bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of ice content on compression characteristics of frozen sandstone by in-situ NMR technology
Authors: Qiu Bei , Fan Lifeng , Ma Congming , Yang Qihao , Du Xiuli 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIn cold regions, the freezing of pore water in rock affects the mechanical behavior of the rock. This paper studied the ice content of frozen sandstone at different temperatures and its effects on the mechanical properties of sandstone. First, the progressive freezing treatment (from 25.0 to − 30.0 °C) and in-situ nuclear magnetic resonance test were conducted to study the evolution of the ice content of sandstone with temperature. This evolution was quantitatively described by the frozen ratio defined as the percentage of the mass of ice and the total mass of water. Then, the mechanical properties of frozen sandstone at different temperatures (25.0 °C, 0.0 °C, − 5.0 °C, − 10.0 °C, − 20.0 °C and − 30.0 °C, respectively) were tested, such as P-wave velocity, uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), peak strain and elastic modulus. Finally, the effects of the frozen ratio on these properties were discussed. The results show that the pore water in sandstone shows three stages as the temperature decreases: stable liquid (from 25.0 to 0.0 °C), sharp phase transition (from 0.0 to − 2.5 °C) and slow phase transition (from − 2.5 to − 30.0 °C). Especially, the capillary and bulk water in sandstone is almost completely frozen in the sharp phase transition stage. As the temperature decreases, the frozen ratio first remains constant, then increases rapidly and finally increases slowly. Moreover, as the frozen ratio increases, the P-wave velocity, UCS and peak strain increase while the elastic modulus decreases. Interestingly, the compressive failure mode of sandstone changes from brittle to ductile as the frozen ratio increases.
iTRAQ-based protein profiling and functional identification of four genes involved in rice basal resistance against Magnaporthe oryzae in two contrasting rice genotypes
Authors: Li Chenchen , Chen Ziqiang , Deng Yun , Jiang Shuyu , Su Yan , Yang Shaohua , Lin Yan , Tian Dagang 
Published: September 2023

AbstractRice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, is one of the most destructive rice diseases. Developing blast-resistant rice cultivars represents the most economical and environmentally friend strategy for managing the disease. In our previous study, an isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)-based comparative protein quantification was carried out to investigate the resistance gene Piz-t gene-mediated resistance response to infection in two contrasting rice genotypes of the Piz-t transgenic Nipponbare line (NPB-Piz-t) and its wild-type Nipponbare (NPB). Here, from the comparisons of differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) of NPB-Piz-t to the avirulent isolate KJ201 (KJ201-Piz-t)and the virulent isolate RB22 (RB22-Piz-t) with mock-treated NPB-Piz-t (Mock-Piz-t), NPB to the virulent isolate KJ201(KJ201-NPB) and RB22 (RB22-NPB) with mock-treated NPB (Mock-NPB), 1, 1, and 6 common DEPs were, respectively, identified at 24, 48 and 72 h post-inoculation (hpi) in the susceptible comparisons of RB22-Pizt/Mock-Piz-t, KJ201-NPB/Mock-NPB, and RB22-NPB/Mock-NPB, involving in gi|54,290,836 and gi|59,800,021 were identified in the resistance comparison KJ201-Piz-t/Mock-Piz-t at 48 and 72 hpi respectively. Moreover, four genes of Os01g0138900 (gi|54,290,836), Os04g0659300 (gi|59,800,021), Os09g0315700 (gi|125,563,186) or Os04g0394200 (gi|21,740,743) were knocked out or overexpressed in NPB using gene over-expression and CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and results verified that the Os01g0138900 obviously affected the rice blast resistance. Further, expression and targeted metabolomics analysis illuminated the resistance response of cysteine-containing substances as gi|59,800,021 under blast infection. These results provide new targets for basal resistance gene identification and open avenues for developing novel rice blast resistant materials.
A Proposal for a Definition of General Purpose Artificial Intelligence Systems
Authors: Gutierrez Carlos I. , Aguirre Anthony , Uuk Risto , Boine Claire C. , Franklin Matija 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe European Union (EU) is in the middle of comprehensively regulating artificial intelligence (AI) through an effort known as the AI Act. Within the vast spectrum of issues under the Act’s aegis, the treatment of technologies classified as general purpose AI systems (GPAIS) merits special consideration. Particularly, existing proposals to define GPAIS do not provide sufficient guidance to distinguish these systems from those designed to perform specific tasks, denominated as fixed-purpose. Thus, our working paper has three objectives: first, to highlight the variance and ambiguity in the interpretation of GPAIS in the literature; second, to examine the dimensions of the generality of purpose available to define GPAIS; lastly, to propose a functional definition of the term that facilitates its governance within the EU. Our intention with this piece is to offer policymakers an alternative perspective on GPAIS that improves the hard and soft law efforts to mitigate these systems’ risks and protect the well-being and future of constituencies in the EU and globally.
Distributed Multi-Agent Hierarchy Construction for Dynamic DCOPs in Mobile Sensor Teams
Authors: Agyemang Brighter , Ren Fenghui , Yan Jun 
Published: September 2023

AbstractCoordinating multiple agents to optimize an objective has several real-world applications. In areas such as disaster rescue, environment monitoring and the like, mobile agents may be deployed to work as a team to achieve a joint goal. Recently, multi-agent problems involving mobile sensor teams have been formalized in the literature as DCOP_MSTs. Under this class of problems, DCOP algorithms are applied to enable agents to coordinate the assignment of their physical locations as they jointly optimize the team objective. In DCOP_MSTs, the environment is dynamic, and agents may leave or join the environment at random times. As a result, a predefined interaction topology or graph may not be useful over the problem horizon. Therefore, there is a need to study methods that could facilitate agent-to-agent interaction in such open and dynamic environments. Existing methods require reconstructing the entire graph upon detecting changes in the environment or assume a predefined interaction graph. In this study, we propose a dynamic multi-agent hierarchy construction algorithm that can be used by DCOP_MST algorithms that require a pseudo-tree for execution. We evaluate our proposed method in a simulated target detection case study to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach in large agent teams.
Inadvertent hypothermia: a prevalent perioperative issue that remains to be improved
Authors: Wang Jia-feng , Deng Xiao-ming 
Published: September 2023

AbstractInadvertent hypothermia, defined as a body temperature lower than 36 °C, remains to be a critical issue during the perioperative period. Despite of the development of the active warming devices, the incidence of perioperative hypothermia has been reported to varying between 10%–80%. The top five risk factors of perioperative hypothermia include advanced age, low body mass index, duration of anesthesia or surgery, preoperative hypothermia and large amount of fluid or blood product. A prediction scoring system may be helpful in identifying the population with high risk of perioperative hypothermia. Perioperative hypothermia is associated with shivering, postoperative infection, increased amount of intraoperative blood loss and infusion of fluid or blood products, and delayed recovery after anesthesia. The most accepted warming intervention is forced-air warmers, which has been reported to be associated with elevated intraoperative temperature and reduced intraoperative bleeding and postoperative infection. The present review will focus on the mechanism, incidence, risk factor, adverse outcome, monitoring and warming strategies of perioperative hypothermia.
Graphical Abstract
“More than Disease”: Uncovering the Economic, Social, and Political Consequences of Sierra Leone’s COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: McLean Kristen E. , Malcolm Liza J. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractWhen COVID-19 reached Sierra Leone, the government responded by implementing strict containment measures. While the effectiveness of such actions has been debated, the socioeconomic and political implications were undeniable. This qualitative study reveals that people suffered tremendously from economic insecurity, strains on social relationships, and civil rights violations, prompting many to perceive the COVID-19 pandemic as worse than the 2014–15 Ebola epidemic. These hardships have driven distrust of the government, which threatens continuing mitigation efforts. Using a feminist global health security frame, which recenters the protection of vulnerable individuals in relation to the state, we call for more contextually-relevant, civil society-informed pandemic responses.
The Blackwater is not a Back Water: Locating the Mesolithic and its Environment at Eversley Quarry, Fleet Hill Farm, Finchampstead, Berkshire
Authors: HARDING PHIL , BROWN ALEX , LÓPEZ-DÓRIGA INÉS 
Published: September 2023

Archaeological fieldwork at Eversley Quarry, Fleet Hill Farm, Finchampstead, Berkshire documented evidence of Mesolithic activity, associated with paleoenvironmental deposits, on the Blackwater River floodplain, a river for which activity of this period was previously unknown. The discovery evolved from initial recognition of worked flint artefacts across a well weathered, stripped subsoil surface in part of the site. Additional material was collected subsequently from the summit of an adjacent low knoll. The findings were of sufficient extent and importance to warrant supplementary archaeological fieldwork using a gridded test pit strategy to evaluate the Mesolithic potential in remaining parts of the site. This resulted in the identification of additional clusters of worked flints, which were preserved in situ.The clusters were predominantly of Mesolithic date but also included Neolithic and Bronze Age artefacts, indicating prolonged use of the landscape. Concentrations were consistently located on slightly elevated sand bars flanking palaeochannels of a formerly braided river system. The contemporaneity of the palaeodrainage and Mesolithic activity has been confirmed by radiocarbon dates from peat that formed during the Holocene. The collective results mark a significant contribution to knowledge of the Blackwater River valley, a major communications artery in the Mesolithic period linking the west end of the Wealden Greensand to the Rivers Thames and Kennet. These findings also highlight the importance that river valleys can make to locations that have been less well studied but nevertheless enjoyed prolonged use.
Novel ENT live telehealth and live video-otoscopy clinics in remote Australia: outcomes and comparisons to traditional clinic models
Authors: O'Neil Luke M , O'Neill Margie , Whelan Fiona , Leahy Travis , Wormald Robert , Hinton-Bayre Anton D , Ghandour Joseph , Kuthubutheen Jafri 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 challenged the delivery of healthcare in Australia, disproportionately impacting vulnerable patients, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and those living in remote regions. The otolaryngology service provided to remote Western Australia adapted to these barriers by altering clinical consultations to a digital model.MethodsA review was undertaken of patients in regional Western Australia. Demographics and clinical outcomes from 20 live telehealth clinics were retrospectively reviewed and compared to 16 face-to-face clinics.ResultsThe demographics of patients reviewed in both live telehealth and face-to-face clinics were similar, except for a larger proportion of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients utilising telehealth. The outcomes of patients reviewed through each model of care were comparable. Live video-otoscopy provided diagnostic quality images in 92 per cent of cases.ConclusionThe findings of our review suggest that, despite its limitations, a large proportion of ENT patients may be safely assessed through a live telehealth model.
China’s zero-COVID policy and psychological distress: a spatial quasi-experimental design
Authors: Yan Karl , Jiang Shan , Xia Lili , Jin Tianye , Dai Anran , Gu Chudie , Li Angran 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Before the Omicron variant ran amok inside China in November 2022, the Chinese central government’s dynamic zero-COVID policy effectively contained the spread of the coronavirus and its variants during multiple waves of outbreaks. However, it was not without cost. This study examines the impacts of stringent lockdown interventions on urban residents’ mental health during the initial outbreak of the Omicron variant in the spring of 2022. Using survey data from 522 respondents within the same neighbourhood and a spatial quasi-experimental design, the results show that strict lockdown interventions are significantly related to higher levels of psychological distress after controlling for observed confounders and that lockdown interventions have further spillover effects on mental health for residents in adjacent residential compounds who are otherwise free. Moreover, the results show that the lack of material supplies and medical care plays a more salient role in explaining lockdown effects on psychological distress than residents’ social interaction and trust levels of COVID-19 policy. Policy and intervention implications are also discussed.
Saturn's Atmosphere in Northern Summer Revealed by JWST/MIRI
Authors: Fletcher Leigh N. , King Oliver R. T. , Harkett Jake , Hammel Heidi B. , Roman Michael T. , Melin Henrik , Hedman Matthew M. , Moses Julianne I. , Guerlet Sandrine , Milam Stefanie N. , Tiscareno Matthew S. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractSaturn's northern summertime hemisphere was mapped by JWST/Mid‐Infrared Instrument (4.9–27.9 µm) in November 2022, tracing the seasonal evolution of temperatures, aerosols, and chemical species in the 5 years since the end of the Cassini mission. The spectral region between reflected sunlight and thermal emission (5.1–6.8 µm) is mapped for the first time, enabling retrievals of phosphine, ammonia, and water, alongside a system of two aerosol layers (an upper tropospheric haze p < 0.3 bars, and a deeper cloud layer at 1–2 bars). Ammonia displays substantial equatorial enrichment, suggesting similar dynamical processes to those found in Jupiter's equatorial zone. Saturn's North Polar Stratospheric Vortex has warmed since 2017, entrained by westward winds at p < 10 mbar, and exhibits localized enhancements in several hydrocarbons. The strongest latitudinal temperature gradients are co‐located with the peaks of the zonal winds, implying wind decay with altitude. Reflectivity contrasts at 5–6 µm compare favorably with albedo contrasts observed by Hubble, and several discrete vortices are observed. A warm equatorial stratospheric band in 2022 is not consistent with a 15‐year repeatability for the equatorial oscillation. A stacked system of windshear zones dominates Saturn's equatorial stratosphere, and implies a westward equatorial jet near 1–5 mbar at this epoch. Lower stratospheric temperatures, and local minima in the distributions of several hydrocarbons, imply low‐latitude upwelling and a reversal of Saturn's interhemispheric circulation since equinox. Latitudinal distributions of stratospheric ethylene, benzene, methyl, and carbon dioxide are presented for the first time, and we report the first detection of propane bands in the 8–11 µm region.
Feeding characteristics of healthy infants without reported feeding impairments throughout the first month of life
Authors: McGrattan Katlyn Elizabeth , Hammell Abbey E. , Turski Morgan Elaine , Klein Kristina E. , Delaware Elise , McCormick Jennie , Weikle Ellen , Broderick Erin , Ramel Sara E. , Mohr Alicia Hofelich 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Objective
Elucidate characteristics of feeding performance in healthy infants without reported feeding problems throughout the first month of life.

Study design
Feeding was monitored in 61 healthy infants by caregiver report for 48 h a week from birth to 4 weeks old. Outcomes included feeding modality, how much they consumed, how long the feed lasted, and how many coughing episodes the infant exhibited. Data were analyzed with descriptive and non-parametric statistics.

Result
The majority of infants (68%) exhibited at least one problematic feeding behavior. Infants consumed 68 ml/feed over 20 min, though the milk volumes and feed durations were highly variable. Coughing occurred an average of 2 feeds per day. No significant change in coughing was observed throughout the first month of life (p = 0.64). Infants coughed significantly less during breast feeds than bottle feeds (p = 0.02).

Conclusion
Healthy term infants exhibit what appear to be normal developmental imperfections in feeding performance throughout the first month of life.
E2 enzyme Bruce negatively regulates Hippo signaling through POSH-mediated expanded degradation
Authors: Song Sha , Ma Xianjue 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe Hippo pathway is a master regulator of organ growth, stem cell renewal, and tumorigenesis, its activation is tightly controlled by various post-translational modifications, including ubiquitination. While several E3 ubiquitin ligases have been identified as regulators of Hippo pathway, the corresponding E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (E2s) remain unknown. Here, we performed a screen in Drosophila to identify E2s involved in regulating wing overgrowth caused by the overexpression of Crumbs (Crb) intracellular domain and identified Bruce as a critical regulator. Loss of Bruce downregulates Hippo target gene expression and suppresses Hippo signaling inactivation induced tissue growth. Unexpectedly, our genetic data indicate that Bruce acts upstream of Expanded (Ex) but in parallel with the canonical Hippo (Hpo) -Warts (Wts) cascade to regulate Yorkie (Yki), the downstream effector of Hippo pathway. Mechanistically, Bruce synergizes with E3 ligase POSH to regulate growth and ubiquitination-mediated Ex degradation. Moreover, we demonstrate that Bruce is required for Hippo-mediated malignant tumor progression. Altogether, our findings unveil Bruce as a crucial E2 enzyme that bridges the signal from the cell surface to regulate Hippo pathway activation in Drosophila.
Bone metastasis detection method based on improving golden jackal optimization using whale optimization algorithm
Authors: Magdy Omnia , Abd Elaziz Mohamed , Elgarayhi Ahmed , Ewees Ahmed A. , Sallah Mohammed 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis paper presents a machine learning-based technique for interpreting bone scintigraphy images, focusing on feature extraction and introducing a new feature selection method called GJOW. GJOW enhances the effectiveness of the golden jackal optimization (GJO) algorithm by integrating operators from the whale optimization algorithm (WOA). The technique’s performance is evaluated through extensive experiments using 18 benchmark datasets and 581 bone scan images obtained from a gamma camera, including 362 abnormal and 219 normal cases. The results highlight the superior predictive effectiveness of the GJOW algorithm in bone metastasis detection, achieving an accuracy of 71.79% and specificity of 91.14%. The contributions of this study include the introduction of a new machine learning-based approach for detecting bone metastasis using gamma camera scans, leading to improved accuracy in identifying bone metastases. The findings have practical implications for early detection and intervention, potentially improving patient outcomes.
Comprehensive analysis of copper-metabolism-related genes about prognosis and immune microenvironment in osteosarcoma
Authors: Lin Zili , He Yizhe , Wu Ziyi , Yuan Yuhao , Li Xiangyao , Luo Wei 
Published: September 2023

AbstractDespite being significant in various diseases, including cancers, the impact of copper metabolism on osteosarcoma (OS) remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to use bioinformatics analyses to identify a reliable copper metabolism signature that could improve OS patient prognosis prediction, immune landscape understanding, and drug sensitivity. Through nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) clustering, we revealed distinct prognosis-associated clusters of OS patients based on copper metabolism-related genes (CMRGs), showing differential gene expression linked to immune processes. The risk model, comprising 13 prognostic CMRGs, was established using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression, closely associated with the OS microenvironment's immune situation and drug sensitivity. Furthermore, we developed an integrated nomogram, combining the risk score and clinical traits to quantitatively predict OS patient prognosis. The calibration plot, timeROC, and timeROC analyses demonstrated its predictable accuracy and clinical usefulness. Finally, we identified three independent prognostic signatures for OS patients: COX11, AP1B1, and ABCB6. This study confirmed the involvement of CMRGs in OS patient prognosis, immune processes, and drug sensitivity, suggesting their potential as promising prognostic signatures and therapeutic targets for OS.
Blood biomarkers in the application of diagnosis and prediction of overall survival for 1089 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Su Hangjiu , Luo Yu , Chen Yanyun , Lin Zhongyuan , Fu Xiafei , Zhu Songshan , Yin Jun 
Published: September 2023

AbstractPrevious studies have indicated that some blood metrics play a crucial role in the diagnostic and prognostic values of various solid tumours. However, their comprehensive and unbiased comparison for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has not been performed. Twenty blood metrics evaluated in tumours or noncancerous diseases were selected. We selected 1089 patients with NPC and analyzed the relationship between these metrics, clinical characteristics, and overall survival (OS). The albumin and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) exhibited a high area under the curve (AUC) value (> 0.7) together with high “sensitivity (Sen) + specificity (Spe) (> 1.5)” or Youden index (> 0.5) when compared to healthy populations. In comparing NPC and nasal polyps, 9 of 20 blood metrics showed a high AUC value (> 0.7). However, only the PNI and international normalised ratio show a sufficiently high Sen + Spe or Youden Index. None of them could distinguish the status of the TNM classification well. Only the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) could predict the OS of patients with NPC (cut-off, 4.91; p = 0.0069). Blood metrics as non-invasive biomarkers are valuable tools for clinical management. Among these indicators, PNI is the most ideal indicator to distinguish NPC from healthy and nasal polyps. The LMR has good prognostic value.