bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation and Analysis of University Education Quality Based on Internet Artificial Intelligence Big Data Algorithm
Authors:   Nanchang Institute of Technology, Ding Liangxi , Du Qijun ,   School of Computer Science, North China Institute of Science and Technology
Published: February 2025

With the rapid rise of China's artificial intelligence industry, with the rapid development of the Internet industry, a huge amount of data has been accumulated and the progress of data mining and utilization technology has been made. The effects of data, technology and policies are superimposed on each other, which has spawned a large number of new artificial intelligence enterprises. With the rapid arrival of the network information society, using the advantages of big data to break the limitations of traditional education evaluation has become the reality and technical logic of the integrated development of information technology and education evaluation. In the specific application, it is mainly presented as education and teaching quality evaluation, learning behavior effect evaluation, management service quality evaluation, government education policy performance evaluation, etc. The development of modern science and technology provides all-round support for the establishment of scientific education evaluation. The deep integration of artificial intelligence, big data and education plays an important technical supporting role in the reform of education evaluation. With the in-depth development of information technology, technologies such as the Internet, Internet of Things, and cloud computing have successively become commonly used technologies in people's daily work and life. In the education industry, informatization construction promotes education construction from application-driven to data-driven, and campus construction moves from "digital campus" to "smart campus". And all this has brought about a change, that is, the explosive growth of the amount of data. The arrival of the era of big data brings not only opportunities but also challenges to the development of all walks of life. Postgraduate education is the highest level of higher education and plays a vital role in the social development, technological and economic development of China. Under the current trend of rapid development of the Internet and the diversification of evaluation subjects, how to evaluate the quality of postgraduate education has become the focus of scholars. This study uses big data to construct a quality evaluation index system for postgraduate education by using AHP and proposes strategies to improve the quality of postgraduate education in China.
Integration and Innovation in the Improvisational Thinking of the Pipa Player Wu Man
Authors: Ma Yao
Published: February 2025

Wu Man's impromptu Pipa music is an essential and active attempt in the context of world music, which brings many inspirations to the innovative integration of traditional Chinese folk music. This paper explores various efforts to integrate traditional Chinese folk music into the global music scene by examining approaches in composition, technique, timbre, and performance styles.  It uses listening, performance practices, music analysis, participation, and on-site observation to assess how these elements can be successfully merged within a global context.
Chinese Period Dramas as "Lieux de Mémoire": Unpacking Dispersion, Ritual, and Narrative in Chinese Society
Authors: Ma Ying
Published: February 2025

This study examines Chinese period dramas as lieux de mémoire (sites of memory), as defined by Pierre Nora, to explore how they carry and perform the collective memory of Chinese society. By analyzing three dimensions within these dramas—the "dispersion" represented in spatial configurations, the "rituals" of emotional interaction, and the "narratives" that sculpt time—this paper reveals the significant role of period dramas in constructing cultural identity, maintaining the social structure of feeling, and reshaping historical cognition. The research finds that period dramas, through the intertwined presentation of individual memory, communicative memory, and cultural memory, construct a dynamic memory space and participate in the cultural politics of contemporary China. This study expands the application of Nora's theory of lieux de mémoire and offers a new perspective for understanding the complex relationship between media, memory, and society.
Research on Cultural Communication Pathways for Constructing Digital Drama on Qinba Ancient Road with AIGC Technology
Authors: Bai Hai , Deng Jun
Published: February 2025

This paper focuses on the construction of digital theater in Qinba ancient road empowered by AIGC technology, and discusses the creation path, dissemination mechanism and application mode of digital theater in Qinba ancient road.AIGC technology reconstructs the logic of theater creation, such as the narrative structure of digital theater in Qinba ancient road, the audience's interaction mode, and the theater industry chain and other key elements. Through literature research, case study analysis and other methods, and based on relevant theories of dramaturgy and communication, the study explores the application path of digital media in the inheritance of traditional theater culture, and reveals the opportunities and challenges brought by AIGC technology for the cultural communication of digital theater in Qinba ancient road. Through multi-dimensional research, we focus on the principles and future development trends of AIGC technology. It provides a theoretical basis and practical reference for the digital preservation of traditional drama.
Reimagining Private Museums: Challenging Collecting Ethics and Shaping Public Cultural Practices in China
Authors: Fan Juewei
Published: February 2025

This paper explores the private museum accompany by the collecting craze in contemporary China and examines their impact on public cultural practices. It argues that while much existing research has concentrated on revolutionary events or modern art collections, the emergence of private museums challenges traditional museum narratives and offers a new lens through which to understand the evolving political and social contexts. This study provides a new perspective for understanding the psychological and cultural motivations behind heritage collection, emphasising the importance of material cultural attributes in shaping an individual’s sense of self-empowerment. It not only sheds light on the practice of cultural relic collecting, but also has far-reaching implications for cultural inheritance and individual identity construction.
Black Myth: Wukong": The Internationalization of Chinese Games
Authors: Meng Qianwen
Published: February 2025

This study focuses on the globalization pathway of the Chinese game Black Myth: Wukong, exploring how it achieves the global dissemination of traditional Chinese culture and commercial success through the modern gaming industry. Using a case study approach and combining qualitative and quantitative data, this research comprehensively analyzes the entire process of Black Myth: Wukong from its development in 2020 to its global release in 2024, with a particular emphasis on how its technological innovation, cultural symbol reconstruction, and cross-cultural communication strategies have driven its success in the international market.
The study reveals that Black Myth: Wukong employs advanced gaming technologies such as Unreal Engine 5 and ray tracing, which not only achieve breakthroughs in visual and interactive experiences but also bridge the gap between Chinese culture and global players through the modern reinterpretation of cultural symbols (e.g., Sun Wukong, demons, and monsters). The game has sold over 20 million copies worldwide, generating total revenues exceeding $961 million, making it a benchmark case for the internationalization of the Chinese gaming industry.
Furthermore, the research highlights the core challenges of cross-cultural communication, including differences in cultural background understanding and the diversity of symbol reception. It proposes strategies such as localization adjustments and cultural re-creation to address these challenges. Additionally, the study summarizes key success factors for Chinese cultural products in the global commercial market, including the integration of cultural innovation, technological support, and marketing strategies.
An Analysis and Model of Integrated Innovation in Clusters of Green Industries Based on Network Science
Authors: Ishaan Tamhankar  , Gaurav Sharma
Published: February 2025

The urgent push for environmental sustainability has led to the development of green sector clusters, hubs where businesses, research institutions, government agencies, and other stakeholders collaborate to foster innovation and drive sustainable economic growth. This study explores the structural dynamics and collaborative interactions within these clusters, aiming to uncover the mechanisms that facilitate innovation and promote sustainable practices. Using network science, the research models green clusters as interconnected networks, where each entity or actor functions as a node within a web of partnerships and information flows. Network analysis techniques, including community detection and centrality measures, help identify influential members and cohesive subgroups within these clusters. These methods offer insights into the roles of key players and the network’s structural features, both crucial in understanding how innovation spreads across the cluster. Complementing this, the study uses agent-based modelling (ABM) to simulate the complex interactions and collaborative activities—such as technology transfer, knowledge sharing, and joint research and development—that drive innovation within green clusters. This dual approach of network analysis and ABM allows researchers to evaluate the effects of various strategies, such as policy interventions or collaborative incentives, on innovation outcomes. Findings indicate that network structure, collaboration intensity, and central actors are significant factors influencing innovation in green clusters. The study provides practical insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers by suggesting methods to enhance innovation through targeted network support and strategic partnerships. Ultimately, this research contributes to the growing understanding of how green sector clusters can act as catalysts for sustainable transformation, offering a pathway toward a more ecoconscious and resilient economy.
A Deep Learning Approach for Optimizing Edge Computing for Real-Time IoT Applications
Authors: Poonam  , Sanjay Kumar Nayak  , Reeta Mishra
Published: February 2025

Edge computing has emerged as a critical enabler for real-time Internet of Things applications by enabling computational resources to be positioned nearer data sources, reducing latency and bandwidth demands. Nonetheless, the innate resource constraints of edge devices pose significant difficulties in meeting the demands of complex IoT tasks. This paper introduces a novel approach leveraging deep learning to optimize edge computing performance for real-time IoT applications. By integrating lightweight deep learning models and adaptive task offloading strategies, the proposed solution achieves a balance between computational efficiency and real-time processing needs. The framework is validated through simulations, demonstrating notable improvements in latency reduction, energy efficiency, and system scalability. These conclusions underscore the potential of deep learning as a transformative instrument in addressing the difficulties of edge computing in IoT ecosystems.
Innovative Strategies for Sustainable Environmental Management: AI and IoT-Based Approaches
Authors: Ravi Teja Bhamidipati
Published: February 2025

Through their practice of environmental management people learn to protect resources they share with nature so future generations maintain sustainability. The recognition of sustainable environment preservation grew rapidly because of worsening climate change threats combined with growing pollution problems and dwindling resources along with declining biodiversity. Environmental degradation occurs as three modern issues unite population growth with industrial developments and urban construction activities. Worldwide governments along with organizations and communities strive to establish sustainable environmental management as their urgent mission to decrease environmental impacts. This paper introduces sustainable environmental management solutions by implementing IoT together with AI technology. To achieve maximum environmental impact experts in manufacturing should review combined technology applications for environmental challenges caused by climate change, pollution and resource utilization and waste management problems. AI alongside IoT enables organizations to develop innovative solutions which strengthen their operational excellence and maintain their sustainability initiatives.
The Role of Social Media in Digital Marketing: Impacts, Strategies, and Future Research Directions
Authors: Yan Kexue , Ratchatakulpat Thanakon , Taiwan Anong
Published: February 2025

Social media has revolutionized communication by enabling rapid sharing and interaction while simultaneously fostering personal and community online identities. It has the potential to reach a vast audience, effectively promoting brands, products, and services, attracting potential customers, and driving sales. Additionally, social media accelerates changes within the shared environment between businesses and consumers, influencing market behavior. Through a literature review integrated with the digital marketing research framework, this study categorizes and synthesizes key findings from existing research. It identifies critical touchpoints where social media exerts or could exert a significant influence on marketing processes and strategies. The study also outlines the evolving role of social media within digital marketing and suggests future research directions in this field.
Research on the Impact of China's Financial Conditions Index on Monetary Policy Transmission
Authors: Chang Zhenghan
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the influence and role of the Financial Conditions Index (FCI) on the transmission mechanism of monetary policy within the context of China’s financial market. By examining the theoretical foundations and construction methods of the FCI in both domestic and international contexts, and integrating classical models of monetary policy transmission, the study proposes an analytical framework suited to China’s economic environment. Utilizing empirical analysis methods, it explores the critical role of the FCI in the execution of monetary policy and analyzes its differential effects across regions and time dimensions, as well as its impact on economic regulation. The findings reveal that the FCI effectively reflects the transmission effects of monetary policy and partially uncovers structural issues in policy implementation. The study also provides policy recommendations for optimizing the monetary policy toolkit and enhancing financial market monitoring to improve the effectiveness of China’s monetary policy execution, offering theoretical support and practical guidance.
Service Quality in Chinese Private Elderly Care Institutions: A Comprehensive Analysis of Current Status and Strategic Recommendations
Authors: Liu Jibing , Taiwanb Anong , Ratchatakulpat Thanaphon
Published: February 2025

This review examines the current state of service quality in Chinese private elderly care institutions, identifies key challenges, and proposes strategic recommendations for improvement. As China's population ages rapidly, the demand for elderly care services has surged, placing significant pressure on both public and private care providers. Private institutions have emerged as a critical component of the elderly care system, yet they face numerous obstacles in delivering consistent and high-quality services. This review synthesizes recent literature to explore the dimensions of service quality, regional disparities, and the impact of policy and cultural factors. The findings reveal issues such as inconsistent service standards, staff shortages, and financial constraints. The review concludes with actionable recommendations, including policy reforms, technological integration, and so on, to enhance service quality and ensure sustainable growth in China's private elderly care sector.
Influência Do Ritmo Circadiano Materno Na Regulação Do Sono De Recém-Nascidos A Termo E Prematuros
Authors: Freitas Guilherme Correa de , Silva João Francisco Xavier , Luz Larissa Carvalho , Jorge Giovana Diniz , Leal Renata Teixeira , Gonzaga Mariana Ramos , Schichman Luísa Lage , Rates Henrique Gouvêa , Silva Sofia Xavier , Chaves Ana Amélia Macedo
Published: February 2025

O ritmo circadiano materno desempenha papel crucial na regulação do sono neonatal, influenciando os ritmos biológicos fetais durante a gestação. Este estudo tem como objetivo analisar a influência dos ciclos circadianos maternos na organização do sono de recém-nascidos a termo e pré-termo. Trata-se de uma revisão narrativa da literatura, realizada por meio de buscas nas bases de dados PubMed, SciELO, LILACS e Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS) utilizando descritores padronizados. Os resultados indicam que a melatonina materna é um fator determinante na sincronização do ritmo biológico fetal e que a interrupção precoce desse contato, principalmente em recém-nascidos prematuros, pode levar a distúrbios do sono neonatal. Além disso, fatores ambientais como exposição à luz artificial e ausência de contato materno podem comprometer a maturação do ritmo circadiano neonatal. Estratégias como contato pele a pele, iluminação controlada em unidades neonatais e amamentação noturna têm sido eficazes para minimizar esses impactos. Conclui-se que a regulação do sono neonatal está diretamente associada à influência materna e que intervenções direcionadas podem promover a estabilização dos ciclos circadianos nos primeiros meses de vida.
Acolhimento E Cuidados Em Saúde Mental Na Atenção Primária: Impactos No Sistema De Saúde
Authors: Filho Manoel Borges dos Santos , Lopatiuk Carla Emanuele , Morais Ana Gloria França de , Guimarães Mateus Henrique Dias , Freitas Bianca Pereira da Cruz , Gessolo Jailson Pavin Sichieri , Nogueira Laisa Viviany Macedo , Iida Masakazu Lavandoski , Moraes Gabryela Cardoso , Alves Viviane Maia
Published: February 2025

O presente estudo analisou os impactos do acolhimento e dos cuidados em saúde mental na atenção primária à saúde (APS), evidenciando seus benefícios, desafios e implicações para o Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Trata-se de uma revisão narrativa de literatura, baseada em artigos publicados em bases de dados científicas como BVS, SciELO, PubMed e Google Acadêmico. Os resultados destacam que a integração de práticas integrativas e complementares contribui para a desmedicalização, promovendo abordagens humanizadas e fortalecendo o trabalho interprofissional. A capacitação contínua dos profissionais da APS tem se mostrado essencial para o aprimoramento do atendimento, proporcionando maior competência no manejo das demandas psicológicas da população. Contudo, o uso indiscriminado de psicofármacos ainda representa um desafio, evidenciando a necessidade de protocolos claros e suporte técnico adequado para garantir o uso racional desses medicamentos. O papel dos agentes comunitários de saúde é crucial na articulação da Rede de Atenção Psicossocial (RAPS), facilitando o acesso aos serviços e promovendo o acompanhamento contínuo dos pacientes, especialmente em regiões de difícil acesso. O estudo também evidenciou o impacto positivo do uso de tecnologias digitais, como aplicativos móveis e teleconsultas, no monitoramento da saúde mental, ampliando o acesso às informações e incentivando a adesão ao tratamento. Conclui-se que o fortalecimento do acolhimento e dos cuidados em saúde mental na APS é essencial para a construção de um sistema de saúde mais acessível, humanizado e eficiente, capaz de atender às diversas necessidades da população de forma integral e resolutiva.
Understanding Telecommunication Customer Churn: Insights from LightGBM Predictive Modelling and SHAP Feature Interpretation
Authors:   Padjadjaran University, Sinaga Ruben , Widianto Sunu ,   Universitas Padjadjaran, Faculty of Economics and Business
Published: February 2025

Manuscript Type: Research Article

Research Aims: This research is expected to contribute to scientific insights on machine learning predictions, how to understand the contribution of variables and their interpretation in the overall context of customer churn in telecommunications companies.

Design/Methodology/Approach: Data was collected from one Indonesian telecommunication company within a total of 50,000 sample data points. The data was analyzed using a machine learning algorithm to process, predict, and interpret the result based on the research scenario.

Research Findings: These findings revealed that the SHAP framework significantly impacts the churn problem, allowing the marketing team to implement the right strategy based on customer personalization.

Theoretical Contribution/Originality: This research enriches customer churn research in the telecommunications industry by introducing a combined method of the LightGBM model and SHAP framework, providing a thorough analysis of variable contributions to the customer churn model used, and addressing the lack of research that focuses on variable contributions.

Practitioner/Policy Implication: This research provides an overview of the utilization of customer variables that can later be studied deeply by data or marketing teams to produce initiative projects based on data and machine learning models

Research Limitation/Implication: Future studies could combine the feature selection method to filter the model’s features and remove redundant ones, thereby analysing the contribution of variables that truly impact customer churn.
Engagement And Customer Satisfaction Behaviour Model Increasing Repurchase Intention In The Health Services Industry In Jakarta
Authors:   Universitas Esa Unggul, Jatmiko Jatmiko , Sugiyanto Sugiyanto ,   Universitas Esa Unggul, Putra Adrie ,   Universitas Esa Unggul, Tamzil Fachmi ,   Universitas Esa Unggul
Published: February 2025

Manuscript Type: Research Article.

Research Aims: Testing the influence of E-Service Quality, Customer Engagement and Perceived Quality on Repurchase Intention through Customer Satisfaction in the health services industry in Jakarta, in order to develop a marketing strategy based on customer satisfaction.

Design/Methodology/Approach: Data was collected through an online survey from 150 outpatients who were at least 17 years old and had undergone inpatient treatment once a year in 2023, or underwent outpatient treatment once in the last 6 months. Data was analyzed via PET Analysis.

Research Findings: E-service quality, customer involvement, and perceived quality positively influence repurchase intention by enhancing customer satisfaction, as indicated by research results. To boost repurchase interest in the health services sector, the hospital medical staff needs to provide customer satisfaction, leading to increased likelihood of repurchasing and recommending to others.

Theoreticial Contribution/Originality: E-service quality, engagement, and customer satisfaction positively influence repurchase intentions. Therefore, practitioners and policy makers should prioritize enhancing these factors to boost corporate performance.

Practitioner/Policy Implication: The health services industry in Jakarta must increase customer satisfaction through improving Electronic Service Quality (E-Service Quality), customer engagement and perceived quality. Furthermore, at the policy maker level, they must prioritize improving these factors to improve company performance.

Research Limitation/Implications: Sample size, quantitative methods need to be developed to include other factors that determine purchase intention such as price and brand.
Effect of Influencer Marketing Strategy On Consumer behaviour In Fast Moving Consumer Goods firms In Ghana
Authors:   Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bansah Pearl Fafa , Gaffar Vanessa ,   Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Disman Disman ,   Faculty of Economic and Business Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung City, 40154, Indonesia,, Yuliawati Ayu Krishna ,   Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia
Published: February 2025

Manuscript type: Research paper

Research Aims: This study examines the influence of influencer marketing strategies on consumer purchasing behaviour among fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach: This study employs an explanatory (causal) research design. A 31-item questionnaire split into four categories was used to collect quantitative data. An online questionnaire was sent to FMCG consumers in Ghana's Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions, aged 18–48 years and older. Multiple regression analysis was performed to establish relationships between the study variables.

Research Findings: The findings showed that YouTube is the most popular social media platform among Ghanaian users, according to the findings of the study. Several factors, such as attractiveness, credibility, expertise, reach, and engagement, affect the influence of Ghanaian influencers on consumer purchasing behaviour in FMCG firms. It has been demonstrated that these factors have a positive and statistically significant effect on the purchasing behaviour of customers

Theoretical Contribution/Originality: This study enhances the theoretical understanding of influencer marketing's efficacy and provides valuable insights for practitioners and marketers seeking to leverage influencer marketing to improve their brand's performance in the competitive FMCG market.

Practitioner/Policy Implications: This study emphasises the need for strategic and authentic influencer marketing for Ghana's FMCG firms. To increase customer engagement, organisations must carefully identify influencers, emphasise trust and authenticity, improve product-related content, and encourage interactive involvement.

Research limitation/implications: The concentration of FMCG firms in Ghana limits the generalisability of the study's findings to other industries or countries
The Role of Live Streaming in Building Consumer Trust, Engagement, and Purchase Intention in Indonesian Social Commerce Thrift Clothes Sellers
Authors:   Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Indonesia, Yasser Amyra Salsabela , Gayatri Gita ,   Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Indonesia
Published: February 2025

Manuscript type: Research Article

Research Aims: Examine the relationship between shopping values consumers perceive during live streaming and their trust, engagement, and intention to purchase from Indonesian social commerce thrift clothes sellers.

Design/methodology/approach: Data was gathered through an online survey from consumers who have watched a live-streaming session of an online thrift clothes shop on Instagram. Data were analysed using covariance-based Structural Equation Modelling (SEM).

Research Findings: The output shows that only the utilitarian value of live stream positively affects trust in products and sellers. The variable engagement was only significantly affected by hedonic value. Additionally, the only significant indirect relationship is between utilitarian value and consumer engagement mediated by trust in products. Lastly, utilitarian value, symbolic value, and engagement positively affect the intention to purchase from Indonesian thrift clothes shops on Instagram, while hedonic value affects it negatively.

Theoretical Contribution/Originality: This study extended several research models by utilising the Stimulus – Organism – Response framework to see how perceived values of live streaming on s-commerce affect consumer engagement and purchasing intention when mediated by consumer’s trust in the seller and product.

Practitioner/Policy Implication: Marketers and entrepreneurs who sell thrift clothes on Instagram should utilise the Instagram Live feature while focusing on the utilitarian value to increase consumer engagement and intention to purchase.

Research limitation/Implications: Demography, number of samples, and differences in live streaming style and thrift clothes brands still need to be addressed.
The Effect of Social Media Brand Engagement on Customer Brand Loyalty: A Study on Skincare Brands Customers in Indonesia
Authors:   Universitas Esa Unggul, Atmaja Dodi Ria , Sari Riska Ware Arum ,   Universitas Esa Unggul
Published: February 2025

Manuscript type: Research Paper

Research Aims: This research aims to examine the impact of brand engagement on social media on consumer brand loyalty (BL), by investigating the moderating roles of brand co-creation, brand trust, and brand experience variables.

Design/methodology/approach: The study employed a purposive sampling method, involving 230 respondents. The data was analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM).

Research Findings: The results show that brand experience can moderate the impact of brand co-creation (BCC) on brand loyalty (BL). However, social media brand engagement does not always have a direct impact on brand loyalty (BL), suggesting that other factors may influence consumer attitudes in the social media brand engagement dimension.

Theoretical Contribution/Originality: This research contributes to the existing knowledge gap by examining the moderating effects of brand co-creation, brand trust, and brand experience on the relationship between social media brand engagement and consumer brand loyalty.

Practitioner/Policy Implication: The managerial implications of this research for business people and brand owners are to maintain positive social media brand engagement to maintain consumer loyalty and brand stability.

Research limitation/Implications: Future research is expected to involve more specific respondents and employ different measurement techniques.
In vivo imaging of inferior olive neurons reveals roles of co-activation and cerebellar feedback in olivocerebellar signaling
Authors: Guo Da , Uusisaari Marylka Yoe
Published: February 2025

Complex spikes (CSs), generated by inferior olive (IO) neurons, are foundational to most theories of cerebellar function and motor learning. Despite their importance, recordings from IO neurons in living animals have been limited to single-electrode methods, providing no insights into multineuron dynamics within intact circuits. Here, we used a novel ventral surgical approach that allows calcium imaging-based monitoring of multicellular activity in the IO of anesthetized mice. This method provides direct optical access to the ventral medulla, enabling simultaneous recording of spontaneous and sensory-evoked activity within localized clusters of IO neurons, specifically in the principal (PO) and dorsal accessory olives (DAO).Our findings reveal that spontaneous activity rates and event magnitudes differ between the PO and DAO, consistent with observations from cerebellar cortex recordings in zebrin-positive (Z+) and zebrin-negative (Z-) zones, respectively. We further demonstrate that spontaneous event amplitudes are influenced by co-activation among neighboring neurons, so that events occurring in clusters are larger than single ones. Event co-activation is more pronounced in the PO than in the DAO, potentially explaining the differences in complex spike sizes observed in Z+ and Z-zones. Sensory-evoked events induced by periocular airpuff stimulation were larger than spontaneous ones, as expected. However, this difference diminishes when accounting for the higher levels of co-activation during sensory stimulation. By comparing spontaneous and sensory-evoked events categorized as clustered or single, we find no intrinsic differences in amplitudes, emphasizing the role of co-activation in shaping event magnitude. Next, we optogenetically activated cerebellar nucleo-olivary (N-O) axons, a pathway central to theories of CS generation. To our surprise, while this robustly suppressed spontaneous IO activity, sensory-evoked events showed no reduction in either their probability or waveform. Our findings suggest that the traditional view of the N-O pathway as purely inhibitory or desynchronizing might be complemented with selective suppression of background activity while preserving sensory-driven responses. Together with the role of local co-activation in shaping IO event magnitudes, this work offers new insight into the timing and variation in complex spikes and their functional significance for behavior.
Fluid transport comes to the fore
Authors: Wu Yufei , Sun Sean X
Published: February 2025

Proteins that allow water to move in and out of cells help shape the development of new blood vessels.
Longitudinal Awake Imaging of Mouse Deep Brain Microvasculature with Super-resolution Ultrasound Localization Microscopy
Authors: Wang Yike , Lowerison Matthew R , Huang Zhe , You Qi , Lin Bing-Ze , Llano Daniel A , Song Pengfei
Published: February 2025

Ultrasound localization microscopy (ULM) is an emerging imaging modality that resolves microvasculature in deep tissues with high spatial resolution. However, existing preclinical ULM applications are largely constrained to anesthetized animals, introducing confounding vascular effects such as vasodilation and altered hemodynamics. As such, ULM quantifications (e.g., vessel diameter, density, and flow velocity) may be confounded by the use of anesthesia, undermining the usefulness of ULM in practice. Here we introduce a method to address this limitation and achieve ULM imaging in awake mouse brain. Pupillary monitoring was used to support the presence of the awake state during ULM imaging. Vasodilation induced by isoflurane was observed by ULM. Upon recovery to the awake state, reductions in vessel density and flow velocity were observed across different brain regions. In the cortex, the effects induced by isoflurane are more pronounced on venous flow than on arterial flow. In addition, serial
in vivo
imaging of the same animal brain at weekly intervals demonstrated the highly robust longitudinal imaging capability of the proposed technique. The consistency was further verified through quantitative analysis on individual vessels, cortical regions of arteries and veins, and subcortical regions. This study demonstrates longitudinal ULM imaging in the awake mouse brain, which is crucial for many ULM brain applications that require awake and behaving animals.
A nicotinamide metabolism-related gene signature for predicting immunotherapy response and prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma patients
Authors: Wang Meng , Li Wei , Zhou Fang , Wang Zheng , Jia Xiaoteng , Han Xingpeng
Published: February 2025

Background

Nicotinamide (NAM) metabolism fulfills crucial functions in tumor progression. The present study aims to establish a NAM metabolism-correlated gene (NMRG) signature to assess the immunotherapy response and prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD).

Methods

The training set and validation set (the GSE31210 dataset) were collected The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), respectively. Molecular subtypes of LUAD were classified by consensus clustering. Mutation landscape of the top 20 somatic genes was visualized by maftools package. Subsequently, differential expression analysis was conducted using the limma package, and univariate, multivariate and LASSO regression analyses were performed on the screened genes to construct a risk model for LUAD. Next, the MCP-counter, TIMER and ESTIMATE algorithms were utilized to comprehensively assess the immune microenvironmental profile of LUAD patients in different risk groups. The efficacy of immunotherapy and chemotherapy drugs was evaluated by TIDE score and pRRophetic package. A nomogram was created by integrating RiskScore and clinical features. The mRNA expressions of independent prognostic NMRGs and the migration and invasion of LUAD cells were measured by carrying out cellular assays.

Results

Two subtypes (C1 and C2) of LUAD were classified, with C1 subtype showing a worse prognosis than C2. The top three genes with a high mutation frequency in C1 and C2 subtypes were TTN (45.25%), FLG (25.25%), and ZNF536 (19.8%). Four independent prognostic NMRGs (GJB3, CPA3, DKK1, KRT6A) were screened and used to construct a RiskScore model, which exhibited a strong predictive performance. High-risk group showed low immune cell infiltration, high TIDE score, and worse prognosis, and the patients in this group exhibited a high drug sensitivity to Cisplatin, Erlotinib, Paclitaxel, Saracatini, and CGP_082996. A nomogram was established with an accurate predictive and diagnostic performance. GJB3, DKK1, CPA3, and KRT6A were all high- expressed in LUAD cells, and silencing GJB3 inhibited the migration and invasion of LUAD cells.

Conclusion

A novel NMRG signature was developed, contributing to the prognostic evaluation and personalized treatment for LUAD patients.
ON A DOUBLE BIFURCATION QUASILINEAR PROBLEM ARISING IN THE STUDY OF ANISOTROPIC CONTINUOUS MEDIA
Authors: Şt. Cîrstea Florica-Corina , Rădulescu Vicenţiu D.
Published: July 2002

We study the bifurcation problem

$$ \begin{cases} -\Div(a(x)|Du|^{p-2}Du)+h(x)u^{r-1}= f(\lambda,x,u) & \text{in } \sOm\subset\RR^{N}, \\ a(x)|Du|^{p-2}Du\cdot n+b(x)u^{p-1}=\theta g(x,u) & \text{on }\sGa, \\ u\geq0,\quad u\not\equiv0 & \text{in }\sOm, \end{cases} $$

where $\sOm$ is an unbounded domain with smooth non-compact boundary $\sGa$, $n$ denotes the unit outward normal vector on $\sGa$, and $\lambda>0$, $\theta$ are real parameters. We assume throughout that $p lt r lt p^{*}=pN/ (N-p)$, $1 lt p lt N$, the functions $a$, $b$ and $h$ are positive while $f$, $g$ are subcritical nonlinearities. We show that there exist an open interval $I$ and $\lambda^\star gt 0$ such that the problem has no solution if $\theta\in I$ and $\lambda\in (0,\lambda^\star)$. Furthermore, there exist an open interval $J\subset I$ and $\lambda_0 gt 0$ such that, for any $\theta\in J$, the above problem has at least a solution if $\lambda\geq \lambda_0$, but it has no solution provided that $\lambda\in (0,\lambda_0)$.

AMS 2000 Mathematics subject classification: Primary 35J60; 35P30; 58E05; 58G28
HIGHER-ORDER ESTIMATES FOR FULLY NONLINEAR DIFFERENCE EQUATIONS. II
Authors: Holtby Derek W.
Published: July 2002

The purpose of this work is to establish a priori $C^{2,\alpha}$ estimates for mesh function solutions of nonlinear difference equations of positive type in fully nonlinear form on a uniform mesh, where the fully nonlinear finite difference operator $\F$ is concave in the second-order variables. The estimate is an analogue of the corresponding estimate for solutions of concave fully nonlinear elliptic partial differential equations. We use the results for the special case that the operator does not depend explicitly upon the independent variables (the so-called frozen case) established in part I to approach the general case of explicit dependence upon the independent variables. We make our approach for the diagonal case via a discretization of the approach of Safonov for fully nonlinear elliptic partial differential equations using the discrete linear theory of Kuo and Trudinger and an especially agreeable mesh function interpolant provided by Kunkle. We generalize to non-diagonal operators using an idea which, to the author’s knowledge, is novel. In this paper we establish the desired Hölder estimate in the large, that is, on the entire mesh $n$-plane. In a subsequent paper a truly interior estimate will be established in a mesh $n$-box.

AMS 2000 Mathematics subject classification: Primary 35J60; 35J15; 39A12. Secondary 39A70; 39A10; 65N06; 65N22; 65N12
DESIGN PERSPECTIVES IN LONG-TERM EXPERIMENTATION
Authors: RILEY JANET
Published: July 2002

The aims and design features of historic long-term experiments are discussed and modern perceptions are presented of long-term studies to address sustainability and research impact in farming communities. A research strategy is proposed combining on-station and on-farm research whose results influence dynamically the directions of the component studies. Guidelines are given for choosing well-controlled designs, appropriate data and sampling procedures and for maintaining quality control in data collection and indicator formation over anticipated lengthy periods of time.
HERIBERT BUSSE, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity: Theological and Historical Affiliations, trans. Allison Brown, Princeton Series on the Middle East (Princeton, N.J.: Markus Wiener Publishers, 1998). Pp. 207.
Authors: Armajani Jon
Published: July 2002

This book has, at the very least, four purposes: (1) to introduce general readers to the early history of Islam; (2) to sketch some of the salient features of the relationships among Muslims, Jews, and Christians in the Arabian Peninsula in the time leading up to and including the 7th century; (3) to summarize, compare, and contrast some of the key stories about figures in the Qur⊃an and Bible; and (4) to point to several of the key events, publications, and Muslim and Christian intellectuals involved in Muslim–Christian dialogue during modern times. The volume is divided into six chapters. In the Introduction, Busse introduces some of the key concepts within Islam and several significant 19th- and 20th-century scholarly works on Islam by Western writers. In the second chapter, he examines the political and religious background of the rise of Islam (giving particular attention to the pre-Islamic religious practices endemic to 7th-century Arabia as well as the historic presence of Jews and Christians in that region), the role of Mecca as a trading center, the complexities of the relationship of the Hanifs to the early Muslim community, and the various textual and oral sources which Muhammad may have used in the formulation of the Qur⊃an.
JAMSHEED K. CHOKSY, Conflict and Cooperation, Zoroastrian Subalterns and Muslim Elites in Medieval Iranian Society (New York: Columbia University Press, 1997). Pp. 207. $46.00.
Authors: Daryaee Touraj
Published: July 2002

In the past two decades, several important studies have dealt with the impact of the Arab Muslim conquest on the Near East, but they have mostly dealt with the lands that were conquered from the Mediterranean region to Iraq. Although the book under review is not a detailed history of Arab Muslims' conquest of Iran, it attempts to fill the gap in our knowledge of the eastern area that came under their control. The work is primarily concerned with the interaction between the Zoroastrian and the Muslim community in Iran and Central Asia from the 7th to the 13th century. The book attempts to study the processes in which the Zoroastrian community, which was the dominant religious community during the Sasanian empire (224–641), gradually lost its status and hold on power, while the new Muslim community became dominant as a social and political group.
SALT AND THE STATE Kibiro. The Salt of Bunyoro Past and Present.

By GRAHAM CONNAH. London: Memoirs of the British

Institute in Eastern Africa 13, 1996. Pp. xv + 224. £37.50

(ISBN 0-500-872566-08-1).
Authors: MACLEAN RACHEL
Published: July 2002

The latest monograph produced by the British Institute in

Eastern Africa is essentially the report of Connah's

archaeological work at the Later Iron Age site of Kibiro, which lies

on the Ugandan shores of Lake Albert. The relatively rapid publication

of this fieldwork (undertaken in 1989 and 1990) and the high

production values evident in the volume (if one excuses the spelling

mistakes on the back of the dust jacket) are to be congratulated. The

volume is an attractive one, well illustrated throughout with a

combination of photographs, figures and tables.
Effects of planting mixtures of different sizes of potato

seed tubers on the yield and size of tubers
Authors: HIDE G. A. , WELHAM S. J. , READ P. J. , AINSLEY A. E.
Published: July 2002

In 1989 and 1990, small, medium and large seed tubers, cv.

Désirée, were planted 38 cm apart in

experiments designed to measure the effects of different combinations of

neighbouring plants on the

yield and size of tubers from individual plants. Total yield, ware yield

(> 150 g), numbers of tubers

and numbers of stems increased as seed tuber size increased. Also, decreasing

the size of seed tubers

decreased the numbers of tubers in all sizes except those > 200 g. Competition

from the two

neighbouring plants on either side in the same row (first neighbours) increased

as the size of seed

tubers increased and with all seed sizes yields decreased. For example,
plants

from large seed benefited

from small seed planted as neighbours whereas, with plants from small seed,

yield was decreased with

neighbouring plants from large seed. Numbers of stems and tubers were not

affected by neighbouring

plants. Also yields were not affected by the two plants adjacent to the
first

neighbours (second

neighbours) or by the size of seed tubers planted in adjacent rows. Competition

from first neighbours

also affected tuber size distributions and, with small seed, increasing
the

competition decreased the

number of tubers > 150 g and increased numbers < 50 g. Medium and
small

seed planted as

neighbours of large seed increased numbers of tubers > 150 g. When yields

from plants produced by

seed of each size with similarly sized seed planted as first neighbours

(uniform populations) were

compared with mixed populations, yields were always greater from the mixed

populations of different

seed sizes planted alternately than from the means of uniform populations.

Therefore in the mixed populations, there were larger gains from the larger

seed than losses from the smaller seed.
Performance, carcass composition and energy retention
of lambs offered two contrasting grass-based forages
Authors: KIRKPATRICK D. E. , STEEN R. W. J.
Published: July 2002

An experiment was carried out in Northern Ireland in 1994 to examine
the effects of ensiling grass
on the partitioning of nutrients between lean and fat deposition in lambs
using the comparative
slaughter technique. The six treatments consisted of: (1) unsupplemented
grass silage; (2) grass silage
supplemented with concentrates, concentrates constituting 250 g/kg
total dry matter intake (DMI);
(3) grass silage supplemented with concentrates, concentrates constituting
500 g/kg total DMI; (4)
unsupplemented grass which had been conserved by freezing; (5) pre-frozen
grass supplemented with
concentrates, concentrates constituting 250 g/kg total DMI, and (6)
pre-frozen grass supplemented
with concentrates, concentrates constituting 500 g/kg total DMI. A
total of 84 Dutch Texel×Greyface
(Border Leicester×Blackface) lambs, consisting of 42 males which
were initially 35 (s.d. 4·8) kg
liveweight and 42 females which were 33 (S.D. 2·6) kg liveweight,
were used. The silage was well
preserved as indicated by its low pH (3·8), low concentration of
ammonia (60 g/kg total nitrogen) and
high concentration of lactic acid (129 g/kg DM). The grass had a higher
pH (5·2) and higher WSC
concentration (129 g/kg DM) and lower concentrations of lactic (33
g/kg DM) and acetic acids
(6 g/kg DM). Ensiling had no significant effect (P>0·05)
on empty body and carcass weight gains.
Animals offered unsupplemented silage had significantly lower protein (P<0·001)
concentration in
the carcass gain and significantly higher lipid and energy (P<0·001)
concentrations than animals
offered unsupplemented frozen grass. However, there was no effect of forage
type on chemical
composition of carcass gains when 50% forage was offered. It is concluded
that ensiling had no effect
on empty body or carcass weight gains, but did increase carcass fatness
when unsupplemented forages
were offered.