bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic Diversity and Relationship of Some Sugar Beet Population by Morpho-physiological Traits
Authors: Golabadi Maryam , Asadi Abouzar , Dabaghi Mojgan 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

The present study focuses on presenting the distribution of genetic diversity in some of the breeding populations of Beta vulgaris L. using yield, yield component, and root morpho-physiological traits. For this purpose, 80 genotypes from 8 different sugar beet populations were used under a randomized complete block design with five replicates at the Azad University research field during the 2021–2022 cropping season. Overall results of ANOVA led to the identification of significant statistical differences among the populations that indicate the genetic difference of the studied sugar beet population. According to the mean comparison of analyzed data, P191 displayed better traits in terms of sugar content, nitrogen content, pure sugar content, extraction coefficient, and root dry matter. Similarly, population M224 exhibited better root number, root yield, leaf weight, and sugar yield than other populations. The dendrogram using UPGMA revealed that the population formed three distinct clusters, with the greatest genetic distance between M249 and the 191 populations. This distance is expected to create maximum heterosis through crossbreeding between these two populations. The results indicate that the number of roots significantly affects RY, LY, Na, and WSY, but does not have a significant correlation with other traits. RY is correlated with LY, Na, and WSY, while LY is inversely correlated with WSC, ECS, and DM, and directly correlated with Na. Principal component analysis based on varimax rotation revealed that the three factors explained 87.6% of the total variance with this arrangement: the first factor named WSC explained 54.5%, the second factor, called RY, accounted for 22.8% and the third factor contributed to 10.2% of the total variance. The Biplot from the first two components also groups populations similar to cluster analysis grouping. It is noticeable that the findings of this research could provide valuable insights into the breeding and improvement of sugar beet populations, which could ultimately benefit the sugar industry.
Reduced Tolerogenic Program Death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1)-expressed Conventional Type 1 Dendritic cells (cDC1) Is Associated with A Rapid Decliner Phenotype of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Authors: Chen Kuan-Yuan , Sun Wei-Lun , Wu Sheng-Ming , Feng Po-Hao , Lin Chiou-Feng , Chen Tzu-Tao , Lu Yueh-Hsun , Ho Shu-Chuan , Chen Yueh-Hsi , Lee Kang-Yun 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized, at least in part, by autoimmunity through amplified T helper 1 and 17 (Th1 and Th17) immune response. Loss of immune tolerance controlled by programed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) may contribute to it
Objectives
We studied the tolerogenic role of PD-L1+dendritic cells (DCs) and its subtypes in relation to specific T cell immunity and clinical phenotypes of COPD.
Methods
We used flow cytometry to analyzed PD-L1 expression on DC and its subtypes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from normal and COPD participants. T cells proliferation and signature cytokines of T cell subtypes stimulated with elastin as autoantigens were measured by flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), respectively
Measurement and main results
A total of 83 participants were enrolled (normal, n = 29; COPD, n = 54). Reduced PD-L1+ conventional dendritic cell 1 (cDC1) in PBMCs of COPD patients was shown (13.7± 13.7%, P = 0.03). The decrease in PD-L1+ cDC1 was associated with a rapid decliner phenotype of COPD (P = 0.02) and correlated with CD4+ T cells (r=-0.33, P=0.02). Functionally, PD-L1 blockade enhanced CD4+ T cells proliferation stimulated with CD3/elastin (31.2±22.3%, P=0.04) and interleukin (IL)-17A production with both CD3 (156.3±54.7, P=0.03) and CD3/elastin (148±64.9, P=0.03) from normal PBMCs. PD-L1 blockade failed to increase IL-17A production in cDC1-depleted PBMCs. By contrast, there was no significant change in interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-4, and IL-10 after PD-L1 blockade.
Conclusion
Circulating PD-L1+ cDC1 was reduced in COPD, which the tolerogenic role was suppressed with susceptibility to self-antigens and linked to a rapid decliner phenotype through Th17-skewed chronic inflammation.
Shadowgraph Tomography of a High Pressure GDI Spray
Authors: Lazzaro Maurizio , Alfuso Salvatore , Ianniello Roberto 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

An isooctane spray from a high-pressure multi-hole GDI injector (Bosch HDEV6) was characterized by means of optical extinction tomography, relying on parallel illumination by a focused-shadowgraph setup. The tests were carried out in air at ambient conditions at an injection pressure of 300 bar. Extinction images of the spray were acquired over a 180-degree angular range in 1-degree increments. The critical issues of optical extinction tomography of sprays, related to the strong light extinction by the dense liquid core of fuel jets, were addressed. To mitigate artifacts arising from the reconstruction process, the extinction data were subjected to spatially-variant filtering steps of both the raw and post-log data, before being analytically inverted through the inverse Radon transform. This made it possible to process extinction data for very large optical depths. A nearly complete three-dimensional reconstruction of the spray was obtained, providing significant details of the spray morphology and the internal structure of the jets throughout the spray development. The different phases of the atomization process from the near-field to far-field regions of the spray were observed.
Thermal Cycle Behavior of the Interface of AG3/75E/55E and AU4G/75E/55E Multimaterials Elaborated by Thermal Spray
Authors: Harichane Alya 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

This study aims at the elaboration of two aluminum alloys based multimaterials (AG3/75E / 55E, AU4G/75E/55E); using the thermal projection technique. Thermanit stainless steel (55E) was deposited on two aluminum alloys: AG3 (5754) and AU4G (2017A) which are commonly used in the aeronautical industry; a Ni-Al bond coat (75E) was deposited between the coatings and the substrates to avoid the unwanted effect of aluminum oxide on the two substrates which acts as a diffusion barrier and therefore penalizes bonding. A thermal fatigue device was also used in order to study physico-chemical and mechanical behavior of the interface under application of thermal shocks and post treatment. The results show a better better resistance to cycles thermal in the case of composite AU4G/75E/55E was noted.
Is There an Optimal Time for the Second Surgery of Staged Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty When the Intervals Are Determined by Patients?
Authors: Lv Yang , Liu& Hongliang , Huang Zexin , Chen Bojian , Lin Dingkun , Xu Shuchai , Guo Da 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose
The decision to perform a second surgery in terms of staged bilateral total knee arthroplasty (BTKA) remains undetermined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the optimal time frame for the second surgery in staged BTKA.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed 528 patients (1,056 knees) who underwent staged BTKA between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2019. Considering the different intervals, all patients were divided into 3 groups using 3 different cut-off points: group A (≤ 180 days), group B (> 180 days and ≤ 365 days), and group C (> 365 days). Comparison was done among the 3 groups for the second arthroplasties (A2 vs. B2 vs. C2). In each group, comparison was conducted between two surgeries (A1 vs. A2, B1 vs. B2, and C1 vs. C2, respectively). We evaluated demographics and clinical outcomes, major complications, and hospital adverse events.
Results
There were no statistically significant differences in any of the clinical outcomes, major complications, and hospital adverse events among the 3 groups (A2 vs. B2 vs. C2). When C1 and C2 were compared, LOS (12.23 ± 3.41 vs 10.12 ± 2.76, P < 0.0001), drainage volume (115.62 ± 45.67 vs 101.26 ± 49.28, P = 0.003), additional morphine analgesics consumption (131.52 ± 259.11 vs 69.78 ± 159.89, P = 0.016), and the rate of hospital adverse events (58.33% vs 46.15%, P = 0.026) were significantly better in group C2.
Conclusion
The time frame of staged BTKAs has no influence on postoperative outcomes when the intervals are determined by patients. If patients are willing to wait, we advise that patients could take second surgery over a year after the first surgery.
Trial registration number：ZE2020-139-01, for retrospectively registered trials.
Level of Evidence： Retrospective cohort study，LEVEL III
Key Role of Adsorption Site Abundance in the Direct Electrochemical Co-Detection of Estradiol and Dopamine
Authors: Delmo Naela , Pande Ishan , Peltola Emilia 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Estradiol (E2) is a hormone that influences various aspects of women’s health. Beyond its reproductive functions, E2 impacts neurotransmitter systems such as dopamine (DA). Vertically aligned carbon nanofibers (VACNFs) have shown good sensitivity, selectivity, biocompatibility, and reduced fouling in DA sensing. In this study, we explore the use of Ti-Ni-CNF electrodes with two fiber lengths (referred to as short and long) for the direct electrochemical co-detection of E2 and DA. In E2 detection, the electrodes demonstrate a wide linear range of 0.05-10 µM and sensitivity of 0.016 and 0.020 µA/µM for short and long CNFs, respectively. The sensor performance remains largely unaffected even in the presence of other steroid hormones such as progesterone and testosterone. Remarkably, co-detection of E2 and DA shows promising peak separation, sensitivity, and stability. Furthermore, in such a scenario where both analytes rely on adsorption for oxidation, the availability of adsorption sites emerges as a critical factor, highlighting the significant role of material morphology in its performance. While detecting small and fluctuating physiological concentrations remains a challenge, these findings can be used in choosing and fabricating electrode materials for more accurate and accessible continuous hormone measurements, including the possibility of multianalyte sensing platforms.
The Impact of Parenthood on Chronic Diseases and Frailty in Older Adults: A Gender- Specific Analysis
Authors: Ceker Eda , Cataltepe Esra , Fadiloglu Ayse , Gungor Fatih , Karakurt Nermin , Varan Hacer Dogan 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to investigate the impact of having a child and the number of children on chronic diseases and geriatric syndromes including frailty, considering the sex of the parent.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and above. Demographic data including age, marital status, education level, and the number of children were collected. All participants underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment.
Results: Out of 737 participants, 64.9% were female, with a median of three children. Among women, those with children exhibited higher susceptibility to depression and physical frailty, slower gait speed, lower ADL, IADL, and MNA-SF scores, as well as a higher disease burden. Conversely, men showed no significant changes related to parenthood. The number of children correlated positively with disease burden and depressive symptoms and negatively with education. ROC analysis identified having more than two children as a predictor for physical frailty. However, this association diminished in multivariate regression analysis.
Conclusions: While the number of children correlates with higher disease burden and geriatric syndromes among women different from men, its direct association with physical frailty diminishes when considering other factors.
Socioeconomic and demographic determinants of polygynous marriages in India: Multilevel analysis of nationally representative survey data, 2019-21
Authors: Kumari Nutan , Ram Rajan 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Polygyny occurs when a man has more than one wife at the same time. The present study examines the prevalence and determinants of polygyny marriage at the district and all India levels. The present study utilized the cross-sectional data from the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) conducted during 2019–21.The sample size for the present study was 513,251 women who were currently married. Moreover, the number of women whose husbands had more than one wife is 8,284. A multilevel logistic regression model was used to identify predictors of polygyny marriage. There is a decline in polygynous marriage, but still very high in a few regions (states) of India such as Mizoram, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. The prevalence of polygyny marriage is high among women in the 25–34, and 35–49 age groups, with no or primary education, consanguineous marriage, being Muslim, scheduled caste, and belonging to rural residence and poorest wealth index were factors associated with polygyny marriage. Individual and community-level factors were identified as predictors of polygyny, even though polygamy is illegal under the Indian Penal Code, except among Muslim. There is need to improve education and awareness about the act among the community level.
Reconstructing Computational Spectra Using Deep Learning's Self-Attention Method
Authors: Wu Hao , Wu Hui , su xingyu , Wu Jingjun , liu shuangli 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Miniaturized computational spectrometers have become a new research hotspot due to their portability and miniaturization. However, there are several issues, like low precision and poor stability. Because the problem of spectrum reconstruction accuracy is very evident, we suggested a novel approach to raise the reconstruction accuracy. Using the time-domain finite-difference (FDTD) method, a library of transmittance functions was acquired. A cross-correlation algorithm was then used to choose 100 sparse transmittance functions, which were then built as an encoding matrix. Then, based on the encoding matrix, a self-attention mechanism algorithm was used to improve the accuracy of the reconstructed spectrum by improving the autocorrelation characteristics between input signals. The mean square error (MSE) of the reconstructed spectrum is 0.0019, and its similarity coefficient (R2) is 0.9780. This self-attention mechanism spectral reconstruction technique will open up new possibilities for high-accuracy reconstruction for a variety of computational spectrometer types.
Weakly-supervised Temporal Action Localization using Multi-branch Attention Weighting
Authors: Liu Mengxue , Li Wenjing , Ge Fangzhen , Gao Xiangjun 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Weakly-supervised temporal action localization trains an action localization model using only video-level labels for training. Owing to the lack of frame-level temporal annotations, most existing weakly-supervised temporal action localiza-tion methods are based on multiple instance learning mechanisms to predict the start and end times of all action instances in an untrimmed video and to classify them. Many localization approaches focus only on the most discriminative regions that contribute to the classification task, but ignore a large number of ambiguous background and context snippets in a video. So that results in poor localization performance. We believe that it is helpful to identify such snippets by modeling the background and context. Therefore, we propose a multi-branch attention weighting network (MAW-Net), which introduces an additional non-action class and integrates a multi-branch attention module to generate action and background attention, respectively. In addition, considering the correlation among context, action, and background, we use the difference of action and background attention to construct context attention. Finally, based on these three types of attention values, we obtain three new class activation sequences that distinguish action, background, and context. This enables our proposed model to effectively suppress the activation of context and background snippets and achieve better localization performance. Extensive experiments were performed on the 1 THUMOS-14 and Activitynet1.3 datasets. The experimental results show that our method is superior to other state-of-the-art methods, and its performance is comparable to those of fully-supervised approaches.
Effect of grazing intensity on plant–soil ecological stoichiometry within a desert grassland under long-term grazing
Authors: Zhang Yutong , Yan Wei , Gao Cuiping 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
High-intensity grazing in Mongolian grasslands has led to the general deterioration of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Abundant evidence shows that grazing affects the structure and function of grassland ecosystems, especially under overgrazing. We examined the effects of three grazing intensities (0, 1.92, and 3.08 sheep ha-1 a-1) on plant communities, plant and soil C, N and P contents, and plant and soil C:N:P stoichiometry in a desert grassland in different years. Grazing did not affect plant coverage, richness, or N:P, and the plant community biomass, litter biomass and C:N and C:P were highest under a zero grazing intensity. Soil C:N changed with the year and grazing intensity. However, soil C:P and N:P were higher in 2018 than in 2016 and 2017. Our study suggested that grazing promoted the flow of N between plants and the soil, especially at 3.08 sheep ha-1 a-1. Under grazing stress, plants maintained the potential for compensatory growth. Furthermore, N was shown to be the limiting fertilizer component for plants growing in this area among the three grazing intensities.
Technical Efficiency Effects of agroecological practices use on crop-producing farms: Empirical Evidence from Northern Benin Republic using an endogeneity corrected stochastic frontier model.
Authors: AKPATCHO Leon Hounkpealodo , ADEGBOLA Ygué Patrice , BALARABE Oumarou , YABI Jacob Affouda , ZINSOU Prisciron Sourou 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Agroecology is a sustainable production approach that has positive effects for farms. However, some innovations of this approach penalize yields at the beginning and do not promote their good perception per farmers. To boost agroecology adoption in such context, technical efficiency analysis of production of main crops is done to highlight this approach contributions to improving performance in agriculture. 509 farms in municipalities of Banikoara, Kandi, Péhunco, Parakou and Savalou were surveyed. Cobb-Douglas endogenous stochastic production frontier analysis approach was adopted. The results showed a correlation of technical production efficiency with labor intensity, use of chemical fertilizer, farmer profile and type of operation. Thus, agricultural mechanization is suggested to reducing pressure on family labor which could exacerbate child labor. Also, agroecological practices and chemical fertilizer combining had an interesting effect in terms of improving production performance and suggests the maintenance of chemical inputs in production systems. So, agroecological practices scaling up in Benin cotton areas must be accompanied by appropriate mechanization and chemical fertilizer using, with gradually decrease of its amount following soil under agroecological management fertility improvement.
Anatomic Characteristics of the Vertebrobasilar Artery: A Three-dimensional Reconstruction Study Based on Computed Tomography Angiography
Authors: Chao Qing , Hu YuanLiang , Zhao Biao , Sun YuXi , Shu Hansheng , Wang DaWei , Cheng Zhe 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Objective: The vertebrobasilar artery (VBA) exhibits substantial inter-individual variation that must be considered in diagnosis and surgical planning. We conducted three-dimensional reconstruction of the bilateral VBA based on head and neck computed tomography angiography (CTA) to assess bilateral, individual, age-dependent, and sex-dependent differences in anatomical parameters.
Methods: Individual three-dimensional models of the VBA and skull were constructed and morphology evaluated based on head and neck CTA data from 199 adults. According to morphological and anatomical variation, the VBA was divided into three types: balanced, L, and S. The diameters and lengths of basilar and bilateral vertebral artery intracranial segments as well as VBA blending length, and bilateral distances of the vertebral arteries moving up the atlas were measured and statistically compared.
Results The L-type was the most common VBA morphology, and anatomic type distribution differed significantly by age (P < 0.05). Vertebral artery diameter was 3.34±0.68 mm on the left side and 3.09±0.71 mm on the right side, while bending length was 5.62±3.35 mm on the left and 4.94±3.41 mm on the right side. Balanced basilar arteries measured 3.41±0.61 mm in diameter, 2.83±0.33 cm in length, and 2.55±2.45 mm in bending length. The L-type basilar artery measured 3.48±0.71 mm in diameter, 3.06±0.44 cm in length, and 2.78±0.37 mm in bending length.Finally, S-type basilar arteries measured 3.84±0.86 mm in diameter, 3.38±0.61 cm in length, and 3.67±4.39 mm in bending length. The distance traveled by the vertebral artery across the atlas differed significantly between left and right sides as well as between males and females (P < 0.05).
Conclusions The VBA can be accurately reconstructed in three-dimensions using head and neck CTA. These reconstructions confirmed the basic anatomic types proposed previously and further identify bilateral, sex-dependent, and age-dependent differences.
A Comprehensive Detection and Mitigation Mechanism to Protect SD-IoV Systems Against Controller-Targeted DDoS Attacks
Authors: Alemu Behaylu Tadele , Muhammed Alemu Jorgi , Belachew Habtamu Molla , Beyene Mulatu Yirga 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Software-defined networking (SDN) has emerged as a transformative technology that separates the control plane from the data plane, providing advantages such as flexibility, centralized control, and programmability. This innovation proves particularly beneficial for Internet of Vehicles (IoV) networks, which amalgamate the Internet of Things (IoT) and Vehicular Ad Hoc Network (VANET) to implement Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). By employing an SDN controller, IoV networks can leverage centralized control and enhanced manageability, leading to the emergence of Software-Defined Internet of Vehicles (SD-IoV) as a promising solution for future communications. However, the integration of SDN into IoV networks introduces a potential vulnerability in the form of a single point of failure, particularly susceptible to Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. This is because of the centralized nature of SDN and the dynamic nature of IoV. In this context, the SDN controller becomes a prime target for attackers who flood it with massive packet-in messages. To address this security concern, we propose an efficient and lightweight attack detection and mitigation scheme within the SDN controller. The scheme includes a detection module that utilizes entropy and flow rate to identify patterns indicative of attack traffic behavior. Additionally, a mitigation module is designed to minimize the effect of attack traffic on the normal operation, this is performed through analysis of payload lengths. An adaptive threshold computation for all parameter values enhances the scheme's effectiveness. We conducted simulations using SUMO, Mininet-WiFi, and Scapy. The simulation results demonstrate the efficacy of our proposed scheme in terms of detection time, accuracy, mitigation efficiency, controller load, and link bandwidth consumption, showcasing its superiority compared to existing works in the field.