bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Image recognition of carbonate fossils and abiotic particles based on deep convolutional neural network mode
Authors: Tao Ye , Bao Zhidong , Ma Fukang , Gao Da , He Youbin , Wang Fengxiang 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Thin sections of carbonate rock offer a more precise and accurate method for identifying mineral characteristics, types of fossils, pore structures, inorganic grain types, and cementation in rocks. Geologists can interpret the depositional environment, diagenesis, and reservoir characteristics of carbonate formations based on the information obtained from thin sections. To accurately identify paleontological fossils in carbonate rocks, geologists need to conduct extensive research on paleontological morphology and undergo extensive training under a microscope for extended periods of time to identify fossils in thin sections. Sometimes, hundreds of carbonate flakes need to be described, which consumes a lot of manpower, resources and money, resulting in limited objectivity and efficiency of the study. Some studies have utilized machine learning to classify carbonate rock particles. However, they have encountered challenges such as using a large number of samples, developing overly complex models, which increases the cost of experiments, and being limited in the recognition of various particle types, particularly rare paleontological types. In this study, we implemented an algorithm based on deep convolutional neural networks to automatically classify paleontological fossils and abiotic particles from thin-section photographs. The model ensures high accuracy in recognition while maintaining a low cost. We trained two classical deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) architectures, VGG-16 and ResNet-18, on the original dataset (1,266 images) and the augmented dataset (6,330 images) containing 11 types, respectively. On the original dataset, the accuracy of the VGG-16 architecture is 79.8%, and the accuracy of the ResNet-18 architecture is 83.9%. On the improved dataset, the VGG-16 architecture achieved 98.8% accuracy, while the ResNet-18 architecture achieved 100% accuracy. This study demonstrates that even small sample datasets can yield strong training results and higher classification accuracies through data augmentation methods. Our findings could provide geologists with an easier and faster way to accomplish the complex and time-consuming task of identifying microscopic flakes.
Associations between breastfeeding and self-reported experience of the ‘10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding’: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study of maternity clinic practices in Cyprus
Authors: Economou Mary , Kolokotroni Ourania , Paphiti-Demetriou Irene , Kouta Christiana , Lambrinou Ekaterini , Hadjigeorgiou Eleni , Hadjiona Vasiliki , Middleton Nicos 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Even though the beneficial effect of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative’s (BFHI) 10 Steps on breastfeeding initiation, continuation and exclusivity is well established, implementation in maternity care services remains suboptimal.
Objective
To assess the implementation of the “10 Steps for Successful Breastfeeding” and explore associations with any Breastfeeding (BF) and Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) initiation and continuation.
Methods
Implementation of the 10 Steps was assessed on the basis of a consecutive sample of 568 mothers’ self-reported experience across all public (N = 5) and 29 (of 35) private maternity clinics using the WHO/UNICEF Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative questionnaire (Section 4) within the first 24–48 hours after birth. BF and EBF were estimated within 48 hours after birth as well as at 1st, 4th and 6th month based on a self-reported current status method. Associations with initiation and continuation of any (BF) and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) up to the 6th month were explored in logistic regression after adjusting for potential confounders, including maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy. Associations were explored with individual steps as well as the overall experience, operationalized as the sum score of full, partial or no implementation of each self-assessment questionnaire item, with the exclusion of Step 6 (exclusivity).
Results
At mean score 6.2 (SD = 2.7), the overall 10 steps experience, was low (theoretical range 0–14), even among those who breastfed exclusively (M = 7.7, SD = 2.0). EBF and BF initiation and continuation showed a stepwise association with self-reported experience of the 10 steps. Across quartiles of increasing scores within 48 hours after birth, the prevalence of EBF was 7.5%, 14.4%, 19.0% and 34.2%. Mothers who experienced full or partial implementation of Step 4 (timely initiation with skin-to-skin) were more likely to initiate and continue BF and EBF up to the 4th month, while use of pacifiers was more likely to have an adverse effect on breastfeeding continuation and exclusivity.
Conclusion
The Baby Friendly hospital’s “10 Steps” are associated with BF initiation while certain practices seem to be more strongly associated with exclusivity and continuation of breastfeeding up to the sixth month While breastfeed intention may determine the actual experience of the 10 steps, this also suggests that maternity care practices can have a supportive role for mothers to succeed their intentions to BF and EBF. Certain practices appeared suboptimal across maternity clinics in Cyprus.
Nitric oxide inhibits ten-eleven translocation DNA demethylases to regulate 5mC and 5hmC across the genome
Authors: Thomas Douglas , Palczewski Marianne , Kuschman Hannah , Hoffman Brian , Yang Hao , Glynn Sharon , Wilson David , Kool Eric , Montfort William , Chang Jenny , Petenkaya Aydolun , Chronis Constantinos , Cundari Thomas , Sappa Sushma , Islam Kabirul , McVicar Daniel , Fan Yu , Chen Qingrong , Meerzaman Daoud , Sierk Michael 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

DNA methylation at cytosine bases of eukaryotic DNA (5-methylcytosine, 5mC) is a heritable epigenetic mark that can regulate gene expression in health and disease. Enzymes that metabolize 5mC have been well-characterized, yet the discovery of endogenously produced signaling molecules that regulate DNA methyl-modifying machinery have not been described. Herein, we report that the free radical signaling molecule nitric oxide (NO) can directly inhibit the Fe(II)/2-OG-dependent DNA demethylases ten-eleven translocation (TET) and human AlkB homolog 2 (ALKBH2). Physiologic NO concentrations reversibly inhibited TET and ALKBH2 demethylase activity by binding to the mononuclear non-heme iron atom which formed a dinitrosyliron complex (DNIC) preventing cosubstrates (2-OG and O2) from binding. In cancer cells treated with exogenous NO, or cells endogenously synthesizing NO, there was a global increase in 5mC and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) in DNA, the substrates for TET, that could not be attributed to increased DNA methyltransferase activity. 5mC was also elevated in NO-producing cell-line-derived mouse xenograft and patient-derived xenograft tumors. Genome-wide DNA methylome analysis of cells chronically treated with NO (10 days) demonstrated enrichment of 5mC and 5hmC at gene-regulatory loci which correlated to changes in the expression of NO-regulated tumor-associated genes. Regulation of DNA methylation is distinctly different from canonical NO signaling and represents a novel epigenetic role for NO.
Unraveling the Associations Between Voice Pitch and Major Depressive Disorder: A Multisite Genetic Study
Authors: Flint Jonathan , Di Yazheng , Rahmani Elior , Mefford Joel , Wang Jinhan , Ravi Vijay , Gorla Aditya , Alwan Abeer , Kendler Kenneth , Zhu Tingshao 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Major depressive disorder (MDD) often goes undiagnosed due to the absence of clear biomarkers. We sought to identify robust voice biomarkers for MDD and separate trait biomarkers indicative of MDD predisposition from state biomarkers reflecting current depressive symptoms. We investigated the association between voice pitch and MDD in a multisite recurrent MDD case-control cohort and validated our findings in a replication cohort. We then determined the heritability of identified features, their genetic correlation with MDD, and their association with depressive state. We found robust associations between MDD and pitch features, which depicted a slower pitch change and a lower pitch. These features achieved an AUC-ROC of 0.80 in MDD classification. Features measuring the variability and extremity of pitch change speed were heritable and had genetic correlations with MDD. State-related features were also detected. Our results return vocal features to a more central position in clinical and research work on MDD.
Reach the bottom: plant cover of the former Kakhovka Reservoir, Ukraine
Authors: Kuzemko Anna , Prylutskyi Oleh , Kolomytsev Grygoriy , Didukh Yakiv , Moysiyenko Ivan , Borsukevych Liubov , Chusova Olga , Splodytel Anastasiia , Khodosovtsev Oleksandr 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

On June 6, 2023, the dam of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant was detonated, causing an environmental catastrophe in the Northern Black Sea region. Despite the severe environmental and socio-economic repercussions, the disaster offered a unique opportunity to study vegetation development in the long-flooded area. We visited the area twice, three weeks and 3.5 months after the incident. Our studies found that the number of vascular plants in the area increased nearly seven times from June to October, contradicting initial pessimistic predictions of desertification. Both short-lived and perennial plants were almost equally represented, with many spread by the wind. Moreover, the low prevalence of alien species challenges hypotheses of neophyte overgrowth. We delineated four types of newly formed terrestrial habitats, including willow thickets and marshy habitats, as well as mud and shell-covered areas with sparse vegetation. Remote sensing methods, augmented by machine learning techniques, complemented these findings, providing a detailed habitat map for the entire reservoir bed. Our observations suggest the potential restoration of pre-reservoir vegetation, and may serve as a foundation for ongoing monitoring efforts. This study contributes to the understanding of ecological succession and habitat dynamics in post-catastrophic landscapes, informing future management strategies for such territories.
Creep Level Qualitative Evaluating of Crushed Rock Based on Uncertainty Measurement Theory and Hierarchical Analysis
Authors: Yang Tao , Wu Shiwei 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
A large number of tectonically mixed rock belts and complex tectonic zones are distributed in the southwestern part of China. In these areas, high geostress and tectonic stresses have caused some underground rock layers to be crushed and broken, eventually forming crushed rock zones. Which may undergo creep deformation under long-term loads. The thesis is based on a typical crushed rock in the southwestern China. Firstly, the factors affecting creep deformation were analysed, and the response law of each influencing factor to rock creep is demonstrated. Then, the theory of uncorroborated measures and hierarchical analysis were used to systematically correlate the factors influencing creep. Thereby, a creep level qualitative evaluating model of crushed rock is established. Finally, this model was used to qualitatively evaluate the creep level of the crushed rock in the study area. It is concluded that the creep level qualitative evaluating of this crushed rock is rated as Class II, which is characterised by a low creep level and small creep deformations (0 ~ 10mm). The research results can provide a reference for the creep analysis of crushed rock and provide a basis for the safe construction of engineering slopes.
Grinding Force Estimation and Control of Grinding Robot with Variable Impedance Control Strategy
Authors: Xu Du , Wang Jun , Yin Lairong 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Due to the unstable contact force during robot grinding results in an inconsistent material removal rate and leads to poor surface quality and reduced machining accuracy. In this work, an independently controlled grinding end-effector was designed to improve the cutting stability and maintain a constant contact force during the robot grinding process. To reduce the influence of vibration force noise on the measurement data and reduce the complexity of the control system, an online estimation method of external grinding force based on generalized momentum is proposed. To keep the grinding force stable, a robot grinding dynamics model and a grinding contact force compensation model are developed, and a variable impedance grinding control strategy without considering the stiffness of work piece is proposed to maintain a consistent normal grinding force and guarantee the stability of material removal rate. Finally, an experimental study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of this robotic grinding system. The experimental results show that the force estimator can accurately estimate the grinding contact force, as well as the proposed robot grinding system works well for different work piece contours while maintaining consistent normal grinding force, and the relative average roughness is reduced by 38%.
Landscape factors can improve the predictive ability of fuel moisture models for assessing wildfire risk
Authors: Ivison Katy , Graham Laura , Little Kerryn , Orpin Alice , Kettridge Nicholas 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background: Fuel moisture content (FMC) is a critical component of wildfire risk. The spatiotemporal patterns of FMC of many key temperate fuels (e.g. heather, gorse, bracken, moor grass, litter, organic soil layer) are largely unknown and unravelling the drivers of FMC is challenging. Current models designed to predict FMC, principally of dead fuels, generally consider only weather variables. However, landscape factors affect water retention and availability of moisture within soils, and are likely to influence FMC of live and organic ground fuels. We investigate the potential effects of landscape factors on FMC. We carried out a large-scale fuel sampling campaign from 2021–2023 of eighteen different fuel types across 43 sites through five different climate regions of the UK. We implemented boosted regression trees to determine the influence of fifteen variables on FMC, which included weather, temporal, and landscape data.
Results: We found that landscape influences FMC, particularly for the organic ground fuels, live bracken and live moor grass. Dead fuels were generally influenced least by landscape factors. The predictive ability of our models was good (mean correlation between predicted and observed FMC of > 0.5) in twelve of eighteen fuels and for most fuels, including landscape factors increased the variance in FMC explained. Predictive ability was greater in models including landscape factors (compared with models just containing weather and temporal variables) for live fuels, litter and the organic layer. For dead fuels, moss and twigs, including landscape factors did not increase the models’ predictive ability.
Conclusions: We have shown that landscape factors are important to consider when developing fuel moisture models, but that this is mainly important for live fuels and organic ground fuels. We therefore recommend tailoring models to each fuel type to yield the best performance.
Shared Transcriptomic Signatures of Inflammaging Among Diverse Strains of Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Perna Sabrina , Tang Weihao , Blimbaum Sydney , Li Andrew , Zhou Lei 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background: A prominent hallmark of aging is inflammaging—the increased expression of innate immune genes without identifiable infection. Model organisms with shorter lifespans, such as the fruit fly, provide an essential platform for probing the mechanisms of inflammaging. Multiple groups have reported that, like mammalian models, old flies have significantly higher levels of expression of anti-microbial peptide genes. However, whether some of these genes—or any others—can serve as reliable markers for assessing and comparing inflammaging in different strains remains unclear.
Methods and Results: We compared RNA-Seq datasets generated by different groups. Although the fly strains used in these studies differ significantly, we found that they share a core group of genes with strong aging-associated expression. In addition to anti-microbial peptide genes, we identified other genes that have prominently increased expression in old flies, especially SPH93. We further showed that machine learning models can be used to predict the “inflammatory age” of the fruit fly.
Conclusion: A core group of genes may serve as markers for studying inflammaging in Drosophila. RNA-Seq profiles, in combination with machine-learning models, can be applied to measure the acceleration or deceleration of inflammaging.
Improved graft survival by using three-dimensional printing of intra- abdominal cavity to prevent large-for-size syndrome in liver transplantation
Authors: Park Sunghae , Choi Gyu-Seong , Kim Jongman , Lee Sanghoon , Joh Jae-Won , Rhu Jinsoo 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
In liver transplantation (LT), large-for-size syndrome is not common but can result in fatal outcome. To prevent such fatal outcome, we manufactured 3-D printed intra-abdominal cavity to give intuitive understanding of the sizes of the graft and patient’s abdomen in patients with small body size between July 2020 to February 2022.
Methods
Clinical outcomes were compared between patients using our 3-D model during LT and patients who underwent LT without 3-D model by using 1:5 ratio propensity score-matched analysis.
Results
After matching, total 20 patients using 3-D printed abdominal cavity model and 100 patients of control group were included in this study. There were no significant differences in 30-day postoperative complication (50.0% vs 64.0%, p = 0.356) and the incidence of large-for-size syndrome (0% vs 7%, p = 0.599). Overall survival of 3-D printed group was similar to the control group (p = 0.665) but graft survival was significantly superior in 3-D printed group than the control group (p = 0.034).
Conclusion
Since it showed better graft survival as well as low cost and short production time, our 3-D printing protocol can be a feasible option for patients with small abdominal cavity to prevent large-for-size syndrome after LT.
Respiratory Infection- and Asthma-prone, Low Vaccine Responder Children Demonstrate Distinct Mononuclear Cell DNA Methylation Pathways
Authors: Martino David , Schultz Nikki , Kaur Ravinder , Haren Simon D. , Kresoje Nina , Hoch Annmarie , Diray-Arce Joann , Su Jessica Lasky , Levy Ofer , Pichichero Michael 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Infants with frequent viral and bacterial respiratory infections exhibit compromised immunity to routine immunisations. They are also more likely to develop chronic respiratory diseases in later childhood. This study investigated the feasibility of epigenetic profiling to reveal endotype-specific molecular pathways with potential for early identification and immuno-modulation. Peripharal immune cells from respiratory infection allergy/asthma prone (IAP) infants were retrospectively selected for genome-wide DNA methylation and single nucleotide polymorphism analysis. The IAP infants were enriched for the low vaccine responsiveness (LVR) phenotype (Fishers Exact p-value = 0.01).
Results
An endotype signature of 813 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) comprising 238 lead CpG associations (FDR < 0.05) emerged, implicating pathways related to asthma, mucin production, antigen presentation and inflammasome activation. Allelic variation explained only a minor portion of this signature. Stimulation of mononuclear cells with monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA), a TLR agonist, partially reversing this signature at a subset of CpGs, suggesting the potential for epigenetic remodelling.
Conclusions
This proof-of-concept study establishes a foundation for precision endotyping of IAP children and highlights the potential for immune modulation strategies using adjuvants for furture investigation.
EP300-mutated esophageal squamous cell carcinoma exhibits unique genetic features：an Experimental Study
Authors: Lai Yutian , Dong Yingxian , Tian Long , Li Hongjun , Ye Xinyi , Hu Yang 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background: EP300mutation is common in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC). We aimed to analyze the influence of EP300 mutation on treatment effect and prognosis in ESCC.
Method: Thirty ESCC patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) were enrolled in this study. After assessment of treatment response, transcriptome analyses and immunochemistry were performed for cases in well response or poor response group.
Results: Four of thirty patients harbor EP300 mutation and have poor response to nCRT. Of the remaining 26 nonmutated patients, fifteen patients have a good response, and seven patients have a poor response to nCRT. The EP300-mutated poor response cases have significantly higher immune score than EP300 wild-type poor response cases (P=0.002), but have no difference from EP300 wild-type well response cases (P=0.360). Up-regulated B cell related pathways and more CD20+ B cells are in EP300-mutated poor response group, when compared with EP300 wild-type poor response group (P<0.050). Whereas up-regulated negative regulation of cell death related pathway and higher bcl2 expression level was observed in EP300 mutated poor response group than these in EP300wild-type well response group (P<0.050). In prognosis, cases in EP300-mutated poor response group have worse disease-free survival (P=0.019) and overall survival (P=0.004) than EP300 wild-type well response group.
Conclusion: The high immune activity and treatment resistance reveal that EP300-mutated cases are special in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas.