bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Leaf trait spectrum of mangroves: across and within species
Authors: Wei Lili , Lin Fang , Gao Jing , Rugema Justin , Akram Waseem , Wang You-shao 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Mangroves are widely recognized as one of the most carbon-rich ecosystems. However, the impact of different species, especially slow- and fast-growing ones, on carbon stocks can vary significantly1. These findings have generated a strong interest in understanding the diversity of resource-investment strategies among mangrove species. The global leaf economic spectrum holds the potential for identifying these strategies in mangroves2,3. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether leaf economic traits of mangrove species exhibit expected coordination patterns. Through the analysis of 36 widely distributed mangrove species, we demonstrate that the cross-species trait spectrums of mangroves encompassing both true mangroves and mangrove associates align with findings from global vegetation analysis2. The distinct strategies between mangrove groups indicated by trait spectrums are consistent with previous observations4. However, the cross-species trait spectrums are not consistently valid in identifying strategies within or between mangrove species. Through conducting a case study, we provide empirical evidence that a fast-growing species (having a greater photosynthetic capacity and tree height) could be positioned towards the slower end of trait spectrums compared with slow-growing species when living in hyper-saline soils. Contrary to the common assumption5,6, the greater mass per leaf area of the fast-growing species is primarily derived from thicker leaves and a higher phosphorus content per leaf area compared with the slow-growing species. These findings suggest that the cross-species trait spectrum may have limitations in accurately identifying resource-investment strategies in plants with thick leaves.
Reassembling cultural safety education for Korean medical students based on the actor-network theory: Situational analysis of discourses
Authors: Roh HyeRin , Park Kyung Hye , Oh Jina , Choi Hyoseon 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Conducting an education program on cultural safety (CS) based on the actor-network theory’s (ANT) translation strategy, this study aimed to investigate changes relating to situations, significant actors, and discourse positions among Korean medical students. This qualitative pre/post study used situational analysis. Participants included 294 fifth-year medical students who attended CS classes between 2017−2019. For successful translation, the CS classes empowered the students as active agents to have direct dialogues with international guests, designing all human and non-human actors in the classroom to support them. The authors collected and coded data from students’ reflective essays, and then conducted organised situational, relational, and positional mapping. Following the classes, the participants reflected more on CS-related situations and actors. They defined culturally safe care as making patients feel at home, tailoring care individually, and providing treatment indiscriminately. Instead of focusing on others, they recognised their own biases, influences of their cultures on patient care, and contradictions in the Korean healthcare system, realising the healer role of doctors and the importance of patient-centeredness. Further, we explored how the students’ confusion about appropriate levels of accepting patients’ cultures might be associated with notions regarding humility rooted in Korean culture. We found that the ANT and situational analysis are applicable in CS education and research, and could be considered in future studies.
Computer Aided Detection of Brain Tumors using Convolutional Neural Network based Analysis of MRI Data
Authors: Singh Kuldeep , Kaur Amandeep , Kaur Prabhpreet 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
A significant topic of investigation in the area of medical imaging is brain tumor classification. The manual examination of medical imaging may result in imprecise findings and is also a time-consuming and laborious task. With the emergence of artificial intelligence, the research community has started providing automated solutions for smart detection of different types of brain tumors. So, the present paper also presents a computer-aided diagnostic technique, which makes use of the proposed architecture of a 16-layer convolutional neural network (CNN) model for accurate detection of different brain tumor types through the analysis of MR images. In this approach, the MR images are resized and normalized first. Then, a hybrid method of synthetic minority oversampling technique and edited nearest neighbour has been employed to provide a balanced dataset. Afterwards, these images are fed to the proposed CNN model for classification. In this work, a CNN-based feature extractor has also been used in association with machine learning-based classification, which includes random forest, kNN, support vector machine, naïve Bayes and decision tree algorithms. The thorough analysis of the proposed CNN model and the hybrid models of CNN and machine learning algorithms demonstrate that the proposed CNN model provides an accurate classification of different brain tumor types with maximum accuracies of 98.88% and 97.83% for binary classification of tumor detection and three class classification of meningioma, glioma, pituitary tumor types using two different datasets. From this analysis, it is evident that the proposed 16-layer CNN model appears to be an efficient method for accurate detection of brain tumors as well as identification of different types of tumors.
Cancer stem cells detection and prognosis in early stages NSCLC
Authors: Chandouri Boutaîna , Naves Thomas , Yassine May , Ikhlef Léa , Tricard Jeremy , Chaunavel Alain , Pannequin Julie , Girard Nicolas , Durand Stephanie , Carré Vincent , Lalloué Fabrice 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

BackgroundDespite advances in diagnosis and treatment in lung cancer, therapies still fail to improve patient management due to resistance mechanisms and relapses. As Cancer stem cells (CSCs) directly contribute to tumor growth and therapeutic resistance, their clinical detection represents a major challenge. However specific and additional CSC markers lack. Thus, our aim was to achieve selective detection of CSCs with specific glycan patterns and assess the CSCs burden to predict the risk of relapse in NSCLC tumors.MethodsThe lung CSCs detection and sorting were assessed throughin vitroandin vivoexperiments with a lectin MIX. Then, its clinical significance was evaluated with immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays in a retrospective study with 221 NSCLC patients.ResultsWe showed a significant CSCs enrichment in the MIX+ sorted fraction compared to CD133+ cells and confirmed its high tumorigenic capacity. Retrospective study validated the MIX prognostic value on the overall survival from early stages patients. These results suggest its potential for detecting tumor aggressiveness and complementing the current tumor classification.ConclusionOur results demonstrate that CSCs identified MIX might afford a prognostic tool which enable clinicians to better classify early-stage patients with high-risk of relapse in order to adapt treatment decisions.
Comparison of Emotional and Behavioral Regulation Between Metopic and Sagittal Synostosis
Authors: Almeida Mariana N , Alper David P , Parikh Neil , Debaum Heloise , Kammien Alex , Persing John , Alperovich Michael 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Purpose
Children with surgically corrected nonsyndromic craniosynostosis have been previously found to have neurocognitive and behavioral difficulties. Children with metopic synostosis have been described to have more difficulties than children with sagittal synostosis. This study aims to characterize the behavioral differences between children with metopic and sagittal synostosis.
Methods
Children with metopic and sagittal synostosis were recruited at school age. Parents completed 4 separated behavioral assessments: Conners-3 (evaluation of ADHD), Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (SRS-2: evaluation of autism), Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-2 (BRIEF-2: evaluation of executive function), and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL: evaluation of overall behavioral problems). Children underwent intelligence quotient (IQ) testing using the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI-II).
Results
There were 91 children (45 with metopic and 46 with sagittal synostosis). More children with metopic synostosis reported requiring supportive services (57.7% vs 34.7%, p=0.02) and more reached or exceeded borderline clinical levels of two executive function subscales of the BRIEF-2 (emotion regulation index: 33.3% vs 17.4%, p=0.05; global executive composite: 33.3% vs 17.4%, p=0.05). Children with sagittal synostosis had higher scores on the rule-breaking and externalizing problem subscales of the CBCL. Increasing age at surgery was associated with worse executive function scores.
Conclusions
A relationship between suture subtype and behavioral outcomes exists at school age. More children with metopic synostosis required social services indicating more overall difficulties. Children with metopic synostosis have more specific problems with executive function, while children with sagittal synostosis had more difficulties with externalizing behaviors.
Dental calculus Methanobrevibacter massiliense-Pyramidobacter piscolens, a millennium-old association
Authors: PILLIOL Virginie , Boualam Mahmoud A. , Terlier Laureline , Drancourt Michel , Aboudharam Gérard , Grine Ghiles , Terrer Elodie 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
The metagenomic study of ancient dental calculus yielded two novel Methanobrevibacter species, TS-1 and TS-2. TS-2 was phylogenetically related to Methanobrevibacter massiliense (M. massiliense), a methanogen previously cultivated in close association with the bacterium Pyramidobacter piscolens (P. piscolens) in the oral cavity.
Results
Comparative genomics, including Average Nucleotide Identity, digital DNA-DNA hybridisation, and genome sequence-derived 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that TS-2 was confused with M. massiliense. Quantifying ancient and modern dental calculus metagenomic read counts yielded a positive correlation between Methanobrevibacter sp. YE315, the proxy-methanogen for M. massiliense in the Kraken2 database and P. piscolens (Pearson correlation test, p = 0.23, P-value = 0.026); whereas no such correlation was found with Fretibacterium fastidiosum (p = -0.04, P-value = 0.69) and Synergistetes phylum (p = -0.0072, P-value = 0.94) used as negative controls. Similar results were obtained with unclassified Methanobrevibacter, and the combined read counts of unclassified Methanobrevibacter and Methanobrevibacter sp. YE315.
Conclusion
Genomic comparisons provide evidence that M. massiliense is the named and cultured representative of Neolithic-old TS-2, suggesting a long-standing association between M. massiliense and P. piscolens. The nature, determinants, and evolutionary significance of this association remain unknown.
A comparative path for photocatalytic action of undoped and s-doped TiO 2 for photodegradation of methylene blue: A study of possible trouble-free synthesis of sulphur doping TiO 2 nano-powder
Authors: Ara Gulshan , Samad Abdus , Rahman Mahfujur , Naher Shamsun , Elias Md , Shajahan Md 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Photocatalytic degradation of textile dyes carried excessive issues with justifiable progress of environmentally safe technology in the domain of recent science. As a consequence, expansion of innovative photocatalysts with enhanced catalytic effectiveness has gained much attention to contemporary researcher. Hence, loading of TiO2 (semiconductor) with nonmetallic atoms like sulfur (S), has increased much attention because of awarding improved absorbance under UV-visible light irradiation. TiO2 was prepared from Titanium (IV) isopropoxide S-doped TiO2 photocatalyst were prepared using thiourea (CH4N2S) applying hydrothermal technique. The purity, morphology, particle size and crystallinity of the prepared dopped and undoped TiO2 nanoparticles were established with the help of XRD and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope FE-SEM analysis. The presence of sulfur in the modified TiO2 (S-doped) was detected by XRD, and EDX measurements which also lighted on the prevention of crystals aggregation by S-doping. The presence of hydroxyl (OH−) groups was sensed from FTIR spectra. The improved catalytic activity of modified catalyst made up of TiO2 with atomic Sulphur for the removing organic dyes (methylene blue, 5ppm) through degradation was explored by UV-visible spectroscopy. It was found that photoinduced superficial holes (h+) and OH∙ radicals on S-TiO2 catalysts acted a key role in the catalysis. This work holds out a simple and easy preparation of photocatalyst, S-doped TiO2 nanoparticle, avoiding the hassle of preparing structured nanocatalyst like nano-film, nano-tube etc. and advanced noteworthy enhancement (̴ 91%) of the catalytic efficiency of the photocatalyst for degradation of organic dye pollutant. This study offers a method for uncomplicated synthesis of a photocatalyst with improved catalytic efficacy. The synthesized s-doped TiO2 showed significantly better catalytic properties compared to undoped TiO2. The goal of this research work is to offer a simple technique of preparation of a better-quality photocatalyst in terms of cost effectiveness, time demanding, easy application for degradation of organic pollutant without difficulty. The s-doped TiO2 has been synthesized using thiourea as Sulphur source by hydrolysis under thermal condition and characterized. The doping of TiO2 by Sulphur helps to improve catalytic activity of TiO2 forming a new energy level near conduction band and increases the generation of e− which facilitate the degradation process of organic pollutant under solar illumination.
Physiological responses of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) exposed to increased carbon dioxide and reduced seawater salinities
Authors: CANEOS WARREN , Shrivastava Jyotsna , Ndugwa Moses , de Boeck Gudrun 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

The effects of increased CO2 on the physiological responses of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) which were progressively acclimated to 32 ppt, 10 ppt and 2.5 ppt were investigated. Following acclimation to different salinities for two weeks, fish were exposed to present-day (400 µatm) and future (1000 µatm) atmospheric CO2 for 1, 3, 7 and 21 days. Blood pH, plasma ions (Na+, K+, Cl-), branchial mRNA expression of NKA, NKCC and ammonia transporters (e.g. Rhesus glycoproteins) were examined to understand the iono- and osmoregulatory consequences of the experimental conditions. A transient but significant increase in the blood pH of exposed fish acclimated at 10 ppt (day 1) and 2.5 ppt (day 21) possibly due to an overshoot of the blood HCO3- accumulation. However, no change was seen at 32 ppt. Additionally, plasma [Na+] of exposed fish reared at 10 ppt was significantly reduced at day 1 relative to control fish. Generally, Na + concentration of control fish was relatively higher at 10 ppt and lower at 2.5 ppt compared to 32 ppt control group at all sampling periods. We also found that NKA was upregulated in gill of juvenile sea bass and NKA Mrna level of control fish was relatively higher when acclimated to lower salinities compared to 32 ppt control group. Elevated expression could be due to increased activity of acid-base transporters, which rely on the Na + gradient created by the NKA enzyme. Meanwhile, a significant reduction of NKCC mRNA level of the exposed fish acclimated at 32 ppt (1–3 days) and 10 ppt (7–21 days) was observed which could be an adaptive response to foster ion retention during hypercapnia in sea bass acclimated at lower salinities. Furthermore, Rhesus glycoproteins were generally upregulated in the fish acclimated at lower salinities. It suggests that increased CO2 may enhance ammonia excretion rate.
In silico analysis of Balsaminol as anti-viral agents targeting SARS-CoV-2 main protease, spike receptor binding domain and papain-like protease receptors
Authors: Gaiya Daniel Danladi , Muhammad Aliyu , Musa Joy Sim , Auta Richard , Dadah Anthony John , Bello Rachael Oluwafunmilayo , Hassan Madinat , Eke Samuel Sunday , Sankey Musa 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Plant-derived phytochemicals from medicinal plants are becoming increasingly attractive natural sources of antimicrobial and antiviral agents due to their therapeutic value, mechanism of action, level of toxicity and bioavailability. The continued emergence of more immune-evasive strains and the rate of resistance to current antiviral drugs have created a need to identify new antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2. This study investigated the antiviral potential of balsaminol from Momordica balsamina against SARS-CoV-2. In this study, three Food and Drug Administration (FDA) COVID-19 approved drugs namely; nirmatrelvir, ritonavir and remdesivir were used as positive control. In silico approaches including molecular docking based virtual screening, protein quality assessment models, pharmacokinetics, drug-like properties, toxicity profiling and Discovery Studio Visualizer were used to predict therapeutic targets on SARS-CoV-2 receptor proteins. All balsaminols used in this study exhibited negative binding energies with 6LU7, 6VW1 and 7CMD, indicating their strong binding affinity to the target proteins. Balsaminol C had the highest binding affinity of -9.3 kcal/mol with the main SARS CoV-2 protease (6LU7), in agreement with molecular interaction studies. Balsaminol E had a binding affinity of -7.8 kcal/mol with the spike receptor binding domain (6VW1) and balsaminol F had a binding energy of -7.8 with the papain-like protease (7CMD) when compared to ritonavir, nirmatrelvir and rem-desivir. However, the ADMET and drug-like profile of Balsaminol F shows it to be a better potential drug candidate and a good inhibitor against the docked SARS-CoV-2 target proteins, thus recommending further preclinical studies.
Mapping Land-Use and Land-Cover Changes Through the Integration of Satellite and Airborne Remote Sensing Data
Authors: Lin Meng-Hsuan , Lin Ying-Tong , Tsai Min-Lin , Chen Yi-Chun , Chen Yi-Ying , Wang Hsueh-Ching , Wang Chi-Kuei 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
The development of an integrated, remotely sensed approach to assess land-use and land-cover change (LULCC) dynamics is of paramount importance, as it has the potential to alter the natural environment. In this study, we utilized the advantage of land-cover seasonality and computed the vegetation indices from SPOT images. Through analysing monthly Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and Near Infrared (NIR) values, the temporal characteristics of each land type are detected and used as indices for the land type classification. A Phenology-based Classification Model (PCM) was established to classify the land into five land-cover types: forest, built-up land (including bare soil), water, agricultural land, and grassland/shrubs. Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI) derived from Landsat images and airborne lidar canopy height data were then integrated into the PCM to further improve the classification accuracy. The classification results of the Taoyuan Tableland, from 2013 to 2022 demonstrate fluctuations in land types over the years. The classification results suggest a stable forest, a slight decline in agricultural land and inland water, and an increase in grassland/shrubs. The results also reveal a negative correlation (r=-0.79) in area change between grassland/shrubs and agricultural land, as well as a positive correlation (r = 0.47) between irrigation ponds and agricultural land. The event-based LULCC analysis of Taipei City shows that the number of urbanization events becomes relatively comparable to urban greening events when the spatial extent of LULCC events exceeds 1,000 m2, indicating a balance between urbanization and urban greening. Small-extent of urban greening events are frequently discovered and distributed throughout the metropolitan area of Taipei City. The development of PCM largely reduced the time and effort required for manual classification, and this new implementation successfully captures annual LULCCs over the past decade in our study areas.
ApcE plays an important role in light-induced excitation energy dissipation in the Synechocystis PCC6803 phycobilisomes
Authors: Assefa Gonfa Tesfaye , Botha Joshua L. , Heerden Bertus van , Kyeyune Farooq , Krüger Tjaart P.J. , Gwizdala Michal 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Phycobilisomes (PBs) play an important role in cyanobacterial photosynthesis. They capture light and transfer excitation energy to the photosynthetic reaction centres. PBs are also central to some photoprotective and photoregulatory mechanisms that help sustain photosynthesis under non-optimal conditions. Amongst the mechanisms involved in excitation energy dissipation that are activated in response to excessive illumination is a recently discovered light-induced mechanism that is intrinsic to PBs and has been the least studied. Here, we used single-molecule spectroscopy and developed robust data analysis methods to explore the role of a terminal emitter subunit, ApcE, in this intrinsic, light-induced mechanism. We isolated the PBs from WT Synechocystis PCC 6803 as well as from the ApcE-C190S mutant of this strain and compared the dynamics of their fluorescence emission. PBs isolated from the mutant (i.e., ApcE-C190S-PBs), despite not binding some of the red-shifted pigments in the complex, showed similar global emission dynamics to WT-PBs. However, a detailed analysis of dynamics in the core revealed that the ApcE-C190S-PBs are less likely than WT-PBs to enter quenched states under illumination but still fully capable of doing so. This result points to an important but not exclusive role of the ApcE pigments in the light-induced intrinsic excitation energy dissipation mechanism in PBs.
Real World Study of Cumulative Absolute Reduction in Axial Elongation after Photobiomodulation Therapy
Authors: Kaikai QIU , Zhou Lei , Coveney David , Zhou Lei , Tong Liyang , Li Ying , He Chao , Liu Dong 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Purpose
To assess the age and timeline distribution of ocular axial length shortening among myopic children treated with photobiomodulation therapy.
Methods
A retrospective study of photobiomodulation therapy in Chinese children aged 4 to 13 years old with axial length measurements were recorded and assessed to determine effectiveness at each age level and two age goups. Data was collected from myopic children who received photobiomodulation therapy from the same device for 12 months. Effective myopia control was defined as any follow-up axial length < baseline axial length, confirming a reduction in axial length.
Results
342 myopic children were included with the mean age 8.64 ± 2.20 years and with baseline mean axial length of 24.41 ± 1.17 mm. There were 85.40%, 46.30%, 71.20% and 58.30% children with axial length shortening recorded on follow-up at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months, respectively. With respect to the axial length shortened eyes, the mean axial length difference (standard deviation) was − 0.039 (0.11) mm, -0.032 (0.11) mm, -0.037 (0.12) mm, -0.028 (0.57) mm at 1, 3, 6, and 12-month follow-up, respectively. Greater AL shortening was observed among older age group who had longer baseline axial length (P < 0.001). In the multi-variable model, although AL shortening frequency was significantly related to baseline axial length and ages (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively).
Conclusions
Overall myopia control effectiveness using photobiomodulation therapy was shown to be age and time related, with the maximum absolute reduction in axial elongation being cumulative.