bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Single‐cell RNA sequencing in pediatric research: Focusing on differentiation trajectories and immune microenvironment of neuroblastoma
Authors: Wang RuiZong , Wang Shan 
Published: May 2024

AbstractRecently, single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq) has emerged as a novel and high‐resolution technique for identifying cell types, states, and subpopulations. This technique enables researchers to uncover cellular heterogeneity and detect rare cell populations that might be indistinguishable in bulk RNA‐seq data. The primary aim of scRNA‐seq analysis is to investigate cellular heterogeneity and distinguish distinct cell types or states. scRNA‐seq provides a detailed understanding of intercellular differences and diversity by obtaining gene expression data for each individual cell. Moreover, clustering methods in scRNA‐seq can be used to group cells bring into subpopulations based on their gene expression patterns, thereby uncovering similarities and differences that assist in identifying and defining cell types. Newly discovered cell types can be validated and named by labeling known cell marker genes. Additionally, scRNA‐seq helps in identifying genes specifically expressed at different developmental stages, in various tissue types, or under various disease states. Recently, there has been a growing trend in using single‐cell transcriptome sequencing technology for neuroblastoma (NB) research. Through conducting a comprehensive review of relevant articles published thus far, our understanding of NB has been significantly enriched from three critical perspectives: differentiation trajectory, tumor heterogeneity, and immune microenvironment. Firstly, in exploring the differentiation trajectory of NB, we have summarized the tumor's origin and subsequent directions of differentiation. By elucidating a complete tumor differentiation pathway, we can enhance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying spontaneous tumor regression. Secondly, we have summarized the heterogeneity of tumors, which encompasses different states, cell morphologies, and characteristic genes of NB identified through single‐cell sequencing technology. This consolidation of knowledge enhances our understanding of the heterogeneity of NB. Lastly, we have employed single‐cell sequencing technology to analyze the immune microenvironment, focusing on the cellular components within the tumor's surrounding environment and the diverse states of immune cells. This valuable information contributes to the advancement of NB diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. In conclusion, the application of single‐cell sequencing technology in NB research has significantly advanced our understanding of the disease and carries great significance.
Growth periodicity in semi‐deciduous tropical tree species from the Congo Basin
Authors: Luse Belanganayi Basile , Delvaux Claire , Kearsley Elizabeth , Lievens Kévin , Rousseau Mélissa , Mbungu Phaka Christophe , Djiofack Brice Yannick , Laurent Félix , Bourland Nils , Hubau Wannes , De Mil Tom , Beeckman Hans 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn the tropics, more precisely in equatorial dense rainforest, xylogenesis is driven by a little distinct climatological seasonality, and many tropical trees do not show clear growth rings. This makes retrospective analyses and modeling of future tree performance difficult. This research investigates the presence, the distinctness, and the periodicity of growth ring for dominant tree species in two semi‐deciduous rainforests, which contrast in terms of precipitation dynamics. Eighteen tree species common to both forests were investigated. We used the cambial marking technique and then verified the presence and periodicity of growth‐ring boundaries in the wood produced between pinning and collection by microscopic and macroscopic observation. The study showed that all eighteen species can form visible growth rings in both sites. However, the periodicity of ring formation varied significantly within and between species, and within sites. Trees from the site with clearly defined dry season had a higher likelihood to form periodical growth rings compared to those from the site where rainfall seasonality is less pronounced. The distinctness of the formed rings however did not show a site dependency. Periodical growth‐ring formation was more likely in fast‐growing trees. Furthermore, improvements can be made by a detailed study of the cambial activity through microcores taken at high temporal resolution, to get insight on the phenology of the lateral meristem.
Assessment of self‐esteem and quality of life in patients with transtibial amputations using an exoskeletal prosthesis
Authors: Varuni S. , Gnanasekaran Sridevi , Gaur Ravi , Goel Akhil Dhanesh , Bhardwaj Pankaj , Chavan Akshay , Rajendran Vinoth 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundLower limb amputation can have profound physical, psychological, and social effects on individuals. Assistive aids like prosthetic lower limbs can help an individual regain mobility and thereby affect their self‐esteem and quality of life.ObjectiveTo assess self‐esteem and quality of life in patients with transtibial amputations who are using a transtibial prosthesis and explore the association between sociodemographic and amputation‐related factors with self‐esteem and prosthesis‐related quality of life measures.DesignA cross‐sectional study.SettingAn orthotics and prosthetics center (Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti) in Jaipur, Rajasthan.ParticipantsPatients with transtibial amputations using exoskeletal prostheses between July and September 2022, in Jaipur, Rajasthan.Main Outcome MeasuresThe study used Rosenberg self‐esteem questionnaire and Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire (PEQ) for self‐esteem and quality of life assessment, respectively. Descriptive analysis was used to present the demographic details, and nonparametric tests examined the relationship between PEQ dimensions and sociodemographic variables.ResultsThe study included 138 participants, primarily <40 years old (45.7%) and mostly engaged in high‐activity occupations. Self‐esteem mean score (SD) was 19.9 (3.9), with 89.1% exhibiting normal self‐esteem. Prosthesis‐related quality of life, showed high satisfaction across various domains, including ambulation, appearance, frustration, perceived response, residual limb health, social burden, sounds, utility, and well‐being. No significant associations were found between sociodemographic factors, amputation‐related variables, and self‐esteem. However, PEQ scales showed associations with gender, age, occupation, type of amputation, and years of prosthesis use.ConclusionThese results highlight the potential advantages of exoskeletal prostheses in improving the standard of living for people with transtibial amputations. Further research is essential to develop targeted interventions for improving their overall quality of life.
Polymer blending and nanophotocatalyst loading synergy in visible light‐driven photocatalytic PES/SPSf mixed matrix membranes
Authors: Zikalala Sithembela A. , Gumbi Nozipho N. , Li Jianxin , Mamba Bhekie B. , Nxumalo Edward N. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe synergy of polymer blending and loading photocatalytic titania–amorphous carbon nanotubes (TiO2–aCNT) in tailoring the morphological, surface, and optoelectrical properties of membranes is investigated. High energy band gap (Eg) polyethersulfone (PES), and low Eg sulfonated polyethersulfone (SPSf) polymer blends were loaded with TiO2–aCNT nanocomposite fillers. SEM reveals membranes consisting of a selective layer, a dense sublayer and a spongy layer with the latter two consisting of a network of nanofibers whose diameters decrease with increasing TiO2–aCNT loading. The downshifting in the wavenumbers of sulfonyl and sulfone peaks in Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectra confirms bonding of TiO2–aCNT with PES/SPSf via these groups. Blending PES with SPSf decreases the Eg of the membranes while loading TiO2–aCNT produces a second band edge corresponding to = 2.8 eV. Suppression of charge recombination in membranes is realized at 1.2 filler wt.%. Charge separation occurrs via shuttling of the positive holes to the aCNTs and valence band of TiO2 while electrons are shuttled to the conduction bands of PES and SPSf. Electron impedance spectroscopy shows TiO2–aCNT loading reduces polymer membrane resistance to charge transport. Dye degradation up to 85% is realized under direct sunlight irradiation accompanied by mineralization.
Estimating Fusarium head blight severity in winter wheat using deep learning and a spectral index
Authors: McConachie Riley , Belot Connor , Serajazari Mitra , Booker Helen , Sulik John 
Published: May 2024

AbstractFusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), caused by the fungal pathogen Fusarium graminearum (Fg), reduces grain yield and quality due to the production of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol. Manual rating for incidence (percent of infected wheat heads/spikes) and severity (percent of spikelets infected) to estimate FHB resistance is time‐consuming and subject to human error. This study uses a deep learning model, combined with a spectral index, to provide rapid phenotyping of FHB severity. An object detection model was used to localize wheat heads within boundary boxes. Corresponding boxes were used to prompt Meta's Segment Anything Model to segment wheat heads. Using 2576 images of wheat heads point inoculated with Fg in a controlled environment, a spectral index was developed using the red and green bands to differentiate healthy from infected tissue and estimate disease severity. Stratified random sampling was applied to pixels within the segmentation mask, and the model classified pixels as healthy or infected with an accuracy of 87.8%. Linear regression determined the relationship between the index and visual severity scores. The severity estimated by the index was able to predict visual scores (R2 = 0.83, p = < 2e‐16). This workflow was also applied to plot size images of infected wheat heads from an outside dataset with varying cultivars and lighting to assess model transferability. It correctly classified pixels as healthy or infected with a prediction accuracy of 85.8%. These methods may provide rapid estimation of FHB severity to improve selection efficiency for resistance or estimate disease pressure for effective management.
A novel Bayesian generative approach for estimating tumor dynamics from published studies
Authors: Pourzanjani Arya , Modi Saurabh , Connarn Jamie , Zhang Xinwen , Upreti Vijay , Lin Chih‐Wei , Mehta Khamir 
Published: May 2024

AbstractTumor growth inhibition (TGI) modeling attempts to describe the time course changes in tumor size for patients undergoing cancer therapy. TGI models present several advantages over traditional exposure–response models that are based explicitly on clinical end points and have become a popular tool in the pharmacometrics community. Unfortunately, the data required to fit TGI models, namely longitudinal tumor measurements, are sparse or often not available in literature or publicly accessible databases. On the contrary, common end points such as progression‐free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR) are directly derived from longitudinal tumor measurements and are routinely published. To this end, a Bayesian generative model relating underlying tumor dynamics to summary PFS and ORR data is introduced to learn TGI model parameters using only published summary data. The parameterized model can describe the tumor dynamics, quantify treatment effect, and account for differences in the study population. The utility of this model is shown by applying it to several published studies, and learned parameters are combined to simulate an in silico trial of a novel combination therapy in a novel setting.
Intermittent event‐triggered control for input‐to‐state stability of stochastic systems
Authors: Xu Dongsheng , Li Leilei , Ahn Choon Ki , Wu Yongbao , Su Huan 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn this article, we investigate the input‐to‐state stability (ISS) of stochastic systems via intermittent event‐triggered control. The control update sequence during the control intervals is determined through an event‐triggered mechanism (ETM), where the periodic ETM and continuous ETM are considered separately. For the continuous ETM, a positive minimum inter‐execution time is ensured by adding waiting time, which avoids Zeno behavior. For the periodic ETM, with the help of Halanay‐like inequality, the maximum allowable bound of the sampling period is given. The number of control updates is further reduced by adding a dynamic term. In addition, sufficient conditions for ISS in stochastic systems are proposed by designing an auxiliary timer and applying the Lyapunov method. Finally, two numerical examples are presented to verify the validity of the results.
Unlocking the diversity and plant‐growth promoting potential of the bulk soil bacteria associated with the Saharan tree Vachellia tortilis subsp. raddiana
Authors: Hnini Mohamed , Aurag Jamal 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn this study, we investigated the bacterial diversity and plant growth‐promoting (PGP) properties of bulk soil bacteria of Vachellia tortilis subsp. raddiana collected from the Taidalt and Amazloug nature preserves area in southern Morocco. Using repetitive extragenic palindromic polymerase chain reaction fingerprinting and 16S rDNA sequencing, 93 strains were identified. They belonged mainly to the genera Bacillus and Peribacillus. In vitro tests for PGP traits showed high levels of activity for strains belonging to the genera Bacillus and Pseudomonas. It was relevant that several Bacillus strains produced auxin (maximum amount 262.61 µg mL−1 for Bacillus sp. LMR1097), solubilized phosphate (maximum amount 22.10 µg mL−1), or produced siderophores, while three strains were able to fix atmospheric nitrogen (LMR1145, LMR1013, and LMR1015). Inoculation of V. tortilis subsp. raddiana plants with selected bacterial strains (LMR881 and LMR1097) increased shoot and root growth parameters. The strain Pantoea sp. LMR881 had the highest mean values for shoot and root length (24.60–14.80 cm) and shoot dry weight (1.31 g), whereas Bacillus sp. LMR1097 showed the lowest mean shoot dry weight. Overall, these results highlight the potential of using selected native bacterial inoculants for improving growth of candidate tree plants to be used in restoration programs of arid degraded areas.
Associations between emotional reactivity to stress and adolescent substance use: Differences by sex and valence
Authors: Rahal Danny , Bower Julienne E. , Irwin Michael R. , Fuligni Andrew J. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAlthough stress is often related to substance use, it remains unclear whether substance use is related to individual differences in how adolescents respond to stress. Therefore the present study examined associations between substance use and daily emotional reactivity to stress within a year across adolescence. Adolescents (N = 330; Mage = 16.40, SD = 0.74 at study entry; n = 186 female; n = 138 Latine; n = 101 European American; n = 72 Asian American; n = 19 identifying as another ethnicity including African American and Middle Eastern) completed a longitudinal study, including three assessments between the 10th grade and 3‐years post‐high school. At each assessment, participants reported frequency of alcohol and cannabis use and the number of substances they had ever used. They also completed 15 daily checklists, in which they reported the number of daily arguments and their daily emotion. Multilevel models suggested that more frequent alcohol and cannabis use were related to attenuated positive emotional reactivity to daily stress (i.e., smaller declines in positive emotion on days when they experienced more arguments) for both male and female adolescents. Associations for negative emotional reactivity to stress varied by sex; more frequent alcohol use and use of more substances in one's lifetime were related to greater anxious emotional reactivity to stress among female adolescents, whereas more frequent alcohol and cannabis use and higher lifetime substance use were related to attenuated depressive emotional reactivity to stress among male adolescents. Taken together, substance use was related to emotional reactivity to daily stress within the same year during adolescence, although associations differed by valence and adolescent sex.
Comparison of stress, anxiety and depression levels of health, education and security sector employees: The effect of psychological resilience
Authors: Şanlı Mehmet Emin , Yıldız Ahmet , Ekingen Erhan , Yıldırım Murat 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis study compared the stress, anxiety and depression levels in employees working in the health, education and security sectors. The study also investigated the effect of psychological resilience on stress, anxiety, and depression levels and whether the stress, anxiety, depression and psychological resilience levels of employees differ according to occupational and demographic variables. In this cross‐sectional study, 1222 employees participated, comprising 50.8% from the health sector, 37.7% from education, and 11.5% from security. Data were collected using the Stress, Anxiety, and Depression Scale‐21 and the Brief Resilience Scale. The study revealed varying rates of severe stress (49.1%), anxiety (74.0%), and depression (53.2%) among participants. Health employees experienced higher stress (52.1%), anxiety (77.0%), and depression (58%) rates compared to those in education (46.4%, 72.4%, and 48.4%) and security sectors (44.3%, 66.4%, and 48.5%). Health employees exhibited higher stress, anxiety, and depression levels, signifying a significant difference. Furthermore, the research identified psychological resilience as a crucial predictor of stress, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, these mental health issues were more prevalent among younger individuals with less work experience, females, private sector employees, singles, and those without children. The findings of the study showed that the level of stress, anxiety and depression was high in employees working in all three sectors (health, education and security), but mental problems were more common in health employees. The fact that psychological resilience is a significant predictor of stress, anxiety and depression levels indicates that this factor should be taken into account.
Genetic progress in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] stemming from breeding modernization efforts at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
Authors: Ongom Patrick Obia , Fatokun Christian , Togola Abou , Dieng Ibnou , Salvo Stella , Gardunia Brian , Mohammed Saba Baba , Boukar Ousmane 
Published: May 2024

AbstractGenetic gain has been proposed as a quantifiable key performance indicator that can be used to monitor breeding programs’ effectiveness. The cowpea breeding program at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has developed and released improved varieties in 70 countries globally. To quantify the genetic changes to grain yield and related traits, we exploited IITA cowpea historical multi‐environment trials (METs) advanced yield trial (AYT) data from 2010 to 2022. The genetic gain assessment targeted short duration (SD), medium duration (MD), and late duration (LD) breeding pipelines. A linear mixed model was used to calculate the best linear unbiased estimates (BLUE). Regressed BLUE of grain yield by year of genotype origin depicted realized genetic gain of 22.75 kg/ha/year (2.65%), 7.91 kg/ha/year (0.85%), and 22.82 kg/ha/year (2.51%) for SD, MD, and LD, respectively. No significant gain was realized in 100‐seed weight (Hsdwt). We predicted, based on 2022 MET data, that recycling the best genotypes at AYT stage would result in grain yield gain of 37.28 kg/ha/year (SD), 28.00 kg/ha/year (MD), and 34.85 kg/ha/year (LD), and Hsdwt gain of 0.48 g/year (SD), 0.68 g/year (MD), and 0.55 g/year (LD). These results demonstrated a positive genetic gain trend for cowpea, indicating that a yield plateau has not yet been reached and that accelerated gain is expected with the recent integration of genomics in the breeding program. Advances in genomics include the development of the reference genome, genotyping platforms, quantitative trait loci mapping of key traits, and active implementation of molecular breeding.
Motivating Engagement with Literature: Using the Individual Story Ending (ISE) Method to Reveal Personal Reading Experiences
Authors: Aerila Juli‐Anna , Mascia Tiziana 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe Individual Story Ending (ISE) is an effective and appealing activity for students of every age. The method requires students—as a group or individually—to devise an ending to an excerpt at a turning point in a fictional narrative. Students can read the excerpt themselves, or the teacher can read it aloud to everyone. The ISE method can be applied to any creative activity and can be developed in various ways. While most teachers already use ISEs, this article suggests ways of building an entire learning process around the method and how ISEs can be used to initiate reading engagement and discussion of different themes.
Economic dynamics of agri‐food supply chains at a macrolevel
Authors: Gildas Ngueuleweu Tiwang 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis paper employs a comprehensive methodology that integrates demand and supply elasticities, performance metrics, and data envelopment analysis to analyze agri‐food supply chains at a macroeconomic level. It utilizes data from a global sample of 53 countries spanning the years 2000 to 2019. The findings from various levels of analysis reveal several key insights: first, Australia or Cameroon should allocate all their food resources to enhance the capacity utilization of their Food Supply Chains (FSC). Second, Ghana or New Zealand may concentrate 100% of their resources on improving the Responsiveness of their FSC. Third, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United States should allocate 100% of their food resources to adjust resource allocation within their FSC. Fourth, for countries like Costa Rica and Canada, the allocation should be 19% to capacity utilization and 81% to resource allocation. Fifth, countries such as Cyprus, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and El Salvador should prioritize 12% of inputs for resilience and allocate the remaining 88% to resource allocation. Sixth, for countries like Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Russia, South Korea, Serbia, Senegal, and Singapore, the allocation should be 28% of inputs to responsiveness, with the majority, 72%, directed to resource allocation. Sixth, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Ghana have better performance across critical variables. This study introduces an innovative framework that facilitates the interaction of agri‐food supply chains with various macroeconomic variables, including GDP, inflation, corruption, food security, and nutrition, opening new avenues for a holistic understanding of these systems.
Basis decompositions of genus-one string integrals
Authors: Rodriguez Carlos , Schlotterer Oliver , Zhang Yong 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
One-loop scattering amplitudes in string theories involve configuration-space integrals over genus-one surfaces with coefficients of Kronecker-Eisenstein series in the integrand. A conjectural genus-one basis of integrands under Fay identities and integration by parts was recently constructed out of chains of Kronecker-Eisenstein series. In this work, we decompose a variety of more general genus-one integrands into the conjectural chain basis. The explicit form of the expansion coefficients is worked out for infinite families of cases where the Kronecker-Eisenstein series form cycles. Our results can be used to simplify multiparticle amplitudes in supersymmetric, heterotic and bosonic string theories and to investigate loop-level echoes of the field-theory double-copy structures of string tree-level amplitudes. The multitude of basis reductions in this work strongly validate the recently proposed chain basis and stimulate mathematical follow-up studies of more general configuration-space integrals with additional marked points or at higher genus.