bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Critical micellar concentration determination of pure phospholipids and lipid‐raft and their mixtures with cholesterol
Authors: Serravalle Sofia , Pisano Martina , Sciacca Michele F. M. , Salamone Nancy , Sicali Luciano , Mazzara Giuseppe , Costa Luca , La Rosa Carmelo
Published: January 2024

Phospholipids in biological membranes establish a chemical equilibrium between free phospholipids in the aqueous phase (CMC) and self‐assembled phospholipids in vesicles, keeping the CMC constant. The CMC is different for each phospholipid, depends on the amount of cholesterol, and, according to the lipid‐chaperone hypothesis, controls the interaction between free phospholipids and amyloidogenic proteins (such as amylin, amyloid‐β, and α‐synuclein, all of which are, respectively, associated with a different proteinopathy), which governs the formation of a toxic complex between free lipids and proteins that leads to membrane destruction. Here, we provide quantitative measurements of CMCs and bilayer stability of pure phospholipids, lipid rafts, and their mixture with cholesterol by fluorescence methods (using pyrene as a probe) and light scattering techniques (resonance Rayleigh scattering and fixed‐angle light scattering) performed on LUVs, as well as AFM to measure LUV dimensions. Also, we test the lipid‐chaperone hypothesis on human IAPP interacting with different mixture of POPC cholesterol. Stated the importance of CMC in membrane stability and protein aggregation processes, these results could be a starting point for the development of a quantitative kinetic model for the lipid chaperone hypothesis.
Transporting randomized trial results to estimate counterfactual survival functions in target populations
Authors: Cao Zhiqiang , Cho Youngjoo , Li Fan
Published: January 2024

When the distributions of treatment effect modifiers differ between a randomized trial and an external target population, the sample average treatment effect in the trial may be substantially different from the target population average treatment, and accurate estimation of the latter requires adjusting for the differential distribution of effect modifiers. Despite the increasingly rich literature on transportability, little attention has been devoted to methods for transporting trial results to estimate counterfactual survival functions in target populations, when the primary outcome is time to event and subject to right censoring. In this article, we study inverse probability weighting and doubly robust estimators to estimate counterfactual survival functions and the target average survival treatment effect in the target population, and provide their respective approximate variance estimators. We focus on a common scenario where the target population information is observed only through a complex survey, and elucidate how the survey weights can be incorporated into each estimator we considered. Simulation studies are conducted to examine the finite‐sample performances of the proposed estimators in terms of bias, efficiency and coverage, under both correct and incorrect model specifications. Finally, we apply the proposed method to assess transportability of the results in the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes—Blood Pressure (ACCORD‐BP) trial to all adults with Diabetes in the United States.
Hesperetin promotes diabetic wound healing by inhibiting ferroptosis through the activation of SIRT3
Authors: Yu Xianbin , Liu Zhixuan , Yu Yitian , Qian Chengjie , Lin Yuzhe , Jin Shuqing , Wu Long , Li Shi
Published: January 2024

Hesperetin (HST) is a flavonoid compound naturally occurring in citrus fruits and is widespread in various traditional medicinal herbs such as grapefruit peel, orange peel, and tangerine peel. These plant materials are commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to prepare herbal remedies. The study aimed to investigate the potential molecular mechanisms through which HST reduces ferroptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and promotes angiogenesis and wound healing. We employed network pharmacology to predict the downstream targets affected by HST. The expression of markers related to ferroptosis was assessed through Western blot (WB) and polymerase chain reaction. Intracellular levels of ferroptosis‐related metabolism were examined using glutathione/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) assay kits. Mitochondrial status and iron levels within the cells were investigated through staining with Mitosox, FerroOrange, and JC1 staining. Potential downstream direct targets of HST were identified using molecular docking. Additionally, wound healing and neovascularization within the wound site were analyzed using various methods including HE staining, Masson's staining, immunohistochemistry, and Doppler hemodynamics assessment. HST effectively inhibits the elevated levels of intracellular ferroptosis stimulated by ERASTIN. Furthermore, we observed that HST achieves this inhibition of ferroptosis by activating SIRT3. In a diabetic rat wound model, HST significantly promotes wound healing, reducing levels of tissue ferroptosis, consistent with our in vitro findings. This study demonstrates that HST can inhibit the progression of ferroptosis and protect the physiological function of HUVECs by activating SIRT3. HST holds promise as a natural compound for promoting diabetic wound healing.
Inflammatory endobronchial polyps unleashing recurrent pneumothorax: A case report
Authors: Daut Ummi Nadira , Faisal Thena Muhammad Halmii , Hui‐Xin Tan , Nasaruddin Mona Zaria , Abdul Rahaman Jamalul Azizi
Published: January 2024

Inflammatory endobronchial polyps (IEPs) are rare benign lesions that originate from the bronchial mucosa. While pneumothorax is a well‐known complication of various pulmonary conditions, its association with IEPs is exceedingly uncommon and poorly understood. This case report presents a unique and explosive encounter of a patient with an inflammatory endobronchial polyp who experienced a pneumothorax, shedding light on the clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, and management strategies for this rare entity.
Unnatural Phosphorus‐Containing α‐Amino Acids and Their N‐FMOC Derivatives: Synthesis and In Vitro Investigation of Anticholinesterase Activity
Authors: Dadayan Ani S. , Mkrtchyan Anna F. , Poghosyan Atravazd S. , Dadayan Slavik A. , Stepanyan Lala A. , Israyelyan Monika H. , Tovmasyan Anna S. , Tsaturyan Avetis H. , Hovhannisyan Nona A. , Topuzyan Vigen O. , Sargsyan Tatevik H. , Saghyan Ashot S.
Published: January 2024

Enantiomerically enriched phosphorus‐containing α‐amino acids were synthesized by the method of asymmetric synthesis, using Ni(II) square planar complex of dehydroalanine as an initial complex. After acidic hydrolysis, α‐amino acids with high enantiomeric purity were isolated. At the next stage, Fmoc derivatives of the obtained α‐amino acids were synthesized (ee >99 %). Synthesized α‐amino acids and their Fmoc derivatives exhibited anticholinesterase activity, inhibiting AChE and BuChE. At the same time, the antiacetylcholinesterase activity ranged from 14 to 77 %, and (S)‐2‐((((9H‐fluoren‐9‐yl)methoxy)carbonyl)amino)‐3‐(diisopropoxyphosphoryl) propanoic acid showed relatively high activity (77.9 %). In the case of studying the antibutyrylcholinesterase properties, the activity ranged from 4 to 71 %, and (S)‐2‐amino‐3‐(diisopropoxyphosphoryl)propanoic acid showed high activity (71 %).
High Immunogenic Cuproptosis Evoked by In Situ Sulfidation‐Activated Pyroptosis for Tumor‐Targeted Immunotherapy of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Xiao Wentao , Qu Kuiming , Zhang Wei , Lai Lunhui , He Lei , Cheng Fang , Wang Lianhui
Published: January 2024

Despite the great potential of cuproptosis in tumor therapy, the current cuproptosis‐based therapy still suffers from compromised efficiency of immune activation. Pyroptosis, a proinflammatory cell death modality, provides a good opportunity to induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) and promote systemic immune response. However, the synergistic cuproptosis and pyroptosis therapy has not been fully explored. Herein, it is discovered that Cu(II)‐based metal–organic framework (MOF) nanoparticles (NPs) can synergistically induce cuproptosis and pyroptosis to evoke ICD for high‐efficiency tumor‐targeted immunotherapy. Although MOF‐199 has been widely used in tumor therapy, the immunogenicity is still unclear. Pluronic F127‐modified MOF‐199 NPs (F127MOF‐199 NPs) show dual‐responsiveness to glutathione (GSH) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Once entering cancer cells, F127MOF‐199 NPs dissociate in GSH‐enriched tumor microenvironment (TME) to release copper ion and induce copper‐overload‐mediated cuproptosis. Meanwhile, F127MOF‐199 NPs transform to Cu2−xS NPs by in situ sulfidation under H2S‐enriched colorectal cancer (CRC) TME. Under photothermal and chemodynamic therapy (PTT/CDT) of Cu2−xS NPs, caspase‐3 is activated and gasdermin E (GSDME)‐related pyroptosis is triggered. The synergistic cuproptosis and pyroptosis have proved the superior antitumor immunity effect in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. This work provides a new strategy to achieve tumor‐targeted immunotherapy with high efficiency by simple F127MOF‐199 NPs.
Ordered probit Bayesian additive regression trees for ordinal data
Authors: Lee Jaeyong , Hwang Beom Seuk
Published: January 2024

Bayesian additive regression trees (BART) is a nonparametric model that is known for its flexibility and strong statistical foundation. To address a robust and flexible approach to analyse ordinal data, we extend BART into an ordered probit regression framework (OPBART). Further, we propose a semiparametric setting for OPBART (semi‐OPBART) to model covariates of interest parametrically and confounding variables nonparametrically. We also provide Gibbs sampling procedures to implement the proposed models. In both simulations and real data studies, the proposed models demonstrate superior performance over other competing ordinal models. We also highlight enhanced interpretability of semi‐OPBART in terms of inference through marginal effects.
Entwurfs‐ und Ausführungsplanung der Ruhr‐ und Hafenkanalbrücke in Duisburg
Authors: Engelke Nils , Frickel Jörg , Ebers‐Ernst Jeannette
Published: January 2024

Der Oberbürgermeister‐Karl‐Lehr‐Brückenzug in Duisburg hat als eine von vier Ruhrquerungen eine übergeordnete Erschließungsfunktion für den städtischen Verkehr und insbesondere für den Wirtschaftsstandort rund um den Duisburger Hafen. Infolge der gestiegenen Belastung durch den allgemeinen Verkehr sowie die Lieferverkehre des Hafens stellte der Brückenzug einen Engpass dar. Um der zunehmenden Verkehrsbelastung gerecht zu werden und die Leistungsfähigkeit zu erhöhen, müssen die bestehenden Verkehrsflächen des Brückenzugs ausgebaut werden. Eine Grundinstandsetzung und Erweiterung der vorhandenen, teils sehr alten Brückenbauwerke war aufgrund der Bauweise und des baulichen Zustands ausgeschlossen. Daher werden alle Bauwerke entlang des Brückenzugs durch Neubauten in gleicher Lage ersetzt. Der vorliegende Beitrag erläutert die wesentlichen Aspekte der Entwurfs‐ und Ausführungsplanung von Ruhr‐ und Hafenkanalbrücke, gibt Einblicke in die bauliche Umsetzung und informiert kompakt über das Gesamtprojekt.
Systemic innovation for countering violent radicalization: Systems engineering in a policy context
Authors: Clancy Timothy , Addison Bland , Pavlov Oleg , Palmer Erika , Saeed Khalid
Published: January 2024

This paper brings a systems engineering approach to policymaking in the context of violent radicalization. We test strategies to combat terrorism under the premise that violent radicalization is a complex system of social contagion resulting in terrorism. We built a simulation using DIME‐PMESII military standards to replicate a terror contagion occurring over 10 years in both physical and online environments under optimal, realistic, and worst‐case scenarios. We then tested antiterrorism, counterterrorism, and counter radicalization strategies as policy experiments in this simulation. These experiments identified four key dynamics relevant for developing policies to reduce terrorism. First, most well‐known policies are ineffective in containing terrorism driven by social contagion. Second, strategies generating backlash can become worse than doing nothing at all. Third, perceived grievance determines the carrying capacity of terrorism in a system, allowing disrupted networks to regenerate. Fourth, variable public support may result in sharp secondary waves of violence under certain contingencies. Experimenting with our model, we explore effective ways to address the violent radicalization problem.
Maternal perception of decreased fetal movements is independent of infant size
Authors: Stoke R. , Crawford K. , Jardine L. , Kumar S.
Published: January 2024

Objective

Fetal movements are often used as a surrogate for fetal wellbeing. Previous research suggests a link between maternal perception of decreased fetal movements (DFM) and small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) infants. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between maternal presentation with DFM and birth‐weight centile categories at a large Australian perinatal center.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of non‐anomalous singleton infants born at ≥ 28 + 0 weeks' gestation between January 2016 and October 2020 at the Mater Mothers' Hospital in Brisbane, Australia. The primary outcome was the rate of DFM according to birth‐weight centile category. Maternal demographic characteristics included age, body mass index, ethnicity, parity, medical conditions and previous stillbirth. The association between DFM and birth‐weight centile was evaluated using adjusted multinomial regression models. Robust standard errors were used to account for clustering at the patient level. Wald tests and Akaike's and Bayesian information criteria were used to evaluate models.

Results

Over the 5‐year study period, 45 042 women met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 6690 (14.9%) women presented with DFM. Of the DFM cohort, 80.9% (5411/6690) had only one presentation with DFM, and 19.1% (1279/6690) had two or more presentations. The overall stillbirth rate was similar in women with DFM (0.1% (8/6690)) and those without DFM (0.1% (50/38 352)). There was no association between DFM (either single or multiple) and infant birth‐weight centile.

Conclusions

This study suggests that presentation with DFM is not associated with infant size. Clinicians should consider additional risk factors and the overall clinical context when deciding appropriate management. DFM is not necessarily an indication for an immediate or urgent ultrasound scan to assess fetal size. © 2024 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Spatio‐temporal variability of public water supply characteristics and associated health hazards for children and adults in selected locations of Ambala, India
Authors: Kamboj Saloni , Singh Nirankar , Arora Naresh Kumar
Published: January 2024

The contamination of public water supply and groundwater resources is a major concern in many parts of developing nations. Polluted water poses serious health risks to humans and the environment. This research was conducted to investigate the seasonal variations of the water quality parameters in the public water supply. To assess the supply water quality in different blocks of Ambala District, hydro‐chemical analysis was conducted after a series of systematic sampling in various locations. The statistical tools for water quality indexing including water quality indexing (WQI), heavy metal pollution indexing (HMPI), pollution indexing (PI), overall pollution indexing (OPI), metal indexing (MI), and hazard indexing (HI) were used for data as well as the health hazard analysis through water pathway. Overall, 40 water samples were taken from the public water supply systems covering winter and summer seasons, and the levels of pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), EC, F−, Cl−, NO3−, SO42−, HCO3−, As, B, Cd, Co, Pb, Zn, Cr, Fe, and Mn were investigated. The weight arithmetic index method was used for WQI, and water pollution indices such as HMPI, PI, OPI, and MI were calculated using different models to check the severity of contamination. The mean hazard quotient and hazard index values calculated using the concentration levels of As, B, Cd, Co, Pb, Cr, Fe, Mn, Zn, F−, and NO3− reveal that supply water may pose a significant health risk to both adults and children that further varies with temporal and spatial changes. During both seasons, a high carcinogenic risk for both adults and children was observed in the studied area because of high levels of As, Pb, Cd, and NO3−.

Practitioner Points

The quality of public supply water was assessed at the selected sites of Ambala, India.

High levels of NO3−, As, Cd, and Pb were observed posing a health risk to adults and children via water pathway.

95% of the samples qualified for the excellent water quality category with respect to the levels of F−, Cl−, NO3−, SO42−, HCO3−, pH, EC, and TDS.

Statistical analysis (HMPI, PI, MI, OPI, HI) using different models revealed water contamination with reference to the levels of NO3−, As, Pb, Cr, Ni, and Cd.

Immediate measures are needed to uphold the safety and health of the natives.
Repeat imaging increases detection of delayed pseudoaneurysms in patients with high‐grade solid organ injury following abdominal trauma
Authors: Jastaniah Atif , Mychaltchouk Lydia , Genest Alexandre , Deckelbaum Dan L. , Fata Paola , Khwaja Kosar , McKendy Katherine , Razek Tarek , Wong Evan , Grushka Jeremy
Published: January 2024

Background

Nonoperative management of abdominal trauma can be complicated by the development of delayed pseudoaneurysms. Early intervention reduces the risk of rupture and decreases mortality. The objective of this study is to determine the utility of repeat computed tomography (CT) imaging in detecting delayed pseudoaneurysms in patients with abdominal solid organ injury.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study reviewing Montreal General Hospital registry between 2013 and 2019. Patients with The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) grade 3 or higher solid organ injury following abdominal trauma were identified. A chart review was completed, and demographics, mechanism of injury, Injury Severity Score (ISS) score, AAST injury grade, CT imaging reports, and interventions were collected. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression model were completed.

Results

We identified 195 patients with 214 solid organ injuries. The average age was 38.6 years; 28.2% were female, 90.3% had blunt trauma, and 9.7% had penetrating trauma. The average ISS score was 25.4 (SD 12.8) in patients without pseudoaneurysms and 19.5 (SD 8.6) in those who subsequently developed pseudoaneurysms. The initial management was nonoperative in 57.0% of the patients; 30.4% had initial angioembolization, and 12.6% went to the operating room. Of the cohort, 11.7% had pseudoaneurysms detected on repeat CT imaging within 72 h. Grade 3 represents the majority of the injuries at 68.0%. The majority of these patients underwent angioembolization.

Conclusions

In patients with high‐grade solid organ injury following abdominal trauma, repeat CT imaging within 72 h enabled the detection of delayed development of pseudoaneurysms in 11.7% of injuries. The majority of the patients were asymptomatic.
Dyadic practice for the acquisition of laparoscopic skills (DALS)—A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ritchie Angus M. A. , Chaudhry Noor , Robinson Samuel J. A. , Pacilli Maurizio , Nataraja Ramesh M.
Published: January 2024

Background

Laparoscopic simulation is integral to surgical education but requires significant resources. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of dyadic practice (DP), involving two individuals working together, to individual practice (IP) for novices acquiring laparoscopic skills and assess their learning experience.

Methods

We conducted a Randomized Controlled Trial comparing DP and IP for novice medical students who completed a laparoscopic simulation workshop. Participants were assessed individually pre‐course (test 1), post‐course (test 2), and 8‐week retention (test 3) using a validated quantitative method. A post‐course questionnaire and interview, analyzed with thematic analysis, assessed the learning experience.

Results

In total, 31 DP and 35 IP participants completed the study. There was no difference in mean scores between DP and IP groups in all three tests: test 1 (p = 0.55), test 2 (p = 0.26), test 3 (p = 0.35). In trend analysis, the DP group improved post‐course (test 1 vs. 2: p = 0.02) and maintained this level at the retention test (2 vs. 3: p = 0.80, 1 vs. 3: p = 0.02). Whilst the IP group also improved post‐course (test 1 vs. 2: p < 0.001), this improvement was not retained (2 vs. 3: p = 0.003, 1 vs. 3: p = 0.32). Thematic analysis revealed that DP participants valued peer support, peer feedback and observation time, but also acknowledged the limitations of reduced practical time and issues with teamwork.

Conclusion

DP is non‐inferior to IP for novices learning laparoscopic skills, is well received and may lead to superior long‐term skill retention.
A distance-based model for convergent evolution
Authors: Holland Barbara , Huber Katharina T. , Moulton Vincent
Published: January 2024

Convergent evolution is an important process in which independent species evolve similar features usually over a long period of time. It occurs with many different species across the tree of life, and is often caused by the fact that species have to adapt to similar environmental niches. In this paper, we introduce and study properties of a distance-based model for convergent evolution in which we assume that two ancestral species converge for a certain period of time within a collection of species that have otherwise evolved according to an evolutionary clock. Under these assumptions it follows that we obtain a distance on the collection that is a modification of an ultrametric distance arising from an equidistant phylogenetic tree. As well as characterising when this modified distance is a tree metric, we give conditions in terms of the model’s parameters for when it is still possible to recover the underlying tree and also its height, even in case the modified distance is not a tree metric.
High human blood meal index of mosquitoes in Arba Minch town, southwest Ethiopia: an implication for urban mosquito-borne disease transmission
Authors: Akirso Adisu , Tamiru Girum , Eligo Nigatu , Lindtjørn Bernt , Massebo Fekadu
Published: January 2024

Unplanned human population shifts in urban areas are expected to increase the prevalence of vector-borne diseases. This study aimed to investigate mosquito species composition, blood meal sources, and malaria vectors in an urban area. Indoor-resting adult mosquitoes were collected using Prokopack and host-seeking mosquitoes using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention light traps in Arba Minch town. Larval collection from artificial containers was done in those houses selected for adult mosquito collection. Anopheles adults collected and emerged from larvae were identified morphologically using a taxonomic key. ELISA was used to identify blood meal sources in freshly fed Anopheles and Culex mosquitoes, and CSP of Anopheles mosquitoes. A total of 16,756 female mosquitoes were collected. Of these, 93% (15,571) were Culex, 6% (1016) were Anopheles, and 1% (169) were Aedes mosquitoes. Out of the 130 adult mosquitoes that were raised from larvae collected from the containers, 20% were An. rhodesiensis, while the remaining 80% were Aedes mosquitoes. Out of 823 mosquitoes tested for blood meal origins, 86.3% (710/823) tested positive for human blood, 2.2% (18/823) tested positive for bovine blood, and 11.5% (95/823) were negative for human and bovine antibodies. Anopheles gambiae complex had a human blood meal index (HBI) of 50% (90/180; CI 42.3–57.5%) and a bovine blood meal index (BBI) of only 0.5% (95% CI 0.01–3.1%). Culex HBI was 96.7% (620/641), and its BBI index was 2.4% (15/641). While it was low (0.8%) in Culex, the proportion of An. gambiae complex with unidentified blood meal sources was 49.5% (95 CI% 41.9–56.9%). Among the 1016 Anopheles mosquitoes tested, a single An. gambiae complex (0.1%; 1/1016) was positive for P. vivax CSP. The high HBI indicates frequent contact between humans and vectors. To reduce human exposure, personal protection tools should be implemented.
Current cannabis use and pain management among US cancer patients
Authors: Krok-Schoen Jessica L. , Plascak Jesse J. , Newton Alison M. , Strassels Scott A. , Adib Anita , Adley Neema C. , Hays John L. , Wagener Theodore L. , Stevens Erin E. , Brasky Theodore M.
Published: January 2024

Background

National studies reporting the prevalence of cannabis use have focused on individuals with a history of cancer without distinction by their treatment status, which can impact symptom burden. While pain is a primary motivation to use cannabis in cancer, the magnitude of its association with cannabis use remains understudied.

Methods

We examined cannabis use and pain management among 5523 respondents of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System with a cancer history. Survey-weighted prevalence proportions of respondents’ cannabis use are reported, stratified on cancer treatment status. Regression models estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of cancer-related pain and cannabis use.

Results

Cannabis use was slightly more prevalent in those undergoing active treatment relative to those who were not undergoing active treatment (9.3% vs. 6.2%;P=0.05). Those under active treatment were more likely to use cannabis medicinally (71.6% vs. 50.0%;P=0.03). Relative to those without cancer-related pain, persons with pain under medical control (OR 2.1, 95% CI, 1.4–3.2) or uncontrolled pain were twice as likely to use cannabis (OR 2.0, 95% CI, 1.1–3.5).

Conclusions

Use of cannabis among cancer patients may be related to their treatment and is positively associated with cancer-related pain. Future research should investigate the associations of cannabis use, symptom burden, and treatment regimens across the treatment spectrum to facilitate interventions.
Association of spinal–pelvic parameters with recurrence of lumbar disc herniation after endoscopic surgery: a retrospective case–control study
Authors: Pan Yu-hao , Wan Dun , Wang Qi , Shen Wen-jun , Yang Jin-rui , Wang Zhong-Yu , Cai Zong-lin , Jiang Shui , Cao Min
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between spinal–pelvic parameters and recurrence of lumbar disc herniation (rLDH) after percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) through a retrospective case–control study.

Methods

Patients who underwent PELD for single-segment LDH at our hospital were included in this study. The relationship between sagittal balance parameters of the spine and recurrence was analysed through correlation analysis, and ROC curves were plotted. The baseline characteristics, sagittal balance parameters of the spine and radiological parameters of the case and control groups were compared, and the relationship between sagittal balance parameters of the spine and recurrence of rLDH after PELD was determined through univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

Correlation analysis showed that PI and ∆PI-LL were negatively correlated with grouping (r = −0.090 and −0.120, respectively,P = 0.001 and 0.038). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (ROC-AUC) for predicting rLDH based on PI was 0.65 (CI95% = 0.598, 0.720), with a cut-off of 50.26°. The ROC-AUC for predicting rLDH based on ∆PI-LL was 0.56 (CI95% = 0.503, 0.634), with a cut-off of 28.21°. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that smoking status (OR = 2.667,P = 0.008), PI ≤ 50.26 (OR = 2.161,P = 0.009), ∆PI-LL ≤ 28.21 (OR = 3.185,P = 0.001) and presence of Modic changes (OR = 4.218,P = 0.001) were independent risk factors, while high DH (OR = 0.788,P = 0.001) was a protective factor.

Conclusion

PI < 50.26 and ∆PI-LL < 28.21 were risk factors for recurrence of lumbar disc herniation after spinal endoscopic surgery and had some predictive value for post-operative recurrence.
Mortgages with non-random time-varying interest rates
Authors: Ziani Laura
Published: January 2024

Here we introduce an “alternative” version of the standard traditional amortization plan, where sequences of non-random time-varying periodic interest rates replace the usual constant periodic effective rate, while preserving all the other classical rules. In particular, we use two of these sequences coherently generated by two different specific hyperbolic instantaneous intensity functions. We found that the two standard amortization plans obtained through this approach match perfectly with the two main amortization plans recently proposed under the simple capitalization law. This matching provides thus a clear link between the traditional scheme and the new wave of proposals in simple regime.
Trap crops enhance the control efficacy of Metarhizium brunneum against a soil-dwelling pest
Authors: Brunner Michael , Zeisler Christiane , Neu Diane , Rotondo Claire , Rubbmark Oskar R. , Reinbacher Lara , Grabenweger Giselher , Traugott Michael
Published: January 2024

Soil-dwelling insect pests may cause considerable damage to crops worldwide, and their belowground lifestyle makes them hard to control. Amongst the most promising control agents for subterranean pests are soilborne entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) such as Metarhizium brunneum. Albeit EPF can be highly pathogenic to their target pest species under laboratory conditions, their efficacy in the field is often limited due to adverse environmental conditions. Here, we test for the first time if the efficacy of EPF can be improved when they are augmented with trap crops. In a field experiment, the M. brunneum strain ART2825 was combined with a trap crops mixture of six plant species and evaluated for its control effect of wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae). When both were combined in the main crop, potato damage was lowered on average by 42.5% and wireworm abundance by 50.8%. Single application of trap crops or EPF lowered damage/pest abundance only by 29.9%/15.89% and 34.7%/4.77%, respectively. Importantly, the strength of the synergistic pest control effect between trap crops and EPF increased disproportionately with increasing wireworm abundance. However, DNA-based gut content analysis showed that wireworms’ feeding preferences were not shifting toward the trap crops. Our findings demonstrate that combining trap crops with EPF improves the efficacy of the latter and leads to a synergistic control effect which magnifies with increasing wireworm abundance. Hence, the synergistic effect of EPF and trap crops might be a promising control strategy for soil-dwelling pests in general and significantly improve our abilities to manage soil pests environmentally friendly.
Novel person detection and suspicious activity recognition using enhanced YOLOv5 and motion feature map
Authors: Gawande Ujwalla , Hajari Kamal , Golhar Yogesh
Published: January 2024

Person and suspicious activity detection is a major challenge for image-based surveillance systems. However, the accuracy of person detection is affected by several factors, such as the presence of the person, his trajectory, posture, complex background, and object distortion. In this work, we developed a person-focused dataset that includes various behaviors of students in an educational institution, such as cheating, theft of lab equipment, fights, and threatening situations. This dataset ensures consistent and standardized identification annotations for individuals, making it suitable for detection, tracking, and behavioral analysis of individuals. In addition, we have increased the detection accuracy through an improved architecture called YOLOv5 and introduced an efficient method for detecting global and local anomalous behaviors. This method extracts motion features that accurately describe the person’s movement, speed, and direction. To evaluate the effectiveness of our proposed approach, we validated it against our proposed database and publicly available benchmark datasets. Our method achieves state-of-the-art detection accuracy, namely 96.12%, with an error rate of 6.68% compared to existing methods. The empirical results show a significant improvement in anomalous activity detection. Our paper concludes with a summary and a discussion of possible future research directions.
Mental Health Literacy and Education of Complementary Medicine Practitioners: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Harnett Joanna E. , Leach Matthew J. , Karzon Randa , McIntyre Erica
Published: January 2024

An estimated 42% of Australians who consult complementary medicine (CM) practitioners have a mental health diagnosis. Preparedness of CM practitioners in managing such diagnoses is currently unknown. A cross-sectional survey of 257 CM practitioners who reported caring for people with a mental health diagnosis. Practitioners’ mental health literacy, educational needs, and confidence in the assessment, management, and treatment of mental health—including suicide risk—were analysed. Most (59.1%) participants had no formal qualifications in mental health and 44.3% indicated they had not completed any training in psychological therapies. Only 20% were trained in mindfulness-based techniques or goal setting. Over 50% reported their undergraduate qualification contained insufficient mental health content to prepare them for clinical practice. Over one-half had attended continuing professional education on mental health. Practitioners reported greater confidence in assessing, managing, and treating mental wellbeing over complex mental health disorders and suicide risk. These findings uncovered a deficit in the CM practitioner’s surveyed mental health education. As these CM practitioners are a primary point of contact for patients with mental health diagnoses, there is a critical need to expedite skills development in this workforce to support the delivery of safe and effective primary mental health care.
Average case error estimates of the strong Lucas test
Authors: Einsele Semira , Paterson Kenneth
Published: January 2024

Reliable probabilistic primality tests are fundamental in public-key cryptography. In adversarial scenarios, a composite with a high probability of passing a specific primality test could be chosen. In such cases, we need worst-case error estimates of the test. However, in many scenarios, the numbers are randomly chosen and thus have a significantly smaller error probability. We are hence interested in average-case error estimates. In this paper we establish such bounds for the strong Lucas primality test, as there exist only worst-case, but no average-case error bounds. This allows us to use this test with more confidence. Let us examine an algorithm that draws odd k-bit integers uniformly and independently, runs t independent iterations of the strong Lucas test with randomly chosen parameters, and outputs the first number that passes all t consecutive rounds. We attain numerical upper bounds on the probability that a composite is returned. Moreover, we examine a slight modification of this algorithm that only considers integers that are not divisible by small primes, yielding improved bounds. In addition, we classify the numbers that contribute most to our estimate.
Optimal data-driven control of manufacturing processes using reinforcement learning: an application to wire arc additive manufacturing
Authors: Mattera Giulio , Caggiano Alessandra , Nele Luigi
Published: January 2024

Nowadays, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a crucial Key Enabling Technology with extensive application in diverse industrial sectors. Recently, considerable focus has been directed towards utilizing AI for the development of optimal control in industrial processes. In particular, reinforcement learning (RL) techniques have made significant advancements, enabling their application to data-driven problem-solving for the control of complex systems. Since industrial manufacturing processes can be treated as MIMO non-linear systems, RL can be used to develop complex data-driven intelligent decision-making or control systems. In this work, the workflow for developing a RL application for industrial manufacturing processes, including reward function setup, development of reduced order models and control policy construction, is addressed, and a new process-based reward function is proposed. To showcase the proposed approach, a case study is developed with reference to a wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) process. Based on experimental tests, a Reduced Order Model of the system is obtained and a Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient Controller is trained with aim to produce a simple geometry. Particular attention is given to the sim-to-real process by developing a WAAM simulator which allows to simulate the process in a realistic environment and to generate the code to be deployed on the motion platform controller.
Implications of policy changes for coastal landscape patterns and sustainability in Eastern China
Authors: Wang Yafei , Liao Jinfeng , Ye Yuxuan , O’Byrne David , Scown Murray W.
Published: January 2024

Context

The capacity of a landscape to maintain multifunctionality through ongoing pressures relates to its sustainability and is affected by land use policy and environmental changes. In coastal zones, limited empirical evidence exists regarding the impact of macro-level policy changes on local landscapes and their resulting temporal and spatial responses.

Objectives

This paper investigates the impact of national and provincial policies on local landscape patterns in China’s Zhejiang coastal zone, encompassing human expansion and ecological restoration in terms of landscape sustainability.

Methods

A cluster-based landscape pattern mining is conducted from 1990 to 2020 using Google Earth Engine, which is coupled with a historical policy classification analysis.

Results

Coastal zone policies evolved in three stages: development-oriented (1990–2010), conservation turning (2010–2017), and land-sea coordination (2017-present). Consequently, significant temporal and spatial differences in local landscape changes are observed. Artificial surface expansion aligned with these stages, especially in Hangzhou Bay, Xiangshan Bay, and Sanmen Bay. Expansion responded more swiftly to development-stimulating policies, exhibiting longer-lasting effects. Conservation policies faced delays due to conflicting interests, varied implementation entities, unsynchronized cycles, and a lack of coordinated conservation priorities across terrestrial and marine domains.

Conclusions

This study provides insights into the processes and patterns of human expansion and ecological restoration in coastal zones, offering implications for coastal policies and landscape sustainability. It facilitates an evaluation of the effectiveness of coastal zone policy implementation and suggests differentiated sustainable transformation plans. Moreover, it underscores the need to strengthen coordination between sea and land development for effective coastal zone management and sustainability.
Uniqueness of the extremal Schwarzschild de Sitter spacetime
Authors: Katona David , Lucietti James
Published: January 2024

We prove that any analytic vacuum spacetime with a positive cosmological constant in four and higher dimensions, that contains a static extremal Killing horizon with a maximally symmetric compact cross-section, must be locally isometric to either the extremal Schwarzschild de Sitter solution or its near-horizon geometry (the Nariai solution). In four-dimensions, this implies these solutions are the only analytic vacuum spacetimes that contain a static extremal horizon with compact cross-sections (up to identifications). We also consider the analogous uniqueness problem for the four-dimensional extremal hyperbolic Schwarzschild anti-de Sitter solution and show that it reduces to a spectral problem for the laplacian on compact hyperbolic surfaces, if a cohomological obstruction to the uniqueness of infinitesimal transverse deformations of the horizon is absent.
Design consideration on integration of mechanical intravascular ultrasound and electromagnetic tracking sensor for intravascular reconstruction
Authors: Cai Wenran , Hara Kazuaki , Tomii Naoki , Kobayashi Etsuko , Ohya Takashi , Sakuma Ichiro
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Considering vessel deformation, endovascular navigation requires intraoperative geometric information. Mechanical intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) with an electromagnetic (EM) sensor can be used to reconstruct blood vessels with thin diameter. However, the integration design should be evaluated based on the factors affecting the reconstruction error.

Methods

The interference between the mechanical IVUS and EM sensor was measured in different relative positions. Two designs of the integrated catheter were evaluated by measuring the reconstruction errors using a rigid vascular phantom.

Results

When the distance from the EM sensor to the field generator was 75 mm, the interference from mechanical IVUS to an EM sensor was negligible, with position and rotation errors less than 0.1 mm and 0.6°, respectively. The reconstructed vessel model for proximal IVUS transducer had a smooth surface but an inaccurate shape at large curvature of the vascular phantom. When the distance to the field generator was 175 mm, the error increased significantly.

Conclusion

Placing the IVUS transducer on the proximal side of the EM sensor is superior in terms of interference reduction but inferior in terms of mechanical stability compared to a distal transducer. The distal side is preferred due to better mechanical stability during catheter manipulation at larger curvature. With this configuration, surface reconstruction errors less than 1.7 mm (with RMS 0.57 mm) were achieved when the distance to the field generator was less than 175 mm.
Formation of glycidol fatty acid esters and 3-monochloro-1,2-propanediol fatty acid esters in heated foods
Authors: Shimamura Yuko , Miyazaki Megumi , Sawaki Shiho , Inagaki Ryo , Honda Hiroshi , Masuda Shuichi
Published: January 2024

Glycidol fatty acid esters (GEs) and 3-monochloro-1,2-propanediol fatty acid esters (3-MCPDEs) are formed at high temperatures during edible oil production. In this study, ground meat (beef, pork, and chicken) patties, cookies, and cupcakes were heated under various conditions using a temperature-controlled device to determine the amount of GEs and 3-MCPDEs produced. GE and 3-MCPDE were not detected in any meat heated in the oven (250 °C). When heating all meats using a muffle furnace, GEs were not detected at 400 °C but they were detected at 500 °C and 600 °C. At 600 °C, 3-MCPDEs were detected in all meats. When cookie and cupcake doughs prepared with rapeseed oil were heated in the oven, GEs were formed in both samples, reaching a maximum at 210 °C. 3-MCPDEs were detected only in cookies, reaching its maximum at 250 °C. The percentage of each GE in heated cookies and cupcakes was related to the fatty acid composition of the rapeseed oil. These results suggest that the formation of GEs and 3-MCPDEs may be affected by food ingredients, cooking device, and heating time, as well as heating temperature.
Development of a master–slave 3D printed robotic surgical finger with haptic feedback
Authors: Hamdi Jamal T. , Munshi Shadi , Azam Sufyan , Omer Aiman
Published: January 2024

Robotic surgery started nearly 30 years ago. It has achieved telepresence and the performance of repetitive, precise, and accurate tasks. The “master–slave” robotic system allows control of manipulators by surgeon at distant site. Robotic surgical fingers were developed to allow surgeons to move them with accuracy through sensors fixed on surgeon’s hand. Also, haptic sensors were developed to allow transmission of sensation from robotic finger to surgeon’s finger. A complete system of a, 3D printed by a stereolithography (SLA) 3D printer, robotic surgical finger with haptic feedback system is proposed. The developed system includes a master glove that controls the motion of a 3DOF robotic slave finger while getting haptic feedback of force/pressure exerted on it. The precise control of the slave robotic finger was achieved by applying a Proportional Integral and Derivative (PID), fast and robust, control algorithm using an Arduino based hardware and software module. The individual joint angles, metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP) and proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP), and wrist were measured using rotatory and inertial sensors respectively. The degree of movement for MCP, PIP, and Wrist joints were measured to be 0–86°, 0–71°, and 0–89° respectively. Motion to the robotic finger is mimicked by a glove motion requiring minimal learning curve for the device. The collected data for the slave motion is in good agreement with the master-glove motion data. The vibro-tactile haptic feedback system was developed to distinguish between three different materials to mimic human flesh, tumor, and bone. The master–slave system using robotic surgical finger with good simultaneous movement to surgeon’s finger and good haptic sensation will provide the surgeon with the opportunity to perform finger dissection in laparoscopic and robotic surgery, as it used to be in open surgery. 3D bio printing will make this process even cheaper with the added advantage of making surgical tools locally according to the need of the surgery. An ongoing work is to develop silicone based 8 mm robotic surgical finger with multiple type haptic feedback.
Control concept for the regulation of the surface layer properties using consecutive cuts in cryogenic hard turning of AISI 52100
Authors: Grossmann Felix , Follmann Viktor , Zhu Tong , Uebel Julian , Wolke Stefan , Kirsch Benjamin , Smaga Marek , Seewig Jörg , Beck Tilmann , Aurich Jan C.
Published: January 2024

In this study, a control concept for the simultaneous adjustment of the workpiece residual stresses and the surface roughness when cryogenic hard turning AISI 52100 is presented. The turning process is comprised by two consecutive cuts in which the process parameters vary, focusing on roughing and finishing; i.e. first a high, then a low depth of cut. On the first cut, the surface residual stress is adjusted via the cutting speed. On the second cut, the surface roughness is minimized by adjusting the feed rate while maintaining high compressive residual stresses. The surface residual stresses are determined by XRD and hole drilling measurements. For the estimation of the residual stresses the passive force is used. Based on these results, a control concept is presented which makes several assumptions that are partly validated by experiments.
Forecasting EUA futures volatility with geopolitical risk: evidence from GARCH-MIDAS models
Authors: Lu Hengzhen , Gao Qiujin , Xiao Ling , Dhesi Gurjeet
Published: January 2024

This paper examines whether the information contained in geopolitical risk (GPR) can improve the forecasting power of price volatility for carbon futures traded in the EU Emission Trading System. We employ the GARCH-MIDAS model and its extended forms to estimate and forecast the price volatility of carbon futures using the most informative GPR indicators. The models are examined for both statistical and economic significance. According to the results of the Model Confidence Set tests for the full-sample and sub-sample data, we find that the extended model, which accounts for the threat of geopolitical risk, exhibits superior forecasting ability for the full-sample data, while the model that includes drastic changes in geopolitical risk in Phase II and the model that considers serious geopolitical risk in Phase III have the best predictive power. Moreover, all GPR-related variables we use contribute to increasing economic gains. In particular, the threat of geopolitical risk contains valuable information for future EUA futures volatility and can provide the highest economic gains. Therefore, carbon market investors and policymakers should pay great attention to geopolitical risk, especially its threat, in risk and portfolio management.