bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and design requirements of UV light cabinets for disinfection of exchangeable non-sterilizable “dental objects”
Authors: Moufti M. A. , Hamad M. , Al Shawa A. , Mardini A. , Ghebeh S. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractNon-sterilizable items such as prosthodontics items constitute a high risk of transmitting dangerous pathogens, including Coronavirus, between patients and healthcare personnel. Although UV rays are recognized for their germicidal efficacy, large and expensive UV devices previously hindered their adoption in dental offices. During the COVID-19 pandemic, small UV devices became available for domestic use, albeit with varying designs and effectiveness. Our study assesses the disinfection capacity of a UV light cabinet for four dental materials and discusses crucial design features for effective performance. Specimens of each material (silicone impressions, stone cast, acrylic denture base, and indelible pencils) were contaminated with Escherichia coli Bl21, and randomly divided into three study groups: UV device (UVG), impressions disinfection solution (SG), and control (CG). The experiment was repeated thrice, and disinfection efficacy assessed by colony forming units (CFU) count. A 2.5-min UV exposure achieved full disinfection for all materials. Significantly different results were found between groups (p < 0.05, one-way ANOVA, Tukey HSD), except for indelible pencils, where UVG and SG were both highly effective. UV cabinets surpass SG’s disinfection efficacy. Compact UV devices can offer affordable, portable, and efficient disinfection for non-sterilizable dental objects, with careful consideration of wavelength, exposure, intensity, and safety.
Characterization of flue gas desulphurized (FGD) gypsum of a coal-fired plant and its relevant risk of associated potential toxic elements in sodic soil reclamation
Authors: Sundha Parul , Mukhopadhyay Raj , Basak Nirmalendu , Rai Arvind Kumar , Bedwal Sandeep , Patel Subedar , Kumar Sanjay , Kaur Harshpreet , Chandra Priyanka , Sharma Parbodh Chander , Saxena Sanjeev Kumar , Parihar Somendra Singh , Yadav Rajender Kumar 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThermal Power Plant generates FGD gypsum as by-product during coal combustion. This study evaluates the characterization (spectroscopic and elemental), potentially toxic elements (PTEs) distribution, and environmental risk assessment of FGD gypsum for safe and sustainable use in agriculture. The XRD and SEM analysis confirmed the dominance of crystalline CaSO4·2H2O in FGD gypsum. The order of concentrations of PTEs in FGD gypsum was Fe > Al > Mn > Zn > Ni > Co. The residual fraction was the dominant pool, sharing 80–90% of the total PTEs. The heavy metals (HMs) were below the toxic range in the leachates. The Co, Ni, Al, Fe Mn, Zn had low (< 10%) risk assessment code and the ecotoxicity was in the range of 0.0–7.46%. The contamination factor was also low (0.0–0.16) at the normal recommended doses of FGD gypsum application for sodicity reclamation. The enrichment factor was in the order of Al < Mn < Co < Zn < Ni. Mn [enrichment factor (Ef) 1.2–2.0] and Co (Ef1.7–2.8) showed negligible enrichment of metals, whereas Ni (Ef4.3–5.2) and Zn (Ef4.5–5.6) reported moderate accumulation in soil. The application of FGD gypsum @ 10 t ha−1for sodicity reclamation will develop a geo-accumulation index below the critical values indicating its safe and sustainable use to achieve land degradation neutrality (LDN) and UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Genomics of Plasmodium vivax in Colombia reveals evidence of local bottle-necking and inter-country connectivity in the Americas
Authors: Sutanto Edwin , Pava Zuleima , Echeverry Diego F. , Lopera-Mesa Tatiana M. , Montenegro Lidia Madeline , Yasnot-Acosta Maria F. , Benavente Ernest Diez , Pearson Richard D. , Herrera Sócrates , Arévalo-Herrera Myriam , Trimarsanto Hidayat , Rumaseb Angela , Noviyanti Rintis , Kwiatkowski Dominic P. , Price Ric N. , Auburn Sarah 
Published: November 2023

AbstractColombia aims to eliminate malaria by 2030 but remains one of the highest burden countries in the Americas. Plasmodium vivax contributes half of all malaria cases, with its control challenged by relapsing parasitaemia, drug resistance and cross-border spread. Using 64 Colombian P. vivax genomes collected between 2013 and 2017, we explored diversity and selection in two major foci of transmission: Chocó and Córdoba. Open-access data from other countries were used for comparative assessment of drug resistance candidates and to assess cross-border spread. Across Colombia, polyclonal infections were infrequent (12%), and infection connectivity was relatively high (median IBD = 5%), consistent with low endemicity. Chocó exhibited a higher frequency of polyclonal infections (23%) than Córdoba (7%), although the difference was not significant (P = 0.300). Most Colombian infections carried double pvdhfr (95%) and single pvdhps (71%) mutants, but other drug resistance mutations were less prevalent (< 10%). There was no evidence of selection at the pvaat1 gene, whose P. falciparum orthologue has recently been implicated in chloroquine resistance. Global population comparisons identified other putative adaptations. Within the Americas, low-level connectivity was observed between Colombia and Peru, highlighting potential for cross-border spread. Our findings demonstrate the potential of molecular data to inform on infection spread and adaptation.
Transgenerational plasticity of exploratory behavior and a hidden cost of mismatched risk environments between parental sexes
Authors: Meuthen Denis , Salahinejad Arash , Chivers Douglas P. , Ferrari Maud C. O. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractWe require a better understanding of the relative contribution of different modes of non-genetic inheritance in behavioral trait development. Thus, we investigate variation in exploratory behavior, which is ecologically relevant and a target of selection. The metabolic hypothesis predicts exploratory behavior to be size-dependent across taxa. This size-dependency is cancelled out under high perceived risk, allowing us to determine the transgenerationally integrated estimated level of risk. Using fathead minnows Pimephales promelas, we manipulated perceived risk in mothers, fathers, caring males and offspring through continuous exposure to either conspecific alarm cues or to a control water treatment. In 1000 four-month old offspring, we determined body sizes and exploratory behavior. Perceived high risk in mothers, followed by personal risk, was most effective in eliminating size-dependent behavior whereas effects of paternal risk on offspring behavioral development were substantially weaker. When maternal risk is high, environmental mismatches between parents prevented offspring from responding appropriately to personal high risk. The environment of the caring male also impacted offspring behavior to a greater extent than that of its genetic parents. Our study highlights the high relative importance of maternal, personal and caring male risk environments and showcases potential costs of an environmental mismatch between parental sexes.
Modeling the dynamics of leptospirosis in India
Authors: Antima  , Banerjee Sandip 
Published: November 2023

AbstractLeptospirosis, a formidable zoonotic threat spawned by Leptospira, plagues tropical and subtropical realms. This study delves deep into tropical Indian states, namely, Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, unraveling the dynamics of leptospirosis through a comprehensive mathematical model that embraces temperature-driven growth rates of Leptospira. Sensitivity analysis and parameter estimation techniques fortified the model’s accuracy, unraveling the factors shaping leptospirosis transmission. Notably, the numerical results highlight the significant impact of rainfall, fishing, climate, mining, agriculture, and cattle farming on leptospirosis prevalence in the endemic states of India. Finally, our study urges resolute preventive action to control and combat leptospirosis in India. Strengthening surveillance, impactful awareness campaigns, targeted interventions, and improved hygiene practices among high-risk individuals are vital. Embracing these proactive strategies will alleviate the burden of leptospirosis and enhance public health in India and beyond.
Determining the defining lengths between mature microRNAs/small interfering RNAs and tinyRNAs
Authors: Sim GeunYoung , Kehling Audrey C. , Park Mi Seul , Divoky Cameron , Zhang Huaqun , Malhotra Nipun , Secor Jackson , Nakanishi Kotaro 
Published: November 2023

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are loaded into Argonaute (AGO) proteins, forming RNA-induced silencing complexes (RISCs). The assembly process establishes the seed, central, 3′ supplementary, and tail regions across the loaded guide, enabling the RISC to recognize target RNAs for silencing. This guide segmentation is caused by anchoring the 3′ end at the AGO PAZ domain, but the minimum guide length required for the conformation remains to be studied because the current miRNA size defined by Dicer processing is ambiguous. Using a 3′ → 5′ exonuclease ISG20, we determined the lengths of AGO-associated miR-20a and let-7a with 3′ ends that no longer reach the PAZ domain. Unexpectedly, miR-20a and let-7a needed different lengths, 19 and 20 nt, respectively, to maintain their RISC conformation. This difference can be explained by the low affinity of the PAZ domain for the adenosine at g19 of let-7a, suggesting that the tail-region sequence slightly alters the minimum guide length. We also present that 17-nt guides are sufficiently short enough to function as tinyRNAs (tyRNAs) whose 3′ ends are not anchored at the PAZ domain. Since tyRNAs do not have the prerequisite anchoring for the standardized guide segmentation, they would recognize targets differently from miRNAs and siRNAs.
Addressing image misalignments in multi-parametric prostate MRI for enhanced computer-aided diagnosis of prostate cancer
Authors: Kovacs Balint , Netzer Nils , Baumgartner Michael , Schrader Adrian , Isensee Fabian , Weißer Cedric , Wolf Ivo , Görtz Magdalena , Jaeger Paul F. , Schütz Victoria , Floca Ralf , Gnirs Regula , Stenzinger Albrecht , Hohenfellner Markus , Schlemmer Heinz-Peter , Bonekamp David , Maier-Hein Klaus H. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractProstate cancer (PCa) diagnosis on multi-parametric magnetic resonance images (MRI) requires radiologists with a high level of expertise. Misalignments between the MRI sequences can be caused by patient movement, elastic soft-tissue deformations, and imaging artifacts. They further increase the complexity of the task prompting radiologists to interpret the images. Recently, computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) tools have demonstrated potential for PCa diagnosis typically relying on complex co-registration of the input modalities. However, there is no consensus among research groups on whether CAD systems profit from using registration. Furthermore, alternative strategies to handle multi-modal misalignments have not been explored so far. Our study introduces and compares different strategies to cope with image misalignments and evaluates them regarding to their direct effect on diagnostic accuracy of PCa. In addition to established registration algorithms, we propose ‘misalignment augmentation’ as a concept to increase CAD robustness. As the results demonstrate, misalignment augmentations can not only compensate for a complete lack of registration, but if used in conjunction with registration, also improve the overall performance on an independent test set.
Dehazing in hyperspectral images: the GRANHHADA database
Authors: Carvelo Sol Fernández , Domingo Miguel Ángel Martínez , Valero Eva M. , Andrés Javier Hernández 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn this study, we present an analysis of dehazing techniques for hyperspectral images in outdoor scenes. The aim of our research is to compare different dehazing approaches for hyperspectral images and introduce a new hyperspectral image database called GRANHHADA (GRANada Hyperspectral HAzy Database) containing 35 scenes with various haze conditions. We conducted three experiments to assess dehazing strategies, using the Multi-Scale Convolutional Neural Network (MS-CNN) algorithm. In the first experiment, we searched for optimal triplets of spectral bands to use as input for dehazing algorithms. The results revealed that certain bands in the near-infrared range showed promise for dehazing. The second experiment involved sRGB dehazing, where we generated sRGB images from hyperspectral data and applied dehazing techniques. While this approach showed improvements in some cases, it did not consistently outperform the spectral band-based approach. In the third experiment, we proposed a novel method that involved dehazing each spectral band individually and then generating an sRGB image. This approach yielded promising results, particularly for images with a high level of atmospheric dust particles. We evaluated the quality of dehazed images using a combination of image quality metrics including reference and non-reference quality scores. Using a reduced set of bands instead of the full spectral image capture can contribute to lower processing time and yields better quality results than sRGB dehazing. If the full spectral data are available, then band-per-band dehazing is a better option than sRGB dehazing. Our findings provide insights into the effectiveness of different dehazing strategies for hyperspectral images, with implications for various applications in remote sensing and image processing.
Melanocortin-4 receptor in macrophages attenuated angiotensin II-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm in mice
Authors: Mori Kentaro , Okuma Hideyuki , Nakamura Suguru , Uchinuma Hiroyuki , Kaga Shigeaki , Nakajima Hiroyuki , Ogawa Yoshihiro , Tsuchiya Kyoichiro 
Published: November 2023

AbstractObesity is recognized as an independent risk factor for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). While mutations in the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) gene is the most common cause of obesity caused by mutations in a single gene, the link between MC4R function and vascular disease has still remained unclear. Here, by using melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) deficient mice, we confirmed MC4R deficiency promotes AAA and atherosclerosis. We demonstrated the contribution of two novel factors towards vascular vulnerability in this model: leptin signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and loss of MC4R signaling in macrophages. Leptin was shown to promote vascular vulnerability via PI3K-dependent upregulation of Spp1 expression in VSMC. Additionally, Ang II-induced AAA incidence was significantly reduced when MC4R gene expression was myeloid cell-specifically rescued in MC4R deficient (MC4RTB/TB) mice. Ex vivo analysis showed a suppression in NF-κB activity in bone marrow-derived macrophages from LysM(+);MC4RTB/TB mice compared to LysM(−);MC4RTB/TB mice, which exaggerates with endogenous MC4R ligand treatment; α-MSH. These results suggest that MC4R signaling in macrophages attenuates AAA by inhibiting NF-κB activity and subsequent vascular inflammation.
Strain and atomic stacking of bismuth thin film in its quasi-van der Waals epitaxy on (111) Si substrate
Authors: Wu Chia-Hsuan , Chou Chieh , Lin Hao-Hsiung 
Published: November 2023

AbstractWe report on the structural properties of Bi thin films grown on (111) Si substrates with a thickness of 22–30 BL. HRXRD and EBSD measurements show that these Bi films are mainly composed of twinning grains in the (0003) direction. The grain size can be as large as tens of microns. From a double-peak (01$$\overline{1}$$

1
¯

4) φ-scan, we found two pairs of twinning phases coexisting with a rotation angle of ~ 3.6°. We proposed a coincidence site lattice model based on preferential close-packed sites for Bi atoms on Si (111) surface to explain the coexistence of the rotation phases in the quasi-van der Waals epitaxy. From the measured lattice constants c and a of our samples, along with the data from the literature, we derived a c–a relation: (c–c0) = − 2.038(a–a0), where c0 and a0 are the values of bulk Bi. The normalized position of the second basis atom in the unit cell x, in these strained Bi films is found very close to that of bulk Bi, indicating that the strain does not disturb the Peierls distortion of the lattice. The fixed ratio of bilayer thickness to lattice constant c, reveals that the elastic properties of covalent-bonded bilayer dominate those of Bi crystal.
Indications of a ferromagnetic quantum critical point in $$\textrm{SmN}_{1-\delta }$$
Authors: Holmes-Hewett W. F. , Van Koughnet K. , Miller J. D. , Trewick E. X. M. , Ruck B. J. , Trodahl H. J. , Buckley R. G. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractWe investigate the previously observed superconductivity in ferromagnetic SmN in the context of the breakdown of order between two magnetic phases. Nitrogen vacancy doped SmN$$_{1-\delta }$$

1
-
δ

is a semiconductor which lies in the intermediary between ferromagnetic SmN and anti-ferromagnetic Sm. Optical data reported here corroborate the prediction that electrical transport is mediated by Sm 4f defect states, and electrical transport measurements characterise the metal-insulator transition over the doping range. Our measurements show that the superconducting state in nitrogen vacancy doped $$\textrm{SmN}_{1-\delta }$$

SmN

1
-
δ

is the most robust near the breakdown of magnetic order, and indicate the location of a quantum critical point. Furthermore we provide additional evidence that the superconducting state is formed from majority spin electrons and thus of unconventional S = 1 type.
Prediction of fetal RR intervals from maternal factors using machine learning models
Authors: Widatalla Namareq , Alkhodari Mohanad , Koide Kunihiro , Yoshida Chihiro , Kasahara Yoshiyuki , Saito Masatoshi , Kimura Yoshitaka , Habib Khandoker Ahsan 
Published: November 2023

AbstractPrevious literature has highlighted the importance of maternal behavior during the prenatal period for the upbringing of healthy adults. During pregnancy, fetal health assessments are mainly carried out non-invasively by monitoring fetal growth and heart rate (HR) or RR interval (RRI). Despite this, research entailing prediction of fHRs from mHRs is scarce mainly due to the difficulty in non-invasive measurements of fetal electrocardiogram (fECG). Also, so far, it is unknown how mHRs are associated with fHR over the short term. In this study, we used two machine learning models, support vector regression (SVR) and random forest (RF), for predicting average fetal RRI (fRRI). The predicted fRRI values were compared with actual fRRI values calculated from non-invasive fECG. fRRI was predicted from 13 maternal features that consisted of age, weight, and non-invasive ECG-derived parameters that included HR variability (HRV) and R wave amplitude variability. 156 records were used for training the models and the results showed that the SVR model outperformed the RF model with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 29 ms and an average error percentage (< 5%). Correlation analysis between predicted and actual fRRI values showed that the Spearman coefficient for the SVR and RF models were 0.31 (P < 0.001) and 0.19 (P < 0.05), respectively. The SVR model was further used to predict fRRI of 14 subjects who were not included in the training. The latter prediction results showed that individual error percentages were (≤ 5%) except in 3 subjects. The results of this study show that maternal factors can be potentially used for the assessment of fetal well-being based on fetal HR or RRI.
Beaver exploitation, 400,000 years ago, testifies to prey choice diversity of Middle Pleistocene hominins
Authors: Gaudzinski-Windheuser Sabine , Kindler Lutz , Roebroeks Wil 
Published: November 2023

AbstractData regarding the subsistence base of early hominins are heavily biased in favor of the animal component of their diets, in particular the remains of large mammals, which are generally much better preserved at archaeological sites than the bones of smaller animals, let alone the remains of plant food. Exploitation of smaller game is very rarely documented before the latest phases of the Pleistocene, which is often taken to imply narrow diets of archaic Homo and interpreted as a striking economic difference between Late Pleistocene and earlier hominins. We present new data that contradict this view of Middle Pleistocene Lower Palaeolithic hominins: cut mark evidence demonstrating systematic exploitation of beavers, identified in the large faunal assemblage from the c. 400,000 years old hominin site Bilzingsleben, in central Germany. In combination with a prime-age dominated mortality profile, this cut mark record shows that the rich beaver assemblage resulted from repetitive human hunting activities, with a focus on young adult individuals. The Bilzingsleben beaver exploitation evidence demonstrates a greater diversity of prey choice by Middle Pleistocene hominins than commonly acknowledged, and a much deeper history of broad-spectrum subsistence than commonly assumed, already visible in prey choices 400,000 years ago.
Impact of avalanche type of transport on internal transport barrier formation in tokamak plasmas
Authors: Kin F. , Itoh K. , Bando T. , Shinohara K. , Oyama N. , Terakado A. , Yoshida M. , Sumida S. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn magnetic fusion plasmas, a transport barrier is essential to improve the plasma confinement. The key physics behind the formation of a transport barrier is the suppression of the micro-scale turbulent transport. On the other hand, long-range transport events, such as avalanches, has been recognized to play significant roles for global profile formations. In this study, we observed the impact of the avalanche-type of transport on the formation of a transport barrier for the first time. The avalanches are found to inhibit the formation of the internal transport barrier (ITB) observed in JT-60U tokamak. We found that (1) ITBs do not form in the presence of avalanches but form under the disappearance of avalanches, (2) the surface integral of avalanche-driven heat fluxe is comparable to the time rate change of stored energy retained at the ITB onset, (3) the mean E × B flow shear is accelerated via the ion temperature gradient that is not sustained under the existence of avalanches, and (4) after the ITB formation, avalanches are damped inside the ITB, while they remain outside the ITB.