bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Remodeling of Uterine Tissues During Gestation of Potamotrygon wallacei (Elasmobranchii), a Neotropical Freshwater Stingray Endemic to the Negro River, Central Amazonia
Authors: Siqueira‐Souza Michelly , Amazonas Maria Glauciney , Yamamoto Kedma Cristine , Duncan Wallice Paxiúba 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTNeotropical freshwater stingrays of the subfamily Potamotrygoninae exhibit aplacental viviparity with uterine trophonemata. In this reproductive mode, females nourish and provide oxygenation to the embryo via the mucosa of the uterine wall. The aim of this study was to describe and histologically quantify the tissue components of the gravid uterus in an Amazonian freshwater stingray. Adult females of Potamotrygon wallacei were studied in different reproductive periods: resting stage, pregnant, and postpartum. During reproductive rest, the left ovary has numerous follicles compared to the right side. Therefore, uterine fertility is usually higher on the left side. The presence of an embryo in the right uterus suggests that the right ovary is also functional, although this only occurs in larger females. In females at reproductive rest, the wall of the uterus is formed by a mucosal layer (without the trophonemata) that contributes 16.7% to the thickness, while the myometrium accounts for 83.3% of the thickness. The mass‐specific volume of the mucosal layer, inner circular, and outer longitudinal smooth muscle sheets tend to increase in the gravid uterus, indicating hypertrophy and hyperplasia of these components. During pregnancy, the trophonemata undergo marked tissue remodeling. Epithelial cells are organized into glandular acini and have apical secretory vesicles; furthermore, peripheral blood vessels proliferate and become dilated. These characteristics demonstrate that the gravid uterus of P. wallacei presents intense uterolactation activity and provides oxygenation to the fetus. Tissue remodeling occurs only in the uterus with the presence of an embryo. During postpartum, females have low body condition factor indicating a high reproductive cost. This study contributes to the knowledge of the reproductive biology of this species and will help us understand the impacts of climate change on the breeding areas of potamotrygonids.
Regulatory mechanism of methyl jasmonate and methyl dihydrojasmonate in enhancing aroma in ‘Cabernet Gernischt’ via the lipoxygenase pathway
Authors: Li Wei , Ye Nan , Xie Peng , Zhang Zhen 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe present study explored the effects of pre‐harvest methyl jasmonates spraying on the volatiles of ‘Cabernet Gernischt’ grapes through the lipoxygenase pathway. Headspace solid‐phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry and an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay were utilized to analyze volatile metabolites and key enzyme activities following methyl jasmonates application. Total RNA extraction and cDNA library construction were followed by transcriptome sequencing.RESULTSThe application of 0.1 mmol L−1 methyl jasmonate and 5 mmol L−1 methyl dihydrojasmonate significantly increased the levels of C6 compounds in ‘Cabernet Gernischt’ berries, and also enhanced the utilization of unsaturated fatty acids as precursors in the lipoxygenase‐hydroperoxides lyase pathway. The up‐regulated expression of VvADH1, VvADH2, VvHPL and VvLOX2S genes led to modulations in enzyme activity, thereby enhancing the berries's aromatic profile. There was a significant correlation between linoleic and linolenic acids (i.e. the precursors of the lipoxygenase pathway) and the activities and metabolites of key enzymes.CONCLUSIONThe optimal concentration of methyl jasmonates treatment favorably influences the accumulation of green leaf volatiles in ‘Cabernet Gernischt’ grape. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Inverse initial‐value problems for time fractional diffusion equations in fractional Sobolev spaces
Authors: Tuan Nguyen Huy , Tran Bao‐Ngoc 
Published: September 2024

AbstractWe study the time fractional diffusion equation , , in a bounded domain with an elliptic operator and a locally Lipschitz nonlinearity on fractional Sobolev spaces, subjected to the homogeneous Dirichlet boundary condition. Data have not been measured at the initial time , but at a final time , that is, is given instead of . The problem is, therefore, called an inverse initial‐value problem. We first establish the well‐posedness of this problem on fractional Sobolev spaces and the regularity of the solution by assuming only the local Lipschitz continuity of . Second, an susceptible‐infected (shortly, SI) model with heterogeneity and a Navier–Stokes equation have been exemplified. Finally, a spatial ‐estimate for the solution and its gradient has been provided. The essential tools are asymptotic behaviours of Mittag–Leffler functions, fractional power spaces, fractional Sobolev spaces and embedding, weighted functional spaces, and estimates for heat semigroup.
Measurement of blood–brain barrier water exchange rate using diffusion‐prepared and multi‐echo arterial spin labelling: Comparison of quantitative values and age dependence
Authors: Morgan Catherine A. , Thomas David L. , Shao Xingfeng , Mahroo Amnah , Manson Tabitha J. , Suresh Vinod , Jansson Deidre , Ohene Yolanda , Günther Matthias , Wang Danny J. J. , Tippett Lynette J. , Dragunow Michael 
Published: September 2024

AbstractWater exchange rate (Kw) across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) is an important physiological parameter that may provide new insight into ageing and neurodegenerative disease. Recently, two non‐invasive arterial spin labelling (ASL) MRI methods have been developed to measure Kw, but results from the different methods have not been directly compared. Furthermore, the association of Kw with age for each method has not been investigated in a single cohort. Thirty participants (70% female, 63.8 ± 10.4 years) were scanned at 3 T with Diffusion‐Prepared ASL (DP‐ASL) and Multi‐Echo ASL (ME‐ASL) using previously implemented acquisition and analysis protocols. Grey matter Kw, cerebral blood flow (CBF) and arterial transit time (ATT) were extracted. CBF values were consistent; approximately 50 ml/min/100 g for both methods, and a strong positive correlation in CBF from both methods across participants (r = 0.82, p < 0.001). ATT was significantly different between methods (on average 147.7 ms lower when measured with DP‐ASL compared to ME‐ASL) but was positively correlated across participants (r = 0.39, p < 0.05). Significantly different Kw values of 106.6 ± 19.7 min−1 and 306.8 ± 71.7 min−1 were measured using DP‐ASL and ME‐ASL, respectively, and DP‐ASL Kw and ME‐ASL Kw were negatively correlated across participants (r = −0.46, p < 0.01). Kw measured using ME‐ASL had a significant linear relationship with age (p < 0.05). In conclusion, DP‐ASL and ME‐ASL provided estimates of Kw with significantly different quantitative values and inconsistent dependence with age. We propose future standardisation of modelling and fitting methods for DP‐ASL and ME‐ASL, to evaluate the effect on Kw quantification. Also, sensitivity and bias analyses should be performed for both approaches, to assess the effect of varying acquisition and fitting parameters. Lastly, comparison with independent measures of BBB water transport, and with physiological and clinical biomarkers known to be associated with changes in BBB permeability, are essential to validate the ASL methods, and to demonstrate their clinical utility.
An investigation on the wear properties of the photocurable components produced by additive manufacturing for dentistry applications: Combined influences of UV exposure time, building direction, and sliding loads
Authors: Bolat Çağın , Salmaz Serkan 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAdditive manufacturing (AM) of polymers is a highly versatile technology that can be applied to many independent sectors like automotive, aviation, medicine, and dentistry. Since it has great potential for rapid prototyping, clean‐process concepts, and the ability to produce complex shapes, the layer‐by‐layer printing method is one of the most promising alternatives for future industrial production efforts. In that sense, different from the previous studies, this work aims to elucidate the friction and wear properties of the special dental samples manufactured via photopolymerization‐based AM technology according to both for printing parameters, and dry sliding test variables. Also, this is the first initiation to examine the combined influences of the UV exposure time, building direction, and sliding force on the surface roughness, hardness, friction coefficient, wear rate, and main plastic damage mechanism of the printed samples. The results showed that the maximum average hardness value was detected as 89.8 Shore D for vertically built samples printed with 8 s exposure time. In addition, vertically printed samples exhibited better wear resistance than the horizontal samples and the rising exposure time generally affected affirmatively the hardness levels of the samples. The lowest volume loss of 78 mm3 belonged to the vertical sample at 5 N. Further, increasing test force levels caused a decrease in the friction coefficient results and triggered the volume loss increase in the samples. Among all samples, the calculated friction coefficient values changed between 0.3 and 0.87. On the other side, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy‐dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analyses pointed out that ascending exposure times led to the altering contact surface matchings determining the final volume loss outcomes.Highlights
To obtain better surface quality, vertical printing was a useful option.
Horizontally printed samples exhibited higher friction coefficients.
Curing time positively impacted the wear resistance for both orientations.
Grooves and debris parts were observed on surfaces with low exposure times.
Imperfect Measurement Devices Impact the Security of Tomography‐Based Source‐Independent Quantum Random Number Generator
Authors: Li Yuanhao , Fei Yangyang , Wang Weilong , Meng Xiangdong , Wang Hong , Duan Qianheng , Han Yu , Ma Zhi 
Published: September 2024

AbstractSource‐independent quantum random number generators (SI‐QRNGs) can generate secure random numbers with untrusted and uncharacterized sources. Recently, a tomography‐based SI‐QRNG protocol has garnered significant attention for its higher randomness generation rate[Phys. Rev. A 99, 022328 (2019)], achieved through measurements utilizing three mutually unbiased bases. However, imperfect and inadequately characterized measurement devices would impact the security and performance of this protocol. In this work, considering the imperfect basis modulation, afterpulse effect and detection efficiency mismatch, it is demonstrated that the imperfect measurement devices would reduce the extractable randomness and lead to the incorrect estimation of the conditional min‐entropy. Additionally, the influences of the finite‐size effect and the performances of the protocol based on different parameter estimation methods are investigated and compared. To guarantee the security of generated random numbers, accurate conditional min‐entropy estimation methods that are compatible with imperfect factors are also developed. The work emphasizes the significance of considering the imperfections in measurement devices and establishing tighter bounds for parameter estimation, especially in high‐speed systems, thereby enhancing the robustness and performance of the protocol.
Environmental Factors Associated With Fish Reproduction in Regulated Rivers
Authors: Griffen Erik M. , Weber Michael J. 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTHumans have extensively altered rivers to accommodate anthropogenic uses. Dams modify river flow and temperature regimes important for lotic fish reproduction. Yet, assessments of fish production in relation to environmental conditions in regulated rivers are lacking but are needed to guide experimental environmental flows. We evaluated the effects of water temperature and discharge on larval Catostomidae, Sciaenidae, and Clupeidae production to inform environmental flow management. We sampled ichthyoplankton from April through June on the Des Moines and Iowa rivers prior to (2014–2015) and after (2021–2022) an experimental environmental flow was incorporated on the Des Moines River. We used a hurdle model to assess the effects of water temperature, discharge, and discharge variation on larval presence (logistic regression) and density (linear regression). Larval Catostomidae were captured once water temperatures exceeded 15°C, Sciaenidae appeared when water temperature surpassed 18°C, while Clupeidae appeared when water temperature exceeded 20°C. The probability of larval Sciaenidae and Clupeidae presence increased with discharge variation while densities were both positively associated with discharge and discharge variation. The probability of Sciaenidae and Catostomidae larval presence increased with water temperature. Interactions between water temperature and discharge influenced Clupeidae presence and Catostomidae density. The probability of Clupeidae presence increased with discharge at warmer water temperatures. Catostomidae densities increased with discharge at cool water temperature (13°C) and decreased with discharge at warm (25°C) temperatures. Our results provide information about the effects of discharge, discharge variation, and water temperature driving larval fish production in anthropogenically altered rivers to guide environmental flow management.
What affects carotid intima media thickness more, diabetes or smoking: An ultrasound based study
Authors: Rasheed Awais , Riaz Umair , Khawaja Shayan Rashid , Jamil Akhtar , Dawood Sabiha , Tazeen Anjum , Anjum Muhammad Nawaz , Fatima Zareen 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundBoth diabetes mellitus (DM) and cigarette smoking have been implicated in affecting carotid intima‐media thickness (CIMT) and plaque formation. The study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of these risk factors on CIMT.ObjectiveTo compare sonographically measured carotid arterial intima‐media thickness among non‐diabetic and non‐smoker control group with smokers and diabetics.Materials and MethodsThis cross‐sectional analytical study was conducted over 9 months. Sonographic measurement of CIMT was done in 143 participants, divided into three groups: non‐diabetic non‐smokers, diabetics, and smokers. Data were analyzed using MEDCALC.ResultsMean CIMT values differed significantly among the three groups (p value = .000001) bilaterally. CIMT correlated strongly positively with age in Group I (r = .38, p = .018) and Group III (r = .35, p = .008) but not in Group II (r = .002, p = .98).ConclusionThe study concludes that both smoking and diabetes contribute to the intimal thickening. However, smoking may have a more pronounced effect on CIMT thickening than diabetes. This underscores the importance of addressing smoking cessation in cardiovascular risk management.
Development of multilayer composite film based on protein‐polysaccharides with the addition of onion waste extracts and their impact on the shallot quality
Authors: Thivya P. , Reddy N. Bhanu Prakash , Sinija V. R. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAt present, multilayer composite film is attractive in the production of biodegradable films due to its essential film properties. The current study mainly focused on overcoming the problems of poor water barrier and mechanical strength observed in monolayer films (SA‐CMC and G/SA‐CMC) made from gluten (G), sodium alginate (SA), and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). The film was developed with the addition of onion waste extracts (OWEs), primarily from peel and stalk, to enhance functional properties. The multilayer composite film consists of three layers: an outer layer made of G, an inner layer made of SA, CMC, and a middle layer made of G/SA‐CMC. The developed composite film exhibited improved physical properties (thickness: 0.348–0.629 mm and moisture: 20.889%–21.403%), mechanical properties (tensile strength: 21.943–20.640 MPa), and barrier properties (WVP: 0.212–0.516 g/m.s.Pa × 10−14) compared to monolayer films (SA‐CMC and G/SA‐CMC). The addition of OWEs enhanced the multilayer film's phenolic (20.076 and 36.175 mgGAE/g) and antioxidant activity (73.850% and 42.667%). The study found that the multilayer control film had minimal changes in weight loss (9.75% ± 0.18%) and firmness (6.68 ± 0.64 N) compared to OWEs‐added films (9.93% ± 0.49–10.02% ± 0.14% and 6.61 ± 0.37 to 6.64 ± 0.18 N). However, fresh‐peeled shallot onion packed with control film exhibited higher bacterial counts (6.70 ± 0.42 CFU/g) and yeast and mold counts (5.08 ± 0.20 CFU/g) than those packed with the OWEs‐added film (6.49 ± 0.28–6.56 ± 0.27 CFU/g and 4.75 ± 0.18–4.89 ± 0.21 CFU/g), indicating that OWEs protect the onions from microbial degradation. Overall, the multilayer control film (without OWEs) showed better results for storing the fresh‐peeled shallot onion at 4°C for 21 days.Highlights
Onion waste extracts have potent high antioxidant and antimicrobial properties
Multilayer film's physical, mechanical, barrier, and functional properties improved
Addition of onion waste extracts increased the film's antimicrobial activity
Control film showed a better effect for storing fresh‐peeled shallot onion
Developed film can store fresh‐peeled shallot onion for 21 days at 4°C.
Targeting specific brain districts for advanced nanotherapies: A review from the perspective of precision nanomedicine
Authors: Sierri Giulia , Patrucco Michela , Ferrario Davide , Renda Antonio , Comi Susanna , Ciprandi Matilde , Fontanini Veronica , Sica Francesco Saverio , Sesana Silvia , Costa Verdugo Marta , Kravicz Marcelo , Salassa Luca , Busnelli Marta , Re Francesca 
Published: September 2024

AbstractNumerous studies are focused on nanoparticle penetration into the brain functionalizing them with ligands useful to cross the blood–brain barrier. However, cell targeting is also crucial, given that cerebral pathologies frequently affect specific brain cells or areas. Functionalize nanoparticles with the most appropriate targeting elements, tailor their physical parameters, and consider the brain's complex anatomy are essential aspects for precise therapy and diagnosis. In this review, we addressed the state of the art on targeted nanoparticles for drug delivery in diseased brain regions, outlining progress, limitations, and ongoing challenges. We also provide a summary and overview of general design principles that can be applied to nanotherapies, considering the areas and cell types affected by the most common brain disorders. We then emphasize lingering uncertainties that hinder the translational possibilities of nanotherapies for clinical use. Finally, we offer suggestions for continuing preclinical investigations to enhance the overall effectiveness of precision nanomedicine in addressing neurological conditions.This article is categorized under:
Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Neurological Disease
Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies
Learning Branching-Time Properties in CTL and ATL via Constraint Solving
Authors: Bordais Benjamin , Neider Daniel , Roy Rajarshi 
Published: September 2024

AbstractWe address the problem of learning temporal properties from the branching-time behavior of systems. Existing research in this field has mostly focused on learning linear temporal properties specified using popular logics, such as Linear Temporal Logic (LTL) and Signal Temporal Logic (STL). Branching-time logics such as Computation Tree Logic (CTL) and Alternating-time Temporal Logic (ATL), despite being extensively used in specifying and verifying distributed and multi-agent systems, have not received adequate attention. Thus, in this paper, we investigate the problem of learning CTL and ATL formulas from examples of system behavior. As input to the learning problems, we rely on the typical representations of branching behavior as Kripke structures and concurrent game structures, respectively. Given a sample of structures, we learn concise formulas by encoding the learning problem into a satisfiability problem, most notably by symbolically encoding both the search for prospective formulas and their fixed-point based model checking algorithms. We also study the decision problem of checking the existence of prospective ATL formulas for a given sample. We implement our algorithms in a Python prototype and have evaluated them to extract several common CTL and ATL formulas used in practical applications.
A Zonotopic Dempster-Shafer Approach to the Quantitative Verification of Neural Networks
Authors: Goubault Eric , Putot Sylvie 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe reliability and usefulness of verification depend on the ability to represent appropriately the uncertainty. Most existing work on neural network verification relies on the hypothesis of either set-based or probabilistic information on the inputs. In this work, we rely on the framework of imprecise probabilities, specifically p-boxes, to propose a quantitative verification of ReLU neural networks, which can account for both probabilistic information and epistemic uncertainty on inputs. On classical benchmarks, including the ACAS Xu examples, we demonstrate that our approach improves the tradeoff between tightness and efficiency compared to related work on probabilistic network verification, while handling much more general classes of uncertainties on the inputs and providing fully guaranteed results.
A obustness fication Tool for uantum Machine Learning Models
Authors: Lin Yanling , Guan Ji , Fang Wang , Ying Mingsheng , Su Zhaofeng 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAdversarial noise attacks present a significant threat to quantum machine learning (QML) models, similar to their classical counterparts. This is especially true in the current Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum era, where noise is unavoidable. Therefore, it is essential to ensure the robustness of QML models before their deployment. To address this challenge, we introduce VeriQR, the first tool designed specifically for formally verifying and improving the robustness of QML models, to the best of our knowledge. This tool mimics real-world quantum hardware’s noisy impacts by incorporating random noise to formally validate a QML model’s robustness. VeriQR supports exact (sound and complete) algorithms for both local and global robustness verification. For enhanced efficiency, it implements an under-approximate (complete) algorithm and a tensor network-based algorithm to verify local and global robustness, respectively. As a formal verification tool, VeriQR can detect adversarial examples and utilize them for further analysis and to enhance the local robustness through adversarial training, as demonstrated by experiments on real-world quantum machine learning models. Moreover, it permits users to incorporate customized noise. Based on this feature, we assess VeriQR using various real-world examples, and experimental outcomes confirm that the addition of specific quantum noise can enhance the global robustness of QML models. These processes are made accessible through a user-friendly graphical interface provided by VeriQR, catering to general users without requiring a deep understanding of the counter-intuitive probabilistic nature of quantum computing.