bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Study on the Developmental Directions of Crisis Negotiation Through Field Cases : Focused on Interviews with Negotiators
Authors:   Korean Association of Public Safety and Criminal Justice, Cho Se Hee
Published: October 2024

Since the 2010s, negotiation practices within the Korean Police Force have seen substantial advancements. Negotiation teams managed by each provincial police department and those at the national investigation headquarters handle initial responses at scenes.
The increased visibility and recognized importance of police negotiation teams have led to more frequent dispatches of negotiation officers and significant successes, such as in the hostage situations in Hapcheon, South Gyeongsang Province, and a bakery in Gangnam District, Seoul.
However, a persistent preference for tactical responses over trust in crisis negotiation often dominates on the ground, indicating the need for further improvements. The National Police Agency conducts in-depth training sessions biannually to enhance the capabilities of professional negotiators, while provincial police departments focus on basic negotiation training through local educational institutions. Nonetheless, there is a significant shortfall in the training provided to commanders overseeing these operations, resulting in inadequate communication. The reduction of training programs at police educational institutions since 2024 has raised concerns.
This study aims to analyze opinions from scholars and practitioners who were directly involved in or active in crisis negotiations, such as the 2017 Hapcheon hostage incident, to identify the challenges encountered in the field and suggest potential improvements.
A Study on the Use of Police Body-Worn Cameras: Focusing on the Relationship Between Citizen Animus and Procedural Justice Policing
Authors:   Korean Association of Public Safety and Criminal Justice, Moon Hyemin
Published: October 2024

In South Korea, the use of police body-worn cameras has become widespread, but research on this topic still needs to be conducted. This study empirically examined the impact of negative interactions with citizens on support for police body-worn camera usage and perceptions of procedural justice policing. This study collected data by distributing a survey to 172 trainees at the National Police Human Resources Development Institute. The results showed a significant positive (+) relationship between citizen animus and support for body-worn camera usage. However, citizen animus and support for body camera usage did not significantly impact perceptions of procedural justice policing. Finally, the relationship between citizen animus and procedural justice policing, mediated by support for body camera usage, was not statistically significant. Based on these findings, the study discussed ways to verify the expected effects of body-worn cameras.
Factors Influencing Residents’ Attitudes towards Correctional Facilities
Authors:   Korean Association of Public Safety and Criminal Justice, Han Young-Woo , Lee Chang-Bae
Published: October 2024

The overcrowding and aging of correctional facilities must be seriously addressed in order to protect the human rights of prisoners and the safety of the public, and it is currently necessary to relocate existing facilities or build new ones every year in order for Korean correctional facilities to fulfil their role. However, new construction and relocation has not been carried out in a timely manner due to ongoing local opposition to the siting of correctional facilities. This study was conducted to investigate the attitudes of residents in neighborhoods without correctional facilities and to identify factors that influence their acceptance of correctional facilities. Specifically, based on the results of the literature review, the following variables were identified as factors that directly or indirectly influence residents' attitudes: local image damage, trust in government, need for facilities, and fear of crime. The relative magnitude of their influence was compared, and policy implications related to the siting of correctional facilities were suggested.
The study found that residents' perceptions of a correctional facility being located in a neighborhood are negatively related to the perceived damage to the neighbourhood's image, and that higher perceptions of fear of crime are positively related to the perception of siting of a correctional facility. However, the more residents perceive the need for correctional facilities, the more negatively they perceive the community location of correctional facilities, which can be interpreted as a confirmation of the NIMBY phenomenon suggested by previous studies. And policy suggestions and limitations are presented.
Controversies about the New York Police Department's algorithmic predictive policing strategy
Authors:   Korean Association of Public Safety and Criminal Justice, Huh Koung Mi
Published: October 2024

The purpose of this study is to examine the controversies surrounding the algorithmic predictive policing strategy adopted by the New York Police Department. NYPD is very active in pursuing algorithmic predictive policing strategies, but it is facing a variety of criticisms, including: First, personal information collection activities for predictive security violate the ideology of the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits invasion of privacy. Second, as the police rely on instructions generated by algorithmic predictions, police operations are becoming dehumanized. Third, the police exercise their police authority intensively against dangerous people or dangerous areas, and there is a risk that these people will eventually be negatively stigmatized and become criminals. Fourth, the police unilaterally exercise police power based on algorithmic predictions, rather than a two-way police service that reflects the needs of citizens or the community. Fifth, the efficiency of algorithmic predictive policing has not been verified, and the problem of contamination of used big data is being raised. Sixth, it is impossible to confirm whether the data provided by the police to private companies is opaque and secure. Seventh, there is the irrationality of Police power being replaced by private companies' for-profit businesses.
Eighth, the New York Police Department is subject to monitoring of algorithmic predictive policing through the Local Law in Relation to Automated Decision Systems Used by Agencies and Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology(POST) Act, but the problems remain unresolved. Ninth, the New York Police Department continues to engage in legal disputes with human rights watchdog groups such as the Brennen Center over the non-disclosure of algorithmic predictive security information, losing most cases, raising questions about the legality of big data collection and management.
Effect of Verbal Control Training on the Democratic Policing Paradigm
Authors:   Korean Association of Public Safety and Criminal Justice, Park Myoung Ho , Kim Seung Hyun
Published: October 2024

Verbal control is the only means of changing citizens' behavior without conflict between police and citizens. While the police force inevitably aims to suppress citizens and seal the conflict, verbal control with conversation makes it possible for citizens to end the conflict independently. Since verbal control is essential for police, the National Police Human Resources Development Institute operates a training program for front-line police officers. This study confirmed the effect of verbal control training on police democratic policing based on the verbal control training program of the National Police Human Resources Development Institute. As a result, the verbal control training increased the overall willingness for democratic policing. In particular, positive changes were found in the discriminatory perception of law enforcement based on the behavior of police subjects or the level of law violations. This study is of academic value because it conducted a questionnaire before and after participation in a verbal control training program, evaluated the educational effect from a longitudinal perspective, and interpreted it theoretically. It is hoped that the importance of dialogue and verbal control within police organizations will be improved, and a democratic police activity paradigm will spread based on this.
Reconstruction of Diploid High-Order 3D Genome Interactions from Long Noisy Concatemers
Authors: Xiao Chuan-Le , Chen Ying , Lin Zhuo-Bin , Wang Shao-Kai , Wu Bo , Niu Longjian , Zhong Jiayong , Sun Yi-Meng , Zheng Zhenxian , Bai Xin , Liu Luo-Ran , Xie Wei , chi Wei , Luo Ruibang , Hou Chunhui , Luo Feng , Ye Tiantian
Published: October 2024

Differential high-order chromatin interactions between homologous chromosomes play pivotal roles in many biological processes. However, their elucidation has been hindered by technical difficulties. Traditional 3C methods mainly expose 2-way interactions and offer limited haplotype information. In response, we addressed challenges in harnessing merely nanopore high-order concatemer (Pore-C) reads to delineate diploid high-order chromatin interactions. By training a cutting-edge deep learning model and making statistical analysis, we achieved superior SNV calling and haplo-tagging for noisy short monomers. Learning the haplotype characteristics of high-order concatemers allowed us to devise a progressive haplotype imputation strategy, which elevated the haplotype informative Pore-C contact rate by 14.1-fold to 76% in the HG001 cell line, eclipsing Hi-C's rate by over ten times. Overall, our diploid 3D genome interactions surpassed conventional methods in noise reduction and contact distribution uniformity, with over one magnitude advantages in haplotype informative contact density and genomic coverage rate. Dip3D enabled the unveiling of haplotype high-order interactions in many previously overlooked genomic regions and the investigation of their relationship with allele-specific expression, especially concerning X-chromosome inactivation. Our approach stands out as a robust and accessible solution for the high-quality reconstruction of diploid high-order 3D genome interactions.
Cellulose Nanocrystal/Polydimethylsiloxane hybrid membranes for air dehydration at elevated temperatures
Authors: Alikhani Nasim , Li Ling , Wang Jinwu
Published: October 2024

This research study developed a dense composite membrane made of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to efficiently separate water vapor from air at elevated temperatures up to 80°C. In this study a casting method was used to fabricate CNC/PDMS membranes. The water vapor permeability of the membrane samples was measured with a Payne diffusion cell (dry cup method) coupled with a Dynamic Vapor Sorption (DVS) instrument, while the nitrogen gas permeability was measured with a gas permeation cell. The results showed that the optimal CNC concentration of 2%, enhanced water vapor permeability at all temperatures up to 24.8% while increasing the selectivity slightly up to 3.1%. The membranes were characterized using AFM, FTIR, SEM, and TMA. measured the CTE of the prepared samples to study the dimensional stability as a function of temperature change. The optimized membranes showed an 8.9% lower value for CTE which results in higher thermal dimensional stability of the sample. The results have demonstrated that CNC-reinforced PDMS has potential to be used as selective membranes to remove water vapor from exhaust warm air such that the air recovers its drying capability and can be recirculated as the working medium in drying systems.
Bronchial Artery Embolization Leading to Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Case Report on Bronchial Artery-Coronary Artery Fistula
Authors: Sun Shougang , Zou Qi , Chang Peng
Published: October 2024

A 22-year-old woman presented with hemoptysis for three days, averaging 150 ml of blood per day. She had no history of childhood chest disease. On admission, a chest scan suggested a potential lung infection, and laboratory results showed no significant abnormalities. Despite continuous infusion of posterior pituitary hormone, her symptoms persisted. We performed bronchial arteriography and embolization using 150–350 µm microsphere particles. During the procedure, the patient developed chest pain. ECG showed abnormal Q-waves and ST-T elevation, with vital signs indicating hypotension and elevated myocardial enzymes suggesting acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Repeated arteriography revealed a bronchial artery-right coronary artery fistula, likely worsened by a dislodged gelatin sponge blocking coronary microvessels. The embolization was halted, and treatment with low molecular weight heparin and aspirin was initiated. By the fifth postoperative day, the patient's ECG indicated an abnormal Q wave in the inferior leads, and myocardial enzymes were gradually returning to normal. One week later, coronary angiography revealed no blockage, and the patient was discharged after stabilization. The cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) indicated myocardial necrosis and edema in the inferior wall of the heart. During subsequent follow-up, the patient reported no significant chest pain or recurrence of hemoptysis.
Clinical Presentation and Management Challenges of Sphingosine-1-phosphate Lyase Insufficiency Syndrome Associated with an SGPL1 Variant: A Case Report
Authors: Saeedi Vahid , Rahimzadeh Nahid , Ehsanipour Fahimeh , Shalbaf Neda , Farahi Amirhosein , Kamalzadeh Leila
Published: October 2024

Background: This case report describes a unique presentation of sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase insufficiency syndrome (SPLIS) caused by a rare SGPL1 variant, highlighting the diagnostic and management challenges associated with this condition.
Case Presentation: A 2-year-old Iranian female presented with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (NS), primary adrenal insufficiency (AI), growth delay, seizures, and hyperpigmentation. Laboratory evaluation revealed hypoalbuminemia, significant proteinuria, hyperkalemia, and elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels. The patient was diagnosed with SPLIS through genetic testing, revealing a c.1018C>T variant in SGPL1. Despite supportive treatment, including corticosteroids and cyclosporine, the patient’s condition deteriorated, leading to end-stage renal disease and sepsis, ultimately resulting in death.
Conclusions: This case underscores the clinical heterogeneity of SPLIS and the importance of early genetic evaluation in patients with combined NS and AI. Personalized management approaches and increased awareness among clinicians are essential to improve patient outcomes.
Salary satisfaction of acute critical care nurses in Hunan Province: a mixed study
Authors: Chunying Wang , Jiang Weihan , Ma Shuning , Liu Chenxi , Ye Zufeng , Wen Xiang , Chen Li
Published: October 2024

Aim:Salary satisfaction of acute and critical care nurses are of great significance to turnover rate and career development. The purpose of this study was to investigate the intrinsic motivation and salary satisfaction of acute critical care nurses.
Design:A mixed study.
Methods:A total of 300 acute and critical nurses from 6 public Grade Three hospitals in Hunan Province from January to April 2024 were selected by convenience sampling method for questionnaire collection. Ten acute and critical nurses were selected as the research objects in semi-structured interview.
Results: Three themes emerged in the interview. The main influencing factor of one theme was salary, while workload and transparency appeared in the other two themes. The statistical analysis found that there was a positive correlation between salary satisfaction and intrinsic motivation of acute critical nurses, and improving intrinsic motivation of acute critical nurses had a positive impact on salary satisfaction.
Conclusion: Pay is an important factor affecting the turnover of acute and critical nurses, and hospitals need to improve it. The enhancement of nurses' intrinsic motivation has a positive impact on salary satisfaction.
Impact:This paper provides some reference for hospitals to consider reducing nurses' turnover intention.
public contribution:Nurses from 6 public top-three hospitals in Hunan Province participated in the questionnaire collection.
Density Functional Study of Physisorption of H 2 Molecules on Scandium and Yttrium Decorated C 20 Fullerene: Prospect for Hydrogen Storage
Authors: Praveer Nishant , Sahoo Rakesh K. , Sahu Sridhar
Published: October 2024

This work reports the findings of a study on the reversible hydrogen storage capacities of Sc and Y decorated C20 fullerene, conducted using dispersion corrected density functional theory (DFT) calculation. The transition metal (TM) atoms, such as Sc and Y, are identified to attach to the C-C bridge position of the C20 fullerene through non-covalent closed-shell interactions. This suggests that the interaction between the TM atoms and the fullerene occurs via weak van der Waals forces rather than stronger covalent bonds. And the thermodynamic stability of the decorated fullerene structures is assessed using various methods, including the examination of HOMO-LUMO gaps and different reactivity descriptors. These analysis help confirm that the decorated structures are stable under the given conditions, enhancing their suitability for hydrogen storage applications. Each Sc and Y atom attached to the C20 fullerene is capable of absorbing a maximum of 6 and 7 hydrogen molecules, respectively. This results in practical gravimetric densities of up to 4.0 wt% and 4.04 wt% at a temperature of 300K and a pressure of 60 bar. These findings highlight the significant hydrogen storage capacities of the decorated fullerene structures, indicating their potential for practical use in hydrogen storage systems. The average adsorption energy of H2 molecules are found lying in the range of 0.332eV-0.276eV implying the adsorption process to be physisorptive. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the hydrogen storage capabilities of Sc and Y decorated C20 fullerene complexes, offering a promising avenue for the development of efficient and reversible hydrogen storage materials for clean energy applications.
Association between patient characteristics and recommendations by medical on-call service 116117 in Germany: a cross sectional observational study
Authors: Hansen Heike , Menzel Agata , Oltrogge Jan Hendrik , Lühmann Dagmar , Scherer Martin , Schäfer Ingmar
Published: October 2024

Background:
Use of emergency departments has increased in recent years. Different efforts address this problem, eg, medical on-call services. The DEMAND intervention is based on a computer-assisted initial telephone assessment implemented at the regional associations of statutory health insurance physicians in Germany. In this intervention, recommendations for healthcare settings suited best to the patients’ health problems were given by telephone. This study aimed to analyse if patient characteristics are associated with the output of the intervention, ie, specific setting recommendations.
Methods:
This cross-sectional observational study based on a standardised postal survey of patients who received the intervention. Recommended and used settings, and data on sociodemography, health status at the time of the emergency call, past health service use, and health literacy were collected by patient self-report. The study population was characterised by descriptive statistics. For analysing the association between recommendations, and patient characteristics, multilevel, multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for random effects at the level of regions and months of observation within regions were conducted.
Results:
1,756 patients participated in the survey. The median age of the patients was 66 years, 59.0% were women and 30.2% living alone. Recommendations for emergency home visits were associated with worse self-rated health (OR 0.67, 95% confidence interval: 0.55/0.81, p<0.001). Telephone counselling was associated with lower age (0.71,0.59/0.85,p<0.001), lower subjective treatment urgency (0.65,0.51/0.82,p<0.001) and health problems not classified as symptoms and complaints (0.41,0.25/0.68,p=0.001) or infections (0.22,0.09/0.57,p=0.002.). Emergency departments were associated with better self-rated health (1.37,1.11/1.70,p=0.003) and health problems classified as injuries (3.12,1.67/5.83,p<0.001). Rescue service were associated with higher age (1.44,1.15/1.81,p=0.002) and a higher subjective treatment urgency (2.51,1.83/3.43,p<0.001). General practices were associated with lower subjective treatment urgency (0.58,0.44/0.76,p<0.001) and health problems not classified as injuries (0.26,0.10/0.68,p=0.006). Emergency practices were associated with lower age (0.60,0.48/0.74,p<0.001), and specialist practices were associated with health problems classified as symptoms or complaints (3.75,1.49/9.45,p=0.005).
Conclusions:
Most associations between patient characteristics and recommendations were comprehensible and in line with the aim of the intervention. No disparities in access to specific services were identified. However, it should be clarified why patients with better self-rated health were more likely to receive recommendations for emergency departments.
Rapid, User-friendly, Cost-effective DNA and Library Preparation Methods for Whole-Genome Sequencing of Bacteria with Varying Cell Wall Composition and GC content Using Minimal DNA on the Illumina Platform
Authors: Bearzatto Bertrand , Durant Jean-François , Ambroise Jérôme , Gala Jean-Luc
Published: October 2024

Background
Whole-genome sequencing via high-throughput sequencing is essential for identifying and characterising chromosomes and plasmids in nosocomial and environmental bacterial pathogens. To expedite outbreaks investigations, including accidental or intentional bacterial release, without compromising sequencing quality, we evaluated a more time-efficient, user-friendly, and cost-effective approach, using minimal DNA (~ 1 ng) from a single bacterial colony. Four DNA extraction methods were compared: the automated nucleic acid extractor (EZ1 Advanced, Qiagen) with or without DNA purification using AMPure® beads (EZ1 vs. EZ1-AMP), and two rapid and inexpensive methods: heat shock (HS), and glass bead disruption (GBD). Additionally, we evaluated four library preparation kits: Illumina DNA Prep (DN), Illumina Nextera XT (XT), Roche KAPA HyperPlus (KP), and NEBNext® Ultra™ II FS DNA Library Prep Kit (NN).
Results
Whole-genome sequencing performance was evaluated on Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Enterobacter cloacae ATCC strains. Key performance indicators included sequencing depth evenness across chromosome and plasmids (accounting for GC bias), genome assembly quality measured by contig number, N50, genome fraction, and percentage of mismatches. Key performance indicators confirmed that DNA and library preparation methods significantly influenced WGS quality. GBD enabled efficient sequencing across all the three bacterial species, while HS proved inadequate for spore-forming bacteria B. cereus. DN, KP, and NN produced high-quality results with low GC bias, whereas XT exhibited significant GC bias and lower quality for bacteria with low GC content.
Conclusions
This study highlights the importance of selecting suitable DNA and sequencing library preparation methods based on bacterial cell wall composition and GC content for optimal HTS outcomes.
Adherence to Iron Deficiency Interventions Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Ubungo Municipality, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Authors: Benjamin Glory , Mrema Ezra J. , Nhumba Nchang’wa , Albert Wakoli , Mwanga Hussein
Published: October 2024

Background
Iron deficiency anaemia among pregnant women remains a public health concern despite the iron deficiency interventions put in place. This study investigated the level of adherence to the interventions and the associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Ubungo Municipality.
Methods
This cross-sectional study used a systematic random sampling technique to obtain 503 participants from the surveyed clinics. Interviews were conducted by using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Data were analysed using Stata version 17. The study employed binary and multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine factors associated with adherence to iron deficiency interventions.
Results
In this study, 72% of participants were non-adherent to the interventions. In multivariable regression analysis, participants who forgot to take their iron tables on most days (AOR = 2.35; 95% CI: 1.23–4.48) and those who reported that not enough time was spent on education and coun-selling during antenatal clinic visits (AOR = 3.87; 95% CI:1.08–13.84) were more likely to be non-adherent to iron deficiency interventions.
Conclusions
Majority of pregnant women in Ubungo Municipality were non-adherent to iron deficiency interventions. Non-adherence was associated with a tendency to forget taking iron tablets, and lack of enough time in providing health education and counselling. Improving the quality of health education and counselling could increase adherence to iron deficiency interventions and reduce maternal - child morbidity and mortality rates.
Natural Selenium Levels in Subtropical Soils of Southern Brazil
Authors: Rosini Daniely Neckel , Machado Matheus Rodrigo , Delfino Fabiele Arruda , Matias Caroline Aparecida , Lopes Betel Cavalcante , Campos Mari Lucia
Published: October 2024

Selenium is an essential micronutrient for humans; however, in high quantities, it can become toxic. The aim of this study was to evaluate the natural Se levels in soils from southern Brazil. Fifty sampling locations were selected for their minimal anthropogenic interference and high pedological and geological diversity. Soil samples were collected from the A horizon up to a depth of 20 cm. Analyses of Ca, Mg, K, P, TOC, acidity, and texture followed standardized methods, while Se was analyzed after acid digestion and measured using ICP-OES. The natural Se levels ranged from 0.34 mg kg− 1 in a typical Alitic Haplic Cambisol to 11.25 mg kg− 1 in an organosolic Dystrophic Humic Cambisol. Se behavior in the soil is influenced by pH, P, Fe, Al, and Mn oxides, clay, and organic matter. Metamorphic rocks contain higher Se levels due to mineral recrystallization and trace element mobilization during metamorphism. Background values are crucial as they provide data for decision-making and area management.
Combination of blended fertilizer (NPKSZn) and bio-fertilizer on growth, yield, and yield attributing characters of lentil (lens culinaris medikus)
Authors: Mossa Mohammed Mebrahtu , Gebrekidan Daniel , Kasegn Melaku Mekonen , Mesele Etsay
Published: October 2024

Tremendous use of chemical fertilizer has led to the distraction of microorganisms in the soil and this causes depletion in essential minerals of the soil. To minimize these environmental and soil damages caused by chemical fertilizers, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of biofertilizer (Rhizobium and Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB)) and blended fertilizer (NPKSZn) on growth, yield, and yield attributing characters of lentil. The experiment was laid out in RCBD with eight treatments viz. T1: Control T2: Rhizobium, T3: PSB inoculation, T4: only NPKSZn, T5: Rhizobium + PSB inoculation, T6: Rhizobium inoculation + NPSZ, T7: PSB inoculation + NPKSZn and T8: Rhizobium + PSB inoculation + NPKSZn. Rhizobium and PSB inoculation were used @ 250 g/10 kg seeds and the recommended dose (100kg ha− 1 NPKSZn). The results of the present investigation revealed that longest plant height (53.61cm), Maximum nodulation (25.78), pod per plant (111.1), highest grain (1115.8 kg ha− 1), straw (1713 kg ha− 1) and biological yield (2829 kg ha-1), highest net benefit (26382.56 ETB ha− 1) with an acceptable and maximum marginal rate of return (741.6%) was recorded in dual inoculation of seed with Rhizobium and PSB. Therefore inoculation of Rhizobium and PSB enhances the production, and productivity and the seed must be inoculated with dual culture of Rhizobium and PSB along with another package of practices for the crop.
A Bacteriolysin of Lactococcus carnosus is potentially involved in mediating contact-dependent antagonism against Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Tareb Raouf , Rezé Sandrine , Harb Manar , Dubreil Laurence , Monnet Veronique , Björkroth Joanna , Passerini Delphine , Leroi Francoise , Pilet Marie-France
Published: October 2024

Lactococcus carnosus CNCM I-4031 is a psychrotrophic lactic acid bacterium used for the biopreservation of seafood. It effectively inhibits the growth of spoilage and pathogenic bacteria, such as Listeria monocytogenes, through an atypical mechanism that relies on direct cell-to-cell contact, without producing conventional antimicrobial compounds like bacteriocins. However, the precise molecular mechanism behind this bacterial interaction remains to be fully understood. In this study, Label-free LC-MS/MS shotgun proteomics and gene expression analysis were used to examine cell envelope protein expression in L. carnosus when cultivated alone and in co-culture with L. monocytogenes. The investigation identified a specific cell wall protein, named LYSO, which has a toxic C-terminal domain and demonstrates peptidoglycan hydrolysis activity against L. monocytogenes. Further analysis using knockout mutants provided additional evidence for the involvement of LYSO in the inhibition activity. These findings suggest the significant role of this bacteriolysin in the contact-dependent mechanism of L. carnosus against L. monocytogenes.
Methylation-based subtypes of gastric cancer provide distinct prognostic impact in patients who receive chemotherapy
Authors: Tahara Tomomitsu , Shijimaya Takuya , Yamazaki Jumpei , Tahara Sayumi , Nakamura Naohiro , Takahashi Yu , Tomiyama Takashi , Fukui Toshiro , Shibata Tomoyuki , Nakamura Masakatsu , Arisawa Tomiyasu , Naganuma Makoto
Published: October 2024

High levels of cancer-specific aberrant promoter hypermethylation provide distinct clinicopathological features in gastric cancer (GC) patients. This study explored the molecular subtypes based on the cancer-specific aberrant promoter hypermethylation to predict prognosis of advanced stage GC treated by the chemotherapy. Using five methylated in tumors (MINT) loci (MINT1, 2, 12, 25, and 31), cancer-specific aberrant promoter hypermethylation was characterized in 186 advanced stage GCs receiving chemotherapy (stages II, III and IV diseases). We found that the both methylation-high (4 or 5 markers positive) and negative (one or 0 marker positive) cases presented significantly worse overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (P = 0.003, 0.009, respectively). Multivariate survival analysis using Cox's regression model demonstrated that cases with stage IV and methylation-negative were significantly associated with worse OS (stage IV, hazard ratio [HR] = 4.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.26–8.31, P < 0.0001; methylation-negative, HR = 2.43, 95%CI = 1.29–4.59, P = 0.006;), while cases in the middle third was also associated with better OS (HR = 0.48, 95%CI = 0.24–0.98, P = 0.045;). Our result show that the cancer-specific epigenetic anomaly provides prognostic impact in patients with GC treated by chemotherapy.
Impact of Relative timing of low salinity and polymer flooding on mechanisms by which oil recovery is improved
Authors: David Ebuka , McDougall Steven , Mackay Eric
Published: October 2024

A combination of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods, specifically polymer flooding and low salinity (LS) brine injection, has been shown to improve oil recovery beyond what is achievable with either method used alone. However, the optimal sequence and timing of these methods remain unclear, affecting their efficiency. This study investigates the impact of injection sequences and timing of LS brine and polymer to optimize oil recovery by understanding the underlying mechanisms. Six injection scenarios were tested: (1) injecting high salinity (HS) water followed by LS brine (tertiary injection), (2) injecting HS water to intermediate saturation followed by LS brine, (3) injecting LS brine directly (secondary injection), and in each case, (4) polymer injected simultaneously with LS brine, (5) polymer injected after the LS brine, or (6) polymer injected before the LS brine. The results showed a positive synergy between LS brine and polymer in both secondary and tertiary injections. This synergy is highly sensitive to injection timing, sequence, and rock/fluid properties. The combined effect of LS brine and polymer shifts the flow regime by altering the balance between capillary and viscous forces, maximizing oil recovery when both mechanisms are active. Conversely, the effectiveness declines when one mechanism dominates. Therefore, the timing and order of polymer and LS brine injection significantly influence displacement efficiency and oil recovery, with different injection sequences producing varying outcomes, even with the same EOR techniques.
Possible removal of the quinolone antibiotic moxifloxacin from contaminated water by biogenically synthesized alumina/ZnO/NiO nanocomposites using Commiohora myrrha extract
Authors: Al-Mohaimeed Amal
Published: October 2024

The environmentally friendly synthesis of triple metal oxide nanocomposites incorporating natural gum extract has attracted great interest due to its low cost, environmental friendliness, non-toxicity and as a reversal of many physical and chemical processes. Simple biosynthetic technique using Commiohora myrrha gum extract as a green reducing and stabilizing material has been used to effectively prepare the alumina/ZnO/NiO nanocomposite (alumina/ZnO/NiO NCS). Full confirmation for the synthesized alumina/ZnO/NiO NCS was conducted using optical, elemental, and microscopical detections. The findings indicated that the prepared NCS exhibits high purity with particle size 17.5 nm. The synthesized NCS was applied to remove quinolone antibiotic moxifloxacin toxins from wastewater. Adsorption/desorption efficiency for the removal of the quinolone antibiotic moxifloxacin (MOX) from wastewater under optimal experimental circumstances such as adsorption dose (1.5 mg/L) contact time (3 hours), initial MOX concentration (50 mg/L), agitation speed (250 rpm), and pH 7 has been done. Adsorption kinetics and the adsorption isotherm were investigated, and the results Every adsorbent's removal procedure followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The adsorption kinetic isotherm of the removal of MOX was explained by pseudo-second order. The effectiveness of synthetic nanomaterials in eliminating toxins like MOX from tainted water was demonstrated by this study.
Dynamic analysis for deep grove ball bearing under grease elastohydrodynamic lubrication
Authors: He Ziyi , Wang Qiang , Dai Xin , Liu Deli , Zhang Yuyan , Ma Chenbo
Published: October 2024

The dynamic characteristic of grease-lubricated deep groove ball bearings for driving motors is one of the cores that affect the service performance of new energy vehicles. To investigate and improve the bearing stability, a dynamic characteristic analysis model of the bearing which introduces the grease-film stiffness and damping coefficients for a single contact pair between the rolling element and raceway is established. On this basis, the effects of grease, bearing operating conditions, and cage structural parameters on the bearing stability are examined. The results indicate that the presence of grease film improves the bearing stability to a certain extent. As the inner ring speed increases, bearing stability initially rises and then falls. In contrast, with increasing axial load or decreasing radial load, bearing stability improves. Moreover, as the cage pocket diameter or the cage thickness at inner bottom increases, bearing stability shows a trend of first rising and then falling, while an increase in the beam width of the cage leads to improved bearing stability.
The Sedimentary Evolution of the Cuiabá Group (Neoproterozoic Paraguai Orogen): A New Approach Applying Sequence Stratigraphy
Authors: BEAL VINICIUS , SAES GERSON SOUZA , PAZ JACKSON DOUGLAS SILVA DA , BARBOZA ELZIO , GERALDES MAURO CÉSAR , FIGUEIREDO LUAN NONATO
Published: October 2024

The Cuiabá Group, widely distributed in the state of Mato Grosso, is a sedimentary sequence that contains essential information about the geological evolution of the Paraguay Orogen. This study aims to apply sequence stratigraphy concepts as a new approach to better understanding sedimentary evolution during the Neoproterozoic. The analysis of lithofacies, depositional environments, and stratigraphic stacking patterns allowed the identification of different system tracts, including rift climax, rift fill, lowstand, transgressive, and highstand. These tracts have significant implications for understanding the basin's geological history. In addition, the influences of tectonics, glaciation, and post-glacial events on the sedimentary evolution of the Cuiabá Group were addressed. The use of sequence stratigraphy provided a comprehensive understanding of the geological history of the basin. It also offered insights into the controls on sedimentation associated with tectonic and climatic events. The results of this study challenge previous interpretations and contribute to advancing knowledge about the Neoproterozoic geological evolution.
Long sequence Time-Series forecasting of rare earth price based on Variational Mode Decomposition and improved Random Forest
Authors: Lu Rongxiu , Yao Kaiyuan , Yang Hui , Dai Wenhao
Published: October 2024

Given the complex and prolonged industrial processes involved in rare earth production, including the extraction and separation stages, the utility of short-term price predictions is limited due to the extensive times required to adjust production schedules. Consequently, accurately forecasting the long-term price trends of rare earth products is a pressing challenge. To address this, this paper introduces a VMD-SRF hybrid model tailored for Long Sequence Time-Series Forecasting (LSTF). To simplify the complexity of the initial data and improve the model's predictive accuracy, Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD) is first employed to analyze the periodicity and random components in price time series; Then, it combines the Series Random Forest model, which is improved based on the Random Forest (RF) algorithm. Series Random Forest (SRF) model uses Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) distance as heuristic information to address the deficiencies of Random Forest in long time series forecasting. This hybrid approach, leveraging the strengths of both VMD and SRF, enhances the handling of LSTF issues. An experimental comparative analysis using four representative datasets of rare earth product prices indicates superior prediction accuracy of the proposed method. These advancements present a promising and applicable strategy for addressing LSTF challenges in various practical settings.
Establishment of a Latex Immunochromatography for Bovine Early Pregnancy-related glycoproteins and its Application in the Diagnosis of Bovine Pregnancy
Authors: Gu Linlin , Wang Weiwei , Yang Mingjie , Yu Yafang , Chen Hui , Yang Hui , Li Xia , fu Hui , Zhang Kang , YANG BO
Published: October 2024

Background
Early pregnancy diagnosis in dairy cows is an important part of the production processes. Accurate early pregnancy diagnosis can help veterinarians identify open cow as soon as possible and carry out the second breeding earlier, which is of great significance for improving reproductive efficiency of dairy cow. Bovine early pregnancy-related glycoproteins (PAGs) are produced by placental trophoblast cells and is considered as a reliable indicator for the diagnosis of early pregnancy in cows. In this study, a rapid immunochromatography based on latex microspheres for detecting PAG proteins was established with two monoclonal antibodies specific to PAG protein.
Results
The samples collected from 28 days after breeding of 559 Holstein cows were used to diagnose pregnancy, and the results were verified by ultrasound examination and commercial ELISA kit tests. The results showed that the minimum detection limit of the established latex immunochromatography for PAG protein was 0.2ng/ml, and the analytical specificity is very high. Furthermore, compared to B-ultrasound, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of this method for pregnancy diagnosis was 99.25%, 90%, 91.03%, 99.15%, and 94.68%, respectively, and the kappa value is 0.89, which demonstrated that the pregnancy diagnosis results of the test strip method have high consistency with ultrasound. Compared with commercial ELISA kits, the positive coincidence rate, negative coincidence rate, and overall coincidence rate of this method was 98.29%, 97.6%, and 98.03%, respectively. This indicated that the test strip has high consistency with the currently widely used ELISA immunological diagnostic method.
Conclusion
The latex immunochromatographic method established in this study can accurately diagnose pregnant cows and can be used for early pregnancy diagnosis of dairy cows. The method is simple to operate, fast to detect, and the results are easy to interpret, which is of great significance and clinical application value for cow early pregnancy detection.
Evaluation of biofilm formation in molecular identification E.coli strains that cause urinary tract infection in children and antibiotic resistance
Authors: Motib Anfal Shakir , Abbas Muhamed Aydin , Idan Hayder Mahdi
Published: October 2024

Background
Escherichia coli is the primary causative agent of urinary tract infections (UTIs), which are among the most common illnesses in humans and frequently occur in children. Because this bacterium has biofilm formation and multi-drug resistance, and other factors, managing these infections is getting harder. The purpose of this study is to identify the E. coli strains that cause UTIs in children, and study the correlation of biofilm formation, and antibiotic resistance of E coli isolates found in Diyala, Iraq.
Patients and Methods:
It was collected 290 cases of UTI patients from Al-Batoul Teaching Hospital in Diyala, Iraq. The ages of these patients from 1 day to 12 years who were treated in the Paediatrics Department from February 2023 to January 2024. It was identify the strains of E. coli that cause UTIs by using PCR and sequencing methods and evaluated antimicrobial susceptibility of them by means of the Kirby-Bauer technique. The microtiter-plate assay were used to assess the production of biofilms.
Results
The predominant bacteria responsible for UTI in children were E. coli (40%), and it was showed that are the lowest persentage of bacteria causing UTI in this study are Klebsiella oxytoka and Psuedomonas aureginosa as appeared in 5% of cases. It was identify the strains of E. coli that cause UTI in the current study, which are E. coli Y8-2 (14.8%), E. coli 106K88 (19.3%), E. coli UA32 (11.4%), E. coli RM11911 (20.5%), and E. coli EC1704-1 (34%). E. coli EC1704-1 showed multidrug-resistant (MDR) to ciprofloxacin (100%), sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (100%), cephalosporins and penicillin (100%), and aminoglycosides (93.3%). E. coli Y8-2, E. coli 106K88, and E. coli UA32 appeared less resistant to antibiotics related to E. coli EC1704-1 and E. coli EC1704-1. In addition, it was shown that biofilm formation and antimicrobial resistance correlated negatively among the isolates, strong biofilm production strains were found in less resistant strains and weak in multidrug resistant strains.
Conclusion
E. coli is the predominant cause of UTI in children and it was identified the E coli strains which are the most common strains that cause UTI in Diyala, Iraq. This research highlights the dissemination of resistance in E. coli strains in Diyala, Iraq. The evident correlation between biofilm and resistance suggests a resistance cost on bacterial cells, and that strains with lower resistance may depend on biofilms to enhance their survival. This emphasizes the importance of considering biofilm formation ability during the treatment of E.coli infections to avoid therapeutic failure and infection recurrence.
Enhancement of anti-programmed cell death protein-1 immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer using arginine and citrulline supplementation
Authors: Miyamoto Naoki , Yoshida Mitsuteru , Tsukumo Shinichi , Ogawa Hirohisa , Otani Tamaki , Yasutomo Koji , Takizawa Hiromitsu
Published: October 2024

Purpose
This study aimed to examine the role of citrulline in the lung cancer microenvironment and its potential synergistic effects with other therapies.
Methods
Murine lung cancer cells (CMT167) were subcutaneously implanted into mice to establish tumor models, followed by treatment with the anti-PD-1 antibody either alone or in combination with arginine or arginine and citrulline. Tumor growth, survival rate, cytokine levels, immune cell populations, and metabolic marker expression were assessed using histological, immunostaining, flow cytometry, and serum analyses.
Results
Mice in the treatment groups exhibited significantly lower tumor volumes than those in the control group (control, 1161.59 ± 294.73; anti-PD-1, 427.38 ± 355.34; anti-PD-1 plus arginine, 452.10 ± 332.04; anti-PD-1 plus arginine and citrulline, 198.45 ± 236.22 mm3; P < 0.0001). Furthermore, the anti-PD-1 plus arginine and citrulline group exhibited significantly improved progression-free survival compared with that of the control group (P = 0.00039). The anti-PD-1 plus arginine and citrulline group also showed a significantly higher number of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ lymphocytes per high-power field (hpf) than the control group (control, 24.22 ± 9.13; anti-PD-1, 29.20 ± 9.41; anti-PD-1 plus arginine, 34.33 ± 8.81; anti-PD-1 plus arginine and citrulline, 46.56 ± 10.01 cells/hpf).
Conclusion
Arginine and citrulline supplementation facilitated CD8+ lymphocyte infiltration into the tumor microenvironment, thereby augmenting the efficacy of lung cancer immunotherapy.