bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Justification of the Use of Biogas for Power Generation in the Republic of Belarus
Authors: Zelianukha A. V. , Tsyhanava H. A. , Belskaya H. V. , Khrypovich H. A. 
Published: December 2024

Развитие биогазовых технологий в Республике Беларусь происходит в рамках энергетического строительства и формирования сырьевой базы, что определяется особенностями экономического развития. В настоящее время биогаз получают по двум основным технологиям сбраживания отходов – с использованием влажной технологии переработки органических отходов животноводства и сухой технологии конверсии твердых бытовых отходов. К первой категории можно отнести 16 биогазовых заводов общей мощностью 21,219 МВт, основным сырьем для которых являются органические отходы животноводства, отличающиеся высокой влажностью. Главным оборудованием на этих заводах являются биореакторы. Ко второй категории биогазовых комплексов можно отнести 21 биогазовую установку с газопоршневыми агрегатами общей установленной мощностью 32,463 МВт. Основным сырьем для них являются твердые бытовые отходы, из которых производят свалочный газ. Дополнительное оборудование – когенерационные установки – в обеих технологиях позволяет повысить энергоэффективность выработки биогаза. По результатам оценки теоретического и технически возможного потенциала биогаза из отходов животноводства при сохранении численности поголовья скота в сельскохозяйственных организациях на уровне начала 2023 г. имеется возможность ежегодного замещения в топливном балансе республики 1325 и 982 млн м3 природного газа соответственно. В последние несколько лет появилась настоятельная потребность переориентации производственной деятельности биогазовых комплексов вследствие ввода в строй Белорусской АЭС. Изменение энергетической структуры страны внесло существенные коррективы в функционирование альтернативной энергетики, включая производство биогаза, в первую очередь по его целевым показателям. Вопросы производства альтернативной энергии в новых условиях остаются актуальными, поскольку электрическую и тепловую энергию, произведенную из биогаза, можно и следует использовать для функционирования оборудования, подогрева воды, обезвоживания получаемого биогумуса, других локальных целей. Остаются высокоактуальными экологические преимущества биогазовых технологий – эффективное управление органическими отходами крупных животноводческих ферм, которое позволяет существенно снизить загрязнение почв, поверхностных и грунтовых вод, атмосферного воздуха органическими загрязнителями вблизи животноводческих комплексов. В Республике Беларусь возникла необходимость изменения производственной деятельности биогазовых комплексов, что обусловлено в первую очередь появлением в энергобалансе страны атомной энергии, вырабатываемой на Белорусской АЭС.
Difference in vaginal microbiota composition between infertile and fertile patients: A prospective study
Authors: Chen Pei-Chen , Chen Shih-Fen , Tung Hung Wei , Lin Yu Ying , Chen Pao-Chu 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
Dysbiosis of the vaginal microbiota, characterized by loss of Lactobacillus spp. (classified into five community state types: CSTs, I-V) dominance, is associated with female infertility. In this research, while the role of CST I, CST II, CST III, and CST V has gained considerable attention, studies focusing on CST IV are limited. This prospective study aimed to analyze the differences in the composition of vaginal microbiota, with a particular focus on CST IVA and CST IVB, between fertile and infertile females.
Results
The vaginal microbiota of 15 infertile females and seven fertile females were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequence method. The composition of the vaginal microbiota in infertile females differed from that in fertile females. Particularly, the percentages of several bacterial species, including Lactobacillus spp. and Oscillospira spp., were significantly lower in infertile females than in fertile females. The percentages of Lactobacillus spp. in the infertile and fertile females were 31.54% and 42.32%, respectively. Analyzing the differences in the abundance of CST IV between the two study groups revealed that the percentage of CST IV was higher in infertile females (29.75%) than in fertile females (21.61%). Further analysis demonstrated that CST IVA was significantly more prevalent in infertile females, constituting 7% of the total vaginal microbiota count, compared with only 0.94% in fertile females. The growth rate of Prevotella spp. in CST IVA was significantly higher in infertile females (95.18%) than in fertile females (69.77%). However, no differences in the abundance of CST IVB were observed between the two study groups.
Conclusions
Prevotella spp. in CST IVA were more prevalent in infertile females, potentially creating an unfavorable environment for sperm and resulting in unexplained infertility. Oscillospira was more abundant in fertile females, indicating a healthy vaginal microbiota.
A computational-based new treatment strategy with three-armed RCT on Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children
Authors: Zhong Chengliang , Liu Qingyuan , Guo Shengxuan , Sun Deyang , Wang Boyang , Hu Siyuan , Li Xinmin , Zhao Weibo , Ding Ying , Yuan Bin , Liu Jing , Xiang Long , Li Nan , Xue Zheng , Li Yan , Teng Yiqun , Yi Rongsong , Li Shao , Ma Rong 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) is a common type of pneumonia among school-aged children and adolescents. Jinzhen Oral Liquid (JZOL) and Azithromycin(AZ) are commonly used treatments in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine, respectively. There are several clinical and basic research reports on their solo effect against MPP, enabling their combined treatment to become possible. However, the mechanisms and specific pharmacodynamics of their combined therapy remain unclear. In this study, we conducted a mechanistic analysis of the combination of JZOL and AZ based on network target, elucidating their modular network regulatory mechanisms. The modular mechanisms involve four modules, including hormone response, cell differentiation and migration, signal transduction, oxygen and hypoxia response, centered by TNF signaling pathway-mediated regulation. Under the instruction of computational analysis, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, three-armed, parallel-controlled, multicenter clinical study of different doses of JZOL combined with AZ for the treatment of MPP in children. The objective of clinical research is to evaluate the synergistic effect of different doses of JZOL combined with AZ in the treatment of children with MPP, shortening the course of disease and improving prognosis, while observing the safety of clinical application. At the study endpoint, the median time to clinical recovery showed statistically significant differences (The double-dose group lasts for 5 days, the regular-dose group lasts for 6 days, and the placebo group lasts for 8 days), which were also observed between groups for time to complete fever remission, time to relief of cough/phlegm, effective rate of chest X-ray improvement, and rate of healing of TCM symptoms. Different doses of JZOL combined with AZ have shown the effects of shortening the course of the disease, relieving the symptoms, and improving the prognosis. The research program composed of computational prediction and clinical trials can significantly accelerate the research and development process and identify more effective treatment with good safety, which is worthy of clinical promotion.
Trial registration:Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR1800019007
Myocardial dysfunction is linked to endothelial dysfunction in JIA patients: a study of novel aortic circumferential strain
Authors: Shafie Eman Shafik , Mostafa Fatma ElZahraa , AbdelWanis Mohamad Samir , Gales Mira M. , AbdelMassih Antoine Fakhry , Essam Rana 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background:
Accelerated vascular stiffness and myocardial dysfunction in juvenile idiopathic arthritis have been established. However, the relationship between these two conditions remains under investigated in the literature. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is any correlation between the extent of vascular and myocardial involvement in JIA patients.
Methodology:
For this purpose, 22 JIA patients and an equivalent number of controls were investigated by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery and aortic circumferential strain (ACS) for the measurement of vascular function, in addition to 3D speckle tracking echocardiography and global longitudinal strain (GLS) for left ventricular function. The degree of inflammation in JIA patients was estimated via the JADAS-10 score.
Results:
Both ACS and FMD were impaired in cases compared with controls (median value in cases 15 vs. 21 in controls); similarly, GLS was significantly reduced in cases (median value 17) compared with controls (22). There was a significant correlation between ACS and GLS, indicating an intimate relationship between both conditions. Impaired vascular relaxibility was associated with increased JADAS scores, suggesting a negative effect of inflammation on accelerated vascular degeneration.
Conclusion:
There is currently an increasing body of evidence that cardiovascular disease partly results from low-grade inflammation, and there are also speculations that subtle myocardial dysfunction results from vascular involvement with impaired coronary relaxibility. We believe that this study adds more evidence to the latter. More studies involving more patients, notably at the molecular level, are needed to validate these results and to further understand their mechanisms.
Time-correlation Transduction in Strong-field Quantum Electrodynamics
Authors: li zairui , Sims Wesley , Shariatdoust Mirali , Howell Gabriel , Searles Thomas , Sun Linshan , Carbajo Sergio 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Recent developments in high-power ultrafast optical technology and emerging theoretical frameworks in strong-field quantum electrodynamics (SF-QED) are unveiling nuanced differentiations between the semi-classical and full quantum mechanical descriptions of physical systems. Here we present a computational investigation of a novel technique for attosecond optical sensing through time correlation transduction (TCT) by investigating high-harmonic generation (HHG) as a representative SF-QED process. TCT is an experimental method to capture photon-electron interactions at higher harmonic orders by temporarily correlating the emitted and driving photon fields. This approach enables resolving the dynamical behavior of optically-driven strong-field phenomena in quantum materials such as Two-dimensional Materials and Dirac Semimetals down to 10 attosecond temporal resolution to discover a full quantum explanation. Predicting and measuring the transition between perturbative and non-perturbative regimes with attosecond resolution can deepen the understanding of SF-QED such as HHG. As such, we find that TCT is a powerful method to pave the way toward the functional characterization of quantum matter.
Conserved Function of Drg GTPases to Promote Protein Synthesis in the Ribosome
Authors: Jin Hong , Hawk Christopher 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Translation is regulated temporally and spatially to ensure proteins are synthesized at the right time and place in the cell. Temporary halting of ribosomal movement along an mRNA during translation (leading to a "paused" ribosome) allows the cell to synchronize protein production in response to internal cues, external signals, subcellular localization, and other regulatory mechanisms. Furthermore, how the cell distinguishes between a functional physiological pause and a harmful pathological stall remains a fundamental question in biology. Here, we report the discovery of a new class of GTPases, Developmentally Regulated GTP-binding (Drg) proteins, that promote protein biosynthesis in the halted ribosome in an evolutionarily conserved manner. We show that the essential bacterial Obg GTPases are distant homologs of eukaryotic and archaeal Drg proteins that are critical for proteostasis. Through in vivo cross-species complementation of cells where ribosomes are induced to pause or stall, we demonstrate the conserved function of Drg proteins to enhance translation in the ribosome in a GTPase-dependent manner. Our data show that bacterial Obg rescues cellular growth and translation in both Saccharomyces cerevisiae and human cells lacking their endogenous Drgs. Furthermore, the presence of Obg-GTP stimulates peptidyl transfer, the key catalytic function of the ribosome, suggesting a possible molecular mechanism underlying their conserved cellular function. This discovery shows that the Drg protein is a new general translation factor that directly affords cells from the three domains of life a new level of regulation.
Spatio-temporal analysis of land surface temperature and land cover changes in Prešov city using downscaling approach and machine learning algorithms
Authors: Uhrin Anton , Onačillová Katarína 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

In recent decades, global climate change and rapid urbanisation have aggravated the urban heat island (UHI) effect, affecting the well-being of urban citizens. Although this significant phenomenon is more pronounced in larger metropolitan areas due to extensive impervious surfaces, small and medium-sized cities also experience UHI effects, yet research on UHI in these cities is rare, emphasizing the importance of Land Surface Temperature (LST) as a key parameter for studying UHI dynamics. Therefore, this paper focusses on the evaluation of LST and land cover (LC) changes in the city of Prešov, Slovakia, a typical medium-sized European city that has recently undergone significant LC changes. In this study, we use the relationship between Landsat-8/-9 derived LST and spectral indices NDBI, NDVI, NDWI derived from Landsat-8/-9 and Sentinel-2 to downscale LST to 10 m. Two machine learning (ML) algorithms, Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Random Forest (RF), are used to assess image classification and identify how different types and LC changes in selected years 2017, 2019, 2023 affect the pattern of LST. The results show that several decisions made during the last decade, such as the construction of new urban fabrics and roads, caused the increase of LST. The LC change evaluation, based on the RF classification algorithm, achieved overall accuracies of 93.2% in 2017, 89.6% in 2019, and 91.5% in 2023, outperforming SVM by 0.8% in 2017 and 4.3% in 2023. This approach identifies UHI-prone areas with higher spatial resolution, helping urban planning mitigate the negative effects of increasing urban LSTs.
Identification of Defect in Friction Stir Welding Processed Material Using Microwave Non-Destructive Evaluation and Image Processing
Authors: A Arunkumar , R Vimal Samsingh , S Esther Florence , B Sakthi Abirami , V Shravan P 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Manufacturers are looking intently for more rapid Friction Stir Welding (FSW), speeds in a manufacturing environment to improve quantity. The variable regions increase as welding speed increases, potentially leading to an increase in the number of defects. Consequently, it's essential to use an effective inspection method that uses non-destructive evaluation (NDE) to identify the surface defect origins. In the current proposal, a novel microwave-based non-destructive evaluation is utilized, employing an open-ended rectangular waveguide probe to detect defects in samples processed via FSW. The “Skin effect” approach is employed at microwave frequencies (8–12 GHz) for identifying potential external defects in welded samples. Further research indicated that the suggested interpolation image processing technique accurately identifies defects present within welded samples. This proposed microwave non-destructive evaluation model successfully predicted defects with a minimum deviation of 1mm.
Orchestrating Improbable Chemistries: Structural Snapshots of B12-Dependent Methionine Synthase's Catalytic Choreography
Authors: Koutmos Markos , Mendoza Johnny , Yamada Kazuhiro , Castillo Carmen , Wilhelm Catherine 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Cobalamin (vitamin B12) and its derivatives play an essential role in biological methylation, with cobalamin-dependent methionine synthase (MS) serving as a canonical example. MS catalyzes multiple methyl transfers within a single, dynamic multi-domain architecture that has proven challenging to study, hampering efforts to elucidate its catalytic mechanism(s). Utilizing a thermostable MS homolog and non-native cobalamin cofactors, we have captured crystal structures of transient conformational states of MS, including those directly involved in folate demethylation and homocysteine methylation. These snapshots reveal the mechanistic significance of five-coordinate, His-off methylcobalamin in homocysteine methylation and highlight the crucial role of the folate-binding domain and interdomain linkers in orchestrating the intricate structural rearrangements required for catalysis. This expanded conformational ensemble, including the unexpected capture of novel 'Cap-on' conformations, underscores the remarkable plasticity of MS, exceeding previous estimations. Our findings provide crucial insights into the catalytic mechanism of MS, laying the foundation for harnessing cobalamin's biocatalytic potential and elucidating how nature exploits protein dynamics to facilitate complex transformations.
Application-Centric Congestion Control
Authors: De Vleeschauwer Danny , Chang Chia-Yu , De Schepper koen , Papagianni Chrysa 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Modern networked applications typically establish multiple connections to one or more servers to ensure that the virtual objects with which the user interacts are kept up to date. Since these connections usually share a common bottleneck, a congestion control algorithm is utilized to determine the throughput that can be sustained across each connection. As users need to interact in real-time with these virtual objects, the transport layer should guarantee low latency, for which the recently proposed ''Low Latency Low Loss Scalable throughput (L4S)'' standards offer a solution. By default, L4S allocates an equal capacity share to each connection. In this paper, we extend L4S to enable the application to decide how the available bottleneck capacity should be shared between its maintained connections, while guaranteeing low latency.
Head and Neck Tumor Organoid Grown under Simplified Media Conditions Model Tumor Biology and Chemoradiation Responses
Authors: Li Weilin , Nishino Michiya , Reed Eric , Akshinthala Dipikaa , Pasha Hamdan , Anderson Erik S. , Huang Ling , Hebestreit Hannah , Monti Stefano , Gomez Ernest D. , Jalisi Scharukh M. , muthuswamy Senthil K. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a prevalent and often fatal malignancy associated with significant treatment-related toxicity. There is an urgent need for a preclinical model to assess therapeutic options and guide clinical decision-making. To define conditions for establishing patient-derived organoid (PDO) models that faithfully recapitulate morphological, histopathological, and genomic characteristics of HNSCC patients and can predict radiation and chemotherapy responses in patients, PDOs were generated from a group of HNSCC patients. The morphological, histological, mutational, and biological characteristics and treatment responses were evaluated. We demonstrate that the PDOs closely resemble resected tumors from which they were derived with respect to histopathology, differentiation state markers, p16 status, and mutation profiling. We observe patient-to-patient variation in cell proliferation rates. Additionally, they exhibit differential responses to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which were examined using a cell viability assay. This methodology offers potential for drug screening in a pre-clinical context with the potential to mirror clinical outcomes. Our WNT-free growth conditions maintained the differentiation status of PDOs and enabled rapid assessment of drug response and the development of new models to identify new treatment options for head and neck cancer patients.
Five Social Dynamics Influencing Cholera risks in the City of Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo: A qualitative Study
Authors: Maisha Felicien Masanga , Mbasa Ndemo Mumbere , Ulikuwe Kennedy , Kahatwa Serge , Mulligan Connie , Morris Glenn , Bardosh Kevin 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background: Cholera remains a major (and increasing) global public health problem. Goma, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has been a major cholera hotspot in Africa since 1994 and is currently experiencing one of the largest outbreaks in the world. This article contributes to the existing scholarship on cholera risk by utilizing a variety of qualitative research methods.
Methods: Data were collected between 2021 and 2022 using in-depth interviews, narrative interviews, key informant interviews, transect walks and a participatory mapping workshop, in six areas of Goma. Local understanding of cholera risk stretched across five categories.
Results: First, specific social groups were at increased risk based on age and gender (children, women, elderly), health status (chronic diseases, exposure to cholera treatment centers [CTC]), occupational risks (fishermen, markets) and socio-economic status (impoverished households, refugees, prisoners). Second, cholera risks were framed in relation to broader events such as conflict, population growth, climate change, and volcanic eruptions. Third, the lack of water infrastructure prompted use of unsafe drinking water from Lake Kivu and surrounding lakes. Accessibility of chlorinated water sources was impacted by social connection and cost. Fourth, cholera risk was ascribed to challenges with care seeking and treatment, such as homecare practices, transportation, and substandard practices at CTCs; and issues with implementation of prevention strategies, including vaccination campaigns. Finally, public health outreach practices were viewed as sources of risk by an overemphasis of emergency response teams and insufficient empowerment of communities.
Conclusion: We offer new empirical perspectives on the range of factors that contribute to cholera risk in Goma. These factors should be addressed by implementing diverse strategies, rather than focusing on rapid response interventions. Specifically, development of a safe and reliable water system to treat the chronic nature of cholera infection in the DRC should be prioritized.
Support Vector Machines for Optimal Channel Decoding
Authors: Rovella Gastón De Boni , Benammar Meryem , Benaddi Tarik , Méric Hugo 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

In this work, we investigate channel decoding techniques based on machine learning, and more specifically, on Support Vector Machines (SVM). Existing SVM-based decoders suffer from a scalability problem, characterized by the exponential growth of both the number of classifiers required to decode and the size of the training dataset as a function of the code dimension. This phenomenon, often referred to as the curse of dimensionality, renders existing SVM approaches impractical for larger codes. To address this limitation, we introduce a novel bit-wise SVM decoding strategy coupled with a noiseless optimization framework, which significantly reduces the computational burden. Specifically, for a code of length $n$ and dimension $k$, our approach decreases the number of SVM classifiers from an exponential dependence to a linear in $k$, while the required training dataset is minimized to a single noiseless codeword per class. We formulate the resulting optimization problem and derive its analytical solution. Moreover, we demonstrate that, under specific conditions, the solution of the optimization process produced by the proposed framework is equivalent to the optimal Maximum Likelihood (ML) decoding rule when applied to transmissions over Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) channels.