bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Joining 1.1‐ and 2.1‐mm Al Sheets by Friction Stir Spot Welding
Authors: Abdullah Isam Tareq , Mejbel Mohanad Kadhim , Al-Filfily Ammar A. H.
Published: January 2025

This study used friction stir spot welding (FSSW) to weld 1.1‐ and 2.1‐mm AA6061‐T6 sheets at 560, 710, 900, and 1120 rpm at a fixed dwell duration of 5 s. It was determined how much heat was supplied into the FSSW, and the cycle temperature that occurred throughout the FSSW technique was carefully documented. Both the sheet metals and the formed FSSW weldments were subjected to micro and macrostructure analysis, as well as a lap shear test and a hardness test. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was also used to study the cracked surfaces. A broad variety of rotation rates, ranging from 560 to 1120 rpm, were used to construct error‐free spot joints, as shown by the macroanalysis. The microstructural results may show acceptable mechanical characteristics of FSSW joints, which pertain to the grain refinement of the joints’ stir zone (SZ). It was discovered that the optimal welding condition for establishing spot welds with varying thicknesses of thin sheets was 710 rpm. This was achieved with a SZ lap shear resistance of 5020 ± 20 N and hardness of 99 ± 2 HV(100). The temperature fluctuation and Von Mises stress distribution, in the AA6061‐T6 FSSW sheets, were analysed by using ABAQUS/CAE 2021 software. The simulated peak temperature is rather similar to the recorded one. On the other hand, by raising the rotation speed, the peak temperature at the welded joints rose. The friction stir welding (FSW) procedures have an impact on the residual stresses; on the other hand, the welding parameters are influenced by the welding temperature and mixing.
Nuclear Alpha‐Synuclein in Parkinson’s Disease and the Malignant Transformation in Melanoma
Authors: Jimenez-Capdeville María E. , Chi-Ahumada Erika , García-Ortega Francisco , Castanedo-Cazares Juan Pablo , Norman Robert , Rodríguez-Leyva Ildefonso
Published: January 2025

Background: Alpha‐synuclein (ASyn), a marker of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other neurodegenerative processes, plays pivotal roles in neuronal nuclei and synapses. ASyn and its phosphorylated form at Serine 129 (p‐ASyn) are involved in DNA protection and repair, processes altered in aging, neurodegeneration, and cancer.

Objective: To analyze the localization of p‐ASyn in skin biopsies of PD patients and melanoma.

Methods: Biopsies from 26 PD patients, 20 melanoma patients, and 31 control subjects were probed and analyzed with a p‐ASyn antibody by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Nuclear positivity was quantified by image analysis.

Results: Peripheral nerve endings from healthy subjects show little p‐ASyn immunopositivity but notable axonal presence in PD. Control subjects show immunopositivity to p‐ASyn along all epidermic strata and scarce presence in their cytoplasm. In contrast, its nuclear presence in PD is weaker, with a higher cytoplasmic and intercellular presence. Nuclear p‐ASyn in melanoma varied from similar to control skin in early stage melanoma to a higher rate of empty nuclei in the intermediate stage and total absence of nuclear p‐ASyn in severe cases.

Interpretation: These findings support the nuclear localization of p‐ASyn in skin cells and show that its presence decreases PD and almost disappears in the malignant transformation of melanocytes, redistributing to the cytoplasm and intercellular spaces. This confirms the association between PD and melanoma, providing crucial insights into the role of p‐ASyn in both diseases.

Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01380899.
Unlocking Biochar’s Potential: Innovative Strategies for Sustainable Remediation of Heavy Metal Stress in Tobacco Plants
Authors: Shar Abdul Ghaffar , Zhang Leyi , Lu Anzhi , Ahmad Munib , Saqib Muhammad , Hussain Sadam , Zulfiqar Usman , Wang Pingping , Zhang Lixin , Rahimi Mehdi
Published: January 2025

Tobacco, being a globally cultivated crop, holds significant social and economic importance. Tobacco plants are susceptible to the adverse effects of heavy metals (HMs), particularly cadmium (Cd), which hinders root development, disrupts water balance, and impedes nutrient absorption. Higher concentrations of HMs, especially Cd, naturally accumulate in tobacco leaves due to complex interactions within the plant–soil continuum. The uptake of Cd by plants from the soil is influenced by several factors, including soil type, pH, irrigation water quality, and the chemical composition of the metal involved. Different techniques, such as bioremediation, phytoremediation, and mycoremediation, have been employed to tackle the issue of HMs. The use of biochar offers a practical solution to mitigate this problem. With its large surface area and porous nature, biochar can effectively alleviate HMs contamination. Under biochar application, metal adsorption primarily occurs through physical adsorption, where metal ions are trapped within the pores of the biochar. Additionally, electrostatic attraction, in which negatively charged biochar surfaces attract positively charged metal ions, is another major mechanism of metal remediation facilitated by biochar. In this review, we documented, compiled, and interpreted novel and recent information on HMs stress on tobacco plants and explored biochar’s role in alleviating HMs toxicity. By providing a comprehensive review of the persistent threat posed by Cd to tobacco crops and exploring biochar’s potential as a remediation measure, this work aims to enhance our understanding of HMs stress in tobacco and contribute to the development of sustainable agricultural practices.
The Research on the Seismic Performance of Immersion Joints Under Cyclic Loading
Authors: Cheng Xinjun , Xu Kunpeng , Li Shiyuan , Jing Liping
Published: January 2025

Underground traffic structures can ease the traffic pressure on ground traffic and alleviate the effect of urban heat wave. The structural failure of underground structures caused by earthquakes is one of the crucial hazards in the field of urban underground transportation engineering. The structural safety is an important symbol of urban sustainability and resilience. To investigate the failure modes and mechanical performances of immersion joints under the effects of spatially varying seismic ground motions, an eccentric cyclic loading method has been proposed in the study. For comparison, both the conventional centric cyclic loading condition and novel eccentric cyclic loading condition have been considered in the research. Based on the numerical results, the failure modes, load‐carrying properties, ductility, stiffness, and energy dissipation characteristics of the immersion joint have been synthetically analyzed. The results show that the loading conditions have obvious influence on the internal force evolution mechanism of the immersion joint. Under eccentric cyclic loading, the plastic damages occur at the horizontal shear keys, vertical shear keys, and even the left side wall of the tunnel element. As a result of comparison, the ductility coefficient value of the immersion joint under eccentric cyclic loading in the negative direction is 12.4% smaller than that under centric cyclic loading. The immersion joint exposed to eccentric cyclic loading exhibits worse aseismic performance than that under centric cyclic loading.
Analysis of Shearer Traction Characteristics Considering Attitude Disturbance
Authors: Ma Dejian , Wan Lirong , Wang Jinwei , Zhu Yanpeng , Gao Kuidong , Li Zhaoji , Zeng Qingliang
Published: January 2025

The discontinuous contact and collision impact of traction components caused by attitude disturbances is a significant factor that endangers the traction reliability of the shearer. Especially, when cutting with a single drum, the shearer undergoes severe swaying and runout. Therefore, to explore the swaying law and its impact, a shearer traction dynamics model considering spatial attitude disturbance is established and validated by the traction experiment. The shearer’s spatial sway is studied, and the impact contact and its differences between the two hauling departments under different loads are discussed based on attitude analysis. The results show that attitude disturbance increases with increased speed. Roll disturbance is the major factor that causes the vibration enhancement of the support slippers, and the vibration enhancement of the walking wheels is the result of both the pitch and roll attitude disturbances. When the left drum load is lost, the roll attitude disturbance enhances while the vibration of the right hauling department increases. When the right drum load is lost, the yaw swaying is reinforced while the vertical direction vibration on the two support slippers and the axial direction vibration on the left guide slipper increase significantly. The result provides a reference for studying the shearer’s attitude law and reducing traction impact.
Data from Cancer-Specific Targeting of Taurine-Upregulated Gene 1 Enhances the Effects of Chemotherapy in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Tasaki Yoshihiko , Suzuki Miho , Katsushima Keisuke , Shinjo Keiko , Iijima Kenta , Murofushi Yoshiteru , Naiki-Ito Aya , Hayashi Kazuki , Qiu Chenjie , Takahashi Akiko , Tanaka Yoko , Kawaguchi Tokuichi , Sugawara Minoru , Kataoka Tomoya , Naito Mitsuru , Miyata Kanjiro , Kataoka Kazunori , Noda Tetsuo , Gao Wentao , Kataoka Hiromi , Takahashi Satoru , Kimura Kazunori , Kondo Yutaka
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Overcoming drug resistance is one of the biggest challenges in cancer chemotherapy. In this study, we examine whether targeting the long noncoding RNA taurine upregulated gene 1 (TUG1) could be an effective therapeutic approach to overcome drug resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). TUG1 was expressed at significantly higher levels across 197 PDAC tissues compared with normal pancreatic tissues. Overall survival of patients with PDAC who had undergone 5-FU–based chemotherapy was shorter in high TUG1 group than in low TUG1 group. Mechanistically, TUG1 antagonized miR-376b-3p and upregulated dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD). TUG1 depletion induced susceptibility to 5-FU in BxPC-3 and PK-9 pancreatic cell lines. Consistently, the cellular concentration of 5-FU was significantly higher under TUG1-depleted conditions. In PDAC xenograft models, intravenous treatment with a cancer-specific drug delivery system (TUG1-DDS) and 5-FU significantly suppressed PDAC tumor growth compared with 5-FU treatment alone. This novel approach using TUG1-DDS in combination with 5-FU may serve as an effective therapeutic option to attenuate DPD activity and meet appropriate 5-FU dosage requirements in targeted PDAC cells, which can reduce the systemic adverse effects of chemotherapy.
Significance:
Targeting TUG1 coupled with a cancer-specific drug delivery system effectively modulates 5-FU catabolism in TUG1-overexpressing PDAC cells, thus contributing to a new combinatorial strategy for cancer treatment.
Passing the Torch forward: Moving beyond EGFR Inhibition in NMIBC Prevention
Authors: Wu Tsung-Che , Lin Chia-Chi
Published: January 2025

The study by Downs and colleagues targets patients with non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) to explore secondary/tertiary cancer prevention strategies. Utilizing a “window-of-opportunity” design, erlotinib was evaluated for its effect on EGFR phosphorylation, although the unconventional dosing regimen failed to demonstrate efficacy. New opportunities in NMIBC prevention include targeting FGFR3 mutations with emerging FGFR inhibitors. A future trial design could focus on clinical outcomes such as tumor response and NMIBC recurrence while also evaluating FGFR3 inhibition in both tumor and adjacent normal bladder epithelia.

See related article by Downs et al., p. 31
The Hallmarks of Predictive Oncology
Authors: Singhal Akshat , Zhao Xiaoyu , Wall Patrick , So Emily , Calderini Guido , Partin Alexander , Koussa Natasha , Vasanthakumari Priyanka , Narykov Oleksandr , Zhu Yitan , Jones Sara E. , Abbas-Aghababazadeh Farnoosh , Kadambat Nair Sisira , Bélisle-Pipon Jean-Christophe , Jayaram Athmeya , Parker Barbara A. , Yeung Kay T. , Griffiths Jason I. , Weil Ryan , Nath Aritro , Haibe-Kains Benjamin , Ideker Trey
Published: January 2025

The rapid evolution of machine learning has led to a proliferation of sophisticated models for predicting therapeutic responses in cancer. While many of these show promise in research, standards for clinical evaluation and adoption are lacking. Here, we propose seven hallmarks by which predictive oncology models can be assessed and compared. These are Data Relevance and Actionability, Expressive Architecture, Standardized Benchmarking, Generalizability, Interpretability, Accessibility and Reproducibility, and Fairness. Considerations for each hallmark are discussed along with an example model scorecard. We encourage the broader community, including researchers, clinicians, and regulators, to engage in shaping these guidelines toward a concise set of standards.

Significance:

As the field of artificial intelligence evolves rapidly, these hallmarks are intended to capture fundamental, complementary concepts necessary for the progress and timely adoption of predictive modeling in precision oncology. Through these hallmarks, we hope to establish standards and guidelines that enable the symbiotic development of artificial intelligence and precision oncology.
Supplementary Figure 6 from Efficacy of CBP/p300 Dual Inhibitors against Derepression of KREMEN2 in cBAF-Deficient Cancers
Authors: Sasaki Mariko , Kato Daiki , Yoshida Hiroshi , Shimizu Takafumi , Ogiwara Hideaki
Published: January 2025

A CBP/p300 dual inhibitor suppresses growth of tumor xenografts derived from SMARCA4/SMARCA2-deficient cells and SS18-SSX-fusion cells.
Supplementary Figure 4 from Efficacy of CBP/p300 Dual Inhibitors against Derepression of KREMEN2 in cBAF-Deficient Cancers
Authors: Sasaki Mariko , Kato Daiki , Yoshida Hiroshi , Shimizu Takafumi , Ogiwara Hideaki
Published: January 2025

Simultaneous inhibition of CBP/p300 in SMARCB1-deficient cells induces synthetic lethality by downregulating KREMEN2.
Supplementary Figure 1 from Efficacy of CBP/p300 Dual Inhibitors against Derepression of KREMEN2 in cBAF-Deficient Cancers
Authors: Sasaki Mariko , Kato Daiki , Yoshida Hiroshi , Shimizu Takafumi , Ogiwara Hideaki
Published: January 2025

CBP and p300 dual inhibitors selectively sensitizes cancer cells deficient in a subunit of cBAF complex.
Figure 5 from Efficacy of CBP/p300 Dual Inhibitors against Derepression of KREMEN2 in cBAF-Deficient Cancers
Authors: Sasaki Mariko , Kato Daiki , Yoshida Hiroshi , Shimizu Takafumi , Ogiwara Hideaki
Published: January 2025

Downregulation of KREMEN2 through CBP/p300 inhibition in SMARCA4/SMARCA2-deficient and SS18–SSX fusion cancer cells induces apoptosis via KREMEN1. A and B, Viability of SMARCA4/SMARCA2-deficient DMS114 (A) and SS18–SSX fusion Fuji (B) cell lines transfected with the indicated siRNAs. Cells were transfected with indicated siRNAs for 48 hours, reseeded, and transfected with the indicated siRNAs for an additional 48 hours. The cells were then reseeded again and incubated for 7 days. Data are presented as the mean ± SEM; n = 3 independent experiments. C and D, Expression of CASP6 mRNA (relative to that in siNT-transfected cells) in SMARCA4/SMARCA2-deficient DMS114 (C) and SS18–SSX fusion Fuji (D) cell lines transfected with the indicated siRNAs. Cells were transfected with indicated siRNAs for 96 hours. Data are presented as the mean ± SD; n = 3 independent experiments. E and F, Expression of CASP6 mRNA (relative to that in siNT-transfected cells) in SMARCA4/SMARCA2-deficient DMS114 (E) and SS18–SSX fusion Fuji (F) cell lines transfected with the indicated siRNAs. Cells were transfected with indicated siRNAs for 48 hours, reseeded, and transfected with the indicated siRNAs for 24 hours. The cells were then reseeded again and incubated for 24 hours. Data are presented as the mean ± SD; n = 3 independent experiments. G and H, IC50 values for CP-C27 in SMARCA4/SMARCA2-deficient DMS114 (G) and SS18–SSX fusion Fuji (H) cell lines transfected with the indicated siRNAs and treated with CBP/p300 inhibitor CP-C27. Cells were transfected for 48 hours with the indicated siRNAs. Cells were then transfected with the indicated siRNAs for an additional 24 hours. The cells were then reseeded again and treated for 4 days with CP-C27, and IC50 values were calculated based on cell viability. Data are presented as the mean ± SEM; n = 3 independent experiments. For all experiments, P values were determined by an unpaired two-tailed Student t test. *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001.
Figure 2 from Efficacy of CBP/p300 Dual Inhibitors against Derepression of KREMEN2 in cBAF-Deficient Cancers
Authors: Sasaki Mariko , Kato Daiki , Yoshida Hiroshi , Shimizu Takafumi , Ogiwara Hideaki
Published: January 2025

Simultaneous inhibition of CBP/p300 causes synthetic lethality in SMARCA4/SMARCA2-deficient and SS18–SSX fusion cells. A, Immunoblot analysis of CBP, p300, H3K27ac, H3, and β-actin expression in SWI/SNF-proficient, SMARCA4/SMARCA2-deficient, and SS18–SSX fusion cell lines transfected for 48 hours with the indicated siRNAs. B, Viability of SWI/SNF-proficient, SMARCA4/SMARCA2-deficient, and SS18–SSX fusion cell lines transfected for 48 hours with the indicated siRNAs. The cells were then reseeded and transfected repeatedly with the indicated siRNAs for 48 hours. The cells were then reseeded again and incubated for 7 days. Data are presented as the mean ± SEM; n = 3 independent experiments. C, Immunoblot analysis of CBP, p300, H3K27ac, H3, and β-actin expression in SWI/SNF-proficient H2228, SMARCA4/SMARCA2-deficient DMS114, and SS18–SSX fusion Fuji cell lines transfected for 48 hours with the indicated siRNAs. D, Viability of SWI/SNF-proficient H2228, SMARCA4/SMARCA2-deficient DMS114, and SS18–SSX fusion Fuji cell lines transfected for 48 hours with the indicated siRNAs. The cells were then reseeded and transfected repeatedly with the indicated siRNAs for 48 hours. The cells were then reseeded again and incubated for 7 days. Data are presented as the mean ± SEM; n = 3 independent experiments. For all experiments, P values were determined by an unpaired two-tailed Student t test. *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001.
Oncologic Surgery for Lower Gastrointestinal Tumors during Pregnancy: A Literature Review
Authors: Plum Patrick S. , Chon Seung-Hun , Alakus Hakan , Mehdorn Matthias , Stelzner Sigmar , Thieme René , Kreuser Nicole , Gockel Ines
Published: January 2025

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) during pregnancy can be a challenging situation due to the spatial confinement of the tumor with the growing uterus carrying the fetus. It is one of the more common tumor entities occurring in pregnant women, and therefore, it has to be taken into account if “patients describe suspicious” symptoms. Summary: Diagnosis and treatment are complex and require a specialized multidisciplinary team of visceral oncologists with expertise in colorectal surgery, gastrointestinal oncologists, gynecologists, obstetricians, and neonatologists to coordinate the optimal treatment plan with the patient. Multimodal treatment options depend on gestational age and tumor stage. Radical surgical oncologic therapy at the latest possible stage of pregnancy is often the only feasible, potentially curative treatment option. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy should be postponed to the postpartum period, if possible. Neonatological aspects, including the high risk of serious complications for the infant during and after anesthesia for oncologic surgery, such as cerebral hemorrhage, pulmonary hypoplasia, and necrotizing enterocolitis, must always be in the focus when considering the optimal timing of surgery, as well as the prognosis of the mother concerning her tumor. Key Message: Treatment of CRC during pregnancy is based on highly individualized therapeutic decisions rather than on standardized guideline recommendations. Surgical resection via partial colectomy, anterior rectal resections, and abdominoperineal extirpations are feasible. However, it has always to be considered if surgery has to be performed in elective situations or damage control procedures due to emergencies, such as mechanical ileus or perforations with intra-abdominal sepsis.
Rarity of congenital adrenal hyperplasia in children born very preterm:Possible mechanism and implication for newborn screening
Authors: Ladjouze Asmahane , Ouarezki Yasmina , Djermane Adel , Kherra Sakina , Bensalah Meriem , Mohammedi Kahina , Douiri Dalila , Boutaghane Nourredine , Bouzerar Zair , Van Vliet Guy
Published: January 2025

Introduction:Screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia through the measurement of 17-hydroxyprogesterone on the neonatal blood spot aims to: a) prevent neonatal deaths; b) allow earlier identification and thereby decrease the severity of the initial salt-wasting episode; and c) shorten the time during which a severely virilized genetic female newborn may be assigned the male sex. It is now practiced in the majority of high-income countries, although the positive predictive value of the test is very low in infants born preterm, who seem to be infrequently affected. In almost all low- and middle-income countries, it has not yet been implemented.
Methods:To determine if it is justified in such a country, we evaluated the prevalence of premature birth and the sex ratio in a cohort of 299 singleton Algerian infants diagnosed with congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
Results: Only 4% were born before 37 weeks of gestational age, less than the 14.3% observed in the general Algerian population. None was born before 34 weeks of gestation. The salt-wasting form of the disease was confirmed in 93 boys and 139 girls.
Conclusion: We speculate that the combination of a high production of 17-hydroxyprogesterone with a low production of cortisol by the fetus with congenital adrenal hyperplasia accounts for the rarity of very preterm birth in this population. We suggest that newborn screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia is necessary in Algeria to equalize the sex ratio but that it could be restricted to neonates born after 32 weeks of gestation, thereby possibly improving the cost-effectiveness ratio of this intervention.
Are there limits to empathy? A survey experiment on empathic concern and perspective-taking as bases for attitudes towards different groups of refugees
Authors: Huth-Stöckle Nora , Heizmann Boris
Published: January 2025

This article examines how empathic concern and perspective-taking influence different exclusionary attitudes towards refugees. More specifically, we investigate how empathic competence underpins social distance towards refugees and the opposition to granting them civil rights. Furthermore, we explore the potential constraints of this relationship by investigating the moderating role of different refugee characteristics via a survey-experimental approach using single-wave data from the GESIS Panel, a representative survey conducted in Germany. The refugee characteristics relate to having a Muslim vs. Christian background and having high vs. low qualifications, implying different levels of intergroup threat. The results indicate that higher levels of perspective-taking and empathic concern are associated with lower social distance towards refugees and opposition to granting rights to refugees. Furthermore, while the respondents' exclusionary attitudes were higher towards refugee groups, implying higher levels of intergroup threat, empathic concern and perspective-taking predicted more positive attitudes towards the different groups of refugees equally. This implies that the effect of empathy does not depend on outgroup characteristics.
Dynamical models reveal anatomically reliable attractor landscapes embedded in resting-state brain networks
Authors: Chen Ruiqi , Singh Matthew , Braver Todd S. , Ching ShiNung
Published: January 2025

Analyses of functional connectivity (FC) in resting-state brain networks (RSNs) have generated many insights into cognition. However, the mechanistic underpinnings of FC and RSNs are still not well-understood. It remains debated whether resting-state activity is best characterized as reflecting noise-driven fluctuations around a single stable state, or instead, as a nonlinear dynamical system with nontrivial attractors embedded in the RSNs. Here, we provide evidence for the latter, by constructing whole-brain dynamical systems models from individual resting-state fMRI (rfMRI) recordings, using the Mesoscale Individualized NeuroDynamic (MINDy) framework. The MINDy models consist of hundreds of neural masses representing brain parcels, connected by fully trainable, individualized weights. We found that our models manifested a diverse taxonomy of nontrivial attractor landscapes including multiple equilibria and limit cycles. However, when projected into anatomical space, these attractors mapped onto a limited set of canonical RSNs, including the default mode network (DMN) and frontoparietal control network (FPN), which were reliable at the individual level. Further, by creating convex combinations of models, bifurcations were induced that recapitulated the full spectrum of dynamics found via fitting. These findings suggest that the resting brain traverses a diverse set of dynamics, which generate several distinct but anatomically overlapping attractor landscapes. Treating rfMRI as a unimodal stationary process (i.e., conventional FC) may miss critical attractor properties and structure within the resting brain. Instead, these may be better captured through neural dynamical modeling and analytic approaches. The results provide new insights into the generative mechanisms and intrinsic spatiotemporal organization of brain networks.
Somatosensory-evoked response induces extensive diffusivity and
kurtosis changes associated with neural activity in rodents
Authors: Hertanu Andreea , Pavan Tommaso , Jelescu Ileana O.
Published: January 2025

Neural tissue microstructure is dynamic during brain activity, presenting changes in cellular morphology and membrane permeability. The sensitivity of diffusion MRI (dMRI) to restrictions and hindrances in the form of cell membranes or subcellular structures enables the exploration of brain activity under a new paradigm, offering a more direct functional contrast than its blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) counterpart. The current work aims at probing Mean Diffusivity (MD) and Mean Kurtosis (MK) changes and their time-dependence signature across various regions in the rat brain during somatosensory processing and integration, upon unilateral forepaw stimulation. We report a decrease in MD in the contralateral primary somatosensory cortex, forelimb region (S1FL), previously ascribed to cellular swelling and increased tortuosity in the extracellular space, paralleled by a positive BOLD response. For the first time, we also report a paired decrease in MK during stimulation in S1FL, suggesting increased membrane permeability. This observation was further supported by the reduction in exchange time estimated from the kurtosis time-dependence analyses. Conversely, the secondary somatosensory cortex and subcortical areas, formerly reported as responsive to sensory stimulation in rodents (thalamus, striatum, hippocampal subfields), displayed a marked MD and MK increase, paralleled by a weak-to-absent BOLD response. Overall, MD and MK uncovered functional-induced changes with higher sensitivity than BOLD. Although the exact origin of the MD and MK increase is yet to be unraveled, the potential of dMRI to provide complementary functional insights, even below the BOLD detection threshold, has been showcased.
7. (Her)story between Shadow and Light
Authors: Anis Rida
Published: January 2025

This the account of an academic who has witnessed and endured various conflicts and state authoritarianism, and who continues to practice while living as a displaced person in exile. It is composed of selected transcribed audio messages that were communicated as a personal testimony shared with a fellow academic, with intention for the dialogue to be recorded for the purposes of contributing to research. In this chapter, the dialogue is curated into 18 fragments, with subtitles reflective of the themes which Rida chose to recount of her remembered experiences of conflict as a woman academic before, during and since the war in her homeland of Syria. This includes her childhood in Iraq, her undergraduate studies and later return to work as a lecturer in Syria, her postgraduate studies in the United States of America, and her current experience within Turkey.

هذه رواية أكاديمية عاشت في بيئات ثقافية مختلفة، و شهدت صراعات عديدة، ومازالت تواصل كفاحها في ممارسة مهنتها كأستاذة جامعية و باحثة عالمية رغم نزوحها عن وطنها الأم. تتألف هذه الرواية من عدة رسائل صوتية مكتوبة، تم اختيار بعضها و إرسالها كشهادة شخصية تمت مشاركتها مع زميلة أكاديمية أخرى بهدف تسجيل الحوار بينهما للمساهمة في هذا البحث. في هذا الفصل، تم تقسيم الحوار إلى ١٨ جزء، مع عناوين فرعية تعكس الموضوعات التي اختارتها رضاء لتروي تجاربها و كفاحها كامرأة أكاديمية قبل وأثناء وبعد الحرب في وطنها سوريا. ويشمل ذلك طفولتها في العراق، ودراستها الجامعية وعودتها لاحقًا للعمل كمحاضرة في سوريا، ودراساتها العليا في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، وتجربتها الحالية داخل تركيا.
Effect of Fungicides and Application Methods for the Management of Pepper Wilt Complex Diseases in Ethiopia
Authors: Getinet Adina , Yalew Desalegn
Published: January 2025

Pepper Wilt complex disease is one of the devastating soil-borne diseases, due to which 68-70% yield loss is recorded. Effects of different fungicides and application methods on wilt incidence and yield of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) were tested for two years at Fogera and for one year at Dera districts of South Gondar zone Ethiopia. Effects of fungicides viz. copper oxychloride (Isacope 50WP), mancozeb + metalaxyl (Omaxim), thiamethoxam + metalaxyl + difenoconazole (Apron Star 42WS), copper hydroxide (Sinoko) and application methods viz. seed +seedling treatment, seed + seedling treatment followed by spraying at crown region of the plant on wilt disease incidence and pepper yield were studied at Fogera and Dera districts of South Gondar zone Ethiopia. The fungicides were applied at the rates of 3 kg/ha, 2 kg/ha, 20 g/ha and 2.5 kg/ha for Isacope 50WP, Omaxim, Apron Star 42WS and Sinoko, respectively. The seeds of pepper treated with fungicides and untreated were sown in seedling bed. The 45-day old seedlings were uprooted from the seed bed and subjected to the seedling treatment in different fungicides for 30 minutes and were planted in field. The spraying of the fungicides at crown region of the plant was done at 15 days interval after the initiation of wilt disease. The data on wilt incidence and yield were recorded in each treatment. The price of pepper was assessed from the local market and the total price of the yield obtained from each treatment was computed on hectare basis. Input costs like fungicide and labor were converted into hectare basis according to their frequencies used. Based on the obtained data from the above-mentioned parameters economic analysis was performed. The result of the experiment indicates that, during 2020 year, the highest disease reduction (61.11% and 51.39%) over check and maximum dry pod yield (21.95 q/ha and 48.46 q/ha) was observed with T6 (seed treatment+ seedling treatment +foliar spraying with fungicide Omaxim (mancozeb + metalaxyl) at Fogera and Dera, respectively. Similarly, highest disease reduction (26.66%) and maximum green pod yield was observed in T6 at Fogera during 2021 year. Moreover, economic analysis revealed that T6 (application of seed treatment+ seedling treatment + foliar spraying of fungicide Omaxim within 15 days interval) is effective treatment.
Mathematical Modeling of Reaction Diffusion Equation for Facilitated Emigration of Planar Electrode in a Non-Linear Process at Electroactive Polymer Film
Authors: Andiappan Uma , Rajagopal Swaminathan
Published: January 2025

In this article, we propose a simple and effective methods to resolve the reaction diffusion equation for facilitated emigration of planar electrode in a steady state non-linear process that arises in the context of the electroactive polymer film. The mathematical modeling presented here suggest a substrate and an immobilized catalyst form a complex. By applying the two effective analytical approach namely Homotopy Analysis Method and Exp-Function Method, an approximate analytical expression for the substrate concentration for planar electrode is established. Moreover, the analytical approach of the current for the experimental outcomes is established. The efficiency of the methods is demonstrated by contrasting the numerical simulation with the Analytical findings. The derived analytical outcomes are compared with numerical data which is obtained by using Matlab software and it is transpires that they correspond adequately. Also the comparison of computational outcomes with dimensionless concentration of planar electrode substrate in its analytical representation established in table. In these table results depicts for different amount of reaction and diffusion parameters our new result agree rather well with the numerical findings. The error percentage of our results employing Homotopy Analysis Method and Exp-Function Method with numerical results presented. The solution is also graphically presented. It provides a satisfactory agreement for all parameter setting under comparison.
Agronomic and Physiological Efficiency of Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrids as Influence by Nitrogen Fertilization in Semi-Arid Areas of Ethiopia
Authors: Bekere Jemal , Tesfa Yaya
Published: January 2025

Maize is one of the major food crops in semi-arid areas of Ethiopia. Efficient application of N fertilizer on maize crop enables smallholder farmers have a synergic effect through enhancing yield productivity, reducing cost of production and nitrous oxide emission to the atmosphere exacerbating the challenges of changing climate. This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of nitrogen fertilizer on yield and yield related traits and assess the relationship between yield and nitrogen use efficiency indices. Eight maize hybrids were evaluated at three rates of N fertilizer (0, 32.5 and 65 kg N/ha) using split-plot design with three replications at two locations (Dera and Melkassa) in 2020 main cropping season. The results from analysis of variance (ANOVA) at each location indicated that majority of yield and yield related traits, agronomic and physiological efficiency were significantly influenced either by one or two of the factors (nitrogen and genotype) and/or the interaction effect of the two at both locations. The results of combined ANOVA over locations revealed that the interaction of the three factors (location, nitrogen and genotype) had significant effect on agronomic and physiological efficiency. The hybrids WE7201 and WE8206 had obtained the highest agronomic (27.67 kg kg-1) and physiological efficiency (43.52 kg kg-1) due to the application of 32.5 kg N ha-1 respectively. Thus, WE7201 and WE8206 could be recommended for production in the study areas.
Infobody Structures for Logical Artificial Intelligence with Database Implementation
Authors: Che Yuhu
Published: January 2025

The purpose of this paper is to explore the applications of infobody concepts, infobody structures and infobody charts to Artificial Intelligence (AI), specifically, Logical Artificial Intelligence (LAI). It is also trying to explore a new way to resolve some logical issues in current Artificial Intelligence studies with ChatGPT such as answering reasoning questions in family relations. For this purpose, detailed family relations are discussed based on relation theory. Some new concepts such as primary relations, reversed relations and derived relations for family relations are introduced. Also, a relational database is introduced to implement these family relations and the relationships between these family relations, and make them calculatable with SQL. Each SQL query becomes an infobody processor and together with the input and output infobodies compose a unit infobody structure. Multiple unit structures compose an answer structure to answer a specific question in family relations. A specific unit structure can join multiple answer structures to answer multiple questions. A processor with related input infobodies contains all detailed information for reasoning to a specific output infobody and therefore an answer structure can answer a specific reasoning (logical) question. Each answer structure can be presented in an infobody chart which is a visualization of an infobody model. An infobody model can be implemented in another relational database that can be queried by SQL as well. Suppose all academic areas are implemented in knowledge structures with infobody models in clouds, and all commonsense areas such as family relations are implemented in thinking structures with infobody models in clouds, then, any logical AI app should be able to query some of them to answer any logical questions. Also, it is possible to make those IB models for LAI available for all kinds of robots to simulate creative thinking.
Genetic Algorithm-Based PID Optimization for Ethyl Acetate Saponification in a Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor
Authors: Deifalla Mohamad , Gasmelseed Gurashi
Published: January 2025

Effective temperature control in continuous stirred-tank reactors (CSTRs) is essential for maintaining product quality and process stability in nonlinear chemical systems. Traditional PID controllers, tuned via Ziegler-Nichols (ZN) methods, often struggle to manage the nonlinearities of such systems, leading to high overshoot, prolonged settling times, and suboptimal disturbance rejection. This study introduces a genetic algorithm (GA)-based approach for optimizing PID controller parameters to enhance the performance of temperature control during the saponification of ethyl acetate in a CSTR, a mildly exothermic reaction characterized by second-order kinetics. The proposed method employs the integral of time-weighted absolute error (ITAE) as a fitness function to iteratively minimize system error and optimize controller gains. Comparative analysis with the ZN-tuned PID controller reveals substantial improvements using the GA-tuned PID controller, including a reduction in overshoot from 61.4% to 38.1%, and decreases in rise, peak, and settling times by 29.7%, 35.3%, and 72.02%, respectively. Additionally, the GA-PID controller demonstrates superior set-point tracking and robust disturbance rejection, achieving a system error reduction of 68.1% compared to the ZN-PID controller. These results underscore the efficacy of genetic algorithms in overcoming the limitations of conventional tuning methods for nonlinear systems. The GA-based tuning approach not only enhances control accuracy and stability but also offers a scalable solution for optimizing complex industrial processes, paving the way for advancements in chemical reactor control and broader applications in process engineering.
Design of Agroforestry Systems for the Santa Rita Micro-Watershed in the Southeastern Region of Cuba
Authors: Porto José , Castañeda Mercedes , Serrano Yisel , Duran Rolando , Perez Rafael , Izaguirre Yaquelin
Published: January 2025

The high demand for food and the overexploitation of natural resources to provide goods and services permanently to the population cause negative effects on the balance of ecosystems; however, depending on the management, systems intervened by man can offer a variety of services in a sustainable manner. Agroforestry systems(AFS), through the combination and interaction of all their components, seek to contribute to food security and to the improvement of the quality of life of peasant families, allowing at the same time the diversification of production, environmental sustainability and the generation of marketable surpluses. The fundamental objective of this work was the design of AFS in areas of the Santa Rita micro-basin, municipality of Palma Soriano, southeastern region of Cuba. To this end, the biophysical characterization of the study area was carried out and in plots with land use conflict; AFSs were designed based on their location within the water network of the micro-basin and the effective depth. Seven AFS alternatives were proposed on 52.91 ha, which contributes to the generation of a source of employment and income for the inhabitants of this agricultural setting; improves the coverage of the protection strips of the riverbeds, increases the forested area and the biodiversity of the Santa Rita micro-basin.
Research on Breakwater Structure: A Brief Review
Authors: Wang Xiaowei , Wang Xiaoqun , Liu Likun , Xin Li , Li Kaiming
Published: January 2025

As a kind of protective engineering, breakwater plays a very important role in the safety of the protected objects, and scholars from all over the world have done a lot of research on the characteristics of breakwater. Reviews are a quick way to see how research is progressing. In addition to the traditional breakwaters for the purpose of wave suppression, there are many breakwaters with power generation functions. In order to supplement and enrich the research of breakwater, adapt to the development of The Times, the breakwater is reviewed. In this paper, breakwaters are divided into traditional breakwaters and wave energy converter(WEC) breakwaters according to their functions. The traditional breakwaters for wave absorbing, while the WEC breakwater is breakwater added wave energy converter, which can convert wave energy into electrical energy, so WEC breakwater has two functions of wave dissipation and power generation. According to the fixed type, the traditional breakwater is divided into fixed breakwater and floating breakwater. In addition to adding WEC breakwaters in the classification, this paper takes the transmission coefficient kt =0.5 as the reference line and compares the optimal transmission coefficient of the corresponding breakwater structure with the reference line. Finally, the structure of the breakwater is summarized and suggested. Hope to play a guiding role in scholars' research and engineering construction.
AI in Political Advertising and Crisis Communication: A Case Study of Former Prime Minister Imran Khan's AI Generated Speech during Pakistan 2024 General Elections
Authors: Rubab Uzma
Published: January 2025

Artificial Intelligence has become a basic necessity in 20th century with the emergence of new AI tools and APPs. As artificial intelligence has occupied the functionality of major human based activities, its integration is also seeing a transformative shift in political advertising, especially in the creation of speeches and in communicating party agendas to the general public and plying a vital role in opinion making and agenda setting. AI is already being used all over the globe to tailor the political speeches keeping in view the interests of specific voter segments. Recently the use of AI in political advertising has seen a dramatic shift when Pakistan's imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan delivered an AI generated cloned speech that has stunned the nation. The AI-generated audio, which was played during a virtual rally of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, featured a voice replicating Khan's, praising his supporters and urging people to vote for PTI in the upcoming general elections. This innovative use of technology has the potential to impact the political landscape for the general elections in Pakistan and more specifically in time of crisis communication. In regard with the case study of Imran Khan’s AI generated speech, the aim of this research is to explore the effectiveness of his message conveyed through AI and its overall impact on the manipulation of public opinion and election campaign. This paper investigates public reactions and evaluates the effectiveness of delivering personalized messages through AI-driven content. This research also addresses the concerns related to privacy, manipulation, and the need for transparency in the development and deployment of AI-driven political advertising. This research study is conducted through a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative and quantitative research. Research data is obtained from the surveys and interviews of political analysts. Based on the results of research, it will be presenting to which extent AI should be used, what ethical considerations should be met and how a regulatory frame work should be there to keep an eye on the AI generated content.
Construction of Recombinant Protein of Botulinum Neurotoxin Light Chain and Analysis of Cleavage Effect on VAMP1 Protein in Brown Rat
Authors: Shengqing Li , Shengyi Han , Shuping Li , Guoyuan Hu , Huaixing Liu , Lingxia Li , Tian Shi , Shinan Zhang
Published: January 2025

In order to explore the feasibility of the new rodenticide of type D Botulinum toxin to prevent and control the population density of pests in farmland from a molecular perspective. This study aimed to analyze the feasibility of D-type botulinum toxin for the control of urban rodents from a molecular perspective, and to detect the cleavage effect of D-type botulinum neurotoxin light chain recombinant protein on the synaptic vesicle membrane protein VAMP-1 of brown house mouse. The genomic DNA of Clostridium botulinum D 8901 strain was used as a template. Based on the botulinum toxin D gene sequence reported in GenBank, specific primers were designed. Plasmids were constructed by gene synthesis and subcloned into the pET28a expression vector. The recombinant plasmid was transformed into BL21 (DE3) Rosetta competent cells, and induced expression by IPTG. The expression products were purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography, identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting, and the recombinant proteins were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. The cleavage of VAMP1 protein in SD brown house mouse. The pET-28a- BDLc expression plasmid was successfully constructed and transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3) Rosetta. Western blot confirmed that the recombinant protein pET-28a- BDLc (residues Met 1-Met 94) obtained soluble expression, and obtained 5 mg, Recombinant protein with purity > 90%. It has good biological activity as determined by animal method. The recombinant protein can decompose VAMP1 protein into two fragments. Type D botulinum toxin protein can specifically cleave synaptic vesicle membrane protein (VAMP1) of brown house mouse, and type D botulinum toxin is feasible for urban rodent control.
Sedimentological Analysis of the Facies from the Maastrichtian to Eocene Ages of the Ader Doutchi Sub-basin and Chronological Timing of the Different Fracturing Episodes
Authors: Idi Karimou , Ousmane Habsatou , Ali Ibrahim , Maharou Hassan , Allo Daouda , Hassan Abdourazakou , Konate Moussa
Published: January 2025

The present study covered the Ader Doutchi sub-basin, corresponding to the south-eastern part of the Iullemmeden basin. The sediment fill of the Ader Doutchi sub-basin is made up of deposits from the Maastrichtian to Eocene ages. The objective of this study is to: (i) analyze the vertical sequence of facies, (ii) identify the main fractures, (iii) chronologically map the main fractures from field observations and (iv) Determine the time sequence of major fracking events. The methodology implemented is based on field and laboratory work. The field work consisted of the survey of lithostratigraphic sections, with sampling and structural measurements. The laboratory work is all about processing structural data using the Win-Tensor 5-8-9 program. The sedimentological analysis of Maastrichtian to Ypresian deposits (lower eocene) reveals two main facies: one clay and the other marno-limestone. The analysis of fractures in the studied formations highlights three episodes of fracturing, D1, D2 and D3, associated with the Maastrichtian, Paleogene and Ypresian age deposits.