bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the seismic performance of novel bundled connections precast shear walls under cyclic loading
Authors: Feng Jian , Yu Zihao , Liu Guang , Fan Xiao , Zhang Qian , Cai Jianguo 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis study proposes a novel precast shear wall connection method for connecting upper and lower wall panels. The vertical steel bars within the lower prefabricated wall panels are bundled and extended into pre‐designed holes within the upper prefabricated shear walls. Subsequently, high‐performance grouting materials are utilized to fill these pre‐designed holes. Cyclic load tests were conducted on all full‐scale specimens to evaluate the seismic performance of the proposed novel connected precast shear walls and compared with the seismic performance of the cast‐in‐place shear wall specimens. The findings reveal that the proposed novel precast shear wall connection method performs comparably to cast‐in‐situ shear walls, exhibiting almost identical results in terms of load‐bearing capacity, stiffness, and ductility. Furthermore, investigations into the removal and retention of metal bellows within the prefabricated holes, as well as the effects of additional reinforcement on the top of these holes, demonstrated no significant improvement in seismic performance. Finally, the reliability of the connection method was verified by analyzing the strain changes of the vertical steel bars in the precast holes of the precast shear wall. This study can provide a reference for promoting new connections in prefabricated structures.
The impact of microplastics on yield and economic losses in selected agricultural food commodities
Authors: Sutanto Adi , Widodo Wahyu , Rahayu Imbang Dwi , Sustiyana Sustiyana , Nazizah Fitrotin , Iswahyudi Iswahyudi , Bakhtiar Ary 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIn the realm of the global economy, agriculture holds a prominent status, acting as a vital source of employment and revenue for nations. Despite its crucial role, the agricultural sector contends with recurrent annual losses attributable to market fluctuations. One noteworthy contributor to the decline in agricultural productivity is the adverse impact of microplastics (MPs). This study aims to estimate the production losses suffered by key crops—rice, wheat, maize, tomato, and peas—due to MPs, along with the resulting economic consequences arising from the direct damage inflicted by MPs. To assess production losses caused by MPs, secondary data from diverse sources were employed for five plant varieties. The economic losses resulting from MPs were calculated for the period spanning 2017–2023, with cumulative data aggregated from all states. The study's findings indicate that the presence of MPs corresponds to an annual global output decline ranging from 0.4% to 34.7%. This decline translates to a reduction of approximately 0.01 million to 66.97 million tons per year in the production of food, fiber, and biofuels. The aggregate yearly economic losses are estimated at around USD 46.5 billion. These findings carry substantial implications for governmental policy in the agricultural domain, underscoring the necessity for current statistics on global losses incurred due to MPs. Moreover, they emphasize the importance of implementing a systematic surveillance system to monitor such losses effectively.
Simplicity of AdS super Yang-Mills at one loop
Authors: Huang Zhongjie , Wang Bo , Yuan Ellis Ye , Zhou Xinan 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
We perform a systematic bootstrap analysis of four-point one-loop Mellin amplitudes for super gluons in AdS5 × S3 with arbitrary Kaluza-Klein weights. The analysis produces the general expressions for these amplitudes at extremalities two and three, as well as analytic results for many other special cases. From these results we observe remarkable simplicity. We find that the Mellin amplitudes always contain only simultaneous poles in two Mellin-Mandelstam variables, extending a previous observation in the simplest case with the lowest Kaluza-Klein weights. Moreover, we discover a substantial extension of the implication of the eight-dimensional hidden conformal symmetry, which goes far beyond the Mellin poles associated with the leading logarithmic singularities. This leaves only a small finite set of poles which can be determined on a case-by-case basis from the contributions of protected operators in the OPE.
Conformal perturbation theory on K3: the quartic Gepner point
Authors: Keller Christoph A. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
The Gepner model (2)4 describes the sigma model of the Fermat quartic K3 surface. Moving through the nearby moduli space using conformal perturbation theory, we investigate how the conformal weights of its fields change at first and second order and find approximate minima. This serves as a toy model for a mechanism that could produce new chiral fields and possibly new nearby rational CFTs.
Targeted mutagenesis in mice via an engineered AsCas12f1 system
Authors: Fan Peng , Wang Hejun , Zhao Feiyu , Zhang Tao , Li Jinze , Sun Xiaodi , Yu Yongduo , Xiong Haoyang , Lai Liangxue , Sui Tingting 
Published: January 2024

AbstractSpCas9 and AsCas12a are widely utilized as genome editing tools in human cells, but their applications are largely limited by their bulky size. Recently, AsCas12f1 protein, with a small size (422 amino acids), has been demonstrated to be capable of cleaving double-stranded DNA protospacer adjacent motif (PAM). However, low editing efficiency and large differences in activity against different genomic loci have been a limitation in its application. Here, we show that engineered AsCas12f1 sgRNA has significantly improved the editing efficiency in human cells and mouse embryos. Moreover, we successfully generated three stable mouse mutant disease models using the engineered CRISPR-AsCas12f1 system in this study. Collectively, our work uncovers the engineered AsCas12f1 system expands mini CRISPR toolbox, providing a remarkable promise for therapeutic applications.
Radiochemotherapy and interstitial brachytherapy for cervical cancer: clinical results and patient-reported outcome measures
Authors: Alfrink Johanna , Aigner Thomas , Zoche Hermann , Distel Luitpold , Grabenbauer Gerhard G. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Objective
To evaluate clinical results and long-term patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) on quality of life in cervical cancer patients following radiochemotherapy (RCT) and brachytherapy (BT) as definitive treatment.

Materials and methods
Between 2003 and 2023, a total of 132 patients with advanced cervical cancer were evaluated for possible treatment. Patients treated by postoperative RCT, palliative radiotherapy, and those treated for recurrent disease were excluded. Thus, 46 patients receiving standard RCT and BT as their curative treatment were included in this study. PROMs were assessed prospectively by patients’ self-completion of the EORTC-QLQ-C30 and EORTC-QLQ-CX24 questionnaires.

Results
Five-year overall survival (OS), distant metastases-free survival (DMFS), and pelvic tumor-free survival rates (PTFS) were 53%, 54%, and 83%, respectively. A significant impact on OS was seen for FIGO (International Federation of Gynecologic Oncology) stage (IIB–IIIA: 79% vs. IIIB–IVA: 33%, p = 0.015), for overall treatment time (OTT; 50–65 d: 64% vs. > 65 d: 38%, p = 0.004), and for rectal D2cc (≤ 73 Gy: 50% vs. > 73 Gy: 38%, p = 0.046). The identical parameters were significantly associated with DMFS (FIGO stage: p = 0.012, OTT: p = 0.008, D2cc: p = 0.024). No parameters with a significant influence on PTFS were seen. In multivariate analysis, an impact of FIGO stage on OS (p = 0.05) and DMFS (p = 0.014) was detected, and of rectal D2cc on DMFS (p = 0.031). The overall QoL score was 63/100. Cognitive function was the least impaired (84/100), while role functioning was the worst (67/100). On the symptom scale, insomnia (46/100), fatigue (41/100), dyspnea (32/100), pain (26/100), and financial difficulties (25/100) were scored the worst. According to EORTC-QLQ-CX24, peripheral neuropathy (36/100) and lymphedema (32/100) occurred most frequently. Impaired sexual/vaginal functioning (32/100) and body image (22/100) were also frequently recorded.

Conclusion
In patients with advanced cervical cancer, a combination of RCT and BT remains an excellent treatment option. In terms of patient-reported long-term quality of life, specific support is needed to alleviate symptoms including lymphedema, peripheral neuropathy, and impaired sexual activity.
Gopakumar–Vafa Type Invariants of Holomorphic Symplectic 4-Folds
Authors: Cao Yalong , Oberdieck Georg , Toda Yukinobu 
Published: January 2024

AbstractUsing reduced Gromov–Witten theory, we define new invariants which capture the enumerative geometry of curves on holomorphic symplectic 4-folds. The invariants are analogous to the BPS counts of Gopakumar and Vafa for Calabi–Yau 3-folds, Klemm and Pandharipande for Calabi–Yau 4-folds, and Pandharipande and Zinger for Calabi–Yau 5-folds. We conjecture that our invariants are integers and give a sheaf-theoretic interpretation in terms of reduced 4-dimensional Donaldson–Thomas invariants of one-dimensional stable sheaves. We check our conjectures for the product of two K3 surfaces and for the cotangent bundle of $${\mathbb {P}}^2$$

P

2

. Modulo the conjectural holomorphic anomaly equation, we compute our invariants also for the Hilbert scheme of two points on a K3 surface. This yields a conjectural formula for the number of isolated genus 2 curves of minimal degree on a very general hyperkähler 4-fold of $$K3^{[2]}$$

K

3

[
2
]

-type. The formula may be viewed as a 4-dimensional analogue of the classical Yau–Zaslow formula concerning counts of rational curves on K3 surfaces. In the course of our computations, we also derive a new closed formula for the Fujiki constants of the Chern classes of tangent bundles of both Hilbert schemes of points on K3 surfaces and generalized Kummer varieties.
Adipose-derived stem cell exosomes promote tumor characterization and immunosuppressive microenvironment in breast cancer
Authors: Zhu Qin , Cao Yukun , Yuan Jiaqi , Hu Yu 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAdipose-derived stem cells (ASC) or autologous fat transplantation could be used to ameliorate breast cancer postoperative deformities. This study aims to explore the action of ASC and ASC-exosomes (ASC-exos) in breast cancer characterization and tumor microenvironment immunity, which provided a new method into the application of ASC-exos. ASC were extracted from human adipose tissue for the isolation and verification of ASC-exos. ASC-exos were co-cultured with CD4+T cells, CD14+ monocytes and MCF-7 cells, respectively. The tumor formation of nude mice was also constructed. Cell characterization was determined by CCK8, scratch assay, and Transwell. Hematoxylin–eosin (HE), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF) staining were used to observe the histopathology and protein expression. CD4+T cell and CD14+ monocytes differentiation was detected by flow cytometry. Western blot, qRT-PCR and RNAseq were used to detect the action of ASC-exos on gene and protein expression. CD4+T cells could take up ASC-exos. ASC-exos inhibited Th1 and Th17 differentiation and promoted Treg differentiation of CD4+T cells. ASC-exos inhibited M1 differentiation and promoted M2 differentiation of CD14+ monocytes. ASC-exos promoted the migration, proliferation, and invasion, while inhibited apoptosis of MCF-7 cells. ASC-exos promoted the tumor formation of breast cancer. The effect of ASC-exos on tumor microenvironment immunity was in accordance with the above in vitro results. TOX, CD4 and LYZ1 genes were upregulated, while Mettl7b and Serpinb2 genes were downregulated in ASC-exos group. Human T-cell leukemia virus 1 infection pathway was significantly enriched in ASC-exos. Thus, ASC-exos promoted breast cancer characterization and tumor microenvironment immunosuppression by regulating macrophage and T cell differentiation.
Probabilistic rainy season onset prediction over the greater horn of africa based on long-range multi-model ensemble forecasts
Authors: Scheuerer Michael , Bahaga Titike K. , Segele Zewdu T. , Thorarinsdottir Thordis L. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis works proposes a probabilistic framework for rainy season onset forecasts over Greater Horn of Africa derived from bias-corrected, long range, multi-model ensemble precipitation forecasts. A careful analysis of the contribution of the different forecast systems to the overall multi-model skill shows that the improvement over the best performing individual model can largely be explained by the increased ensemble size. An alternative way of increasing ensemble size by blending a single model ensemble with climatology is explored and demonstrated to yield better probabilistic forecasts than the multi-model ensemble. Both reliability and skill of the probabilistic forecasts are better for OND onset than for MAM and JJAS onset where forecasts are found to be late biased and have only minimal skill relative to climatology. The insights gained in this study will help enhance operational subseasonal-to-seasonal forecasting in the GHA region.
Outcomes of pediatric pilonidal disease treatment: excision with off-midline flap reconstruction versus endoscopic pilonidal sinus treatment
Authors: Lee William G. , Short Celia , Zhong Allen , Vojvodic Vanya , Sundin Andrew , Spurrier Ryan G. , Wang Kasper S. , Pelayo Juan Carlos 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Pilonidal disease (PD) is marked by chronic inflammation and frequent recurrence which can decrease quality of life. However, debate remains regarding the optimal treatment for PD in the pediatric population. This study compares two recommended treatment approaches—excision with off-midline flap reconstruction (OMF: Bascom cleft lift flap, modified Limberg flap) and minimally invasive endoscopic pilonidal sinus treatment (EPSiT).

Methods
Single-center retrospective evaluation of patients 1–21 years of age with PD who underwent either excision with OMF reconstruction or EPSiT between 10/1/2011 and 10/31/2021. Outcomes included were disease recurrence, reoperation, and wound complication rates. Comparisons were performed using Chi-square and Mann–Whitney U tests.

Results
18 patients underwent excision/OMF reconstruction and 45 patients underwent EPSiT. The excision/OMF reconstruction cohort was predominantly male (44.4% vs 17.8% p = 0.028), with history of prior pilonidal infection (33.3% vs 6.7%; p = 0.006), and longer median operative time (60 min vs 17 min; p < 0.001). The excision/OMF reconstruction cohort had a higher rate of wound complications (22.2% vs 0%; p = 0.001), but lower rates of disease recurrence (5.6% vs 33.3%; p = 0.022) and reoperation (5.6% vs 31.1%; p = 0.031).

Conclusion
In pediatric patients with PD, excision with OMF reconstruction may decrease recurrence and reoperation rates with increased operative times and wound complication rates, compared to EPSiT.
LAA occlusion is effective and safe in very high-risk atrial fibrillation patients with prior stroke: results from the multicentre German LAARGE registry
Authors: Ansari Uzair , Brachmann Johannes , Lewalter Thorsten , Zeymer Uwe , Sievert Horst , Ledwoch Jakob , Geist Volker , Hochadel Matthias , Schneider Steffen , Senges Jochen , Akin Ibrahim , Fastner Christian 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Interventional left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) mitigates the risk of thromboembolic events in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with contraindication for long-term oral anticoagulation (OAC). Patients with prior stroke have a relevantly increased risk of recurrent stroke, so the effectiveness of LAAO could be reduced in this specific very high-risk patient group.

Aim
This sub-study of the LAARGE registry investigates the effectiveness and safety of LAAO for secondary prevention in nonvalvular AF patients with a history of stroke.

Methods
LAARGE is a prospective, non-randomised registry on the clinical reality of LAAO. The current sub-study employs data from index procedure and 1-year follow-up. Effectiveness and safety were assessed by documentation of all-cause mortality, non-fatal thromboembolism, procedure-related complications, and bleeding events.

Results
A total of 638 patients were consecutively included from 38 hospitals in Germany and divided into two groups: 137 patients with a history of stroke (21.5%) and 501 patients without. Successful implantation was consistent between both groups (98.5% vs. 97.4%, p = NS), while peri-procedural MACCE and other complications were rare (0% vs. 0.6% and 4.4% vs. 4.0%, respectively; each p = NS). Kaplan–Meier estimate showed no significant difference in primary effectiveness outcome measure (freedom from all-cause death or non-fatal stroke) between both groups at follow-up (87.8% vs. 87.7%, p = NS). The incidence of transient ischemic attack or systemic embolism at follow-up was low (0% vs. 0.5% and 0.9% vs. 0%, respectively; each p = NS). Severe bleeding events after hospital discharge were rare (0% vs. 0.7%, p = NS).

Conclusions
Patients with prior stroke demonstrated similar effectiveness and safety profile for LAAO as compared to patients without prior stroke. LAAO could serve as a feasible alternative to OAC for secondary stroke prevention in this selected group of nonvalvular AF patients.

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier
NCT02230748.

Graphical Abstract
Raman developmental markers in root cell walls are associated with lodging tendency in tef
Authors: Diehn Sabrina , Kirby Noa , Ben-Zeev Shiran , Alemu Muluken Demelie , Saranga Yehoshua , Elbaum Rivka 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Main conclusion
Using Raman micro-spectroscopy on tef roots, we could monitor cell wall maturation in lines with varied genetic lodging tendency. We describe the developing cell wall composition in root endodermis and cylinder tissue.

Abstract
Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is an important staple crop in Ethiopia and Eritrea, producing gluten-free and protein-rich grains. However, this crop is not adapted to modern farming practices due to high lodging susceptibility, which prevents the application of mechanical harvest. Lodging describes the displacement of roots (root lodging) or fracture of culms (stem lodging), forcing plants to bend or fall from their vertical position, causing significant yield losses. In this study, we aimed to understand the microstructural properties of crown roots, underlining tef tolerance/susceptibility to lodging. We analyzed plants at 5 and 10 weeks after emergence and compared trellised to lodged plants. Root cross sections from different tef genotypes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, micro-computed tomography, and Raman micro-spectroscopy. Lodging susceptible genotypes exhibited early tissue maturation, including developed aerenchyma, intensive lignification, and lignin with high levels of crosslinks. A comparison between trellised and lodged plants suggested that lodging itself does not affect the histology of root tissue. Furthermore, cell wall composition along plant maturation was typical to each of the tested genotypes independently of trellising. Our results suggest that it is possible to select lines that exhibit slow maturation of crown roots. Such lines are predicted to show reduction in lodging and facilitate mechanical harvest.
A biostimulant yeast, Hanseniaspora opuntiae, modifies Arabidopsis thaliana root architecture and improves the plant defense response against Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Maruri-López Israel , Romero-Contreras Yordan J. , Napsucialy-Mendivil Selene , González-Pérez Enrique , Aviles-Baltazar Norma Yaniri , Chávez-Martínez Ana Isabel , Flores-Cuevas Everardo Jair , Schwan-Estrada Kátia Regina Freitas , Dubrovsky Joseph G. , Jiménez-Bremont Juan Francisco , Serrano Mario 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Main conclusion
The biostimulant Hanseniaspora opuntiae regulates Arabidopsis thaliana root development and resistance to Botrytis cinerea.

Abstract
Beneficial microbes can increase plant nutrient accessibility and uptake, promote abiotic stress tolerance, and enhance disease resistance, while pathogenic microorganisms cause plant disease, affecting cellular homeostasis and leading to cell death in the most critical cases. Commonly, plants use specialized pattern recognition receptors to perceive beneficial or pathogen microorganisms. Although bacteria have been the most studied plant-associated beneficial microbes, the analysis of yeasts is receiving less attention. This study assessed the role of Hanseniaspora opuntiae, a fermentative yeast isolated from cacao musts, during Arabidopsis thaliana growth, development, and defense response to fungal pathogens. We evaluated the A. thaliana–H. opuntiae interaction using direct and indirect in vitro systems. Arabidopsis growth was significantly increased seven days post-inoculation with H. opuntiae during indirect interaction. Moreover, we observed that H. opuntiae cells had a strong auxin-like effect in A. thaliana root development during in vitro interaction. We show that 3-methyl-1-butanol and ethanol are the main volatile compounds produced by H. opuntiae. Subsequently, it was determined that A. thaliana plants inoculated with H. opuntiae have a long-lasting and systemic effect against Botrytis cinerea infection, but independently of auxin, ethylene, salicylic acid, or jasmonic acid pathways. Our results demonstrate that H. opuntiae is an important biostimulant that acts by regulating plant development and pathogen resistance through different hormone-related responses.
The triad of knowledge, regular medical consultation, and recommendations for enhanced breast cancer screening intention in Morocco
Authors: Ouzennou Nadia , Aboufaras Mohamed , Nacer Nezha , Mejdouli Hicham , Chouikh Jaouad , Rkha Samia 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Purpose
The low rate of breast cancer screening in Morocco is linked to delayed diagnosis and increased mortality rates. Furthermore, there is a lack of research on the association between screening intention and knowledge levels. Our objective was to assess the level of knowledge regarding breast cancer and screening, identify the determinants of this knowledge, and determine predictive factors for screening intention.

Methods
A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 1014 women in the city of Essaouira, Morocco, during the years 2018–2020. A stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the predictors using SPSS software.

Results
We found an above-average level of knowledge (67%). These knowledge levels were associated with several personal characteristics. Moreover, these knowledge levels proved to be powerful predictive factors for the intention to undergo screening, along with regular medical consultations and recommendations to undergo screening.

Conclusion
Women had a high level of knowledge about breast cancer and its characteristics. These knowledge levels were strongly associated with the intention to undergo screening. However, despite this, the low participation rate encourages the reinforcement of research to align knowledge, intention, and screening practices.