bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation at operating room entry in acute aortic dissection type A patients: is surgery contraindicated?
Authors: Isa Hideki , Kanamori Taro , Miyatani Kazuki , Tsutsui Masahiro , Ushioda Ryohei , Yamanaka Shota , Kamiya Hiroyuki
Published: June 2024

Background

This study aimed to compare the short-term outcomes of surgical treatment for acute type A aortic dissection between patients undergoing cardiopulmonary arrest at the time of entry into the operating room and patients who received successful preoperative cardiopulmonary resuscitation before entering the operating room or patients who had cardiopulmonary arrest on the operating room table after entering the operating room without cardiopulmonary arrest. In the present study, we focused on the circulatory status at the time of entering the operating room because it is economically and emotionally difficult to cease intervention once the patient has entered the operating room, where surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and perfusionists are already present, all necessary materials are packed off and cardiopulmonary bypass have already been primed.

Methods

Twenty (5.5%) of 362 patients who underwent surgical treatment for acute type A aortic dissection between January 2016 and March 2022 had preoperative cardiopulmonary arrest. To compare the early operative outcomes, the patients were divided into the spontaneous circulation group (n = 14, 70.0%) and the non-spontaneous circulation group (n = 6, 30.0%) based on the presence or absence of spontaneous circulation upon entering the operating room. The primary endpoint was postoperative 30-day mortality. The secondary endpoints included in-hospital complications and persistent neurological disorders.

Results

Thirty-day mortality was 65% (n = 13/20) in the entire cohort; 50% (n = 7/14) in the spontaneous circulation group and 100% (n = 6/6) in the non-spontaneous circulation group. The major cardiopulmonary arrest causes were aortic rupture and cardiac tamponade (n = 16; 80.0%), followed by coronary malperfusion (n = 4; 20.0%). Seven patients (50.0%) survived in the spontaneous circulation group, and none survived in the non-spontaneous circulation group (P = .044). Five survivors walked unaided and were discharged home; the remaining two were comatose and paraplegic.

Conclusions

The outcomes were extremely poor in patients with acute type A aortic dissection who had preoperative cardiopulmonary arrest and received ongoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation at entry into the operating room. Therefore, surgical treatment might be contraindicated in such patients.
Abatement Effects of Agricultural Non-Point Pollution from Land System Reforms: A Case Study of the Farmland “Three Rights Separation” Reform in China
Authors: Yu Daisong , Hai Xiao , Wang Zixuan , Chen Haipeng
Published: June 2024

At present, agricultural non-point source pollution has become the main source of water pollution, which mainly comes from the excessive use of agricultural chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers. The TRS is another land system reform in China after the household contract responsibility system, which relaxes the management rights of rural land and clarifies the ownership of land. Using this land reform in China as a case study, this paper constructs panel data for 30 provinces in China to explore the impact of land tenure intensification on agricultural non-point source pollution, using the difference-in-difference (DID) model to identify the causal relationship between the two. The results show that the coefficient of the TRS policy variable is −4.056 at the 1% significance level, indicating that this round of land reform has suppressed agricultural non-point source pollution. The provinces that have implemented TRS have seen an average annual reduction of 405,600 tons in Agnps emissions compared to those that have not implemented TRS, and the scale operation of agriculture and the size of the agricultural economy act as two paths. Moreover, heterogeneity analysis shows that the policy effect of the provinces in non-major food-producing areas is smaller than that of the provinces in major food-producing areas, and the path to realization is also different. Therefore, we should continue to encourage large-scale agricultural operations, cultivate new agricultural business entities, and strengthen the inhibitory effect of TRS on agricultural non-point source pollution.
Brewers’ Spent Grain as an Alternative Plant Protein Component of Honey Bee Feed
Authors: Migdał Paweł , Wilk Martyna , Berbeć Ewelina , Białecka Natalia
Published: June 2024

Bee organisms need nutrients to function properly. Deficiencies of any nutrients decrease the condition and shorten the lifespan of insects. Moreover, protein deficiency decreases honey bee queen productivity and increases aggression in bee colonies. All of these aspects affect the efficiency and the economic aspect of beekeeping production. Limited access to sustainable feed sources for bee colonies during the season forces beekeepers to search for new sources of nutrients, particularly protein. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential use of brewers’ spent grain, which is a by-product of beer production, as a source of protein additive in bees’ diet. Two types of brewers’ spent grain were examined: that from light beer and that from dark porter beer. The spent grains, especially porter spent grains, improved the hemolymph protein content compared to bees fed with sugar cake without additives. It did not fully correspond to the protein levels obtained from bees fed cake with the addition of pollen, but it may be a substitute. The studies showed that brewers’ spent grain has the potential to be used as an alternative plant protein component of honey bee feed.
The Effects of Dietary Resveratrol and β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyric Acid Supplementation at Two Protein Levels on the Ruminal Microbiome and Metabolome of Tibetan Sheep
Authors: Zhu Kaina , Zhang Yu , Zhang Fengshuo , Wu Zhenling , Su Quyangangmao , Hou Shengzhen , Gui Linsheng
Published: June 2024

Resveratrol (RES) and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyric acid (HMB) have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other beneficial properties. Here, we hypothesize that supplementation with RES and HMB could affect the rumen function in Tibetan sheep. This study aims to explore the effects of RES and HMB supplementation at different protein levels on the rumen microbial and metabolite compositions of Tibetan sheep. Four treatments (n = 30) were prepared according to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, with two dietary protein levels (12% and 14%) and two feed additives (RES 1.50 g/day and HMB 1.25 g/day). The experimental treatments were fed diets with 12% CP level non-supplemented (L), 12% protein with RES and HMB (L-RES-HMB), 14% CP level non-supplemented (H), and 14% protein with RES and HMB (H-RES-HMB), respectively. Our results indicated that the trypsin, chymotrypsin, and lipase were significantly increased in the H-RES-HMB group (p < 0.05), while the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentration was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). The alpha diversity analysis found that the ACE indices of the L-RES-HMB, and H-RES-HMB groups was significantly higher than that of the L group (p < 0.05). Additionally, compared with the L, L-RES-HMB, and H groups, it was found that the abundance of Euryarchaeota, Spirochaeota, and Metanobrevibacter was significantly increased in the H-RES-HMB group, while the abundance of Proteobacteria was significantly decreased (p < 0.05). A total of 745 significantly different metabolites were identified, of which 14 metabolites were common among the three comparative groups. Differential metabolites were mainly enriched in pathways including the pyrimidine metabolism, the glycine, serine, and threonine metabolisms, and ABC transporters. Overall, CP level and RES/HMB exhibited positively interaction effect on digestive enzyme activity and antioxidant capacity. Dietary RES and HMB supplementation on 14% CP level improved the ruminal digestive enzyme activity and antioxidant capacity through modulating the microbial community and regulating the metabolism.
Ciprofloxacin Concentrations 100-Fold Lower than the MIC Can Select for Ciprofloxacin Resistance in Neisseria subflava: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Gestels Zina , Abdellati Saïd , Kenyon Chris , Manoharan-Basil Sheeba Santhini
Published: June 2024

Neisseria gonorrhoeae can acquire antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through horizontal gene transfer (HGT) from other Neisseria spp. such as commensals like Neisseria subflava. Low doses of antimicrobials in food could select for AMR in N. subflava, which could then be transferred to N. gonorrhoeae. In this study, we aimed to determine the lowest concentration of ciprofloxacin that can induce ciprofloxacin resistance (minimum selection concentration—MSC) in a N. subflava isolate (ID-Co000790/2, a clinical isolate collected from a previous community study conducted at ITM). In this study, Neisseria subflava was serially passaged on gonococcal (GC) medium agar plates containing ciprofloxacin concentrations ranging from 1:100 to 1:10,000 below its ciprofloxacin MIC (0.006 µg/mL) for 6 days. After 6 days of serial passaging at ciprofloxacin concentrations of 1/100th of the MIC, 24 colonies emerged on the plate containing 0.06 µg/mL ciprofloxacin, which corresponds to the EUCAST breakpoint for N. gonorrhoeae. Their ciprofloxacin MICs were between 0.19 to 0.25 µg/mL, and whole genome sequencing revealed a missense mutation T91I in the gyrA gene, which has previously been found to cause reduced susceptibility to fluoroquinolones. The N. subflava MSCde novo was determined to be 0.06 ng/mL (0.00006 µg/mL), which is 100×-fold lower than the ciprofloxacin MIC. The implications of this finding are that the low concentrations of fluoroquinolones found in certain environmental samples, such as soil, river water, and even the food we eat, may be able to select for ciprofloxacin resistance in N. subflava.
Supplementation of Mangiferin to a High-Starch Diet Alleviates Hepatic Injury and Lipid Accumulation Potentially through Modulating Cholesterol Metabolism in Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)
Authors: Zheng Yutong , Lu Qisheng , Cao Jingyue , Liu Yulong , Liu Haokun , Jin Junyan , Zhang Zhimin , Yang Yunxia , Zhu Xiaoming , Han Dong , Xie Shouqi
Published: June 2024

Starch is a common source of carbohydrates in aqua feed. High-starch diet can cause hepatic injury and lipid accumulation in fish. Mangiferin (MGF) can regulate lipid metabolism and protect the liver, but there is limited research on its effects in fish. In the present study, we investigated whether MGF could ameliorate high-starch-induced hepatic damage and lipid accumulation in channel catfish. The channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) were fed one of four experimental diets for eight weeks: a control diet (NCD), a high-starch diet (HCD), an HCD supplemented with 100 mg/kg MGF (100 MGF), and an HCD supplemented with 500 mg/kg MGF (500 MGF). The results demonstrated that the weight gain rate (WGR) (p = 0.031), specific growth rate (SGR) (p = 0.039), and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) (p = 0.040) of the 500 MGF group were significantly higher than those of the NCD group. MGF supplementation alleviated liver damage and improved antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) compared to those of the HCD group (p = 0.000). In addition, dietary MGF significantly reduced plasma glucose (GLU) (p = 0.000), triglyceride (TG) (p= 0.001), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) (p = 0.000) levels. It is noteworthy that MGF significantly reduced the plasma total cholesterol (TC) levels (p = 0.000) and liver TC levels (p = 0.005) of channel catfish. Dietary MGF improves cholesterol homeostasis by decreasing the expression of genes that are involved in cholesterol synthesis and transport (hmgcr, sqle, srebf2, sp1, and ldlr) and increasing the expression of genes that are involved in cholesterol catabolism (cyp7a1). Among them, the largest fold decrease in squalene epoxidase (sqle) expression levels was observed in the 100 MGF or 500 MGF groups compared with the HCD group, with a significant decrease of 3.64-fold or 2.20-fold (p = 0.008). And the 100 MGF or 500 MGF group had significantly decreased (by 1.67-fold or 1.94-fold) Sqle protein levels compared to those of the HCD group (p = 0.000). In primary channel catfish hepatocytes, MGF significantly down-regulated the expression of sqle (p = 0.030) and reduced cholesterol levels (p = 0.000). In NCTC 1469 cells, MGF significantly down-regulated the expression of sqle (p = 0.000) and reduced cholesterol levels (p = 0.024). In conclusion, MGF effectively inhibits sqle expression and reduces cholesterol accumulation. The current study shows how MGF supplementation regulates the metabolism and accumulation of cholesterol in channel catfish, providing a theoretical basis for the use of MGF as a dietary supplement in aquaculture.
Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Damage Associated with Seeding Surgery for Pearl Culture in the Winged Pearl Oyster Pteria sterna
Authors: Granados-Amores Andrés , Campa-Córdova Ángel I. , Acosta-Salmón Héctor , Angulo Carlos , Zenteno-Savín Tania , Rodríguez-Jaramillo Carmen , Saucedo Pedro E.
Published: June 2024

To evaluate the antioxidant activity and oxidative damage by relaxing, wounding, and seeding of a saibo of different origin on Pteria sterna hosts, five oyster treatments were included: (1) relaxed (REL) but neither wounded nor seeded; (2) relaxed and wounded (WOU) but not seeded; (3) relaxed, wounded, and seeded with an allograft (ALL); (4) relaxed, wounded, and seeded with an autograft (AUT); and (5) unrelaxed, unwounded, and unseeded as control (CTR). Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) activity were quantified between 3 and 24 h post-seeding. Compared to the CTR oysters, which did not suffer oxidative stress, SOD activity significantly decreased in the gonad and digestive gland in all treatments and decreased in mantle tissue in AUT oysters; this indicates that the entire process of preparing oysters for pearl culture (relaxing, wounding, and seeding) generates oxidative stress in the host. CAT was not a sensitive enzyme for measuring the short-term response of oysters to the wounding–seeding processes but rather a more prolonged or chronic stress. Similar to SOD, the lowest GPx and TBARS activity in seeded oysters evidenced their susceptibility to oxidative stress and damage, particularly in the WOU treatment. Evidence from this study indicates that SOD is a more sensitive enzyme for measuring the short-term response of the host oyster to the wounding and seeding of a saibo. It is also clear that the host undergoes stress at all stages of the pearl culture process, mostly during gonad wounding and regardless of the origin of saibo.
The Antioxidant Potential and Anticancer Activity of Halodule uninervis Ethanolic Extract against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Wehbe Nadine , Badran Adnan , Baydoun Serine , Al-Sawalmih Ali , Maresca Marc , Baydoun Elias , Mesmar Joelle Edward
Published: June 2024

Natural remedies have been indispensable to traditional medicine practices for generations, offering therapeutic solutions for various ailments. In modern times, these natural products continue to play a pivotal role in the discovery of new drugs, especially for cancer treatment. The marine ecosystem offers a wide range of plants with potential anticancer activities due to their distinct biochemical diversity and adaptation to extreme situations. The seagrass Halodule uninervis is rich in diverse bioactive metabolites that bestow the plant with various pharmacological properties. However, its anticancer activity against invasive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is still poorly investigated. In the present study, the phytochemical composition of an ethanolic extract of H. uninervis (HUE) was screened, and its antioxidant potential was evaluated. Moreover, the anticancer potential of HUE against MDA-MB-231 cells was investigated along with the possible underlying mechanisms of action. Our results showed that HUE is rich in diverse phytochemicals that are known for their antioxidant and anticancer effects. In MDA-MB-231 cells, HUE targeted the hallmarks of cancer, including cell proliferation, adhesion, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis. The HUE-mediated anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic effects were associated with the downregulation of the proto-oncogenic STAT3 signaling pathway. Taken together, H. uninervis could serve as a valuable source for developing novel drugs targeting TNBC.
Application of a Multi-Strategy Improved Sparrow Search Algorithm in Bridge Crane PID Control Systems
Authors: Zhang Youyuan , Liu Lisang , Liang Jingrun , Chen Jionghui , Ke Chengyang , He Dongwei
Published: June 2024

To address the anti-swing issue of the payload in bridge cranes, Proportional–Integral–Derivative (PID) control is a commonly used method. However, parameter tuning of the PID controller relies on empirical knowledge and often leads to system overshoot. This paper proposes an Improved Sparrow Search Algorithm (ISSA) to optimize the gains of PID controllers, alleviating adverse effects on payload oscillation and trolley positioning during the operation of overhead cranes. First, tent map chaos mapping is introduced to initialize the sparrow population, enhancing the algorithm’s global search capability. Then, by integrating sine and cosine concepts along with nonlinear learning factors, the updating mechanism of discoverer positions is dynamically adjusted, expediting the solving process. Finally, the Lévy flight strategy is employed to update follower positions, thereby enhancing the algorithm’s local escape capability. Additionally, a fitness function containing overshoot penalties is proposed to address overshoot issues. Simulation results indicate that the overshoot rates of all algorithms remain less than 3%. Moreover, compared with the Sparrow Search Algorithm (SSA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Simulated Annealing (SA), and Whale optimization Algorithm (WOA), the optimized PID control system with the ISSA algorithm exhibits superior control performance and possesses certain robustness and adaptability.
Quality of Winter Wheat Flour from Different Sowing and Nitrogen Management Strategies: A Case Study in Northeastern Poland
Authors: Lachutta Krzysztof , Jankowski Krzysztof Józef
Published: June 2024

The study analyzed the effect of nitrogen (N) management and different sowing parameters of winter wheat on the flour quality, rheological properties of flour, and bread quality. Flour was obtained from winter wheat grain produced during a field experiment conducted in 2018–2021. The experiment involved three factors: (i) the sowing date (early (3–6 September), delayed by 14 days, and delayed by 28 days), (ii) sowing density (200, 300, and 400 live grains m−2), and (iii) split application of N fertilizer in spring (40 + 100, 70 + 70, and 100 + 40 kg ha−1 in the full tillering stage and the first node stage, respectively). A 28-day delay in sowing increased the total protein content of the flour, water absorption capacity of the flour, dough development time and stability, and degree of softening. When sowing was delayed by 14 or 28 days, the crumb density decreased without affecting the loaf volume. A sowing density of 400 grains m−2 had a positive impact on the flour color, dough stability, and loaf volume. The flour color and dough stability were enhanced when N was applied at 100 + 40 kg ha−1, respectively. In turn, the total protein content of flour peaked when it was applied at 40 + 100 kg N ha−1. The quality of flour improved when winter wheat was sown at a density of 400 live grains m−2 with a delay of 14 or 28 days and supplied with 100 kg N ha−1 in the full tillering stage and 40 kg N ha−1 in the first node stage.
DEW-YOLO: An Efficient Algorithm for Steel Surface Defect Detection
Authors: Li Junjie , Chen Mingxia
Published: June 2024

To address the current steel surface defect detection algorithms in practical applications involving low detection accuracy, an efficient and highly accurate strip steel surface defect detection algorithm, DEW-YOLO, is proposed in this paper. Firstly, by combining the advantages of deformable convolutional networks (DCNs), this paper innovates the C2F module in YOLOv8 and proposes a C2f_DCN module that can flexibly sample features to enhance the abilities of learning and expressing defect features of different sizes and shapes. Secondly, the explicit visual center (EVC) is introduced into the backbone network, which enhances feature extraction capabilities and adaptability and enables the model to better adjust features at different levels and scales. Finally, the original loss function is replaced with the Wise-IoU (WIoU) loss function to accurately measure the similarity between the target frames and improve the defect detection performance of the model. The experimental results on the NEU-DET dataset demonstrate that the algorithms proposed in this paper achieved a mean average precision (mAP) of 80.3% in steel surface defect detection tasks, which was a 3.9% improvement over the original YOLOv8 model. The model’s inference speed reached 91 frames per second (FPS). DEW-YOLO effectively enhances the accuracy of steel defect detection and better satisfies industrial inspection requirements.
Thermal Influence on the Mechanical Properties of CAD/CAM Ceramics: A Systematic Review
Authors: Balladares Andrea Ordoñez , Abad-Coronel Cristian , Pauletto Patrícia , Martín Biedma Benjamín José
Published: June 2024

Aim: The influence of different heat treatments on the mechanical properties of CAD/CAM ceramics was assessed. Methodology: A systematic search in five databases and gray literature was performed. In vitro studies providing data about the influence of various thermal treatments on the mechanical properties of CAD/CAM ceramics were included. Results: Out of 6500 articles found, 15 were included for results analysis. In the disilicate group, e.max CAD showed the best results in flexural strength (FS) and Vita Suprinity in microhardness (MH) and fracture toughness (FT). In the zirconium oxide group, Incoris exhibited better performance in FS while Razor Zirconia demonstrated superior MH and FT. Eleven studies had low and four had a moderate risk of bias (RoB). Conclusions: Both reinforced vitreous ceramics and zirconia ceramics, when subjected to high temperatures for short periods of time, significantly improve their mechanical properties. Favoring the biomechanical behavior of restorations present in the oral cavity, they are always subjected to constant changes in temperature, forces of different nature, intensity, or direction, changes in acidity, presence of moisture, etc., which make this a difficult environment for their clinical survival.
A Hybrid Convolutional–Long Short-Term Memory–Attention Framework for Short-Term Photovoltaic Power Forecasting, Incorporating Data from Neighboring Stations
Authors: Hu Feng , Zhang Linghua , Wang Jiaqi
Published: June 2024

To enhance the safety of grid operations, this paper proposes a high-precision short-term photovoltaic (PV) power forecasting method that integrates information from surrounding PV stations and deep learning prediction models. The proposed method utilizes numerical weather prediction (NWP) data of the target PV station and highly correlated features from nearby stations as inputs. This study first analyzes the correlation between irradiance and power sequences and calculates a comprehensive similarity index based on distance factors. Stations with high-similarity indices are selected as data sources. Subsequently, Bayesian optimization is employed to determine the optimal data fusion ratio. The selected data are then used to model power predictions through the convolutional long short-term memory with attention (Conv-LSTM-ATT) deep neural network. Experimental results show that the proposed model significantly outperforms three classical models in terms of forecasting accuracy. The data fusion strategy determined by Bayesian optimization reduces the root mean square error (RMSE) of the test set by 20.04%, 28.24%, and 30.94% under sunny, cloudy, and rainy conditions, respectively.
Analysis and Characterization of Micro–Nano Pores in Coal Reservoirs of Different Coal Ranks
Authors: Song Jinxing , Yue Yulu , Liu Yufang
Published: June 2024

Coalbed methane represents a promising source of clean and efficient unconventional energy. The intricate network of micro–nano pores within coal serves as the primary adsorption space for gas, contributing to the complexity of gas migration channels. In this study, based on the box-counting method, three coal samples representing low, medium, and high ranks were subjected to high-precision micro-CT scanning and nano-CT scanning to generate three-dimensional (3D) pore network models using Avizo visualization software. This facilitated the accurate and quantitative characterization of the micro–nano pore structures within coal reservoirs. The results indicated that the face rate distribution range of each sample was large, indicating relatively strong heterogeneity in each sample. The volume fractal dimension of each sample, determined through micro–nano-CT scanning, was around 2.5, while the surface fractal dimension exhibited oscillatory characteristics with moderate uniformity. The pore equivalent radius and throat equivalent radius distributions were unimodal across all the samples, with the micro-CT scanning revealing a concentration primarily within the range of 100–400 μm for the pore equivalent radius and within 200 μm for the throat equivalent radius. Conversely, the nano-CT scanning exhibited concentrations primarily within the range of 500–2500 nm for the pore equivalent radius and within 2000 nm for the throat equivalent radius. The analysis of the 3D reconstruction structures indicated that the middle-rank coal exhibited more developed large–medium pores compared with the low-rank and high-rank coal, while the low-rank and high-rank coal exhibited relatively more micro–small pores. Furthermore, the low-rank coal exhibited the fewest number of pores but the largest average pore equivalent radius and throat radius. Additionally, the middle–high-rank coal exhibited a relatively larger number of pores. Despite the complex topological structures observed in each sample, a significant proportion indicated a coordination number of 0–20, indicating excellent connectivity within the coal samples. This study is conducive to the optimization of coalbed methane surface development blocks and the formulation of reasonable development plans.
Research on a Multi-Dimensional Indicator Assessment Model for Evaluating Landslide Risk near Large Alpine Reservoirs
Authors: Hu Hanyin , Ke Hu , Zhang Xinyao , Yi Jianbo
Published: June 2024

Geological disasters in large alpine reservoirs primarily take the form of landslide occurrences and are predominantly induced by slope instability. Presently, risk monitoring and assessment strategies tend to prioritize sudden alerts overlooking progressive trajectories from the onset of creeping deformations within the slope to its critical state preceding landslides. Hence, analyzing landslide safety risks over time demonstrates a significant degree of hysteresis, highlighting the necessity for a comprehensive approach to risk assessment that encompasses both gradual and sudden precursors to landslide events. This study analyzes the factors affecting slope stability and establishes a slope evaluation indicator system that includes terrain morphology, meteorological conditions, the ecological environment, soil conditions, human activity, and external manifestation. It proposes a quantitative model for slope landslide risk assessment based on a fuzzy broad learning system, aiming to accurately assess slopes with different risk levels. The overall assessment accuracy rate reaches 92.08%. This multi-dimensional risk assessment model provides long-term monitoring of slope conditions and scientific guidance on landslide risk management and disaster prevention and mitigation on a long time scale for risky slopes in reservoir areas.
FSN: Feature Shift Network for Load-Domain (LD) Domain Generalization
Authors: Chen Heng , Zhao Erkang , Jia Yunpeng , Shi Lei
Published: June 2024

Conventional deep learning methods for fault detection often assume that the training and the testing sets share the same fault domain spaces. However, some fault patterns are rare, and many real-world faults have not appeared in the training set. As a result, it is hard for the trained model to achieve desirable performance on the testing set. In this paper, we introduce a novel domain generalization, Load-Domain (LD) domain generalization, which is based on the analysis of the Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) bearing dataset and takes advantage of the physical information of this dataset. For this scenario, we propose a feature shift model called Feature Shift Network (FSN). FSN is trained for feature shift on adjacent source domains and finally shifts target domain features into adjacent source domain feature space to achieve the purpose of domain generalization. Furthermore, through the hybrid classification method, the generalization performance of the model on unseen target domains is effectively improved. The results on the CWRU bearing dataset demonstrate that FSN is better than the existing models in the LD domain generalization. Furthermore, we have another test on the rotated MNIST, which also shows FSN can achieve the best performance.
Empowering Healthcare: A Comprehensive Guide to Implementing a Robust Medical Information System—Components, Benefits, Objectives, Evaluation Criteria, and Seamless Deployment Strategies
Authors: Ștefan Ana-Maria , Rusu Nicu-Răzvan , Ovreiu Elena , Ciuc Mihai
Published: June 2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, the implementation of a robust medical information system stands as a transformative endeavor. This article serves as a comprehensive guide, delineating the intricate steps involved in deploying an effective medical information system. Delving into the main components that constitute this innovative system, we explore its fundamental architecture and how each element contributes to seamless information flow. The benefits of adopting a medical information system are highlighted, emphasizing improved patient care, streamlined processes, and enhanced decision making for healthcare professionals.
Enhancing Quadcopter Autonomy: Implementing Advanced Control Strategies and Intelligent Trajectory Planning
Authors: Hadid Samira , Boushaki Razika , Boumchedda Fatiha , Merad Sabrina
Published: June 2024

In this work, an in-depth investigation into enhancing quadcopter autonomy and control capabilities is presented. The focus lies on the development and implementation of three conventional control strategies to regulate the behavior of quadcopter UAVs: a proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controller, a sliding mode controller, and a fractional-order PID (FOPID) controller. Utilizing careful adjustments and fine-tuning, each control strategy is customized to attain the desired dynamic response and stability during quadcopter flight. Additionally, an approach called Dyna-Q learning for obstacle avoidance is introduced and seamlessly integrated into the control system. Leveraging MATLAB as a powerful tool, the quadcopter is empowered to autonomously navigate complex environments, adeptly avoiding obstacles through real-time learning and decision-making processes. Extensive simulation experiments and evaluations, conducted in MATLAB 2018a, precisely compare the performance of the different control strategies, including the Dyna-Q learning-based obstacle avoidance technique. This comprehensive analysis allows us to understand the strengths and limitations of each approach, guiding the selection of the most effective control strategy for specific application scenarios. Overall, this research presents valuable insights and solutions for optimizing flight stability and enabling secure and efficient operations in diverse real-world scenarios.
Enhanced Real-Life Data Modeling with the Modified Burr III Odds Ratio–G Distribution
Authors: Yang Haochong , Huang Mingfang , Chen Xinyu , He Ziyan , Pu Shusen
Published: June 2024

In this study, we introduce the modified Burr III Odds Ratio–G distribution, a novel statistical model that integrates the odds ratio concept with the foundational Burr III distribution. The spotlight of our investigation is cast on a key subclass within this innovative framework, designated as the Burr III Scaled Inverse Odds Ratio–G (B-SIOR-G) distribution. By effectively integrating the odds ratio with the Burr III distribution, this model enhances both flexibility and predictive accuracy. We delve into a thorough exploration of this distribution family’s mathematical and statistical properties, spanning hazard rate functions, quantile functions, moments, and additional features. Through rigorous simulation, we affirm the robustness of the B-SIOR-G model. The flexibility and practicality of the B-SIOR-G model are demonstrated through its application to four datasets, highlighting its enhanced efficacy over several well-established distributions.
Low-Temperature-Tolerant Aqueous Proton Battery with Porous Ti3C2Tx MXene Electrode and Phosphoric Acid Electrolyte
Authors: Zhu Jun , Li Xude , Hu Bingqing , Ge Shanhai , Xu Jiang
Published: June 2024

Supercapacitors have long suffered from low energy density. Here, we present a high-energy, high-safety, and temperature-adaptable aqueous proton battery utilizing two-dimensional Ti3C2Tx MXenes as anode materials. Additionally, our work aims to provide further insights into the energy storage mechanism of Ti3C2Tx in acid electrolytes. Our findings reveal that the ion transport mechanism of Ti3C2Tx remains consistent in both H2SO4 and H3PO4 electrolytes. The mode of charge transfer depends on its terminal groups. Specifically, the hydrogen bonding network formed by water molecules adsorbed by hydroxyl functional groups under van der Waals forces enables charge transfer in the form of naked H+ through the Grotthuss mechanism. In contrast, the hydrophobic channel formed by oxygen and halogen terminal groups facilitates rapid charge transfers in the form of hydronium ion via the vehicle mechanism, owing to negligible interfacial effect. Herein, we propose an aqueous proton battery based on porous hydroxy-poor Ti3C2Tx MXene anode and pre-protonated CuII[FeIII(CN)6]2/3∙4H2O (H-TBA) cathode in a 9.5 M H3PO4 solution. This proton battery operates through hydrated H+/H+ transfer, leading to good electrochemical performance, as evidenced by 26 Wh kg−1 energy density and 162 kW kg−1 power density at room temperature and an energy density of 17 Wh kg−1 and a power density of 7.4 kW kg−1 even at −60 °C.
Modal Analysis of the Human Brain Using Dynamic Mode Decomposition
Authors: McLean Jayse , Fereydoonpour Mehran , Ziejewski Mariusz , Karami Ghodrat
Published: June 2024

The majority of observations and criteria related to brain injuries predominantly focus on acceleration and forces, leaving the understanding of the brain in the frequency domain relatively limited. The impact of an injury can be more profound when considering the brain’s resonant frequencies in conjunction with external applied loading and motion. This paper employs a finite element method to conduct an analysis of a human brain under impacts from various angles on the human head. A numerical technique, specifically dynamic mode decomposition (DMD), is utilized to extract modal properties for brain tissue in regions proximate to the corpus callosum and brain stem. Three distinct modal frequencies have been identified, spanning the ranges of 44–68 Hz, 68–155 Hz, and 114–299 Hz. The findings underscore the significance of impact angle, displacement direction, and the specific region of the brain in influencing the modal response of brain tissue during an impact event.
Decoding N400m Evoked Component: A Tutorial on Multivariate Pattern Analysis for OP-MEG Data
Authors: Wu Huanqi , Wang Ruonan , Ma Yuyu , Liang Xiaoyu , Liu Changzeng , Yu Dexin , An Nan , Ning Xiaolin
Published: June 2024

Multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) has played an extensive role in interpreting brain activity, which has been applied in studies with modalities such as functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), Magnetoencephalography (MEG) and Electroencephalography (EEG). The advent of wearable MEG systems based on optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs), i.e., OP-MEG, has broadened the application of bio-magnetism in the realm of neuroscience. Nonetheless, it also raises challenges in temporal decoding analysis due to the unique attributes of OP-MEG itself. The efficacy of decoding performance utilizing multimodal fusion, such as MEG-EEG, also remains to be elucidated. In this regard, we investigated the impact of several factors, such as processing methods, models and modalities, on the decoding outcomes of OP-MEG. Our findings indicate that the number of averaged trials, dimensionality reduction (DR) methods, and the number of cross-validation folds significantly affect the decoding performance of OP-MEG data. Additionally, decoding results vary across modalities and fusion strategy. In contrast, decoder type, resampling frequency, and sliding window length exert marginal effects. Furthermore, we introduced mutual information (MI) to investigate how information loss due to OP-MEG data processing affect decoding accuracy. Our study offers insights for linear decoding research using OP-MEG and expand its application in the fields of cognitive neuroscience.
Customized Lattice Structures Tailored to Mimic Patients’ Bone Anisotropic Properties and Microarchitecture for Joint Reconstruction Applications
Authors: El-Gizawy Ahmed Sherif , Ma Xuewei , Arnone Joshua C. , Melaibari Ammar A.
Published: June 2024

Existing implants used with Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA), Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA), and other joint reconstruction treatments, have displayed premature failures and frequent needs for revision surgery in recent years, particularly with young active patients who represent more than 55% of all joint reconstruction patients. Bone cement and stress shielding have been identified as the major reasons for premature joint failures. A breakdown of the cement may happen, and revision surgery may be needed because of the aseptic loosening. The significant mismatch of stiffness properties of patient trabecular bones and metallic implant materials in joint reconstruction surgery results in the stress shielding phenomenon. This could lead to significant bone resorption and increased risk of bone fracture and the aseptic loosening of implants. The present project introduces an approach for development of customized cellular structures to match the mechanical properties and architecture of human trabecular bone. The present work aims at fulfilling the objectives of the introduced approach by exploring new designs of customized lattice structures and texture tailored to mimic closely patients’ bone anisotropic properties and that can incorporate an engineered biological press-fit fixation technique. The effects of various lattice design variables on the mechanical performance of the structure are examined through a systematic experimental plan using the statistical design of experiments technique and analysis of variance method. All tested lattice designs were explored under realistic geometrical, biological, and manufacturing constraints. Of the four design factors examined in this study, strut thickness was found to have the highest percent contribution (41%) regarding the structure stiffness, followed by unit cell type, and cell size. Strut shape was found to have the lowest effect with only 11% contribution. The introduced solution offers lattice structure designs that can be adjusted to match bone stiffness distribution and promote bone ingrowth and hence eliminating the phenomenon of stress shielding while incorporating biological press-fit fixation technique.
Identifying Molecular Pathophysiology and Potential Therapeutic Options in Iatrogenic Tracheal Stenosis
Authors: Martins Russell Seth , Weber Joanna , Johnson Bryan , Luo Jeffrey , Poulikidis Kostantinos , Latif Mohammed Jawad , Razi Syed Shahzad , Al Shetawi Al Haitham , Lebovics Robert S. , Bhora Faiz Y.
Published: June 2024

Introduction: While most patients with iatrogenic tracheal stenosis (ITS) respond to endoscopic ablative procedures, approximately 15% experience a recalcitrant, recurring disease course that is resistant to conventional management. We aimed to explore genetic profiles of patients with recalcitrant ITS to understand underlying pathophysiology and identify novel therapeutic options. Methods: We collected 11 samples of granulation tissue from patients with ITS and performed RNA sequencing. We identified the top 10 most highly up- and down-regulated genes and cellular processes that these genes corresponded to. For the most highly dysregulated genes, we identified potential therapeutic options that favorably regulate their expression. Results: The dysregulations in gene expression corresponded to hyperkeratinization (upregulation of genes involved in keratin production and keratinocyte differentiation) and cellular proliferation (downregulation of cell cycle regulating and pro-apoptotic genes). Genes involved in retinoic acid (RA) metabolism and signaling were dysregulated in a pattern suggesting local cellular RA deficiency. Consequently, RA also emerged as the most promising potential therapeutic option for ITS, as it favorably regulated seven of the ten most highly dysregulated genes. Conclusion: This is the first study to characterize the role of hyperkeratinization and dysregulations in RA metabolism and signaling in the disease pathophysiology. Given the ability of RA to favorably regulate key genes involved in ITS, future studies must explore its efficacy as a potential therapeutic option for patients with recalcitrant ITS.
Mode of the Interaction of Efflux Inhibitor Phenylalanyl-arginyl-β-naphtylamide with Bacterial Cells
Authors: Sakalauskaitė Sandra , Mikalayeva Valeryia , Sutkuvienė Simona , Daugelavičius Rimantas
Published: June 2024

An increased efflux activity is one of the major reasons for bacterial antibiotic resistance. The usage of efflux pump inhibitors could be a promising approach to restoring the activity of inefficient antibiotics. The interaction of the RND family efflux pump inhibitor phenylalanyl-arginyl-β-naphthylamide (PAβN) with Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium cells was assayed using traditional microbiological techniques and a novel PAβN-selective electrode. Monitoring the PAβN concentration in the medium using the electrode enabled the real-time measurements of this compound’s interaction with bacterial cells. We showed that S. Typhimurium cells accumulate a high amount of PAβN because of its high affinity to lipopolysaccharides (LPSs), the major constituent of the outer layer of the outer membrane, and does not affect the functioning of the plasma membrane. EDTA enhanced the binding of PAβN to S. Typhimurium cells and the purified E. coli LPSs, but the energization of the cells by glucose does not affect the cell-bound amount of this inhibitor. Polycationic antibiotic Polymyxin B released both the cells accumulated and the suspended LPS-bound PAβN.
Increase in Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Expression and the Pathogenesis of iMCD-TAFRO
Authors: Srkalovic Gordan , Nijim Sally , Srkalovic Maya Blanka , Fajgenbaum David
Published: June 2024

TAFRO (thrombocytopenia (T), anasarca (A), fever (F), reticulin fibrosis (F/R), renal failure (R), and organomegaly (O)) is a heterogeneous clinical subtype of idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) associated with a significantly poorer prognosis than other subtypes of iMCD. TAFRO symptomatology can also be seen in pathological contexts outside of iMCD, but it is unclear if those cases should be considered representative of a different disease entity or simply a severe presentation of other infectious, malignant, and rheumatological diseases. While interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an established driver of iMCD-TAFRO pathogenesis in a subset of patients, the etiology is unknown. Recent case reports and literature reviews on TAFRO patients suggest that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and the interplay of VEGF and IL-6 in concert, rather than IL-6 as a single cytokine, may be drivers for iMCD-TAFRO pathophysiology, especially renal injury. In this review, we discuss the possible role of VEGF in the pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of iMCD-TAFRO. In particular, VEGF may be involved in iMCD-TAFRO pathology through its ability to activate RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways. Further elucidating a role for the VEGF-IL-6 axis and additional disease drivers may shed light on therapeutic options for the treatment of TAFRO patients who do not respond to, or otherwise relapse following, treatment with IL-6 targeting drugs. This review investigates the potential role of VEGF in the pathophysiology of iMCD-TAFRO and the potential for targeting related signaling pathways in the future.
Importance of T1-Mapping Sequence in Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy without Foci of Non-Ischemic Myocardial Injury in Late Gadolinium Enhancement Sequence
Authors: Zdebik Natalia , Poręba Rafał , Gać Paweł
Published: June 2024

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the importance of T1-mapping sequences in the diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in patients without foci of non-ischemic myocardial injury in classic cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) sequences. Methods: Two groups were compared: 28 patients with HCM, without any foci of myocardial injury in the late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) sequence (HCM group), and 28 patients without cardiomyopathy (CON group). Classic CMR sequences and T1-mapping sequences were performed. The following parameters were assessed: T1 time of the whole left ventricular myocardium, T1 time of myocardium in the basal, middle and apical layers of the left ventricle, and T1 time in individual segments of the left ventricular myocardium. Myocardial extracellular volume (ECV) was assessed similarly. Results: ECV was significantly higher in the HCM group than in the CON group, for the whole left ventricular myocardium, for the basal and apical layers of the left ventricle, and for segments 1–3, 8, and 13–16 of the left ventricle. Regression analysis showed that a higher left-ventricular mass index (LVMI), a higher body mass index and older age are factors independently associated with a higher ECV of the whole myocardium but only in the group with LVMI ≥ 131.84 g/m2. Conclusion: In patients with HCM without foci of non-ischemic myocardial injury, higher ECV values of the left ventricular myocardium are observed.
Exploiting Signal Propagation Delays to Match Task Memory Requirements in Reservoir Computing
Authors: Iacob Stefan , Dambre Joni
Published: June 2024

Recurrent neural networks (RNNs) transmit information over time through recurrent connections. In contrast, biological neural networks use many other temporal processing mechanisms. One of these mechanisms is the inter-neuron delays caused by varying axon properties. Recently, this feature was implemented in echo state networks (ESNs), a type of RNN, by assigning spatial locations to neurons and introducing distance-dependent inter-neuron delays. These delays were shown to significantly improve ESN task performance. However, thus far, it is still unclear why distance-based delay networks (DDNs) perform better than ESNs. In this paper, we show that by optimizing inter-node delays, the memory capacity of the network matches the memory requirements of the task. As such, networks concentrate their memory capabilities to the points in the past which contain the most information for the task at hand. Moreover, we show that DDNs have a greater total linear memory capacity, with the same amount of non-linear processing power.