bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the Characteristics of Spatial Variability of Soil in Vertical Direction Highly Heterogeneous Region Based on Cone Penetration Test
Authors: Chu Chengfu , Wang Yuhang , Song Hongxiang , Xu Long , Hou Xiaoliang , Sheng Shanshan , Liu Lingling 
Published: June 2024

AbstractKey parameters describing the spatial variability of soil properties based on the random field theory are the scale of fluctuation (SOF) and coefficient of variation (COV). To characterize the spatial variability of soil properties, reducing the impact of these errors and uncertainties is necessary. To accomplish this, for the five main layers of soil, we collected 18 cone penetration test (CPT) data from a highly heterogeneous region in Lianyungang New Airport, Jiangsu Province, China, and used the control variable method to analyze the influence of the estimation method of tendency, its function type and outliers. The results show that, compared with the ordinary least square method (OLSM), the least absolute deviation method (LADM) can more truly reflect the trend component of CPT parameters in the vertical direction, and the influence of other factors on SOF and COV is also studied, such as outliers and estimation functions of trend components. On this basis, a reasonable calculation process of SOF and COV is summarized, which provides a reference for the calculation of SOF and COV in vertical direction in the future. By comparing the SOF calculated by different models, the results show that the squared exponential (SQX) model has the highest SOF in 68.3% of the evaluation, and the single exponential (SNX) model has the lowest SOF in 64.4% of the evaluation. Moreover, we compared the SOF and COV of cone tip resistance (qc) and sleeve friction (fs), which showed that SOF of qc and COV of qc is lower than that of fs in 54.4 and 73.3% of all evaluations, respectively.
Unveiling the diversity of thaliaceans (Chordata, Thaliacea) from the the South Brazilian Bight and Southern Subtropical Shelf (22° - 33° S)
Authors: Rodrigues Douglas Silva , Nogueira-Júnior Miodeli , Nagata Renato Mitsuo 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

The taxonomic composition of the thaliaceans was analyzed using 86 plankton samples collected in autumn (expeditions: IV= 04/13 to 05/10 2012; VI= 05/09 to 06/12 2013) and spring (expeditions: V= 10/26 to 11/19 2012; VIII= 11/14 to 12/10 2014) on the outer shelf and slope of the South Brazilian Bight and Southern Subtropical Shelf (22°52’ 46” S- 33°41’ 28”). More than 61,000 organisms were examined, classified in 3 orders, 4 families, 13 genera and 18 species. Thalia democratica (Forskål 1775), Doliolum nationalis Boegert 1893 e Salpa fusiformis (Cuvier 1804) were the most common and abundant species. Doliolina krohni Herdman 1888 was recorded for the first time in Brazil, Thalia orientalis Tokioka 1937 was recorded for the first time in the South Brazilian Bight and Booksia rostrata (Traustedt 1893) and Soestia zonaria (Pallas 1774) was recorded for the first time in the Southern Subtropical Shelf. The wide area of the outer shelf and slope sampled in this study revealed the greatest diversity of thaliaceans (~22% of known thaliacean diversity) ever recorded in a faunistic survey in this region of the South Atlantic. The richness estimators, however, did not reach an asymptote and extrapolation showed that the number of species tends to increase as the sampling effort increases.
Functional outcome of the anterior vaginal wall in a pelvic surgery injury rat model after treatment with stem cell-derived progenitors of smooth muscle cells
Authors: Wang Yiting , Wen Yan , Kim Kayla , Wu Hugo , Zhang Jerry , Dobberfuhl Amy D. , Chen Bertha 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background: Stem-cell-derived therapy is a promising option for tissue regeneration. Human iPSC-derived progenitors of smooth muscle cells (pSMCs) have limited proliferation and differentiation, which may minimize the risk of in vivo tumor formation while restoring smooth muscle cell deficiencies. Up to 30 % of women who suffer from recurrence of vaginal prolapse after prolapse surgery are faced with reoperation. Therefore, there is an unmet need for therapies that can restore vaginal tissue function. We hypothesize that human pSMCs can restore vaginal function in a vaginal-injury rat model.
Methods: Female immune-compromised RNU rats were divided into 5 groups: intact controls (n=12), VSHAM (surgery + saline injection, n=33), and cell-injection group (surgery + cell injection using three patient pSMCs lines, n=14/cell line). The surgery, similar to what is done in vaginal prolapse surgery, involved ovariectomy, urethrolysis, and vagina injury. The vagina, urethra, bladder dome and trigone were harvested 10 weeks after surgery (5 weeks after injection). Organ bath myography was performed to evaluate the contractile function of vagina, and smooth muscle thickness was examined by tissue immunohistochemistry. Collagen I, collagen III, and elastin mRNA and protein expressions in tissues were assessed.
Results: When compared to the VSHAM group, cell-injection groups showed significantly increased vaginal smooth muscle contractions induced by carbachol (groups A and C) and by KCl (group C), and significantly higher collagen I protein expression in the vagina (groups A and B). Elastin mRNA and protein expressions in the vagina did not correlate with injection group. In the urethra, mRNA expressions of collagen I, collagen III, and elastin were all significantly higher in the cell-injection groups compared to the VSHAM group. Collagen I protein expression of the urethra was also higher in the cell-injection group compared to the VSHAM group. Elastin protein expression in the urethra did not correlate with injection group.
Conclusions: Human iPSC-derived pSMCs improved contractile function of the post-surgery vagina. Additionally, pSMC injection modulated collagen I, collagen III and elastin mRNA and protein expressions in the vagina and urethra. These findings suggest that pSMCs may be a possible therapy for vaginal prolapse recurrence after surgical intervention.
Effects of ginseng total saponins from ginseng stem leaf on spatial learning and memory impairment by exhaustive exercise-induced fatigue: Role of NR2B-CaMKII signal in rat hippocampus
Authors: Guo Chungen , WANG Wenli , ZHU Meiju , ZHU Hongzhu 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

This study is to investigate ginseng total saponins from ginseng stem leaf on the learning and memory of fatigue rats and the mechanism of action. Sixty Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into six groups: normal group, normal + ginseng total saponins (200 mg/kg) group, exercise group, exercise + ginseng total saponins (50, 100, 200 mg/kg)–treated groups. The learning and memory was tested by Morris water maze experiment. After 7 days of exhaustive exercise, we measured hippocampal morphology by electron microscopy. The protein expression levels of synaptophysin ( SYP ), and postsynaptic density (PSD) protein 95 (PSD 95), N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor 2B (NR2B), calcium / calmodulin - dependent protein kinase II ༈CaMKII༉, phospho - NR2B ( p-NR2B ) and phospho - CaMKII ( p - CaMKII ) were measured by western blot analysis. The results demonstrated that ginseng total saponins (100, 200 mg/kg) treatment significantly decreased the latency to find the platform, increased dwell time in the target quadrant and the number of platform crossings of fatigued rats. ginseng total saponins (100, 200 mg/kg) treatment also increased the number of synapses and postsynaptic density (PSD) thickness, shrink the synaptic cleft of synapses in hippocampus of fatigue rats, significantly up-regulated NR2B -CaMKII signal, increased the levels of SYP and PSD 95 protein expression. It suggests that ginseng total saponins could improve the learning and memory of fatigue rats, relating to protecting the morphology of hippocampus, up-regulating NR2B-CaMKII signal in the hippocampus of fatigued rats.
A Short-term Evaluation of Oral Hygiene Education Methods in Fixed Orthodontics Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Assistant Training, Software, and Social Media
Authors: Shafaee Hooman , Saeedi Sorour , Bardideh Erfan , Ghorbani Mahsa , Saeedi Pooya 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of different oral hygiene education strategies on periodontal health in fixed orthodontic patients in a one-month period: assistant-led instruction, social media-based education, and custom-made software.
Methods: Sixty orthodontic patients from Mashhad University of Medical Sciences' Dentistry School were randomly assigned into three groups. Each group received oral health education differently: via assistant instruction, educational videos on social media, or a researcher-designed software for Android smartphones. After a month, participants' oral health was evaluated using the plaque index (PI) and the gingival index (GI).
Results: Assistant-led education group demonstrated the highest PI (1.26 ± 0.70) and GI (0.92 ± 0.67), while the software group reported the lowest indices (PI = 0.68, GI = 0.46 ± 0.46). The social media group's measurements fell between these extremes (PI = 0.89 ± 0.75, GI = 0.60 ± 0.52). Significant group differences were found for both PI and GI (P = 0.028 and P = 0.047, respectively). Pairwise comparison revealed significantly lower PI and GI in the software group compared to the assistant group. No significant differences were found between the social media and other groups.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that the use of specially designed software could be the most effective strategy for improving oral hygiene in orthodontic patients. Meanwhile, traditional assistant-led education showed the least effectiveness. The study supports the potential benefit of utilizing digital tools, such as bespoke software and social media, in oral health education for orthodontic patients.
Construction and Application Research of Intelligent Classroom Teaching System Based on TPACK Level of Normal Students in Chinese Colleges and Universities
Authors: Lu Yingdi , Said Mohd Nihra Haruzuan Mohamad 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

At present, the in-depth integration of intelligent technology and education and teaching has become an important trend in current education and teaching. The integration supports technology for potential activities to revolutionize higher education by expanding learning opportunities and fostering greater accessibility, a part of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) for quality education. Technical Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK for short) refers to teachers' knowledge about the complex relationship between technology, teaching method and subject knowledge, and is the knowledge framework needed by teachers when integrating technology in subject teaching. In the past ten years, with the progress of information technology, TPACK framework has been continuously implemented in the relevant research of instructional technology or technology-assisted instruction, which has well promoted the development of current teacher education technology. This paper uses the integrated technology-based subject teaching knowledge (TPACK) model to carry out a questionnaire survey among normal students in colleges and universities in Shaanxi Province so as to investigate the current situation of subject teaching knowledge of integrated technology among normal students in colleges and universities in Shaanxi Province, and propose relevant strategies to improve the subject teaching knowledge of integrated technology for normal students in colleges and universities, and further combined with the smart classroom situation to build a teaching system of TPACK integration model, in order to provide reference for the development of modern teaching ability of normal students in colleges and universities.
Discovery of universal phonon thermal Hall effect in crystals
Authors: Li Shiyan , Jin Xiaobo , Zhang Xu , Wan Wenbo , Wang Hanru , Jiao Yihan 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Thermal Hall effect (THE) in insulator is a remarkable phenomenon that arises from the motion of chargeless quasi-particles under a magnetic field1-11. While magnons1-3 or exotic spin excitations4,5,12,13 were considered as the origin of THE in some magnetic materials, there are more and more evidences suggesting that phonons play a significant role8-11,14-23. However, the mechanism behind phonon THE is still unknown. Here we report the observation of THE, including planar THE, in a broad range of non-magnetic insulators and semiconductors: SrTiO3, SiO2 (quartz), MgO, MgAl2O4, Si and Ge. While the presence of antiferrodistortive domains in SrTiO3 and chiral phonons in SiO2 may complicate the interpretation of THE, the striking observations of THE in trivial insulators MgO and MgAl2O4, as well as in high-purity intrinsic semiconductors Si and Ge, demonstrate that phonon THE is a universal property of crystals. Without other effects on phonons such as from magnons, this universal phonon THE is characterized by a scaling law of |κxy| ~ κxx2. Our results experimentally discover a fundamental physics of phonons in magnetic field, which should come from the direct coupling between atom vibrations and the field. Starting from this universal phonon THE in crystals, all previous interpretations of THE in magnetic or non-magnetic materials need to be reconsidered.
Assessing the Efficacy of Difficult Airway Alerts in Electronic Medical Records: A Quality Improvement Study
Authors: Lee Wen-Shen , Fletcher Luke R , Tosif Shervin , Makar Timothy , Graham Jon M 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Study Design: Retrospective analysis of Difficult Airway alerts in a major tertiary centre.
Objective: To investigate the completeness, utility and efficacy of Difficult Airway alerts and their impact on future airway management episodes.
Design, Data Sources and Methods: Patients who had a “Difficult Airway” entry on Electronic Medical Records (EMR) from 2011 to 2021 were included. Each alert was analysed by a team of Anaesthetists with expertise in difficult airway management for its quality, appropriateness, and impact on future airway management episodes.
Results: 141 patients were included for this study, with a mean age of 58.6 +/- 15.3 years. Ninety-three (66%) alerts were created by medical staff, of which 52 were recorded by consultant Anaesthetists. 117 alerts (83%) were deemed to be appropriate by the airway expert team, but only 40 alerts (28%) were found to have sufficient quality to be helpful in emergent airway management. Sixty-five patients (47%) had at least one subsequent airway management episode, of which 35 patients (56%) underwent a change of management following alert creation. We proceeded to modify 103 alerts (73%) to improve their quality to aid future episodes.
Conclusion: Difficult Airway encounters are an uncommon event in Anaesthesia, but clear, comprehensive and effectively communicated documentation is required to minimise the risk in future episodes. Despite our Institution’s sophisticated alert system, difficult Airway management remains poorly communicated. We have taken measures to improve local processes of difficult airway documentation and considered the implications of our project for the broader airway management community.
Trial Registration: Not applicable
Postoperative Evaluation of Special Needs And Healthy Patients with Endodontic Treatment Under General Anesthesia: A Retrospective Research
Authors: Uysal Busenaz , ÖZKAN Hicran DÖNMEZ , KOCATÜRK Özlem 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
The purpose of this retrospective clinical study was to comparatively evaluate the number of restorative treatments, endodontic treatments, and tooth extractions performed under general anesthesia due to dental anxiety or special needs between 2015 and 2022, and to examine the postoperative pain, bleeding, nausea and vomiting data of the patients after these treatments.
Methods
Patients who underwent at least one endodontic treatment under general anesthesia were included in the study. These patients were divided into two main groups: those with special needs and healthy. Restorative treatments and tooth extractions applied to the patients along with their endodontic treatments were noted. Additionally, patients' information regarding pain, nausea, vomiting, and bleeding after treatments was recorded.
Results
Of the total 184 patients included in the study, 70 (38%) were healthy and 114 (62%) had special needs. While a statistically significant difference was found in terms of postoperative bleeding (ꭕ2 = 4.189, p < 0.05) and pain (U = 2922.00, p < 0.05) bleeding was observed more in patients with special needs, and pain was observed more in healthy patients. While the number of anterior restorations, O, and MOD restorations was higher in patients with special needs, the number of OD or OM restorations was higher in healthy patients (ꭕ2 = 74.877, p < 0.05).
Conclusions
The number of restorative treatments was found to be higher in patients with special needs may be associated with the inadequate oral hygiene care of such patients However, restorative treatment is mostly indicated for such patients in our faculty hospital which may indicate that a conservative approach is taken. Additionally, the finding that postoperative bleeding was more severe in this group of patients in this study may emphasize the need to consider more possible complications after general anesthesia in these patients.
The Effect of Westerly Wind Bursts on ENSO Diversity: an Oceanic Perspective
Authors: Shi Yunhao , Lin Yanluan 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

The relationship between westerly wind bursts (WWBs) and the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) diversity has drawn widespread attention. However, the effect of WWBs on the oceanic intraseasonal Kelvin waves in the context of ENSO diversity formation remains largely unexplored due to limited observational data and theoretical analysis. In this study, we employ a combination of 20-90-day bandpass filtering, the complex empirical orthogonal function (CEOF) analysis, and mechanism analysis to investigate the response of oceanic Kelvin wave to WWBs on the background of ENSO diversity. 117 downwelling and 96 upwelling Kelvin waves are identified from filtered sea level anomaly (η) in the equatorial Pacific Ocean (150°E-100°W, 2°S-2°N) during the period of 1993–2017. The WWBs have further east active center, stronger intensity, a larger zonal extent and longer duration during eastern-Pacific (EP) El Niño years compared to central-Pacific (CP) El Niño years. Consistently, Kelvin waves have stronger intensity, broader extension, and continuous spatial distribution along the equator in EP El Niño years than in CP El Niño years. Through statistical analysis and mechanism analysis, comparison of the relationship between WWBs and oceanic response in CP and EP El Niño years implies that WWBs may be a precursor on the formation of ENSO diversity from an oceanic perspective, providing both theoretical significance and practical importance for enhancing the predictability of ENSO diversity.
Supply and demand of processed potato products in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda: variety requirements of processing companies and implications for trait prioritization for breeding
Authors: Naziri Diego , Devaux André , Hareau Guy , Wauters Pieter 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

The potato processing industry in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda is expanding rapidly. This study assesses the current situation and outlook of the local industrial potato processing sector and the alignment of the industry’s variety requirements with the priorities set by breeders. Currently, potato processing companies in the three countries use both varieties selected locally from public international germplasm and varieties introduced by Dutch seed companies, and their suitability for processing is discussed as well. Overall, the processing industry pays high attention to traits affecting processing efficiency and consumers’ acceptance while breeders, in spite of being aware of the characteristics required for processing varieties, are more focused on traits related to production and disease resistance. As the processing sector develops further, breeders will have to pay increased attention to the progressively stricter requirements of the industry, striking the right balance between farmers’ and processors’ variety requirements. While their opinions on the farmers’ acceptability of processing varieties diverge, breeders and industry agree about the challenges represented by the limited access to quality seed and poor business linkages between value chain actors in securing the supply of varieties suitable for processing. Based on these findings, it is recommended to pay more attention to both the development of dual-purpose varieties and the strengthening of the potato value chain through the improvement of business linkages between seed producers, farmers, and processing companies.
Annealing effect on the pyro-phototronic behaviour in Al/nanostructured PS-ML: p+-Si Schottky photovoltaic device
Authors: Rabha Jonmani , Das Mintu , Borah Saponjeet , Sarkar Deepali 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

In the present study, effect of annealing in Al/nanostructured PS-ML: p+-Si Schottky photovoltaic device is observed for the behavioural change in its pyro-phototronic and corresponding photovoltaic effect. Under UV (365nm) illumination condition, as prepared device shows maximum enhancement and increment factor of 31.16% and 186% at \(0.5V\) compared to the devices annealed at temperature \(\ge 50^\circ C\). However, the coupling between pyro-phototronic and photovoltaic effect remains effective only for the device annealed up to \(100^\circ C\). On further elevating the annealing temperature, the pyro-phototronic effect diminishes while photovoltaic effect remains. The device treated at \(150^\circ C\) shows enhancement in open circuit voltage (\({V}_{oc}\)) value of \(\pm 841 mV\) with large value of fill factor (FF) of \(27\%\) and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of \(9.63\%\) and \(6.36\%\) for upward and downward poling respectively.
Carfilzomib Shows Therapeutic Potential for Reduction of Liver Fibrosis by Targeting Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation
Authors: Fujiwara Ayana , Takemura Keisuke , Tanaka Anna , Iwata Kazumi , Amagase Kikuko , Umemura Atsushi , Okanoue Takeshi , Yamaguchi Kanji , Itoh Yoshito , Katsuyama Masato , Matsumoto Misaki 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Because hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a major role in fibrosis, we focused on HSCs as a potential target for the treatment of liver fibrosis. In this study, we attempted to identify drug candidates to inactivate HSCs and found that several proteasome inhibitors (PIs) reduced HSC viability. Our data showed that a second-generation PI, carfilzomib (CZM), suppressed the expression of fibrotic markers in primary murine HSCs at low concentrations of 5 or 10 nM. Since CZM was not toxic to HSCs up to a concentration of 12.5 nM, we examined its antifibrotic effects further. CZM achieved a clear reduction in liver fibrosis in the carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced mouse model of liver fibrosis without worsening of liver injury. Mechanistically, RNA sequence analysis of primary HSCs revealed that CZM inhibits mitosis in HSCs. In the CCl4-injured liver, amphiregulin, which is known to activate mitogenic signaling pathways and fibrogenic activity and is upregulated in murine and human metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), was downregulated by CZM administration, leading to inhibition of mitosis in HSCs. Thus, CZM and next-generation PIs in development could be potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of liver fibrosis via inactivation of HSCs without liver injury.