bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hydraulic sizing of a drip irrigation system coupled with the technological quality test of drippers
Authors: DJIBO Aboubacar YERIMA BAKO , YAHAYA Abdou , YADJI Guero 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

This article covers a methodology for hydraulic sizing of a drip irrigation system using irrigation water supply tanks. After a general description of the different components of the pressure irrigation network which is here drip, the theory of hydraulic sizing and the technological quality test of the drippers are very detailed in order to assess the performance of the latter. The adequate design of localized irrigation networks must necessarily be based on a good understanding of hydraulic principles so as to be able to correctly size the different components of the irrigation system. The trial on the technological quality test of drippers in a drip irrigation system consisted of testing these emitters using an experimental device. To this end, 3 reservoirs containing drinking water from the NDE were used to supply 3 drip irrigation networks. Measurements of flow rates and volumes made at the level of drippers, booms, boom holders and networks made it possible to verify the quality of the drippers used and the hydraulic performance of the pressure irrigation system. Data relating to these measures were collected and analyzed. It appears from this study that the corresponding pressures at different heights in the tanks are low and vary by 0.11bar and 0.15bar and that the pressure is a function of height. As for the flow rates and volumes of water measured at the drippers, valves, ramps, ramp holders and networks, they are hydraulically the same. In other words, they are statistically identical but in absolute value the flow rate of valve 1 is slightly higher than flow rates 2 and 3. Finally, regarding the technological quality test of the drippers, the flow rate variation coefficients obtained during this test are 0.052; 0.055; 0.056; 0.061 and 0.052 respectively at the water heights in the tank h1, h2, h3, h4 and h5. Then the different uniformity coefficients obtained at these heights are respectively 93.73; 94.26; 94.45; 95.02 and 94.77%. These values ​​above 90% reveal excellent distribution of irrigation water to the plot. In conclusion, it is possible to carry out localized irrigation with few materials and therefore inexpensively. However, high establishment costs can constitute a constraint to the adoption of the technology. This is why it was recommended to make agricultural subsidies and credits available to producers to enable the large-scale dissemination of the drip irrigation system.
Association between vitamin A intake and depression: A cross-sectional study of NHANES from 2005 to 2020 and Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Zhao Dehua , Long Xiaoqing , Wang Jisheng 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background: The association of vitamin A intake with depression remains unclear. This study combined observational research and Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to explore the relationship between vitamin A intake and depression.
Methods: First, we performed a cross-sectional study utilizing the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2005 to 2020. Weighted multivariable logistic regressions and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression were applied to explore the association between vitamin A intake and depression. We also conducted stratified and sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of the results. Second, we conducted a MR analysis to assess the causal association between vitamin A and depression risk using the publicly available Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) database. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was our primary method for MR analysis. In addition, we performed multiple sensitivity analyses to evaluate the reliability of the results, including Cochran’s Q test, MR-Egger intercept regression, MR-Pleiotropy Residual Sum and Outlier (MR-PRESSO), and leave-one-out analysis.
Results: In the cross-sectional study, a total of 38,157 individuals were enrolled. The vitamin A intake was negatively associated with depression after adjusting for all covariates (OR=0.92, 95%CI: 0.88-0.97, P=0.001). Similar inverse associations were observed when vitamin A intake was converted into categorical variables. The RCS analysis found an L-shaped nonlinear relationship between dietary vitamin A intake and depression (P for non-linearity=0.010) after adjusting for all covariates. Vitamin A consumption was inversely associated with depression (OR=0.999, 95% CI: 0.999-1.000, P=0.002) for intakes below 492.00 μg. In contrast, no association was found between dietary vitamin A intake and depression (P=0.656) for intakes of 492.00 μg or higher. Furthermore, The inverse relationship between vitamin A intake and depression remained robust in both stratified and sensitivity analyses. In the MR analysis, a total of 15 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified as instrumental variables (IVs). The IVW method found no significant causal relationship between vitamin A and the risk of depression (OR=0.39, 95%CI: 0.10-1.58, P=0.188). Similar results were found in MR-Egger method, weighted median method, simple mode method, and weighted mode method. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the reliability of these results.
Conclusions: The observational study found that vitamin A intake was inversely associated with depression, regardless of whether vitamin A was measured as a continuous or categorical variable. However, findings from the MR analysis did not indicate a causal relationship between vitamin A and depression risk.
Balancing agriculture and conservation in the Ramsar-listed Kole paddy wetlands: The bee diversity and role of non- crop vegetation amid pesticide use
Authors: Habeeb Rabeea , Ummer Muhammed Abdul Rafeeq Karuvally , Thayyullathil Jobiraj 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of pesticide use on bee diversity and the potential role of non-crop habitats in mitigating these effects in the Kole paddy wetlands, a Ramsar site in Kerala, South-West India. Bee populations were sampled over two years, in six pesticide treated and six non-treated control fields, along with adjacent bunds as non-crop habitats. A total of 173 bees representing 10 species across two families—Halictidae and Apidae—were collected. Species richness and Shannon diversity, were consistently lower in pesticide-treated fields compared to control fields. Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) showed a distinct clustering of treated sites, indicating homogenized bee communities dominated by species such as Tetragonula sp. and Apis florea. In contrast, species like Halictus sp. were less common in treated fields. The bunds with dense vegetation, adjacent to treated fields showed a positive correlation with bee diversity, suggesting these areas act as refugia against pesticide exposure. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship (r = 0.8389, p = 0.0369) between the diversity of treated fields and their adjacent non-crop habitats. Our findings signify the need for integrated pest management strategies that reduce pesticide use and promote the conservation of non-crop habitats, such as bunds to support pollinator populations, thereby ensuring the overall health and functioning of Kole paddy wetlands.
Consumption of sweetened beverages and symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress: an analysis of university students in the PADu-multicenter study
Authors: Vidigal Mariana Cassemira Aparecida , de Menezes-Júnior Luiz Antônio Alves , de Paula Waléria , Barbosa Bruna Carolina Rafael , Ferreira Lívia Garcia , Nobre Luciana Neri , de Freitas Eulilian Dias , Vidigal Fernanda de Carvalho , Cardoso Clareci Silva , Silva Luciana Saraiva da , Ferreira Aline Dayrell , Meireles Adriana Lúcia 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the association between the frequency of consumption of sweetened beverages and symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress in university students. This is a cross-sectional study carried out in eight Federal Higher Education Institutions in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The outcomes were symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress assessed by the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21. The consumption of sweetened beverages was assessed by a question from the Brazilian telephone survey (VIGITEL) and analyzed using three approaches: a) dichotomous, regular (≥ 5 days a week) and irregular (≤ 4 days a week), b) weekly frequency, considering the reference category "almost never/never" and c) weekly frequency, considering as an ordinal variable (0 to 7 days a week). Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the association between sweetened beverages and outcomes. Of the 8.650 students, 14.1% had regular consumption. Among the participants, 59.7% were classified as having anxiety symptoms, 63.0% depression and 57.5% stress. Regular consumption was associated with symptoms of anxiety (OR: 1.30; 95%CI: 1.13–1.49), depression (OR: 1.32; 95%CI: 1.14–1.51) and stress (OR: 1.41; 95%CI: 1.13–1.61). With regard to weekly frequency, a dose-response pattern was observed for symptoms of depression and stress. It was found that for every one and a half times a week that students consumed sweetened drinks, the chance of symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress increased by 1.12 (95%CI: 1.07–1.16); 1.10 (95%CI: 1.06–1.14) and 1.12 (95%CI: 1.08–1.17), respectively. Therefore, this study is important for the development of strategies aimed at autonomy in the choice of beverages. It also contributes to proposing preventive measures in mental health.
A Comprehensive Survey of Multimodal Large Language Models: Concept, Application and Safety
Authors: Liu Shuai , Pu Weilin , Xu Chongling , Huang Zishuo , Li Qian , Wang Hang , Lin Chenhao , Shen Chao 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Recent advancements in MLLM, such as those exemplified by developments like GPT-4o, have positioned them as a significant focus within the research community. MLLMs leverage the general capabilities of Large Language Models (LLMs) to handle tasks across multiple modalities, including text, image, audio, and video. With their unique ability to understand and generate content, such as composing narratives from visual inputs, MLLMs are attracting substantial interest from both academia and industry. However, the great outburst of algorithms and techniques of MLLMs has led to the emergence of new types of architectures, applications and safety issues in MLLMs. We provide this more comprehensive survey aiming to document and analyze the latest advancements in MLLMs. First, we introduce the fundamental concepts of MLLMs, including the development history of multimodal algorithms, the architecture of MLLMs, and their evaluation and benchmarks. We then explore advanced techniques in MLLMs, such as Multimodal In-Context Learning, Multimodal Chain of Thought, and LLM-aided Visual Reasoning. Following this, we examine the safety aspects of MLLMs, focusing on security issues, potential attacks, and model safety assessments. Finally, we discuss the current challenges and identify potential areas for future research.
Calculating and analyzing the relationship between thermal conductivity and microstructure in rare-earth doped fluoride crystals
Authors: Liu Kexin , Jiang Dapeng , Bian Gang , Zhang Zhen , Zhang Zhonghan , Su Liangbi 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Rare earth (RE) ion-doped fluoride crystals have shown great application potential in various fields, attracting the attention of many researchers. The abnormal thermal transformation behavior of RE ion-doped fluoride crystals leads to the singularity and weakness of their application fields. Here, the influence of different structural characteristics of RE ion-doped fluoride crystals on the variation of thermal conductivity is further analyzed using phonon scattering calculation. Firstly, based on the effect of the phonon scattering mechanism on the thermal conductivity of RE ion-doped fluoride, a comprehensive analysis examines the diverse factors that affect the abnormal thermal behavior of different doping types and fluoride crystals. The actual thermal conductivity characteristics are predicted to optimize the crystal performance in various application fields of RE ion-doped fluoride crystals. Next, the influence mechanism of mass and radius difference caused by RE ion doping structure on the thermal conductivity of RE ion-doped fluorides is deeply investigated. Ultimately, a theoretical foundation for behavior and influence of disorder crystals' thermal conductivity is established.
Leveraging ERC20 Crypto Tokens for Business Growth: Overcoming Regulatory Challenges and Market Monopolies
Authors: Wali Asad , Marium Aqsa 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Private companies seeking to grow often face complex regulations that hinder their development or delay decision-making. These challenges stem from market monopolies that tend to absorb smaller entities. However, principles of free markets and democratic governance protect social justice and prevent the concentration of corrupting power. This article explores company-issued crypto assets as a promising growth avenue. It emphasizes the importance of carefully timing the introduction of crypto assets to the public, as this can significantly impact their success and value. The Ethereum-based ERC20 protocol is highlighted as a key standard for issuing crypto tokens. Ethereum, a decentralized blockchain platform, is advantageous for implementing complex business logic and smart contracts. Companies often issue tokens to raise capital through ICOs, with the ERC20 protocol being the most widely used standard. This protocol ensures compatibility within the Ethereum ecosystem, making it a preferred choice for new crypto token development.
Influence of cation disorder on the mineral physics of ankerite
Authors: Zucchini Azzurra , Ballaran Tiziana Boffa , Fastelli Maximiliano , Comboni Davide , Hanfland Michael , Frondini Francesco , Comodi Paola 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
The structural evolution and compressibility of ordered and disordered ankerite at pressures up to ~25 GPa using synchrotron single crystal X-ray diffraction in diamond anvil cell was analyzed. Ordered ankerite (space group R3) undergoes discontinuous phase transition between 12.15 and 13.45 GPa to a high-pressure structure called ankerite-II (space group P1) that has Ca in eight-fold coordination. Disordered ankerite (R3c space group) does not undergo a phase transition in the investigated pressure range.
A Birch-Murnaghan equation of state has been used to fit the volume compressibility. Ordered ankerite [K0V=95(1) GPa - K’=3.8(3)] appears slightly more compressible than disordered ankerite [K0V=99(1) GPa - K’=2.7(1)]. The phase transition in ordered ankerite has a change in volume of approximately 0.6% and K13.45V=110(11) GPa - K’=7(3) for ankerite-II. The possible significance of this differential behavior of ordered and disordered ankerite is discussed.
Prognostic value of the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in the development of systemic inflammatory response syndrome and death in patients with liver cirrhosis
Authors: Sarkarova M. R. , Maevskaya M. V. 
Published: October 2024

Introduction. The search for markers reflecting immune disorders and their contribution to the progression of liver cirrhosis (LC) is very relevant.Aim. To study the possibility of using the “neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio” indicator as a predictor of the development of systemic inflammatory response syndrome and death.Materials and methods. For a retrospective clinical study, 225 case histories of patients with cirrhosis were selected from 2008 to 2018. Three groups were formed from them: group 1: patients with cirrhosis class A according to Child – Pugh (n = 24); group 2: patients with cirrhosis class B and C according to Child – Pugh (n = 201) and group 3: healthy individuals (n = 50). The prognostic value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) indicator in the development of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and death in patients with cirrhosis was analyzed.Results. Patients with LC had statistically significantly higher values of NLR compared to healthy individuals (p < 0.001). The NLR indicator is an independent risk factor and a statistically significant predictor of the development of SIRS in patients with LC. A NLR value > 3.59 had a sensitivity of 0.38 [95% CI: 0.28; 0.48] and specificity 0.93 [95% CI: 0.87; 0.97]. NLR served as a statistically significant predictor of death (p < 0.001). A NLR value > 4.5 had a sensitivity of 0.24 [95% CI: 0.15; 0.36] and specificity 0.97 [95% CI: 0.92; 0.99].Conclusion. An NLR value of more than 3.59 increases the risk of developing SIRS in patients with cirrhosis, and an NLR value of more than 4.5 increases the risk of death.
Association of neutropenia and decreased neutrophil function with liver fibrosis in patients with Opisthorchis felineus invasion
Authors: Vasyutin A. V. , Tsukanov V. V. , Veselova N. E. , Gorchilova E. G. , Tonkikh J. L. , Savchenko A. A. , Borisov A. G. 
Published: October 2024

Introduction. Neutrophils are important participants in the innate immune response, are the first to react to a pathogenic factor and quickly develop non-specific reactions. At the same time, there are no studies on the functional activity of neutrophils in patients with Opisthorchis felineus (O. felineus) invasion.Aim. To study the clinical and laboratory manifestations of opisthorchiasis depending on the leukocyte indicators of the complete blood count.Materials and methods. A total of 328 patients with O. felineus invasion (120 men and 208 women) and 51 practically healthy patients (28 men and 23 women) were examined. Opisthorchiasis was diagnosed using coproovoscopy and microscopy of duodenal contents. All patients with O. felineus invasion underwent complete and biochemical blood tests. Liver elastometry using Aixplorer (France) or Siemens Acuson S2000 (Germany) with determination of the liver fibrosis degree according to METAVIR, and blood neutrophils functional activity study were performed in 103 patients with chronic opisthorchiasis (58 men and 45 women).Results. A tendency was found to increase the proportion of leukopenia by 3.5 times (p = 0.12) and neutropenia by 1.9 times (p = 0.15) in patients with liver fibrosis F2-F3 according to METAVIR compared to individuals with liver fibrosis F0 according to METAVIR. The absolute neutrophil content in patients with O. felineus invasion and liver fibrosis F2-F3 according to METAVIR was decreased in comparison with individuals with liver fibrosis F0 according to METAVIR (2.24 × 109/l versus 3.06 × 109/l, p = 0.04). A decrease in the functional activity of neutrophils in the blood was also registered in patients with liver fibrosis F2-F3 according to METAVIR in comparison with individuals with F0 according to METAVIR.Conclusion. A decrease in the number and functional activity of neutrophils in the blood may be markers of an increased risk of liver fibrosis in patients with opisthorchiasis. It is advisable to study the possibilities of immunomodulatory drugs on the course of O. felineus invasion.
Clinical manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease in medical university students
Authors: Voropaeva S. V. , Shakhova N. K. , Belokon S. E. , Davydova M. A. , Inozemtseva N. O. , Kirgey N. A. , Moskaleva E. V. 
Published: October 2024

Introduction. Students are a risk group for the development of chronic diseases. Clinical manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease, as a chronic disease, are often masked by diseases of other organs, which complicates diagnosis and reduces the effectiveness of treatment.Aim. To identify clinical symptoms characteristic of gastroesophageal reflux disease among students of medical university and to propose a set of measures to prevent the identified disorders.Materials and methods. We conducted a survey of 120 students of the 3rd year of medical university, including oral examination, original questionnaire and GerdQ questionnaire-questionnaire.Results. According to the questionnaire data, only 13.9% regularly eat 3–4 times a day, 56.4% have a diet consisting mainly of fast food. 22.2% of students smoke, alcohol is occasionally consumed by 70.8%. Constant stress is experienced by 47.2% of surveyed students. The examination revealed the following: pain at swallowing in 2.8%; feeling of a lump in the throat, attacks of nausea in 13.9%, heartburn in 3%, frequent belching in 9.7%, complaints of pain in the epigastric region in 18.1% of students. Chronic infections of the oral cavity and pharynx (laryngitis, pharyngitis) were registered in 11.1%, cough, hoarseness of voice in 5.6%, caries and changes in the oral mucosa were diagnosed in 4.2% of students. According to the analysis of the GerdQ questionnaire, the presence of 8 or more points was found in 13.3% of students who were recommended to undergo an in-depth examination by a gastroenterologist.Conclusion. Clinical manifestations characteristic of gastroesophageal reflux disease were revealed in the examined students. A comprehensive approach to diagnosis, proposed measures aimed at correcting risk factors, conducting educational and preventive activities will help to reduce the prevalence of the disease and improve the quality of life of young people.
Evaluating the clinical efficacy of therapies in patients with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease after phenotyping based on 24-h pH-impedance monitoring
Authors: Maev I. V. , Ovsepian M. A. , Andreev D. N. , Barkalova E. V. , Shaburov R. I. , Tararina L. A. 
Published: October 2024

Introduction. The inefficiency of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in patients with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may be caused by functional esophageal diseases, which should be diagnosed by using pH-impedance monitoring.Aim. To evaluate the clinical efficacy of therapies in patients with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease after phenotyping based on 24-h pH-impedance monitoring.Materials and methods. A total of 61 patients with GERD symptoms were observed in a prospective study. The patients were categorized into 3 phenotypes based on the Lyon Consensus 2.0 and Rome criteria IV: nonerosive reflux disease (NERD), hypersensitive esophagus (HSE), functional heartburn (FH). The 5-point Likert scale was used to measure the severity of symptoms. NERD patients received PPI (omeprazole 20 mg twice daily), HSE patients received PPI (omeprazole 20 mg twice daily) and a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) (citalopram 20 mg daily), FH patients received tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) (amitriptyline ¼ tablet at the bedtime). The entire length of treatment in all groups was 4 weeks.Results. The severity of heartburn in patients with NERD, HSE and FH before treatment averaged 3.23 (95% CI 3.02–3.43) points on the Likert scale (strong). Due to therapy, the average score in the NERD group decreased from 3.48 (95% CI 3.23–3.74) to 0.77 (95% CI 0.53–1.01), in the HSE group from 2.92 (95% CI 2.41–3.42) to 0.83 (95% CI 0.30–1.36), and in the FH group from 2.86 (95% CI 2.41–3.30) to 0.86 (95% CI 0.41–1.30). The efficacy of therapy in NERD patients was 85%. The efficacy of PPI + SSRI and TCA in patients with HSE and FH was 83% and 79%, respectively.Conclusion. A differentiated approach to the treatment of patients with heartburn symptoms based on phenotyping using 24-h impedance-pH findings can help optimize the therapy and improve its efficiency.