bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of steatotic liver disease on coronary artery disease through changes in the plasma lipidome
Authors: Björnson Elias , Samaras Dimitrios , Levin Malin , Bäckhed Fredrik , Bergström Göran , Gummesson Anders 
Published: September 2024

AbstractSteatotic liver disease has been shown to associate with cardiovascular disease independently of other risk factors. Lipoproteins have been shown to mediate some of this relationship but there remains unexplained variance. Here we investigate the plasma lipidomic changes associated with liver steatosis and the mediating effect of these lipids on coronary artery disease (CAD). In a population of 2579 Swedish participants of ages 50 to 65 years, lipids were measured by mass spectrometry, liver fat was measured using computed tomography (CT), and CAD status was defined as the presence of coronary artery calcification (CAC score > 0). Lipids associated with liver steatosis and CAD were identified and their mediating effects between the two conditions were investigated. Out of 458 lipids, 284 were found to associate with liver steatosis and 19 of them were found to also associate with CAD. Two fatty acids, docosatrienoate (22:3n6) and 2-hydroxyarachidate, presented the highest mediating effect between steatotic liver disease and CAD. Other mediators were also identified among sphingolipids and glycerophospholipids, although their mediating effects were attenuated when adjusting for circulating lipoproteins. Further research should investigate the role of docosatrienoate (22:3n6) and 2-hydroxyarachidate as mediators between steatotic liver disease and CAD alongside known risk factors.
Oral administration of cysteine peptides attenuates UV-B-induced skin erythema and pigmentation in humans
Authors: Sakuma Ayako , Kai Yumiko , Yamasaki Yoshimitsu , Tanaka Tomoya , Sakurai Takanobu 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe oral administration of antioxidants may suppress UV-B-induced skin damage. HITHION YH-15, the extract of Torula yeast (Cyberlindnera jadinii), is rich in cysteine-containing peptides such as reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH and GSSG), γ-glutamylcysteine (γ-Glu-Cys), and cysteinylglycine (Cys-Gly). These four constituents are termed cysteine peptides. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of cysteine peptides against UV-B in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group study. A total of 90 healthy males and females aged 30–59 years were enrolled and randomized into two groups of 45 individuals each (cysteine peptides (48 mg/day) and placebo). Changes in UV-B-induced erythema and pigmentation were compared between groups after 5 weeks of test food intake. The minimal erythema dose (MED) significantly increased (*p = 0.019) in the cysteine peptides group compared to that in the placebo group, indicating suppression of UV-B-induced erythema. ΔL* value significantly increased (***p < 0.0001) in the cysteine peptides group compared to that in the placebo, indicating pigmentation suppression. We demonstrated that oral administration of cysteine peptides suppresses UV-B-induced erythema and pigmentation through multiple mechanisms. Thus, cysteine peptides may find use as nutricosmetics for maintaining skin health and well-being.UMIN Clinical Trials Registry ID: UMIN 000050157.
A Data-Centric Approach to improve performance of deep learning models
Authors: Bhatt Nikita , Bhatt Nirav , Prajapati Purvi , Sorathiya Vishal , Alshathri Samah , El-Shafai Walid 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe Artificial Intelligence has evolved and is now associated with Deep Learning, driven by availability of vast amount of data and computing power. Traditionally, researchers have adopted a Model-Centric Approach, focusing on developing new algorithms and models to enhance performance without altering the underlying data. However, Andrew Ng, a prominent figure in the AI community, has recently emphasized on better (quality) data rather than better models, which has given birth to Data Centric Approach, also known as Data Oriented technique. The transition from model oriented to data oriented approach has rapidly gained momentum within the realm of deep learning. Despite its promise, the Data-Centric Approach faces several challenges, including (a) generating high-quality data, (b) ensuring data privacy, and (c) addressing biases to achieve fairness in datasets. Currently, there has been limited effort in preparing quality data. Our work aims to address this gap by focusing on the generation of high-quality data through methods such as data augmentation, multi-stage hashing to eliminate duplicate instances, to detect and correct noisy labels, using confident learning. The experiments on popular datasets, namely MNIST, Fashion MNIST, and CIFAR-10 were performed by utilizing ResNet-18 as the common framework followed by both Model Centric and Data Centric Approach. Comparative performance analysis revealed that the Data Centric Approach consistently outperformed the Model Centric Approach by a relative margin of at least 3%. This finding highlights the potential for further exploration and adoption of the Data-Centric Approach in various domains such as healthcare, finance, education, and entertainment, where the quality of data could significantly enhance the performance.
Transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis based on different aggressive pecking phenotype in duck
Authors: Zhu Baoguo , Zhu Jinjin , Liu Ai , Yao Bingnong , Liao Fuyou , Yang Shenglin 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAggressive pecking is an important welfare and production efficiency issue in poultry farming. The precise mechanisms underlying the occurrence of aggressive pecking remain poorly understood. In this study, we selected Sansui ducks that performed aggressive pecking and ducks that did not perform aggressive pecking from video recordings. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of the whole brains of aggressive pecking ducks and normal ducks revealed 504 differentially expressed genes and 5 differentially altered metabolites (adenosine, guanidinopropionic acid, Met-Leu, Glu-Ile and 5,6,8-trihydroxy-2-methylbenzo[g]chromen-4-one). By jointly analysing the transcriptomics and metabolomics results, we discovered 8 candidate genes (ADCYAP1, GAL, EDN2, EDN1, MC5R, S1PR4, LOC113843450, and IAPP) and one candidate metabolite (adenosine) that regulates aggressive pecking behaviour in ducks. The candidate genes and metabolites may be involved in regulating aggressive pecking behaviour by inducing neurodegeneration and disrupting neural excitatory-inhibitory homeostasis, which in turn affects central nervous system function in aggressive pecking and normal ducks. Our findings provide a new reference for revealing the underlying mechanism of aggressive pecking behaviour in ducks.
A combination of carbonates and Opuntia ficus-indica extract protects esophageal cells against simulated acidic and non-acidic reflux in vitro
Authors: Lehner Martin D. , Scheyhing Ulrike , Elsässer Jens 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBuffering of stomach acid by antacids is a well-established symptomatic therapy for heartburn. In addition, preparations from prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) have been shown to reduce tissue damage in experimental gastritis models and to attenuate gastrointestinal discomfort in patients. Both active principles have been included in a fixed-combination product for symptomatic treatment of heartburn containing carbonate antacids (CaCO3 and MgCO3) and an extract from Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes. The aim of the study was to characterize the acid neutralization and esophageal cell protective activities of the product and its individual active ingredients in a set of in vitro assays. Acid neutralization was assessed in a simulated stomach model. Protective activity of individual constituents and in combination was analyzed in an esophageal cell line (COLO-680 N) exposed to low pH and deoxycholic acid to simulate acidic and non-acidic reflux challenge. The combination product protected cells against low pH mediated cytotoxicity via acid neutralization by carbonates. Opuntia extract itself and the combination product attenuated bile acid-induced cell irritation as measured by reduced release of proinflammatory interleukin-6 and -8. In conclusion, addition of Opuntia extract to a mineral antacid provides dual protection against acidic and non-acidic simulated reflux challenge.
Environmental impacts of biodegradable microplastics
Authors: Piao Zhengyin , Agyei Boakye Amma Asantewaa , Yao Yuan 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBiodegradable plastics, perceived as ‘environmentally friendly’ materials, may end up in natural environments. This impact is often overlooked in the literature due to a lack of assessment methods. This study develops an integrated life cycle impact assessment methodology to assess the climate-change and aquatic-ecotoxicity impacts of biodegradable microplastics in freshwater ecosystems. Our results reveal that highly biodegradable microplastics have lower aquatic ecotoxicity but higher greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The extent of burden shifting depends on microplastic size and density. Plastic biodegradation in natural environments can result in higher GHG emissions than biodegradation in engineered end of life (for example, anaerobic digestion), contributing substantially to the life cycle GHG emissions of biodegradable plastics (excluding the use phase). A sensitivity analysis identified critical biodegradation rates for different plastic sizes that result in maximum GHG emissions. This work advances understanding of the environmental impacts of biodegradable plastics, providing an approach for the assessment and design of future plastics.
YOD1 sustains NOD2-mediated protective signaling in colitis by stabilizing RIPK2
Authors: Shen Jiangyun , Lou Liyan , Du Xue , Zhou Bincheng , Xu Yanqi , Mei Fuqi , Wu Liangrong , Li Jianmin , Waisman Ari , Ruan Jing , Wang Xu 
Published: September 2024

AbstractInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a disorder causing chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, and its pathophysiological mechanisms are still under investigation. Here, we find that mice deficient of YOD1, a deubiquitinating enzyme, are highly susceptible to dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. The bone marrow transplantation experiment reveals that YOD1 derived from hematopoietic cells inhibits DSS colitis. Moreover, YOD1 exerts its protective role by promoting nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2)-mediated physiological inflammation in macrophages. Mechanistically, YOD1 inhibits the proteasomal degradation of receptor-interacting serine/threonine kinase 2 (RIPK2) by reducing its K48 polyubiquitination, thereby increasing RIPK2 abundance to enhance NOD2 signaling. Consistently, the protective function of muramyldipeptide, a NOD2 ligand, in experimental colitis is abolished in mice deficient of YOD1. Importantly, YOD1 is upregulated in colon-infiltrating macrophages in patients with colitis. Collectively, this study identifies YOD1 as a novel regulator of colitis.
Multi‐objective energy management system for multi‐microgrids using blockchain miners: A two‐stage peak shaving and valley filling framework
Authors: Rezaei Payman , Golkar Masoud AliAkbar 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThis study presents an innovative energy management framework for multi‐microgrids, integrating the burgeoning domain of cryptocurrency mining. Cryptocurrencies, a novel fusion of encryption technology and financial currency, are witnessing exponential global growth. This expansion correlates with a surge in the prevalence of mining activities, amplifying electricity consumption and necessitating accelerated advancements in urban transmission and distribution infrastructures, coupled with increased financial investments. Despite cryptocurrencies' growth, comprehensive research to capitalize on their potential is scarce. This article introduces an operation cost model for miners in the proposed dual‐stage framework. The first stage is dedicated to day‐ahead scheduling, focusing on peak shaving and valley filling in the electricity demand curve, while concurrently optimizing operational costs. The second stage, updating each 5 min, minimizes imbalances in response to uncertain network conditions. A pivotal feature of this framework is the allocation of revenues generated from mining operations towards enhancing renewable energy resources. Empirical simulations underscore the framework's efficacy, evidenced by a substantial peak shaving of 482.833 kW and valley filling of 4084.42 kW. Furthermore, this approach effectively maintains operational costs within a feasible spectrum. Notably, the demand curve's peak‐to‐valley distance extends to 4 MW, with the revenue from mining activities alone sufficient to offset operational expenditures.
A hierarchical design of complex interactive interface with multi‐perception channels for a helmet‐mounted display system of vehicle
Authors: Fan Miaomiao , Yang Jianming , Sun Bowen , Shi Yanjun 
Published: September 2024

AbstractTo expedite the modernisation of equipment construction and address practical challenges, such as low efficiency in armoured vehicle passenger information retrieval, diverse perception channels, and inadequate combat effectiveness in traditional vehicle‐integrated electronic information systems, the authors aim to transition to a helmet‐mounted display system (HMD). On the basis of the target mission stage of military vehicles, the authors have organised the required information items for the vehicle HMD, integrated the hierarchical relationships of interaction interface design elements, and formulated design strategies using the Garrett user experience element model. We have constructed a vehicle HMD interaction interface design model and conducted comparative experiments with typical vehicle electronic display system interfaces. The usability of the model has been verified through eye‐tracking experiments and reaction time analysis. Experimental data indicates that the vehicle HMD interactive interface system, guided by the user experience element model, effectively enhances operational performance for passengers, demonstrating superior recognition, search ability, comprehensibility, and rationality. In conclusion, the vehicle HMD interaction interface design model, guided by the user experience element model, meets the requirements of vehicle HMD interaction interface design. It validates the effectiveness and feasibility of transitioning from a traditional vehicle‐integrated electronic information system to a vehicle HMD, providing technical support for enhancing display efficiency in future prototype platforms on the prototype platform digital warfare.
Wild sympatric rodents inhabiting pig farm environments may facilitate the spillover of Enterocytozoon bieneusi from pig farms
Authors: Shan Fa , Meng Qingda , Wang Fang , Zhao Jinfeng , Xu Huiyan , Wang Nanhao , Liu Yufeng , Zhang Sumei , Zhao Guanghui , Zhang Longxian 
Published: September 2024

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a zoonotic pathogen prevalent in mammalian and avian hosts across the globe. Wild small mammals, being abundant worldwide, serve as important sources of zoonotic disease transmission to humans. Here, 227 fecal samples were collected from five rodent and shrew species on 34 pig farms in China to investigate the prevalence and molecular characterization of E. bieneusi. The overall prevalence of E. bieneusi was 17.18% (39/227), with a distribution of 23.53% (32/136) in Rattus tanezumi, 8.62% (5/58) in Rattus norvegicus, and 8.00% (2/25) in Mus musculus. Eight E. bieneusi genotypes were identified, comprising four known genotypes: D (n = 8), EbpC (n = 8), PigEBITS7 (n = 9), and EbpA (n = 2), and four novel genotypes: CHPR1 (n = 7), CHPR2 (n = 1), CHPR3 (n = 2), and CHPR4 (n = 2). This study is the first to report E. bieneusi in rodents from pig farms in Henan, Shaanxi, and Shanxi Provinces in China. The host range of genotype EbpC was expanded with its first detection in M. musculus and R. tanezumi. All identified E. bieneusi genotypes belong to group 1, raising concerns about these sympatric rodents being reservoirs of zoonotic transmission. Moreover, the widespread distribution of genotype EbpC suggests potential cross-species transmission between sympatric rodents and domestic pigs. Our findings highlight the potential role of sympatric rodents in facilitating the spillover of E. bieneusi from pig farms, which could pose a potential public health threat.
Reduced irrigation in high rainfall years and winter application of nitrogen reduce granulation in Imperial mandarin (Citrus reticulata cv. Imperial)
Authors: Hofman Helen J. , Toegel Hanna , Parfitt Siegrid C. , Smith Malcolm W. 
Published: September 2024

Context Preharvest granulation of Imperial mandarins is a significant problem for the Australian market. Causes of, and solutions for, this physiological disorder are poorly understood despite decades of research worldwide. Aims This research aimed to find management practices for growers to reduce granulation. Methods A 5-year on-farm trial in central Queensland, Australia, compared standard versus deficit irrigation and five rates of winter nitrogen application. Key results Reducing water (irrigation plus rainfall) in the 16–18 weeks following flowering reduced granulation in 3 of 5 years. Granulation increases with ratio of total water received to evapotranspiration, particularly in low crop load years. Higher nitrogen applications reduced granulation in 4 of 5 years, although treatment means were only significantly different at α = 0.05 in 1 year. Granulation increased with stronger early spring flush growth in a low crop load year and with later spring flush growth in one of two high crop load years. The deficit irrigation treatment had less spring flush growth and higher fruit set than the control in all years. Higher nitrogen treatments had more flush growth in high crop load years and less in low crop load years. Our data suggests competition between flush growth and fruit development for mineral resources and/or carbohydrates is a factor in the variability of granulation from fruit to fruit, but crop load is more important. Conclusions The three key strategies to minimise granulation are to maintain high crop loads, reduce irrigation after flowering, and apply sufficient nitrogen in winter. Implications This research will improve fruit quality for the consumer and financial returns to growers.
Avoiding avalanche breakdown in planar GaN Gunn diodes by means of a substrate contact
Authors: García-Sánchez S , Pérez S , Íñiguez-de-la-Torre I , García-Vasallo B , Huo L , Lingaparthi R , Nethaji D , Radhakrishnan K , Abou Daher M , Lesecq M , González T , Mateos J 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Impact ionization originated by the buffer leakage current, together with high electric fields (

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3 MV cm−1) at the anode corner of the isolating trenches, has been identified as the failure mechanism of shaped planar GaN Gunn diodes when biased above 20 V, so that no evidence of Gunn oscillations in fabricated devices has been observed yet. In order to avoid the avalanche, we propose the addition of a Schottky substrate terminal, which, by means of Monte Carlo simulations, has been confirmed to be able to suppress such not-desired leakage current when applying a negative substrate bias. When the substrate bias is positive, impact ionization is also reduced due to the lower electric field at the hotspot, but a vertical cathode-substrate current degrades the device operation. In order to avoid such current, we propose the use a MIS configuration for the substrate contact, which is the optimal solution.
Study and scaling-up of multi-tip pulsed-corona air discharges for degradation of paracetamol
Authors: Iya-Sou Djakaou , Merbahi Nofel , Bouajila Jalloul , Yousfi Mohammed 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
This study investigates the paracetamol removal efficiency by multi-tip pulsed corona discharges, highlighting the conditions avoiding mutual effects between two consecutive streamer branching discharges generated by each tip. The results show that the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) in the liquid phase and the efficiency of paracetamol removal are influenced by the distance between two contiguous tips due to the mutual effects for small inter-tip distances between 4 mm and 8 mm in the case of a fixed inter-electrode distance of 5 mm (i.e. distance between the tip summit and the water surface). Beyond an inter-tip distance of 12 mm (over twice the gap distance), the mutual effects of branching discharges were no longer observed since the field lines did not overlap, making the production and absorption of liquid-phase species more efficient. Furthermore, RONS production was almost linear when moving from one to four tip electrodes: [H2O2]1tip: 0.52 mg l–1 versus [H2O2]4tips: 1.99 mg l–1, a ratio of 3.82. Optimum values were reached for an inter-tip distance of 16 mm. In this case, the enhancement factor in this reactor configuration is the surface integration between the plasma and the liquid surface to be treated. Furthermore, the results show a quasi-exponential increase in the percentage of paracetamol degradation as a function of the number of electrodes, from 4% with a mono-tip configuration to over 78% for a treatment with a four tip one.
Investigation of non-equilibrium phenomena in nitrogen RF inductively coupled plasma discharges: a state-to-state approach
Authors: Kumar Sanjeev , Munafò Alessandro , Jo Sung Min , Panesi Marco 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
This work presents a vibrational and electronic (vibronic) state-to-state (StS) model for nitrogen plasmas implemented within a multi-physics modular computational framework to study non-equilibrium effects in inductively coupled plasma (ICP) discharges. The vibronic master equations are solved in a tightly coupled fashion with the flow governing equations eliminating the need for invoking any simplifying assumptions when computing the state of the plasma, leading to a high-fidelity physical modeling. The model’s computational complexity is reduced via a maximum entropy coarse-graining approach, verified through zero-dimensional isochoric calculations. The coarse-grained StS model is employed to study the plasma discharge in the ICP facility at the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics, Belgium. Results reveal pronounced discrepancies between StS predictions and those obtained based on local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) models, which are conventionally used in the simulation of such facilities. The analysis demonstrates a substantial departure of the internal state populations of atoms and molecules from the Boltzmann distribution. This has significant implications for energy coupling dynamics, affecting the discharge morphology. Further analysis reveals a quasi-steady-state population distribution in the plasma core, allowing for the construction of an efficient and ‘self-consistent’ macroscopic two-temperature (2T) formulation. Non-LTE simulations indicate significant disparities between the StS model and the commonly used Park 2T model, whereas the newly proposed 2T model aligns closely with StS simulations, capturing key features of non-equilibrium plasma formation. In particular, the current study highlights the importance of the vibrational-translational energy transfer term in shaping the plasma core morphology, suggesting a notable sensitivity to heavy-impact vibrational excitations and dissociative processes.