bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and Safety of Endoscopic Super-Hemorrhoidal Banding for Mixed Hemorrhoids with Prolapse
Authors: Huang Xiu-jiang , Xu Wen , Lin Hao , Jiang Ping , Yang Hong-jing , Chen Li-juan , Yang Kai-xi , Huang Yu-ji , Zhu Ying , Tang Shou-jiang 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Objective
Traditional miligan-organ hemorrhoidectomy (MMH) has disadvantages for mixed hemorrhoids with prolapse. Strategies to further improve the therapeutic effect, reduce postoperative anal pain, and decrease the complication rate are urgently required. We investigated the efficacy and safety of endoscopic superhemorrhoidal banding (ESHB) for mixed hemorrhoids with prolapse.
Methods
The clinical data of 130 consecutive patients with mixed hemorrhoids and prolapse at the People's Hospital of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture from June 2021 to June 2023 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Sixty-five patients who underwent MMH and 65 who underwent ESHB were categorized into MMH and ESHB groups, respectively. The outcomes, length of the procedure, hospitalization time, postoperative pain (evaluated using the visual analog scale [VAS]), and incidence of urinary retention were compared.
Results
The efficacy was 100% in both groups, with no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). Operation length and hospitalization time were significantly shorter in the ESHB group than in the MMH group (P < 0.01). The VAS scores for postoperative pain and incidence of urinary pain were significantly lower in the ESHB group than in the MMH group (P < 0.01).
Conclusions
ESHB can effectively restore the weakened anal cushion and protect its structural and functional integrity, improve symptoms related to mixed hemorrhoids with prolapse, shorten operative time and hospital stay, and reduce the incidence of postoperative complications. It is a safe and simple minimally invasive endoscopic treatment with an efficacy similar to that of MMH.
Trial registration
: The clinical trial registration was completed (registration no.: NCT06250140; registration date: January 31, 2024).
Genome architecture evolution in an invasive copepod species complex
Authors: Du Zhenyong , Wirtz Johannes , Zhou Yifei , Jenstead Anna , Opgenorth Taylor , Puls Angelise , Meyer Cullan , Gelembiuk Gregory , Lee Carol 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Chromosomal fusions are hypothesized to facilitate evolutionary adaptation, but empirical evidence has been scarce. Here, we analyze chromosome-level genome sequences of three clades within the copepod Eurytemora affinis species complex, known for its remarkable ability to rapidly colonize novel habitats. Among three genetically distinct clades, we discover remarkable patterns of chromosomal evolution, with independent fusions in two different clades. Genomes of this species complex show expansions of ion transport-related gene families, likely related to adaptation to varied salinity habitats. Notably, for the highly invasive Atlantic clade (E. carolleeae), chromosomal fusion sites, especially the centromeres, are significantly enriched with signatures of selection between saline and freshwater populations. These chromosomal fusions join functionally related ion transporter genes, forming “supergenes” at the centromeres, where recombination is low. This study uncovers novel patterns of genome architecture evolution with potentially important implications for mechanisms of adaptive evolution in response to radical environmental change.
Avian malaria in a feral-pet pigeon: a case report
Authors: Muchaamba Gillian , Venugopal Kannan , Gaechter Bettina , Vogler Barbara , Hetzel Udo , Albini Sarah , Marti Matthias 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Avian malaria is caused by diverse parasite species of the genus Plasmodium, and it affects various bird species. The occurrence of this disease in wild birds is understudied due to the scarce availability of samples. Hence the pathogenicity in these hosts is not completely known. In addition, feral birds may act as reservoirs bridging the transmission cycle from wild migratory birds to domestic and zoo-kept bird species. We report here the occurrence of P. relictum in a feral pigeon.
Case presentation:
The bird died unexpectedly, and necropsy revealed an anaemic carcass, with pale organs and hydropericardium. Histopathologic analysis revealed inflammatory infiltrates in lung and liver, and monocytes and Kupffer cells contained hemozoin pigment indicative of phagocytosis of Plasmodium infected erythrocytes. A high erythrocytic infection rate of 18% was evident in tissues and blood vessels in various organs. Furthermore, the thyroid had masses classified as thyroid carcinomas. Immunohistochemistry with anti-P. falciparum HSP70 antibody revealed positive signals in erythrocytes and intravascular leucocytes. Further analysis using Giemsa-stained blood smears revealed a high parasitaemia with an asynchronous infection showing all erythrocytic stages. Molecular diagnosis by PCR identified P. relictum, lineage GRW11 as the etiological agent. The bird presented died most likely due to an acute infection as evidenced by the high blood parasitaemia, leading to major erythrocyte destruction. Further analyses of feral pigeons (n = 22) did not reveal any additional cases with Plasmodium infections.
Conclusion
While our study suggests that Plasmodium infections are rare in pigeons, host conditions like immunosuppression may have influenced the infection outcome in this fatal case due to the tumour.
A Multi-Scale Coupled Relationship Activation-Based Few-Shot Detection Method for Endangered Wildlife
Authors: Feng Wen , Cao Congjun , Shao Yunlong , Wang Xusheng , Xiong Wu 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

In the domain of monitoring and conservation of rare and endangered wildlife, traditional object detection methods fail to operate effectively due to overfitting caused by limited image data. To address this issue, this paper proposes a small-sample object detection method that utilizes limited support information to achieve accurate detection of endangered wildlife images. Firstly, we introduce the Feature Pyramid Network (FPN) to adapt to foreground targets at various scales. Secondly, we propose a Coupled Relationship Activation (CRA) module that aggregates features from the support set into a comprehensive feature vector and utilizes it to activate similar regions in the query feature. Furthermore, to balance the differences between support and query features, we incorporate cosine similarity and short-circuit structures before and after the activation process, thereby mitigating the impact of activating dissimilar features erroneously. During the above process, we construct a balanced dataset, CRBAD, which comprises images of both endangered and common animal categories, and employ it to conduct practical testing of the proposed method. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model achieves state-of-the-art performance in detecting endangered wildlife images.
How does physical activity affect multimorbidity in China middle-aged and older adults? A propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Fan Bingbing , Ren Kexin , Li Lang 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

In the context of an aging population, older adults increasingly face the challenge of managing multiple chronic conditions simultaneously. This study utilized analytical methods such as propensity score matching (PSM) and multivariate logistic regression, to explore the relationship between physical activity and the number of chronic diseases as well as the risk of developing co-morbidities among middle-aged and elderly Chinese individuals using data from the 2020 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey. The PSM results showed that physical activity decreased the number of chronic diseases in middle-aged and elderly people by 0.050 (p<0.05). The multivariate logistic regression results the odds ratio (OR) for the risk of multimorbidity in the moderate and high intensity physical activity groups compared to the group with inadequate physical activity were 0.845 (95% CI 0.729-0.980) and 0.847 (95% CI 0.727-0.988), which means that moderate-intensity physical activity is more effective in preventing the risk of multimorbidity. As a result, it is advised that middle-aged and older adults actively engage in physical activities to reduce the number of chronic diseases. Moreover, moderate physical activity intensity should be targeted to lower the risk of multimorbidity.
Comparison of wall paintings at Ostia Antica by NMR depth profiling
Authors: Urbanek Matea , Bader Jan , Krüger Daniel , Yong Alissa , Becker Hilary , Frick Jürgen , Anders Jens , Federico Eleonora Del , Tomassini Paolo , Blümich Bernhard 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Painted walls were analyzed at Ostia Antica, the ancient port of Rome, with the aim to trace the evolution of the buildings in the city. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) depth profiles were acquired from walls and mortar fragments to image the stratigraphy of the mortar-layer preparations for the painted surfaces produced over more than five centuries from the 2 nd century BC to the 3 rd century AD. The profiles are compared to identify similar workmanship and contemporaneous origin, and to retrace the transformations of execution technique in time.
Double ring resonator shared bus structure
Authors: EL-SABBAN SALWA , IBRAHIM SALAH , KHALIL DIAA 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

In this work, we present an integrated optical structure containing 2 ring resonators with a shared optical bus. The structure allows for controlling the coupling in one ring resonator by controlling the refractive index of the second resonator. The structure is based on the use of a 3-waveguide coupler. Thus, by controlling the effective refractive index of one resonator we can actually control the quality factor of the second resonator although each of the two ring resonators is still working as a single resonator, however, one of them is acting as a load on the second ring and hence it allows controlling its quality factor. With a simple heating mechanism applied to one ring, we show the control of the resonator quality factor of the other ring.
Assessment of the efficacy of a gonadotropin releasing factor (GnRF) analog to suppress ovarian function in gilts under pre-clinical and clinical conditions
Authors: Genís Sandra , King Vickie , Aluwé Marijke , Broeke Alice , Descamps Frédéric , Aldaz Álvaro , Wuyts Niels , Reixach Alícia , Balasch Mònica 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
The administration of a gonadotropin releasing factor (GnRF) analog to pigs has proven to induce antibodies against endogenous GnRF. In gilts (young female pigs), the subsequent blocking of GnRF activity by specific antibodies results in a temporary suppression of ovarian activity and sexual maturation. One pre-clinical and two clinical studies were conducted to assess the ability of the GnRF analog to produce immunologically suppression of the ovarian function, preventing gilts from reaching puberty before harvest, at 27 weeks of age.
Results
In the three studies, a significant reduction of size and weight of reproductive organs and gilts in oestrus was demonstrated in vaccinated gilts compared with intact gilts. A significant increase in anti-GnRF antibody levels in sera was observed after the second dose, which lasted until the end of the study in each of the protocols used. Progesterone levels were significantly reduced from 6 and 8 weeks after 2nd vaccination in clinical studies 2 and 1 respectively, and from 6 weeks after 2nd vaccination in the pre-clinical study. Estradiol levels were below the limit of detection for clinical study 2 and significantly reduced in vaccinated gilts at the end of the pre-clinical study and the clinical study 1.
Conclusions
Vaccination of gilts with a GnRF analog with two different protocols (first dose from 10 or 14 weeks of age, and a second dose 8 weeks or 4 weeks later) was effective in reducing the development of puberty for at least 9 weeks post 2nd dose. These results confirm the flexibility of vaccination programs for veterinarians and producers which can be adapted to pig management practices in commercial farms.
Research on The Design of Quasi-Passive Variable Stiffness Assisted Exoskeleton with Ankle
Authors: Tang Xinyao , Yang Jiayin , Wang Xupeng , Yin Rong , Liu Xiaoyi 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

In order to reduce the torque generated during plantar flexion of the human ankle and alleviate leg muscle fatigue, a quasi-passive variable stiffness ankle assisted exoskeleton was designed. By using plantar pressure signals to control the electromagnetic clutch, energy storage and release of the energy storage unit were achieved. Firstly, the variable stiffness mechanism adjusts the preload force of the assist spring through geometric structure, achieving non-linear joint output stiffness and reducing energy consumption during human walking. Secondly, a simulation model of human ankle exoskeleton wearing was established, and dynamic simulation was conducted to verify the rationality of the exoskeleton mechanical structure and its good assistance effect. Finally, an experimental platform for testing the function of ankle assisted exoskeletons was established, and the performance of the variable stiffness energy storage mechanism was tested. The results showed that the average EMG signals of the tibialis anterior muscle and gastrocnemius muscle decreased by 12.29% and 39.26% after wearing exoskeletons, indicating that wearing exoskeletons effectively reduces muscle fatigue and provides a new method for the design of wearable exoskeletons.
Cultivating Security: Debug Authentication for Ensuring the Security of SoC's Root of Trust
Authors: Vafaei Arash , Farahmandi Farimah 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Hardware-assisted debugging provides the necessary infrastructure for developers, testers and many other teams to closely monitor program behaviors at the microarchitectural level in a system-on-chip (SoC). However, debug infrastructure jeopardizes the security of the design by providing a backdoor for accessing crucial assets embedded in the system because of the inevitable increase in observability. While trusted execution environments (TEE) provide an extra level of security and isolate design assets, the security implication of hardware debug integration on TEEs has not been investigated. In this paper, we introduce a multi-level bidirectional access authentication mechanism over the debug module that defines the minimum number of privilege levels needed and the access details at each level so that debug users are authorized and blocked from accessing assets private to other entities. Trust is established by exchanging certificates both from the debugger and SoC sides to implement a bidirectional authorization platform to restrict the debugger's access to SoC assets as well as prevent the debugger's test data from being accessed by an SoC impersonator through emulation. We provide a prototype of the debug authentication platform on RISC-V architecture that proves the small overhead of the approach while staying compatible with traditional RISC-V debug specifications. Our platform ensures SoC's assets' security while providing authorized users with necessary access.
Glutamate Gradually Elevates [Zn2+]i via the CaM−CaMKII−NOS Cascade in Primary Cultured Rat Embryonic Cortical Neurons
Authors: Tseng Hui-Chiun , Wang Yong-Sheng , Pan Chien-Yuan 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Zn2+ is essential for neuronal signaling, but imbalance cause cell death and neurodegenerative disorders. While the buffering system maintains low cytosolic Zn2+ concentration ([Zn2+]i), the details on physiological stimuli elevating [Zn2+]i for neuronal processes remain limited. Our previous reports have demonstrated that dopamine elevates [Zn2+]i through the cAMP-NO pathway, activating autophagy and inflammation in neurons. In this study, we adopted the Zn2+ imaging technique to verify how glutamate elevated [Zn2+]i in cultured cortical neurons and examined the inflammatory response. Our results showed that glutamate elevates the [Zn2+]i, by activating ionotropic glutamate receptors. Inhibitors of calmodulin (CaM), CaM-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), and NO synthase (NOS) blocked the glutamate-induced Zn2+ response. High-K+ buffer induced-membrane depolarization significantly elevated the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) but only slightly increased [Zn2+]i and NO production. Glutamate also transiently increased NOS phosphorylation at Ser1417 within 15 min. The Zn2+ chelator, TPEN suppressed glutamate-induced inflammasome formation. These results indicate that glutamate-induced local increment in [Ca2+]i via the ionotropic glutamate receptors activates the CaM-CaMKII-NOS complex to produce NO and elevate [Zn2+]i. which trigger inflammation in cultured neurons. Henceforth, this novel glutamate-Zn2+ signaling pathway after glutamate depolarization elevates [Ca2+]i indicates the involvement of Zn2+ in modulating long-term neuronal activities.
TCBGY-Net : Ferrography wear particle detection network based on self-attention mechanism and multi-scale feature fusion
Authors: He Lei , Wei Haijun , Sun Cunxun 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

The intelligent identification of wear particles in ferrography is a critical bottleneck that hampers the development and widespread adoption of ferrography technology. To address challenges such as false detection, missed detection of small wear particles, difficulty in distinguishing overlapping and similar abrasions, and handling complex image backgrounds, this paper proposes an algorithm called TCBGY-Net for detecting wear particles in ferrography images. Firstly, we integrate a Transformer module based on self-attention mechanism with the C3 module at the end of the backbone network to form a C3TR module. This integration enhances the global feature extraction capability of the backbone network and improves its ability to detect small target wear particles. Secondly, we introduce CBAM attention mechanism into the neck network to enhance salience for detecting wear particles while suppressing irrelevant information interference. Furthermore, multi-scale feature maps extracted by the backbone network are fed into BiFPN feature fusion network to enhance the model's ability to detect wear particle feature maps at different scales. Lastly, Ghost modules are introduced into both the backbone network and the neck network to reduce their complexity and improve detection speed. Experimental results demonstrate that TCBGY-Net achieves outstanding accuracy in detecting wear particles against complex backgrounds with an mAP@0.5 value of 98.3%, which is 10.2% higher than YOLOv5s; moreover it also outperforms most current mainstream algorithms in terms of detection speed with up to 89.2FPS capability; thus providing conditions for subsequent real-time online monitoring of changes in wear particles and fault diagnosis in ship power systems.
Time junior middle school students invested to sports and their cognitive skill development: perspective of time economics
Authors: MA Hongmei , Liu Yan 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

great importance is attached to physical exercise and health of students, yet the precise manner in which time devoted to sports contributes to students' cognitive development remains inconclusive. Based on the two-wave panel data of China Education Panel Survey, this paper empirically examines the impact of daily physical exercise duration on junior high school students’ cognitive abilities by using two-way fixed-effect estimation. The findings reveal a nonlinear relationship, specifically an "inverted U" pattern, between daily physical activity time and students' cognitive performance. The cognitive return rates of time investment to sports reach the peak around 48 minutes per day. Sports enhance cognitive abilities by bolstering students' emotional stability, resilience, and physical well-being. Furthermore, the daily time allocated to physical activities affects students' cognitive performance differentially, with those of poorer physical fitness and those attending non-urban schools deriving greater benefits. Consequently, this study offers policy implications for educational governance, urging school administrators to devise schedules that optimize the efficiency and utility of students' time invested in sports.
DeepMethyGene: a deep-learning model to predict gene expression using DNA methylations
Authors: yan yuyao , Li Wenran , Wang Sijia , Huang Tao 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Gene expression influences various physiological functions and plays a critical role in disease progression. One of the key mechanisms governing gene expression is DNA methylation, an epigenetic modification that serves as a crucial regulator of gene expression. In this study, we proposed a ResNet-based adaptive regression convolutional neural network model, DeepMethyGene, to predict gene expression using DNA methylation information. We compared the performance of DeepMethyGene with the state-of-the-art prediction model, geneEXPLORE. Results showed that our DeepMethyGene outperformed geneEXPLORE in predicting the expression of most genes. Furthermore, our research revealed that the number of methylation sites and the average distance between these sites and the gene transcription start sites (TSS) significantly affect prediction accuracy. By gaining a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between methylation and gene expression, we can better predict disease progression and provide a theoretical basis for clinical interventions. The data and code of DeepMethyGene are available at https://github.com/yaoyao-11/DeepMethyGene.
Design and investigation of Symmetric Bidirectional VCSEL Laser incorporated Extensive Reach OWC System using considering channel impairments for beyond 5G application
Authors: Kumari Meet , Mishra Satyendra K. 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Optical wireless communication (OWC) is recognized as a promising technology for future fifth generation (5G) networks. However, limited research efforts have been dedicated to the development of symmetric and bidirectional OWC systems using vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs). In this study, we design and investigate a bidirectional 4×10 Gbps VCSEL-incorporated OWC system with an extensive reach, taking into account channel impairments. VCSELs offer high operating power and high reliability, making them suitable for this application. Simulation analyses have been conducted to evaluate the system performance in both the downlink and uplink directions, considering various factors such as noise, geometric losses, and attenuation losses. The results indicate that a maximum OWC range of over 130 km in the downlink direction and 128 km in the uplink direction can be achieved with a link loss of 0.001 dB. The system can tolerate a maximum link attenuation of 2.25 dB/km in the downlink direction and 2.2 dB/km in the uplink direction while maintaining a bit error rate (BER) within the acceptable limit of 10^-9. Additionally, the system demonstrates robust performance at a maximum operating temperature of 348K for VCSELs over a 10 km range at a data rate of 40/40 Gbps. The results further indicate that the maximum values of signal, noise, gain, noise figure, and optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) are-69.68 dBm,-87.65 dBm,-21.14 dB, 21.14 dB, and 82.13 dB, respectively, at a total input power of-69.61 dBm. Comparative analysis with existing studies highlights the superiority of this work over previous efforts, demonstrating significant improvements in system performance and range. This research underscores the potential of bidirectional OWC systems using VCSELs for enhancing future 5G networks.