bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
WITHDRAWN: As-IV improves LPS-induced vascular endothelial dysfunction by inhibiting calpain-1/PI3K/Akt Signaling
Authors: guo xinyu , wang hongxin 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Objective and design
To explore the impacts and mechanisms of Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) on LPS-induced vascular endothelial dysfunction, which is often associated with the development of sepsis. Previous experimental and clinical studies have established the cardiovascular benefits of AS-IV, but the mechanism of action behind vascular endothelial dysfunction improvement remains unclear.
Materials and methods
In vivo studies, Capn1-/- and wild-type C57BL/6 mice were gavaged with AS-IV (40, 80 or 120 mg/kg) for 7 days, except for the control group. The model of endotoxemia was established with a single intraperitoneal injection of LPS (10 mg/kg), in vitro studies, human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were pretreated with AS-IV, MDL-28170 (a calpain-1 inhibitor), and LY-294002 (a PI3K inhibitor) for 2 hours, afterwards, the cells were incubated with LPS (1 mg/L) for 24 hours. Vascular endothelial dysfunction was assessed by vascular reactivity testing, HE staining, western blotting, immunofluorescence staining and immunohistochemistry.
Results
Higher concentrations of LPS (1000 ng/ml) caused significant vascular endothelial dysfunction, however, AS-IV treatment enhanced ACh-induced vasodilatory responses, eNOS and NO production, reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, and was accompanied by downregulation of calpain-1 and upregulation of PI3k and p-Akt in both mice and at the cellular level. Meanwhile, Capn1-/- and MDL-28170 increased the expression of PI3K and P-Akt, delayed the onset and progression of vascular endothelial dysfunction and reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, with pharmacological effects similar to those of AS-IV. In addition, LY-294002 significantly reduced AS-IV-mediated protection in vitro.
Conclusion
AS-IV ameliorated vascular endothelial dysfunction and may exert its protective effects through the calpain-1/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
A System Dynamics Based Policy Simulation Approach to Reduce Plastic Waste Flow for Inland and Riverine Area in Khulna City of Bangladesh
Authors: Rafew S M , Rafizul Islam M , Kraft Eckhard 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
A comprehensive analysis of regional plastic waste flow in both land and marine ecosystem is mandatory to tackle potential hindrance towards a cumulative sustainable growth accompanied with green taxonomy. The severity of plastic pollution in most of the coastal cities around the world are augmenting the plastic waste footprint not only in those land areas but also in the oceans and aquatic lives. This study has been conducted to shed lights on presently mismanaged flow of plastic waste in the coastal gateway city of Khulna and to develop effective policy measures for reducing the plastic waste footprint around the city. To achieve the stated goal, a system dynamics (SD) model has been constructed with numerous knitted factors that has a potential applicability beyond specific regional boundaries. Baseline simulation results show that the per capita plastic waste generation increases to 11.6 kg by 2040 from 8.92 Kg in 2023. Moreover, an extensive quantity of 69.7 thousand tons of piled up plastic waste at landfills along with a riverine discharge of 834 ton from the city side has given rise to the plastic waste footprint index (PWFI) value to 24 by 2040. Furthermore, the absence of technological initiatives is responsible for logarithmic rise of the non-recyclable plastic waste to 1.35 thousand tons. The annual turnover of recycle shops has been found decreasing from 381 million BDT to 245 million BDT by 2040, due to the shutting down of recycle shops. This study has also evaluated two policy scenarios to illustrate that preventing riverine plastic discharge, encouraging govt. incentives for recycle and manufacturing industries innovative techniques such as converting discarded plastic to manufacture end products is obligatory. In this regard policy 2 has been adequate enough from a sustainability perspective with lowest PWFI value of 1.07 with a per capita plastic waste generation of 10 kg by 2040. Finally, through sensitivity analysis the parameter boundary adequacy and robustness of developed SD model has been checked to suffice its efficient applicability for policy analysis to reduce plastic waste flow in identical spatiotemporal regions.
Population genetic structure of white teatfish, Holothuria fuscogilva in south-coast, Kenya
Authors: Karan Diana J. , Fulanda Bernerd M. , Mkare Thomas K. , Wambua Sammy M. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

The white teatfish, Holothuria fuscogilva, is widely distributed in coastal areas, including waters around coral reefs and seagrasses in the Indo-Pacific. In Kenya, the species is distributed in shallow reefs, with higher landings reported from the Vanga-Shimoni-Msambweni seascape on the Kenyan south coast. The present study investigated the genetic structure and effects of fishing pressure on genetic diversity of H. fuscogilva populations from three fish landing sites in south-coast Kenya, using an analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase sub-unit I (COI) gene. Muscle tissues were obtained for a total of 60 individuals collected from three sites. Genomic DNA was extracted from the ethanol stored samples using commercial DNA extraction kit method. DNA samples for 47 samples were able to amplify using the polymerase chain reaction method (PCR). High-quality PCR products yielding high-quality sequences, producing 22 haplotypes with high haplotype diversity but low nucleotide diversity (h = 0.922, π = 0.008). The northernmost site, Gazi, reported higher genetic diversity (h = 0.933) than other populations. The genetic structure was analyzed using Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA), a comparison of the genetic differentiation between populations using Fixation Indices (FST) based on Wright's F-statistics. AMOVA showed the highest proportion of variation within the populations than among the populations. The fixation index FST showed a lack of structure among H. fuscogilva (FST = 0.01186, p. value = 0.29069). The H. fuscogilva populations at the three study sites along Kenya's south coast appear to have genetic connectivity but no significant genetic structure. The genetic structure estimates and intra-population genetic diversity depict a robust population that can regenerate lost individuals after a fishing event. This study has generated information on genetic structure and the status of genetic diversity of H. fuscogilva under fishing pressure in south-coast Kenya. The study has provided genetic information to elucidate population genetic structure along the Kenya south-coast that is critical in guiding the formulation of sound harvest strategies and conservation management policies for the H. fuscogilva species.
Fast Railway Foreign Objects Intrusion Detection Method Based on Cascaded Convolution Neural Network and Knowledge Distillation
Authors: Meng Siming , Chen Weixun , Jiang Yuelong 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The efficient and accurate detection of foreign objects invading railway tracks holds paramount importance in safeguarding the safety of train operations. Focusing on the problem of the low efficiency of the existing foreign objects detection methods, this work proposes a fast railway foreign objects intrusion detection method based on cascaded convolution neural network and knowledge distillation. First, a two-stage cascade convolution neural network is built.The first stage can identify whether the railway images are intruded by foreign objects or not. This is achieved by a light weight image classification network.In the second stage,YOLOv3 is employed to classify and locate the objects in the intruded railway image. The use of lightweight classification network can reduce the use of the object detection network, thus improving the overall efficiency of the railway foreign objects intrusion detection method in this paper. Secondly, this paper employs the Overhaul knowledge distillation algorithm to train a lightweight network that is supervised by a larger network, so that the lightweight network constructed in this paper also has satisfying image classification performance. Finally, the YOLOv3 object detection network is used to detect the foreign object image classified by the first level network. The experimental results demonstrate that the accuracy of the image classification network proposed in this paper is competitive to the classical backbone network, and the FPS is about 50–70 higher than the comparison method.
Challenge for long-term discontinuation of immunosuppressants in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome: a single-center experience over 10 years
Authors: Sobue Yoko , Nishi Kentaro , Kamei Koichi , Inoki Yuta , Osaka Kei , Kaneda Tomoya , Akiyama Misaki , Sato Mai , Ogura Masao , Ishikura Kenji , Ishiguro Akira , Ito Shuichi 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background
Despite adverse events associated with the long-term use of immunosuppressants, their long-term discontinuation remains challenging in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. Relapse and resumption of immunosuppressants after discontinuation and associated risk factors were analyzed.
Methods
This single-center retrospective cohort study included 107 children with frequently relapsing/steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (FRNS/SDNS) or steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) who initiated immunosuppressant treatment between 2010 and 2020. Patients treated with immunosuppressants for less than two years and those with genetic SRNS were excluded.
Results
Of 107 patients with FRNS/SDNS or SRNS, 68 (64%) discontinued immunosuppressants. Discontinuation of immunosuppressants was more frequently tried in patients with less relapse on initial immunosuppressants and less rituximab administration. Of 68 patients who discontinued immunosuppressants, 45 (66%) relapsed and 31 (46%) resumed immunosuppressants with a median follow-up of 39.8 months (IQR, 24.6–71.2 months) after discontinuation. The relapse-free survival rates were 40.0%, 35.3%, and 35.3% in 1, 2, and 3 years from discontinuation of immunosuppressants, respectively. The resumption-free survival rates were 59.0%, 52.2%, and 52.2% in 1, 2, and 3 years from discontinuation of immunosuppressants, respectively. Relapse on initial immunosuppressants was the risk factor for both relapse (HR 2.447, 95%CI 1.234–4.856, P = 0.011) and resumption of immunosuppressants (HR 3.070, 95༅CI 1.315–7.167, P = 0.010) after discontinuation, adjusting for sex, age at immunosuppressant treatment initiation, SRNS, and rituximab use.
Conclusions
Long-term discontinuation of immunosuppressants can be feasible in patients without a relapse on initial immunosuppressants and those without a relapse for one year after discontinuation of immunosuppressants.
Trial registration:
Not applicable
Impact of diapause on the cuticular hydrocarbons and certain physiological characteristics of the spotted amber ladybeetle, Hippodamia variegata
Authors: Khabir Mahsa , Izadi Hamzeh , Mahdian Kamran 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The spotted amber ladybird, Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) (Col.: Coccinellidae), is known to be a potent predator of aphids, psyllids, whiteflies, mealybugs, and some butterfly species. This ladybeetle overwinters in the diapausing adult stage. The current study aimed to evaluate the impact of diapause on the energy resources and cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) of the female ladybeetle, specifically comparing the changes in glycogen, lipid and protein contents, and CHCs profile of diapausing and non-diapausing adults. The research utilized gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyze whole-body extracts of the beetles. Results showed no significant differences between the amount of glycogen, lipid, and protein contents of diapausing and non-diapausing ladybeetle. The CHCs profile of H. variegata consisted of 24 hydrocarbons categorized into two groups: linear aliphatic hydrocarbons (n-alkanes) and methyl-branched hydrocarbons (17 molecules), as well as unsaturated cyclic compounds (7 molecules). The n-alkanes, with 14 compounds, were identified as the primary constituents of the CHCs of the ladybeetle. Six molecules were common to non-diapausing and diapausing beetles, five were exclusive to non-diapausing beetles, and 13 were exclusive to diapausing beetles. Moreover, the researchers noted a significant difference in the quantity and quality of CHCs between diapausing and non-diapausing beetles, with diapausing beetles synthesizing more CHCs with longer chains. This disparity in CHC profiles was concluded to be an adaptation of H. variegata to survive harsh environmental conditions during diapause.
Higher-pitched female voices elicit jealousy: Comparing the explanatory power of perceptions of mate poaching, attributions of attractiveness, and trait jealousy
Authors: O'Connor Jillian J. M. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Higher-pitched female voices elicit jealousy among women. However, it is unknown whether jealousy towards higher-pitched female voices is driven by perceptions of the rival’s mating strategy, by attractiveness to one’s romantic partner, or by variation in trait jealousy. Here, I manipulated women’s voices to be higher or lower in pitch, and tested whether jealousy towards female voices was more strongly associated with perceptions of mate poaching, perceptions of attractiveness to one’s mate, or with individual differences in trait jealousy. I replicated findings that higher voice pitch elicits more jealousy from women, which was positively associated with perceptions of mate poaching, and with attractiveness to one’s partner to a lesser extent. I found no evidence of an association between trait jealousy and perceptions of intrasexual competition. The findings suggest that perceptions of a target’s mating strategy have a somewhat stronger impact on jealousy than does perceived desirability to one’s romantic partner.
Spectroscopic signatures and conformational preferences in isolated melatonin: a computational study.
Authors: Singh Vipin Bahadur , srivas santosh kumar 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Neurohormone melatonin has become a popular dietary supplement because it is a potent antioxidant, immune-active agent, and mitochondrial regulator and establishes healthy sleep. Melatonin could have many shared underlying mechanisms that can modulate and control the immune and oxidative response against COVID-19 infection. Despite its essential biological roles, a high-level ab initio conformational study has yet to be conducted more precisely on its most favored structural forms. We presented the conformational preferences of the five lowest energy structures of neutral melatonin derived from the First Principle Møller–Plesset Second-Order Perturbation Theory (MP2) and Density Functional Theory (DFT) ( M06-2X, and ωB97X-D) calculations that validated, Gauche-phenyl conformation (C), Gph (trans-in)/anti, as the most favored form, following experimental rotationally resolved spectroscopy and in contrast of two-photon IR and UV spectroscopy.[7, 25] The DFT-B3LYP evaluation of harmonic wave numbers allows us to make more precise vibrational assignments. Melatonin's ‘most remarkable’ fingerprint IR and Raman spectroscopic signatures were identified at 1212 and 1358 cm-1, respectively. The cis amide NH stretch frequency is lower than the trans amide counterpart. The CH2(α) and CH2(β) symmetric stretch vibrations have exhibited significant IR intensity and high Raman activity. Time-Dependent DFT calculations predict that the second-lowest excited state 1La (1ππ*) of Melatonin C is about 2129 cm-1 above the lowest excited 1Lb (1ππ*) state, and both states display a redshift on bulk hydration (mimicked by a polarizable continuum solvent model). Based on melatonin's prominent intrinsic vibrations/electronic excitations, the spectroscopic signatures can identify and distinguish from closely related indolic molecules.
The Black-Hole Limits of the Spherically Symmetric and Static Relativistic Polytrope Solutions
Authors: deLyra Jorge L. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
We examine the black-hole limits of the family of static and spherically symmetric exact solutions of the Einstein field equations for polytropic matter, that was presented in a previous paper. This exploration is done in the asymptotic sub-regions of the allowed regions of the parameter planes of that family of solutions, for a few values of the polytropic index n, with the limitation that n > 1. These allowed regions were determined and discussed in some detail in another previous paper.
The characteristics of these limits are examined and analyzed. We find that there are different types of black-hole limits, with specific characteristics involving the local temperature of the matter. We also find that the limits produce a very unexpected but specific type of spacetime geometry in the interior of the black holes, which we analyze in detail. Regarding the spatial part of the interior geometry, we show that in the black-hole limits there is a general collapse of all radial distances to zero. Regarding the temporal part, there results an infinite overall red shift in the limits, with respect to the flat space at radial infinity, over the whole interior region. The analysis of the interior geometry leads to a very surprising connection with quantum-mechanical studies of naked Schwarzschild black holes.
We argue that the black-hole limits cannot actually be taken all the way to their ultimate conclusion, due to the fact that this would lead to the violation of some essential physical and mathematical conditions. These include questions of consistency of the solutions, questions involving infinite energies, and questions involving violations of the quantum behavior of matter. However, one can still approach these limiting situations to a very significant degree, from the physical standpoint, so that the limits can still be considered, at least for some purposes, as useful and simpler approximate representations of physically realizable configurations with rather extreme properties.
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8187223
A NFT (Non-Fungible Token) Chain Model and Performance Study
Authors: Seol Jongho , Ke Zuqiang , Kancharla Abhilash , Joshi Shital , Park Nohpill 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
This paper presents a quantitative model to assess the performance of a NFT (Non-Fungible Token)-centered chain as referred to as a NFT Chain in this paper. The model was introduced in [17] and more extensive simulations are conducted and the results are presented in this work. NFT chain in general stores its data distributed across on chain (e.g., NFT registration ledger data and an address pointing at the data located off chain such as meta data table and ultimate digital asset's data) due to the high cost to store the potentially high volume of data for digital assets. Therefore, it is expected that the overall performance of NFT chain is primarily to be dominated and bound by the off-chain performance. The proposed performance model employing an embedded Markovian queueing process model, tracks a bivariate state of the NFT chain such that \(\left(\varvec{i},\varvec{j}\right)\) where \(\varvec{i}\) stochastically tracks the number of slots of the transactions executed on chain and \(\varvec{j}\) stochastically tracks the number of transactions off chain as well, and the states transition as determined by \({\varvec{\lambda }}_{\varvec{o}\varvec{n}}\), \({\varvec{\lambda }}_{\varvec{o}\varvec{f}\varvec{f}}\), \(\varvec{\mu }\), and the number of slots in the current block. Extensive numerical simulations are performed to validate the efficacy of the model. The primary set of variables used in the simulations consists of \({\varvec{\lambda }}_{\varvec{o}\varvec{n}}\), \({\varvec{\lambda }}_{\varvec{o}\varvec{f}\varvec{f}}\), \(\varvec{\mu }\) and the average number of slots of the transactions during a block posting, \(\varvec{L}\), is simulated based on both \({\varvec{L}}_{\varvec{o}\varvec{n}}\)and \({\varvec{L}}_{\varvec{o}\varvec{f}\varvec{f}}\); and the average waiting time \(\varvec{W}\) based on both \({\varvec{W}}_{\varvec{o}\varvec{n}}\)and \({\varvec{W}}_{\varvec{o}\varvec{f}\varvec{f}}\), in an intermingled manner in order to take into account of the nature of NFT transactions executed across on- and off-chain without loss of generality. The simulation results in [17] has demonstrated a good agreement with the expected and intuitive trends. The results of more extensive simulations are presented in this paper to further demonstrate the efficacy and versatility of the proposed model. Ultimately, the proposed NFT chain model will serve as a sound theoretical foundation for the design of NFT chains from the performance's perspective.
Modeling and optimization of height-related geometrical parameters for thin wall structures manufactured by metal additive manufacturing
Authors: Dehaghani Mostafa Rahmani , Tang Yifan , Panicker Suraj , Wu Di , Coatanea Eric , Wang G. Gary 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Cold metal transfer wire arc additive manufacturing (CMT-WAAM) has attracted attention in recent years due to its ability to print walls with higher dimensional accuracy than regular WAAM. To print near net shape parts by CMT-WAAM, there is a need to define a set of height-related geometrical parameters (HGPs) that can capture, quantify, and compare the quality of the height of the produced parts. In the presenting study a set of HGPs, namely, the average height error (AHE), maximum height variation (MHV), and average absolute slope (AAS) are defined and assessed. Fifteen single-track multi-layer walls are printed to check the effect of process parameters on the defined HGPs. It is found that the stability and quality of the print cannot be guaranteed by checking the visual appearance of the single beads and at least five-to-ten-layer walls should be printed. It is also found that the travel speed (TS) and wire feed speed (WFS) have positive monotonic relationships with AAS and MHV, respectively. Correlations between process parameters and HGPs are modeled and optimized using multi-objective optimization and a validation test is performed to check the validity of the developed models. Moreover, HGPs of walls printed using unidirectional and bidirectional path strategies are calculated and compared. Defined HGPs are able to quantify, capture, and compare the quality of height of a wall with only three parameters. The HGPs can be used in further studies to report and compare the quality of height of thin wall structures.