bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical And Immunogenetic Aspects Of Recurrent Bronchitis In Children With Lymphatic-Hypoplastic Diathesis
Authors: Askarovna Sharipova Olia , Samievich Bahronov Sherzod , Ashari Tontowi
Published: July 2024

Clinical and immunogenetic aspects of recurrent bronchitis in children with lymphatic-hypoplastic diathesis.” Monograph. Tashkent, 2024.-106 p. The monograph summarizes literature data and long-term research by the team of the Department of Pediatrics and Medical Genetics of Samarkand State Medical University, devoted to the issues of diagnosis, clinic, treatment tactics, rehabilitation of patients with recurrent bronchitis. The stages and methods of diagnostic search and treatment tactics for recurrent bronchitis in children are described in detail and consistently. The monograph is intended for pediatricians, surgeons, and general practitioners.
Joint inversion of ambient noise surface wave and gravity data with variation of information coupling
Authors: Shi Zhanjie , Wang Chao , He Xinxin , Du Tengjiao
Published: July 2024

Joint inversion of surface wave and gravity data can reduce non-uniqueness of individual inversion and has been applied in the research of the crust and lithospheric mantle. Direct parameter coupling is mainly used for jointly inverting the both dataset in the current research, which need specifying a function relationship between shear wave (S-wave) velocity and density. It can result in spurious features when the models violate the parameter relationship. Moreover, deriving an appropriate velocity-density function is difficult and a single physical property relationship may not always be suitable for all regions. In this study, we present a new joint inversion algorithm for ambient noise surface wave and gravity data with variation of information (VI) coupling. The correlation between S-wave velocity and density models is constructed by a one-to-one relationship with VI. The effectiveness of the algorithm is verified using the synthetic and field data. The results of synthetic examples indicate that density anomalies have been recovered accurately by the joint inversion, but they are almost not imaged by the individual inversion. S-wave velocity models recovered by the joint inversion are more accurate than that from the individual inversion. And the fitting parameter relationship of the joint inversion models is closer to the true model than individual inversion. In the field case from the southeast of Tibetan Plateau, the S-wave velocity model of joint inversion has a higher resolution than separate inversion. Density model recovered by the joint inversion clearly displays crustal structures, which have been severely distorted in the individual inversion model. Joint inversion with VI coupling is an effective and valuable approach for inverting surface wave and gravity data.
Assessing the Performance of the Block Maxima Method in Estimating Market Risk
Authors: Cervantes Mª Ángeles Navarro , Benito Sonia , López-Martín Carmen
Published: July 2024

Extreme value theory (EVT) has emerged as one of the most important statistical disciplines for predicting the probability of unusual events from observed outliers. In the context of this theory, two approaches have been developed for selecting the extreme values of a sample and for modeling them: the block maxima method (BMM) and the peak over threshold approach (POT). This paper focuses on the block maxima method (BMM) and its ability to measure market risk. The study is conducted for a set of 15 portfolio assets that are very well diversified. To analyze the robustness of the results, we consider different block sizes. The results obtained are very conclusive. Unlike the POT method, which has been proven to be very successful in measuring market risk, the maximum block method yields very poor results. Furthermore, these results are clearly sensitive to the selected block size. The superiority of the POT method is evident.
JEL classification: G17; G31
Estimating Consumption-based Ecological Footprint for Sustainability Assessment in the Indian States: Application of Environmentally Extended Multi-Regional I-O Model
Authors: Kumar Shailesh , Nayak Diptimayee
Published: July 2024

India is the most populous country in the world which shares eighteen percent of the total population. Consequently, its states and union territories are in ecological overshoot, depleting and polluting the biophysical basis of its own existence. In this context, understanding ecological footprint which is a land-based composite indicator for assessing the environmental impact of human activities at sub-national level and assessing the sustainability has become crucial. By employing environmentally extended Multi-Regional Input Output (MRIO) model, this study estimates consumption-based ecological footprint and bio capacity of 28 states and 4 union territories (UTs) in the country for the year 2015, and analyse the estimated Ecological Footprint and Bio Capacity across the states in India through sustainability quadrants. The study finds that most Indian states and union territories had a negative ecological balance and was completely unsustainable in the year 2015, which means that states’ Ecological Footprint (EF) exceeded their Bio Capacity (BC). In other words, most Indian states were depleting their natural resources faster than their regeneration or import from elsewhere. The present study confirms that the most efficient way of improving ecological balance and making states ecologically sustainable can be achieved by reducing carbon footprint through dynamic and rational change in consumption behaviour.
SREBF1 is a Potential Prognostic and Immunological Biomarker in Pan-Cancer
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyan , Pu Lei , Pu Cheng , Li Yuqiang
Published: July 2024

Reprogramming of lipid metabolism is a new mark of malignancy. Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Transcription Factor 1 (SREBF1) plays a central role in lipid metabolism, but has rarely been reported. This study aimed to analyze the expression, prognosis and immunological significance of SREBF1 in pan-cancer. SREBF1 expression profiles were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) and Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) databases. Area under the ROC curve, Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis were performed to assess the clinical diagnostic and prognostic value of SREBF1. Subsequently, its biological functions and its correlations with tumor microenvironment (TME), chemokines, immune checkpoints, immune cell infiltration, immune stimulator, immune inhibitors, mismatch repair (MMR), tumor mutational burden (TMB) and microsatellite instability (MSI) were assessed, and mRNA-miRNA-lncRNA network was constructed. SREBF1 was found to be highly expressed in 15 cancers, had diagnostic value in 24 cancers, and was an independent key factor in the prognosis of multiple cancers. Moreover, SREBF1 significantly correlated with TME and immune-related functions in multiple cancers, and was mainly involved in metabolism- and immune-related functions. Finally, we provided many lncRNA and miRNA targets regulating SREBF1. Taken above, our study highlights SREBF1 as a promising prognostic and immunological biomarker in pan-cancer.
Shrinkage Behaviour of Self-Compacting Concrete with Higher Binder Content: Experimental Results and Predictive Equation
Authors: Bhirud Yuvaraj , Vaidya Om , More Satish , Shaikh Ayub , Pawar Amol , Pawar Lalit , Yeole Pradeep
Published: July 2024

This research breaks new ground in self-compacting concrete (SCC) by exploring the benefits of incorporating more binder. We investigate three concrete mixtures with varying binder content (550, 600, and 650 kg/m 3) to assess their workability, compressive strength, and shrinkage. Our findings reveal a significant increase in strength throughout the concrete's lifespan with higher binder content. Additionally, the mix exhibits enhanced stability and cohesion. The research also explores the cost-effective use of fly ash as a partial binder replacement, reducing the reliance on expensive superplasticizers. However, existing prediction models (IS 1343-2012, BS EN 1992-1-1-2004, and ACI 209 R-92) were found inaccurate for high-binder SCC shrinkage. To address this gap, we propose a novel equation for predicting shrinkage in SCC with increased binder content, based on our experimental data. This innovative approach paves the way for the optimized design and cost-effective use of high-strength SCC in construction projects.
The effect of escape rooms on teamwork attitudes and intensive care knowledge among new nurses in the ICU
Authors: HU Qiulan , BAI Yangjuan , MO Yuanxiang , MA Rui , DING Lan , ZHOU Ming , ZHANG Yimei , MA Fang
Published: July 2024

Background Despite nurses needing a very long time to accumulate intensive care knowledge and skills, there is a severe shortage of intensive care nurses worldwide. This study aimed to examine the effect of an escape room teaching strategy on knowledge of managing intensive patients, teamwork attitudes, satisfaction, and willingness to participate in the program among new nurses.
Methods A convenience sampling approach was utilised to enlist 84 new nurses from the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University in this quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest study. An online examination and questionnaire were used to assess new nurses' knowledge of intensive care and teamwork attitudes before and after the escape room training game, as well as to measure satisfaction and willingness to implement this training.
Results Fifteen groups of new nurses participated in the escape room training program. The mean knowledge score after the intervention significantly varied from that before the intervention (p = 0.000), and there were significant differences in the mean T-TAQ total score (p = 0.000) and in the dimensions of teamwork (p = 0.000), leadership (p = 0.000), situation monitoring (p = 0.019), mutual support (p = 0.000), and communication (p = 0.000) before and after the intervention. The new nurses were highly satisfied with the escape room training program (9.23 ± 0.869), and the majority of them (95.24%) wanted to participate in similar training.
Conclusion The implementation of the escape room has a positive impact on the promotion of acknowledged knowledge of intensive care, together with increasing teamwork attitudes, satisfaction and willingness among new nurses. Escape room training is suggested as a popular training game that can be used to attract new nurses to gain difficult knowledge of intensive care and enhance the teamwork attitude of players.
Birth weight impacts physical and motor performance of school-aged children in Matola, Mozambique.
Authors: Guiliche Euclides da Conceição , Campos Jéssica de Oliveira , Pereira Jéssica Gonzaga , Tchamo Mario Eugênio , Leandro Carol Gois , Saranga Silvio Pedro José , Costa-Silva João Henrique
Published: July 2024

Low birth weight (LBW) affects, specially, low-and middle-income countries and is associated with impairments in growth and the development of neuromotor skills. This study evaluated the influence of birth weight on body composition, cardiometabolic and physical fitness and motor coordination in school-age children in Matola, province of Maputo – Mozambique. Quantitative cross-sectional study carried out with school-age children of both genders. Children were divided into three groups: low birth weight (LBW: n=15); insufficient birth weight (IBW: n=43) and normal birth weight (NBW: n=87). Anthropometric parameters, physical fitness and neuromotor performance were evaluated. The groups were compared by one-way Anova or Kruskal-Wallis test and correlations between the studied variables were investigated using Spearman's test and partial correlation. LBW does not seem to affect anthropometric parameters in this age group. On the other hand, it seems to compromise performance during sprint running and VO2 maximum. Furthermore, a negative correlation was found between birth weight and body fat, sprint running and monopedal jumping. Birth weight also showed a positive correlation with VO2 maximum. Thus, our data suggest that LBW is related to lower performance in the speed and VO2 maximum tests, even after adjustments for age, gender and actual BMI.
The Effectiveness of Augmented Reality/Mixed Reality in Medical Education: A Meta- Analysis
Authors: Zhang Ruoxuan , Jin Xiaoyan , Liu Ming , Tong Hoi Yee
Published: July 2024

Background
Augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) are increasingly being applied in the field of medical education. However, the effectiveness and acceptance of AR/MR in different teaching scenarios remain unclear. This meta-analysis aimed to examine the effectiveness of AR/MR in improving medical students' knowledge and skills training.
Methods
PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Education Source, Education Resources Information Center, CINAHL, Web of Science Core Collection, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang, WeiPu and Chinese BioMedical Literature databases were searched. The search encompassed literature from database establishment to December 2023. Studies examining the use of AR/MR in medical education and reporting outcomes related to knowledge learning or skill training were included. The data were analyzed using Stata version 15.1 software.
Results
29 publications were included in this meta-analysis. Compared to traditional teaching methods, AR/MR-assisted teaching showed greater effectiveness in medical skills training, as indicated by the higher skill scores (WMD = 12.31, 95% CI: 4.12 to 20.50), reduced failure rate (RD=-0.13, 95% CI: -0.19 to -0.07), and shortened performance time (SMD = -0.19, 95% CI: -0.32 to -0.06). However, AR/MR did not significantly improve knowledge acquisition (WMD = 2.78, 95% CI: -1.89 to 7.45). The questionnaire survey revealed the advantages of AR/MR in terms of perceived usefulness (PU) (WMD = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.00 to 0.53), perceived ease of use (PEOU) (WMD = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.13 to 0.57), and enjoyment (WMD = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.20 to 1.13).
Conclusion
This meta-analysis highlights the effectiveness and user acceptance of AR/MR in medical education, particularly in skill training. However, there was no significant improvement in knowledge learning. The findings provide foundational data for expanding AR/MR applications in medical education.
Long-term precursors to large explosive eruptions of Vesuvius: evidence from the opening phase of the Avellino Plinian eruption
Authors: Falasconi Alessia , Petrone Chiara Maria , Sulpizio Roberto , Cioni Raffaello
Published: July 2024

The onset of a large explosive volcanic eruption is generally characterized by a weak transient activity. The products of this opening phase(s) are confined to thin proximal beds of small volume and limited dispersal, and thus generally not well-studied. The juvenile material erupted in these phases provide a unique record of pre- and syn-eruptive processes and preserve key information on eruption triggering processes on the onset of magma ascent. The study of these products can provide insights into short-term precursory phenomena and assumes a key role for the interpretation of monitoring signals at high-risk volcanoes. In this work, we present a detailed study of the products from the opening phase of the Avellino Plinian eruption of Somma-Vesuvius (Italy), well preserved in proximal deposits mainly formed by two sub-units of thin pumice lapilli fallout followed by a fine ash bed. These deposits show an unusual textural and compositional variability of the juvenile material, depicting a complex process of magma extraction during the first phases of the eruption. Geochemical, textural and geobarometric data reveal the presence of a magma body at shallow depth, that cooled and partially crystallised at different conditions respect to the main, deeper, magma reservoir. Elemental diffusion chronometry on clinopyroxene from the dense juvenile material suggests that magma movement toward the shallow reservoir anticipated the eruption by a maximum of about 50 years, while the arrival of a last mafic input into the shallow magma body can be confined to only a few years before the eruption.
Perspectives from Program Directors on the Selection Process for Saudi Periodontics Residency Programs
Authors: Alheraisi Yousef , Alqahtani Hussam M. , Tawfeeq Eyad
Published: July 2024

Background Applying to periodontics programs in Saudi Arabia holds significant importance for both applicants and periodontics program directors. As of today, there has been no investigation into how periodontics program directors (PDs) identify and select potential candidates for their programs. The aim of this study is to assess the factors taken into consideration during the selection process for periodontics programs by PDs in Saudi Arabia.Methods In this cross-sectional study, an electronic survey was sent out to Periodontics PDs of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) in Saudi Arabia. Variables of interest included the Grade Point Average (GPA), Saudi Dental License Exam (SDLE), research, interview, service and electives, letter of recommendation, and other miscellaneous factors. A degree of importance scale was used to measure the significance of each factor for PDs.Results This study surveyed 16 PDs with a response rate of 72.7%. The majority of PDs were from the Central and Western Regions. Approximately 56% of the PDs were affiliated with universities. The study identified, from the perspective of PDs, that the most important factors were the reputation and performance of the applicant during clinics or interactions with staff, followed by general research experience. Additionally, interview performance was rated equally with SDLE score and GPA, as well as factors such as undertaking periodontics elective rotations during internship and working in the same department. Regardless of the region or number of years of experience, all PDs considered the most significant factor to be the reputation and performance of the applicant during clinics or interactions with staff.Conclusion This study sheds light on the factors perceived by program directors in Saudi Arabia that influence the selection process for applicants to periodontics programs. By understanding these factors, dental graduate students can better customize their applications and experiences to meet the expectations of admission committees.
Discovering Shared Space for Visual Recognition by Cross-Domain Residual Learning
Authors: Pan Jie , Dan Yufang , Zhao Baoqi , Tao Jianwen
Published: July 2024

In order to solve the problem of inconsistent data distribution in machine learning, domain adaptation based on feature representation methods extract features from source domain, and transfer to target domain for classi cation. The existing feature representation based methods mainly solve the problem of inconsistent feature distribution between the source domain data and the target domain data, but only few methods analyze the correlation of cross-domain features between original space and shared latent space, which reduce the performance of domain adaptation. To this end, we propose a domain adaptation method with residual module, the main ideas of which are: (1) transfer the source domain data features to the target domain data through the shared latent space to achieve features sharing; (2) build a cross domain residual learning model using the latent feature space as the residual connection of the original feature space, which improves the propagation e ciency of features; (3) regular feature space to sparse features representation, which can improve the robustness of the model; and (4) give optimization algorithm, and the experiments on the public visual datasets verify the e ectiveness of the method.
Problems Faced by Individuals who have Paraplegia Regarding Healthcare services and Nursing Care Services: A Qualitative Study
Authors: ÖZALP CEMAL , Avşar Gülçin
Published: July 2024

Objective: The study was conducted qualitatively to determine the problems faced by individuals who have paraplegia regarding healthcare services and nursing care services.
Methods: The study was conducted in Turkey between 15 August and 15 December 2023. The Snowball Sampling Technique, which is among the non-probability sampling methods, was used to collect the population of this qualitative study. The sample of the study consisted of 15 paraplegic individuals aged 18 and over. An introductory information form, semi-structured interview form, and voice recorder were used to collect data.
Results: The themes of the study were the problems with healthcare services and the problems they faced with nursing care services. The subthemes of the study were problems of transportation to hospitals and appointments, indifference of healthcare staff, problems associated with hospital products and medical products, insensitivity to empathy and communication problems, lack of expertise about paraplegia and its effects, lack of patient information, inadequacy of the humanistic approach, care not being applied on time, and insufficiency of home nursing services.
Conclusions: Nurses must not only provide physical treatment to individuals who have paraplegia, but also must care about individuals who have paraplegia, be able to empathize, be in communication, approach humanistically, and provide the necessary information for their care when necessary.
Application of a cocktail of three bacteriophages for the biocontrol of Salmonella in raw fresh milk
Authors: SALLAMI Imen , Ammeri rim Werheni , Turki-Ghodbane Yosra , HASSAN ABDENACEUR
Published: July 2024

The primary objective of this study is to identify specific phages in wastewater that can effectively target various pathogenic Salmonella strains. These Salmonella isolates was confirmed through PCR testing of the invA-specific virulence gene. To monitor the enterobacterial community in cow's milk in real-time, the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis technique was employed. The key findings revealed the existence of three distinct Salmonella phages, namely phages 1, 2, and 3, which were isolated through selection culture and identified using transmission electron microscopy. The lytic spectrum analysis of each phage demonstrated their activity against the tested Salmonella strains. By utilizing a combination of these three phages, complete inactivation of the tested Salmonella strains was achieved. This contrasted with the partial effectiveness observed when only one or two phages were added manually to milk contaminated with Salmonella. The denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis technique further confirmed the successful eradication of Salmonella through the three-phage cocktail, as evidenced by the absence of BNA bands in the experimental samples. This research has uncovered new perspectives and convincing results that support the potential use of phage therapy in combating salmonella infections within agri-food systems.
Systematic pan-cancer analysis identifies ZBTB11 as a potential pan-cancer biomarker and immunotherapy target in multiple tumor types
Authors: Xu Peiyi , Zhang Qiuyan , Zhai Jing , Chen Pu , Deng Xueting , Miao Lin , Zhang Xiuhua
Published: July 2024

Background
ZBTB11 is a putative transcription factor with an N-terminal BTB domain and tandem C-terminal zinc finger motifs. Recent studies have suggested a potential role for ZBTB11 in tumorigenesis. However, the biological significance of ZBTB11 in different cancer types remains uncertain.
Methods
The expression levels, prognostic values, genetic mutations, and DNA promoter methylation of ZBTB11 across tumor types were explored via various online websites and databases, including TIMER2.0, GEPIA2, cBioPortal, UALCAN, GSCA, CancerSEA, and others. Additionally, a competing lncRNA-miRNA network of ZBTB11 was constructed, and its interaction with chemicals and genes was investigated.
Results
Our findings revealed that ZBTB11 was aberrantly expressed in a multitude of tumor types and exhibited variability across various tumor stages. A survival analysis revealed that ZBTB11 predicted a poor prognosis in BRCA, KIRP, LIHC, PCPG, PRAD, SARC, UCEC, and a good prognosis in CHOL, ESCA, GBM, KIRC, and READ. We also found that the most frequent genetic alterations type of ZBTB11 was mutation, and the DNA methylation level of ZBTB11 decreased in various cancers. Furthermore, ZBTB11 expression correlated with immune cells infiltration and genetic markers of immunodulators in cancers. Moreover, the results of single-cell sequencing demonstrated that ZBTB11 could regulate several tumor biological behaviors, including apoptosis, DNA damage, and angiogenesis. A lncRNA-miRNA network regulating ZBTB11 expression in tumor development and progression was constructed. It is of particular significance that ZBTB11 demonstrated a correlation with the CTRP and GDSC drug sensitivity, and that it served as a mediator between chemicals and cancers.
Conclusion
These findings demonstrate that ZBTB11 is associated with multiple tumor types and disease prognosis. ZBTB11 may represent a potential key biomarker and therapeutic target in cancers.
A Probabilistic Model-Based Approach to Assess and Minimize Scaling in Geothermal Plants
Authors: Omrani Pejman Shoeibi , Poort Jonah , Barros Eduardo , Zwart Hidde , Machado Cintia Goncalves , Wasch Laura , Twerda Aris , Rijnaarts Huub , Torbaghan Shahab Shariat
Published: July 2024

Geothermal installations often face operational challenges related to scaling which can lead to loss in production, downtime, and an increase in operational costs. To accurately assess and minimize the risks associated with scaling, it is crucial to understand the interplay between geothermal brine composition, operating conditions and pipe materials. The accuracy of scaling predictive models can be impacted by uncertainties in the brine composition, stemming from sub-optimal sampling of geothermal fluid, inhibitor addition, or measurement imprecision. These uncertainties can be further increased for fluid at extreme conditions especially high salinity and temperature. This paper describes a comprehensive method to forecast scaling in geothermal plants, quantify its impact on the production and determine operational control strategies to minimize the scaling considering brine composition uncertainties. The developed modelling framework consists of a multiphase flow solver coupled with a geochemistry model and an uncertainty quantification workflow to locally estimate the probability of precipitation potential and scaling amount in different locations of the geothermal facility, including the impact on the hydraulic efficiency of the geothermal plant by increasing the roughness and/or decreasing the diameter of the casings and pipelines. For plant operation optimization, a robust control problem is formulated with scenarios which are generated based on uncertainties in brine composition using an exhaustive search method. The modelling and optimization workflow was demonstrated in a geothermal case study dealing with barite and celestite scaling in a heat exchanger. The results showed the significant impact of brine composition uncertainties, specifically barium, sulphur, chlorine and strontium concentration on barite and celestite precipitation. Comparing the outcome of optimization problem for the deterministic and fluid composition uncertainties, a change of up to 2.5% in the temperature control settings was observed to achieve the optimal coefficient of performance.
Pierre Robin Syndrome in an Orofacial Cleft Cohort: Comparition of Clinical Characteristics
Authors: de Almeida Laura Leite , Pais-Cunha Inês , Moreira Tatiana , Maia Ana , Moura Carla Pinto
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND
Orofacial clefts (OFC) are common congenital craniofacial malformations that can occur isolated or in association with multiple syndromes.
Pierre Robin Syndrome (PRS) is characterized by micrognathia, glossoptosis and airway obstruction. Cleft palate is present in most cases.
The aim was to describe clinical characteristics of patients with PRS and compare them with the group without PRS of the same cohort of patients with OFC.
METHODS
Retrospective analysis of the medical records of patients who attended the Cleft Lip and Palate Multidisciplinary Group at a tertiary care Hospital, during the last 30 years.
The OFCs types were listed according to the Spina classification modified by Silva-Filho et al.. Family history, prenatal diagnosis, associated syndromes and malformations were collected and compared between the two groups.
RESULTS
The cohort included 681 patients with OFC. The most frequent recognizable syndrome was PRS, affecting 10% of the population (n=69). Patients from the PRS-group were mostly female (59.4%), unlike the non-PRS-group (41.0%). Most of the OFC in the PRS group were isolated cleft palate in midline (94.2%), which were only detected in approximately one third of the non-PRS patients. Prenatal diagnosis was significantly less frequent in the PRS-group (11.6% vs. 33.8%, p < 0.001). The proportion of known family history was similar in both groups (29.0% in PRS group, 26.1% in non-PRS group, p = 0.666). PRS patients presented a higher frequency of syndromic diagnosis (36.2% vs. 20.8%, p = 0.003) and associated congenital malformations (55.1% vs. 36.3%, p = 0.002). From these, ocular, cardiovascular and cranioencephalic anomalies were significantly more frequent in the presence of PRS (34.8% vs. 16.3%; 34.8% vs. 15.4%; and 33.3% vs. 10.9%), while uro-nephrological malformations were similar in both groups. The most common syndromes associated with PRS were Stickler (n=4, 5.8%) and Treacher Collins (n=4, 5.8%).
CONCLUSIONS
PRS patients demonstrated a distinct clinical profile compared to non-PRS patients, including higher rates of isolated cleft palate in the midline, lower prenatal diagnosis rates, and a higher frequency of other syndromes and associated congenital malformations. These findings highlight the importance of customized diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up strategies for this particular subgroup of OFC patients.
RTDETR-Refa: a real-time detection method for multi-breed classiffcation of cattle
Authors: Li Bingxuan , Fang Jiandong , Zhao Yvdong
Published: July 2024

In the farming industry in order to cope with the problems such as the complex environment of the pasture and dense targets, etc., which lead to increased difficulty in recognition, so as to quickly classify and automatically identify cattle breeds and improve the accuracy. In this paper, an RTDETR-Refa (Rep- Conv Efficient Faster Attention) model is proposed for classification and identification of cattle breeds. Firstly, some novel improvements have been made to ResNet18. Replacing the 1×1 convolution in Faster-Block with the reparameterised RepConv, and adding the Efficient Multiscale Attention Module (EMA) in front of the global average pooling layer in Faster-Block to enhance the transformation and classification of features, Finally, the 4-layer BasicBlock after the 3 convolutional layers in the resnet18-backbone is replaced by the improved Faster-Block.Finally, the results of the training tests of the RTDETR-Refa model are compared with other classical models: the YOLO family of models: the YOLOv5m, YOLOv6, YOLOv8m, YOLOv9 and the state-of-the-art (SOTA) CNN backbone networks EfficientViT, FasterNet, UniRepLKNet, TransNeXt verifying their superiority. The average accuracy of the RTDETR-Refa model on the cattle classification training set is 91.6%, which is 0.8% higher than that of ResNet18 and 0.9-5.2% higher than that of other classical models. The experimental results show that the RTDETR-Refa model proposed in this paper is capable of identifying and classifying cattle of different breeds while ensuring similar detection speeds, demonstrating the feasibility of convolutional neural networks in breed identification and classification.
Identifying barriers to help-seeking from mental health professionals in the general population and mental disorders
Authors: Soltani Esmail , Bazrafshanb Amir , Bahreini Fereshte , Zaremohazabiyeh Somayeh
Published: July 2024

Aims: Despite high prevalence of mental disorders, there are some individual, social, and structural factors in not seeking help from mental health professionals. The aim of the current study was to identify the barriers to help-seeking from mental health professionals in the mental disorders and general population. In a cross-sectional study, participants were from the general population (N= 760) and a mental disorders sample (N=486) referred to Hafez and Ebne Sina Hospitals of Shiraz (located in IRAN). General anxiety disorder-7 item scale (GAD-7), patient health questionnaire-9(PHQ-9), and barriers to help-seeking questions were completed via face-to-face and online forms. Mean, standard errors, t-test, and correlation were used to analyze the data. Results showed a high rate of depression and anxiety in two groups. Seeking help from other resources, low perceived need for the severity of mental disorders, lack of affordability, and misconceptions about mental disorders were the main barriers to help-seeking in the general population. Fear of stigma about mental disorders, low perceived need about the severity of mental disorders, fear of burdening families, and reliance to self were the main barriers in the mental disorders population. Interventions that aim to reduce these barriers could be increased to help-seeking from mental health professionals in the population.
Ultrathin Glass-based Perovskite Solar Cells Employing Bilayer Electron Transport Layer
Authors: Kim Wooyeon , Cheng Jian , Choi Joonwon , Lee Seoyeong , Lee Yongwoo , Lee Doyeon , Ko Min Jae
Published: July 2024

In recent studies, flexible perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have exhibited high power conversion efficiency (PCE) coupled with remarkable mechanical stability. However, the conventional polymer substrates used in flexible PSCs possess high permeability to moisture and oxygen, leading to the rapid degradation of perovskite materials. In this work, we address these issues by employing ultrathin glass (UTG) substrates, which provide moisture impermeability while retaining flexibility. Additionally, we introduce a strategically designed SnO2/TiO2 bilayer as the electron transport layer (ETL). Our results reveal that PSCs incorporating the bilayer ETL achieve higher PCE than those with a monolayer ETL on conventional glass and UTG substrates. Furthermore, moisture permeability tests demonstrate that PSCs based on UTG substrates sustain their PCE over time, compared to their polymer-based counterparts. These results imply that UTG substrates, combined with a SnO2/TiO2 bilayer ETL, offer a promising solution for developing durable, high-performance, flexible PSCs suitable for long-term applications.
The biological soundscape of temperate reefs: characterizing natural and artificial reefs in the Dutch Wadden Sea
Authors: Watson Maryann S. , Kok Annebelle C.M. , Opzeeland Ilse van , Eriksson Britas Klemens
Published: July 2024

Monitoring coastal marine habitats presents many challenges. Often, using multiple approaches to capture different aspects of ecosystems can strengthen the information gained regarding habitat status. The use of passive acoustics to document, describe, and monitor coastal habitats through soundscapes presents one such complementary technique. Habitats have distinct acoustic patterns, or soundscapes, as a result of their specific features and biological communities. Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) presents a lower impact, innovative method to provide metrics for long-term monitoring of habitats. Marine soundscapes have not yet been described for the Wadden Sea; an ecosystem where reef habitats have experienced major changes over time due to various human-mediated impacts. This study provides a first catalogue of biotic acoustic signatures recorded at shellfish reef and neighbouring sand habitat in this ecosystem. Furthermore, recordings from natural reefs were compared to recordings from recently deployed artificial reefs, showing similar patterns of greater biotic acoustic diversity at the natural and artificial reefs compared to nearby sandflat. These results demonstrate that fine-scale differences in habitat soundscapes exist across reef habitats within a small geographic scale. This study provides the foundations for further quantitative research using PAM to monitor the Wadden Sea soundscape dynamics and understanding the role of sound in changing coastal ecosystem.
Technological integration and innovation in architectural ceramics in the Yuan Dynasty: chemical investigation for the glazed tiles of the Prince Anxi’ s mansion, China
Authors: Shi Ruoyu , Wen Rui , Ma Qiang , Wang Wenxuan
Published: July 2024

Glazed tiles, a symbol of high-grade architecture in ancient China, first appeared in the Northern Wei Dynasty (AD. 386–534). They reached their peak in the Ming and Qing Dynasties (AD. 1368–1912), and the Yuan Dynasty (AD. 1271–1368) was a key stage in the development and maturity of the glazed tile technology. As one of the representatives of royal architecture in the early Yuan Dynasty, scientific research on the unearthed glazed tiles from the site of Prince Anxi's mansion can assist to understand how glazed tile technology matured during the Yuan Dynasty. Using compositional analysis and microscopic observation, 24 glazed tiles from the Prince Anxi's mansion were systematically examined in this study. The findings revealed that the glazed tiles were made using four different production formulas and came from three different technological traditions, which originated from the integration of various regions' glazed tile production technologies and enhanced innovation within the currently used technologies. The resulting glazed tile production technologies exhibit a high degree of similarity with the Yuan Dadu 's glazed tile production technologies, suggesting that integration and innovation are crucial for the Yuan Dynasty's glazed tile technologies to mature.
ST2L promotes VEGFA-mediated angiogenesis in gastric cancer by activating TRAF6/PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway via IL-33
Authors: Zhu yanqing , Lu Yuxin , Zhu Yifei , Ren Xiaolu , Deng Qinyi , Yang Muqing , Liang Xin
Published: July 2024

Tumorigenicity 2 (ST2) is a member of the interleukin-1 receptor/ Toll-like receptor superfamily, and its specific ligand is Interleukin-33 (IL-33). IL-33/ ST2 signaling has been implicated in numerous inflammatory and allergic diseases, as well as in promoting malignant behavior of tumor cells and angiogenesis. However, the precise role of ST2 in gastric cancer angiogenesis remains incompletely elucidated. We observed a significant correlation between high expression of ST2 in gastric cancer tissues and poor prognosis, along with various clinicopathological features. In vitro experiments demonstrated that the IL-33/ ST2 axis activates the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway through TRAF6, thereby promoting VEGFA-mediated tumor angiogenesis; meanwhile sST2 acts as a decoy receptor to regulate the IL-33/ST2L axis. Consistent findings were also observed in subcutaneous xenograft tumor models in nude mice. Furthermore, we investigated the molecular mechanism by which IL-33 promotes ST2L expression in GC cells via upregulation of transcription factors YY1 and GATA2 through intracellular signaling pathways.
The Association of Ultrasound Parameters with De Novo Stress Urinary Incontinence following Transvaginal Mesh Surgery
Authors: Chang Chieh-Yu , Loo Zi-Xi , Lin Kun-Ling , Sung I-Chieh , Long Cheng-Yu
Published: July 2024

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) often coexists with stress urinary incontinence (SUI), posing challenges in surgical management. De novo SUI post-surgery remains unpredictable, prompting this study to explore ultrasound's role in assessing de novo SUI after transvaginal mesh (TVM) surgery. A retrospective analysis of 696 women undergoing TVM surgery revealed a 36.9% incidence of de novo SUI. Specific ultrasound parameters, such as proximal urethral rotational angle and levator urethral gap during straining, were found associated with de novo SUI after TVM surgery. Despite certain limitations in this study, ultrasound emerges as a valuable tool for assessing pelvic floor integrity and guiding clinical decisions in urogynecology.
Interaction between dietary quality and depression on glycaemic control in type 2 diabetics
Authors: Jiang Yixue , Lou Heqing , Xu Chunrong , Dong Zongmei , Yin Zeyuan , Liu De , Dong Dong , Qiao Cheng , Zhang Pan , Chen Fang
Published: July 2024

Background
Poorer diet quality and depression were both independent influences on poor glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The current study aimed to investigate the interaction between dietary quality and depression on blood sugar control in T2DM patients.
Methods
In the cross-sectional study, Participants were selected using a multistage cluster random method, and the Meal Frequency Questionnaire and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 were respectively used to investigate 1088 patients' dietary quality and depression. Data of Physical measurement, glycated haemoglobin, and blood lipid detection were also collected.
Results
The rate of poor glycaemic control was 38.3% in patients with T2DM with poor dietary quality. After adjusting for other variables, the risk of poor glycaemic control in patients with T2DM with poor dietary quality and no depression was 2.04 times higher than that in patients with T2DM with good dietary quality and no depression; the risk of poor glycaemic control in patients with T2DM with poor dietary quality and no depression was 1.96 times higher than that in patients with T2DM with good dietary quality and no depression; when poor dietary quality and depression co-existed, patients with T2DM with poor dietary quality and depression were at greater risk for poor glycaemic control.
Conclusion
The study revealed that in individuals with T2DM, there was a significant additive interaction between poor dietary quality and depressive symptoms, exacerbating poor glycaemic control. This synergistic effect suggested that concurrent management of dietary habits and mental health is crucial for optimizing glycaemic outcomes in this population.
Overexpression of EuSIP5 gene to improve drought resistance in tobacco
Authors: Lin YueLing , Chen Xi , Zhao DeGang , Li Chao
Published: July 2024

In order to study the drought resistance of the Eucommia ulmoides soluble inorganic pyrophosphatase 5 (EuSIP5) gene, the cDNA sequence of the EuSIP5 gene was amplified from Eucommia ulmoides Oliver (E. ulmoides) by RT-PCR. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that EuSIP5 might be an unstable amphipathic protein, mainly located in the plasma and nuclear membranes. E. ulmoides, the highest expression of the EuSIP5 gene was found in male leaves and pericarp from April to October, and in leaves of E. ulmoides in July and September. During drought, the expression of EuSIP5 in seedling E. ulmoides leaves was significantly higher than that of the control. An overexpression vector harboring the EuSIP5 was constructed and introduced into the tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi). We found that during drought stress, the appearance of wilting was delayed by 4 days in transgenic tobacco plants (OE) compared with wild type plants (WT), and the expression of drought-related genes DET2, CYP85A1, P5CS, ERF1 and F-box was found to be increased in transgenic tobacco leaves, as well as the enzyme activities of the protective enzymes: peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were significantly higher than those of the WT, and the malondialdehyde (MDA) content was lower than the WT. These results indicated that the introduction of EuSIP5 gene into tobacco increased the expression of drought-related genes, enhanced the anti-membrane oxidation ability of tobacco, and reduced the oxidative stress damage, thus improving the drought resistance of tobacco.
Identifying hotspots of greenhouse gas emissions from drained peatlands in the European Union
Authors: Giersbergen Quint , Barthelmes Alexandra , Couwenberg john , Fritz Christian , Lång Kristiina , Martin Nina , Tanneberger Franziska
Published: July 2024

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from drained peatlands in the European Union (EU) significantly contribute to the total EU anthropogenic GHG emissions (6%). The lack of high-resolution spatial data in national monitoring systems hampers effective mitigation planning. We present detailed maps of land use, GHG emissions, and emission hotspots for EU peatlands. Results indicate that undrained peatlands and forest lands are prevalent at high latitudes, while grasslands and croplands dominate around latitudes 50°-55°. Three main emission hotspots are identified, all in the North Sea region: South-western England, Western Netherlands, and North-western Germany, accounting for 20% of EU peatland emissions on just 4% of the peatland area. This study highlights the necessity of targeted curbing of emissions from drained peatlands to meet EU climate goals and reveals substantial underreporting of emissions in current National Inventory Submissions to the UNFCCC, amounting to 59-113 Mt CO2-e annually. Our findings provide a crucial basis for policymakers to prioritize peatland rewetting to reduce GHG emissions.
Cellular uptake of Alkyl-Modified Chitosan Nanoparticles by SIM-A9 and hCMEC/D3 cells
Authors: Caprifico Anna E. , Foot Peter , Polycarpou Elena , Calabrese Gianpiero
Published: July 2024

Microglia, the resident macrophages of the brain, become activated during glioblastoma multiforme (GMB) progression and release proinflammatory factors that drive tumor progression. Effective treatment of brain tumors is severely hindered by the blood‒brain barrier (BBB), which is characterized by tightly closed endothelial cells that prevent therapeutic agents from reaching the brain. Nevertheless, chitosan nanoparticles (CsNPs) are known to cross the BBB and confer neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, this study aimed to develop CsNPs linked to a lipophilic alkyl chain and assess their cellular uptake for brain drug delivery purposes. Chitosan was chemically modified with butyl glycidyl ether and labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) before generating NPs by ionic gelation. Cellular uptake studies of the NPs were performed on a murine SIM-A9 microglial cell line and an in vitro model of the BBB generated from hCMEC/D3 brain endothelial cells. In particular, microglia were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to simulate an inflammatory environment typical of brain tumors. Moreover, the intracellular pathways activated by NPs in microglia were investigated by treating cells with sucrose, an inhibitor of clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME), and by labeling microglia with CD68, which is expressed by lysosomes. Finally, the trypan blue (TB) technique was used to quench the extracellular fluorescence associated with FITC. The results showed that butyl-C NPs were larger (456 ± 5 nm) than CsNPs were (170 ± 10 nm) but were still effectively taken up by the in vitro human BBB model and SIM-A9 cells, even under LPS-activated conditions. NPs did not undergo degradation, while treatment with sucrose did not prevent the uptake of NPs, suggesting that the NPs were engulfed by micropinocytosis. Finally, the TB technique showed that the NPs were effectively localized inside the cytoplasm of the microglia. These data suggested that the butyl chain increased the hydrophobicity, facilitating NP engulfment regardless of size. Due to their lipophilic component, butyl-CsNPs may encapsulate lipophilic drugs to reduce the inflammation associated with activated microglia.