tissuset de Cellules, CHU Ibn Sina Rabat, Maroc.,   UPR dImmunologie, Faculte de Medecine et de Pharmacie, Universite Mohamed V Rabat, Maroc., Imane Yakhlef ,   Service de Transfusion,dImmunologie etBanque de Tissuset de Cellules, CHU Ibn Sina Rabat, Maroc.,   UPR dImmunologie, Faculte de Medecine et de Pharmacie, Universite Mohamed V Rabat, Maroc., Ouafae Atouf ,   Service de Transfusion,dImmunologie etBanque de Tissuset de Cellules, CHU Ibn Sina Rabat, Maroc.,   UPR dImmunologie, Faculte de Medecine et de Pharmacie, Universite Mohamed V Rabat, Maroc., Malika Essakalli ,   Service de Transfusion,dImmunologie etBanque de Tissuset de Cellules, CHU Ibn Sina Rabat, Maroc.,   UPR dImmunologie, Faculte de Medecine et de Pharmacie, Universite Mohamed V Rabat, Maroc.
Published: August 2024

Objective: End-stage kidney disease is a serious medical condition that often requires a kidney transplant. This single-center study, conducted in Morocco, examines the long-term outcomes of kidney transplants from spouses and related living donors. The goal is to enhance access to organ transplantation by assessing the success of transplants using spouses as donors. Patients and methods:A total of 117 patients were eligible for a kidney transplant from their spouses kidneys. Out of these, 36 received a transplant and were compared to 56 patients who received a kidney from a related donor. Demographic, clinical, and immunological data, as well as long-term outcomes, including graft survival, were analyzed. Results: Recipientswerepredominantly male in both groups (69.6% versus 83.3%). Recipients in the related group wereyoungerthanthose in the unrelated group (39.80 versus 56.56 years). Relatedgraftsshowed more HLA matchingthanunrelatedgrafts (4.45 versus 1.64). The occurrence of DSA after transplantation wasslightlylower in the relatedgraft (16.1% versus 19.4%). Graftsurvival at 1, 3, 5, and 10 yearswassimilar in both groups, with a slight favorable trend for the related group. Conclusion: Kidney transplant survival rates are broadlysimilarbetweenspouses and related living donors. This suggeststhatspousal donation can compensate for the scarcity of cadaveric donation, particularly in Morocco.
PLANT STEROIDS AS A PROSPECTIVE REMISSION INDUCER IN PSORIASIS- A REVIEW
Authors:   Vishveshwarya Group of Institutions, G.B Nagar, Phase â€“II, Uttarpradesh., Chadha Hina , Aggarwal Babita ,   SDGI Global University, NH-09, Delhi-Hapur Highway, NCR Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, 201015., Jain Seema ,   Vishveshwarya College of Pharmacy, 20 km from Ghaziabad, Bulandsher Sikenderabad Road, Uttar Pradesh., Tripathi Smriti ,   Department of Pharmaceutical Science & Technology, Madan Mohan Malviya University of Technology, Gorakhpur.
Published: August 2024

About 1-3% of worlds population is affected by autoimmune skin disorder, Psoriasis. Psoriasis is characterized by red and inflamed skin, silvery scales itchy and painful sometimes lead to bleeding. Steroids like corticosteroids both systemically and topically are the mainstay of the treatment. However efficacy of steroids is beyond comparison, but they equally hold the foremost position in producing devastating side effects. Moreover, withdrawal or reduction of steroids carries huge risk in the deterioration of psoriasis. The objective of this review is to enlist few Plants with steroids as their chemical constituents which may be used as prospective treatment for remission inducer in psoriasis. An exhaustive literature review has been performed to study the plants structurally which resemble glucocorticoids in order to have minimal side effects and better potent lead compounds.