bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stocking densities of Colossoma macropomum in the initial grow out phase using biofloc technology
Authors: Montelo Renato Henrique Costa , Santos Raphael Brito , Fugimura Michelle Midori Sena , Ono Eduardo Akifumi , Chaves Fellipy Augusto Holanda , Mattioli Cristiano Campos , Affonso Elizabeth Gusmão 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The objective was to identify the best stocking density in the initial fattening phase of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) using biofloc technology (BFT) and evaluate the effects of the densities on water quality, zootechnical performance and the metabolic profile of fish and production costs. Juveniles (56.5 ± 1.69 g) were reared in the densities: 15 (BFT15), 30 (BFT30) and 45 (BFT45) fish.m− 3, in triplicate, for 80 days. The use of BFT inoculum at the beginning contributed the maintenance of adequate ammonia and nitrite concentrations at all densities, though with a higher nitrite concentration in BFT45. Electrical conductivity (EC), nitrite, total suspended solids (TSS), pH, alkalinity and hardness were different (p < 0.05) between BFT15 and BFT45. EC and TSS increased according to the increase in density, and were higher in BFT45. The highest final weight, weight gain, daily weight gain and specific growth rate were observed in BFT15, while the apparent feed conversion was lower for BFT15 and BFT30 compared to BFT45 (p < 0.05). Biomass and productivity were higher (p < 0.05) in BFT45. The values of hematocrit, number of erythrocytes and the hemoglobin concentration were higher in BFT45 (p < 0.05). Regarding production costs, the highest average feed expenditure occurred in BFT45; however, expenditure with electricity was lower at this density. The increase in biomass in BFT45 generated the reduction of the partial average cost (ACp). It can therefore be concluded that the best stocking density for initial fattening of tambaqui is 45 fish.m− 3, since it presents better productivity and biomass, lower ACp and average expenditure on electricity when using BFT.
SACNet: Switchable Atrous Convolution Network Based on Diffusion Model for Small Object Detection from UAV Images
Authors: Wang Xiao , Zhu Haijiang , Li Zhiqing 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Small object detection has always been one of the most challenging tasks in the computer vision. Up to now, a prior bounding box is often applied to Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) image object detection. However, anchors need to be pre-set and not optimal for training data in many object detection algorithms. In 2022, the Diffusion Model was introduced in object detection method, in which the random boxes are employed. Inspired by this method, we propose a Switchable Atrous Convolution Network based on the Diffusion Model. First of all, the normalized Wasserstein distance (NWD) is led into measuring the similarity between the prediction box and the ground truth box. The purpose is to eliminate the influence of positional sensitivity on the matching between the predicted box and the ground truth box. Secondly, a Switchable Atrous Convolution (SAC) with different atrous rates and shared weights is introduced, and similar features at different scales are extracted. This can solve the challenge of significant scale variations of the same target in the image. Finally, Pixel shuffle and Upsampling operations are employed in the feature extraction backbone network to enhance the model's ability to detect small targets. The optimal results of 27.89% mAP on the VisDrone dataset and 8.42% mAP on the Tinyperson dataset demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model.
Insights into the Anorexic Potential of Khat: An Integrated in vivo, ex vivo, and in silico Investigation
Authors: Jerah Ahmed Ali , Taha Manal Mohamed Elhassan , Farasani Abdullah , Moni Sivakumar Sivagurunathan , Shaheen Emad Sayed , Khan Andleeb , Khardali Ibrahim A , Oraiby Magbool E , Sidahmed Heyam , ABDELWAHAB Siddig 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Chewing khat (Catha edulis) releases cathine and cathinone, which may reduce appetite through an unknown mechanism. This study investigated the peripheral and central effects of fresh leaves and buds of C. edulis water extract (CEWE) on appetite and body weight, using in vivo, ex vivo, and in silico models. Rats of both sexes were used for three different experiments. Serotonin receptors were studied using isolated rat fundus samples and molecular docking. Significant differences in body weight were observed in the CEWE-treated groups compared with the controls over eight weeks. However, plasma leptin and ghrelin levels did not change significantly. The expression of the ghrelin and leptin genes was also unaffected, but the expression of the 5-HT gene decreased with CEWE treatment. CEWE antagonizes 5-HT receptors in isolated rat fundus samples. In silico docking indicated that the khat ligands inhibited 5-HT2C receptors. Cathine and cathinone levels in rat plasma were measured. These findings suggest that the appetite-suppressing role of khat can be attributed to its antagonistic effect on 5-HT receptors. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanism of action of the khat extract. These findings provide a basis for future studies to validate and expand on these discoveries.
DFT Investigation for the Mechanisms of γ-Butyrolactones from Styrene and Acrylic Acid, Catalyzed by NMA*BF 4 and PhSSPh
Authors: Yang Bing , Zhou Da-Gang 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The reaction mechanisms of γ-butyrolactones through electrophilic addition reactions between styrene and acrylic acid, catalyzed by the 9-mesityl-10-methylacridinium ion (NMA*BF4) and diphenyl disulfide (PhSSPh) under 450 nm visible-light, were investigated by employing M06-2X-D3/ma-def2SVP method and basis set. In this study, the SMD model was taken to simulate the solvent effect of dichloromethane. The photocatalyst NMA absorbs the energy of photons and becomes an excited state, capturing an electron from styrene; This leads to an electrophilic addition reaction happened between the obtained styrene cationic radical and acrylic acid anion (or acrylic acid molecule); finally, an intramolecular ring-closure process and H-shift process result in the formation of the final product. The computational results point out that the electrophilic reaction is an exothermic process; and the optimal path for ring-closure reaction and H-shift reaction has Gibbs free energy barriers of 11.10 and 9.94 kcal/mol, respectively In particular, the recycling of the photo-catalyst NMA and cocatalyst PhSSPh has also been discussed. The ρhole and ρele can reveal the charge transfer process during the photo-catalytic reaction. Results would provide valuable insights into these types of interaction and related processes.
Protein Function Prediction Through Multi-view Multi-label Latent Tensor Reconstruction
Authors: Armah-Sekum Robert Ebo , Szedmak Sandor , Rousu Juho 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background:: While the advent of high-throughput sequencing technologies has accelerated the pace of discovery of proteins, the functions of the majority of them remain unknown. This is mainly due to the time and resource limitations of rigorous experimental functional characterization, which is carried out for only a few select organisms. Consequently, computational methods providing relatively fast and accurate information about the potential cellular activities of a protein are sought after. However, the prediction accuracies of current tools, as assessed through the Critical Assessment of Functional Annotation (CAFA) competition, generally still falls short of the desired level.
Results:: We present GO-LTR, a multi-view multi-label prediction model that relies on a high-order tensor approximation of model weights combined with non-linear activation functions. The model is capable of learning high-order relationships between multiple input views representing the proteins and predicting high-dimensional multi-label output consisting of protein functional categories. We demonstrate the competitiveness of our method on various performance measures. Experiments show that GO-LTR learns polynomial combinations between different protein features, resulting in improved performance. Additional investigations establish that GO-LTR shows a high potential in predicting highly specific terms in the gene ontology.
Implementation:: The code and data used for training GO-LTR is available at https://github.com/aalto-ics-kepaco/GO-LTR-prediction
WITHDRAWN: Water Distribution Network Design Using waterGems
Authors: Yennawar Rushikesh Rameshrao 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The water distribution network (WDN) of the Nanded City was designed in 1974 for a population of 4 lakh people. It was extended twice in 1986 and 2001. Due to the extended portion and increased population, required pressure and discharge are not available, especially at the tail end of the network. Hence the capacity expansion analysis, revisit to the design and operation of the WDN is necessary to analyze for required pressure and discharge parameters. The main objective of this study is to analyze the WDN for existing pipe diameters and to design for modified diameters satisfying given hydraulic constraints. This work presents the analysis and modified design of the WDN of Taroda which is part of the Nanded City. The model representing 1737 pipes and 1306 nodes is prepared in WaterGEMS and the tool Darwin Designer from WaterGEMS is used for designing the WDN that solves all nodes and gives the pressure head and flow in the network. After analysis, the WDN is designed for revision in design defining an objective function to maximize hydraulic benefits satisfying all given constraints. The design results give satisfactory results for the optimization of pipe diameters. The pressure at each node was found positive except for only 7 nodes at the extreme ends of the network. This design used available diameters of pipe given as an input and excludes diameters 150mm, 200mm, and 300mm as per given requirements for given constraints.
The Virasoro minimal string
Authors: Collier Scott , Eberhardt Lorenz , Mühlmann Beatrix , Rodriguez Victor A. 
Published: February 2024

We introduce a critical string theory in two dimensions and demonstrate that this theory, viewed as two-dimensional quantum gravity on the worldsheet, is equivalent to a double-scaled matrix integral. The worldsheet theory consists of Liouville CFT with central charge c≥≥ 25 coupled to timelike Liouville CFT with central charge 26-c. The double-scaled matrix integral has as its leading density of states the universal Cardy density of primaries in a two-dimensional CFT, thus motivating the name Virasoro minimal string. The duality holds for any value of the continuous parameter cc and reduces to the JT gravity/matrix integral duality in the large central charge limit. It thus provides a precise stringy realization of JT gravity. The main observables of the Virasoro minimal string are quantum analogues of the Weil-Petersson volumes, which are computed as absolutely convergent integrals of worldsheet CFT correlators over the moduli space of Riemann surfaces. By exploiting a relation of the Virasoro minimal string to three-dimensional gravity and intersection theory on the moduli space of Riemann surfaces, we are able to give a direct derivation of the duality. We provide many checks, such as explicit numerical - and in special cases, analytic - integration of string diagrams, the identification of the CFT boundary conditions with asymptotic boundaries of the two-dimensional spacetime, and the matching between the leading non-perturbative corrections of the worldsheet theory and the matrix integral. As a byproduct, we discover natural conformal boundary conditions for timelike Liouville CFT.
História da Ciência para um Ensino De Biologia antiopressivo: o caso da mulher da ciência Clémence Royer
Authors: Marcondes Farias Yaci Maria , Sepúlveda Claudia 
Published: February 2024

Resumo
Este trabalho tem como objetivo propor caminhos para um ensino de biologia antiopressivo, ou seja, um ensino que está atento e trabalha contra as várias formas de opressão, por meio de episódios de história de mulheres na ciência. Para tanto, apresentamos um material curricular educativo (MCE), baseado na trajetória científica da francesa Clémence Royer, que tem como propósito a promoção de pensamento crítico acerca das dinâmicas de opressão em nossa sociedade, no contexto do ensino de evolução da formação inicial de professores(as) de Biologia. O referido MCE foi desenvolvido a partir de uma pesquisa em design educacional, alinhada com investigações/ações que pressupõem a história das mulheres como uma ferramenta para enfrentamento do apagamento histórico de mulheres cientistas e abordagem de temas socialmente relevantes na educação, propondo caminhos de ensino humanísticos e críticos.
Palavras-chave: Clémence Royer, História das mulheres, Ensino de evolução, Darwinismo social.
Abstract
This work aims to propose paths for anti-oppressive biology teaching, that is, teaching that is aware of and works against various forms of oppression, through episodes in the history of women in science. To this end, we present an educational curricular material (MCE), based on the scientific trajectory of the Frenchwoman Clémence Royer, whose purpose is to promote critical thinking about the dynamics of oppression in our society, in the context of evolution teaching in the initial training of Biology teachers. The aforementioned MCE was developed based on research in educational design, aligned with investigations/actions that presuppose women's history as a tool to combat the historical erasure of women scientists and approach socially relevant themes in education, proposing humanistic and critical teaching paths.
Keywords: Clémence Royer, Women's history, Evolution teaching, Social Darwinism.
Complexidades e potencialidades da Canábis
Authors: Paiva Catarina , Pita João-Rui , Pereira Ana-Leonor 
Published: February 2024

A aprovação da Lei da Canábis para Fins Medicinais em 2018, em Portugal, assinalou uma mudança de paradigma. O mercado legal da canábis em Portugal tem vindo a crescer no que respeita ao cultivo de canábis para fins medicinais.
Numa época em que a expressão “canábis para fins medicinais” começa a ser usual, quer seja em revistas, em feiras temáticas, na Assembleia da República e na televisão, é necessário clarificar expressões.
A Cannabis sativa é uma planta extremamente controversa. Tem uma história botânica e química bastante complexa. O esclarecimento do significado de expressões e termos utilizados é fundamental para conseguir diminuir a ambiguidade relacionada com este tema.
Se há cerca de 70 anos o cânhamo (canábis) era abordado no Ensino Técnico Médio Agrícola, hoje a canábis para fins medicinais suscita bastante interesse no Ensino Superior, nomeadamente em faculdades da área da saúde.
As escolas podem ter um papel importante na prevenção ou adiamento de comportamentos de consumo pelos seus jovens alunos.Também aqui, ao nível da prevenção, é necessário clarificar a linguagem.
Pretendemos com este trabalho contribuir para a clarificação de conceitos (ou expressões) como “canábis para fins medicinais”, “canábis para fins industriais” e “canábis para fins recreativos”.
A definição prevista na lei nem sempre é tida em conta, promovendo a ambiguidade e controvérsia.
A abordagem do significado de expressões e palavras, nesta temática, é fundamental para transmitir, da forma mais clara possível, o conhecimento desenvolvido nas últimas décadas sobre esta planta.
Quando a Arte se Junta à História das Ciências: Newton, Goethe e Sugimoto
Authors: Valente Mariana 
Published: February 2024

Resumo
Neste trabalho, de natureza reflexiva, farei algumas incursões aos textos de Isaac Newton e de Johann W. von Goethe, sobre a origem das cores. Conhecendo o modo polémico de Goethe contra Newton, não pretendo opor ideias e experimentações destas duas personagens tão importantes e tão diferentes na forma de conhecer o mundo. As abordagens fenomenológicas de Goethe devem constituir-se como complemento importante quando nos interessamos por uma educação científica que nos ligue ao mundo e à fruição intelectual. Há artistas que ajudam a pressentir a importância das duas abordagens, expandindo horizontes e não retirando espessura ao mundo. Destacarei os trabalhos de Spencer Finch e de Hiroshi Sugimoto. A valorização pedagógica da história das ciências que tenho vindo a trabalhar, tem sido alimentada por alguns questionamentos que vou encontrando em escritos sobre arte. De onde vem esta forma especial e tão artificial como o é esta do prisma triangular e que atrai a atenção de Newton, num determinado momento? Como posso, por exemplo, alimentar o gosto de ter nas mãos este objeto? Agenciar com a arte, torna estes processos de conhecimento e de experiência mais estimulantes e significativos.

Palavras-chave: prisma triangular, experiências do mundo, Spencer Finch.
Abstract
In this work, of a reflective nature, I shall make some incursions into the texts of Isaac Newton and Johann W. von Goethe, on the origin of colors. Knowing Goethe's polemical approach to Newton, I do not intend to oppose the ideas and experiments of these two characters who are so important and so different in their way of knowing the world. Goethe's phenomenological approaches should be an important complement when we are interested in a scientific education that connects us to the world and intellectual enjoyment. There are artists who help to understand the importance of both approaches, expanding horizons and not taking away thickness from the world. I shall highlight the works of Spencer Finch and Hiroshi Sugimoto. The pedagogical appreciation of the history of sciences that I have been working on has been fueled by some questions that I find in writings about art. Where does this special and artificial shape like the triangular prism come from, which attracts Newton's attention at a certain moment? How can I enjoy and making others enjoy when holding this object in my in their hands? Working with art makes these knowledge and experimenting processes more stimulating and meaningful.
Keywords: triangular prism, experiences of the world, Spencer Finch.
Comparative Study of Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Tropical Citrus Fruits (Juice and Peels)
Authors: Amelia Julfi Restu , Safitri Fildzah Hashfi , Giyatmi Giyatmi , Azni Intan Nurul 
Published: February 2024

Tropical citrus fruits contain important bioactive compounds with health-promoting properties such as antioxidant and antibacterial properties. This study provided comparative data on the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of tropical citrus (local lemons, imported lemons, and limes) juice and peel. Antioxidant activity of citrus fruits was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and expressed as IC50. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated against pathogens (E. coli, B. subtilis, S. aureus) using agar diffusion method. The results showed that very strong antioxidants were detected in domestic and imported lemon juice (33.45 ppm; 31.43 ppm) and peel (15.89 ppm; 44.50 ppm). However, lime juice and peel had stronger antioxidant activity (60.35 ppm and 59.54 ppm). The highest zone of inhibition was observed against S. aureus and the lowest was recorded against E. coli. The diameters of the zones of inhibition of local lemon, imported lemon, and lime juice against S. aureus were 26.40 mm, 27.95 mm, and 27.31 mm; E. coli was 15.64 mm, 16.84 mm, and 16.63 mm; and B. subtilis was 17.88 mm, 21.77 mm, and 21.24 mm, respectively. Tropical citrus juice showed higher activity against Grampositive than Gram-negative bacteria tested. Local lemon, imported lemon, and lime peels did not inhibit E. coli, B. subtilis, and S. aureus. Keywords: Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Lemon, limes, Tropical citrus
Inhibitor of P-glycoprotein–mediated drug transport by curcumin in broiler chickens
Authors: Li Mei , Abdurexit Maynur , Xu Ziyong , Gao Yanhong , Zhang Yujuan 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of curcumin in the regulation of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and its influence on the pharmacokinetics of P-gp substrates.

SAMPLE
39 broiler chicken and chicken embryonic primary hepatocytes.

METHODS
Chicken embryonic primary hepatocytes were treated with curcumin, after which cell viability, P-gp expression, and transport were assessed. Broiler chickens were pretreated with curcumin, after which P-gp expression and the pharmacokinetic behavior of orally administered sulfadiazine (a substrate of P-gp) were measured.

RESULTS
The preliminary results showed that the viability of chicken embryonic primary hepatocytes was enhanced by pretreatment with 40, 60, and 100 μM curcumin. Curcumin inhibits the expression and transport of P-gp. In vivo experiments showed that curcumin decreased the expression of P-gp in the broiler chicken liver, kidney, and small intestine. Pretreatment with curcumin changed the pharmacokinetic behavior of orally administered sulfadiazine by increasing the area under the curve (47.36 vs 70.35 h·mg/L, P < .01) and peak concentration (10.1 vs 14.53 μg/mL, P < .01).

CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Curcumin inhibited the expression and efflux of chicken P-gp, thereby improving the oral bioavailability of P-gp substrate drugs. These findings provide a rationale for exploiting herbal-drug interactions in veterinary practice to improve the absorption of drugs.
Popular Leader as an Asset of Soft Power: The Ratings of National Leaders and their Countries Abroad
Authors: Isoda Vytautas 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The original concept of soft power embraced the belief that culture, values and foreign policy practice are the basic resources upon which this type power is based. This article argues that popular national leaders can also – maybe even more so – be treated as soft power resources as their popularity and trustworthiness go hand in hand with the positive public opinion about their countries abroad. This hypothesis is tested against survey data collected from all over the globe by the U.S.-based polling institute Pew Research Center over the last two decades. The data shows a strong positive correlation between the public confidence in a leader and the view of their country abroad in almost every case that was examined. The view of a country among foreign audiences often changes with the change of its top leadership. The results of this reseach cast doubt on whether national culture and values rather than national leaders are the preeminent source of soft power of any given country in international politics.