bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Σύνθεση πολυλειτουργικών νανοσωματιδίων χρυσού και λιποσωμικών νανοσωματιδίων, τροποποιημένων με πλατίνα και σίδηρο, για διάγνωση και θεραπεία
Authors: Σταυροπούλου Αναστασία
Published: March 2024

Σκοπός της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής είναι η σύνθεση, ο χαρακτηρισμός και η βιολογική αξιολόγηση μεταλλικών και υβριδικών νανοδομών για εφαρμογές στη διάγνωση και θεραπεία ασθενειών. Η μελέτη απαρτίζεται από δύο ενότητες, για τις δύο διαφορετικές ασθένειες που ερευνήθηκαν, τον καρκίνο και την αθηροσκλήρωση. Στην πρώτη ενότητα, συντέθηκαν επιτυχώς 12 είδη μεταλλικών νανοσωματιδίων. Η σύσταση των διαφορετικών νανοσωματιδίων αφορά σε μεταλλικά νανοσωματίδια χρυσού, και διμεταλλικών νανοσωματιδίων χρυσού επικαλυμμένου με λευκόχρυσο, στα οποία χρησιμοποιήθηκαν αναγωγικά κιτρικού και ασκορβικού οξέος και 7 αμινοξέων, καθώς και νανοσωματιδίων οξειδίου του σιδήρου και νανοσωματιδίων σιδήρου-λευκοχρύσου. Οι μεταλλικές νανοδομές μελετήθηκαν δομικά, μορφολογικά και αξιολογήθηκαν βιολογικά. Αρχικά μελετήθηκε η αιματολογική βιοσυμβατότητά τους και στη συνέχεια πραγματοποιήθηκαν πειράματα κυτταροτοξικότητας σε κυτταρική σειρά αναφοράς ΗΕΚ293 και γλοιοβλαστώματος U87MG. Έπειτα, αξιολογήθηκε η «θερανωστική» τους συμπεριφορά στον καρκίνο του εγκεφάλου. Στη δεύτερη ενότητα πραγματοποιήθηκαν συνθέσεις λιποσωμικών και υβριδικών νανοσωματιδίων για την αντιμετώπιση της αθηροσκλήρωσης. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, συντέθηκαν θερμοευαίσθητα λιποσωμικά νανοσωματίδια στα οποία εγκλωβίστηκαν τα μαγνητικά νανολουλούδια οξειδίου του σιδήρου αλλά και δύο διαφορετικές στατίνες. Πραγματοποιήθηκε έλεγχος της βιοσυμβατότητάς τους και στη συνέχεια μελετήθηκε η βιολογική τους συμπεριφορά, στην κυτταρική σειρά ενδοθηλιακών κυττάρων HUVEC, προκειμένου να παρατηρηθεί η ικανότητά τους να μειώνουν το οξειδωτικό στρες που προκαλείται στα κύτταρα στην αθηροσκλήρωση.
Microporella hastingsae Harmelin, Ostrovsky, Cáceres-Chamizo and Sanner, 2011 (Bryozoa, Cheilostomatida): a possible new Lessepsian species in the Mediterranean Sea?
Authors: ROSSO ANTONIETTA , SIDDIOLO CHIARA
Published: March 2024

The introduction of Non-Indigenous Species (NIS) in the Mediterranean Sea is one of the main threats to biodiversity and its increasing frequency could bring a significant ecological impact on native species. However, knowledge of marine bioinvasions, the spreading patterns of NIS and their possible pathways of dispersion is still limited, especially for particular taxonomic groups. In this paper, we report the first Mediterranean record of a colony of a non-indigenous bryozoan, Microporella hastingsae Harmelin, Ostrovsky, Cáceres-Chamizo and Sanner, 2011, found on plastic litter stranded south of Catania (Sicily, western Ionian Sea) during spring 2023. Based on this colony, a formal taxonomic description of M. hastingsae is provided for this species, which was recently erected for old, misidentified material collected in the early twentieth century in the Suez Canal and the north Red Sea. We suggest that the species could be considered a Lessepsian migrant assuming it entered the Mediterranean Sea at any time, through larval dispersal and/or the possible facilitation by human activities, presumably shipping. Further surveys in coastal localities of Sicily and the eastern Mediterranean are needed to confirm the establishment of M. hastingsae or if the present colony only represents an occasional record of the species in the basin.
Reconceptualizing museum decolonization: A proposal for the repatriation of agency
Authors: Bacci Francesca
Published: March 2024

This paper discusses how cultural governance leadership can adopt a decolonizing operational model for museums, to the advantage of all stakeholders. Key to the proposed framework is foregrounding the repatriation of ex-colonies’ agency as preparatory to the possible repatriation of their objects. The model hypothesizes the creation of an international alliance of museums, ministries of culture and universities/research institutes to form an accrediting body that certifies the status of “decolonized museum”, with appointed national curators or community representatives from each former colony. These professionals can be temporarily hired by institutions worldwide, to support the writing, displaying and storytelling revisions necessary to achieve the accreditation.
Integration of Career Guidance Minimum into the Educational work Program of an Educational Organization
Authors: Frolova Svetlana , Nechaev Mikhail
Published: March 2024

The article is devoted to the problem of implementing the minimum career guidance in the educational environment of the school. The relevance of career guidance work and the introduction of the professional minimum at the present stage is substantiated. Modern resources of the career guidance system are analyzed. Particular attention is paid to pedagogical support for students’ professional self-determination. A possible model for implementing the professional minimum is proposed within the framework of the “Career Guidance” module of the educational organization’s work program, and methodological recommendations are given.
Neuromodulation in the treatment of anorexia nervosa - a literature review
Authors: Metelska Aleksandra , Permoda-Pachuta Agnieszka , Karakuła-Juchnowicz Hanna
Published: March 2024

Introduction
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a disorder in which an unnaturally low body weight is deliberately maintained, with the coexistence of a distorted body image. The effectiveness of AN treatment so far is about 40%. For this reason, new methods of treatment are sought, which include brain neuromodulation techniques.
Purpose
The aim of this article was to determine the effectiveness of neuromodulation techniques in the treatment of AN.
Materials and methods
The literature on the use of neuromodulation techniques in patients with AN was reviewed via electronic databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, ClinicalTrial.gov. The scope of the search was limited to 01/01/2008-03/01/2023. Articles in English, such as: randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials, case reports, were included. In order to verify the quality of the article, the six-point SANRA scale (Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles) was used.
Results
The results of the studies conducted so far are not homogeneous. The limitation of conclusions is primarily due to the small number and type of clinical trials conducted, involving small groups of subjects. The literature on the subject lacks systematic reviews and meta-analyses, which makes it impossible to reliably determine the effectiveness of therapy.
Conclusions
Based on Evidence-Based Medicine and the level of credibility of the available data, there is insufficient evidence to recommend neuromodulation techniques for the standard treatment of AN. Further randomized, double-blind clinical trials are needed to assess the effectiveness of this form of treatment. However, the existing data are promising.
The supporting role of Artificial Intelligence and Machine/Deep Learning in monitoring the marine environment: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Di Ciaccio Fabiana
Published: March 2024

The widespread interest towards a sustainable and effective monitoring of the environment is increasingly demanding the development of modern and more affordable technologies to support or even replace the traditional time-consuming, high-cost sampling surveys at a multi-scale level. Researchers are highly benefitting from the recent enormous progresses achieved in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) field, with Machine/Deep Learning (ML/DL) applications increasing at sight. This gives a remarkable contribution to the environmental monitoring at sea, further allowing to develop efficient, smart and low-cost solutions to support the wide variety of tasks dealing with this objective.
This study explores the global scientific literature on AI and ML/DL applications for the environmental monitoring over the last years. The VOSviewer software has been used to create maps based on the bibliographic network data: this allowed to display the relationships among scientific journals, researchers, and countries and to analyze the co-occurrence of different terms connected to the research. The resulting bibliometric analysis aims at verifying the major research interests and at providing the community with interesting findings and new perspectives on this very important topic, highlighting the great potential and flexibility of these methodologies and the excellent achievements they obtained in the last years.
La competitividad de Colombia frente a los países de América Latina 2010-2021: avances y desafíos
Authors: Limas Suárez Sonia Janneth , Poveda-Pineda Derly-Francedy , Cifuentes-Medina José-Eriberto
Published: March 2024

La competitividad ha sido tema de interés en diferentes esferas porque cumple una función elemental en el momento de generar ventaja diferencial y competitiva en las empresas y en la economía nacionaly se convierte en una condición necesaria para generar nuevos escenarios de posicionamiento a nivelnacional e internacional. Lo anterior motivó esta investigación. Objetivo: Analizar la competitividad de Colombia frente a los países de América Latina en el periodo 2010-2021, para con base en este análisis identificar los avances y principales desafíos y recomendar algunas acciones que conduzcan a mejorar la competitividad en el ámbito nacional y, en consecuencia, regional. Metodología: Se empleó el métodoempírico-descriptivo de tipo documental y cuantitativo. La fuente primaria fue la información de losinformes de entidades gremiales, gubernamentales y sectoriales (2010-2021) basada en indicadores internacionales de competitividad nacional. Resultados principales: En el análisis se encontró que la brechaen competitividad para Colombia aún es grande, por lo que requiere mejorar su posición articulando las operaciones entre ámbito nacional y departamental (regional). Conclusiones: Se deben desarrollar acciones estratégicas junto con el trabajo articulado entre las partes que permitan, además del crecimiento de los indicadores de competitividad, mejorar la posición nacional e internacional del país.
Missed nursing care and stoma care: an Italian survey
Authors: Valenti Antonio , Ricotti Andrea , Rizzo Alessio , Zamprogno Mattia ,   The Missed Nursing Care AIOSS group
Published: March 2024

Background:

In Italy, nursing research has paid special attention to ‘missed nursing care’. The studies carried out, varying in tools and settings, describe considerable percentages of missed care. In the field of stoma care, the phenomenon has not been investigated to date.

Aim:

To investigate the prevalence of missed nursing care (MNC) in the Italian ostomy patient population and the most relevant causes suggested for this by stoma care nurses.

Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Method:

The Italian version of the MISSCARE survey was used with some questions related to the stoma care pathway. The survey was targeted at hospitals in the country with dedicated services and/or pathways for ostomy patients, between February and April 2023.

Findings:

A total of 461 questionnaires were sent out, 214 (53.3%) were analysed. The majority of the participants were female (160, 76.2%), median age of 50 years (35.0–53.8). The most common qualification was a Bachelor's degree (n=117; 54.9%) and work experience in stoma care was more than 10 years in 95 cases (50.3%). Prominent instances of MNC were identified, with hand washing (score 4.6 out of 5), compilation of nursing documentation and hygiene/skin care (score 4.5 out of 5) and patient/family education (score 4.4 out of 5) emerging as the most prevalent. The most notable omissions in the stoma care process encompassed educational facets, clinical monitoring, a comprehensive discharge plan, and diligent follow-up. Among the most frequent reasons were staff shortages (score 3.1 out of 4), unsuitable nurse–patient ratios (score of 3 out of 4) and insufficient numbers of experienced stoma care personnel (score of 3 out of 4).

Conclusion:

A substantial number of basic and clinically relevant nursing interventions were perceived to be missed, and this may lead to an increase in negative outcomes for ostomy patients.
Hyperammonaemia in cats
Authors: Webster Cynthia RL
Published: March 2024

Ammonia is an important nitrogen source required for amino acid, protein and nucleic acid synthesis. In addition, it plays an essential role in the kidney's maintenance of acid–base balance. However, high concentrations of ammonia are cytotoxic and clinical signs primarily reflect neurotoxicity. The body detoxifies ammonia through the urea cycle in the liver or by consuming ammonia in the conversion of glutamate to glutamine in the liver, brain and muscle tissue. The most common cause of hyperammonaemia in cats is congenital portosystemic shunting. Additional causes include cobalamin or arginine deficiency, disruption of the urea cycle by congenital enzyme deficiencies or acute liver failure, excessive muscle activity, infections with urease-producing bacteria, kidney disease and multiple acquired portosystemic shunts.
Comparative study of oncology patients’ quality of life
Authors: Meneguin Silmara , Pollo Camila Fernandes , Camargo Heloiza Thaís Felipe , Honório Heitor Marques , de Oliveira César
Published: March 2024

Background:

A cancer diagnosis has a significant impact on a person's life, both physically and emotionally. However, the oncology patients’ QoL (QoL) at different stages of the disease has been under investigated.

Aim:

To assess and compare the QoL in three groups of oncology patients.

Methods:

A comparative study was carried out in an outpatient care service at a public hospital in the state of São Paulo. Data collection involved the use of the Palliative Performance Scale and the McGill QoL Questionnaire.

Results:

Most participants were women, Catholic and living with a partner. The Palliative Performance Scale revealed a predominance of stable patients (score: ≥70 points). Overall, palliative care patients had lower QoL scores compared to the other groups (p<0.01).

Conclusion:

QoL was worse among palliative care patients. Advanced age, being in palliative care, and have a low-income were negatively associated with a patient's QoL.
Characterization of Yogurt Dressing Added with Golden Berry (Physalis peruviana L.) Juice
Authors: Kwak Sang A , Joo Nami
Published: March 2024

In this study, we characterized the chemical properties of golden berries, which contain various functional substances and bioactive components, to develop a yogurt dressing using golden berry juice. The total polyphenol content of golden berry was 35.29 mg GAE/g, the total flavonoid content was 28.93 mg QE/g, and the DPPH radical scavenging activity was 94.81%. The chromaticity of yogurt dressing with golden berry juice decreased in L value and increased in a and b values with growing amounts of golden berry juice (p<0.001); viscosity decreased significantly with increasing amounts of golden berry juice (p<0.001). Electronic tongue analysis showed that sourness, umami taste, and saltiness increased upon increasing the quantity of golden berry juice, while sweetness and bitterness increased with less golden berry juice. PCA analysis determined that PC1 and PC2 accounted for 63.45% and 35.29% of the variance, respectively. Furthermore, the addition of golden berry juice impacted the analysis of taste patterns. Sensory evaluation showed that color, flavor, sweetness, sourness, bitterness, and overall acceptability were highest in the 30% golden berry juice group. As a result, it was confirmed that adding golden berry juice is suitable for developing yogurt dressings that can improve health functions and palatability.
Physicochemical Properties and Cooking Suitability of Mixed Flour Using ‘Baromi2’ Based on Standard Sieve Size
Authors: Oh Seah , Yoon Jisun , Park Hye-Young , Kim Hong-Sik , Choi Hye-Sun , Park Jiyoung
Published: March 2024

With changing dietary trends, active research is underway to substitute rice flour for wheat flour, commonly added to various processed foods. This study aimed to explore whether Baromi2, a floury rice incorporated in the production of Sujebi, can effectively replace wheat flour at appropriate levels based on its physicochemical and cooking characteristics. Baromi2 was categorized based on particle size (100, 140, and 200 mesh) and added in proportions of 10% and 20% relative to the weight of wheat flour. As the amount of Baromi2 increased, the protein and lipid content of the mixed flour also increased. Simultaneously, the dough strength decreased as the noodles became thinner, reducing hardness, gumminess, and chewiness. Additionally, a decrease in particle size increased peak viscosity and breakdown viscosity, whereas setback viscosity decreased. When Baromi2 was added at a 10% ratio, it displayed a low cooking loss, demonstrating desirable characteristics for Sujebi and was considered the most suitable proportion for production. These results provide foundational data for developing various rice-processed products using Baromi2, contributing to expanding consumption and enhancing utility.
Thomas Aquinas in Pastoral Formation
Authors: Langevin Dominic M.
Published: March 2024

Abstract: The thought and pedagogical methodology of St. Thomas Aquinas can and should inform priestly pastoral formation. To this end, the article begins by sketching the main elements of priestly ministry, aided by Thomas and the Second Vatican Council. It outlines modern systematic and magisterial approaches to priestly pastoral formation. For all of the surveyed sources, Jesus Christ is the model for priestly ministry and the focus for priestly formation. The article then presents how pastoral formation was a motivating force for Thomas in his writing and preaching. The author theorizes Thomistic helps for pastoral formation today. Thomas gives theological principles that are of fundamental importance for fruitful pastoral life. The most important is that all theology and pastoral practice flow from a unified, godly perspective. But Thomas's principles must be developed for pastoral practice. As such, the author proposes how theologians and seminary formators can further expand upon and implement Thomas's insights.
Design of a monocapillary with an inner Al2O3/HfO2 multilayer to obtain focused monochromatic hard X-rays
Authors: Li Yanli , Lv Wensi , Kong Xiangdong , Zhao Huibin , Han Li
Published: March 2024

An X-ray monocapillary with an inner multilayer can be a promising optical device to obtain focused monochromatic X-rays. A focused beam is acquired via controlling the shape of the monocapillary meanwhile monochromatic X-rays are screened out by the inside multilayer. For hard X-rays such as Cu-kα line 8.04 keV and Mo-kα line 17.44 keV, Al2O3/HfO2 is an effective material pair for the X-ray multilayer that can reflect the X-rays at an acceptable efficiency. In this work, four tapered-monocapillaries with inner Al2O3/HfO2 multilayers are designed to focus and monochromatize X-rays (8.04 keV and17.44 keV, respectively) from the point source and collimated beam. The theoretical transmission performance, including the beam size, reflectivity, and monochromaticity of the device, is also calculated. The results show that the ideal optics can focus desired X-rays with efficiency of about 60%. It provides a reference for fabricating this optics in the future, especially via the atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique, which represents great potential to coat uniform film on a curved surface.
Low loss, wideband, and high extinction ratio TM polarizer based on subwavelength gratings
Authors: Wu Haoyu , Sun Yaohui , Zhou Yue , Lu Mengjia , Hu Guohua , Yun Binfeng , Cui Yiping
Published: March 2024

We propose a low loss, wideband silicon transverse magnetic (TM) polarizer with high polarization extinction ratio and low reflection based on subwavelength grating. By arranging and optimizing a mutually perpendicular subwavelength grating with different duty cycles as the core and cladding, efficient waveguiding and radiation can be achieved for the TM and transverse electric (TE) injection, respectively. In simulation, the proposed TM polarizer has a footprint of 40µm×16.68µm, an insertion loss <0.7dB, a polarization extinction ratio ≥20dB, and an unwanted TE reflection <−17.4dB in the wavelength range of 1230–1700 nm. Moreover, the fabrication tolerance of the proposed device is also investigated.
Brillouin spectroscopy via an atomic line monochromator
Authors: Hutchins Romanus , Schumacher Justin , Frank Eric , Ambekar Yogeshwari S. , Zanini Giulia , Scarcelli Giuliano
Published: March 2024

Brillouin spectrometers, used for characterizing material mechanical properties, traditionally employ etalons such as Fabry-Pérot interferometers and virtually imaged phased arrays (VIPA) that use spatial dispersion of the spectrum for measurement. Here, we introduce what we believe to be a novel approach to Brillouin spectroscopy using hot atomic vapors. Using laser induced circular dichroism of the rubidium D2 line in a ladder-type configuration, we developed a narrow-band monochromator for Brillouin analysis. Unlike etalon-based spectrometers, atomic line monochromators operate in free-space, facilitating Brillouin spectroscopy integration with microscopy instruments. We report the transmission and spectral resolution performances of the spectrometer and demonstrate Brillouin spectra measurements in liquids.
Super-resolution radial fluctuations microscopy for optimal resolution and fidelity
Authors: Li Yanru , Liu Lixin , Roberts Selene K. , Wang Lin
Published: March 2024

Fluorescence fluctuation super-resolution microscopy (FF-SRM) has emerged as a promising method for the fast, low-cost, and uncomplicated imaging of biological specimens beyond the diffraction limit. Among FF-SRM techniques, super-resolution radial fluctuation (SRRF) microscopy is a popular technique but is prone to artifacts, resulting in low fidelity, especially under conditions of high-density fluorophores. In this Letter, we developed a novel, to the best of our knowledge, combinatory computational super-resolution microscopy method, namely VeSRRF, that demonstrated superior performance in SRRF microscopy. VeSRRF combined intensity and gradient variance reweighted radial fluctuations (VRRF) and enhanced-SRRF (eSRRF) algorithms, leveraging the enhanced resolution achieved through intensity and gradient variance analysis in VRRF and the improved fidelity obtained from the radial gradient convergence transform in eSRRF. Our method was validated using microtubules in mammalian cells as a standard biological model system. Our results demonstrated that VeSRRF consistently achieved the highest resolution and exceptional fidelity compared to those obtained from other algorithms in both single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) and FF-SRM. Moreover, we developed the VeSRRF software package that is freely available on the open-source ImageJ/Fiji software platform to facilitate the use of VeSRRF in the broader community of biomedical researchers. VeSRRF is an exemplary method in which complementary microscopy techniques are integrated holistically, creating superior imaging performance and capabilities.
Polygonal Laguerre-Gauss beams
Authors: Mendoza-Hernández Job
Published: March 2024

We demonstrate that Laguerre-Gauss (LG) beams can have a polygonal distribution with the radial and azimuthal components, the so-called polygonal Laguerre-Gauss beams. These light beams are generated with a linear and trigonometric phase function of the angular coordinate which transform the Perfect LG beams with a lens. The polygonal Laguerre-Gauss beams preserve their distribution within a maximum propagation distance without diffraction similar to that used in the propagation-invariant light fields. We expect that these polygonal Laguerre-Gauss beams will be a method for creating any distribution controlling the radial and azimuthal components; moreover, they can be a proposal to control the number of the ring structures of the light beams.
Compartment specific responses to contractility in the small intestinal epithelium
Authors: Hinnant Taylor , Ning Wenxiu , Lechler Terry
Published: March 2024

Tissues are subject to multiple mechanical inputs at the cellular level that influence their overall shape and function. In the small intestine, actomyosin contractility can be induced by many physiological and pathological inputs. However, we have little understanding of how contractility impacts the intestinal epithelium on a cellular and tissue level. In this study, we probed the cell and tissue-level effects of contractility by using mouse models to genetically increase the level of myosin activity in the two distinct morphologic compartments of the intestinal epithelium, the crypts and villi. We found that increased contractility in the villar compartment caused shape changes in the cells that expressed the transgene and their immediate neighbors. While there were no discernable effects on villar architecture or cell polarity, even low levels of transgene induction in the villi caused non-cell autonomous hyperproliferation of the transit amplifying cells in the crypt, driving increased cell flux through the crypt-villar axis. In contrast, induction of increased contractility in the proliferating cells of the crypts resulted in nuclear deformations, DNA damage, and apoptosis. This study reveals the complex and diverse responses of different intestinal epithelial cells to contractility and provides important insight into mechanical regulation of intestinal physiology.
INFLAMMATION’s cognitive impact revealed by a novel “Line of Identity” approach
Authors: Royall Donald R. , Palmer Raymond F.
Published: March 2024

Importance

Dementia is an “overdetermined” syndrome. Few individuals are demented by any single biomarker, while several may independently explain small fractions of dementia severity. It may be advantageous to identify individuals afflicted by a specific biomarker to guide individualized treatment.

Objective

We aim to validate a psychometric classifier to identify persons adversely impacted by inflammation and replicate it in a second cohort.

Design

Secondary analyses of data collected by the Texas Alzheimer’s Research and Care Consortium (TARCC) (N = 3497) and the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) (N = 1737).

Setting

Two large, well-characterized multi-center convenience samples.

Participants

Volunteers with normal cognition (NC), Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or clinical “Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)”.

Exposure

Participants were assigned to “Afflicted” or “Resilient” classes on the basis of a psychometric classifier derived by confirmatory factor analysis.

Main outcome(s) and measure(s)

The groups were contrasted on multiple assessments and biomarkers. The groups were also contrasted regarding 4-year prospective conversions to “AD” from non-demented baseline diagnoses (controls and MCI). The Afflicted groups were predicted to have adverse levels of inflammation-related blood-based biomarkers, greater dementia severity and greater risk of prospective conversion.

Results

In ADNI /plasma, 47.1% of subjects were assigned to the Afflicted class. 44.6% of TARCC’s subjects were afflicted, 49.5% of non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) and 37.2% of Mexican Americans (MA). There was greater dementia severity in the Afflicted class [by ANOVA: ADNI /F(1) = 686.99, p <0.001; TARCC /F(1) = 1544.01, p <0.001]. “INFLAMMATION” factor composite scores were significantly higher (adverse) in Afflicted subjects [by ANOVA in ADNI /plasma F(1) = 1642.64, p <0.001 and in TARCC /serum F(1) = 3059.96, p <0.001]. Afflicted cases were more likely to convert to AD in the next four years [by Cox’s F, ADNI /plasma: F (252, 268) = 3.74 p < 0.001; TARCC /serum: F (160, 134) = 3.03, p < 0.001 (in TARCC’s entire sample), F (110, 90) = 4.92, p <0.001 in NHW, and F(50, 44) = 2.13, p = 0.006 in MA]. The proportions converting were similar among afflicted NHW in both cohorts /biofluids but MA exhibited a lower risk (7% in TARCC /serum at 48 months).

Conclusions and relevance

Our inflammation-specific psychometric classifier selects individuals with pre-specified biomarker profiles and predicts conversion to “AD” across cohorts, biofluids, and ethnicities. This algorithm might be applied to any dementia-related biomarker making the psychometric estimation of individual biomarker effects feasible without biomarker assessment. Our approach also distinguishes individuals resilient to individual biomarker effects allowing for more accurate prediction and precision intervention.
A fuzzy description logic based IoT framework: Formal verification and end user programming
Authors: Pérez-Gaspar Miguel , Gomez Javier , Bárcenas Everardo , Garcia Francisco
Published: March 2024

The Internet of Things (IoT) has become one of the most popular technologies in recent years. Advances in computing capabilities, hardware accessibility, and wireless connectivity make possible communication between people, processes, and devices for all kinds of applications and industries. However, the deployment of this technology is confined almost entirely to tech companies, leaving end users with only access to specific functionalities. This paper presents a framework that allows users with no technical knowledge to build their own IoT applications according to their needs. To this end, a framework consisting of two building blocks is presented. A friendly interface block lets users tell the system what to do using simple operating rules such as “if the temperature is cold, turn on the heater.” On the other hand, a fuzzy logic reasoner block built by experts translates the ambiguity of human language to specific actions to the actuators, such as “call the police.” The proposed system can also detect and inform the user if the inserted rules have inconsistencies in real time. Moreover, a formal model is introduced, based on fuzzy description logic, for the consistency of IoT systems. Finally, this paper presents various experiments using a fuzzy logic reasoner to show the viability of the proposed framework using a smart-home IoT security system as an example.
Optimizing immunization services: A Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) of child immunization facilities in Pakistan
Authors: Ahmad Taimoor , Ibrahim Muhammad , Naz Olan , Abdullah Mujahid , Khan Ayesha , Ali Maisam , Bunde Elizabeth , Alva Soumya , Prosser Wendy , Khan Adnan Ahmad
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Child immunization, though cost-beneficial, experiences varying costs influenced by individual facility-level factors. A real-time solution is to optimize resources and enhance vaccination services through proper method to measure immunization facility efficiency using existing data. Additionally, examine the impact of COVID-19 on facility efficiency, with the primary goal of comprehensively assessing child immunization facility efficiency in Pakistan.

Methods

Utilizing survey data collected in four rounds from May 2018 to December 2020, the research focuses on doses administered and stock records for the preceding six months in each phase. In the initial stage, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is utilized to compute facility efficiency, employing two models with varied outputs while maintaining consistent inputs. Model 1 assesses doses administered, encompassing three outputs (pentavalent vaccine 1, 2, and 3). Meanwhile, Model 2, focuses on stock used featuring a single output (total doses used). The inputs considered in both models include stock availability, staff members, cold chain equipment, vaccine carriers, and vaccine sessions. The second stage involves the application of two competing regression specifications (Tobit and Simar-Wilson) to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and external factors on the efficiency of these facilities.

Results

In 12 districts across Punjab and Sindh, we assess 466 facilities in Model 1 and 455 in Model 2. Model 1 shows 59% efficiency, and Model 2 shows 70%, indicating excess stock. Stock of vaccines need to be reduced by from 36% to 43%. In the stage, COVID-19 period reduced efficiency in Model 1 by 10%, however, insignificant in Model 2.

Conclusions

The proposed methodology, utilizing DEA, emerges as a valuable tool for immunization facilities seeking to improve resource utilization and overall efficiency. Model 1, focusing on doses administered indicates facilities low efficiency at average 59% and proves more pertinent for efficiency analysis as it directly correlates with the number of children vaccinated. The prevalent issue of overstocking across all facilities significantly impacts efficiency. This study underscores the critical importance of optimizing resources through the redistribution of excess stock with low efficiency.
Narrative review after post-hoc trial analysis of factors that predict corneal endothelial cell loss after phacoemulsification: Tips for improving cataract surgery research
Authors: Perone Jean-Marc , Luc Marie-Soline , Zevering Yinka , Vermion Jean-Charles , Gan Grace , Goetz Christophe
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Identifying pre/perioperative factors that predict corneal endothelial-cell loss (ECL) after phacoemulsification may reveal ways to reduce ECL. Our literature analysis showed that 37 studies have investigated one or several such factors but all have significant limitations. Therefore, the data of a large randomized controlled trial (PERCEPOLIS) were subjected to post-hoc multivariate analysis determining the ability of nine pre/perioperative variables to predict ECL.

Methods

PERCEPOLIS was conducted in 2015–2016 to compare two phacoemulsification techniques (subluxation and divide-and-conquer) in terms of 3-month ECL. Non-inferiority between the techniques was found. In the present study, post-hoc univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to determine associations between ECL and age, sex, cataract density, preoperative endothelial-cell density, phacoemulsification technique, effective phaco time (EPT), and 2-hour central-corneal thickness. The data are presented in the context of a narrative review of the literature.

Results

Three-month data were available for 275 patients (94% of the randomized cohort; mean age, 74 years; 58% women). Mean LOCSIII cataract grade was 3.2. Mean EPT was 6 seconds. Mean ECL was 13%. Only an older age (beta = 0.2%, p = 0.049) and higher EPT (beta = 1.2%, p = 0.0002) predicted 3-month ECL. Cataract density was significant on univariate (p = 0.04) but not multivariate analysis. The other variables did not associate with ECL.

Conclusions

Older age may amplify ECL due to increased endothelial cell fragility. EPT may promote ECLviacataract density-dependent and -independent mechanisms that should be considered in future phacoemulsification research aiming to reduce ECL. Our literature analysis showed that the average ECL for relatively unselected consecutively-sampled cohorts is 12%.
In silico agent-based modeling approach to characterize multiple in vitro tuberculosis infection models
Authors: Petrucciani Alexa , Hoerter Alexis , Kotze Leigh , Du Plessis Nelita , Pienaar Elsje
Published: March 2024

In vitromodels ofMycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)infection are a valuable tool for examining host-pathogen interactions and screening drugs. With the development of more complexin vitromodels, there is a need for tools to help analyze and integrate data from these models. To this end, we introduce an agent-based model (ABM) representation of the interactions between immune cells and bacteria in anin vitrosetting. Thisin silicomodel was used to simulate both traditional and spheroid cell culture models by changing the movement rules and initial spatial layout of the cells in accordance with the respectivein vitromodels. The traditional and spheroid simulations were calibrated to published experimental data in a paired manner, by using the same parameters in both simulations. Within the calibrated simulations, heterogeneous outputs are seen for bacterial count and T cell infiltration into the macrophage core of the spheroid. The simulations also predict that equivalent numbers of activated macrophages do not necessarily result in similar bacterial reductions; that host immune responses can control bacterial growth in both spheroid structure dependent and independent manners; that STAT1 activation is the limiting step in macrophage activation in spheroids; and that drug screening and macrophage activation studies could have different outcomes depending on thein vitroculture used. Future model iterations will be guided by the limitations of the current model, specifically which parts of the output space were harder to reach. This ABM can be used to represent morein vitro Mtbinfection models due to its flexible structure, thereby acceleratingin vitrodiscoveries.
Composite estimation to combine spatially overlapping environmental monitoring surveys
Authors: Garman Steven L. , Yu Cindy L. , Li Yuyang
Published: March 2024

Long-term environmental monitoring surveys are designed to achieve a desired precision (measured by variance) of resource conditions based on natural variability information. Over time, increases in resource variability and in data use to address issues focused on small areas with limited sample sizes require bolstering of attainable precision. It is often prohibitive to do this by increasing sampling effort. In cases with spatially overlapping monitoring surveys, composite estimation offers a statistical way to obtain a precision-weighted combination of survey estimates to provide improved population estimates (more accurate) with improved precisions (lower variances). We present a composite estimator for overlapping surveys, a summary of compositing procedures, and a case study to illustrate the procedures and benefits of composite estimation. The study uses the two terrestrial monitoring surveys administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) that entirely overlap. Using 2015–18 data and 13 land-health indicators, we obtained and compared survey and composite indicator estimates of percent area meeting land-health standards for sagebrush communities in Wyoming’s Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) Core and NonCore conservation areas on BLM-managed lands. We statistically assessed differences in indicator estimates between the conservation areas using composite estimates and estimates of the two surveys individually. We found composite variance to be about six to 24 units lower than 37% of the survey variances and composite estimates to differ by about six to 10 percentage points from six survey estimates. The composite improvements resulted in finding 11 indicators to statistically differ (p <0.05) between the conservation areas compared to only six and seven indicators for the individual surveys. Overall, we found composite estimation to be an efficient and useful option for improving environmental monitoring information where two surveys entirely overlap and suggest how this estimation method could be beneficial where environmental surveys partially overlap and in small area applications.
Application of a text mining method in navigation and communication for enhancing maritime safety
Authors: Hatłas-Sowińska Paulina , Misztal Leszek
Published: March 2024

This paper introduces a model for the translation of natural language into ontology and vice versa in an autonomous navigation system of a sea-going vessel. The system comprehensively executes communication tasks at sea. The authors use machine learning methods in the field of text mining and basic and additional properties of ontologies. The newly developed ontology is applicable in shipping. The key elements of the prototype are the sequence of communication commands given from the ship’s bridge, decomposition, extraction of the communication sequence and the rule base. The presented model has been implemented and verified in selected scenarios of collision situations at sea. The test results confirm that the assumptions, the designed system architecture and the algorithms in the prototype are correct.
COMOKIT v2: A multi-scale approach to modeling and simulating epidemic control policies
Authors: Taillandier Patrick , Chapuis Kevin , Gaudou Benoit , Brugière Arthur , Drogoul Alexis
Published: March 2024

The COVID-19 crisis demonstrated the importance of using models to understand, predict, and manage epidemics, in particular by assessing in advance the effect of different intervention policies. Numerous models have been proposed to answer a wide range of questions, from the impact of open borders to the effectiveness of neighborhood containment to the role of building ventilation in virus dispersion. However, the vast majority of these models are only suited to a scale of representation, analysis, or experimentation. In this article, we present the latest version of the COMOKIT toolbox, which is based on the integration of 3 models (COMOKIT-micro, COMOKIT-meso, and COMOKIT-macro) enabling these questions to be addressed at different geographical scales of analysis and exploration, from the building scale to the scale of entire countries. An application of these 3 models to various questions concerning public health policies against COVID-19 is presented and discussed.
Repressing miR-23a promotes the transdifferentiation of pancreatic α cells to β cells via negatively regulating the expression of SDF-1α
Authors: Lang Hongmei , Lin Ning , Chen Xiaorong , Xiang Jie , Zhang Xingping , Kang Chao
Published: March 2024

Pancreatic β-cell failure is a pathological feature in type 1 diabetes. One promising approach involves inducing transdifferentiation of related pancreatic cell types, specifically α cells that produce glucagon. The chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1 alpha (SDF-1α) is implicated in pancreatic α-to-β like cell transition. Here, the serum level of SDF-1α was lower in T1D with C-peptide loss, the miR-23a was negatively correlated with SDF-1α. We discovered that exosomal miR-23a, secreted from β cells, functionally downregulates the expression of SDF-1α, leading to increased Pax4 expression and decreased Arx expression in vivo. Adenovirus-vectored miR-23a sponge and mimic were constructed to further explored the miR-23a on pancreatic α-to-β like cell transition in vitro, which yielded results consistent with our cell-based assays. Suppression of miR-23a upregulated insulin level and downregulated glucagon level in STZ-induced diabetes mice models, effectively promoting α-to-β like cell transition. Our findings highlight miR-23a as a new therapeutic target for regenerating pancreatic β cells from α cells.
Development of short forms for screening children’s dental caries and urgent treatment needs using item response theory and machine learning methods
Authors: Xiong Di , Marcus Marvin , Maida Carl A. , Lyu Yuetong , Hays Ron D. , Wang Yan , Shen Jie , Spolsky Vladimir W. , Lee Steve Y. , Crall James J. , Liu Honghu
Published: March 2024

Objectives

Surveys can assist in screening oral diseases in populations to enhance the early detection of disease and intervention strategies for children in need. This paper aims to develop short forms of child-report and proxy-report survey screening instruments for active dental caries and urgent treatment needs in school-age children.

Methods

This cross-sectional study recruited 497 distinct dyads of children aged 8–17 and their parents between 2015 to 2019 from 14 dental clinics and private practices in Los Angeles County. We evaluated responses to 88 child-reported and 64 proxy-reported oral health questions to select and calibrate short forms using Item Response Theory. Seven classical Machine Learning algorithms were employed to predict children’s active caries and urgent treatment needs using the short forms together with family demographic variables. The candidate algorithms include CatBoost, Logistic Regression, K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Naïve Bayes, Neural Network, Random Forest, and Support Vector Machine. Predictive performance was assessed using repeated 5-fold nested cross-validations.

Results

We developed and calibrated four ten-item short forms. Naïve Bayes outperformed other algorithms with the highest median of cross-validated area under the ROC curve. The means of best testing sensitivities and specificities using both child-reported and proxy-reported responses were 0.84 and 0.30 for active caries, and 0.81 and 0.31 for urgent treatment needs respectively. Models incorporating both response types showed a slightly higher predictive accuracy than those relying on either child-reported or proxy-reported responses.

Conclusions

The combination of Item Response Theory and Machine Learning algorithms yielded potentially useful screening instruments for both active caries and urgent treatment needs of children. The survey screening approach is relatively cost-effective and convenient when dealing with oral health assessment in large populations. Future studies are needed to further leverage the customize and refine the instruments based on the estimated item characteristics for specific subgroups of the populations to enhance predictive accuracy.
Incidence of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease in patients with multiple sclerosis initiating disease-modifying therapies: Retrospective cohort study using a frequentist model averaging statistical framework
Authors: Brnabic Alan J. M. , Curtis Sarah E. , Johnston Joseph A. , Lo Albert , Zagar Anthony J. , Lipkovich Ilya , Kadziola Zbigniew , Murray Megan H. , Ryan Timothy
Published: March 2024

Researchers are increasingly using insights derived from large-scale, electronic healthcare data to inform drug development and provide human validation of novel treatment pathways and aid in drug repurposing/repositioning. The objective of this study was to determine whether treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis with dimethyl fumarate, an activator of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway, results in a change in incidence of type 2 diabetes and its complications. This retrospective cohort study used administrative claims data to derive four cohorts of adults with multiple sclerosis initiating dimethyl fumarate, teriflunomide, glatiramer acetate or fingolimod between January 2013 and December 2018. A causal inference frequentist model averaging framework based on machine learning was used to compare the time to first occurrence of a composite endpoint of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease or chronic kidney disease, as well as each individual outcome, across the four treatment cohorts. There was a statistically significantly lower risk of incidence for dimethyl fumarate versus teriflunomide for the composite endpoint (restricted hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] 0.70 [0.55, 0.90]) and type 2 diabetes (0.65 [0.49, 0.98]), myocardial infarction (0.59 [0.35, 0.97]) and chronic kidney disease (0.52 [0.28, 0.86]). No differences for other individual outcomes or for dimethyl fumarate versus the other two cohorts were observed. This study effectively demonstrated the use of an innovative statistical methodology to test a clinical hypothesis using real-world data to perform early target validation for drug discovery. Although there was a trend among patients treated with dimethyl fumarate towards a decreased incidence of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease relative to other disease-modifying therapies–which was statistically significant for the comparison with teriflunomide–this study did not definitively support the hypothesis that Nrf2 activation provided additional metabolic disease benefit in patients with multiple sclerosis.