bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Homeopathic Additives and Yeast on the Performance of Pantaneira Heifers Maintained in a Rotational Grazing System
Authors: Florentino Leandra da Silva , Silva Evellyn Richelly Ferreira da , Queiroz Maria Carla Elias , Torgan Daniele Portela de Oliveira , Júnior Fernando Miranda de Vargas , Luz Dirce Ferreira , de Oliveira Dalton Mendes , de Oliveira Marcus Vinícius Morais 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of using homeopathic products combined with yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on the performance of Pantaneira heifers in a rotational grazing system on Mombaça grass (Megathyrsus maximus) in the Pantanal biome during the spring season. The treatments analyzed were Control (CTL) and Homeopathic combined with Yeast (HY). A total of 20 animals were randomly allocated, with 10 heifers in each treatment group. Animal performance was evaluated through forage and supplement intake, diet digestibility, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio. The experimental design was completely randomized, and the means were compared using Tukey and Duncan tests at a 5% probability level. No significant effects were identified between the treatments on total feed intake, expressed in kg/day, metabolic weight, and percentage of body weight (P ≥ 0.05), concentrate and grass intake (P ≥ 0.05), neutral detergent fiber intake (P ≥ 0.05), final body weights, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio (P ≥ 0.05). However, it was observed that heifers in the HY treatment showed significantly higher digestibility rates of dry matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber (P ≤ 0.05), as well as higher digestibility of non-fibrous carbohydrates, ether extract, and mineral matter (P ≤ 0.05), although the levels of Total Digestible Nutrients and Digestible Energy were similar to the CTL treatment (P ≥ 0.05). It is concluded that the combination of homeopathy and yeast provided better utilization of the fibrous components of the diet by the animals.
Climate-Driven Changes in Freshwater Inputs to a northern Patagonia Fjord and overfishing of wild mussel seed could threaten Chilean mussel farming
Authors: molinet carlos , Soto Doris , León-Muñoz Jorge , Díaz Manuel , Espinoza Katherine , Henríquez Jorge , Matamala Thamara 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Chile is the first world exporter of farmed mussels with an annual harvest about 400000 tones, such production is based on the capture of wild seed which availability may be threatened by climate change and overfishing. Climate change-induced decreasing trends in annual precipitation, which increases water column salinity and this could be affecting the vertical distribution of mussel populations in fjords. In the Reloncaví Fjord, Chile, the observed changes in precipitation reduce the freshwater inputs, leading to potential shifts in the habitat and distribution of the economically significant Chilean mussel (Mytilus chilensis) and a competing species, Aulacomya atra. This research analyzes mussel beds' vertical dynamics in relation to changing environmental conditions, including freshwater inputs, salinity, and hydrological regimes in an exploited fjord for mussel seed collection. The findings suggest that decreasing trends in precipitation could result in increased surface salinity, reducing M. chilensis beds while favouring A. atra, with negative consequences for wild seed collection therefore threatening the Chilean mussel farming industry, projecting socio-economic impacts for small-scale aquaculture. Also, this study describes the increasing fishing pressure for wild mussel larvae and suggesting joint effects which are not possible to untangle with the present information and represents a key challenge for the design of adaptation measures for climate change. Therefore, this study emphasizes the need for better monitoring of mussel beds along with seed production and oceanographic conditions as well as improving aquaculture practices that reduce unnecessary pressure on mussel beds through seed collection in the face of changing environmental conditions.
Polyolefin Reweaved Ultra-micropore Membrane for CO2 Capture
Authors: Liu Gongping , Chen Xiuling , Chen Guining , Wu Lei , Li Nanwen , Jin Wanqin , Xie Cong 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

High-performance gas separation membranes have potential in industrial separation applications, while overcoming the permeability-selectivity trade-off via regulable aperture distribution remains challenging. Here, we report a novel strategy to fabricate Polyolefin Reweaved Ultra-micropore Membrane (PRUM) to acquire regulable microporous channel. Specifically, olefin monomers are dispersed uniformly into a pristine membrane (e.g., PIM-1) via solution diffusion method. Upon controlled electron beam irradiation, the olefin undergoes a free radical polymerization, resulting in the formation of olefin polymer in-situ reweaved in the membrane. The deliberately regulated and contracted pore-aperture size of the membrane can be accomplished by varying the olefin loading to achieve efficient gas separation. For instance, PIM-1 PRUM containing 27wt% poly-methyl methacrylate demonstrate CO2 permeability of 1976 Barrer, combined with CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 selectivities of 58.4 and 48.3 respectively, transcending the performance upper bounds. This controllable and high efficiency-design strategy provides a general approach to create sub-nanometre-sized pore-apertures of gas separation membranes with wide universality.
A New Method for XRF and RGB Image Registration
Authors: Amiri Morteza Maali , Messinger David W. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

In recent years, the use of X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) imaging has grown in the field of cultural heritage. This type of imaging can be complimentary to multi/hyperspectral imaging systems, providing the conservators with information that is useful to identify materials on paintings or manuscripts. Whereas hyperspectral imaging can provide information at the material molecular level, XRF provides elemental information on the material. To extract the full information from the XRF images it can be of great help to first register them to a reference image, generally a traditional high resolution color image. This helps locate where exactly each element is located on the artifact. Most methods that are used to overcome this issue rely on user input, in which a few reference points on both the XRF and RGB are selected and are then used for the registration process. In this work, a fully automatic method is developed for XRF image registration. First, the reference RGB image is converted into a grayscale image, helping to increase the similarity between these two different modalities. Then the XRF image that has the highest Structural Similarity Index (SSI) with respect to the reference image is specified. That image is then registered to the reference image using Maximization of Mutual Information (MMI). The same transformation is also used for the other XRF images in the dataset leading to all the images being registered. In cases, where none of the XRF images could be registered to the reference image due noise and/or low resolution, it is shown that quantization of the XRF images and the grayscale RGB reference image significantly improves performance. This process suppresses the noise and enhances some features resulting in accurate registration between the two differing modalities. The proposed algorithm was applied to three different sets of XRF and RGB images in terms of resolution and noise level. These different sets showed the usefulness of the algorithm developed herein, in that the sets with good and descent quality XRF images did not need to be quantized as the MMI was able to register the original XRF to the original RGB. However, the set that is comprised of XRF images of very low resolution needed to undergo the process of quantization before being registered to the RGB image using MMI.
Inserting Omp22 into the flagellin protein, replacing its hypervariable region, results in stronger protection against sepsis caused by Acinetobacter baumannii in a mouse model
Authors: Behrouz Bahador , Badmasti Farzad , Rasooli Iraj 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Acinetobacter baumannii, a common nosocomial pathogen, is known for its rapid acquisition of antimicrobial resistance, underscoring the urgent need to develop an effective vaccine against this pathogen. Outer membrane protein 22 (Omp22) regulates the biogenesis of outer membrane vesicles to transport virulence-promoting factors into the host cells and facilitates the progression of A. baumannii infection. In this study, we used a mouse sepsis model to assess the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a vaccine using recombinant Omp22 protein within the hypervariable region of flagellin (FliC-Omp22). FliC-Omp22 demonstrated superior protection following challenge with a lethal dose of multidrug-resistant (MDR) A. baumannii strain 58ST compared to Omp22 alone. In addition, it elicited increased IgG1/IgG2a and IL-4/IFN-γ ratios, indicating a predominant Th2 immune response. Furthermore, FliC-Omp22 vaccination elicited strong specific antibodies that inhibited the adhesion and invasion of A. baumannii 58ST and enhanced the opsonic killing activity against the pathogen. FliC-Omp22 immunization significantly reduced bacterial loads in the spleen, lungs, and liver of infected mice, thereby improving their survival against sepsis induced by MDR A. baumannii 58ST. This study suggests that integrating Omp22 into the hypervariable domain of flagellin holds promise for developing an effective vaccine against A. baumannii infections.
Sex hormones and Sjögren’s Disease: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: jin haonan , ru shanshan , zhang mengdi , li bo , gao lidong , xia jiajia , chen yongde , xu danfeng , guo jingjing , zhang yingzhe 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background
Postmenopausal women have a higher risk of developing Sjögren’s Disease (SjD) than men, indicating the involvement of sex hormones. The objective of this study was to investigate the causal relationship between sex hormones and SjD using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study.
Methods
Specific genetic tools obtained from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were used to investigate serum estradiol (E2), total testosterone (TT), bioavailable testosterone (BT), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels. A two-sample MR analysis was conducted to examine sex hormone associations with SjD. Sex-stratified designs were employed, with additional databases used for further analysis of the outcomes. A Bonferroni correction was applied to ensure robust conclusions. Additionally, bioinformatics methods were employed to explore the underlying connections between sex hormones and SjD.
Results
The results of the MR analysis showed a significant inverse association between BT levels and the risk of SjD, with each one standard deviation (SD) increase in BT levels associated with a 55% decrease in SjD risk (P = 5.2357E–05). The sex-stratified analysis provided that, for every one SD increase in BT levels, the risk of SjD decreased by 27% in males and 20% in females (P = 0.036, P = 0.0377). Specifically, among females, each one SD increase in TT levels resulted in a 28% reduction of SjD risk (P = 0.0306). However, following a sensitivity analysis, the observed causal association between BT (males) and SjD became non-significant (P = 0.0856), while the remaining causal relationships persisted. The bioinformatics analysis suggested that inflammation and immune-related pathways underlie their connection.
Conclusion
Our study demonstrated a definitive causal relationship between androgen levels and the susceptibility to SjD, particularly among females. Androgen deficiency was shown to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of SjD, with inflammation and immune-related pathways underpinning the association.
Dietary patterns and sleep duration in middle childhood
Authors: Zhu Mia , Mora-Plazas Mercedes , Villamor Eduardo 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

High consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) has been related to short sleep duration, a risk factor for chronic disease. However, the temporality of the association remains unclear, especially among children. We assessed associations of adherence to dietary patterns and sleep duration in middle childhood longitudinally, among 729 participants in the Bogotá School Children Cohort. Four dietary patterns (UPF, traditional, animal protein, and cheaper protein) were identified through principal component analysis of a food frequency questionnaire. Sleep duration was assessed through parental report after a median 2 years of follow-up. Compared with children in the lowest quartile of UPF pattern adherence, those in the highest quartile slept an adjusted 0.39 hours less (95% CI: 0.10, 0.68; P trend = 0.004). Adherence to cheaper protein was non-linearly related to sleep duration. We conclude that adherence to a UPF dietary pattern is prospectively related to shorter sleep duration in children.
Molecular epidemiological surveillance and complete genome analysis of porcine circoviruses in wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Gyeongnam Province, South Korea
Authors: Yang Jisoo , Kim Cheol-Ho , Jang Guehwan , Lee Changhee 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of porcine circoviruses (PCVs) in wild boars and conduct genotypic and phylogenetic investigations to understand viral dispersal and evolution in the wild boar population in South Korea’s Gyeongnam Province. We found a relatively high prevalence (47/296, 15.9%) of PCVs in serum samples from captured wild boars. Of the 47 PCV-positive samples, 38 tested positive for PCV2, 7 for PCV3, and 2 for PCV2 and PCV3. Genotyping PCR showed that PCV2d and PCV3b are the dominant genotypes. Comparative genetic analysis revealed that wild boar PCV2 and PCV3 viruses closely resemble their corresponding genotypic strains circulating in South Korea.
Waste Material Blended Envelop Construction for Low Energy Building
Authors: Ghosh Avijit , Chowdhury Debasish 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

An attempt has been made to study the effect of coalash usage as partial replacement of sand in building envelop construction material, and the energy conservation aspect thereof. The experimentally obtained thermal transmission values through building envelope’s outer layer component, made of concrete and mortar of specified proportion was validated through simulation program and the overall energy saving by way of reduced cooling energy demand have been quantified for a typical residential building.This study emphasize three aspects in a row, such as i) energy conservation by way of reduced cooling demand in hot and humid regions, ii) utilization of coal ash without further storage in ash ponds of respective thermal power plants, thus avoiding earth, groundwater and air contamination, and iii) responsible management of sand, which is the second most used resource globally after water, since the same is being used at the rate faster than, it can be replenished naturally. By modifying the wall mortar mix and plaster with coalash in a residential building, located within Warm-Humid region in India, cooling energy consumption reduces by 4.03%, and combining the same with modified roof concrete mix with coalash, the same reduces by 6.39%. Further, by placing concrete tiles with modified mix as waterproofing measures, reduction in overall cooling energy demand stands at 7.47%, and applying SRI paint on that surface, the demand reduces drastically to the tune of 42.80%.
Machine Learning on MRI Radiomic Features to Assess Recurrence Risk in High-grade Meningiomas
Authors: Chen Chen , Hao Lifang , Zhang Guijun 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Purpose
We used radiomics-based machine learning (ML) of T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging (T1C) for assessing relapse risk in patients with high-grade meningiomas (HGMs).
Methods
279 features were extracted from each ROI. The datasets were randomly divided into two groups, the training set (∼70%) and the test set (∼30%). Data of 192 individuals were used for external validation. Combinations of data preprocessing methods, including normalization (Min-Max, Z-score, Mean) and dimensionality reduction (Pearson Correlation Coefficients (PCC)), and feature selector (max-Number, cluster) were analyzed for their prediction performance (totaling to 60 combinations). Kaplan–Meier curve, Cox proportional hazards regression model were used and concordance index (C-index), integrated Brier score (IBS) were selected.
Results
WHO grade, age, gender, histogram (Mean, Perc.90%, Perc.99%), Gray-level co-occurrence matrix (S(3, -3)DifVarnc, S(5, 5)Correlat, S(1, 0)SumEntrp, S(2, -2)InvDfMom), Teta1, WavEnLL_s-2 and GrVariance were identified as the significant recurrence factors. The pipeline using Mean_PCC_Cluster_10 of T1C yielded the highest efficiency with an IBS of 0.170, 0.188, 0.208 and C-index of 0.709, 0.705, 0.602 in the train, test and validation sets, respectively. The pipeline using MinMax_PCC_Cluster_19 of T2WI yielded the highest efficiency with an IBS of 0.189, 0.175, 0.185 and C-index of 0.783, 0.66, 0.649 in the train, test and validation sets. The pipeline using MinMax_PCC_Cluster_13 of T2WI + T1C yielded the highest efficiency with an IBS of 0.152, 0.164, 0.191 and C-index of 0.701, 0.656, 0.593 in the train, test and validation sets, respectively.
Conclusion
Machine learning on MRI radiomic features can slightly help predict recurrence risk in HGMs. T2WI or T1C yielded better efficiency than T2WI + T1C. The parameters with the best power were Mean, Perc.99%, WavEnLL_s-2, Teta1 and GrVariance.
Dielectric Fano Nanoantennas for Enabling Sub-Nanosecond Lifetimes in NV-based Single Photon Emitters
Authors: Dong Zhaogang , AN SHU , Kalashnikov Dmitry , Shi Wenqiao , Mahfoud Zackaria , Chew Ah Bian , Liu Yan , Wu Jing , Zhu Di , Gao Weibo , Qiu Cheng-Wei , Leong Victor 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Solid-state quantum emitters are essential sources of single photons, and enhancing their emission rates is of paramount importance for applications in quantum communications, computing and metrology. One approach is to couple quantum emitters with resonant photonic nanostructures, where the emission rate is enhanced due to the Purcell effect. Dielectric nanoantennas are promising as they provide strong emission enhancement compared to plasmonic ones, which suffer from high Ohmic loss. Here,we designed and fabricated a dielectric Fano resonator based on a pair of silicon (Si) ellipses and a disk, which supports the mode hybridization between quasi-bound-states-in-the-continuum (quasi-BIC) and Mie resonance. We demonstrated the performance of the developed resonant system by interfacing it with single photon emitters (SPEs) based on nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers in nanodiamonds (NDs). We observed that the interfaced emitters have a Purcell enhancement factor of ~10, with sub-ns emission lifetime and a polarization contrast of 9. Our results indicate a promising method for developing efficient and compact single-photon sources for integrated quantum photonics applications.
Targeted lipid nanoparticles to prevent trans-placental passage in the ex vivo human placental cotyledon perfusion model
Authors: Kammen Caren van , Terstappen Fieke , Hove Hedwig van , Kapsokalyvas Dimitrios , Schiffelers Raymond , Greupink Rick , Lely Titia 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background: Medication use during pregnancy poses risks to both the mother and the fetus. These risks include an elevated potential for fetotoxicity due to placental drug transport. Nanomedicines offer a promising solution by potentially preventing trans-placental passage. Targeted nanomedicines could enhance safety and efficacy in treating maternal or placental pathophysiology. Our study investigates placental transfer kinetics of targeted lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) in an ex vivo human placenta cotyledon perfusion model.
Methods: We collected human placentas for dual-side ex vivo placental perfusions. Targeted lipid LNPs with a fluorescence tag were introduced into the maternal circuit of each placenta. To establish if there was trans-placental passage of LNPs to the fetal circuit, we collected samples from maternal and fetal circuits throughout the six hours of the perfusion. We determined the fluorescence signal using a multi-mode microplate reader and Multiphoton microscopy to localize the the LNPs in the placenta tissue.
Results: Data from perfused placenta tissue showed no significant transfer of the fluorescently labeled LNPs across the placental barrier to the fetal circuit. Localization of targeted LNP in tissue samples is mainly observed in the maternal blood space of the placenta.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that targeted LNPs present a promising strategic approach to prevent trans-placental passage to the fetus. Our future perspectives involve investigating the efficacy of targeted LNPs as well as loading targeted LNPs with nucleic acid-based therapeutics to investigate their therapeutic potential.
Search for New Materials Based on Chitosan for the Protection of Cultural Heritage
Authors: Ermolyuk Anna , Avdanina Darya , Khayrova Adelya , Lopatin Sergey , Shumikhin Kirill , Kolganova Tat'yana , Simonenko Nikolay , Lunkov Alexey , Varlamov Valery , Shitov Mikhail , Zhgun Alexander 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Microorganisms are a significant cause of damage to cultural heritage, including paintings. Currently, the palette of antiseptics that are used in painting has narrowed considerably. This is due to the increased demands placed on such substances. It was shown that low molecular weight chitosan (LMWC) obtained from the king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) exhibits high activity against dominant fungi-destructors of paintings in the State Tretyakov Gallery. Nevertheless, the increasing market demand for chitosan has prompted the exploration of alternative sources. Insects, notably the bioconverter black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens), stand out as one of the most cultivated options. This study investigates the effectiveness of chitosan, isolated from H. illucens by a novel method developed by authors, in inhibiting fungi that damage tempera paintings. The activity of 33 and 39 kDa chitosans from H. illucens is comparable to the most active chitosans previously studied from P. camtschaticus. However, there are characteristic differences between these compounds, as shown by the results of FTIR spectroscopy, which may affect their consumer properties when used in paint materials. Our studies suggest that LMWC from H. illucens is a promising material that can expand the range of antiseptics used in painting.