bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metal(loid) bioaccessibility and risk assessment of ashfall deposit from Popocatépetl volcano, Mexico
Authors: Schiavo Benedetto , Meza-Figueroa Diana , Morton-Bermea Ofelia , Angulo-Molina Aracely , González-Grijalva Belem , Armienta-Hernández María Aurora , Inguaggiato Claudio , Berrellez-Reyes Francisco , Valera-Fernández Daisy
Published: July 2024

Ash emission from volcanic eruptions affects the environment, society, and human health. This study shows the total concentration and lung bioaccessible fraction of eight potential toxic metal(loid)s in five Popocatépetl ashfall samples. Mineralogical phases and particle size distribution of the ashfall were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) techniques, respectively. The bioaccessibility test of Gamble solution (GS) and Artificial Lysosomal Fluid (ALF) were conducted to simulate extracellular (pH 7) and intracellular (pH 4.5) conditions, respectively. The studied metal(loid)s showed the following total concentration (mg kg−1): 1.98 (As), 0.17 (Cd), 134.09 (Cr), 8.66 (Cu), 697.33 (Mn), 55.35 (Ni), 8.77 (Pb), and 104.10 (Zn). Geochemical indices suggested that some metal(loid)s are slightly enriched compared to the local soil background concentrations. Several mineralogical phases were identified in the collected ashfall deposits, such as plagioclase, pyroxene, and Fe–Ti oxide, among others. According to the risk assessment results, the non-carcinogenic risk related to ashfall exposure returns an HQ > 1 for children. In contrast, the estimation of carcinogenic risk was found to be within the tolerable limit. Metal(loid)s showed low bioaccessibility (< 30%) in GS and ALF, with the highest values found in ALF solution for As (12.18%) and Cu (7.57%). Despite their metal-bioaccessibility, our findings also showed that dominant ash particle size ranged between fine (< 2.5 μm) and extremely fine (< 1 μm), considered highly inhalable fractions. The results obtained in this work indicate that volcanic ashes are bioinsoluble and biodurable, and exhibit low bioaccessibility when in contact with lung human fluids.
The effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungal species Funneliformis mosseae and biochar against Verticillium dahliae in pepper plants under salt stress
Authors: Güneş Hasret , Demir Semra , Durak Emre Demirer , Boyno Gökhan
Published: July 2024

Both biotic and abiotic stress factors play an important role in reducing the growth and productivity of many crops. In this study, the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and biochar (Bc) were investigated against Verticillium dahliae (Vd) disease in pepper plants grown under salt stress. These effects were evaluated on enzyme activities, salt tolerance, disease severity, plant growth and physiological characteristics. In this study, pepper was treated with 2% biochar, Funneliformis mosseae (Fm), Vd and different concentrations of salt (0 mM, 50 mM, 100 mM, 150 mM). The interaction of Fm and 2% Bc significantly increased the morphological parameters of the plant and the plant tolerated salt and Vd under combined high stress conditions of biotic (Vd) and abiotic (salt) stresses. It was also shown that Fm had a different effect than Bc on the membrane injury index (MII; %) and had a significant effect on leaf relative water content (LRWC; %). In addition, Vd increased mycorrhizal reliance, with the higher spore density of AMF higher disease severity observed in treatments involving Fm and Fm + Bc. Furthermore, phenol and antioxidant values were altered in Vd treatments, while Fm decreased CAT enzyme activation. Therefore, this study supports that AMF + biochar used in sustainable agriculture increases plant resistance to the soil pathogen (V. dahliae) and the salt stresses.
A Delicate Balancing Act: Integrative Pluralism and the Pursuit of Unified Theories
Authors: Miłkowski Marcin
Published: July 2024

This paper examines the interplay between integrative explanatory pluralism and the quest for unified theories. We argue that when grounded in virtues associated with satisfactory explanations, integrative pluralism exhibits an inherent instability stemming from the conflict between the demand for unity and the commitment to preserving a patchwork of disparate partial explanations. A case study in cognitive science illuminates the challenges of maintaining both systematicity and depth in explanations within this framework. While this instability does not render integrative pluralism fundamentally flawed, it stresses the importance of a diachronic analysis of scientific dynamics and norms. The conclusion highlights the continued value of integrative pluralism in interdisciplinary research programs, while emphasizing its role as a temporary rather than permanent approach.
Yield and growth duration of Maroon rice landraces measured in traditional settings
Authors: Pinas Nicholaas M. , Tjoe Awie Jerry R. , Dongstra R. Evanne , Maat Harro , Schranz M. Eric , van de Loosdrecht Marieke S. , van Andel Tinde
Published: July 2024

Rice, the most consumed cereal worldwide, has two domesticated species: Asian and African rice. Commercial cultivars, almost all Asian rice, are mostly selected for high yields. Traditional landraces are often selected for different traits, such as time to maturity or resistance against common stress factors, including bird attacks and poor soils. Maroons, descendants of enslaved Africans in Suriname and French Guiana, cultivate a rich diversity of rice landraces. They categorize landraces into short, medium, and long-maturation and maintain that fast-ripening crops with moderate yields facilitated their flight from enslavement, while once settled in a safe place, there was time for landraces with longer ripening periods and higher yields. Previous authors assumed that all Maroon landraces had low yields (700–1000 kg/ha), but their performance in traditional farming systems had never been investigated. We followed the growth and harvest of 28 Maroon rice landraces and two commercial cultivars in Maroon farmer fields, using traditional farming methods, at three locations. We show that, in farmer-managed fields, Maroon rice can yield 2600 kg/ha (average 1665 kg/ha), without any agrochemicals or machinery. Contrastingly, the commercial cultivars in Maroon farmer fields had a low yield (625–1205 kg/ha), partly due to bird predation. The maturation time varied between 110 and 183 days, but the three Maroon maturation categories showed significant overlap. Our study indicates that Maroon rice performance can only be fairly evaluated if measurements are taken in traditional Maroon farming systems, since this is the environment in which these landraces were originally selected.
Solid–Liquid Phase Equilibrium of the n-Nonane + n-Undecane System for Low-Temperature Thermal Energy Storage
Authors: Sequeira Maria C. M. , Nikitin Timur , Caetano Fernando J. P. , Diogo Hermínio P. , Fareleira João M. N. A. , Fausto Rui
Published: July 2024

The current article presents an exploration of the solid–liquid phase diagram for a binary system comprising n-alkanes with an odd number of carbon atoms, specifically n-nonane (n-C9) and n-undecane (n-C11). This binary system exhibits promising characteristics for application as a phase change material (PCM) in low-temperature thermal energy storage (TES), due to the fusion temperatures of the individual components, thereby motivating an in-depth investigation of the solid–liquid phase diagram of their mixtures. The n-nonane (n-C9) + n-undecane (n-C11) solid–liquid phase equilibrium study herein reported includes the construction of the phase diagram using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) data, complemented with Hot–Stage Microscopy (HSM) and low-temperature Raman Spectroscopy results. From the DSC analysis, both the temperature and the enthalpy of solid–solid and solid–liquid transitions were obtained. The binary system n-C9 + n-C11 has evidenced a congruent melting solid solution at low temperatures. In particular, the blend with a molar composition xundecane = 0.10 shows to be a congruent melting solid solution with a melting point at 215.84 K and an enthalpy of fusion of 13.6 kJ·mol–1. For this reason, this system has confirmed the initial signs to be a candidate with good potential to be applied as a PCM in low-temperature TES applications. This work aims not only to contribute to gather information on the solid–liquid phase equilibrium on the system n-C9 + n-C11, which presently are not available in the literature, but especially to obtain essential and practical information on the possibility to use this system as PCM at low temperatures. The solid–liquid phase diagram of the system n-C9 + n-C11 is being published for the first time, as far as the authors are aware.
Combinatorial intervention with dental pulp stem cells and sulfasalazine in a rat model of ulcerative colitis
Authors: Aly Riham M. , Abohashem Rehab S. , Ahmed Hanaa H. , Halim Alyaa S. Abdel
Published: July 2024

Background

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that involves inflammation of the colon lining and rectum. Although a definitive cure for IBD has not been identified, various therapeutic approaches have been proposed to mitigate the symptomatic presentation of this disease, primarily focusing on reducing inflammation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of combining dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) with sulfasalazine in an acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis rat model and to assess the impact of this combination on the suppression of inflammatory cytokines and the regulation of oxidative stress in vivo.

Methods

Ulcerative colitis was induced in rats through transrectal administration of 3% acetic acid. The therapeutic effect of combining DPSCs and sulfasalazine on UC was evaluated by measuring the colonic weight/length ratio and edema markers; performing histopathological investigations of colon tissue; performing immunohistochemical staining for NF-κB-P65 and IL-1β; and evaluating oxidative stress and antioxidant indices via ELISA. Moreover, the proinflammatory markers NF-κB-P65, TNF-α and TLR-4 were assessed in colon tissue via ELISA. Furthermore, qRT‒PCR was used to estimate the expression levels of the TLR-4, NF-κB-P65, and MYD88 genes in colon tissue.

Results

The investigated macroscopic and microscopic signs of inflammation were markedly improved after the combined administration of sulfasalazine and DPSCs, where a noticeable improvement in histological structure, with an intact mucosal epithelium and mild inflammatory infiltration in the mucosa and submucosa, with slight hemorrhage. The administration of either DPSCs or sulfasalazine, either individually or in combination, significantly reduced ROS levels and significantly increased XOD activity. The immunohistochemical results demonstrated that the combined administration of DPSCs and sulfasalazine attenuated NFκB-p65 and IL-1β expression. Finally, the combined administration of DPSCs and sulfasalazine significantly downregulated MyD88, NF-κB and TLR4 gene expression.

Conclusions

Cotreatment with DPSCs and sulfasalazine had synergistic effects on ulcerative colitis, and these effects were relieved.
Examination of the Potential Moderating Role of Psychological Wellbeing in the Relationship Between Depression and Thoughts of Self-Harm in Autistic Adolescents and Adults: A Two-Year Longitudinal Study
Authors: Hedley Darren , Uljarević Mirko , Bury Simon M. , Haschek Alexandra , Richdale Amanda L. , Trollor Julian N. , Stokes Mark A.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Autistic people have a significantly increased risk of death by suicide relative to the general population. In non-autistic samples, psychological wellbeing has been shown to moderate the relationship between depression and suicidal thoughts and behavior. Thoughts of self-harm may provide a useful indicator of suicidal risk. In this longitudinal study we examined (a) the potential role for psychological wellbeing to moderate the relationship between depressive symptoms and thoughts of self-harm and (b) the contribution of autistic traits to thoughts of self-harm.

Methods

Participants were 209 autistic adolescents and adults aged 15 to 80 years (Mage= 34.20,SD = 15.38 years).

Results

At both baseline and 2-year follow-up, 35% of participants reported recent thoughts of self-harm. Wellbeing was associated with autistic traits (r =− .350 to − 0.404) and depression (r =− .480 to − 0.759). Thoughts of self-harm were positively associated with autistic traits and depression (r = .242 to 0.659), and negatively associated with wellbeing (r =− .287 to − 0.609). Controlling for baseline thoughts of self-harm, depression (β = 0.254,p = .001) and autistic traits (β = 0.162,p = .007) significantly predicted thoughts of self-harm at 2-year follow-up.

Conclusion

Despite a lack of support for the hypothesis that wellbeing would moderate the relationship between depression and thoughts of self-harm, correlational data demonstrated significant associations between wellbeing and both depression and thoughts of self-harm. Future research considering psychological wellbeing as a potential protective factor for self-harm in autistic people is warranted.
Microalgal lipid production: A comparative analysis of Nannochloropsis and Microchloropsis strains
Authors: Abdelkarim Omnia H. , Wijffels Rene H. , Barbosa Maria J.
Published: July 2024

The oleaginous genera Nannochloropsis and Microchloropsis are recognized for their lipid accumulation capacity. Microalgal lipid accumulation is triggered by nitrogen starvation, negatively affecting photosynthesis and growth. Moreover, light and temperature play pivotal roles in microalgal physiology, lipid accumulation and composition. This study focuses on comparing the responses of eight microalgal strains from Nannochloropsis (N. oceanica Necton, N. oceanica IMET1, Nannochloropsis. sp. CCAP211/78, N. oculata, and N. limnetica) and Microchloropsis (M. gaditana CCFM01, M.gaditana CCMP526, and M.salina) to light, temperature, and nitrogen availability. Biomass, lipid content and productivities were monitored under different light intensities (150 (LL) and 600 μmol photons m−2 s−1 (HL)) and temperatures (15, 25, 30℃) under nitrogen (N-) starvation and replete conditions. Under N-starvation and HL, N. sp. exhibited the highest lipid content (59%) and productivity (0.069 g L-1 day-1), while N. oculata had the lowest lipid content (37.5%) and productivity (0.037 g L-1 day-1) among the eight strains. Notably, M. gaditana CCFM01 achieved the highest EPA content (4.7%), contrasting with N.oceanica IMET1 lowest EPA content (2.9%) under 150 μmol photons m−2 s−1 and N-repletion. The response to temperature fluctuations under LL was strain-dependent. Microchloropsis salina and M. gaditana CCFM01 demonstrated the highest and lowest lipid productivities (0.069 g L-1 day-1 and 0.022 g L-1 day-1, respectively) at 15℃ under N-starvation. Moreover, significant EPA accumulation across various strains was observed in N. oculata (5.7%) under N-repletion at 15°C, surpassing M. gaditana CCFM01 by 40%. Ultimately, the physiological responses to cultivation conditions vary markedly among microalgal strains, even within the same genus or species. This knowledge is essential for selecting suitable strains for the efficient microalgal lipid production industry.

Graphical Abstract

Optimi zing cultivation conditions for the maximal lipid production in Nannochloropsis andMicrochloropsis
Synergistic effects of heterotrophic and phototrophic metabolism for Haematococcus lacustris grown under mixotrophic conditions
Authors: Stegemüller Lars , Valverde-Pérez Borja , Thygesen Anders , Angelidaki Irini
Published: July 2024

Mixotrophic cultivation of Haematococcus lacustris is one of the most promising strategies to produce natural astaxanthin. During mixotrophic growth, microalgae assimilate and metabolize organic carbon in addition to photosynthetic growth, resulting in increased biomass productivity. Several studies have evaluated the effect of different organic carbon sources on mixotrophic growth in various microalgae species. However, knowledge of detailed growth kinetics as a function of substrate concentration and light intensity is lacking. In this study, the growth kinetics of H. lacustris using four different carbon sources and the effect of light under mixotrophic and photoautotrophic conditions are described. Mixotrophic cultivation showed significant differences in respect to applied substrate and achieved maximum specific growth rates of 0.91 ± 0.13, 0.19 ± 0.05, 0.36 ± 0.05, and 0.23 ± 0.05 day−1, for acetate, methanol, glucose, and glycerol, respectively. Optimal growth at mixotrophic conditions using acetate was 1.8 times higher than the sum of hetero- and photoautotrophic growth. Furthermore, the optimum light intensity was 1.3 times higher for mixotrophic than for autotrophic growth. Thus, mixotrophy increases light intensity tolerance. These results indicate a strong interconnection between carbon metabolism and photosynthetic activity and lay the foundation for more detailed mathematical models describing the mixotrophic growth of H. lacustris.

Graphical Abstract
Machine learning applications for electrospun nanofibers: a review
Authors: Subeshan Balakrishnan , Atayo Asonganyi , Asmatulu Eylem
Published: July 2024

Electrospun nanofibers have gained prominence as a versatile material, with applications spanning tissue engineering, drug delivery, energy storage, filtration, sensors, and textiles. Their unique properties, including high surface area, permeability, tunable porosity, low basic weight, and mechanical flexibility, alongside adjustable fiber diameter distribution and modifiable wettability, make them highly desirable across diverse fields. However, optimizing the properties of electrospun nanofibers to meet specific requirements has proven to be a challenging endeavor. The electrospinning process is inherently complex and influenced by numerous variables, including applied voltage, polymer concentration, solution concentration, solution flow rate, molecular weight of the polymer, and needle-to-collector distance. This complexity often results in variations in the properties of electrospun nanofibers, making it difficult to achieve the desired characteristics consistently. Traditional trial-and-error approaches to parameter optimization have been time-consuming and costly, and they lack the precision necessary to address these challenges effectively. In recent years, the convergence of materials science and machine learning (ML) has offered a transformative approach to electrospinning. By harnessing the power of ML algorithms, scientists and researchers can navigate the intricate parameter space of electrospinning more efficiently, bypassing the need for extensive trial-and-error experimentation. This transformative approach holds the potential to significantly reduce the time and resources invested in producing electrospun nanofibers with specific properties for a wide range of applications. Herein, we provide an in-depth analysis of current work that leverages ML to obtain the target properties of electrospun nanofibers. By examining current work, we explore the intersection of electrospinning and ML, shedding light on advancements, challenges, and future directions. This comprehensive analysis not only highlights the potential of ML in optimizing electrospinning processes but also provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape, paving the way for innovative and precisely engineered electrospun nanofibers to meet the target properties for various applications.

Graphical abstract
Evaluating polyanthranilic acid as a polymeric template for the production of Prussian blue nanoclusters
Authors: Gilpin Victoria , McCormick Rachel , McMath Regan , Smith Robert B. , Papakonstantinou Pagona , Davis James
Published: July 2024

The electropolymerization of anthranilic acid (2-aminobenzoic acid) has been shown to lead to the production of a redox polymer functionalized with carboxylate groups capable of complexing metal ions. The polymer was exploited as a means of capturing ferric ion from solution with the iron decorated polymer chains used as seeding points for the formation of Prussian blue (PB). Nanoclusters of PB were dispersed throughout the three-dimensional polymer matrix with deposition achieved through direct electrochemical means or via a dip process. The latter exploited the chemical combination of Fe(III) + Ferrocyanide to yield PB allowing its dispersal of the PB throughout the polymer film. The polymer film and its subsequent modification have been characterized by electron microscopy, X-ray analysis, Raman spectroscopy and electrochemical analysis. The stability toward peroxide has also been explored.

Graphical Abstract
Investigation of the structural and magnetic properties of rapidly solidified Nd–Fe–B–Ce alloys
Authors: Aytekin Orkun , Kurban Rifat , Durmuş Ali , Çolak Hakan , Karaköse Ercan
Published: July 2024

This study introduces the first literature report of rapidly solidified Nd–Fe–B–Ce alloys fabricated using the melt-spinning technique at varying disc rotation speeds. The resulting alloy images are then analyzed using various image processing techniques, and their structural and magnetic characteristics are described. The alloys are characterized using a variety of methods, including x-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), differential thermal analysis (DTA), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), and Vickers microhardness tests. By using XRD, the tetragonal hard magnetic Nd2Fe14B phase is detected in the Nd30Fe65B0.9Ce5 alloy. The FE-SEM microstructure analysis shows that the grain structure of the ingot alloy is indistinct, and the tetragonal symmetric structure begins to appear at disc rotation speeds of 20 m/s and 40 m/s. The analysis of FE-SEM images using histogram analysis, the image segmentation technique, and VSM method reveals that the coercivity values of the sample produced at the 80 m/s solidification speed increased by approximately 34% when compared to the ingot alloy.
Highly Fluorescent π-Conjugated Azomethines and Divalent Metal Complexes as Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Nominees
Authors: Baydeniz Şeyma Nur Ural , Uçan Halil İsmet , Sevgi Fatih , Obalı İhsan , Yılmaz Obalı Aslıhan
Published: July 2024

π-Conjugated azomethine ligands differing in the naphthalene or phenylmethane-centered core structure and their divalent cobalt, nickel, copper, and zinc metal complexes were prepared and well-characterized by spectral analyses in solid state. Magnetic natures of the complexes were determined by magnetic susceptibility measurements in solid-state. Their remarkable photophysical characteristics were recorded by Uv–vis and Fluorescence spectroscopic techniques. At their excitation wavelenght of 265 nm, all molecules exhibited triple fluorescence emission bands with promising intensities above 673 nm in near infra-red region. Antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of the π-conjugated azomethines are promising for potential applications in medical and healthcare settings. Hence, the antibacterial/antibiofilm activity of the π-conjugated azomethine ligands and their metal complexes against some clinically important bacteria namely Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis was investigated, and the obtained results have shown that the ligands and complexes had a remarkable antibacterial effect, especially on Proteus mirabilis. Metal complexes have been found to have a significant inhibitory effect on biofilm formation by MRSA, MSSA, and P. mirabilis compared to ligands. The copper (II) complex of ligand-2 showed the highest inhibition percentage, significantly reducing biofilm formation for MRSA and MSSA. Furthermore, cobalt (II) complexes of the ligands selectively inhibited the growth of the opportunistic pathogen P. mirabilis biofilms, indicating that metal complexes might be a good choice for future antibiofilm studies.
A Novel ES-BGK Model for Non-polytropic Gases with Internal State Density Independent of the Temperature
Authors: Arima Takashi , Mentrelli Andrea , Ruggeri Tommaso
Published: July 2024

A novel ES-BGK-based model of non-polytropic rarefied gases in the framework of kinetic theory is presented. Key features of this model are: an internal state density function depending only on the microscopic energy of internal modes (avoiding the dependence on temperature seen in previous reference studies); full compliance with the H-theorem; feasibility of the closure of the system of moment equations based on the maximum entropy principle, following the well-established procedure of rational extended thermodynamics. The structure of planar shock waves in carbon dioxide (CO$$_2$$2) obtained with the present model is in general good agreement with that of previous results, except for the computed internal temperature profile, which is qualitatively different with respect to the results obtained in previous studies, showing here a consistently monotonic behavior across the shock structure, rather than the non monotonic behavior previously found.
Climate change may impact habitat complementation and cause disassociation for mobile species
Authors: James Nicholas L. , Cumming Graeme S.
Published: July 2024

Context

As complementary terrestrial and aquatic habitats are pulled apart by environmental change, animals will have to adjust their behaviours to successfully track their fundamental niches. We introduce a novel example of how climate change impacts can drive separation between complementary foraging and breeding habitats in seabirds.

Objectives

We evaluated how Black Noddies (Anous minutus) modified their movement behaviour across the seascape to access complementary habitat types during a period of local food scarcity; and whether this influenced their breeding success.

Methods

We quantified characteristics of foraging behaviour relating to energy consumption (time, distance and area covered) over four breeding seasons for Black Noddies (A. minutus) and compared favourable years (2019, 2020 and 2021) to an unfavourable year (2022). We also quantified and compared chick health and survival rates over the same period.

Results

In 2022, severe reduction in local food abundance on Heron Island led breeding Black Noddies to forage further by an order of magnitude, utilizing a remote wooded island (Bushy Islet) as an overnight roosting location. This was a novel and completely unexpected response to the altered environmental conditions. At the same time, 2022 saw significant increases in chick mortality and decreases in chick health compared to other years.

Conclusions

We show how a growing mismatch between nesting, roosting, and foraging sites pushed individuals in a breeding tropical seabird population to extend their foraging range by an order of magnitude, with direct negative consequences for juveniles. Our findings highlight the need to explicitly consider habitat complementation in land- and seascape conservation initiatives and planning.
Integration of multi-modal datasets to estimate human aging
Authors: Ribeiro Rogério , Moraes Athos , Moreno Marta , Ferreira Pedro G.
Published: July 2024

Aging involves complex biological processes leading to the decline of living organisms. As population lifespan increases worldwide, the importance of identifying factors underlying healthy aging has become critical. Integration of multi-modal datasets is a powerful approach for the analysis of complex biological systems, with the potential to uncover novel aging biomarkers. In this study, we leveraged publicly available epigenomic, transcriptomic and telomere length data along with histological images from the Genotype-Tissue Expression project to build tissue-specific regression models for age prediction. Using data from two tissues, lung and ovary, we aimed to compare model performance across data modalities, as well as to assess the improvement resulting from integrating multiple data types. Our results demostrate that methylation outperformed the other data modalities, with a mean absolute error of 3.36 and 4.36 in the test sets for lung and ovary, respectively. These models achieved lower error rates when compared with established state-of-the-art tissue-agnostic methylation models, emphasizing the importance of a tissue-specific approach. Additionally, this work has shown how the application of Hierarchical Image Pyramid Transformers for feature extraction significantly enhances age modeling using histological images. Finally, we evaluated the benefits of integrating multiple data modalities into a single model. Combining methylation data with other data modalities only marginally improved performance likely due to the limited number of available samples. Combining gene expression with histological features yielded more accurate age predictions compared with the individual performance of these data types. Given these results, this study shows how machine learning applications can be extended to/in multi-modal aging research. Code used is available at https://github.com/zroger49/multi_modal_age_prediction.
A naturally appearing family of Cantorvals
Authors: Baake Michael , Gorodetski Anton , Mazáč Jan
Published: July 2024

The aim of this note is to show the existence of a large family of Cantorvals arising in the projection description of primitive two-letter substitutions. This provides a common and naturally occurring class of Cantorvals.
IoT-enabled healthcare transformation leveraging deep learning for advanced patient monitoring and diagnosis
Authors: Alharbe Nawaf , Almalki Manal
Published: July 2024

Deep learning and the Internet of Things (IoT) are revolutionizing the healthcare industry. This study explores the potential commercial transformation resulting from IoT-enabled healthcare systems that use deep learning for patient monitoring and diagnosis. Wearables, smart sensors, and internet-connected medical devices allow doctors to monitor patients' vital signs, activities, and physiological traits in real time. However, these devices generate vast and complex data, making analysis and diagnosis challenging. Deep learning models are well-suited to analyze this growing volume of medical data. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks can automatically recognize complex patterns and relationships in sensor data, electronic health records, and patient-reported information. This capability aids clinical professionals in diagnosing illnesses, identifying warning signs, and tailoring treatments. This paper describes a Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) -based IoT-enabled healthcare system that performs feature extraction, classification, prediction, and data preparation. Additionally, it addresses interpretability issues, privacy concerns, and resource limitations of deep learning models in real-time healthcare settings. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) -powered IoT-based healthcare solutions, such as real-time patient monitoring, disease detection, risk prediction, and therapy optimization. These techniques can improve the quality, cost, and outcomes of healthcare. Combining Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) with IoT can significantly enhance healthcare by improving disease detection, personalized treatment, and patient monitoring through connected devices and powerful analytics.
Combinatorial Results on Barcode Lattices
Authors: Bouquet Alex , Vindas-Meléndez Andrés R.
Published: July 2024

A barcode is a finite multiset of intervals on the real line. Jaramillo-Rodriguez (2023) previously defined a map from the space of barcodes with a fixed number of bars to a set of multipermutations, which presented new combinatorial invariants on the space of barcodes. A partial order can be defined on these multipermutations, resulting in a class of posets known as combinatorial barcode lattices. In this paper, we provide a number of equivalent definitions for the combinatorial barcode lattice, show that its Möbius function is a restriction of the Möbius function of the symmetric group under the weak Bruhat order, and show its ground set is the Jordan-Hölder set of a labeled poset. Furthermore, we obtain formulas for the number of join-irreducible elements, the rank-generating function, and the number of maximal chains of combinatorial barcode lattices. Lastly, we make connections between intervals in the combinatorial barcode lattice and certain classes of matchings.
Identification of climatic and management factors influencing wheat’s yield variability using AgMERRA dataset and DSSAT model across a temperate region
Authors: Farhadi Masume , Bannayan Mohammad , Fallah Mohammad Hassan , Jahan Mohsen
Published: July 2024

One of the main challenges of today’s agriculture to ensure food security is developing strategies to deal with potential negative impacts of adaptation to climate variability. This study was conducted to determine climatic and management factors influencing wheat yield variability throughout a temperate region in Northeastern Iran in the period of 1980–2010. The growth stages and yield of wheat crop were simulated via DSSAT model, using AgMERRA gridded weather dataset. Also, the effect of climatic variables on yield was identified using Panel Data Regression (PDA). According to the results, 63% of the changes in irrigated wheat yield are explained by climatic factors (temperature and precipitation) and 37% by management factors. PDA revealed that among the climatic variables, the number of days with temperatures above 30 °C during the growing season, mean temperature, as well as amount and frequency of precipitation have a significant effect on irrigated wheat yield (p ≤ 0.05). The management practices, including provision of inputs such as chemical fertilizers, modified seeds, tillage machinery and equipment, information transfer and the penetration of knowledge in the field, would increase yields by 5 kg on average per year in study region. In general, employing effective management methods, in particular selecting the appropriate planting date that could result in better adaptation of the phenological stages of wheat to climatic conditions, thus improving the wheat yield. The results of this research suggest that use of valid AgMERRA meteorological dataset as input for DSSAT crop model could produce reliable simulations which in turn could be employed by food policy and decision makers, farmers, and managers in a temperate region.
Study of the Role of Nitrogen in the Oxidation of Titanium-Based Alloys by Changing the Reaction Gas
Authors: Gautier Kevin , Monceau Daniel , Epifano Enrica , Connétable Damien , Gheno Thomas
Published: July 2024

The role of nitrogen in the oxidation of Ti-2W, Ti-10Al-2W (at.%) and Ti6242S was investigated using experiments in air and in Ar-20%O2, and two-stage experiments where the reaction gas was switched from one mixture to the other. When switching from Ar-20%O2 to air, the oxidation rates first increased during a short period, then decreased. This surge of mass gain following the introduction of air was attributed to N pickup, forming a nitride layer and a N-enriched zone in the alloy, below the oxide layer. The subsequent decrease of oxidation rate was attributed to the formation of nitride and/or N-rich zone, which both act as diffusion barriers for oxygen. Switching from air to Ar-20%O2 caused an increase in the oxidation rate of the W-containing alloys, which was attributed to the consumption of this barrier. The gas change had no significant effect on the oxidation rate of Ti6242S, which formed a much thinner nitride layer in air. The faster the nitride layer grows, the faster it is consumed when removing N from the reaction gas, probably because of a higher diffusion rate of N in W-doped TiO2 compared to TiO2 formed on Ti6242S.
Overall side effect assessment of oxaliplatin toxicity in rectal cancer patients in NRG oncology/NSABP R04
Authors: Peipert John Devin , Roydhouse Jessica , Tighiouart Mourad , Henry Norah Lynn , Kim Sungjin , Hays Ron D. , Rogatko Andre , Yothers Greg , Ganz Patricia A.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Regulatory guidance suggests capturing patient-reported overall side effect impact in cancer trials. We examined whether the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT) GP5 item (“I am bothered by side effects of treatment”) post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy/radiotherapy differed between oxaliplatin vs. non- oxaliplatin arms in the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) R-04 trial of stage II–III rectal cancer patients.

Methods

The R-04 neoadjuvant trial compared local-regional tumor control between patients randomized to receive 5-fluorouracil or capecitabine with radiation, with or without oxaliplatin (4 treatment arms). Participants completed surveys at baseline and immediately after chemoradiotherapy. GP5 has a 5-point response scale: “Not at all” (0), “A little bit” (1), “Somewhat” (2), “Quite a bit” (3), and “Very much” (4). Logistic regression compared the odds of reporting moderate-high side effect impact (GP5 2–4) between patients receiving oxaliplatin or not after chemoradiotherapy, controlling for relevant patient characteristics. We examined associations between GP5 and other patient-reported outcomes reflecting side effects.

Results

Analyses were performed among 1132 study participants. Participants receiving oxaliplatin were 1.58 times (95% CI: 1.22–2.05) more likely to report moderate-high side effect bother at post-chemotherapy/radiation. In both arms, worse overall side effect impact was associated with patient-reported diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and peripheral sensory neuropathy (p < 0.01 for all).

Conclusion

This secondary analysis of R-04 found that GP5 distinguished between patients receiving oxaliplatin or not as part of their post-neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, adding patient-centric evidence on the reduced tolerability of oxaliplatin and demonstrating that GP5 is sensitive to known toxicity differences between treatments.

ClinicalTrials.gov

NCT00058474.
Cardiometabolic effects of hypoprolactinemia
Authors: Auriemma Renata S. , Scairati Roberta , Pirchio Rosa , Del Vecchio Guendalina , Di Meglio Sara , Menafra Davide , Pivonello Rosario , Colao Annamaria
Published: July 2024

The fall of PRL levels below the lower limit of the normal range configures the condition of hypoprolactinemia. Unlike PRL excess, whose clinical features and treatments are well established, hypoprolactinemia has been only recently described as a morbid entity requiring prompt identification and proper therapeutic approach. Particularly, hypoprolactinemia has been reported to be associated with the development of metabolic syndrome and impaired cardiometabolic health, as visceral obesity, insulin-resistance, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, chronic inflammation, and sexual dysfunction have been found more prevalent in patients with hypoprolactinemia as compared to those with normoprolactinemia. This evidence has been collected mainly in patients on chronic treatment with dopamine agonists for PRL excess due to a PRL-secreting pituitary tumour, and less frequently in those receiving the atypical antipsychotic aripiprazole. Nowadays, hypoprolactinemia appears to represent a novel and unexpected risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, as is the case for hyperprolactinemia. Nevertheless, current knowledge still lacks an accurate biochemical definition of hypoprolactinemia, since no clear PRL threshold has been established to rule in the diagnosis of PRL deficiency enabling early identification of those individual subjects with increased cardiovascular risk directly ascribable to the hormonal imbalance. The current review article focuses on the effects of hypoprolactinemia on the modulation of body weight, gluco-insulinemic and lipid profile, and provides latest knowledge about potential cardiovascular outcomes of hypoprolactinemia.
A review of fish diversity in Mediterranean seagrass habitats, with a focus on functional traits
Authors: Lattanzi A. , Bellisario B. , Cimmaruta R.
Published: July 2024

Besides providing key ecosystem services, including improved water quality, coastal protection, and carbon sequestration, seagrasses are highly productive habitat-forming species essential in supporting fish diversity at the global level. In the Mediterranean Sea, seagrasses represent the main component of the sublittoral marine environment hosting a huge number of fish species that use this habitat for reproduction, foraging and/or refuge from predation. However, a complete synthesis of fish species observed in different seagrass habitats is still lacking at the whole Mediterranean basin scale, so hindering a thorough understanding of the main mechanisms involved in determining fish diversity patterns. We performed a systematic review by implementing a semi-automated, threshold-based filtering pipeline that allowed building up a dataset concerning all fish species reported in native Mediterranean seagrasses, including specific functional traits known to be involved with the potential use of seagrasses by fish. These data allowed to carry on a narrative synthesis on fish diversity in seagrass habitats, providing support to several assumptions repeatedly stated in literature but so far sustained mainly by local and fragmented data. Our findings suggested the onset of a general pattern in the occurrence of species, mostly based on life history and driven by body size and feeding habits. We evidenced unexpected knowledge gaps on the role of habitat heterogeneity and fish life stages in determining the presence and the potential use of seagrasses by species. In depth studies are therefore needed to better understand the mechanisms behind the structuring of fish communities, fundamental for the maintenance of marine biodiversity.

Graphical abstract
Liberal Arts Graduates in the Labour Market: A Comparative Study of Dutch University Colleges and Conventional Bachelor’s Programmes
Authors: Kovačević Milan , Dekker Teun J. , van der Velden Rolf
Published: July 2024

This paper compares the employment outcomes of liberal arts graduates from Dutch university colleges with those of their peers who pursued conventional, subject-specific bachelor’s degrees. Using data from the Dutch National Alumni Survey, the analysis includes 14,933 respondents who completed a master’s programme at a research university, with 210 of them holding a university college degree. Logistic, multinomial, and OLS regression analyses were performed on six labour market outcomes: employment status, time to first paid job, vertical match, horizontal match, vertical and horizontal match combination, and hourly wage from regular work. Propensity score matching was used as a robustness check. The results show that holding a university college degree is not associated with any distinct advantages or disadvantages in the job market. While a liberal arts bachelor’s degree has a negative effect on obtaining employment in STEM professions, no statistically significant differences, neither negative nor positive, were found in other outcomes. This suggests that university colleges do not lack the capacity to prepare students for the labour market.
Strong Gravitational Lensing as a Probe of Dark Matter
Authors: Vegetti S. , Birrer S. , Despali G. , Fassnacht C. D. , Gilman D. , Hezaveh Y. , Perreault Levasseur L. , McKean J. P. , Powell D. M. , O’Riordan C. M. , Vernardos G.
Published: July 2024

Dark matter structures within strong gravitational lens galaxies and along their lines of sight leave a gravitational imprint on the multiple images of lensed sources. Strong gravitational lensing provides, therefore, a key test of different dark matter models. In this article, we describe how galaxy-scale strong gravitational lensing observations are sensitive to the physical nature of dark matter. We provide an historical perspective of the field, and review its current status. We discuss the challenges and advances in terms of data, treatment of systematic errors and theoretical predictions, that will enable one to deliver a stringent and robust test of different dark matter models in the next decade. With the advent of the next generation of sky surveys, the number of known strong gravitational lens systems is expected to increase by several orders of magnitude. Coupled with high-resolution follow-up observations, these data will provide a key opportunity to constrain the properties of dark matter with strong gravitational lensing.
The weight of truth
Authors: Wei Xintong
Published: July 2024

Belief is said to be subject to a norm of truth. A norm, intuitively, tells us what we ought to or may do. What sort of claim can truth make on us? On one standard view, the truth norm of belief is obliging. One ought to believe the truth and truth only. On another view, the truth norm of belief is permissive. One may believe the truth and truth only. Recently, it has been argued that the truth norm plays no interesting role in our normative theorizing for it issues excessive, unsatisfiable claims. This paper defends the truth norm of belief and proposes a novel answer to the question concerning its normative force on a reason-based framework. I argue that the normative force of the truth norm depends on the weight of truth as a normative reason for belief, which, just like that of any other normative reason, may vary across different contexts. I develop the idea that the weight of truth as a reason for belief is conditioned by what an epistemic agent can or cannot believe and modified by epistemic risk, among other things.
Genotype classification and pathogenicity of infectious bursal disease virus circulating in vaccinated broiler chicken farms
Authors: Mosad Samah M. , Elsayed Mona M. , Hammad Enas M. , Hendam Basma M. , Ali Hanaa S. , Eladl Abdelfattah H. , Saif Mohamed A.
Published: July 2024

This study investigated the genotype classification and pathogenicity of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) circulating in vaccinated broiler chicken farms in Egypt. A total of 150 samples were collected from 30 vaccinated commercial broiler chicken farms and pooled into 30 working samples. IBDV was tested using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification of the hypervariable region of the viral protein 2 (hvVP2) and the VP1 gene 5’ extremity. Both RT-PCR fragments were sequenced from six samples, and then the obtained nucleotide sequences were analyzed. The IBDV genotypes were identified using nucleotide sequences. Five sequences of the six strains examined were classified as genotype A3B2 for the highly virulent segments A and B (vv-A/vv-B IBDV). Interestingly, this study identified and classified a novel segment-reassortant strain as the A1B2 genotype. Specifically, it involved the segment reassortment of classical virulent segment A (cv-A) with vv-B producing cv-A/vv-B reassortant IBDV. Subsequently, we compared the pathogenicity of reassortant (cv-A/vv-B) IBDV and vvIBDV strains identified in this study. Both strains developed typical IBD clinical signs, postmortem lesions, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and lesion scores, which were more severe in vvIBDV than reassortant IBDV. In conclusion, this is the first report of the genotype classification based on both genome segments (hvVP2 and VP1) with pathogenicity of IBDV circulating in vaccinated broiler chicken farms and this pathogenicity is more severe in vvIBDV strain than a novel reassortant IBDV strain.