bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Macroscale brain states support the control of semantic cognition
Authors: Wang Xiuyi , Krieger-Redwood Katya , Cui Yanni , Smallwood Jonathan , Du Yi , Jefferies Beth
Published: April 2024

It’s crucial in neuroscience to understand how the human brain adapts to varying cognitive demands. This study investigates network reconfiguration during controlled semantic retrieval in differing contexts. We analyzed brain responses to two semantic tasks of varying difficulty – global association and feature matching judgments – which were contrasted with non-semantic tasks on the cortical surface and within a whole-brain state space. Demanding semantic association tasks elicited activation in anterior prefrontal and temporal regions, while challenging semantic feature matching and non-semantic tasks predominantly activated posterior regions. Task difficulty also modulated activation along different dimensions of functional organization, suggesting different mechanisms of cognitive control. More demanding semantic association judgments engaged cognitive control and default mode networks together, while feature matching and non-semantic tasks were skewed towards cognitive control networks. These findings highlight the brain’s dynamic ability to tailor its networks to support diverse neurocognitive states, enriching our understanding of controlled cognition.
Microbial Antioxidants and Their Interactions with Gastrointestinal Tract Epithelial Cells in the Cattle
Authors: Sun Hui-Zeng , Zhu Senlin , Jia Minghui , Li Hou-Cheng , Han Bo , Shi Tao , Zhang Qi , Zheng Wei-Jie , Xu Jing-Hong , Chen Liang , Yan Yu-Nan , Qi Wenlingli , Feng-Fei Gu , Liu Jian-Xin , Liu George E. , Jiang Yu , Su Dong-Xiao , Fang Lingzhao
Published: April 2024

Oxidative stress is a pivotal trigger of immune responses and cellular dysfunction. The ruminant gastrointestinal tract (GIT) with complex microbial community demonstrated strong metabolic capabilities and close relationships with host oxidative stress. However, microbial antioxidant secondary metabolites in the GIT and their interactions with the host are still under-studied. Here, based on metagenome assembled genomes (MAGs) resources, deep learning, single-cell RNA-sequencing, and large number of protein-metabolites interactions inferring, we discovered the antioxidants from the microbial secondary metabolites and deciphered their potential interactions with the GIT epithelial cells. Totally 26,503 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs, 8,672 novel ones) were identified from 14,093 non-redundant MAGs distributed in 10 segments of cattle GIT. From the 436 BGCs’ products, totally 396 secondary metabolites were predicted into 5 categories of antioxidants using a custom-trained deep learning tool. The GIT epithelial cells showed higher expression of antioxidant genes among 1,006 clusters (belong to 126 cell types) of 51 tissues in cattle, especially the spinous cells and basal cells in the forestomach. Moreover, using metabolite-protein interaction inference, we predicted over 6 million pairs of interactive scores between 396 secondary metabolites and 14,976 marker proteins in the GIT cell types. Significant interactive scores between Cys-Cys-Cys and marker proteins participating in antioxidative metabolism such as CYC1, MGST1, GSTA1 in rumen and omasum spinous cells were highlighted. Our study presented a comprehensive computational framework for exploring natural antioxidants from MAGs, revealed the potential antioxidants from cattle GITs microbiota, and inferred their potential interactions with host GIT cell types, which will provide novel insights into the under-investigated antioxidant potential of cattle GIT microbiota and reshaping our comprehension of the symbiotic interplay between the gut microbiota and host antioxidant defense mechanisms.
Rock Crack Initiation Triggered by Energy Digestion
Authors: Yan Lei , Chang Jian , Manda Ebelia , Li Helin , Wang Qian , Jing Yangfan
Published: April 2024

The stress intensity factors with the kinds of critical models are usually obtained from the strength test on laboratory specimens to characterize the rock strength and fracture-ability. However, crack initiation phenomenology for rock material has not been comprehensively understood. In this study, energy theory—an essential character of material property changes—is drawn to evaluate rock crack initiation and study the correlation between rock strength and energy digestion. Uniaxial compression test was conducted on different hardness coefficients rock samples under quasi-static loading conditions and the results of energy evolution, non-linear cumulative digestion, and stored ultimate energy were obtained and compared with a series of results for sandstone. A novel algorithm for the evaluation of rock crack initiation has been proposed and the concept of energy digestion index (EDI) using the ratio of ultimate energy over accumulated energy has been developed to characterize the rock strength. The result shows that crack initiation is related to the maximum growth rate of energy cumulation. Simultaneously, the increasing rate of variable elasticity modulus of rock material gets the peak. The defined EDI has a negative correlation with the rock material's strength and mechanical properties. The relationships between final strength and EDI at crack initiation were also discussed and an assessment of the remaining strength life is introduced using the predicted value by fitting the EDI, leading to a new understanding and exploration for in-situ monitoring of rock damage and failure prediction.
ECG Heartbeat classification using Progressive Moving Average Transform
Authors: Mokhtari Rabah , Belhaouari Samir Brahim , Kassoul Khelil , Hocini Abderraouf
Published: April 2024

This paper presents the Progressive Moving Average Transform (PMAT), a novel signal transformation method for converting time-domain signals into 2D representations by progressively computing Moving Averages (MAs) with varying window sizes. The approach aims to enhance signal analysis and classification, particularly in the context of heartbeat classification. Our approach integrates PMAT with a 2D-Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model for the classification of ECG heartbeat signals. The 2D-CNN model is employed to extract meaningful features from the transformed 2D representations and classify them efficiently. To assess the effectiveness of our approach, we conducted extensive simulations utilizing two widely-used databases: the MIT-BIH database and the INCART database, chosen to cover a wide range of heartbeats. Our experiments involved classifying more than 6 heartbeat types grouped into three main classes. Results indicate high accuracy and F1-scores, with 99.09% accuracy and 92.13% F1-score for MIT-BIH, and 98.37% accuracy and 79.37% F1-score for INCART. Notably, the method demonstrates robustness when trained on one database and tested on another, achieving accuracy rates exceeding 95% in both cases. These findings underscore the effectiveness and stability of the proposed approach in accurately classifying heartbeats across different datasets, suggesting its potential for practical implementation in medical diagnostics and healthcare systems.
Base-editing corrects metabolic abnormalities in a humanized mouse model for glycogen storage disease type-Ia
Authors: Chou Janice , Arnaoutova Irina , Aratyn-Schaus Yvonne , Zhang Lisa , Packer Michael , Chen Humg Dar , Lee Cheol , Gautam Sudeep , Gregoire Francine , Leboeuf Dominique , Boule Steven , Fernandez Thomas , Huang Victoria , Cheng Lo-I , Lung Genesis , Bannister Brianna , Decker Jeremy , Ciaramella Giuseppe , Mansfield Brian
Published: April 2024

Glycogen storage disease type-Ia (GSD-Ia) patients, deficient in glucose-6-phosphatase-α (G6Pase-α or G6PC), manifest impaired glucose homeostasis with hallmark fasting hypoglycemia. We generated a humanized knock-in mouse model, huR83C, that is homozygous for the pathogenic G6PC-R83C variant and manifests a GSD-Ia phenotype. We evaluated the efficacy of BEAM-301, lipid nanoparticles containing guide RNA and mRNA encoding a newly-engineered adenine base editor, to correct the G6PC-R83C variant in huR83C mice and monitored phenotypic correction through one year. BEAM-301-treated mice exhibited a maximum base-editing efficiency of ~60% in the liver and achieved physiologicallevels of hepatic G6Pase-α activity with just ~10% base-editing rate. The edited mice displayed an improved metabolic phenotype, sustained 24-hour fasting, and survived long-term. In contrast, untreated mice exhibited fasting hypoglycemia and died prematurely. The durable pharmacological efficacy of base editing in huR83C mice supports the development of BEAM-301 as a potential therapeutic for patients with GSD-Ia carrying the G6PC-R83C variant.
Full-rank Imaging Detection of Multi-frames of Ultrasonic-guided Waves in Welded Structural Plate Based on Arc Sparse Array
Authors: ZHU Xinjie , Yao Sen , Deng Mingxi , Zhang Jie , Gao Yang
Published: April 2024

The utilization of ultrasonic-guided wave array imaging in the detection of weld structural plates holds significant importance. This study presents a novel approach for full-rank imaging of shear horizontal (SH)-guided wave arc sparse arrays in welding structure imaging detection, The paper discusses the mechanism behind the ultrasonic-guided wave arc sparse array, specifically focusing on its full-rank imaging of multi-frames (FRIMR) capabilities in the presence of weld scattering. The receiving aperture of the arc sparse array is analyzed and discussed using the amplitude matrix and time-transition matrix. Both synthetic aperture and FRIMR of the arc sparse array are examined. The research findings demonstrate that FRIMR detection using ultrasonic-guided wave arc sparse array effectively captures scattering information equivalent to the wavelength size in the imaging detection area. This results in an average signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improvement of 39.2% in full-frame imaging compared to multi-frames imaging. The imaging experiment validates the feasibility of the proposed imaging principle, highlighting its potential for imaging detection of welded structures. The research presented in this paper serves as a crucial foundation for future studies and applications of array imaging detection using ultrasonic-guided waves in welded structural plates.
Forchlorfenuron exposure Induces hepatocyte Apoptosis via MKK3/p38/ATF-2 signaling Pathway
Authors: Sun Xiao , Zhang Yunqi , Che Xiaoyang , Dai Ziru , Luo Yun , Sun Xiaobo
Published: April 2024

Forchlorfenuron is a widely used plant cytokinin in traditional Chinese medicine and agricultural cultivation to boost resistance, postpone senescence, and increase productivity. However, improper forchlorfenuron use results in excessive residues and contamination, raising health and safety concerns. The in vitro toxicity of forchlorfenuron on HepaRG cells was investigated in our research. Results showed that forchlorfenuron inhibited HepaRG cell viabilities in a concentration and time-dependent manner. Forchlorfenuron induced cellular apoptosis and the increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) indicated the participation of oxidative stress. Molecular docking and network pharmacology data suggested that the hepatotoxicity of forchlorfenuron might involve the MAPK signaling pathway. After 24 hours of forchlorfenuron exposure, the p38-MAP kinase, upstream kinases MKK3, and the transcription factor ATF-2 was maximally activated. Apoptosis induced by forchlorfenuron was significantly reduced by pretreatment of the P38 inhibitor SB203580. These findings implicated that HepaRG hepatocyte injuries were generated by forchlorfenuron through the induction of cellular apoptosis via MKK3/p38/ATF-2 pathways. Forchlorfenuron application should be closely managed to prevent potential liver damage.
Prediction of COD in Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plant using an Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Mesutoğlu Özgül Çimen , Gök Oğuzhan
Published: April 2024

In this investigation, the modeling of the Aksaray industrial wastewater treatment plant was performed using artificial neural networks with various architectures in the MATLAB software. The dataset utilized in this study was collected from the Aksaray wastewater treatment plant over a nine-month period through daily records. The treatment efficiency of the plants was assessed based on the output values of chemical oxygen demand (COD) output. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to furnish input for the artificial neural network (ANN). The model's performance was evaluated using the mean squared error (MSE) and correlation coefficient (R2) parameters. The optimal architecture for the neural network model was determined through several trial and error iterations. According to the modeling results, the ANN exhibited a high predictive capability for plant performance, with an R2 reaching up to 0.9997 when comparing the observed and predicted output variables.
IL-18, a therapeutic target for immunotherapy boosting, promotes temozolomide chemoresistance via the PI3K/AKT pathway in glioma
Authors: Ji Huangyi , Lan Yufei , Xing Pengpeng , Wang Zhao , Zhong Xiangyang , Tang Wenhui , Wei Quantang , Chen Hongbin , Liu Boyang , Guo Hongbo
Published: April 2024

Background: Temozolomide (TMZ) resistance is still the urgent topic in treatments of glioma. Recent studies show inflammation is involved in tumor chemoresistance.Interleukin-18, a proinflammatory cytokine, is highly expressed in glioma and related with worse prognosis. However, its effects on glioma remain unclear.
Methods and Results: In this research, we detected that interleukin-18 enhanced growth and inhibited apoptosis in cultured glioma cells via CCK8 and EdU assay. Further, in vivo studies revealed that interleukin-18 promoted glioma growth in mice bearing tumors. Mechanical exploration indicated that interleukin-18 stimulation could activate the PI3K/AKT pathway, and the PI3K inhibition could reduce the interleukin-18-induced proliferation of glioma cells. We found that interleukin-18 upregulated CD274 expression in glioma cells.Furthermore, we established a tumor xenograft model and explored the therapeutic efficacy of anti-interleukin-18 monoclonal antibodies. Targeting interleukin-18 prolonged survival and attenuated CD274 expression in the mice-bearing tumor. Combined application of anti-PD-1 and anti-interleukin-18 monoclonal antibodies showed better efficacy in suppressing tumor growth than either treatment alone in mice bearing tumors.
Conclusion: Interleukin-18 promotes temozolomide chemoresistance in glioma via PI3K/Akt activation and establishes an immunosuppressive milieu by modulating CD274. This study highlights the therapeutic value of interleukin-18 in glioma.
Pediatric Buccal Epithelial Cell Proportions Decrease Reliably With Age: Considerations for PedBE in Pediatric Research
Authors: Kobor Michael
Published: April 2024

Children’s cheek swabs, cellularly heterogeneous samples consisting primarily of buccal epithelial cells (BECs), are widely used in epigenetic association studies of pediatric DNA methylation and biomarker creation, e.g., the Pediatric Buccal Epigenetic (PedBE) clock. Although BEC proportion is suggested to decrease with age, this was not investigated during childhood. Here, we analyzed cheek swabs from 3799 typically developing children 2-months to 20-years-old. Estimated BEC proportion declined, while estimated neutrophil proportion increased, with chronological and predicted epigenetic age, and variability in both cell types increased with age. Although estimated BEC proportion was weakly related to epigenetic age acceleration (EAA), this was attenuated to non-significance after correcting for BECs during initial EAA estimation. Notably, correcting for BEC proportion attenuated the association of PedBE EAA with obsessive-compulsive disorder and strengthened the association with diurnal cortisol slope. Thus, the change in children’s oral cell proportions with age is a crucial consideration for cell type-sensitive research.
PhantomAR: Gamified Mixed Reality System for Alleviating Phantom Limb Pain in Upper Limb Amputees – Design, Implementation, and Clinical Usability Evaluation
Authors: Prahm Cosima , Eckstein Korbinian , Bressler Michael , Wang Zhixing , Li Xiaotong , Suzuki Takashige , Daigeler Adrien , Kolbenschlag Jonas , Kuzuoka Hideaki
Published: April 2024

Background: Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a restrictive condition in which patients perceive pain in a limb that is no longer present, greatly reducing their quality of life. Mirror Therapy, wherein patients observe a mirror reflection of their intact limb, has demonstrated efficacy in alleviating PLP. However, its unilateral and seated nature presents limitations. To address these constraints while still reducing PLP, and evaluating the impact of different virtual limb representations (anthropomorphic vs. non-anthropomorphic) on the user's sense of ownership, agency, and embodiment, PhantomAR was developed. Leveraging wearable first-person augmented reality (AR) technology, PhantomAR extends traditional Mirror Therapy by enabling users to move freely and engage in bimanual tasks.
Methods: The assistive mixed reality game application PhantomAR was deployed on the Microsoft HoloLens 2 and augmented the user’s residual limb by superimposing a virtual arm or tentacle that was controlled via residual muscles on their stump using an EMG electrode array. This setup allowed patients to engage in a first-person perspective and manipulate virtual objects with both the healthy and augmented limbs, free from the confines of a seated position. The study enrolled 10 able-bodied individuals and 8 individuals with unilateral, transradial amputation. All amputees experienced PLP. The usability of the PhantomAR application was evaluated using the System Usability Scale (SUS) and a user-centric survey. Additionally, the Game Experience was assessed on a 5-point Likert questionnaire (GEQ). Participants rated their phantom sensations using the Numerical Rating Scale and McGill Pain Questionnaire before, during, and after interaction with PhantomAR. The embodiment and agency of the virtual superimposed arm were evaluated with an altered Prosthesis Embodiment Scale. The study protocol included two sessions of 30 minutes each, during which participants experienced PhantomAR.
Results: Participants (n=18) rated PhantomAR highly usable (SUS m=90.8%, SD=6.88). Feedback on the Game Experience Questionnaire was overwhelmingly positive, showing high immersion (m=4.46, SD=0.08) and positive affect (m=4.97, SD=0.05). PLP (n=8) significantly decreased post-intervention (NRS and McGill Pain Questionnaire, p<.001). Skin temperature in the residual limb increased significantly post-intervention (p<.01) but did not correlate with PLP (r=-0.08, p=0.83). Tentacle overlay yielded mixed ownership but high agency ratings.
Conclusion: PhantomAR leverages extended reality to significantly reduce Phantom Limb Pain, enhance user engagement, and alter perceptions of ownership and agency of their augmented limb through dynamic, full-body interactions.
Identification of novel COPD susceptibility genes using a genome-wide interaction study
Authors: kim chi young , Park Boram , Jung Ji Ye , Kim Je Hyeong , Nam Chung Mo , Won Sungho , Kim Young Sam
Published: April 2024

Some genetic variants are associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but genetic susceptibility for lung function decline has not been studied in the general population. We investigated the genetic susceptibility-associated lung function decline with or without COPD, using data from a community-based cohort. A genome-wide interaction study was conducted to identify the association between genetic variants and pulmonary function, and the way variants relate to lung impairment in accordance with smoking status and amount was examined. We further used a linear mixed model to examine the association and interaction to time effect. We found annual mean FEV1 declines of 41.7 mL for men and 33.4 mL for women, and the annual rate of decline in FEV1 was the fastest for current smokers. We also found a previously identified locus near FAM13, the most significant SNPs from the results of two likelihood ratio tests for FEV1/FVC. These selected SNPs were located in the upstream region of FAM13 on chromosome 4 and had similar minor allele frequencies (MAFs). Furthermore, we found that certain SNPs tended to have lower FEV1/FVC values, and lung function decreased much faster with time interactions. The SNP most associated with lung function decline was the rs75679995 SNP on chromosome 7, and those SNPs located within the TAD of the DNAH11 region and the eQTL of rs9991425 revealed a higher expression of MFAP3L and AADAT genes. This is the first gene–time interaction study of lung function decline as a risk factor for COPD in the Korean population. In addition to replicating previously known signals for FAM13A, we identified two novel genomic regions (DNAH11, AADAT) involved in this gene–environmental interaction.
Laparoscopic treatment for incomplete annular pancreas in neonates
Authors: Li Bing , Chen Bing , Xia Lin
Published: April 2024

Purposes
Incomplete annular pancreas refers to the partial encircling of the second part of duodenum by pancreatic tissue anteriorly and posteriorly. The purpose of this manuscript is to report the rare configuration and the laparoscopic management strategy in neonates.
Methods
The subjects for this study were 15 consecutive neonates with incomplete annular pancreas during January 2013 and September 2023. The distal duodenum was incised longitudinally and the proximal duodenum was incised transversely 1.0 cm away from the anterior ring of pancreatic tissue. The length of both the incisions was approximately 1.5-2.0 cm. Laparoscopic side-to-side duodenoduodenostomy was then carried out.
Results
Of all the patients, 6 were male and 9 were female. Crocodile jaw sign pancreas was revealed in all the neonates intraoperatively. Five of the neonates were diagnosed with an annular pancreas coexisting congenital intestinal malrotation, and Ladd’s procedures were performed firstly. Laparoscopic procedures were all completed without conversions. The mean operative time is 82.7 ± 17.5 min in the group (range, 50～120 min). The postoperative recovery was uneventful in all the cases. The mean follow-up duration was 39.9 ± 20.9 months (ranged, 6–60 months). There was not any anastomotic leak and stenosis in the series.
Conclusions
The rarely reported crocodile jaw sign pancreas should be recognized as a distinct type of annular pancreas and need to be given adequate attention clinically. The laparoscopic side-to-side duodenoduodenostomy is a safe and viable treatment option for experienced surgeons.
A novel regulator of wheat tillering LT1 identified by using an innovative BSA method
Authors: Yuan Yundong , Lyu Bo , Qi Juan , Liu Xin , Wang Yuanzhi , Delaplace Pierre , Du Yanfang
Published: April 2024

Branching/tillering is a critical process for plant architecture and grain yield. However, Branching is intricately controlled by both endogenous and environmental factors. The underlying mechanisms of tillering in wheat remain poorly understood. In this study, we identified Less Tiller 1 (LT1) as a novel regulator of wheat tillering using a newly upgraded bulked segregant analysis (BSA) method called uni-BSA, which is well-suited for wheat. Loss-of-function of LT1 results in fewer tillers due to defects in axillary meristem initiation and bud outgrowth. We mapped LT1 to a 6 Mb region on the chromosome 2D short arm and validated a nucleotide-binding (NB) domain encoding gene as LT1 using CRISPR/Cas9. Furthermore, the lower sucrose concentration in the shoot bases of lt1 might result in inadequate bud outgrowth due to disturbances in the sucrose biosynthesis pathways. Co-expression analysis suggests that LT1 controls tillering by regulating TaROX/TaLAX1, the ortholog of the Arabidopsis tiller regulator REGULATOR OF AXILLARY MERISTEM FORMATION (ROX) or the rice axillary meristem regulator LAX PANICLE1 (LAX1). This study not only offers a novel genetic resource for cultivating optimal plant architecture but also underscores the importance of our innovative BSA method. This uni-BSA method enables the swift and precise identification of pivotal genes associated with significant agronomic traits, thereby hastening gene cloning and crop breeding processes in wheat.
The Nonlinear Effect of Adolescent Self-control and Mental Health: The Mediating Role of School Adaptation and the Moderating Role of Physical Activity
Authors: Jiang Yueyan , Liu Chong , Yan Jun , Wang Lingzhi
Published: April 2024

To examines the nonlinear effects of adolescent self-control on mental health and investigates the mediating role of school adaptation and the moderating role of physical activity. We conducted psychological measurements on 2077 high school students from 8 different schools using a psychological scale. The results revealed a U-shaped relationship between adolescent self-control and their mental health and school adaptation. Additionally, school adaptation played a mediating role in the U-shaped relationship between adolescent self-control and mental health. Furthermore, we found that physical activity regulated the indirect effects between adolescent self-control and mental health through school adaptation. The results reveal that adolescents sometimes need to choose between prioritizing internal self or external adaptation strategies to achieve school adaptation, which may lead to excessive depletion of self-control resources and result in a state of "excessive adaptation," thus affecting their mental health. Physical activity can weaken the impact of "excessive adaptation" on mental health by moderating the relationship between adolescent school adaptation and mental health. This study provides new insights into the factors influencing adolescent mental health and advocates for educators to dynamically balance adolescent self-control and school adaptation through reasonable implementation of physical activity to maintain adolescent mental health.
Steering characteristics and path following control of a bionic underwater vehicle with multiple locomotion modes
Authors: Wang Xiaofei , Zhou Chao , Wang Jian , Fan Junfeng , Zhang Zhuoliang , Chang Wenkai
Published: April 2024

The research on the path following control of the bionic underwater vehicle with high maneuverability and propulsive performance is a crucial issue. This paper investigates the planer path following control task of a bionic underwater vehicle with superior maneuverability. The steering characteristics of the sinusoidal offset and unilateral asymmetric steering signals are analyzed. The experimental results demonstrate that the two signals separately have smaller steering radius and power consumption in the low-frequency and relatively high-frequency range, and are consequently suitable for distinct scenarios. Furthermore, a switching nonlinear model predictive control strategy is proposed, which regulates the state error weighting values according to the real-time yaw angle error. The control strategy realizes autonomous switching of multiple locomotion modes to enhance the swimming speed of the bionic underwater vehicle and fulfills the purpose of improving the task-completing efficiency. The simulation and experimental results indicate that the bionic underwater vehicle achieved 3.49 and 2.92 times enhancement in swimming speed performance at straight and steering target path following control tasks, respectively. The proposed methods as well as obtained results can provide universal inspiration for the multiple motion-based path following control of autonomous underwater vehicles.
Relational information framework, causality, unification of quantum interpretations and return to realism through non-ergodicity
Authors: Shor Oded , Benninger Felix , Khrennikov Andrei
Published: April 2024

In the framework of relational information, we explore analogs of physical theories and their properties. Specifically, we investigate the causal characteristics of relational information, examining how initial knowledge impacts future relational understanding of the universe/system. To achieve this, we establish a parameter space defining relational structures called dendrograms, exhibiting causal properties akin to those of Minkowski metric. Subsequently, we propose a statistical-dynamical model on this Minkowski-like parameter space, unifying Bohmian and Many Worlds interpretations of quantum theory in the framework of relational information. Additionally, we provide an analytical proof of the non-ergodicity of the relational information framework, revealing CHSH inequality violations as an emergent phenomenon. Our focus on relational information underscores its significance across scientific disciplines, where a single measurement or observation lacks meaning without context.
A Multi-Pathway Study on the Impact of the Business Environment on Digital Elderly Care Services in China
Authors: Gao Jianli , Zhang Xiaoqing , Wang Lejie , Zhang Xiaoyan
Published: April 2024

A high-quality business environment contributes to unleashing the innovative vitality of market, what kind of business environment can promote the the construction of digital elderly care services is an important issue worthy of attention. Utilizing spatial visualization methods, we unveil distinct regional heterogeneity in the provincial distribution of digital elderly care services. Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta leading the way. To understand this pattern, we engage the fuzzy-set qualitative analysis and examine the configuration of six equivalent pathways for the the business environment on digital elderly care services. In general, we find digital talent aggregation and government public expenditure playing a deterministic role in all configurations and offer recommendations for the innovative development of digital elderly care services under different digital resource endowments.
A Hybrid Method of Parametric-Factor Analysis in land suitability Studies for Thyme, Marjoram, and Barberry Production in Northeast of Iran
Authors: Hokmabadi Alireza Anvarkhah , Tatari Maryam , Bagherzadeh Ali , Rahimizadeh Majid
Published: April 2024

Land evaluation is the process of predicting land use potential on the basis of its attributes. In the present study, the land suitability evaluation using hybrid method of parametric-factor analysis was investigated for Thyme, Marjoram, and Barberry Production in northeast of Iran. The multivariate statistical method of factor analysis (FA) by principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to assess the land suitability zonation for Thyme, Marjoram, and Barberry production in North Khorasan Province, NE Iran. We processed the extracted variables and obtained four limiting factors that account for about 90% of the total variance. The study area was classified into three land suitability classes: S1 (suitable), S2 (moderately suitable), and S3 (marginally suitable) for Thyme, Marjoram, and Barberry production. The land suitability zonation map revealed that: For Thyme production, 2.43% (621.64 km2) of the area was S1, 92.37% (23542.2 km2) was S2, and 5.20% (1321.97 km2) was S3. For Marjoram production, 78.84% (20091.11 km2) of the area was S2, and 21.16% (5394.7 km2) was S3. For Barberry production, 1.70% (433.48 km2) of the area was S1, 75.80% (19318.68 km2) was S2, and 22.50% (5733.66 km2) was S3. The preference values achieved by the TOPSIS model revealed that Thyme with 0.583 has the highest score followed by Marjoram and Barberry with 0.499 and 0.465, respectively, which corresponds with the estimated land suitability indices obtained by the Parametric-Factor analysis model for the above-mentioned plants in the study area.
Efficacy of Integrated Neurofeedback and Virtual Reality Training in Children with ADHD: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Wu Chenchao , Wu Deyuan , Fang Yu , Song Haidong
Published: April 2024

Objective: This research aims to explore the therapeutic outcomes of combining Neurofeedback (NF) with Virtual Reality (VR) training on children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) through a randomized controlled trial.
Methods: ADHD patients from the Children's Psychiatry Outpatient and Inpatient Departments of the Seventh People's Hospital in Hangzhou were randomly divided into two groups from March 2021 to December 2022. One group received standard neurofeedback therapy (control group), and the other underwent a combined neurofeedback therapy and a VR-based training system (intervention group). The intervention lasted for three months. This research utilized the SNAP-IV (Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham-IV) Attention Rating Scale for comparative analysis between the groups before and after the intervention.
Results: This study found that combining neurofeedback and virtual reality training has a positive impact on inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)in children with ADHD. Specifically, within the intervention group, the average inattention score decreased significantly from 24.0 (SD = 2.6) before the intervention to 16.8 (SD = 2.7) after the intervention, with an effect size of 2.72 (95% CI: 2.01, 3.42). Similarly, the hyperactivity/impulsivity score decreased significantly from 19.0 (SD = 3.3) to 14.6 (SD = 2.8), with an effect size of 1.44 (95% CI: 0.87, 2.01), and the ODD score decreased from 16.6 (SD = 3.6) to 12.5 (SD = 2.2), with an effect size of 1.37 (95% CI: 0.81, 1.94). After the intervention, intergroup comparisons showed that compared to the intervention group (mean 16.8, SD=2.7), the control group (mean 19.9, SD=3.1) had significantly higher scores in inattention, with an effect size of 1.08 (95% CI: 0.54, 1.62). The difference in hyperactivity/impulsivity scores was smaller but statistically significant, with the control group averaging 16.17 (SD=2.84) and the intervention group 14.60 (SD=2.77), with an effect size of 0.56 (95% CI: 0.04, 1.07). The ODD scores were also higher in the control group (13.93, SD=2.98) compared to the intervention group (12.53, SD=2.21), with an effect size of 0.53 (95% CI: 0.02, 1.05). The intervention group, combining neurofeedback and VR attention training, showed a significant reduction in inattention (average decrease of 7.2, SD=3.6, effect size -0.68 (95% CI: -1.20, -0.16)), with less and non-significant reductions in hyperactivity/impulsivity and ODD symptoms, highlighting the targeted efficacy of the intervention on attention deficits.
Conclusion: Integrating neurofeedback and VR training significantly reduces inattention in children with ADHD, offering a promising approach for targeting core symptoms of the disorder.
Manipulating Hosts Within Mutualisms: Role of Plant Hormones in Selective Resource Allocation
Authors: KULKARNI MANASA , VADASSERY JYOTHILAKSHMI , BORGES RENEE M.
Published: April 2024

In some mutualisms involving plants, photoassimilates are provided as rewards to symbionts. Endophagous organisms often manipulate host plants to increase access to photoassimilates. Host manipulations by endophagous organisms that are also mutualists are generally less understood. We show host plant manipulations by symbionts and the role of phytohormones, i.e. the auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and the cytokinin trans-zeatin (tZ), in the brood-site pollination mutualism between fig trees and pollinator fig wasps. In this interaction, pollinator wasps pollinate Ficus flowers within a closed inflorescence called a syconium, in exchange for flowers that develop into galls nourishing pollinator offspring. To examine host manipulation by pollinator galls, we compared growth hormones released by syconial occupants within three experimentally produced treatment groups of syconia: S (containing only seeds), G (containing only pollinator galls) and SG (containing seeds and pollinator galls). We harvested syconia from each treatment in the early and mid-phases of syconial maturation when maximal growth occurs and measured hormone levels Hormone levels were reduced by mid-phase in general; however, they were mostly sustained in G syconia in the mid-phase, suggesting that galls manipulate the host to continuously access resources. We found no difference in IAA and tZ levels of S and G syconia. IAA concentrations were higher in SG syconia. From the perspective of the maintenance of the mutualism, syconium volume and hormone concentrations were highest when both seeds and galls were present (SG treatment), indicating that joint control by both partners over allocation of resources to syconia.
Cognitive and neurobehavioural disorders in school-age children in Haut-Katanga province, an environment exposed to trace metals
Authors: Mbuyamba Eunice Bilonda , Mande Jean-Paul Ngoy , Obadia Paul Musa , Mulumba Claude Mwamba Mwamba , Haufroid Vincent , Nemery Benoit , Mukalay Abdon Mukalay w , Nkulu Célestin Banza Lubaba , ris Laurence , Lefebvre Laurent , E-Andjafono Daniel Okitundu Luwa
Published: April 2024

Introduction:
Cognitive and neurobehavioural disorders in children are poorly documented in Haut-Katanga Province, an environment exposed to trace metals.
Objective:
To characterize children's behaviour in relation to cognitive performance and exposure to trace metals in urban and rural environments.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was carried out on fifty-two children aged 6 to 11 years, including thirty children from urban areas, exposed to trace metals, in the city of Lubumbashi and twenty-two children from rural areas presumed to be less exposed to trace metals, but more exposed to malnutrition. The NEPSY-II tests, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ-tutor) and blood and urine trace metals spectrometry assays were used.
Results:
Total behavioural difficulties predominated in rural area, compared to urban environment, while no difference in the stress or impairment related to difficulties was observed between the groups. Children in urban area performed better cognitively than children of rural environment, particularly on the facial affect recognition and on inhibition. Overall, growth nutritional status determined the level of total behavioural difficulties. Cobalt and lead were detected in the blood of children at levels exceeding the upper reference limits of non-occupationally exposed individuals, especially in urban area for cobalt. The presence of metals in urine and blood was correlated in a complex way with behavioral difficulties and cognitive performance.
Conclusion:
The extent of the behavioural problems, in relation to cognitive performance, and their association with nutritional problems and exposure to trace metals indicate a multifactorial neurodevelopmental origin requiring further study.
Item response theory-based validation of a quality of digital marketing actions on Instagram business accounts measurement instrument
Authors: Souza Joyce Edra Pereira , Silva Jonhatan Magno Norte
Published: April 2024

Digital environments have become critical channels for information transmission, enabling companies to expand their presence across various market segments and enhance their product and service offerings. The increasing prominence of social media platforms has made it necessary for companies to invest significantly in digital marketing techniques. In light of this, this article aims to develop a scale for measuring the quality of digital marketing actions on Instagram business accounts. Methodologically, we employed Full-Information Item Factor Analysis in conjunction with the Graded Response Model from Item Response Theory (IRT) to evaluate the measurement instrument items. A set of 22 items was created based on technical characteristics such as interactivity, usability, and information presentation, drawing from existing literature. Subsequently, this instrument was applied to a sample of 313 Instagram business accounts. From this analysis, a final set of 13 items exhibited good psychometric properties and formed the ultimate measurement tool. The generated scale comprises six levels, ranging from very inappropriate to very appropriate, and effectively classifies the quality of digital marketing actions on Instagram business accounts. Interestingly, our findings indicate that a significant portion of the evaluated accounts are still in the early stages of digital marketing maturity, with lower adequacy levels. Many of the examined Instagram accounts have the potential to enhance their strategies for more impact.
UAPT: An Underwater Acoustic Target Recognition Method Based on Pre- trained Transformer
Authors: Tang Jun , Ma Enxue , Qu Yang , Gao Wenbo , zhang Yuchen , Gan Lin
Published: April 2024

The Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model in underwater acoustic target recognition (UATR) research reveals limitations arising from its inability to capture long-distance dependencies, impeding its capacity to focus on global information within the underwater acoustic signal. In contrast, the Transformer model has progressively emerged as the optimal choice in various studies, owing to its exclusive dependence on the attention mechanism for extracting global features from input data. Limited research utilizing the Transformer model in UATR has relied on an early ViT model, while in this paper, two refined Transformer models, namely Swin Transformer and Biformer, are adopted as the foundational networks, and a novel Swin Biformer model is proposed by harnessing the strengths of the two. Experimental results demonstrate the consistent superiority of the three models over CNN and ViT in UATR, and the Swin Biformer model remarkably attains the highest recognition accuracy of 94.3% evaluated on a dataset con-structed from the Deepship database. At the same time, this paper proposes an UATR method based on pre-trained Transformer, the effectiveness of which is underscored by experimental findings as a recognition accuracy of approximately 97% was achieved on a generalized dataset derived from the Shipsear database. Even with limited data samples and more stringent classification requirements, the method maintains a recognition accuracy of over 90%, all while significantly reducing the training duration.
Un-planned Urban Growth Monitoring from 1991 to 2021 of Aizawl City, North-east India by Multi- Temporal Changes and CA-ANN Model
Authors: Lawmchullova Imanuel , Lalrinawma Jonathan , Rinkimi Lal , Lalngaihawma Joseph , Rao Ch. Udaya Bhaskara , Biswas Brototi
Published: April 2024

Monitoring urban landuse and landcover (LULC) change is a crucial element in developing cities like Aizawl to improve land use planning for future smart cities. The objective of the current study is to analyze the lulc changes of Aizawl city between 1991 and 2021 using multi-date Landsat images and a cellular automata-artificial neural network (CA-ANN) model to predict future scenarios. The present study is highly essential for examining the urban expansion in a vertical hill city and the historical influence of settlement patterns along the edges of hill ranges for proper land use planning. The automatic classification of support vector machines (SVM) in-built at Orfeo tool box (OTB) modules was employed for LULC pattern classification. The land cover change method of the semi-automatic classification plugin (SCP) was used to identify the past LULC using Landsat 4, 5, 7, and 8. The future LULC was stimulated using the machine-learning approaches modules for land use change evaluation (Molusce) plugin in QGIS 2.18. Also, we highlight the factors that influence future LULC changes and the impacts of unplanned hill cities from the results of multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) and analytical hierarchical process (AHP). The study reveals that built-up areas are continuously increasing while open forest, agricultural land, and fallow land are diminishing, even in the projected land use land cover thematic layer in 2031. The built-up area has seen the highest change, from 5.98–25.8% in 1991 to 2021; the rate of increase has been 0.636 km2/yr-1 during the last 30 years. Similarly, dense forest cover also increased from 12.14–18.72% from 1991 to 2021, while other landuse landcover patterns like open forest, fallow land, and agricultural land are declining due to urban expansion. The accuracy level of Kappa coefficients was 97.30% in 1991 and 100% in the years 2001, 2011, and 2021, respectively. This study can help town planners and decision-makers with the protection of greenery and proper town planning.
Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Enterobacterales causing Bloodstream Infection in United States Medical Centres: Comparison of Aztreonam-Avibactam with Beta-Lactams Active against Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales
Authors: Sader Helio S. , Kimbrough John H. , Mendes Rodrigo E. , Castanheira Mariana
Published: April 2024

Background
Bloodstream infection (BSI) is associated with poor outcomes especially when effective antimicrobial therapy and control of infection source are delayed. As the frequency of Enterobacterales producing metallo-β-lactamases (MBL) and/or OXA-48–like carbapenemases is increasing in some United States (US) medical centres, effective antimicrobials to treat the infections caused by these organisms are urgently needed. Aztreonam-avibactam is under clinical development for treatment of infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria, including MBL producers.
Objectives
To evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility of Enterobacterales causing BSI in US medical centres and compare the activity of aztreonam-avibactam with ceftazidime-avibactam, meropenem-vaborbactam, imipenem-relebactam, cefiderocol, and other antimicrobials used to treat BSI.
Methods
4,802 Enterobacterales were consecutively collected (1/patient) from 72 US medical centres in 2020–2022 and susceptibility tested by broth microdilution. Aztreonam-avibactam was tested with avibactam at a fixed 4 mg/L. A pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic susceptible breakpoint of ≤ 8 mg/L was applied for aztreonam-avibactam for comparison. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) isolates were tested for β-lactamase–encoding genes using Next-generation sequencing.
Results
Aztreonam-avibactam was highly active against Enterobacterales; only 2 isolates showed aztreonam-avibactam MICs > 8 mg/L: 1 meropenem-susceptible E. coli and 1 K. aerogenes (CRE). All carbapenemase producers and 98.0% of CRE were inhibited at an aztreonam-avibactam MIC of ≤ 8 mg/L. CRE susceptibility rates were 81.6% for ceftazidime-avibactam, 65.3% for meropenem-vaborbactam, 61.2% for imipenem-relebactam, and 87.8% for cefiderocol. Aztreonam-avibactam retained activity (MIC, ≤ 8 mg/L) against all (100.0%) meropenem-vaborbactam nonsusceptible (n = 17), 99.5% of imipenem-relebactam nonsusceptible (n = 206), and 90.0% of ceftazidime-avibactam nonsusceptible (n = 10) isolates. The most common carbapenemases were KPC-2/3 (57.1% of CREs), OXA-48–like (16.3%), and NDM (14.3%). A carbapenemase gene was not observed in 12.3% of CREs. Ceftazidime-avibactam and meropenem-vaborbactam were active against 100.0% of KPC producers, but ceftazidime-avibactam showed limited activity against MBL producers and meropenem-vaborbactam showed limited activity against OXA-48–like and MBL producers. The most active non–β-lactam comparators against CRE were gentamicin (49.0% susceptible) and amikacin (44.9% susceptible).
Conclusions
Aztreonam-avibactam demonstrated potent activity against a large collection of Enterobacterales isolated from patients with BSI in US hospitals, including CRE, MBL producers, and isolates resistant to recently approved β-lactamase inhibitor combinations.