bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rooting for microbes: Impact of root architecture on the microbial community and function in top- and subsoil
Authors: Lattacher Adrian , Gall Samuel Le , Rothfuss Youri , Gao Chao , Harings Moritz , Pagel Holger , Giraud Mona , Alahmad Samir , Hickey Lee Thomas , Kandeler Ellen , Poll Christian
Published: July 2024

Background and Aims
Climate change and associated weather extremes pose major challenges to agricultural food production, necessitating the development of more resilient agricultural systems. Adapting cropping systems to cope with extreme environmental conditions is a critical challenge. This study investigates the influence of contrasting root system architectures on microbial communities and functions in top- and subsoil.
Methods
A column experiment was performed to investigate the effects of different root architectures, specifically deep (DRS) and shallow (SRS) root systems of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) on microbial biomass, major microbial groups, and extracellular enzyme activities in soil. It focused on β-glucosidase (BG) during different plant growth stages, using destructive and non-destructive approaches.
Results
We found that the DRS promoted formation of microbial hotspots in subsoil leading to an increase in microbial biomass and enzyme activity, while the SRS favored formation of hotspots in topsoil. In-situ soil zymography provided fine-scale spatial insights, highlighting distinct patterns of BG activity near root centers and formation of enzymatic hotspots. Temporal changes in BG activity further underscored the dynamic nature of root-microbe interactions. Extracellular enzyme activities indicated varying carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus acquisition strategies of rhizosphere microorganisms between top- and subsoil.
Conclusion
This study underscores the need to consider root system architecture in agricultural strategies, as it plays a crucial role in influencing microbial communities and enzyme activities, ultimately affecting carbon and nutrient cycling processes in top- and subsoil.
Microbial volatile organic compounds measured in the air of a waste sorting plant and a university by thermal desorption-gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Tabbal Sarah , Aroussi Badr El , Haddad Sami , Marchand Geneviève
Published: July 2024

In recyclable waste management facilities, several contaminants, mainly bioaerosols and microorganisms, can be released and cause potential adverse health effects. Given that microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs) are metabolites developed by molds and since they can be considered as potential biomarkers of mold exposure, their concentrations in ambient air were monitored at a recyclable waste sorting plant (WSP) and a university campus (UC) serving as control environment for comparison. A recently developed analytical method was used and optimised for the detection of 21 selected mVOCs in real conditions. The impact of mVOCs sampling duration, period of the day and variability of their concentrations between different workstations at both sites, were studied. At UC, only 3 mVOCs were detected in comparison with 13 mVOCs at the WSP. The optimal sampling duration of 2 hours was chosen to increase the sensitivity of the method. Statistical tests showed no significant difference in concentration for the detected mVOCs at WSP for different period of the day whereas an increase in concentrations for ethyl acetate was observed at UC. At WSP, the highest concentrations were measured at the pre-sorting room, followed by the sorting room, the optic sorting room and the lowest concentrations were measured at the waste reception area. This study allows the optimisation of the mVOCs sampling method, the comparison of the mVOC profils between contaminated and non-contaminated workplaces and the recommendation for mVOCs with better potential as biomarkers of mold exposure.
Machine-learning-enhanced automatic spectral characterization of x-ray pulses from a free-electron laser
Authors: de Lima Danilo Ferreira , Davtyan Arman , Laksman Joakim , Gerasimova Natalia , Maltezopoulos Theophilos , Liu Jia , Schmidt Philipp , Michelat Thomas , Mazza Tommaso , Meyer Michael , Grünert Jan , Gelisio Luca
Published: July 2024

In this paper, we present a method based on machine learning that improves the resolution of non-invasive spectral diagnostics at the European XFEL by up to 40%, and significantly increases its signal-to-noise ratio. Furthermore, it streamlines and automates the calibration of the spectral diagnostic device, which is otherwise a complex and time-consuming task, by virtue of its underlying detection principles. Additionally, the provision of robust quality metrics and uncertainties enable a transparent and reliable validation of the tool during its operation. A complete characterization of the method under a diverse set of experimental and simulated conditions is provided in the manuscript, detailing advantages and limits, as well as its robustness with respect to the different test cases.
Preparation and characterization of bovine dental pulp-derived extracellular matrix hydrogel for regenerative endodontic applications: an in vitro study
Authors: Elnawam Hisham , Thabet Abdelrahman , Mobarak Ahmed , Abdallah Amr , Elbackly Rania
Published: July 2024

Background
The use of biological scaffolds in regenerative endodontics has gained much attention in recent years. The search for a new biomimetic scaffold that contains tissue-specific cell homing factors could lead to more predictable tissue regeneration. The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize decellularized bovine dental pulp-derived extracellular matrix (P-ECM) hydrogels for regenerative endodontic applications.
Methods
Freshly extracted bovine molar teeth were collected. Bovine dental pulp tissues were harvested, and stored at -40º C. For decellularization, a 5-day protocol was implemented incorporating trypsin/EDTA, deionized water and DNase treatment. Decellularization was evaluated by DNA quantification and histological examination to assess collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) content. This was followed by the preparation of P-ECM hydrogel alone or combined with hyaluronic acid gel (P-ECM + HA). The fabricated scaffolds were then characterized using protein quantification, hydrogel topology and porosity, biodegradability, and growth factor content using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA): transforming growth factor beta-1(TGF-β1), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
Results
Decellularization was histologically confirmed, and DNA content was below (50 ng/mg tissue). P-ECM hydrogel was prepared with a final ECM concentration of 3.00 mg/ml while P-ECM + HA hydrogel was prepared with a final ECM concentration of 1.5 mg/ml. Total protein content in P-ECM hydrogel was found to be (439.0 ± 123.4 µg/µl). P-ECM + HA showed sustained protein release while the P-ECM group showed gradual decreasing release. Degradation was higher in P-ECM + HA which had a significantly larger fiber diameter, while P-ECM had a larger pore area percentage. ELISA confirmed the retention and release of growth factors where P-ECM hydrogel had higher BMP-2 release, while P-ECM + HA had higher release of TGF-β1, bFGF, and VEGF.
Conclusions
Both P-ECM and P-ECM + HA retained their bioactive properties demonstrating a potential role as functionalized scaffolds for regenerative endodontic procedures.
RETRACTED: Beliefs and practices surrounding induced abortions among adults in rural Haryana, India: a qualitative study
Authors: Bhattacharyya Arunangshu , Bansal Bhavik ,   MBBS 2019 Batch A, Seth Ashwani Kumar , Chandra Ankit , Salve Harshal Ramesh , Misra Puneet , Kumar Rakesh
Published: July 2024

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Synthesis and Characterisation of Biodegradable Carboxymethyl Cellulose Microcarriers from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch for Therapeutic Applications
Authors: To Soon Wei , Al-Ashwal Rania Hussien Ahmed , Latif Nurzila Ab , Sani Mohd Helmi
Published: July 2024

Microcarrier offers a convenient way to support cell adhesion and proliferation for biomedical applications. However, commercial microcarriers often have high production costs and limited biodegradability. The use of cellulose-rich oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) for the development of microcarriers could lead to a cheap, sustainable, and biodegradable cell culturing system. In this research, a series of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) microcarriers were prepared from OPEFB using FeCl3 ionic crosslinker at various polymer and crosslinker levels. The microcarriers were characterised by various instrumental techniques, including assessment of gel content, swelling behaviour, mechanical stability, and in vitro degradation test. The resulting OPEFB-derived CMC-microcarriers exhibited an average size ranging from 1105.52 to 1322.25 µm. SEM analysis revealed that the fabricated CMC-microcarriers exhibited ridges and porous surface morphology and the EDX analysis confirmed the successful ionic crosslinking between the OPEFB-derived CMC biopolymer and FeCl3 solution. In contrast with gel content results that increased from 16.95 to 42.65 %, the swelling behaviours regularly decreased from 385 to 32% with increasing concentrations of polymer and crosslinker. Higher concentrated samples (CMC-3, CMC-6, and CMC-9) demonstrated enhanced mechanical stability and reduced sensitivity to the environment due to the higher degree of crosslinking. Nevertheless, all microcarriers displayed a degree of biodegradability ranging from 40 to 90%. Overall, the findings suggest that OPEFB can serve as a cost-effective, sustainable, and biodegradable source of natural biomaterial for microcarrier development, contributing to advancements in tissue engineering and therapeutic applications.
Advancing Paleontology: A Survey on Deep Learning Methodologies in Fossil Image Analysis
Authors: Ansari Yaqoob , Ishaq Mohammed , Yusuf Mohammed , Qaiser Yemna , Hussain Rehaan , Rabbani Harris , Seers Thomas D.
Published: July 2024

Understanding ancient organisms and their paleo-environments through the study of body fossils represents a central tenet of paleontology. Advances in digital image capture over the past several decades now allow for efficient and accurate documentation, curation and interrogation of fossil anatomy over disparate length scales. Despite these developments, key body fossil image processing and analysis tasks, such as segmentation and classification still require significant user intervention, which can be labor-intensive and subject to human bias. Recent advancements in deep learning offer the potential to automate fossil image analysis while improving throughput and limiting operator bias. Despite the recent emergence of deep learning within paleontology, challenges such as the scarcity of diverse, high quality image datasets and the complexity of fossil morphology necessitate further advancements and the adoption of concepts from other scientific domains. Here, we comprehensively review state-of-the-art deep learning-based methodologies applied towards body fossil analysis while grouping the studies based on the fossil type and nature of the task. Furthermore, we analyze existing literature to tabulate dataset information, neural network architecture type, key results, and comprehensive textual summaries. Finally, based on the collective limitations of the existing studies, we discuss novel techniques for fossil data augmentation and fossil image enhancements, which can be combined with advanced neural network architectures, such as diffusion models, generative hybrid networks, transformers, and graph neural networks, to improve body fossil image analysis.
Effects of different exogenous signal molecules on the reactor performance, sludge properties and microbial community structures of mixotrophic nitrogen removal process
Authors: Zhang Nan , Zhang Xiaojing , Zhang Han , Wei Denghui , Ma Bingbing , Zhang Hongli
Published: July 2024

As a form of microbial interaction, quorum-sensing signal molecules can control the expression and functionality of related genes within microorganisms. The current study looked into the effects of various signal molecules on the process of nitrogen removal. The findings illustrated that 2µM signal molecules, namely C6-HSL, C8-HSL, C10-HSL, C12-HSL, and 3-oxo-C8-HSL diminished the overall nitrogen removal efficiency (TRE) from 37.8% in the control, down to 26.8%, 26.0%, 28.1%, 27.6%, and 27.7%, respectively. Nevertheless, these molecules only slightly affected ammonia removal efficiency, reducing it from 67.9–63.7%, 62.8%, 62.6%, 63.7%, and 62.9%, respectively. C8-HSL, C10-HSL, and 3-oxo-C8-HSL significantly enhanced the relative abundance of denitrifying bacteria from an initial value of 36.3–37.00%, 35.76%, and 36.86%, in contrast to C6-HSL and C12-HSL, which caused a reduction to 24.39% and 26.56% respectively. The signal molecules were suspended in methanol, resulting in an elevation of the relative abundance of denitrifying bacteria from an initial 14.31–30.09%, paralleled by an increased TRE value of 27.6–37.8%. Environmental alterations, together with methanol provision, both constrained the Anammox activity. Furthermore, the incorporation of C6-HSL led to a decrease in the secretion of extracellular polymeric substance while a corresponding increase in soluble microbial products was noted. This research implies that 2 µM signal molecules could considerably influence reactor performance and microbial components of the mixotrophic nitrogen removal operation. The information presented will contribute additional insights into the impact of signal molecules on both the Anammox and mixotrophic nitrogen removal procedures.
Angle sensor for minimally invasive surgical robot based on surface plasmon resonance with Kretschmann prisms
Authors: Zheng Heya , Xu Yanpei , Pan Jinhong , Sun Meng , Wang Qi
Published: July 2024

This study proposes a bimetallic Ag-Au sensor through a comparative analysis with traditional Ag-only membrane sensors and Au-only membrane SPR sensors. The innovative SPR sensor design is utilized for angle measurement sensing, particularly in the context of surgical robotic arms. The research findings indicate that the Ag film sensor exhibits the highest sensitivity, while the bimetallic Ag-Au sensor demonstrates superior sensitivity compared to the Au-only sensor. Furthermore, the stability of the bimetallic Ag-Au sensor surpasses that of the Ag-only sensor.After evaluating the performance parameters based on experimental and simulation results, the sensor with 40 nm Ag and 10 nm Au film thickness is identified as the optimal design. Experimentally verified, this configuration yielded the best sensing performance, with a sensitivity of 628.95 for changes in folding angle. This represents a 275.64% improvement over the pure Au sensor and a 210.43% enhancement over the pure Ag sensor in terms of sensitivity for angle changes.
Performance Improvement of Energy Efficiency in Heat Pipe Solar Collector with Nano Composite
Authors: Desale Shamkant , Bansod Premendra , Somani Prakash R.
Published: July 2024

The objective of this research is to investigate the performance increase of evacuated solar collector with Nano fluid. Solar collector includes absorber unit in order to transfer the heat energy to a working fluid. In this research it was intended to evaluate performance considering with Nano fluid. Improving the heat collection efficiency, efficient extraction of the heat from the solar collector, controlling the operating temperature, long maintenance free life of the device are some of the major challenges in collecting and extracting heat from the evacuated solar collectors. Using Nano fluids as working fluids are interesting and challenging. Improvement in the performance of the evacuated heat pipe was obtained using heat transporting Nano fluid consisting of aqueous dispersion (3 weight %) of copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles; in comparison with the device without utilizing the Nano fluid.From the past research, Authors have analysed the performance with numerous trials. The result shows that evacuated tube heat pipe collector with Nano fluid give the better result than heat pipe collector without Nano fluid.
A Thermo-Optical Test Device Utilizing the 100-m X-ray Test Facility
Authors: Ma Jia , Wang Yusa , Zhao Zijian , Hou Dongjie , Wang Juan , Yang Xiongtao , Zhu Yuxuan , Feng Jianchao , Zhao Xiaofan , Cui Weiwei , Yang Yanji , Chen Yong , Zhang Xiaofeng
Published: July 2024

X-ray mirror modules are the core components of X-ray astronomy research, which can focus X-rays from space and significantly improve detection sensitivity. This X-ray optical device are typically composed of nested multiple mirror shells and require maintaining a constant working temperature. Due to the thin-walled structure of the mirror shells and the fact that the inner surface reflects X-rays, direct contact temperature control is not feasible, making temperature control challenging. To evaluate the thermo-optical performance of the mirrors, based on the 100-m X-ray Test Facility (100XF) of the Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP), a thero-optical test device with high cleanliness was developed in this study. This system enables precise control of the mirror temperature and synchronous testing of X-ray performance, establishing the unique X-ray thermo-optical testing capability in China. The system consists of a high cleanliness level thermal sink, a liquid nitrogen circuit, multi-layer insulation, a temperature controller, and low-temperature probes. This system has demonstrated the capability to test the thermo-optical performance of X-ray mirror modules and has successfully conducted thermo-optical tests on the mirror module of the follow-up X-ray telescope (FXT) payload onboard the Einstein Probe (EP), achieving precise temperature control of the X-ray mirrors and testing its X-ray optical performance at different operating temperatures. The thermo-optical performance of the mirror module obtained from the thermal tests has been verified in-orbit. This paper provides a detailed description of the design, development, and validation of this system, as well as an overview of the results of the thermo-optical tests conducted on the FXT.
Proposal of a 2-4 Decoder Based on All-spin Logic and Magnetic Tunnel Junction
Authors: Wang Sen , Zhang Yongfeng , Shan Dan
Published: July 2024

A 2–4 decoder based on all-spin logic (ASL) and magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) is proposed. The proposed 2–4 decoder employs 5-input minority gates and single-input single-fan-out (SISF) structure. Meanwhile, the inverters are eliminated by initializing the magnetization of the MTJ fixed layer in different directions to realize the inputs of the original or inverse variables. To ensure that the proposed 2–4 decoder works properly, an asynchronous clock scheme is proposed, which divides the input signal into three phases and the operating voltage into two phases in one clock cycle. The operation of the proposed decoder is validated by the magnetization dynamics/spin transport self-consistent simulation framework, and the simulation results show that the delay and energy dissipation of the decoder are at the level of nanosecond and femtojoule, respectively. In addition, to illustrate the advantages of the 5-input minority gate, inverter-free structure, and SISF structures in the design of the proposed 2–4 decoder, a second 2–4 decoder is proposed using 3-input minority gates, inverters, and single-input multiple-fan-out structure. Compared with the second decoder, the layout area of the first decoder is reduced to 37.9%, the total channel length is reduced to 40.8%, the number of clock cycles is reduced to 1/3, and the energy dissipation is reduced by at least 3 orders of magnitude. Importantly, the design methods used in this work, such as multi-input minority gates, SISF structure, and inverter-free structure, provide an interesting approach for designing large-scale ASL logic circuits.
Natural antioxidants from collard greens (Brassica oleracae var. acephala): effects on the storage stability and quality of meatballs
Authors: Muhammad Lubowa , Lailah Nalweyiso , Yeoh Shin-Yong , Abubakar Muwonge , Shaban Mubajje Muhammad
Published: July 2024

Synthetic antioxidants have been used to enhance the storage stability of meat by preventing lipid oxidation. However, concerns about their health risks and toxicity have led to increased interest in natural alternatives. Collard greens, known for their health benefits and appealing taste, are rich in bioactive compounds such as antioxidants, fiber, minerals, and vitamins. Their safety and nutritional profile make them ideal for use as preservatives or functional food ingredients in the food industry. This study evaluated the effects of collard greens extract (CGE) on the quality and storage stability of meatballs. Meatballs were formulated with CGE at 500 and 325 mg/kg and compared with those containing green tea extract (GTE) and a control group. The samples were stored under refrigeration, and oxidative stability was assessed over 30 days using TBARS. CGE demonstrated a significant lipid oxidation inhibitory effect comparable to GTE. Meatballs with 500 mg/kg of extract maintained significantly lower TBAR values (P < 0.05) than control samples over one month, showing up to a 30% reduction in lipid oxidation. The addition of CGE significantly influenced the texture and cooking yields (P > 0.05) and received positive sensory scores of the meatballs.
Experiences of women sexual assault survivors with police in the early aftermath of assault: Results from a large-scale prospective study
Authors: Rodríguez Sara , Mclean Benjamin , Tungate Andrew , Massa Andrea , Ho Jeffrey , Burud Grace , Lechner Megan , Black Jenny , Buchanan Jennie , Reed Gordon , Platt Melissa , Riviello Ralph , Rossi Catherine , Liberzon Israel , Rauch Sheila , Bollen Kenneth , Mclean Samuel , Martin Sandra
Published: July 2024

Over 100,000 women present for emergency care after sexual assault (SA) annually in the United States. To our knowledge, no large prospective studies have assessed SA survivor experiences with police. Women SA survivors enrolled at 13 sites (n = 706), and 630 survivors reported on their police interactions. Most women were interested in speaking with police, spoke with police, and reported positive experiences. Latinas and women with lower education and income were less likely to speak with police. Trauma and posttraumatic stress symptoms were associated with more negative experiences. Qualitative comments provide key points for police to consider when speaking with survivors.
Sedimentological and micropaleontological characteristics of tsunami deposits associated with the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake
Authors: Shimada Yumi , Matsumoto Dan , Tanigawa Koichiro , Sawai Yuki
Published: July 2024

A study of modern tsunami deposits can provide information to identify paleo-tsunami deposits. This study reports sedimentological and paleontological features of tsunami deposits in Suzu City, Japan, formed by the 2024 Noto Peninsula tsunami. The tsunami deposits were found up to 48 m inland from the shoreline along our transect, whereas the inundation area reached at least 160 m inland. The thickness of the tsunami deposit ranged from 0.6 to 11.2 cm, with the main body composed of fine to very fine sand at sampled locations. At the most seaward location, the deposit exhibited climbing ripples with their leeside seaward: the tops of these ripples had been dragged seaward and horizontally truncated. These sedimentary features and the inverse and normal grading in grain size of the deposit imply a strong seaward current and increasing and decreasing flow velocities during multiple waves at the study location. Diatom assemblages within the tsunami deposits were dominated by marine and brackish species, except freshwater terrestrial species were found in the troughs of the climbing ripples. Fragments of bivalves and sponge spicules were also recognized within the ripple troughs. These paleontological features suggest that the tsunami deposits at this study site were derived from more than one source.
Fundamental Investigations on Temperature Development in Ultra-Precision Turning
Authors: Polte Julian , Hocke Toni Alexander , Uhlmann Eckart
Published: July 2024

Ultra-precision machining represents a key technology for manufacturing optical components in medical, aerospace and automotive industry. Dedicated single crystal diamond tools enable the production of innovative optical surfaces and components with high dimensional accuracies and low surface roughness values in a wide range of airborne sensing and imaging applications concerning space telescopes, fast steering mirrors for scanning and alignment as well as laser communication and high energy laser systems. Despite the high mechanical hardness of single crystal diamonds, temperature-induced wear of the diamond tools occurs during the process. In order to increase the economic efficiency of ultra-precision turning, the characterisation and interpretation of cutting temperatures are of utmost importance. According to the state of the art, there are no precise methods for online temperature monitoring during the process at the cutting edge with regard to the requirements for resolution accuracy, response time and accessibility to the cutting edge. For this purpose, a dedicated cutting edge temperature measurement system based on ion-implanted boron-doped single crystal diamonds as a highly sensitive temperature sensor for ultra-precision turning was developed. To enable highly sensitive temperature measurements, ion-implantation was used for partial and specific boron-doping close to the cutting edge of single crystal diamond tools. Based on the modified electro-sensory properties, the temperature-dependent resistance changes can be measured and correlated with the cutting temperatures during the process. Using the developed cutting edge temperature measurement system enables a holistic view of the temperature development during ultra-precision machining, whereby a correlation between the measured cutting temperatures and the chip formation mechanisms could be identified. According to the results, it was also shown that the cutting edge temperature measurement system with ion-implanted diamonds can be used for both electrically conductive and non-conductive materials. This provides the fundamentals for further research works to identify the complex temperature-induced wear behaviour of single crystal diamonds in ultra-precision turning and serves as the basis for self-optimizing and self-learning ultra-precision machine tools.
Measurement and analysis of health productivity in China——Based on the perspective of the "Regional Differentiation Study"
Authors: Kong Dechen , Jiang Nan , He Xiaomin , Yuan Jing , Du Qing , Lian Wu
Published: July 2024

Background
Chinese mainland includes 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government (referred to collectively as provinces for simplicity). There are still a lot of problems in China's medical system, such as regional imbalance, outstanding structural issues, and ineffective management practices. Our study aims to scientifically measure the efficiency of health production using a multi-dimensional approach. We seek to evaluate the differences in efficiency among different regions and provide a scientific reference for improving the overall level of health in China.
Methods
Our study utilizes statistical methods to assess the health efficiency of 31 provinces in China over the period 2010 to 2020. The analysis incorporates the conventional BCC model, the super-efficient SBM model, and the Malmquist index model within the framework of DEA modeling. And using the Dagum Gini coefficient to further analyze the differences in health productivity of China.
Results
The traditional BCC model calculated China's comprehensive health production efficiency in 2020 to be 0.732. The pure technical efficiency of 13 provinces was effective, and 6 provinces showed effective comprehensive efficiency, scale efficiency, and DEA. The SBM model assessed the average health productivity value among China's provinces in 2020, revealing Guangdong as the highest (2.276) and Qinghai as the lowest (0.351). The average value of China's Malmquist Index from 2010 to 2020 was 1.002, indicating a slight overall improvement in health production efficiency. Furthermore, the score of technological change and technological efficiency change in five provinces were more than 1. Gini coefficient had obvious downward trend from 2010 to 2020, and there was a lower level in the northeastern (0.055) and eastern (0.0989) regions.
Conclusion
China's health investment has increased over the years, leading to a notable improvement in the overall health of the population. The nation's health productivity has also been on the rise, although disparities between regions remain evident, particularly between the eastern and western regions. The government should play a significant role in establishing standardized criteria for regular evaluation of health production efficiency levels. It’s suggested to utilize digital health technologies to facilitate the exchange of information among different regions in China, thereby fostering collaborative efforts to improve overall health outcomes. This study aims to boost health productivity in western regions through strategic policy and financial interventions.
Multi-Modal EEG NEO-FFI with Trained Attention Layer (MENTAL) for Mental Disorder Prediction
Authors: Greiner Garrett , Zhang Yu
Published: July 2024

Early detection and accurate diagnosis of mental disorders is difficult due to the complexity of the diagnostic process, resulting inconditions being left undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Previous studies have demonstrated that features of Electroencephalogram (EEG) data, such as Power Spectral Density (PSD), are useful biomarkers for indicating the onset of various mental disorders. Existing models using EEG data are typically trained to distinguish between healthy and afflicted individuals, and they are unable to distinguish between individuals with different disorders. We propose MENTAL (Multi-modal EEG NEO-FFI with Trained Attention Layer) to predict an individual’s mental state using both EEG and Neo-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) personality data. We include an attention layer that captures the interactions between personality traits and PSD features, and emphasizes the important PSD features. MENTAL features a Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) to model the temporal nature of EEG data. We train our model with the Two Decades Brainclinics Research Archive for Insights in Neuroscience (TDBRAIN) dataset, which consists of 1274 healthy and psychiatric individuals including over 30 different diagnoses. MENTAL is able to achieve 93.3% accuracy when trained to classify between healthy individuals and those with ADHD. When trained to identify individuals with ADHD from among 33 disorder classes, MENTAL improves accuracy from 70.5% to 81.7%. MENTAL also demonstrates over 20% improvement in predictive accuracy when trained for MDD prediction. For the multi-class classification task of three classes, MENTAL improves accuracy by nearly 10%, and for five classes, by nearly 8%. MENTAL is the first multi-modal model that utilizes both EEG and NEO-FFI data for the task of mental disorder prediction. We are one of the first groups to utilize TDBRAIN for automated disorder classification. MENTAL is accessible and cost-effective, as EEG is more affordable than other neuroimaging methods such as MRI, and the NEO-FFI is a self-reported survey. Our model can lead to acceptance and support for individuals living with mental health challenges and improve quality of life in our society.
A Novel Evolutionary Algorithm-Based Approach for Optimizing the Mix Design of High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (HPFRCC)
Authors: yeganeh Peyman farhadi , hojatkashani Ata , Nezamabadi Maryam Firoozi , Rashti Abbas Abbas Akbarpour Nikghalb , Abbasi Hassan
Published: July 2024

With the increasing demand for high-performance concrete, optimizing the design of high-performance alloy-armed compounds (HPFRCC) has become a major challenge. Optimizing the mix design enables the achievement of the desired stability and ductility. This study offers an innovative way to overcome this challenge using artificial intelligence (AI). Our method uses artificial neural networks (ANN) to model the relationship between the mixed component and final HPFRCC properties. Then, we explored a wide design space using advanced distribution algorithms to determine the best combination. These algorithms are inspired by nature, such as the evolutionary algorithm (EO), which replicates the scientific evolutionary process. This study significantly reduces the need for laboratory testing by employing innovative methodologies. This significant achievement significantly optimizes design time and cost. In addition, by comprehensively comparing EO performance with other similar algorithms, the excellence and innovation of the method were demonstrated in optimizing the complex design of the HPFRCC mixture, and a new multitarget optimization algorithm called FC-MOEO/AE was used to predict the HPFRCC combination. This method can be used as a design guide to guide decision-making in the pre-construction stage.
Metrology of Warpage in Silicon Wafers Using X-ray Diffraction Mapping
Authors: Gorji Nima E.
Published: July 2024

X-ray Diffraction (XRD) mapping is a non-destructive metrology technique that enables the reconstruction of warpage induced on a Silicon wafer through thermo-mechanical stress. Here, we mapped the wafer's warpage using a methodology based on a series of line scans in the x and y directions and at different 90-degree rotations of the same sample. These line scans collect rocking curves from the wafer's surface, recording the diffraction angle (ω) deviated from the Bragg angle due to surface misorientation. The surface warpage reflects in XRD measurements by inducing a difference between the measured diffraction angle and the reference Bragg angle (ω − ω0) and rocking curve broadening (FWHM). By collecting and integrating the rocking curves (RCs) and FWHM broadening from the whole surface and multiple rotations of the wafer, we could generate 3D maps of the surface function f(x) and the angular misorientation (warpage). The warpage exhibits a convex shape, aligning with optical profilometry measurements reported in the literature. The lab-based XRDI has the potential to be developed to map the wafer's warpage in a shorter time and in situ, as can be perfectly performed in Synchrotron radiation source.
Protective effect of oleuropein on the brain tissue in D-Galactose-induced aging in rat model
Authors: Ranjbar Elham , Foruozandeh Hossein , Nahal Ali seidkhani , Asadoola Yousef , Ahmadi Iraj
Published: July 2024

Background
Many researches have indicated that Oleuropein (OLE) has potential ability to decrease oxidative stress and inflammation. So, In the present investigation, we explored the protective effect of OLE on brain aging induced by d-galactose (D-Gal) in a rat model..
Methods and results
In this study, 40 Wister male adult rats were categorized into 5 groups. Group 1 received normal saline, while group 2 was administered 100 mg/kg/ip D-Gal. The rats in groups 3 to 5 were orally administered D-Gal (100 mg/kg) once a day. Additionally, these groups were simultaneously subjected to different doses of OLE (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg, respectively) through oral administration. All administrations were done once a day for 8 consecutive weeks. 24 hours after last treatment motor activity and memory impairment were evaluated. Then, the rats were sacrificed and brain samples were collected for evaluating biochemical markers (BDNF, MDA, PC, GSH, GPX, CAT , SOD, IL-1β and TNF-α) and gene expression (SIRT1 and PGC1).
The results showed that D-Gal significantly reduced motor activity and memory performance (P<0.05). It also signiﬁcantly reduced the GPx, CAT and SOD activities, GSH and BDNF levels as well as SIRT1 and PGC1 expression, and, significantly increased PC, MDA TNF-α and IL-1β levels in the brain tissue (P<0.05). Administration of OLE restored all of the above parameters close to control group.
Conclusion
The findings illustrated that OLE attenuates locomotor , cognitive dysfunction and age related neuronal dysfunction. The neuroprotection of OLE can be attributed to its potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and activation of age preventing genes.
Assessment of a constructed community of native geophytes and sedum species as a habitat analog for extensive green roofs in an urban East Mediterranean environment
Authors: Fabian Monika , Talhouk Salma N.
Published: July 2024

Extensive green roof research has primarily focused on cooler, wetter climates, resulting in a lack of knowledge of Mediterranean conditions. This long-term study addresses this gap by assessing a constructed plant community of native Mediterranean geophytes and Sedum species. While both are individually recognized for their resilience to prolonged dry periods, their combined performance has been underreported. We studied the performance of 15 Mediterranean geophytes combined with one native sedum on an unirrigated extensive green roof for four years. Data collection included plant survival, number of plants, spread, flowering, and new species recruitment. Throughout the study, eight geophytes did not survive, five increased in number, one remained stable, and two declined. Five geophytes readily spread, one occupied the same space, and one decreased. Most surviving geophytes flowered. Sedum spread vegetatively and flowered consistently. Seven native species were recruited. By the end of the experiment, vegetation cover was 100% (47% Sedum,44% geophytes,12% overlapping vegetation,21% new native species). The findings underscore the importance of long-term studies to observe plant dynamics and reveal the possibility of constructing new urban habitats thus contributing valuable insights for green roof development in Mediterranean cities.
Garbage Overflow Detection Algorithm Based on Improved YOLOv8n
Authors: Liu Feiyang , Zhou Ruiqi
Published: July 2024

Unprecedented urbanization and population growth have led to an increasing amount of domestic waste, posing significant challenges to urban environments and aesthetics worldwide. This paper proposes an improved garbage detection system based on YOLOv8n. The system uses target detection algorithms to identify garbage and trash cans in road images, determining if trash cans are overflowing and need cleaning. Firstly, a Deformable Attention Mechanism (DAT) is introduced into the backbone network, incorporating dynamic sampling points. Secondly, an auxiliary head is integrated into the model's head for training, providing deep supervision. Finally, a novel Inner-MPDIoU loss function is proposed to offer more precise evaluation results and enhance generalization ability. Comparative experiments show that the algorithm achieves a mean Average Precision (mAP) of 94.0%, significantly improving feature extraction and detection accuracy.
Heteroatom engineering enhancing thermoelectric power factor of molecular junctions
Authors: Li Yuan , Peng Wuxian , Chen Ningyue , Xie Yu , Ma Liang , Lü Jingtao
Published: July 2024

Engineering power factor (PF) of molecular junctions is one of the most attractive research in the field of thermoelectronics for the applications in thermal management and high-performance thermoelectric energy conversion at the nanoscale. Here, we modified the chemical structure of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) formed by the widely investigated alkanethiolate (Cn-SH, n = 5, 8, 11, 14) through heteroatom substitutions, including the terminal iodine (I) atom substitution and replacing backbone methylene units (-CH2-) with oxygen (O) atoms, to obtain iodo-substituted oligo(ethylene glycol) thiolates (I-(C2O)m-C2-SH, m = 1, 2, 3, 4). We carried out the electrical tunneling and thermoelectric measurements based on the eutectic Ga-In technique (EGaIn) and found that the electrical conductance (G) and Seebeck coefficient (S) of the SAMs with I-(C2O)m-C2-SH can be enhanced simultaneously compared to the length-matched SAMs of Cn-SH (n = 3m + 2), resulting in the PF of I-(C2O)4-C2-SH being over 5 orders of magnitude higher than that of C14-SH, which was attributed to the resonant states contributed from the substituted I-(C2O)m-C2-SH near the Fermi energy. This study underscored the significance of chemically engineering the organic molecules to dramatically boost PF of molecular junctions for the further applications of high-efficient nanoscale thermoelectric devices.
The Application of i-Tasser and related studies to predict the full-length structure, thermodynamic states and functional analysis of the Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Virus (KRAS) protein; An observation of KRAS structural and functional integrity.
Authors: KADIR SDANISH , CHOWDHURY TANVIR , Saha Mrinal Kranti
Published: July 2024

KRAS (Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Virus) is a Ras (Rat Sarcoma virus) family homologous. Due to its structural characteristics and biochemical properties, it’s been regarded as one of the most common drivers in various cellular signaling pathways. Due to its biochemical and pharmacological importance, KRAS been regarded as the “Holy Grail” of drug discovery. To understand the structure and thermodynamics of this protein, we tried to focus on the confirmational and functional portion of this specific protein. “i-Tesser” is applied to predict the structure of KRAS. A prediction for the secondary and full-length 3D structure been developed. Additional generation of the B factor value, Solvent accessibility, ligand bonded structure, as well as the 5 different thermodynamic state models of the KRAS and their functions are analyzed. The primary, metastable, ligand-bounded reactive states are visualized with the additional application of NAMD (Nanoscale Molecular Dynamics) and VMD (Visualization Molecular Dynamics). The drawn models showcase a C score value ranging between (-0.02 to -1.45) and Cluster density (0.0683 to 0.2835), along with a standard deviation value of (0.704983). Predicted secondary, 3D, and Thermodynamic models are drawn and supported by modeling their Solvent accessibility and B factor values. The 5 different models and the related structural and functional analysis provide additional information about the stability of KRAS structure and its function.
Knowledge Awareness of Syrian Private University students about Anticogulin (types, mechanism of action, indications, and side effects)
Authors: Aji Ammar , Affouf Rula , Chamieh Marwan
Published: July 2024

Objective: This study aims to know the awareness of students at the Syrian Private University about thinners (their types, mechanism of action, indications, and side effects).
Methods and materials: A cross-sectional study in which 267 students from the Syrian Private University participated. Data were collected through a Google Form in the period between 1/6/2024 and 7/6/2024. Voluntary participation in the study is considered an informed consent. The data was analyzed by SPSS program.
Results: The sample size was 267 participants from various colleges, most of whom were from the College of Human Medicine (53.9%), the average age was 23.21 years, and the majority of students were in the sixth, fifth, and third years (35.2%, 23.6%, and 12.7%, respectively). Students who know clopidogrel 62.9%, those who know prasugrel 31.5%, those who know Ticagrelor 39%, those who know warfarin 76%, those who know dabigatran 34.5%, those who know apixaban 47.2%, those who know aspirin 91%, those who know rivoroxaban 50.9%, and those who know Edoxaban 40.4%, and those who know heparin 30.3%.
Conclusion: Health educators should place special emphasis on students who have predicted poor knowledge and poor disposition toward dispensing diluted medications without an actual indication.
Management Of Spleen Trauma In Damascus Hospital
Authors: Albaghajati Sara , Sara Samer
Published: July 2024

Objective: Our study aims to study blunt and penetrating traumatic splenic injuries, their management methods (Surgical or conservative) and complications.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in the Department of Surgery at Damascus Hospital between 2015 and 2023. The study included all patients who suffered from penetrating and blunt traumatic splenic injury and were admitted to the surgery department. Data and information were tabulated using Excel spreadsheet program and then data were analyzed using SPSS-25. The results were compared with international studies according to mortality and morbidity rates perioperatively.
Results: The study included 98 patients (mean age 19.03 years with standard deviation 17.46 years, male and female ratio 71.4% and 28.6% respectively), 99% of blunt injuries, 1% of penetrating injuries, most of the injuries were grade IV (45.6% of 22 patients), most of the injuries were isolated (92.9%), 86% of stable patients (n=86) were treated surgically (91.9% excisional surgery, 8.1% conservative surgery), and 14% of them were treated conservatively, most of the unstable patients were treated surgically (91.7% excisional treatment, 8.3% conservative surgery), mortality rate 11.2% of all patients.
conclusion: Allocating a section in the emergency intensive care unit to follow up on patients with abdominal trauma, which is supervised and followed up by a specialized team that ensures close monitoring of the patient in the required manner, with the possibility of conducting radiological and laboratory investigations within this section at the required speed and at any time.
Modulating the value of positive feedback does not influence expectation change in major depression – What can be learned from a failed replication?
Authors: Houben Mimi , Rief Winfried , Gärtner Thomas , Kube Tobias
Published: July 2024

Background: Depression is related to a reduced update of negative expectations in response to positive information. Here, we aimed to replicate that cognitive immunization (a cognitive devaluation of expectation-disconfirming information) modulates expectation updating in depression. Further, we examined how other cognitive factors (i.e., memory, interpretation) relate to cognitive immunization.
Method: We examined 139 inpatients (18-75 years) diagnosed with major depression. Participants completed a false-feedback task, in which they received unexpectedly positive standardized feedback. Cognitive immunization was manipulated via text that framed the feedback as particularly valid vs. invalid, relative to a distraction-control group and a no-instruction control group.
Results: There were no significant group differences in expectation updating. One interpretation questions the effect of the manipulation of cognitive immunization, which was not successful according to the manipulation check. The experimental conditions did not differ in their memory or interpretation of the feedback. However, negative interpretations were associated with elevated cognitive immunization.
Conclusions: Our study failed to replicate that cognitive immunization modulates expectation updating in depression - most likely due to the failure of the cognitive immunization manipulation. Future research may need to use a stronger and easier to understand manipulation (e.g., video instead of text; simpler wording) to modulate cognitive immunization successfully.