bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of Pathogenic Leptospira in Captive Chelonians (Kinosternon scorpioides—Linnaeus, 1766) in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Freitas Rafael Souza , Rocha Katarine de Souza , Monteiro Louysse Helene , Alexandre Thais Fernandes , Monteiro Thamillys Rayssa Marques , Honorio Betsy Emely Tavares , Gripp Mayra Coelho , Guimarães Claudio Douglas de Oliveira , Palha Maria das Dores Correia , Gonçalves Thamirys de Souza , Scofield Alessandra , Moraes Carla Cristina Guimarães de
Published: April 2024

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis of great importance for One Health. In this context, the Amazonian biome may harbor numerous hosts for Leptospira spp. that contribute to the maintenance of the pathogen in the environment. Some reptiles, such as chelonians, have been little studied in terms of their involvement with leptospires. The objective of this study was to detect Leptospira spp. DNA in Kinosternon scorpioides turtles kept in captivity in a region of the Brazilian Amazon. A total of 147 samples of blood (n = 40), cloacal fluid (n = 27), cloacal lavage (n = 40), and stomach (n = 40) were collected from 40 chelonians. After DNA extraction, the samples were subjected to amplification of a 331 base pair product of the 16S rRNA gene using the Lep1 and Lep2 primers. PCR products were Sanger sequenced, assembled, and subjected to online blast search and phylogenetic analysis. Of the animals tested, 40% (16/40, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 25–55) had at least one or two samples positive for Leptospira spp. Considering the total number of samples collected, 12.93% (19/147) were positive, being blood clots (27.5%; 11/40), followed by cloacal washings (10%; 4/40), cloacal fluid (11.11%; 3/27) and gastric washings (2.5%; 1/40). Of these, 11 samples were sequenced and showed 99% to 100% identity with Leptospira interrogans sequences, which was confirmed by phylogenetic analysis. This is the first study to detect pathogenic Leptospira DNA in chelonians in a region of the Brazilian Amazon. It has been concluded that K. scorpioides turtles in captivity have been exposed to pathogenic Leptospira.
Fraxetin Targeting to Sortase A Decreases the Pathogenicity of Streptococcus agalactiae to Nile Tilapia
Authors: Dong Jing , Zhang Yuze , Yang Qiuhong , Liu Yongtao , Zhou Shun , Ai Xiaohui
Published: April 2024

Sortase A (SrtA) is responsible for anchoring surface proteins to the cell wall, and has been identified as a promising target developing anti-infective drugs of Gram-positive bacteria. The aim of the study was to identify inhibitors of Streptococcus agalactiae (S. agalactiae) SrtA from natural compounds to overcome the spread of antibiotic resistance in aquaculture. Here, we found that the MIC of fraxetin against S. agalactiae was higher than 256 μg/mL, indicating that fraxetin had no anti- S. agalactiae activity. But fraxetin could dose-dependently decrease the activity of SrtA in vitro at concentrations ranging between 4–32 μg/mL by a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay. Moreover, the inhibition of SrtA by fraxetin decreased the anchoring of surface proteins with the LPXTG motif to the cell wall by detecting the immunofluorescence change of serine-rich repeat protein 1 (Srr1) on the bacterial cell surface. The results of fibronectin binding and cell adhesion assays indicated that fraxetin could significantly decrease the adhesion ability of S. agalactiae in a dose-dependent manner. The results were further proven by immunofluorescence staining. Animal challenge results showed that treatment with fraxetin could reduce the mortality of tilapia infected with S. agalactiae to 46.67%, indicating that fraxetin could provide a significant amount of protection to tilapia by inactivating SrtA. Taken together, these findings provided a novel inhibitor of S. agalactiae SrtA and a promising candidate for treating S. agalactiae infections in aquaculture.
Development and Validation of an Examination Protocol for Arthroscopic Evaluation of the Temporomandibular Joint in Dogs
Authors: Quadflieg Ina , Ordobazari Jasmin , Lüpke Matthias , Freise Fritjof , Volk Holger A. , Metje Benjamin
Published: April 2024

Due to the previously limited intra-articular diagnostic possibilities of the canine temporomandibular joint, an examination protocol for the canine temporomandibular joint (TMJ) was developed and tested in this study using a needle arthroscope. In total, the discotemporal (DTJ) and discomandibular (DMJ) joint compartments of 32 animals (64 TMJs) were examined arthroscopically. During the examinations, 15 anatomical landmarks per joint side were evaluated in regard to their visibility and accessibility. All arthroscopies were performed by the same examiner and the same assistant to ensure standard methods were applied. The examination procedure which was developed here proved to be a reliable tool for examining this joint. The 15 anatomical landmarks that were to be examined could be reliably visualised and assessed in all TMJs with a certainty of 86% to 100% by both observers. This tool provides clinicians with a reliable examination aid for everyday practice and ensures the comparability of results. In the future, this could provide an opportunity to better diagnose and treat TMJ pathologies.
Assessing Substrate Utilization and Bioconversion Efficiency of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae: Effect of Diet Composition on Growth and Development Temperature
Authors: Belperio Simona , Cattaneo Arianna , Nannoni Eleonora , Sardi Luca , Martelli Giovanna , Dabbou Sihem , Meneguz Marco
Published: April 2024

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) can utilize food by-products or residues for growth, benefiting farm animal’s diets’ production sustainability. The experiment aimed to assess the effect of different substrate compositions on larval growth, chemical composition, and substrate temperature. BSFL were allocated to one of the four diets (control, vegetable, carnivorous, and omnivorous) for the entire experiment (8 days). The temperature was measured twice daily using a thermal-imaging camera, and the accumulated degree hours (ADH) was calculated. The results showed that the larvae fed the vegetable diet exhibited a significantly reduced growth performance, with a biomass reduction of 26.3% compared to the control diet; furthermore, vegetable-fed larvae showed a lower dry matter content (−30% compared to the average of other diets) due to lower fat content (−65% compared to average of other diets). The nutritional composition of larvae fed an omnivorous diet was similar to larvae fed a high-quality substrate diet (control diet-chicken feed), indicating that the omnivorous diet could be an ideal solution for rearing BSFL larvae; however, the current European legislation prohibits the use of animal meal. The study also revealed that substrate temperatures did not have a discernible influence on larval growth, further emphasizing the importance of diet in BSFL rearing strategies.
The Association between Countermovement Rebound Jump Metrics and Independent Measures of Athletic Performance
Authors: Xu Jiaqing , Turner Anthony , Comyns Thomas M. , Chavda Shyam , Bishop Chris
Published: April 2024

This study investigates the associations between countermovement rebound jump (CMRJ) performance metrics and various independent measures of athletic performance, including the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), 20 m linear sprint, and 505 change-of-direction (COD) speed tests. Pearson’s correlations were used to analyse the relationship between the CMRJ measures with athletic performance, with significance being set at p ≤ 0.006. Results showed large significant positive relationships between IMTP peak force and force at 300 milliseconds with the first jump height of the CMRJ (JH-1, r = 0.54 to 0.55, p ≤ 0.002). Additionally, inverse relationships were observed between reactive strength index modified (RSImod) and reactive strength index (RSI) with 20 m sprint total and split times (r = −0.55 to −0.66, p ≤ 0.001), and the 10 m and total sprint times were significantly correlated with JH-1 (r = −0.54, p = 0.003), indicating that greater vertical explosive power and reactive strength are associated with faster sprint performance. Finally, a significant inverse relationship was identified between CMRJ metrics (two JH values and RSImod) and 505 COD times in both the left and right sides (r = −0.51 to −0.68, p ≤ 0.006). These findings suggest that CMRJ performance metrics are valuable indicators of lower-limb explosive force production, with a strong link to both linear sprint and COD performance. The finding underscores the importance of including CMRJ assessments in athletic performance evaluations due to their dual assessment capacity of slow and fast stretch–shortening cycle mechanics.
Effects of Rapid Palate Expansion Treatment in Growing Oral Respiratory Patients: Functional Assessment of the Upper Airway Using Active Anterior Rhinomanometry
Authors: Cremonini Francesca , Forti Margherita , Maltoni Manuela , Santucci Giorgia , Pancari Carolina , Lombardo Luca
Published: April 2024

This retrospective study aims to further investigate the effects of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) treatment on respiratory function in growing patients with contracted upper airways, by assessing nasal resistance using active anterior rhinomanometry (AAR). Methods: At T0 (pre-RME), 122 orthodontic patients aged 5 to 12 years, exhibiting oral breathing and/or snoring along with maxillary contraction, underwent AAR with a mask using the ATMOS Rhino 31 rhinomanometer. Additionally, the SRDB or PSQ-SRDB Questionnaire was utilized to validate the orthodontic history of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). If AAR results at T0 were clinically significant, they were repeated at T1, corresponding to a period of three months after screw fixation, to evaluate changes in nasal resistance values between pre- and post-treatment. Results: The study group comprised 42 oral respiratory patients with a mean age of 7.71 years, suspected of pediatric OSAS. Although the questionnaires did not yield statistically significant results, the therapy induced an overall reduction in airflow resistance values from both nostrils (−24.63% in the right nostril; −26.65% in the left nostril). Conclusions: This study demonstrates the beneficial effects of orthodontic treatment with RME on nasal function in terms of airflow resistance in cases of maxillary contraction.
Theoretical Analysis of the Mechanical Performance of Implantable Devices Used in the Treatment of Vertebral Compression Fractures (Kyphoplasty, SpineJack, Tri-Blade) and a Proposal of a Two-Arm Device with Increased Performance
Authors: Stroe Iulius , Simion Ionel , Ioniță Elena
Published: April 2024

In this study, an analysis of the behavior of the vertebra during the use of KP and SJ was carried out to understand the kinematics of the movement of the fragments of the vertebra during action and the forces generated in the use of the two methods. For this analysis, the results published by various authors were used. Only the principle of the mechanical actuation of the vertebra fragments was analyzed, without addressing other aspects such as the method of cement introduction, the type of cement used, PMMA hardening times, the duration of the operation, the patient’s recovery time, etc. In addition to the analysis, the authors propose a device that eliminates the inconveniences observed in the two analyzed devices and promises to significantly improve the restoration of the vertebra’s height and, consequently, the patient’s symptoms. The observations show that the type of mechanism articulated at one end has both robustness and greater efficiency in this type of actuation. It is further shown that from this category, the mechanism with two arms (Two-Arm Device) proposed by the authors is superior to the existing ones in terms of robustness and efficiency. The perspectives of TAD are represented by the improvement of the vertebral statics and, consequently, the symptoms of the patients.
Pipe Organ Design Including the Passive Haptic Feedback Technology and Measurement Analysis of Key Displacement, Pressure Force and Sound Organ Pipe
Authors: Kowol Paweł , Nowak Pawel , Di Nunzio Luca , Cardarilli Gian Carlo , Capizzi Giacomo , Lo Sciuto Grazia
Published: April 2024

In this work, an organ pipe instrument with a mechatronic control system including the Passive Haptic Feedback technology is implemented. The test bed consists of a motorized positioning stage mounted to a brace that is attached to a bridge on a platform. A simple pneumatic mechanism is designed and realized to achieve the same dynamics pressure for each measurement attempt on the keyboard. This system contain pipes, an air compressor, valves, and a piston connected to applied force pressure on the keyboard of the organ pipe. The pneumatic components, like valves and pressure regulators, mounted on the profile plate are connected to the main air supply line via flexible tubing or hoses to the air compressor and mechanical trucker. The pneumatic system has many types of valves that regulate the air speed, air flow, and power. The combination of valves and air compressor control the air flow and the mechanism of piston and pressure on the keyboard. The mechanical actuator presses the key to be tested, and a load cell detects the applied key force. A laser triangulation measurement system based on a Laser Displacement Sensor measures the displacement of the key during the key depression. The velocity of the key motion is controlled by the pneumatic actuator. A miniature-sized strain gauge load cell, which is mounted on a musical keyboard key, measures the contact force between the probe and the key. In addition, the quality of the audio signal generated by the organ instrument is estimated using the Hilbert transform.
Weighted Least Squares Regression with the Best Robustness and High Computability
Authors: Zuo Yijun , Zuo Hanwen
Published: April 2024

A novel regression method is introduced and studied. The procedure weights squared residuals based on their magnitude. Unlike the classic least squares which treats every squared residual as equally important, the new procedure exponentially down-weights squared residuals that lie far away from the cloud of all residuals and assigns a constant weight (one) to squared residuals that lie close to the center of the squared-residual cloud. The new procedure can keep a good balance between robustness and efficiency; it possesses the highest breakdown point robustness for any regression equivariant procedure, being much more robust than the classic least squares, yet much more efficient than the benchmark robust method, the least trimmed squares (LTS) of Rousseeuw. With a smooth weight function, the new procedure could be computed very fast by the first-order (first-derivative) method and the second-order (second-derivative) method. Assertions and other theoretical findings are verified in simulated and real data examples.
Imagine and Imitate: Cost-Effective Bidding under Partially Observable Price Landscapes
Authors: Luo Xiaotong , Chen Yongjian , Zhuo Shengda , Lu Jie , Chen Ziyang , Li Lichun , Tian Jingyan , Ye Xiaotong , Tang Yin
Published: April 2024

Real-time bidding has become a major means for online advertisement exchange. The goal of a real-time bidding strategy is to maximize the benefits for stakeholders, e.g., click-through rates or conversion rates. However, in practise, the optimal bidding strategy for real-time bidding is constrained by at least three aspects: cost-effectiveness, the dynamic nature of market prices, and the issue of missing bidding values. To address these challenges, we propose Imagine and Imitate Bidding (IIBidder), which includes Strategy Imitation and Imagination modules, to generate cost-effective bidding strategies under partially observable price landscapes. Experimental results on the iPinYou and YOYI datasets demonstrate that IIBidder reduces investment costs, optimizes bidding strategies, and improves future market price predictions.
Recent Advances of MSCs in Renal IRI: From Injury to Renal Fibrosis
Authors: Niu Xinhao , Xu Xiaoqing , Xu Cuidi , Cheuk Yin Celeste , Rong Ruiming
Published: April 2024

Renal fibrosis is a pathological endpoint of maladaptation after ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), and despite many attempts, no good treatment has been achieved so far. At the core of renal fibrosis is the differentiation of various types of cells into myofibroblasts. MSCs were once thought to play a protective role after renal IRI. However, growing evidence suggests that MSCs have a two-sided nature. In spite of their protective role, in maladaptive situations, MSCs start to differentiate towards myofibroblasts, increasing the myofibroblast pool and promoting renal fibrosis. Following renal IRI, it has been observed that Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BM-MSCs) and Renal Resident Mesenchymal Stem Cells (RR-MSCs) play important roles. This review presents evidence supporting their involvement, discusses their potential mechanisms of action, and suggests several new targets for future research.
Synergizing Deep Learning-Enabled Preprocessing and Human–AI Integration for Efficient Automatic Ground Truth Generation
Authors: Collazo Christopher , Vargas Ian , Cara Brendon , Weinheimer Carla J. , Grabau Ryan P. , Goldgof Dmitry , Hall Lawrence , Wickline Samuel A. , Pan Hua
Published: April 2024

The progress of incorporating deep learning in the field of medical image interpretation has been greatly hindered due to the tremendous cost and time associated with generating ground truth for supervised machine learning, alongside concerns about the inconsistent quality of images acquired. Active learning offers a potential solution to these problems of expanding dataset ground truth by algorithmically choosing the most informative samples for ground truth labeling. Still, this effort incurs the costs of human labeling, which needs minimization. Furthermore, automatic labeling approaches employing active learning often exhibit overfitting tendencies while selecting samples closely aligned with the training set distribution and excluding out-of-distribution samples, which could potentially improve the model’s effectiveness. We propose that the majority of out-of-distribution instances can be attributed to inconsistent cross images. Since the FDA approved the first whole-slide image system for medical diagnosis in 2017, whole-slide images have provided enriched critical information to advance the field of automated histopathology. Here, we exemplify the benefits of a novel deep learning strategy that utilizes high-resolution whole-slide microscopic images. We quantitatively assess and visually highlight the inconsistencies within the whole-slide image dataset employed in this study. Accordingly, we introduce a deep learning-based preprocessing algorithm designed to normalize unknown samples to the training set distribution, effectively mitigating the overfitting issue. Consequently, our approach significantly increases the amount of automatic region-of-interest ground truth labeling on high-resolution whole-slide images using active deep learning. We accept 92% of the automatic labels generated for our unlabeled data cohort, expanding the labeled dataset by 845%. Additionally, we demonstrate expert time savings of 96% relative to manual expert ground-truth labeling.
Bioprinting of Perfusable, Biocompatible Vessel-like Channels with dECM-Based Bioinks and Living Cells
Authors: Klak Marta , Rachalewski Michał , Filip Anna , Dobrzański Tomasz , Berman Andrzej , Wszoła Michał
Published: April 2024

There is a growing interest in the production of bioinks that on the one hand, are biocompatible and, on the other hand, have mechanical properties that allow for the production of stable constructs that can survive for a long time after transplantation. While the selection of the right material is crucial for bioprinting, there is another equally important issue that is currently being extensively researched—the incorporation of the vascular system into the fabricated scaffolds. Therefore, in the following manuscript, we present the results of research on bioink with unique physico-chemical and biological properties. In this article, two methods of seeding cells were tested using bioink B and seeding after bioprinting the whole model. After 2, 5, 8, or 24 h of incubation, the flow medium was used in the tested systems. At the end of the experimental trial, for each time variant, the canals were stored in formaldehyde, and immunohistochemical staining was performed to examine the presence of cells on the canal walls and roof. Cells adhered to both ways of fiber arrangement; however, a parallel bioprint with the 5 h incubation and the intermediate plating of cells resulted in better adhesion efficiency. For this test variant, the percentage of cells that adhered was at least 20% higher than in the other analyzed variants. In addition, it was for this variant that the lowest percentage of viable cells was found that were washed out of the tested model. Importantly, hematoxylin and eosin staining showed that after 8 days of culture, the cells were evenly distributed throughout the canal roof. Our study clearly shows that neovascularization-promoting cells effectively adhere to ECM-based pancreatic bioink. Summarizing the presented results, it was demonstrated that the proposed bioink compositions can be used for bioprinting bionic organs with a vascular system formed by endothelial cells and fibroblasts.
Unveiling the Unpredictable in Parkinson’s Disease: Sensor-Based Monitoring of Dyskinesias and Freezing of Gait in Daily Life
Authors: Zampogna Alessandro , Borzì Luigi , Rinaldi Domiziana , Artusi Carlo Alberto , Imbalzano Gabriele , Patera Martina , Lopiano Leonardo , Pontieri Francesco , Olmo Gabriella , Suppa Antonio
Published: April 2024

Background: Dyskinesias and freezing of gait are episodic disorders in Parkinson’s disease, characterized by a fluctuating and unpredictable nature. This cross-sectional study aims to objectively monitor Parkinsonian patients experiencing dyskinesias and/or freezing of gait during activities of daily living and assess possible changes in spatiotemporal gait parameters. Methods: Seventy-one patients with Parkinson’s disease (40 with dyskinesias and 33 with freezing of gait) were continuously monitored at home for a minimum of 5 days using a single wearable sensor. Dedicated machine-learning algorithms were used to categorize patients based on the occurrence of dyskinesias and freezing of gait. Additionally, specific spatiotemporal gait parameters were compared among patients with and without dyskinesias and/or freezing of gait. Results: The wearable sensor algorithms accurately classified patients with and without dyskinesias as well as those with and without freezing of gait based on the recorded dyskinesias and freezing of gait episodes. Standard spatiotemporal gait parameters did not differ significantly between patients with and without dyskinesias or freezing of gait. Both the time spent with dyskinesias and the number of freezing of gait episodes positively correlated with the disease severity and medication dosage. Conclusions: A single inertial wearable sensor shows promise in monitoring complex, episodic movement patterns, such as dyskinesias and freezing of gait, during daily activities. This approach may help implement targeted therapeutic and preventive strategies for Parkinson’s disease.
Wound Modulations in Glaucoma Surgery: A Systematic Review
Authors: Dave Bhoomi , Patel Monica , Suresh Sruthi , Ginjupalli Mahija , Surya Arvind , Albdour Mohannad , Kooner Karanjit S.
Published: April 2024

Excessive fibrosis and resultant poor control of intraocular pressure (IOP) reduce the efficacy of glaucoma surgeries. Historically, corticosteroids and anti-fibrotic agents, such as mitomycin C (MMC) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), have been used to mitigate post-surgical fibrosis, but these have unpredictable outcomes. Therefore, there is a need to develop novel treatments which provide increased effectiveness and specificity. This review aims to provide insight into the pathophysiology behind wound healing in glaucoma surgery, as well as the current and promising future wound healing agents that are less toxic and may provide better IOP control.
Unveiling Lovastatin’s Anti-Inflammatory Potential in Mouse’s Brain during Acute Trypanosoma cruzi Infection
Authors: Gonzaga Beatriz Matheus de Souza , Nisimura Líndice Mitie , Coelho Laura Lacerda , Ferreira Roberto Rodrigues , Horita Samuel Iwao Maia , Beghini Daniela Gois , Estato Vanessa , Araújo-Jorge Tania Cremonini de , Garzoni Luciana Ribeiro
Published: April 2024

Neurological commitment is a neglected manifestation of Chagas disease (CD). Meningoencephalitis mainly affects children and immunosuppressed patients, while stroke can occur with or without cardiac compromise. One of the possible causes of stroke development is microvascular commitment. Our group previously described that experimental Trypanossoma cruzi acute infection leads to cerebral microvasculopathy. This condition is characterized by decreased capillary density, increased leukocyte rolling and adhesion, and endothelial dysfunction. CD was discovered 114 years ago, and until today, only two drugs have been available for clinical treatment: benznidazole and nifurtimox. Both present a high cure rate for the acute phase (80%) and small cure rate for the chronic phase (20%). In addition, the high occurrence of side-effects, without proper medical follow-up, can result in treatment abandonment. Therefore, the search for new therapeutic schemes is necessary. Statins are drugs already used in the clinic that have several pleiotropic effects including endothelial function improvement, anti-inflammatory action, as well as trypanocidal effects, making them a potential alternative treatment for brain microvasculopathy in CD. Here, we investigate the effect of lovastatin (LOV) on brain microvasculopathy and inflammatory parameters. Swiss Webster mice were intraperitoneally inoculated with the Y strain of T. cruzi. Treatment with lovastatin (20 mg/kg/day) was initiated 24 h after the infection and continued for 14 consecutive days. We observed that LOV treatment did not affect parasitemia, brain microcirculation alterations, or the reduction in cerebral blood flow caused by T. cruzi infection. Also, LOV did not prevent the increased number of CD3+ cells and eNOS levels in the T. cruzi-infected brain. No alterations were observed on VCAM-1 and MCP-1 expressions, neither caused by infection nor LOV treatment. However, LOV prevented the increase in F4/80+ cells and ICAM-1 levels in the brain caused by acute infection with T. cruzi. These results suggest an anti-inflammatory activity of LOV, but more studies are needed to elucidate the role of LOV in CD acute infection.
Phylogeographic Pattern of the Assassin Bug Sycanus bifidus Inferred from Mitochondrial Genomes and Nuclear Genes
Authors: Chen Suyi , Du Zhenyong , Zhao Ping , Wang Xuan , Wu Yunfei , Li Hu , Cai Wanzhi
Published: April 2024

The assassin bug Sycanus bifidus has a wide distribution across southern China. This study explored its distribution and evolution by analyzing mitochondrial and nuclear ribosomal RNA genes, revealing how Pleistocene climate and geological changes shaped its phylogeography. We identified two main clades, A and B, that diverged in the Middle Pleistocene. Hainan Island’s populations form a unique group within Clade A, suggesting that the Qiongzhou Strait served as a dispersal corridor during glaciation. Rising sea levels likely separated the Hainan population afterward. Ecological niche modeling showed that both populations have been viable since the last interglacial period, with demographic analyses indicating possible expansions during the Middle and Late Pleistocene, driven by favorable climates. This study highlights the significant effects of Pleistocene sea-level and climatic changes on the distribution and evolution of S. bifidus in China.
Dietary Tryptophan Plays a Role as an Anti-Inflammatory Agent in European Seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) Juveniles during Chronic Inflammation
Authors: Azeredo Rita , Peixoto Diogo , Santos Paulo , Duarte Inês , Ricardo Ana , Aragão Cláudia , Machado Marina , Costas Benjamín
Published: April 2024

Where teleost fish are concerned, studies in tryptophan immunomodulation generally point to immunosuppressive properties, thus presenting a potential anti-inflammatory dietary strategy. The goal of the present work was to evaluate the effects of tryptophan dietary supplementation on immune and neuroendocrine responses of the European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax, undergoing chronic inflammation. Juvenile European seabass were intraperitoneally injected with either Freund’s Incomplete Adjuvant (FIA, inflamed group) or a saline solution (control group). Within each group, fish were fed a control (CTRL) and a CTRL-based diet supplemented with tryptophan (0.3% DM basis; TRP) for 4 weeks. Different tissues were sampled every week for the assessment of immune-related parameters. When TRP was provided to FIA-injected fish, mcsfr gene expression increased from 1 to 2 weeks and remained high until the end of the experiment. The same fish showed a concurrent increase in peripheral monocyte counts. Moreover, il34 expression at 1 week post-FIA injection was higher in TRP-fed than in CTRL-fed fish. After one week, molecular patterns of anti-inflammatory processes seemed to be favoured by TRP (mcsfr, gr1, il34 and tgfβ). Altogether, the results show that the feeding period seems to be critical where tryptophan supplementation is concerned since at later inflammatory stages—and longer feeding periods—fish fed TRP displayed a molecular profile similar to that of the CTRL group. In contrast, shorter administration periods might accelerate immune regulatory pathways.
Bilateral Elimination Rule-Based Finite Class Bayesian Inference System for Circular and Linear Walking Prediction
Authors: Sheng Wentao , Gao Tianyu , Liang Keyao , Wang Yumo
Published: April 2024

Objective: The prediction of upcoming circular walking during linear walking is important for the usability and safety of the interaction between a lower limb assistive device and the wearer. This study aims to build a bilateral elimination rule-based finite class Bayesian inference system (BER-FC-BesIS) with the ability to predict the transition between circular walking and linear walking using inertial measurement units. Methods: Bilateral motion data of the human body were used to improve the recognition and prediction accuracy of BER-FC-BesIS. Results: The mean predicted time of BER-FC-BesIS in predicting the left and right lower limbs’ upcoming steady walking activities is 119.32 ± 9.71 ms and 113.75 ± 11.83 ms, respectively. The mean time differences between the predicted time and the real time of BER-FC-BesIS in the left and right lower limbs’ prediction are 14.22 ± 3.74 ms and 13.59 ± 4.92 ms, respectively. The prediction accuracy of BER-FC-BesIS is 93.98%. Conclusion: Upcoming steady walking activities (e.g., linear walking and circular walking) can be accurately predicted by BER-FC-BesIS innovatively. Significance: This study could be helpful and instructional to improve the lower limb assistive devices’ capabilities of walking activity prediction with emphasis on non-linear walking activities in daily living.
Design and Analysis of a Polymeric Left Ventricular Simulator via Computational Modelling
Authors: Baturalp Turgut Batuhan , Bozkurt Selim
Published: April 2024

Preclinical testing of medical devices is an essential step in the product life cycle, whereas testing of cardiovascular implants requires specialised testbeds or numerical simulations using computer software Ansys 2016. Existing test setups used to evaluate physiological scenarios and test cardiac implants such as mock circulatory systems or isolated beating heart platforms are driven by sophisticated hardware which comes at a high cost or raises ethical concerns. On the other hand, computational methods used to simulate blood flow in the cardiovascular system may be simplified or computationally expensive. Therefore, there is a need for low-cost, relatively simple and efficient test beds that can provide realistic conditions to simulate physiological scenarios and evaluate cardiovascular devices. In this study, the concept design of a novel left ventricular simulator made of latex rubber and actuated by pneumatic artificial muscles is presented. The designed left ventricular simulator is geometrically similar to a native left ventricle, whereas the basal diameter and long axis length are within an anatomical range. Finite element simulations evaluating left ventricular twisting and shortening predicted that the designed left ventricular simulator rotates approximately 17 degrees at the apex and the long axis shortens around 11 mm. Experimental results showed that the twist angle is 18 degrees and the left ventricular simulator shortens 5 mm. Twist angles and long axis shortening as in a native left ventricle show it is capable of functioning like a native left ventricle and simulating a variety of scenarios, and therefore has the potential to be used as a test platform.
A Sinh–Cosh-Enhanced DBO Algorithm Applied to Global Optimization Problems
Authors: Wang Xiong , Wei Yaxin , Guo Zihao , Wang Jihong , Yu Hui , Hu Bin
Published: April 2024

The Dung beetle optimization (DBO) algorithm, devised by Jiankai Xue in 2022, is known for its strong optimization capabilities and fast convergence. However, it does have certain limitations, including insufficiently random population initialization, slow search speed, and inadequate global search capabilities. Drawing inspiration from the mathematical properties of the Sinh and Cosh functions, we proposed a new metaheuristic algorithm, Sinh–Cosh Dung Beetle Optimization (SCDBO). By leveraging the Sinh and Cosh functions to disrupt the initial distribution of DBO and balance the development of rollerball dung beetles, SCDBO enhances the search efficiency and global exploration capabilities of DBO through nonlinear enhancements. These improvements collectively enhance the performance of the dung beetle optimization algorithm, making it more adept at solving complex real-world problems. To evaluate the performance of the SCDBO algorithm, we compared it with seven typical algorithms using the CEC2017 test functions. Additionally, by successfully applying it to three engineering problems, robot arm design, pressure vessel problem, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) path planning, we further demonstrate the superiority of the SCDBO algorithm.
Efficient Inhibition of Deep Conversion of Partial Oxidation Products in C-H Bonds’ Functionalization Utilizing O2 via Relay Catalysis of Dual Metalloporphyrins on Surface of Hybrid Silica Possessing Capacity for Product Exclusion
Authors: Zhang Yu , Feng Xiao-Ling , Ni Jia-Ye , Fu Bo , Shen Hai-Min , She Yuan-Bin
Published: April 2024

To inhibit the deep conversion of partial oxidation products (POX-products) in C-H bonds’ functionalization utilizing O2, 5-(4-(chloromethyl)phenyl)-10,15,20-tris(perfluorophenyl)porphyrin cobalt(II) and 5-(4-(chloromethyl)phenyl)-10,15,20-tris(perfluorophenyl)porphyrin copper(II) were immobilized on the surface of hybrid silica to conduct relay catalysis on the surface. Fluorocarbons with low polarity and heterogeneous catalysis were devised to decrease the convenient accessibility of polar POX-products to catalytic centers on the lower polar surface. Relay catalysis between Co and Cu was designed to utilize the oxidation intermediates alkyl hydroperoxides to transform more C-H bonds. Systematic characterizations were conducted to investigate the structure of catalytic materials and confirm their successful syntheses. Applied to C-H bond oxidation, not only deep conversion of POX-products was inhibited but also substrate conversion and POX-product selectivity were improved simultaneously. For cyclohexane oxidation, conversion was improved from 3.87% to 5.27% with selectivity from 84.8% to 92.3%, which was mainly attributed to the relay catalysis on the surface excluding products. The effects of the catalytic materials, product exclusion, relay catalysis, kinetic study, substrate scope, and reaction mechanism were also investigated. To our knowledge, a practical and novel strategy was presented to inhibit the deep conversion of POX-products and to achieve efficient and accurate oxidative functionalization of hydrocarbons. Also, a valuable protocol was provided to avoid over-reaction in other chemical transformations requiring high selectivity.
Using Temporally and Spatially Resolved Measurements to Improve the Sensitivity of Fluorescence-Based Immunoassays
Authors: Kremer Ran , Roth Shira , Bross Avital , Danielli Amos , Noam Yair
Published: April 2024

Detecting low concentrations of biomarkers is essential in clinical laboratories. To improve analytical sensitivity, especially in identifying fluorescently labeled molecules, typical optical detection systems, consisting of a photodetector or camera, utilize time-resolved measurements. Taking a different approach, magnetic modulation biosensing (MMB) is a novel technology that combines fluorescently labeled probes and magnetic particles to create a sandwich assay with the target molecules. By concentrating the target molecules and then using time-resolved measurements, MMB provides the rapid and highly sensitive detection of various biomarkers. Here, we propose a novel signal-processing algorithm that enhances the detection and estimation of target molecules at low concentrations. By incorporating both temporally and spatially resolved measurements using human interleukin-8 as a target molecule, we show that the new algorithm provides a 2–4-fold improvement in the limit of detection and an ~25% gain in quantitative resolution.
Review of the Capacity to Accurately Detect the Temperature of Human Skin Tissue Using the Microwave Radiation Method
Authors: Wu Jingtao , Liu Jie
Published: April 2024

Microwave radiometry (MWR) is instrumental in detecting thermal variations in skin tissue before anatomical changes occur, proving particularly beneficial in the early diagnosis of cancer and inflammation. This study concisely traces the evolution of microwave radiometers within the medical sector. By analyzing a plethora of pertinent studies and contrasting their strengths, weaknesses, and performance metrics, this research identifies the primary factors limiting temperature measurement accuracy. The review establishes the critical technologies necessary to overcome these limitations, examines the current state and prospective advancements of each technology, and proposes comprehensive implementation strategies. The discussion elucidates that the precise measurement of human surface and subcutaneous tissue temperatures using an MWR system is a complex challenge, necessitating an integration of antenna directionality for temperature measurement, radiometer error correction, hardware configuration, and the calibration and precision of a multilayer tissue forward and inversion method. This study delves into the pivotal technologies for non-invasive human tissue temperature monitoring in the microwave frequency range, offering an effective approach for the precise assessment of human epidermal and subcutaneous temperatures, and develops a non-contact microwave protocol for gauging subcutaneous tissue temperature distribution. It is anticipated that mass-produced measurement systems will deliver substantial economic and societal benefits.
Proteases: Importance, Immobilization Protocols, Potential of Activated Carbon as Support, and the Importance of Modifying Supports for Immobilization
Authors: Santos Mateus Pereira Flores , de Souza Junior Evaldo Cardozo , Villadóniga Carolina , Vallés Diego , Castro-Sowinski Susana , Bonomo Renata Cristina Ferreira , Veloso Cristiane Martins
Published: April 2024

Although enzymes have been used for thousands of years, their application in industrial processes has gained importance since the 20th century due to technological and scientific advances in several areas, including biochemistry [...]
Research on Optimization Strategy of Commercial Street Spatial Vitality Based on Pedestrian Trajectories
Authors: Zhang Jinjiang , Zhou Wenyu , Lian Haitao , Hu Ranran
Published: April 2024

Commercial pedestrian streets significantly enhance urban life. Previous research often depends on limited survey data or subjective evaluations, which fail to fully capture the impact of street elements on spatial vitality under diverse spatiotemporal conditions. This study, conducted in Beijing’s Sanlitun commercial district, analyzes pedestrian data from six branch roads collected via WiFi detection to determine how various spatial elements influence the vibrancy of commercial pedestrian streets. The results show a positive correlation between street width, ranging from 5.88 to 10.83 m, and vitality. Furthermore, the influence of different street elements on vitality varies notably. During the daytime, street width is the most effective element for enhancing vitality, with a maximum standardized coefficient of 1.717. However, at night, the associations between advertising area, store type, and vitality diminish. The street recording the highest nighttime vitality peaked at a pedestrian count of 91.7831. The contribution of street width to enhancing nighttime vitality is 2.49 times greater than at noon on non-working days, 2.01 times more than on working days, and 2.92 times higher than the impact of tables and chairs. Therefore, street design should prioritize street width, ground floor interface permeability, number of tables and chairs, store density, advertising area, and store type.
Advancing Urban Building Energy Modeling: Building Energy Simulations for Three Commercial Building Stocks through Archetype Development
Authors: Hossain Md. Uzzal , Cicco Isabella , Bilec Melissa M.
Published: April 2024

Urban building energy models (UBEMs), developed to understand the energy performance of building stocks of a region, can aid in key decisions related to energy policy and climate change solutions. However, creating a city-scale UBEM is challenging due to the requirements of diverse geometric and non-geometric datasets. Thus, we aimed to further elucidate the process of creating a UBEM with disparate and scarce data based on a bottom-up, physics-based approach. We focused on three typically overlooked but functionally important commercial building stocks, which are sales and shopping, healthcare facilities, and food sales and services, in the region of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We harvested relevant local building information and employed photogrammetry and image processing. We created archetypes for key building types, designed 3D buildings with SketchUp, and performed an energy analysis using EnergyPlus. The average annual simulated energy use intensities (EUIs) were 528 kWh/m2, 822 kWh/m2, and 2894 kWh/m2 for sales and shopping, healthcare facilities, and food sales and services, respectively. In addition to variations found in the simulated energy use pattern among the stocks, considerable variations were observed within buildings of the same stock. About 9% and 11% errors were observed for sales and shopping and healthcare facilities when validating the simulated results with the actual data. The suggested energy conservation measures could reduce the annual EUI by 10–26% depending on the building use type. The UBEM results can assist in finding energy-efficient retrofit solutions with respect to the energy and carbon reduction goal for commercial building stocks at the city scale. The limitations highlighted may be considered for higher accuracy, and the UBEM has a high potential to integrate with urban climate and energy models, circular economy, and life cycle assessment for sustainable urban planning.
Hybrid Machine Learning Algorithms for Prediction of Failure Modes and Punching Resistance in Slab-Column Connections with Shear Reinforcement
Authors: Yan Huajun , Xie Nan , Shen Dandan
Published: April 2024

This study presents a data-driven model for identifying failure modes (FMs) and predicting the corresponding punching shear resistance of slab-column connections with shear reinforcement. An experimental database that contains 328 test results is used to determine nine input variables based on the punching shear mechanism. A comparison is conducted between three typical machine learning (ML) approaches: random forest (RF), light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) and two hybrid optimized algorithms: grey wolf optimization (GWO) and whale optimization algorithm (WOA). It was found that the XGBoost classifier had the highest accuracy rate, precision, and recall values for FM identification. In testing, WOA-XGBoost has the best accuracy in predicting punching shear resistance, with R2, MAE, and RMSE values of 0.9642, 0.087 MN, and 0.126 MN, respectively. However, a comparison between experimental values and calculated values derived from classical analytical methods clearly demonstrates that existing design codes need to be improved. Additionally, Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) were applied to explain the model’s predictions, with factors categorized according to their impact on failure modes and punching shear resistance. By modifying these parameters, punching resistance can be improved while reducing unpredictable failure. With the proposed hybrid algorithms, it is possible to determine the failure modes and the punching shear resistance of slabs during the preliminary stages of the construction.
Indoor Light Environment Factors That Affect the Psychological Satisfaction of Occupants in Office Facilities
Authors: Kim Kirim , Lee Kyungsun
Published: April 2024

Recently, human well-being has emerged as a pivotal concern that affects not only quality of life but also social and economic dimensions. Lighting in office spaces is crucial for the health and cognitive function of occupants, and various methods are used to assess it. However, there is still a lack of research investigating the relationship between lighting satisfaction and its key factors in diverse spaces. This study focused on the office light environment, using quantitative and qualitative data analysis to understand occupants’ satisfaction and the factors influenced by lighting characteristics. According to the results, occupant satisfaction was higher in light environments with illuminance levels exceeding the appropriate illuminance standard. Furthermore, the influx of daylight and its influencing factors, such as daylight exposure and window size, played a significant role in enhancing satisfaction. However, while daylight was a primary source of glare, its mitigation was not solely reliant on installations, such as blinds; architectural designs, including space arrangement, were also crucial in addressing it. Furthermore, the perception of the lighting environment varied based on work behaviors and spatial arrangements, influencing satisfaction with the lighting conditions. Therefore, a comprehensive approach that considers lighting elements, human behavior, and architectural design is essential in creating a lighting environment for office occupants.