bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimization of electrical stimulation modalities for treating visceral pain in a rodent model of irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Alam Md Jahangir , Zhao Tingting , Wiley John , Chen Jiande DZ 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different electrical stimulation methods (bilateral electroacupuncture (BEA), unilateral EA (UEA), transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA, stimulation via surface electrodes placed at acupoints), and sacral nerve stimulation (SNS)) on visceral pain in a rodent model of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Ten-day-old male and female pups were treated with 0.2 ml of 0.5% acetic acid (AA) solution. Visceral sensitivity was assessed using an electromyogram (EMG) in response to graded colorectal distension. In the first experiment, bilateral EA at ST36 acupoint was performed with different parameters in male rats to determine the best stimulation parameters. In the second experiment, male rats were randomly assigned into the Sham, BEA, UEA, TEA, and SNS groups to determine the best stimulation method. Lastly, the AA-treated female rats were randomly assigned into the BEA and sham groups to investigate a potential treatment difference between the sexes. Results: 1) The parameter set of 100Hz was found to be most effective in reducing visceral pain. 2) Both acute UEA and TEA effectively relieved visceral pain, whereas acute SNS did not exhibit such an effect. 3) Acute BEA improved visceral pain in both male and female rats. Conclusions: These findings suggest that transcutaneous ST36 stimulation is as effective as direct ST36 stimulation and unilateral ST36 stimulation is comparable to bilateral stimulation. Development of a novel therapy using unilateral transcutaneous ST36 stimulation is warranted.
Full-field, frequency-domain comparison of simulated and measured human brain deformation
Authors: Arani Amir HG. , Okamoto Ruth J. , Escarcega Jordan D. , Jerusalem Antoine , Alshareef Ahmed A. , Bayly Philip V. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

We propose a robust framework for quantitatively comparing model-predicted and experimentally measured strain fields in the human brain during harmonic skull motion. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are typically caused by skull impact or acceleration, but how skull motion leads to brain deformation and consequent neural injury remains unclear and comparison of model predictions to experimental data remains limited. Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) provides high-resolution, full-field measurements of dynamic brain deformation induced by harmonic skull motion. In the proposed framework, full-field strain measurements from human brain MRE in vivo are compared to simulated strain fields from models with similar harmonic loading. To enable comparison, the model geometry and subject anatomy, and subsequently, the predicted and measured strain fields are nonlinearly registered to the same standard brain atlas. Strain field correlations (\(\:{C}_{v}\)), both global (over the brain volume) and local (over smaller sub-volumes), are then computed from the inner product of the complex-valued strain tensors from model and experiment at each voxel. To demonstrate our approach, we compare strain fields from MRE in six human subjects to predictions from two previously developed models. Notably, global \(\:{C}_{v}\) values are higher when comparing strain fields from different subjects (\(\:{C}_{v}\)~0.6–0.7) than when comparing strain fields from either of the two models to strain fields in any subject. The proposed framework provides a quantitative method to assess similarity (and to identify discrepancies) between model predictions and experimental measurements of brain deformation, and thus can aid in the development and evaluation of improved models of brain biomechanics.
PGRN protects against serum deprivation-induced cell death by encouraging the ROS scavenger system in cervical cancer
Authors: Lu Yi , Feng Tingting , Xu Xiaoying , Wang Xiao , Tang Wei 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Progranulin (PGRN), an autocrine growth factor with tumorigenic roles in a variety of tumors, is a putative survival factor for normal and cancer cells in vitro. However, the fundamental mechanism of PGRN-mediated survival of cancer cells suffering from various kinds of microenvironmental stresses, such as serum deprivation, remains unknown. We show here that serum deprivation decreases the protein level of PGRN in cancer cells. PGRN protects cancer cells against serum deprivation-induced apoptosis, and limits the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), maintains the integrity of mitochondria and reduces oxidative damage of protein, lipid and DNA in serum-deprived cancer cells. PGRN encourages the ROS scavenger system evidenced by enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase protein expression and activity, elevated GSH/GSSG and NADPH levels and increased phase II detoxification enzymes expression in cancer cells with serum withdraw. The role of PGRN in ROS clearance is mediated by PGRN-stimulated nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NFE2L2)-antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway. Our study suggests an antioxidant mechanism of PGRN in the survival of cancer cells under oxidant stress, and provides a new perspective for the adaptive mechanism of cancer cells to the microenvironmental shortages for cell viability that lead to the other malignant features of cancer.
Evaluation of Cytotoxicity, Antimicrobial, and Antifungal Properties of Ceragenins CSA-44 and CSA-131
Authors: Aslantas Kubra , Oz Cihan , Taghizadehghalehjoughi Ali , Genc Sidika , Erdogan Aziz Sahin , Savage Paul B. , Adiguzel Mehmet Cemal 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

A novel family of antimicrobial drugs is known as cationic steroid antimicrobials (CSA-ceragenin), which includes CSA44 and CSA 131. This work aimed to examine the antibacterial and antimycotic properties of CSA44 and CSA 131 against Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans. Additionally, the cytotoxicity of these compounds was assessed on dental pulp stem cell lines. The CSA-44 compound with a concentration of 0.05% had the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.04 µg/ml against E. faecalis. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for all concentrations of CSA-44 and CSA-131 against S. aureus ranged from 2.50 to 5.00 µg/ml. Inhibitory action against C. albicans was found to be most pronounced in CSA-131 and CSA-44. The 0.20% of CSA-44 showed the highest minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) value of 5.00 µg/ml against S. aureus. The 1xMIC of CSA-44 (0.2%) decreased the bacterial load against E. faecalis at 3 hours, even though the same effect was recorded at 6 hours against S. aureus. CSA-44 and CSA-131 prevented the growth at 1.5xMIC at 3 h, whereas 1xMIC concentration inhibited the growth at 6 h for all tested microorganisms. The lowest viability was observed at CSA-131 (0.2% 100%), whereas CSA-44 shows lower toxicity than CSA-131 at the same dose. This study presented herein showed that CSA44 and CSA131 have significant superiority, especially against yeast infections. Therefore, these agents can be used as alternative options in endodontic treatments.
Screening of promising molecules against potential drug targets in Yersinia pestis by integrative pan and subtractive genomics, docking and simulation approach
Authors: Chen Lei , Zhang Lihu , Li Yanping , Qiao Liang , Kumar Suresh 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

This study aims to identify novel drug targets in Yersinia pestis, the bacterium responsible for plague, using an integrative approach combining pan-genomic and subtractive genomics methods. The primary objective was to locate targets that do not share homology with human proteins, gut microbiota, or known anti-targets but are crucial for the pathogen's survival. These targets should also exhibit high levels of protein interaction, antibiotic resistance, and conservation across various pathogens. We identified two promising targets: the aminotransferase class I/class II domain-containing protein and 3-oxoacyl-[acyl-carrier-protein] synthase 2. These proteins were modeled using AlphaFold2, validated through several structural analyses, and subjected to molecular docking and ADMET analysis. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the stability of the drug-target complexes, indicating their potential as targets for new therapies against Y. pestis.
Peristaltic Transport of a Casson Fluid 0n Mhd Effect With Slip Conditions Bounded by Permeable Walls With Suction and Injection
Authors: Sivaranjani S. , Kavitha A. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

This paper investigates on “The MHD effect of Partial slip on peristaltic transport of a Casson fluid bounded by permeable walls with suction and injection”. The analytical solution for velocity pressure rise and the frictional force (f) has been solved by Perturbation solution under the assumption of long wavelength and low Reynolds number. The difference for pressure rises and frictional force are shown in graphical method by using MATHEMATICA SOFTWARE. The frictional force is just opposite behaviour for the pressure rise.
Mobile phone access, usage patterns and perceptions of adolescents living with HIV on the use of gamified interventions to improve ART adherence in Eswatini
Authors: Hlophe Londiwe D. , Nyasulu Peter S. , Shumba Constance S. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background
Adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) often experience poor anti-retroviral therapy (ART) outcomes due to multiple barriers affecting medication adherence. Effective self-care interventions are needed to address these challenges. Mobile phones are widely used by the adolescent population, thus present an opportunity to be used as a tool to enhance ART adherence through the use of mobile phones as a targeted intervention. However, research on ALHIV's mobile phone access, usage patterns, and perceptions of mobile phone-based interventions has shown to be limited in Eswatini. This study thus explored these aspects to inform effective mobile health (mHealth) strategies for enhancing ART adherence among ALHIV.
Methods
We conducted a qualitative study using in-depth interviews in the month of December 2023. A total of 29 ALHIV purposively sampled were interviewed from five Teen Clubs in the Hhohho region in Eswatini. These adolescents were aged 10 to 19 years, aware of their HIV status, and were also on ART.
Results
Nearly 94% of the participants (28/29) had access to a mobile phone. Of these, 25 (89.3%) used their phone daily. Among participants with mobile phone access, all (100%) reported using their phones primarily for calling and receiving calls, while 21 (75%) used their mobile phones for social media. Three themes emerged regarding the use of gamified interventions to support ART adherence. Firstly, the use of gamified interventions aimed at ART adherence among ALHIV was deemed feasible, based on mobile phone access and past experiences with mobile game. Secondly, successful gamified interventions should consist of three qualities: being supportive, educational, and ensuring privacy in the design of the game. Lastly, two potential concerns (confidentiality and mobile phone access factors) should be considered when designing gamified ART adherence interventions.
Conclusion
There is wide use of mobile phones among adolescent living with HIV infection on ART in Eswatini. This provides an opportunity to leverage mobile technology to enhance ART adherence through use of gamified interventions. However, it is essential to carefully consider ALHIV-specific needs and concerns in the design of these interventions to ensure their successful implementation and sustainability.
Enhancing Quantum Machine Learning Performance via Transfer Learning Techniques
Authors: Zeynali A. , Bakhshi Z. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Quantum machine learning (QML) is a rapidly growing interdisciplinary field at the intersection of quantum computing and machine learning, aiming to harness the unique properties of quantum mechanics to address complex computational challenges and enhance algorithmic performance. Despite its potential, QML faces significant challenges such as computational complexity, data efficiency, and resource requirements. This paper introduces a novel transfer learning approach to improve the performance and efficiency of quantum models. By leveraging the knowledge from previously trained quantum models, our method reduces training time and enhances accuracy, making QML more practical for real-world applications. Experimental results validate the effectiveness of our approach, demonstrating substantial improvements in both accuracy and training time.
PACS numbers: 03.67.Ac,03.67.Lx,03.67.Mn,03.67.Pp
An Improved Quasi-Steady Model Capable of Calculating Flexible Deformation for Bird-Like Flapping Wings
Authors: Mao Tianyou , Guo Chuangqiang , Duan Bosong 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Flapping wing air vehicles (FWAVs) are bio-inspired aerial robots that boast high flight efficiency, excellent maneuverability, and stealth capabilities. However, the dynamic modeling techniques for flapping motion remain underdeveloped, particularly for bird-like FWAVs. Traditional quasi-steady (QS) models' accuracy heavily relies on empirical coefficients, leading to unacceptable errors when analyzing flapping motion at different scales and wing flexibilities. This paper presents an improved QS model that incorporates the interaction mechanism between wing flexible deformation and relative flow state, enabling quantitative analysis of wing deformation's aerodynamic influence and significantly reducing reliance on empirical coefficients. The model comprises two solvers: an aerodynamic solver that outputs wing surface force distribution at each discrete time point, and a structural deformation solver that provides corresponding relative flow state distribution. In each iteration cycle, these solvers exchange their output data until they converge to a stable wing surface displacement distribution and output the predicted time-varying aerodynamic data. Wind tunnel experiments, utilizing high-speed cameras and six-dimensional force sensors, validated the reliability of both the structural deformation solver and the aerodynamic solver. This aerodynamic model, balancing speed and accuracy, shows strong potential for applications in FWAVs' structural and controller design, including but not limited to airfoil optimization and flight attitude stabilization.
Adaptive loss of shortwave sensitive opsins during genomic evolution in cartilaginous fish
Authors: Bao Baolong , Li Yunkai , Zhao Na , Zhang Yaolei , Zhang Bo , Feng Yidong , Lv Meiqi , Jia Lei , Sun Jinsheng , Fan Guangyi , Meyer Axel , Xu Xiaoyan , Liao Yongguan , Li Yumin 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Widespread gene loss can occur during evolution. Cartilaginous fish (e.g., sharks, rays, and skates) cannot see blue or violet light, potentially because they lack the shortwave-sensitive cone opsin gene (sws). However, the evolutionary mechanisms underlying sws loss remain unclear. Here, we elucidated the whole-genome assembly structures of skate (Okamejei kenojei) and blue shark (Prionace glauca) and analyzed the distribution characteristics and intragroup differences of opsin-related genes in cartilaginous fish. By using a zebrafish model with sws deletion, we inferred that in the presence of SWS1 and SWS2, blue and violet light can induce cell aging, respectively; this is followed by photoreceptor layer thinning. Thus, sws loss aids in preventing shortwave light damage to the eye. In the retinas of numerous cartilaginous fish, the tapetum lucidum strongly reflects light. Thus, in cartilaginous fish, the existence of tapetum lucidum in the retina and loss of sws may be interdependent; in other words, this adaptive gene loss may increase cartilage fish fitness.
Level-Crossing Acquisition and Deep Convolutional Neural Network based Classification of Arrhythmia for Mobile Healthcare
Authors: Hussain Syed Fawad , Qaisar Saeed Mian , Sherjeel Muhammad 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Mobile healthcare is an evolving area that typically employs cloud-connected wireless biomedical gadgets for diagnosis, monitoring, and prognosis. In such environment, data compression, transmission, and processing are key issues. We propose a new method for the automated diagnosis of arrhythmia in an efficient and effective manner. The goal is to reach an efficient method by achieving a real-time data size reduction, computationally efficient signal preconditioning and a lower latency accurate classification. The Electrocardiogram (ECG) signal is sampled by using the level-crossing concept. The segmentation and adaptive-rate denoising with lower tap filters are realized. The denoised segments, without any handcrafted features extraction, are classified with one dimensional (1-D) deep Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). Five clinically important classes of arrhythmias, collected from the Beth Israel Hospital (MIT-BIH) dataset, are used to examine its applicability. Our experimental results show a 4.2-times reduction in the count of acquired samples on average compared to fix-rate counterparts. Similarly, data dimension reduction results in a more than 7.2 fold computational improvement of the post denoising stage over the conventional counterparts. Moreover, classification latency is also significantly reduced while still achieving an accuracy rate of 99%.
The timing of the release of bumblebees of the genus <i>Bombus</i> (Hymenoptera: Apidae) from the state of winter diapause in the Leningrad province
Authors: Байков М. В. 
Published: August 2024

Важное значение для шмелей рода Bombus (Hymenoptera: Apidae), как насекомых-антофилов с растянутым периодом жизни семьи, является формирование такого фенологического календаря, который позволяет шмелям различных видов и обитателям разнообразных экотопов приспособиться к трофическому использованию произрастающих там растений. Анализ многолетних рядов фенонаблюдений показал: самая ранняя фиксированная дата вылета шмелей для западной и центральной частей Ленинградской области за период наблюдений с 1925 по 2023 годы - 3 апреля (Тосненский район), самая поздняя - 26 мая (Подпорожский район). Средние даты вылета лежат в интервале от 22 апреля до 11 мая. Самые поздние вылеты в пунктах наблюдений фиксировались в период с 5 мая по 26 мая. Интервал между самым ранним и самым поздним сроком вылета шмелей в разных пунктах наблюдений изменяется от 14 до 40 суток. Среднее значение этого интервала составляет 29,67 суток. Высокий и средний уровень зависимости сроков выхода шмелей из зимней диапаузы показан для широтной характеристики (бореальности) ареала обитания, влияние долготной характеристики (континентальности) ареала обитания имеет большей частью слабый уровень влияния на сроки вылета перезимовавших самок шмелей. Средний уровень зависимости от долготы отмечен только по средним срокам вылета (r=0,529, р = 0,615). Зависимость сроков вылета от высоты местности над уровнем моря не выявлена.
Important for bumblebees of the genus Bombus (Hymenoptera: Apidae), as anthophilic insects with a prolonged family life period, is the formation of such a phenological calendar that allows bumblebees of various species and inhabitants of various ecotopes to adapt to the trophic use of plants growing there. The analysis of long-term series of phenological observations showed that the earliest fixed date of departure of bumblebees for the Leningrad province during the observation period from 1925 to 2023 was April 3 (Tosnensky district), the latest was May 26 (Podporozhsky district). The average departure dates was in the range from April 22 to May 11. The latest departures at the observation points were recorded in the period from May 5 to May 26. The interval between the earliest and the latest departure time of bumblebees at different observation points varied from 14 to 40 days. The average value of this interval was 29.67 days. A high and average level of dependence of the timing of the release of bumblebees from the winter diapause is shown for the latitudinal characteristic (boreal) of the habitat, the influence of the longitude characteristic (continentality) of the habitat has for the most part a weak level of influence on the timing of the departure of overwintered female bumblebees. The average level of dependence on longitude is marked only by the average departure time (r = 0.529, p = 0.615). The dependence of the departure time on the altitude of the terrain above sea level has not been revealed.
Localized dopant motion across the 2D Ising phase transition
Authors: Knakkergaard Nielsen Kristian 
Published: August 2024

I investigate the motion of a single hole in 2D spin lattices with square and triangular geometries. While the spins have nearest neighbor Ising spin couplings JJ, the hole is allowed to move only in 1D along a single line in the 2D lattice with nearest neighbor hopping amplitude tt. The non-equilibrium hole dynamics is initialized by suddenly removing a single spin from the thermal Ising spin lattice. I find that for any nonzero spin coupling and temperature, the hole is localized. This is an extension of the thermally induced localization phenomenon [Phys. Rev. Res. 6, 023325 (2024)] to the case, where there is a phase transition to a long-range ordered ferromagnetic phase. The dynamics depends only on the ratio of the temperature to the spin coupling, k_BT / |J|kBT/|J|, and on the ratio of the spin coupling to the hopping J/tJ/t. I characterize these dependencies in great detail. In particular, I find universal behavior at high temperatures, common features for the square and triangular lattices across the Curie temperatures for ferromagnetic interactions, and highly distinct behaviors for the two geometries in the presence of antiferromagnetic interactions due geometric frustration in the triangular lattice.
Fortalecimiento de la lectura crítica en estudiantes de secundaria a través del uso de la intertextualidad
Authors: Gómez Betancur Martha Inés , Camilo Andrés González Garzón  , Rafael Ricardo Cogollo Pitalúa  
Published: August 2024

Cuando se revisa el desempeño de los estudiantes en las pruebas nacionales e internacionales, es evidente que los docentes y, en general, los actores de la educación deben continuar promoviendo estrategias activas para leer críticamente. En este contexto, este artículo busca mostrar los resultados obtenidos en el fortalecimiento de la lectura crítica en estudiantes de secundaria a través del uso de la intertextualidad. Este estudio estuvo estructurado en tres momentos: identificación del estado de los aprendizajes y competencias de los estudiantes en lectura crítica, utilizando la evaluación como eje de transformación de la práctica pedagógica; luego se implementó la intertextualidad en las prácticas lectoras para fortalecer la lectura crítica de los estudiantes; y por último, se realiza una reflexión valorativa de la intertextualidad como perspectiva pedagógica pertinente para la nivelación y recuperación de los aprendizajes en lectura crítica. En conclusión, se concluye que la intertextualidad es una estrategia pedagógica idónea para fortalecer la lectura crítica de los estudiantes de secundaria, dado que promueve el diálogo y la postura crítica entre texto y lector.