bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transgenic high Expression of EPHB4 in Canine Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells （cPDLSCs）Modulates Osteogenic Differentiation and migration in cPDLSCs
Authors: Li Chang Shun , Zhang Xin , Liu Hao , Feng Yan , Zhu Shao Yue 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Stem cells and bioactive molecules are fundamental components of tissue regeneration. Particularly from oral tissues, including periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs), dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), and stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAPs), adult stem cells have great potential to develop into mesodermal lineages. Multilineage potential—that which spans bone/teeth-forming, fat-forming, and nerve-forming cells—defines these mesenchymal stem cells. Emphasizing its relevance, DPSCs and PDLSCs have been effectively stimulated to produce bone-forming cells in both in vitro and in vivo environments. Human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) and Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BMMSCs) also show this.
The EphB4 receptor, a vital member of the Eph family of receptor tyrosine kinases, plays a pivotal role in guiding mesenchymal stem cells towards the osteoblast lineage. The bone remodeling process relies significantly on the EphrinB2/EphB4 axis. EphrinB2's reverse signaling specifically reduces osteoclast activity by lowering the activity of c-Fos and NFATC1, therefore lowering the bone resorption. By reducing RhoA activity, EphB4's forward signaling improves osteoblast development and increases bone production. EphrinB2 can also bind to EphB4, therefore guiding the differentiation of BMMSCs, ASCs, PDLSCs, and SHEDs into osteoblast cells.
Here we want to examine the effects of EphB4 gene transfection on canine periodontal ligament stem cells (cPDLSCs) and assess their osteogenic ability by means of osteogenic markers (RunX2, OCN, COL1) and phosphorylation levels of EphB4 in cPDLSCs.This approach aims to unveil the potential molecular mechanisms involved in this process.
Unilateral Chasing and Courtship-Like Display as Dominance Signals for Hierarchy Maintenance in Male Medaka Fish
Authors: Mitsutsuji Yuji , Suzuki Mayuko , Umeda Ryo , Ansai Satoshi , Ueoka Fumitaka , Jingyi Zou , Yamaguchi Anna , Hiraki-Kajiyama Towako , Takeuchi Tetsuro , Ogoshi Maho , Katsumura Takafumi , Yokoi Saori , Takeuchi Hideaki 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Aggressive behavior, exhibiting a unidirectional behavioral event across various animal species, is instrumental in fortifying the existing hierarchical order and maintaining social stability within the group. In the present study, we investigated the types of aggressive behavior exhibiting unidirectional properties that function as dominance signals among three male medaka fish (Oryzias latipes). We first examined the directionality of attack/bite and chase behaviors, revealing that males often exhibited bidirectional physical attacks, while demonstrating predominantly unidirectional chasing behavior. This directionality was maintained throughout the hierarchy formation. Upon observing that male medaka fish exhibit courtship-like displays during male-male interactions, we subsequently investigated the timing and directionality of attack/bite, chasing, and courtship-like displays. Males exhibited unidirectional courtship-like displays, with the directionality matching that of chasing behavior. In addition, the number of attack/bite behaviors significantly decreased after the first chasing as well as the first courtship-like displays. Taken together, our findings strongly suggest that chasing and courtship-like displays may function as dominance signals, reinforcing established dominance-subordinate relationships. Furthermore, when the three males were separated for half a day and then reunited the following day, the number of physical attacks decreased significantly, while the directionality of chasing behavior and courtship-like displays remained unchanged. This finding suggests that once a dominance-subordinate relationship is established, it can be maintained through chasing behavior and courtship-like displays. These observations provide insight into how unilateral pseudo-sexual behavior between males can influence hierarchy formation in social animals.
Hydrobiological and Geochemical Responses to Trout Cage Aquaculture in Lake Ecosystem
Authors: Lapenkov Artem , Guzeva Alina , Zaripova Ksenia , Dudakova Dina , Trifonov Artem 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

This study examines the seasonal dynamics and relationships between geochemical and hydrobiological parameters of lake ecosystems within the impact zone of fish cage farming (Lake Ladoga, Russia). Focusing on three trout farms, environmental conditions were analysed, including water and sediment quality, benthic and zooplankton communities. Two categories of sampling sites were defined for each farm: cage and reference sites (100–600 m far from the cages). Fieldwork was conducted during four seasons in 2023: February, June, August and November. The results revealed that intensive fish feeding leads to significant organic waste accumulation under trout cages, affecting the composition and abundance of planktonic and benthic organisms. In winter, the accumulated organic matter in the sediments mineralizes, and hydrobiological indicators approach reference values. The hydrobiological and geochemical parameters analysed in this study can be used as indicators for developing ecological monitoring methods for freshwater cage aquaculture.
Dynamic transformations in fruit color and textural characteristics of purple-fleshed dragon fruit (Hylocereus costaricensis) across fruit developmental stages under humid tropical climate
Authors: Sajitha Shameena , Radhamma Geetha Lekshmi Prabhakaran , Gopinath Pratheesh Pradeep , Gidagiri Praveen , Kanagarajan Selvaraju 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

The purple-fleshed dragon fruit (Hylocereus costaricensis) is rapidly emerging as a ‘superfruit’ due to its striking color, exotic appearance, refreshing taste, exceptional nutritional and medicinal benefits, vast adaptability, and ease of cultivation. The fruit undergoes dynamic color transformations and changes in the physical attributes throughout its maturation stages, which are influenced by species and growth conditions. The study comprehensively examined color parameters and their correlation with peel characteristics and fruit and pulp firmness in the purple-fleshed dragon fruit grown under humid tropical conditions. The detailed analysis of color parameters, such as L*, a*, b*, and C* values, and hue angle, provides a clear depiction of the fruit's progression from green to purplish-red hues during maturation, with a distinct shift in color intensity and purity. The asynchronous color transition in the fruit and pulp highlights the complex nature of fruit maturation, with the pulp exhibiting an earlier color change at 25 days after flowering, followed by fruit peel at 27 days after flowering. Additionally, the investigation documented a reduction in peel thickness, peel percentage, and firmness during fruit development that emphasized the importance of these parameters in determining optimal harvest maturity. By elucidating these changes and their interrelationships, the research offers valuable insights for optimizing the harvest with better quality and marketability of purple-fleshed dragon fruit.
Temporal Knowledge Graph Completion Based on Product Space and Contrastive Learning of Commonsense
Authors: Chen Zhenghao , Wu Jianbin 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Static knowledge graph completion (KGC) has made significant progress in the field of artificial intelligence. However, knowledge is time-sensitive, thus the introduction of Temporal Knowledge Graph Completion (TKGC) is necessary to accurately reflect its dynamic changes. Current TKGC methods often overlook the semantic similarity between entities and entity-relation pairs, which leads to a loss of rich semantic information in temporal knowledge graphs. Furthermore, using a single embedding space limits these methods' ability to model various temporal patterns and rich semantic information. To address this issue, we propose a commonsense-based contrastive learning mechanism and a product space approach. Specifically, we incorporate commonsense information to learn time-invariant event representations and integrate relationship and temporal information into different embedding spaces to comprehensively capture semantic changes. Through these methods, we can effectively compare representations of the same entity at different time points, reducing the semantic distance between entities and entity-relation pairs, thereby significantly improving the performance of the completion task. Experimental results show that our method significantly enhances the performance of TKGC on multiple public datasets.
Study on the influence of gas transmission characteristics of positive pressure beam tube system under graded pressurization
Authors: Zhang Qingsong , Lu Wanjun , Zhuo Hui , Zheng Xin , Yang Changping , Wang Hongxia , Xiao Changyuan , Luo Rui 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

The positive pressure beam tube system addresses issues related to gas composition distortion, concentration variations, and long transmission delays observed in traditional negative pressure systems. It has increasingly become the primary system for early monitoring and warning of coal spontaneous combustion in goaf areas. Nevertheless, there remains a deficiency in comprehensive research concerning critical aspects like gas transmission characteristics and transmission lag time in the positive pressure beam tube system. This study aims to construct an experimental platform for the positive pressure beam tube monitoring system and systematically investigate how the choice of pressurization device, pipe length, pipe diameter, and driving pressure in the transmission pipeline affect gas transmission characteristics. The findings indicate that the most effective pressurization occurs under conditions of two-stage high positive pressure transport, with a driving gas pressure of 0.65 MPa. The optimal diameter for positive pressure gas transmission is 7 mm. Long-distance negative pressure pipelines result in decreased transmission efficiency, necessitating increased output pressure with the lengthening of positive pressure pipelines to maintain efficiency.
Sustained mTOR inhibition with sirolimus improves respiratory outcomes in LAM patients with COVID-19: a single-center retrospective study
Authors: Zhang Miao-yan , Yang Luning , Cheng Chongsheng , Zhang Tengyue , Zhang Shuhuai , Hu Danjing , Wang Hanghang , Zhang Xiaoxin , Yang Yanli , Tian Xinlun , Xu Kai-Feng 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare lung disease that predominantly affects women and can lead to severe respiratory complications. The impact of COVID-19 on LAM patients, particularly regarding the use of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, remains poorly understood. This study investigated the clinical outcomes of LAM patients with COVID-19 and evaluated the effect of sustained mTOR inhibition on respiratory outcomes.
Results
Our cohort included 186 LAM patients with COVID-19. Prior to infection, 72.6% of the patients were on sirolimus, with 29.6% discontinuing therapy due to infection. The hospitalization rate was 1.1%, with no reported need for invasive ventilation or fatalities. Patients with a FEV1 less than 70% predicted had a greater risk of dyspnea exacerbation and supplemental oxygen requirement. The continuation of mTOR inhibitor therapy was associated with a lower risk of decreased SpO2 levels. Multivariate logistic regression analysis including age, baseline FEV1%, baseline DLCO%, baseline SpO2, vaccination status, and mTOR inhibitor discontinuation revealed that only the discontinuation of mTOR inhibitors was an independent predictor of decreased SpO2 levels in this patient cohort (OR: 5.000, 95% CI: 1.830–14.81, P = 0.002).
Conclusions
LAM patients with COVID-19 had a low rate of severe illness and mortality. Continued mTOR inhibitor therapy during COVID-19 infection may improve respiratory outcomes, suggesting the importance of maintaining treatment of mTOR inhibitors during COVID-19 infection.
A hybrid three-term conjugate gradient projection method with the general acceleration for nonlinear equations
Authors: Yin Jianghua , Ye Wen , Huang Qiongxuan , Li Jun 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a hybrid three-term conjugate gradient projection method with the general acceleration for solving nonlinear equations. The acceleration parameter encompasses the convex combination parameter, the inertial parameter, and their hybridization. The search direction designed has good theoretical properties independent of line searches. Without the Lipschitz continuity of the underlying mapping, we establish the global convergence of the proposed algorithm. Importantly, we demonstrate the local convergence rate of the proposed algorithm under the locally Lipschitz continuity condition. Finally, solving benchmark test instances and sparse signal recovery problems demonstrates the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed algorithm.
Mathematics Subject Classification (2010) 65K10 · 90C56
Transect Approach for Assessing Major and Trace Elemental Contamination in Agricultural Soils of the Palamaner Division, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: Jayasree B. , Naidu M.V.S. , Bhaskar B.P , madhuri K.V Naga , sagar G. Karuna , Kumari C Lavanya 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Three soil transects were utilized in the granitic terrains of Palamaner mandal, Andhra Pradesh, India, to evaluate the pollution levels of primary and secondary metals (Si, Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Fe, Cu, Mn, P, and Zn) and determine the extent of soil pollution in agricultural landscapes. The soils along the transects ranged from slightly acidic to neutral, with significant variations with landscape position (F = 8.07). These soils are categorized as having low levels of organic carbon with moderate variability in A horizons (CV of 33.56%). The two-way ANOVA results indicated significant differences in cation exchange capacity (F = 4.34 for landscape; F = 4.65 for horizons) and organic carbon (F = 5.26 for landscape and 38.86 for horizons). Under semiarid conditions, the high SiO2 content played a role in limiting the dissolution of quartz. This led to the remobilization of Fe2O3 in the argillic B horizons, indicating that Fe migrated along with clay. Two-way ANOVA showed a significant difference in the total zinc content between horizons and landscape positions. Interestingly, Si, Al, and Cu exhibited slight enrichment and negative geoaccumulation indices in all the soil profiles, suggesting that they were not polluted. The pollution indices formed three clusters, with significant differences in the contamination factors for SiO2 and Cu between the clusters. A total of five principal components were identified, accounting for 76% of the overall variance. These components primarily originate from geogenic sources and fall within acceptable limits.
Improved monthly runoff time series prediction by integrating ICCEMDAN and SWD with ELM
Authors: Wang Huifang , Zhao Xuehua , Guo Qiucen , An Jiatong 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Accurate and timely runoff prediction is a powerful basis for important measures such as water resource management and flood and drought control, but the stochastic of runoff brought by environmental changes and human activities poses a significant challenge to obtaining reliable prediction results. This paper develops a secondary decomposition hybrid mode. In the first stage of model design, the improved complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (ICEEMDAN) is utilized to discover the significant frequencies in the predicted non-stationary target data series, where the inputs to the model are decomposed into intrinsic modal functions. In the second stage, the swarm decomposition (SWD) is required for decomposing the high-frequency components whose time-shift multi-scale weighted permutation entropy (TSMWPE) values remain calibrated to be high into sub-sequences, and further identifying and establishing the data attributes that will be incorporated into the extreme learning machine (ELM) algorithm in order to simulate the respective series of component data aggregated into a comprehensive tool for runoff prediction. The hybrid model shows superior accuracy, with the Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency exceeds 0.95 and qualification rate greater than 0.93, which can be used for decision-making system design as an efficient and accurate model for generating reliable predictions, especially for hydrological prediction problems characterized by non-stationary data.
Offshore hydrogen production leaves a local hydrographic footprint on stratification in the North Sea
Authors: Christiansen Nils , Daewel Ute , Krings Leopold , Schrum Corinna 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Offshore production of hydrogen powered by offshore wind energy offers a promising alternative to fossil fuels. However, current technologies return generated waste heat and brine into the sea, raising questions of potential effects on local and regional hydrography. This study evaluates the hydrographic footprint of offshore hydrogen in the context of anthropogenic pressures, focusing on a scenario for the German Bight. Cross-scale modeling shows that waste heat emerges as the primary influence, causing temperature changes of up to 2°C within 10's of meters around a 500 MW hydrogen plant. While tides prove to be decisive for the dilution of density plumes, we demonstrate that production capacity and discharge method determine the hydrographic footprint. Large-scale effects are minor and become negligible compared to the impact of offshore wind farm wakes, however, waste heat can raise annual mean sea surface temperature by up to 0.2°C within wind farm areas.
Influence of fiber content and length on the mechanical behavior of the grout slurry mixtures used for earthen sites conservation: A study of coir fibers and basalt fibers
Authors: Lu Wei , Liu Chengqiang , Liu Qinlong , Pang Jiewen , Li Dongbo 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Anchorage and crack sealing are two primary reinforcement methods employed to minimize the impacts of crack on earthen sites. The effectiveness of these methods relies heavily on the mechanical properties of the grouting material. To improve the mechanical strength and ductility of existing cement-free grouting materials, Coir fibers and Basalt fibers with varying lengths and contents were added into the mixture. The DIC-based 3-point bending tests and UCS tests were conducted, to analyze the influence of fibers on the failure modes, flexural and compressive strength, elastic modulus, flexural toughness, etc. of the grout mixture. Afterwards, a normalized constitutive model was established using a length classification method, to meet the requirements of engineering assessment. The results indicate that the mixture of fibers significantly enhanced the mechanical strength and ductility of the grouting material, with the failure mode shifting from brittle to semi-brittle. However, at higher fiber contents, the fiber clustering effect will lead to deterioration in both mechanical strength and elastic modulus. Moreover, the optimal fiber ratios for various indicators may conflict, necessitating a balance based on specific engineering requirements. These influence mechanism can be elucidated through the effects of fiber bridging, fiber skeleton, toughness pull-out, fiber cluster, and fiber expansion-contraction.
Impact of Wing Wall on Scour Development in Box Culverts: Experimental Insights and Predictive Equations
Authors: Ghodsian Masoud , Mohajeri Mohammad 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Understanding the downstream bed topography of culverts is essential for assessing the stability and performance of hydraulic structures. This study evaluates the downstream bed topography of a box culvert through a series of controlled experimental tests, considering variables such as wing-wall angles, particle Froude numbers, and relative tailwater depths. Temporal variations in scour depths are analyzed, revealing that as the duration of the experiments increased and approached equilibrium, the percentage change in maximum scour depth diminished. This finding highlights the importance of incorporating time-dependent effects in the evaluation of scour downstream of culverts. Additionally, results indicate that increasing the wing-wall angle leads to larger scour hole dimensions and sediment ridges. Notably, bed profile dimensions exhibit significant differences between 15° wing walls and those at 45° and 75° angles, while variations between 45° and 75° angles are less pronounced. New equations are also derived for predicting critical parameters related to scour holes. These insights are invaluable for engineers and practitioners engaged in the design, maintenance, and risk assessment of culverts.
Mapping hypothalamic development in transgender and cisgender youth
Authors: Burke Sarah , Troost Dominique , Hoekzema Elseline , Veltman Dick , Kreukels Baudewijntje , Bakker Julie 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

The neurodevelopmental basis of gender incongruence is poorly understood. Histological studies have suggested sex-atypical hypothalamic structures in transgender individuals, forming the basis for the brain sexual differentiation hypothesis. However, existing neuroimaging studies have typically involved small, mostly adult samples, have assessed only the whole hypothalamic structure, and lacked a developmental perspective.
Utilizing an advanced manual delineation technique of the hypothalamus and four sub-structures in a unique sample of 401 magnetic resonance images acquired in 306 trans- and cisgender participants (7 – 23 years old), we charted the effects of gender identity, birth-assigned sex, age, puberty (suppression) and gender-affirming hormone treatment on volumetric differences and changes across adolescence.
We found reduced hypothalamic volumes, of both the total as well as of certain sub-structures, in transgender compared to cisgender youth, including pre-pubertal and treatment-naïve children. Our results suggest early differences in neurodevelopment in relation to gender incongruence. These differences became more pronounced with age, during puberty, and when trans adolescents received puberty suppression and gender-affirming hormone treatment, suggesting that both endogenous puberty and exogenous hormones play an important role in hypothalamic volume changes during adolescence. This study provides valuable new knowledge on the neurodevelopmental basis of gender incongruence.