bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a Gypsy/Traveller Community Health Worker service: Final Report
Authors:   University of Dundee, McFadden Alison , Biazus-Dalcin Camila ,   University of Dundee, Vidal Nicole ,   University of Dundee
Published: April 2024

This report evaluates the two-year Community Health Worker (CHW) service in Scotland delivered by a third sector organisation, Minority Ethnic Carers of People Project (MECOPP), which provided training to Gypsy/Travellers to advocate for their community on health and social care issues. The service, which was created as part of the Scottish Government and COSLA's joint action plan to address inequalities faced by Gypsy/Travellers , was designed with the intention to improve their health and wellbeing. Funding for the service was secured by The Scottish Public Health Network and the Directorate for Chief Medical Officer. The evaluation was conducted by the Mother and Infant Research Unit (MIRU) at the School of Health Sciences, University of Dundee, and covered the initial two-year period from August 2021 to August 2023. There has been extensive evidence showing that Gypsy/Travellers residing in the UK tend to face significant health disparities, resulting in outcomes that are not as favourable as those of the general population and other similarly disadvantaged groups. Gypsy/Travellers face high rates of homelessness, inadequate education, unemployment, poverty, and regular experiences of racism and discrimination . This profoundly affects their mental health and overall well-being. Additionally, the potential for lack of trust between Gypsy/Travellers and healthcare professionals impacts health seeking behaviour and health service provision, as there are also barriers in accessing responsive health services and preventative care interventions. Evidence indicates that community-based lay roles can improve healthcare access, reduce costs, and promote knowledge exchange between communities and health services through trusted individuals . This project aimed to evaluate the implementation of the Gypsy/Traveller CHW service, including barriers and facilitators, and make recommendations for its future scale-up. Objectives included describing the roles and activities of the CHWs, exploring the acceptability and feasibility of the service, identifying implementation barriers and facilitators, describing any modifications made, and examining the perceived benefits and disadvantages of the CHW service.
Identification of Interwell Interference Based on Hydrogeochemical Characteristics of Produced Water from Coalbed Methane Wells: A Case Study in the Southern Qinshui Basin, China
Authors: Tu Mingkai , Wang Xiaoming , Hou Shihui , Chen Wenwen , Dang Zheng
Published: April 2024

Interwell interference is the superposition effect of coalbed methane (CBM) reservoir pressure. This study aims to provide a new direction for the quantitative analysis of interwell interference from the hydrogeochemical characteristics of produced water from CBM wells. A total of 24 produced water samples collected from the Panhe (PH) group, Shizhuangnan (SZN)-1 group, and SZN-2 group in Qinshui Basin were selected for the comparative analysis. The water type of all water samples is characterized by Na-HCO3, with Na+ being the main total dissolved solids (TDS) provider. The self-similar major ionic characteristics of the PH and SZN-2 groups are prone to the occurrence of interwell interference. The δD and δ18O show that the main source of produced water is atmospheric circulating water. The similar isotope characteristics of produced water in the PH and SZN-2 groups represent that there is remarkable interwell interference. Sr, As, Cu, Ga, Li, Rb, Sn, Mo, and V are selected as indicator elements. In the cluster analysis, all CBM wells form a single cluster in the PH and SZN-2 groups in the first three iterations, indicating interwell interference. According to the established fuzzy discriminative model, interwell interference is divided into two types—strong interwell interference and weak interwell interference. Most CBM wells in the PH and SZN-2 groups show strong interwell interference. This study can provide theoretical foundations for the dynamic pressure regulation and well pattern infilling of CBM wells.
Imaging of brain electric field networks
Authors: Frank Lawrence , Galinsky Vitaly , Krigolson Olave , Tapert Susan F. , Bickel Stephan , Martinez Antigona
Published: April 2024

We present a method for direct imaging of the electric field networks in the human brain from electroencephalography (EEG) data with much higher temporal and spatial resolution than functional MRI (fMRI), without the concomitant distortions. The method is validated using simultaneous EEG/fMRI data in healthy subjects, intracranial EEG data in epilepsy patients, and in a direct comparison with standard EEG analysis in a well-established attention paradigm. The method is then demonstrated on a very large cohort of subjects performing a standard gambling task designed to activate the brain’s ’reward circuit’. The technique uses the output from standard EEG systems and thus has potential for immediate benefit to a broad range of important basic scientific and clinical questions concerning brain electrical activity, but also provides an inexpensive and portable alternative to function MRI (fMRI).
Waters Biomonitoring of the Marrecas River (Paraná, Brazil) at Different Trophic Levels
Authors: Couto Mário Sérgio Braga do , Salla Larissa , Biffi Mariana Tonello , Alves Geiciane Locatelli , Follador Franciele Aní Caovilla , Soares Izabel Aparecida , Hellmann Liliane , Schmitz Ana Paula de Oliveira , Pokrywiecki Juan Carlos , Pokrywiecki Ticiane Sauer , Manosso Fernando Cesar , Düsman Elisângela , Hendges Elvis Rabuske , Andres Juliano , Gomes Eduardo Michel Vieira , Aruda Gisele
Published: April 2024

One of the biggest environmental problems generated by anthropocentric activities is the pollution of water sources. Monitoring these areas is of great importance for maintaining their quality and for human heath, because the distribution of drinking water depends on the river ecosystem. This study aimed to realize the biomonitoring, at different trophic levels, of the Marrecas River Waters (Paraná, Brazil). The samples were collected in 2020 at nine points, three in the rural area and six in the urban area along the Marrecas River. Physicochemical and microbiological analyses, toxicity test with Artemia salina, escape test with Eisenia fetida, cytotoxicity with mammalian cells and cytotoxicity and mutagenicity test with Allium cepa were realized. The results show that the Marrecas River water quality is compromised, mainly in the urban region, possibly due to the inadequate use and occupation of its basin and inadequate disposal of effluents in the region. In addition, the study shows the importance of testing at different trophic levels, as they have different sensitivity, as is the case of A. cepa, which was the only one to demonstrate high levels of mutagenicity for the source of the Marrecas River.
RETRACTED: Modeling Cloud-Oriented Cryptographic Techniques inCloudSim for Comparative Analysis
Authors: Sanger Amit Kumar Singh Sanger , Johari Rahul Johari
Published: April 2024

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Effect of Septoria tritici blotch (Zymoseptoria tritici) on yield and yield components of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Holeta, Ethiopia
Authors: Yewste Tsigehana , Jemal Abaynew , Tadesse Yitagesu
Published: April 2024

Septoria tritici blotch is one of the most important yield-limiting diseases of wheat in Ethiopia. Yield loss assessment was conducted in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications at the Holeta Agricultural Research Center experimental field during the main cropping season of 2022/2023. The experiment was conducted to determine the integration effect of wheat variety, fungicide, and planting date on the grain yield of bread wheat. Evaluation was started from the onset of the disease 63 days after planting. The effects of Septoria tritici blotch on grain yield were significant (P < 0.05) when the two varieties Alidoro and Pavon − 76 planted on July 10th and treated with fungicide at a rate of 0.75 l/ha, produced the highest yields of grain (6.4and 5.7 ton/ha respectively). Results also showed that the highest yield losses (64.1 and 50.0%) were computed on untreated control plots of the cultivars Pavon 76 and Alidoro respectively, which were planted on 10th July and 1st July, compared with maximum protected experimental treatment for both cultivars. Furthermore, data on cost-benefit analysis showed that Alidoro treated with 0.75l/ha fungicide rate had the highest net benefit of 340330 B/ha and the highest marginal rate of return of 6714.29%. Pavon − 76 treated with 0.75l/ha fungicide rate and planted on 10th July came in second with a net benefit of 301830 B/ha and a marginal rate of return of 5253.98%. Disease parameters like disease severity and the area under disease progress curves were negatively correlated with yield and yield components, whereas, yield components were positively correlated with yield. The farming communities should be trained or advised on the timely application of efficient fungicides against septoria trititci blotch which may lead to the utilization of an integrated disease management strategy.
RETRACTED: The Removal of Silica from water of Jordan Phosphate Mines Company using Nanofiltration
Authors: Hajarat Rasha A. , Slehat Jafar S. , Badwan Bayan M. , Ejelat Serena M. , El-Hashem Sewar , Alzedaneen Shatha A.
Published: April 2024

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Hierarchical clustering-based short-term prediction of tower inclination angle by Bi-LSTM
Authors: Wang Minzhen , Zhong Caiming , Zhang Guangxin , Zheng Yan , Yue Keyu , Tan Yanxiang , Zhou Yucai , Qin Yuanhen , Gao Haihang
Published: April 2024

A hybrid prediction algorithm based on hierarchical clustering and Beluga Whale Optimization (BWO) algorithm, and Bi-LSTM network is proposed for the high voltage transmission lines so as to face the inclination angle of the pole towers caused by different weather reasons in the future and take safety protection measures. Using the dataset of historical tower tilt angle with a timestamp, it is verified by example that the short-term prediction of tower tilt angle based on hierarchical clustering BWO-Bi-LSTM tower tilt angle is able to predict the future tower tilt angle under any weather, which overcomes the limitations of the traditional Bi-LSTM model prediction method in accuracy and randomness of the influence of weather factors on tower tilt angle. and it has great practical value for the high-voltage lines in the tower. t has important practical value and significance for maintaining the safety of tower inclination of high voltage lines.
The Low Protein Diet induced Fetal Programming Leads to Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Metabolic Inflexibility in the Skeletal Muscle of Male Rats
Authors: Vidyadharan Vipin Alukkal , Betancourt Ancizar , Smith Craig , Blesson Chellakkan S. , Yallampalli Chandra
Published: April 2024

A prenatal low-protein (LP) diet disrupts glucose homeostasis in adult offspring. Skeletal muscles are one of the main sites of glucose clearance, and mitochondria residing in the muscle fibers are central to glucose homeostasis. Our previous studies indicated that impaired mitochondrial health is central to dysregulated glucose metabolism in the gastrocnemius muscle of the LP programmed female rats. In addition, dysfunctional mitochondria are often an indicator of underlying irregularities in energy metabolism and metabolic inflexibility. Therefore, this study examined the mitochondrial function and metabolic flexibility in the skeletal muscles of prenatal LP programmed adult male rats. Pregnant Wistar rats were randomly allotted to a control diet (20% protein) or an isocaloric LP diet (6% protein). Standard laboratory rat chow was given to the dams and the pups, after delivery and weaning. All the experiments in the study were done with the skeletal muscles of 4-month-old male offspring. Gene, and protein expressions, mtDNA copy number, and electron microscopy were assessed in gastrocnemius (GS) muscle, and the mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate was determined using isolated Flexor digitorum brevis muscle fibers. The genes associated with mitochondrial outer membrane fusion, (Mfn1 and Mfn2), fission (Fis1), and biogenesis (Pgc1B, Nrf1, and Essra) were lower in the LP group. Further, our functional studies showed that the ATP-linked oxygen consumption rate (OCR), maximal, spare respiratory, and non-mitochondrial respiration-associated OCRs were lower in the LP rats. Interestingly, the mtDNA copy number was increased in the LP group. Further, the mRNA and protein expressions of Ndufb8, a key factor involved in the complex-I catalytic activity were downregulated in the LP group. In addition, the expression of genes linked to mitochondrial pyruvate transport (Mpc1) and metabolism (Pdha1) was lower in the LP group. In contrast, the expression of mitochondrial fatty acid transporters (Cpt1a and Cpt2) was higher in the LP when compared to the control group. However, electron microscopic analysis exhibited no difference in the mitochondrial ultrastructure in the LP muscle compared to the control. Altogether, our results indicate that the LP diet affects the mitochondrial complex-I integrity and dynamics and leads to altered substrate oxidation and mitochondrial dysfunction in the skeletal muscle of the male LP offspring.
Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Potent Thiazolidinedione Salicylic Acid Inhibitors Against Glyoxalase-I as Potential Anticancer Agents
Authors: Alomari Banan O. , Fakhouri Lara , Al-Shar’i Nizar A. , Albalas Qosay
Published: April 2024

The worldwide rise in cancer incidence and mortality rates has spurred the search for new pathways implicated in cancer development and progression. One such target is glyoxalase 1 (GLO-I), a key player in methylglyoxal detoxification and a factor in the proliferation and prognosis of numerous cancers. Recent studies led by Al-Shar’i et al utilized computer-aided drug design to identify potential inhibitors of GLO-I. The second most potent hit, (Z)-5-(5-((2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidene)methyl)furan-2-yl)-2-hydroxybenzoic acid, (IC50 = 4.24 µM), was selected as a lead for further optimization. Through molecular docking, 27 analogues were designed and evaluated for binding affinity, with 14 of the top-scorings synthesized and tested for their inhibitory activity against GLO-I. The majority of these analogues showed enhanced activities relative to the lead compound, with the most potent having an IC50 of 150 nM. These findings pave the way for the continued development of highly effective GLO-I inhibitors.
A novel nonlinear pressurization method for counter-gravity casting of cross-sectional mutation structures
Authors: Qiu Ziao , Zhang Lunyong , Cao Fuyang , Shen Hongxian , Li Lu , Jin Zhishuai , Zhao Xinyi , Song Heqian , Zhang Chaojun , Sun Jianfei
Published: April 2024

In order to ensure the filling integrity of complex counter-gravity casting and improve metallurgical quality, it is necessary to shorten the filling time while avoiding air entrainments. To address this contradiction, a novel nonlinear pressurization method was proposed in this study. Through systematically analyzing the relationship between critical filling speed and stable filling height, a criterion for iterative calculation of nonlinear pressurization speed was established, and an empirical expression between nonlinear pressurization speed and the filling height was obtained. Based on the empirical expression, a nonlinear pressurization curve can be designed according to the casting structures and initial pressurization speeds. The above nonlinear pressure curve design method was validated through water simulation. It was proved that the nonlinear pressure curve can shorten the filling time while avoiding air entrainments. It provides important processing control method for improving the low-pressure casting performance of complex castings.
Numerical study on aerodynamics of small scale horizontal axis wind turbine with Weibull Analysis
Authors: Venkateswaran Vivekamanickam Koothan , Fernandez-Gamiz Unai , Portal-Porras Koldo , Blanco Jesus Maria
Published: April 2024

This paper represents the study of the Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) analysis and the Bending Element moment (BEM) analysis of the horizontal small-scale wind turbine for various parameters. Random Airfoils such as the NACA 0012, NACA 0018, NACA 4412, S1016, S1210, S1223, and SC20402 are chosen and the glide ratio is analyzed. The Reynolds number of 100,000 is taken into consideration since it is a small wind turbine design. The foil with the highest glide ratio is selected. Various notations are used to understand the chord and the twist angle of the blade and the blade with better chord and twist is chosen. The Coefficient lift, Coefficient drag, coefficient power, and power curves are analyzed using BEM. The power curves are evaluated for different air densities and a higher value of power is obtained. Finally, in CFD the SST K - ω model for turbulence is understood for various angles of attack using ANSYS Fluent for the different air density. Satisfactory results compared with the CFD and BEM analysis. Study on Weibull distribution is analyzed to understand the required frequencies for wind speeds so that the installation of wind turbines is made convenient in the preferred areas with suitable wind properties.
How are cobalt, selenium, and copper related to diabetes risk? A cohort study in rural areas of Xinxiang city
Authors: Tian Meichen , Cao Tingting , You Jing , Hu Han , Yu Qingqing , Yang Yishu , An Zhen , Song Jie , Zhang Guofu , Zhang Guicheng , Wu Weidong , Wu hui
Published: April 2024

Background: The long-term associationsbetween serum cobalt (Co), copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) intake and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are unclear. This study aimed to explore the relationship between serum Co, Cu, and Se intake and the risk of T2DM in rural areas of central China.
Methods: We used the method developed by our group for the simple, rapid and accurate detection of elements in serum by ICP-MS. Determine T2DM through valid questionnaires and laboratory tests. The Poisson regression model based on robustness under generalized linear regression was used to analyze metals, and the BKMR model was used to analyze the interaction of three mixed metals.
Results: A total of 3817 adults were included in the rural cohort study in Henan, and a total of 177 patients with T2DM were diagnosed. In the polymetallic model, stratified analyses revealed an overall negative correlation between serum Co, with intermediate concentrations associated with a non-significant risk of T2DM and high concentrations associated with a 34% (95% CI: 0.44, 1.00) reduction in the risk of T2DM relative to low concentrations. Serum Se was negatively correlated overall, with intermediate concentrations associated with a 41% (95% CI: 0.40, 0.85) lower risk of developing T2DM and high concentrations associated with a non-significant risk of developing T2DM, relative to low concentrations; A significant interaction between serum Se and age (P < 0.049) was found within each stratum, with significant interactions between age and T2DM, and a significant interaction between age and T2DM within each stratum. A significant interaction was found between serum Se and age (P < 0.049), with the negative association of serum Se with T2DM being enhanced in the younger (< 60 years) study population, and a significant interaction was found between serum Co levels and gender (P < 0.012), with the negative association of serum Co with T2DM also being enhanced in the female study population.
Conclusion: Cobalt metal exposure was protective in the development of diabetes and was stronger in the female population; selenium metal exposure was protective in the development of diabetes and was stronger in people younger than 60 years.
Comparison of the geographic variation in seed traits of a native species (Phragmites australis) to an alien invasive species (Spartina alterniflora) in Chinese coastal marshes
Authors: Wang Haoyu , Tong Chuan , Marrs Rob H. , Zhang Liwen , Qiu Guanglong , Bu Rencang , Huang Jiafang
Published: April 2024

Seeds are crucial for both maintaining existing plant populations and for colonizing new areas, and knowledge of traits helps us understand the colonization potential of successful species. One way to study seed-trait variation is to make comparisons along latitudinal gradients. Usually, however, only geographic variation in seed mass is studied systematically and knowledge of other traits is lacking, e.g. traits associated with seed production and nutritional status. Moreover, there have been few comparisons between native species and exotic invasives. Here, therefore, we compared morphological traits and nutrient concentrations of the seed of two competing species, a native species (Phragmites australis) and an alien one (Spartina alterniflora) along a 20o-latitudinal gradient of the Chinese coast and investigated which environmental factors were important in driving differences between these two contrasting species. Significant differences were found between the two species for nine of the 13 traits in their responses to latitude. Furthermore, temperature-mediated climate factors were the dominant variables influencing the latitudinal variation of seed traits in both species compared to soil properties. For the first time, our study shows the latitudinal variations in seed traits of the native P. australis and alien S. alterniflora. Our study predicts that the greater fecundity of high-latitude S. alterniflora populations poses a threat to P. australis, the native competitor.
Prevalence of antibiotic prescription in the end-of-life care of hospitalised geriatric patients (the APALIM study)
Authors: Festou Benjamin , Quesnel Paul-Antoine , N Amadou M.D. , Faucher Jean-François , TCHALLA ACHILLE
Published: April 2024

Background: Currently, population aging is a public health issue. End-of-life situations of older patients in hospital are increasingly frequent and raise therapeutic and ethical questions. Patients at the end of their lives, particularly older patients, are more often exposed to infections. The place of antibiotic therapy is central in terminal palliative care. Nevertheless, the use of antibiotics should always be assessed, especially because of the development of bacterial resistance. Therefore, this study assessed the prevalence of antibiotic use in older people at the end of life.
Method: This descriptive retrospective study included all patients aged 75 years and older, hospitalised in 2018 at the Limoges University Hospital Centre and at the hospital in Saint-Yrieix la Perche who died in hospital. The primary outcome was the use of an antibiotic in the last 10 days of life.
Results: Of the 338 patients included, 237 (70.1%) were treated with an antibiotic and 233 (68.9%) experienced hyperthermia > 38.3°C or hypothermia < 35°C. The most frequent infections were pulmonary (n = 141, 43.3%) and urinary tract (n = 67, 20.1%). Of the patients, 23.3% did not have an established infection diagnosis. Samples were taken from 29% of the patients. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were the bacteria most often isolated. Of the patients, 54.4% (n = 129) died while taking antibiotics. For 25.7% (n = 61) of the patients, a doctor decided to stop treatment early.
Conclusion: Many older patients at the end of their lives are concerned about antibiotic therapy. In the absence of scientific proof of the effectiveness of antibiotics to relieve patients at the end of life, these treatments should be studied to develop guidelines about their use in terminal palliative care.
Data-Driven Modeling of Dislocation Mobility from Atomistics using Physics-Informed Machine Learning
Authors: Tian Yifeng , Bagchi Soumendu , Myhill Liam , Po Giacomo , Saez Enrique Martinez , Lin Yen Ting , Mathew Nithin , Perez Danny
Published: April 2024

Dislocation mobility, which dictates the response of dislocations to an applied stress, is a fundamental property of crystalline materials that governs the evolution of plastic deformation. Traditional approaches for deriving mobility laws rely on phenomenological models of the underlying physics, whose free parameters are in turn fitted to a small number of intuition-driven atomic scale simulations under varying conditions of temperature and stress. This tedious and time-consuming approach becomes particularly cumbersome for materials with complex dependencies on stress, temperature, and local environment, such as body-centered cubic crystals (BCC) metals and alloys. In this paper, we present a novel, uncertainty quantification-driven active learning paradigm for learning dislocation mobility laws from automated high-throughput large-scale molecular dynamics simulations, using Graph Neural Networks (GNN) with a physics-informed architecture. We demonstrate that this Physics-informed Graph Neural Network (PI-GNN) framework captures the underlying physics more accurately compared to existing phenomenological mobility laws in BCC metals.
Personal hygiene practice and associated factors among elementary school students in Fiche Town, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2022
Authors: Minda Getaneh Haile , Tola Habiteyes Hailu , Fayisa Abebe , Keba Asefa , Endale Tewodrose
Published: April 2024

Background: In developing countries, the transmission of communicable diseases (CD) among school students is inevitable. Hygiene is the cleaning of an environment of any pathogens that could cause illness. Students at school are at greater risk of acquiring infectious pathogens and ingesting chemicals due to poor environmental and personal hygiene. Although there is poor personal hygiene practice among schools, there is no enough evidence on the magnitude and factors associated with hygiene practice. This study determine personal hygiene practice its associated factors among elementary school grade (5-8) student in Fiche town, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2022.
Methods: A cross-sectional study design was conducted from April 29 to May 29 in Fiche town, Oromia regional state, among elementary school students. A multi-stage probability sampling technique was used to select the individual participants. The total sample size of this study was 534 elementary school students. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data was entered into epi-data version 4.6 and analyzed by SPSS version 26.0. Variables that scored a p-value less than 0.2 during bivariate analysis were included in multilevel logistic regression models. The odds ratio of a 95% confidence interval estimated and the level of significance was set at ≤ .05.
Results: The study included 534 primary school students with a 100% response rate. The overall magnitude of good personal hygiene was 316 (59.2%), with a 95% confidence interval of (55.1–63.0). Latrine use practice was 334 (62.5%), hand-washing practice was 296 (55.4%), and oral hygiene practice was 295 (55.20%), with a 95% confidence interval of (51.1 -59.6). Female sex (AOR = 1.79, 95% CI (1.13-2.84), good personal hygiene knowledge (AOR = 2.29, 95% CI (1.28-4.10), hygiene inspection at school (AOR = 1.91, 95% CI (1.14-3.21), and latrine utilization practice (AOR = 8.110, 95% CI (5.07-12.98) were all significantly associated with good personal hygiene among students.
Conclusion: Overall, personal hygiene practice among primary school students in Fiche town was considerable. Interventions aiming to improve personal hygiene should target improving knowledge of personal hygiene, and hygiene inspection at school.
A method for permanent genetic transformation using embryonic callus of Pinus koraiensis
Authors: Hou Hui , Dong Hao , Wu Yanan , Zhao Wenna , Shen Hailong , Yang Ling , Zhang Hanguo , Li Shujuan
Published: April 2024

Pinus koraiensis holds the designation of a second-class protected wild plant in China, valued for its significant economic and ecological importance. However, the lack of a well-established genetic transformation system has hindered progress in functional research and breeding applications for this species. This study aimed to establish a reliable and efficient genetic transformation system of Pinus koraiensis embryonic callus, building upon somatic embryogenesis technology. Utilizing Pinus koraiensis embryonic callus and GUS as the reporter gene, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation was employed to investigate key transformation factors, such as antibiotic type and concentration, Agrobacterium bacterial solution concentration, infiltration, and co-cultivation times. The results revealed that 10 mg·L-1 of Hygromycin (Hyg) significantly inhibited Pinus koraiensis embryonic callus proliferation, while an OD600 absorbance value of 0.6 during transformation led to a remarkable 93.42±2.13% efficiency. Optimal co-cultivation for two days resulted in a transformation rate of 82.61%, with a high GUS staining rate of 88.89% in the resistant embryonic callus. Following the optimized protocol, resistant somatic embryos were successfully obtained. This research contributes to the advancement of seed resource breeding and genetic enhancement for Pinus koraiensis, providing a solid foundation for investigating gene functions related to this species.
RNA Profiling of Brain Microvessels Reveals Altered Morphology and Signaling in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Naranjo Oandy , Osborne Olivia M , Torices Silvia , Schmidlin Sarah , Tiburcio Destiny , Park Minseon , Toborek Michal
Published: April 2024

Disruptions in pericyte and endothelial cell expression can compromise the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), leading to neurovascular dysfunction and the development of neurological disorders. However, the study of microvessel RNAs has been limited to tissue homogenates, with spatial visualization only available for protein targets. We introduce an innovative microvessel isolation technique that is RNA-friendly for the purpose of coupling with RNAscope analysis. RNA-friendly microvessel isolation combined with RNAscope analysis enables the visualization of cell-specific RNA within the spatial and histological context of the BBB. Using this approach, we have gained valuable insights into the structural and functional differences associated with the microvessels of 5XFAD mice, a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). RNAscope analysis revealed a decrease in pericytes from microvessels isolated from 5XFAD mice in comparison to wild-type mice. Additionally, the microvessels of 5XFAD mice exhibited an increase in TYROBP mRNA expression. These findings significantly advance our understanding of neurovascular interactions and hold great promise for guiding the development of targeted therapeutic interventions. This innovative approach enables visualization of cell RNA while preserving the spatial and histological context of the BBB, shedding light on the mechanisms underlying neurovascular unit communication.
The feasibility of constructing Small Hydropower Dams to maintain sustainable Water supply for domestic and agricultural uses in the Western Desert of Iraq
Authors: Kamel Ammar , Sulaiman Sadeq , Sayl Khamis Naba , Ali Ammar , Muhammad Nur Shazwani , Abdullah Jazuri , Al-Ansari Nadhir
Published: April 2024

This paper presents a comprehensive method to estimate the feasibility of constructing small hydropower dams by incorporating an analysis of the physical characteristics of the study area using the Geographical Information System (GIS) and a frequency analysis based on a large amount of reliable rainfall data for an arid area, specifically in the Western Desert of Iraq. The analysis was conducted on the three largest valleys in the region, namely Horan, Al-Gadaf, and Al-Ubyad. The potential hydropower system, a small hydropower turbine set up on the bottom outlet of a small dam that operates as a penstock, includes developing water-harvesting systems in the dams in these valleys that can distribute water for agricultural and domestic purposes in the local community. The average expected head for dams in the study area is low, i.e. between 1.6 m and 31.5 m, while the median and mode are 11.5 m and 14 m, respectively. A return period-power generated curve is developed to demonstrate the probability and potential energy that can be generated. The potential hydropower based on rainfall in a (100-year return period) is 30 MW, 5.8 MW, and 4.3 MW for the Horan, Al-Ubyad, and Al-Gadaf catchment areas, respectively. Theoretically, these small hydropower plants are capable of serving up to 30,000 houses in the Horan catchment. Horan valley has the highest potential owing to its high storage capacity and large slope in the mainstream of the catchment and because the catchment area lies within the upper rainfall line in the western region of Iraq. Overall, the hydropower plants bring significant benefits to the area, including a constant water supply for domestic and agricultural uses, which would support the economic and social development of the region.
Beyond Neck Physical Function: Evidence of General Functional Impairment in Migraine Patients
Authors: Touche Roy La , García-Pastor Teresa , Reina-Varona Álvaro , Paris-Alemany Alba , Grande-Alonso Mónica
Published: April 2024

Previous research has focused on the possibility of cervical dysfunction in migraine patients, similar to what is observed in patients with tension-type headaches. However, there is no evidence concerning the physical function of other body regions, even though lower levels of physical activity have been reported among migraine patients. The aim of this study was to compare cervical and extra-cervical range of motion, muscular strength, and endurance, as well as overall levels of physical activity, between patients with chronic migraine (CM) and asymptomatic participants. The secondary objective included the analysis of associations between CM-related disability and various physical and psychological variables. A total of 90 participants were included in this cross-sectional study: 30 asymptomatic participants (AG) and 60 patients with CM. Cervical and lumbar range of motion, strength and endurance, as well as handgrip strength were measured. Headache-related disability, kinesiophobia, pain behaviors, physical activity level and headache frequency were assessed through a self-report. Lower values were found in CM vs AG for cervical and lumbar ranges of motion (p<0.05; effect sizes ranging from 0.57 to 1.44). Also, for neck extension strength (p=.013; d=-.66), lumbar strength (p<.001; d=-1.91) and handgrip strength (p<.001; d=-.98), neck endurance (p<.001; d=-1.81) and lumbar endurance (p<.001; d=-2.11). Significant differences were found for physical activity levels and kinesiophobia between CM and AG. The headache-related disability predictors were headache frequency, activity avoidance and rest, which explained 41% of the variance. The main findings of this study suggest that patients with CM have a generalized fitness deficit and not specifically cervical dysfunction. These findings support the hypothesis that migraine patients have not only neck-related issues but also general lower body conditions.
Enhancing Sustainable Control of Meloidogyne javanica in Tomato Plants: Leveraging Gamma Radiation-Induced Mutants of Trichoderma harzianum and Bacillus velezensis, with Optimal Combination Strategies
Authors: Rostami Mahsa , Shahbazi Samira , Soleimani Reihaneh , Ghorbani Abozar
Published: April 2024

This study investigates the efficacy of Trichoderma spp. and Bacillus spp., as well as their gamma radiation-induced mutants, as potential biological control agents against Meloidogyne javanica in tomato plants. The research encompasses in vitro assays, greenhouse trials, and molecular identification methodologies to comprehensively evaluate the biocontrol potential of these agents. In vitro assessments reveal significant nematicidal activity, with Bacillus spp. demonstrating notable effectiveness in inhibiting nematode egg hatching (16-45%) and inducing second-stage juvenile mortality (30-46%). Greenhouse trials further confirm the efficacy of mutant isolates, particularly when combined with chitosan, in reducing nematode-induced damage to tomato plants. The combination of mutant isolates with chitosan reduces the proliferation rate (RF) of root-knot nematodes by 94%. By optimizing soil infection conditions with nematodes and modifying the application of the effective compound, the RF of nematodes decreases by 65-76%. Molecular identification identifies Bacillus velezensis and Trichoderma harzianum as promising candidates, exhibiting significant nematicidal activity. Overall, the study underscores the potential of combined biocontrol approaches for nematode management in agricultural settings. However, further research is essential to evaluate practical applications and long-term efficacy. These findings contribute to the development of sustainable alternatives to chemical nematicides, with potential implications for agricultural practices and crop protection strategies.
Implementation of lattice based Cryptograpy cyber forensic system
Authors: Kumari Sonal , Anand Akshay , Sharma Shafalii , Pandey Diwakar
Published: April 2024

Lattice-based cryptography has emerged as a robust and promising framework for ensuring the security and resilience of cryptographic systems in the face of quantum computing threats. This research paper explores the recent advancements in lattice-based cryptographic techniques, delving into their mathematical foundations, practical implementations, and their significance in the contemporary landscape of information security. The paper provides an in-depth analysis of latticebased cryptographic protocols, including encryption schemes, digital signatures, and key exchange mechanisms. Emphasizing the post-quantum safety and impenetrability of latticebased cryptography, the research investigates the theoretical underpinnings of lattice problems and their computational complexity.
Microbiological characteristics, risk factors and mortality in children with bloodstream infection of carbapenem resistance Enterobacteriaceae: a 10-year longitudinal study
Authors: Liang Yujian , Zhao Chenfeng , Lu Yuhang , Liao Kang , Kong Yannan , Li Liubing , Chen Yili , Hong Mengzhi
Published: April 2024

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae(CRE) is rapidly becoming a major threat to hospitalized children worldwide. The purpose of this study was to summarize etiological characteristics and identify risk factors relevant to CRE bloodstream infection and short-term mortality among pediatric patients in China.
Methods: In this study, we included 370 inpatients ≤ 17 years old with BSI caused by CRE in China from January 2013 to December 2022. By collecting data on demographics, etiological features, and clinical outcomes, we conducted an in-depth analysis.
Result: Among the 370 BSI patients, there were 35 patients (9.46 %) caused by CRE and 335 patients (90.54 %) by carbapenem-susceptible Enterobacteriaceae (CSE). Among these CRE strains, Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most important pathogen of BSI in pediatric patients, followed by Escherichia coli and Enterobacter cloacae . The most frequent carbapenemase was NDM (23/35, 65.71%), followed by KPC (8/35, 22.86%). The overall 28-day mortality rate of children with an EnterobacteriaceaeBSI episode was 1.89 % (7/370 ), of which CRE BSI patients (3/ 35, 8.57 %) were significantly higher than CSE patients (4 / 335, 1.19 %， P < 0.001). Congenital malformation (OR:8.162, 95% CI: 3.859 - 16.680, P<0.001), CRP >10 mg/mL (OR:18.870, 95%CI 6.154 - 59.400, P: <0.0001) and catheter-related (OR: 6.645, 95% CI: 3.159 - 13.28, P: <0.0001) were found to be associated with the development of CRE BSI in pediatric patients. A multivariate analysis showed that the colonization and infection of CRE (OR 7.758, 95% CI 1.869-29.62, P = 0.021) were independent risk factors for 28-day mortality of Enterobacteriaceae BSI. When the MIC of carbapenems is ≥ 8 μg/mL, the admission rate and mortality rate in the ICU were higher(P<0.05).
Conclusions: Congenital malformation, previous cephalosporin/carbapenems administration, and catheter-related conditions are closely related to the development of CRE BSI in pediatric patients. The mortality rate of CRE BSI is higher. NDM was the predominant carbapenemase-producing mechanism among CRE strains causing BSI in children.
Supplementation of essential nutrients, selenium, iron and vitamin E for suckling calves under immunological challenge
Authors: Salles Márcia S. V. , Figueiroa Fábio J. F. , Netto Arlindo Saran , Bittar Carla M. , Gomes Viviani , Marques Raquel S. , Silveira Julia A. G , Filho Elias J. Facury , Freitas José Esler
Published: April 2024

The breeding and nutrition of young calves are important for the production system due to their great impact on future milk production potential. With the aim of studying the performance and health of calves in the suckling phase, with supplementation of selenium, iron and vitamin E undergoing immunological challenge with Anaplasma marginale, an experiment was carried out on the experimental farm using 42 newborn Holstein male calves aged up to 68 days, being submitted to the following treatments: Control milk replacer; SeVitE (milk replacer supplemented with selenium and vitamin E; SeVitEFe (milk replacer supplemented with selenium, vitamin E, and Fe. Selenium, iron, and vitamin E intakes were higher in supplemented animals. Increase in selenium serum was observed in calves, without changes in vitamin E and iron serum. Plasma lactate concentration was lower in supplemented animals and those with SeVitEFe had the lowest urea at 60 days compared to control. Hematological parameters were not influenced by treatments, they only changed with the age of animals. Glutathione peroxidase plasma was higher in supplemented animals, with interaction between treatment and time, where higher concentrations were observed at 40 days of experiment for supplemented calves compared to control. The performance of animals was not influenced by treatments. Animals with SeVitEFe had lower incidence of diarrhea. Supplementation of selenium, iron and vitamin E showed effectiveness in improving the oxidative metabolism and reducing the incidence of diarrhea of animals, but not to the point of improving their performance.
Constellation design and performance of future quantum satellite gravity missions
Authors: Zingerle Philipp , Pail Roland , Gruber Thomas , Daras Ilias
Published: April 2024

Temporal aliasing is currently the largest error contributor to time-variable satellite gravity field models. Therefore, the evolution of sensor technologies has to be complemented by strategies to reduce temporal aliasing errors. The most straightforward way to improve temporal aliasing are extended satellite constellations, because they improve the observation geometry and increase the achievable temporal resolution. Therefore, strategies to optimize the design of larger satellite constellations are investigated in this contribution. A complete constellation modelling procedure is presented starting from primary design variables (such as the required targeted resolutions) and concluding with concrete orbital elements for the individual satellites. In parallel, it is evaluated if improved instrument sensitivities based on quantum technologies (cold atom interferometry) can be fully exploited in the case of larger constellations. For this, future quantum satellite gravity missions adopting the gradiometry concept (similar to the GOCE mission) and the low-low satellite-to-satellite tracking concept (similar to GRACE/-FO) are simulated on optimized constellations with up to 6 satellites/pairs. The retrieval performance of a 6-pair mission in terms of the global equivalent water height RMS can be improved by a factor of roughly 3 compared to an inclined double-pair mission. 3D-gradiometry has intrinsically a better de-aliasing behavior but has extremely high accuracy requirements for the gradiometer (about 10 µEotvos) and the attitude reconstruction to be of any benefit. All simulations show that also when incorporating improved sensor technologies such as future quantum sensing instruments in extended constellations, temporal aliasing will remain the dominant error source by far, up to five orders of magnitude larger than the instrument errors. Therefore, improving sensor technologies has to go hand in hand with larger satellite constellations together with improved space-time parameterization strategies to further reduce temporal aliasing effects.
Clustering and Classification for Dry Bean Feature Imbalanced Data
Authors: Lee Chou-Yuan , Wang Wei , Huang Jian-Qiong
Published: April 2024

The dry bean dataset of this study uses the imbalanced data set of the University of California, Irvine (UCI) machine learning warehouse platform. The dataset consists of 13,611 data points, including 16 explanatory variables and 1 target variable (Class). This paper proposes clustering and classification of dry beans based on K-means combined with machine learning methods such as decision tree (DT), random forest (RF) and support vector machine (SVM). The key idea is that K-means performs clustering first, and then imports the clustering results into DT, RF, and SVM to obtain the classification accuracy and compares it with traditional machine learning methods to improve the classification accuracy of dry bean imbalanced data. The experimental result is shown that the proposed method found K-means + SVM to have good classification accuracy on the dry bean dataset. This study further explored the 11 decision rules obtained in K-means + DT. In the ranking of explanatory variable importance in K-means + RF, it was found that the top three were Compactness, ShapeFactor3, and ShapeFactor1. Therefore, the proposed method of first clustering and then classifying can be used as an effective means to analyze dry bean imbalanced data.
Association between glucose-to-albumin ratio and kidney injury in US adults: Results from NHANES 2005-2018
Authors: Chen Dashuang , Jiang Hao , Bao Jiaxin
Published: April 2024

Previous studies show that serum glucose and albumin are potential biomarkers for kidney diseases. Whether glucose-to-albumin ratio (GAR) associated with kidney injury is unknown. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005–2018 was utilized. Weighted logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the association of GAR with kidney injury. Subgroup analyses and restricted cubic splines were used to further explore associations. Cox proportional hazard model and Kaplan-Meier curve were used to assess the correlation between GAR and mortality. A total of 8,328 individuals were included, with 3.3% of those identified as kidney injury. In fully adjusted model, GAR was correlated with higher odds of kidney injury (continuous: odds ratio [OR] = 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14–1.37, P < 0.001; Q4 vs. Q1: OR = 2.30, 95%CI, 1.39–3.81, P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed race modified the association between GAR and kidney injury (P for interaction = 0.037). No significant difference was observed in the correlation between GAR and mortality among participants with kidney injury. In conclusion, the study indicates GAR was associated with higher odds of kidney injury. GAR may serve as an effective marker for identifying individuals with kidney injury.