bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health Practitioner Attitudes to Psychosocial Treatments in ADHD: Impact of Country, Age, Profession, and Beliefs
Authors: Azlan Haffiezhah An-Nadiah , Overton Paul G. , Dommett Eleanor J.
Published: June 2024

Objectives

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects around 7% of children/adolescents and 3% of adults. Treatment guidelines propose a combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches. Despite this, research has focused on the use of medication, including how this varies between countries, with differences found between high-income countries (HIC) and low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Studies have also identified that the role of practitioners is critical with their clinical ambivalence around ADHD impacting treatment. The present study aimed to examine the views of practitioners towards psychosocial treatments for ADHD in the UK (HIC) and Malaysia (LMIC).

Methods

Data was collected from health practitioners in the UK and Malaysia using an online survey to assess (i) demographics and employment characteristics, (ii) practitioners’ attitudes to psychosocial treatments for ADHD, and (iii) practitioners’ beliefs about ADHD.

Results

Respondents in Malaysia held more positive attitudes towards psychosocial interventions, despite having similar beliefs about the condition. Furthermore, attitude to psychosocial interventions was predicted by age of the practitioner, their qualification, and belief in ADHD as a real condition with biological markers.

Conclusions

This study has revealed some cross-cultural differences in attitudes towards non-pharmacological treatment for ADHD and provides a starting point for future research to move beyond examination of decision-making for pharmacological treatments only.
Are Disaster Impact Estimates Distorted by Errors in Popular Night-Time Lights Data?
Authors: Gibson John , Jiang Yi , Zhang Xiaoxuan , Boe-Gibson Geua
Published: June 2024

Satellite-detected night lights data are widely used to evaluate economic impacts of disasters. Growing evidence from elsewhere in applied economics suggests that impact estimates are potentially distorted when popular Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) night lights data are used. The low resolution DMSP sensor provides blurred and top-coded images compared to those from the newer and more precise Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) images. Despite this, some disaster impact studies continue to use DMSP data, which have also been given a new lease of life through the use of harmonized series linking DMSP and VIIRS data to provide a longer sample. We examine whether use of DMSP data affects evaluations, using expected typhoon damages in the Philippines from 2012–19 as our case study. With DMSP data, negative impacts on economic activity from expected damages at the municipality level appear over 50% larger than when the VIIRS data are used. The DMSP data give the appearance of greater spatial autocorrelation in luminosity and through this channel may tend to spread apparent spatial impacts of shocks. Harmonized data that adjust VIIRS images to be like the DMSP data also have this spurious autocorrelation so researchers should be cautious in using these data for disaster assessments.
Variational Model with Nonstandard Growth Condition in Image Restoration and Contrast Enhancement
Authors: D’Apice Ciro , Kogut Peter I. , Manzo Rosanna , Parisi Antonino
Published: June 2024

We propose a new variational model in Sobolev-Orlicz spaces with non-standard growth conditions of the objective functional and discuss its applications to the simultaneous contrast enhancement and denoising of color images. The characteristic feature of the proposed model is that we deal with a constrained non-convex minimization problem that lives in variable Sobolev-Orlicz spaces where the variable exponent is unknown a priori and it depends on a particular function that belongs to the domain of the objective functional. In contrast to the standard approach, we do not apply any spatial regularization to the image gradient. We discuss the consistency of the variational model, give the scheme for its regularization, derive the corresponding optimality system, and propose an iterative algorithm for practical implementations.
Matrine-loaded self-adhesive swelling microneedle for inflammation regulation to improve eczema treatment
Authors: Shen Jiale , Wang Jiarui , Wu Meng , Shi Yan , Lee Minhyeock , Wang Zhiguo , Kong Ming
Published: June 2024

Eczema is a common chronic dermatological disease. Conventional treatments exhibit limited efficacy due to fast drug release resulting in short-term relief. Development of a new treatment strategy that enables sustained drug release and long-term maintenance on the skin surface is necessary. A self-adhesive swelling microneedle patch (SDSMNs) was designed and constructed using a two-step casting method. The adhesive substrate was prepared by blending gelatin and dopamine via oxidation of NaIO4, so it could adhere onto the skin surface as well as withstand repeated bending movement without detachment. The swelling needles were fabricated using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), which could swell by absorbing interstitial fluid and release the drug in a controlled manner. SDSMNs also showed desirable antibacterial activities toward E. coli and S. aureus. The adhesive microneedles loaded with matrine (MAT-SDSMNs), an anti-inflammatory Chinese medicine, dramatically relieved eczema symptoms through IL-17 mediated inflammation responses. The use of MAT-SDSMNs significantly decreased the infiltration of inflammation cells and level of inflammatory cytokines, reduced the skin thickness, and increased collagen deposition fraction compared with conventional ointment or subcutaneous injection. The results suggested that MAT-SDSMNs can improve eczema treatment by regulating the local inflammatory microenvironment, providing a simple, self-administered sustainable strategy for eczema treatment.
A gluten-free button mushroom based antioxidant-rich noodles as a vehicle for in vivo delivery of L-tryptophan, serotonin and melatonin
Authors: Tamili Dipshikha , Chakraborty Mainak , Chakraborty Tania , Bhattacharjee Paramita
Published: June 2024

An antioxidant-rich mushroom noodles (gluten-free) rich in L-tryptophan-serotonin-melatonin (TSM) was developed under minimal processing condition(s) without perturbing the natural antioxidant synergy. In vitro release kinetics studies in a standard dissolution apparatus confirmed substantial releases of the target biomolecules from the designer noodles in simulated salivary buffer (SSB), simulated gastric buffer (SGB), simulated intestinal buffer (SIB) and simulated rectal buffer (SRB). Post model fitting, it was evident that L-tryptophan and serotonin followed zero order release kinetics in SSB; while melatonin followed first order release kinetics in SSB and SRB, respectively. However, all the three biomolecules followed Korsmeyer’s- Peppas model kinetics in SGB and SIB; L-tryptophan and serotonin also followed the same release kinetics model in SRB. The in vivo bioavailabilities of these molecules were ascertained through feeding trials (of mushroom noodles) in male Sprague Dawley rats. An enhancement of ~ 95%, 20% and 44% of L-tryptophan, serotonin and melatonin, respectively, occurred in rat blood serum after 30 min of consumption of the designer noodles and decreased 50 min onwards. However, the natural trends of increase and decrease in serum serotonin and melatonin concentrations during different time of the day remained unaltered. These bioavailable molecules also increased insulin sensitivity in the liver and glucose uptake in the brain, as revealed by iHOMA2 prediction modelling. The findings of these investigations have the potential to inform this designer noodles to be a truly antioxidant-rich functional food product which holds promise in providing molecular nutrition, especially for populations with serotonin-melatonin deficiency.
International Newborn Screening: Where Are We in Saudi Arabia?
Authors: Alhusseini Noara , Almuhanna Yara , Alabduljabbar Lama , Alamri Soaad , Altayeb Maryam , Askar Ghadi , Alsaadoun Noor , Ateq Khadijah , AlEissa Mariam M.
Published: June 2024

Newborn screening (NBS) programs are believed to play an important role in the decrease of infant mortality rates in many countries. This is achieved through offering early detection and treatment of many genetic as well as metabolic disorders prior to the onset of symptoms. Our paper examines NBS across seven diverse nations: Saudi Arabia, the United States, Japan, Singapore, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. This paper discusses the diseases screened for by each country, latest additions, as well as future recommendations, when applicable. Employing a comparative approach, we conducted a comprehensive review of the most recent published literature on NBS programs in each country and subsequently examined their latest implemented NBS guidelines as outlined on their respective official government health sector websites. We then reviewed the economic feasibility of each of these programs and factors that affect implementation and overall benefit. While all six countries employ well-developed programs, variations are observed. Those variations are mainly attributed to disparities in access, resource scarcity, financial availability, as well as ethical and cultural considerations. From a local perspective, we recommend conducting further population-based studies to assess the epidemiological data in relation to the disease burden on the country’s economy. Moreover, we recommend updating national and international guidelines to contain a more comprehensive approach on policies, operation, and sustainability to deliver a service through the lens of value-based healthcare.
POC viral load testing in an antenatal clinic setting for Ugandan pregnant women living with HIV: a qualitative implementation process analysis
Authors: Ware Norma C. , Wyatt Monique A. , Nakyanzi Agnes , Naddunga Faith , Pisarski Emily E. , Kyomugisha Juliet , Birungi Juliet E. , Bulterys Michelle A. , Kamusiime Brenda , Nalumansi Alisaati , Kasiita Vicent , Mujugira Andrew , Celum Connie L.
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Point of care viral load (POC VL) testing improves viral suppression and retention in HIV care, and is increasingly being integrated into routine health services for African pregnant women living with HIV. We examined processes of implementing POC VL testing in antenatal care and at delivery for Ugandan mothers living with HIV as part of a pilot randomized trial (Clinical Trial Number: NCT05092997).

Methods

We conducted individual qualitative interviews with 12 clinical and research staff who implemented POC VL testing and 22 mothers who received POC VL testing using the Xpert® HIV-1 Viral Load Assay (Cepheid Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA). An inductive, content analytic approach was used to examine the interview transcripts. The analysis addressed the question: How did a group of Ugandan health care providers approach the process of implementing POC VL testing in antenatal care and at delivery for mothers living with HIV?

Results

The analysis yielded three themes. (1) Staff created an efficient system of communication and then relied on that system to coordinate testing procedures. (2) They also found ways of increasing the speed and efficiency of the testing process. (3) They adopted a “mother-centered” approach to implementation, prioritizing the needs, preferences, and well-being of women in planning and carrying out testing procedures.

Conclusion

As POC VL testing becomes more widely used across high HIV burden settings, understanding how implementers approach the implementation process and what they do to make an intervention successful will be an important part of evaluating feasibility.

Clinical Trial Number: NCT05092997.
Factors associated with chronic depressive symptoms across adolescence and young adulthood: a UK birth cohort study
Authors: Durdurak B. B. , Williams B. , Zhigalov A. , Moore A. , Mallikarjun P. , Wong D. , Marwaha S. , Morales-Muñoz I.
Published: June 2024

Aims

Identifying children and/or adolescents who are at highest risk for developing chronic depression is of utmost importance, so that we can develop more effective and targeted interventions to attenuate the risk trajectory of depression. To address this, the objective of this study was to identify young people with persistent depressive symptoms across adolescence and young adulthood and examine the prospective associations between factors and persistent depressive symptoms in young people.

Methods

We used data from 6711 participants in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Depressive symptoms were assessed at 12.5, 13.5, 16, 17.5, 21 and 22 years with the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire, and we further examined the influence of multiple biological, psychological and social factors in explaining chronic depressive symptoms.

Results

Using latent class growth analysis, we identified four trajectories of depressive symptoms: persistent high, persistent low, persistent moderate and increasing high. After applying several logistic regression models, we found that loneliness and feeling less connected at school were the most relevant factors for chronic course of depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

Our findings contribute with the identification of those children who are at highest risk for developing chronic depressive symptoms.
Refining Planetary Boundary Layer Height Retrievals From Micropulse‐Lidar at Multiple ARM Sites Around the World
Authors: Roldán‐Henao Natalia , Su Tianning , Li Zhanqing
Published: June 2024

Knowledge of the planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) is crucial for various applications in atmospheric and environmental sciences. Lidar measurements are frequently used to monitor the evolution of the PBLH, providing more frequent observations than traditional radiosonde‐based methods. However, lidar‐derived PBLH estimates have substantial uncertainties, contingent upon the retrieval algorithm used. In addressing this, we applied the Different Thermo‐Dynamic Stabilities (DTDS) algorithm to establish a PBLH data set at five separate Department of Energy's Atmospheric Radiation Measurement sites across the globe. Both the PBLH methodology and the products are subject to rigorous assessments in terms of their uncertainties and constraints, juxtaposing them with other products. The DTDS‐derived product consistently aligns with radiosonde PBLH estimates, with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.77 across all sites. This study delves into a detailed examination of the strengths and limitations of PBLH data sets with respect to both radiosonde‐derived and other lidar‐based estimates of the PBLH by exploring their respective errors and uncertainties. It is found that varying techniques and definitions can lead to diverse PBLH retrievals due to the inherent intricacy and variability of the boundary layer. Our DTDS‐derived PBLH data set outperforms existing products derived from ceilometer data, offering a more precise representation of the PBLH. This extensive data set paves the way for advanced studies and an improved understanding of boundary‐layer dynamics, with valuable applications in weather forecasting, climate modeling, and environmental studies.
Crustal Characterization of the Hengill Geothermal Fields: Insights From Isotropic and Anisotropic Seismic Noise Imaging Using a 500‐Node Array
Authors: Wu Sin‐Mei , Sánchez‐Pastor Pilar , Ágústsdóttir Thorbjörg , Hersir Gylfi Páll , Mordret Aurélien , Hjörleifsdóttir Vala , Obermann Anne
Published: June 2024

The Hengill volcano and its associated geothermal fields represent Iceland's most productive harnessed high‐temperature geothermal fields, where resources are fueled by cooling magmatic intrusions connected to three volcanic systems. The crustal structure in this area is highly heterogeneous and shaped by the intricate interplay between tectonic forces and magmatic/hydrothermal activities. This complexity makes detailed subsurface characterization challenging. In this study, we aim to push the current resolution limits using a 500‐node temporary seismic array and perform an isotropic and, for the first time, radially‐anisotropic velocity model of the area. The high‐resolution isotropic velocity model reveals the characteristic N30ºE fissure swarm that crosses the area within the top 500 m and outlines a deep‐seated low‐velocity body composed of cooling magmatic intrusions at 5 km depth. This deeper body is located near the eastern part of the three volcanic centers and connected to a shallower body at 2–3 km depth that strikes westward toward Hengill volcano. Additionally, our study discovered that non‐induced earthquakes deeper than 2 km align with velocity contrasts that reflect structural variability, indicating the potential to identify deep permeable pathways using dense array imaging. The anisotropic model indicates that the shallow crust of Hengill within the top 2 km is dominated by vertical fractures or cracks, likely attributed to overall divergent deformation from rifting in the study area. This characteristic is diminished at depths greater than 2–3 km, replaced by a layering pattern where the lava flows and/or subhorizontal intrusions become the primary factors influencing the observed anisotropy.
Aspect Differences in Vegetation Type Drive Higher Evapotranspiration on a Pole‐Facing Slope in a California Oak Savanna
Authors: Donaldson Amanda , Dralle David , Barling Nerissa , Callahan Russell P. , Loik Michael E. , Zimmer Margaret
Published: June 2024

Quantifying evapotranspiration (ET) is critical to accurately predict vegetation health, groundwater recharge, and streamflow generation. Hillslope aspect, the direction a hillslope faces, results in variable incoming solar radiation and subsequent vegetation water use that drive ET. Previous work in watersheds with a single dominant vegetation type (e.g., trees) have shown that equator‐facing slopes (EFS) have higher ET compared to pole‐facing slopes (PFS) due to higher evaporative demand. However, it remains unclear how differences in vegetation type (i.e., grasses and trees) influence ET and water partitioning between hillslopes with opposing aspects. Here, we quantified ET and root‐zone water storage deficits between a PFS and EFS with contrasting vegetation types within central coastal California. Our results suggest that the cooler PFS with oak trees has higher ET than the warmer EFS with grasses, which is counter to previous work in landscapes with a singule dominant vegetation type. Our root‐zone water storage deficit calculations indicate that the PFS has a higher subsurface storage deficit and a larger seasonal dry down than the EFS. This aspect difference in subsurface water storage deficits may influence the subsequent replenishment of dynamic water storage, groundwater recharge and streamflow generation. In addition, larger subsurface water deficits on PFS may reduce their ability to serve as hydrologic refugia for oaks during multi‐year droughts. This research provides a novel integration of field‐based and remotely‐sensed estimates of ET required to properly quantify hillslope‐scale water balances. These findings emphasize the importance of resolving hillslope‐scale vegetation structure within Earth system models, especially in landscapes with diverse vegetation types.
Thermal noise-driven resonant sensors
Authors: Qiao Yan , Elhady Alaaeldin , Arabi Mohamed , Abdel-Rahman Eihab , Zhang Wenming
Published: June 2024

MEMS/NEMS resonant sensors hold promise for minute mass and force sensing. However, one major challenge is that conventional externally driven sensors inevitably encounter undesired intrinsic noise, which imposes a fundamental limitation upon their signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and, consequently, the resolution. Particularly, this restriction becomes increasingly pronounced as sensors shrink to the nanoscale. In this work, we propose a counterintuitive paradigm shift that turns intrinsic thermal noise from an impediment to a constituent of the sensor by harvesting it as the driving force, obviating the need for external actuation and realizing ‘noise-driven’ sensors. Those sensors employ the dynamically amplified response to thermal noise at resonances for stimulus detection. We demonstrate that lightly damped and highly compliant nano-structures with high aspect ratios are promising candidates for this class of sensors. To overcome the phase incoherence of the drive force, three noise-enabled quantitative sensing mechanisms are developed. We validated our sensor paradigm by experimental demonstrating noise-driven pressure and temperature sensors. Noise-driven sensors offer a new opportunity for delivering practical NEMS sensors that can function at room temperature and under ambient pressure, and a development that suggests a path to cheaper, simpler, and low-power-consumption sensors.
A meta-analysis of semiconductor materials fabricated in microgravity
Authors: Wilkinson Ashley R. , Brewer Frances , Wright Hannah , Whiteside Ben , Williams Amari , Harper Lynn , Wilson Anne M.
Published: June 2024

This meta-analysis of 160 semiconductor crystals that were grown in microgravity on orbital vehicles between 1973 and 2016 is based on publicly available information documented in the literature. This analysis provides comparisons of crystal metrics including size, structure quality, uniformity, and improved performance between crystals grown in microgravity or terrestrially. Improvement in at least one of these metrics was observed for 86% of those materials that included data in their studies.
The direct effect of SARS-CoV-2 virus vaccination on human ovarian granulosa cells explains menstrual irregularities
Authors: Bar-Joseph Hadas , Raz Yael , Eldar-Boock Anat , Michaan Nadav , Angel Yoel , Saiag Esther , Nemerovsky Luba , Ben-Ami Ido , Shalgi Ruth , Grisaru Dan
Published: June 2024

Following administration of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, many women worldwide reported short-term menstrual irregularities. Although menstrual bleeding, “the fifth vital sign”, is experienced by more than 300 million people on any given day worldwide, these changes were only partially studied. Irregular periods are important well beyond fertility and the discomfort they impose; they are associated with the risk of cardiovascular morbidity, chronic diseases, and premature mortality. Pre-clinical examination of the vaccine polymeric envelope indicates its accumulation in the ovaries. The somatic endocrine cells of the ovarian follicle - the granulosa cells (GCs)—participate in the strict hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) feedback loop that governs the menstrual cycle via endocrine and paracrine regulators, as AMH and Inhibins. We aimed to unravel the direct effect of the COVID-19 vaccine on GCs and link their post-vaccine activity to changes in menstrual patterns. Human primary GCs exposed in-vitro to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine BNT162b2, demonstrated no change in their viability but altered mRNA transcripts, specifically of the regulatory key factors: InhibinB was upregulated, whereas AMH was downregulated. We further examined pre- and post-vaccination blood samples from individual women and found a 2–3 folds change in the post-vaccination FSH/InhibinB protein level ratio, compared to their pre-vaccination values. This altered expression of InhibinB could significantly impact the HPO axis in vaccinated women and may ultimately influence the endometrium cyclicity, manifested clinically by the commonly reported changes in menstrual bleeding patterns.
Drosophila immune cells transport oxygen through PPO2 protein phase transition
Authors: Shin Mingyu , Chang Eunji , Lee Daewon , Kim Nayun , Cho Bumsik , Cha Nuri , Koranteng Ferdinand , Song Ji-Joon , Shim Jiwon
Published: June 2024

Insect respiration has long been thought to be solely dependent on an elaborate tracheal system without assistance from the circulatory system or immune cells1,2. Here we describe that Drosophila crystal cells—myeloid-like immune cells called haemocytes—control respiration by oxygenating Prophenoloxidase 2 (PPO2) proteins. Crystal cells direct the movement of haemocytes between the trachea of the larval body wall and the circulation to collect oxygen. Aided by copper and a neutral pH, oxygen is trapped in the crystalline structures of PPO2 in crystal cells. Conversely, PPO2 crystals can be dissolved when carbonic anhydrase lowers the intracellular pH and then reassembled into crystals in cellulo by adhering to the trachea. Physiologically, larvae lacking crystal cells or PPO2, or those expressing a copper-binding mutant of PPO2, display hypoxic responses under normoxic conditions and are susceptible to hypoxia. These hypoxic phenotypes can be rescued by hyperoxia, expression of arthropod haemocyanin or prevention of larval burrowing activity to expose their respiratory organs. Thus, we propose that insect immune cells collaborate with the tracheal system to reserve and transport oxygen through the phase transition of PPO2 crystals, facilitating internal oxygen homeostasis in a process that is comparable to vertebrate respiration.
Cenozoic history of the tropical marine biodiversity hotspot
Authors: Tian Skye Yunshu , Yasuhara Moriaki , Condamine Fabien L. , Huang Huai-Hsuan M. , Fernando Allan Gil S. , Aguilar Yolanda M. , Pandita Hita , Irizuki Toshiaki , Iwatani Hokuto , Shin Caren P. , Renema Willem , Kase Tomoki
Published: June 2024

The region with the highest marine biodiversity on our planet is known as the Coral Triangle or Indo-Australian Archipelago (IAA)1,2. Its enormous biodiversity has long attracted the interest of biologists; however, the detailed evolutionary history of the IAA biodiversity hotspot remains poorly understood3. Here we present a high-resolution reconstruction of the Cenozoic diversity history of the IAA by inferring speciation–extinction dynamics using a comprehensive fossil dataset. We found that the IAA has exhibited a unidirectional diversification trend since about 25 million years ago, following a roughly logistic increase until a diversity plateau beginning about 2.6 million years ago. The growth of diversity was primarily controlled by diversity dependency and habitat size, and also facilitated by the alleviation of thermal stress after 13.9 million years ago. Distinct net diversification peaks were recorded at about 25, 20, 16, 12 and 5 million years ago, which were probably related to major tectonic events in addition to climate transitions. Key biogeographic processes had far-reaching effects on the IAA diversity as shown by the long-term waning of the Tethyan descendants versus the waxing of cosmopolitan and IAA taxa. Finally, it seems that the absence of major extinctions and the Cenozoic cooling have been essential in making the IAA the richest marine biodiversity hotspot on Earth.
ROCOv2: Radiology Objects in COntext Version 2, an Updated Multimodal Image Dataset
Authors: Rückert Johannes , Bloch Louise , Brüngel Raphael , Idrissi-Yaghir Ahmad , Schäfer Henning , Schmidt Cynthia S. , Koitka Sven , Pelka Obioma , Abacha Asma Ben , G. Seco de Herrera Alba , Müller Henning , Horn Peter A. , Nensa Felix , Friedrich Christoph M.
Published: June 2024

Automated medical image analysis systems often require large amounts of training data with high quality labels, which are difficult and time consuming to generate. This paper introduces Radiology Object in COntext version 2 (ROCOv2), a multimodal dataset consisting of radiological images and associated medical concepts and captions extracted from the PMC Open Access subset. It is an updated version of the ROCO dataset published in 2018, and adds 35,705 new images added to PMC since 2018. It further provides manually curated concepts for imaging modalities with additional anatomical and directional concepts for X-rays. The dataset consists of 79,789 images and has been used, with minor modifications, in the concept detection and caption prediction tasks of ImageCLEFmedical Caption 2023. The dataset is suitable for training image annotation models based on image-caption pairs, or for multi-label image classification using Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) concepts provided with each image. In addition, it can serve for pre-training of medical domain models, and evaluation of deep learning models for multi-task learning.
Features and quality metrics datasets for video coding in DASH
Authors: Micó-Enguídanos Francisco , Salcedo-Navarro Andoni , Garcia-Pineda Miguel , Gutiérrez-Aguado Juan
Published: June 2024

Nowadays, the majority of media Internet traffic consists of H.264-encoded streaming videos due to its high compatibility. One of the most popular streaming technology used to deliver videos over Internet is Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH). It transmit the video as a sequence of independent short video segments tailored to the receiver’s limitations (related to several factors such as available bandwidth or resolution on reception), aiming to enhance the Quality of Experience. In this paper, we present two types of datasets created from 4065 video segments of 2 seconds. The first type consists of extracting features related to color, space, and time from the segments across different vertical resolutions (240, 360, 480, 720, 1080, 1440 and 4K). The second one includes several quality metrics obtained from the same segments when they are encoded with different compression levels in the different resolutions.
Nuclear and mitochondrial genomes of the plum fruit moth Grapholita funebrana
Authors: Cao Li-Jun , Yang Fangyuan , Chen Jin-Cui , Wei Shu-Jun
Published: June 2024

The plum fruit moth Grapholita funebrana (Tortricidae, Lepidoptera) is an important pest of many wild and cultivated stone fruits and other plants in the family Rosaceae. Here, we assembled its nuclear and mitochondrial genomes using Illumina, Nanopore, and Hi-C sequencing technologies. The nuclear genome size is 570.9 Mb, with a repeat rate of 51.28%, and a BUCSO completeness of 97.7%. The karyotype for males is 2n = 56. We identified 17,979 protein-coding genes, 5,643 tRNAs, and 94 rRNAs. We also determined the mitochondrial genome of this species and annotated 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, and 2 rRNA. These genomes provide resources to understand the genetics, ecology, and genome evolution of the tortricid moths.
A morphological traits dataset of Heteroptera sampled in biodiversity priority areas of Southwest China
Authors: Gao Shutong , Yu Wenbo , Tian Ting , Lu Zhixing , Zhang Xiang , Li Qiao , Chen Youqing
Published: June 2024

Functional traits reveal the adaptive strategies of species to their environment, and are relevant to the formation of communities, the function of ecosystems, and the mechanisms underlying biodiversity. However, trait databases have not been established for most biological taxa, especially for insects, which encompass a vast number of species. This study measured the morphological traits of 307 species of Heteroptera insects collected in 2019 from the “Xishuangbanna Priority Conservation Area” in Southwest China using sweep netting and light trapping methods. This study provides a dataset for 307 Heteroptera species, comprising 34 morphometric measurements and 17 morphological traits. The dataset contains information on species sex, abundance, and the average, maximum, and minimum values of traits. This dataset facilitates an enhanced understanding of the functional traits and ecological associations of Heteroptera insects and offers opportunities for exploring a more diverse range of research topics.
Deep learning model integrating cfDNA methylation and fragment size profiles for lung cancer diagnosis
Authors: Kim Minjung , Park Juntae , Seonghee Oh  , Jeong Byeong-Ho , Byun Yuree , Shin Sun Hye , Im Yunjoo , Cho Jong Ho , Cho Eun-Hae
Published: June 2024

Detecting aberrant cell-free DNA (cfDNA) methylation is a promising strategy for lung cancer diagnosis. In this study, our aim is to identify methylation markers to distinguish patients with lung cancer from healthy individuals. Additionally, we sought to develop a deep learning model incorporating cfDNA methylation and fragment size profiles. To achieve this, we utilized methylation data collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases. Then we generated methylated DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing and genome-wide Enzymatic Methyl-seq (EM-seq) form lung cancer tissue and plasma. Using these data, we selected 366 methylation markers. A targeted EM-seq panel was designed using the selected markers, and 142 lung cancer and 56 healthy samples were produced with the panel. Additionally, cfDNA samples from healthy individuals and lung cancer patients were diluted to evaluate sensitivity. Its lung cancer detection performance reached an accuracy of 81.5% and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.87. In the serial dilution experiment, we achieved tumor fraction detection of 1% at 98% specificity and 0.1% at 80% specificity. In conclusion, we successfully developed and validated a combination of methylation panel and a deep learning model that can distinguish between patients with lung cancer and healthy individuals.
Stable isotope analysis in soil prospection reveals the type of historic land-use under contemporary temperate forests in Europe
Authors: Janovský Martin P. , Ferenczi Laszlo , Trubač Jakub , Klír Tomáš
Published: June 2024

The determination of δ13C and δ15N values is a common method in archaeological isotope analysis—in studying botanical and human remains, dietary practices, and less typically soils (to understand methods of agricultural cultivation, including fertilization). Stable isotope measurements are also commonly used in ecological studies to distinguish different ecosystems and to trace diachronic processes and biogeochemical mechanisms, however, the application of this method in geochemical prospection, for determining historic land-use impact, remains unexplored. The study at hand focuses on a deserted site of a Cistercian manor, dating from the thirteenth to fifteenth centuries. Isotopic measurements of anthropogenically influenced soils have been compared to approximately 400 archaeobotanical, soil, and sediment samples collected globally. The results reveal the potential of isotope measurements in soil to study the impact of past land use as isotope measurements identify specific types of agricultural activities, distinguishing crop production or grazing. δ13C and δ15N ratios also likely reflect fertilization practices and—in this case—the results indicate the presence of cereal cultivation (C3 cycle plants) and fertilization and that the site of the medieval manor was primarily used for grain production rather than animal husbandry.
ECAPA-TDNN based online discussion activity-level evaluation
Authors: Kang Hongbo , He Botao , Song Ruoyang , Wang Wenqing
Published: June 2024

With the continuous development and application of online interactive activities and network transmission technology, online interactive behaviors such as online discussion meetings and online teaching have become indispensable in people’s studies and work. However, the effectiveness of working with online discussions and feedback from participants on their conference performance has been a major concern, and this is the issue examined in this post. Based on the above issues, this paper designs an online discussion activity-level evaluation system based on voiceprint recognition technology. The application system developed in this project is divided into two parts; the first part is to segment the online discussion audio into multiple independent audio segments by audio segmentation technology and train the voiceprint recognition model to predict the speaker’s identity in each separate audio component. In the second part, we propose a linear normalized online meeting activity-level calculation model based on the modified main indexes by traversing and counting each participant’s speaking frequency and total speaking time as the main indexes for activity-level evaluation. To make the evaluation results more objective, reasonable, and distinguishable, the activity score of each participant is calculated, and each participant’s activity-level in the discussion meeting is derived by combining the fuzzy membership function. To test the system’s performance, we designed an experiment with 25 participants in an online discussion meeting, with two assistants manually recording the discussion and a host moderating the meeting. The results of the experiment showed that the system’s evaluation results matched those recorded by the two assistants. The system can fulfill the task of distinguishing the level of activity of participants in online discussions.
Modeling Al-Qaraqoul canal before and after rehabilitation using HEC-RAS
Authors: Zahran Sara , Gooda Essam A. , AbdelMeged Nesma
Published: June 2024

The Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation launched in 2020 the national project to rehabilitate the canals network to rationalize the use of water resources to face the scarcity problems. The aim of study is to evaluate the impact of canal rehabilitation on the performance of irrigation water delivered laterally to Mesqa’s and longitudinally to the end of canal. Qaraqoul Canal et al.-Mallah Area, Alexandria, Egypt, was modeled using Hydrologic Engineering Center's-River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) to simulate water levels in the canal before and after rehabilitation using four discharge scenarios: 1.82, 3.7, 2.2, 7.87 m3/s. The calibration before rehabilitation shows that HEC-RAS simulated water levels corresponding to a discharge of 2.2 m3/s were in a good agreement with the actual field measured water levels. HEC-RAS results demonstrated that rehabilitation hydraulically improved the efficiency and performance of water conveyed by the canal. On the other hand, second scenario can be considered as suitable to keep water to reach the canal downstream with minimum suitable discharge, providing the need of two emergency pumps at last two branch canals called Mesqa’s. An ideal cross-section is also simulated using HEC-RAS which produced an efficient alternative with 40% less cost than the constructed alternative.
Exploring minimum dietary diversity among cambodian children using four rounds of demographic and health survey
Authors: Singh Anjali , Rahut Dil B. , Sonobe Tetsushi
Published: June 2024

Dietary diversity among children is a crucial factor influencing their nutritional status; therefore, this paper uses data from four rounds of the Cambodia Demographic and Health Survey (CDHS) to examine the minimum dietary diversity among children aged 6–23 months. Multilevel binary regression is used to evaluate the variation in minimum dietary diversity at the cluster and province levels. The results show that nearly half of Cambodian children consistently lacked access to vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables. Although the prevalence of inadequate minimum dietary diversity (MDD) among children significantly dropped from 76% in 2005 to 51% in 2021–2022, it is still high and needs attention. A decomposition analysis (Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition) was further used to understand the drivers of this temporal change in dietary diversity. The empirical results show that clusters represented the most significant source of geographic variation with respect to all eight food groups and MDD. Nutritional policy should improve education and awareness, reduce socio-economic disparities, leverage media, and promote full antenatal care to improve dietary diversity in Cambodia. Initiatives targeting the enhancement of insufficient minimum dietary diversity intake should encompass individual aspects and be customized to suit geographic and community settings.
Metagenomic and paleopathological analyses of a historic documented collection explore ancient dental calculus as a diagnostic tool
Authors: Austin Rita M. , Honap Tanvi P. , Mann Allison E. , Hübner Alexander , DeGaglia Cassandra M. S. , Warinner Christina , Zuckerman Molly K. , Hofman Courtney A.
Published: June 2024

Dental calculus is a microbial biofilm that contains biomolecules from oral commensals and pathogens, including those potentially related to cause of death (CoD). To assess the utility of calculus as a diagnostically informative substrate, in conjunction with paleopathological analysis, calculus samples from 39 individuals in the Smithsonian Institution’s Robert J. Terry Collection with CoDs of either syphilis or tuberculosis were assessed via shotgun metagenomic sequencing for the presence of Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) DNA. Paleopathological analysis revealed that frequencies of skeletal lesions associated with these diseases were partially inconsistent with diagnostic criteria. Although recovery of T. p. pallidum DNA from individuals with a syphilis CoD was elusive, MTBC DNA was identified in at least one individual with a tuberculosis CoD. The authenticity of MTBC DNA was confirmed using targeted quantitative PCR assays, MTBC genome enrichment, and in silico bioinformatic analyses; however, the lineage of the MTBC strain present could not be determined. Overall, our study highlights the utility of dental calculus for molecular detection of tuberculosis in the archaeological record and underscores the effect of museum preparation techniques and extensive handling on pathogen DNA preservation in skeletal collections.
Early environmental predictors for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their co-occurrence: The prospective ABIS-Study
Authors: Lebeña Andrea , Faresjö Åshild , Jones Michael P. , Bengtsson Felicia , Faresjö Tomas , Ludvigsson Johnny
Published: June 2024

ADHD and ASD are highly heritable and show a high co-occurrence and persistence into adulthood. This study aimed to identify pre and perinatal risk factors, and early psychosocial exposures related to later diagnosis of ADHD, ASD, and their co-occurrence. 16,365 children born 1997–1999 and their families, involved in the prospective population-based ABIS study (All Babies in Southeast Sweden), were included in this sub-study. Pre and perinatal factors and early environmental psychosocial exposures were collected from parental-questionnaires at birth and 1-year follow-up. Diagnoses from birth up to 23 years of age were obtained from the Swedish National Diagnosis Register in 2020. The cumulative incidence of ADHD, ASD, and their co-occurrence in the ABIS-cohort Study were 4.6%, 1.7%, and 1.1%, respectively. Being male was associated with an increased risk for ADHD, ASD, and their co-occurrence (aOR 1.30, 1.56, and 1.91, respectively), while higher household income reduced it (aOR 0.82, 0.73, and 0.64). Serious life events during pregnancy (aOR 1.40) and maternal smoking (aOR 1.51) increased the risk of ADHD, while older maternal age (aOR 0.96), higher parental education (aOR 0.72 maternal and aOR 0.74 paternal) and longer exclusive breastfeeding (aOR 0.72) reduced it. Non-Swedish paternal nationality (aOR 0.40) and higher maternal education (aOR 0.74) were associated with a lower risk of ASD, while a family history of autoimmune diseases increased the risk of the co-occurrence of both disorders (aOR 1.62). Obtained results suggest that the etiology of ADHD, ASD, and their co-occurrence is independently associated with environmental psychosocial predictors. The co-occurrence seems to overlap the etiology of ADHD, in which psychosocial determinants have a larger role, however, it is also independently influenced by a family history of autoimmune diseases.
Development of similar materials for fluid–solid coupling model testing and application in damage constitutive models
Authors: Ren Xu , Xu Guihong , Chen Ziwei , Ran Shixin , Zhang Jie
Published: June 2024

In order to provide suitable material selection for such fluid–solid coupling model tests, orthogonal experimental studies were conducted using iron concentrate powder and barite powder as aggregates, cement as cementitious materials, and gypsum and clay as modifiers. This research showed: (1) The ATC plays a dominant role in controlling the strength indexes and water absorption of the material, and these indexes show a significant decrease with the increase of the bone adhesive ratio. For each level of ATC increase, the compressive strength decreases by 0.2 MPa, the elastic modulus decreases by 10–20 MPa, and the cohesion decreases by 25–45 kPa. (2) Mixing gypsum and cement cannot jointly promote strength growth. (3) With the increase of GTC, the water absorption rate of the material increases, while the softening coefficient and permeability coefficient decrease obviously. Gypsum, which accounts for 4–16% of cement content, can be suitable for studying the hydraulic properties of similar materials for most sedimentary rock. Based on Weibull statistical damage theory, a damage constitutive model for the entire process of rock triaxial compression under the combined action of rainwater infiltration and load was established. Due to the influence of internal pores, the experimental and theoretical results have a certain deviation, the higher the confining pressure, the more obvious the deviation. In addition, the higher the rock strength, the less obvious the deviation caused by pores. This damage model can better describe the progressive failure process of rocks after rainwater infiltration, and can provide theoretical reference for the study of slope stability caused by rainwater infiltration.
Assessment of neuro-pulmonary crosstalk in asthmatic mice: effects of DiNP exposure on cellular respiration, mitochondrial oxidative status and apoptotic signaling
Authors: Kehinde Samuel Abiodun , Olajide Abosede Temitope , Ore Ayokanmi , Praveena Sarva Mangala , Ataya Farid S. , El-Gazzar Ahmed M.
Published: June 2024

Human health is becoming concerned about exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) emanating from plastic, such as phthalates, which are industrially employed as plasticizers in the manufacturing of plastic products. Due to some toxicity concerns, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was replaced by diisononyl phthalate (DiNP). Recent data, however, highlights the potential of DiNP to interfere with the endocrine system and influence allergic responses. Asthma affects brain function through hypoxia, systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and sleep disturbances and its effective management is crucial for maintaining respiratory and brain health. Therefore, in DiNP-induced asthmatic mice, this study investigated possible crosstalk between the lungs and the brain inducing perturbations in neural mitochondrial antioxidant status, inflammation biomarkers, energy metabolizing enzymes, and apoptotic indicators. To achieve this, twelve (n = 12, 20–30 g) male BALB/c mice were divided into two (2) experimental groups, each with five (6) mice. Mice in group II were subjected to 50 mg/kg body weight (BW) DiNP (Intraperitoneal and intranasal), while group I served as the control group for 24 days. The effects of DiNP on neural energy metabolizing enzymes (Hexokinase, Aldolase, NADase, Lactate dehydrogenase, Complex I, II, II & IV), biomarkers of inflammation (Nitric oxide, Myeloperoxidase), oxidative stress (malondialdehyde), antioxidants (catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, and reduced glutathione), oncogenic and apoptotic factors (p53, K-ras, Bcl, etc.), and brain histopathology were investigated. DiNP-induced asthmatic mice have significantly (p < 0.05) altered neural energy metabolizing capacities due to disruption of activities of enzymes of glycolytic and oxidative phosphorylation. Other responses include significant inflammation, oxidative distress, decreased antioxidant status, altered oncogenic-apoptotic factors level and neural degeneration (as shown in hematoxylin and eosin-stained brain sections) relative to control. Current findings suggest that neural histoarchitecture, energy metabolizing potentials, inflammation, oncogenic and apoptotic factors, and mitochondrial antioxidant status may be impaired and altered in DiNP-induced asthmatic mice suggesting a pivotal crosstalk between the two intricate organs (lungs and brain).