bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Potential of Self-Pulsing Optical Microresonators for Spiking Neural Networks and Event Detection
Authors: Biasi Stefano , Lugnan Alessio , Micheli Davide , Pavesi Lorenzo
Published: September 2024

Photonic platforms are promising for implementing neuromorphic hardware due to their high processing speed, low power consumption, and ability to perform parallel processing. An ubiquitous device in integrated photonics, which has been extensively employed for the realization of optical neuromorphic hardware, is the microresonator. Remarkably, the ability of CMOS-compatible silicon microring resonators to store energy enhances the nonlinear interaction between light and matter, enabling energy efficient nonlinearity,
fading memory and the generation of spikes via self-pulsing. In the self-pulsing regime, a constant input signal can be transformed into a time-dependent signal based on pulse sequences. Previous research has shown that self-pulsing enables the microresonator to function as an energy-efficient artificial spiking neuron. Here, we extend the experimental study of single and coupled microresonators in the self-pulsing regime to confirm their potential as building blocks for scalable photonic spiking neural networks. Furthermore, we demonstrate their potential for introducing all-optical long-term memory and event detection capabilities into integrated photonic neural networks. In particular, we show all-optical long-term memory up to at least 10 μs and detection of input spike rates, which is encoded into different stable self-pulsing dynamics.
Competency Model Construction and Evaluation of Fire Protection Facility Operators From the Perspective of Intelligent Firefighting
Authors: Chen Can
Published: September 2024

The ability and quality of Fire protection facility operator directly determine whether the Fire protection facility control room can operate normally, whether the fire emergency disposal of buildings and structures is effective, and whether the fire safety management can be reliably guaranteed. In order to scientifically evaluate the abilities and qualities of fire protection facility operators, based on the competency theory, the competency model of fire protection facility operators is constructed from five dimensions: professional knowledge and skills, communication and cooperation ability, learning and adaptation ability, physical and mental quality and personality traits, and career development motivation. On this basis, the principal component analysis method is used to quantitatively evaluate the competency of fire protection facility operators.The results show that the overall competence of fire protection facility operators in Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan and Chongqing is insufficient. It is mainly manifested in the lack of spirit to bear hardships and stand hard work, weak learning ability, generally low vocational qualification level and education level, less vocational training hours and lack of long-term personal career planning.
High fidelity Mars Rover simulation platform based on digital twin and machine learning integration: Innovation and application of ISMRS
Authors: Wan Gang , Liu Wei , Liu Jia , Cong Dianwei
Published: September 2024

The Isaac Sim Martian Robotic Simulator (ISMRS) is a cutting-edge digital twin-based platform for Mars rover development, leveraging Nvidia's robotics simulator. It rapidly generates realistic Mars terrains, supports diverse rover capabilities, and integrates machine learning for environmental data synthesis. ISMRS is ROS2 compatible, enabling autonomous navigation and obstacle avoidance. The simulator's image recognition prowess is validated through real rock instance segmentation. A YOLOv8 model trained on synthetic data showed a 6% performance deficit compared to real data, which narrowed to a 15% accuracy improvement upon real data fine-tuning. This underscores ISMRS's high fidelity in simulating Mars environments for rover training and machine learning model development..
Hepatic arterial-infusion chemotherapy combined with systemic therapy sequentially or simultaneously for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Cao Yu-zhe , Pan Jia-yu , Zheng Guang-lei , An Chao , Zuo Meng-xuan
Published: September 2024

Background and Aims: To compare the efficacy and safety of hepatic arterial-infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) combined with targeted therapy and PD-(L)1 blockades (triple therapy), sequentially (SE) or simultaneously (SI), in the treatment of BCLC stage C hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Approach and Results: From January 1, 2018, to June 1, 2022, 575 patients with BCLC stage C HCC who underwent SE or SI triple therapy were retrospectively enrolled. Propensity score matching (PSM; 1:1) was performed to eliminate possible confounder imbalances across cohorts. We used the Kaplan–Meier method and a log-rank test to compare overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates between the SI and SE groups. The tumor response and the incidence of adverse events (AEs) was reported. After PSM, 182 patients in each of the two groups were matched. Median OS in the SI group was significantly longer than that in the SE group (28.8 vs. 16.1 months; P= 0.002). Median PFS was significantly improved in the SI versusSE group (9.6 vs. 7.0 months; P= 0.01). The objective response rate (ORR) based on the mRECIST was higher in the SI group (58% vs. 37%; P < 0.001). Total incidences of grade 3–4 AEs were 111/182 (60.9%) and 128/182 (70.3%) in the SE and SI groups, respectively. No grade 5 AEs were reported in either group.
Conclusions: Simultaneous HAIC plus targeted therapy and PD-(L)1 blockades significantly improved outcomes compared with the sequential regimen in patients with BCLC stage C HCC, with no unexpected AEs.
Clinical relevance statement: The patients received hepatic arterial-infusion chemotherapy combined with targeted therapy and PD-(L)1 blockades simultaneously have better prognosis than sequentially.
Identifying and defining main changes in soil attributes to enhance environmental health and poverty alleviation in the Amazonian periphery
Authors: Nascimento Kalyne Pereira Miranda , Lösch Edaciano Leandro , Coelho Katia Pereira , Nunes Jéssica de Freitas , de Sousa Maria Karoline C. R. , Aguiar Alana das Chagas Ferreira , de Moura Emanoel Gomes
Published: September 2024

In the humid tropics, ensuring food security through sustainable food production relies heavily on addressing infertile soil. Identifying and enhancing key soil attributes crucial for plant growth poses significant challenges for poverty alleviation. We identify the main soil attributes that can boost crop performance and serve as predictors of sustainability, offering practical and economic recommendations for immediate improvement. The experiment was carried out in five areas of alley cropping systems where the leguminous tree Clitoria fairchildiana and annual legumes including Cajanus cajan, Crotalaria juncea, or Stylosanthes and Tithonia diversifolia were planted to increase soil organic matter, all consociated with maize. Nine soil samples were collected at each of the 10 sampling points. P, pH (H + Al3+), exchangeable K+, Ca2 + and Mg2 + were analyzed. We found that increased stabilised soil organic matter fraction, rather than P and K availability, is responsible for enhanced maize grain yield. This factor must be considered when assessing land and the environment, as well as implementing appropriate land management systems to avoid misallocation of limited resources. Input recommendations should align with the threshold values of 32 mmolc.dm-3 for Ca and 8 mmolc.dm-3 of Mg, aiming to achieve a combined level of 40 mmolc.dm-3 of Ca + Mg (Ca:Mg ratio of 4:1) and MAOC content around 14 g.kg-1. Soil researchers should further explore the interactions between Ca + Mg and MAOC and biomass-derived compounds as innovative soil quality management tools.
The association between shorter disease course and sarcopenia in women with endometriosis: A retrospective analysis of NHANES 1999-2006
Authors: Sun Litao , Tian Yishu , Ling Lei
Published: September 2024

Endometriosis is a common gynecological disorder that may cause chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and metabolic disorders. Sarcopenia, a progressive skeletal muscle loss, often affects older adults. This study explored the incidence and risk factors for sarcopenia in endometriosis patients using the NHANES dataset, enrolling 373 participants. Endometriosis was confirmed via self-report questionnaire, while sarcopenia was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Covariates included age, race, marital status, education level, poverty income ratio, smoking habits, and health conditions. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 26.0, employing four multivariate regression models. The average age was 40.3 and 40.0 years in endometriotic participants with and without sarcopenia, respectively. Minority ethnicity had higher odds for sarcopenia (OR 6.00, 95% CI 1.24–29.07). Endometriosis duration less than five years was associated with higher sarcopenia risk (OR 4.83, 95% CI 2.57–9.09). Lower educational levels were linked to a reduced chance of developing sarcopenia (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.21–0.86). These findings were consistent across all regression models, suggesting that endometriosis patients with ethnic minority status, higher educational degrees, and shorter disease duration were more likely to have concurrent sarcopenia.
Lightweight Grape Leaf Disease Recognition Method Based on Transformer Framework
Authors: Zhang Enxu , Qi Guowei , Li Fei , Lv Cheng , Zhang Ning
Published: September 2024

Grape disease image recognition is a crucial part of agricultural disease detection, and accurate identification of grape leaves plays a vital role in agricultural production. This study proposes a deep learning-based method for grape disease classification and recognition to address issues such as the complexity of grape disease features, uneven distribution of disease features, and data imbalance. First, the adversarial generative network FastGAN is used to generate grape disease images to enrich the sample information for different categories in the dataset and address the data imbalance problem. Then, a novel Transformer structure called LVT Block and a CNN structure called MARI Block are proposed to process the global and local information of images, respectively. Dense connections between these structures result in the DLVT Block, which leads to the lightweight neural network model DLVTNet. Additionally, a lightweight self-attention mechanism combined with CNN called CLSHSA is introduced , which maintains high recognition performance while reducing the model size. Moreover, a multi-scale attention mechanism (MELA) is proposed, which combines positional and multi-scale information to obtain attention weights. Experimental results show that this method achieves an average recognition accuracy of 98.48% in grape leaf disease detection, outperforming mainstream CNN and Transformer models, and effectively focuses on disease areas in leaf images. The method also demonstrates high recognition accuracy in tomato disease detection, indicating good generalization ability and suitability for detecting and recognizing various leaf diseases. The proposed method provides an effective solution for detecting and recognizing grape and other plant leaf diseases, offering a new research approach that combines CNN and Transformer structures.
Synthesis, H2S releasing properties, antiviral and antioxidant activities and acute cardiac effects of nucleoside 5’-dithioacetates
Authors: Bege Miklós , Lovas Miklós , Priksz Dániel , Bernát Brigitta , Bereczki Ilona , Kattoub Rasha Ghanem , Kajtár Richárd , Eskeif Simon , Novák Levente , Hodek Jan , Weber Jan , Herczegh Pál , Lekli István , Borbás Anikó
Published: September 2024

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an endogenous gasotransmitter with cardioprotective and antiviral effects. In this work, new cysteine-selective nucleoside-H2S-donor hybrid molecules were prepared by conjugating nucleoside biomolecules with a thiol-activatable dithioacetyl group. 5'-Dithioacetate derivatives were synthesized from the canonical nucleosides (uridine, adenosine, cytidine, guanosine and thymidine), and the putative 5'-thio metabolites were also produced from uridine and adenosine. According to our measurements made with an H2S-specific sensor, nucleoside dithioacetates are moderately fast H2S donors, the guanosine derivative showed the fastest kinetics and the adenosine derivative the slowest. The antioxidant activity of 5'-thionucleosides is significantly higher than that of trolox, but lower than that of ascorbic acid, while intact dithioacetates have no remarkable antioxidant effect. In human Calu cells, the guanosine derivative showed a moderate anti-SARS-CoV-2 effect which was also confirmed by virus yield reduction assay. Dithioacetyl-adenosine and its metabolite showed similar acute cardiac effects as adenosine, however, it is noteworthy that both 5'-thio modified adenosines increased left ventricular ejection fraction or stroke volume, which was not observed with native adenosine.
Examining the Quality of General Purpose AI based Recommendation System for Over-the-Counter Medication
Authors: Patel Rahul , Ravilla Rithvik , Nabil Mohammed , Franco Juan , Deng Ana , Diaz Christopher
Published: September 2024

This study investigates the quality of the over-the-counter medicines recommended by commercial general purpose artificial intelligence (AI) platforms by analyzing the relationship between two categorical data. 139 tests were performed using publicly available over the counter medication database from US FDA and two widely available commercially available general purpose AI platforms. A chi-square analysis was conducted to examine the relationships. Results indicated that there is a statistically significant difference between the quality of over-the-counter medication recommendations from the FDA Database-based system and those recommended by commercially available generative AI systems with chi-square statistic 0.1208, the p-value of .728145, not significant at p < .01 for one AI system and the chi-square statistic = 0.9988, the p-value of .317613, not significant at p < .01 for second AI system. These results indicate that recommendations made by widely available generative AI platforms are not suitable for medical advice. Additionally, the study found that there is no statistically significant difference between the quality of over-the-counter medication recommendations from two commercially available generative AI systems with the chi-square statistic = 61.4366, the p-value of < 0.00001, significant at p < .01. This result suggests that the recommendations made by these generative AI systems are consistently inaccurate. These findings highlight the need for the development of specialized generative AI systems with the involvement of domain experts, to ensure accuracy and reliability for providing the OTC medication recommendations.
Table of Contents
OsWRKY49 on qAT5 positively regulates alkalinity tolerance at the germination stage in Oryza sativa L. ssp. Japonica
Authors: Cui Jingnan , Li Shuangshuang , Zhang Tong , Li Chong , Duan Yu , Xu Shanbin , Wang Jingguo , Liu Hualong , Yang Luomiao , Xin Wei , Jia Yan , Bu Qingyun , Zou Detang , Zheng Hongliang
Published: September 2024

With the widespread use of the rice direct seeding cultivation model, improving the tolerance of rice varieties to salinity-alkalinity at the germination stage has become increasingly important. However, as previous studies have focused on the neutral salt stress, understanding of alkalinity tolerance is still in its infancy, and the genetic resource data is scarce. Here, we used a natural population composed of 295 Japonica rice varieties and a recombinant inbred population including 189 lines derived from Caidao (alkali-sensitive) and WD20342 (alkali-tolerant) to uncover the genetic structure of alkalinity tolerance during rice germination. A total of 15 lead SNPs and six QTLs related to relative germination potential (RGP) and relative germination index (RGI) were detected by genome-wide association study and linkage mapping. Of which, Chr5_28094966, a lead SNP was located in the interval of the mapped major QTL qAT5, that was significantly associated with both RGP and RGI in the two populations. According to the LD block analysis and QTL interval, a 425 kb overlapped region was obtained for screening the candidate genes. After haplotype analysis, qRT-PCR and parental sequence analysis, LOC_Os05g49100 (OsWRKY49) was initially considered as the candidate gene. Having studied the characteristics of rice lines with OsWRKY49 knockout and overexpression, we established that OsWRKY49 could be a positive regulator of alkalinity tolerance in rice at the germination stage. Subcellular localization showed that green fluorescent protein-tagged OsWRKY49 was localized in the nucleus. The application of OsWRKY49 could be useful for increasing alkalinity tolerance of rice direct seeding.
Health Risks of Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (LF-EMF) and Radio Waves: An Umbrella Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lamzouri O. , Laamara R. Ahl , Drissi L. B
Published: September 2024

Background
The pervasive presence of low-frequency electromagnetic fields (LF-EMF) and radio waves in modern environments has raised concerns regarding potential health risks. This umbrella review systematically evaluates and synthesizes findings from meta-analyses and systematic reviews on the health risks associated with LF-EMF and radio waves exposure.
Methods
A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PUBMED and SCOPUS databases for studies published between 2014 and 2024. Included studies focused on health outcomes such as cancer incidence, neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and reproductive health issues. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed using standardized tools, and meta-analyses were conducted where data allowed.
Results
Twenty systematic reviews and meta-analyses met the inclusion criteria. Mixed findings were observed across various health outcomes. Cancer risk was slightly increased but not significantly associated with LF-EMF exposure. Significant associations were found between LF-EMF exposure and neurological disorders, particularly cognitive decline. Cardiovascular disease risk showed non-significant associations, while reproductive health outcomes demonstrated significant adverse effects, particularly on sperm quality and birth outcomes.
Conclusion
The evidence suggests potential health risks associated with LF-EMF and radio waves, particularly in neurological and reproductive health domains. Further research with standardized methodologies is needed to clarify these associations.
A Systematic Literature Review on Bengali Grammar Correction System
Authors: Nadif Muhammad Abu , Rahat Tanzeem , Sharma Aninda Kumar , Tabassum Anika , Rushee Kawser I. , Rahim Md Shamsur
Published: September 2024

Around 270 million people worldwide speak Bangla, making it the sixth most widely spoken language. Despite its widespread use, the study of the Bengali language was behind schedule. There has been a significant lag in the application of recently introduced technologies, such as transformer-based models, to the Bengali language. Pretrained models such as GPT3 and Llama2 do not perform effectively when it comes to the Bengali language due to its distinctive linguistic characteristics. Our initial step in improving the Bengali language inside the realm of state-of-the-art technology involves analysing prior automated grammar correction systems and comprehending the challenges specific to the Bengali language. This article offers a thorough examination of prior research on automated grammar correction systems. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the prior cutting-edge techniques, strategies, and challenges in this particular domain, this review seeks to consolidate and analyze the pertinent literature in a discerning manner. Using a pre-established search methodology, we successfully identified relevant research in reputable databases and scholarly publications. The review provides a concise overview of the findings from the selected research and highlights the diverse range of techniques employed, such as rule-based tactics, statistical models, machine learning algorithms, and natural language processing methods. The analysis also includes an evaluation of crucial indicators of system performance, including accuracy, recall, and F1-score. Through this extensive literature review, we discovered recurring challenges in developing grammatical correction algorithms that possess both accuracy and contextual sensitivity, which aligns with our subsequent objective. Furthermore, based on these findings, this study considers future research objectives and prospects for improving automatic grammar correction technologies. To summarise, this systematic literature review provides a comprehensive examination of the existing automatic grammar correction systems, highlighting their accomplishments, the challenges that remain, and the potential for further investigation and advancement in this area. This will provide us with valuable insights to align Bengali language research with the present setting. Additionally, other researchers, developers, and educators can greatly benefit from the information presented here as they strive to create and implement a more efficient Bengali grammatical correction system or beyond.
Ambient Fine Particulate Matter and Mortality Risk among People with Disability in Korea Based on the National Health Insurance Database: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Choi Jonghyuk , Lim Hyungryul , Kwon Ho-Jang , Ha Mina , Kim Soontae , Choi Kyung-Hwa
Published: September 2024

Background
People with disabilities (PWD) may be more vulnerable to the adverse health effects of air pollution than the general population. This study examined the association between long-term exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and mortality risk in PWD considering disability type and severity.
Methods
Data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service and Statistics Korea were analyzed in this retrospective cohort study, including 2,880,265 individuals (41,501,709 person-years), of which 176,410 were PWD (2,011,231 person-years). PM2.5 exposure was estimated using simulated data from 2006 to 2019. Causes of death included all causes, non-accidental causes, respiratory disease, lung cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality associated with PM2.5 stratified by disability type and severity.
Results
PWD, particularly those with severe disabilities or specific impairments such as kidney problems or brain lesions, showed significantly high mortality risks from all causes, non-accidental causes, and cardiovascular diseases due to PM2.5 exposure. For individuals with kidney impairment, the HR (95% confidence interval) for mortality on increasing PM2.5 by 10 µg/m3 was 1.79 (1.27–2.52) from all causes, while for those with brain lesions, it was 1.10 (1.00–1.22) from cardiovascular disease. PWD were not susceptible to mortality from respiratory causes.
Conclusions
This study highlights the increased vulnerability of PWD, especially those with severe disabilities or specific impairments, to the adverse effects of PM2.5 exposure. Targeted interventions tailored to disability type and severity, along with stricter air quality standards and specialized healthcare approaches, are needed.
Effects of Sulforaphane in Ferroptosis, Apoptosis, and Senescence induced by Cigarette Smoke in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells: a Mechanistic Study
Authors: Reihani Amin , Seyedabadi Mohammad , Mohammadi Ebrahim , Shaki Fatemeh
Published: September 2024

Background Cigarette smoke (CS) is a leading risk factor for pulmonary diseases. It has been implicated that ferroptosis and apoptosis are involved in CS-induced lung senescence. Sulforaphane (SFN) is a phytochemical with anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. However, we investigated the effects of CS on oxidative damage, apoptosis, ferroptosis, and senescence in the human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B) and the preventive role of SFN.Materials and Methods BEAS-2B cells were exposed to CS extract (CSE) and varying concentrations of SFN (5, 10, and 20 µg/ml). Cytotoxicity and senescence were evaluated by MTT assay, clonogenic assay, Annexin V/PI flow cytometry, and SA-β-galactosidase staining method. Also, the involvement of the ferroptosis pathway and oxidative stress were measured via reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels, and intracellular iron assessment.Results Our results showed that CSE resulted in a concentration-dependent decline in the viability and clonogenic potential of BEAS-2B cells and induced senescence through intracellular ROS generation, LPO, and GSH oxidation, which led to ferroptosis and apoptosis. However, SFN protects against CSE cytotoxicity as measured by MTT and colony formation assay. Furthermore, SFN reduced CSE-induced oxidative stress and inhibited CSE-induced ferroptosis, as shown by lowering iron and MDA. Subsequently, SFN alleviated CSE-induced apoptotic and senescence in BEAS-2B cells.Conclusion This study strongly supports the idea that SFN could ameliorate CSE-induced lung toxicity via inhibition of oxidative redox, ferroptosis, and the apoptotic pathway, which results in a decrease in senescence and enhanced clonogenic potential in BEAS-2B cells.
Dual-Functional Optical-Transparent Terahertz Metasurface with Tunable Absorption and Polarization Conversion
Authors: Li Lintao , Wen Jingda , Wen Yongzheng , Sun Jingbo , Zhao Qian , Li Bo , Zhou Ji
Published: September 2024

With the continuous advancements in material science, research on metamaterials is evolving towards tunability and multifunctionality. This study introduces a novel design methodology for a transparent multifunctional metamaterial that integrates the capabilities of an optical-transparent broadband absorber and a polarization converter, demonstrating its versatility and adaptability in applications. By incorporating a tunable water layer structure, this design allows for the switching of operational modes under different conditions. When the water layer is filled, the material functions as a broadband absorber, achieving absorption exceeding 90% across the frequency bands of 0.65–1.05 THz, 2.23–2.63 THz, and 3.82–4.32 THz. Conversely, when the water layer is emptied, the material exhibits polarization conversion capabilities, achieving a cross-polarization conversion rate exceeding 90% at the frequencies of 1.06 THz and 3.54 THz. This design not only demonstrates new possibilities in functional integration and control within metamaterials but also offers an efficient, cost-effective, and easily manufacturable solution for the practical application of metamaterials.
High Step-Up DC-DC Converter with Low Voltage Stress on Devices and Improved Gain-to-Element Ratio
Authors: Hajiabadi Mostafa Karimi , Mosallanjed Ali , Salemnia Ahmad
Published: September 2024

This article introduces a high step-up DC-DC converter based on a three-winding coupled-inductor (3WCI). A 3WCI has been combined with voltage multiplier cells (VMCs) to enhance the voltage conversion ratio without increasing the number of components. As a result, the proposed converter's gain-to-element (G2E) ratio has been improved. In addition, high voltage gains are obtained in the proposed converter with low voltage stress on active and passive components, small footprint, and high efficiency. This article thoroughly discusses the operational modes, steady-state performance, and design process, and conducts a comparison between the proposed converter and its counterpart circuits. Moreover, a 240W, 22V/240V prototype has been fabricated. Experimental results validate the operation and performance of the converter, demonstrating that the proposed converter achieves a high voltage gain with only 10 components. The proposed topology outperforms in terms of the G2E ratio. Additionally, the experiments indicate that the maximum voltage stress on devices (MVSD) is reduced, by up to 60% of the output voltage. The practical efficiency of the converter under full load conditions is measured at 96.2%.
Prdx5 regulates macrophage polarization by modulating the TLR4/NF-κB pathway to promote apoptosis in chronic prostatitis
Authors: Wu# Weikang , Meng Tong , Wang# Yufan , Chen Jing , Liang Chaozhao
Published: September 2024

Objective and design：Prdx5 is a member of the thiol-dependent peroxidase superfamily with peroxidase activity. Previous studies have demonstrated that Prdx5 is involved in the development of inflammatory arthritis. However, the role of Prdx5 in apoptosis within chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) remains unclear. To elucidate the role of Prdx5 in chronic prostatitis and its underlying mechanisms.
Material: Constructed experimental autoimmune prostatitis and conducted macrophage cell experiments.
Treatment： Fifty microliters of rat male accessory gland extract mixed with complete Freund's adjuvant was injected into the shoulder, inguinal region, and tail of the mice, followed by a booster immunization two weeks later. Ten days prior to the initial immunization of EAP mice, 100 µL of AVV-shPrdx5 was administered via tail vein injection. The EAP mice from the initial immunization were treated with 150 mg/kg of N-acetylcysteine three times per week and EAP mice injected with AVV-shPrdx5 were injected with an NF-κB activator (5 mg/kg) for two weeks from the initial immunization.
Methods: We assessed the severity of EAP through inflammation scoring, pain measurement, and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The expression of macrophages and Prdx5 in the prostate was evaluated using immunofluorescence. The levels of macrophage inflammatory cytokines, polarization, reactive oxygen species (ROS), TLR4/NF-κB pathway proteins, and prostate epithelial cell apoptosis were measured using NO assay, RT-qPCR, flow cytometry, co-culture, TUNEL assay, and Western blotting.
Results: Knocking out Prdx5 can inhibit macrophage M1 polarization through the Tlr4/NF-κB pathway in a ROS-dependent manner. Additionally, the knockdown of Prdx5 in macrophages has been shown to alleviate EAP-induced prostate epithelial cell apoptosis, thereby mitigating EAP.
Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that Prdx5 regulates macrophage M1 polarization in EAP through the Tlr4/NF-κB pathway in a ROS-dependent manner, thereby alleviating prostatitis. This finding provides a new target for investigating the immunological mechanisms underlying CP/CPPS.
Deep reinforcement learning for the management of the wall regeneration cycle in wall-bounded turbulent flows
Authors: Cavallazzi Giorgio Maria , Guastoni Luca , Vinuesa Ricardo , Pinelli Alfredo
Published: September 2024

The wall cycle in wall-bounded turbulent flows is a complex turbulence regeneration mechanism that remains not fully understood. This study explores the potential of deep reinforcement learning (DRL) for managing the wall regeneration cycle to achieve desired flow dynamics. We integrate the StableBaselines3 DRL libraries with the open-source DNS solver CaNS to create a robust platform for dynamic flow control. The DRL agent interacts with the DNS environment, learning policies that modify wall boundary conditions to optimize objectives such as the reduction of the skin-friction coefficient or the enhancement of certain coherent structures features. Initial experiments demonstrate the capability of DRL to achieve drag-reduction rates comparable with those achieved via traditional methods, though limited to short time periods. We also propose a strategy to enhance the coherence of velocity streaks, assuming that maintaining straight streaks can inhibit instability and further reduce skin friction. The implementation makes use of the message-passing-interface (MPI) wrappers for efficient communication between the Python-based DRL agent and the DNS solver, ensuring scalability on high-performance computing architectures. Our results highlight the promise of DRL in flow control applications and underscore the need for more advanced control laws and objective functions. Future work will focus on optimizing actuation periods and exploring new computational architectures to extend the applicability and the efficiency of DRL in turbulent flow management.
A Stable and Sustainable Maximum Orbital Capacity in Low Earth Orbit
Authors: Lavezzi Giovanni , Jang Daniel , Linares Richard
Published: September 2024

The population of satellites in Low Earth Orbit has recently witnessed a significant increase due to the advancements in satellite technology, the reduction of launch costs, and the deployment of large constellations of satellites. This raises concerns about the orbital capacity, essentially the ability of the Low Earth Orbit environment to sustain a certain number of satellites without unsustainable levels of risk due to space debris or collisions. More in-orbit collisions can generate debris that further threatens operational satellites and human spaceflight missions. The open-source MIT Orbital Capacity Assessment Tool is adopted to estimate the maximum number of satellites that fit in the very Low Earth Orbit, 200-900 km altitudes, under equilibrium points and failure rate of satellites as constraints. The results show an opposite trend between active satellites and debris for a sustainable centuries-long space environment: the number of active satellites decreases with altitude, while the amount of debris increases, reflecting the novel mechanism implemented for the dynamics of imparting the change in velocity to each new debris. The number of active satellites that can potentially fit at very low altitudes is in the range of hundreds of thousands to millions, due to a stronger atmospheric drag. Our results provide a theoretically stable upper boundary for the Low Earth Orbit capacity, supported by a first-ever comparison and validation analysis between a source-sink model of the space environment population with Monte-Carlo methods.
Unveiling the genetic basis of floral scent formation in roses using weighted gene co-expression and protein-protein interaction network analyses
Authors: Xu Chan , Guo Hang , Wang Yuanhui , Wang Zhijing , Chen Yuan
Published: September 2024

Rosa species possess significant economic and medicinal value and have been utilized in traditional medicine, essential oil production, and as landscape plants. Nevertheless, the precise mechanisms underlying floral scent formation in rose remain poorly understood, impeding the genetic enhancement of this trait. To address this knowledge gap, we performed an integrated transcriptome and metabolome analysis. We selected 12 floral scent components and identified 1,264 differentially expressed genes based on phenotypic differences. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed 702 genes potentially associated with floral scent formation. Of these, seven highly expressed genes were selected. Subsequently, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and topology analysis algorithm of the 702 genes identified 21 hub genes. By integrating the highly expressed genes with PPI hub genes, 26 candidate genes were selected and predicted to play pivotal roles in floral scent formation. Eight of these candidate genes have been directly or indirectly implicated in floral scent formation, thereby supporting the reliability of the candidate gene predictions. Furthermore, candidate genes involved in amino acid metabolism (ISS1, AS1, AG118, AO, HISN8, and HMGCL), starch and sucrose metabolism (TPPA and SUS2), sulfur metabolism (APK1 and APR1), and citrate cycle (FUM1) may contribute to the provision of precursors. Notably, TPPA and SUS2 may contribute to the precursor metabolism for terpenoid biosynthesis. Additionally, F3GT1 and UGT74AC may be involved in terpenoid biosynthesis. The ISC2 and ISS1 may play key roles in aromatic compounds biosynthesis. Furthermore, AUX22D, AUX22, ARG7, and GPAT2 may encode signaling molecules that regulate floral scent formation. A novel gene, LOC112189920, with an unknown function, may also be associated with floral scent formation.
New estimates and synthesis of chromosome number, ploidy level and genome size variation in Allium sect. Codonoprasum: a step towards understanding the hitherto unresolved diversification and evolution of the section
Authors: Kobrlová Lucie , Jandová Michaela , Vojtěchová Kateřina , Šafářová Lenka , Duchoslav Martin
Published: September 2024

Background
The genus Allium is known for its high chromosomal variability, but most chromosome counts are based on a few individuals and genome size (GS) reports are limited in certain taxonomic groups. This is evident in the Allium sect. Codonoprasum, a species-rich (> 150 species) and taxonomically complex section with weak morphological differences between taxa, the presence of polyploidy and frequent misidentification of taxa. Consequently, a significant proportion of older karyological reports may be unreliable and GS data are lacking for the majority of species within the section. This study, using chromosome counting and flow cytometry (FCM), provides the first complex and detailed insight into variation in chromosome number, polyploid frequency and distribution, and GS in section members, a step towards understanding the section's unresolved diversification and evolution.
Results
We analysed 1,582 individuals from 311 populations of 25 taxa and reported DNA ploidy levels and their GS, with calibration from chromosome counts in 21 taxa. Five taxa had multiple ploidy levels. GS estimates for 16 taxa are primary estimates. A comprehensive review of chromosome number and DNA-ploidy levels in 128 taxa of the section revealed that all taxa had x = 8, except A. rupestre with two polyploid series (x = 8, descending dysploidy x = 7), unique for this section. Diploid taxa dominated (71.1%), while di-/polyploid (12.5%) and pure polyploid (16.4%) taxa were less common. Ploidy diversity showed that diploid taxa were dominant in the eastern Mediterranean (> 85%), decreasing towards the west and north, with only polyploid taxa present in northern and northwestern Europe. A 4.1-fold variation in GS was observed across 33 taxa (2C = 22.3–92.1 pg), mainly due to polyploidy, with GS downsizing observed in taxa with multiple ploidy levels. Intra-sectional GS variation suggests evolutionary relationships, and intraspecific GS variation within some taxa may indicate taxonomic heterogeneity and/or historical migration patterns.
Conclusions
Our study showed advantages of FCM as an effective tool for detecting ploidy levels and determining GS within the section. GS could be an additional character in understanding evolution and phylogenetic relationships within the section.
Knowledge of HPV and Willingness to accept HPV Vaccine among HCW in a tertiary health facility in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State
Authors: Anyanwu Onyinye Uchenna , Ezeonu Chinonyelum Thecla , Ezeanosike Obumneme Beniah , Joeakunne Chinwe Ifeoma , Asiegbu Uzoma Vivian , Chukwujindu-Anyanwu Tehilah Akachukwu
Published: September 2024

Background: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a leading cause of cervical cancer and other malignancies. Despite an effective vaccine, uptake remains low in regions like Nigeria. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are key in promoting vaccination, and their knowledge and attitudes influence vaccine acceptance.
Objective: This study assessed HPV knowledge and vaccine acceptance among HCWs at a tertiary health facility in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, aiming to identify knowledge gaps and barriers to acceptance.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki. A stratified random sample of 242 participants, including doctors, nurses, and laboratory scientists, completed a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, with significance set at p<0.05.
Results: Among participants, 92.6% had heard of HPV, with a moderate knowledge score (mean 9.81±4.99 out of 21). Vaccine acceptability had a mean score of 2.39±3.80 out of 8. While 72.7% agreed on the necessity of vaccinating girls, only 50.0% supported vaccinating boys. The main reasons for vaccination were protection against genital cancer (67.8%) and safeguarding future sexual partners (40.9%). Vaccine hesitancy was primarily due to fear of adverse effects (14.9%) and insufficient information (7.4%). A positive correlation (r=0.475, p=0.000) was found between HPV knowledge and vaccine acceptance.
Conclusion: HCWs in Abakaliki show moderate knowledge of HPV and a willingness to accept the vaccine, especially with medical recommendation. However, concerns about vaccine safety and lack of information are barriers. Educational interventions targeting HCWs are crucial to enhancing HPV vaccine uptake and reducing HPV-related disease burdens.
Preparation and Characterization of ZnO-TiO2 Nanoparticles and Study of Their Effect on the Photodegradation of Ampicillin
Authors: Jurdh Maisam Al , Raheb Ibrahim , Ahmad Youssef AL
Published: September 2024

In this research, the photodegradation of the ampicillin antibiotic (AMP) in an aqueous solution was studied by using ZnO–TiO2 nanoparticles prepared via the wet incipient impregnation method with TiO2 and Zn(NO3)2⋅6H2O as precursor materials using three different ratios of both oxides (1:1, 0.5:1, 1:0.5). The effects of different molar ratios of the prepared nanoparticles and ultraviolet radiation from sun rays and a UV lamp were studied. We utilized SEM, XRD, and EDX characterization techniques to study the structural features and morphology of the nanoprepared oxide. The removal of the antibiotic ampicillin was studied using an ultraviolet device at a wavelength of 254 nm in the presence of oxide nanoparticles and two radiation sources. The removal rate was 98% when using a composite oxide (ZnO-TiO2) in a proportion of 0.5:1 and applying solar radiation.
Automated Medical Records Review for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia
Authors: Wei Ruoqi
Published: September 2024

Objectives: Unstructured and structured data in electronic health records (EHR) are a rich source of information for research and quality improvement studies. However, extracting accurate information from EHR is labor-intensive. Here we introduce an automated EHR phenotyping model to identify patients with Alzheimer's Disease, related dementias (ADRD), or mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Methods: We assembled medical notes and associated International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes and medication prescriptions from 3,626 outpatient adults from two hospitals seen between February 2015 and June 2022. Ground truth annotations regarding the presence vs. absence of a diagnosis of MCI or ADRD were determined through manual chart review. Indicators extracted from notes included the presence of keywords and phrases in unstructured clinical notes, prescriptions of medications associated with MCI/ADRD, and ICD codes associated with MCI/ADRD. We trained a regularized logistic regression model to predict the ground truth annotations. Model performance was evaluated using area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC), area under the precision-recall curve (AUPRC), accuracy, specificity, precision/positive predictive value, recall/sensitivity, and F1 score (harmonic mean of precision and recall).
Results: Thirty percent of patients in the cohort carried diagnoses of MCI/ADRD based on manual review. When evaluated on a held-out test set, the best model using clinical notes, ICDs, and medications, achieved an AUROC of 0.98, an AUPRC of 0.98, an accuracy of 0.93, a sensitivity (recall) of 0.91, a specificity of 0.96, a precision of 0.96, and an F1 score of 0.93 The estimated overall accuracy for patients randomly selected from EHRs was 99.88%.
Conclusion: Automated EHR phenotyping accurately identifies patients with MCI/ADRD based on clinical notes, ICD codes, and medication records. This approach holds potential for large-scale MCI/ADRD research utilizing EHR databases.
Process of Phenomenology as Qualitative Research Method in English
Authors: Cheeli Bhagya Prabhashini
Published: September 2024

Research methodology is a pronounced science that contributes to the study of research in many fields. The literature on research methodology shows how it serves in several ways as it is multi-dimensional and theoretical alongside the features of experimental literature. Based on different philosophies, it involves two significant methods of choice, qualitative and quantitative, with a range of research strategies from simple to complex. Fundamentally, the strategies of the qualitative method are of much use in the study of English literature and to some extent in the studies of English language and Applied linguistics since the latter also deal with empirical study. The current research method, phenomenology, is one of the critical approaches of the qualitative method, and it is all about philosophical experiences. The study of phenomenology in English is necessary as it has been a widely used method in the fields of medical science, philosophy, computers, and business but not still more in English and Second language acquisition studies; therefore, the main motive behind the study is to investigate how congenial the phenomenology research method is to exploit it in English language and literature studies. Concerning the abovementioned facts, the present study will include the conceptualization, periodical developments, classification, and the milestones associated with phenomenological research studies to analyze and extract as a research method in English. The study also endeavors to identify philosophy and language as two important parameters and emphasizes that they are equally necessary to use phenomenology as a research method in English.
Markovian to non-Markovian phase transition in the operator dynamics of a mobile impurity
Authors: Gribben Dominic , Marino Jamir , Kelly Shane P.
Published: September 2024

We study a random unitary circuit model of an impurity moving through a chaotic medium. The exchange of information between the medium and impurity is controlled by varying the velocity of the impurity, v_dvd, relative to the speed of information propagation within the medium, v_BvB. Above supersonic velocities, v_d> v_Bvd>vB, information cannot flow back to the impurity after it has moved into the medium, and the resulting dynamics are Markovian. Below supersonic velocities, v_d< v_Bvd<vB, the dynamics of the impurity and medium are non-Markovian, and information is able to flow back onto the impurity. We show the two regimes are separated by a continuous phase transition with exponents directly related to the diffusive spreading of operators in the medium. This is demonstrated by monitoring an out-of-time-order correlator (OTOC) in a scenario where the impurity is substituted at an intermediate time. During the Markovian phase, information from the medium cannot transfer onto the replaced impurity, manifesting in no significant operator development. Conversely, in the non-Markovian phase, we observe that operators acquire support on the newly introduced impurity. We also characterize the dynamics using the coherent information and provide two decoders which can efficiently probe the transition between Markovian and non-Markovian information flow. Our work demonstrates that Markovian and non-Markovian dynamics can be separated by a phase transition, and we propose an efficient protocol for observing this transition.