bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ecological correlates of chimpanzee termite fishing behavior in Mbam & Djerem National Park, Cameroon
Authors: Andres‐Bray Tyler C. , Smith Jeffrey , Nichols Ian , Abwe Ekwoge E. , Gonder Mary Katherine 
Published: July 2024

AbstractChimpanzee insectivory is seasonally variable, with pronounced peaks or set seasonal periods of consumption observed in most chimpanzee communities. This variation is interesting given that chimpanzees invest considerable effort into complex tool‐using behaviors to acquire insect prey. Evidence suggests this seasonal variation is related to insect behavior, but few studies have been done to empirically examine this relationship. In this study, we assessed whether a seasonal pattern of termite fishing by Nigeria‐Cameroon chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes ellioti) in Mbam & Djerem National Park, Cameroon was driven by termite behavior. We measured termite presence and termite foraging activity monthly at seven termite mounds near Ganga Research Station from April 2022 to April 2023. Macroscopic fecal analysis and camera traps placed at each mound demonstrated termite fishing in this community occurred from March to June, with a rare smaller period of termite fishing in October 2021. Average monthly rainfall, average monthly temperature, and average monthly fruit availability were used to examine potential environmental factors that could impact termite fishing seasonality. Termite presence was significantly different between months with and without chimpanzee termite fishing (t‐test, −6.569, p < .001). Termite presence was also significantly associated with average monthly rainfall (ANOVA, F = 13.9, p = .002, R2 = .775). Termites in this region appear to respond to the transition from dry to wet seasons by moving closer to the soil surface. This corresponds with greater chimpanzee termite fishing, suggesting that termite accessibility may be driving seasonal variation in this behavior.
Association of liver fibrosis‐4 index with adverse outcomes in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients
Authors: Abdu Fuad A. , Mareai Redhwan M. , Xiang Lanqing , Galip Jassur. , Mohammed Abdul‐Quddus , Zhang Wen , Liu Lu , Wang Chunyue , Mohammed Ayman A. , Yin Guoqing , Lv Xian , Xu Yawei , Che Wenliang 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAimsThe fibrosis‐4 index (FIB‐4) is a non‐invasive tool to assess fibrosis risk in chronic liver disease. We aimed to explore the relationship between the FIB‐4 index and long‐term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in HCM patients.Methods and resultsConsecutive patients diagnosed with HCM were included. Patients were divided into two groups using a defined cutoff value established through a ROC analysis for predicting MACE (FIB‐4 ≥ 2.37 and FIB‐4 < 2.37). The final analysis comprised 187 HCM patients (34.8% females, 66.49 ± 11.43 years of age), with 47 (25.1%) in the FIB‐4 ≥ 2.37 group and 140 (74.9%) in the FIB‐4 < 2.37 group. Among these, 147 (78.6%) individuals had complete follow‐up data. Patients with FIB‐4 ≥ 2.37 demonstrated a higher prevalence of co‐morbidities such as atrial fibrillation (27.7% vs. 7.9%; P < 0.001), heart failure (55.3% vs. 24.3%; P < 0.001), elevated NT‐proBNP levels (3.03 ± 4.74 vs. 0.66 ± 1.08; P < 0.001), and lower LVEF (58.51 ± 7.86 vs. 61.84 ± 5.04; P = 0.001). Over a median of 41 (IQR 16–63) months follow‐up, MACE occurred in 49 (33.3%), with a significantly higher incidence in the FIB‐4 ≥ 2.37 group (58.8% vs. 25.7%, P < 0.001). Cardiac death rates were also elevated in the FIB‐4 ≥ 2.37 group (20.6% vs. 2.7%, P = 0.001). Cox regression analysis revealed an independent association between FIB‐4 ≥ 2.37 and a higher risk of MACE (adjusted HR: 1.919, 95% CI 1.015–3.630; P = 0.045) and cardiac death (adjusted HR: 9.518, 95% CI 1.718–52.732; P = 0.010). Furthermore, the FIB‐4 index shows positive correlations with left atrium diameter (r = 0.229; P = 0.003), septal thickness (r = 0.231; P = 0.002), posterior wall thickness (r = 0.235; P = 0.001), and NT‐proBNP (r = 0.271; P < 0.001). Conversely, a negative correlation was observed between the FIB‐4 index and left ventricular ejection fraction (r = −0.185; P = 0.011).ConclusionElevated FIB‐4 index, indicative of liver fibrosis, is independently associated with an increased risk of long‐term MACE in HCM patients. This emphasizes the potential influence of liver function abnormalities on HCM prognosis, underscoring the need for comprehensive risk assessment in clinical management.
Unraveling Superior Elasticity and Controlled Thermal Expansion in Trigonal MBO3 (M=Al, Ga) with Isolated [BO3] Group: A Theoretical Perspective
Authors: Yang Dingfeng , Tang Yurou , Xia Hongxu , Yin Keman , Li Yuanyuan 
Published: July 2024

AbstractA comprehensive theoretical investigation employing density functional theory explores the electronic structure, temperature‐dependent elasticity, thermodynamic properties, and chemical bonding of trigonal MBO3 (M=Al, Ga) with isolated [BO3] groups. The results uncover MBO3 (M=Al, Ga) as indirect semiconductors with superior mechanical stability, characterized by greater resistance to volume compression over shear deformation. Their elasticity exhibits relatively weak temperature dependence, suggesting excellent thermal stability. Thermodynamic analysis predicts that GaBO3 has a higher thermal expansion coefficient than AlBO3, approximately 2.1×10−5 K−1 and 1.8×10−5 K−1 at 300 K, respectively. Significantly, the overall thermal expansion coefficients of GaBO3 and AlBO3 are lower compared to other borate materials containing isolated [BO3] groups. Chemical bonding insights reveal that GaBO3′s larger thermal expansion is attributed to its larger atomic displacement parameters and weaker Ga−O bond strength. This research positions MBO3 (M=Al, Ga) as prime candidates for optical device applications due to their well‐characterized elasticity and controlled thermal expansion.
Development of spherical bismuth nanoparticles modified electrode for analysis of heavy metal ions in seawater samples using SWASV technique
Authors: Boontungtang Juthamas , Sanchayanukun Phetlada , Tedsri Karaked , Muncharoen Sasithorn 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThis research aims to optimize the effectiveness of a glassy carbon electrode by coating it with bismuth nanoparticles in both sphere and rod forms. The modified electrode is intended for the simultaneous analysis of heavy metals: Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) by using square‐wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). The synthesis optimization of bismuth nanospheres and nanorods was studied. Analysis of the nanoparticles’ morphology and structure was conducted using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Under optimal conditions, the synthesized nanobismuth spheres measured 137.0±3.43 nm, while the bismuth rods measured 5.18±1.36 nm. The optimal SWASV conditions for the proposed electrode in heavy metal analysis involved a deposition potential of −1.4 V for 240 seconds, a frequency of 25 Hz, an amplitude of 25 mV, and a step potential of 4 mV. The linearity ranges for Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) were 20–130 μg L−1, 10–60 μg L−1, and 6–54 μg L−1, respectively, with detection limits of 4.0 μg L−1 for Zn(II), 1.6 μg L−1 for Cd(II), and 1.6 μg L−1 for Pb(II). The results demonstrated satisfactory performance with high repeatability, good selectivity, and sensitivity. Additionally, the proposed electrode was utilized to simultaneously determine heavy metal concentrations in seawater.
Oligo cyc‐DEP: On‐chip cyclic immunofluorescence profiling of cell‐derived nanoparticles
Authors: Gustafson Kyle T. , Sayar Zeynep , Modestino Augusta , Le Hillary H. , Gower Austin , Civitci Fehmi , Esener Sadik C. , Heller Michael J. , Eksi Sebnem Ece 
Published: July 2024

AbstractWe present a follow‐on technique for the cyclic‐immunofluorescence profiling of suspension particles isolated using dielectrophoresis. The original lab‐on‐chip technique (“cyc‐DEP” [cyclic immunofluorescent imaging on dielectrophoretic chip]) was designed for the multiplex surveillance of circulating biomarkers. Nanoparticles were collected from low‐volume liquid biopsies using microfluidic dielectrophoretic chip technology. Subsequent rounds of cyclic immunofluorescent labeling and quenching were imaged and quantified with a custom algorithm to detect multiple proteins. While cyc‐DEP improved assay multiplicity, long runtimes threatened its clinical adoption. Here, we modify the original cyc‐DEP platform to reduce assay runtimes. Nanoparticles were formulated from human prostate adenocarcinoma cells and collected using dielectrophoresis. Three proteins were labeled on‐chip with a mixture of short oligonucleotide‐conjugated antibodies. The sample was then incubated with complementary fluorophore‐conjugated oligonucleotides, which were dehybridized using an ethylene carbonate buffer after each round of imaging. Oligonucleotide removal exhibited an average quenching efficiency of 98 ± 3% (n = 12 quenching events), matching the original cyc‐DEP platform. The presented “oligo cyc‐DEP” platform achieved clinically relevant sample‐to‐answer times, reducing the duration for three rounds of cyclic immunolabeling from approximately 20 to 6.5 h—a 67% decrease attributed to rapid fluorophore removal and the consolidated co‐incubation of antibodies.
Heavy metal accumulation and food safety of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) amended by bioslurry and chemical fertilizer application
Authors: Meskelu Tsigereda , Senbeta Abate Feyissa , Keneni Yadessa Gonfa , Sime Getachew 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe accumulation of heavy metals in soil and plant tissue is a serious concern since it impacts both soil quality and food safety. This study evaluated the accumulation of heavy metals and the food quality of lettuce as a result of the application of chemical fertilizer (CF) and bioslurry (BS). The treatments were CF (158 kg ha−1 NPS and 200 kg ha−1 urea), BS (5 ton ha−1), and control with no fertilizer, laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Soil samples were analyzed for their physico‐chemical characteristics. The concentrations of 10 heavy metals (As, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, Ni, Co, Fe, Mn, and Cr) in the agricultural soil, bioslurry, and lettuce tissue were determined. Both the BS and CF reduced the concentrations of most heavy metals in the agricultural soil, particularly As, Pb, and Cd. Only the mean concentration of Cd in the agricultural soils exceeded the threshold level set by WHO/FAO (2011) for agricultural soils. Similarly, the concentration of As, Pb, and Cd in lettuce tissue grown in BS‐treated soils and the concentration of As in agricultural soils surpassed the limit set for vegetables. Given the toxicities of As, Cd, and Pb, as well as the effect on food safety, human health, and the environment, it is unsafe to cultivate lettuce using either the agricultural soil or BS in the study area.
The most important variables associated with death due to COVID‐19 disease, based on three data mining models Decision Tree, AdaBoost, and Support Vector Machine: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: gharehhasani Bita Shokri , Rezaei Mansour , Naghipour Armin , Sayad Nazanine , Mostafaei Shayan , Alimohammadi Ehsan 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIntroductionDeath due to covid‐19 is one of the biggest health challenges in the world. There are many models that can predict death due to COVID‐19. This study aimed to fit and compare Decision Tree (DT), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and AdaBoost models to predict death due to COVID‐19.MethodsTo describe the variables, mean (SD) and frequency (%) were reported. To determine the relationship between the variables and the death caused by COVID‐19, chi‐square test was performed with a significance level of 0.05. To compare DT, SVM and AdaBoost models for predicting death due to COVID‐19 from sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and the area under the rock curve under R software using psych, caTools, random over‐sampling examples, rpart, rpartplot packages was done.ResultsOut of the total of 23,054 patients studied, 10,935 cases (46.5%) were women, and 12,569 cases (53.5%) were men. Additionally, the mean age of the patients was 54.9 ± 21.0 years. There is a statistically significant relationship between gender, fever, cough, muscle pain, smell and taste, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, dizziness, chest pain, intubation, cancer, diabetes, chronic blood disease, Violation of immunity, pregnancy, Dialysis, chronic lung disease with the death of covid‐19 patients showed (p < 0.05). The results showed that the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve were respectively 0.60, 0.68, 0.71, and 0.75 in the DT model, 0.54, 0.62, 0.63, and 0.71 in the SVM model, and 0.59, 0.65, 0.69 and 0.74 in the AdaBoost model.ConclusionThe results showed that DT had a high predictive power compared to other data mining models. Therefore, it is suggested to researchers in different fields to use DT to predict the studied variables. Also, it is suggested to use other approaches such as random forest or XGBoost to improve the accuracy in future studies.
Post‐COVID‐19 internet addiction, depression, and pornography addiction among adolescents: Findings from a nationwide study in Bangladesh
Authors: Siddik Md Abu Bakkar , Pervin Irin , Syfullah Md. Khalid , Ali Akher , Mahmud Al , Hasan Mahedi , Hussen Sheikh Muzzammil , Manjur Monia , Ahmed Zobayer , Rahman Mohammad Meshbahur 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackground and AimsRegulations response to COVID‐19 has increased internet addiction (IA), depression, and pornography addiction (PA) among adolescents worldwide. The objective of this nationwide study was to assess the current prevalence rate of IA, depression, and PA after the post‐COVID‐19 period among school‐going adolescents in Bangladesh.MethodsA total of 8832 male and female adolescents participated in this research. The cross‐sectional study was conducted online using a simple random sampling method. Including the sociodemographic variables, Young's IA Test (IAT‐20) Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐9), and Pornography Craving Questionnaire (PCQ‐12) were used to measure IA, depression, and PA. By SPSS version 25.0, the prevalence and correlation between IA, depression, and PA were analyzed using the Chi‐square test, binary logistic regression, and a bivariate co‐relation matrix.ResultsSixty‐three percent, 76.6%, and 62.9% of the students were suffering from IA, depression, and PA respectively. Depressive and anxious symptoms were significantly associated with IA. Female students were more depressed than males. Males were more addicted to pornography than females. Students who utilized social media but didn't exercise had greater depression and PA. IA, depression, and PA were correlated.ConclusionThe research emphasizes the need for comprehensive mental health treatments, digital literacy programs, and family and teacher participation to reduce IA, depression, and PA among adolescents post‐COVID‐19. Promotion of physical exercise and supporting policies to build safer online settings for adolescents are also encouraged.
Dos nuevas variedades de Portulaca brevifolia Urb. (Portulacaceae) para la Flora de Cuba
Authors: Menes María Dolores Ortega 
Published: July 2024

ResumenEn base a los estudios realizados en ejemplares de herbario y material fresco de las especies Portillara brevifolia Urb. y Portillara nana Urb. se concluye dar el status de variedad a la especie Portillara nana Urb. Además se reporta una nueva variedad de la Portillara brevifolia Urb. para la costa sur‐oriental de la Provincia Guantánamo.
How do students use ChatGPT as a writing support?
Authors: Levine Sarah , Beck Sarah W. , Mah Chris , Phalen Lena , PIttman Jaylen 
Published: July 2024

AbstractEducators and researchers are interested in ways that ChatGPT and other generative AI tools might move beyond the role of “cheatbot” and become part of the network of resources students use for writing. We studied how high school students used ChatGPT as a writing support while writing arguments about topics like school mascots. We asked: What did students prompt ChatGPT to do? And how did students take up ChatGPT's responses to those prompts? We used Flower and Hayes' writing model to analyze screencasts of students interacting with ChatGPT and one another as they planned, drafted, and reviewed their arguments. Our data show that while planning and drafting, students primarily asked ChatGPT for ideas and then built upon those ideas to develop their own arguments. While reviewing, they generally used ChatGPT as they might use Grammarly or other editing tools. Students also compared their writing with that of ChatGPT, which allowed them to identify their unique writing voices and build meta‐level understandings of rhetorical choices and effects. Our study indicates that ChatGPT can become a part of a social, distributed model of writing, and that students can use ChatGPT as a resource for writing without sidestepping the processes of planning, drafting, and reviewing.
Finite element simulation and experimental validation of thermal damage to isolated porcine skin tissue by femtosecond laser welding
Authors: Huang Jun , Jia Mengshi , Li Yanyu , Yan Mintao , Wang Kehong , Li Xiaopeng 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe welding effect of the laser on skin tissue is reduced by thermal damage to skin tissue, and greater thermal damage to skin tissue caused by the laser is prevented by predicting thermal damage. In this paper, a finite element model is established for the temperature field of skin tissue scanned by a femtosecond laser to obtain the influence of laser process parameters and scanning path on the thermal damage parameters of skin tissue and the thermal damage area, and verified experimentally. The results show that the established finite element model is accurate and can accurately reflect the temperature distribution during the process of femtosecond laser welding of porcine skin tissues; used to predict the thermal damage parameters of the skin tissues and the thermal damage area; and provide guidance for the study of the femtosecond laser welding of the skin tissues process to obtain the optimal process parameters.
Initial bone tissue reactions of hydroxyapatite/collagen–(3‐glycidoxypropyl)trimethoxysilane injectable bone paste
Authors: Sato Taira , Shirosaki Yuki , Oshima Sho , Tsuru Kanji , Koyama Yoshihisa , Aizawa Mamoru , Kikuchi Masanori 
Published: July 2024

AbstractWe have previously reported that a novel bioresorbable self‐setting injectable bone paste composed of hydroxyapatite/collagen bone‐like nanocomposite (HAp/Col) and (3‐glycidoxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) was successfully prepared and was replaced with new bone within 3 months of implantation in defects created in porcine tibia. In this study, the HAp/Col‐GPTMS paste was implanted into bone defects in rat tibiae to investigate the initial kinetics and bone tissue response. Even though more than 35% of GPTMS molecules should be eluted rapidly from directly injected pastes according to previously reported cell culture tests, in this study, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometry did not detect Si (GPTMS) deposition in tissues surrounding the paste at 1 day postimplantation. Further, no abnormal inflammatory responses were observed in the surrounding tissues over the test period for both directly injected and prehardened pastes. Companying these observations with the results of the previous animal test (in which the paste was fully resorbed and was substituted with new bone), the eluted GPTMS resolved in no harm in vivo from the initial to final (completely resorbed) stages. Material resorption rates calculated from X‐ray microcomputed tomography (μ‐CT) images decreased with increasing in GPTMS concentration. Histological observations indicated that tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) active cells, (assumed to be osteoclasts), exist on the periphery of pastes. This result suggested that the paste was resorbed by osteoclasts in the same way as the HAp/Col. Since a good correlation was observed between TRAP active areas in histological sections and material resorption rate calculated from μ‐CT, the TRAP activity coverage ratio offers the possibility to estimate the osteoclastic resorption ratio of materials, which are replaced with bone via bone remodeling process.
Analyzing antimicrobial activity of ZnO/FTO, Sn–Cu‐doped ZnO/FTO thin films: Production and characterizations
Authors: Kara Ilker , Hafedh Abjar Ibrahim Rashid , Alhusseinawi Nooralhuda Kareem Hanoon , Kayış Ahmet Furkan , Yalçınkaya Özcan , Acar Berat Cinar , Yuksekdag Zehranur , Ozen Yunus , Gençyılmaz Olcay , Ozkan Engin Can , Oner Hayrettin 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIn the developing field of nanotechnology, ZnO (zinc oxide) based semiconductor samples have emerged as the foremost choice due to their immense potential for advancing the development of cutting‐edge nanodevices. Due to its excellent chemical stability, low cost, and non‐toxicity to biological systems, it is also utilized in various investigations. In this study, the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method was used to generate FTO (fluorine‐doped tin oxide)/ZnO, and tin (Sn)–copper (Cu)‐doped ZnO thin films at varying concentrations on FTO substrates. After being stacked 40 times in varying concentrations on the FTO substrate, FTO/ZnO thin films and Sn–Cu‐doped thin films were annealed at 300°C. Using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy‐(EDS), the agar diffusion test, and the viability cell counting method, the minimum inhibitory concentration, structural properties, surface morphology, antibacterial properties, bacterial adhesion, and survival organism count of FTO/ZnO thin films and Sn–Cu‐doped thin films were investigated. Both doped and FTO/ZnO films with varying Sn–Cu concentrations expanded harmonically on the FTO substrate, according to the SEM‐EDS investigation. The doping concentration affected their morphological properties, causing changes depending on the doping level. Antibacterial activity was observed in the powder metals, but no antibacterial activity was found in the thin film form. The highest adhesion rate of bacterial organisms on the produced samples was observed when the FTO/ZnO/Sn–Cu doping rate was 1%. In addition, the lowest adhesion rate was observed when the FTO/ZnO/Sn–Cu additive ratio was 3%.Research Highlights
ZnO based semiconductors highlight significant potential in advancing nanodevice technology due to their chemical stability, cost‐effectiveness, and biocompatibility.
Employing the SILAR method, the study innovatively fabricates FTO/ZnO and Sn–Cu‐doped ZnO thin films on FTO substrates, exploring a novel approach in semiconductor manufacturing.
Post annealing at 300°C, the research examines the structural and surface morphological changes in the films, contributing to the understanding of semiconductor behavior under varying conditions.
The study delves into the antibacterial properties of ZnO thin films, offering insights into the potential biomedical applications of these materials.
SEM‐EDS analysis reveals that doping concentrations crucially influence the morphological properties of ZnO thin films, shedding light on the optimization of semiconductor performance.
Findings indicate a specific doping rate (1% Sn–Cu) enhances bacterial adhesion, while a 3% additive ratio minimizes it, suggesting implications for biomedical device engineering and antibacterial surface design.