bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lévy-induced Stochastic Differential Equation Models in Rainfall-Runoff Systems for Assessing Extreme Hydrological Event Risks
Authors: Houénafa Sianou Ezéckiel , Ronoh Erick K. Erick K. , Johnson Olatunji , Moore Stephen E. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Stochastic Differential Equations (SDEs) driven by Gaussian noise have proven effective for studying the dynamics of river basin discharges, while accounting for uncertainties inherent in rainfall-runoff systems. However, these uncertainties clearly exhibit many non-Gaussian characteristics, necessitating the use of more complex noises to model various levels of variability and anomalies in river basin discharges, ultimately enhancing the assessment of extreme hydrological risks. This paper considers uncertainties in rainfall-runoff systems by developing a Langevin-type SDE driven by non-Gaussian α-stable Lévy noises. The different methods’ applicability is demonstrated on the Ouémé at Bonou river basin, Benin. The SDE model parameters were estimated through a developed heuristic method based on a Monte Carlo simulation approach. To access extreme hydrological event risks, the equivalent Fractional Fokker-Planck Equation (FFPE) was derived and solved numerically using an adaptive finite difference method. The results showed that Lévy stable noises better capture uncertainties in rainfall-runoff systems, highlighting anomalous diffusion in daily river basin discharges. The SDE and FFPE model solutions were consistent, aligning with actual observations, and the risks of extreme events were evaluated in terms of daily and cumulative probabilities.
Forensic discrimination of blue fountain pen inks based on dielectric constant property
Authors: SIMSEK Ozlem , SEKER S. Selim 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

The present work aims to show that dielectric constant measurement is a new and deep method for discriminating fountain pen inks. To achieve this goal the dielectric constant for the identification of fountain pen ink has been studied. The data was obtained by designing and setting up an alternative current (AC), Function Generator, and Oscilloscope for measuring the resistance of each fountain pen ink sample. The measurements were performed in the frequency range between 1 Hz and 3 MHz at room temperature. Then, resistance measurements were used to the calculate dielectric constant. To support the result, as a conventional method, TLC-IA (image analysis) was applied to the same samples to discriminate these samples based on the intensity profile of red, green, and blue (RGB) by using the software PyCharm Community 2024.1.1. The results from each method supported each other. This new method allowed us to identify the different fountain pen inks with the obtained results.
Human Recreational Activity Does Not Influence Open Cup Avian Nest Survival in Urban Greenspaces
Authors: Cull Chloe A. , Guest Mackenzie J. , Frei Barbara , Ziter Carly D. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

The breeding period of birds is a critical and sensitive period. Understanding how human use of urban greenspaces affects nest survival can improve our understanding of conserving breeding bird populations in cities and support science-based management of urban greenspaces that benefit both people and nature. We conducted a nest survival field study between April and August of 2023 in multiple greenspaces in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the country’s second-largest city. We asked whether human presence (distance to trails and amount of human activity) influences the nest survival of four common open-cup nesting bird species. We also asked if variables traditionally associated with nest survival, vegetation concealment and seasonality, would influence nest survival. Our analyses surprisingly revealed no significant influence of human activity, vegetation concealment, and seasonality on nest survival for our target species. We found for nests that did fail, nests established during the earlier part of the nesting period failed faster. Within the limitations of our study system, our findings suggest that human presence is not negatively impacting the nesting success for our target bird species using urban greenspaces. Our study provides integrated science advice to land managers so they can support opportunities for people to connect with nature without causing trade-offs with biodiversity conservation.
Genome-wide analysis of TFIIB’s role in termination of transcription
Authors: Ansari Athar , O'Brien Michael , Schrader Jared 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

This study provides evidence that the role of TFIIB extends beyond initiation to include the termination step of transcription. Using GRO-seq analyses, we compared terminator readthrough phenotype in sua7-1 mutant (TFIIBsua7-1) and the isogenic wild type (TFIIBWT) strains. Approximately 74% of genes analyzed exhibited a 2-3-fold increase in readthrough of the poly(A)-termination signal in the TFIIBsua7-1 mutant compared to TFIIBWT cells. Mass spectrometry of affinity purified TFIIB from chromatin fraction found TFIIB exhibiting interaction with CF1A and Rat1 termination complexes in TFIIBWT cells. There was, however, a drastic decrease in TFIIB interaction with CF1A and Rat1 termination complexes in the TFIIBsua7-1 mutant. ChIP assays revealed about 90% decline in recruitment of termination factors in TFIIBsua7-1 mutant compared to wild type cells. The overall conclusion of these results is that TFIIB affects termination of transcription on a genome-wide scale, and TFIIB-termination factor interaction may play a crucial role in the process.
BMP7 attenuates propofol induced neuron apoptosis via modulating JNK and AKT signaling
Authors: Sun Qi , Song Rong , Yang Lin , Wan Qiaoqian , Shuai Yichun , Wang Xin , Xu Junmei 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
The aim of this study is to elucidate the protective role of bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) in mitigating the propofol-induced apoptosis on the HT-22 cells.
Method
Firstly, mouse hippocampal HT22 cells were treated with propofol at the concentrations of 0, 10, 50, 100uM for 12- and 24-hours to detect the propofol induced cell viability change and apoptotic effect. Secondly, BMP7 at the concentrations of 0, 20, 40, 60 ng/ml was co-incubated for 12-hrs to test whether BMP7 application could mitigate the propofol induced pro-apoptotic effect on the H22 cells. Finally, a specific BMP7 antagonist (TWSG-1) and an AKT inhibitor Akti-1/2 were applied to further investigate the downstream signals responsible for the BMP7’s protective property. In all sections, CCK-8 and LDH assay were employed to determine the cell viability and cytotoxicity; TUNEL staining was performed to investigate the apoptotic effect, and western blotting was conducted to examine the changes of the ratios of p-AKT/AKT and p-JNK/JNK.
Results
Firstly, propofol at the concentrations of 10, 50 and 100uM robustly induced cell viability decline, LDH release and morphological changes after 12- and 24-hours incubation. Secondly, BMP7 treatment at the concentration of 40 ng/ml statistically relieved propofol-induced cell cytotoxicity and apoptosis after 12-hours co-incubation. Thirdly, western blotting results showed that BMP7 initiated the upregulations of both p-AKT/AKT and p-JNK/JNK signals, which was antagonized by the treatment of TWSG-1 at 1ug/ml; In the meantime, Akti-1/2 prominently downregulated the ratio of p-AKT/AKT while upregulated the ratio of p-JNK/JNK. Finally, applications of both TWSG-1 and Akti-1/2 abolished BMP7 induced neuroprotective and anti-apoptotic effect.
Conclusion
BMP7 plays a protective role in reversing the propofol-induced apoptotic effect on HT22 cells possibly through the modulation of the downstream signals including JNK and AKT.
A Systematic Review of Toxicity in Large Language Models: Definitions, Datasets, Detectors, Detoxification Methods and Challenges
Authors: Villate-Castillo Guillermo , Ser Javier Del , Urquijo Borja Sanz 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

The emergence of the transformer architecture has ushered in a new era of possibilities, showcasing remarkable capabilities in generative tasks exemplified by models like GPT4o, Claude 3, and Llama 3. However, these advancements come with a caveat: predominantly trained on data gleaned from social media platforms, these systems inadvertently perpetuate societal biases and toxicity. Recognizing the paramount importance of AI Safety and Alignment, our study embarks on a thorough exploration through a comprehensive literature review focused on toxic language. Delving into various definitions, detection methodologies, and mitigation strategies, we aim to shed light on the complexities of this issue. While our focus primarily centres on transformer-based architectures, we also acknowledge and incorporate existing research within the realm of deep learning. Through our investigation, we uncover a multitude of challenges inherent in toxicity mitigation and detection models. These challenges range from inherent biases and generalization issues to the necessity for standardized definitions of toxic language and the quality assurance of dataset annotations. Furthermore, we emphasize the significance of transparent annotation processes, resolution of annotation disagreements, and the enhancement of Large Language Models (LLMs) robustness. Additionally, we advocate for the creation of standardized benchmarks to gauge the effectiveness of toxicity mitigation and detection methods. Addressing these challenges is not just imperative, but pivotal in advancing the development of safer and more ethically aligned AI systems.
Molecular Basis for the Calcium-Dependent Activation
of the Ribonuclease EndoU
Authors: Malard Florian , Dias Kristen , Baudy Margaux , Thore Stéphane , Vialet Brune , Barthélémy Philippe , Fribourg Sébastien , Karginov Fedor , Campagne Sebastien 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Ribonucleases (RNases) are ubiquitous enzymes that process or degrade RNA, essential for cellular functions and immune responses. The EndoU-like superfamily includes endoribonucleases conserved across bacteria, eukaryotes, and certain viruses, with an ancient evolutionary link to the ribonuclease A-like superfamily. Both bacterial EndoU and animal RNase A share a similar fold and function independently of cofactors. In contrast, the eukaryotic EndoU catalytic domain requires divalent metal ions for catalysis, possibly due to an N-terminal extension near the catalytic
core. In this study, we used biophysical and computational techniques along with in vitro assays to
investigate the calcium-dependent activation of human EndoU. We determined the crystal structure
of EndoU bound to calcium and found that calcium binding remote from the catalytic triad triggers
water-mediated intramolecular signaling and structural changes, activating the enzyme through allostery. Calcium-binding involves residues from both the catalytic core and the N-terminal extension, indicating that the N-terminal extension interacts with the catalytic core to modulate activity in response to calcium. Our findings suggest that similar mechanisms may be present across all eukaryotic EndoUs, highlighting a unique evolutionary adaptation that connects endoribonuclease
activity to cellular signaling in eukaryotes.
Persistent alveolar bronchiolization, interstitial fibrosis and impaired lung function post-exercise are features of long-COVID in SARS-CoV-2-Delta variant infected aged hamsters
Authors: Baumgärtner Wolfgang , Heydemann Laura , Ciurkiewicz Małgorzata , Störk Theresa , Zdora Isabel , Hülskötter kirsten , Gregor Katharina , Michaely Lukas , Reineking Wencke , Schreiner Tom , Beythien Georg , Volz Asisa , von Koeckritz-Blickwede Maren , Tuchel Tamara , zu natrup Christian meyer , Schünemann Lisa-Marie , Clever Sabrina , Schaudien Dirk , Rohn Karl , Schughart Klaus , Geffers Robert , Kaneko Mika , Kato Yukinari , Armando Federico 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Long-term consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection affect the life quality of millions of people and pose a heavy burden on the public health sector. The underlying causes, pathomechanisms and morphological correlates are still largely unknown and further research in appropriate animal models is needed. The goal of the study was to characterize the trajectory of lung regeneration over a period of 112 days in the hamster model by combining morphological, transcriptome analysis and functional readouts. We demonstrate that in the acute phase, SARS-CoV-2 Delta-infected, male, aged hamsters show a severe impairment of lung function in a resting state. In the chronic phase of the disease, similar impairments are appreciable until 7 weeks post infection only after exercise on a rodent treadmill. The hamster model recapitulates chronic pulmonary fibrotic changes observed in many patients with respiratory long COVID, but does not show extra-pulmonary long term lesions. We show that sub-pleural and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis as well as alveolar bronchiolization persist until 112 dpi. Interestingly, CK8+ alveolar differentiation intermediate (ADI) cells are becoming less prominent in the alveolar proliferation areas from 28 dpi on. Instead, CK14+ airway basal cells and SCGB1A1+ club cells, expressing cell proliferation markers, mainly populate alveolar bronchiolization areas at later time-points. We postulate that pulmonary fibrosis and SCGB1A1+ club cell rich areas of alveolar bronchiolization represent potential risk factors for other diseases in long-COVID survivors.
Flexible robot skin actuator using multilayer 3D pneumatic networks
Authors: Shin Hyung Gon , Chung Wan Kyun , Kim Keehoon 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Actuators are an essential part of a robot, creating movement between the robot and its environment. Actuators with flexible shapes allow them to operate in a wider variety of environments, and actuators with multiple degrees of freedom allow them to generate more complex motions. Here we propose a soft pneumatic actuator in the form of a thin, flexible sheet that can generate different motion vector fields on a surface. The proposed actuator is made by a novel multilayer additive process, which allows dozens of thin pneumatic chambers and multi-channel pneumatic circuits connecting them to be precisely formed in a thin soft body. A soft body containing such a complex pneumatic network can have a high degree of freedom and act like a transducer, with its surface dynamically responding to the input pressures. Depending on the input sequence, the proposed actuator can generate surface movements in six different directions, at different speeds, and over different distances, which we demonstrate through analytical models and experiments. We show that our proposed actuator can be used in a variety of environments where conventional rigid and thick actuators are difficult to use, including inspection and obstacle removal in narrow pipes, in-hand manipulation between conventional robotic grippers, and object transportation.
Effects of tributary inflows on unsteady flow hysteresis and hydrodynamics in the mainstream
Authors: Tang Hongwu , Chen Kang , Yuan Saiyu , Xu Lei , Qiu Jiajian , Lin Qingwei , Gualtieri Carlo 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT
Flooding propagation is a crucial aspect of hydrological monitoring and forecasting. Previous studies have focused on hysteresis in the rating curve, caused by energy loss during flood propagation. However, the impact of tributary inflow on hysteresis downstream remains unclear, leading to inconsistent field observations on whether it strengthens or weakens hysteresis. In this study, we conducted flume experiments to identify the relationship between hysteresis in unsteady flow and the discharge magnitude of the tributary and the unsteady flow period in the mainstream. It was found that the discharge variations in the tributary had a larger influence on hysteresis compared to the periodical variations in the mainstream unsteady flow. Interestingly, the hysteresis of the unsteady flow had an initial strengthening followed by weakening as the tributary discharge increased. When the tributary inflow was low, the widening of the downstream cross-section sharpened the flood wave, increasing the hysteresis. However, as the tributary discharge increased to generate a backwater effect on the mainstream, the pressure gradient flattened flood waves, thereby weakening the hysteresis. This study improves our understanding of how tributary inflow affects flood propagation in the mainstream, offering new insights for flood prediction and control.
Toward smart wastewater treatment plants: a novel data-driven sludge blanket model based on stochastic differential equations
Authors: Vetter Phillip Brinck , Stentoft Peter Alexander , Munk-Nielsen Thomas , Madsen Henrik , Møller Jan Kloppenborg 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT
A novel data-driven stochastic state space system for modeling and forecasting the sludge blanket height in secondary clarifiers is presented. The model is trained on sensor measurements of the sludge blanket height and uses as inputs (1) the clarifier sludge mass inflow rate, and (2) the clarifier recycle flow rate. The model's prediction accuracy is evaluated on data from two Danish wastewater treatment plants, for a summer and a winter month, by means of root-mean-square errors and compared with a persistence model. The model consistently outperforms the persistence model in the summer, but only one plant performs well in the winter month. The worst performing plant is challenging to model due to data quality issues and problematic (uneven and time-varying) flow distributions to the clarifiers. This led us to conclude that the best performance and stability is seen to require high data quality and well-controlled flow distribution. In summary the model achieves, in almost all cases, prediction error reductions in the order of 30–50% and 0.1–0.4 m in relative and absolute terms when compared with the predictions from a persistence model.
Temporal and spatial variation in atmospheric wet deposition of nutrients and organic matter at the southern and northern foothills of the Qinling Mountains
Authors: Si Fan , Li Kai , Huang Tinglin , Li Nan , Wen Gang , Huang Daojun 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACT

Wet deposition significantly impacts the basin ecosystem and water quality of the Qinling Mountains (QMs). However, few research focused on the difference in wet deposition between the northern (QN) and southern (QS) foothills due to the barrier effect of the QMs. This two-year investigation studied nutrient and organic matter deposition in QN and QS during summer and autumn. Results showed higher concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and permanganate index (CODMn) in QN's rainwater, particularly in autumn. The CODMn in QN ranged 0.59–7.67 mg/L, and DOC ranged 0.64–4.45 mg/L. For QS, the CODMn ranged 0.71–3.25 mg/L, and DOC ranged 0.28–2.62 mg/L. Backward trajectory analysis revealed the accumulation of pollutants in QN originating from Northern China, intensified by autumn heating and straw burning. Tyrosine-like and humic-like components in rainwater DOM suggested that they primarily originated from autochthonous sources. Rainwater N:P mass ratios range from 39:1 to 145:1, highlighting a higher N input than P in QMs' wet deposition. The findings underscore the importance of atmospheric wet deposition in nutrient and organic matter input to the QMs and establish a foundation for exploring the ecological effects of wet deposition.
Environmental Facility of Food Products as a Factor of Market Positioning
Authors: Kozak Liudmyla , Kostetska Iryna , Bereziak Ivanna 
Published: July 2024

The purpose of the article is to analyze the reactions of consumers to the quality characteristics of food products, in particular related to the level of their environmental friendliness, in order to develop proposals for improving the communication programs of manufacturers of these products in Ukraine. The authors describe the reactions of consumers to the qualitative characteristics of food products based on the results of a sociological study. 1269 people participated in the study, including 539 (42.5%) men and 730 (57.5%) women. The distribution of respondents by age is as follows: from 18 to 20 years old - 68 people or 5.4%; from 21 to 30 years old - 367 people or 28.9%; from 31 to 40 years old - 705 people or 55.5%; over 40 years old – 129 people or 10.2%. The age structure of respondents shows that about 90% of respondents belong to generations Y and Z, according to the well-known American classification. The intensifying competition among food manufacturers in Ukraine requires them to improve their own communication programs and positioning strategies by identifying significant emotional and functional attributes of the specified products. The conducted sociological study of the purchasing behavior of consumers on the food market in Ukraine contributes to the solution of this problem. The authors identified a number of factors influencing the formation of stereotypes of food quality perception. Indicators of environmental friendliness and safety for human health turned out to be the most important attributes in market positioning. The results of the study serve as a methodological basis for improving the communication programs of food manufacturers, contribute to the development of healthy competition among them. The findings of this study can be considered important as a guide for future research.
Diuretic Combination Therapy in Acute Heart Failure: An Updated Review
Authors: Villaschi Alessandro , Pellegrino Marta , Condorelli Gianluigi , Chiarito Mauro 
Published: July 2024

:
Loop diuretics are the cornerstone of decongestive therapy in patients presenting with acute heart
failure and have been extensively studied in randomized clinical trials. Therefore, in current guidelines, they
are the only drug with a class I recommendation to treat signs and symptoms of congestion when present. However,
the percentage of patients achieving successful decongestion is suboptimal, and diuretic resistance frequently
develops. Patients with a poor response to loop diuretics and those discharged with residual signs of
congestion are characterized by a worse prognosis over time. Recently, a renovated interest in different diuretic
classes sprouted among heart failure researchers in order to improve decongestion strategies and ameliorate
short- and long-term clinical outcomes. Randomized clinical trials investigating associations among diuretic
classes and loop diuretics have been performed but yielded variable results. Therefore, despite initial evidence
of a possible benefit from some of these compounds, a definite way to approach diuretic resistance via diuretic
combination therapy is still missing. The aim of this review is to summarize current clinical evidence on the
use of diuretic combination therapy in patients with acute heart failure and to suggest a possible approach to
avoid or counteract diuretic resistance.
UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap Study on Rat Urinary Metabolites of 5-Methoxy-Alpha-Methyltryptamine
Authors: Zhutao Guo , Ding Keran , Zheng Shuiqing , Ni Chunfang , Liang Chen , He Siyang , Deng Qianya 
Published: July 2024

Objective:
5-Methoxy-α-Methyltryptamine (5-MeO-AMT) is a new psychoactive substance which
is abused due to its hallucinogenic and euphoric effects. This study aimed to study the metabolic characteristics
of 5-MeO-AMT.

Methods:
Five rats were given intraperitoneal injection at a dose of 50 mg/kg of 5-MeO-AMT, and their urine
was subsequently collected at different times within 7 days. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography--
tandem high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap) was used to detect the precise molecular
weight and fragment ions of 5-MeO-AMT and its possible metabolites in the urine sample extracted with
benzene-ethyl acetate.

Results:
Three metabolites, including OH-5-MeO-AMT, α-Me-5-HT, and N-Acetyl-5-MeO-AMT were identified
in rats’ urine. The major metabolic pathways involved O-demethylation, hydroxylation of indole ring, and
Acetylation on aliphatic amines.

Conclusion:
The results of this study are an important reference for the identification and screening of toxicants
of 5-MeO-AMT.