bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Possible uses of Hunter–Schreger bands of dental enamel for automated personal identification
Authors: Dioguardi Mario , Sanesi Lorenzo , Sovereto Diego , Ballini Andrea , Crincoli Vito , Alovisi Mario , Aiuto Riccardo , Caloro Giorgia Apollonia , Lo Muzio Lorenzo 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Hunter–Schreger bands (HSB) are optical phenomena observed on tooth surfaces under polarized light, resulting from the intersection of enamel prisms. Anthropological studies demonstrate the prevalence of HSB in large mammals, contributing to enamel resistance. Historically, John Hunter and Schreger depicted HSB in dental literature. In dentistry, HSB play a role in non-carious cervical lesions (NCCL) and internal dental perikymata, suggesting their potential for personal identification. Personal identification, crucial in both daily and professional life, involves biometric characteristics, such as fingerprints or facial recognition. The need for non-invasive, rapid, and user-friendly methods has prompted the exploration of using HSB dental images for personal identification. The review aimed to consolidate studies employing HSB for personal identification.

Methods
The scoping review was carried out strictly following the PRISMA–ScR checklist; the search was carried out on tree databases (PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct,) and a register (Cochrane library).

Results
The research produced a number of bibliographic sources totaling 410. With the removal of duplicates, 334 were obtained; potentially eligible articles amounted to 14, of which only 4 fully complied with the criteria of eligibility.

Conclusions
From the data in the literature, we can assert that HSB could be used in personal identification, as they are characteristics that are difficult to change and easily detectable.
Repeated inoculation with rumen fluid accelerates the rumen bacterial transition with no benefit on production performance in postpartum Holstein dairy cows
Authors: Kong Fanlin , Wang Feiran , Zhang Yijia , Wang Shuo , Wang Wei , Li Shengli 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
The dairy cow’s postpartum period is characterized by dramatic physiological changes, therefore imposing severe challenges on the animal for maintaining health and milk output. The dynamics of the ruminal microbiota are also tremendous and may play a crucial role in lactation launch. We aim to investigate the potential benefits of early microbial intervention by fresh rumen microbiota transplantation (RMT) and sterile RMT in postpartum dairy cows. Twelve fistulated peak-lactation dairy cows were selected to be the donors for rumen fluid collection. Thirty postpartum cows were divided into 3 groups as the transplantation receptors respectively receiving 10 L fresh rumen fluid (FR), 10 L sterile rumen fluid (SR), or 10 L saline (CON) during 3 d after calving.

Results
Production performance, plasma indices, plasma lipidome, ruminal microbiome, and liver transcriptome were recorded. After fresh and sterile RMT, we found that the molar proportion of propionic acid was increased on d 7 in the FR and SR groups and the bacterial composition was also significantly changed when compared with the CON group. A similarity analysis showed that the similarities between the CON group and FR or SR group on d 7 were 48.40% or 47.85%, whereas the similarities between microbiota on d 7 and 21 in the FR and SR groups were 68.34% or 66.85%. Dry matter intake and feed efficiency were not affected by treatments. Plasma β-hydroxybutyrate concentration in the FR group was decreased and significantly different lipids mainly included phosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylcholine containing polyunsaturated fatty acids. Hepatic transcriptomics analysis indicated acute-phase response pathways were upregulated in the SR group.

Conclusions
Our study suggests that RMT can shorten the transition process of the ruminal microbiota of postpartum dairy cows with no benefit on dry matter intake or feed efficiency. Inoculation with rumen fluid may not be a useful approach to promote the recovery of postpartum dairy cows.

Graphical Abstract
Vitamin A regulates mitochondrial biogenesis and function through p38 MAPK-PGC-1α signaling pathway and alters the muscle fiber composition of sheep
Authors: Song Pengkang , Zhao Jiamin , Li Fanqinyu , Zhao Xiaoyi , Feng Jinxin , Su Yuan , Wang Bo , Zhao Junxing 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Vitamin A (VA) and its metabolite, retinoic acid (RA), are of great interest for their wide range of physiological functions. However, the regulatory contribution of VA to mitochondrial and muscle fiber composition in sheep has not been reported.

Method
Lambs were injected with 0 (control) or 7,500 IU VA palmitate into the biceps femoris muscle on d 2 after birth. At the age of 3 and 32 weeks, longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle samples were obtained to explore the effect of VA on myofiber type composition. In vitro, we investigated the effects of RA on myofiber type composition and intrinsic mechanisms.

Results
The proportion of type I myofiber was greatly increased in VA-treated sheep in LD muscle at harvest. VA greatly promoted mitochondrial biogenesis and function in LD muscle of sheep. Further exploration revealed that VA elevated PGC-1α mRNA and protein contents, and enhanced the level of p38 MAPK phosphorylation in LD muscle of sheep. In addition, the number of type I myofibers with RA treatment was significantly increased, and type IIx myofibers was significantly decreased in primary myoblasts. Consistent with in vivo experiment, RA significantly improved mitochondrial biogenesis and function in primary myoblasts of sheep. We then used si-PGC-1α to inhibit PGC-1α expression and found that si-PGC-1α significantly abrogated RA-induced the formation of type I myofibers, mitochondrial biogenesis, MitoTracker staining intensity, UQCRC1 and ATP5A1 expression, SDH activity, and enhanced the level of type IIx muscle fibers. These data suggested that RA improved mitochondrial biogenesis and function by promoting PGC-1α expression, and increased type I myofibers. In order to prove that the effect of RA on the level of PGC-1α is caused by p38 MAPK signaling, we inhibited the p38 MAPK signaling using a p38 MAPK inhibitor, which significantly reduced RA-induced PGC-1α and MyHC I levels.

Conclusion
VA promoted PGC-1α expression through the p38 MAPK signaling pathway, improved mitochondrial biogenesis, and altered the composition of muscle fiber type.

Graphical Abstract
Effects of maternal methyl donor intake during pregnancy on ileum methylation and function in an intrauterine growth restriction pig model
Authors: Lin Yan , Wu Jiangnan , Zhuo Yong , Feng Bin , Fang Zhengfeng , Xu Shengyu , Li Jian , Zhao Hua , Wu De , Hua Lun , Che Lianqiang 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) affects intestinal growth, morphology, and function, which leads to poor growth performance and high mortality. The present study explored whether maternal dietary methyl donor (MET) supplementation alleviates IUGR and enhances offspring’s growth performance by improving intestinal growth, function, and DNA methylation of the ileum in a porcine IUGR model.

Methods
Forty multiparous sows were allocated to the control or MET diet groups from mating until delivery. After farrowing, 8 pairs of IUGR and normal birth weight piglets from 8 litters were selected for sampling before suckling colostrum.

Results
The results showed that maternal MET supplementation tended to decrease the IUGR incidence and increased the average weaning weight of piglets. Moreover, maternal MET supplementation significantly reduced the plasma concentrations of isoleucine, cysteine, urea, and total amino acids in sows and newborn piglets. It also increased lactase and sucrase activity in the jejunum of newborn piglets. MET addition resulted in lower ileal methionine synthase activity and increased betaine homocysteine S-methyltransferase activity in the ileum of newborn piglets. DNA methylation analysis of the ileum showed that MET supplementation increased the methylation level of DNA CpG sites in the ileum of newborn piglets. Down-regulated differentially methylated genes were enriched in folic acid binding, insulin receptor signaling pathway, and endothelial cell proliferation. In contrast, up-regulated methylated genes were enriched in growth hormone receptor signaling pathway and nitric oxide biosynthetic process.

Conclusions
Maternal MET supplementation can reduce the incidence of IUGR and increase the weaning litter weight of piglets, which may be associated with better intestinal function and methylation status.
Text mining domestic violence police narratives to identify behaviours linked to coercive control
Authors: Karystianis George , Chowdhury Nabila , Sheridan Lorraine , Reutens Sharon , Wade Sunny , Allnutt Stephen , Kim Min-Taec , Poynton Suzanne , Butler Tony 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background and setting
Domestic and family violence (DFV) is a significant societal problem that predominantly affects women and children. One behaviour that has been linked to DFV perpetration is coercive control. While various definitions have been proposed, it involves “acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten a victim” ranging from emotional to social and financial abuse. One potentially rich source of information on coercive control are police reports. In this paper we determine whether it is possible to automatically identify behaviours linked to coercive control from DFV police reports and present the prevalence of such behaviours by age and sex.

Methods
We modified an existing rule-based text mining method to identify 48 coercive control related behaviours from 406,196 DFV reports involving a single person of interest (POI) (i.e., an individual suspected or charged with a DFV offence) against a single victim from NSW Police Force records between 2009 and 2020.

Results
223,778 (54.6%) DFV events had at least one identifiable coercive control behaviour with the most common behaviour being verbal abuse (38.9%) followed by property damage (30.0%). Financial (3.2%) and social abuse (0.4%) were the least common behaviours linked to coercive control. No major differences were found in the proportion of DFV events between male and female POIs or victims. The oldest POI group (≥ 65 years) had the largest proportion for behaviours related to verbal abuse (38.0%) while the youngest POI group reported the highest proportion of DFV involving property damage (45.5%). The youngest victim group (< 18 years old) had the highest proportion of DFV events involving verbal abuse (37.3%) while victims between 18 and 24 years old reported the most harassment through phone calls and text messages (3.1% and 2.4% respectively); double that of those in the oldest (≥ 65 years) victim group (1.4% and 0.7% respectively).

Conclusions
Police data capture a wide variety of behaviours linked to coercive control, offering insights across the age spectrum and sex. Text mining can be used to retrieve such information. However, social and financial abuse were not commonly recorded emphasising the need to improve police training to encourage inquiring about such behaviours when attending DFV events.
Dysregulation of stress granule dynamics by DCTN1 deficiency exacerbates TDP-43 pathology in Drosophila models of ALS/FTD
Authors: Ueda Tetsuhiro , Takeuchi Toshihide , Fujikake Nobuhiro , Suzuki Mari , Minakawa Eiko N. , Ueyama Morio , Fujino Yuzo , Kimura Nobuyuki , Nagano Seiichi , Yokoseki Akio , Onodera Osamu , Mochizuki Hideki , Mizuno Toshiki , Wada Keiji , Nagai Yoshitaka 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe abnormal aggregation of TDP-43 into cytoplasmic inclusions in affected neurons is a major pathological hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Although TDP-43 is aberrantly accumulated in the neurons of most patients with sporadic ALS/FTD and other TDP-43 proteinopathies, how TDP-43 forms cytoplasmic aggregates remains unknown. In this study, we show that a deficiency in DCTN1, a subunit of the microtubule-associated motor protein complex dynactin, perturbs the dynamics of stress granules and drives the formation of TDP-43 cytoplasmic aggregation in cultured cells, leading to the exacerbation of TDP-43 pathology and neurodegeneration in vivo. We demonstrated using a Drosophila model of ALS/FTD that genetic knockdown of DCTN1 accelerates the formation of ubiquitin-positive cytoplasmic inclusions of TDP-43. Knockdown of components of other microtubule-associated motor protein complexes, including dynein and kinesin, also increased the formation of TDP-43 inclusions, indicating that intracellular transport along microtubules plays a key role in TDP-43 pathology. Notably, DCTN1 knockdown delayed the disassembly of stress granules in stressed cells, leading to an increase in the formation of pathological cytoplasmic inclusions of TDP-43. Our results indicate that a deficiency in DCTN1, as well as disruption of intracellular transport along microtubules, is a modifier that drives the formation of TDP-43 pathology through the dysregulation of stress granule dynamics.
Survey of transformers and towards ensemble learning using transformers for natural language processing
Authors: Zhang Hongzhi , Shafiq M. Omair 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe transformer model is a famous natural language processing model proposed by Google in 2017. Now, with the extensive development of deep learning, many natural language processing tasks can be solved by deep learning methods. After the BERT model was proposed, many pre-trained models such as the XLNet model, the RoBERTa model, and the ALBERT model were also proposed in the research community. These models perform very well in various natural language processing tasks. In this paper, we describe and compare these well-known models. In addition, we also apply several types of existing and well-known models which are the BERT model, the XLNet model, the RoBERTa model, the GPT2 model, and the ALBERT model to different existing and well-known natural language processing tasks, and analyze each model based on their performance. There are a few papers that comprehensively compare various transformer models. In our paper, we use six types of well-known tasks, such as sentiment analysis, question answering, text generation, text summarization, name entity recognition, and topic modeling tasks to compare the performance of various transformer models. In addition, using the existing models, we also propose ensemble learning models for the different natural language processing tasks. The results show that our ensemble learning models perform better than a single classifier on specific tasks.Graphical Abstract
Conventional dendritic cell 2 links the genetic causal association from allergic asthma to COVID-19: a Mendelian randomization and transcriptomic study
Authors: Liu Hua , Huang Siting , Yang Liting , Zhou Hongshu , Chen Bo , Wu Lisha , Zhang Liyang 
Published: February 2024

AbstractRecent evidence suggests that allergic asthma (AA) decreases the risk of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the reasons remain unclear. Here, we systematically explored data from GWAS (18 cohorts with 11,071,744 samples), bulk transcriptomes (3 cohorts with 601 samples), and single-cell transcriptomes (2 cohorts with 29 samples) to reveal the immune mechanisms that connect AA and COVID-19. Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis identified a negative causal correlation from AA to COVID-19 hospitalization (OR = 0.968, 95% CI 0.940–0.997, P = 0.031). This correlation was bridged through white cell count. Furthermore, machine learning identified dendritic cells (DCs) as the most discriminative immunocytes in AA and COVID-19. Among five DC subtypes, only conventional dendritic cell 2 (cDC2) exhibited differential expression between AA/COVID-19 and controls (P < 0.05). Subsequently, energy metabolism, intercellular communication, cellular stemness and differentiation, and molecular docking analyses were performed. cDC2s exhibited more differentiation, increased numbers, and enhanced activation in AA exacerbation, while they showed less differentiation, reduced number, and enhanced activation in severe COVID-19. The capacity of cDC2 for differentiation and SARS-CoV-2 antigen presentation may be enhanced through ZBTB46, EXOC4, TLR1, and TNFSF4 gene mutations in AA. Taken together, cDC2 links the genetic causality from AA to COVID-19. Future strategies for COVID-19 prevention, intervention, and treatment could be stratified according to AA and guided with DC-based therapies.
Graphical Abstract
Internal dynamics of patent reference networks using the Bray–Curtis dissimilarity measure
Authors: Baranyi József , Csorba Szilveszter , Farkas Zsuzsa , Pacza Tünde , Józwiak Ákos 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Patents are indicators of technological developments. The science & technology categories, to which they are assigned to, form a directed, weighted network where the links are the references between patents belonging to the respective categories. This network can be conceived as a kind of intellectual ecology, lending itself to mathematical analyses analogous to those carried out in numerical ecology. The non-metric Bray–Curtis dissimilarity, commonly used in quantitative ecology, can be used to describe the internal dynamics of this network.

Results
While the degree-distribution of the network remained stable during the studied years, that of the sub-networks of with at least k links showed that k = 5 is a critical number of citations: this many are needed that the bias towards already highly cited works come into effect (preferential attachment). Using the dij Bay-Curtis dissimilarity between nodes i and j, a surprising pattern emerged: the log-probability of a change in dij during a quarter of year depended linearly, with a negative coefficient, on the magnitude of the change itself.

Conclusions
The developed methodology could be useful to detect emerging technological developments, to aid decisions, for example, on resource allocation. The pattern found on the internal dynamics of the system depends on the categorisation of the patents, therefore it can serve as an indicator when comparing different categorisation methods.

Graphical Abstract
Monitoring volcanic activity with distributed acoustic sensing using the Tongan seafloor telecommunications cable
Authors: Nakano Masaru , Ichihara Mie , Suetsugu Daisuke , Ohminato Takao , Ono Shigeaki , Vaiomounga Rennie , Kula Taaniela , Shinohara Masanao 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe devastation caused by the January 2022 eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano (HTHH) in the Tongan archipelago reminded us of the importance of monitoring shallow-sea volcanic activity. Seismic observations are essential for such monitoring, but there were no operational seismic stations in Tonga at the time of the eruption. There are only a few islands near Tongan volcanoes, and installation and maintenance of seismic stations on remote islands are expensive. Seismic observations based on distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) using a seafloor cable may provide a more practical and economical solution. To investigate the potential of this approach, we made preliminary DAS observations for 1 week using the seafloor domestic broadband telecommunications cable in Tonga. DAS equipment was installed at the landing station of the seafloor cable at Nuku’alofa on Tongatapu, the main island of Tonga. To provide reference data, we installed several seismometers on Tongatapu. The DAS data we obtained showed high noise levels in areas of shallow coral reef, but noise levels decreased greatly in deeper water areas, indicating that DAS is suitable for seismic observations of the deep seafloor. We detected many local and regional earthquakes during our week of observation and determined 17 earthquake hypocenters by picking P- and S-wave arrival times from the DAS and onshore seismic data. Although most of these were tectonic events related to the subduction of the Pacific plate along the Tonga trench, several events were detected around the volcanic chain of the Tongan archipelago including one event beneath the HTHH crater, implying that activity at HTHH has continued since the 2022 eruption. The much lower cost of installation of DAS equipment compared to that for pop-up type ocean-bottom seismometers and the ability of DAS systems to monitor seismic activity in real-time make it an attractive option for monitoring the activity of HTHH and other volcanoes near seafloor cables in the Tongan archipelago.
Graphical Abstract
Shear wave splitting and seismic velocity structure in the focal area of the earthquake swarm and their relation with earthquake swarm activity in the Noto Peninsula, central Japan
Authors: Okada Tomomi , Savage Martha K. , Sakai Shin’ichi , Yoshida Keisuke , Uchida Naoki , Takagi Ryota , Kimura Shuutoku , Hirahara Satoshi , Tagami Ayaka , Fujimura Ryotaro , Matsuzawa Toru , Kurashimo Eiji , Hiramatsu Yoshihiro 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSeismic activity in the Noto region of Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, has increased since August 2020 and has continued as of August 2023. Stress changes due to subsurface sources and increases in fluid pressure have been discussed as the causes of the seismic activity increase. In this study, S-wave polarization anisotropy was investigated by S-wave splitting analysis using temporary and permanent stations located in the epicenter area. We also investigated the seismic wave velocity structure in the source region by analyzing seismic wave velocity tomography. The fast orientations of anisotropy (fast shear wave oscillation direction, FSOD) were generally NW–SE in the southern part of the focal area and east–west in the northern part. The NW–SE anisotropy generally coincides with the direction of the maximum horizontal compression axis, both near the surface and at earthquake depths. Therefore, stress-induced anisotropy can be the cause of the observed NW–SE anisotropy. On the other hand, faults with strike directions generally east–west have been identified, and structural anisotropy may be the cause of the observed east–west anisotropy. We examined the time variation of anisotropy at N.SUZH, one of the permanent stations. No significant time variation was observed in the FSOD. Larger anisotropy was observed, particularly for the activity in the western part of the focal area, from about June–September 2021 compared to the previous period. A high Vp/Vs region was identified beneath the focal area, at a depth of 18 km. This high Vp/Vs region has slightly larger P-wave velocities than the surrounding area. Since Tertiary igneous rocks are distributed in the target area, the high Vp/Vs region may represent a Tertiary magma reservoir, suggesting that fluids released through the old magma reservoir are involved in this seismic swarm. This seismic activity started in the southern part of the area, where relatively immature fault structure exists, where stress-induced anisotropy is distributed, and where high Vp/Vs regions suggestive of fluid at depth are identified. Subsequently, seismicity became more active in the northern part, where structural anisotropy with well-developed fault structures is distributed.
Graphical Abstract