bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Climatic and Soil Impacts on Avocado (Persea americana L.) Yield and Quality in Southern Ethiopia: A Comparative Study
Authors: Melke Abayneh 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of climatic variables and soil characteristics on the fruit yield and quality of avocado (Persea americana L.) cultivars in Southern Ethiopia, focusing on six prominent varieties: Hass, Fuerte, Ettinger, Bacon, Pinkerton, and Nabal. Using data from Sidama and Wolaita regions, and examined how factors such as temperature, precipitation, soil pH, and organic matter influence avocado production. The analysis revealed significant regional differences, with Sidama consistently outperforming Wolaita in both yield and fruit quality. Climatic variables such as temperature and precipitation varied markedly between regions, affecting avocado performance. Regression analysis showed similar effects of temperature and organic matter across both regions, but regional differences in the significance of precipitation and soil pH were noted. ANOVA results confirmed significant differences in yield and fruit quality between regions, with Sidama demonstrating superior performance. This research provides valuable insights into optimizing avocado cultivation under varying environmental conditions in Southern Ethiopia.
Co-speech gestures influence the magnitude and stability of articulatory movements: Evidence for coupling-based enhancement
Authors: Garvin Karee , Spradling Eliana , Franich Kathryn 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Humans rarely speak without producing co-speech gestures of the hands, head, and other parts of the body. Co-speech gestures are also highly restricted in how they are timed with speech, typically synchronizing with prosodically-prominent syllables. What functional principles underlie this relationship? Here, we examine how the production of co-speech manual gestures influences spatiotemporal patterns of the oral articulators during speech production. We provide novel evidence that co-speech gestures induce more extreme tongue and jaw displacement and that they contribute to greater temporal stability of oral articulatory movements. This effect–which we term coupling enhancement–differs from stress-based hyperarticulation in that differences in articulatory magnitude are not vowel-specific in their patterning. Speech and gesture synergies therefore constitute an independent variable to consider when modeling the effects of prosodic prominence on articulatory patterns. Our results are consistent with work in language acquisition and speech-motor control suggesting that synchronizing speech to gesture can entrain acoustic prominence.
Clarification of fibrin generation and degradation reaction processes of clot- fibrinolysis waveform in hemorrhagic disorders
Authors: Matsumoto Tomoko , Tujii Nukumi , Shimomura Daiki , Kouno Aya , Suzuki Takeshi , Shinohara Sho , Arai Nobuo , Kurono Hiroshi , Kumano Osamu , Kamioka Mikio 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Clot-fibrinolysis waveform analysis (CFWA) is an assay used to simultaneously evaluate coagulation and fibrinolysis reactions. Although the assay detected the reaction via transmittance changes, there was no evidence that the transmittance changes indicated reactions. This study aimed to demonstrate that transmittance changes indicate coagulation and fibrinolysis reactions by detecting relative markers. CFWA was conducted using activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) reagent and CaCl2 solution with tissue-plasminogen activator (tPA); transmittance changes were monitored, and the first derivative curve was described in pooled normal plasma (PNP) and factors V, VIII, IX, X, and XI-deficient plasma samples. The samples during the coagulation and fibrinolysis reactions were prepared by adding the reaction stop solution, fibrin monomer complex (FMC), fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP), D-dimer and plasmin-α2 plasmin inhibitor complex (PIC) were measured to compare the waveform with the tendencies of these markers. The fibrinolysis markers FDP, D-dimer, and PIC increased in all samples as the reaction time increased. In FMC, the value increased during the coagulation phase, decreased at the end of the phase, and increased again during the fibrinolysis phase. FMC, FDP, and D-dimers were generated from fibrin/fibrinogen in the CFWA assay, indicating that the assay reflects coagulation and fibrinolysis reactions by monitoring transmittance.
Localization of α-smooth muscle actin in osteoblast differentiation during periodontal development
Authors: Takebe Hiroaki , Sato Hanaka , Mizoguchi Toshihide , Hosoya Akihiro 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) is an actin isoform commonly found within vascular smooth muscle cells. Moreover, α-SMA-positive cells in the periodontal tissue are speculated to be a marker for mesenchymal stem cells during tooth development. This study demonstrated the fate of α-SMA-positive cells around the tooth germ immunohistochemically. First, α-SMA- and Runx2-positive localization was demonstrated. Second, the distribution of α-SMA-positive cell progeny at the early root (P9) and root (P15) formation stage were revealed using lineage-tracing analysis. α-SMA-positive cells were detected in the upper part of the dental follicle at the early bell stage (P1). The positive reaction of Runx2 was detected around the dental follicle and the positive reaction area of Runx2 was broader than that of α-SMA. At P9 and P15, α-SMA-positive cells in the periodontal ligament (PDL) were detected in the upper and lower parts. The positive reaction of Runx2 was also localized in the PDL. The lineage-tracing analysis demonstrated that the α-SMA/tomato-positive cells expressing Runx2 or Osterix are localized in the PDL at P15. Some of the Runx2- and Osterix-positive cells on the alveolar bone surface and Col1-positive reaction were found in the osteocytes. α-SMA/tomato-positive reactions were also found in the Runx2- and Osterix-positive cells and Col1-positive reaction area. Thus, indicate that the progeny of the α-SMA-positive cells in the PDL during the root formation stage could differentiate into osteoblasts. In conclusion, α-SMA could be a potential marker of progenitor cells that differentiate during alveolar bone ossification.
Research on the Coordinated Development of Water Resources-Economy-Ecology Coupling in Shanxi Province based on System Dynamics
Authors: Wang Aili , Liang Shuaitao , Wang Shunsheng 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

The interaction between water resources, economy, and ecology significantly influences regional security and stability. This study developed an index system for assessing the coupling of water resources, economy, and ecology in Shanxi Province. Subsequently, a coupling coordination degree model for water resources, economy, and ecology was established to assess and analyze the coupling coordination levels. Additionally, the study employed a grey correlation analysis to investigate the impact of 21 indicators on the system's coupling coordination. A system dynamics simulation model was then constructed to forecast various coupling coordination scenarios up to 2035. Key findings included: (1) An overall upward trend in the comprehensive evaluation index of water resources, economy, and ecology. (2) Significant developmental disparities among the eleven cities in Shanxi Province, with some cities showing a decline in 2015. (3) The economic subsystem indicators in the water resources–economy–ecology model had a 34.02% correlation, exerting a marginally greater impact on the system's coupling coordination than other subsystems, with GDP per capita being the most influential indicator. (4) Scenario simulations predict that the highest level of coupling coordination, reaching a coupling coordination degree of 0.94, will be achieved in 2035 under Scenario 5(pursuing comprehensive development). The findings offer theoretical backing for shaping the future developmental trajectory of Shanxi Province.
Association Between Idiopathic Genu Valgum and Achilles Tendon and Gastrocnemius Tightness in Soldiers: Assessing the Efficacy of Achilles Tendon Stretching
Authors: Kim Min-Woo , Lee Dong Ha , Seo Young Chae 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

This study investigates the prevalence of idiopathic bilateral symmetric genu valgum among soldiers experiencing reduced sports performance and ankle discomfort due to Achilles tendon or gastrocnemius tightness and evaluates the efficacy of Achilles tendon stretching. A retrospective study was conducted from May 2023 to January 2024 at the 5th Air Mobility Wing Medical Battalion. Out of 110 soldiers, 69 met the criteria for inclusion. The hip-knee-ankle axis was measured using orthoenterograms, and outcomes were assessed with the Oxford Ankle Foot Questionnaire for Children (OxAFQ-C) and changes in ankle dorsiflexion angles. Among the 69 patients, 32 had Achilles tendon tightness and 13 had gastrocnemius tightness. Post-stretching, improvements were observed in the mechanical axis of the lower limbs and OxAFQ-C scores for physical symptoms and school/play activities, with no significant change in emotional scores. Ankle dorsiflexion angles improved significantly in the stretching group. This study suggests that Achilles tendon stretching is beneficial for soldiers with these conditions.
Novel insight into the gene etiology of ulcerative colitis gained from transcriptome association study and single cell sequence analysis
Authors: dong Zhenhua , Jia Jianling , Ren Donghui , Yu Kai , Zhao Dingliang , Wang Daguang 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a prevalent chronic gastrointestinal disease. Gene plays an important role in UC pathogenesis. Therefore, we aim to identify UC susceptibility genes and specific cell types expressing these genes.
Methods: We conducted a cross-tissue transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) by integrating UC GWAS with 49 tissues gene-expression matrix from the Genotype-Tissue Expression project (GTEx). Subsequently, we employed Functional Summary-based Imputation (Fusion) to verify candidate genes within colon tissue. Conditional and Joint Analysis (COJO) was utilized to filter out genes potentially influenced by linkage disequilibrium. Multimarker Analysis of Genomic Annotation (MAGMA) was then applied to pinpoint genes relevant to UC. Validation of the selected genes was performed using Mendelian randomization (MR). GeneMANIA analysis was conducted to elucidate biological functions of identified genes. Finally, single-cell RNA sequencingwas employed to ascertain cell types in which these genes are enriched.
Results: The cross-tissue TWAS, Fusion and MAGMA analyses identified a total of 5 genes, of which 3 genes, ADCY3, ITGB6, and MTMR3, were retained after MR. These genes were found to be implicated in several functional pathways, including the cAMP metabolic process and phosphorus-oxygen lyase activity. Furthermore, we observed ADCY3 predominantly enriched in B cells, while ITGB6 and MTMR3 enriched in epithelial cells.
Conclusion: Our study has identified three genes associated with UC susceptibility. These findings not only enhance our understanding of the genetic underpinnings of UC but also offer novel avenues for exploring molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets for UC.
Predicting PM 2.5 Levels over Indian Metropolitan Cities using Recurrent Neural Networks
Authors: Govande Amitabha , Attada Raju , Shukla Krishna Kumar 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Air pollution, particularly ambient particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5µm (PM2.5), has emerged as a significant global concern due to its adverse impact on public health and the environment. Rapid urbanization, industrialization, and the increased number of automobiles in the cities have led to a significant enhancement in the PM2.5 concentrations to their hazardous level, which indicates the requirement for early warning systems to reduce exposure. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) have come forth as highly sought-after tools widely utilized for air quality (AQ) forecasting. A deep learning based Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) models are highly being used due to their performance in predicting the AQ from the time series data. The present study evaluated three types of RNNs, namely SimpleRNN, Gradient Recurrent Units and Long Short-Term Memory to forecast the PM2.5 in the four major Indian metropolitan cities. This research utilizes the daily in-situ PM2.5 data from national AQ monitoring agency in India, known as Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for the period 2018 to 2023. Various atmospheric gases and dispersion factors were employed to train model for the prediction of PM2.5 over the cities of Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Kolkata. The ability of the each RNN model is evaluated and compared with observed data using various statistical parameters such as root mean squared error, mean absolute error, and mean absolute percentage error, coefficient of determination and correlation coefficient. Our findings indicate that all three neural networks can capture future PM2.5 trends consistently, albeit with some uncertainty. Gradient Recurrent Unit was the most proficient in estimating PM2.5 levels in all the cities, followed by Long-Short Term Memory and SimpleRNN.
Health Literacy in Parents of Children with Hirschsprung Disease: A Novel Study
Authors: Olsbø Signe , Kiserud Sara George , Hermansen Åsmund , Hamilton-Larsen Marie , Bjørnland Kristin 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Purpose: To explore health literacy (HL) among parents of children with Hirschsprung disease (HD).
Methods: Norwegian-speaking parents of children under 16 who underwent HD surgery at a tertiary center were surveyed using the Health Literacy Questionnaire-Parent, electronic Health Literacy Scale, General Self-efficacy Scale, and a study-specific questionnaire. Demographics were collected and ethical approval was obtained.
Results: Among 132 parents (77 mothers) of 91 children (median age 8 years), high HL scores appeared in the domains “understanding health information” and “active engagement,” with lower scores in “provider support,” “health information appraisal,” and “social support.” Higher HL correlated with parents aged over 40 and higher education. Lower scores were seen with non-exclusive Norwegian use at home and not living with the child’s other parent. High electronic HL scores were common (mean 3.6, maximum score 5). 69% had high self-efficacy scores (score >2, maximum score 4). Self-efficacy correlated strongly with higher HL scores.
Conclusion: Parents of children with HD feel healthcare providers lack understanding of their child's challenges, experience limited social support and struggle with interpreting health information. We suggest targeted HL interventions for young, lower-educated, non-cohabitating parents and those not primarily speaking the official language at home.
Adsorption capacity of red mud and steel slag for As, Cd, and Pb: implication to understanding the chemistry of immobilization in soils
Authors: Lwin Chaw Su , Lee Mina , Jung Ha-il , Kim Kwon-Rae 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Heavy metal(loids) (HM) contamination in soil is a significant concern, posing risks to the environment and public health. This study evaluated the sorption efficiencies of red mud (RM), neutralized red mud (NRM), and steel slag (SS) as adsorbents for using in HM-immobilization. The characteristics of adsorbents were analyzed using SEM and BET. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to study the adsorption of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) onto the selected adsorbents at initial metal concentrations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 mg L–1. Adsorption isotherms of As, Cd, and Pb were simultaneously investigated using adsorption experimental data. Results showed that equilibrium sorption efficiencies of RM and NRM were greatly increased compared to SS, since characterization of RM and NRM have larger specific surface area and pore volumes and diameter than SS. The highest sorption efficiencies of RM, NRM, and SS were seen at 20 mg L–1, with 32.59%, 30.21%, and 23.81% for As; 99.51%, 94.55%, and 11.43% for Cd; and 99.46%, 99.29%, and 30.22% for Pb, respectively. The data were fitted to Langmuir isotherm model, showing that RM, while not much different from NRM, had the highest maximum adsorption capacity and sorption energy for HM ions, especially Cd and Pb. This study suggests that RM could be a cost-effective alternative adsorbent for HM ion retention, making it suitable for on-site metal-immobilization. Finally, since NRM demonstrated good adsorption properties like RM, it can be an effective alternative for application in alkaline soils instead of RM.
Composting of Garden Waste Using Organic Inoculum in a Portable Temperature-Controlled Reactor: Process Optimization and Evaluation of Compost Efficiency
Authors: Shivam Hrishikesh , Sharma Dayanand , Nayak Ashish Kumar , Bansal Tushar 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

With the fast-growing urbanization simultaneously there is a rise in the production of garden waste including dry leaves, stems, twigs, grasses, flowers, etc which indeed is posing a challenge for local government agencies everywhere to ensure its proper management and disposal. To overcome the problem of garden waste controlled temperature and aeration flow rate reactor has fabricated. . Four trials T1, T2, T3, and T4 were executed constituting different forms of garden waste like grinded, un-shredded, shredded with additives, and shredded without additives, and were carried out for 30 days using a portable temperature-controlled in-vessel reactor. The temperature (50- 600C) has maintained during the process of composting and moisture has maintained up to 65% throughout the composting period. The trial 1 was the best combination among the all trials in which the variation of pH was (7.7-8.2), total organic carbon (40-37.6), total nitrogen (0.6-1.1), C:N ratio (61.5-34.2), cellulose (43.3-3.9), hemicellulose (10.1-0.6) and lignin (13.1-0.11) at the end of 30 days. The degradation rate of Un-shredded leaves was found to be very slow due large size of dry leaves. The findings demonstrated that effective garden waste management is feasible by following specific criteria, which decreases the environmental impact of current disposal.
Study on vanadium extraction by composite calcination of sodium chloride-sodium carbonate in titanium tetrachloride vanadium-containing refining tailings
Authors: Yang Qi-Lin , Shao Jiu-Gang , Du Wei-Tong , Chen Chun-Yu , Wang Fei , Mao Rui 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

In order to investigate the extraction and utilization of vanadium resources in the tailings of titanium tetrachloride refining, on the basis of traditional sodium calcination, the NaCl-Na2CO3 composite calcination-water leaching process for vanadium extraction was proposed, focusing on the study of the calcination process conditions and leaching process conditions on the calcination clinker physical composition and vanadium leaching rate of the influence of the law, and ultimately to determine the optimal process conditions, and to explore the leaching kinetics. The NaCl-Na2CO3 composite The melting of the additive increases its contact surface with vanadium-bearing minerals increases vanadate generation, and reduces the addition of a single sodium salt. The two synergistic effects significantly increased the vanadium leaching rate. Under the following conditions: m(NaCl):m(Na2CO3) = 3:2, calcination temperature of 800℃, calcination time of 3 h, leaching temperature of 70℃, leaching time of 90 min and liquid-solid ratio of 10:1 mL/g, the vanadium leaching rate of NaCl-Na2CO3 composite calcination was 93.84%, which was 4.43% higher than that of single NaCl as the calcination additive. The vanadium leaching process was in accordance with the nuclear contraction model, and the leaching process was controlled by a mixture of chemical reaction and diffusion with an apparent activation energy of 39.81 kJ/mol.
Divergent and Convergent TMEM106B Pathology in Murine Models of Neurodegeneration and Human Disease
Authors: Du Muzi , Akerman Suleyman C. , Fare Charlotte M. , Ruan Linhao , Vidensky Svetlana , Mamedova Lyudmila , Lee Joshua , Rothstein Jeffrey D. 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

TMEM106B is a lysosomal/late endosome protein that is a potent genetic modifier of multiple neurodegenerative diseases as well as general aging. Recently, TMEM106B was shown to form insoluble aggregates in postmortem human brain tissue, drawing attention to TMEM106B pathology and the potential role of TMEM106B aggregation in disease. In the context of neurodegenerative diseases, TMEM106B has been studied in vivo using animal models of neurodegeneration, but these studies rely on overexpression or knockdown approaches. To date, endogenous TMEM106B pathology and its relationship to known canonical pathology in animal models has not been reported. Here, we analyze histological patterns of TMEM106B in murine models of C9ORF72-related amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia (C9-ALS/FTD), SOD1-related ALS, and tauopathy and compare these to postmortem human tissue from patients with C9-ALS/FTD, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and AD with limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (AD/LATE). We show that there are significant differences between TMEM106B pathology in mouse models and human patient tissue. Importantly, we also identified convergent evidence from both murine models and human patients that links TMEM106B pathology to TDP-43 nuclear clearance specifically in C9-ALS. Similarly, we find a relationship at the cellular level between TMEM106B pathology and phosphorylated Tau burden in Alzheimer’s disease. By characterizing endogenous TMEM106B pathology in both mice and human postmortem tissue, our work reveals considerations that must be taken into account when analyzing data from in vivo mouse studies and elucidates new insights supporting the involvement of TMEM106B in the pathogenesis and progression of multiple neurodegenerative diseases.
Spatiotemporal distribution and influencing factors of early historical habitation sites in Hunan Province, China
Authors: Zhang Da , Zhou Hongwei , Shi Yun , Zhang Yiwen , Zhu Jiajie , Yang Xueyan 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Studies on historical sites reveal human-environment interactions. Currently, research on sites from the Paleolithic to the Shang and Zhou Dynasties is incomplete and often focuses on a few sites.This Hunan-based study, focusing on architectural types, analyzed site distribution at a regional scale across these periods. Results indicate site concentration in 4 regions, with 2 regions showing greater diversity. The Neolithic period witnessed a notable rise in site numbers and types.Site distribution was shaped by natural environmental factors and influenced by productivity and population movements.These findings deepen comprehension of ancient human settlements in Hunan, aiding a systematic understanding of civilization's evolution.