bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of an electronic head-mounted display in vision rehabilitation for patients with tunnel vision
Authors: Xu Dongye , Yu Manrong , Zheng Changyue , Ji Shunmei , Dai Jinhui 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Purpose
To investigate the effect of a new head-mounted electronic visual aid-Acesight on improving visual function and daily activities in patients with tunnel vision.

Methods
57 patients with tunnel vision participated in this study. The visual field (VF), visual acuity (VA), search ability, time of finding people from the side (TFPS), walking ability, and the subjective feelings of patients with and without Acesight were measured.

Results
15 (36%) patients thought Acesight was “helpful”, 16 (28%) thought it was “a little help”, and 26 (46%) believed that it was “not helpful.” The proportion of people aged < 60 years found Acesight helpful was higher. When wearing Acesight, the average horizontal VF diameter (°) (35.54[8.72]) and vertical VF diameter (°) (26.63[5.38]) were larger than those without visual aids (20.61[9.22], 18.19[6.67]) (P all < 0.001). The average TFPS before and while wearing the Acesight was 1.77s(0.32) and 1.19s(0.29), respectively (t = 14.28, P < 0.001). The average search times, number of collisions, walking speeds when wearing the Acesight were not statistically different from those without visual aids (P all > 0.05).

Conclusion
More than half of patients with tunnel vision found the Acesight helpful, and a higher proportion of those aged < 60 years old found it helpful. Acesight can expand the horizontal and vertical VF of patients with tunnel vision and can enable patients to detect objects coming from the side earlier.

Trial registration
ChiCTR2000028859; Date of registration: 2020/1/5; URL: http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=47129
Discoloration and biosorption of Brilliant green dye in seawater using living biomass of the microalga Phaeodactylum tricornutum
Authors: González Verónica , Abalde Julio , Torres Enrique 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPollution by dyes is a serious environmental problem. Marine waters receive pollutants from many sources, however, there are few studies that deal with the elimination of pollutants from these environments. The search for effective, cheap, and ecological procedures to remove dyes from seawater is a current challenge. Biosorption meets these requirements, but it is necessary to find the best biosorbent for the operating conditions. Since microalgal biomass is considered a good biosorbent, the efficiency of living biomass from the marine microalga Phaeodactylum tricornutum to remove the Brilliant green dye from seawater was evaluated in this work. This dye showed spontaneous discoloration in seawater, showing a decrease in the amount of dye measured spectrophotometrically but not when measured by HPLC. Consequently, the difference between discoloration and true removal should be considered. It is shown that the determination of the biomass efficiency as biosorbent through spectrophotometric measurements could be wrong in some cases. Batch experiments were performed varying operational parameters, such as initial concentration of dye, contact time, and pH of the solution. At the lowest concentration of the dye (5 mg L-1), the algal biomass (0.4 g L-1) achieved total decolorization and removal (through biosorption) within 7 h, while at the highest concentration (200 mg L-1), discoloration was 96.3%, but removal was 32.6%. The spontaneous discoloration followed a pseudo-second-order kinetics. Pseudo-first-order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm best described the removal process, predicting a maximum biosorption capacity of 161.52±5.95 mg g-1. This natural biomass had a higher efficiency than other more complex biosorbents.
A Switched Control Strategy for Avoiding Flip Ambiguities in 3D Formations
Authors: Sahebsara Farid , Queiroz Marcio de 
Published: February 2024

AbstractFlip ambiguities are a notorious issue with distance-based formation control due to the presence of unwanted equilibrium points in the formation dynamics. We propose a switched control system for preventing these ambiguities in 3D formations composed of tetrahedra. The approach contains a switching strategy that steers the formation of mobile robots towards the desired configuration for all initial positions, excluding certain collocated, collinear, or coplanar cases, by applying the standard distance-based controller and/or rigid-body maneuvers to subformations. Simulations demonstrate that the proposed formation control system can lead to faster formation acquisition and less control effort than an existing method.
Dynamical Systems on Graph Limits and Their Symmetries
Authors: Bick Christian , Sclosa Davide 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe collective dynamics of interacting dynamical units on a network crucially depends on the properties of the network structure. Rather than considering large but finite graphs to capture the network, one often resorts to graph limits and the dynamics thereon. We elucidate the symmetry properties of dynamical systems on graph limits—including graphons and graphops—and analyze how the symmetry shapes the dynamics, for example through invariant subspaces. In addition to traditional symmetries, dynamics on graph limits can support generalized noninvertible symmetries. Moreover, as asymmetric networks can have symmetric limits, we note that one can expect to see ghosts of symmetries in the dynamics of large but finite asymmetric networks.
An assessment framework for landscape sustainability based on ecosystem service supply-flow-demand
Authors: Xi Henghui , Huang Conghong , Ou Weixin , Li Jiman , Wang Fei , Tao Qin , Tao Yu 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Context
The study of landscape sustainability plays an important role in the development of sustainability science. Landscape sustainability assessment is crucial for landscape planning and governance, serving as a fundamental basis for achieving regional and global sustainable development.

Objectives
The goal is to propose an assessment framework for landscape sustainability based on ecosystem services (ESs) supply-flow-demand, and select a case study area to test it.

Methods
We started from the connotation of landscape sustainability and theoretically explained the relationship between landscape patterns, ESs, and human well-being. We proposed a conceptual framework for landscape sustainability assessment based on the supply-flow-demand of ESs. Yixing City was selected as a case study area for empirical research.

Results
We constructed a conceptual framework and assessment steps for landscape sustainability assessment based on the supply-flow-demand of ESs and applied it to assess the landscape sustainability of towns in Yixing City. The framework focuses on the concept of landscape sustainability and can be applied at various temporal and spatial scales, with high operability and replicability. However, there are still certain limitations that need to be further considered, including the determination of landscape boundaries, multi-scale assessment, the trade-offs/synergies between different ESs.

Conclusions
The landscape sustainability assessment framework based on the supply-flow-demand of ESs can expand the perspectives and methods of landscape sustainability assessment. It is also practical and replicable, aiming to provide support for landscape planning and governance.
The role of CXCL1 in crosstalk between endocrine resistant breast cancer and fibroblast
Authors: Pandithar Sneha , Galke Daniel , Akume Ahone , Belyakov Artem , Lomonaco Dominick , Guerra Amirah A. , Park Jay , Reff Olivia , Jin Kideok 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
ER positive breast cancer is currently targeted using various endocrine therapies. Despite the proven therapeutic efficacy, resistance to the drug and reoccurrence of tumor appears to be a complication that many patients deal with. Molecular pathways underlying the development of resistance are being widely studied.

Methods and results
In this study, using four established endocrine resistant breast cancer (ERBC) cell lines, we characterized CXCL1 as a secreted factor in crosstalk between ERBC cells and fibroblasts. Protein array revealed upregulation of CXCL1 and we confirmed the CXCL1 expression by real-time qRT-PCR and U-Plex assay. Co-culturing ERBC cells with fibroblasts enhanced the cell growth and migration compared to monoculture. The crosstalk of ERBC cells with fibroblasts significantly activates ERK/MAPK signaling pathway while reparixin, CXCR1/2 receptor inhibitor, attenuates the activity. Reparixin displayed the ERBC cell growth inhibition and the combination treatment with reparixin and CDK4/6 inhibitor (palbociclib and ribociclib) increased these inhibitory effect.

Conclusions
Taken together, our study implicates CXCL1 as a critical role in ERBC growth and metastasis via crosstalk with fibroblast and cotargeting CXCR1/2 and CDK4/6 could potentially overcome endocrine resistant breast cancer.
Identification and genetic diversity analysis of broomrape in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Zhang Xuekun , Du Juan , Wang Panpan , Wang Peng , Liu Zheng , Yao Zhaoqun , Zhao Sifeng , Xi Hui 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
As a holoparasitic weed, broomrape has seriously threatened the production of economically important crops, such as melon, watermelon, processed tomato, and sunflower, in Xinjiang in recent years. However, the distribution and genetic diversity of broomrape populations in Xinjiang are not clear at present, which hinders their prevention and control. The purpose of this study was to identify the main species and the genetic differentiation structure of the broomrape population in Xinjiang.

Methods and results
In the present study, 93 samples from different geographic regions of Xinjiang were collected to identify the species based on ITS and plastid rps2 regions, and the samples were also used to analyze the genetic diversity based on ISSR markers. The results showed that broomrape is not monophyletic in Xinjiang and consists of two major clades (Orobanche cf. aegyptiaca and O. cernua) and three subclades (O. cf. aegyptiaca var. tch, O. cf. aegyptiaca var. klz, and O. cernua.var. alt) based on phylogenetic analysis. Furthermore, the results of the genetic diversity analysis indicated that the average polymorphic information content and marker index were high values of 0.58 and 7.38, respectively, showing the efficiency of the ISSR markers in detecting polymorphism among the broomrape population studied. Additionally, the 11 selected primers produced 154 repeatable polymorphic bands, of which 150 were polymorphic. The genetic diversity of the samples was 37.19% within populations and 62.81% among the populations, indicating that the main genetic differentiation occurred among the populations. There was less gene exchange between populations, with a gene flow index (Nm) of 0.2961 (< 1). The UPGMA dendrogram indicated that most populations with similar geographical conditions and hosts were clustered first, and then all samples were separated into two major groups and seven subclusters.

Conclusion
The broomrapes are mainly O. cf. aegyptiaca and O. cernua in Xinjiang, which were separated into two major groups and seven subclusters based on ISSR markers. Our results provide a theoretical basis for breeding broomrape-resistant varieties.
Assessing colostral and serum immunoglobulin G in alpacas using Brix refractometry and total serum protein
Authors: O’Neill Amber K. , Petzel Christopher E. , Connolly Joanne H. , Vaughan Jane L. , Rotne Randi 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe adequate transfer of passive immunity is a critical factor in neonatal development and survivability. Although well documented in the dairy and equine industries, the recognition of inadequate immunoglobulin transfer on-farm and its impact on the ability of alpaca cria to thrive is largely unknown. Colostrum samples were collected from female alpaca within 24 h of parturition by the owners and whole blood collected from cria by the investigators between 1 and 7 days of age. Direct IgG concentration of milk and serum was determined using radial immunodiffusion assay (RID) and was indirectly estimated using optical and digital Brix refractometry for total solids and clinical refractometry for total serum protein. There was a strong correlation between optical and digital Brix refractometry, and colostral IgG concentration determined by RID. There was a moderate correlation between serum IgG concentration determined by RID and total serum protein in crias. Optical and digital Brix refractometry for colostral IgG estimation and total serum protein for serum IgG estimation are reliable, accurate and easy-to-use tools that can be used on-farm by trained, competent technicians to assess a failure of passive transfer in alpacas. A pilot study at one property only was performed, due to COVID-19 travel restriction interference. Further research is required to determine the reference intervals for these tools to be practical.
FunnyNet-W: Multimodal Learning of Funny Moments in Videos in the Wild
Authors: Liu Zhi-Song , Courant Robin , Kalogeiton Vicky 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAutomatically understanding funny moments (i.e., the moments that make people laugh) when watching comedy is challenging, as they relate to various features, such as body language, dialogues and culture. In this paper, we propose FunnyNet-W, a model that relies on cross- and self-attention for visual, audio and text data to predict funny moments in videos. Unlike most methods that rely on ground truth data in the form of subtitles, in this work we exploit modalities that come naturally with videos: (a) video frames as they contain visual information indispensable for scene understanding, (b) audio as it contains higher-level cues associated with funny moments, such as intonation, pitch and pauses and (c) text automatically extracted with a speech-to-text model as it can provide rich information when processed by a Large Language Model. To acquire labels for training, we propose an unsupervised approach that spots and labels funny audio moments. We provide experiments on five datasets: the sitcoms TBBT, MHD, MUStARD, Friends, and the TED talk UR-Funny. Extensive experiments and analysis show that FunnyNet-W successfully exploits visual, auditory and textual cues to identify funny moments, while our findings reveal FunnyNet-W’s ability to predict funny moments in the wild. FunnyNet-W sets the new state of the art for funny moment detection with multimodal cues on all datasets with and without using ground truth information.
Die Thematisierung von Integration und Inklusion in Kindergartenkonzeptionen
Authors: Becker Birgit , Weber Maximilian 
Published: February 2024

ZusammenfassungDieser Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit den Leitlinien und pädagogischen Grundüberzeugungen zu Integration und Inklusion in frühkindlichen Bildungseinrichtungen. Anhand der Kindergartenkonzeptionen aus der Studie „Kinder und Kitas in Deutschland“ (K2ID) untersuchen wir mittels Topic Modeling und standardisierter Inhaltsanalyse, wie Integration und Inklusion in diesen Dokumenten jeweils thematisiert werden. Dabei bilden diejenigen Textstellen, die sich speziell mit den Themen Integration und/oder Inklusion beschäftigen, unseren Textkorpus. Die Auswertungen zeigen, dass insbesondere Kinder mit Behinderung sehr häufig als Zielgruppe adressiert werden – und zwar in Konzeptionen, die den Inklusionsbegriff verwenden, ebenso häufig wie in Konzeptionen, die den Integrationsbegriff nutzen. In Konzeptionen mit dem Integrationsbegriff ist häufiger eine Förderperspektive vorhanden als in Konzeptionen mit dem Inklusionsbegriff, während sich die Häufigkeit der Thematisierung von Teilhabe nicht unterscheidet. Die Ergebnisse des Topic-Modeling zeigen zudem typische Kombinationen von Integrations- bzw. Inklusionsaspekten. Etwa kann die Kombination aus einem Fokus auf „Integrationskinder“, einer Förderperspektive sowie einer zentralen Rolle von (heilpädagogischen) Spezialisten als assimilativer Integrationsansatz charakterisiert werden, während das Topic „Inklusion: Vielfalt und Teilhabe von allen“ einen breiten Inklusionsansatz repräsentiert. Unsere Ergebnisse zeigen jedoch noch weitere Kombinationen und Schwerpunktsetzungen (z. B. gemeinsames Leben und Lernen von Kindern mit und ohne Behinderung; soziale und kulturelle Integration). Insgesamt hat sich somit die Berücksichtigung verschiedener Aspekte und Dimensionen von Integration und Inklusion als fruchtbar erwiesen.
Neural Network Supported Microscale In Situ Deformation Tracking: A Comparative Study of Testing Geometries
Authors: Keckes Julius F. , Jelinek Alexander , Kiener Daniel , Alfreider Markus 
Published: February 2024

AbstractMicro- and nanomechanical testing techniques have become an integral part of today’s materials research portfolio. Contrary to well-studied and majorly standardized nanoindentation testing, in situ testing of various geometries, such as pillar compression, dog bone tension, or cantilever bending, remains rather unique given differences in experimental equipment and sample processing route. The quantification of such experiments is oftentimes limited to load-displacement data, while the gathered in situ images are considered a qualitative information channel only. However, by utilizing modern computer-aided support in the form of the recently developed Segment Anything Model (SAM), quantitative mechanical information from images can be evaluated in a high-throughput manner and adds to the data fidelity and accuracy of every individual experiment. In the present work, we showcase image-assisted mechanical evaluation of compression, tension and bending experiments on micron-scaled resin specimens, produced via two-photon lithography. The present framework allows for a determination of an accurate sample strain, which further enables determination of quantities such as the elastic modulus, Poisson’s ratio or viscoelastic relaxation after fracture.
The Long Non-Coding RNA NR3C2-8:1 Promotes p53-Mediated Apoptosis through the miR-129-5p/USP10 Axis in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Pang Dejiang , Yu Yujiao , Zhao Bi , Huang Jingxuan , Cui Yiyuan , Li Tengfei , Li Chunyu , Shang Huifang 
Published: February 2024

AbstractMotor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a form of apoptosis, but the mechanisms underlying this neuronal cell death remain unclear. Numerous studies demonstrate abnormally elevated and active p53 in the central nervous system of ALS patients. Activation of p53-regulated pro-apoptotic signaling pathways may trigger motor neuron death. We previously reported decreased expression of the long non-coding RNA NR3C2-8:1 (Lnc-NR3C) in leukocytes of ALS patients. Here, we show lnc-NR3C promotes p53-mediated cell death in ALS by upregulating USP10 and promoting lnc-NR3C-triggered p53 activation, resulting in cell death. Conversely, lnc-NR3C knockdown inhibited USP10-triggered p53 activation, thereby protecting cells against oxidative stress. As a competitive endogenous RNA, lnc-NR3C competitively binds miR-129-5p, regulating the usp10/p53 axis. Elucidating the link between Lnc-NR3C and the USP10/p53 axis in an ALS cell model reveals a role for long non-coding RNAs in activating apoptosis. This provides new therapeutic opportunities in ALS.
Characterization and technological functions of different lactic acid bacteria from traditionally produced Kırklareli white brined cheese during the ripening period
Authors: Çetin Bayram , Usal Merve , Aloğlu Hatice Şanlıdere , Busch Annemarie , Dertli Enes , Abdulmawjood Amir 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn the present study, the evolution of the physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in traditional Kırklareli white brined cheese collected from 14 different cheese manufacturing facilities were investigated on different days of the 90-day ripening period. The obtained LAB within the species Lactococcus (Lc.) lactis, Latilactobacillus (Lt.) curvatus, Lactobacillus (Lb.) casei and Lb. plantarum, Enterococcus (E.) durans, E. faecium, E. faecalis, Streptococcus macedonicus, and Weissella paramesenteroides were characterized in terms of their influence on technological properties and their potential as starter cultures for traditional white brined cheese production. The results of the microbiological and physicochemical investigations showed that a few selected isolates of Lc. lactis, Lb. casei, and Lb. plantarum had certain functions as starter germs. Moderate acidification capacity, antibacterial activity and proteolytic activity, which are characteristic of their use as starter lactic acid bacteria, were found. Importantly, antibiotic resistance among selected Lc. lactis, Lb. casei, and Lb. plantarum isolates was extremely low, whereas some of these isolates demonstrated antibacterial activity against major foodborne pathogenic bacteria. Based on the results obtained in this study, selected Lc. and Lb. isolates can also be considered as starter culture in traditional cheese production.
Turnaround, Decline, and Strategic Posture of SME: Empirical Evidence
Authors: Oliveira Saraiva Graça , Ferreira João J. , Alves Maria-Ceu 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
This study evaluates how the environment, the strategic posture, and the organizational structure contribute to the decline and performance of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME). Based on a sample of SME and through recourse to Altman’s Z-score model, we evaluate the situation of companies that declare they are facing difficulties in conjunction with their financial performance. The results demonstrate that a strategic entrepreneurial posture and an organic organizational structure, characterized by dynamism, decentralization, and control over the objectives, positively contribute to the performance of companies and prevent their bankruptcy. Our study findings contribute to a better understanding of the factors that lead to SME decline and failure while highlighting the factors that improve their performance levels. The study also reflects on the turnaround process and the redefinition of strategies, new ways of planning, internal organization, and management control.
Application of micro-substance tracer test in fractured horizontal wells
Authors: Yang Haoran , Guo Kangliang , Lin Lili , Zhang Shuangshuang , Wang Yuhan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis paper delves into a novel micro-substance tracer test in fractured horizontal well C-15. The experimental results are highly encouraging as they demonstrate that the trace material tracer is capable of satisfying the testing demands, even when there are large numbers of fracturing stages involved. Data interpretation process involved dividing the test duration into two stages-fluid flowback period and stable production period. The tracer test data were employed to analyze the production profile of the well. The findings made it evident that the primary production stage underwent alterations in different production stages. Moreover, the degree of heterogeneity pertaining to each fracturing stage was characterized by employing the residence time distribution method. It was observed that the Lorentz coefficient lying between the primary production stage and the remaining fracturing stages ranged from 0.46 to 0.68. This study expands the application of the residence time distribution method for evaluating tracer testing. Through a comprehensive analysis of heterogeneity data within the fracturing stages and the production dynamics of the well, the effectiveness of the fracturing process can be assessed. This research enables reservoir operators to gain deeper insights into the dynamics of test wells, ultimately leading to increased production efficiency.