bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automated Detection of Core Comments in Online UAV Discussion Forums
Authors: Han Doheon , Moniz Nuno , Cleland-Huang Jane , Chawla Nitesh
Published: June 2024

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become popular, and accordingly, diagnosing failure is essential but not easy due to its difficulty and complexity.
Online UAV forums can help users diagnose the failures since they contain abundant information from diverse users.
However, matching responses to user needs is not easy because forum comments are often unclear or contradictory, and it can be even harder when forums contain difficult content.
Large Language Models have shown good achievement for this task, but they have limitations such as their inexplicableness, or inconsistent results.
Therefore, we try a traditional machine-learning approach, text classification in a supervised manner, with human-annotated labels.
This approach shows competitive performance with analyzable and consistent results, however, some issues such as imbalance and user subjectivity are identified.
The subjectivity issue is more serious in difficult forums like UAV forums, meaning each user defines correctness or helpfulness with their standards.
In this paper, we tackle determining core comments, i.e., answers or helpful comments, in online UAV discussion forums while dealing with the imbalance and subjectivity issues.
With a thorough experimental evaluation, we confirm the effect of our strategy.
Empirically, we discover how individual subjectivity may harm the training and evaluation process.
In addition, we analyze the results in quantitative and qualitative ways to define helpfulness in the context of online forums.
A novel method for preserving leaves to facilitate gene expression analyses in field-grown plants
Authors: Ueda Yoshiaki
Published: June 2024

Background
Gene expression is a fundamental process for plants to express their phenotype, and its analysis is the basis of molecular studies. However, the instability of RNA often poses an obstacle to analyzing plants grown in fields or remote locations where the availability of liquid nitrogen or dry ice is limited. To deepen our understanding of plant phenotypes and tolerance to field-specific stresses, it is crucial to develop methodologies to maintain plant RNA intact and safely transfer it for downstream analyses such as qPCR and RNA-seq.
Results
In this study, the author developed a novel tissue preservation method that involved the infiltration of RNA preservation solution into the leaf apoplast using a syringe and subsequent storage at 4°C. RNA-seq using samples stored for 5 d and principal component analyses showed that rice leaves treated with the infiltration method maintained the original transcriptome pattern better than those treated with the traditional method when the leaves were simply immersed in the solution. Additionally, it was also found that extracted RNA can be transported with minimum risk of degradation when it is bound to the membrane of RNA extraction kits. The developed infiltration method was applied to rice plants grown in a local farmer's field in northern Madagascar to analyze the expression of nutrient-responsive genes, suggesting nutrient imbalances in some of the fields examined.
Conclusions
This study showed that the developed infiltration method was effective in preserving the transcriptome status of rice and sorghum leaves when liquid nitrogen or a deep freezer is not available. The developed method was useful for diagnosing plants in the field based on the expression of nutrient marker genes. Moreover, the method used to protect RNA samples from degradation during transportation offers the possibility to use them for RNA-seq. This novel technique could pave the way for revealing the molecular basis of plant phenotypes that are specifically observed in the field.
Optimal counting of single photon pulses
Authors: Murariu Teodora , Pioras-Timbolmas Larisa-Milena , Tudoran Cristian Daniel , Tripon Carmen , Buimaga-Iarinca Luiza , Zarbo Liviu , Morari Cristian
Published: June 2024

Measurement process is the key element for the interpretation of the results in quantum mechanics experiments. Here weinvestigate the influence of the detector technical characteristics (e.g. detector’s dead time) upon the photon distribution a inparametric down-conversion experiment. We show that the information on photon counting for signal, idle and coincidencescan be optimized by using a correlation pattern between time-window used of the measurements, detector’s dead time andthe speed of electronic circuits. Fine tuning of these parameters allows for the maximization of information transfer betweenthe quantum system and the experimental device. We prove this by comparing known physical properties of down convertedphotons with those measured with different experimental setups.
Vegetation types in the Central Brazilian Cerrado can be classified based on vegetation structural differences, but not on tree compositional differences
Authors: Silva Arthur da Cruz , Veenendaal Elmar , Plas Fons Van der , Júnior Valdivino Domingos de Oliveira , Meira-Neto João Augusto Alves
Published: June 2024

The Cerrado biome encompasses different vegetation types, ranging from savanna-like vegetation to forest-like vegetation, represented by a vegetational continuum from Cerrado Típico, Cerrado Denso and Cerradão, respectively. Nevertheless, there are still uncertainties on whether these different vegetation types do not only differ in their vegetation structure, but also in their species compositions. Based on vegetation surveys from 167 plots in the central Brazilian Cerrado, we addressed two questions: i) How variable is the vegetation structure and species between different Cerrado vegetation types? Second, ii) how strongly are vegetation structure and species composition linked? To answer these questions, we performed hierarchical clustering for species composition and vegetation structure. Our results showed that for species composition only 18% of the variance was explained by hierarchical clustering, while for vegetation structure 82% of variance was explained. Additionally, there was a significant difference in the structure metrics between clusters, showing that it is possible to clearly identify different Cerrado vegetation types based on vegetation structures, but not by species composition. Finally, we suggest that trait plasticity in Cerrado trees should drive structural differences among vegetation types, which could be the focus of future studies.
Portuguese version of the Citizenship Fatigue Scale: adaptation and evidence of validity
Authors: Neves Paula C. , Andrade Cláudia , Alves Lia
Published: June 2024

Background
Citizenship fatigue has been identified as a negative consequence of performing organizational citizenship behaviors and has been studied due to its undesirable effects on employees and organizations. This article aims to present the results of adapting the citizenship fatigue scale to Portuguese language and to provide evidence of its validity.
Methods
The research methodology involved multiple stages. Initially, the Citizenship Fatigue Scale was translated into Portuguese using a robust back-translation process involving three bilingual translators to ensure semantic accuracy. Subsequently, for psychometric testing, the Citizenship Fatigue Scale and Compulsory Citizenship Behavior Scale were administered. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted, employing the maximum likelihood estimation method to assess the scale’s reliability and validity. Gender invariance was examined at three different levels: (1) configural invariance, (2) factor loading invariance and (3) factor loading and intercept invariance.
Results
The internal consistency, of the whole scale, measured by Cronbach’s alpha, was 0.95. The composite reliability value was also very satisfactory (CF = .95). The variance extracted from mean (AVE) value of .77 was higher than the required limit of .50, indicating an adequate fit of the model. The confirmatory analysis supported a single-factor model and showed good to very good indexes of fit (CFI = 0.99; GFI = 0.99; RMSEA = 0.02). The model was successfully replicated with a sample of both men and women.
Discussion
The results confirm that the Portuguese version of the Citizenship Fatigue Scale is a reliable instrument for research with Portuguese speaking samples and international research.
Investigation of the reproducibility of the treatment efficacy of a commercial bio stimulant using metabolic profiling on flax
Authors: Hamade Kamar , Fliniaux Ophélie , Fontaine Jean-Xavier , Molinié Roland , Herfurth Damien , Mathiron David , Sarazin Vivien , Mesnard Francois
Published: June 2024

The choice of an optimal bio stimulant in agriculture is challenging as it depends on the production system implemented, such as the crop, plant model, soil, climate, and farmer’s practices. Thus, understanding bio stimulant–plant interactions at the molecular level using metabolomics approaches is a prerequisite for the development of a bio stimulant, leading to an effective exploration and application of formulations in agriculture. AGRO-K® is a commercialized plant-based bio stimulant that improves vigor and enhances resistance to lodging in cereal crops. A recent previous untargeted metabolomics study has demonstrated the ability of this bio stimulant to improve wheat resistance to lodging in open-field conditions. However, the reproducibility of the effect of this bio stimulant in other field crops has not yet been investigated. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the changes in primary and secondary metabolites in the roots, stems, and leaves of fiber flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) treated with AGRO-K®. Concurrent with the previous study conducted in wheat, the present analysis showed that AGRO-K® led to enhancement in the hydroxycinnamic acid amide (HCAA), lignin, and flavonoid pathways in flax. Impacting these pathways enhance root growth and elongation and cell wall lignification, which can aid in preventing crop lodging. These results confirm that HCAAs, flavonoids, and lignin could serve as signature biomarkers of AGRO-K® efficacy in improving lodging resistance for different plant species.
Porvac® subunit vaccine induces neutralizing antibodies against all three main classical swine fever virus genotypes
Authors: Sordo-Puga Yusmel , Santana-Rodríguez Elaine , Pérez-Pérez Danny , Méndez-Orta Mary Karla , Sardina-González Talía , Vargas-Hernández Milagros , Duarte Carlos A. , Rodríguez-Moltó María Pilar , Estrada-García Mario Pablo , Ambagala Aruna , Suárez-Pedroso Marisela
Published: June 2024

The classical swine fever is endemic and a major health problem for the swine industry in Cuba. The current efforts to control the disease include vaccination with Porvac®, a subunit marker vaccine. Although the efficacy of Porvac® against subgenotype 1.4 has been extensively documented, little is known about the abilty of the antibodies induced by this vaccine to neutralize other genotypes. Sera collected frm three pigs vaccinated with Porvac® were able to efficiently neutralize CSFV strains belonging to genotypes 1, 2 and 3. Porvac®-induced antibodies also neutralized bovine viral diarrhea virus and border disease virus. The results suggest that Porvac® marker vaccine could be used for controlling CSF globally.
Warsserstein Tests for Equality of Several Groups for Distributional Data
Authors: Jeong Sanghun , Morris Jeffrey S. , Yang Hojin
Published: June 2024

The study aims to develop a Wasserstein test for the equality of groups for distri-butional data using Wasserstein geometry to account for the geometric distance between empirical distributions. Non-Euclidean data, such as distributional data, do not exist in a linear vector space; therefore, subtraction or addition may not have a meaningful operator. Furthermore, defining measures such as the mean and variance can also be challenging for this problem. This framework enables us to estimate the intrinsic mean and variance using the Wasserstein metric in the Wasserstein space and then to compute the test statistics that can capture the group difference. Therefore, we can compare the population of non-Euclidean data as well as handle the non-Euclidean data. We also derive the asymptotic distribution of the test statistics under mild regularity conditions and establish the asymptotic properties for power performance. We demonstrated the advantages of our proposed approach through simulation studies on various special cases, as well as through its application to biomedical image data, specifically focusing on glioblastoma multiforme.
Risk Factors of Lower Diet Quality by Gender in Cancer Survivors : Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey (KNHANES) 2008-2019
Authors: Jung Sujin , Je Youjin
Published: June 2024

Purpose
Previous studies have shown the inverse association between diet quality and cancer mortality. Therefore, this study aims to discover the factors that affect diet quality among cancer survivors.
Methods
We analyzed the 12–year KNHANES data, which included 2,756 subjects. Twenty-nine factors were analyzed.
Results
Risk factors for lower diet quality differed between males and females. A male cancer survivor who is aged < 65, living with members of the household other than a spouse, having a lower household income, a blue-collar worker, a beneficiary of national basic livelihood, sleeping > 9 hours a day, unaware of a nutritional fact label, insecure in food, non-user of dietary supplements, not on a diet, limited in activity, perceiving stress, and obese, is more likely to have poorer diet quality. On the other hand, a female cancer survivor who is aged < 65, a pink-collar worker, inexperienced in nutritional education, non-user of dietary supplements, obese, and has a lower education level, and cervical or stomach cancer is prone to have a lower quality of diet.
Conclusion
Risk Factors of lower diet quality are gender-specific. Therefore, gender-specific factors should be considered when identifying and intervening in cancer survivors at risk for poorer diet quality.
Implications for Cancer Survivors:
The finding of gender-specific factors might help us to detect cancer survivors at high risk of poorer diet quality and to implement nutritional intervention for them.
Effects of light intensity on apple bud differentiation analyzed by transcriptome and proteome
Authors: Junqiang Niu , Xiaoning Yin , Zehua Yang , Ming Ma , Tie Dong , Wentai Sun
Published: June 2024

Fuji, a major cultivar group of apple (Malus domestica), is extensively grown in China, Japan, and the USA. However, it has been experiencing prolonged differentiation of flower buds. and the potential mechanisms are largely unknown. Thus, for better comprehend the differentiation of apple flower buds, we performed a comparative transcriptomic and proteomic analysis between the closed (CK) and well-ventilated apple orchards (T) of 15-year-old ‘Nagano Fuji No.2’. In total, 12,211 and 8,290 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 473 and 534 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified in the CK group and T group, respectively. In both the expressional and translational levels, 14 up- and 156 down-regulated members were found in samples after flowering compared to pre-flowering in the CK group, respectively. In contrast, 31 up- and 131 down-regulated members were found in the T group. These members were mainly enriched in several Gene Ontology (GO) terms, such as "glycolytic process," "glucan biosynthetic process," and "response to water." These pathways were involved in the differentiation of flower buds regulated by light. Several genes, including MD13G1093200, MD06G1122100, MD15G1253900, MD13G1161400, MD07G1279200, MD15G1253900, and MD10G1289200, exhibited differential expression patterns between the CK and T groups, making them potential key candidates for additional functional analysis. Our findings provide a foundation for further research on the molecular mechanisms of light in flower bud differentiation.
Perinatal outcome of immigrant women with and without refugee status compared to non-immigrant women:
Results of the Pregnancy and Obstetric Care for Refugees (PROREF) Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Schlothauer Darja , Teschemacher Louise , Breckenkamp Jürgen , Borde Theda , David Matthias , Abou-Dakn Michael , Henrich Wolfgang Henrich , Seidel Vera
Published: June 2024

Purpose
International studies show conflicting evidence regarding the perinatal outcome of immigrant women with and without refugee status compared to non-immigrant women. There are few studies about the situation in Germany. The research question of this article is: Is the perinatal outcome (Apgar, UApH (umbilical artery pH), NICU (neontatal intensive care unit) transfer, c-section rate, preterm birth, macrosomia, maternal anemia, higher degree perinatal tear, episiotomy, epidural anesthesia) associated with socio-demographic/clinical characteristics (migration status, language skills, household income, maternal education, parity, age, body mass index (BMI))?
Methods
In the Pregnancy and Obstetric Care for Refugees (PROREF)-study (subproject of the research group PH-LENS), funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), women giving birth in three centers of tertiary care in Berlin were interviewed with the modified Migrant Friendly Maternity Care Questionnaire between June 2020 and April 2022. The interview data was linked to the hospital charts. Data analysis was descriptive and logistic regression analysis was performed to find associations between perinatal outcomes and migration data.
Results
During the research period 3420 women (247 with self-defined (sd) refugee status, 1356 immigrant women and 1817 non-immigrant women) were included. Immigrant women had a higher c-section rate (36.6% vs. 33.2% among non-immigrant women and 31.6% among women with sd refugee status, p = 0.0485). The migration status did not have an influence on the umbilical artery pH, the preterm delivery rate and the transfer of the neonate to the intensive care unit. Women with self-defined refugee status had a higher risk for anemia (31.9% vs. 26.3% immigrant women and 23.4% non-immigrant women, p = 0.0049) and were less often offered an epidural anesthesia for pain control during vaginal delivery (42.5% vs. 54% immigrant women and 52% non-immigrant women, p = 0.0091). In the multivariate analysis maternal education was explaining more than migration status.
Conclusion
Generally, the quality of care for immigrant and non-immigrant women in Berlin seems high. The reasons for higher rate of delivery via c-section among immigrant women remain unclear. Regardless of their migration status women with low degree of education seem at increased risk for anemia.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Osteosarcopenia in Elderly Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Xiao Tingying , Zou Shiyue , Luo Ting , Lai Jing , Ying Jixiang , Lin Min
Published: June 2024

Purpose
To assess the prevalence of osteosarcopenia (OS) in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and explore the related risk factors for developing this condition.
Methods
This cross-sectional study enrolled hospitalized T2DM patients aged 60 years and older. Patients underwent assessments of total hip bone mineral density (BMD), grip strength, the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and body composition. Based on the 2019 Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) criteria, appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM), grip strength, and SPPB were measured to diagnose sarcopenia. BMD and T values of the lumbar spine and hip were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Osteosarcopenia was defined when both sarcopenia and osteoporosis criteria were met. Statistical analysis included binary logistic regression to identify significant risk factors.
Results
A total of 254 hospitalized T2DM patients (80 males and 174 females) were included. They were divided into T2DM-OS (n = 58) and T2DM-NOS (n = 196) groups based on the presence of osteosarcopenia. The average ages were 72.724 ± 6.463 and 69.265 ± 6.035 years, respectively. The prevalence of osteosarcopenia in T2DM patients was 22.8%, with 20.7% (12 males) and 79.3% (46 females) in the T2DM-OS group. After adjusting for confounding factors, it was found that male gender (OR: 5.738, 95%CI: 1.602–20.551, P = 0.007), fasting plasma glucose (OR: 0.904, 95%CI: 0.821–0.995, P = 0.038), and ASMI (OR: 0.049, 95%CI: 0.013–0.184, P < 0.001) were major influencing factors for the development of osteosarcopenia in elderly T2DM patients.
Conclusions
The prevalence of T2DM-OS is relatively high, with male gender, low fasting plasma glucose, and low ASMI identified as risk factors.
Loneliness, Self-Esteem, and Maladaptive Daydreaming in University Students: The Mediating Role of Perceived Stress
Authors: Constantine Leanne , Haque Shamsul
Published: June 2024

Purpose
Maladaptive daydreaming is excessive daydreaming that causes distress, disrupts well-being, and thus impairs academic performance among university students. Because loneliness, low self-esteem, and stress are common risk factors for maladaptive daydreaming, we investigated whether loneliness and self-esteem predicted maladaptive daydreaming and if perceived stress mediated these relationships.
Methods
119 university students (71.40% female) completed the UCLA Loneliness Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale. The hypotheses were tested using mediated regression analyses.
Results
Higher loneliness and lower self-esteem significantly predicted maladaptive daydreaming. Perceived stress partially mediated the relationship between loneliness and maladaptive daydreaming, and fully mediated the relationship between self-esteem and maladaptive daydreaming.
Conclusion
University students were likely to engage in maladaptive daydreaming to compensate for unmet belongingness needs and cope with perceived stress. The mediating role of perceived stress implies that interventions that target stress may reduce maladaptive daydreaming, mitigating its consequences and improving the well-being of university students.
The application of hierarchical cluster analysis to lignins classification based on data of high resolution NMR and solid-state NMR spectra on 13C nuclei
Authors: Grishanovich Ilya , Sypalova Yuliya , Shestakov Semyon , Kozhevnikov Aleksandr
Published: June 2024

Lignin is the second most abundant biological polymer on Earth with a complex chemical structure. A large amount of different technical lignins are produced as a waste product of the pulp and paper industry, and are not used rationally. The study of the structure of such lignins is relevant due to its potential applications. It is important to obtain comprehensive knowledge about the structure of lignin macromolecule and to classify lignins based on it. High resolution NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) experiments for dissolved samples are widely used to study this biopolymer. However, this approach does not allow studying insoluble technical lignins. Solid state NMR spectroscopy may become a solution of this problem. In this paper, we propose an approach to classify the degree of lignin alteration by clustering of solid state spectra with HCA (hierarchical cluster analysis) method. This approach is important because of the lack of direct correlations between the NMR spectra of lignins in the dissolved and solid states, that is based on experimental data.
Eect of organic manures and mulching materials on growth, yield and quality of Carrot
Authors: Kuma Amanuel
Published: June 2024

Carrot is a root vegetable crop. The management of agronomic practices is an important factor that strongly affects the growth, yield and quality of carrots. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different types of organic manure and mulching materials on the growth, yield and quality of carrots in Diguna Fango District, southern Ethiopia. The study consisted of four organic manures (control, 20 t PM ha − 1 , 20 t FYM ha− 1 and 20 t mixed manure (10 t PM + 10 t FYM) ha− 1) and three types of mulching (no mulching, sawdust mulching and grass mulching) laid in the RCBD, with four replications in a factorial arrangement. Analysis was performed using the SAS software package. Root diameter, fresh weight, dry weight, yield and total yield were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected by the interaction effect of organic manure and mulching materials. Among the different combinations, 20 t of mixed manure (10 t PM + 10 t FYM) with grass mulch ha− 1 surpassed all the other combinations in terms of maximum root length (22.45 cm), root diameter (6.60 cm), fresh weight (179.25 g), dry weight (26.16 g), marketable root yield (27.90 t ha− 1) and total root yield (33.92 t ha− 1) during the experimental year. Similarly, PM with grass mulching also produced better results pertaining to carrot growth and yield. Based on these results, the greatest net benefit (360,520 Birr ha− 1) with an MRR of 3803% was obtained from the treatment combination of 20 t FYM with grass mulching. Therefore, the use of 20 t FYM with grass mulching could be recommended for carrot production in the study area. Since this study is limited by the use of organic manure with mulching materials during one season and at one location, the results should be repeated across seasons and locations.
Resveratrol Improves Diabetic Retinopathy via Regulating MicroRNA-29b/Specificity Protein 1/Apoptosis Pathway by Enhancing Autophagy
Authors: Zeng kaihong , Wan Zheng-Wei , Sun Ping , Wang Yuan , Song Yi , Yu Xue-Mei , Deng Bo
Published: June 2024

Therapeutic targeting of retinal Müller cells (RMCs) has garnered tremendous attention for early prevention and treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR). The microRNA-29b (miR-29b)/specificity protein 1 (SP1) pathway is critical for RMCs survival in hyperglycemic environments, and miR-29b downregulation and SP1 upregulation contribute to RMCs apoptosis during early DR stages. Resveratrol (RSV), a natural plant polyphenol, can inhibit RMCs apoptosis by regulating miR-29b/SP1 expression, playing an important role in early DR protection. However, how RSV affects high-glucose-stimulated miR-29b downregulation and SP1 upregulation in early DR remains poorly understood. Here, we show that RSV increased autophagosome formation and LC3-I/LC3-II and Beclin-1 levels while decreasing P62 level, thereby promoting autophagy and inhibiting dysregulation of miR-29b/SP1 pathway expression and RMCs apoptosis in DR rat retinal tissues and high glucose-cultured RMCs. This is supported by findings that autophagy inducer rapamycin (RAPA) enhances the effect of RSV on inhibiting high-glucose-induced dysregulation of miR-29b/SP1 expression and apoptosis of RMCs in DR rat retinal tissues and high glucose-cultured RMCs. Inhibition of autophagy with 3-methyladenine (3-MA) attenuates the effect of RSV on inhibiting high-glucose-induced dysregulation of miR-29b/SP1 expression and apoptosis of RMCs in DR rat retinal tissues and high glucose-cultured RMCs. In summary, these results suggest that RSV further inhibits the apoptosis of RMCs by activating autophagy and regulating the early miR-29b downregulation and SP1 upregulation induced by high glucose, thereby inhibiting the progression of DR. Our findings suggest that RSV has great potential in the early prevention and treatment of DR.
Activation of three targets by a TAL effector confers susceptibility to bacterial blight of cotton
Authors: Shan Libo , Mormile Brendan , Bauer Taran , Wang Li , Rivero Rachel , Carpenter Sara , Clement Catherine Danmaigona , Cox Kevin , Zhang Lin , Ma Xiyu , Wheeler Terry , Dever Jane , Bogdanove Adam , He Ping
Published: June 2024

Xanthomonas spp. employ transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs) to promote pathogenicity by activating host susceptibility (S) genes. Cotton GhSWEET10 is an S gene targeted by a TALE in an early isolate of Xanthomonas citri pv. malvacearum (Xcm), but not by recent field Xcm isolates. To understand the pathogenicity shift in Xcm and its adaptation to cotton, we assembled the whole genome and the TALE repertoire of three recent Xcm Texas field isolates. A newly evolved TALE, Tal7b, activated different GhSWEET genes, GhSWEET14a and GhSWEET14b. Simultaneous activation of GhSWEET14a and GhSWEET14b resulted in pronounced water-soaked lesions. Transcriptome profiling coupled with TALE-binding element prediction identified a pectin lyase as an additional Tal7b target, quantitatively contributing to Xcm virulence alongside GhSWEET14a/b. CRISPR-Cas9-based gene editing supported the function of GhSWEETs as S genes in cotton bacterial blight and the promise of disrupting the TALE-binding site in these genes to control the disease. Collectively, our findings elucidate the rapid evolution of TALEs in Xanthomonas field isolates and highlight the virulence mechanism wherein TALEs induce multiple S genes simultaneously to promote pathogenicity.
Novel Machine Learning Analysis Algorithm ofDNA Methylation Patterns Identifies CerebralPalsy with Concurrent Epilepsy
Authors: Hicks Jonathan , Robinson Karyn , Lee Stephanie , Marsh Adam , Akins Robert
Published: June 2024

Background Spastic cerebral palsy, the most common pediatric-onset disabling condition with an estimated prevalence of 0.2% in children, is a complex condition characterized by stiff movement, muscle contractures, and abnormal gait that can diminish quality of life. Spastic CP accounts for approximately 83% of all CP cases and frequently co-occurs with other complex conditions, like epilepsy. An estimated 42% of spastic CP cases have co-occurring epilepsy. Unfortunately, CP is often difficult to diagnose. Although most children with CP are born with it or acquire it immediately after birth, many are not identified until after 19 months of age with CP diagnosis often not confirmed until 5 years of age. New bioinformatic approaches to identify CP earlier are needed. Recent studies indicate that altered DNA methylation patterns associated with CP may have diagnostic value. The potential confounding effects of co-occurrent epilepsy on these patterns are not known. We evaluated machine learning classification of CP patients with or without co-occurring epilepsy.
Results Whole blood samples were collected from 30 study participants diagnosed with epilepsy (n=4), spastic CP (n=10), both (n=8), or neither (n=8). A novel Support-Vector-Machine learning algorithm was developed to identify methylation loci that have ability to classify CP from controls in the presence or absence of epilepsy. This algorithm was also employed to measure classification ability of identified methylation loci. After preprocessing of data, isolation of important methylation loci was performed in a binary comparison between CP and controls, as well as in a 4-way scheme, encapsulating epilepsy diagnoses. The classification ability was similarly assessed. CP Classification performance wasevaluated with and without inclusion of epilepsy as a feature. Median F1 scoreswere 0.67 in 4-class comparison, and 1.0 in the binary classification, outperforming Linear-Discriminant-Analysis (0.57 and 0.86, respectively).
Conclusion This novel algorithm was able to classify study participants with spastic CPand/or epilepsy from controls with significant performance. The algorithm shows promise for rapid identification in methylation data of diagnostic methylation loci. In this model, Support Vector Machines outperformed Linear Discriminant Analysis in classification. In the evaluation of epigenetics-based diagnostics for CP, epilepsy may not be a significant confounding factor.
Optimising dynamic treatment regimens using sequential multiple assignment randomised trials data with missing data
Authors: Xu Jessica , De Silva Anurika P , Lee Katherine J , Mahar Robert , Simpson Julie A
Published: June 2024

Dynamic treatment regimens are commonly used for patients with chronic or progressive medical conditions. Sequential multiple assignment randomised trials (SMARTs) are studies used to optimise dynamic treatment regimens by repeatedly randomising participants to treatments. Q-learning, a stage-wise regression-based method used to analyse SMARTs, uses backward induction to compare treatments administered as a sequence. Missing data is a common problem in randomised trials and can be complex in SMARTs given the sequential randomisation. Common methods for handling missing data such as complete case analysis (CCA) and multiple imputation (MI) have been widely explored in single-stage randomised trials, however, the only study that explored these methods in SMARTs did not consider Q-learning. We evaluated the performance of CCA and MI on the estimation of Q-learning parameters in a SMART. We simulated 1000 datasets of 500 participants, based on simulation of a SMART with two stages, under different missing data scenarios defined by missing directed acyclic graphs (m-DAGS), percentages of missing data (20%, 40%), stage 2 treatment effects, and strengths of association with missingness in stage 2 treatment, patient history and outcome. We also compared CCA and MI using retrospective data from a longitudinal smoking cessation SMART. When there was no treatment effect at either stage 1 or 2, we observed close to zero absolute bias and similar empirical standard errors for CCA and MI under all missing data scenarios. When all participants had a relatively large stage 2 treatment effect, we observed some minimal bias from both, with slightly greater bias for MI. Empirical standard errors were higher for MI compared to CCA under all scenarios except for when data were missing not dependent on any variables. When the stage 2 treatment effect varied between participants, we observed greater bias for MI, which increased with the percentage missingness, while the bias for CCA remained minimal. Resulting empirical standard errors were lower or similar for MI compared to CCA under all missing data scenarios. Results showed that for a two-stage SMART, MI failed to capture the differences between treatment effects when the stage 2 treatment effect varied between participants.
Role of type I hypersensitivity reaction in the development of overall and uncomplicated acute appendicitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Montero Javier Arredondo , Jiménez María Rico , Riveros Blanca Paola Pérez , Atuan Rafael Fernández , Pakkasjärvi Niklas , Krishnan Nellai , Delgado-Miguel Carlos , kanusachit@gmail.com
Published: June 2024

Background
This systematic review aimed to analyze the potential etiopathogenic role of a type I hypersensitivity reaction in the development of overall acute appendicitis (AA), non-complicated acute appendicitis (NCAA), and complicated acute appendicitis (CAA).
Methods
This review was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024516547). We included both prospective and retrospective original clinical studies that examined the role of immunoallergic processes in the development of acute appendicitis (AA). A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and OVID, using the following search terms and keywords: (allergy OR allergic OR immunoallergy OR immunoallergic OR immunomediated) AND (appendicitis OR appendectomy) AND (IgE OR “IgE-mediated” OR hypersensitivity OR “type I”). Two independent reviewers meticulously selected the articles and extracted relevant data. The methodological quality of the studies was rigorously assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa index. A synthesis of the results, a standardization of the metrics, and seven random-effect meta-analyses were performed.
Results
This review included nineteen studies. A random-effects meta-analysis including six articles (6370 patients with NCAA and 2000 patients with CAA) showed that patients with any documented history of IgE-mediated allergy had a lower risk of developing CAA (OR 0.52, 95%CI [0.38–0.72], p < 0.0001). The random-effect meta-analysis for serum Interleukin-9 (NCAA vs. CAA) included two articles (177 patients with NCAA and 101 patients with CAA) and resulted in a significant mean difference [95% CI] of -0.38 [-0.67,-0.08] pg/mL (p = 0.01). The random-effect meta-analysis for serum Interleukin-13 (NCAA vs. CAA) included two articles (177 patients with NCAA and 101 patients with CAA) and resulted in a significant mean difference [95% CI] of -11.32 [-13.90,-8.75] pg/mL (p = < 0.00001). The random-effect meta-analysis for total eosinophil count (NCAA vs. CAA) included three articles (455 NCAA and 303 CAA) and resulted in a significant mean difference [95% CI] of -0.06 [-0.09,-0.04] eosinophils x 109/L (p = < 0.00001).
Conclusions
The present study demonstrates an association between a type I hypersensitivity reaction and the development of NCAA. Additionally, our meta-analytic model shows significantly higher levels of eosinophils peripheral blood in patients with NCAA than in patients with CAA. These findings suggest a potential immunoallergic mediation in the development of NCAA. Future prospective studies must validate these findings since these patients may benefit from specific therapeutic targets.
Registration: PROSPERO (CRD42024516547).
Was fire use a cultural trait of the Gravettian? New micro-archaeological data from Fuente del Salín cave (Val de San Vicente, Cantabria)
Authors: Alzate-Casallas Guillermo , Sánchez-Carro Miguel Angel , Barbieri Alvise , González-Morales Manuel Ramón
Published: June 2024

Micro-archaeological data from sites located in central and eastern Europe show that, in comparison with other Upper Paleolithic hunter-gatherers, Gravettian foragers used fire more intensively and for a wider range of purposes. In these regions, this shift in pyrotechnology overlaps with the onset of periglacial conditions and comparable micro-archaeological datasets from milder regions, such as Cantabria, remain scarce. As result, it is difficult to conclude whether these fire behaviors were cultural traits of the Gravettian tradition, or whether they reflect adaptations to regional environments.
To further investigate these hypotheses, we studied the sequence preserved at the cave of Fuente del Salín, in Cantabria, where previous excavations unearthed potential fire residues of Gravettian age. Using micromorphology, µ-X-ray fluorescence, and Scanning Electron Microscopy we reconstructed multiple phases of human visits to the site. Our results show that, during the main Gravettian occupation, foragers made intensive use of fire, as indicated by abundant heated bones and seashells, charcoals, amorphous char, fat-derived char, and in situ remains of stacked open hearts as well as burnt grass beddings. The intensive burning, systematic reuse of combustion features, and multiple purposes of the fires at Fuente del Salín are comparable with Gravettian sites from central and eastern Europe, indicating that these fire-use traits were not related with periglacial environments but with lifeway aspects and traditions of Gravettian hunter-gatherers.
Exploration of the chemical constituents of Tricholomopsis aurea (Beeli) Desjardin using UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS and NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Ndifor Ache Roland , Dominique Ngnintedo , Claude Mossebo Dominique , Dongmo Yanick Kevin Melogmo , Henoumont Céline , Stanislaus Njinga Ngaitad , Laurent Sophie , Pantaléon Ambassa , Jean Sonchieu , Bathelemy Ngameni , Ghislain Fotso Wabo
Published: June 2024

Tricholomopsis aurea(Beeli) Desjardin & B.A. Perry is a wild edible fungus that is scarce in Cameroon, but common in other parts of the world. The metabolites of this food matrix have not been extensively analyzed thus far. This work aimed to establish the metabolic profile of Tricholomopsis aurea by UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS and to isolate some of the major compounds using chromatographic separation techniques. Overall, 65 compounds were identified as belonging to 18 classes, including amino acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, aminoglycolipids, phosphoglycolipids, fatty acids, phenolics, nucleosides, steroids, fatty acid amides, acyl glycerides, sphingolipids, alkaloids, terpenes, carotenoids, saponins, aromatic amines, and peptides. Six of the isolated compounds were characterized as oleic acid, elaidic acid petroselinic acid, ergosterol, ergosterol 5α,8α-endoperoxide and adenosine using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Fatty acids, steroids, amino acids and peptides were the main components of the mushroom. T. aureahas been proven to be a valuable source of chemically diverse compounds and to contain indispensable nutrients, such as amino acids, fats, carbohydrates and vitamins, which are essential for promoting the health span.
Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Commonly Used Bactericidal Disinfectants At Kabale Regional Referral Hospital, Southwestern Uganda
Authors: Chrispuss Ngabirano , Kalyetsi Rodgers , Boaz Niwamanya , Morgan Otita , Filbert Nyeko. J. , Marion Namutebi Ann , Adrine Kansiime , Ampaire Lucas
Published: June 2024

Background: Disinfection of hospital environmental surfaces reduces contamination, and consequently, contributes to reducing the occurrence of hospital acquired infections. The study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of the commonly used disinfectants (0.5% Jik, 70% alcohol and 20%v/v Chlorhexidine) at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital in southwestern Uganda.
Materials and Methods: This was a laboratory based quasi experimental study design involving use of different disinfectants. Hospital units (wards, theatre, and laboratory) that are used in handling of patients, patient’s samples and infectious agents were included in the study. Environmental (72) swabs were taken from selected hospital units before and after disinfection (144 swabs) and three disinfectants (0.5% Jik, 70%alcohol and 20%v/v Chlorhexidine) were studied. The swabs were then cultured for bacterial growth to determine the bacterial distribution. Bacterial counts were obtained by counting colony forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL). Quantitative suspension test method was used to determine the effectiveness of the disinfectants where logarithm reduction factor of the disinfectants was determined. Logarithm reduction factor of ≥ 5 indicated that 99.999% of the bacteria was killed. Data was presented in form of tables and figures obtained using Microsoft Excel (2013). Data was summarized as means (standard deviations) and percentages, using STATA software. To control the quality of culture media, Known Standard bacterial strains; American Type Culture Collection (ATCCs) of Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442), and E. coli (ATCC 25922) were used. Ethical approval was obtained from Research Ethics Committee of Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST-2021-106) and administration clearance from Kabale Regional Referral hospital
Results: Of the 72 environmental swabs from different sites before disinfection, 25/72 (34.7%) showed growth of bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus8/25(32%) was the most isolated bacteria while Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1/25(4%) and Enterococcus faecalis 1/25(4%) were the least isolated from the hospital units. Of the 8 hospital units swabbed before disinfection, 6/8 (75%) showed growth. Paediatric ward was the most contaminated Hospital unit with 7/25 (28%) of the bacteria isolated. All studied disinfectants showed log reduction factors of ≥ 5 at 3 minutes contact time with 70% alcohol, 20%v/v Chlorhexidine and 0.5% Jik showing log reduction factors of 6.7, 5.4 and 5.0 respectively.
Conclusion: All disinfectants studied showed effectiveness against bacteria isolated at contact time of ≥ 3 minutes, and 70% alcohol was the most effective disinfectant (log reduction factor of 6.7 at 3 minutes contact time.
Litterfall Carbon and Nitrogen Content of Beech Forests in Serbia
Authors: Eremija Saša , Češljar Goran , Braunović Sonja , Solomun Marijana Kapović , Stajić Snežana , Hadrović Sabahudin , Jovanović Filip
Published: June 2024

This study aimed to analyze the N storage capacity of litterfall and its impact on C mineralization in beech forests. The research was conducted at 15 sample plots under European beech stands located in different ecological conditions on the territory of Serbia. More than half (53%) of the sample plots are characterized by low and very low litterfall N content (<8 g·kg−1; 9–12 g·kg−1), and a wide C/N ratio, which indicates a slow decomposition of the organic soil layer. These results could be useful indicators of the capacity and dynamics of litterfall N storage and its impact on C mineralization in the context of preserving biodiversity, stability, and longevity of beech forests in Serbia.
Luminescent Quantum Dot Films Increase the Radiation Capture and Yield of Lettuce and Sweet Basil Compared to a Traditional/Neutral-density Greenhouse Glazing
Authors: Kang Seonghwan , Parrish Charles H. , Hebert Damon , Zhen Shuyang
Published: June 2024

Utilizing quantum dot (QD) luminescent films as a greenhouse covering material is an innovative method of modifying the greenhouse light spectrum. The QD films convert a portion of high-energy ultraviolet and blue photons to lower-energy photons. Previous research has shown that the application of QD films in greenhouses led to improved crop yields of red lettuce and tomatoes. However, the underlying mechanism of the yield increases has not been fully explored. We quantified the effects of solar spectral shifts attributable to QD films on plant morphology, radiation capture, and, subsequently, crop yield. Green and red leaf lettuces and basil were grown in a greenhouse under four treatments: regular-concentration QD film (reg QD film); high-concentration QD film (high QD film); color-neutral polyethylene (PE) film; and control treatment without any films. Compared to the reg QD film, the high QD film converted a higher fraction of blue photons into longer-wavelength photons, resulting in enhanced leaf expansion, stem elongation, and shoot fresh weight of red lettuce and basil compared with those grown under the PE film without spectral modifications. No significant growth differences were observed between the control and high QD film treatments of red lettuce and basil despite a 23% reduction in the average daily light integral (DLI) under the high QD film treatment. Compared to that grown under the control treatment, green lettuce grown under the high QD film treatment had a similar total leaf area but reduced shoot biomass; this was likely associated with reductions in leaf thickness and chlorophyll content. In contrast, the red lettuce showed more pronounced leaf expansion and reduced leaf anthocyanin content under the high QD film, which likely helped to offset the reduction in DLI. Overall, our results indicated that modifying the solar spectrum with QD films as greenhouse covering material could result in improved crop radiation capture and yield in greenhouse production of lettuce and basil. However, the spectral shifts caused by the QD films may affect crop quality attributes, such as anthocyanin levels and the production of other beneficial secondary metabolites. This effect on crop quality should be carefully considered and requires further study.