bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Roles of the Labrador Current in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation responses to greenhouse warming
Authors: Shan Xuan , Sun Shantong , Wu Lixin , Spall Michael 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Anthropogenic warming is projected to enhance Arctic freshwater exportation into the Labrador Sea. This extra freshwater may weaken deep convections and contribute to the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) decline. Here, by analyzing an unprecedented high-resolution climate model simulation for the 21st century, we show that the Labrador Current strongly restricts the lateral spread of freshwater from the Artic Ocean into the open ocean such that the freshwater input has a limited role in weakening the overturning circulation. In contrast, in the absence of a strong Labrador Current, the extra freshwater is allowed to spread into the interior region and eventually shut down deep convections in the Labrador Sea. Given that the Labrador Sea overturning makes a significant contribution to the AMOC in many climate models, our results suggest that the AMOC decline during the 21st century could be overestimated in these models due to the unresolved Labrador Current.
Self-assembled copper-based nanoparticles for enzyme catalysis-enhanced chemodynamic/photodynamic/antiangiogenic tritherapy against hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang Yaping , Zhang Xun , Ma Yunfeng , Zhou Xiaobo , Xu Weijun , Qin Sida , Yang Chengcheng 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
As an emerging cancer treatment strategy, reactive oxygen species-based tumor catalytic therapies face enormous challenges due to hypoxia and overexpression of glutathione (GSH) in the tumor microenvironment. Herein, a self-assembled copper-based nanoplatform, TCCHA, was designed for enzyme-like catalysis-enhanced chemodynamic/photodynamic/antiangiogenic tritherapy against hepatocellular carcinoma. TCCHA was fabricated from Cu2+, 3,3′-dithiobis (propionohydrazide), and photosensitizer chlorine e6 via a facile one-pot self-assembly strategy, after which an aldehyde hyaluronic acid was coated, followed by loading of the antivascular drug AL3818. The obtained TCCHA nanoparticles exhibited pH/GSH dual-responsive drug release behaviors and multienzymatic activities, including Fenton, glutathione peroxidase-, and catalase-like activities. TCCHA, a redox homeostasis disruptor, promotes ⋅OH generation and GSH depletion, thus increasing the efficacy of chemodynamic therapy. TCCHA, which has catalase-like activity, can also reinforce the efficacy of photodynamic therapy by amplifying O2 production. In vivo, TCCHA efficiently inhibited tumor angiogenesis and suppressed tumor growth without apparent systemic toxicity. Overall, this study presents a facile strategy for the preparation of multienzyme-like nanoparticles, and TCCHA nanoparticles display great potential for enzyme catalysis-enhanced chemodynamic/photodynamic/antiangiogenic triple therapy against cancer.
Leveraging Community Health Workers for COVID-19 Response in Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Senegal, and Uganda: Roles, Barriers, and Facilitators
Authors: Namuhani Noel , Babirye Ziyada , Monje Fred , Salawu Mobolaji M , Bosonkie Marc , Bello Segun , Kabwama Steven N , Egbende Landry , Bamgboye Eniola A. , Tusubira Andrew , Kashiya Yves , Kizito Susan , Afolabi Rotimi Felix , Adebowale Ayo S , Dairo Magbagbeola David , Diallo Issakha , Leye Mamadou M. M. , Ndiaye Youssou , Fall Mane , Bassoum Oumar , Seck Ibrahima , Fawole Olufunmilayo I. , Mapatano Mala Ali , Ndejjo Rawlance , Wanyenze Rhoda K , Kiwanuka Suzanne N 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic overwhelmed health systems and disrupted the delivery of health services globally. Community health workers (CHWs) play a critical role in linking communities to health systems, supporting the prevention and control of diseases in many low- and middle-income countries. However, their roles, barriers, and facilitators in the response and control of the COVID-19 pandemic have not been well documented. We described the roles of CHWs in the COVID-19 response including the barriers, and facilitators.
Methods: We assessed the COVID-19 response in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Senegal, and Uganda. This involved key informant interviews with CHWs, and review of documents on the COVID-19 response, and engagement of community health workers. We searched Google, Google Scholar, and PubMed for published and grey literature. Data from the selected documents were extracted into a Google master matrix in MS Excel and analyzed thematically.
Results: In COVID-19 Control, CHWs supported community-based surveillance, contact tracing, risk communication, community mobilization, and home-based care. To support the continuity of other non-COVID-19 services, the CHWs conducted community mobilization, sensitizations, outreaches, referrals, and patient follow-ups. CHWs were challenged by movement restrictions, especially in the initial stages of the lockdown, inadequate PPE, increased workload, low allowances, and motivation. CHW were facilitated by trainings, the development of guidelines, development partners’ support/funding, provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) and tools.
Conclusion: CHWs supported both the COVID-19 control and continuity of non-COVID-19 health care during the COVID-19 pandemic. CHWs are a critical resource that must be adequately supported to build resilient health systems.
Gut mycobiome core species causally modulate metabolic health in mice
Authors: Arrieta Marie-Claire 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

The gut microbiome causally contributes to obesity; however, the role of fungi remains understudied. We previously identified three core species of the infant gut mycobiome (Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Malassezia restricta and Candida albicans) that correlated with body mass index, however their causal contributions to obesity development are unknown. In gnotobiotic mice, we evaluated the effects of early-life colonization by these fungal species on metabolic health in mice fed standard (SD) or high-fat-high-sucrose (HFHS) diets. Each species resulted in bacterial microbiome compositional and functional differences. R. mucilaginosa and M. restricta increased adiposity in mice fed SD, while only R. mucilaginosa exacerbated metabolic disease. In contrast, C. albicans resulted in leanness and resistance to diet-induced obesity. This phenotype was accompanied by enhanced white adipose tissue inflammation (type 1 and type 17 responses). This work revealed that three common fungal colonizers have distinct causal influences on obesity and metabolic inflammation and justifies the consideration of fungi in microbiome research on host metabolism.
RETRACTED: IoT -Centric Deployment of an Octal Element UWB MIMO Antenna Featuring Spiral Ground Structures
Authors: potti devisowjanya , Balakrishnan Sakthi Abirami , S Baranidharan , S Mohana Praveen 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

The authors have requested the removal of their preprint from Research Square. The author's request does not imply errors or misconduct.
Zeros of Taylor polynomials formed by a three-term recurrence
Authors: Chung Juhoon , Tran Khang 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
From a sequence $\left\{ a_{n}\right\} _{n=0}^{\infty}$ of real numbers satisfying a three-term recurrence, we form a sequence of polynomials $\left\{ P_{m}(z)\right\} _{m=0}^{\infty}$ whose coefficients are numbers in this sequence. We showed that under explicit conditions, the zeros of $P_{m}(z)$, $m\gg1$, lie on one side of the circle whose radius is given by modulus of a zero of the denominator of the generating function of $\left\{ a_{n}\right\} _{n=0}^{\infty}$.
2000 Mathematics Subject Classification. 30C15, 26C10, 11C08.
Local tree cover predicts mosquito species richness and disease vector presence in a tropical countryside landscape
Authors: Farner Johannah E. , Howard Meghan , Smith Jeffrey R. , Anderson Christopher B. , Mordecai Erin A. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Context
Land use change drives both biodiversity loss and zoonotic disease transmission in tropical countryside landscapes. Developing solutions for protecting countryside biodiversity, public health, and livelihoods requires understanding the scales at which habitat characteristics such as land cover shape biodiversity, especially for arthropods that transmit pathogens. Evidence increasingly shows that species richness for many taxa correlates with local tree cover.
Objectives
We investigated whether mosquito species richness, community composition, and presence of disease vector species responded to land use and tree cover – and if so, whether at spatial scales similar to other taxa.
Methods
We paired a field survey of mosquito communities in agricultural, residential, and forested lands in rural southern Costa Rica with remotely sensed tree cover data. We compared mosquito community responses to tree cover surrounding survey sites measured across scales, and analyzed community responses to land use and environmental gradients.
Results
Tree cover was positively correlated with mosquito species richness, and negatively correlated with the presence of the common invasive dengue vector Aedes albopictus, particularly at small spatial scales of 80 – 200m. Land use predicted community composition and Ae. albopictus presence. Environmental gradients of tree cover, temperature, and elevation explained 7% of species turnover among survey sites.
Conclusions
The results suggest that preservation and expansion of tree cover at local scales can protect biodiversity for a wide range of taxa, including arthropods, and also confer protection against disease vector occurrence. The identified spatial range of tree cover benefits can inform land management for conservation and public health protection.
An exponential model for strain softening behavior of sensitive clays
Authors: Jacob Sarah , Saeidi Ali , Chavali Rama Vara Prasad , Sadrekarimi Abouzar 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Strain softening in sensitive clays is a major cause of retrogressive landslides. The assessment of post failure movements like retrogression or run out in such landslides requires detailed data regarding the post peak parameters, especially in terms of stress and strain at remoulded state. The limitations concerning experimental studies in this regard is well known which has often led to the use of mathematical and analytical models in assessing strain softening. Here, an exponential model to predict strain softening is proposed by making use of triaxial testing data. The model is developed through a series of triaxial testing results collected from ten different sites in Eastern Canada. The developed softening equation is governed by the peak undrained shear strength, sensitivity of the clay, ease of strength reduction from the peak to the remoulded state and the strain at remoulded strength. The main advantage is that a quick and reasonable evaluation of the softening behaviour of the sensitive clay maybe carried out through experimental studies. The prediction of strain at remoulded state is an important outcome of this study and is consistent with field data. Keeping in mind the effect of geological and topographical factors in the estimation of post failure movements in retrogressive landslides, an attempt has been made to conduct a preliminary assessment of the retrogression distance through the strain at remoulded state.
What Patients Want to Know About CT Radiation Exposure Harm and What Doctors Actually Tell Them: A Gap in Patient-Doctor Communication
Authors: Alrasheed Abdullah A. , Alammar Abdulrahman M. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background:
CT scan utilizes ionizing radiation poses a danger to the patient's health. Thus, telling the patient about ionizing radiation would be critical in promoting shared decision-making and improving patient-doctor communication. However, few studies have examined this topic broadly.
Objectives: study was conducted to identify the frequency of physicians informing patients about the radiation risk before ordering a CT scan, as well as to assess the knowledge, perceptions, and preferences of patients undergoing CT scans in regard to radiation risk.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed between September 2020 and January 2021. The sample was 387 patients who underwent a CT scan at a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia. We randomly selected every other name using the patient list for a physician to contact them by telephone. Verbal informed consent was obtained.
Results: When examining knowledge, 58% of patients knew that CT involves harmful radiation. This knowledge was significantly associated with higher education level and previous experience with CT scans. Regarding doctors’ practice of providing information to patients about the scan, 344 (88.9%) patients indicated that their doctor had explained to them why they needed the scan. Only 28 (7.2%) patients stated that their doctor had mentioned the amount of radiation, and 74 (19.1%) patients indicated that doctors mentioned the risks associated with the radiation of the scan. Almost all patients (96.9%) preferred to be told about why they needed a CT scan. About 94.3% of patients expected to be told about the risks associated with CT scans, and 78.6% preferred to know about the radiation dose.
Conclusions: The vast majority of patients who underwent CT scans did not receive enough information about the harm of the scans. However, most of them preferred to know about this harm. Therefore, filling this gap in doctor-patient communication is highly needed.
Effect of Akkermansia muciniphila on pancreatic islet β-cell function in rats with prediabetes mellitus induced by a high-fat diet
Authors: Yan Shuai , Chen Lin , Li Na , Wei Xiaohui , Wang Jingjing , Dong Weiping , Wang Yufan , Shi Jianxia , Ding Xiaoying , Peng Yongde 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Prediabetes is an important stage in the development of diabetes. It is necessary to find a safe, effective and sustainable way to delay and reverse the progression of prediabetes. Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila) is one of the key bacteria associated with glucose metabolism. Recent studies mainly focus on the effect of A. muciniphila on obesity and insulin resistance, but there is no research on the effect of A. muciniphila on pancreatic β-cell function and its mechanism in prediabetes. In this study, we investigated the effects of A. muciniphila on β-cell function, apoptosis and differentiation, as well as its effects on the gut microbiome, intestinal barrier, metaflammation and the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced prediabetic rat model. The effect of A. muciniphila was compared with dietary intervention. The results showed both A. muciniphila treatment and dietary intervention can reduce metaflammation by repairing the intestinal barrier in rats with prediabetes induced by an HFD and improve b-cell secretory function, apoptosis and differentiation through signaling pathways mediated by TLR2 and TLR4. Furthermore, A. muciniphila elevates b-cell secretion, attenuates apoptosis and improves differentiation and the TLR signaling pathway independently of diet.
FedIoTect: Federated Machine Learning for Collaborative Internet of Things Threat Detection
Authors: Gitanjali Gitanjali , Misra Er. Rajani 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

This paper explores a novel privacy-preserving approach using federated learning techniques to develop an intrusion detection system for Internet of Things (IoT) networks. The aim is to enable collaborative learning across decentralized IoT devices to build robust intrusion detection models, while avoiding direct transmission of network traffic data to preserve data privacy. The paper investigates the application of differential privacy and secure aggregation protocols to further enhance privacy. A federated learning framework is implemented to evaluate and optimize the training of deep neural network models for intrusion detection. Results demonstrate significant improvements in detection accuracy and communication efficiency compared to standalone models trained locally on individual devices. The customized modeling augmented with shared knowledge from the federated learning process is shown to achieve the best of both centralized and localized learning approaches.
Critical appraisal of the adoption of minimally-invasive pancreatoduodenectomies at a single institution: initial experience with the first 120 consecutive cases
Authors: Chua Darren W. , Chong Yvette , Wang Zhong Kai , Tan Ek-Khoon , Koh Ye-Xin , Goh Brian K. P. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background: We analysed the evolution and outcomes of minimally-invasive pancreatoduodenectomy (MIPD) during our initial adoption of this approach. We also compared the outcomes between the different approaches used to perform the pancreatic anastomoses.
Methods: A retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent MIPD between 2013 to 2022 was performed. Comparison of pancreato-enteric anastomotic outcomes were performed using one-to-one propensity matched analysis.
Results: 120 patients underwent MIPD including 14 (11.7%) total pancreatectomies (TP) and 17 (14.2%) with concomitant vascular reconstructions. The number of patients who had laparoscopic (L) or robotic (R) PD were 77 (64.2%) and 43 (35.8%) respectively. There were 32 (26.7%) patients with post-operative pancreatic fistulas (POPF), of which 28 (23.3%) were grade B and 4 (3.3%) were grade C. There were no 30-day mortalities. Comparisons between open and minimally invasive pancreatojejunostomy (PJ) showed a higher likelihood of intra-operative blood loss (500mls vs 275mls, p<0.001) and intra-operative blood transfusion (12(40%) vs 3(10%), p=0.015). Patients who had robotic PJ reconstruction demonstrated fewer pseudoaneurysms (1(4%) vs 7(28%), p=0.049) and lesser intra-operative blood loss (250mls vs 300mls, p = 0.023) when compared to laparoscopic PJ reconstruction, but tended to be associated with a longer operation time (665min vs 550min, p<0.001). Comparison with international benchmark outcomes for open PD demonstrated that except for a higher-Grade B POPF rate; the postoperative morbidity, major morbidity, Grade C POPF and in-hospital mortality rates of MIPD were within international benchmark cutoffs.
Conclusion: Our initial experience demonstrated that MIPD can be safely adopted. Robotic reconstruction may reduce the risk of pseudoaneurysm compared to laparoscopy.
Effectiveness of Magnesium Supplementation on Sleep Quality and Related Health Outcomes for Adults with Poor Sleep Quality: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial
Authors: Breus Michael J. , Hooper Stephanie , Lynch Tarah , Hausenblas Heather 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Objectives: Conduct a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial on adults with nonclinical insomnia symptoms to examine the effectiveness of magnesium supplementation on sleep quality and mood.
Methods: Participants (N = 31 adults, M age = 45.49) were randomized to either the Magnesium (1 g/d) or Placebo Condition for 2 weeks. Following a two-week washout, participants engaged in the alternative condition. Standardized self-reports (i.e., Insomnia Severity Index, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Berlin Questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Restorative Sleep Questionnaire, Pain and Sleep Questionnaire, Flinders Fatigue Scale, Trait Anxiety Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale, Profile of Mood States) were completed at Baseline and Post Conditions along with daily objective measures of sleep/activity (i.e., Oura Ring). ISRCTN registry is ISRCTN70584524.
Results: Magnesium supplementation resulted in significant improvements compared to Placebo for sleep quality, mood, and activity outcomes (e.g., sleep duration, deep sleep, sleep efficiency, readiness, activity balance, and HRV Readiness), p’s < .05. Nonsignificant improvements for the magnesium condition compared to the placebo condition were evidenced for the Restorative Sleep Questionnaire, Anxiety, Perceived Stress, and Flinder’s Fatigue Scale, p’s > .05. No adverse events were reported and adherence was 100%.
Conclusion: Magnesium may be an effective nonpharmacological intervention to promote sleep and mental health. Longer term clinical trials conducted in a variety of populations and settings are encouraged.
Configurational mechanics in granular media
Authors: Nicot Francois , Lin Mingchun , Wautier Antoine , Wan Richard , Darve Felix 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Granular materials belong to the class of complex materials within which rich properties can emerge on large scales despite a simple physics operating on the microscopic scale. Most notable is the dissipative behaviour of such materials mainly through non-linear frictional interactions between the grains which go out of equilibrium. A whole variety of intriguing features thus emerges in the form of bifurcation modes in either patterning or un-jamming. This complexity of granular materials is mainly due to the geometrical disorder that exists in the granular structure. Diverse configurations of grain collections confer to the assembly the capacity to deform and adapt itself against different loading conditions. Whereas the incidence of frictional properties in the macroscopic plastic behavior has been well described for long, the role of topological reorganizations that occur remains much more elusive. This paper attempts to shed a new light on this issue by developing ideas following the configurational entropy concept within a proper statistical framework. As such, it is shown that contact opening and closing mechanisms can give rise to a so-called configurational dissipation which can explain the irreversible topological evolutions that granular materials undergo in the absence of frictional interactions.