bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Study on the weakening law of mechanical properties and damage constitutive model of pre-cracked cyan sandstone after freeze-thaw cycle
Authors: Zhang Chunyang , Li Wanru , Zhao Ercheng , Tan Tao , Ren Qinglin , Huang Shibing 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Water-bearing fractured rock masses are prone to geological hazards due to freeze-thaw (FT) damage, which brings adverse effects on the stability of rock engineering. In order to study the FT damage characteristics of rocks, the intact and pre-cracked samples of cyan sandstone were taken as the research objects, with pre-crack inclination angles (β) of 0°, 45°, and 90°, respectively. The effects of FT cycle on stress-strain curve, peak strength, apparent stiffness and FT coefficient were investigated by uniaxial compression test after different times of FT damage treatment. Based on macro damage variables, a damage constitutive model of cyan sandstone is proposed by combining strain equivalence hypothesis and Weibull distribution hypothesis. Considering that the strain equivalent hypothesis is difficult to reflect the compaction effect of microfracture, the damage constitutive equation is modified with the ratio of the secant modulus of the actual stress-strain curve to that of the classical Lemaitre damage constitutive curve as the correction coefficient. The application results show that the modified constitutive model can well describe the stress-strain relationship of cyan sandstone before the peak strength, verify the reliability of the model parameters derived from the test data, and the practicability of the damage characterization method and correction coefficient. The results can provide theoretical reference for the study of FT damage of rocks in cold regions.
Patients with unmet social needs are at higher risks of developing severe long COVID-19 symptoms and neuropsychiatric sequela
Authors: Eligulashvili Anna , Darrell Megan , Gordon Moshe , Jerome William , Fiori Kevin P , Congdon Seth , Duong Tim Q. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
This study investigated long COVID of patients in the Montefiore Health System COVID-19 (CORE) Clinics in the Bronx with an emphasis on identifying health related social needs (HRSNs). We analyzed a cohort of 643 CORE patients (6/26/2020-2/24/2023) and 52,089 non-CORE COVID-19 patients. Outcomes included symptoms, physical, emotional, and cognitive function test scores obtained at least three months post-infection. Socioeconomic variables included median incomes, insurance status, and HRSNs. The CORE cohort was older age (53.38 ± 14.50 versus 45.91 ± 23.79 years old, p < 0.001), more female (72.47% vs 56.86%, p < 0.001), had higher prevalence of hypertension (45.88% vs 23.28%, p < 0.001), diabetes (22.86% vs 13.83%, p < 0.001), COPD (7.15% vs 2.28%, p < 0.001), asthma (25.51% vs 12.66%, p < 0.001), lower incomes (53.81% vs 43.67%, 1st quintile, p < 0.001), and more unmet social needs (29.81% vs 18.49%, p < 0.001) compared to non-CORE COVID-19 survivors. CORE patients reported a wide range of severe long-COVID symptoms. CORE patients with unmet HRSNs experienced more severe symptoms, worse ESAS-r scores (wellbeing, shortness of breath, anxiety, and depression), PHQ-9 scores (overall: 12.05 ± 7.07 vs 7.71 ± 6.35, p < 0.001), and GAD-7 scores (overall: 9.26 ± 6.63 vs 5.28 ± 5.72, p < 0.001) compared to CORE patients without. Patients with unmet HRSNs experienced worse long-COVID outcomes compared to those without.
Adolescent girls’ explanations of high rates of low mood and anxiety in their population: A co-produced qualitative study
Authors: Demkowicz Ola , Jefferson Rebecca , Nanda Pratyasha , Foulkes Lucy , Lam Jo , Pryjmachuk Steven , Evans Rhiannon , Dubicka Bernadka , Neill Liz , Winter Laura Anne , Nnamani Georgina 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background: From early adolescence, girls face greater risk of experiencing low mood and anxiety, with recent evidence that this may be worsening. There is a paucity of mental health research that meaningfully progresses understanding of such disparities, including that engages adolescent girls’ own perspectives, limiting our ability to direct further research and enhance intervention approaches.
Aims: We examined low mood and anxiety from the perspective of adolescent girls, rather than relyingon researcher hypotheses, asking: What do adolescent girls perceive to be causing their population’s high rates of low mood and anxiety?
Methods: We adopted a co-produced qualitative design, guided by ecological systems theory, conducting focus groups in 2022 with 32 adolescent girls aged 16 to 18 years in England, and analysing with reflexive thematic analysis.
Analysis: Participants framed low mood and anxiety among adolescent girls as ‘normal’, and discussed potential explanations including persistent reiteration and expectation of gendered norms, intense educational pressures in ways that can be gendered, difficulties within peer relationships, and comparison and insecurity in social media contexts. Throughout, participants highlighted complexities including individual differences, sociodemographic contexts, and societal contexts.
Conclusions: The study offers a critically important contribution to evidence on gendered inequalities in low mood and anxiety, drawing attention to the interwoven and complex nature of girls’ lives, and holds policy and practical relevance to enhance systems to meet girls’ needs.
Investigating the Physical and Electrical Properties of La 2 O 3 Via Annealing of La(OH) 3
Authors: Ismail Walid , Belal Aya , Abdo Walied , El-Shaer Abdelhamid 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
A simple technique was used to fabricate pure La2O3 nanorods with a hexagonal structure using lanthanum (III) nitrate hexahydrate (La(NO3)3.6H2O) and ammonia (NH4OH). The La2O3 nanoparticles were characterized using XRD, TGA, Raman, SEM, FTIR, PL spectroscopy, and Mott-Schottky. XRD analysis showed the production of La(OH)3 nanorods under appropriate conditions, which were then successfully converted into La2O2CO3 and finally into La2O3 nanorods by annealing. TGA revealed that the total weight loss was caused by water evaporation and the dissolution of the minimal quantity of moisture present in the manufactured La2O3 NPs observed from the environment. The presence of functional groups was verified through FTIR analysis. Additionally, SEM revealed changes in morphology. PL findings displayed three emission peaks at 390, 520, and 698nm due to interband transitions and defects in the samples. Mott–Schottky analysis demonstrated that the flatband potential and acceptor density varied with annealing temperature, ranging from 1 to 1.2 V and 2 × 1018 to 1.4×1019 cm-3, respectively. Furthermore, annealing at 1000°C resulted in the lowest resistance to charge transfer (Rct).
Urban Opening Up,Industrial Agglomeration, and Export Survival of Chinese Enterprises
Authors: Wang Jiayin 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

In this study, which utilizes matched data from 254 cities and micro-enterprises in China, we employ the Kaplan-Meier function and survival analysis model to examine the impact of urban opening up and industrial agglomeration, as well as their interaction, on enterprises’ export survival. The findings indicate that urban opening up enhances the probability and duration of enterprises’ export survival through the mechanisms of competition, learning, and spillover effects. However, these effects display a scale threshold and demonstrate an inverted “U” shaped pattern of agglomeration spillover. By addressing endogeneity concerns through the use of the geographical distance between each prefecture-level city and the nearest port as an instrumental variable for urban opening up, as well as by modifying the measurement techniques of core indicators and the sample selection range, we verify the robustness of the results. Furthermore, our additional analysis reveals that industrial agglomeration improvement has a crowding-out effect on the promoting impact of urban opening up on export survival. In comparison to the central and western regions, urban opening up and industrial agglomeration in the eastern areas exhibit a higher degree of alignment and a relatively smaller crowding-out effect. Moreover, based on the analysis of enterprise ownership differentiation, we observe that foreign-funded enterprises benefit from the combined influence of urban opening up and industrial agglomeration, which consequently enhances their likelihood of export survival. However, the extensive urban opening up diminishes the spillover effect of industrial agglomeration on non-state-owned domestic enterprises. In contrast, state-owned enterprises are not subject to the negative influence from this coupling effect. Mechanism testing confirms the importance of spillover and learning effects as crucial mechanisms through which urban opening up promotes enterprises’ export survival. This article contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying urban opening up, industrial agglomeration, and their combined effects on enterprise export survival. It holds significant implications for government policymakers aiming to enhance the quality of external opening and achieve domestic industrial upgrading.
JEL classifications: F061; F11; F14; F16; F41; R12
Canagliflozin inhibits PASMCs proliferation via regulating SGLT1/AMPK signaling and attenuates vascular remodeling in MCT-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Chen Xiaojun , Yu Xing , Lian Guili , Tang Huibin , Yan Yan , Gao Gufeng , Huang Bangbang , Luo Li , Xie Liangdi 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive, devastating vascular disease that eventually leads to right heart failure (RHF). Recent studies have shown that sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) are effective in reducing cardiovascular events in patients with HF, but their efficacy in treating PAH remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of canagliflozin (CANA), an SGLT2i with mild SGLT1 inhibitory effects, on rats with PAH, as well as its direct impact on pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs).
Methods
PAH was induced in rats by subcutaneous injection of monocrotaline (MCT) (40 mg/kg), followed by 4 weeks of treatment with CANA by gavage (30 mg/kg/day) or saline alone. Echocardiography, hemodynamic measurements, and histological staining were performed to evaluate pulmonary vascular and right ventricular (RV) structure and function. The effect of CANA on cell proliferation was further investigated in PASMCs. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB, AMP kinase (AMPK) inhibitor compound C (CC) and siSGLT1 were utilized to explore the molecular regulation mechanism of CANA.
Results
Pulmonary artery and RV remodeling and dysfunction in PAH were alleviated with CANA, as assessed by echocardiography. Hemodynamic parameters, such as RV systolic pressure, and structural of pulmonary arteriole, including vascular wall thickness and wall area, were reduced by CANA treatment. RV hypertrophy index, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and fibrosis were decreased with CANA treatment. In vitro, PASMCs proliferation was inhibited by CANA, regardless of PDGF-BB stimulation. Activation of AMPK was induced by CANA treatment in cultured PASMCs in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. These effects of CANA were attenuated by treatment with CC. Abundant expression of SGLT1 was observed in PASMCs and pulmonary arteries of rats, while SGLT2 expression was undetectable. SGLT1 was increased in response to PDGF-BB stimulation, while PASMCs proliferation was inhibited and beneficial effects of CANA were counteracted by knockdown of SGLT1.
Conclusions
It is demonstrated for the first time that CANA inhibited the proliferation of PASMCs by regulating SGLT1/AMPK signaling and thus exerted an anti-proliferative effect on MCT-induced PAH. Our research revealed a novel mechanism for the beneficial effects of CANA on pulmonary vasculature.
PMNet: A Multi-branch and Multi-scale Semantic Segmentation Approach to Water Extraction from high-resolution remote sensing images with Edge-Cloud Computing
Authors: Zhang Ziwen , Liu Qi , Liu Xiaodong , Zhang Yonghong , Du Zihao , Cao Xuefei 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
In the field of remote sensing image interpretation, automatically extracting water body information from high-resolution images is a key task. However, facing the complex multi-scale features in high-resolution remote sensing images, traditional methods and basic deep convolutional neural networks are difficult to effectively capture the global spatial relationship of the target objects, resulting in incomplete, rough shape and blurred edges of the extracted water body information. Meanwhile, massive image data processing usually leads to computational resource overload and inefficiency. Fortunately, the local data processing capability of edge computing combined with the powerful computational resources of cloud centres can provide timely and efficient computation and storage for high-resolution remote sensing image segmentation. In this regard, this paper proposes PMNet, a lightweight deep learning network for edge-cloud collaboration, which utilises a pipelined multi-step aggregation method to capture image information at different scales and understand the relationships between remote pixels through horizontal and vertical spatial dimensions. Also, it adopts a combination of multiple decoding branches in the decoding stage instead of the traditional single decoding branch. The accuracy of the results is improved while reducing the consumption of system resources. The model obtained F1-score of 90.22 and 88.57 on Landsat-8 and GID remote sensing image datasets with low model complexity, which is better than other semantic segmentation models, highlighting the potential of mobile edge computing in processing massive high-resolution remote sensing image data.
Mesothelin expression correlates with elevated inhibitory immune activity in patients with colorectal cancer
Authors: malla Midhun , Deshkmukh Sachin Kumar , Wu Sharon , Samec Timothy , Olevian Dane , Naili Reima , Bassel El-Rayes , Xiu Joanne , Farrell Alex , Lenz Heinz-Josef , Lou Emil , Goel Sanjay , Spetzler David , Goldberg Richard M. , Hazlehurst Lori 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

The expression of the protein Mesothelin (MSLN) is highly variable in several malignancies including colorectal cancer (CRC) and high levels are associated with aggressive clinicopathological features and worse patient survival. CRC is both a common and deadly cancer; being the third most common in incidence and second most common cause of cancer related death. While systemic therapy remains the primary therapeutic option for most patients with stage IV (metastatic; m) CRC, their disease eventually becomes treatment refractory, and 85% succumb within 5 years. Microsatellite-stable (MSS) CRC tumors, which affect more than 90% of patients with mCRC, are generally refractory to immunotherapeutic interventions. In our current work, we characterize MSLN levels in CRC, specifically correlating expression with clinical outcomes in relevant CRC subtypes and explore how MSLN expression impacts the status of immune activation and suppression in the peritumoral microenvironment. High MSLN expression is highly prevalent in CMS1 and CMS4 CRC subtypes as well as in mCRC tissue and correlates with higher gene mutation rates across the patient cohorts. Further, MSLN-high patients exhibit increased M1/M2 macrophage infiltration, PD-L1 staining, immune-inhibitory gene expression, enrichment in inflammatory, TGF-β, IL6/JAK/STAT3, IL2/STAT5 signaling pathways and mutation in KRAS and FBXW7. Together, these results suggest MSLN protein is a potential target for antigen-specific therapy and supports investigation into its tumorigenic effects to identify possible therapeutic interventions for patients with high MSLN expressing MSS CRC.
Serotonergic psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT alters plasticity-related gene expression and generates anxiolytic effects in stressed mice
Authors: Nogueira Margareth , Golbert Daiane Ferreira , Menezes Richardson , Almeida Raíssa , Coelho Nicole Galvao , Siroky Andressa , Lima Thiago , Maia Helton , Leao Katarina , Leao Richardson 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Serotonergic psychedelics have potential therapeutic effects in treating anxiety and mood disorders, often after a single dose, and are suggested to have plasticity-inducing action. One lesser studied psychedelic, the 5-methoxy-N, N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT), is suggested to have anxiolytic effects yet a comprehensive mechanism of action is still lacking. Here, we investigated the effects of a single high-dose of the short-acting 5-MeO-DMT on gene expression from microdissected brain regions (anterior cingulate cortex - ACC; basolateral amygdala - BLA; ventral hippocampus CA1 region - vCA1 and dentate gyrus - DG) of naive and stressed mice. Specifically, we compared gene expression of Arc, Zif268, BDNF, CREB, mTORC1, NR2A, TRIP8b and NFkB in mice injected with 5-MeO-DMT or saline at different time points (1 hr, 5 hrs or 5 days prior). 5-MeO-DMT altered mRNA expression of immediate early genes Arc and ZiF268 in the ACC, BLA and vCA1, while only NR2A expression was altered after 5 hrs in the vCA1. We also found a long-term increase in TRIP8b, a gene related to the modulation of neuronal activity, in the vCA1 after 5 days. Behaviorally, 5-MeO-DMT treated mice showed mixed anxiolytic and anxiogenic effects in the elevated plus maze and open field test 24 hr or 5 days after treatment. However, pre-treated mice subjected to acute stress showed both lower corticosterone levels and robust anxiolytic effects of 5-MeO-DMT administration. Together, our findings provide insights into the molecular actions of 5-MeO-DMT in the brain related to anxiolytic effects of behavior.
Low-Cost Laser for Affordable Graphene-Induced Microband Sensor Fabrication
Authors: Ribeiro Leonardo M. A. , Feria Deissy J. , Falcoswki Paula C. , Carreño Marcelo N. P. , Pereyra Inés , Bertotti Mauro 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Graphene microband electrodes were fabricated by direct laser writing on Kapton® polyimide tape utilizing a low-cost, blue laser (500 mW and 405 nm). The structural properties of the graphene were examined by Raman spectroscopy, and key features such as D, G, and 2D bands, and the presence of multilayer structures were revealed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided insights into the microband morphology, highlighting the 3D (foam-like) nature of the graphene microbands. Electrochemical experiments revealed cyclic voltammetry profiles that demonstrated radial diffusion dominance at low scan rates and Randles–Sevcik behavior at higher scan rates. Reproducibility and repeatability analyses confirmed the stability and consistency of these microband electrodes within individual devices. Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) images revealed the electrochemical reactivity of the microbands. At a relatively low microband separation (200 µm), the produced material can be collected at the adjacent microband, which was confirmed via generator/collector experiments. Theoretical-experimental comparisons regarding the current measured for a single microband were performed, and the obtained results were in good agreement, with deviations attributed to the 3D morphology of the microbands. This research underscores the potential of these cost-effective and reproducible graphene microband electrodes for diverse applications in electrochemical sensing, and we present preliminary results on caffeic acid and paracetamol detection.
Expression and processing of mature human frataxin after gene therapy in mice
Authors: Rojsajjakul Teerapat , Selvan Nithya , De Bishnu , Rosenberg Jonathan B. , Kaminsky Stephen M. , Sondhi Dolan , Janki Peter , Crystal Ronald G. , Mesaros Clementina , Khanna Richie , Blair Ian A. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Friedreich’s ataxia is a degenerative and progressive multisystem disorder caused by mutations in the highly conserved frataxin (FXN) gene that results in FXN protein deficiency and mitochondrial dysfunction. While gene therapy approaches are promising, consistent induction of therapeutic FXN protein expression that is sub-toxic has proven challenging, and numerous therapeutic approaches are being tested in animal models. FXN (hFXN in humans, mFXN in mice) is proteolytically modified in mitochondria to produce mature FXN. However, unlike endogenous hFXN, endogenous mFXN is further processed into N-terminally truncated, extra-mitochondrial mFXN forms of unknown function. This study assessed mature exogenous hFXN expression levels in the heart and liver of C57Bl/6 mice 7–10 months after intravenous administration of a recombinant adeno-associated virus encoding hFXN (AAVrh.10hFXN) and examined the potential for hFXN truncation in mice. AAVrh.10hFXN induced dose-dependent expression of hFXN in the heart and liver. Interestingly, hFXN was processed into truncated forms, but found at lower levels than mature hFXN. However, the truncations were at different positions than mFXN. AAVrh.10hFXN induced mature hFXN expression in mouse heart and liver at levels that approximated endogenous mFXN levels. These results demonstrate that AAVrh.10hFXN may induce expression of therapeutic levels of mature hFXN in mice.
Earthquake Risks and Lack of Disaster Management in Afghanistan
Authors: Akhundzadah Noor Ahmad 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Afghanistan is in a seismically active area and is historically hit by destructive earthquakes. It is located on the edge of the Eurasian tectonic plate, bordered by the northern boundary of the Indian plate, and with the collisional Arabian plate into the South. Afghanistan's Hindukush and Pamir Mountains are the western extension of the Himalayan orogeny uplifted and sheared by Indian and Eurasian plate convergence. These tectonic activities have created several active deep faults across the country and in the Hindukush-Himalayan region, where high-magnitude earthquakes have historically occurred. Earthquakes in Afghanistan are primarily driven by the relative northward movements of the Arabian plate past western Afghanistan and the Indian plate past eastern Afghanistan as both plates subduct under the Eurasian plate. These tectonic movements caused ground shaking from high to moderate and low from the northeast through the country's southwest. On June 22, 2022, the southeastern part of Afghanistan was hit by a destructive Mw6.2 earthquake. The purpose of this study is to develop an ArcGIS Pro database of compiled geologic faults and regions of heightened seismicity for spatial analyses of earthquake disaster severity across Afghanistan. These spatial analyses place better constraints on the placement of active and historic seismicity along mapped and known active faults for progress in earthquake disaster management. Furthermore, we define current hazards associated with building and infrastructural design and competency given the recurrent and eminent seismicity within Afghanistan and describe possible directions and solutions to mitigate the threat to life and property.