bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of land use and land cover on land surface temperature in an Indian riverine town over a decade and how it varied post-lockdown
Authors: Chowdhury Shubhayan Roy , Bhaumik Prerana , Sahoo Satiprasad , Chanda Abhra , Nguyen Trinh Trong , Elkhrachy Ismail , Minh Nguyen Nguyet 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

In towns and cities in developing countries, negligence in consistently regulating the growth of urban sprawl is commonplace. The purpose of the study was to analyze spatiotemporal changes in land use land cover (LULC) and their impact on land surface temperature (LST) in Balurghat, Dakshin Dinajpur district, West Bengal, India. The results revealed a decrease in the vegetation cover (64–44%) and an increase in the built-up area (14–39%) from 2012 to 2022. Over the study period, built-up regions and bare land had the highest temperatures, ranging from 20.6°C to 24.96°C, and waterbodies had the lowest temperatures, ranging from 17.85°C to 20.47°C. From 2012 to 2017, LST exhibited an increasing trend. However, after the lockdown, LST declined slightly in 2022. The mean LST variations in the study area from 2012 to 2022, presenting a pre- and post-pandemic scenario, were also highlighted in this study. Furthermore, this study emphasized the correlation analysis between LST and four spectral indices, which are the Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI), the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), the Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), and the Modified Normalized Difference Water Index (MNDWI). Multiple linear regression (MLR) containing NDVI and MNDWI with LST has been consistently the best-fit model for 2012, 2017 and 2022. These models have been established using various statistical tools, primarily the Akaike information criterion (AIC) model selection and the Inflation Factor (VIF). The results provide a framework for sustainable urban design and development, which can serve as a resource for policymakers and increase public understanding.
Effective Near Vision Spectacle Coverage፡ An indicator to track implementation of universal eye health coverage
Authors: Yalew Amsalu Belete , Alemu Haile Woretaw , Alemayehu Abiy Maru 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Near visual impairment is a global public health issue that affects over a billion people. Effective near vision spectacle coverage is a useful indicator for the provision of services and to address the burden of uncorrected NVI, which maximizes performance of near tasks and productivity and improves quality of life, particularly in teachers. However, there was a paucity of evidence on effective near-vision spectacle coverage and barriers to uptake among teachers in our country. Therefore, the aim of our study was to determine the effective near vision spectacle coverage and identify barriers to use correction among school teachers in Debre Tabor town, Northwest Ethiopia.
Methods
An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted using simple random sampling to enumerate 420 teachers. The data were ascertained through a personal interview and ocular examination. Epi-Data version 4.6 was used to code and enter the data before it was exported into the statistical package for social science version 26 for analysis. Summery statistics like frequency, mean, median, and quartile were performed.
Results
A total of 420 teachers were enrolled, with a response rate of 99.3%. The effective near vision coverage was 36.9% (95% CI: 34.1%, 41.2%), and the near vision spectacle coverage was 48.7% (95% CI: 45.0%, 52.2%), with 25.9% gaps. High costs, lack of felt need, low accessibility, lack of awareness, and misconceptions on spectacle use were the major barriers to use correction.
Conclusion
The study indicated that effective near-vision spectacle coverage among school teachers was low. These findings indicate the need for improved access to refractive services among teachers, for whom near vision plays a significant role. High costs, lack of felt needs, low accessibility of spectacle services, lack of awareness, and misconceptions about spectacle use were major barriers to use spectacle correction. The present effective near-vision spectacle coverage should be enhanced through the provision of affordable spectacles, increased awareness of NVI and barriers to correction through mass media, and encouraging regular eye checkups for older teachers.
An enhanced stress resultant plasticity model for shell structures with application in sheet metal roll forming
Authors: Kocbay Emin , Scheidl Jakob , Schwarzinger Fabian , Vetyukov Yury 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
The proposed Kirchhoff–Love shell stress resultant plasticity model extends a previously reported model for plates by complementing the constitutive law of elastoplasticity with membrane effects. This enhanced model is designed for bending dominant settings with small to moderate membrane forces. It is thus implemented in a purpose-built nonlinear mixed Eulerian–Lagrangian finite element scheme for the simulation of sheet metal roll forming. Numerical experiments by imposing artificial strain histories on a through-the thickness element are conducted to test the model against previously reported stress resultant plasticity models and to validate it against the traditional continuum plasticity approach that features an integration of relations of elastoplasticity in a set of grid points distributed over the thickness. Results of actual roll forming simulations demonstrate the practicality in comparison to the computationally more expensive continuum plasticity approach.
Preparation of Semiconductor Nickel Oxide Nano hollow sphere; Their Modified Electrode for Electro Catalytic Reduction of Ethanol and Oxidation of Ascorbic Acid and Dopamine
Authors: Marimuthu Alexander , Ali Daoud , Subburaj Surender 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
The crystalline semiconductor nickel oxide nano hollow sphere (NHS) is prepared by the template assisted solution phase growth method using carbon sphere. The NiO nano hollow spheres have diameters ranging from 400–500 nm in size, which is fabricated by NiO nanoparticles. The NiO nanoparticle sizes are ranges from 20–40 nm and their band gap energy is found 3.86 eV, it is used as P-type semiconductors. This NiO NHS is characterized by various analytical methods such as FT-IR spectra, X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) and Energy Dispersive X-ray pattern (EDX). Then the surface and structure morphology are analysed by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), High resolution scanning electron microscope (HRTEM). Our studies indicate that the NiO NHS modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) exhibited excellent electrocatalysis for the determination and reduction of ethanol, and also oxidation of ascorbic acid (AA) and dopamine (Dop).
Research on Dynamic Characteristics and Structural Optimization of Porous Gas Bearings in Linear Compressors
Authors: Li Jiangang , Wu Jianjun , Fan Jingdao , Wang Xin , Gao Zhongjie 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
In order to study the influence of structural parameters of porous gas bearing and operating parameters of linear compressor on the static and dynamic performance of porous gas bearing, based on gas lubrication theory, Darcy's law and Reynolds equation, the mathematical model and simulation model of porous gas bearing of linear compressor are derived and established. The static and dynamic characteristics of the porous gas bearing of the linear compressor are studied by using Fluent software simulation. According to the simulation results, the effects of inlet pressure, porous material thickness and gas gap on the gas consumption and bearing capacity of the porous gas bearing under different eccentricities are analyzed. The results show that the higher the inlet pressure is, the larger the gas consumption and bearing capacity; the thicker the porous material is, the smaller the gas consumption and the larger the bearing capacity, the thicker the gas gap is, the larger the gas consumption and the smaller the bearing capacity. Based on the simulation study, the multi-objective optimization of the porous gas bearing was carried out based on the response surface method according to the gas consumption and load carrying capacity of the gas bearing and considering the processing and assembly difficulties, and the gas supply pressure was selected between \(0.3\sim0.5MPa\), the thickness of the porous material between \(3\sim5mm\) and the thickness of the air gap between \(10\sim20\mu m\). While ensuring the stable operation of the linear compressor, the optimal combination of design parameters is provided for the optimal design of gas bearings used in linear compressors.
Correlation Between Roughness, Film Thickness and Friction Coefficient with Pitting Wear Resistance of Spur Gears
Authors: DALCIN RAFAEL LUCIANO , de Menezes Valcir Marques , Rocha Alexandre da Silva , de Moraes Samara Paulin , Affonso Leonardo Bottega , Cousseau Tiago , Silva Carlos Henrique da 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
The present investigation aims correlate the roughness, film thickness and friction coefficient with pitting wear resistance along the rolling-sliding contact fatigue of forged and plasma nitrided gears. The hypothesis of this work is that the pitting wear resistance of forged gears can be greatly improved by pulsed plasma nitriding. Weibull’s statistical analysis confirms that nitrided gears with 24 vol.% N2 showed the lowest pitting wear rates among the investigated conditions, which was attributed to the best combination between surface hardness, fracture toughness, compound layer thickness, and phases on surface. The pitting wear intensifies with increasing roughness, but this same behavior was not observed between the wear evolution and the maximum shear stress field in the sub-surface. Another interesting fact is that nitrided gears with 24 vol.% N2 (best condition), have a greater film thickness at the end of the rolling-sliding contact fatigue, which gives it greater protection, less friction and pitting wear.
Gemcitabine elaidate and ONC201 combination therapy inhibits pancreatic cancer in a KRAS mutated syngeneic mouse model
Authors: Mahato Ram , Kumar Virender , Sethi Bhartu , Staller Dalton 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Approximately 90% of pancreatic cancer (PC) contain KRAS mutations. Mutated KRAS activates the downstream oncogenic PI3K/AKT and MEK signaling pathways and induces drug resistance. However, targeting both pathways with different drugs can also lead to access of toxicity. ONC201 targets DR5 to induce apoptosis in several types of cancers and has an excellent safety profile. ONC201 is also a dual PI3K/AKT and MEK pathways inhibitor. Gemcitabine (GEM) is a first-line chemotherapy in PC, but it is metabolically unstable, which can be stabilized by prodrug approach. Here, we used lipid-gemcitabine (L_GEM) conjugate, which is more stable and enters the cells by passive diffusion. We evaluated the efficacy of L_GEM and ONC201 in PanCan cells, and “KrasLSL-G12D; p53LoxP; Pdx1-CreER (KPC) triple mutant xenograft tumor-bearing mice. ONC201, in combination with L_GEM, showed a superior inhibitory effect on the growth of MIA PaCa-2 cells. ONC201 and L_GEM combination prevented neoplastic proliferation via AKT/ERK blockade, to overcome chemoresistance, and increased T-cell tumor surveillance. Simultaneous inhibition of the PI3K/AKT and MEK pathways with ONC201 is an attractive approach to potentiate GEM. Our findings provide insight into rational-directed precision chemo and immunotherapy therapy in PDAC.
3D Pose Estimation of Porous Workpiece Basedon Binocular Vision System
Authors: Wang Hongcui , Li Zhe , Duan Guifang 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
The workpiece with multi-hole is common in the field of machine production and manufacturing. Robot-oriented automated docking is an important means to improve product assembly efficiency. How to accurately estimate the position and the pose of porous workpiece is drawing more and more attention. In this paper, we propose a new binocular vision method for 3D pose estimation. First, an ellipse detection method is used to extract the hole feature. It uses three geometry constraints to ensure the accuracy of the ellipse detection. Second, the vanishing point and vanishing line of the workpiece plane are calculated using the ellipse information. Then the real projection point of the circle center can be accurately obtained through the vanishing line. The position of the circle center is reconstructed by the triangulation technology in our method. Last, the structural characteristics of the multi-hole workpiece are fully employed in the step of pose estimation. The posture is calculated by fitting the plane of those 3D points of circle center in order to reduce the error. Experiments are performed. The precision error of position estimation could be within 0.15mm and the precision error of pose estimation could be within 0.5°, meeting the operation requirements of machine production and manufacturing. These results verified the high accuracy and strong robustness of our proposed method.
Identification and analysis of differentially expressed microRNAs in endometrium to explore the regulation of sheep fecundity
Authors: Dong Jihong , Jiang Xuecheng , Liu Nan , Li Hegang , Zhao Jinshan , He Jianning , Gao Xiaoxiao 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important regulatory role in mammalian reproduction. Currently, most studies are primarily concentrated on ovarian miRNAs, ignoring the influence of uterine miRNAs on the fecundity of female sheep. To uncover potential regulators of sheep fecundity, RNA-seq was used to comparatively analyze miRNA expression profiles of endometrium between high prolificacy sheep (HP, litter size = 3) and low prolificacy sheep (LP, litter size = 1) with FecBB genotype.
Results
Firstly, genomic features of miRNAs from endometrium were analyzed. Furthermore, 58 differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs were found in the endometrium of Hu sheep with different litter size. A co-expression network of DE miRNAs and target genes has been constructed, and hub genes related litter size are included, such as DE miRNA unconservative_NC_019472.2_1229533 and unconservative_NC_019481.2_1637827 target to ESR1 and unconservative_NC_019481.2_1637827 targets to TCF7. Moreover, functional annotation analysis showed that the target genes (NRCAM and NEGR1) of the DE miRNAs were significantly enriched in cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) signaling pathway, which was related to uterine receptivity.
Conclusion
Taken together, this study provides a new valuable resource for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying Hu sheep prolificacy.
Interactions of Climatic Characteristics x Strobili Productions in Taurus Cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.) Populations
Authors: BİLİR Nebi , YAZICI Nilüfer 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Reproductive characteristic (e.g., pollen, strobili, cone, seed, fruit) is one of the main tools in sustainable forestry. However, many biotic (e.g., growth characteristics, species, population) and abiotic (e.g., edaphic, climatic, geographic) factors can be effective on these characteristics. In this study, impact of climatic characteristics including minimum, maximum and average temperatures, annual precipitation, and relative humidity on female and male strobili productions were examined in three natural populations of Taurus cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.) during three consecutive years (2020–2022). For this purpose, fifty trees were sampled and marked from each population to observe strobilus productions. ANOVA showed that climatic characteristics were similar among years and among populations, while female and male strobili productions showed significant (p < 0.01) differences among years and among populations, and also among years within population. Interactions of population x year were not significant (p > 0.05) in climatic characteristics opposite to strobili productions. Two populations had the highest strobili productions (155.4 and 82.3 for female, and 889.4 and 186.1 for male) in 2022. The studied climatic characteristics had no significant (p > 0.05) impact on strobili productions.
PRMT5-mediated methylation of STAT3 is required for lung cancer stem cell maintenance and tumour growth
Authors: Tanaka Nobuyuki , Sano Takumi , Abe Yoshinori , Otsuka Naoki , Ogawa Masashi 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

STAT3 is constitutively activated in many cancer types, including lung cancer, and can induce cancer cell proliferation and cancer stem cell (CSC) maintenance. STAT3 is activated by tyrosine kinases, such as JAK and SRC, but the mechanism by which STAT3 maintains its activated state in cancer cells remains unclear. Here, we show that PRMT5 directly methylates STAT3 and enhances its activated tyrosine phosphorylation in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. PRMT5 expression is also induced by STAT3, suggesting the presence of a positive feedback loop in cancer cells. Furthermore, methylation of STAT3 at arginine 609 by PRMT5 is important for its transcriptional activity and support of tumour growth and CSC maintenance. Indeed, NSCLC cells expressing the arginine 609 STAT3 mutant show significantly impaired tumour growth in nude mice. Overall, our study reveals a mechanism by which STAT3 remains activated in NSCLC and provides a new target for cancer therapeutic approaches.
Depression, psychological distress and coping strategies among African Migrants in Australia: A cross sectional web-based study
Authors: Osuagwu Uchechukwu Levi , Mwanri Lillian , Botchway-Commey Edith N. , Chisanga David , Tembo Agness , Meribe Nnaemeka , Gatwiri Kathomi , Adonteng-Kissi Obed , Doyle Aunty Kerrie , Baffour Frank Darkwa , Moustafa Ahmed A. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
African migrants constitute a significant proportion of the Australian population, with over 7.6 million migrants residing in the country in 2020. While migration and resettlement offer opportunities, the associated stressors may adversely affect the mental health and well-being of African migrants. This study explores, for the first time, the prevalence of depression and psychological distress among African migrants in Australia and explored the relationship between coping mechanisms and mental health outcomes.
Methods
A web-based cross-sectional survey of adult African migrants in Australia was conducted between February and May 2022. Participants (N = 167) without a refugee status who resided in Australia for at least 12 months were recruited through community groups. An e-link of the survey created in Qualtrics was posted on online platforms (WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook) and distributed via emails of community members. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 assessed mental health outcomes and the Brief COPE assessed coping strategies. Descriptive and multivariate regression analyses were used to determine the association between demographic variables, language ability and mental health outcomes.
Results
Most respondents (89.2%) were between 25-54 years of age, and proficient in English. Approximately one in every three individuals reported higher levels of either depression or psychological distress while 30.9% reported higher levels of both mental health outcomes. Age-specific rates revealed higher levels of depression and psychological distress among younger participants (18-24 years, 62.5%) compared to older age groups (55-59 years, 22.2%; p<0.05, for both). Coping strategies, such as self-blame, self-distraction, and behavioural disengagement, were significant predictors of depression. Similar findings were observed for psychological distress, with self-blame, behavioural disengagement, and religious coping identified as significant predictors. Language ability did not significantly differ between groups with varying levels of depression or distress. However, younger age was associated with higher levels of depression (t(63) = -3.17, p = 0.002; β = -0.29) and psychological distress (t(63) = -2.87, p = 0.03; β = -0.22).
Conclusion
These findings highlight the importance of addressing mental health issues and promoting effective coping strategies among African migrants in Australia, particularly targeting young individuals.
Large Language Models, scientific knowledge and factuality: A systematic analysis in antibiotic discovery
Authors: Wysocka Magdalena , Wysocki Oskar , Delmas Maxime , Mutel Vincent , Freitas Andre 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background Inferring over and extracting information from Large Language Models (LLMs) trained on a large corpus of scientific literature can potentially drive a new era in biomedical research, reducing the barriers for accessing existing medical evidence. This work examines the potential of LLMs for dialoguing with biomedical background knowledge, using the context of antibiotic discovery as an exemplar motivational scenario. The context of biomedical discovery from natural products entails understanding the relational evidence between an organism (e.g. a Fungi such as Albifimbria verrucaria), an associated chemical (Verrucarin A) and its associated antibiotic properties (present antibiotic activity).
Results This work provides a systematic assessment on the ability of LLMs to encode and express these relations, verifying for fluency, prompt-alignment, semantic coherence, factual knowledge and specificity of generated responses. The systematic analysis is applied to nine state-of-the-art models, from models specialised on biomedical scientific corpora to general models such as ChatGPT and GPT-4 in two prompting-based tasks: chemical compound definition generation and chemical compound-fungus relation determination. Results show that while recent models have improved in fluency, factual accuracy is still low and models are biased towards over-represented entities. The ability of LLMs to serve as biomedical knowledge bases is questioned, and the need for additional systematic evaluation frameworks is highlighted. The best performing GPT-4 produced a factual definition for 70% of chemical compounds and 43.6% factual relations to fungi, whereas the best open source model BioGPT-large 30% of the compounds and 30% of the relations for the best-performing prompt.
Conclusions The results show that while LLMs are currently not fit for purpose to be used as biomedical factual knowledge bases, there is a promising emerging property in the direction of factuality as the models become domain specialised, scale-up in size and level of human feedback.