bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The analysis of the dry bulb temperature database measured at Beer Sheva, Israel with regard to the global climate change theses
Authors: Kudish Avraham I , Evseev Efim G 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
A database consisting of dry bulb temperatures monitored at Beer Sheva, Israel between August 1988 and December 2023 was first analyzed to determine the corresponding average monthly diurnal (06:00–18:00), nocturnal (18:00–06:00) and daily (24h) values. The database was then studied to determine if any trends in the dry bulb temperatures existed during the time intervals under investigation. Positive trends were observed for all months during all time intervals with the exception of April within the diurnal and daily time intervals. The positive trends were greatest during February in all time intervals (~ 1°C/decade) and smallest in June during the diurnal and daily time intervals and October during the nocturnal time interval (~ 0.30 to 0.45°C/decade). The dry bulb temperatures measured during 2023 was then extricated from the initial database. An inter-comparison was then performed between the average monthly values during the time intervals under investigation between 2023 and corresponding values of the now 1988–2022 database. The degree of deviation between the 2023 average monthly values relative to the 1988–2022 average monthly values was based upon the ratio of the difference between the average monthly values and the standard deviation of the 1988–2022 database. The most significant positive deviations between 2023 and the 1988–2022 database were observed during the months July through September and, in general, the positive deviations occurred between July and December. A similar analysis, i.e., intercomparison, with regard to the average monthly maximum and minimum values between 2023 and 1988–2022 database. Significant positive deviations were observed during all months with regard to the minimum values, whereas positive deviations with regard to maximum values were only detected from July to December. Consequently, the monthly average daily temperature range (DTR) was reduced during 2023 relative to that observed between 1988–2022. The monthly average DTR was reduced during 2023 by a maximum of 5.2°C in April and a minimum of 0.2°C in July.
Investigating the Therapeutic Potential of Uric Acid in Alzheimer's Disease: Insights from the cGMP-PKG Signaling Pathway
Authors: C Tara SR , Li Lifang , Jiang Qiuhong , Mao Yu-Rong , Wei Shoupeng , Lo Ambrose , Huang Dong-feng 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, both contributing to disease progression. Uric acid (UA) has emerged as a potential therapeutic agent due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties. However, the precise mechanisms underlying UA's role in AD pathogenesis remain unclear.
Methods: BV2 microglial cells were subjected to treatments with UA, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or a combination of both. Analyses of gene expression profiling, protein assessment, ELISA, ROS assays, and proteomic analysis were performed. Statistical analyses involved one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett's multiple comparison tests and Student’s unpaired t-test for group comparisons.
Results: UA treatment markedly suppressed LPS-induced upregulation of NF-𝜅B and NLRP3 mRNA expression (p < 0.001). Inflammatory cytokine release (IL-1β and TNF𝜶) was reduced by up to 50% (p < 0.05) with UA treatment, while oxidative stress was mitigated, evidenced by an 84% reduction in ROS levels (p < 0.001) and a 32% increase in antioxidant enzyme activity (p < 0.01). Proteomic analysis unveiled significant alterations in key signaling pathways pertinent to AD pathology, including downregulation of cholesterol metabolism (p < 0.05) and upregulation of cGMP-PKG (p < 0.001) and Wnt signaling pathways (p < 0.001). Notably, UA treatment induced increased expression of Atp2b4, a pivotal regulator of calcium homeostasis, suggesting its potential role in mediating the observed antioxidative effects.
Conclusions: UA exhibits promising anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects in BV2 microglial cells, underscoring its potential as a therapeutic avenue for AD. These findings offer valuable insights into UA's molecular mechanisms and advocate for further investigation to validate its clinical efficacy in managing AD. Understanding UA's role in modulating neuroinflammatory pathways and oxidative stress could pave the way for novel therapeutic interventions in AD management.
Household Food Insecurity, Coping Strategies and Associated Factors among Pension Beneficiaries in the Gondar City Administration, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Gebremichael Tseganesh , Ali Esmael , Atnafu Azeb , Gelaw Aschalew , Tariku Amare 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background: Food insecurity is a major public health problem in developing nations, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia. Pension beneficiaries are vulnerable to poverty for various reasons. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, coping strategies and associated factors for household food insecurity among pension beneficiaries in the Gondar City Administration.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 01, 2022, to August 4, 2022. A total of 615 pension beneficiaries were included in the study. Household food insecurity (HFI) was assessed by using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). A structured questionnaire was used to gather demographic and socioeconomic data. An ordinal logistic regression model was fitted to identify predictors of household food insecurity.
Result: The prevalence of household food insecurity was 75.9% (95% CI: 72.4- 79.4). The proportions of households that had mild, moderate and severe food insecurity were 14.5%, 18.4% and 43.1%, respectively. The demographic variables, such as sex, marital status, occupation, family size, and socioeconomic variables, such as livestock, local aid, remittance, monthly income, and house ownership, were found to be independent factors influencing the occurrence of household food insecurity. Households of male pension beneficiaries were nearly twice as likely to be food insecure than females were. Households of pension beneficiaries who had their own house were less likely to be affected by different levels of food insecurity. The most common coping mechanisms identified involved decreasing the amount and frequency of meals and eating cheap and low-quality foods.
Conclusion: A large proportion of pension beneficiaries experienced different levels of food insecurity, with the highest proportion being severely insecure. Policy makers should put particular emphasis on the availability of local aid and access to credit to pension beneficiaries.
Multimodal prehabilitation for colorectal cancer patients: study protocol of a nationwide multicentre study with uniform prehabilitation protocols
Authors: Sabajo C. R. , Dieleman J. P. , Dekker J. W. , Heuvel B. , Klaase J. M. , Slooter G. D. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
The aim of prehabilitation is to optimize patient specific modifiable risk factors before major surgery, in order to enhance the individual resilience. In recent years, a considerable amount of research has been done on the effectiveness of prehabilitation. Due to the lack of universal guidelines, prehabilitation has been conducted in various ways, making it difficult to estimate its effect. In the Netherlands, proposed uniform prehabilitation protocols were developed. The aim of this study is to analyse clinical outcomes of prehabilitation when implemented as standard of care according to the proposed uniform protocols.
Methods
Uniform prehabilitation protocols were created based on the multimodal program of the PREHAB randomized controlled trial. All hospitals in the Netherlands that implemented prehabilitation according to the proposed protocols, for patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery, will be asked to participate. This study will recruit 535 patients who underwent prehabilitation and 535 one-to-one nearest neighbour propensity score matched patients who did not undergo prehabilitation (historical cohort). Clinical outcomes will be compared between the prehabilitation group and the historical cohort group using regression analyses. The primary outcome of interest is 90-day presence of postoperative complications. In addition, length of hospital stay and readmissions will be analysed.
Discussion
Prehabilitation has been proven to reduce the risk of complications and hospital length of stay. Prehabilitation has however been defined in various ways, since there is no standardized program. This multicentre cohort study will estimate the clinical effect of prehabilitation implemented as standard of care according to proposed uniform protocols. Furthermore, the presented protocols can be used by other hospitals to set up a prehabilitation program.
Reliable Noninvasive Methods for Assessing Nutritional Status and Basal energy Expenditure in MHD Patients: Focus on Basal Energy Expenditure
Authors: Wang Jenn-Yeu , Chen Shu-Chin , Chiang Ming-Chun , Lin Yuh-Feng , Hwang Betau , Wang Jenn Yeu 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Our aim was to (1) evaluate the agreement between basal energy Expenditure (BEE) derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) immediately after hemodialysis (HD) and BEE determined using the Harris–Benedict equation and (2) identify the determinants of BEE in patients receiving HD. This cross-sectional study included 35 patients treated with HD two to three times a week from 2003 to 2004at Taipei Municipal Zhongxiao Hospital. BEE was measured using BIA immediately after HD. Next, Altman–Bland analysis of BEE was performed to evaluate the agreement between the BIA method and the Harris–Benedict method. Correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to examine the association of BEE with demographic data, anthropometric data, and body composition. BEE derived from BIA immediately after HD exhibited poor agreement with BEE determined using the Harris–Benedict method and was nonsignificantly larger. BEE was also positively correlated with lean body mass. In the multiple linear regression analysis, lean body mass was the most powerful independent determinant of BIA-derived BEE. Gender-based differences, height and lean body mass were noted in the prediction of BIA-derived BEE. This study revealed that understanding of the changes of scheduled basal energy Expenditure is paramount and related to changes of lean body mass condition of maintenance hemodialysis patients.
Exploring the Impact of Rainfall Temporal Distribution and Critical Durations on Flood Hazard Modeling
Authors: Gomes Marcus N. , Jalihal Vijay , Mendiondo Eduardo Mario 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Urbanization and climate change amplify challenges posed by floods for both city dwellers and planners. Flood modeling, rooted in geosciences and atmospheric sciences, operates in a non-linear and multi-modal fashion, marked by uncertainties from factors like soil infiltration characteristics, floodplain roughness, and spatio-temporal variations in rainfall volume, distribution, and intensities. This paper addresses these challenges by introducing a flood mapping methodology that incorporates synthetic design storms and compares them with a fitted median rainfall distribution derived from high-resolution observed rainfall data in the catchment. The flood hazard effect of choosing different rainfall temporal distribution methods is investigated. The Alternating Blocks Method and the Huff curves method, one of the most widely used methods in engineering hydrology, were chosen as representative synthetic rainfall methods for flood mapping assessment and compared against the measured median rainfall distribution. The framework was applied in a 131 km2 flood-prone urban catchment in Bangalore, India. Evaluation of different rainfall distributions reveals a potential 50% smaller areas with flood hazard, for the same return period and duration, simply by selecting a specific rainfall distribution compared to the expected fitted median rainfall distribution based on observed data. This research not only underscores the importance of appropriate rainfall distribution selection and critical rainfall duration, but also highlights the need for accurate data-driven methodologies in flood mapping, particularly in the face of urbanization and climate-induced complexities.
Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Annulation of N-Methoxy Amides and Arynes: Computational Mechanistic Insights and Substituents Effects
Authors: Alves Erick H. S. , Oliveira Daniel A. S. , Braga Ataualpa A. C. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

The mechanisms of the palladium(II)-catalyzed annulation reaction of N-methoxy amides and arynes were computationally investigated by density functional theory. The role of methoxy amide as a directing group was elucidated through the calculation of three different pathways for the C-H activation step, showing that the pathway where amide nitrogen acts as directing group is preferable. At the reductive elimination transition state an unstable seven membered-ring is formed preventing the lactam formation. A substituent effect study based on an NBO analysis, Hammet, and using a More O’Ferall-Jenks plot indicates that the C-H activation step proceeds via an electrophilic concerted metalation-deprotonation (eCMD) mechanism. The results show that electron-withdrawing groups increase the activation barrier and contribute to an early Pd-C bond formation and a late C-H bond breaking when compared with electron-donating substituents. Our computational results are in agreement with experimental data provided in the literature.
Physical Properties of Isolated Cellulose Fiber from Jute and Banana Fiber through Kraft Pulping: Promising Applications in Packaging and Regenerated Fibers
Authors: Rahman Md Mahfuzur , Payel Md. Turab Haque , Asaduzzaman Md. , Hossain Sajid , Ali Mohammad 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Cellulose, a naturally abundant biopolymer, holds great potential as a sustainable alternative to synthetic fibers. However, the lack of knowledge and awareness regarding cellulose usage, especially derived from agricultural sources, has impeded the full exploitation of this highly biodegradable resource. This study aimed to extract and characterize cellulose from jute and banana fibers. The extracted cellulose exhibits a light yellow to white color, and microscopic analysis of the fibers showed micro fibrils. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) characterization indicated that the cellulose samples encompass both cellulose-I and cellulose-II structures. Moreover, increasing the M:L ratio of alkali enhanced the percentage of cellulose extraction. The findings of this study carry significant implications for the efficient production of cellulose fibers, with diverse applications spanning from high-volume products like regenerated fibers, automotive parts, packaging, absorbent products (diapers), textiles, and precast concrete, drug delivery mediums, electronics, additive manufacturing, bone and tissue scaffolding, and so on. This research opens the door to harnessing the potential of cellulose derived from jute and banana fibers in various industries.
Validation of the Social Functioning Questionnaire "SFQ" in Moroccan Dialectal Arabic
Authors: Yassine BENHADDOUCH , TOUHAMI Youssef OUAZZANI HOUSNI , FARES Nour El Houda , BENMAAMAR Soumaya , BOUT Amine , AARAB Chadya , ELFAKIR Samira , AALOUANE Rachid 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

The Social Functioning Questionnaire is a self-assessment scale developed to meet the need for a rapid assessment of social functioning.
The aim of this work is to validate the SFQ scale in Moroccan dialectal Arabic and its intercultural adaptation.
Method: We carried out a two-stage cross-sectional study: a qualitative phase aimed at translating the SFQ and a quantitative phase during which 81 patients followed in the psychiatric department and 40 control subjects with no psychiatric disorders completed the SFQ.
Results: Internal consistency was 0.76, and test-retest reliability was satisfactory.
Conclusion: The SFQ proves to be a reliable tool for gathering information on social functioning in our Moroccan context.
TRIPs-Py: Techniques for Regularization of Inverse Problems in Python
Authors: Pasha Mirjeta , Gazzola Silvia , Sanderford Connor , Ugwu Ugochukwu O. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

In this paper, we describe TRIPs-Py, a new Python package of linear discrete inverse problems solvers and test problems. The goal of the package is two-fold: 1) to provide tools for solving small and large-scale inverse problems, and 2) to introduce test problems arising from a wide range of applications. The solvers available in TRIPs-Py include direct regularization methods (such as truncated singular value decomposition and Tikhonov) and iterative regularization techniques (such as Krylov subspace methods and recent solvers for ℓp-ℓq formulations, which enforce sparse or edge-preserving solutions and handle different noise types). All our solvers have built-in strategies to define the regularization parameter(s). Some of the test problems in TRIPs-Py arise from simulated image deblurring and computerized tomography, while other test problems model realistic problems in dynamic computerized tomography.Numerical examples are included to illustrate the usage as well as the performance of the described methods on the provided test problems. To the best of our knowledge, TRIPs-Py is the first Python software package of this kind, which may serve both research and didactical purposes.
Computational approaches: Atom-based 3D-QSAR, molecular docking, ADME-Tox, MD simulation and DFT to find novel multi-targeted Anti-tubercular agents
Authors: Panigrahi Debadash , Sahu Susanta Kumar 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) has become the biggest threat towards human society due to the rapid rise in resistance of the causative bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) against the available anti-tubercular drugs. There is an urgent need to design new multi-targeted anti-tubercular agents to overcome the resistance species of MTB through computational design tools. With this aim in the present work, a combination of atom-based three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR), six-point pharmacophore (AHHRRR), and molecular docking analysis was performed on a series of fifty-eight anti-tubercular agents. The generated QSAR model showed statistically significant correlation co-efficient R2, Q2, and Pearson r-factor of 0.9521, 0.8589, and 0.8988 respectively indicating good predictive ability. Molecular docking study was performed for the data set of compounds with the two important anti-tubercular target proteins, Enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase (InhA) (PDBID: 2NSD) and Decaprenyl phosphoryl-β-D-Ribose 20-epimerase (DprE1) (PDBID: 4FDO). Using the similarity search principle virtual screening was performed on 237 compounds retrieved from the Pubchem database to identify potent multitargeted anti-tubercular agents. The screened compound, MK3 showed the highest docking score of -9.2 and − 8.3 Kj/mol towards both the target proteins InhA and DprE1 were picked for 100ns molecular dynamic simulation study using GROMACS. From the data generated, the compound MK3 showed thermodynamic stability and effective binding within the active binding pocket of both target proteins without much deviation. The result of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) and energy gap analysis predicts the molecular reactivity and stability of the identified molecule. Based on the result of the above studies the proposed compound MK3 can be successfully used for the development of a novel multi-targeted anti-tubercular agent with high binding affinity and favourable ADME-T properties.
The impact of different mating systems on locomotion in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Han Rui , Zhang Jun , Wang Ruo-Xi , Xu Jia-Xin , Weng Kai-Chen , Wang An-Xin , Huang Hao , Lu Yu-Yuan , Chen Yi-Jie , Wang Yu-Chen 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
The impact of mating systems on individual behavior and physiology is a significant topic within evolutionary biology and behavioral ecology. This study aims to explore the effects of different mating systems on locomotion in Drosophila melanogaster. By employing various mating contexts such as virginity, monogamy, polygamy, and serial monogamy, the study measures the locomotion of both male and female fruit flies. Results indicate that virgin males exhibit higher locomotion levels including activity level and moving average speed, whereas males in serial monogamy show a notable decrease in activity. In contrast, female locomotion does not significantly differ across mating systems. These findings highlight the influence of mating behaviors on male physiological states and suggest potential implications for lifespan related to mating strategies. This research provides novel insights into the impact of mating strategies on the behavioral and physiological mechanisms in animals, and establishes a fundamental understanding of the application of Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism in the study of behavioral biology.
A fast and feature-retained simplification method for point cloud
Authors: Zhang Haiquan , Luo Yong 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
In order to solve the problem that the speed of feature-based point cloud simplification methods is slow, a fast and feature-retained point cloud simplification method based on voxel convex hull is proposed in this paper, which avoids the calculation of a large number of features and has good simplification effect. In this method, point cloud is quickly voxelized, and then the voxels are divided into two types according to the number of points in each voxel: less-point voxel and more-point voxel. Less-point voxels are simplified directly using uniform sampling method. More-point voxels are simplified by using the voxel convex hull method. The convex hull volume and directed projection area of points within each more-point voxel are calculated as voxels’ feature values, and then the point cloud is divided into groups according to the feature values and points in different groups are simplified separately. Finally, the simplified point cloud is obtained by fusing the simplification results of less-point voxels and more-point voxels. The reduction ratio of point cloud is controllable and the parameters are easy to be set in this method. Experiments show that the simplification time of this method is more than 50% lower than that of the simplification method based on features and clustering. The retention of point cloud features of this method is obviously higher than that of traditional methods such as uniform sampling method, and the average curvature is improved by about 10%. Surface reconstruction experiment shows this method does well in sharp features retaining. Moreover, the reduction ratio of this method is controllable, and the parameters are flexible and easy to be set.