bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rice PALE GREEN LEAVES, encoding a DYW-type pentatricopeptide repeat protein, is involved in chloroplast RNA editing and splicing, and regulate chloroplast development
Authors: Xu Min , Zhang Xinying , Cao Jinzhe , Liu Jiali , He Yiyuan , Guan Qingjie , Tian Xiaojie , Tang Jiaqi , Li Xiufeng , Ren Deyong , Bu Qingyun , Wang Zhenyu 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The chloroplast serves as the primary site of photosynthesis, and its development plays a crucial role in regulating plant growth and morphogenesis. The PentatricopeptideRepeat Sequence (PPR) proteins constitute a vast protein family that function in the post modification of RNA within plant organelles. In this study, we characterized a rice pale green leaves (pgl3) mutant. The chlorophyll content of pgl3 at the seedling stage was significantly reduced compared to the wild type (WT). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and quantitative PCR analysis revealed that the pgl3 exhibited aberrant chloroplast development compared to the wild type (WT), accompanied by significant alterations in gene expression levels associated with chloroplast development and photosynthesis. The Mutmap analysis revealed that single base deletion occurred in the coding region of Os03g0136700 in pgl3. By employing CRISPR/Cas9 mediated gene editing, two homozygous cr-pgl3 mutant were generated and exhibited similar phenotype to pgl3, thereby confirming that Os03g0136700was responsible for pgl3 and subsequently designating it as PGL3. PGL3belong to the DYW-type PPR protein family and is localized in chloroplasts. Moreover, we showed that RNA editing efficiency of rps8-182 and rpoC2-4106, and splicing of ycf3-1 are significantly decreased in pgl3 mutants compared to WT. Collectively, these result indicate that PGL3 plays a crucial role in the process of chloroplast development via regulating the editing and splicing of chloroplast genes in rice.
Unraveling the Impact of Virtual Social Comparisons on Psychological Burnout among An-Najah National University Students: A mixed method study
Authors: Jabali Oqab , Saeedi Munther , Sleem Heba , Alawneh Yousef 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background: This study investigates the nuanced effects of virtual social comparisons on students at An-Najah National University. Guided by the Social Comparison Theory, the research aims to understand how cultural resilience, gender dynamics, communal support structures, living conditions, and developmental stressors collectively shape the impact of virtual social comparisons on university students.
Methods: The study employs a mixed-methods approach, utilizing 401 surveys and conducting 18 interviews to comprehensively explore the subject. Various demographic variables, including gender, place of residence, type of faculty, and academic level, are rigorously examined to provide a holistic understanding of the factors influencing the impact of virtual social comparisons.
Results: The findings reveal an overall minimal impact of virtual social comparisons on students, as indicated by an average score of 2.28 with a standard deviation of 0.77. However, significant gender-based differences are observed, favoring male students. Notably, the absence of differences based on faculty type underscores shared cultural resilience among students. Place of residence emerges as a crucial factor, with students in camps experiencing heightened effects, attributed to socio-political and economic factors. Variations across academic levels correspond with developmental stressors, highlighting a dynamic relationship between academic advancement and the impact of virtual social comparisons.
Conclusions: This research contributes nuanced insights for future studies and interventions, recognizing the multifaceted influence of cultural variables on students' experiences in the digital age. By exploring diverse demographic factors and employing a comprehensive methodology, the study enhances our understanding of the complex dynamics surrounding virtual social comparisons among university students. The observed gender disparities, shared cultural resilience, and differential impacts based on place of residence and academic level underscore the importance of considering these factors in addressing the effects of virtual social comparisons on student well-being and academic experiences.
Steel Surface Defect Detection Based on Multi-Layer Fusion Networks
Authors: Li Hanlin , Liu Ming , Yin Yanfang , Sun Weiliang 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Detecting defects on steel surfaces is crucial for ensuring product quality and production safety in industrial settings. Object detection using deep learning, particularly the YOLOv5 model, has become a widely adopted method for this purpose. However, the complex shapes of current steel surface defects pose challenges for precise detection, especially when using low-cost recognition devices with small resolution images.
To address these challenges, we integrated the RepBi-PAN fusion network into YOLOv5, enhancing the detection capability for large targets in complex backgrounds. To mitigate issues related to the premature introduction of shallow features and decrease in Precision, we optimized the model structure by incorporating the DenseNet structure into the backbone for improved feature extraction. Additionally, we introduced the Normalized Attention Module (NAM) to enhance the detection capability for small targets.
Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the enhanced model, showing a 4.1% increase in mean average precision (mAP), a 3.2% improvement in precision, and a 2.4% enhancement in recall. The improved algorithm outperforms the original in complex backgrounds and recognizing small targets, addressing limitations of the Rep-Bi network. Compared to other YOLO algorithms, our approach achieves optimal values for recall and mAP while maintaining a smaller model size. In comparison with YOLOv8, the improved model surpasses all V8 models, being only 0.5% below the precision of the largest YOLOv8x model. Simultaneously, the improved model is smaller and has fewer parameters compared to all models in the YOLOv8 series, with slightly higher GFLOPs than the smaller v8 models.
Spatial distribution, sources, and risk assessment of heavy metals in sediments from industrial areas in the Kuye River Basin in Shenmu, China
Authors: Wang Zhu , Liu Yongjun , Wei Chun Xiao , Yang Lu , Liu Xingshe , Yang Zhuangzhuang , Zhang Aining , Li Zhihua 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Metal pollution of river sediments in industrial areas has attracted widespread attention. In this study, 11 metal ions (including Fe, Al, Mn, Ag, Cd, Cr, As, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Ni) were determined and analyzed in river sediments of typical industrial areas in the Kuye River Basin, a first-level tributary of the Yellow River. The geological accumulation index, enrichment factor, and pollution load index indicated that the metal ions in this area were enriched and polluted to different degrees. The spatial distribution of the 8 kinds of heavy metals showed that the content in the upstream and downstream was higher, and the middle reaches were lower. The heavy metals mainly came from local industrial activities, coal mining and transportation, and soil weathering, Human activities were the main reasons for the dramatic spatial changes and high levels of heavy metals. Mass inventories of metal ions in sediments should not be ignored. The results of the combined potential ecological risk index and sediment quality guidelines showed that the ecological risk downstream of the area was high, and Ni and Pb have caused adverse biological reactions. The human carcinogenic risk assessment result showed that the non-carcinogenic hazard quotient of metal ions in the study area was at an acceptable level, but the carcinogenic risk level of Ni and Cr was higher than 10− 4, which was an unacceptable level and must be got enough recognition. The results of this study can provide theoretical support for the pollution control and environmental restoration of rivers in energy-enriched areas.
MRHCNet: Multi Resolution Hybrid Convolution based U-Net for Crack Detection with Mix Dilated Linear Pooling and Laplacian Pyramid Mix Module
Authors: Zhang Xiaohu , Huang Haifeng 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Deep learning based methods have achieved the state-of-art results in crack detection. However, these models have some drawbacks. Firstly, these models often use down-sampling operation to reduce the resolution of features, which would cause feature information loss. Secondly, square filtering windows are used to extract strip crack features, which would merge unrelated feature information. Thirdly, these models are limited to learn detailed feature information and edge features of cracks, which would cause detail and edge feature information loss. To solve these problems, a Multi Resolution Hybrid Convolutional Module (MRHCM) is designed to avoid feature information loss caused by down-sampling. Additionally, a Mix Dilated Linear Pooling (MDLP) is proposed to capture the strip feature information of cracks. Furthermore, a Laplacian Pyramid Mix Module (LPMM) is designed to learn detailed feature information of cracks. Also, a Sobel Mix Cross Pooling (SMCP) is used to enhance the network?s ability of learning edge features. Finally, a Multi Resolution Hybrid Convolution based U-Net (MRHCNet) with MDLP, LPMM and SMCP is proposed by us. Experimental results show that our MRHCNet could achieve the accuracy of 0.931, 0.825 and 0.989 on the Cracktree200, CRACK500 and CFD datasets respectively, which is higher than that of the traditional models.
Immunogenic cell death related genes predict prognosis and tumor microenvironment characteristics in patients with renal papillary carcinoma
Authors: Li Huiming , Liu Jun , Jiang Yuhuan , Chen Anjun , Wang Ling , Huang Hongxiang 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Objective To explore the predictive value of genes related to immunogenic cell death (ICD) for the prognosis and tumor microenvironment characteristics of patients with renal papillary carcinoma(RCC). Methods Transcriptome data of RCC were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas databases. We identified differentially expressed ICDs between RCC tissues and normal tissues with R software.We analyzed gene expression data from 291 patients with RCC, combined with clinical pathological data, and used statistical methods to evaluate the prognostic value of genes related to ICD. In addition, we also studied the relationship between these genes and the characteristics of the tumor microenvironment.Quantitative RT-PCR was employed to validate the expression levels of the key genes from the signature set. Results Distinct expression patterns of ICD-associated genes in RCC were identified, and a Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network was mapped. Consistency clustering analysis classified patients into high and low ICD expression groups, with the high expression group exhibiting favorable clinical outcomes. Signaling pathways enriched in immune-related activities were associated with high ICD expression. Somatic mutation profiling revealed common mutations, and immune cell infiltration analysis demonstrated distinct immunological characteristics in the high ICD expression group. We identified 14 differentially expressed ICDs associated with the prognosis, 8 (CALR, EIF2AK3, IFNB1, IFNG, IL1R1, IL6, LY96, PDIA3) of which were selected to construct a ICDs signature.The relative expression levels of ICD genes were significantly higher in RCC tumor samples than paracancerous tissue. The prognostic risk model exhibited predictive performance and consistency in both training and validation datasets. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified the risk score as an independent prognostic factor. A nomogram incorporating clinical features and risk score accurately predicted patient survival rates. Conclusion This study identifies ICD-related genes as potential prognostic markers in RCC, offering insights into the immunological characteristics associated with distinct ICD expression profiles. The constructed risk model and nomogram provide valuable tools for predicting survival outcomes and guiding personalized therapeutic interventions in RCC patients.
A novel microfluidic-based fluorescence detection method reveals heavy atom effects on photophysics of fluorophores with high triplet quantum yield: A numerical simulation study
Authors: Demirbay Barış 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Long lived, dark transient states of fluorescent probes are sensitive to changes in their microenvironment, such as variations in pH, polarity, local oxygen concentration and viscosity. This sensitivity can serve as a biosensing tool allowing researchers to probe and monitor subtle alterations in cellular environments and artificial physiological conditions. The intricate interplay between these states results in transitions that delay fluorescence emission, offering a gateway to phosphorescence-based imaging, particularly for fluorophores with high triplet quantum yields where traditional single molecule detection methods still face major limitations. In the present article, we introduce an idea on a novel fluorescence-based imaging technique combined with a microfluidic platform that enables a precise control of dark transient state populations of fluorescent probes flowing over a uniform, top-flat supergaussian excitation field with a constant flow rate. To demonstrate the imaging capability of the proposed detection method, numerical simulations have been performed by considering laser, microscope and flow parameters of experimental setup together with photophysical model and electronic transition rates of fluorescent dyes. In return, as an output data to be assessed, fluorescence image data is numerically simulated for carboxyfluorescein and its brominated derivative eosin-Y where they both have high triplet and photo-oxidation states with longer lifetime in contrast to rhodamine-based fluorophores. Based on the magnitudes of excitation irradiances and flow rates which can be manually controlled by user during experiments, the presence of dark state populations arising from these emitters can appear as signal broadening, shifts and decays due to pile-up effect in normalized fluorescence intensity signals that are computed from simulated fluorescence images. As such effects become more pronounced for the signals of eosin-Y molecule that contains four heavy bromine atoms, it is elicited that heavy atom effect can be resolved very well by properly tuning excitation power and flow rates. Our proposed imaging modality integrated with microfluidics platform has potential to open up new perspectives in biomedical research where blinking properties of fluorophores can be exploited as a sensor that reflects changes in local environment at the molecular level.
GEN-RWD Sandbox: Bridging the Gap Between Hospital Data Privacy and External Research Insights with Distributed Analytics
Authors: Gottardelli Benedetta , Gatta Roberto , Nucciarelli Leonardo , Tudor Andrada Mihaela , Tavazzi Erica , Orini Stefania , Vallati Mauro , Giorgi Nicoletta Di , Damiani Andrea 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a pivotal tool in advancing contemporary personalised medicine, with the goal of tailoring treatments to individual patient conditions. This has heightened the demand for access to diverse data from clinical practice and daily life for research, posing challenges due to the sensitive nature of medical information, including genetics and health conditions. Regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the U.S. and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe aim to strike a balance between data security, privacy, and the imperative for access.
Results: We present the Gemelli Generator - Real World Data (GEN-RWD) Sandbox, a modular multi-agent platform designed for distributed analytics in healthcare. Its primary objective is to empower external researchers to leverage hospital data while upholding privacy and ownership, obviating the need for direct data sharing. Docker compatibility adds an extra layer of flexibility, and scalability is assured through modular design, facilitating combinations of Proxy and Processor modules with various graphical interfaces. Security and reliability are reinforced through components like Identity and Access Management (IAM) agent, and a Blockchain-based notarisation module. Certification processes verify the identities of information senders and receivers.
Conclusions: The GEN-RWD Sandbox architecture achieves a good level of usability while ensuring a blend of flexibility, scalability, and security. Featuring a user-friendly graphical interface catering to diverse technical expertise, its external accessibility enables personnel outside the hospital to use the platform. Overall, the GEN-RWD Sandbox emerges as a comprehensive solution for healthcare distributed analytics, maintaining a delicate equilibrium between accessibility, scalability, and security.
Influence of adiabatic gravitational compression of atmospheric mass on the temperature of the troposphere
Authors: Michel THIZON 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The temperature that the Earth's surface would have without the greenhouse effect, with an atmosphere completely transparent to infrared radiation, or even without an atmosphere at all, is generally estimated at -18°C. The greenhouse effect is estimated to induce a warming of 33°C to justify the surface temperature of +15°C. To explain this discrepancy, we examine, with the ideal gas law, to which the Earth's atmosphere obeys its normal conditions of pressure and temperature, the role that the adiabatic compression of the atmospheric mass subjected to gravity can play. The dimensional analysis of the ideal gas law demonstrates that compression of the atmosphere produces energy, which can be calculated in Joules. The temperature of the atmosphere near the Earth's surface is influenced by both its invariable atmospheric mass, solar irradiation and the greenhouse effect. This calls into question the commonly established Earth's Energy Budgets which consider almost exclusively radiative effects, and which deduce a Back Radiation attributed to the greenhouse effect which is abnormally high.
Regulatory Recognition of Commercial Space Flights
Authors: Bulgakova Daria 
Published: December 2023

The author of the research article raises current legal issues regarding the regulatory challenges associated with the commercialization of outer space, with a particular focus on space tourism. The study aims to solve the legal dilemma of the lack of a legal framework that would define commercial spaceflight because this problem creates ambiguity in the understanding of the phenomenon of space tourism and raises concerns about the regulatory way of space exploration by private companies. The methods of analysis consist of the benefit of theoretical aspects of international space law for the designation of a mutual understanding between commercial interests and the principles of space exploration. The obtained results of the study lead to the conclusion that the main factor that inhibits the implementation of proper legal regulation of commercial space activity is uncertainty in the application of one or another law to regulate flights with space tourists, which, in the opinion of the author, should be eliminated employing regulatory direction on the proper legal regime, a clear definition of the boundary between outer space and air space, the weight of the norms of international law as opposed to the applications of states regarding the expediency of the norms of national law. The author's solution is the initiative for the governance of the unsettling areas through contractual arrangements. This idea is due to the results of the study about the predictability of the potential loss of relevance of international space law for the regulation of commercial space flights, therefore the auxiliary role of contract law is delivered. For its implementation, the author emphasizes the prospect of maintaining a regulatory course on (i) management of property rights, (ii) management of space resources in the direction of prohibition of appropriation and commercial colonization of celestial bodies; (iii) provisions for liability in the event of flight anomalies, safe rescue accidents, and the return of space tourists.
Ensuring National Security in the Process of Implementing Forms of Direct Democracy at the Local Level
Authors: Lialiuk Oleksii , Derevianko Serhii , Mustafaieva Saida 
Published: December 2023

The relevance of the work is determined by the existing threats to national security, which have been exacerbated by the full-scale military invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, as well as by the processes of European integration of Ukraine.
The authors set out to study the issues of ensuring Ukraine's national security in the process of implementing various forms of direct democracy at the local level. To achieve this goal, the article uses the analysis of written sources, logical analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction and description.
The article examines the place of foreigners in public life at the local level in terms of the right to participate in local elections, local referendums, general meetings, as well as local initiatives and public hearings. The authors analyze the risks to national security in case of granting foreigners voting rights at the local level, as well as the right to participate in the referendum.
The article analyzes the legal regulation of foreigners' participation in direct forms of democracy not only under Ukrainian law, but also under the laws of the United States of America, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands, Estonia, Slovakia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, and the European Union acquis.
The authors formulate various options (methods) for ensuring national security in the process of realizing the right of foreigners to participate in various forms of direct democracy. Further research is promising and necessary for choosing the best option for legal regulation.