bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Enterprise Integration: Analyzing the Impacts of the Belt and Road Initiative on High-Quality Development in the People’s Republic of China
Authors: SHEN ZHIYANG , WANG SONGKAI , LIU SU
Published: February 2024

Amid the backdrop of globalization, international trade has emerged as a crucial driver of economic development. The People’s Republic of China (PRC), as the instigator and key participant in the “Belt and Road” initiative, has garnered substantial attention for its trade collaborations with other participating countries. While numerous studies have examined the impact of the initiative on the PRC’s export trade, there has been relatively limited research on its influence on imports by Chinese enterprises. Hence, this paper aims to address this gap by utilizing the PRC’s customs import data from 2010 to 2015 and focusing on enterprises located in the PRC’s core cities along the Belt and Road route. The study seeks to analyze the initiative’s impact and the underlying mechanisms it employs to shape their import patterns. The findings of this research demonstrate that the Belt and Road initiative plays a significant role in fostering “quality growth” through two primary channels: product diversity and urban innovation capability. Notably, these effects are particularly pronounced for foreign-funded enterprises, capital goods, and enterprises situated in coastal cities. By using the Belt and Road initiative as a case study, this paper provides valuable insights that can inform efforts to further enhance the impact of international cooperation, actively expand imports, and achieve the high-quality development of foreign trade.
An investigation of structural, thermo-physical, and photoelectric properties of glassy As2Se3–Tl2Te3alloys
Authors: Aliyev I. I. , Rzayev R. M. , Hashimov Kh. M. , Ahmedova C. A. , Naghiyev T. G.
Published: February 2024

Glass formation and the nature of the chemical interaction in the As2Se3–Tl2Te3system were studied by differential-thermal (DTA), X-ray phase (XRD), microstructural (MSA) analysis. Based on the performed experiments T-x phase diagram is constructed. It is established that the phase diagram of the system is a partially quasi-binary section of the quaternary system Tl,As//Se,Te. Eutectic equilibrium and peritectic transformation process occur in the system. When the ratio of As2Se3and Tl2Te3components is 1:1, a new quaternary compound Tl2As2Se3Te3is formed. It has been established that the Tl2As2Se3Te3compound melts with an open maximum at 568[Formula: see text]K and crystallizes in a hexagonal symmetry. In the system, under normal cooling, the glass formation area reaches −80[Formula: see text]mol.% Tl2Te3, and in the mode of quenching in liquid nitrogen up to −100[Formula: see text]mol.% T12Te3. The photoelectric properties of glassy alloys (As2Se[Formula: see text](Tl2Te[Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]; 0.3; 0.05) have been studied. Depending on the Tl2Te3concentration of the system, the observed changes in the photoelectric properties and calculated parameters are presented.
The effects of magnetic field and thermal radiation on the mixed convection of Al2O3-Cu/water hybrid nanofluid over a permeable vertical flat plate
Authors: Jafaripournimchahi Ammar , Shateri Amirali , Jalili Bahram , Jalili Payam , Ganji Davood Domiri
Published: February 2024

This study comprehensively investigates the effect of magnetic fields and thermal radiation on mixed convection in a hybrid alumina–copper/water nanofluid flowing over a permeable vertical flat plate. The study aims to model conventional nanofluid behavior accurately by considering the hybridization of two types of nanoparticles. Conventional similarity transformations and Akbari–Ganji’s method are employed to simplify the governing equations, resulting in ordinary differential equations. Among the dual solutions obtained, only one stable solution is identified. The key findings reveal that boundary layer separation can be avoided by reducing the copper concentration volume and increasing the magnetic and radiation parameters. The mixed convection parameters induce counter-flow, enhancing heat transfer when the magnetic and radiation parameters increase and the copper concentration volume decreases. Conversely, increasing the concentration volume of copper leads to accelerated boundary layer separation and reduced measured physical quantities. Overall, the mixed convection parameter enhances skin friction and heat transfer rates, particularly in the achievable solution. The accuracy of the proposed method is validated through a comparison with the finite element method (FEM). The graphical presentation of the results facilitates a clearer interpretation of the study’s findings.
A Fully Test-time Training Framework for Semi-supervised Node Classification on Out-of-Distribution Graphs
Authors: Zhang Jiaxin , Wang Yiqi , Yang Xihong , Zhu En
Published: February 2024

Graph neural networks (GNNs) have shown great potential in representation learning for various graph tasks. However, the distribution shift between the training and test sets poses a challenge to the efficiency of GNNs. To address this challenge,
HomoTTT
  proposes a fully test-time training framework for GNNs to enhance the model’s generalization capabilities for node classification tasks. Specifically, our proposed
HomoTTT
  designs a homophily-based and parameter-free graph contrastive learning task with adaptive augmentation to guide the model’s adaptation during the test-time training, allowing the model to adapt for specific target data. In the inference stage,
HomoTTT
  proposes to integrate the original GNN model and the adapted model after TTT using a homophily-based model selection method, which prevents potential performance degradation caused by unconstrained model adaptation. Extensive experimental results on six benchmark datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed framework. Additionally, the exploratory study further validates the rationality of the homophily-based graph contrastive learning task with adaptive augmentation and the homophily-based model selection designed in 
HomoTTT
.
Students’ Satisfaction in Online Class during COVID-19: An Empirical Study in Bangladesh Context
Authors: Chowdhury Shanjida , Sarker Md. Fouad Hossain , Khan Niaz Ahmed , Islam Md Kabirul , Tamal Maruf Ahmed , Bijoy Md. Hasan Imam
Published: February 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic caused higher education institutions to switch to online learning. This unique endeavor is being investigated to protect high-quality education. Due to its hasty and emergency implementation, students may have different opinions about this new education system. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the relationships between constructs such as students’ perceived effectiveness, institutional facility, teaching material, and overall satisfaction during the COVID-19 outbreak. Adopting a quantitative research approach, this study was conducted between November 8, 2020, and February 12, 2021, in private universities in Bangladesh. Data were utilized in structural equation modeling (SEM). The findings revealed that perceived effectiveness (0.68, p-value = 0.01), institutional facility (0.23, p-value = 0.01), and teaching material (0.14, p-value = 0.01) are all positively and significantly associated with satisfaction with an online class module. In addition, trajectory analysis establishes a link between satisfaction and effectiveness in e-learning through the SEM. The results of the study also indicate a strong and positive correlation between satisfaction with an online class module and perceived effectiveness, institutional setting, and teaching material. This study will serve as a catalyst for understanding students’ satisfaction in an online environment, as well as a benchmark for various stakeholders, particularly policymakers, practitioners, academicians, and institution owners, to take the necessary steps to ensure a sustainable online learning platform.
Lipid Metabolism‐Related Gene Signature Predicts Prognosis and Indicates Immune Microenvironment Infiltration in Advanced Gastric Cancer
Authors: He Lijian , Ye Qiange , Zhu Yanmei , Zhong Wenqi , Xu Guifang , Wang Lei , Wang Zhangding , Zou Xiaoping
Published: February 2024

Objective. Abnormal lipid metabolism is known to influence the malignant behavior of gastric cancer. However, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed the biological significance of genes involved in lipid metabolism in advanced gastric cancer (AGC). Methods. We obtained gene expression profiles from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database for early and advanced gastric cancer samples and performed differential expression analysis to identify specific lipid metabolism‐related genes in AGC. We then used consensus cluster analysis to classify AGC patients into molecular subtypes based on lipid metabolism and constructed a diagnostic model using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator‐ (LASSO‐) Cox regression analysis and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). We evaluated the discriminative ability and clinical significance of the model using the Kaplan‐Meier (KM) curve, ROC curve, DCA curve, and nomogram. We also estimated immune levels based on immune microenvironment expression, immune checkpoints, and immune cell infiltration and obtained hub genes by weighted gene co‐expression network analysis (WGCNA) of differential genes from the two molecular subtypes. Results. We identified 6 lipid metabolism genes that were associated with the prognosis of AGC and used consistent clustering to classify AGC patients into two subgroups with significantly different overall survival and immune microenvironment. Our risk model successfully classified patients in the training and validation sets into high‐risk and low‐risk groups. The high‐risk score predicted poor prognosis and indicated low degree of immune infiltration. Subgroup analysis showed that the risk model was an independent predictor of prognosis in AGC. Furthermore, our results indicated that most chemotherapeutic agents are more effective for AGC patients in the low‐risk group than in the high‐risk group, and risk scores for AGC are strongly correlated with drug sensitivity. Finally, we performed qRT‐PCR experiments to verify the relevant results. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that lipid metabolism‐related genes play an important role in predicting the prognosis of AGC and regulating immune invasion. These results have important implications for the development of targeted therapies for AGC patients.
Design and Realization of an X Band Monopulse Feed Antenna for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite Ground Station
Authors: Şişman İsmail , Haykir Ergin Tugba , Erol Barkana Duygun , Ülkü Hüseyin Arda
Published: February 2024

In this work, design of a five-element compact dual-polarization X band monopulse feed antenna using a 7.3 m Cassegrain-type reflector for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite ground station is presented. The designed antenna has reached 32 dB/K G/T value, the side lobe level of the designed antenna is at the level of −24 dB, the crosspolarization value is −35 dB, and the port isolation value is below −29 dB in the 8–8.5 GHz frequency range. The antenna efficiency of the designed antenna is measured as 79.93%.
Research on the Statistical Properties and Stability of Complex Interindustrial Networks
Authors: Cheng Xinyu
Published: February 2024

This study consolidates input-output data from 42 sectors across 31 provinces and regions in China into a unified dataset for 42 industrial sectors within eight major economic zones. Leveraging the maximum entropy method, we identify significant interindustrial relationships, subsequently forming a directed, weighted, complex network of these ties. Building upon this intricate network, we analyze its foundational statistical attributes. The stability of the network’s structure is further assessed through simulations of varied network attacks. Our findings demonstrate that the maximum entropy method is adept at extracting notable relationships between industrial sectors, facilitating the creation of a cogent complex interindustrial network. Although this established network exhibits high stability, it calls for targeted policy interventions and risk management, especially for industries with pronounced degree centrality and betweenness centrality. These pivotal industry nodes play a decisive role in the overall stability of the network. The insights derived from our examination of complex interindustrial networks illuminate the structure and function of industrial networks, bearing profound implications for policymaking and propelling sustainable, balanced economic progress.
First-in-Human Study of the Ataxia Telangiectasia and Rad3-Related (ATR) Inhibitor Tuvusertib (M1774) as Monotherapy in Patients with Solid Tumors
Authors: Yap Timothy A. , Tolcher Anthony W. , Plummer Ruth , Mukker Jatinder Kaur , Enderlin Marta , Hicking Christine , Grombacher Thomas , Locatelli Giuseppe , Szucs Zoltan , Gounaris Ioannis , de Bono Johann S.
Published: February 2024

Purpose:

Tuvusertib (M1774) is a potent, selective, orally administered ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) protein kinase inhibitor. This first-in-human study (NCT04170153) evaluated safety, tolerability, maximum tolerated dose (MTD), recommended dose for expansion (RDE), pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), and preliminary efficacy of tuvusertib monotherapy.

Patients and Methods:

Ascending tuvusertib doses were evaluated in 55 patients with metastatic or locally advanced unresectable solid tumors. A safety monitoring committee determined dose escalation based on PK, PD, and safety data guided by a Bayesian 2-parameter logistic regression model. Molecular responses (MR) were assessed in circulating tumor DNA samples.

Results:

Most common grade ≥3 treatment-emergent adverse events were anemia (36%), neutropenia, and lymphopenia (both 7%). Eleven patients experienced dose-limiting toxicities, most commonly grade 2 (n = 2) or 3 (n = 8) anemia. No persistent effects on blood immune cell populations were observed. The RDE was 180 mg tuvusertib QD (once daily), 2 weeks on/1 week off treatment, which was better tolerated than the MTD (180 mg QD continuously). Tuvusertib median time to peak plasma concentration ranged from 0.5 to 3.5 hours and mean elimination half-life from 1.2 to 5.6 hours. Exposure-related PD analysis suggested maximum target engagement at ≥130 mg tuvusertib QD. Tuvusertib induced frequent MRs in the predicted efficacious dose range; MRs were enriched in patients with radiological disease stabilization, and complete MRs were detected for mutations in ARID1A, ATRX, and DAXX. One patient with platinum- and PARP inhibitor–resistant BRCA wild-type ovarian cancer achieved an unconfirmed RECIST v1.1 partial response.

Conclusions:

Tuvusertib demonstrated manageable safety and exposure-related target engagement. Further clinical evaluation of tuvusertib is ongoing.
Supplemental Table 8 from Inhibition of Aurora Kinase Induces Endogenous Retroelements to Induce a Type I/III IFN Response via RIG-I
Authors: Choy Lisa , Norris Stephen , Wu Xiumin , Kolumam Ganesh , Firestone Ari , Settleman Jeffrey , Stokoe David
Published: February 2024

Supplemental Table 8. Chromatin modifier gene expression data in CRC lines after alisertib treatment.
Supplemental Table 6 from Inhibition of Aurora Kinase Induces Endogenous Retroelements to Induce a Type I/III IFN Response via RIG-I
Authors: Choy Lisa , Norris Stephen , Wu Xiumin , Kolumam Ganesh , Firestone Ari , Settleman Jeffrey , Stokoe David
Published: February 2024

Supplemental Table 6. ICE analysis of various CRISPR KO lines used in this study.
Difelikefalin in Black/African American Hemodialysis Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Pruritus: Post hoc Analysis of KALM-1 and KALM-2
Authors: Fishbane Steven , Clegg Deborah J. , Lerma Edgar V. , Rastogi Anjay , Budden Jeffrey , Morin Isabelle , Wen Warren , Menzaghi Frédérique , Topf Joel
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Black and African American (AA) people are over-represented in the kidney failure population; therefore, the safety and efficacy of difelikefalin in Black/AA patients was evaluated. Methods: This was a post hoc, pooled exploratory subgroup analysis of the Phase 3 KALM-1 and -2 studies. Patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) who had moderate-to-severe chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP) at enrollment were stratified into self-reported Black/AA or White subgroups. Patients were randomized (1:1) to receive intravenous (IV) difelikefalin 0.5 µg/kg or placebo for 12 weeks. Difelikefalin efficacy was assessed with validated patient-reported outcome questionnaires: 24-h Worst Itch Numerical Rating Scale (WI-NRS), 5-D itch, and Skindex‑10. Results: There were 249 (29.3%) patients from the KALM studies that self-identified as Black/AA (n = 135 difelikefalin; n = 114 placebo). Clinically meaningful (≥3-point) reduction in WI-NRS score was achieved by 47.9% of Black/AA patients with difelikefalin versus 24.6% with placebo (p < 0.001). More Black/AA patients achieved a ≥5-point 5-D itch total improvement (54.9% vs. 35.7%; p = 0.013) and a ≥15-point Skindex-10 score improvement with difelikefalin versus placebo (49.0% vs. 28.9%; p = 0.006) compared with White patients. Incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) was higher for Black/AA patients (difelikefalin: 78.5%; placebo: 70.8%) versus White patients (difelikefalin: 64.8%; placebo: 61.8%). Conclusion: In this post hoc analysis, difelikefalin was efficacious in the Black/AA population and had an acceptable safety profile.
Multiple Penile and Scrotal Schwannomas in an Adult Patient: A Case Report
Authors: Yılmaz Muhammet Şahin , Ulubay Mahmut , Kuru Fatih , Akar Ömer Salih
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Schwannomas originate from the peripheral nerve sheaths and are mainly detected in the head, neck, or extremities. They are rarely encountered in the penoscrotal region. Case Presentation: Herein, we present a case of a penoscrotal schwannoma diagnosed and successfully treated in our center. A 40-year-old patient with a history of resection of a dorsal penile schwannoma presented with multiple nodular lesions at the scrotum, penile shaft, and radix, which were first noticed 5 years before his current presentation. He complained about penile pain and dyspareunia. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed for preoperative diagnosis. All nodular lesions were resected while preserving the neurovascular structures. The histopathological examination revealed benign lesions. The patient’s complaints were resolved, and there was no recurrence during the 1-year follow-up. Conclusion: The primary treatment is surgical excision. The patients need close follow-up regarding the risks of recurrence and malignant transformation.
Tumor-Induced Osteomalacia in a Patient with Crohn’s Disease: A Case Report and Approach to Investigating Hypophosphatemia
Authors: Hawke Kate , Croft Anthony , Lazarus Syndia
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Hypophosphatemia occurs commonly in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients and can cause considerable morbidity. The differential diagnoses in IBD include nutritional causes and hypophosphatemia induced by some formulations of intravenous iron infusions. Case Presentation: We present the case of a 37-year-old man with active Crohn’s disease, presenting with difficulty walking and fractures of the vertebrae and calcaneus. He had long-standing hypophosphatemia. Nutritional causes for hypophosphatemia were considered in the first instance given the presence of chronic diarrhea and vitamin D deficiency; however, there was minimal response to appropriate supplementation with oral phosphorous and vitamin D. Iron infusion-induced hypophosphatemia was then considered, but the nadir phosphate level preceded any iron infusion. Therefore, work-up was undertaken for less common causes. He was ultimately diagnosed with tumor-induced osteomalacia, caused by excess fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) secretion from a phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor about the knee. He had complete resolution of symptoms and biochemical abnormalities following successful resection of the tumor. Conclusion: This case illustrates the approach to investigation of hypophosphatemia in IBD patients. If the time course and response to phosphate supplementation are not as expected for nutritional or iron infusion-induced hypophosphatemia, less common causes should be considered.
The Effect of Positive Pressure Ventilation on Acute Kidney Injury in COVID-19 Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: An Observational Study
Authors: Zacchetti Lucia , Brivio Matteo , Mezzapesa Mario , Martinelli Alessandra , Punzi Veronica , Monti Martina , Marchesi Federica , Scarpa Laura , Zangari Rosalia , Longhi Luca , Raimondi Federico , Novelli Luca , Gritti Paolo , Grazioli Lorenzo , Villa Gianluca , Lorini Luca Ferdinando
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is frequent in critically ill COVID-19 patients and is associated with a higher mortality risk. By increasing intrathoracic pressure, positive pressure ventilation (PPV) may reduce renal perfusion pressure by reducing venous return to the heart or by increasing renal venous congestion. This study’s aim was to evaluate the association between AKI and haemodynamic and ventilatory parameters in COVID-19 patients with ARDS. Methods: This is a single-centre retrospective observational study. Consecutive patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who met ARDS criteria and required invasive mechanical ventilation were enrolled. The relationship between respiratory and haemodynamic parameters influenced by PPV and AKI development was evaluated. AKI was defined according to KDIGO criteria. AKI recovery was evaluated a month after ICU admission and patients were classified as “recovered,” if serum creatinine (sCr) value returned to baseline, or as having “acute kidney disease” (AKD), if criteria for AKI stage 1 or greater persisted. The 6-month all-cause mortality was collected. Results: A total of 144 patients were included in the analysis. AKI occurred in 69 (48%) patients and 26 (18%) required renal replacement therapy. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, sex, hypertension, cumulative dose of furosemide, fluid balance, and plateau pressure were independently associated with AKI. Mortality at 6 months was 50% in the AKI group and 32% in the non-AKI group (p = 0.03). Among 36 patients who developed AKI and were discharged alive from the hospital, 56% had a full renal recovery after a month, while 14%, 6%, and 14% were classified as having an AKD of stage 0, 2, and 3, respectively. Conclusions: In our cohort, AKI was independently associated with multiple variables, including high plateau pressure, suggesting a possible role of PPV on AKI development. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of mechanical ventilation on renal function.
Sex and Gender Publications in Brain Health: A Mapping Review of the Asia-Pacific Region
Authors: Heffernan Megan , Woodward Mark , De Silva Deidre Anne , Chen Christopher , Anderson Craig S. , Kremer Christine , Harris Katie , Sandset Else Charlotte , Ferretti Maria Teresa , Caso Valeria , Carcel Cheryl
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Reporting of sex and gender analysis in medical research has been shown to improve quality of the science and ensure findings are applicable to women and men. There is conflicting evidence on whether efforts by funding agencies and medical journals to encourage reporting of sex and gender analysis have resulted in tangible improvements. This study mapped the inclusion of sex and gender analysis in stroke and dementia research conducted in the Asia-Pacific region. Methods: A systematic search for Asia-Pacific stroke and dementia research was conducted in PubMed and papers included from the period 2012 to 2022. Eligible studies were reviewed for inclusion of a primary sex or gender focus and categorized by type of sex and gender analysis. Author gender was determined using an algorithm and its associations with inclusion of sex and gender analysis were examined. Results: Total Asia-Pacific publications increased from 109 in 2012 to 313 in 2022, but the rate of studies with a primary sex or gender focus did not increase significantly (R2 = 0.06, F(1, 9) = 0.59, p = 0.46). Australia, China, India, Japan, and South Korea produced the most publications over the study period and were the only countries with at least 50 publications. The impact of author gender was mixed, with female first authorship associated with inclusion of sex or gender analysis and last female authorship associated with studies having a primary sex or gender focus. Conclusions: In the Asia-Pacific, brain health research is currently centred around high-income countries, and efforts are needed to ensure research findings are applicable throughout the region. While there was a general increase in brain health publications over the last decade, the rate of sex and gender analysis was unchanged. This demonstrates that even with efforts in some countries in place, there is currently a lack of progress in the Asia-Pacific region to produce more research focussing on sex and gender analysis.
Gastrointestinal parasites of the Indian Flying Fox Pteropus medius in Nagpur City: a seasonal study through faecal sample analysis
Authors: Sangale Ruchika R. , Priya Gawande
Published: February 2024

The Indian Flying Fox Pteropus medius, among the largest Indian fruit eating bats, is commonly observed with unhurried wing beats at dusk and tends to roost during the day in sizable, noisy colonies situated on trees within bustling towns and villages. Notably, these colonies are prevalent in busy areas of Nagpur city, particularly on expansive Banyan Trees Ficus bengalensis and Pangom Oil Trees Millettia pinnata, owing to the consistent availability of fruits and flowers throughout the year. This study focuses on evaluating gastrointestinal helminth infection in fruit-eating bats during the summer, monsoon, and winter seasons in Nagpur city, Maharashtra. A total of 58 samples were collected, processed, and examined using the double sedimentation technique. Of these, 46 samples (80.01%) tested positive for Ascaris spp. eggs, with a higher percentage during the monsoon season. Additionally, during the peak summer season, a juvenile flying fox from one of the colonies was rescued in a dehydrated state, displaying crusty scab-like lesions on the wing’s anterior and posterior regions. Subsequent examination revealed the presence of the ectoparasite Macronyssus spp. on body of the juvenile Indian Flying Fox.
Desmids of Brahmaputra valley, a major southern Asian river basin
Authors: Soumin Nath  , Partha Pratim Baruah
Published: February 2024

Inadequate information on the diversity and dispersion of desmids has led to incomplete floristic data in the northeastern region of India. The present study focuses on contributing to the information on the diversity and geographical distribution of desmid in water bodies of the Brahmaputra River basin of the Indian subcontinent. During the period 2019–2022, desmid flora of 91 waterbodies were studied. Two-hundred-and-thirty-one taxa belonging to five families and 25 genera were recorded, out of which 94 were new records for the northeastern India. Desmidiaceae was the dominant family with 195 species and with 69 species Cosmarium was the dominant genus.
Waterbird count at Narathali waterbody, Buxa Tiger Reserve in northern Bengal for a decade (2009–2019) with a note on raptors
Authors: Ranade Sachin , Chakraborty Soumya Sundar
Published: February 2024

This study presents insights from a comprehensive analysis of bird counts conducted at Narathali waterbody in Buxa Tiger Reserve between 2009 and 2019. Thirteen bird species were monitored, including six wintering duck species and seven resident waterfowl species. The population trends of these birds remained relatively constant throughout the study period. Additionally, the study documented raptor counts and compiled a checklist of waterbirds observed at the waterbody. These findings enhance our understanding of bird population dynamics in this significant habitat and provide valuable information for the conservation and management of the Buxa Tiger Reserve.
Observations on Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis Swainson, 1838 (Aves: Charadriiformes: Laridae) breeding colonies in Middle Ganges stretch, India
Authors: Ankit Kumar , Mujahid Ahmad  , Vivek Ranjan  , Sanjay Kumar  , Syed Ainul Hussain  , Govindan Veeraswami Gopi
Published: February 2024

Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis Swainson, 1838 is a riverine habitat specialist bird and a species of significant conservation concern. In 2020 it was up-listed to the ‘Endangered’ category of the IUCN Red List. Breeding grounds of the species are known from the major rivers of India like Ganga, Chambal, Son, and Mahanadi. We monitored breeding colonies of the species in two breeding seasons (2017 and 2018) in the middle Ganges stretch. We identified nine nesting islands and monitored a total of 111 active nests during the study period. A total of 302 eggs were counted with clutch sizes ranging 1–5 and the mean clutch size of 2.7 (±1.18 SD). We observed a 10% & 7% of hatching and fledgling success rate in 2017 and 10% & 17% in 2018, respectively. Low breeding success was probably due to the severe anthropogenic factors such as egg collection, cattle trampling, and stochastic weather events such as flooding and sand inundation by sand storms in nests. We also recorded instances of nest abandoning because of unknown reasons. This article recommends more surveys to identify new breeding colonies of Indian Skimmer in the middle Ganges and subsequently provide adequate protection to the colonies. We also recommend sensitization programs for different stakeholders to create more awareness for the conservation of this threatened species in the middle Ganges stretch.
Distribution status and roost characteristics of Indian Flying Fox Pteropus medius Temminck, 1825 (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) in Kurukshetra district, Haryana, India
Authors: Devi Ritu , Parmesh Kumar
Published: February 2024

The Indian Flying Fox Pteropus medius plays a major role in the maintenance of a healthy ecosystem and is very specific in selecting roosting sites. The present study was conducted from January 2021 to March 2022 to document the occurrence of roosting colonies, the roosting sites and the population characteristics of P. medius in Kurukshetra district, Haryana. Of the 10 roosting sites identified in four tehsils of Kurukshetra district, 60% were located close to water sources, 20% were near agricultural fields, and the remaining sites were in roadside plantations. Eight roosting sites were observed to be permanent and two were temporary. A total of 233 trees belonging to seven families, eight genera, and nine species were identified as roost trees for this species. Our survey results show that P. medius preferred (77.42%) roosting majorly on trees of the Myrtaceae family (Eucalyptus), while very few individuals (0.5%) were recorded on Phoenix dactylifera. A positive Pearson correlation between the population of the roosting bats and the roost tree characteristics such as height (r = 0.320, p <0.001), dbh (r = 0.226, p <0.001), and circumference (r = 0.293, p <0.001) was also observed. The findings of the current study revealed that P. medius prefers to roost on tall trees with large diameters at breast height, located near water bodies and agricultural fields. Protecting such large and tall trees would benefit the conservation of roosting sites of this species and its populations.
A new record of genus Synedrus Graham, 1956 with description of male of Synedrus kasparyani Tselikh, 2013 from India
Authors: Rashid Mubashir , Kumar Arvind
Published: February 2024

The genus Synedrus Graham, 1956 is recorded from India for the first time. The male of Synedrus kasparyani Tselikh, 2013 is described. Additional characters and images of female are also provided.
RNA Therapeutics for the Cardiovascular System
Authors: Dzau Victor J. , Hodgkinson Conrad P.
Published: February 2024

RNA therapeutics hold significant promise in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. RNAs are biologically diverse and functionally specific and can be used for gain- or loss-of-function purposes. The effectiveness of mRNA-based vaccines in the recent COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly proven the benefits of an RNA-based approach. RNA-based therapies are becoming more common as a treatment modality for cardiovascular disease. This is most evident in hypertension where several small interfering RNA–based drugs have proven to be effective in managing high blood pressure in several clinical trials. As befits a rapidly burgeoning field, there is significant interest in other classes of RNA. Revascularization of the infarcted heart through an mRNA drug is under clinical investigation. mRNA technology may provide the platform for the expression of paracrine factors for myocardial protection and regeneration. Emergent technologies on the basis of microRNAs and gene editing are tackling complex diseases in a novel fashion. RNA-based gene editing offers hope of permanent cures for monogenic cardiovascular diseases, and long-term control of complex diseases such as essential hypertension, as well. Likewise, microRNAs are proving effective in regenerating cardiac muscle. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the current landscape of RNA-based therapies for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. The review describes the large number of RNA molecules that exist with a discussion of the clinical development of each RNA type. In addition, the review also presents a number of avenues for future development.
Systematic Human Learning and Generalization From a Brief Tutorial With Explanatory Feedback
Authors: Nam Andrew J. , McClelland James L.
Published: February 2024

We investigate human adults’ ability to learn an abstract reasoning task quickly and to generalize outside of the range of training examples. Using a task based on a solution strategy in Sudoku, we provide Sudoku-naive participants with a brief instructional tutorial with explanatory feedback using a narrow range of training examples. We find that most participants who master the task do so within 10 practice trials and generalize well to puzzles outside of the training range. We also find that most of those who master the task can describe a valid solution strategy, and such participants perform better on transfer puzzles than those whose strategy descriptions are vague or incomplete. Interestingly, fewer than half of our human participants were successful in acquiring a valid solution strategy, and this ability was associated with completion of high school algebra and geometry. We consider the implications of these findings for understanding human systematic reasoning, as well as the challenges these findings pose for building computational models that capture all aspects of our findings, and we point toward a role for learning from instructions and explanations to support rapid learning and generalization.
“No Avenging Gibbet”: The 1860 Pemberton Mill Collapse
Authors: Forrant Robert
Published: February 2024

This article examines a New England industrial disaster, the January 10, 1860, collapse in Lawrence, Massachusetts, of the Pemberton Mill. In under five minutes the building caved in and 98, mostly immigrant workers, lost their lives. An inquest assigned blame to one individual. The question remains: Was justice done?
Bunium serdengectii (Apiaceae), a new species from South Anatolia, Turkey
Authors: DURAN AHMET , KLJUYKOV EUGENE , DEGTJAREVA GALINA , SAMIGULLIN TAHIR , LYSKOV DMITRY
Published: February 2024

A new species, Bunium serdengectii (Apiaceae), is described from South Anatolia, Turkey. It grows in open Pinus brutia forests and in macchia formation of the Taurus Mountains in the district of Akseki (Antalya province). The taxonomic affinities of the new species were determined by analyzing morphological data and a molecular phylogenetic study of nrITS. Bunium serdengectii belongs to the section Elegantia, and is related to B. pinnatifolium, but morphologically is more related to B. sayae. The anatomical structure of the fruit is given in detail. The diagnostic morphological characters of B. serdengectii are discussed. In addition, the geographical distribution of the new species and the morphologically related species is mapped.
A new species of Pseudohelicoon (Tubeufiales, Dothideomycetes) from Taiwan
Authors: GOH TEIK-KHIANG , HSIEH SUNG-YUAN , KUO CHANG-HSIN
Published: February 2024

Pseudohelicoon ellipsoideum sp. nov. from a decaying rachis of an unidentified palm submerged in a freshwater stream at Linmei-Shipan Trail, Taiwan, is described and illustrated. The phylogeny of Pseudohelicoon and other Helicoon species (sensu lato) was inferred by a concatenated dataset of the ITS and partial LSU segments of the nuc rDNA. The new species is phylogenetically positioned among the other two previously described species of Pseudohelicoon, but morphologically it differs from them in the shape and size of conidia.
Investigating Possible Urban-Induced Precipitation Variations around Louisville, Kentucky
Authors: Kingsberry Isaiah , Naylor Jason
Published: February 2024

This study examines ground-based precipitation observations recorded by a high-density gauge network located within approximately 40 km of the urban center of Louisville, Kentucky. An analysis of April–October events reveals that precipitation is significantly greater on the downwind side of Louisville than on the upwind side, particularly when precipitation systems have a westerly component to their motion. The mean difference between downwind and upwind precipitation across all events is 20%. This value is smaller for widespread precipitation events (i.e., most or all gauges detect precipitation) and is larger for isolated events (i.e., rain detected by one-half of the gauges or fewer). The largest and most significant differences between upwind and downwind precipitation amounts occur in association with moist moderate, moist tropical, and transitional air masses.
Energy-based availability warranty policy with considering preventive maintenance and learning-forgetting effect
Authors: He Xiaoliang , Su Chun
Published: February 2024

Ensuring reliable operation and maximum the output is crucial for energy production systems. Traditional time-based availability (TBA) warranty policies often overlook some factors, such as energy loss and the experience gained during the maintenance activities. In this paper, an innovative warranty policy which focuses on the energy-based availability (EBA) is proposed, where imperfect preventive maintenance (IPM) and minimal repair (MR) are taken into account, and hybrid hazard rate model is adopted to describe the effect of preventive maintenance. In addition, the learning-forgetting effect during the maintenance is considered. On this basis, six types of single-objective and multi-objective models are established, and they are solved by genetic algorithm (GA) and non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II), respectively. To illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed warranty policy, a numerical case of wind turbine gearbox is conducted. The results show that the proposed EBA warranty policy can gain around 0.29% energy more than TBA policy. Compared to single-objective models, multi-objective models can provide more selectable maintenance options. Additionally, sensitivity analysis indicates that by considering the learning-forgetting effect, the gearbox can achieve higher EBA and lower warranty cost.
Theranostics: a multifaceted approach utilizing nano-biomaterials
Authors: Yasir Mohammad , Mishra Ratnakar , Tripathi Alok Shiomurti , Maurya Rahul K. , shahi Ashutosh , Zaki Magdi E. A. , Al Hussain Sami A. , Masand Vijay H.
Published: February 2024

Biomaterials play a vital role in targeting therapeutics. Over the years, several biomaterials have gained wide attention in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases. Scientists are trying to make more personalized treatments for different diseases, as well as discovering novel single agents that can be used for prognosis, medication administration, and keeping track of how a treatment works. Theranostics based on nano-biomaterials have higher sensitivity and specificity for disease management than conventional techniques. This review provides a concise overview of various biomaterials, including carbon-based materials like fullerenes, graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and carbon nanofibers, and their involvement in theranostics of different diseases. In addition, the involvement of imaging techniques for theranostics applications was overviewed. Theranostics is an emerging strategy that has great potential for enhancing the accuracy and efficacy of medicinal interventions. Despite the presence of obstacles such as disease heterogeneity, toxicity, reproducibility, uniformity, upscaling production, and regulatory hurdles, the field of medical research and development has great promise due to its ability to provide patients with personalised care, facilitate early identification, and enable focused treatment.
Mechanisms of the TGF-β1/Smad3-signaling pathway in gender differences in alcoholic liver fibrosis
Authors: Hong Xiaomin , Li Sanqiang , Luo Renli , Yang Mengli , Wu Junfei , Chen Shuning , Zhu Siyu
Published: February 2024

The TGF-β1/Smad3-signaling pathway and gender differences were investigated in alcoholic liver fibrosis. Mice were divided into female normal, female model, male normal, and male model groups. Liver injury and fibrosis were assessed using histopathology and serology. Western blotting was performed to analyze the expression of relevant factors. HSC-T6 cells were divided into estradiol + saline, estradiol + ethanol, testosterone + saline, and testosterone + ethanol groups, and similar assessments were conducted in vitro. Compared with the female model group, the male model group exhibited significantly increased GPT, GOT, TNF-α, IL-6, and testosterone levels, fibrosis rate, and TGF-β1, Smad3, and PCNA expression, and significantly decreased estradiol levels and Caspase-3 expression. The apoptosis rate was higher in the estradiol + ethanol group than in the testosterone + ethanol group, although the testosterone + ethanol group exhibited significantly increased TNF-α, IL-6, Collagen-I, α-SMA, TGF-β1, Smad3, and PCNA expression, and significantly decreased Caspase-3 expression. Alcoholic liver fibrosis showed significant gender differences associated with the TGF-β1/Smad3-signaling pathway.
Social associations and cardiovascular mortality in the United States counties, 2016 to 2020
Authors: Kumar Ashish , Iqbal Kinza , Shariff Mariam , Majmundar Monil , Kalra Ankur
Published: February 2024

Background

The positive aspects of social interaction on health have been described often, with considerably less attention to their negative aspect. This study aimed to assess the impact of social associations on cardiovascular mortality in the United States.

Methods

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) data sets from 2016 to 2020 were used to identify death records due to cardiovascular disease in the United States population aged 15 years and older. The social association rate defined as membership associations per 10,000 population, accessed from the 2020 County Health Rankings data was used as a surrogate for social participation. All United States counties were grouped into quartiles based on their social association rate; Q1 being the lowest quartile of social association, and Q4 the highest quartile. Age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) was calculated for each quartile. County health factor rankings for the state of Texas were used to adjust the AAMR for baseline comorbidities of county population, using Gaussian distribution linear regression.

Results

Overall, the AAMR was highest in the 4th social association rate quartile (306.73 [95% CI, 305.72-307.74]) and lowest in the 1st social association rate quartile (266.80 [95% CI, 266.41–267.20]). The mortality rates increased in a linear pattern from lowest to highest social association rate quartiles. After adjustment for the county health factor ranks of Texas, higher social association rate remained associated with a significantly higher AAMR (coefficient 15.84 [95% CI, 12.78–18.89]).

Conclusions

Our study reported higher cardiovascular AAMR with higher social associations in the United States, with similar results after adjustment for County Health Rankings in the state of Texas.
Association between freedom of movement and health of nursing home residents with dementia: an exploratory longitudinal study
Authors: van Liempd Suzan , Bolt Sascha , Verbiest Marjolein , Luijkx Katrien
Published: February 2024

Background

Locked doors remain a common feature of dementia units in nursing homes (NHs) worldwide, despite the growing body of knowledge on the negative effects of restricted freedom on residents. To date, no previous studies have explored the health effects of opening locked NH units, which would allow residents to move freely within the building and enclosed garden. This study examines the association between increased freedom of movement and the health of NH residents with dementia.

Methods

This longitudinal, pre-post study involved a natural experiment in which NH residents with dementia (N = 46) moved from a closed to a semi-open location. Data on dimensions of positive health were collected at baseline (T0; one month before the relocation), at one (T1), four (T2) and nine (T3) months after the relocation. Linear mixed models were used to examine changes in positive health over time.

Results

Cognition, quality of life and agitation scores improved significantly at T1 and T2 compared to the baseline, while mobility scores decreased. At T3, improvements in agitation and quality of life remained significant compared to the baseline. Activities of daily living (ADL) and depression scores were stable over time.

Conclusions

Increasing freedom of movement for NH residents with dementia is associated with improved health outcomes, both immediately and over time. These findings add to the growing evidence supporting the benefits of freedom of movement for the overall health of NH residents with dementia.
Comprehensive machine learning-based preoperative blood features predict the prognosis for ovarian cancer
Authors: Wu Meixuan , Gu Sijia , Yang Jiani , Zhao Yaqian , Sheng Jindan , Cheng Shanshan , Xu Shilin , Wu Yongsong , Ma Mingjun , Luo Xiaomei , Zhang Hao , Wang Yu , Zhao Aimin
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Significant advancements in improving ovarian cancer (OC) outcomes have been limited over the past decade. To predict prognosis and improve outcomes of OC, we plan to develop and validate a robust prognosis signature based on blood features.

Methods

We screened age and 33 blood features from 331 OC patients. Using ten machine learning algorithms, 88 combinations were generated, from which one was selected to construct a blood risk score (BRS) according to the highest C-index in the test dataset.

Results

Stepcox (both) and Enet (alpha = 0.7) performed the best in the test dataset with a C-index of 0.711. Meanwhile, the low RBS group possessed observably prolonged survival in this model. Compared to traditional prognostic-related features such as age, stage, grade, and CA125, our combined model had the highest AUC values at 3, 5, and 7 years. According to the results of the model, BRS can provide accurate predictions of OC prognosis. BRS was also capable of identifying various prognostic stratifications in different stages and grades. Importantly, developing the nomogram may improve performance by combining BRS and stage.

Conclusion

This study provides a valuable combined machine-learning model that can be used for predicting the individualized prognosis of OC patients.