bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Role of Gentamicin in Cancer Treatment
Authors: M Karthikeyan , M Praveen B
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT: Background: This comprehensive review explores the role of antibiotics in cancer development and treatment. The main mechanisms of cancer include abnormal growth and migration of cells with uncontrolled cell cycle, continuous self-renewal, and reproduction of cancer stem cells. Main Body: The review highlights the beneficial effects of cancer treatment with antibiotics, such as improving prognosis, reducing side effects, preventing or reducing wound infection, accelerating wound healing, and improving immune competence. However, the use of antibiotics can also significantly impact cancer treatments by causing microbial imbalance, decreasing immune capacity, and promoting inflammation. The review further discusses the potential of Gentamicin as a cancer treatment, its effects on sphingomyelin metabolism, and its potential as a sensitizing agent for cancer chemotherapy. Conclusion: The review concludes that while Gentamicin shows promise as a sensitizing agent, its application as an anticancer agent may be limited to specific drug combinations and cancer types. Future research is needed to further explore the relationship between mRNA and protein content in the context of Gentamicin treatment.
Comparative Study of Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria in Terrestrial and Aquatic Habitats: Insights and Future Prospects
Authors: Goyal Soniya , Kumar Amit , Sharma Pooja , Gill Anita Rani , Sharma Anil Kumar , Devi Ashwanti , Sharma Chahat
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT: Nitrogen is an essential nutrient utilized by living organisms to produce a number of organic molecules such as nucleic acid, amino acid and protein. A special class of microorganisms known as diazotrophs that are able to fix atmospheric nitrogen into biological form of nitrogen which is directly utilized by plants. Moreover, they stimulate plant growth by decreasing or preventing deleterious effects of pathogens through synthesis of antibiotics, competition for nutrients through production of siderophores. Along with terrestrial diazotrophs, various marine bacterial species are well known which involves in biological nitrogen fixation process. In an open oligotrophic ocean, pelagic and sympagic nitrogen fixation has been shown a significant source of biological nitrogen for survival of oceanic living organisms. A different range of diazotroph have been reported at low temperature ice sea environment. The community of nitrogen fixing bacteria under deep anoxic bottom water is gradually increase. It may be possible that due to genetic variation population of nitrogen fixing bacteria increases under sea water. In this review article, authors have focused on nature of diazotrophs in terrestrial as well as in aquatic conditions. Moreover, the bacterial habitat and their classification, latest approaches and future prospects is also included in the manuscript. Thus, the study would be helpful for understanding the mode of action, their behavior and survival rate in different environment and beneficial for improvement in agricultural sustainability.
Ferroptosis: Implications in Diseases and Potential Treatment Approaches
Authors: Kontam R Komal , M Nivetha , Venkateswaramurthy N
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT: Ferroptosis is a recently recognized iron dependent form of regulated cell death. Ferroptotic cells are smaller than normal mitochondria and are usually cristae in structure. Ras-selective lethal small molecule (RSLs) induced cell death is blocked by anti-oxidants and iron chelators. Thus, the term ferroptosis often refers to a non-apoptotic, iron dependent form of regulated cell death (RCD). In 2016, it was found that there are 4 classes of inducers of ferroptosis which includes erastin, glutamate, sorafenib, RSL-3, FIN 56, etc and other reagents like CCL4 and artesunate may induce ferroptosis in liver and pancreatic cancer cells. Age-related and degenerative diseases necessarily cause an increase in brain iron levels, which can be seen in both post-mortem and living samples. Hepatochromatosis and other tissues and illnesses with ferroptosis have both been researched. The presence of ferroptosis is consistent with a variety of clinicopathologic dementia characteristics. Other neurodegenerative illnesses have comparable symptoms. A variety of pharmacological treatment for inhibiting ferroptosis in diseases have been reported like iron chelators, lipophilic antioxidant and β-mercaptoethanol.
The Prevalence of Psychiatric and Behavioral Comorbid Among Autistic adults
Authors: Mishma S Vinola Shrim , Shanmugam Arun
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT: This article aims to shed light on the co-occurrence of behavioural and mental comorbidities in people with Autism. In 1943, psychiatrist Leo Kanner coined the term "Autism." Autism is a neurodevelopmental disease known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The three following categories are more likely to cause difficulties for adults with Autism: Social interaction, communication, and flexibility in thought and action. Autism has long-lasting effects on a person's life. People living with ASD are more likely to have one or more co-occurring mental disorders. For people with Autism, adulthood presents more difficulties. Psychiatric symptoms are more common in young people who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) than in general people. The common mental conditions that can co-occur with ASD are ADHD, schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, suicidal thoughts, and down syndrome, which are all covered in this article. This review provides a piece of in-depth knowledge about the prevalence and the co-occurrence of psychiatric and behavioural comorbidities among autistic adults.
Preparation and Characterization of Ciprofloxacin – Loaded Nanoparticles Using the Solvent Evaporation Technique: A Factorial Design
Authors: Sharma Vijay , Singh Mitali , Vashishtha Tribhuwan kumar , Hussain Zaira , Verma Navneet
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT: Evaporation of the solvent was utilized in this study to produce and characterize nanoparticles that were loaded with ciprofloxacin. Nine different batches of nanoparticles were manufactured, each of which included a different proportion of ethyl cellulose and polyvinyl alcohol. An investigation of the effects of E.C. and P.V.A. on one to nine formulations was carried out using a design that included 32 different factors. In order to produce the nanoparticles, E.C. and P.V.A. polymers were mixed in a variety of other combinations during the course of the manufacturing process. There were a number of elements that were analyzed in the description, including but not limited to zeta potential, morphology, drug content, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (D.S.C.), and particle size. The outcomes of the study are extremely important, particularly the astounding yield of 88.33%. The result is indicative of the effectiveness of the manufacturing process, which emphasizes reduced waste and a production method that is well-monitored and provides unaltered quality and quantity in the end formulation. One of the most important discoveries made by the inquiry is that the greatest value of the percentage cumulative drug release was 63.4%. The outcome of this study reveals that the formulation can deliver a drug release that is both monitored and sustained over a prolonged time. It is essential to have this controlled release mechanism in place in order to maintain a constant concentration of the drug throughout the body. Formulation F7 is a promising contender for applications of ineffective and controlled drug delivery because of its exceptional characteristics, which include its small particle size, substantial drug content, high encapsulation efficiency, efficient drug loading, impressive yield, and significant cumulative drug release. In a nutshell, these characteristics position it as a promising contender. The findings shed light on the ways in which these features interact with one another to make F7 a viable alternative for drug delivery systems.
Composting as a sustainable option for converting undesirable weeds like Parthenium hysteropherous, Solanum nigrum, Calotropis procera and Trianthema portulacastrum into organic manure
Authors: Taneja Tanvi , Sharma Indu , Singh Bikram Jit , Singh Amarjeet , Kumar Mukesh , Singh Raj
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT: Composting is the natural process of transforming organic wastes, such as leaves and food scraps, into fertile manure that can enrich the soil with humus, helpful bacteria, and critical plant nutrients, thus enhancing soil fertility and structure. India's soil today is low in organic matter and nutrients, particularly micronutrients. Compost includes 2% nitrogen, 0.5–1.0% phosphorus, around 2% potassium, and trace amounts of all critical micronutrients. Biodegradable weeds, including Parthenium hysterophorus, Solanum nigrum, Calotropis procera, and Trianthema portulacastrum, were degraded using the Bangalore pit compost method. The fresh vegetation of Parthenium, Solanum, Calotropis and Trianthema for making compost were collected from nearby localities of Mullana village from November, 2022 to April 2023. As a result, applying compost to soil increases organic matter and enhances soil fertility, restoring minerals and organic matter lost during harvesting. It also enhances the chemical, physical, and biological qualities of the soil, increasing crop output. Compost increases the soil's water holding capacity, which reduces crop water requirements and irrigation frequency. The nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and carbon-to-nitrogen ratios of the compost were measured every 20 days for up to 100 days. The results demonstrate that compost has a high calcium, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content but a lower carbon and nitrogen ratio.
Strategies for Aerobic Decolorization and Detoxification of a Disperse Dye by an Isolate of Bacillus SP Pertaining to its Possible Correlation with Cod in Textile Effluent
Authors: M Ingale Rakshanda , R Thorat Sanjaykumar
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT: The study was carried out to know significant involvement by uncovering the ability of native microbes isolated from the sample obtained from textile industry for decolorization and degradation of dyes and effluent through Isolated bacterial strains these were identified, through 16S rRNA Sequence analysis and confirmed the strains as, Bacillus cereus and Bacillus sp. The degraded metabolites were detected through HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) analysis based on the retention time and the functional groups were detected through fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the decolorization was carried through UV-visible spectroscopy by using the absorbance. The decolorization time required for decolorization was less in the consortia than the individual species these individual species were able to mineralize dyes. The SEM analysis revealed the consortium as tight clumps. The phytotoxicity results seed germination test with Vigna radiata reveals the positive results after the treatment through the consortium over the raw effluent.
Effects of Extraction Methods on the Functional and Morphological Characterization of Mango Seed Kernel Starch
Authors: K Rani. , R Parimalavalli.
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT: The mango, or Mangifera indica L., is India's national fruit. The by-products released during the processing of mangoes are peels and seeds. This study sought to understand the effects of starch extraction on the pasting, thermal, and morphological properties of mango seed kernels. Three distinct methods such as sedimentation, centrifugation and alkali methods of starch separation was used as per standard procedures. The ability of sedimentation starch had highest water binding capacity (90.2%) and alkali starch had high paste clarity (78.2%) among the isolation methods. The pasting properties of mango kernel starch indicated significant differences across each extraction method. The gelatinization and conclusion temperatures of the alkali method were high (63.4°C and 65°C, respectively) while having a low start temperature (30.1°C) and enthalpy (4.0J/g). The thermal properties of alkali process had a low onset temperature of 30.1°C and low enthalpy of 4.0 J/g, but a high gelatinization temperature of 63.4°C and conclusion temperature of 65.2°C. The starch structures could be easily observed under a light microscope and the alkali method of starch revealed a slight bulkiness in them, it was still possible to detect the shape of the starch granules. Despite using various extraction methods, the isolated mango seed starch SEM granules had smooth surfaces and oval, crooked, or cuboidal shapes. It strongly suggested that the alkali method used for starch extraction improved the starch yield from seeds and enhanced pasting, thermal, and morphological starch characteristics. These results proved the possibility of the utility of employing the alkali method of starch extraction as a functional element in food product compositions.
Mediated Anarchy in Ursula Le Guin’s The Dispossessed
Authors: Thakur Himali
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT: This essay argues that the anarchy of Odonian society depends upon the “mediation” afforded by techne . The social organism is a tool that enables Odonians to cultivate reflective relationships on mediation, and hence with each other. Odonian society is a “mediated anarchy.” Shevek’s corrective to the Odonian social organism is to re-center individual existential experience in the use of tools. The essay traces the novel’s roots in debates of determinism and freedom in evolutionary biology and media technologies, borrowing Peter Kropotkin’s anarchist communism. The essay ends with a discussion of the insights Shevek’s philosophy provides into media theory.
Reading Storied Corals with the Scientific Poetics of Water
Authors: Oppermann Serpil
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT: This essay argues that to understand coral communication, we need a new interpretive method that incorporates a creative insight into living oceans and aquatic species or a new conceptual viewpoint that considers their capacity for creative expressions, marking the coming-to-voice of their significance. Since this method combines scientific research and creative engagement with oceanic ontologies in a context where nonhuman languages, creative expressions, and stories compellingly shape the life worlds of all aquatic beings, I name it “the scientific poetics of water.” It allows us to read corals and all aquatic agencies as part of the collective semiotic creativity of life, as storied beings.
Ordinary Magic
Authors: Meyers Susan V.
Published: July 2024

Abstract: The Summer 2024 Issue. Ploughshares is an award-winning journal of new writing. Since 1971, Ploughshares has discovered and cultivated the freshest voices in contemporary American literature, and now provides readers with thoughtful and entertaining literature in a variety of formats. Find out why the New York Times named Ploughshares “the Triton among minnows.” The Summer 2024 Issue, guest-edited by Rebecca Makkai, features prose by Dur e Aziz Amna, Ramona Ausubel, Peter Mountford, Khaddafina Mbabazi, DK Nnuro, and more.
Minstrelin’
Authors: Nnuro DK
Published: July 2024

Abstract: The Summer 2024 Issue. Ploughshares is an award-winning journal of new writing. Since 1971, Ploughshares has discovered and cultivated the freshest voices in contemporary American literature, and now provides readers with thoughtful and entertaining literature in a variety of formats. Find out why the New York Times named Ploughshares “the Triton among minnows.” The Summer 2024 Issue, guest-edited by Rebecca Makkai, features prose by Dur e Aziz Amna, Ramona Ausubel, Peter Mountford, Khaddafina Mbabazi, DK Nnuro, and more.
Goodbye, Raymond Carver
Authors: Delury Jane
Published: July 2024

Abstract: The Summer 2024 Issue. Ploughshares is an award-winning journal of new writing. Since 1971, Ploughshares has discovered and cultivated the freshest voices in contemporary American literature, and now provides readers with thoughtful and entertaining literature in a variety of formats. Find out why the New York Times named Ploughshares “the Triton among minnows.” The Summer 2024 Issue, guest-edited by Rebecca Makkai, features prose by Dur e Aziz Amna, Ramona Ausubel, Peter Mountford, Khaddafina Mbabazi, DK Nnuro, and more.
Oír el silencio: Paisajes sonoros no humanos en Silencios de Juan Manuel Echavarría
Authors: Parrado María Paula Molano
Published: July 2024

Abstract: In the series of photographs Silencios (2010–present), Juan Manuel Echavarría portrays the abandoned rural schools in Colombia caused by enforced displacement in the frame of the armed conflict. Unlike the abundant representations of violence in Colombia in which the human body is the protagonist and direct violence prevails (such as mutilated bodies, corpses, and grieving physiognomies), in these images, there is no presence of human bodies. Conversely, the photographer decided to depict the ruins and in four of them, he portrays farm animals in front of the school boards, such as a rooster, a calf, and a donkey. Departing from the title of the series, which alludes to sound, I articulate the way in which, by decentering the human body and centering the animal as a witness of violence, a nonhuman soundscape is configured that challenges the scopophilia and anthropocentrism that dominates the visuality of the armed conflict in Colombia. Even though this article departs from the question of the visual representation of violence in Colombia, it is also intended to contribute to the intersection between sound studies, visual studies, and more than human perspectives.
Resistencias simbólicas: Raza, género y magia en Elástico de sombra , de Juan Cárdenas
Authors: Quesada-Gómez Catalina
Published: July 2024

Abstract: Thanks to the machete and stick fighting (Colombian grima) , a martial art from the Afro communities of the Colombian Pacific, writer Juan Cárdenas creates in Elástico de sombra (2019) a literary work that draws on the imagination and cultural framework of the black communities of Cauca (magical thinking, fantastic stories, and the importance of orality). This novel becomes a powerful symbol of the historical resistance in the region, a resistance that encompasses political, aesthetic, racial, and gender dimensions. This essay examines how Elástico de sombra aims to re-center the black communities of the Pacific within the national narrative from which they have been excluded, while also connecting them transnationally, integrating the local context into a broader constellation that extends towards the Caribbean and beyond.
Photonic integrated interference imaging system based on front-end S-shaped microlens array and Con-DDPM
Authors: Pan Xiaoyan , Yang Zhikun , Jia Rui , Ren Ge , Peng Qi
Published: July 2024

Aiming at the problems of uneven UV spatial frequency sampling and inverse Fourier transform (IFT) artifacts of the photonic integrated interference imaging system, this study proposes a new imaging system based on a front-end S-shaped microlens array, combined with a conditional denoising diffusion probabilistic model (Con-DDPM). The front-end S-shaped microlens array improves the uniformity of UV spatial frequency sampling, increasing the average peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and structure similarity index measure (SSIM) by approximately 5 dB and 0.16, respectively. In addition, the deep learning reconstruction algorithm based on Con-DDPM is employed to process the IFT images. This algorithm effectively removes artifacts and restores the detailed information of the images. As a result, the average PSNR and SSIM are improved by approximately 9 dB and 0.38, respectively. These enhancements have significantly improved the imaging quality, laying a solid foundation for the future development of space-based telescopes.
Driving waveform optimization of electrowetting displays based on pixel’s 2-D model for reducing oil reflux
Authors: Wang Jiashuai , Yi Zichuan , Jiang Mouhua , Xu Wanzhen , Long Zhengxing , Wan Qiming , Liu Liming , Chi Feng
Published: July 2024

Electrowetting displays (EWD) are believed to represent a new generation of electronic paper technology with fast responses, high reflectivity, and low power consumption. Despite their bright market prospects, the luminance stability of displays is still hindered by oil film reflux. So, we presented a combination of simulation and experimentation to enhance the performance of EWD. Firstly, an EWD simulation model was established using the phase field method (PFM). To ensure the accuracy of the model, it was proposed that the use of velocity field parameters could suppress mass non-conservation. During a 10-second simulation process, the total mass decreased by only 7.94x10-6%. Furthermore, the charge accumulation field was introduced to simulate oil film reflux. For the 5-second simulation, the maximum charge accumulation in the DC driving waveform was 2.61x10-5C/m2. Meanwhile, it was demonstrated that the AC driving waveform reduced charge accumulation in the three-phase contact line (TPCL) by 7.62% compared to the DC driving waveform. Based on this simulation model, a driving waveform was proposed, which included a driving waveform with a gradient changing waveform to achieve fast opening, and an alternating current (AC) driving waveform stage to inhibit the charge accumulation. The experimental results indicated that the maximum luminance fluctuation was 8.82, and the luminance data variance was 3.34 by using the proposed driving waveform. Compared to the traditional waveform, the response time was improved by 75.9%, the luminance was improved by 4.70%, and the luminance fluctuation stability improved by 79.34%.
Spatial mode cleaning and efficient nonlinear pulse compression to sub-50 fs in a gas-filled multipass cell
Authors: Guo Jie , Guo Luqi , Gao Zichen , Gao Yongxi , Gan Zebiao , Huang Yuguang , Liang Xiaoyan , Li Ruxin
Published: July 2024

We demonstrate a gas-filled multipass cell (MPC) that cleaned the
spatial mode of a spatial-filter-free 250 W, 100 kHz, 445 fs driven
source based on an Innoslab amplifier and compressed the pulse
duration to 41 fs simultaneously. The multipass cell acted as a
spatial filter and benefited from its discrete waveguide nature, in
which the input beam quality factor M2 was improved from 1.53 to a
near-diffraction-limited value of 1.21 at 96% transmission.
Single Slit to Curve-Single Slit, Double slit to Non-Parallel-Double Slit to Curve-Double Slit to Non-Parallel-Curve-Double Slit Experiments --- PhotoWave Phenomena Demanding Interpretation
Authors: Peng Hui
Published: July 2024

The single slit and double slit (where two slit are parallel) experiments are two profound experiments in Physical/quantum optics. In this article, we study the variety of the optical experiments, including cross single slit, curve-single slit, non-parallel double slit, curve-double slit, non-parallel curve-double slit experiments. The experiments show the following novel patterns.

Hourglass-shape diffraction pattern of a Curve-single slit

Ring-shape interference pattern with spot at center of a ring

Hybrid pattern of a non-parallel double slit

Arc-shape and point-symmetry interference patterns of a curve-double slit

Butterfly-shape interference pattern of a non-parallel-curve-double slit
The experiments show that it is photons that produce wave-like patterns, referred to it as PhotoWave phenomena. It is a challenge to interpret all PhotoWave experiments consistently and completely.
Light narrowing over broad temperature range with paraffin-coated vapor cells
Authors: Chen Shuyuan , Jin Xingqing , Xiang Wentian , Xiao Wei , Du Changping , Peng Xiang , Guo Hong
Published: July 2024

This letter reports light narrowing in paraffin-coated vapor cells from room temperature 27℃ to 59℃, where spin-exchange relaxation is suppressed. By means of a coating lock and eliminating the reservoir effect, an ultra-narrow magnetic resonance linewidth of 0.36 Hz and an atomic coherence lifetime of T₂ = 0.9 s are achieved. In cells free of buffer gas, the narrow linewidth over this broad temperature range is a result of enhanced spin polarization, which is facilitated by the effective suppression of radiation trapping benefiting from the stability of the vapor density. Using such cells in atomic magnetometers, the photon shot noise limit is estimated as 0.2 fT/rtHz and the spin-projection noise limit is estimated as 1.1 fT/rtHz. Also, a magnetometer system with the stable coated cell is identified, which demonstrates the potential for achieving relatively stable magnetometer sensitivity without precisely controlling the cell temperature. The long coherence lifetime and broad operating temperature range expand the potential applications of quantum memory and other quantum sensors such as atomic clocks.
Single-pixel super-resolution with a space–time modulated computational metasurface imager
Authors: Li Wenzhi , Qi Jiaran , Alu Andrea
Published: July 2024

Single-pixel imaging is a burgeoning computational imaging technique that utilizes a single detector devoid of spatial resolution to capture an image, offering great potential for creating cost-effective and simplified imaging systems. Nevertheless, achieving super-resolution with a single pixel remains a formidable challenge. Here, we introduce a single-pixel super-resolution imaging technique based on space–time modulation. The modulation parametrically mixes the incoming signals, enabling the space–time scattered signals of the object carrying finer details to be captured by the single-pixel imaging system. To validate our proposed technique, we designed and fabricated a computational metasurface imager that needs only a single transmitting port and a single receiving port. The achieved resolution surpasses the Abbe resolution limit. The principle of our proposed technique is well-suited for low-cost and compact imaging systems.
A sum of its parts: A systematic review evaluating biopsychosocial and behavioral determinants of perinatal depression
Authors: Longoria Kayla D. , Nguyen Tien C. , Franco-Rocha Oscar , Garcia Sarina R. , Lewis Kimberly A. , Gandra Sreya , Cates Frances , Wright Michelle L.
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Depression is one of the most common yet underdiagnosed perinatal complications and our understanding of its pathophysiology remains limited. Though perinatal depression is considered to have a multifactorial etiology, integrative approaches to investigation are minimal. This review takes an integrative approach to systematically evaluate determinants (e.g., biological, behavioral, environmental, social) and interactions among determinants of perinatal depression and the quality of methods applied.

Methods

Four databases (i.e., PubMed, CINAHL, APA PsycInfo, Web of Science) were systematically searched to identify studies examining determinants of perinatal depression in adult perinatal persons (≥ 18 years). Articles were excluded if the outcomes were not focused on perinatal persons and depression or depression symptoms, depression was examined in a specific subpopulation evidenced to have psychological consequences due to situational stressors (e.g., fetal/infant loss, neonatal intensive care unit admission), or was considered grey literature. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme and AXIS tools were used to guide and standardize quality appraisal assessments and determine the level of risk of bias.

Results

Of the 454 articles identified, 25 articles were included for final review. A total of 14 categories of determinants were investigated: biological (5), behavioral (4), social and environmental (5). Though only 32% of studies simultaneously considered determinants under more than one domain, a pattern of interactions with the tryptophan pathway emerged. Concerns for risk of bias were noted or were unclear for three types of bias: 13 (52%) selection bias, 3 (12%) recall bias, and 24 (96%) measurement bias.

Conclusions

Future research is needed to explore interactions among determinants and the tryptophan pathway; to strengthen the methods applied to this area of inquiry; and to generate evidence for best practices in reporting, selecting, and applying methods for measuring determinants and perinatal depression.
Anticipation of sexually arousing visual event leads to overestimation of elapsed time
Authors: Harjunen Ville Johannes , Spapé Michiel , Ravaja Niklas
Published: July 2024

Subjective estimates of duration are affected by emotional expectations about the future. For example, temporal intervals preceding a threatening event such as an electric shock are estimated as longer than intervals preceding a non-threatening event. However, it has not been unequivocally shown that such temporal overestimation occurs also when anticipating a similarly arousing but appealing event. In this study, we examined how anticipation of visual erotic material influenced perceived duration. Participants did a temporal bisection task, where they estimated durations of visual cues relative to previously learned short and long standard durations. The color of the to-be-timed visual cue signalled either a chance of seeing a preferred erotic picture at the end of the interval or certainty of seeing a neutral grey bar instead. The results showed that anticipating an appealing event increased the likelihood of estimating the cue duration as long as compared to the anticipation of a grey bar. Further analyses showed that this temporal overestimation effect was stronger for those who rated the anticipated erotic pictures as more sexually arousing. The results thus indicate that anticipation of appealing events has a similar dilating effect on perceived duration as does the anticipation of aversive events.
Icariin suppresses nephrotic syndrome by inhibiting pyroptosis and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
Authors: Duan Shuwen , Ding Zhaoran , Liu Can , Wang Xiaohui , Dai Enlai
Published: July 2024

Context

Nephrotic syndrome(NS) has emerged as a worldwide public health problem. Renal fibrosis is the most common pathological change from NS to end-stage renal failure, seriously affecting the prognosis of renal disease. Although tremendous efforts have been made to treat NS, specific drug therapies to delay the progression of NS toward end-stage renal failure are limited. Epimedium is generally used to treat kidney disease in traditional Chinese medicine. Icariin is a principal active component of Epimedium.

Methods

We used Sprague Dawley rats to establish NS models by injecting doxorubicin through the tail vein. Then icariin and prednisone were intragastric administration. Renal function was examined by an automatic biochemical analyzer. Pathology of the kidney was detected by Hematoxylin-Eosin and Masson staining respectively. Furthermore, RT-PCR, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Immunohistochemistry, Western Blot and Terminal-deoxynucleotidyl Transferase Mediated Nick End Labeling staining were employed to detect the proteins related to pyroptosis and EMT. HK-2 cells exposed to doxorubicin were treated with icariin, and cell viability was assessed using the MTT. EMT was assessed using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay and Western Blot.

Results

The study showed that icariin significantly improved renal function and renal fibrosis in rats. In addition, icariin effectively decreased NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3,Caspase-1, Gasdermin D, Ly6C, and interleukin (IL)-1β. Notably, treatment with icariin also inhibited the levels of TGF-β, α-SMA and E-cadherin.

Discussion and conclusions

It is confirmed that icariin can improve renal function and alleviate renal fibrosis by inhibiting pyroptosis and the mechanism may be related to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Icariin treatment might be recommended as a new approach for NS.
Effective image fusion strategies in scientific signal processing disciplines: Application to cancer and carcinoma treatment planning
Authors: Dogra Ayush , Goyal Bhawna , Lepcha Dawa Chyophel , Alkhayyat Ahmed , Singh Devendra , Bavirisetti Durga Prasad , Kukreja Vinay
Published: July 2024

Multimodal medical image fusion is a perennially prominent research topic that can obtain informative medical images and aid radiologists in diagnosing and treating disease more effectively. However, the recent state-of-the-art methods extract and fuse features by subjectively defining constraints, which easily distort the exclusive information of source images. To overcome these problems and get a better fusion method, this study proposes a 2D data fusion method that uses salient structure extraction (SSE) and a swift algorithm via normalized convolution to fuse different types of medical images. First, salient structure extraction (SSE) is used to attenuate the effect of noise and irrelevant data in the source images by preserving the significant structures. The salient structure extraction is performed to ensure that the pixels with a higher gradient magnitude impact the choices of their neighbors and further provide a way to restore the sharply altered pixels to their neighbors. In addition, a Swift algorithm is used to overcome the excessive pixel values and modify the contrast of the source images. Furthermore, the method proposes an efficient method for performing edge-preserving filtering using normalized convolution. In the end,the fused image are obtained through linear combination of the processed image and the input images based on the properties of the filters. A quantitative function composed of structural loss and region mutual data loss is designed to produce restrictions for preserving data at feature level and the structural level. Extensive experiments on CT-MRI images demonstrate that the proposed algorithm exhibits superior performance when compared to some of the state-of-the-art methods in terms of providing detailed information, edge contour, and overall contrasts.
Reverse causation bias: A simulation study comparing first- and second-line treatments with an overlap of symptoms between treatment indication and studied outcome
Authors: Øland Christian Bjerregård , Ranch Lise Skov , Skaaby Tea , Delvin Thomas , Jakobsen Henny Bang , Pipper Christian Bressen
Published: July 2024

Background

Reverse causation is a challenge in many drug-cancer associations, where the cancer symptoms are potentially mistaken for drug indication symptoms. However, tools to assess the magnitude of this type of bias are currently lacking. We used a simulation-based approach to investigate the impact of reverse causation on the association between the use of topical tacrolimus and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) in a multinational, population-based study using topical corticosteroids (TCS) as comparator.

Methods

We used a multistate model to simulate patients’ use over time of a first- (TCS) and second-line treatment (topical tacrolimus), onset of atopic dermatitis (indication for drugs) and CTCL (the studied outcome). We simulated different scenarios to mimic real-life use of the two treatments. In all scenarios, it was assumed that there was no causal effect of the first- or second-line treatment on the occurrence of CTCL. Simulated data were analysed using Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

The simulated hazard ratios (HRs) of CTCL for patients treated with tacrolimus vs. TCS were consistently above 1 in all 9 settings in the main scenario. In our main analysis, we observed a median HR of 3.09 with 95% of the observed values between 2.11 and 4.69.

Conclusions

We found substantial reverse causation bias in the simulated CTCL risk estimates for patients treated with tacrolimus vs. TCS. Reverse causation bias may result in a false positive association between the second-line treatment and the studied outcome, and this simulation-based framework can be adapted to quantify the potential reverse causation bias.
Reproducible protocol for the extraction and semi-automated quantification of macroscopic charcoal from soil
Authors: Ruiz-Pérez Javier , Aleman Julie C. , Veldman Joseph W.
Published: July 2024

Charcoal fragments preserved in soils or sediments are used by scientists to reconstruct fire histories and thereby improve our understanding of past vegetation dynamics and human-plant relationships. Unfortunately, most published methods for charcoal extraction and analysis are incompletely described and are therefore difficult to reproduce. To improve the standardization and replicability of soil charcoal analysis, as well as to facilitate accessibility for non-experts, we developed a detailed, step-by-step protocol to isolate charcoal from soil and to efficiently count and measure charcoal fragments. The extraction phase involves the chemical soaking and wet sieving of soils followed by the collection of macrocharcoal (≥500 μm). The analysis phase is performed semi-automatically using the open-source software ImageJ to count and measure the area, length, and width of fragments from light stereo microscope images by means of threshold segmentation. The protocol yields clean charcoal fragments, a set of charcoal images, and datasets containing total charcoal mass, number of fragments, and morphological measurements (area, length, and width) for each sample. We tested and validated the protocol on 339 soil samples from tropical savannas and forests in eastern lowland Bolivia. We hope that this protocol will be a valuable resource for scientists in a variety of fields who currently study, or wish to study, macroscopic charcoal in soils as a proxy for past fires.
New boost type single phase inverters for photovoltaic applications with reduced device count
Authors: Alaas Zuhair Muhammed
Published: July 2024

In recent years, single-stage boost inverters with common ground have shaped the inverter markets due to the many benefits associated with these types of inverters, including their high efficiency, single control scheme, and integrated boost converter. A new boost-type inverter that utilizes a common ground and has fewer switches is proposed in this article. It uses two DC-link capacitors connected in parallel and discharged independently while being charged simultaneously. The voltage for the positive and negative half cycles is supplied by the capacitors located at the top and bottom of the circuit, respectively. In addition, a comparison is made between the proposed circuit and the boost inverter already in use in the literature. Using PLECS as the computing software, the efficiencies are determined depending on the various percentages of output power. To validate performance, present experimental data, and attain the best possible efficiency of 97%, a 400 W prototype model is constructed. In addition to that, the breakdown of the costs is shown.
Factors associated with casual sexual behavior among college students in Zhejiang Province, China: A cross-sectional survey
Authors: Yang Zhongrong , Chen Wanjun , Chen Weiyong , Ma Qiaoqin , Wang Hui , Jiang Tingting , Fu Yun , Zhou Xin
Published: July 2024

This study aimed to analyze the characteristics and risk factors associated with casual sexual behavior among sexually active college students and to contribute to AIDS prevention and control efforts among this demographic. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a stratified cluster sampling technique. Self-reported sexually active college students were selected as respondents from 11 cities in Zhejiang Province from October 8 to November 30, 2018. A questionnaire was used to collect variables such as demographic information, sexual attitudes, intervention acceptance, and self-efficacy of condom use. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Among 3,771 college students who reported engaging in sexual activity, 675 (17.90%) reported engaging in casual sexual encounters. The multivariate analysis revealed multiple factors associated with casual sexual behavior among students: being male, originating from a city/town, having pursued HIV testing education in the last year, seeking HIV risk self-assessment within the last year, accepting to engage in one-night stand behavior, accepting to partake in commercial sexual activity, having conducted HIV antibody tests within the last year, homosexual partner or homosexual/heterosexual partner, demonstrating self-efficacy in condom usage, and monthly living expenses falling within the range of 1001–1500 yuan. Additionally, students with knowledge that appearance does not determine HIV infection, a proclivity for seeking HIV counseling and testing following high-risk sexual behavior and awareness that the centers for disease control provides HIV diagnosis were found to have significant associations with casual sexual activity. Casual sex is significantly prevalent among college students, with male, students from urban areas, those who accepted to engage in one-night stand behavior and partook in commercial sexual activity demonstrating a higher propensity for such behavior. This tendency can be attributed to several factors including a more liberal sexual attitude, a rudimentary understanding of HIV risk, and a low adoption rate of HIV testing. Therefore, it is imperative to enhance HIV prevention and education among college students.
Adapting the log quadratic model to estimate age- and cause-specific mortality among neonates
Authors: Perin Jamie , Liu Li , Mullany Luke C. , Tielsch James M. , Verhulst Andrea , Guillot Michel , Katz Joanne
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Estimates for cause-specific mortality for neonates are generally available for all countries for neonates overall (0 to 28 days). However, cause-specific mortality is generally not being estimated at higher age resolution for neonates, despite evidence of heterogeneity in the causes of deaths during this period. We aimed to use the adapted log quadratic model in a setting where verbal autopsy was the primary means of determining cause of death.

Methods

We examined the timing and causes of death among a cohort of neonates in rural Nepal followed as part of the Nepal Oil Massage Study (NOMS). We adapted methods defined by Wilmoth et al (2012) and Guillot et al. (2022) to estimate age and cause-specific mortality among neonates. We used cross validation to estimate the accuracy of this model, holding out each three month period. We took the average cross validation across hold out as our measure of model performance and compared to a standard approach which did not account for the heterogeneity in cause-specific mortality rate within this age group.

Results

There were 957 neonates in the NOMS cohort with known age and cause of death. We estimated an average cross-validation error of 0.9 per 1000 live births for mortality due to prematurity in the first week, and 1.1 for mortality due to birth asphyxia, compared to the standard approach, having error 7.4 and 7.8 per 1000 live births, respectively. Generally mortality rates for less common causes such as congenital malformations and pneumonia were estimated with higher cross-validation error.

Conclusions

The stability and precision of these estimates compare favorably with similar estimates developed with higher quality cause-specific mortality surveillance from China, demonstrating that reliably estimating causes of mortality at high resolution is possible for neonates in low resources areas.
Experiences of living with funnel chest prior to corrective surgery: An interview study
Authors: Norlander Louise , Anderzén-Carlsson Agneta , Vidlund Mårten , Sundqvist Ann-Sofie
Published: July 2024

Objectives

Pectus excavatum, or funnel chest, causes both physical and psychosocial issues, affecting health-related quality of life. However, the literature on how funnel chest affects daily living prior to corrective surgery is sparse. Therefore, the study aimed to describe the experiences of living with funnel chest prior to correctional surgery.

Materials and methods

The study had a qualitative exploratory design. Consecutive sampling was applied in which all individuals from a single cardiothoracic department scheduled for the minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum were asked to participate. Nineteen participants, 17 men and two women, participated in the study. Individual telephone interviews were conducted from February 2020 until April 2021. The interviews were analyzed with qualitative content analysis using an inductive approach.

Results

The overall theme “To have or not to have a cavity in my chest, it could make a difference” was interpreted as the latent meaning of the participants’ experiences. The theme included two subthemes with three categories each. The subtheme “The funnel chest puts a weight on my shoulders” describes the heavy burden the funnel chest places on the participants. The second subtheme, “This is me, but I want to change my future”, describes that participants see the funnel chest as a part of themselves; nevertheless, they look forward to surgery and a life without it.

Conclusion

The results emphasize the heavy burden funnel chest causes and the great limitations it places on the individual. It also highlights the importance of surgery and the hope for a better future for individuals with funnel chest.
Moderation by better sleep of the association among childhood maltreatment, neuroticism, and depressive symptoms in the adult volunteers: A moderated mediation model
Authors: Masuya Jiro , Morishita Chihiro , Ono Miki , Honyashiki Mina , Tamada Yu , Seki Tomoteru , Shimura Akiyoshi , Tanabe Hajime , Inoue Takeshi
Published: July 2024

Background

Previously, we demonstrated that childhood maltreatment could worsen depressive symptoms through neuroticism. On the one hand, some studies report that sleep disturbances are related to childhood maltreatment and neuroticism and worsens depressive symptoms. But, to our knowledge, no reports to date have shown the interrelatedness between childhood maltreatment, neuroticism, and depressive symptoms, and sleep disturbance in the one model. We hypothesized that sleep disturbance enhances the influence of maltreatment victimization in childhood or neuroticism on adulthood depressive symptoms and the mediation influence of neuroticism between maltreatment victimization in childhood and adulthood depressive symptoms.

Subjects and methods

Total 584 Japanese volunteer adults recruited through convenience sampling from 4/2017 to 4/2018 were assessed regarding their characteristics of demographics, history of childhood maltreatment, sleep disturbance, neuroticism, and depressive symptoms with questionnaires self-administered. Survey data were analyzed using simple moderation models and a moderating mediation model.

Results

The interaction of sleep disturbance with childhood maltreatment or neuroticism on depressive symptoms was significantly positive. Furthermore, the moderating effect of sleep disturbance on the indirect effect of childhood maltreatment to depressive symptoms through neuroticism was significantly positive.

Limitations

Because this was a cross-sectional study, a causal relationship could not be confirmed.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that individuals with milder sleep disturbance experience fewer depressive symptoms attributable to neuroticism and childhood maltreatment. Additionally, people with less sleep disturbance have fewer depressive symptoms arising from neuroticism owing to childhood maltreatment. Therefore, improvement of sleep disturbance will buffer the aggravating effect of childhood maltreatment, neuroticism caused by various factors, and neuroticism resulting from childhood maltreatment on depressive symptoms.