bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of organic mulches on grapevine health, growth and grape composition in nutrient-poor vineyard soils
Authors: Mairata Andreu , Labarga David , Puelles Miguel , Rivacoba Luis , Martin Ignacio , Portu Javier , Pou Alicia
Published: December 2024

Effective vineyard management is essential for maintaining grapevine cultivation in semi-arid regions impacted by climate change. Utilising organic mulches is a viable soil management practice that improves soil properties, such as moisture retention, erosion control and soil structure. However, the effect of organic mulches on plant development and grape composition remains unclear. The present study analysed the effects of three organic mulches and two conventional soil management practices on vine physiology, agronomy and grape composition over three years under semi-arid conditions in northern Spain. Three organic mulches (spent mushroom compost-SMC, straw-STR and grapevine pruning debris-GPD) were compared with two conventional soil management practices (herbicide-HERB and tillage-TILL) in nutrient-poor soil. Physical and chemical soil properties, grapevine physiological response, leaf nutrition, growth development, yield and grape composition were evaluated in the Tempranillo cultivar. The SMC mulch improved soil water content, leaf nitrogen concentrations and vegetative growth, resulting in higher yields without compromising grape composition. Conversely, STR mulch increased soil water content, reduced soil temperature, and improved plant water status and leaf gas exchange variables without affecting vine growth and yield. However, no significant differences in grape carbon isotopic discrimination (δ13C) were observed between soil management treatments. SMC’s nutrient-rich composition, fine granularity and low C/N ratio could thus promote short-term plant development in poor-nutrient soils, and STR and GPD organic mulches may offer long-term benefits for vine development. A strong correlation was obtained between reflectance values and vegetative growth, yield and leaf nutritional content, offering a non-destructive and rapid assessment method. Overall, organic mulches represent a viable soil management alternative that enhances plant development and yield without reducing grape composition. This research provides valuable insights for winegrowers interested in suitable viticultural practices and highlights the importance of analysing soil and mulch properties to select the most appropriate organic mulch.
Adenosine signaling in tumor-associated macrophages and targeting adenosine signaling for cancer therapy
Authors: Yang Lei , Zhang Yi , Yang Li
Published: December 2024

This review examined the critical role of adenosine signaling in modulating the behavior of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), a key determinant of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Adenosine is an immunosuppressive metabolite that is highly enriched in the TME due to elevated expression of adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase). Adenosine influences polarization of TAMs through A2A and A2B receptors, which drives a phenotype that supports tumor progression and immune evasion. The adenosine-mediated regulation of TAMs significantly suppresses the TME, dampening the efficacy of current immunotherapies. Targeting the adenosine pathway has shown potential in preclinical studies through reversal of the immunosuppressive microenvironment and antitumor immune response enhancement. Clinical trials are currently underway to determine the impact of A2A receptor antagonists, and CD39 and CD73 inhibition, enzymes that are pivotal in adenosine production, in various cancers. The current understanding of the CD39-CD73-adenosine axis in TAM regulation and the emerging strategies targeting adenosine signaling pathway for therapeutic intervention are the subjects of this review. The current clinical trials focusing on adenosine pathway inhibitors in combination with existing therapies to improve clinical outcomes are summarized and the need for continued research to refine these approaches for cancer treatment is emphasized.
Vil Zainulovich Galiev – Bibliographer, Bibliologist, Historian of Librarianship in Kazakhstan. To the 85th Anniversary of his Birth
Authors: Krivkov A. L.
Published: December 2024

The article is dedicated to the memory of the famous Kazakh historian Professor V. Z. Galiev (25.02.1938–22.06.2017), the author of numerous works on various aspects of the history of Kazakhstan in the late XVII – early XX centuries. The purpose of the article is to elucidate the scientist’s contribution to the study of problems of book and library culture in Kazakhstan. The researches on Russian political exile in Kazakhstan in the 19th century formed the initial core of his scientific interests. The research interest in bibliography, library science, book studies, and history of librarianship in Kazakhstan occupied the special place in his creative work. V. Z. Galiev’s works contributed to the refutation of the thesis about the absence of book and library culture in Kazakhstan in the pre-revolutionary period; they have important methodological significance for modern librarianship researchers.
The Model of the Advisory Bibliographic Resource for Communication between Science and Society
Authors: Yuklyaevskaya A. V.
Published: December 2024

The advisory bibliographic resource (ABR) is one of reliable ways of transiting experience, knowledge and skills from one generation to another. The question about bibliographic resources, satisfying needs in educational and self-educational reading, though being in elaboration for a long time, has not been solved finally yet. It is supposed, that any purposeful activity, realized by means of books and going out the frames of educational establishments, makes up the essence of self-educational activity, with ABR being the foothold for it. ABR, aimed at informal education of readers should be of special importance.

The purpose of the article is to present the results of the study on the development and evaluation of the effectiveness of ABR, created according to the modern model. Science and society communication models that influenced the creation of modern ABR are briefly characterized, and a double-sided model of their creation is proposed. The comparative analysis of the current (one-sided) and new model of ABR creation has been conducted. The results of the pedagogical experiment on evaluating the effectiveness of ABR, created according to the double-sided model and affecting the established areas of communication between science and society (education, understanding, participation) are presented. During the experiment, conducted using the questionnaire method, it has been stated that handling of ABR, created for to disseminate scientific knowledge according to the double-sided model, contributes to an increase in the level of readers’ awareness.
The Permanent Commission for the Organization of Public Readings and the General Staff: Joint Work on Recommendation of Publications for Lower Ranks’ Reading
Authors: Panchenko A. M.
Published: December 2024

The purpose of the article is to present the joint work of the Highest Approved Standing Commission for the Organization of Public Readings and the General Staff on recommendation of publications recognized as relevant to the goals of primary education and moral training of lower ranks. The interaction of these structures was traced from the moment of receiving publications by the Military Scientific Committee of the General Staff up to sending to the Permanent Commission circulars with concrete indication of publications recommended and admitted to the troops. The identified interaction algorithm, in addition to the named initial and final stages, included the following sequence of actions: the selection of necessary publications; payment of invoices for selected publications; approval of editions by the General Staff; their recommendation to circulation in the troops through the circulars. The recommended publications in each circular of the General Staff and their total number were counted. Catalogs of books in soldiers’ libraries were analyzed for presence of publications recommended by circulars. When correlated with each other: 1) lists of publications of the Standing Commission and their availability in the circulars of the General Staff; 2) lists of recommended publications and their presence in the soldiers’ libraries catalogs of books made it possible to identify the results of the joint work. The study is of great practical importance, since the experience of interaction between the General Staff and the Standing Commission can be useful today for cooperation of the military department with institutions and organizations of other departments.
Corrosion of Metals in Calcium Nitrate Based Phase Change Material
Authors: Červenková Andrea , Košťúr Roman , Danielik Vladimír
Published: December 2024

Phase change materials are assumed to be a promising way of a storage of the low-potential heat. In the paper, the corrosion behaviour of carbon steel, CuZn37 brass and aluminium was studied in the assumed phase change medium at 50°C and 60°C. The medium was a eutectic mixture of 26.09 wt% water, 63.34 wt% calcium nitrate, 10.57 wt% potassium nitrate with fusion temperature of 37.85°C. Corrosion rate was studied via mass loss and the steel specimens were analysed after the study. It was found that even though the corrosion rate of carbon steel and aluminium is small (4.26 mg cm-2 year-1 and 1.19 mg cm-2 year-1, respectively, at 50°C), the metals are susceptible to pitting corrosion. Brass has the lowest corrosion rate from the studied metals (0.88 mg cm-2 year-1 at 50°C); however, it is a subject of selective corrosion with zinc preferentially dissolved. None of the metals studied is suitable for the use in the phase change materials.
Evaluating the Transferability of Adversarial Robustness to Target Domains
Authors: Kopetzki Anna-Kathrin , Bojchevski Aleksandar , Günnemann Stephan
Published: December 2024

Knowledge transfer is an effective method for learning, particularly useful when labeled data is limited or when training a model from scratch is too expensive. Most of the research on transfer learning focuses on achieving \emph{accurate} models, overlooking the crucial aspect of adversarial robustness. However, ensuring robustness is vital, especially when applying transfer learning in safety-critical domains.
We compare robustness of models obtained by 11 training procedures on source domains and 3 retraining schemes on target domains, including normal, adversarial, contrastive and Lipschitz constrained training variants. Robustness is analyzed by adversarial attacks with respect to two different transfer learning model outputs: (i) the latent representations and (ii) the predictions. Studying latent representations in correlation with predictions is crucial for robustness of transfer learning models, since they are solely learned on the source domain.
Besides adversarial attacks that aim at changing the prediction, we also analyze the effect of directly attacking representations.
Our results show that adversarial robustness can transfer across domains, but effective robust transfer learning requires techniques that ensure robustness independent of the training data to preserve them during the transfer.
Retraining on the target domain has a minor impact on the robustness of the target model.
Representations exhibit greater robustness compared to predictions across both the source and target domain.
Participatory variety selection and promotion of improved faba bean (Vicia faba L.) varieties in the highland areas of North Shewa, Ethiopia
Authors: Aniley Simegnew , Kassa Yehuala , Kefelegn Nigussie , Zekargie Worku
Published: December 2024

Faba bean is the most important pulse crop in Ethiopia; however, its productivity has low and susceptible to biotic and abiotic stresses. The objective of this study was to select and promote varieties that most preferred by farmers and showed best agronomic performances. Participatory variety selection was conducted with seven improved and local faba bean genotypes using randomized complete block design with three replications. The agronomic data were collected from four central rows. The trial was conducted in Hagre Mariam woreda during 2019 and 2020 cropping seasons. Highly Significant variation was observed among the tested varieties in days to flowering (50 to 56), 100-seed weight (39.16 to 91.62 grams), grain yield (1.88 to 3.03 t ha-1) and faba bean gall disease percent severity index (11.10 to 30.67%). Significant difference was also detected in days to maturity (135 to 141) and plant height (83.27 to 106.57cm). The highest grain yield was recorded by Hachalu (3.03 t ha-1) followed by Walki (2.92 t ha-1) and Numan (2.86 t ha-1). Among the tested varieties Walki got farmers’ high preference score indicating it fulfilled farmers’ varietal selection criteria including, long plant height, high grain and straw yield, high no. of pods/plant and no of seeds/pod, big seed size, early maturity and better adaptability in the area. Accordingly, Walki was pre scaled up and widely disseminated. During the scaling up Walki gave an average grain yield of 2.64 t ha-1 and showed about 107.9% grain yield advantage over the local cultivar.
Quantum state control of a ground state H2 dissociation reaction.
Authors: Alexandrowicz Gil , Chadwick Helen , Zhang Guodong , Baker Christopher , Smith Paul
Published: December 2024

When hydrogen molecules collide with a surface, they can either scatter away from the surface or undergo a dissociation reaction leaving two hydrogen atoms adsorbed on the surface. The relative probabilities of these two potential outcomes could depend on the rotational orientation of the impinging molecules, however, due to the lack of steric control techniques for ground state hydrogen, direct measurements of this dependency were previously inaccessible to experiments. Here, we demonstrate that magnetic field manipulation can be used to control the rotational orientation of the impinging H2 and change the balance between reactive and scattering collision events. Analysing the controlled collision experiments reveals that molecules approaching the surface in a helicopter orientation have a higher probability to react and dissociate, whereas those which approach in a cartwheel orientation are more likely to scatter.
Sleep timing and structure as a function of daily experiences
Authors: Ujma Péter , Bodizs Robert
Published: December 2024

Sleep characteristics may be affected by daytime experiences, a fact that can be leveraged by non-pharmacological interventions to improve sleep. The effect of daily experiences on sleep has been only sporadically investigated in the previous literature, mainly with small interventional studies. In this study, we leverage BSETS, a large multiday observational study (N = 1901 nights in total) with extensive daily diaries and mobile EEG recordings conducted for at least 7 days per participant to investigate how naturally occurring daily experiences affect sleep during the subsequent night. The strongest influence was on the timing of sleep onset: even after controlling for day of the week, sleep onset occurred later after more intense days and pleasurable activities. After statistically accounting for this extended wakefulness, we found limited evidence that daily experiences influence sleep characteristics. Only four effects survived correction for multiple comparisons: sleep and N3 duration were longer after days with time at the workplace, REM latency was increased after social activity, and sleep onset latency was reduced after alcohol consumption. Our work shows that, aside from homeostatic effects resulting from extended wakefulness, sleep is relatively resilient to and only affected by a few distinct daytime experiences. Non-pharmacological interventions seeking to change sleep may need to utilize behavioral modifications outside the normally observed range.
TTK promotes multiple myeloma progression by regulating RGN expression
Authors: Zhu Xiao Feng , Feng Zuxi , Peng Xiaohuan , Di Tianning , Li YanHong , Bai Jun , Ma Tao , Li Lijuan , Zhang Liansheng
Published: December 2024

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant proliferative disorder of plasma cells and remains an incurable disease. Threonine and tyrosine kinase (TTK) is a dual-specific protein kinase that targets serine/threonine and tyrosine residues for phosphorylation. Its elevated expression has been linked to unfavorable outcomes in several types of cancer. Although the role of TTK in MM are still incompletely understood. In this research, we assessed TTK mRNA and protein expression levels in 51 MM patients and 30 healthy donors using qRT-PCR and western blotting. The impact of TTK expression on MM cell apoptosis, proliferation, and the cell cycle were assessed through CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, and western blotting. Our findings revealed a significant overexpression of TTK in multiple myeloma patients and cell lines. TTK knockdown promoted apoptosis and G0/G1 phase arrest while inhibiting proliferation in MM cells, whereas TTK overexpression reduced apoptosis and G0/G1 phase arrest, enhancing proliferation in MM cells. Next, we identified regucalcin (RGN) as a downstream target of TTK through proteomic analysis. Cell function experiments showed that RGN knockdown significantly promoted MM cell proliferation, inhibited apoptosis and reduced cell cycle arrest, and reversed the increased apoptosis, weakened proliferation, and enhanced cell cycle arrest caused by TTK knockdown. Finally, a xenograft mouse model showed that TTK significantly promotes MM development. In summary, we demonstrated that the TTK-RGN axis regulates cell apoptosis, G0/G1 phase arrest, and proliferation in MM, highlighting TTK as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in this cancer.
Spatio-temporal pattern of interprovincial migration of rural population in China and its influencing factors
Authors: Zhong Wenyue , Guo Yuanzhi
Published: December 2024

In the era of great migration, rural population has been the majors of China's population migration. Using data from the last three population censuses, this study explores the evolution and network characteristics of interprovincial rural migration in China from 2000 to 2020 and employs a panel model to diagnose its influencing factors. The results show that interprovincial migration of China's rural population has grown rapidly, but the growth rate has slowed down. The scale of provincial rural emigration has shown a differentiated trend with the Heihe-Tengchong Line as the boundary and presents a "center-periphery" pattern, and the main destinations of migration are the eastern coastal provinces. From 2000 to 2020, China's interprovincial rural migration network had a strong centralization, but the agglomeration core of the network tended to be diversified. Spatially, the destination choice of interprovincial rural migration has a clear tendency towards proximity, and the interprovincial migration network has gradually evolved from an "umbrella-shaped" pattern to a "funnel-shaped" pattern. The main factors influencing the evolution of interprovincial rural migration network in China include per capita GDP, natural disasters, topographic relief, spatial distance, rural hukou population and internet penetration rate. To guide the orderly migration of rural populations to support the implementation of major national strategies, it is necessary to promote regional coordinated development, deepen rural hukou system reform and smooth the factor flow mechanisms.
Fuzzy Vulnerability Index
Authors: Guzman Roberto Martinez
Published: December 2024

This paper introduces the Fuzzy Vulnerability Index (FVI), an innovative toolfor socioeconomic assessment that employs advanced computational methods,including artificial intelligence (AI) and fuzzy logic algorithms. The FVI providesa multidimensional analysis of household challenges across education, housing,and health dimensions. By leveraging Type-1 and Type-2 fuzzy logic systems,the FVI captures the complex, often overlapping nature of socioeconomic issues,offering a sophisticated framework to support public policymakers. The studydemonstrates the FVI’s application using real-world data, revealing intricate patternsthat traditional methods might overlook. Results indicate that the FVIprovides a more comprehensive measure of societal challenges, potentially enhancingthe efficacy of targeted interventions and resource allocation. The FVI’sadaptability to different datasets, coupled with its AI-enhanced analysis capabilities,enables more precise identification of at-risk populations. This makes ita valuable tool for combating poverty and social exclusion through informed,equitable decision-making and effective resource distribution.
Spatial Distribution of Microplastics in Persian Gulf Marine Environments
Authors: Jaafarzadeh Neamatollah , Ravanbakhsh Maryam , Talepour Nastaran , Jahedi Faezeh , Reyshahri Alireza
Published: December 2024

Microplastics (MPs) are recognized as a significant environmental threat within marine ecosystems. This study examines the spatial distribution of microplastics in seawater, sediments, and fish from the Persian Gulf. A total of 24 seawater samples, 24 sediment samples, and 40 specimens of Pennahia anea were collected from eight locations. Samples were digested, and MPs were filtered, counted, and analyzed using a stereo microscope, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX). The results revealed the presence of microplastics across all sample types. The total abundance of MPs in seawater ranged from 3 to 15 items/l, in sediments from 10 to 35 items/kg, and in fish from 4 to 18 items/10g. The study identified a robust positive correlation between microplastic contamination in seawater and fish (r = 0.932, p = 0.001). Similarly, a strong positive correlation was observed between sediment and fish contamination (r = 0.730, p = 0.040). In seawater, sediment, and fish samples, microplastics were predominantly in the form of fibers, constituting 98.31%, 100%, and 87.5% of the total microplastic content, respectively. These fibers primarily measured ≤ 250 μm in length, with black and grey being the most prevalent colors. The Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) method, revealed that the northern site, Khor Semaili (K1), was a significant MP hotspot. At the same time, areas such as Khor Zangi (K6) and Khor Ghazaleh (K8) exhibited minimal contamination across all matrices. This research underscores the critical role of spatial analyses in understanding microplastic distribution in marine ecosystems.
Comparing SARS-CoV-2 infections in the United States Military Health System and national data: opportunities for future pandemic surveillance
Authors: Craig-Kuhn Megan Clare , Stewart Laveta , Sercy Erica , Stern Caryn , Graham Brock , Michel Amber , Parmelee Edward , Shackelford Stacy , Pollett Simon , Burgess Timothy , Tribble David R.
Published: December 2024

Background:The Military Health System offers geographically distributed SARS-CoV-2 incidence estimates to support critical national pandemic surveillance, but this has not been previously assessed. The objective was to identify confirmed, probable, and possible SARS-CoV-2 infections with laboratory and clinical evidence and compare cumulative incidence to the general United States population.
Methods: An observational, retrospective epidemiologic study using medical records from the United States Military Health System (inclusive of active duty) collected from outpatient and inpatient facilities worldwide, both United States Military and non-military treatment facilities. Direct standardization to the general US population was used to calculate sex-adjusted cumulative incidence, stratified by age, for ten Health and Human Services regions for active duty and non-active duty beneficiary populations.
Results: Among Military Health System beneficiaries, 2,219,987 cases were identified, with 27.4% laboratory-confirmed cases alongside 35.0% probable and 37.6% possible cases identified using clinical ICD-10-CM evidence. Peaks in cases occurred November 2020-January 2021, August 2021-September 2021, and January 2022. Age-stratified and gender-adjusted cumulative incidence across ten geographical regions reflected these temporal patterns among both active duty (90% of age and region-specific correlation coefficients >0.7) and non-active duty beneficiaries (80% of age and region-specific correlation coefficients >0.7). Cumulative incidence was higher among active duty beneficiaries compared to the United States general population, particularly those ages 18-49 years, with adjusted cumulative incidence ratios consistently greater than 1. The cumulative incidence ratios for non-active duty beneficiaries were more consistent and closer to 1. The sensitivity analysis of laboratory-confirmed cases among active duty personnel demonstrated consistently lower adjusted cumulative incidence than United States general population.
Conclusion: Temporal patterns in cases among Military Health System beneficiaries reflect cases measured nationally by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Applying a comprehensive algorithm of clinical and laboratory data from a large electronic health system, such as the Military Health System, has the potential to yield sensitive case capture during an emergent epidemic providing incidence estimates and regional impact in support of U.S. national surveillance.
Abundant geographical divergence of Clostridioides difficile infection in China: A prospective multicenter cross-sectional study
Authors: Bai Lulu , Xu Telong , Zhang Wenzhu , Jiang Yajun , Gu Wenpeng , Zhao Wei , Luan Yang , Xiong Yanfeng , Zou Nianli , Zhang Yalin , Luo Ming , Lu Jinxing , Zhang Bike , Wu Yuan
Published: December 2024

Clostridioides difficile is the predominant pathogen in hospital-acquired infections and antibiotic-associated diarrhea. While several outbreaks have been reported in Europe and North America, however the extensive investigation on the prevalence of C. difficile infection (CDI) in China is limited. In this study, 1643 patients with diarrhea were recruited from seven geographically representative regions of China between July 2021 and July 2022. The positivity rate of toxigenic C. difficile using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR test of feces was 10.4% (171/1643), and 125 (7.6%, 125/1643) strains were successfully isolated. The isolates from different geographical areas had divergent characteristics after multilocus sequence typing, toxin gene profiling, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. No isolates from clade 2 were found, and clade 1 was still the main clade for these clinical isolates. Interestingly, clade 4, especially ST37, previously known as the characteristic type of China, showed a strong geographical divergence. Clade 3, which although is rare in China, was still detected in Hainan and Sichuan provinces. Most C. difficile isolates (88.8%, 111/125) were toxigenic. Clindamycin, erythromycin, and moxifloxacin were the top three antibiotics to which resistance was observed, with resistance rates of 81.6%, 68.8%, and 23.2%, respectively. Furthermore, 34 (27.2%, 34/125) multidrug-resistant(MDR) strains were identified. All the strains were sensitive to metronidazole, vancomycin, and meropenem. The genotype of C. difficile varies greatly among the different geographical regions in China, and new types are constantly emerging. Therefore, comprehensive, longitudinal, and standardized surveillance of C. difficile infections is needed in China, covering typical geographical areas.
Comparative Analysis of Anterior Corpectomy versus Laminoplasty Efficacy in Radiological Outcomes for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Treatment
Authors: SURME Mehmet Besir , AKGÜN Bekir , CEKIC Efecan , ISCI Mehmet , YILDIRIM Hanefi
Published: December 2024

Objective This study aims to assess the radiological outcomes of anterior corpectomy compared to laminoplasty in treating Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy (CSM), focusing on postoperative improvements in key imaging metrics.Materials and Methods A retrospective cohort analysis evaluated 45 patients diagnosed with CSM who underwent anterior corpectomy (21 patients) or laminoplasty (24 patients). Radiological outcomes were measured by comparing preoperative and 6-month postoperative CT and MRI scans, focusing on the Harrison posterior tangent curve, sagittal vertical axis (SVA), cranial tilt, cervical tilt, Jackson stress curve and cobb angle.Results The study found statistically significant improvements in Harrison posterior tangent curve, SVA and cranial tilt measurements for both surgical methods. No significant differences were observed between the two surgical techniques when comparing the ratio of post-operative to pre-operative values.Conclusion Both anterior corpectomy and laminoplasty were effective in altering radiological parameters in the treatment of CSM, with no significant difference in efficacy between the two techniques. These findings underscore the importance of a tailored approach to surgical intervention in CSM, with decisions based on individual patient anatomy and clinical presentation. Further studies with larger patient populations are needed to confirm these results and establish standardized radiological benchmarks for surgical outcomes in CSM treatment.
Combining clinical and radiological features improves prediction of bowel ischemia in patients with CT findings of pneumatosis intestinalis
Authors: Rigiroli Francesca , Nakhaei Masoud , Karam Ramy , Tabah Nicolas , Brook Alexander , Siewert Bettina , Brook Olga
Published: December 2024

Background: Pneumatosis intestinalis on CT presents a diagnostic dilemma, because it could reflect bowel ischemia or benign finding.
Purpose: To determine radiological and clinical features that can predict bowel ischemia in patients with pneumatosis intestinalis on CT.
Materials and Methods: Patients with “pneumatosis” in abdominal CT reports performed between 1/1/2002 and 12/31/2018 were retrospectively included. Pneumatosis intestinalis was confirmed by review of images. Radiological features of pneumatosis, laboratory data, clinical signs and symptoms were collected. Pathologic pneumatosis intestinalis (PPI) was defined as presence of ischemic (viable or dead) bowel on surgery or death during admission or within 30 days of discharge due to ischemia. Univariate statistical analysis was used to identify features associated with PPI, followed by multivariate logistic regression models.
Results: A total of 313 consecutive patients with pneumatosis intestinalis (162 (52%) men, median age 67 years, IQR 55 – 78 years) were included. Pathologic pneumatosis intestinalis was present in 114/313 (36%) patients. Presence of arterial or venous thrombosis, porto-mesenteric gas, fat stranding, and location in the small bowel were significantly associated with PPI. A combined clinical and radiological model, which included age, WBC, creatinine, abdominal distention, rebound or guarding, shock, presence of porto-mesenteric gas and fat stranding showed an AUC of 0.85 for prediction of PPI, higher than models using clinical (AUC=0.80, p=0.005) or radiological factors (AUC=0.80, p<0.0001) alone.
Conclusion: Improved prediction of pathological pneumatosis intestinalis can be achieved by a model incorporating both clinical and radiological features (AUC=0.85)rather than by either clinical (AUC=0.80) or radiological (AUC=0.80) features alone.
Discovery of Novel Serum Peptide Biomarkers for Cholangiocarcinoma Recurrence Through MALDI-TOF MS and LC-MS/MS Peptidome Analysis
Authors: Thanasukarn Vasin , Prajumwongs Piya , Muangritdech Nattha , Loilome Watcharin , Namwat Nisana , Klanrit Poramate , Wangwiwatsin Arporn , Charoenlappanit Sawanya , Jaresitthikunchai Janthima , Roytrakul Sittiruk , Titapun Attapol
Published: December 2024

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive cancer originating from bile duct epithelial cells, with a high rate of recurrence following surgical resection. Recurrence is categorized as early linked to aggressive tumor biology than late recurrence. This study aimed to identify novel peptide mass fingerprints (PMFs) and potential biomarker panels in the serum of CCA patients with early and late recurrence using mass spectrometry. Serum samples of 81 CCA patients were analyzed using MALDI-TOF MS and LC-MS/MS, with statistical analysis correlating peptide profiles with clinical outcomes like disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). A 365-day DFS cutoff effectively distinguished early from late recurrence, with early recurrence linked to poorer survival outcomes. The PMFs from MALDI-TOF MS differentiated recurrence types based on specific mass signatures. LC-MS/MS analysis identified 95 peptides associated with cancer progression in early recurrence and 60 in late recurrence. Distinct protein associations were found: ATR, POLA1, BLM, SP100, and PPP1R15A for early recurrence, and SERPINA1, TGFB2, SERPING1, and CAD for late recurrence, with strong interactions with chemotherapeutic drugs. This study successfully demonstrated the use of PMFs for rapid discrimination between early and late recurrence in CCA and identified potential serum peptide biomarkers to improve accuracy in recurrence classification.
Detection of metabolic and perfusion changes in the hippocampus and temporal lobe regions in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) via hybrid 18F-FDG PET/MRI
Authors: Arnous Maher Mohamad Rajab , Al-Asbahi Afnan Ahmed Mohamed , Fang Liu , Yongkang Gaigy , Hua Shu , Xun Sun , Yang Ling , Lan Xiaoli , Weiwei Ruan
Published: December 2024

Purpose: To investigate and compare metabolic and perfusion alterations in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients via hybrid 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Methods: Twenty-one TLE patients (15 with left-sided TLE (LTLE) and 6 with right-sided TLE (RTLE)) who underwent brain 18F-FDG PET/MRI, and eight healthy controls (Hc) who had 18F-FDG PET/MRI for health examination, were included. Brain regions were segmented based on the automated anatomical labeling (AAL) template, and the hippocampus and temporal lobe were isolated for further analysis. Left and right sides of these structures were analyzed separately. Accordingly, the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) were compared between the two sides via paired t test. Asymmetry indexes (AI) were calculated and statistically compared between the TLE patients and Hc, along with PET and Arterial spin labeling (ASL)-derived AI.
Results: LTLE patients showed significant asymmetrical differences in SUVmax, SUVmean, and CBF within the hippocampus region (p<0.01). In RTLE patients, only SUVmean showed significant asymmetrical in both the hippocampus (p=0.009) and temporal lobe (p=0.018). The PET-derived AI in the hippocampus nearly doubled in the TLE group compared to Hc group. Similarly, ASL-derived AI in the hippocampus also increased (7.22% vs 3.86%) in the TLE group compared to Hc group (p=0.051). In the temporal lobe, both PET and ASL-derived AIs increased in the TLE group; however, these increases were not statistically significant (p=0.260, p=0.364). In the hippocampus, a significant difference existed for the AI between PET and ASL (p=0.001), while the temporal lobe showed a significant correlation for the AI between PET and ASL (r=0.49, p=0.024).
Conclusion: TLE patients exhibited distinct patterns of brain metabolism and perfusion between LTLE and RTLE. And the AIs derived from PET was more accurate than those of ASL in detecting abnormalities in the hippocampus. Meanwhile, metabolism and perfusion in TLE patients differed significantly in the hippocampus, while revealing a correlation in the temporal lobe.
Enhanced Mobile Broadband in 5 Era: Addressing Demand for High-Speed Connectivity for the Future of Mobile Data Services
Authors: N Kirubakaran
Published: December 2024

In this paper, we examine the enhanced Mobile Broadband-one of the most important features of 5G networks in a world wherein increasing demands are being fueled for high-speed and reliable mobile data services. In this era of wireless communication where user mobility and ideal network accessibility is given topmost priority, enhanced Mobile Broadband will face challenging ever-increasing levels of mobile data traffic that it can keep as its focus: the end-user experience. High-definition video, cloud computing, mobile gaming, and high-speed internet are some of the key features of eMBB, all low latency and high-reliability applications. Such kinds of capabilities are delivered through advanced technologies such as beamforming, network slicing, and massive MIMO, which drive efficient use and performance of different applications over the networks. The study underlines significant implications of eMBB, including implications for user experience across industry sectors, hence its relevance in supporting both current and future high-demand applications. In addressing the actual implementation challenges that include optimized network topology, resource management, and quality of service allocation, eMBB has the capability to meet the infrastructure requirements for stable responsive connections that are critical in real-time services such as video streaming and cloud-based applications. Going forward, the eMBB by itself will merge with emerging technology, and sustainability-focused projects present opportunities for improving the environmental impact as well as extending connectivity to under-served areas. The findings therefore indicate that eMBB has a gargantuan role in the ongoing evolution of mobile communication, providing users with more improved connections, quicker, reliable, and driving innovation across industries. This could be the way towards both enhancement of consumers' experience and progress in such areas as smart cities, healthcare, and environmental monitoring, therefore setting up a future landscape of mobile communications supervision to mold the future mobile communication environment.
Multiscale Light Field Microscopy Platform for Multi-purpose Dynamic Volumetric Bioimaging
Authors: Bai Yangyang , Jones Matt , Ojeda Lauro Sebastian , Cuala Janielle , Cherchia Lynne , Georgia Senta K. , Fraser Scott E. , Truong Thai V.
Published: December 2024

Light field microscopy (LFM) has emerged in recent years as a unique solution for fast, scan-free volumetric imaging of dynamic biological samples. This is achieved by using a microlens array in the detection path to record both the lateral and angular information of the light fields coming from the sample, capturing a 3-dimensional (3D) volume in a single 2-dimensional (2D) snapshot. In post-acquisition, the 3D sample volume is computationally reconstructed from the recorded 2D images, thus enabling unprecedented 3D capture speed, not limited by the typical constraint of physically scanning the focal plane over the sample volume. Up to date, most published LFM imaging setups have been specialized single-purpose platforms, optimized for a narrow performance window in field of view and resolution, thus hampering widespread adoption of LFM for biomedical research. Here, we present a versatile LFM platform for fast 3D imaging across multiple scales, enabling applications from cell to system-level biology on the same imaging setup. Our multiscale LFM is built as an add-on module to a conventional commercially available wide field microscope, and the various imaging applications, with different ranges of field of view and resolution, are achieved by simply switching between the standard microscope objectives available on the wide field microscope. Additionally, we provide an open-source end-to-end software package for calculating the system performance parameters, processing the experimentally measured point spread function, and light field 3D image reconstruction. We demonstrate the performance of our multiscale LFM platform through imaging the whole-brain activity map of seizures in larval zebrafish, calcium dynamics in ex vivo mouse pancreatic islets, and subcellular protein dynamics in cultured cells.
Exclusive Breastfeeding, Knowledge, Attitude, and Intention of Single Young Females (15-30years) in Some Public Tertiary Institutions Inlagos State; a Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.
Authors: Nwalozie Vincent Onyekachi
Published: December 2024

Background: Lagos state is the smallest state in Nigeria, yet it has the highest population which is over 21million and a growth rate of 3.2%, with about 53% less than 25years old. Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding according to UNICEF was said to be 29% in 2012. Infants are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition and infectious diseases, many of which can be effectively prevented or treated through adequate nutrition during infancy. Exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months of life has been shown to achieve optimal growth, development and conferment of essential immunity.
Methods: The sample population size was deduced using Cochran’s formula, and amultistage sampling technique was used to select the study group. Descriptive statistics wereused to analyze demographic data.
Result: Most respondents were between 19-22years old 45.1%, 29.8% are 15-18years old, 16.6% and 7.8% are 23-26 and 27-30years old respectively. There was good knowledge 91.0% about exclusive breastfeeding, especially within the 19-22 age group. The relationship between age and knowledge is statistically significant (P = 0.065). The attitude was poor 58.0% towards exclusive breastfeeding, especially among the 19-22 age group, the relation between age and attitude towards exclusive breastfeeding is statistically significant (P=0.029) Considering the educational caliber of the respondent, the intention to express breastmilk43.0% was below average. There is a strong intention to exclusively breastfeed, with 63.0% indicating strong intention to exclusively breastfeed. Age is statistically significant (P=0.001) to Intention to Exclusive breastfeeding. The odds that the respondents have good intentions to breast feed is given as 0.67 (67%), this shows that intention has lower odds of positive child health. The probability of intention to affect Child health outcome is 0.70 (70%), and the risk difference (estimated difference in theprobability to experience) is 3.9%.
Conclusion: Young females should be targets of proactive education for better mother-childhealth. This research has shown the need for adequate bridge between knowledge, attitude towards, and intention to exclusively breastfeed. The decisions are often made long before amother becomes pregnant, with the decision most often than not made based on knowledge acquired at a young age.
Evaluating and Enhancing Large Language Models for Conversational Reasoning on Knowledge Graphs
Authors: Huang Yuxuan
Published: December 2024

The development of large language models (LLMs) has been catalyzed by advancements in pre-training techniques. These models have demonstrated robust reasoning capabilities through manually designed prompts. In this work, we evaluate the conversational reasoning capabilities of the current state-of-the-art LLM (GPT-4) on knowledge graphs (KGs). However, the performance of LLMs is constrained due to a lack of KG environment awareness and the difficulties in developing effective optimization mechanisms for intermediary reasoning stages. We further introduce LLM-ARK, a LLM grounded KG reasoning agent designed to deliver precise and adaptable predictions on KG paths. LLM-ARK leverages Full Textual Environment (FTE) prompt to assimilate state information within each reasoning step. We reframe the challenge of multi-hop reasoning on the KG as a sequential decision-making task. Utilizing the Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) online policy gradient reinforcement learning algorithm, our model is optimized to learn from rich reward signals. Additionally, we conduct an evaluation of our model and GPT-4 on the OpenDialKG dataset. The experimental results reveal that LLaMA-2-7B-ARK outperforms the current state-of-the-art model by 5.28 percentage points, with a performance rate of 36.39% on the target@1 evaluation metric. Meanwhile, GPT-4 scored 14.91%, further demonstrating the effectiveness of our method.
Long-term Effectiveness of Physical Activity Interventions for Adults Across Income Contexts: A Systematic Review of Strategies and Outcome
Authors: Ominyi Jude , Clifton Andrew , Cushen-Brewster Noreen
Published: December 2024

Background: Physical activity (PA) interventions play a critical role in addressing obesity and its associated health risks. Understanding their long-term effectiveness, particularly across diverse economic contexts, is essential for designing sustainable and scalable strategies. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of PA interventions implemented in low, middle, and high income countries (LMICs and HICs), identify key components contributing to their success.
Methods: Studies were included if they assessed PA interventions with follow-up periods of at least 12 months. A total of 27 studies from diverse countries met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 33 distinct strategies. Data were extracted on intervention components, follow-up duration, PA outcomes, and obesity-related measures. The studies were categorised by economic context, with a focus on comparing effectiveness across income groups.
Results: PA interventions demonstrated significant long-term effectiveness across all economic settings. In HICs, multicomponent interventions, such as those involving physician-led counselling, tailored exercise regimens, and fitness testing, were highly effective, showing improvements in weekly energy expenditure and physical fitness of up to 15%. Studies from MICs, like Mexico, highlighted the effectiveness of culturally tailored approaches, such as integrated care for older adults, in enhancing PA adherence despite resource constraints. LMICs, particularly China, leveraged culturally embedded and community-driven practices, such as tai chi and baduanjin, achieving comparable outcomes to HIC interventions in terms of PA adherence and fitness improvements.
However, sustainability of intervention effects varied. Robust maintenance strategies, including booster sessions and ongoing support, contributed to stable long-term outcomes in studies from HICs. Conversely, LMIC interventions often lacked extended follow-up, limiting their ability to evaluate sustained effectiveness. The interventions were consistently associated with reductions in obesity-related risk factors, including BMI and metabolic health improvements.
Conclusion: This review highlights the effectiveness of culturally sensitive and resource-adapted PA interventions in sustaining long-term behaviour change and reducing obesity-related risks across economic contexts. Future research should prioritise consistent monitoring, extended follow-up, and the inclusion of underrepresented LMIC regions to enhance the global applicability and scalability of PA interventions. Addressing these gaps is crucial for combating obesity and promoting public health worldwide.