bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Public Health and Zoonotic Impacts of Giardia duodenalis Assemblages in Domestic Animals of Southwestern Iran
Authors: Asghari Ali , Motazedian Mohammad Hossein , Asgari Qasem , Shamsi Laya 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Domestic animals play a vital role in the spread and transmission of various zoonotic agents to humans. Giardia duodenalis, an important enteric zoonotic parasite, is widespread globally. This research aimed to assess the presence and genetic diversity of G. duodenalis assemblages in domestic animals in Shiraz, southern Iran. 245 fresh fecal samples were collected from 87 dogs, 63 cats, and 95 cattle in Shiraz, the capital city of Fars province, between July 2021 and August 2022. None of the animals showed gastrointestinal signs such as diarrhea, and all fecal samples had normal consistency. Upon parasite observation using light microscopy, a DNA fragment of G. duodenalis tpi gene was amplified using nested-PCR. Using direct wet mount and Wheatley’s trichrome staining examination, 9 out of 245 samples (3.7%; 1 from dogs and 8 from cattle) tested positive for G. duodenalis. Molecular methods confirmed 1.1% (1/87) of dogs and 8.4% (8/95) of cattle to be positive. Giardiasis was not detected in cats. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Giardia isolates infecting dogs and cattle in Shiraz belonged to three genotypes/assemblages: A, B (zoonotic), and E (non-zoonotic). In cattle, assemblages E (75%; 6/8), A (12.5%; 1/8), and B (12.5%; 1/8) were identified, while dogs were infected with assemblage A (100%; 1/1). In Shiraz, southwestern Iran, domestic animals like cattle and dogs could potentially serve as reservoirs for zoonotic infections caused by G. duodenalis.
Profiling the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA interaction network in the cold-resistant exercise period of grape (Vitis amurensis Rupr.)
Authors: Ma Weifeng , Ma Lijuan , Ma Zonghuan , Li Wenfang , Lu Shixiong , Gou Huimin , Mao Juan , Chen Baihong 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
Grape is a plant that is sensitive to low temperature and is vulnerable to low temperature damage. However, little is known about the roles of lncRNAs, miRNAs and mRNAs regulate the hypothermia response mechanism in Vitis amurensis Rupr.
Methods
In this study, the expression and regulatory network of low-temperature response genes were studied in phloem of grape under different low temperature stress.
Results
Here, we performed analyses related to RNA-seq and miRNA-seq on grape phloem tissues from five periods of cold resistance campaigns. Three RNA (lncRNAs, miRNAs and mRNAs) obtained by KEGG and GO analyses were used to identify starch and sucrose metabolic pathways associated with cold resistance, and specific changes in BP, CC, and MF were identified in four comparisons. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of these pathways were analysed by using Venn diagrams, thermograms and pathway maps respectively, to obtain their specific gene expression during cold exercise. The six DEGs were finally selected, and they were used for qRT-PCR to verify the RNA-seq data. In addition, we found the regulatory networks of miRNAs and lncRNAs correspond to the six DEGs. This study will contribute to further experimental studies to elucidate the cold resistance mechanism of Vitis amurensis Rupr.
Conclusions
The low temperature response genes of grape are mainly enriched in the metabolic pathways of starch and sucrose, and regulated by miRNA and lncrna, which will provide basic information for further understanding of the cold resistance mechanism of grape in the future.
Research on the Constitutive Model for Load Point Displacement in Large Span Towers Due to Long-Span Conductor Galloping
Authors: ShiJie Zou , Rui Zhu , BinXia Yuan , Hongli Wang , ShiWei Zhang , SiYuan Chen , JiaYang Zou , Wei Chen 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

This paper establishes an intrinsic function model for the displacement of the mounting point under the wind load of the conductor. This paper mainly takes the K1 cross-tower transmission line of 500kV transmission and substation project as the research object. Finite element analysis is used to establish the model and modal analysis is performed on the large-span tower-line coupling model to obtain the vibration modal data. Then, the average wind load is converted to the equivalent static load acting on the tower-line coupled system, and the transmission tower and conductor are mechanically analyzed. The loads at the tower suspension points are determined and a constitutive model of the displacements at these points is constructed. Error analyses of the model and simulated data provide a new perspective on the subsequent study of conductor dancing in transmission lines.
An examination of residents' mental health in particular Dhaka City neighborhoods in the context of civic health and environmental well-being
Authors: Islam Md. Zahirul , Gomes Reeju Francis Leonard , Islam Md. Ekhtekharul 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The rapid urbanization and environmental degradation in Dhaka City, Bangladesh, have raised concerns about their potential impacts on residents' mental health. This study aims to explore the relationship between environmental quality in specific Dhaka City neighborhoods—Farmgate and Bashundhara Residential Area—and the mental health of its residents. Employing a quantitative methodology, we gathered data from 503 participants using online surveys, focusing on environmental factors such as noise, air, and water quality, alongside mental health indicators captured through the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and Residential Environmental Assessment Tool (REAT 2.0). Statistical analyses, including simple linear regression and Pearson’s chi-square tests, revealed a significant association between poor environmental quality, especially noise pollution, and adverse mental health outcomes, including reduced concentration, sleep disturbances, decreased confidence, and diminished overall happiness. The study highlights the critical influence of urban environmental conditions on psychological well-being, underscoring the need for integrating mental health considerations in urban planning and policymaking. These findings contribute to the growing evidence on the environmental determinants of mental health and call for enhanced strategies to mitigate these impacts in urban settings.
The critical social processes for standardising the ecological monitoring of Australian landscapes
Authors: Grypma Hitje-Aikaterini , Bardsley Douglas K. , Sparrow Ben 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The social aspects of ecological monitoring are often overlooked. Ecological monitoring provides vital information for decision-makers and natural resource management practitioners to make informed environmental management decisions. For a long time, ecological monitoring across Australia has utilised a wide variety of different methodologies resulting in data that is difficult to analyse across place or time. Much of the ecological data that is currently generated in incomparable with other data or it has been collected using inappropriate methods for the intended aims. In response to these limitations, a new systematic approach to ecological monitoring has been developed in collaboration between the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network and the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water - the Ecological Monitoring System Australia. We found that environmental management stakeholders are not opposing the standardisation of ecological monitoring. However, key concerns emerged regarding the capacity needed to implement the standard protocols, the utility of the resultant data for regional projects, and the adaptability of the EMSA. Stakeholders emphasised the need for autonomy and flexibility, so their participation in protocol development can facilitate regional adoption of the standards. Respondents’ concerns about a perceived lack of genuine consultation and acknowledgement of feedback revealed the importance of clear communication at all stages of an environmental management project aiming to standardise practices. New approaches to environmental management will increasingly have to account for the complexity of socio-ecological systems in order to overcome the unprecedented challenges that will arise in the wake of future global change.
An aphid pest superclone benefits from a facultative bacterial endosymbiont in a host dependent-manner
Authors: Mahieu Leandro , González-González Angélica , Rubio-Meléndez María E. , Francis Frederic , Ramirez Claudio C. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae, is a significant agricultural pest affecting wheat, barley, and oats. In Chile, the most prevalent and persistent clone (superclone) of S. avenae harbours the facultative endosymbiont bacterium Regiella insecticola. To determine the role of this bacteria in the ecological success of this superclone, the presence of R. insecticola was manipulated to evaluate the impact on 1) the reproductive performance of this clone in two host plant species (wheat and barley), 2) the production of winged morphs, 3) changes in the proteomic profile of insects, and 4) root/shoot ratio of plant. It was determined that this superclone of S. avenae proliferates differentially in the host plants studied depending on the presence of the facultative bacterial endosymbiont, observing that the clone develops better in wheat when it is infected with R. insecticola while the opposite occurs when it develops in barley. Aphid biomass was higher when harbouring R. insecticola, particularly in barley. Individuals infected with R. insecticola, in both host plants, showed higher proportion of winged individuals. The protein regulation of aphids on wheat was comparatively lower and stable than that on barley. A higher root/shoot biomass ratio was detected in wheat than in oats in plants attacked with aphids harbouring R. insecticola. R. insecticola significantly affects the reproductive and proteomic performance of the S. avenae superclone, changes influenced by the host plant, suggesting that the host plant x facultative endosymbiont interaction can drive host specialization intraclonally, partly the ecological success of the superclones.
Adolescent HIV Prevent and Care Framework: A Global Scoping Review Protocol-BSGH 006
Authors: Abu-Ba’are Gamji Rabiu , Shamrock Osman Wumpini , Rodriguez Darcey , Agbemedu George Rudolph , Nelson LaRon E. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Among adolescents, HIV/AIDs remain the second leading cause of death globally1. Given the unique stages in human development, adolescents have been shown to fall within a sexually active phase. Combined with other social and structural factors in their immediate environments, HIV prevention and care among adolescents can be filled with challenges for intervention. This paper outlines this protocol to systematically review peer-reviewed literature in prevention and care among adolescents 10–19 years. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) will be used to report this scoping review. The review will involve screening and extracting data using covidence as the primary tool. The review will encompass quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods studies, utilizing a search strategy from electronic databases such as PubMed (NCBI), Web of Science Core Collection (Clarivate), Embase (Elsevier), and Scopus (Elsevier). Additionally, a search will be conducted for grey literature using Global Index Medicus (WHO), MedNar (Deep Web Technologies), and Central Register of Controlled Trials (Cochrane). Duplicate removal and selection of articles that meet the inclusion criteria for the study will be performed using Covidence. Once the screening process is complete, data will be extracted from the full-text screened articles in Covidence. We will pilot the extracted data in Covidence to ensure that all relevant information has been captured, making necessary changes if required. Data extraction will be carried out by at least two authors, with any conflicts resolved by the same authors. If a conflict cannot be resolved between the two, a third author will make a final determination. We aim to analyze data thematically by employing a grounded theory approach to generate codes pertinent to the research question. The team will review and discuss codes to create a cohesive set of codes that will be instrumental in identifying knowledge gaps and constructing themes that summarize the data. The proposed systematic review will be among the pioneering efforts to rigorously assess global data on HIV prevention and care, with a specific focus on adolescents 10–19 years. It will consider the diverse socio-economic factors and experiences shaping these adolescents' lives in HIV prevention and care. We expect this review to yield critical insights into the present landscape of HIV prevention and care for individuals aged 10–19. These findings will also play a pivotal role in shaping the development of a global framework that researchers and stakeholders can readily adopt and implement across socio-economic contexts. This framework will aim to address the unique needs of all adolescents concerning HIV prevention and care.
Socioeconomic Impact of the increase in Pension Benefit on Social Security in Finland and Norway.
Authors: Ezenwosu Arinze 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The study sought to understand the socioeconomic impact of the increase in pension benefits on social security in Finland and Norway. Deploying a qualitative research methodology, the research used secondary data gotten from OECD and Eurostat statistical publications to analyse to get the needed information and draw up a conclusion. This study investigated the socioeconomic impact of pension benefits on social security. Findings from the secondary data used for this study revealed that there is a significant increase in the number of people who receive pension benefits from the two states. The study shows that between 2012 and 2020, Finland had an increase of 192,024 pensioners and Norway had an increase of 281,405 pensioners in the same year gap. Also Finland tax revenue dropped from 45.76 in the year 2000 to 41.85 in 2020, Norway dropped from 41.61 in the year 2000 to 38.71 in 2020.This shows that the government of these two countries are having more increase in the amounts they spend on paying pensioners and that they will run into great budget deficit if something is not done.
Efficient Convolutional Neural Networks on Raspberry Pi: Enhancing Performance with Pruning and Quantization
Authors: Ameen Salem , Theodoridis Theodoros , Siriwardana Kangaranmulle 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

In the evolving realm of edge computing, adapting Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) for deployment on resource-limited devices like the Raspberry Pi presents significant challenges. This study delves into the effectiveness of pruning techniques and TensorFlow Lite conversion in optimizing CNN models for such platforms, focusing on widely-used datasets such as MNIST, SVHN, 'Horses or Humans', 'Cats vs Dogs', and 'TF Flowers'. Our comprehensive analysis reveals that pruning effectively maintains model accuracy up to a certain level of sparsity, particularly in models like MNIST, where only a marginal decrease in accuracy was observed with increased sparsity. This underscores the delicate balance between model complexity and performance.
Moreover, our findings demonstrate notable improvements in inference times following the application of pruning and quantization techniques. This was especially evident in the significant reduction of inference time for the MNIST model, highlighting the feasibility of deploying more efficient CNN models on the Raspberry Pi. These optimizations not only enhance the practicality of using CNNs in resource-constrained environments but also extend their applicability in real-world scenarios. Our study contributes important insights into model optimization for edge devices and lays a foundation for future research, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches in neural network optimization for edge computing.
Mathematical Crystal Chemistry
Authors: Ryotaro  , Taisuke  
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Efficient heuristics have predicted many functional materials such as high-temperature superconducting hydrides, while inorganic structural chemistry explains why and how the crystal structures are stabilized. Here we develop the paired mathematical programming formalism for searching and systematizing the structural prototypes of crystals. The first is the minimization of the volume of the unit cell under the constraints of only the minimum and maximum distances between pairs of atoms. We show the capabilities of linear relaxations of inequality constraints to optimize structures by the steepest-descent method, which is computationally very efficient. The second is the discrete optimization to assign five kinds of geometrical constraints including chemical bonds for pairs of atoms. Under the constraints, the two object functions, formulated as mathematical programming, are alternately optimized to realize the given coordination numbers of atoms. This approach successfully generates a wide variety of crystal structures of oxides such as spinel, pyrochlore-α, and K2NiF4 structures.
Quality issues in kinematic traces from three head impact sensors in boxing: prevalence, effects, and implications for exposure assessment
Authors: Flao Enora Le , Lenetsky Seth , Siegmund Gunter P. , Borotkanics Robert 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Purpose: When used in-vivo or in biofidelic environments, many head impact sensors have shown limitations related to the quality and validity of the kinematics measured. The objectives were to assess the quality of kinematic traces from three head impact sensors, determine the effects of signal quality on peak accelerations, and compare measurements across sensors.
Methods: Head impacts were collected with instrumented mouthguards, skin patches, and headgear patches during boxing sparring. The quality of the raw kinematic traces for 442 events was visually assessed for each sensor. The proportion of high-quality recordings was analyzed by participant, type of impact, and impact location. The associations between signal quality and peak kinematics, and peak kinematics between sensors were assessed.
Results: High-quality criteria were met in 53%, 20%, and 26% of events for the mouthguard, skin patch and headgear patch, respectively. High-quality recordings were less frequent for impacts occurring close to the sensor (e.g., 30% vs. 61% for the mouthguard) and showed lower peak kinematics than low-quality recordings (p < 0.001). Despite careful selection of high-quality simultaneous recordings, there was little to no association between the sensors’ measurements (Spearman’s p ≥ 0.043).
Conclusions: The kinematic data often reflected the motion of the sensor itself rather than the motion of the head, overestimating head impact exposure. Researchers should evaluate data quality prior to analyzing kinematics or injury severity metrics. Comparison of data across studies or in relation to injury risk functions needs to be done with caution when data were acquired from different sensors.
Photosynthetic variation and detoxification strategies based on cadmium uptake, non-protein thiols, and secondary metabolites in Miscanthus sacchariflorus under cadmium exposure
Authors: Zhao Chu , Xin Jianpan , Zhu Xiaoyu , Tian Runan 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT

Miscanthus sacchariflorus is previously demonstrated to be a potential candidate for remediation of cadmium (Cd) pollution. To explore its resistance strategy to Cd, a hydroponic experiment was conducted to determine the variations of photosynthetic activity in leaves and physiological response in roots of this plant. Results showed that the root of M. sacchariflorus was the primary location for Cd accumulation. The bioconcentration factor in the roots and rhizomes was &gt;1, and the translocation factor from underground to aboveground was &lt;1. Throughout the experimental period, treatment with 0.06 mM Cd2+ did not significantly alter the contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, or carotenoid. By contrast, treatment with 0.15 and 0.30 mM Cd2+ decreased the contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid; caused the deformation of the chlorophyll fluorescence transient curve; reduced the photochemical efficiency of photosystem II; and increased the contents of non-protein thiols, total flavone, and total phenol. These results indicate that M. sacchariflorus has good adaptability to 0.06 mM Cd2+. Moreover, the accumulation of the non-protein thiols, total flavone, and total phenol in roots may promote the chelation of Cd2+, thus alleviating Cd toxicity. This study provides theoretical support for using M. sacchariflorus to remediate Cd-polluted wetlands.
Circulating Immune Cells Predict Prognosis and Clinical Response to Chemotherapy in Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Shi Huina , Li Zhaosheng , Zhu Mingchen 
Published: May 2024

Background:
The immune system is linked to the prognosis and response to
treatment of patients with cancer. However, the clinical implication of peripheral blood
immune cells in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) remains vague. Thus, we aimed to assess
whether peripheral circulating immune cells could be used as an indicator for prognosis
and chemotherapeutic efficacy in CCA.

Methods:
The distributions of immune subsets were analyzed in peripheral blood samples
from 141 patients with CCA and 131 healthy volunteers by using flow cytometry.
The variation in the subset distribution in the two groups and the relationship between
clinicopathological features and the subpopulations were investigated. Meanwhile, we
assessed the implications of lymphocyte subsets as predictors of chemotherapy outcomes
and overall survival (OS).

Results:
The proportion of total lymphocytes decreased, while the percentages of activated
T cells as well as CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) increased in CCA. Notably,
lymphocyte proportion decreased in patients with regional lymph node (N) (p=0.016)
and distant metastasis (M) (p= 0.001). Furthermore, our study showed that peripheral
blood lymphocyte subsets were significantly correlated with chemotherapy efficacy,
with increased proportions of CD3+ cells (p=0.021) and CD4+ cells (p=0.016) in the effective
group. Finally, the Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that patients with high natural
killer (NK) cell proportion might have prolonged OS (p = 0.028).

Conclusion:
The relationship between circulating immune cells with prognosis and chemotherapy
response in patients with CCA highlights their potential application as an indicator
of CCA prognosis and stratification of chemotherapy response.