bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Eye morphometry, body size, and flexibility parameters in myopic adolescents
Authors: Kuoliene Kristina , Danieliene Egle , Tutkuviene Janina 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the anatomical and physiological ocular parameters in adolescents with myopia and to examine the relations between refractive error (SER), ocular biometry, body size and flexibility parameters in myopic adolescents. A cross-sectional study of 184 myopic adolescents, aged 15 to 19 years was conducted. Refractive error and corneal curvature measures of the eye were evaluated using an autorefractometer under cycloplegia. Central corneal thickness was determined by contact pachymetry. The ocular axial length, anterior and vitreous chamber depth, and lens thickness were measured using A-scan biometry ultrasonography. Height and body weight were measured according to a standardized protocol. Body mass index (BMI) was subsequently calculated. Beighton scale was used to measure joint flexibility. Body stature was positively correlated with ocular axial length (r = 0.39, p < 0.001) and vitreous chamber depth (r = 0.37, p < 0.001). There was a negative correlation between height and SER (r = − 0.46; p < 0.001). Beighton score and body weight had weak positive correlations with axial length and vitreous chamber depth, and a weak negative correlation with SER. A significantly more negative SER was observed in the increased joint mobility group (p < 0.05; U = 5065.5) as compared to normal joint mobility group: mean − 4.37 ± 1.85 D (median − 4.25; IQR − 6.25 to − 3.25 D) and mean − 3.72 ± 1.66 D (median − 3.50; IQR − 4.75 to − 2.25 D) respectively. There was a strong association between height and axial length, as well as SER. Higher degree of myopia significantly correlated with greater Beighton score (increased joint mobility).
A cost-effective approach to measurements of fluorophore temperature sensitivity and temperature change with reasonable accuracy
Authors: Cai Matthew , Sun Alexander , Yan Andrea , Ding Zachary , Jiang Melvin Zunyao , Wang Charissa , Yuan Baohong 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe demand for measuring fluorophore temperature sensitivity and temperature change in chemical or biological samples has spurred the search for effective methods. While infrared (IR) light-based thermal devices are popular, they are limited to surface temperature measurement. Fluorescence-based thermometry, which utilizes intensity, lifetime, polarization, and spectrum change, provides the temperature information directly from the samples and can have high temporal and spatial resolution. However, measuring fluorescence can be tricky and expensive. A cost-effective approach to achieving reasonable accuracy is highly desired. This study introduces such an approach, employing a light-emitting diode (LED) for fluorophore excitation and a laser diode (LD) for sample heating, with a phone camera recording fluorescence changes. A data processing method converts the video into digital data, processed through digital filters. Utilizing a small-volume cuvette enhances heating efficiency. This study serves as a practical guide for inexperienced individuals, including students, instructors, and researchers, facilitating entry into the field and navigating the complexities of fluorescence-based thermometry.
DNA methylation fine-tunes pro-and anti-inflammatory signalling pathways in inactive ulcerative colitis tissue biopsies
Authors: Meng Wei , Fenton Christopher G. , Johnsen Kay-Martin , Taman Hagar , Florholmen Jon , Paulssen Ruth H. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDNA methylation has been implied to play a role in the immune dysfunction associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the disease development of ulcerative colitis (UC). Changes of the DNA methylation and correlated gene expression in patient samples with inactive UC might reveal possible regulatory features important for further treatment options for UC. Targeted bisulfite sequencing and whole transcriptome sequencing were performed on mucosal biopsies from patients with active UC (UC, n = 14), inactive UC (RM, n = 20), and non-IBD patients which served as controls (NN, n = 11). The differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were identified by DMRseq. Correlation analysis was performed between DMRs and their nearest differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed based on correlated DMR regulated genes. DMR regulated genes then were functional annotated. Cell-type deconvolutions were performed based on methylation levels. The comparisons revealed a total of 38 methylation-regulated genes in inactive UC that are potentially regulated by DMRs (correlation p value < 0.1). Several methylation-regulated genes could be identified in inactive UC participating in IL-10 and cytokine signalling pathways such as IL1B and STAT3. DNA methylation events in inactive UC seem to be fine-tuned by the balancing pro- and anti- inflammatory pathways to maintain a prevailed healing process to restore dynamic epithelium homeostasis.
Proof–of–concept evidence for high–density EEG investigation of sleep slow wave traveling in First-Episode Psychosis
Authors: Castelnovo Anna , Casetta Cecilia , Cavallotti Simone , Marcatili Matteo , Del Fabro Lorenzo , Canevini Maria Paola , Sarasso Simone , D’Agostino Armando 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSchizophrenia is thought to reflect aberrant connectivity within cortico-cortical and reentrant thalamo-cortical loops, which physiologically integrate and coordinate the function of multiple cortical and subcortical structures. Despite extensive research, reliable biomarkers of such "dys-connectivity" remain to be identified at the onset of psychosis, and before exposure to antipsychotic drugs. Because slow waves travel across the brain during sleep, they represent an ideal paradigm to study pathological conditions affecting brain connectivity. Here, we provide proof–of–concept evidence for a novel approach to investigate slow wave traveling properties in First-Episode Psychosis (FEP) with high-density electroencephalography (EEG). Whole–night sleep recordings of 5 drug-naïve FEP and 5 age- and gender-matched healthy control subjects were obtained with a 256-channel EEG system. One patient was re-recorded after 6 months and 3 years of continuous clozapine treatment. Slow wave detection and traveling properties were obtained with an open-source toolbox. Slow wave density and slow wave traveled distance (measured as the line of longest displacement) were significantly lower in patients (p < 0.05). In the patient who was tested longitudinally during effective clozapine treatment, slow wave density normalized, while traveling distance only partially recovered. These preliminary findings suggest that slow wave traveling could be employed in larger samples to detect cortical "dys-connectivity" at psychosis onset.
Thermal shakedown in granular materials with irregular particle shapes
Authors: Pan Yize , Gong Xiaohui , Rotta Loria Alessandro F. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractGranular materials with irregular particle shapes undergo a myriad of temperature variations in natural and engineered systems. However, the impacts of cyclic temperature variations on the mechanics of granular materials remain poorly understood. Specifically, little is known about the response of granular materials to cyclic temperature variations as a function of the following central variables: particle shape, applied stress level, relative density, and temperature amplitude. This paper presents advanced laboratory experiments to explore the impacts of cyclic temperature variations on the mechanics of granular materials, with a focus on sands. The results show that cyclic temperature variations applied to sands induce thermal shakedown: the accumulation of irreversible bulk deformations due to microstructural rearrangements caused by thermal expansions and contractions of the constituting particles. The deformation of sands caused by thermal shakedown strongly depends on particle shape, stress level, relative density, and temperature amplitude. This deformation is limited for individual thermal cycles but accumulates and becomes significant for multiple thermal cycles, leading to substantial compaction in sands and other granular materials, which can affect various natural and engineered systems.
Common mental disorders and associated factors among adult chronic kidney disease patients attending referral hospitals in Amhara Regional State
Authors: Gela Yibeltal Yismaw , Tesfaye Winta , Melese Mihret , Getnet Mihret , Ambelu Adugnaw , Eshetu Habitu Birhan , Bitew Desalegn Anmut , Diress Mengistie 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCommon mental disorders (CMDs) are a wide term that includes disorders like depression, anxiety, and somatic manifestations. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are at high risk of developing a common mental disorders, which leads to a lower survival rate, poor clinical outcome, longer hospitalization, increased health-care utilization, difficulty adhering to medications, an increased risk of initiation of dialysis, poor quality of life, and an increased risk of mortality. However, there is limited study done related to common mental disorders and associated factors among chronic kidney disease patients in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of common mental disorders and associated factors among chronic kidney disease patients attending referral hospitals in Amhara Regional State. An institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized and Felege Hiwot Referral Hospitals from January to April 2020. The study participants were selected using systematic random sampling techniques. Common mental disorders were assessed using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire-Falk Institute (SRQ-F) tool. Data were entered into Epi Data Version 3.0 then exported into STATA 14 for analysis. Both bivariable and multi-variable binary logistic regressions were done to identify factors associated with common mental disorders. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, variables with a p-value of ≤ 0.05 were declared as a statistically associated with common mental disorders. In this study, 424 CKD patients were included, with a response rate of 100%. Among screened CKD patients, 40.8% was positive for common mental disorders, with a 95% CI (36–45%). Independent predictors of common mental disorders among CKD patients were poor social support [(AOR 3.1, 95% CI (1.67–5.77)], family history of mental disorders, [AOR 3.6, 95% CI (1.12–11.8)], comorbidity [AOR 1.7, 95% CI (1.03–2.78)], being female [AOR 2.69, 95% CI (1.72–4.20)], and duration of CKD (AOR 3.5; 95% CI (2.28–5.54). Two out of five CKD patients screened for CMDs were found to be positive. Common mental disorders were more common among CKD patients with poor social support, a family history of mental disorders, comorbidity, being female, and the duration of CKD. Therefore, screening CKD patients for common mental disorders is recommended.
Influence of thermal maturity on carbazole distributions in coal source rocks during compaction pyrolysis experiments
Authors: Bao Jian , Liu Yan , Fan Yunpeng , Xu Yaohui , Ding Kangle , Wen Zhigang , Li Yang , Gao Ye , Zhang Cunyang , Li Lu 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCarbazole compounds are widely used in determining the direction of petroleum migration, but the effect of thermal maturity on carbazoles is still ambiguity. In this paper, using compaction pyrolysis simulation experiments, artificial mature samples with vitrinite reflectance (Ro) range from 0.38 to 3.0% were acquired. And the content and composition change characteristics of carbazole compounds were analyzed in coal source rocks. The experimental results showed that thermal maturity controls the generation of a large amount of carbazole compounds in coal rocks. Compared with the low mature stage, the content of carbazole compounds was about 10–100 times higher in the mature stage. With the increasing maturity, in the coal sample, the content of carbazole compounds showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing. In derivatives of carbazole, the corresponding maturity for the maximum generation of ethylcarbazole (EC), dimethylcarbazole (DMCA), methylcarbazole (MCA), carbazole (CA) and benzocarbazole (BCA) performed the increasing sequence. With the increasing maturity, the relative abundance of 2-MCA, 1,7-DMCA and benzo[a]carbazole increased with the increasing maturity, while 4-MCA, 1,4-DMCA and benzo[c]carbazole gradually decreased. Benzocarbazole ratio [a]/[a] +[ c] varies only in a narrow range 0.36–0.61 in the entire maturity range, suggesting limited maturity dependence. The experimental conclusion provides more theoretical basis for future geochemical analysis using carbazole compounds.
A new intelligently optimized model reference adaptive controller using GA and WOA-based MPPT techniques for photovoltaic systems
Authors: Deghfel Nassir , Badoud Abd Essalam , Merahi Farid , Bajaj Mohit , Zaitsev Ievgen 
Published: March 2024

AbstractRecently, the integration of renewable energy sources, specifically photovoltaic (PV) systems, into power networks has grown in significance for sustainable energy generation. Researchers have investigated different control algorithms for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) to enhance the efficiency of PV systems. This article presents an innovative method to address the problem of maximum power point tracking in photovoltaic systems amidst swiftly changing weather conditions. MPPT techniques supply maximum power to the load during irradiance fluctuations and ambient temperatures. A novel optimal model reference adaptive controller is developed and designed based on the MIT rule to seek global maximum power without ripples rapidly. The suggested controller is also optimized through two popular meta-heuristic algorithms: The genetic algorithm (GA) and the whale optimization algorithm (WOA). These meta-heuristic approaches have been exploited to overcome the difficulty of selecting the adaptation gain of the MRAC controller. The reference voltage for MPPT is generated in the study through an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system. The suggested controller’s performance is tested via MATLAB/Simulink software under varying temperature and radiation circumstances. Simulation is carried out using a Soltech 1sth-215-p module coupled to a boost converter, which powers a resistive load. Furthermore, to emphasize the recommended algorithm’s performance, a comparative study was done between the optimal MRAC using GA and WOA and the conventional incremental conductance (INC) method.
Body odor samples from infants and post-pubertal children differ in their volatile profiles
Authors: Owsienko Diana , Goppelt Lisa , Hierl Katharina , Schäfer Laura , Croy Ilona , Loos Helene M. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBody odors change during development, and this change influences the interpersonal communication between parents and their children. The molecular basis for this chemical communication has not been elucidated yet. Here, we show by combining instrumental and sensory analyses that the qualitative odorant composition of body odor samples is similar in infants (0-3 years) and post-pubertal children (14-18 years). The post-pubertal samples are characterized by higher odor dilution factors for carboxylic acids and by the presence of 5α-androst-16-en-3-one and 5α-androst-16-en-3α-ol. In addition to the olfaction-guided approach, the compounds 6-methylhept-5-en-2-one (6MHO), geranyl acetone (GA) and squalene (SQ) were quantified. Both age groups have similar concentrations of 6MHO and GA, whereas post-pubertal children tend to have higher concentration of SQ. In conclusion, sexual maturation coincides with changes to body odor chemical composition. Whether those changes explain differences in parental olfactory perception needs to be determined in future studies with model odors.
Momentum-dependent intraband high harmonic generation in a photodoped indirect semiconductor
Authors: Suthar Pawan , Trojánek František , Malý Petr , Derrien Thibault J.-Y. , Kozák Martin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractNonlinear optical response of solid-state materials exposed to strong non-resonant light fields leads to the generation of harmonic frequencies as a consequence of interband polarization and coherent intraband dynamics of the electrons. The efficient production of a macroscopic wave requires the preservation of the mutual phase between the driving wave and the individual microscopic sources of radiation. Here, we experimentally and theoretically show that the yield of high harmonic generation in a photodoped silicon crystal is enhanced by the nonlinear intraband current whose amplitude depends not only on the volume density of the photogenerated carriers but also on their momentum distributions within the bands. The strongest enhancement is reached when the carrier system is relaxed to the band minima before interacting with the strong nonresonant wave, which drives the high harmonic generation. These results extend the possibilities of high harmonic spectroscopy towards the investigation of ultrafast carrier relaxation in condensed matter.
A disconnect in science and practitioner perspectives on heat mitigation
Authors: Schneider Florian A. , Epel Erin , Middel Ariane 
Published: March 2024

AbstractResearchers and city practitioners are paramount stakeholders in creating urban resilience but have diverse and potentially competing views. To understand varying stakeholder perspectives, we conducted a systematic literature content analysis on green infrastructure (GI) and reflective pavement (RP). The analysis shows a United States (US)-based science-practice disconnect in written communication, potentially hindering holistic decision-making. We identified 191 GI and 93 RP impacts, categorized into co-benefits, trade-offs, disservices, or neutral. Impacts were further classified as environmental, social, or economic. The analysis demonstrates that US city practitioners emphasize social and economic co-benefits that may not be fully represented in the scientific discourse. Scientists communicate a broader range of impacts, including trade-offs and disservices, highlighting a nuanced understanding of the potential consequences. Identifying contrasting perspectives and integrating knowledge from various agents is critical in urban climate governance. Our findings facilitate bridging the science-policy disconnect in the US heat mitigation literature.
Electrocaloric cooling system utilizing latent heat transfer for high power density
Authors: Metzdorf Julius , Corhan Patrick , Bach David , Hirose Sakyo , Lellinger Dirk , Mönch Stefan , Kühnemann Frank , Schäfer-Welsen Olaf , Bartholomé Kilian 
Published: March 2024

AbstractElectrocalorics (EC) is potentially more efficient than refrigeration and heat pumps based on compressors and does not need detrimental fluids. Current EC-prototypes use solid-state contact or forced convection with liquids to transfer the heat generated from the EC-material, which inhibits high cycle frequencies and thus limits power density. Here we present a heatpipe system solution, where the heat transfer is realized through condensation and evaporation of ethanol as a heat transfer fluid. Our prototype with lead scandium tantalate (PST) EC-material working at 5 Hz shows a specific cooling power of 1.5 W g−1. This is one order of magnitude more than previously reported for ceramic EC-prototypes. Overcoming the limits of slow heat transfer is essential to reach high specific cooling powers enabling a future commercial success of the technology.
E-contact facilitated by conversational agents reduces interethnic prejudice and anxiety in Afghanistan
Authors: Sahab Sofia , Haqbeen Jawad , Hadfi Rafik , Ito Takayuki , Imade Richard Eke , Ohnuma Susumu , Hasegawa Takuya 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIntergroup contact occurring through indirect means such as the internet has the potential to improve intergroup relationships and may be especially beneficial in high conflict situations. Here we conducted a three-timepoint online experiment to ascertain whether the use of a conversational agent in E-contact platforms could mitigate interethnic prejudices and hostility among Afghanistan’s historically segregated and persistently conflictual ethnic groups. 128 Afghans of Pashtun, Tajik, and Hazara backgrounds were assigned to one of four E-contact conditions (control with no conversational agent and three experimental groups that varied in the conversational agent settings). Participants in the experimental conditions contributed more ideas and longer opinions and showed a greater reduction in outgroup prejudice and anxiety than those in the control group. These findings demonstrate that E-contact facilitated by a conversational agent can improve intergroup attitudes even in contexts characterized by a long history of intergroup segregation and conflict.
Automatic cinematography for body movement involved virtual communication
Authors: Yu Zixiao , Wang Honghong , Un Kim 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe emergence of novel AI technologies and increasingly portable wearable devices have introduced a wider range of more liberated avenues for communication and interaction between human and virtual environments. In this context, the expression of distinct emotions and movements by users may convey a variety of meanings. Consequently, an emerging challenge is how to automatically enhance the visual representation of such interactions. Here, a novel Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) based model, AACOGAN, is introduced to tackle this challenge effectively. AACOGAN model establishes a relationship between player interactions, object locations, and camera movements, subsequently generating camera shots that augment player immersion. Experimental results demonstrate that AACOGAN enhances the correlation between player interactions and camera trajectories by an average of 73%, and improves multi‐focus scene quality up to 32.9%. Consequently, AACOGAN is established as an efficient and economical solution for generating camera shots appropriate for a wide range of interactive motions. Exemplary video footage can be found at https://youtu.be/Syrwbnpzgx8.