bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tumor Radiomics Features on Pretreatment CT to Predict Response to First-Line Chemotherapy in Thymic Carcinoma: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Wu Si Yu , Wang Ying , Fan Ping , Xu Tianqi , Huang Yong , Han Pengxi , Deng Yan , Wang Ximing 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Objectives Platinum-based chemotherapy as first-line treatment have shown promising results against tumors in thymic carcinoma (TC). However, clinical benefit has been limited to a small proportion of patients. We developed and validated a combined radiomics model to predict progressive disease (PD) in patients suffering from TC following first-line chemotherapy.Methods Patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy as first-line treatment from four centers in Shandong, China, were retrospectively included (n = 134); 93 and 41 were entered into the training and validation sets. Radiomics features were extracted from pretreatment enhanced CT. After feature selection, radiomics score (RS) was developed by Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) and TNM, clinicopathological and clinicopathological-radiomics models (combined radiomics model) were developed by using logistic regression algorithm. Models were assessed for performance, incremental predictive value of radiomics features versus clinicopathological features, and the relationship of RS and clinical factors to survival.Results The clinicopathological model was a modest predictor of PD, with area under curve (AUC) of 0.879 (95% CI: 0.709–0.890) and 0.799 (95% CI: 0.778–0.980) in the training and validation sets. The AUC of the combined radiomics model was 0.937 (95% CI: 0.891–0.984) and 0.899 (95% CI: 0.800-0.997), which is of good calibration and clinical application. The incremental predictive value of radiomics features for clinicopathological features was 27% (p < 0.001) and 0.4% (p = 0.108) in the training and validation sets. In addition, RS, CD5, and distant metastasis were associated with progression-free survival in both the training and validation sets.Conclusion Radiomics features extracted from pretreatment enhanced CT allow prediction of individualized objective responses to platinum-based chemotherapy as first-line treatment in TC, providing incremental predictive value for clinicopathological features, and are associated with progression-free survival after initiation of this combination regimen.
The effect of antimicrobial peptide-added adhesive resins on shear bond strength and adhesive remnant index of orthodontic brackets
Authors: DEMIRSOY Kevser KURT , BUYUK Suleyman Kutalmış , KAPLAN Melek Hilal , KOKBAS Umut , ABAY Feridun , OZEN Ceyda , AKKAYA Alper 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Objectives
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of in-vivo produced Nisin which is an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) added to adhesive resin on shear bond strength (SBS) and the adhesive remnant index (ARI) of orthodontic brackets.
Methods
Bacterial AMP was produced by fermentation and the ideal AMP/Bond concentration and antimicrobial efficacy of the mixture were tested. To evaluate the SBS and ARI scores of AMP-added adhesive resins, 80 maxillary premolar teeth extracted for orthodontic purposes were used and randomly assigned into 2 groups (n = 40). Group 1: Control Group (teeth bonded with standard adhesive resin); Group 2: Experimental Group (teeth bonded with AMP-added adhesive resin). Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS package program and applying the Mann-Whitney U and Fisher's exact tests. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
Results
Nisin synthesised in-vivo from Lactococcus lactis (L. lactis) (ATCC 7962) bacteria was provided to form a homogenous solution at an ideal concentration To find the minimum AMP/Bond mixture ratio that showed maximum antimicrobial activity, AMP and Bond mixtures were tested at various concentration levels between 1/160 and 1/2 (AMP/Bond). As a result, the optimum ratio was determined as 1/40. The antimicrobial efficacy of Nisin-added adhesive resin was tested against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) (ATCC 35688) and Lactobacillus strains (cariogenic microorganisms). AMP formed a 2.7 cm diameter zone alone, while 1/40 AMP-bond mixture formed a 1.2 cm diameter zone. SBS values of the teeth bonded with Nisin added adhesive (17.49 ± 5.31) were significantly higher than the control group (14.54 ± 4.96) (P = 0.004). According to the four point scale, Nisin added adhesive provided a higher ARI score in favour of the adhesive and tooeth compared to the control group (ARI = 3, n = 20).
Conclusions
Nisin produced from L. lactis (ATCC 7962) had greater antimicrobial effects after mixing with adhesive bond against cariogenic microorganisms S. mutans (ATCC 35688) and Lactobacillus strains. Nisin added adhesive increased the shear bond strength (SBS) of orthodontic brackets.
Clinical relevance:
Clinicians should take into account that using Nisin-added adhesive resin in orthodontic treatments can provide prophylaxis against tooth decay, especially in patients with poor oral hygiene.
Compliance with national safety standards and associated factors among welders in Kampala district, Uganda
Authors: Sekabojja Daniel , Musoke David , Osuret Jimmy , Ssekamatte Tonny , Etajak Samuel , Mugambe Richard K. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Standards among welders is one way of reducing global injuries and health costs while improving industrial productivity and Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Addressing the occupational injury burden requires understanding contextual factors for compliance with occupational safety and health standards. This study focused to determine compliance levels with (sections 35 and 36) of the Uganda OSH Act, 2006 among Kampala welders, and the associated factors.
Methodology:
A cross-sectional mixed-methods study design was used. A sample of 425 welders was selected using simple random sampling and interviewed face-to-face in the five divisions of Kampala Capital City. The study was supplemented with 5 Key Informants purposively selected from the OSH Department, Ministry of Gender Labor and Social Development (MGLSD), and the divisions in Kampala. Quantitative data was entered and cleaned in Stata 14; Association was measured using prevalence risk ratio estimates with a generalized linear model. Adjusted Prevalence Ratios (APR) were used as measures of association under 95% CI and 5% level of significance. Qualitative data were transcribed and analyzed thematically.
Results
The level of compliance to sections 35 and 36 was below the permissible level of 100% established by the MGLSD; nearly three quarters, 303/425 (71.29%) complied with PPE use (section 35) and less than half, 154/425 (36.24%) complied with incident documentation and reporting (section 36). Factors for compliance with Section 35 included; welders’ residence (Makindye), (APR = 1.33, 95% CI; 1.12–1.59), marital status: (APR = 1.37, 95% CI; 1.17–1.61), electric shocks in the last 6months: (APR = 1.18, 95% CI; 1.05–1.32), involvement in hazard analysis: (APR = 1.41, 95% CI; 1.25–1.58), safety knowledge: (APR = 1.26, 95% CI; 1.11–1.43), having supervisors in place: (APR = 0.86, 95% CI;0.76–0.98) and Section 36; welders’ residence (Makindye), (APR = 0.25, 95% CI; 0.23–0.75), > 6years welding experience: (APR = 0.44, 95% CI;0.21–0.96), and having OSH Policies in place: (APR = 3.61, 95% CI; 2.07–6.28).
Conclusion
Although welders’ compliance levels with PPE ranked above average but below that required my MGLSD, some welders had gotten used to the practice of working in risky environments without wearing full PPE, with reasons for not affording them. They lacked Incident documentation and thus needed support supervision from MGLSD.
Advancing Species Identification in Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Novel Mini-Barcode from Mitochondrial Genomes Combined with Meta-barcoding Technology for Leech Authentication
Authors: Shi Chenfeng , Guo Yuhan , Yao Lijuan , Xu Yunhui , Zhou Jing , Hua Moli 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the medicinal leech is a vital component for treatments aimed at promoting blood circulation and eliminating blood stasis. However, the prevalence of counterfeit leech products in the market undermines the quality and efficacy of these remedies. Conventional DNA barcoding techniques, such as the COI barcode, have proven inadequate for TCM species identification due to amplification challenges. This study introduces a novel 219bp mini-barcode, derived from the mitochondrial genome's 16S rRNA gene, exhibiting high variability among five leech species. We also used primers 741F-943R to enhance the identification process. Compared with the traditional COI barcode, our mini-barcode showed remarkable identification efficiency, accurately classifying 144 out of 147 leech samples from fresh and processed materials. In the case of seven batches of leech decoction pieces, the mini-barcode identified six, whereas the COI barcode only recognized one. Additionally, when combined with meta-barcoding technology, the mini-barcode effectively discerned five leech species within Chinese patent medicines. These results confirm the mini-barcode's potential as a reliable tool for the rapid and precise identification of leech species in TCM products.
Exploring the Venom of Ectatomma brunneum Smith (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Bernardi Rafaella Caroline , Mendonça Angélica , Firmino Ellen Liciane Barbosa , Macorini Luis Fernando Benitez , Barros Edvaldo , Santos Pollyanna Pereira , Junior Luiz Santos , Serrão José Eduardo , Junior William Fernando Antonialli , Cardoso Claudia Andréa Lima 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Ant venom has several functions including predation, communication, defense against predators, and action against pathogens. Data about ant venom components, which provide support for understand action mechanisms, allergenicity, and biological activity, are few. The objective was to identify the amino acids and proteins in the venom of the predatory ant Ectatomma brunneum and to evaluate its antimicrobial activity. The amino acids were analyzed by liquid chromatography with diode array detection and identified using amino acid standards. The two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis fractionation approach was used to identify the proteins, together with MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry and protein databases. The antimicrobial activity of the venom was evaluated using the minimum inhibitory and minimum microbiocidal concentrations. The venom of E. brummeum has free amino acids with high amount of alanine. The 2D gel analysis show 104 spots, from which 21 were identified and classified according to biological function in: venom proteins, nontoxic reservoir protection, cellular maintenance proteins, and proteins with unknown function. The venom has antimicrobial activity, inhibiting growth of all the bacteria and fungi tested. Results provide new insights to the knowledge of the ant venom components and antimicrobial activity.
Centromere sequence-independent but biased loading of subgenome-specific CENH3s in allopolyploid Arabidopsis suecica
Authors: Houben Andreas , Karimi-Ashtiyani Raheleh , Banaei-Moghaddam Ali Mohammad , Ishii Takayoshi , Weiss Oda , Fuchs Jörg , Schubert Veit 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Centromeric nucleosomes are determined by the replacement of the canonical histone H3 with the centromere-specific histone H3 (CENH3) variant. Little is known about the centromere organization in allopolyploid species where different subgenome-specific CENH3s and subgenome-specific centromeric sequences coexist. Here, we analyzed the transcription and centromeric localization of subgenome-specific CENH3 variants in the allopolyploid species Arabidopsis suecica. Synthetic A. thaliana x A. arenosa hybrids were generated and analyzed to mimic the early evolution of A. suecica. Our expression analyses indicated that CENH3 has generally higher expression levels in A. arenosa compared to A. thaliana, and this pattern persists in the hybrids. We also demonstrated that despite a different centromere DNA composition, the centromeres of both subgenomes incorporate CENH3 encoded by both subgenomes, but with a positive bias towards A. arenosa-type CENH3. The intermingled arrangement of both CENH3 variants demonstrates centromere plasticity and may be an evolutionary adaption to handle more than one CENH3 variant in the process of allopolyploidization.
An approach for the analysis of axonal neuroinflammation by measuring dual biomarkers of oligodendrocytes and inflammatory cytokine in human plasma
Authors: Mitsuhashi Masato , Hirata Akihiro , Oguma Yuko , Ishida Hiroyuki , Kawata Keisuke 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

The myelin sheath surrounding axons is vulnerable to mechanical stresses after head injuries, as well as autoimmune attacks and degeneration in neurological disorders. Unfortunately, there is currently no effective method to assess these axonal conditions in individual patients.
We have developed a sandwich immunoassay detecting dual signals of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) and interleukin 1B (IL1B) in human plasma ([IL1B on MOG]). While IL1B is one of common inflammation markers, its lack of tissue specificity is addressed by identifying IL1B on extracellular vesicles from oligodendrocytes isolated using anti-MOG, suggesting inflammation around axons.
In 77 control subjects, plasma levels of [IL1B on MOG] did not increase more than 2 fold from baseline. During the sports season, 14% (151 football players) and 22% (18 rugby players) exhibited a substantial 2-17 fold increase, despite the absence of traumatic brain injuries. This elevation demonstrated a non-random pattern, with some individuals gradually rising towards the season's end, followed by a decline. [IL1B on MOG] levels also correlated with the clinical course of a post-concussion syndrome case. These data indicate that [IL1B on MOG] blood test is a potential marker for assessing mild axonal neuroinflammation.
MPE-YOLO: Enhanced Small Target Detection in Aerial Imaging
Authors: Su Jia , Qin Yichang , Jia Ze , Liang Ben 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Aerial image target detection is crucial for urban planning, traffic monitoring, and disaster assessment, but existing detection algorithms face challenges in small target recognition and accuracy within complex environments. To address this issue, this paper proposes an improved model based on YOLOv8, named MPE-YOLO. Initially, a multilevel feature integrator (MFI) module is employed to enhance the representation of small target features, which meticulously moderates information loss during the feature fusion process. For the backbone network of the model, a perception enhancement convolution (PEC) module is introduced to replace traditional convolutional layers, thereby expanding the network’s fine-grained feature processing capability. Furthermore, an enhanced scope-C2f (ES-C2f) module is designed, which utilizes channel expansion and stacking of multiscale convolutional kernels to enhance the network’s ability to capture small target details. After a series of experiments on the VisDrone, RSOD, and AI-TOD datasets, the model has not only demonstrated superior performance in aerial image detection tasks compared to existing advanced algorithms but also achieved a lightweight model structure. The experimental results prove the potential of MPE-YOLO in enhancing the accuracy and operational efficiency of aerial target detection.
Load Frequency Stabilization of Distinct Hybrid Conventional and Renewable Power Systems Incorporated with Electrical Vehicles and Capacitive Energy Storage
Authors: Daraz Amil , Alrajhi Hasan , Basit Abdul , Afzal Abdul Rahman , Alahmadi Ahmed N. M. , Khan Irfan Ahmed 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Maintaining a power balance between generation and demand is generally acknowledged as being essential to maintaining a system frequency within reasonable bounds. This is especially important for linked renewable-based hybrid power systems (HPS), where disruptions are more likely to occur. This paper suggests a prominent modified "Fractional order-proportional-integral with double derivative (FOPIDD2) controller" as an innovative HPS controller in order to navigate these obstacles. The recommended control approach has been validated in power systems including wind, reheat thermal, solar, and hydro generating, as well as capacitive energy storage and electric vehicle. The improved controller's performance is evaluated by comparing it to regular FOPID, PID, and PIDD2 controllers. Furthermore, the gains of the newly structured FOPIDD2 controller are optimized using a newly intended algorithm terms as squid game optimizer (SGO). The controller's performance is compared to benchmarks such as the grey wolf optimizer (GWO) and jellyfish search optimization. By comparing performance characteristics such as maximum frequency undershoot/overshoot, and steadying time, the SGO-FOPIDD2 controller outperforms the other techniques. The suggested SGO optimized FOPIDD2 controller was analyzed and validated for its ability to withstand the influence of power system parameter uncertainties under various loading scenarios and situations. Without any complicated design, the results show that the new controller can work steadily and regulate frequency with an appropriate controller coefficient.
Improved image contrast in nonlinear light-sheet fluorescence microscopy using i2PIE pulse compression.
Authors: Bosman Gurthwin , Badrodien Imraan , Neethling Pieter 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Nonlinear microscopy has become an invaluable tool for biological imaging, offering high-resolution visualization of biological specimens. In this manuscript, we present the application of a spectral phase measurement technique, i2PIE, to compress broad-bandwidth supercontinuum pulses in light-sheet fluorescence microscopy. The results demonstrated a significant improvement in the two-photon excitation response achieved. We also showed that the implementation of i2PIE allowed for enhanced image contrasts when compared to conventional compression techniques, with i2PIE producing an image contrast improvement over conventional methods by over 50%.
First Direct Observation of Nanometer size Hydride Precipitations in Superconducting Niobium
Authors: Sung Zuhawn , Cano Arely , Murthy Akshay A. , Bafia Daniel. , Karapetrova Evguenia , Martinello Martina , Lee Jaeyel , Grassellino Anna , Romanenko Alexander 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Superconducting niobium serves as a key enabling material for superconducting radio frequency (SRF) technology as well as quantum computing devices. Niobium has a high propensity for the uptake of hydrogen. At room temperature, hydrogen commonly occupies tetragonal sites in the Nb lattice as the metal (M) - gas (H) phase. When the temperature is decreased, however, a solid solution of Nb-H begins to precipitate. In this study, we show the first identified topographical features associated with nanometer-size hydride phase (Nb1-xHx) precipitates on the surface of the metallic superconducting niobium using cryogenic-atomic force microscopy (AFM). Further, high energy grazing incidence X-ray diffraction reveals information regarding the structure and stoichiometry of these precipitates. Finally, through time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF-SIMS), we locate atomic hydrogen sources near the top surface. This systematic study further explains localized degradation of RF superconductivity by the proximity effect due to hydrogen clusters.
Phenotypic and Genetic Characterization of a Near-Isogenic Line Pair: Insights into Flowering Time in Chickpea.
Authors: Perez-Rial Adrian , Carmona Alejandro , Ali Latifah , Rubio Josefa , Millan Teresa , Castro Patricia , Die Jose V. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
Cicer arietinum is a significant legume crop cultivated mainly in short-season environments, where early-flowering is a desirable trait to overcome terminal constraints. Despite its agricultural significance, the genetic control of flowering time in chickpea is not fully understood. In this study, we developed, phenotyped, re-sequenced and genetically characterized a pair of near-isogenic lines (NILs) with contrasting days to flowering to identify candidate gene variants potentially associated with flowering time.
Results
In addition to days to flowering, noticeable differences in multiple shoot architecture traits were observed between the NILs. The re-sequencing data confirms that the NILs developed in this study serve as appropriate plant materials, effectively constraining genetic variation to specific regions and thereby establishing a valuable resource for future genetic and functional investigations in chickpea research. Leveraging bioinformatics tools and public genomic datasets, we identified homologs of flowering-related genes from Arabidopsis thaliana, including ELF3 and, for the first time in chickpea, MED16 and STO/BBX24, with variants among the NILs. Analysis of the allelic distribution of these genes revealed their preservation within chickpea diversity and their potential association with flowering time. Variants were also identified in members of the ERF and ARF gene families. Furthermore, in silico expression analysis was conducted elucidating their putative roles in flowering.
Conclusions
While the gene CaELF3a is identified as a prominent candidate, this study also exposes new targets in chickpea, such as CaMED16b and LOC101499101 (BBX24-like), homologs of flowering-related genes in Arabidopsis, as well as ERF12 and ARF2. The in silico expression characterization and genetic variability analysis performed could contribute to their use as specific markers for chickpea breeding programs. This study lays the groundwork for future investigations utilizing this plant material, promising further insights into the complex mechanisms governing flowering time in chickpea.