bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Statistical Inference for Two Gumbel Type-II Distributions under Joint Type-II Censoring Scheme
Authors: Qiu Yu , Gui Wenhao
Published: June 2023

Comparative lifetime tests are extremely significant when the experimenters study the reliability of the comparative advantages of two products in competition. Considering joint type-II censoring, we deal with the inference when two product lines conform to two Gumbel type-II distributions. The maximum likelihood estimations of Gumbel type-II population parameters were obtained in the current research. An approximate confidence interval and a simultaneous confidence interval based on a Fisher information matrix were also constructed and compared with two bootstrap confidence intervals. Moreover, to evaluate the influence of the prior information, based on the concept of importance sampling, we calculated the Bayesian estimator together with their posterior risks in the case of gamma and non-informative priors under different loss functions. To compare the performances of the overall parameters’ estimator, a Monte Carlo simulation was performed using numerical and graphical methods. Finally, a real data analysis was conducted to verify the accuracy of all the models and methods mentioned.
Comparative Analysis of the Existence and Uniqueness Conditions of Parameter Estimation in Paired Comparison Models
Authors: Gyarmati László , Orbán-Mihálykó Éva , Mihálykó Csaba
Published: June 2023

In this paper, paired comparison models with stochastic background are investigated. We focus on the models that allow three options for choice and the parameters are estimated by maximum likelihood method. The existence and uniqueness of the estimator are key issues of the evaluation. In the case of two options, a necessary and sufficient condition is given by Ford in the Bradley–Terry model. We generalize this statement for the set of strictly log-concave distribution. Although in the case of three options the necessary and sufficient condition is not known, there are two different sufficient conditions that are formulated in the literature. In this paper, we generalize them; moreover, we compare these conditions. Their capacities to indicate the existence of the maximum were analyzed using a large number of computer simulations. These simulations support that the new condition indicates the existence of the maximum much more frequently than the previously known ones.
Modeling and Validation of an Ultra-Compact Regenerative Liver Dialysis Device
Authors: Boscarino Tamara , Mazzeo Leone , Abbruzzese Franca , Merone Mario , Piemonte Vincenzo
Published: June 2023

The availability of a wearable artificial liver that facilitates extracorporeal dialysis outside of medical facilities would represent a significant advancement for patients requiring dialysis. The objective of this preliminary investigation is to explore, using validated mathematical models based on in vitro data, the feasibility of developing a novel, cost-effective, and highly compact extracorporeal liver support device that can be employed as a transitional therapy to transplantation outside of clinical settings. Such an innovation would offer substantial cost savings to the national healthcare system while significantly improving the patient’s quality of life. The experimental components consisted of replacing traditional adsorbent materials with albumin-functionalized silica microspheres due to their capacity to adsorb bilirubin, one of the toxins responsible for liver failure. Two configurations of the dialysis module were tested: one involved dispersing the adsorbent particles in dialysis fluid, while the other did not require dialysis fluid. The results demonstrate the superior performance of the first configuration compared to the second. Although the clinical applicability of these models remains distant from the current stage, further studies will focus on optimizing these models to develop a more compact and wearable device.
OculusGraphy: Signal Analysis of the Electroretinogram in a Rabbit Model of Endophthalmitis Using Discrete and Continuous Wavelet Transforms
Authors: Zhdanov Aleksei , Constable Paul , Manjur Sultan Mohammad , Dolganov Anton , Posada-Quintero Hugo F. , Lizunov Aleksander
Published: June 2023

Background: The electroretinogram is a clinical test used to assess the function of the photoreceptors and retinal circuits of various cells in the eye, with the recorded waveform being the result of the summated response of neural generators across the retina. Methods: The present investigation involved an analysis of the electroretinogram waveform in both the time and time–frequency domains through the utilization of the discrete wavelet transform and continuous wavelet transform techniques. The primary aim of this study was to monitor and evaluate the effects of treatment in a New Zealand rabbit model of endophthalmitis via electroretinogram waveform analysis and to compare these with normal human electroretinograms. Results: The wavelet scalograms were analyzed using various mother wavelets, including the Daubechies, Ricker, Wavelet Biorthogonal 3.1 (bior3.1), Morlet, Haar, and Gaussian wavelets. Distinctive variances were identified in the wavelet scalograms between rabbit and human electroretinograms. The wavelet scalograms in the rabbit model of endophthalmitis showed recovery with treatment in parallel with the time-domain features. Conclusions: The study compared adult, child, and rabbit electroretinogram responses using DWT and CWT, finding that adult signals had higher power than child signals, and that rabbit signals showed differences in the a-wave and b-wave depending on the type of response tested, while the Haar wavelet was found to be superior in visualizing frequency components in electrophysiological signals for following the treatment of endophthalmitis and may give additional outcome measures for the management of retinal disease.
The Influence of Aortic Valve Disease on Coronary Hemodynamics: A Computational Model-Based Study
Authors: Li Xuanyu , Simakov Sergey , Liu Youjun , Liu Taiwei , Wang Yue , Liang Fuyou
Published: June 2023

Aortic valve disease (AVD) often coexists with coronary artery disease (CAD), but whether and how the two diseases are correlated remains poorly understood. In this study, a zero–three dimensional (0-3D) multi-scale modeling method was developed to integrate coronary artery hemodynamics, aortic valve dynamics, coronary flow autoregulation mechanism, and systemic hemodynamics into a unique model system, thereby yielding a mathematical tool for quantifying the influences of aortic valve stenosis (AS) and aortic valve regurgitation (AR) on hemodynamics in large coronary arteries. The model was applied to simulate blood flows in six patient-specific left anterior descending coronary arteries (LADs) under various aortic valve conditions (i.e., control (free of AVD), AS, and AR). Obtained results showed that the space-averaged oscillatory shear index (SA-OSI) was significantly higher under the AS condition but lower under the AR condition in comparison with the control condition. Relatively, the overall magnitude of wall shear stress was less affected by AVD. Further data analysis revealed that AS induced the increase in OSI in LADs mainly through its role in augmenting the low-frequency components of coronary flow waveform. These findings imply that AS might increase the risk or progression of CAD by deteriorating the hemodynamic environment in coronary arteries.
Targeted Central Nervous System Irradiation with Proton Microbeam Induces Mitochondrial Changes in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Sleiman Ahmad , Lalanne Kévin , Vianna François , Perrot Yann , Richaud Myriam , SenGupta Tanima , Cardot-Martin Mikaël , Pedini Pascal , Picard Christophe , Nilsen Hilde , Galas Simon , Adam-Guillermin Christelle
Published: June 2023

Fifty percent of all patients with cancer worldwide require radiotherapy. In the case of brain tumors, despite the improvement in the precision of radiation delivery with proton therapy, studies have shown structural and functional changes in the brains of treated patients with protons. The molecular pathways involved in generating these effects are not completely understood. In this context, we analyzed the impact of proton exposure in the central nervous system area of Caenorhabditis elegans with a focus on mitochondrial function, which is potentially implicated in the occurrence of radiation-induced damage. To achieve this objective, the nematode C. elegans were micro-irradiated with 220 Gy of protons (4 MeV) in the nerve ring (head region) using the proton microbeam, MIRCOM. Our results show that protons induce mitochondrial dysfunction, characterized by an immediate dose-dependent loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) associated with oxidative stress 24 h after irradiation, which is itself characterized by the induction of the antioxidant proteins in the targeted region, observed using SOD-1::GFP and SOD-3::GFP strains. Moreover, we demonstrated a two-fold increase in the mtDNA copy number in the targeted region 24 h after irradiation. In addition, using the GFP::LGG-1 strain, an induction of autophagy in the irradiated region was observed 6 h following the irradiation, which is associated with the up-regulation of the gene expression of pink-1 (PTEN-induced kinase) and pdr-1 (C. elegans parkin homolog). Furthermore, our data showed that micro-irradiation of the nerve ring region did not impact the whole-body oxygen consumption 24 h following the irradiation. These results indicate a global mitochondrial dysfunction in the irradiated region following proton exposure. This provides a better understanding of the molecular pathways involved in radiation-induced side effects and may help in finding new therapies.
Unconventional Source of Neurotoxic Protein Aggregation from Organelle Off-Target Bax∆2 in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Yao Qi , Mascarenhas dos Santos Anne Caroline , Zhang Huaiyuan , Mañas Adriana , Hussaini Ammarah , Kim Ujin , Xu Congtai , Basheer Sana , Tasaki Shinya , Xiang Jialing
Published: June 2023

Protein aggregates are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Extensive studies have focused on β-amyloid plaques and Tau tangles. Here, we illustrate a novel source of protein aggregates in AD neurons from organelle off-target proteins. Bax is a mitochondrial pore-forming pro-death protein. What happens to Bax if it fails to target mitochondria? We previously showed that a mitochondrial target-deficient alternatively spliced variant, Bax∆2, formed large cytosolic protein aggregates and triggered caspase 8-mediated cell death. Bax∆2 protein levels were low in most normal organs and the proteins were quickly degraded in cancer. Here, we found that 85% of AD patients had Bax∆2 required alternative splicing. Increased Bax∆2 proteins were mostly accumulated in neurons of AD-susceptible brain regions. Intracellularly, Bax∆2 aggregates distributed independently of Tau tangles. Interestingly, Bax∆2 aggregates triggered the formation of stress granules (SGs), a large protein-RNA complex involved in AD pathogenesis. Although the functional domains required for aggregation and cell death are the same as in cancer cells, Bax∆2 relied on SGs, not caspase 8, for neuronal cell death. These results imply that the aggregation of organelle off-target proteins, such as Bax∆2, broadens the scope of traditional AD pathogenic proteins that contribute to the neuronal stress responses and AD pathogenesis.
Cellular and Molecular Activities of IP6 in Disease Prevention and Therapy
Authors: Dilworth Lowell , Stennett Dewayne , Omoruyi Felix
Published: June 2023

IP6 (phytic acid) is a naturally occurring compound in plant seeds and grains. It is a poly-phosphorylated inositol derivative that has been shown to exhibit many biological activities that accrue benefits in health and diseases (cancer, diabetes, renal lithiasis, cardiovascular diseases, etc.). IP6 has been shown to have several cellular and molecular activities associated with its potential role in disease prevention. These activities include anti-oxidant properties, chelation of metal ions, inhibition of inflammation, modulation of cell signaling pathways, and modulation of the activities of enzymes and hormones that are involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Studies have shown that IP6 has anti-oxidant properties and can scavenge free radicals known to cause cellular damage and contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as cancers and cardiovascular diseases, as well as diabetes mellitus. It has also been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties that may modulate immune responses geared towards the prevention of inflammatory conditions. Moreover, IP6 exhibits anti-cancer properties through the induction of cell cycle arrest, promoting apoptosis and inhibiting cancer cell growth. Additionally, it has been shown to have anti-mutagenic properties, which reduce the risk of malignancies by preventing DNA damage and mutations. IP6 has also been reported to have a potential role in bone health. It inhibits bone resorption and promotes bone formation, which may help in the prevention of bone diseases such as osteoporosis. Overall, IP6’s cellular and molecular activities make it a promising candidate for disease prevention. As reported in many studies, its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer properties support its inclusion as a dietary supplement that may protect against the development of chronic diseases. However, further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms of action of this dynamic molecule and its derivatives and determine the optimal doses and appropriate delivery methods for effective therapeutic use.
An Appraisal of the Tissue Injury and Repair (TIAR) Theory on the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis and Adenomyosis
Authors: Habiba Marwan , Benagiano Giuseppe , Guo Sun-Wei
Published: June 2023

As understanding their pathogenesis remains elusive, both endometriosis and adenomyosis are often referred to as “enigmatic diseases”. The uncertainty and heightened interest are reflected in the range of expressed views and opinions. There is a sense of urgency because of the entailed patient suffering. The plethora of opinions calls for a critical analysis of proposed theories, both old and new. A series of papers published since 2009 proposed that both endometriosis and adenomyosis originate from the same aberrations occurring within the uterus. This came to be recognized as the tissue injury and repair theory, and the newly coined term “archimetrosis” posits that the two diseases share the same origin. While the theory opens an interesting channel for exploration, its claim as a unifying theory necessitates a critical appraisal. We, thus, undertook this review of the theory and analyzed its underpinnings based on a comprehensive review of the literature. Our appraisal indicates that the theory is open to a range of criticisms. Chief among these is the need for confirmatory evidence of features of abnormal uterine contractility and the lack of data addressing the question of causality. In addition, the theory has, as yet, no supporting epidemiological evidence, which is a major weakness. The theory suffers as it is not open to the test of falsifiability, and it lacks the ability to make useful predictions. It has not addressed the questions, such as why only a small percentage of women develop adenomyosis or endometriosis, given the ubiquity of uterine peristalsis. On the other hand, the triggers and prevention of hyper- or dys-peristalsis become critical to a theory of causation. We conclude that additional supportive evidence is required for the theory to be accepted.
SNS-Toolbox: An Open Source Tool for Designing Synthetic Nervous Systems and Interfacing Them with Cyber–Physical Systems
Authors: Nourse William R. P. , Jackson Clayton , Szczecinski Nicholas S. , Quinn Roger D.
Published: June 2023

One developing approach for robotic control is the use of networks of dynamic neurons connected with conductance-based synapses, also known as Synthetic Nervous Systems (SNS). These networks are often developed using cyclic topologies and heterogeneous mixtures of spiking and non-spiking neurons, which is a difficult proposition for existing neural simulation software. Most solutions apply to either one of two extremes, the detailed multi-compartment neural models in small networks, and the large-scale networks of greatly simplified neural models. In this work, we present our open-source Python package SNS-Toolbox, which is capable of simulating hundreds to thousands of spiking and non-spiking neurons in real-time or faster on consumer-grade computer hardware. We describe the neural and synaptic models supported by SNS-Toolbox, and provide performance on multiple software and hardware backends, including GPUs and embedded computing platforms. We also showcase two examples using the software, one for controlling a simulated limb with muscles in the physics simulator Mujoco, and another for a mobile robot using ROS. We hope that the availability of this software will reduce the barrier to entry when designing SNS networks, and will increase the prevalence of SNS networks in the field of robotic control.
Space Cooling Energy Potential of Domestic Cold Water before Household Consumption in Cold-Climate Regions
Authors: Rezvanpour Mohammad , Chen Yuxiang
Published: June 2023

Space cooling energy consumption in residential buildings has tripled globally over the past three decades, leading to a significant increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and building operating costs. To reduce building cooling energy consumption, cooling energy can be recovered from domestic cold water (DCW) for space cooling by circulating DCW through thermally massive walls (herein “DCW-wall”) before regular household consumption (e.g., showers). This approach is more effective in cold climate regions since the DCW is cooler in these regions, yet its engineering design and effectiveness have not been evaluated previously. This study evaluated the cooling potential of DCW-walls in different operation scenarios (e.g., inlet temperatures, zone temperatures, and piping configurations). A typical DCW usage pattern and a daily amount of 1200 L were selected for evaluation. Three-dimensional transient thermal simulations were used to obtain the water outlet temperatures, average wall surface temperatures, and cooling potentials. The results showed that a DCW wall with a spiral piping configuration and DCW inlet at 12 °C can deliver 21.92 MJ of cooling energy daily to a zone at 25 °C. This amount of free energy can cover up to approximately 11% of the annual cooling energy demand of a four-person dwelling in Toronto, Canada, which has a warm and humid summer.
Enhanced Photocatalytic and Anticancer Activity of Zn-Doped BaTiO3 Nanoparticles Prepared through a Green Approach Using Banana Peel Extract
Authors: Ahamed Maqusood , Khan M. A. Majeed
Published: June 2023

Perovskite barium titanate (BaTiO3) has received a lot of interest due to its extraordinary dielectric and ferroelectric properties, along with its moderate biocompatibility. Here, we investigated how Zn doping tuned the physicochemical characteristics, photocatalytic activity, and anticancer potential of BaTiO3 nanoparticles synthesized from banana peel extract. XRD, TEM, SEM, EDS, XPS, BET, Raman, and PL were utilized to characterize the as-synthesized pure and Zn (1 and 3 mol%)-doped BaTiO3 nanoparticles. All of the synthesized samples showed evidence of the BaTiO3 tetragonal phase, and the XRD patterns of the Zn-doped BaTiO3 nanoparticles showed the presence of a Zn peak. The particle size of BaTiO3 decreased with increasing levels of Zn doping without morphological changes. After Zn doping, the PL intensity of BaTiO3 decreased, suggesting a lower electron–hole recombination rate. BET analysis found that the surface area of Zn-doped BaTiO3 nanoparticles was higher than that of pure BaTiO3. Under visible irradiation, the photocatalytic activity of pure and Zn-doped BaTiO3 nanoparticles was compared, and a remarkable 85% photocatalytic activity of Zn (3%)-doped BaTiO3 nanoparticles was measured. As a result, Zn-doped BaTiO3 nanoparticles are recognized as excellent photocatalysts for degrading organic pollutants. According to cytotoxicity data, Zn (3%)-doped BaTiO3 nanoparticles display four-fold greater anticancer activity against human lung carcinoma (A549) than pure BaTiO3 nanoparticles. It was also observed that Zn-doped BaTiO3 nanoparticles kill cancer cells by increasing the intracellular level of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, compared to pure BaTiO3, the Zn-doped BaTiO3 nanostructure showed better cytocompatibility in non-cancerous human lung fibroblasts (IMR90). The Zn-doped BaTiO3 nanoparticles have a reduced particle size, increased surface area, and a lower electron–hole recombination rate, which are highly beneficial for enhanced photocatalytic and anticancer activity. Overall, current data showed that green-fabricated Zn-BaTiO3 nanoparticles have superior photocatalytic and anticancer effects along with improved biocompatibility compared to those of pure BaTiO3. This work underlines the significance of utilizing agricultural waste (e.g., fruit peel) for the fabrication of BaTiO3-based nanostructures, which hold great promise for biomedical and environmental applications.
Mother–Child and Father–Child Emotional Availability during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Dungan Maggie , Lincoln Michael , Aichele Stephen , Clark Emma L. M. , Harvey Ashley , Hoyer Lillian , Jiao Yuqin , Joslin Steffany , Russell Frances , Biringen Zeynep
Published: June 2023

While the body of literature on COVID-19’s impacts on family life is rapidly expanding, most studies are based entirely on self-report data, leaving a critical gap in observational studies of parent–child interactions. The goal of this study was to evaluate parent–child relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic using the observational emotional availability (EA) construct. Parents (n = 43) were assessed using the Epidemic–Pandemic Impacts Inventory (EPII), the Flourishing Scale (FLS), and the adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) questionnaires. The subcategories of the EPII were used to develop an EPII negative and an EPII positive for each parent. EA (sensitivity, structuring, nonhostility, nonintrusiveness, child responsiveness, and child involvement) was coded from filmed parent–child interactions. Separate hierarchical multiple regressions (HMRs) were run to evaluate each of the variables of interest (EPII and FLS) as predictive of EA. Child age (M = 6, SD = 4.68) and ACEs were added in subsequent steps for EPII negative and positive if the initial step was significant. For mothers (n = 25), results demonstrated EPII negative as a significant predictor of EA with child age and ACEs adding only small amount of variance to the prediction. The same HMR process was repeated for flourishing, with the covariate child age alone. For fathers (n = 18), flourishing was a significant predictor of EA and child age added only a small amount of variance to the prediction. Results indicate that experiencing high COVID-19-related stressors is associated with lower EA for mothers, but not fathers. Having high levels of flourishing during the pandemic was predictive of higher EA for fathers, but not mothers.
An Observational Study on Play and Physical Activity Associated with a Recreational Facility-Led Park-Based “Loose Parts” Play Intervention during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Naish Calli , McCormack Gavin R. , Blackstaffe Anita , Frehlich Levi , Doyle-Baker Patricia K.
Published: June 2023

Play is a human right, yet opportunities for unstructured play are declining. The COVID-19 pandemic further reduced children’s play opportunities. We conducted an observational study of a novel community-based intervention (play hubs) that facilitated unstructured play by offering loose parts in parks (Calgary, Canada) during the pandemic. Our descriptive study included systematic observation using the System for Observing Children’s Activity and Relationships During Play (SOCARP) and Tool for Observing Play Outdoors (TOPO) to capture physical activity, play, and social and environment interactions among children participating in the play hubs for 10-weeks in 2021 (n = 160) and 2022 (n = 147). Play hub attendance was low. Most children observed were aged 5 to 12 years (2021: 93% and 2022 98%), with boys and girls represented (2021: 58% male/42% female and 2022: 52% male/48% female). Standing, sitting, and moderate activity were common activities. Physical, exploratory, and expressive play were common, while digital, bio, and rule-based play were less common. Children typically played alone or in small groups and engaged with loose parts or played in the open spaces. The play hubs encouraged unstructured play and promoted positive social interactions among children, despite the challenges of implementing a community-based intervention under pandemic public health restrictions.
Morphology and Hemodynamics of Cerebral Arteries and Aneurysms in a Rare Pair of Monozygotic Twins
Authors: Yi Hang , Yang Zifeng , Bramlage Luke C. , Ludwig Bryan R.
Published: June 2023

In this preliminary study, the underlying pathophysiology mechanisms of cerebral aneurysms (CAs) in monozygotic twins (MTs) were investigated via a rare pair of MTs (twin A and twin B) involving four reconstructed arterial models using preclinical information. First, dimensions and configurated outlines of three-perspective geometries were compared. Adopting an in-vitro validated numerical CA model, hemodynamic characteristics were investigated in the MTs, respectively. Despite expected genetic similarities, morphological comparisons show that configurations of cerebral arteries exhibit significant differences between the twins. The ICA size of twin A is larger than that in twin B (2.23~25.86%), varying with specific locations, attributing to variations during embryological developments and environmental influences. Numerical modeling indicates the MTs have some hemodynamic similarities such as pressure distributions (~13,400 Pa) and their oscillatory shear index (OSI) (0~0.49), but present significant differences in local regions. Specifically, the difference in blood flow rate in the MTs is from 16% to 221%, varying with specifically compared arteries. The maximum time-averaged wall shear stress (53.6 Pa vs. 37.8 Pa) and different local OSI distributions were also observed between the MTs. The findings revealed that morphological variations in MTs could be generated by embryological and environmental factors, further influencing hemodynamic characteristics on CA pathophysiology.
FAPI PET/CT Imaging—An Updated Review
Authors: Chandekar Kunal Ramesh , Prashanth Arun , Vinjamuri Sobhan , Kumar Rakesh
Published: June 2023

Despite revolutionizing the field of oncological imaging, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) with [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) as its workhorse is limited by a lack of specificity and low sensitivity in certain tumor subtypes. Fibroblast activation protein (FAP), a type II transmembrane glycoprotein, is expressed by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) that form a major component of the tumor stroma. FAP holds the promise to be a pan-cancer target, owing to its selective over-expression in a vast majority of neoplasms, particularly epithelial cancers. Several radiolabeled FAP inhibitors (FAPI) have been developed for molecular imaging and potential theranostic applications. Preliminary data on FAPI PET/CT remains encouraging, with extensive multi-disciplinary clinical research currently underway. This review summarizes the existing literature on FAPI PET/CT imaging with an emphasis on diagnostic applications, comparison with FDG, pitfalls, and future directions.
Longitudinal Evaluation of AFP and CEA External Proficiency Testing Reveals Need for Method Harmonization
Authors: Wojtalewicz Nathalie , Vierbaum Laura , Kaufmann Anne , Schellenberg Ingo , Holdenrieder Stefan
Published: June 2023

The glycoproteins alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) have long been approved as biomarkers for diagnosing and monitoring tumors. International Reference Preparations (IRPs) have been around since 1975. Nevertheless, manufacturer-dependent differences have been reported, indicating a lack of harmonization. This paper analyzes data from 15 external quality assessment (EQA) surveys conducted worldwide between 2018 and 2022. The aim was to gain insight into the longitudinal development of manufacturer-dependent differences for CEA and AFP. In each survey, participating laboratories received two samples with different tumor marker levels. Inter- and intra-assay variability was analyzed and the mean 80% and 90% of the manufacturer collectives were compared to the evaluation criteria of the German Medical Association (RiliBÄK). The median EQA results for CEA revealed manufacturer-dependent differences between the highest and lowest collective of up to 100%; for AFP, the median differences mostly remained below 40%. The coefficients of variation were predominantly low for both markers. We concluded that the current assays for AFP and CEA detection are better harmonized than previously reported. The assays displayed a good robustness; however, a narrowing of the current assessment limits in EQA schemes could further enhance the quality of laboratory testing.
Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine in the Treatment of Dry Eye Disease
Authors: Prinz Julia , Maffulli Nicola , Fuest Matthias , Walter Peter , Hildebrand Frank , Migliorini Filippo
Published: June 2023

The role of chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in the management of dry eye disease is still unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the efficacy and feasibility of CQ and HCQ in patients with dry eye disease. In February 2023, PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and Web of Science were accessed. Data from 462 patients (mean age 54.4 ± 2.8 years) were collected. Compared to baseline, the tear breakup time (p < 0.0001) and Schirmer I test (p < 0.0001) were significantly increased, and the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI, p < 0.0001) and corneal staining (p < 0.0001) were significantly decreased at the last follow-up in the CQ/HCQ group. At the last follow-up, the OSDI was significantly lower in the CQ/HCQ group compared to the control group (p < 0.0001). Corneal staining was significantly greater in the control group compared to the CQ/HCQ group (p < 0.0001). The Schirmer I test showed no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.2). Altogether, CQ and HCQ improved the symptoms and signs of dry eye disease.
Enhancing Online UAV Multi-Object Tracking with Temporal Context and Spatial Topological Relationships
Authors: Xiao Changcheng , Cao Qiong , Zhong Yujie , Lan Long , Zhang Xiang , Cai Huayue , Luo Zhigang
Published: June 2023

Multi-object tracking in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) videos is a critical visual perception task with numerous applications. However, existing multi-object tracking methods, when directly applied to UAV scenarios, face significant challenges in maintaining robust tracking due to factors such as motion blur and small object sizes. Additionally, existing UAV methods tend to underutilize crucial information from the temporal and spatial dimensions. To address these issues, on the one hand, we propose a temporal feature aggregation module (TFAM), which effectively combines temporal contexts to obtain rich feature response maps in dynamic motion scenes to enhance the detection capability of the proposed tracker. On the other hand, we introduce a topology-integrated embedding module (TIEM) that captures the topological relationships between objects and their surrounding environment globally and sparsely, thereby integrating spatial layout information. The proposed TIEM significantly enhances the discriminative power of object embedding features, resulting in more precise data association. By integrating these two carefully designed modules into a one-stage online MOT system, we construct a robust UAV tracker. Compared to the baseline approach, the proposed model demonstrates significant improvements in MOTA on two UAV multi-object tracking benchmarks, namely VisDrone2019 and UAVDT. Specifically, the proposed model achieves a 2.2% improvement in MOTA on the VisDrone2019 benchmark and a 2.5% improvement on the UAVDT benchmark.
In-Service Teacher Education Program through an Educational Design Research Approach in the Framework of the 2030 Agenda
Authors: João Patrícia , Henriques Maria Helena , Rodrigues Ana V. , Sá Patrícia
Published: June 2023

Science education plays a key role in promoting Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) through the training of informed and participatory citizens committed to the management of our planet and its resources. This work presents the design and assessment of an In-Service Teacher Education Program (ISTEP) through an Educational Design Research approach aiming at developing skills that make it possible to operationalize the experimental practical teaching of science topics, within the scope of ESD, in an articulated, coherent, and progressive way throughout Basic Education. It was implemented with 14 teachers from the three cycles of Portuguese Basic Education (ages 6–15), and focused on “Soils”. An integrated set of activities and respective didactic resources were co-built (the trainer-researcher with the in-service teachers) with a progressive, systematic, and sequential vision of the “Soils” theme. The content analysis of the teachers’ answers to questionnaires and during the final reflection point to an improvement in their practices regarding the ability to plan and design didactic resources on science topics from a Sustainable Development perspective. This ISTEP can be adapted to other themes and educational contexts, namely through close cooperation on education issues, which is one of the lines of action of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries.
Failure Propagation Prediction of Complex Electromechanical Systems Based on Interdependence
Authors: Xia Yu , Yang Nan , Wang Hu , Wang Xiaoli , Cui Mengzhen , Li Man
Published: June 2023

Interdependence is an inherent feature of the cyber-physical system. Small damage to one component in the system may affect several other components, leading to a series of failures, thus collapsing the entire system. Therefore, the system failure is often caused by the failure of one or more components. In order to solve this problem, this paper focuses on a failure propagation probability prediction method for complex electromechanical systems, considering component states and dependencies between components. Firstly, the key component set in the system is determined based on the reliability measure. Considering the three coupling mechanisms of mechanical, electrical, and information, a topology network model of the system is constructed. Secondly, based on the topology network model and fault data, the calculation method of influence degree between components is proposed. Three state parameters are used to express the risk point state of each component in the system through mathematical representation, and the correlation coefficient between the risk point state parameters is calculated and measured based on the uncertainty evaluation. Then, the influence matrix between the system risk points is constructed, and the fault sequence is predicted by using the prediction function of an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) to obtain the fault propagation probability. Finally, the method is applied to the rail train braking system, which verifies that the proposed method is feasible and effective.
Vertex Chunk-Based Object Culling Method for Real-Time Rendering in Metaverse
Authors: Lee Eun-Seok , Shin Byeong-Seok
Published: June 2023

Famous content using the Metaverse concept allows users to freely place objects in a world space without constraints. To render various high-resolution objects placed by users in real-time, various algorithms exist, such as view frustum culling, visibility culling and occlusion culling. These algorithms selectively remove objects outside the camera’s view and eliminate an object that is too small to render. However, these methods require additional operations to select objects to cull, which can slowdown the rendering speed in a world scene with massive number of objects. This paper introduces an object-culling technique using vertex chunk to render a massive number of objects in real-time. This method compresses the bounding boxes of objects into data units called vertex chunks to reduce input data for rendering passes, and utilizes GPU parallel processing to quickly restore the data and select culled objects. This method redistributes the bottleneck that occurred in the Object’s validity determination from the GPU to the CPU, allowing for the rendering of massive objects. Previously, the existing methods performed all the object validity checks on the GPU. Therefore, it can efficiently reduce the computation time of previous methods. The experimental results showed an improvement in performance of about 15%, and it showed a higher effect when multiple objects were placed.
Physical Layer Security Performance Analysis of IRS-Aided Cognitive Radio Networks
Authors: Liu Zhangyu , Wang Ji , Jiang Hao , Wang Jun , Li Xingwang , Xie Wenwu
Published: June 2023

Cognitive radio (CR) acts as a significant player in enhancing the spectral efficiency (SE) of wireless telecommunications; simultaneously, the intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) technique is a valid technique for increasing the confidentiality properties of wireless telecommunications systems through the modulation of the amplitude and phase shift of the channel. Therefore, we take into consideration an IRS-assisted multiple-input single-output (MISO) CR system to raise the confidentiality rate, which is composed of a primary network with a primary receiver (PR) and an eavesdropping link, as well as a secondary network with a secondary receiver (SR) and SR transmitter (SR-TX). In particular, we minimize the SR’s transmit power under the interference temperature (IT) and confidentiality capacity constraints via the joint optimization of the beamforming vector and artificial noise (AN) constraint matrix at SR-TX together with the phase shift matrix of IRS. Numerical outcomes indicate that various transmit antenna values and the IRS element numbers at SR-TX can greatly reduce transmit power while assuring secure communication.
Plant Antimicrobials for Food Quality and Safety: Recent Views and Future Challenges
Authors: Pinto Loris , Tapia-Rodríguez Melvin R. , Baruzzi Federico , Ayala-Zavala Jesús Fernando
Published: June 2023

The increasing demand for natural, safe, and sustainable food preservation methods drove research towards the use of plant antimicrobials as an alternative to synthetic preservatives. This review article comprehensively discussed the potential applications of plant extracts, essential oils, and their compounds as antimicrobial agents in the food industry. The antimicrobial properties of several plant-derived substances against foodborne pathogens and spoilage microorganisms, along with their modes of action, factors affecting their efficacy, and potential negative sensory impacts, were presented. The review highlighted the synergistic or additive effects displayed by combinations of plant antimicrobials, as well as the successful integration of plant extracts with food technologies ensuring an improved hurdle effect, which can enhance food safety and shelf life. The review likewise emphasized the need for further research in fields such as mode of action, optimized formulations, sensory properties, safety assessment, regulatory aspects, eco-friendly production methods, and consumer education. By addressing these gaps, plant antimicrobials can pave the way for more effective, safe, and sustainable food preservation strategies in the future.
Biological Activities and Solubilization Methodologies of Naringin
Authors: Jiang Hao , Zhang Mutang , Lin Xiaoling , Zheng Xiaoqing , Qi Heming , Chen Junping , Zeng Xiaofang , Bai Weidong , Xiao Gengsheng
Published: June 2023

Naringin (NG), a natural flavanone glycoside, possesses a multitude of pharmacological properties, encompassing anti-inflammatory, sedative, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-osteoporosis, and lipid-lowering functions, and serves as a facilitator for the absorption of other drugs. Despite these powerful qualities, NG’s limited solubility and bioavailability primarily undermine its therapeutic potential. Consequently, innovative solubilization methodologies have received considerable attention, propelling a surge of scholarly investigation in this arena. Among the most promising solutions is the enhancement of NG’s solubility and physiological activity without compromising its inherent active structure, therefore enabling the formulation of non-toxic and benign human body preparations. This article delivers a comprehensive overview of NG and its physiological activities, particularly emphasizing the impacts of structural modification, solid dispersions (SDs), inclusion compound, polymeric micelle, liposomes, and nanoparticles on NG solubilization. By synthesizing current research, this research elucidates the bioavailability of NG, broadens its clinical applicability, and paves the way for further exploration and expansion of its application spectrum.
A Multimethodological Approach for the Chemical Characterization of Edible Insects: The Case Study of Acheta domesticus
Authors: Spano Mattia , Di Matteo Giacomo , Fernandez Retamozo Carlos Alberto , Lasalvia Alba , Ruggeri Marco , Sandri Giuseppina , Cordeiro Carlos , Sousa Silva Marta , Totaro Fila Carlotta , Garzoli Stefania , Crestoni Maria Elisa , Mannina Luisa
Published: June 2023

Acheta domesticus (house cricket) has been recently introduced into the official European list of novel foods, representing an alternative and sustainable food source. Up to now, the chemical characterization of this edible insect has been focused only on specific classes of compounds. Here, three production batches of an A. domesticus powder were investigated by means of a multimethodological approach based on NMR, FT-ICR MS, and GC-MS methodologies. The applied analytical protocol, proposed for the first time in the study of an edible insect, allowed us to identify and quantify compounds not previously reported in crickets. In particular, methyl-branched hydrocarbons, previously identified in other insects, together with other compounds such as citrulline, formate, γ-terpinene, p-cymene, α-thujene, β-thujene, and 4-carene were detected. Amino acids, organic acids, and fatty acids were also identified and quantified. The improved knowledge of the chemical profile of this novel food opens new horizons both for the use of crickets as a food ingredient and for the use of extracts for the production of new formulations. In order to achieve this objective, studies regarding safety, biological activity, bioaccessibility, and bioavailability are needed as future perspectives in this field.
Consumer Intention towards Buying Edible Beef Offal and the Relevance of Food Neophobia
Authors: Sabbagh Maria , Gutierrez Luciano , Lai Roberto , Nocella Giuseppe
Published: June 2023

Enhancing the willingness to eat edible offal can be a valuable strategy to mitigate the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to growing meat production and to provide food with high protein content to a growing global population. Although some edible offal is considered delicacies, we hardly find such foods in Western countries’ everyday diet, and their human consumption has decreased during the last decades. This study analyses the consumer purchase intention of BEEF edible offal using an extended version of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), where food neophobia and food disgust sensitivity play an essential role in determining consumers’ willingness to eat beef edible offal. An online survey was conducted among a sample of Italian adult regular meat eaters (n = 720), stratified by age, gender, education and residence. The results showed a direct negative impact of food neophobia on the intention to consume offal. Further, we were able to quantify a negative indirect impact of food neophobia on intention through the mediation of food disgust sensitivity and attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control, which all exert an essential role in determining the willingness to consume beef edible offal. We found that the mediated impact of food neophobia on the intention to consume beef offal is much higher than the direct impact. In conclusion, recommendations and implications, such as promoting cooking shows with celebrity chefs, new products or new packaging of edible offal, were developed based on the results to increase edible beef consumption.
The Behavioral Intention to Adopt Circular Economy-Based Digital Technology for Agricultural Waste Valorization
Authors: Pienwisetkaew Teerapong , Wongsaichia Sasichakorn , Pinyosap Benyapa , Prasertsil Supakkarn , Poonsakpaisarn Kunjira , Ketkaew Chavis
Published: June 2023

Thailand generates considerable amounts of agricultural food waste. This research focuses on the manufacturing and retail agricultural food system in the northeastern region of Thailand. Our study aimed to investigate the user segments and factors that influence users’ behavioral intentions to utilize mobile technology for agricultural waste valorization. This study is based on the Unified Theory of the Adoption and Utilization of Technology (UTAUT2). In order to classify these segments, we performed a cluster analysis using demographic variables: gender, age, and income. In addition, the researchers employed a method known as multigroup structural equation modeling to determine and contrast the users’ behavioral intentions. The results showed two types of users: (1) older users with various income ranges, and (2) younger users with a low-income range. Explicitly, age and income were the significant variables for the demographic segmentation, but gender was not. The results also revealed that social influence, price value, and trust highly affected the behavioral intentions of older and various-income users, but did not influence younger and low-income users. However, privacy strongly affected the behavioral intentions in the younger segment, but not those in the older one. Lastly, habit or regularity influenced the behavioral intentions of users in both segments. This study highlights implications for how developers and practitioners might adapt their platform strategies using a circular agricultural platform and user behaviors.
Developing Biomimetic Hydrogels of the Arterial Wall as a Prothrombotic Substrate for In Vitro Human Thrombosis Models
Authors: Ranjbar Jacob , Njoroge Wanjiku , Gibbins Jonathan M. , Roach Paul , Yang Ying , Harper Alan G. S.
Published: June 2023

Current in vitro thrombosis models utilise simplistic 2D surfaces coated with purified components of the subendothelial matrix. The lack of a realistic humanised model has led to greater study of thrombus formation in in vivo tests in animals. Here we aimed to develop 3D hydrogel-based replicas of the medial and adventitial layers of the human artery to produce a surface that can optimally support thrombus formation under physiological flow conditions. These tissue-engineered medial- (TEML) and adventitial-layer (TEAL) hydrogels were developed by culturing human coronary artery smooth muscle cells and human aortic adventitial fibroblasts within collagen hydrogels, both individually and in co-culture. Platelet aggregation upon these hydrogels was studied using a custom-made parallel flow chamber. When cultured in the presence of ascorbic acid, the medial-layer hydrogels were able to produce sufficient neo-collagen to support effective platelet aggregation under arterial flow conditions. Both TEML and TEAL hydrogels possessed measurable tissue factor activity and could trigger coagulation of platelet-poor plasma in a factor VII-dependent manner. Biomimetic hydrogel replicas of the subendothelial layers of the human artery are effective substrates for a humanised in vitro thrombosis model that could reduce animal experimentation by replacing current in vivo models.